AN: Hello Readers! I have finally returned with the next chapter. It would have been out sooner but writing it became a lot more difficult when university started up for me this week.
And that brings me to my next thing involving future updates:
As of right now there will be a slow down for all of my stories for a while. I've enjoyed writing for you guys over the course of the last few months that I have, but college has to come first.
It hopefully wont be very long breaks in btw, but as of right now I'm seeing maybe 1 chapter every 3-4 weeks since I'm going to put them in a rotation as well as give me time to finish up the edits of the earlier chapters to fix grammar/punctuation errors.
My MHA story "Forging Your Own Path" is up next in the rotation as I haven't updated it in awhile, so if you've been reading that as well, look forward to a chapter hopefully coming out next Sunday or sometime the week after.
Also, thanks for all of the follows and favorites so far! We're so close to hitting 50 as well as about 2000 off from reaching 10,000 views! I appreciate for all who have stayed with this story so far and hope you continue to enjoy it:)
Well that's all I have to say today, so I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Please leave a review on anything you liked, think I should work on, or just any questions in general! I enjoy reading them and I will answer them at the end of the next chapter:D
Just in case you get confused: Magic Location POV/Time Thoughts [Memories/Flashbacks]
Disclaimer: I do not own Black Clover or any of its characters...the only things I own are:
1. My characters and
2. my ideas
Chapter 19: A Surprise Guest
Celestial Rays Hideout
A little while ago…
Hikairi's POV
"Hey, Hikairi, are you busy?" Chikajo asked aloud as she pulled her into her room. "I need you to do something important for me."
"I'm not all that busy right now. So, what is it that you need me for?" She questioned as she saw a slightly troubled look fall on her face.
"Well, it involves Eyasei and a visitor that's supposed to be coming from the Black Bulls Hideout to see Demetria that I have to be present for." She explained. "For some reason during the exams the other day, Eyasei was triggered to attack this specific mage almost at random. But the thing is that she doesn't fully know why that even happened to begin with."
A look of confusion fell on Hikairi's face. "Seriously?" she asked, seeing Chikajo nod her head. "Does that happen often?"
"Not in a long while, but it used to happen a lot in the past." Chikajo replied as she looked down at the ground. "Her magic is sort of unique or rare in comparison to most within the Clover Kingdom due to the Beast side of her magic granting her something close to primal and animal senses and instincts passively. Both of these can work for her benefit by granting her keen sensing capabilities with that nose of hers that allows her to pick apart mana better than most of the senior mages of the Magic Knight Squads…"
"However…it can also entrance or draw her enough to do stuff out of character or make her lose a hold of herself depending on the circumstances. From what Demetria told me last night, you've already witnessed something like this before, right?""
Hikairi thought on it for a while before her eyes widened slightly, remembering an odd occurrence involving the mage yesterday morning.
"Y-Yeah you could say that. I don't think I've ever been more scared and confused in my life from how quick her mood shifted." She remarked hesitantly, trying her best to prevent the blush trying to creep up her face. "I didn't know what happened at the time, but it was like something inside of her switched off when she caught onto what she calls the 'scent' of my mana. I wouldn't say she was possessed but it almost seemed like she was aroused by it completely as if she couldn't help but allow it to happen. Almost as if she wanted it to be that way, though, I could tell she was lost in that feeling at the same time."
"That's one way of describing it. I usually call that a positive reaction to mana, which only seems to happen when she finds people she sees as pure in heart by the core of their mana which in turn allows her to trust them pretty fast in comparison to most people." Chikajo said with a chuckle or two under her breath. "And even if she acts like she doesn't, it does show how she truly feels about someone in that way. I wouldn't say it's a sexual or deeper feeling of love right then and there. It's more like a desire for companionship in a sense when certain standards of whatever draws her in that way occurs. So there honestly isn't any harm in it even if she ends up feeling embarrassed there after…"
Chikajo's smile faded slightly as she continued. "But the other half is something I'd say is the total opposite of that entirely. A negative reaction to mana seems to trigger her flight or fight response. Fight seems to be the more seen out of the two, and usually leads to a relentless need or innate urge to battle whatever it is as if to conquer said thing itself or to protect her or those around her from it. She can usually control this urge or lessen it to a degree that it doesn't fully conflict with her thinking, but the ones that can trigger it completely have a tough fight on their hands since it's hard for her to listen to reason…which is what I'm concerned that will end up happening with our guest that arrives and something I know Eyasei wouldn't want to happen as well."
"So would that mean there's something innately dark with this mage? Vile enough to trigger her to that extent?" Hikairi asked.
"Not necessarily…it's a little bit more complicated to say the least in comparison to the positive triggers." Chikajo sighed. "If it had happened before she got a handle on it, I would say it was more of a defensive mechanism whenever her subconscious thought she was in danger. Nowadays, it's hard to say since it rarely ever happens. But my guess is that it's related to something involving her past which has been lost to her since she was 10 years old. But I don't know what that kid even has to do with it though since they've never actually met each other until the exams."
"Wait what?" Hikairi stated as concern spread on her face. "She can't remember anything past when she was 10 years old?"
"No, she can't…" Chikajo remarked as sadness was layered in her tone. "All she knew when I found her along with Demetria and someone else in my squad was her name, age, magic, and just general knowledge of the kingdom overall. Nothing else, still even 6 years since then. She has gotten used to it sure, but it still bothers her from time to time…I have never told her this, but after talking with Demetria about it, we both think she was experimented on in some way. And after they were done with her, they either blocked or took her memories to hide the evidence."
Hikairi's face fell at that, maybe even further than Chikajo's had in the past couple of minutes that they had talked with one another.
She hadn't known Eyasei all that long, but her heart seemed to disagree as it filled with both sympathy and sadness for her new squadmate. After seeing how the mage held herself, she knew that there was something that had drew her in so quickly to like her.
After silence fell between them for a while, she heard Chikajo let out a sigh as she laid a hand on her shoulder.
"I know the gears are already turning in your head to see what you can do to help to some degree. But all she really needs is you to just be you, Hikairi, and not to be looked at differently. I had a feeling she was going to like you, so I think divulging this information would benefit her to some capacity." Chikajo remarked as a warm smile came on her face. "I'm entrusting you to try and keep her inside her room until the meeting is over with. Hopefully nothing eventful will happen, but if she's triggered and won't stop no matter what you say, I'm giving you permission to restrain her in some way before she gets too out of hand. She won't hold it against you if you knock her out since she'll understand the circumstances. Just take whatever she says to you with a grain of salt because she truly doesn't mean it."
Hikairi's eyes widened at that before she slapped her cheeks to snap her back into the good mood she was in before, showing off a wide, determined smile as she brought her hand up to send her a salute.
"Alright, I'll do my best!"
Present
Normal POV
Well this is such a great situation to find myself in. I had hoped whoever was coming would have at least gave me time to close the door, Hikairi thought as sweat trailed down the side of her face, looking at Eyasei who had a wild and unfocused glint in her eyes.
She had her hand hovering above her grimoire, hesitating ever so slightly from using it in an attempt to not hurt the girl in front of her in any way and to give her a chance to calm herself down.
However, it seemed like the latter wasn't going to happen as she saw the girl smirking with a bloodlust look in her eyes, waiting for the first sign of weakness for her chance to strike.
"For the last time, Hika, get out of my way or I will end you right here and now!"
"Eyasei, I know you really don't want to do this." Hikairi said calmly as she shut the door behind her, not taking her eyes off Eyasei for a single moment. "You need to focus in on me for a second and don't let yourself get lost in the sense overtaking you."
"How the hell would you know what I want, Guregin!?" Eyasei scoffed as her yellow eyes were pinpointed in anger. "I already told you I want to FIGHT. But there you are still sitting there thinking you can stop me! It's honestly starting to piss me off that you think you can prevent me from getting what I WANT!"
Hikairi bit the side of her cheek from hearing that as her eyes narrowed slightly.
Dang it, she's not listening to me at all, she thought with concern burning in her chest.
I really don't want to hurt her in any way but…it looks like she's about to force my hand by the way this situation is escalating. And based off what the Vice Captain said to me earlier, she's pretty volatile in this state, so I have to be both wary and careful.
Some of my mana may be replenished, but I won't be able to keep it up if a battle sustains too long. I'll need to end this fast before that's even a possibility.
Even with the increasing amount of guilt and reluctance filling her chest, she was able to force a smile on her face as a determined glint fell in her eyes, guiding her hand away from the grimoire at her side.
"Aw, Yasei I really thought we were starting to get close with one another. But now you're sitting here threatening my life again? That's not all that nice or proper in comparison to the moves you put towards me yesterday." She teased in hopes that her squadmate's anger would quell into some sort of embarrassment.
Well, the redness was there…
But she could tell right away that she was shaking more out of her temper flaring out of control from her statement versus just being outright appalled from her joke…
"Tchhhh! I'm not in the mood or have the time to play your stupid games today!" Eyasei yelled as she launched herself towards Hikairi.
The silverlight mage sadly sighed at the sight of her efforts of finding some form of peace being thwarted, forcing her mana to the surface as she stepped forward with her hand coated in her magic.
"Sorry for this Eyasei…" She said aloud before she disappeared in a flash of light, reappearing behind the enraged mage who came to a steady halt.
Silence fell in the room for a few moments as Eyasei stiffened in shock, feeling her body beginning to sway out of her control before it began to slump over.
How did she d-do that? she thought as some rational thought came back into her mind from what she had just witnessed.
I sensed her coming but…she was just so fast before I could block the blows she landed on me. From what I saw, she hit me hard into my gut and the back of my neck. I can't tell for sure though because of the hits being so fast that my brain still hasn't registered to make me feel any sort of pain from it.
And I thought I or even Sparky was fast but I keep forgetting the fact that she has light magic like Sukehiro does…
She might even be f-faster than all of us…w-when she's not goofing off every given moment and actually decides to get serious…
"Hika…I'm…nnngh…" Eyasei moaned as she crumbled to the floor with her eyes rolling back as her body collapsed forward onto the ground, sinking into unconsciousness.
Hikairi was kneeling on the ground panting as she tried to catch her breath. She had one of her hands clutching the area above her heart as it almost felt like it was about to leap out of her chest as a wavering smile sat on her face.
Don't pass out….Hikairi don't pass out!
After a couple moments she let out a deep breath, looking over her shoulder as Eyasei laid on the ground completely still as her form rose up and down a little ways from her in tandem with her breathing.
"Guess I was right that I didn't need my grimoire after all. Though, I still ended up straining myself just a bit." She said under her breath as she made it back to her feet.
She walked over to Eyasei and saw that her face was completely at peace as she went down and picked her up into a bridal carry to walk her over to her bed.
"Still, what's done is done I guess without anyone getting really hurt so…Mission accomplished."
Hopefully she won't beat herself up too much because of this…
With me knocking her out as I did, I say we're pretty much even.
Skylar's POV
Skylar's footsteps came to a halt as her body stiffened, looking back over her shoulder after sensing a spike of mana somewhere within the Celestial Rays' hideout.
Her gaze narrowed, for some reason finding what she had sensed familiar to some degree though unable to accurately pinpoint the reason as to why.
That mana…I know I've sensed it before.
"Hey kid, are you alright?" She heard someone ask in front of her.
Silence fell between them for a few moments until Skylar let out a sigh to calm her already frayed nerves. She looked back in front of her as her silver eyes met with the warm light green ones from the woman in front of her.
"Yeah I'm fine. I just thought I sensed something odd. Um, Miss-"
"You can just call me Chikajo if you want." Chikajo said with a small chuckle. "If I remember from what Finral said earlier, your name is Skylar correct?"
Skylar nodded as her reply as they continued to walk forward once more. She hadn't been much of a talker since she had gotten here as she was having an internal battle against her small case of shock of being here in the first place.
The Celestial Rays Hideout, she thought as she felt her hands trembling slightly at her sides as the expression on her face fell slightly.
The one place I didn't think Captain Yami would ever send me…
Just Before leaving the Black Bull's Hideout…
Normal POV
Skylar was leaning against the wall of the hideout as she sat there patiently to hear what Yami had planned for her to do, watching on as a puff of smoke spewed from his lips.
She felt somewhat nervous just for the fact that she was going off alone while the others left or were most likely already on their way to the mission they had just been given to complete, hoping she would be able to make it there before Noelle was overwhelmed with the boys amount of yelling and stupidity.
"So," she heard Yami say to break the silence between them. "As I said, before you go off on that mission with the others, there's a small assignment that I need you to go do involving another squad, the Celestial Rays."
Skylar's eyes widened at that as it nearly felt like her heart stopped in her chest.
"The C-Celestial Rays?" She repeated aloud in disbelief, unable to hold back the stutter and shakiness in her voice. "Is there a reason as to why there specifically?"
She tried her best to keep the annoyance and sarcasm in her tone, however, it wasn't able to fully hide the hint of fear and unease piercing through it as Yami's stern gaze softened.
"Well my little sis who leads the squad there wanted to meet one of my rookies." Yami said casually as he craned his neck. "That friend of yours has too many rocks where his brain needs to be at the worst times and would have probably annoyed her or gotten himself killed with his constant shouting if her Vice Captain is there. And Noelle already knows her due to being familiar with a kid that is on her squad. Leaving you as the prime candidate to send, even with that attitude of yours that rivals Noelle in too many ways that I can't even count all of them."
Skylar scoffed a little under her breath from hearing that. "Tch, well thanks for the summary on how you narrowed down your options." Her eyebrows crinkled slightly as her silver eyes looked over at him with hesitance shining in her gaze. "But really, do you think I'm the best person to send there? I mean like…does…she…."
Yami stayed silent as Skylar tried to compose herself to ask the question burning in her throat, releasing a sigh as she leaned off the wall and softly gripped onto one of her shoulders.
"Does she know about me?" She asked meekly without anything to back her tone. "Does she know that I'm related to her…former captain?"
A small silence fell between them before Yami let out a sigh, walking over to Skylar who kept her gaze to her feet. He laid a firm but soft hand onto her head, feeling the trembling in her body immediately steady out.
"That's just something you're going to have to ask her." He remarked. "Even if she does or even if she doesn't, Demetria won't bite your head off as long as you don't piss her off with that mouth of yours. But again, that takes a special person in itself for that to happen, and I don't think you're in any danger of that. Even if she's related to me by blood, she's probably the kindest person I know. I may be biased, but you'll probably see it for yourself as she doesn't have one single evil or demeaning bone in her body…well unless her teasing could be seen as such."
There was some part of her that knew some of his words were true, while the others hid something that she knew she couldn't uncover as the truth or not.
He wouldn't full-out tell her if that Captain knew who she was…with the reason as to why all but lost to her but not very surprising in the slightest as he most likely wanted her to build enough courage to ask her herself.
She favored her mother in many ways while Dinah shared a resemblance to her from being her younger sister, making the dots of her background all but certain in the eyes of someone if they knew where to look.
Her eyes were the only thing that set her apart from the both of them as she had piercing silver that always held the darkness of her past that resided within her, while their electric blue eyes shared between the both of them brought out the pureness of their character.
But still…
It didn't settle the pit that was in her stomach at all, only soothed to some extent from Yami's comforting hand on her head as well as the gruff but calm tremor within his voice as if he knew she could do this.
To indirectly face her past without breaking even more in any way…
"Even though you don't have a choice but to go, do you think you can suck it up and push past those limits for no one but yourself in this situation? I know this is sudden and something you probably don't want to do on your 2nd day of being here. But you need to stop allowing your past hold you back as it has for years now and progress forward to find the future that you want for yourself that your mother and her sister protected for you in order for that to happen.."
"And whether or not you ask or she comes out and says the thing you want to know about, Demetri is probably the best person as any for whatever happens as she can and will be able to empathize with you in more ways than one."
Present
Skylar let out a sigh from thinking back to that, finding herself absent mindedly looking around the hall that her and Chikajo were in as she reminisced to some extent from seeing the similarities to the walls of the squad's former, the Azalea Rays.
Even if she isn't here to be her captain anymore, I guess…Aunt Dinah left her mark in some way for this place to not be drastically different from the one I remember.
The crest and the name are the biggest changes that I've really noticed so far. Changes that still strike me as wrong in comparison…or that's just the child in me talking who always dreamed of being a part of this squad when it was under that name.
My dream probably paled in comparison to the one that Yuno and Asta share. I've never been one to aspire to something as high as that as I've never really seen myself as highly as they always do.
But one thing…
One thing that I wanted so much was to be on this squad someday. The history that had been backing it at that time was by the fact that it was connected to both House Misuteru and Zeel, with this generation as to where the heads of Misuteru were chosen to lead it due to Mom and Aunt Dinah being exceptional mages at the time.
I always thought that maybe…
Maybe if I joined, I would be looked at in a different light by my family. And be at Aunt Dinah's side in a squad that I could've led one day, indirectly giving a way for the boys to be able to "boss me around" now that I think about it.
But now with her gone along with the rest, it isn't possible to happen in the form that I wanted it to, finding myself at a time of my life where I don't know what I want in the future from carrying that dream for so..so very long. As it was something that got me through those dark times of when I was alone in that castle.
And I did something to her…
Said something that I will always regret and never be able to apologize for…
Making this aching feeling in my chest, anxiousness, self-doubt, and emptiness I'm feeling all the more deserved…
Because it's something I should feel…
Something I always feel at different levels no matter how I try to ignore it.
As Skylar dwindled more within her thoughts, she didn't notice the soft gaze that Chikajo sent her way, missing the light green eyes seeking for why she had been so silent and withdrawn all of this time.
I've tried my best to not make her on edge, while not pressing into anything that would probably be sensitive to talk about. Even if I really want to, Chikajo thought as her face fell slightly as she turned back to look in front of her.
It seems my curiosity is starting to get the best of me. Hikairi should have been the one to do this, but she was the best to take on the situation with Eyasei with that gentle nature of hers.
Just the ambience about this kid reminds of Lady Dinah, even with the heavy load she seems to be carrying on her shoulders. I'm still surprised that it took me so long to see the resemblance during the exams the other day.
I wonder how Tria is going about this meeting, considering I didn't even know it was going to happen until she sprung it on me this morning…leaving Skylar not the only one in the dark of it all.
The only thing I can guess this is about is that mana condition or the seal she has…
Something that is both powerful and dangerous in terms of that kid and the entire kingdom if it falls into the wrong hands…
Or if history repeats itself with the same thing that befell Lady Dinah and the entirety of her family…
Taking over her completely as well.
Demetria's POV
Demetria was sitting in her study room, peering down at the empty space of the desk in front of her as she let out a small sigh. She was trying her best not to show it, but her nerves were starting to creep to the surface enough that the back of her heel was tapping nonstop on the floor below her.
She tried to ignore and deny the fact that she was anxious to begin with, thinking it was only stress or that she was just tired. But these thoughts were making her feel even more and more nervous over the amount of time she was dwelling in it to the point she let out a deeper sigh and laid her head into her hands.
"I can't believe this." She said amusedly under her breath as a soft chuckle slipped from her lips. "To think that a meeting I planned to have at some point makes me as or even more nervous in comparison to when I was suddenly put as this squad's Captain. Enough so that it made even Nozel feel inclined to try to calm me down in some way when that happened…"
She leaned back in the chair she was sitting in and looked up at the ceiling as a skeptical expression fell on her face.
I know this is the right thing to do. So why is this making me feel like this? She thought as her gaze narrowed.
It's not even that big of a thing I'm doing since me and Yami have talked about doing this sort of thing before over the last few years. Why is it that with the addition of Moeru's daughter being in the picture making it more stressful and nerve-racking than it should be?
Is it because of the things that were brought up in the meeting I had with Nozel, Fuegoleon, and Yami a couple days ago after the exams?
The Evening of the Exams
Normal POV
After her talk she had with Chikajo to convince her to leave and figure out what was wrong with Eyasei, Demetria made her way down into the room that the Captains had met within before. When she had arrived, it didn't take long for her entrance to be noticed, looking over towards the center of the room where Yami, Fuegoleon, and Nozel had been waiting on her, hearing the Silva captain let out a scoff from her late arrival.
"I would have expected that from that brute of a brother of yours, but there was some part of me expecting more from you, Demetria, considering you were the one who forced us to stay here." Nozel said begrudgingly as she let out a sigh in response.
"Sorry, sorry. I had something to take care of before I made my way over here." She replied before sending a smile with an unreadable glint within her eye. "And I believe you were the one pushing for this sort of thing as well after witnessing Skylar Misuteru's power from before. Did it make you reminiscent of a certain someone, Nozel?"
She took amusement when she saw his eyes widen as a small but noticeable blush fell on his cheeks before he looked away.
"I have no clue what you're trying to get at." He said under his breath, stiffening when he heard the Vermillion captain laughing beside him.
"Oh really, Nozel? I do have some recollection of a certain someone having rare fondness over a certain girl within our youth related to this child we're discussing over. Even if she's her niece, you can't deny that girl has inherited some of her traits about as much as her mother's. So, it's nothing to be embarrassed about to admit to something like that about yourself." Fuegoleon remarked amusedly, unfazed when Nozel sent daggers right directly at him.
"Not. Another. Word." Nozel hissed before a long sigh filled the room as Yami took his cigarette out of his mouth.
"Me and Demetri are sitting here feeling like 3rd and 4th wheels as you have whatever type of discussion you're having. I plan to get back to my Hideout in time to take my dump, so can we just go on with this?"
Nozel was about to retort back before it slipped from his mouth, crossing his arms as crinkles appeared within his scowling face.
"Let's proceed." Fuegoleon stated as he looked over at Demetria. "Even though it's fairly apparent at this point of the relations of this girl, are you 100% sure that she is Moeru's child?"
"Yes. I had my doubts from before, but when Yami pulled off his stunt that caused her to come on the cusp of going out of control with that rare mana of hers, there was no question that was who she was."
"But even with that, it still seems impossible to me that she's still alive, considering that would make her the very last person who has relations to both of those houses. Where has she been all this time is my question? And how has she been living wherever under our noses this entire time with that seal and dangerous mana condition of hers?" Nozel expressed as he narrowed his eyes. "Even now with that seal, she has horrendous amount of control for a royal of her age by letting those emotions get the best of her so easily. What would happen if that was fully unleashed on this kingdom? If that seal were to break in its current state by her or if someone wanted to abuse it, her limits of power could potentially ascend close to a Vice Captain's or even to the level of a Captain."
"Even if I wouldn't put it exactly like that, Nozel does have a point on one thing. That girl may or could already be in danger when word gets out about her origins." Fuegoleon stated with upmost seriousness in his voice. "That girl was projected to be the strongest of her generation within both of those houses. Both Dinah and Moeru always commended her for that power she was given at birth even though most took it upon themselves to fear said power from that mana trait of hers being that powerful in so many years."
Before Demetria could say anything, Yami stepped in for her as he sent his gaze over to the royals in front of them.
"To answer that question of yours Nozel, when Moeru died so many years ago, that kid stayed within the village not too far off from the cabin they had lived within in the forest."
"But why would she stay in some backwater village within the Forsaken realm of all places since Dinah was still alive at that point?" Nozel asked as his face fell slightly from saying Dinah's name. "I know she wouldn't have rejected that girl for a second and would have brought her to live within the Azalea Rays hideout for the time being until she was of age to join a squad."
"Yeah. That's true that she would have done something like that." Demetria said as her form deflated slightly. " If I remember correctly, she tried her best to comfort Skylar the night Moeru was killed…but her despair for all that hardship she endured that day turned quickly into anger in which she unleashed on Lady Dinah herself. She never really spoke of what was said but that was the last time she had seen her before she died. Which is probably something Skylar most likely regrets even to this day…"
Silence fell in the room for a few short moments before Nozel broke it as he uncrossed his arms.
"So, what are we going to do about this? She needs to be watched in case danger befalls her or she gets the idea to turn on this kingdom in the same manner her relatives did 5 years ago by falling under the influence of something that someone as powerful as Dinah herself had been taken over by as well a month before." He questioned as his gaze landed on Yami. "To say I'm uneasy with her being in your company with my failure of a sister is an understatement. How can we know that whatever happened to her other family members won't happen to her as well?"
"We don't. But at the same time I'm prepared to do my best to lessen that possibility from ever happening again." Demetria commented as all of them looked over at her, seeing the confidence within her gaze. "Even though that shadow mage and his cult he seems to be leading in some way or fashion will still prove to be a threat, over the course of this month two of my subordinates, Hikairi Guregin and Tetra Drellia, have both checked into it that. Since they just got back last night, I haven't had the chance to get details of what they discovered but I have a feeling that it will lead us to be able to stop them in the near future…"
"As for Skylar, I have a plan that will basically kill two birds with one stone. It will hopefully dispel any concern of her safety as well as keeping her as comfortable as possible and doesn't get in the way from being a Magic Knight within Yami's squad. It also shouldn't bring too much attention to her either."
"Huh, you always seem to be 1000 steps ahead of the rest of us even if something is sprung on you at the last moment." Yami said amusedly under his breath as a smirk fell on his lips.
"So what is it that you have in mind, Demetri?"
Present
Demetria's POV
Demetria let out another long sigh to calm down her nerves as she closed her eyes, trying her best to get them at least somewhat handled before Chikajo arrived with Skylar in hand.
Even if we don't see eye to eye at times, I do understand Nozel's view within this situation. Being as he and Fuegoleon grew up with Moeru and Skylar's father, they are both well aware of the ramifications that can happen when they lose control of their mana due to that condition within their family line, she thought to herself.
Skylar's is even more severe, which was brought fully into our attention when she absorbed enough mana within the air of the exams that day that I honestly thought she was going to break her seal by herself.
She had been so angry that her Ki was enough to make me feel on edge…Yami hid it well, but I could tell that it also made him uneasy to sense that at one time along with the other captains…
But even with that occurrence, it didn't seem to be completely out of character for her as she was just angry in defense of her friend. I would've probably been about as mad as she was if Yami had said those things to me or Chikajo.
And I didn't sense anything innately evil inside of her during that time, meaning she isn't under the control of any shadow magic…At least it isn't enough for me to sense anyway.
Hopefully after this or tonight, I can get the details of what happened on the mission both Hikairi and Tetra went on.
To start to push things into motion…something I've been waiting to do ever since Lady Dinah lost her life.
After sitting in the silence of her room for a little while longer, a few knocks rung outside of her door. Even though she could tell who it was by their Ki, she already knew who it was right at the first knock, prompting her to do her best to steel her nerves in an effort to keep it restrained for the time being.
"Hey Demetria, I've brought our surprise guest with me to see you. Are we able to enter?" She heard Chikajo ask on the other side of the door.
Demetria brought her gaze towards the door in front of her as she sat her head into her hand.
Time to face the music…
There's no point in escaping it now.
Normal POV
After Chikajo had knocked a few times on the door, she and Skylar heard Demetria call out on the other side.
"You can come in! It's open!"
Skylar watched on as Chikajo confidentially walked inside as she remained hesitant to enter into a room that she hadn't been within in years. Her face fell slightly when she rubbed the back of her hand on the door beside her before she pushed passed and walked through the doorway.
She walked towards the center of the room, looking at the smiling faces of Demetria who was sitting at her desk and Chikajo as she stood right next to her captain.
"Well well well, that brother of mine actually did something right and on time simultaneously for once." Demetria said amusedly to herself before she gestured to the chair in front of her. "If you want to get comfortable, you can sit here if you'd like."
Skylar silently nodded at that as she took a seat, crossing her arms over each other and crossed legs.
"Before we get started with why you're here, how about I start with formal introductions even though you probably already know who I am." Demetria started as Skylar sent out another silent nod for her to continue. "Well I'm the current captain of the Celestial Rays, Demetria Sukehiro. And the nice woman who brought you here is my current Vice Captain, Chikajo Ishitoya. I'm happy to see that you accepted my invitation to come here on such short notice."
Skylar blinked slightly at that as a small amount of surprise fell on her face, snapping out of her haze when Chikajo laughed a little under breath.
"For someone who was able to get under the skin of both Rubi and Eyasei, you're not much of the talkative sort when you're out of your element are you? I've barely gotten a word out of you while Tria over here at least got some sort of reaction from what it seems like with that blush coming on your face. You have some more years left before you can set your sights for her kid." She remarked in which Skylar stiffened up from what she was alluding to as her blush grew brighter, prompting her to scoff a little under her breath as she turned away.
"Well sorry I was requested to randomly come here. That would make anyone nervous." She said in annoyance as she sent them a sideways glance. "And I'm just trying to find the resemblance that she has to the unconventional and quite uncouth nature of my captain. I barely got an introduction out of him until he willfully allowed the door to practically explode in front of my friend's face when he knew full well that he wouldn't have been able to sense it for some sort test of my morals or so he says."
"Ah look there she is." Chikajo teased as she put on an amused look on her face. "There's that snarkiness and attitude I was looking for. I thought Eyasei's attitude was bad at times, but it seems like you're almost on par with hers in comparison."
As Skylar grumbled and was about to let out a retort, Demetria swiftly intervened as she shook her head and waved her hands back in forth.
"Now don't mind her. That's just her way of trying to get you more comfortable. It may be annoying, but you just have to get used it as I have." She reassured. "And in regard to my brother, even though we really don't act or look all that alike, we are 100% full-blooded siblings. I'm not surprised by what you said though since a lot of people have told us that before."
"Even if I have my doubts about it, I guess I'll take your word for it." Skylar said with a sigh before she sent her gaze directly towards Chikajo. "And I guess I can't question your relation to Finral. From what I've heard, you're half siblings with him and that Vice Captain of the Golden Dawn, right?"
"Mmmmhhhmmm. I'm the oldest out of our little trio with Finral about 5 years younger than me while Langris is about 7 years younger than me at this point. We all share the same father, meaning we each have different mothers." Chikajo remarked casually.
Even with the upbeat nature of the woman on her feet, Skylar could there was something more to what she had just said though decided it was best to leave it alone.
"Well, now it's your turn to tell us something about you." Chikajo said after a while as her green eyes met with her silver ones.
"Alright I guess I can humor you even after what you said to me before." Skylar stated as she uncrossed her legs and put both of her feet on the floor. "Name's Skylar and I grew up in a village within the Forsaken Realm know as Hage. There's not really anything more interesting about me other than that."
"Really? You don't seem so sure about that even though you're talking about yourself." Demetria said with a smile as something was hidden within her tone. "Everything and everyone has something interesting about them, even if they don't want to reveal it at times of what that truly is."
As slight confusion and a touch of disbelief fell on Skylar's face, Chikajo saw the tenseness in Demetria's overall features out of the corner of her eye, most likely having doubt to press into her privacy so suddenly and thought it was best to help her in some way.
"Well what Demetria means is that she's wondering if that's the only name you go by. It's not often you meet people here within the Clover Kingdom without a family name attached to them." Chikajo said as she narrowed her eyes slightly as a small shadow fell on the teen's face.
Silence fell in the room for a while as Skylar's head lowered towards her lap as her hands were shaking in the creases of her arms in an attempt to break free to provide some sort of comfort from her shoulders that seemed so far out of their reach.
"No, offense but…I honestly think you're wrong about that." Skylar said after a while as some sort of emotion filled her tone. "There's nothing that special about me in the way you're thinking." She rose her head to show off her piercing silver eyes as a frown appeared on her features. "My name is Skylar and nothing else. Like the other kids of that village within the church I resided in, I'm an orphan just as they are, meaning I have no name for me cling to."
Chikajo and Demetria made no effort to look convinced of that statement, internally sighing as some part of themselves backed down to not press for anything more than that for right now.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't mean to offend you in any way with that statement. I'm known for being a little too straightforward in my approach to open up people and I forget that some may not like it at times. So I'm sorry for doing that as well." Chikajo said genuinely.
"I apologize for my efforts too." Demetria added. "There's just something about you that made me feel inclined to say that. Even though you may think differently, I know you're special in some way Skylar as everyone has something about them to distinguish them from someone else."
Skylar decided to not vocally respond to that statement as she mutely nodded, afraid if she opened her mouth again that she would let something slip out without meaning to.
"Now that we have that out of the way, it's time to get into the business of this meeting in itself so you can go on with that mission of yours." Demetria said. "Did Yami say anything about why you're here?"
"Other than the fact I was his last pick over a loud boy and a royal who can annoy me to no end, there wasn't anything else that would give an idea of what this is about. All he said is that you wanted to meet one of the rookies new to his squad." Skylar replied as a chuckle escaped Demetria's lips.
"Sorry for that. I didn't know he would be that vague about it. It's not like I'm trying to hide or surprise you with anything." She stated as Chikajo let out a small breath.
"In some instances I would agree with you, but today you seemed to match your brother in the vague department considering I didn't even know this was happening until this morning myself. I feel about as in the dark as Skylar is and I'm supposed to be one of the first people to know what's going through that head of yours."
"Wait, you didn't know about this either?" Skylar asked as Chikajo shook her head. "Is it that big of an important secret to keep between you and Captain Yami, Captain Demetria?"
"No, no, no. As I said before, it's nothing that major or even all that bad." Demetria reassured. "And it's not fully focused on just yourself as it relates to both my squad and the Black Bulls. You're just the first to hear about it since I was honestly interested in meeting one of Yami's new members. Considering I already know Noelle, you and that other boy were the only candidates for this meeting today…"
After a while of hearing Demetria's explanation, Skylar's eyes widened at what she mentioned to be the significance of her being here.
"A Squad Pact?" She said with some confusion in her voice.
"Yes, though the name makes it sound more than it really is." Demetria responded. "As it turns out, me and Yami along with some of the others of our squads have collaborated over the years more so in comparison to the other 8 Magic Knight Squads. Whether it was a mission or patrols along with me and Yami being siblings, we have a very close relation with each other. The Black Bulls may have a bad reputation within this kingdom, but I'm able to see past it in comparison to most people to know that they're powerful in their own right and no matter what status they are, each of them deserves and have earned my respect…"
"Yami and I came to terms with this pact of sorts as it was only fair in order to make this apparent relation official in the eyes of this kingdom. Most may see it as surprising or foolish of me to do this, but nonetheless I feel that helping the other out while also giving rookies like yourself an easier time to get to know people from your squad and outside of your squad is a great way to hopefully break down the mold of only the captains meeting up occasionally to establish deeper relations with each other."
"To break the mold? Is that maybe in reference to the power dynamic within this kingdom when it comes to royals, nobility, and commoners alike?" Skylar questioned.
"Yes. That's exactly what I'm referring to." Demetria said with such conviction in her voice that it even took Chikajo by surprise. "Even with being a captain of this squad as well as gaining some respect from some of the nobles and royals of this kingdom, that has not stopped others from voicing their hate or disgust of how a foreigner like myself took the reins of this squad specifically, due to its background. It honestly doesn't bother me as much anymore unless they come for my subordinates or others close to me because of it. But that doesn't mean others who endure such abuse take it in stride like I do most of the time…"
"Everyone has something that makes them unique. Their status shouldn't overshadow that in the eyes of those around him or her especially when you're a Magic Knight. No matter what squad you're on, if you have the most magic power in comparison to anyone, or even if you have barely any mana, you should still see the people around you as your comrades with respect as our mission is going on to protect this kingdom from any threat imaginable. "
Skylar was somewhat in awe of what she said, finding it reminiscent of the dream that she knew Asta and Yuno wanted to aspire to…
A kingdom that looks to others more so than their selfish desires and doesn't care whether you're a commoner in a place and time where the opinions of royals and nobles are paramount.
Chikajo chuckled slightly under her breath as she looked down at Demetria with admiration shining in her eyes.
"Wow Tria, I didn't expect a speech of that caliber to come from you so suddenly. It was enough to make someone like me speechless, even though I've known you for a long while." She commented before looking over at the stunned teen. "How do you feel about this Skylar, considering it involves you in a way as well?"
"W-Well," Skylar said before pausing to regain some of her composure. "It's kind of hard to put what I think about it into words, but…it's an idea that I'm well acquainted with and want to see someday. It's just something I know will be difficult from some nobles and nearly most of the royalty within this kingdom not caring about others that they see as beneath them...Seeing others as worthless or insignificant no matter what they do to show otherwise….It's….something I can say I can relate to some degree."
Demetria's expression fell slightly, trying it's best to not fall completely as a smile still remained on her face.
"Well maybe with your help, along with others that share this thought in some way, it will get this wish of mine into fruition someday." She remarked. "Well other than that, it's all I really have to talk about with you. Other than the fact that you and the other rookies would be a nice help to the rookies within my own squad. You may have your differences, but I believe that you'll be able to push pass them in a professional manner when you're out in the field with each other."
Skylar stood up from that admission as she knew she was finally able to go off to join Asta, Noelle, and Magna on their first mission. She had been keeping up with sensing their mana as they got farther and farther away, knowing that she would most likely catch up to them fairly quickly with the speed of her magic.
"Thanks for inviting me here. Even though it was a little sudden, I feel like I've gained some understanding about your ambitions relating to this squad." She stated.
"Aw don't mention it. It was my pleasure." Demetria said warmly.
"It was nice meeting you as well Skylar." Chikajo added as she began to walk towards her. "I'll escort you out of here."
As Skylar began to grip the door knob, she heard Demetria call out to her once more, stiffening from hearing how quickly her tone changed.
"Skylar, before you go, there's one more question that I need you to answer for me." She remarked as Skylar kept her gaze away from her.
Chikajo looked over at her friend as shock came over her face, seeing the blues of Demetria's eyes burning through the form of the violet-haired girl in front of her.
"Even though you didn't press into the subject itself or avoided it entirely, I have a hunch that just hasn't gone away in the long while I've seen you. Enough, that I can't avoid asking this as I want to hear it from your own lips of whether it's true or not…."
Chikajo's eyes widened from hearing that, knowing what she was probably going to say as Skylar herself thought she was in the clear from hearing such a thing after they had stopped pressing for it earlier.
Is Tria really deciding to confront her about her evasiveness of the subject now? Chikajo thought before her question was answered just moments later as a heavy weight fell in the room.
"Do you happen to have any knowledge or most importantly any relation to the woman who formerly led this squad when it was the Azalea Rays…Dinah Misuteru?"
Word Count of Chapter: 8901 |Pages: 16 pages |Reviews: 12 |Follows: 45 |Favorites: 41
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