Day two.
The show had ended but Index happily told them it would be on later. Something called a rerun. She didn't understand but it would be the same show. And of course, Aisa and herself would watch. It was kind of the Television people to replay the show so Aisa could keep up with the complicated twist and turns of the plot line. They would have something to eat and Touma would study.
Her smile was perfect with big round puppy dog green eyes looking at Kanzaki as she slowly walked from the kitchen to the table, precariously holding a serving tray with 3 cups. The tray wobbled, Kanzaki and Stiyl's bodies tensed, as they observed the petite nun. "I'm surprised." Index spoke, slowly kneeling, putting the tray on the table. Two of the cups filled with hot tea, a third with hot water and an open teabag, looking stiff like it had served a book marker in a thick book in a previous life. Kanzaki smiled, her cheeks red as index placed the cup of freshly brewed tea on the table. Then she grinned, seeing Index thin her eyes and her mouth, glaring. She looked like a police officer casing a thief. Stiyls eyes went wide, "what?" He said, somewhat taken aback by her glare. Even though he seemed concerned by his expression, wearing a weak smile, his heart raced. She set the cup of hot water and the stiff wrapped teabag, "it's Lipton." She said, twisting her lips, "why does she?" He looked at Kanzaki and the freshly brewed tea. "Because…" Index growled. She put her small hand on Kanzaki's arm, gave her an angelic smile. "The Lord teaches us forgiveness…" She said, patting her arm, "she's apologized to Touma." Her voice went deep and a little dark, "and someone hasn't." She peaked from the edge of her eye. A cold heat bore into him. "I'm feeling really sorry -he said cynically -for that boy" as he unwrapped the Lipton teabag, placed it in the hot water or tried. The bag floated on the surface like a bobber waiting for fish to pull it under. Stiyl Magnus creased his forehead in disappointment. He was a sorcerer from England. The land of the finest Teas. It was with national pride to consume tea at an appointed hour. Factories would stop work as young tea ladies pushed around carts with freshly brewed tea, cookies and sugar. (this was my mom's first job growing up in Ireland.) He grunted as he pushed the bag of stiff dried tea leaves down to the hot water only to have it pop up like a bobber. Index scrutinized him with thinly disguised amusement, crossed her arms over her chest, jerked her head, "Hmph!" She closed her eyes, pushing out her lower lip. Kanzaki sighed, as the two played out their roles. In the past, she had seen them do it over and over. But it all changed. Once close friends, they played the villains. Every year they would chase their friend down and erase her memories. They had been misled into believing if they didn't she could die. Her chest hurt for a moment, bringing her hand up between her breast, reliving those moments. "Kanzaki?" The petite nun spoke with a hint of concern in her voice. "Are you feeling well?" She asked. Kanzaki slowly smiled, her eyes glisten, "of course I do. I was just thinking…"
"Aargh!" the red-haired magician growled, losing his battle to sink the teabag. Index quickly turned her head, showing her frustration, "you're as bad as Touma." She said, taking the spoon off the table, jammed the teabag under the water until it turned brown. "See…" She angrily stared at him, her chin raised in defiance. They looked at each other, neither one budging as the water turned brown. Kanzaki sighed, bringing the cup of steaming hot tea to her lips.
"Guuuuurgle!" Index's stomach growled. Her green eyes wide, looked over Kanzaki without missing a beat, "are you hungry, Kanzaki?" Stiyls burst out into laughter, as Index pushed the blame. So much like herself. "Yes, Kanzaki. Are you hungry?" He smiled maliciously.
It was Index's way of telling her it was time to eat. And Kanzaki knew the answer had to be yes. Index is a nun in training, and training was the operative word. Her eyes bore into Kanzaki as if willing the word yes, out of her mouth. Her head shaking up and down in quick rapid movements like a vibrator on high. "Yes." Kanzaki spoke. She sprinted the few meters to the kitchen, the breeze, created by an excited Index, lifted a few strands of her long black hair, drifted to her shoulder. Stiyls made a sour face, drinking the tea, but his grin said it all. Despite the harassment he really enjoyed himself.
The opening of the refrigerator door, the rustling of something, the sound of giggling. "I would wait until Touma and Aisa got back from school." She spoke, her words wet with slobber, "but if you're hungry_" A pang of guilt, Kanzaki's cheeks blushed, "wwhat time is, are they…" thinking of a certain boy.
"Not long."
"Then maybe we should _" lunch with Touma caused her heart to beat out of control, her cheeks turned beet red. "you're hungry!" index spoke again, "I have to be a good host, so if you're hungry, I should fix you something to eat." She laughed, "but I only have the sandwich."
She called it a blessing. Every Friday afternoon there would be a knock on the door and like magic, a delivery boy from a local sandwich shop would be standing with a two-foot-long sandwich, meat and cheese piled high. And of course, index was not one to let a good thing or a free sandwich get away. Stiyls and Kanzaki gave each other a quick glance and a knowing smirk.
They could hear plates being set out on the counter, the sound of something wrapped in plastic hitting the counter. A quick chomp. "There we go…" Index, with her cheeks full like a chipmunk gathering for the winter, came out of the kitchen, carrying plates, her eyes glowing. "So…" She said, quickly chewing, swallowing, kneeled to the floor, setting the plates, three of them stacked on top of each other on the table. She hummed, handing out the plates, then scampered to the kitchen. Came back with a small wooden serving tray in her hands with two greatly unequaled cuts of the magical sandwich piled high with meat and cheese and an apple. The larger piece of sandwich had a mysterious piece missing. The exact diameters of the missing mouth sized area would match a certain nun in training's mouth, next to it a smaller piece half it size. She then put the apple on the table, in front of the tall red headed boy dressed in black priest robes. And the expression of Stiyls Magnus face said it all.
He looked at the Apple. His eyes opened a little wider, like water rising to the surface becoming wet. Why did she give him an Apple? There was nothing exceptional about this piece of fruit. It wasn't very large or very small. Its color wasn't the brightest perfect red. But it was a simple apple. She nonchalantly put down in front of him before she placed the sandwiches on the plates. Kanzaki saw his reaction. She stared with her mouth opened, lips parted looking at a piece of the past, feeling her heart hit her chest. Every year they'd chase her down. They'd catch her, bind her and erase her memories. Did they miss one?
Stiyls did his best to keep his fingers from trembling. He tensed his jaw, so he wouldn't let her, Index, see him swallowing as he reached out, gently took the apple, cautiously like a precious gift. He opened his mouth, nervously licking his lower lip, without thinking, his opposite hand reached inside his robe pulled out a small folded knife, taking the blade out, he put it on the plate. Kanzaki looked on as he went through the motions. Her trained eye catching the slightest shake of his hand gently setting the apple next to the knife on the plate. She'd seen him do it a thousand times but not in the last few years. He reached into his priest robes again, pulling out a small leather pouch, no bigger than the size of a quarter, tied with a small leather strap. He put it on the table next to the plate. Index watched him as she gobbled down her sandwich, pieces falling from her mouth, hitting the plate, table and eventually her lap then the floor. She creased her brow as he lifted the knife and brought it down on top of the apple, with a solid crisp crunch, cutting it in half. She quickly glanced at Kanzaki who was observing the apple fall to the side and leisurely rock back and forth on the plate, her eyes and face soft like seeing a memory come to life. Stiyls exhaled cautiously like a surgeon about to operate cutting the apple into half again and then half into eights. Index took a quick drink of tea, another quick bite of her sandwich. The apple opened like a flower blooming in spring, its white petals lined with red. He opened the small pouch, slipped two fingers inside and remove them, held his hand over the apple slices, sprinkled brown powder generously over them. He did this a couple of more times. His eyes stilled, focused as his fingers brushed the powder from their tips. He curled both hands around the apple, soft red and orange flame rose like a small campfire. the smell of apples and cinnamon filled the air.
When they were younger, when they were close friends. Index would bring fruit to the table, apples, peaches and pears. With a big warm smile, her eyes bright like the sun and he would sprinkle them with cinnamon and or sugar then use his flame to warm them until they glistened, even the air tasted terrific. He removed his hands, revealing the apples lightly browned, drenched in a soft glaze. He exhaled delicately as the flames disappeared. What would she do next? He thought, taking a piece of warm gooey apple and popped it into his mouth, closed his eyes, raised his chin with a soft smile, "yummy." He said in a musical tone.
He peaked at Kanzaki then to Index. Kanzaki's expression had gone blank when she saw the apple. She wondered, she had hoped. Stiyls smacked his lips teasingly, reached for another slice. Index quickly blinked, sniffing the air, drool dripped from the side of her mouth. "is that magical girl?" she yelled, pointing to the sliding glass door. "Oops, my mistake, the lord giveth us a miracle." Index spoke, feigning surprise. Her hand moved like a snake's strike snatching the plate, "Kanzaki would you like some." Index made the sign of the cross, glared at styles, setting the plate between Kanzaki and herself. "the Lord tells us, you, Stiyls should share." She said, closed her eyes, bowed her head then presented the warm glistening baked Apple slices with cinnamon glaze. Kanzaki gradually smiled, taking a couple, "take more." Index quickly spoke, giggling as she took a few for herself and return the plate with one apple slice. Stiyls looked at the plate, not caring, not giving a damn. This is what he expected, looking at Kanzaki with three slices and index with three. The way it used to be. How easy it falls into place he said to himself as a warmth filled his chest.
Index closed her eyes, took a deep breath, holding a small cup of tea in the palm of her right hand, her left hand cupping the rounded surface. The meal was finished, for now. The sandwich devoured, the apples crispy and warm still lingered in the air. Stiyl and Kanzaki waited patiently. It had been years since all of them had shared a moment like this. The atmosphere in the room felt light and serene. It would be picture perfect if the soft sound of water flowing, the hollow noise of the empty bamboo water feature, tapping a smooth stone would echo in the cool still air. Hidden on Stiyls face a warm satisfied smile. Kanzaki's cheeks bloomed in a warm soft pink, her eyes taking in the sunlight as reflected off her tea. "I think you were both lucky." She spoke with a serious tone. "From what you described earlier." She sighed, her shoulder gradually dropped, "she was playing with you." She lifted her chin, revealing her soft green eyes. "I think she may have thought it was a game." Index said, letting out a soft sigh, her eyes glazed over as she thought. "the symbols on the linins wrapped around her body and the etchings of chains around her wrist and ankles," she stopped, her tongue slipped across the thin lips, "were probably some form of bindings" she took another drink of tea. "so, she's definitely not an esper." Stiyls and Kanzaki sat silently listening to the petite nun in training like students in a classroom. "an apprentice? Maybe?".
"Apprentice!?" Stiyls shot a surprised look, nearly falling backwards, "that girl, that sorcerer survived both fire attacks, only her clothes were burned. There should have been nothing but a black mark on the ground. No way!" He threw his head side to side as his brow squeezed tight. "No way she was an_"
"Stiyls?" Kanzaki interrupted, the tall sorcerer dressed in black priest robes eyes wide, "sorry." He said realizing how loud he was shouting, quickly looked at Index, embarrassed and worried he may have scared her. He didn't mind acting like a tough guy in front of her but he would rather run through the fires of hell than see her scared. He had been a part of that, played a decisive role but he wouldn't anymore. He'd rather see the look he was getting, index with her eyes narrowed, twisting her lips, her fingers curled tight, "say it!" she growled. Stiyls eyebrows arched, looking for help from Kanzaki, "say what?"
Kanzaki smiled, shaking her head. He saw why she was smiling. There was index with her small hand, rubbing Kanzaki's arm, comforting a scared child. "What! What like she scared…" He pointed, "she's not… I… Mean…" He huffed, the cigarette sticking to his lips like gum, "I am not…" He looked away. Index thinned her eyes, - growled- until they were just slits. Stiyls took a deep breath in resignation, crossing his arms over his chest, "fine…" He said through tensed lips, "Kanzaki, I'm very sorry I yelled."
"Much better." Index's voice rang like a heavenly choir. Stiyls heart beat a little faster, bit the inside of his cheek to stop the smile he was struggling to hide. This was the way it used to be. The two girls, teaming up against him. He'd get so angry, yell, scream and use fire but it always ended up with a smile.
Index sighed, looking at the cup of tea on the table. "In the 103,000 grimores I can use, If I can reference any additional data." She said, picking up the cup and brought it to her mouth. "She's trained for physical combat." Kanzaki spoke. "Warrior training." Index nodded, "anything?"
"Average height, build, quick." Kanzaki continued, "but she's kind, uses healing magic."
"That's right. Strange?"
"Why?" Stiyl spoke, looking at index, "even I can use…"
"Your magic is fire magic and runes. Yes, you can heal mental wounds and alter faces. But, she healed everything, from broken bones, torn muscles, blood vessels, even your magic." Index shook her head, "she showed compassion." Kanzaki brought her hand up to her chin, looking hard at the table. "her use of fire to protect her from our fire attacks. Her body was covered in blue flames. But the nature of the flames was different." Index listened to Kanzaki as she went over the details again, shaking her head coming up with nothing. "I think the color of the flames are significant." Index said, sounding like she was asking a question. "The color of the flame depends on the source of the combustible material."
"like adding boron to a natural gas flame will turn the flame green. Or sodium will turn the flame a bright yellow." Stiyls quickly added. "what is her source?" Kanzaki whispered. "you probably had a peek at the source, Kanzaki." Index smiled softy, putting her hand on her forearm. Kanzaki looked at Index as creases form across her forehead, "you mean?" she looked at Index with a worried expression on her face. " what was below the surface? The beast I saw shrouded in the light.?" Kanzaki hesitated remembered the thing that seem just barely visible like a beast under the surface of the ocean's surface. It was huge. A large form just below the layer of reality, rose like a dark monolith into the sky. Its body segmented like a giant centipede, multiple legs running down the sides. Two sets of folded black wings, large spikes lining the edges. It's black head flat like a centipede but more like a large salamander, two sets of fangs glistened in its large mouth. Eyes like red rubies dotted the top of its head. the runic symbols decorated its body. she shivered thinking that the runic symbols were some sort of binding magic on a beast that size. "a demon or a dragon?" Kanzaki spoke unsure of the answer. Index pulled her lower lip into her mouth, nodding her head. "A dragon." The teacher answered the student. " a demon would not show compassion."
"Like the Dragon of St. George." Stiyl spoke, shutting his eyes. " like the one St. Martha is said to a subdued using compassion and love." Kanzaki spoke, shivers ran down her spine. She tensed her jaws. As a child, she had battled an evil dragon to fulfill a childish wish. But at the cost too great for her to bear, her friends had been hurt during the battle. And that would be the catalyst that led to her leaving the Amukusa-style remix of church. "Kanzaki?" Index's soft voice slipped into her mind, her warm hand placed on her wrist. "It's okay." Kanzaki spoke as she lowered her head, sniffled, wiping the corner of her eye. Index gently rubbed her wrist, "dragons are creatures of legends, they guard treasures, some are rampaging, destructive creatures that are said to serve God's angels or the devil" Stiyls leaned backwards, looking up at the ceiling, his arms behind him giving him little support. "Niohuggar…" The unlit cigarette wiggled in his mouth as he spoke, nodding, "the evil dragon that lives in the abyss."
"The Dragon of Norse mythology that gnaws at the root of the world tree, Yggdrasil." Index cut in. "Most Dragon use fire." Stiyl said. "For destruction."
"Destruction brings rebirth. The trees will grow back, the grass will grow back." Index continued, "they appear in Cannite, Hebrew, Hittite, Mesopotamia, Humbara. In the epic of Gilgamesh, the slaying of Kur. Zeus slew the Dragon typhoon, Thor killed the Midgard serpent. There is the story of the slaying of the leviathan in the Bible, Michael the Archangel and St. George reference dragons. "So, their dangerous." Styles spoke, shrugging his shoulders. Index shook her head, "history has shown us because we fear them, we make them dangerous. So, one can slaughter them. She didn't, she helped you. You attacked her." Index gave him a nasty look. "She surprised you and you attacked. She asked you if she could leave."
"She did ask." Kanzaki shook her head, disappointed. "And the other two didn't interfere."
"Because they knew she was okay." Index spoke, her eyes stilled, her retinas quivering side to side like a computer processing the data that ran across the screen. "This is interesting." She whispered. Stiyls and Kanzaki waited. "I see…" Index nodded her head in understanding. "I see…" She said again. Her eyes flickered like a light about to go out and then shined brighter green. "There are nine references," She said. " to an obscure grimores." She continued. "Bits and pieces appear in numerous other grimores. Magic to create and re-create, the worship of dragons_" Stiyls interrupted, "dragons!" jerking his head around, his face grimaced in pain as his neck cracked. "How?!"
"The priestess is bound in a master, servant relationship. The magic is etched into their skin, written on blessed pure white linen, wrapped around their bodies." Index sighed, paused. "What is it?" Kanzaki asked, putting her hand on Index's arm. "She trains to the point of death, and is reborn. another chapter is added. Every magic she has used is rooted into her body." Index took a deep breath as she sat the tea on the table, cupped her hands together, placing them on her lap. She knew the answer and it worried her. "That girl, the one you fought isn't a priestess. She is a grimores. A living, growing book of magic…" Kanzaki shuddered. "what?" she squeezed her brow, "they killed that girl and filled her body with magic?!" she clenched her fist tight, anger rose in her body but Index quickly spoke. "No, "she said, cooling down the angry Kanzaki. "I think she is alive and a willing participant. Maybe she couldn't develop her esper ability. But she is alive. If she was dead the power would've eaten her body." Kanzaki sighed in relief. During their battle, she had quickly grown to like the young woman. Even now she looked at her in a favorable light. She was finding her path in life and the way she fought and healed Stiyls told her it was a good path. But the Grimores sent a shiver down her spine. She had gone against angels, dragons and even saints. But grimores were so powerful, wizards and sorcerers would kill and die to get a peek at the cover. The ability to rewrite the world existed in these books. The power to build realms. And this young girl had fought them, healed a wounded sorcerer and left laughing to go shopping. "Shit!" Stiyl spat the word, jumping up off the floor. "Where?" Index quickly spoke. "I've got to informed the church." He said, moving to the door. Fire leapt from his finger, lighting up the cigarette. The door slammed.
Kanzaki and index were alone, sitting on the floor in silence. "So…" Kanzaki broke the uneasy silence. Index stood up, gathered the plates, stacked them on top of each other, carried them to the kitchen. "I guess I should get going." Kanzaki said, rising from the floor. "Please…" Index abruptly spoke, raising her head, looking over the counter, her eyes glistening. "Stay Kanzaki." She said. "Touma and Aisa should be home soon." She waited. Kanzaki's heart beat loud in her chest. she could hear it in her ears. Her cheeks flushed with his name. She anxiously touched the hilt of her sword. "I couldn't…" Her voice waned. "I just_"
"it's so lonely when they're gone, and Maika hasn't come yet " She said sounding like a child. "We can watch TV or read, even talk." Her voice sounded weak, the words carried no weight to them. Kanzaki nodded, "I'd like that…" She whispered, "but I_" index moved to the hall, in front of the door. a stern determined look on her face, her green eyes glowing, arms spread wide to prevent Kanzaki from leaving. It would be easy getting past the petite little nun in training. She imagined Index yelling, crying, clinging to her legs refusing to let go. Or she could leave by using the sliding glass door that opened to the balcony, leap across or up to the roof, leaving would be easy. Kanzaki sighed, closing her eyes, lowered her head, and did the easiest thing. "Okay." She said. "Great!" Index yelled, as she flew, wrapped her arms around a shocked Kanzaki, "we will have so much fun." She said with her face buried underneath Kanzaki's breast.