(A/N: I have a legit explanation as to why this chapter took so long. It goes a little something like this. Shortly after I finished the previous chapter, I began work on this one. I then took a break so that I would have a COMPLETE OUTLINE for the rest of Fairy Without Wings, something I didn't have when I wrote Soul Chess. Granted, it's a flexible outline and can change if Mashima throws me a curveball. Or so I thought. For those of you who read the manga you'll know that Mashima came out of the woodworks and revealed Natsu to be well…eh heh…let's just say that him not surviving the miasma no longer makes sense ^^;. It would be an easy retcon fix SURE if I hadn't already shot my foot with a tranquilizer regarding something I was planning for Natsu during MY version of the Tartarus arc. That combined with a few IRL issues and I kind of lost my groove given I was smack dab in the middle of a fight scene.
So folks, here's the plan: I'm going to charge ahead and pretend that what Mashima revealed doesn't affect the Natsu of this universe. He never gave details about the whole thing so while details are sketchy I'd rather leave things as they are with a thinly veiled out—I do have one if things go south. I can still make my current plans work—than do a retcon, screw up a brilliant idea, and lock myself out of something that could be completely awesome. So, before any of you outcry that I'm an idiot that "Natsu should be able to survive miasma" know that I'm aware of that and I choose to temporarily ignore it and wait until I have more information to go on before I make a move. Also note that this won't have any relevance to this story until the Tartarus arc and this arc in particular so it's not that big a deal all things considered. So, let's get on with it. Here we go.)
Disclaimer: I only own my OCs. Also, quick note, retconning Kasumi's main weapons to serrated claws.
"When you take something for granted, it's usually terrifying when it suddenly isn't there. When I took Kallen and the others into the demonic realm, I learned that the hard way."
—Kasumi Atrumier
Elric
The town was still very much in shambles. It looked like a twister blew through it, but Kallen knew otherwise.
As did Lelouch. "Your powers?"
Kallen could only nod.
"I'm surprised traffic still goes through here. It looks like the whole town has been abandoned for years," Kasumi said, looking around. This only served to make Kallen self-conscious. The first time her demon form got out, no one had survived the ordeal. No one had come to the town since. Of course, her reaction was missed by Kasumi who was looking for a suitable spot to open the portal.
It was getting close to nightfall as Leana and Jace started wrapping up creating the magic circle that would ultimately lead to opening a gate to the demonic realm.
"Is this thing even safe?" Erza asked. "…or legal?"
"How else do you think demons get summoned?" Kasumi asked. "The important part is knowing how to control them, right Leana?"
"Absolutely," her friend answered. "Ready Jace?"
"Yes."
The two S-class mages stood on opposite points of the circle they created and synchronized their magic output to an even level, pouring their magic into the circle.
"Say, Lelouch," Kallen said to him. "How come you haven't let Kasumi try her miasma on your werewolf form?" The idea had just dawned on her.
"Keeping up that form for an entire week would be troublesome, especially where miasma is considered. I've done my research in the time since we first asked for Kasumi's help. I'd be more of a hindrance than helpful with so much miasma in the air if my natural body can't handle it."
"Sadly the same can only be said for someone like Elfman," Mirajane said, having overheard the conversation. "Mana makes demons crazy the same way miasma does the same for beasts. But don't worry, that's why I'm here."
Kallen smiled. She then felt a warm light splash over her from behind and turned to see a large, green portal beginning to fill out through the whole circle.
"Well, there's our ticket in," Kasumi said. "Before we enter, I have a warning."
"A warning?" Kallen asked.
"Even with my pull in the demonic realm, not every demon in there is friendly or fiercely loyal to Ratatosk. We may have to fight our way to our goals at some points. To that end, Kallen, Mirajane, my warning is this: do not lose control of your demonic powers. If control slips out from your grasp, you might be stuck as a demon forever."
"I'll be careful," Kallen said with conviction.
"So I expect," Kasumi said. "There's no guarantee Ratatosk will be able to fix you. Even he has his limits."
"So what exactly is the plan here?" Suzaku asked her.
"We'll ask Ratatosk first if he knows Naoto. If we can't get any leads, well it'll be like searching for a needle in a haystack. If we can't find anything after a week, we'll have to pull back." She looked at Erza and Lelouch. "If anything comes through this portal besides us, you two are in charge of taking it out. Rotate between yourselves, Jace and Leana for guard duty. You'll have to take night shifts in rotation."
"Understood," Lelouch affirmed.
"It's ready," Leana declared.
"Right then," Kasumi said. "Everyone stay close."
One by one the group began to enter the portal. Kallen was the last one to step into it. She lingered momentarily as she gazed back at Lelouch. "Don't give up on me. We're all coming back and we're all coming back in one piece!"
"The thought hadn't crossed my mind otherwise," he said.
Kallen smiled and then jumped through the portal.
The Demonic Realm
Kallen free fell a few feet as she landed on the demonic realm's surface. For Kasumi, the scenery of the demonic realm hadn't changed at all. Endlessly stretching streets designed by a disturbed gothic artist in a red light district, empty blackness otherwise and a white light at the far end of the realm that illuminated everything else, the place was as nostalgic as ever to the guild master of Kraken's Eye.
"This is the demonic realm?" It certainly wasn't what Kallen was expecting.
"I must admit even if did not imagine it looked like this," CC stated.
"Me neither. I mean, I've heard stories, but this goes beyond my realm of imagination," Loke collaborated.
"Yes, it certainly goes against expectations," Kasumi said. "A lot of things here do."
"So where's father's domain?" Kalina asked her mother.
"See that white light?"
"That…awwww no…awwwwwwww no," Loke complained realizing exactly the amount of walking involved.
"Well, not that far, but down in that direction at least," Kasumi said. "Now come on."
However, as the party of seven walked together, Kasumi could only feel as if something was wrong. The skin on her shoulders was prickling up and she couldn't help but notice the dirty looks being sent in the party's general direction.
"Cozy place at least," Kalina said.
"You can't mean that," Kallen griped.
"Well it's not like it's inhospitable," Kalina said.
"I'd sooner book a vacation to an active volcano," Loke said, "with Aquarius."
Kalina stuck up her nose, "Hmph, clearly you lack refined taste."
"My taste is plenty refined, thank you!" Loke exclaimed.
It was right after this that Kasumi felt something with her sixth sense. Instantly she had to block an incoming claw with her artificial ones. Immediately a bunch of black-winged, green demons nearby began attacking the party.
"Looks like a fight is on," Loke said, clenching his fist.
"Must we really fight?" Suzaku questioned, standing back to back with Mirajane.
"Yes!" Kasumi said. "Most demons think of humans as little more than food." She gutted the demon attacking her with her katar. "Fight for your life!"
"You don't have to tell me twice," Kallen said. "Radiant Wave Surge!" Her radioactive blast eradicated the creatures in front of her by making their skin bubble before they exploded.
"Shinku Hadoken!"
Mirajane transformed into her Satan Soul. "Soul Extinction!"
"Geass: Vision."
"Lion Brilliance!"
A portal opened above Kalina's head. "I summon thee: Petravark!" An red, elephant sized creature with a long nose like an anteater merged with a saw fish and having the crest of a lotus flower on its head and floating on dozens of tentacles appeared from it. The creature roared and then charged through the attacking demons swiftly.
"What the heck is that?" Kallen asked.
"What? Petravark?" Kalina asked. "He's one of my many pets. Isn't he cute?"
Kallen looked at how Petravark was currently eating one of the demons with its and letting its weird tentacle nose drink the fluids of another. "Uh…cute isn't exactly how I would describe it."
"You're a nightmare summoner," CC noted.
"Huh? Nightmares?" Loke asked as he punched another demon's head clean off with his Regulus magic. "Is that similar to being a stellar spirit mage?"
"Sort of," Kalina answered as she moved about her hands rhythmically. Her motions seemed to be directing Petravark's actions. "With stellar spirits a contract is formed and the spirit itself can act independently from its master. However, with nightmare summoning, you form the contract in a subconscious state, sleep or otherwise. The beings you make contracts with have to be pulled into the material world and forcibly subdued. Creatures like Petravark react positively to force. Then, it's only a matter of using a special spell to bind the creature to you. After that, a psychic link is connected between mage and nightmare and well, I can communicate to Petravark with thought and hand motions." Kalina then whistled by sticking her thumb and index finger by her mouth.
Petravark immediately charged towards Kalina's location, tearing through a building to get to her.
"Sound works too." Kalina said and then rubbed Petravark's snout. "Who's a good widdle nightmare? You are, yes you are."
"I think I'm going to be sick," Loke remarked.
"What is going on? You weaklings can't take care of a bunch of humans?!"
Kasumi turned to see a grayish brown demon with large brown wings approach the group. He had upright, curved horns and glowing red eyes. He was also carrying a two-handed long sword steeped in deep shadow. He also had spikes on the backs of his forearms.
Kasumi winced. Oh shit.
When the demon saw her, it laughed. "Kasumi Atrumier, big surprise."
"Abyssion call off your attack. Or do you want to invoke your master's wrath!"
Abyssion only laughed. "Invoke his wrath? I'm afraid you do not understand the current state of affairs, bearer of the tainted blood."
"You would sling that slur at me too?" Kasumi scowled.
"How long have I waited for the day when I could kill you with my own two hands, Kasumi. Your kind is not welcome in the demonic realm." Abyssion had always had a problem with half-demons. He only fought for Ratatosk because he was strong. If he was attacking Kasumi, then something had happened to Ratatosk. That was not good for anyone involved in the mission.
Still, Kasumi refused to let her fear show. "What a coincidence." She bared both of her metal claws at Abyssion. "So have I."
More demons began to swarm the area as Kasumi charged at Abyssion, her claw seeking his chest. However, as she drew near her attack was repelled by Abyssion's skin. Kasumi was forced to jump back to avoid an incoming swing from Abyssion's shadowy sword.
What's going on? Kasumi wondered as she began to dodge subsequent attacks from Abyssion. An attack of that magnitude should've run him through. As Abyssion's sword missed Kasumi's face by mere centimeters, taking a lock of her hair with it, she jumped into the air. Tch, nothing for it then. Dispelling one of her claws, Kasumi extended her arm forward and shouted, "Chaos Burst!" An uncontrolled mass of dark energy exploded from her hands and dowsed Abyssion with it. It was a direct hit.
Kasumi dropped to the ground and ran her remaining claw through the face of a demon trying to strike her from behind as she wondered the damage she did to Abyssion. He seemed to be relatively undamaged.
That was one of my strongest magic spells. How did he…
"Wouldn't be the first time I've been hit with that particular dark magic spell. Go ahead, try it again, see if it fares better a second time, bearer of the tainted blood."
He can't be absorbing it, so what's his angle. "Chaos Burst!" Using the attack again, Kasumi nailed Abyssion with another direct hit. From the dust cloud he came at her with his sword. Kasumi barely avoided getting stabbed in the stomach. If not for Mirajane's timely intervention, she would've then been attacked from behind by another, minor demon.
"Figured it out yet?" Abyssion taunted.
Before Kasumi could answer, CC answered for her. "You bear the Tough Hide curse. It's an ability that makes it so that normal attacks have absolutely no effect on you and repeated attacks from the same magic have less effect the more it's used." Abyssion was struck speechless. Kasumi was in awe.
"Well, someone's done their research."
"Not really." CC's eyes flared red with the image of a sparrow in her pupils. "Geass: Reader. In addition to seeing what my opponent is about to do next, I can also read their mind like an open book. Your abilities, Abyssion are no exception. Geass: Vision." Powerful eye beams ejected from CC's peepers as they tunneled into Abyssion's chest, leaving a burn mark. "Hmph, it appears demons are more resilient in their home world than I thought."
"Was that your best?" Abyssion taunted.
"Hardly," CC retorted as she prepared to unleash a more powerful version of her attack, but before she could an explosion of energy erupted behind her and Kasumi. As the two turned to see what was happening, Kallen, in her full demonic form, charged forward and ran towards Abyssion like a wild gorilla. Roaring she planted her entire palm into his torso and with the radioactive surge of her power she obliterated Abyssion in seconds.
"Kallen!" Kasumi shouted as Kallen roared, turned and used her mouth laser to destroy a few demons trying to flee the area.
"Dammit, is she out of control?" Kasumi ran towards Kallen hoping she had the strength to subdue her, but that's when she saw Mirajane, in her demon form, punch Kallen in the face and knock her to the ground. Mirajane then landed and returned to her normal form.
Kallen got up, still in her demonic form.
"Why did you change back?" Kasumi asked as she and CC met up with the others.
"It's okay, she should be lucid now," Mirajane said.
"Urgh, aagh, my head," The voice was Kallen's but it was heavily distorted by her current form.
"Kallen, are you okay?" Mirajane asked her.
"I…think so," she gasped. "What's wrong with my voice?" She then looked down at her hand and screamed as she started freaking out.
"Kallen! Kallen!" Kasumi said, grabbing her left arm. "Calm down. I told you this might happen. We should be thankful that you're at least with us."
"But you said Ratatosk might not be able to change me back. What if I'm stuck looking like this?"
"We'll find a way, Kallen. Right now I need you to be calm. Can you do that for me?"
Kallen calmed down and her breathing regulated. "Will I really be stuck like this?"
"If Ratatosk can't, I'll do something about it. I knew the problems we faced with your lack of control going in. The fact that you're lucid is the best thing for us right now."
"I wonder why," Suzaku said. "Every other time Kallen transformed she was completely out of control from what I've heard."
"We're in the demonic realm," Kasumi explained. "Mana levels are low. When Mirajane struck her earlier, it must've expelled the little bit of magic power Kallen was currently using. If she remains calm she can keep feeding off the miasma here in the demonic realm and it won't bother her in the slightest. The calmer she is, the less she absorbs and if she hasn't absorbed too much by the time we find Ratatosk he should be able to bring her back to normal."
"It sounded to me like Ratatosk might have run into some trouble," Loke pointed out. "I heard you talking with that demon."
Kasumi sighed. "Yes, I fear something may have happened to him, but we're headed in that direction anyway, we might as well help him."
"The Black Knights owe Ratatosk a debt," Kallen said. "We have to help him."
Kasumi nodded. "Follow me." She began to lead the group in a direction that was more northwest than their original pathway.
"Where are we going?" Mirajane asked.
"My mother's place," Kasumi answered. "As a succubus she'd definitely know what's happened to the king of demons."
"We're going to see grandma?" Kalina asked.
"Oh that's right. You've never met her," Kasumi said and sighed with a smile. "Well this will certainly be a surprise for both of us." She jumped down a small cliff and beckoned the others to follow her as they began walking out of the residential district. "This isn't the fastest way to our destination, but if we stay off the main road we shouldn't encounter much more trouble."
"How long will that take?" Loke asked.
"Three hours."
"Three hours?" Loke asked.
"Hey, at least it's not three days."
"If you don't want to walk, Loke, you're welcome to ride on Petravark with me," Kalina said, using her summon as a steed.
"Pass."
Elric
As the stars and moon shone over the ruins of Elric, Lelouch and Erza unrolled a quartet of sleeping bags. Nothing had come out of the portal yet and they were prepared to get some sleep. With Leana and Jace keeping the portal open one at a time, both Lelouch and Erza would be sleeping in shifts as well. Erza, having more stamina, opted for the first watch with Leana.
The queen of the fairies sat down on a broken wooden beam that used to be part of the front side of the foundation to someone's house. She watched Leana focus intently on keeping the portal open. Erza was never one for small talk, but Kraken's Eye was an enigma to her. And, especially, she had heard stories of its renowned Thoughtpicker Witch. She wanted more information. She was trusting this guild with her friends' lives after all.
"Leana," she spoke up.
"Hmm?"
"Care to tell me how you got the moniker the Thoughtpicker Witch. I've heard stories, but I want to hear it straight from you."
Leana sighed. "There's not much to say really. One magic I've perfected over the years is the ability to create a psychic link between me and someone else. It immobilizes them and I'm able to enter their mind. Depending on a person's mental fortitude depends on how much and what kinds of information I'm able to get at. Usually there's always something the victim doesn't want me to see. Frequently I use it to break my enemy's spirit by exposing their insecurities about themselves."
"That sounds unnecessarily cruel."
"Yes, I've heard that criticism plenty of times. However, when you're trying to get information, sometimes you have to be pragmatic."
"By what? Making people cry and crumple into a fetal position?"
"If the situation calls for it," Leana answered.
Erza scowled. "That's despicable. I expect that kind of thing from a dark mage."
"There's nothing illegal about it. Sometimes you need to break a few eggs to make an omelette when it comes to certain missions. Of course, there are other, more pleasant uses for my magic."
"Name one."
"Sometimes the elderly have problems recalling fonder memories or where they buried a great treasure that they want to pass on to their children and grandchildren. The memories aren't gone. Their minds simply can't access them. I'm able to get at that information."
"That…does sound useful. Name another."
"Ever wanted to get rid of a nasty memory or replace it with a new one? I can't create memories from scratch. I don't have that kind of power. However, I can reshape memories or delete particularly painful ones partly at least. It helps people get over heartbreak, the death of a loved one and several other painful experiences."
"That…also sounds useful."
"There's another oft requested one too, you know. People sometimes use me as a romance consultant. Ever wanted to know your true feelings for someone else? I can find that out. The truth is always in your mind somewhere. I can pull it out."
"You can do that?"
Leana chuckled. "With the way you said that you sound like you're interested."
"N-no way!" Erza exclaimed. "I-I'm just curious for the sake of er…um…" She suddenly stood up, blushed, put her hands to her ears and started singing the opening number to the Mask of Malevolence considerably off key.
From his sleeping back, Lelouch groaned as he sat up. "Erza, do you mind?"
"Oh, sorry, Lelouch," she apologized and sat back down. "You didn't…hear our conversation did you?"
"I didn't hear anything until your singing woke me up, if you could call it singing."
Erza stared at Lelouch mouth agape, eyes wide. He did not just insult her singing.
"If you're going to do that, leave the town limits," Lelouch said, lying back down.
"I…but…"
"Goodnight, Erza," Lelouch grumbled and shut his eyes.
Erza was at a loss for words. Any normal person would've known that Lelouch was just grumpy from having been woken up, but Erza wasn't exactly what you would call normal.
Unfortunately Leana only made things worse. "Sounds like someone really could use an application of my magic."
While Erza would've preferred to yell at Leana that she was wrong, she didn't want to wake Lelouch up again so she just put her hands in her gauntlets and let out the most girly whine she'd ever uttered in her life, the blush on her face not disappearing.
The Demonic Realm
As the group approached Mia's mansion, Loke whistled in awe. "Your mother lives here?"
"She does," Kasumi answered.
"Sheesh, I think the only time I've seen a fancier place is the Blue Pegasus guildhouse."
"So we can just walk right in the front door, unannounced?" Suzaku asked.
"Of course not," Kasumi said as she rang the doorbell. "Manners are accepted even in the demonic realm."
"That's not what I meant," Suzaku sighed. "I mean, like, your mother isn't expecting us, so—"
"She's my mother," Kasumi answered. "Do you need a reason to visit yours without an invite?"
At the thought of him going to Fighting Spirit to see Selina, unannounced, Suzaku simply sighed. "No, no I don't."
"Then same deal here."
When the door opened, a demon dressed in a fancy suit and monocle with a dragon-like head answered the door. "Yes, can I help you?"
"I'm here to see Mia. My name is Kasumi Atrumier."
"Lady Kasumi?" The butler demon adjusted his monocle and did his best to get a good look at Kasumi. It had been almost two decades since Kasumi had left the demonic realm. Her appearance had drastically changed in stature, size and style."
Curious, the demon cupped Kasumi's chin and stared into her eyes, puzzled. He vaguely seemed to recall a young teenager that Mia had referred to as her daughter. "Has it really been so many years to you humans?"
"Calil, is something the matter?" The others looked as a violet-haired demon wearing white heels, a skintight leotard and sporting large, white bat-like wings appeared on the main stairway.
Loke, upon seeing the attractive, nubile woman raced inside, dropped to his knees and looked at Mia with heart eyes. "Never before have I born witness to true beauty in its rawest form. Before me must stand the epitome of feminine magnificence in the demonic realm."
"Young man!" Calil scolded, prepared to drag Loke out.
"It's fine, Calil," Mia said as she propped her hands on the banister. She then looked past her butler. Ignoring Loke. "Who are the others?"
"Mother!" Kasumi called from the doorway.
Mia's jaw dropped in surprise. "Kasumi?"
"Mistress are you sure this is—"
"Calil let them in this instant!"
"Yes mistress," the butler sidestepped the doorway, permitting Kasumi and the others to enter inside. Kasumi ran towards her mother, shoving Loke aside as Mia came traipsing down the stairs. Kasumi embraced her mother, having not been able to see her in so long. She also had been worried that Mia might not have wanted to see her if something had truly happened to Ratatosk.
"Mother, what happened to the demonic realm?" Kasumi asked, her arms still around her mother's back as she looked at her.
"Nothing good I'm afraid," Mia said as she took a few steps back and noticed the others. "Who are they?" She then noticed how Kallen's large body was finding it difficult to enter into the smaller doorway. Mia sighed. "Kasumi, you know I don't allow pets in the house."
"I'm not a pet! I'm a takeover mage!" Kallen snapped.
"She's trapped in her demonic form," Kasumi explained. "We came here looking for her brother who vanished here years ago. Unfortunately, Abyssion attacked us when we entered. She obliterated him."
"Well, couldn't have happened to a nicer demon," Mia said offhandedly. "Dear," she called to Kallen. "You can try crawling in. I'm sure you'll fit."
Kallen grumbled, but did as she was told and managed to get in the front door. Thankfully the foyer was large enough for her to stand in.
"So, care to formally introduce me to your friends?" Mia asked Kasumi with a smile.
"More like acquaintances," Kasumi stated as she began introductions. "From the guild Knightmare Frame, this is CC and Suzaku."
CC silently nodded and Suzaku gave a full bow to Mia followed by a, "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Kasumi gestured to Mirajane, "Mirajane from Fairy Tail."
"Nice to meet you," Mirajane clapped her hands and smiled.
"The big girl is Kallen. She's the reason we're all here."
"Um…" Kallen scratched her head. "Nice to meet you. Sorry for my current state of affairs."
"It's fine," Mia chuckled, holding up a hand.
"The idiot is—"
Without waiting for formal introductions, Loke got up and took Mia's hand. "Please, call me Loke," he said, bowing. "You honor me with your presence m'lady."
Mia laughed. "You are too kind."
Ugh, gross. Kasumi winced. She shook her head, knowing she had one more introduction to make. "And of course, last but not least." She walked over to Kalina and put her hands on her shoulders. "This is your granddaughter, Kalina Atrumier."
"Hi grandma," Kalina said with an awkward smile.
"Oh my goodness, aren't you just the cutest thing?" Mia cried, walking over to Kalina an pinching her cheek.
"H-hey, I'm a teenager you know and I'm an S-class mage. I'm hardly cute."
"Oh that's quite young for someone of our species. Trust me, you're adorable."
"Mom, as much as watching you coddle Kalina brings a smile to my face," Kasumi said, "could you please tell me what's going on?"
"Ah, yes, I suppose we can have family bonding time later," Mia said, letting go of Kalina. "Ratatosk has been imprisoned, Kasumi."
"You're kidding me," Kasumi didn't believe that for a second.
"I wish. It's unfortunately true. He's currently trapped in the dungeon of his own domain. Quite ironic considering how many demons he's put there."
"But if Ratatosk is trapped, then who's in charge right now?" Suzaku wanted to know.
"A demon named Ein. He is…was one of Ratatosk's elite. Now he sits on the throne, and he is orchestrating to undo everything your father has done."
"But we saw Ratatosk only a few months ago. He was fine," Kalina said.
"This happened less than a month ago. Ein hasn't had time to put his plan into action. And if it's indeed true that you all annihilated Abyssion and caused a ruckus in the residential district, I can guarantee you he'll be on guard now more than ever. He probably thinks you intend to claim Ratatosk's throne for yourself."
"Ein's always been a power hungry son of a bitch," Kasumi sneered.
"So what? Do we just go charging in and do a clean sweep?"
"Unfortunately, Ein is too powerful for that. Not only is he strong, but his curse lets him cast near perfect illusions that affect the five senses of his allies and enemies alike."
"Curse?" Mirajane crinkled her brow.
"Ah yes, this might be your first time dealing with actual demons aside from the one you possessed," Kasumi said, scratching her head and then looked at her comrades. "Much like how demons don't use mana and use miasma instead, they don't use magic either. Demons use curses. It's powered by their own internal energy, a force much stronger than the magic power contained within the human body. We humans, when we use magic, charge it using mana to amplify the attack, which harms demons. But their curses are even worse. When mana can make a demon addled, miasma can kill a human because it's a substance poisonous to the lungs."
"Oh. Yeah. That's fair," Kallen's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"But you can use miasma," Suzaku pointed out.
"I'm half demon so I'm unaffected by the poisonous effects miasma has on the human soul. I can utilize it and breathe it the same as a demon would. I might not have a demon's strength, and I can't use curses, but with magic you can learn different types. With demons, you're stuck with the curse you're born with. There is no changing it."
"Pros and cons to both," Mirajane noted. Puzzled, she then asked. "But then how does demon takeover magic work then?"
"Same as a half-demon would and it's one of the reasons they're so powerful. Mana, as a fuel source, is much more plentiful than miasma, except in the demonic realm. It's also greater in density than miasma. Therefore, if you're a demon that can utilize mana without losing your sense of self, you're quite dangerous to both species. Not every mage can do this though, it requires a special kind of fortitude to pull it off."
"So then…is it a magic beyond me?" Kallen asked.
Kasumi shook her head. "The fact that you're struggling after so many years of living with your magic shows that it's within your grasp. Keep working at it, Kallen. You'll master it eventually. That grotesque form is the demon's body that is within you. Like Mirajane, you need to full subdue it. Only then can you awaken to true power."
"But I was able to transform without any problems the moment I got my powers."
Kasumi smiled, proudly. "Then you are an exceptional mage indeed. That or the demon inside you is downright terrified of you and knows who is in charge."
Mirajane smiled sweetly, but there was something off about it. "Well I guess when master said I was talented he wasn't just flattering me then."
"So if taking down Ein directly is out, what courses of action are left?" Loke asked, finally returning to the real world from his daydreams of romancing Kasumi's mother.
"Simple, we free Ratatosk," Suzaku declared.
"Easier said than done, I'm afraid," CC pointed out.
"I know that," he said, irritated.
"If only Lelouch was here. He'd have a foolproof course of action ready."
"Hey, you don't think I've gotten to know him without knowing at least a little bit how he thinks, do you?" Suzaku said, jerking a thumb at his torso. "I might not be as smart as him, but I can concoct a half-decent plan."
"Oh yes, I'm sure we all feel so relieved," CC said sarcastically.
"Hey, half a plan is better than no plan at all," Mirajane said cheerfully.
"Mind including me into this sortie?" Mia requested. "Ratatosk is still my lord, even though he was usurped and Kasumi is my daughter."
"I had pretty much assumed you'd help," Suzaku said, rubbing the back of his neck. He cleared his throat. "Right then, listen carefully because I don't want to have to repeat myself."
Castle of the Demon King
Throne Room
Upon Ratatosk's throne sat a man dressed in red robe with black fringes. He had dark blue hair with a part of it sticking out the front in an awkward zigzag pattern. This was the non-etherious form of Ein Zen, the current king of demons. He was currently being given a full report by one of the messenger demons that had survived the encounter in the residential district.
"Is that your full report?" Ein asked. His base, suave tone barely echoed in the great throne room.
"Yes sir, Lord Ein."
"I see, you are dismissed then," Ein shooed the messenger out the door. He stood up and walked down the steps leading up to the throne. He stood in the middle of the room and called calmly, "Ash."
Instantly a slightly brawny grayish brown demon with ratty, sandy brown wings, two spiral shaped horns that stood upright above his head, wearing copper pauldrons, shin guards and bracelets with a skull helmet that covered the top of his elongated face, and carrying a hefty, black battleax, appeared before Ein. He was kneeling before the usurper of the throne.
"You called, Lord Ein?"
"We have uninvited guests intending to take the castle. I suspect they might try and free Ratatosk. I want you to guard the entrance to the dungeons and," Ein smiled, "make their acquaintance."
"Yes sir!" Ash then disappeared from Ein's sight.
Ein then looked at a stained glass picture behind the throne that showcased when Ratatosk had held Kasumi above all demon kind as a means of bridging the gap between humans and demons. "The woman you love is coming to stop me, Ratatosk. I can't wait to see the look on your face when I present her corpse to your feet."
"Suzaku's not one for well-conceived, but on the field of battle…eh, I'd give him a passing grade."
—Lelouch Lamperouge
(A/N: If you folks can't figure out who Ein is an expy of, I pity you. That said, I again apologize for taking so long with this chapter. And, from the looks of things, it doesn't seem like this will be a very long arc, yet again. And I'm not cutting corners this time either. I think maybe 2 chapters at the most should be all I really need for finishing this arc with what I have in mind for it. Thankfully next arc is a canon arc—Orocion Seis—so things will definitely be about the length of the Unistrad and Fighting Spirit arcs. Be on the lookout for a special surprise if not next chapter then the one after. For now, I have to do dishes. Ja ne!)
PS: It would mean a lot to me if you folks would help expand this series' tvtropes page and subscribe to me on twitter at draconichero19. Thanks so much.
