And just when things were going well and I was back on fucking schedule! Augh! So my phone died and took the whole chapter with it…yayyyyyy…..
Chapter 19
Two months after the deployment of Shin-Ra troops to the outback of Wutai, said deployment finally came under Emperor Godo's attention. So, as was natural, people were sent to locate the reason for the lack of a disturbance. However, because Bella never did anything normally, the poor ninjas were honestly bewildered at the whole absurdity of the whole thing. Cloud just about died laughing.
Yes, Bella didn't go to great lengths to keep herself under Shin-ra's radar…but at the same time she did. After all who would make a connection between the woman sighted in Nibleheim and the phantom skulking around Wutai?. And there was no such practice concerning Wutai itself. That just wasn't her objective to hide from them. All good so far.
Only neither side knew that.
What they saw, and mutually at that, was a woman, alternating between screaming and humming or singing eerie tunes, with alabaster white skin, glowing in the very limited light that reached the forest floor. Face framed by ebony hair so dark it drew light in and dragged on the ground and pale white eyes, were quite a dead giveaway to her presence. And that was before the horns and the claws registered. After a while, anyone traversing the forest would jump at the slightest unnatural sounding little thing, frantically looking for the sticking features, and if not hopefully catch a glimpse of the stark white robe she donned over her black dress.
She was driving the Shin-ra troops halfway into insanity. The infernal humming would follow them even after they were clear of the woods. It would stick in their heads, making them jump and startle from a sound sleep. The incomprehensible whimpers and the screams, oh Gaia the screams! Clear and delivered with such mournfulness and finality, it meant you were screwed because they meant she was close. They would play again and again and again inside their heads, to the point that a few soldiers started hallucinating her pale ghastly face in the darkness and behind corners. Morale was bad. Some of them spun tales of a young widow, mourning the death of her beloved at the hands of the cruel intruders. 'But it wasn't their fault' they would whimper amongst themselves. 'They were just following order.' Others theorized that she was a demon birthed from the planet's own bosom, incensed by the destruction of her home, now bearing the planet's vengeance. 'You've you've heard of AVALANCHE, right? I mean, they must have started for a reason. Maybe they aten't completely crazy. I mean have you seen Midgar?' They would mutter when the Sergeants weren't listening.
The phantom was clearly protecting Wutai, but… no matter how logical that was…why did it only seem like an afterthought?
Maybe she was seeking revenge.
On the other hand, the Wutai agents knew that she was very clearly aware of them watching, because she always fixed her, seemingly, sightless stare right at them, and then left them water and bread! All while staring. Right. At. Them. And then she would disappear! That was not terrifying at all!
In the end, no matter how anybody phrased it, there was something prowling the forests of Wutai and you better hope never to encounter her, or may the graceful Goddess Minerva have mercy on your poor, unfortunate soul because that woman won't. Or that was the "rumor".
The agents from Wutai began documenting the places the spirit lady would most frequently appear and started leaving her offerings, after, they somehow, interpreted that her leaving water and bread was a sign for them to leave her offerings.
And then! Then the spirit child appeared! A little boy, of no more than ten years, with golden hair, mimicking the rays of the sun, eyes so blue they might as well have been gifted by the sky itself, and skin so pale and glistening it almost looked translucent. This one would rarely appear in front of the Shin-ra troops, not that they minded. They were so thoroughly traumatized and jumpy at this point that the slightest out of place sound sent them running. Especially since the few that glimpsed the child's face reported a swirling, blurry vortex.
'Nough said.
The little boy would appear in a flurry of childish laughter and tiny little footfalls, echoing from somewhere in the vast sea of trees. And with a jubilant cry of "Nee-san.", he had the monstrous woman giving him her undivided attention, all the while bearing a most loving smile, on her deathly pale face, a soft little giggle leaving her own black lips, before both phantoms disappeared with a resounding crack. That was when the locals started leaving offerings to the angelic little boy as well, in an effort to pacify the woman's wrath.
In truth, while Bella did plan on keeping Shin-ra away from Wutai by taking advantage of the people's ingrained superstition and guilt, this was not what she had intended and it went on for far too long in her humble opinion. Fuck, even the cards were agreeing with her.
The general consensus Bella and her companions had at this point was. "How? Just….how?"
It seemed Godo agreed too.
While the Emperor was a superstitious man that placed great value in tradition and faith he was cautious as well. That was how the order to make contact with the two entities came, and none of his agents was enthused.
Cloud and Bella, having fully embraced the fuckery that was their life, figured that part out pretty fast. Quickly after the first, very tentative attempt, (if the agent turning around and running the moment she looked at him counted as an attempt) red threads appeared around the woods, tangling between trees in a mimicry of gateways that Cloud could run and disappear through, should he need to escape. A bout of quick thinking had her allowing him to carry the Threaded Cane with him in case escape was unattainable immediately.
That ended up being a very fortunate and timely decision, for the other side did not stay idle for too long. Bella pitied the poor grunts that had been tasked with, probably, "eliminating the new monster". The could barely stand, they were shaking so bad. She left them unconscious in the mouth of their campsite.
Maybe she should tone down the runes on the pchyco-active part?
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Bella was comfortably reclined on the rocking chair she had added to the little outlet in the rock she had found, cradling a rarely seen steaming cup of coffee. On the little table in front of her was a contact lenses' case and a beaten but well cared for book, positively overflowing with loose notes and pages cannibalized from other notebooks. This was her Book of Shadows, her Grimoire and she had it on standby. For while the cute metal table was relatively empty, the floor around her was covered with thick tomes.
She took a sip of the steaming liquid, enjoying the acidity, and placed the book resting on her lap to the pile on her left. She reached for another from her right, careful not to spill the dark liquid on the cream colored quilt covering her legs. As she opened her new book and sipped once more, she took a look higher to the right, at the large piece of fabric covering the wall. A wide scale map of the entire continent of Wutai. With little figures signifying people inhabiting the two opposing camps. Figures that were moving. Moving but staying on their side. Good. It wasn't every day that she had some time for herself and it would be such a terrible shame to have to cut that short to deal with either of the two camps.
She was so close after all. It's been a bit over two months since Shin-ra's ships arrived, and truly that time had been the peak of her busy schedule. Still, she could not have missed the way the Planet sung on October 31. Samhain. All Hallows Eve. She had felt the energy rising up from the soil. She had felt the air freshen and the magic strengthen. Death had told her that Gaia was very closely related to Earth, but this? This was extraordinary. She had been giddy, rightfully so. Why hadn't she felt anything before? She had been here for Litha, Lughnassadh and Mabon. There was one of the Greater Sabbats there! Maybe because she was heavily preoccupied on every single occasion?
No, she should have felt something. At least in Lughnassadh. She must be missing something…why now, on the day of the…dead…Wait.
Holly shit, that was it.
Samhain was the Day of the Dead, the realms of the dead and the living were the closest, the veil at its thinnest. The most powerful night of the year.
Optimal time for rituals.
The energy of the Lifestream was earnestly bleeding over to the material world!
She would need to wait for Beltane to come to make sure but this was still phenomenal.
Bella smiled and took another sip. A content sigh left black painted lips and she used a long, manicured claw to turn the page. "Chapter 1: Leylines And Their Value In Magicraft"
Life was good now.
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One more month and contact with Wutai agents had finally been made! A hidden warrior made himself known to her after she had finished with the newest Shin-ra patrol. He approached slowly and deliberately, as if engaging a wild animal and she really couldn't help but raise a bemused eyebrow. She wondered how much of that fear was due to him holding a tray of offerings and thus being unable to reach for a weapon.
She saw him shake a bit as he raised his hands to her direction and her nose caught the sharp scent of sake. Indeed there on the tray, accompanying a bowl of fruit was a little gourd and a red sake dish.
She wanted to roll her eyes and deadpan so bad. But things had reached this point so there was nothing she could do about it. Merlin knows what the poor guy would do if she refused the offering. So she picked up the chopstics and the fruit and once she finished she placed the ceramic back on the tray along with the utensils, making sure the chopsticks face the correct direction. Slowly and respectfully she took the little sake gourd and poured a bit into the little red dish and sipped. Thank Hecate, Nadeshiko had drilled proper Japanese manners into her. By now the Wutai agent was trembling far less than before, so she took it as a win.
The man took his chance to hand her a scroll, probably an epistle.
Bella rejoiced on the inside as she slowly extended a hand to receive the scroll. The disguised witch smiled softly at the poor, quivering man, graciously accepting and bowing deeply.
"Arigatou."
The masked man startled and then visibly deflated in relief. He barely managed to stutter a reply.
Bella unrolled the missive and quickly read through it. Godo was a truly clever man. He had indeed figured out that something was amiss. The scroll consisted of a letter, thanking her for her services, and requesting an audience. She chuckled and rolled the scroll back up.
"Tell your Emperor I would be glad to have an audience with him. He only need provide me with a time." She turned to the agent and spoke calmly. She waited until she received confirmation and then twisted abruptly on her feet, disappearing in a flurry of white and black.
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The next time an agent came, she could see him acting, well not exactly brazen, but surely less nervous and scared. She turned to look at him from her position inclined over a makeshift altar with offerings. Did the people of Wutai celebrate Obon, she wondered, or something similar? The vegetable based food and flower arrangements would suggest it. Funny enough, Cloud's offerings included meat, unlike hers. At least there wasn't any sake. She watched him approach as she ate some of the berries and rose to face him as he bowed. After another offering (and she couldn't shake off the fact that they were bribing her with food because this was actually soup) she was given another scroll. Bypassing the pleasantries and platitudes she gleaned that the Emperor was willing to meet her but the time was negotiable, please-don't-feel-forced-to-if-is-disadvantageous-in-any-way. Cautious but superstitious indeed. Honestly, this wasn't how they dealt with vengeful spirits back home. He must know that everything was not as it seemed. Right?
So Bella schooled her features into detached benevolence and after thanking the masked man she apparated back to the Tent where she proceeded to do a happy dance in celebration.
"Is this some kind of obscure ritual that I'm unaware of?" Vincent inquired as he stood inclined on the doorframe, arms crossed and sipping tea.
Bella froze and then collapsed from laughter.
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The time was quickly approaching. The days had passed with never before seen speed and accompanied with ever mounting dread. For all intents and purposes this was no different than a standard political negotiation. So why did he feel like he had gotten involved with something…more? Truly, the timing was both glorious and at the same time horrendous. Really, such an unknown, suddenly manifesting in the middle of a conflict of this degree could go either way. It was most fortunate that this third party was not negatively impacting his people and that was enough for Godo Kisaragi.
"Good evening, your Highness." there on the window across his desk and wreathed in shadows was perched a silhouette, that of a woman, judging the voice and dress. The Emperor of Wutai could only distinguish a bun of hair on top of her head and the vague shape of a skirt. Yet, even if there were more features visible, he doubted he would be able to get past the two luminous, green eyes, that glowed eerily, in stark contrast to the darkness.
A shiver of anticipation went down the Wutai Emperor's spine.
"Identify yourself." he demanded, back straight and tone firm. He refused to startle at the woman that just appeared out of nowhere.
"Why, I am the Ghost Lady, I just decided to forgo my disguise." she answered, peppy and smirking forebodingly. "However, my actual name is Potter. Potter Melania Belladonna. At your service." She swiped her arm to the side slow and wide, and bowed in greeting still sitting on the ledge. Still she did not break eye contact, even if her eyes bore a peculiar glint.
He swallowed harshly, suddenly unsure and anxious even if that had been a suspicion. "So you have been human after all."
"That is correct. However I never truly intended for all this to happen." she grimaced, and despite himself, he believed her. The way she hunched into herself and averted her gaze was that of someone whose actions backfired.
"But what exactly were your intentions?" That was after all the purpose of this venture.
"Keep Shin-ra away." Her answer was swift and resolute.
"Why?"
"A few reasons. The most prominent being that Wutai is the only place that Shin-ra hasn't placed Reactors. At the way they are going they will bleed the Planet dry and that cannot be allowed." She explained calmly, but the disdain was clear in her voice.
"And the other reasons?" he wasn't letting that go.
"Shrewd one, I see." Het tone changed, becoming lower in tone. "But I wouldn't expect anything." She chuckled. "Correct as well. I have my…problems…with Shin-ra." It was a sight. Seeing how her hands danced and moved as she spoke.
"So I should assume that the assistance Wutai has received is in dependence to your dislike for the opposition."
"I can see how that conclusion could be reached, but that is not true." She spoke earnestly as she contradicted his statement. She leaned forward and her face finally came into the dim light of the room. She was young and distinctly not Wutaian. The candlelight drew attention to high cheekbones and wide eyes, made to look even wider by their unearthly glow. It almost reminded him of the SOLDIERs' distinct eyes. "I can see that what is happening is wrong and I have always been one for truth and justice, no matter how…unrealistic that may sound." She let out a chuckle as she averted her eyes and run a hand through her hair until it lodged in the bun. She was nervous, understandable, considering the cringe worthy drivel she just spewed.
But still, he couldn't truly disbelieve her. One did not become an Emperor for as many years as he without learning to distinguish lie from truth. He had managed to come out of the first conflict, when things were not looking good, when many officials had become turncoat. He knew honesty from lies. And this woman, her body sang with her, her eyes flickered and her voice fluctuated and at that moment she appeared human. She believed what she was saying and her body blacked her up. And she looked young, so, so young. Barely past eighteen. Still not jaded enough to know that while there existed fairness it was never to the expense of the strongs' interests, let alone an ideal such as justice.
"Why did you choose to act this way?" what he meant was 'Why didn't you come talk first?'. Had they been informed there wouldn't have been such a mess made out of this whole situation.
"Well that would require being able to get into the village." She pointed out
He could see that happening. Relations had been tense even with the treaty in place. Tempers were stretched thin and it was entirely possible that the guards were turning people away at the gates. But even still…
"You were alone?" because surely not. The guards wouldn't have turned away a lone girl. Who presumably had been living in the forest ever since.
She shook her head negative. "No, I was with three more people, a man, a woman and a child."
The way she said that, the detachment indicated they were her traveling companions, however, just from appearances, they would look like a family. How could his guards have turned a family away?
"You have been living in the forest since? All four of you?" he asked, almost horrified.
She nodded. "Yes. Don't worry, it's been an enjoyable experience for all of us. Especially for Haile and dear Cloud." She tried to assuage his suspicions but it wasn't truly succeeding.
"There have also been…reports about a spirit child." The Emperor inquired in order to clarify that particular part of the phenomenon.
"Yes, that is Cloud, he usually comes to fetch me for lunch or training, or generally to play. After the rumors started I just sewed a little kimono for him and watched the sparks fly." She shrugged uncaringly.
Oh. Oh Great Leviathan she was a mischievous one. In retrospect that explained a lot.
Godo sighed as he headed to his desk and pulled out a piece paper used on official documents. With quick strokes of his brush, an official pass came into being and with a swift strike it was sealed and fully fledged, before it was handed over to her. "Take this and show it to the guards on the gate. They will let you and your companions in. And should you ever decide to live in Wutai this will allow you citizenship." completely disregarded was the fact that it may no longer be needed. It was a required gesture out of courtesy. The least that could be done after this girl had never once failed to drive the intruders back to his kingdom's borders.
She looked surprised for a moment before her expression cleared and her face lit up with a soft but thankful smile. The young woman hopped off of the windowsill and walked to receive the document. The long, dark skirt fell and swishes around her legs, almost flying to a non existent wind. Her white, closed neck shirt made her already pale skin look even whiter, while the puffy sleeves that abruptly tightened at the forearm made her look more petite. As she came further into the light, the more her youthful features were accentuated. She extended both hands, the delicate lace work on the sleeve cuffs gleaming in the light, and took the paper, bringing it close to her chest where a brilliant emerald pendant hang, before bringing both hands down on her front and executing a flawless bow. The Emperor observed the locks of raven hair escaping the right bun being a tad to slow to follow her on her bow, like an afterthought, almost as if gravity did not apply to them.
It was evident that she was coached in proper behavior and manners. With this dedication and accuracy, with the appropriate use of makeup, it was evident how she had managed to fool even his own warriors.
"This is quite the gift, your Majesty." She softly said, eyes soft and smile gentle, she was truly thankful. "You see, while I am not adverse to traveling, my companions may not be as excited about it as I am. And after associating with me, Haile and Cloud are in danger as is by Shin-ra. This is the only place truly out of Shin-ra's reach. Thank you. Truly. However, are you sure of this?"
So observing prroper gifting etiquette too…
"Quite sure indeed. Please accept this as an apology."
"But wouldn't it seem rush from someone of your stature?"
"No. As I said it is the least Ican do to repay your help."
"Then I will humbly accept your grace. I thank you in place of myself and my companions." She bowed once more, deeply and slowly.
He nodded to her in acknowledgement. "How much more do you plan on staying?"
"For the time being?" She strained her posture "A while. I may need to go from time to time as I have a company to ruin, you understand, but I do plan return here until I wholly move away. You don't need to worry about the security measures around Wutai, I can easily tweak them to stay active even in my absence."
So in earnest, all she needed to keep Shin-ra away was basically food and lodging. If it wasn't happening right in front of him he would have though it too good to be true. But this beckoned the question…
"How exactly have you achieved all that's been so far reported. Am correct in assuming that only you can do this, for that matter?"
"Mostly makeup and magic." She covered her mouth with her hand politely as she giggled. "It took me a bit to set everything up but I believe it was worth the days of labor it required." And after thinking about it a bit she continued. "I mean, theoretically there could be more people that would be able to do it, but it takes years of training to reach my level. I have the title of Master for a reason." She explained.
"I am not aware of any materia able to accomplish any of the described feats."
"Because there was no materia involved. That is all my magic."
That gave Godo pause. No materia. There were no reported cases of such an occurrence for, well, very, very long. Centuries long.
He just stared at her, eyes widened and composure waning. "An Ancient."
She sighed and hanged her head. "No, I am not an Ancient." She ran a hand down her face. "Would you believe me if I told you that I come from another world?"
No. No he would not. The more time she spent talking the more came to believe that rather than something more, he had gotten involved with something eldritch.
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Late that night, Bella returned to the Tent, drained but extremely satisfied. As she apparated back into the living room, she felt all her defenses and reservations evaporate, humming and smiling and dancing her way to the nearest couch.
A few joyous giggles left her as she reached her goal and collapsed into the softness, the little bounce making her laugh again.
"I suppose things went well."
She turned her head and strained her neck to look at Vincent, standing behind her. She gave him a blinding smile and raised her hand to show him the certificate Godo Kisaragi, Emperor of Wutai had given him.
Vincent plucked it out of her grasp and seconds later let out an appreciative whistle. "More than well."
She laughed again and relaxed back on the couch. Her giddiness was giving way to weariness as she crashed from the overwhelming nervousness of dealing with a Merlin damned Emperor.
Vincent looked at her and smiled at the witch curled up now and contently nuzzling a pillow. He placed the document on the side table for a moment before circling around the furniture to stand in front of her before bundling her up in the blanked covering the couch. The surprised and elated squeal brought a chuckle out of him and then a genuine laughter as she managed to detangle her arms and wrap one around his shoulders as the other dangled towards the table. He lowered his center of gravity a bit to assist her, the elated giggle she let out telling him she grasped the object of her joy. With no further ado he turned to the door and headed towards the witch's chambers, all the while being graced by happy little giggles.
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Two days later they finally entered Wutai. The look on the guards' faces when Bella flexed the document was absolutely priceless. Especially when they took it to verify its authenticity and it came back with a resounding "Yes" and a summons to see the Emperor.
She blew a kiss to the dumbfounded guards as they moved away from the gates
She left Vincent to watch over the mother and son as they went sightseeing and answered the summons. So that is how she ended up in a very lavish tatami room, in front of the Emperor and the Empress, drinking extremely good tea, and not being able to show it.
Not so much tension as overwhelming anxiety. She could feel the sweat going down the back of her neck. And damn did it feel like the Empress' stare was burning holes into her.
She took a sip of her tea, drawing comfort from the divine fragrance as she settled in for another round of questioning.
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The very next day a mandate came from the royal palace. The Emperor took this chance to quell the public's worries, after the last war had burdened the people, who were thus very wary and justifiably weary. With the royal family's ties to the divine, this proclamation was well received. It had been centuries since the great Leviathan sought out to communicate but now, having seen their plight, their merciful deity had finally sent them help, in the form of the fabled Ghost Lady and her benevolent counterpart.
Plus, it validated the current Emperor and his actions, as it was seen as a show of favor from the great Leviathan. So win, win, win. Godo sure knew how to spout bullshit. Believable yes, but still bullshit.
So now, Bella sat in the comfy armchair on her rocky little outlet and sipping her tea serenely. Your turn, asshats.
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Bella heard her phone ring from across the little table. She put her tea down and picked the device up only for a shiver to run down her spine. Nadeshiko has been a bit short with her ever since the exploded castle fiasco…
"Hello Shiko-chan, how've you been?"
"Shitty." There was a slight crackling on the other end of the line. Still, she was able to distinguish the put upon tinge on the other's tone. She must be quite tired…Bella would have to do something nice for her. "I got info. Finally."
"Wait, you do?" she scrambled to get a piece of paper to write on as she balanced the phone between her shoulder and ear. She snapped her fingers once, twice and still no writing utensil. Fuck. Looking around frantically for anything she could transfigure, she felt a slight weight on her other shoulder and a white feather fell in front of her.
'Oh Hed, I love you so much.' She grabbed the phone with one hand and ruffled her beloved owl's feathers with the other and kissed her.
"Bella-chan, are you with me still?"
"Yes, dear, just looking for something to write on." She fixed her phone a bit better between her shoulder and cheek.
"Good, you'll need it."
"Oh dear."
"Yeah, no kidding." Nadeshiko sighed openly. Bella could picture her running her hand through her hair "So remember a little known thing called the Great Disappearance? Or maybe The Impetuous Concealment?"
Like fuck she didn't know. The massive death count of magical creatures when the leylines almost failed about a thousand years ago and then the scramble of the magical communities to hide themselves when the witch hunts began. Two very important but also completely different things. "Where is this going Shiko?"
"Numbers don't add up. Entire populations drop off of the face of the Earth, for no apparent reason. And not just ones or twice. The establishment of the Statute of Secrecy covered a lot of it, since not everyone got with the program as promptly as would be prudent, and the witch hunts did the rest and then everyone put the matter to bed, but you start digging and I mean really digging, things start getting screwy." Shewasreadingoffofsomething, the witch realized. So she was either in something akin to a library, or had taken her own notes. It added up with the iffy reception...
"Wait, you actually found records of the period?" she paused in her writing. There was next to nothing about that period of European history and back. Most of the information they had was coming from folklore, which was bad. Then came the information warfare and censorship from WWII and many of the few surviving books got burned and-Oh-Lord-and-Lady-and-everythin-in-between.
And by Zagreus, don't even get started on the East Asia Witch Hunts, which were, just…eugh. The only way you could find anything legit nowadays was in some hermit collector's private library.
In hindsight, the fire of the Library of Alexandria had been a very bad omen.
"Fuck no." Nadeshikolaugheddisparagingly "You've seen the mess that are the records of that period, and I am not going to scour the actuall fucking monasteries to try and dissect what's been written over. And that's only Europe. America is a lost cause and Asia and Australia are on a whole new level on their own. I ain't going through that suffering."
"Wow, half assed." Bella deadpanned jokingly. She released the phone from where she had wedged it, now holding it properly.
"Goest and fucketh thyself shrew! It's preservation of one's sanity." The other rose to her taunting in an equally deadpan tone. "I went to Annora. That's more than freaking enough."
"Ooooh! My condolences." She winced "But really, we know that early Christian advancement fucked a lot of the existing settlements over in Europe. But that's only Europe, and I doubt that they are responsible for the leylines failing, as much as I hate early radical Christians, and censorship isn't an exclusive of theirs. So what doesn't add up?"
"Well, you know my sources, they are the absolute best. Let's just say that not even they could track those missing people."
That. That was concerning. "Go on."
"To make an extremely long story very short, I ended up in the Asakura Clan's private archives. Records, created by Asasha Douji himself, document the disappearance of a settlement of shamans situated at the base of Mt. Fuji. That's Heian period we're talking about. For all the talks of witchcraft, the actual hunts didn't start until after the 1400's, almost three hundred years later."
Fuck.
"And you can't find that tribe?" she managed to choke out.
"Indeed, and after I started digging a few tribes down under, and Europe, along with a couple of druid settlements got added to the list. All included, almost one thousand people. All of them in the span of about a month. That is a lot of souls to be missing and in such a short span of time."
"Fuck."
"Fuck indeed. But you already had your suspicions, didn't you?"
"I was hoping that I was wrong. And I never thought it would be this many. There is a tribe of people here, called The Ancients, possessing abilities that fit the ones of the shamans. I didn't know anything about druids though. They are as far as I know extinct, and all information has been lost so that is quite possible."
"You said Earth and Gaia are very close in many aspects. That would explain some of the overlap but not to the extent you described, from your very limited exploration of it." She pointed out. A pause. Bella could barely discern a wet little sound from the other end "I can't exactly go search for every unaccounted for person here but," she said deliberately slowly, thinking it over. "at this point, I don't think I do."
"Yes, you're right. But what could have caused the move, it would need a colossal amount of energy too…" she tapped her quill to the paper, watching as the ink spread and absently played with the dark little puddle.
"Exactly, and where could all that come from?" Nadeshiko spoke, prompting.
"Holy shit, no wonder the leylines decided to fail half a century later, when the mass slaughters started." She pressed the quill down as she lowered her head and closed her eyes, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Fuck."
"Yup. And the souls from back then are hella old and the majority of them are already reincarnated and Murphy's Law dictates that the rest are probably not aware enough to provide anything notable. And Douji-sama…with his case…"
"No,no. It's okay. Okay, I can work with this." The witch exhaled. "Okay. Thanks a lot Shiko-chan." She spoke sincerely.
Nadeshiko laughed "You kidding me? I am reading fucking Asaha Fucking Douji's Fucking Memoires. I am overjoyed! If doing you favours has these kinds of results, then it's an absolute pleasure! And speaking of Douji-sama, The Fights are starting in a couple years, I fully expect you to be at least able to commute by then." she crowed happily. "If you need anything else, give me a call."
Bella giggled. "Will do, dear, on both of those, I promise. I'm going to be leaving you with those memoires now."
"Toodles!" came the overjoyed reply.
As she hung up, Bella got ready to contact Tsukiyo to make sure she was informed too, and then Stella and she if she could come into contact with any nymphs who could potentially have been alive back then, since nymphs were notoriously some of the most long lived creatures on Earth.
After that she would need to call Sei as well. If there was any obscure ritual capable of something of that scale it would be in Makai, and he was the one that could go there most easily.
Hmm, perhaps when the weather got warmer she could ask Yuuka, once she came out of her hibernation. She was quite old after all.
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"Hey Andrew?"
"Yes, Boss?"
"Where do I go if I want to access the Archives?"
"The…Archives? By Archives, you don't mean The Archives? The Archives archives?"
"Ye~up."
"Why?"
"Saving-The-World shit."
"Oh shit Boss. I, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, I know…the Archives now please."
"At once Boss.
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When December roller around, Bella decided that come January she would start her traveling in earnest, as she got pretty thoroughly side tracked the last almost year. Damn she was nearing a year in Gaia…
Of course, that when things got sidetracked once more, when Sephiroth decided to deploy himself in Wutai because he couldn't take anymore bullshit, almost nine months since she last saw him.
Omake: Flash forward. A couple years later.
Near the end of December, when gray snow was falling over Midgar and making the dystopic city look ever since slightly less miserable, the Shin-ra three received a message along with little vials of transparent liquid.
"Arrange a few days off on for Dec.20 to 25. I'll be coming to pick you up. Pack appropriately."
"How about you give us a warning next time Lady?" Angeal grumbled with no real heat behind it.
"Is this the same as the potion we took that time I wonder?" Sephiroth surveyed the liquid as he raised the bottle to eye level. The consistency looked the same…
"Dunno. But I got nothing to lose anyway. I'm going to see if I can get that overtime payment I'm due. 'Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul' See ya."
"Honestly Gen…"
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"So what brought this forth, not that I'm complaining." Angeal asked as the witch popped into Genesis's home, their designated meeting place by now.
"Christmas. Or Yule for us witches." She answered with a smile "Both celebrate the birth of our God, or rebirth in our case since our religion has a very cyclical theme. Basically the same thing with few differences. It's to be spent with friends and family, so here you are." She shrugged.
Friends and family, huh. That little comment brought them a sense of warmth.
"Hm. We don't have either here." Genesis commented, and that was true. There were no celebrations like that dedicated to Minerva.
She nodded absently. "I didn't really expect you to. But it's something I've always celebrated, even if the context changed occasionally. It didn't feel right to not do it, now especially, what with the space time fuckery. You know what I mean? Don't 't worry, there is nothing particularly heavy happening this time. If there's one thing I hate, it's proselytism and religious enforcement." A grimace distorted her smile for a split second but it was gone as soon as it came.
"Are you sure then? To not celebrate to the extent you normally would, on our account?"
"The Lord and Lady don't like proselytism either. The Universe tends to be very understanding in general." She informed them. "And I did get special permission for this one, after all." She winked mischievously.
"And what would that mean." Sephiroth inquired.
"Well it'your first actual Christmas. I'm gonna make sure it's a nice experience." she stated resolutely.
"Wait, you don't mean-?"
"Well unless you don't want to."
"Are you kidding? Sign me up! 'Great in mystery is the gift of the Goddess!'"
"Goody." She said as she did something with her phone. A sharp clack and she had closed the protective case and turned to them and extended her arms. "Grab on boys. We'll be departing promptly."
The all took hold of her, Genesis the cheeky bugger even grabbed her hand and killed fingers and the shot a smirk Sephiroth's way. Thank Gaia for Angeal who slapped is friend upside the head.
"Take a breath on three, boys."
And they were gone.
The appeared in the witch's sitting room, as cozy and homey as ever. Only this time it was overshadowed by the overwhelming nausea that came and nearly knocked them over.
"Goddess that's foul!" The redhead was bowed over and wheezing, one arm having grabbed his childhood friend to hold himself upright. Angeal was heavily leaning on her and breathing deeply. Sephiroth took great pleasure in making eye contact with his downed friend from where he had his head on the witch's shoulder. The glare he received could light wet wood on fire, even worse when Bella absently patted the white locks.
And she gave sharp, high whistle.
OUCH!
Before they could even complain, the door to the hall opened to reveal Cloud, in all his preteen glory, lugging behind a suitcase with one hand and dragging his mother with the other. Haile Strife on the other hand was following behind sedately, smiling indulgently. Finally coming last was Vincent carrying another piece of luggage, probably Mrs. Strife's.
"So you will be coming with us!"
"Someone's excited." Bella chuckled.
"Oh course I am." The blonde deadpanned. Taking a better look at the SOLDIERs he adopted a pitying look "Apparition?".
"Yep."
"Don't worry, it gets better with time." He comforted them with all his kiddy wisdom, and then proceeded to ignore the side eyes in favor of his big sister. "Did Stella say if she is going to be there?"
Bella smiled and ruffled his hair. "Yes, I just got the affirmative actually." She opened her phone again and checked something. "Okay. Everything is fine on the other end. Get ready." She called and everyone converged closer to her. She raised one hand in front of her, palm open and for a moment the air shifted and settled. A point in front of them shown and from there, the Kaleidoscope's recognizable polygons expanded outwards. Very quickly in front of them stood an oval of shifting colors and shapes, but still very stable.
"Well you managed to produce a gate. Good job."
"I did have a couple years to practice." She shrugged. "Well, people? Let's go."
Like a signal there was immediate movement. Cloud laughed in excitement and grabbed the witch's hand to drag her forward. She indulged the boy with a laugh and in turn grabbed Mrs. Strife's hand to drag her along and they disappeared in a flurry of laughter. Vincent followed with a chuckle, giving them a prompting look.
"I hope to God this doesn't feel as bad as apparition." Genesis deadpanned.
"Move, you coward." His childhood friend slapped him upside the head once more and moved to the gate too.
So that's another one, finally! About the Omake, I'm not sure if i should continue that. Or maybe I'll make an interlude if I have the time...Feel free to tell me what you want.
Also, feel free to comment and review, criticism is good and it helps me improve.
If I don't have another one before the 25th, then have a Merry Christmass everyone, Happy Holidays and a Wondrous Yuletide! I will see you in the New Year, and thank you for staying with me in this journey and taking time out of your day to read my story.
Have a most wonderful day
~Sil