The following days were lively at the DWMA.
While Sinopia attempted to contain the news of Midori's escape to himself, Lord Death, and the remaining members of the staff, gossip arose throughout the student body. It seemed as if the messenger spread the news like absolute wildfire.
Sinopia's EAT class was especially rowdy from the news. Ivy Stanton was raved as a 'hero' amongst lower students, famed as the 'Witch Hunter' for exposing an undercover witch. At least, the majority of students believed Midori was an undercover witch, working with a higher, unannounced power.
"What do you think, Ivy?" A bright-eyed student latched herself to Ivy's side, as did a few other girls. Jasper had planted himself at his desk. He would never admit it, but he had grown tired of the frivolous drama over the witch. "She was working with the witch that soiled the reputation of poor Sage." Ivy flipped a few pieces of her chocolate locks out of her face. Sage, standing behind the hoard of Ivy's fangirls, rolled his eyes.
"Very funny, Ivy. Please, enlighten me on how I lost all of the souls I've gained, but hunted nearly all of them back. In fact, I believe I have more than you. Please, tell your adoring fans about how many souls you've collected." Sage chuckled. Ivy narrowed her coral eyes. Ivy's fans looked up at their role model, awaiting a response. "Are you jealous that you've lost your status as the strong, pretty boy? It's a shame; I always thought you were quite handsome." Ivy pointed at Sage's scar, running across his forehead, down his nose, and ending at his left cheek.
Meanwhile, the octet remained on the opposite side of the room, watching the altercation unfold. "I can't believe Midori just...left. I mean, she didn't even say why! Or how! Or...she didn't even say goodbye…" Cherry grumbled in remorse of her friend. She sat down on top of her desk, knees pulled up to her chest. Violet wrapped her arm around Cherry's shoulder. Saffron sighed, setting herself down in the seat next to Cherry. Gray stood behind Cherry, and Jade slipped into her seat. "There wasn't much we could have done. She refused to comply with Lord Death." Jade stated simply. "Maybe she didn't want to be stuck in a shitty cage against her will. I'd break out too." Roux shrugged, while Braith shook her head. "It was a cell. The real question is, how did she get out?" Braith asked, shaking his head. "She's a witch. Anything is possible." Jade added. Cherry buried her head into her kneecaps. "I wonder how Blanca and Amber are taking this…" Saffron sighed, patting Cherry's back. "Cryin' about losing a good shield." Noir commented. A few pairs of eyes shifted towards Noir.
"So you've heard from Blanca? She hasn't spoken with anyone recently." Violet asked, remaining by Cherry's side. Noir gave a goofy shrug. "Yup. She asked me to run by her room yesterday. Amber's not too worked up, but Blanca's pretty pissed." Saffron and Violet exchanged devious looks, then peered towards the back of the lecture hall, in which Blanca and Amber remained outcasts. After the Midori incident, students tended to avoid the duo. As for the octet, they stayed out of Blanca's way, in fear of her wrath. Blanca's eyes remained on Noir.
Sinopia strolled suddenly into the hall, and stood at his desk. "Good morning, class." he grumbled in a low growl. Several students scurried to their seats, as if sensing his anger. Ivy took her time elegantly strutting to her seat. "I will assure you all that the situation is none of the student's concern." Sinopia stated firmly. Ivy gave a tiny chuckle, in which Sinopia's eyes instantly darted towards the cocky girl. "Did I say something funny, Miss Stanton?" Sinopia snapped. Ivy straightened her posture. "No. sir." she replied. Sinopia took a step closer towards the girl. "Miss Stanton, don't play me for a fool. You're not a hero." Sinopia biting words caused a few students to gasp, and others to laugh. The only response Ivy could produce was silence. And with that, the lesson began.
"Ivy got what she deserved." Ruby cackled to herself, her arm latched around Sage's. After class, Sage had exited class instead of speaking to his younger companions. As, as per usual, his loyal weapons remained at his side. "I can't even tell if what Ivy had done was…'right'. A student, who may be innocent, has disappeared, and two other students are completely ostracized!" Azure exclaimed. "Preach it, sister." Ruby snapped her fingers. Sage gave a deep sigh, as the pair turned into the hallway. "It's a shame. Cherlise really did like the girl. A fine shield, also. Very rare." Sage nodded his head. Ruby tightened her grip around Sage's arm. "But we're better, right?" Ruby stomped her foot, while Azure giggled. Sage couldn't help but to join Azure in laughter. "You're both great, honestly. Wouldn't trade you two for the world." Sage assured, though Ruby didn't seem satisfied.
"Wouldn't you want a shield and a spear? You can't wield two spears and a shield, unless you grow another arm." Ruby stated. Sage gave a shrug. "It would be nice, but I'm very content with what I have." he stated. Ruby gave a roll of her eyes, while Azure chimed in. "I'm afraid I can't accompany you two on your mission tonight. Mom's in town." Azure stated, twirling a piece of curly crimson hair around her finger. Ruby gasped. "Shit! Rowan's in town? Fuck the mission, I'm staying with you! Is she making brownies?" Ruby exclaimed, bouncing up and down. "I hope!" Azure giggled, eyes now looking up at her meister. "Sage, you remember my mother, right?" Azure asked. Sage nodded his head. "How can I forget? She threatened to chop my head off if I got you hurt, then apologized and shoved cookies in my face." Sage laughed at the fond memory, while Azure nervously giggled. "Hehe...yeah. How about we put off the mission till' tomorrow, and visit my mom?" Azure asked. Sage shook his head. "No. You know how this is, Aze. We need to regain all of our lost souls. All ninety-nine." Sage ordered. Ruby groaned. "Come on! We know you just want to compete with Ivy! Give us a break, alright? I want some fucking brownies!" Ruby whined, releasing Sage from her grip. "Please, Sage? Just this one night?" Azure begged as well. Sage groaned.
"You two are hopeless. Fine. Have your brownies."
"Will you have brownies?"
"Your mother will forcibly shove them down my throat. I have no choice." Sage laughed, as the three exited the school building.
Amongst the night-dwellers of Death City and the sleeping citizens, a small home residing on the lower side of the city held an unearthly glow. The light of the small home lit up from the inside, candles flickering and wavering at the presence of wind. Garments hung from a clothesline on the side of the home. The interior of the home was simple and plain; Wooden furniture and handmade fabrics lined the home. The home only consisted of one large room, half as a kitchen, and half as a bedroom.
Lying on the bed, unmoving and deathly still, was Aurelia Kin. Her body had reverted into it's human state, but the bruises from the battle bound to her skin. And then, there was the obvious; She was missing an eye. A handmade quilt covered her body.
Adjacent to the unconscious witch, another one sat next to the bed. Perched on a wooden chair, sat a shorter, more dainty woman. Her hair was bleached blonde, lighter than Aurelia's golden shade. The style of her hair was messy and fluffed, but short. Her feet kicked back and forth, appearing bored. Her eyes shone a vibrant orange hue. She wore a fuschia dress, cutting off above her knees. "Onyx? Will she be okay?" The woman asked.
Across the room, a woman in a long, dark garment, covering the majority of her skin, began to wash the dirty dishes in the kitchen. Her face was covered by a fox masked. "I believe so. The eye has yet to be retrieved, but she will survive." Onyx replied, scrubbing the antique dishes. The blonde woman stood up from her chair. "This is deplorable! We must summon a witches' council! We won't stand for this!" she exclaimed. Onyx sighed, adjusting her mask. "Aurelia isn't an innocent woman. She must have done something in order for her to be put on the DWMA's hit list." Onyx replied, setting the disk down into the soapy water.
"What if she didn't?" The other woman asked. Onyx turned towards the woman. "Then we'll take matters into our own hands, my dear Beryl." Onyx smirked from under her mask. "There's no way of finding out the guilty party unless we do some digging!" The woman known as Beryl cried out. Onyx walked over towards the bed that Aurelia laid on. "A student exposed as a witch has escaped from the DWMA. I want you to find her, my child." Onyx instructed, placing a hand in between Aurelia's beautiful locks. "Why? What's the point of that?" Beryl asked. Onyx chuckled softly. "If we do happen to find ourselves in the midst of a war, we don't want to be outnumbered. As for finding out information, I'll have my children do a bit of 'digging'. From the meister that originally targetted my dear Aurelia, to the one who stole her eye. I want answers."
In the middle of her unconscious sleep, Aurelia smiled.