Bealuspell
(Baleful Message)

Staring up at the wooden ceiling, the tatami room rumbled. Dust plunged through paper-thin walls, causing cloudy debris to scatter across the space. Throughout this, Natsuki was unable to move an inch. What's… happening?! Wide awake but unable to move upon an exotic bedroll—sleep paralysis?—she helplessly perceived tumultuous quakes. They shook Natsuki to her very core, entrenching deep dread within the recesses of her mind. Then, from the dark corner she saw it: spider-like tendrils slithered into light, crawling ever closer to her. Sickly limbs with hooked blades approached, but a moment later, as though flames touched upon them, they skittered away.

As the ceiling threatened collapse, the hulking horse from the ruins appeared. Blocking her view of the demonic presence, Saint Vlas bastioned a glorifying blaze; it caused the unseen arachnid to scream horrifyingly and carom onto the ceiling. Suspended, eight cardinal eyeballs bored into Natsuki, chilling her.

As light blasted the spider away and her senses began to dull, an enraged shriek bade her farewell: "YOU AREN'T KILLING MY MOTHER!"

Careening from the nightmare, Natsuki heaved for breath as she tore the blankets from herself. Again with the night terrors?! Ragged and exhausted, she sighed as she clasped her hands to her face. This had been the second time in a row… Please don't tell her that this was becoming normalcy? If it did, she…? Lips trembling, her eyes shot to her bedside. Hadn't there been… something? N-o. It was nothing. She was simply far over her head right now. Paranoid—yes, that was correct.

Staggering out of bed, she hurried to the window and threw the curtains open. The early hours were upon the horizon, allowing dull light to filter into the room. Easing into the sill, Natsuki closed her eyes as she pressed her forehead to cool glass. Least… she attempted to. Opening her eyes, she focused on the disturbing sensation of something watching her. Had the horse from the ruins invaded her dreams? How was that possible? Was it… Twisting around sharply, she was greeted to an empty room: Old floorboards, flaked plaster and rustic furniture was her only company. But it felt like she was being watched!

Refusing to spend any more time within this room, Natsuki marched to the exit and flung the door open into the living quarters. It couldn't get any worse, surely? Wrong. Sat at the table with candlelight, a quill, inkwell and parchment, Viola's attention slowly lifted to her. The flame's illumination flickered across Viola's face, enhancing an expression Natsuki could not identify. Seriously?

"...Natsuki." Viola murmured, observing her Einherjar curiously. She looked as though she had seen a ghost: She was as pale as a sheet and looked terrified. Subtly glancing over Natsuki's shoulder, the Archvalkyrja hummed thoughtfully. Languidly dipping her quill into the inkwell beside her, she added to her report. Quiet for a time, she could literally feel the anxiety welling from her Einherjar. It was obvious that Natsuki was struggling for some unfathomed reason. "Tonight the skies shall open." Placing her quill into the inkwell, Viola rested her forearms against the table. Keeping her eyes trained on her Einherjar securely, they narrowed discreetly. "It will mark the beginning of the flooding season." She kept their gaze locked, holding her Einherjar's fear.

W-what's Viola getting at? No matter how hard Natsuki attempted it, she couldn't move. Her legs were like lead as her Valkyrja stood from the chair and stepped towards her. The horrible feeling was looming inside her back; like ghostly eyes staring through her. Why wasn't it disappearing? Not like this, not when Viola was approaching her like this—

"-There is something I wish you to see soon." Viola declared as she stood before Natsuki. Reaching beside the Einherjar, she shut the bedroom door shut.

Heart hammering, the awful sensation from Natsuki's back disintegrated. Releasing a tense breath she had not realised she had held, she jumped. The Archvalkyrja was breaching her personal space, replacing that fear all the more.

"Tell me." Viola murmured as her Einherjar nervously pressed close to the door in an attempt to escape. She neither apprehended Natsuki nor did she retreat; Viola merely stayed her ground. Seizing her was unnecessary. "What did you see in the Garderobe Ruins?" Her voice lowered dangerously.

The ruins. Oh, Gods'. She had forgotten, of course Viola knew she had gone there. "I-I do-n-"

"Do not…" Viola neared her an inch, the fingertips of her right hand curling into her collar: "...lie to me, Einherjar. What did you see?" She breathed into the terrified Einherjar's ear. Needless to say, Shizuru Viola was a master in manipulation. "You spoke of something impossible: A great wolf. But..." Fingertips fled, her thumb lifting Natsuki's chin upwards instead. "You discovered something far more perilous."

"I-I had n-o choice. It was the fi-rst place I found for miles, I-"

"-How did you survive the Guardian?"

The Guardian? That living statue?

"I-it thought I was someone els-"

Hand clasping the doorknob, Shizuru opened it and pushed Natsuki through it. Toppling onto the old floorboards heavily, the wind was ripped from Natsuki's lungs. The atmosphere was tenacious as the Archvalkyrja stepped through the doorway, clearly angry.

"Liar!"

"I'm n-ot!" Natsuki wheezed, also in shock at Viola's abrupt attack. "H-how many t-imes do I have to tell you?!" Oh, Gods'. What's she going to do this time? Gasping for breath, the Einherjar attempted to shift backwards as the elder woman stared through her. Like walking on thin ice, Natsuki's mental wellness shattered underfoot as Viola stalked towards her. But rather than the beating she had expected, surprise replaced this.

Viola had paused from the outburst. Demeanor shifting, her lips curled as she released an amused hum. Offering her hand down to her, Natsuki was understandably confused by her sudden change in personality, but accepted the aid warily. "Come." Viola motioned her, moving to the window.

There was no way Natsuki could ever understand this woman. Staring after the Valkyrja, she hesitantly obeyed the command, nervously standing beside her. Keeping her distance from the Archvalkyrja, Natsuki was apprehensive: What could Viola possibly want this time?

Studying Natsuki, Viola gestured to the sky. "Look to the skies. What do you see?"

The great forest curved around the Palace, covering the mountainside in green. Above it rested the horizon; the Moon fading as it would soon be daybreak. However, beside the celestial body was the star—it had changed to azure. Natsuki paused in her observation, cautiously returning her gaze to Viola.

"I feel that you are ready to know more." Viola spoke as she gazed upon the sight of the Star. It flickered between azure and crimson haphazardly. "Relating to the HiME Star."

Had… had she impressed Viola by snapping at her? Natsuki was lost for words, quite unable to believe that she may be correct. "H-HiME Star?" She also took to looking at it, now noticing it alternating in colour. That's… not normal, is it? She watched it cautiously.

"When injured, you were not ready to take the brunt of the truth." Viola started, touching along the stitches of her gashed forehead calmly. "Still." She looked to her, watching the confusion and curiosity continually fight for dominance. "You are not prepared for anything more than what I am about to tell you. Mentally you are weak."

"I'm not we-" Viola only continued to stare at her silently; the action enough to stop Natsuki in her tracks. She… truly… Natsuki realised her mistake. Was she in denial? Viola was right, she is weak.

"In times past, there was said to have been a being who appeared. On the thirteenth night during daybreak, she anchored two heavenly spheres into the sky. As they orbited the Moon, they collided, causing a great flood. Abiding to the old calendar, tomorrow is that day and will mark the nine hundredth anniversary of this event: The Great Collapse." Deciding to add to this after a brief pause of thought, Viola said: "During the Star's blue phase, Earthling anchors are far weaker than their Earl counterparts." Returning her focus on her Einherjar, Viola emphrised her speech even further. "During the blue phase, the Garderobe Ruins are tied to our world completely. This month you shall accompany me there for the retrieval of technology. Treacherous hallways and forgotten technology is the least of your worries there."

The substantial amount of information silenced Natsuki. Lips quivering, her gaze skittered between the star and Valkyrja. Phases? The Great Collapse? Two stars? What in the Gods' names is Viola on about?! Why had Viola kept this secret? It made no sense to hide this away from her. But… The Garderobe Ruins? Why would this psychopath insist on taking her there when she wasn't supposed to have been there in the first place? Was she missing something here, or was Viola manipulating her? Is… Is Viola conditioning her into something else?

That was it.

Seems Natsuki was beginning to understand. Stepping from the window, Viola cupped her own wrist with her other hand. Watching the silent Einherjar struggle, she witnessed a myriad of expressions tear along Natsuki's face: Anxiety, curiosity, wariness—anger. Yes, Natsuki was indeed beginning to understand her situation. She smiled as antagonising viridian glared at her.

"You can't manipulate me."

"But I already am, Einherjar." Approaching Natsuki again, she swayed her from the room. Twisting her arm bewards, she deftly sealed the door shut behind herself. Now within the living quarters, crimson eyes focused solely upon Natsuki, precisely herding her towards her own room. As Natsuki's back hit the door and panic greeted her, she felt mildly amused. Staying her ground like before, she teased: "Open the door, Natsuki."

"N-no, I-" Anxiety swelled as Natsuki felt Viola twist the doorknob much in the same as before.

"Steady yourself. You are panicking far too much." Gripping the Einherjar's arm, Viola stabilised their balance before Natsuki ended up embarrassing herself again. "Join me on my balcony."

"I wo-"—Wait, balcony? S-she... she had thought...! Heart hammering, Natsuki had no choice as Viola captured her hand and eased her towards another door to their left. Staring down at their intertwined hands, Natsuki was lost for words. This was also the first time she had entered this woman's quarters. Surprisingly it mirrored her own, except for the balcony, of course. Also, to add to this, the bed was unexpectedly a single? Weren't Viola and Tomoe lovers…? Far too many questions spun Natsuki's head as Viola opened the heavy timber door to the balcony.

"Why have you woken so early? I was planning to wake you in order to witness the Star's Phase." Viola sat her down in one of the wooden outdoor chairs.

"Nightmare." Natsuki grumbled as the Archvalkyrja accompanied her on a seat beside her. Observing their surroundings curiously, she hadn't expected this. The balcony was protected by a stone ceiling that was supported by sturdy beams. Glazeless windows encircled this balcony like a cloister, safeguarding its residents' from the outdoor elements. The Archvalkyja's quarters mystified Natsuki: her bedroom was rather ascetic, but this balcony flipped that ideology on its head. Sure, they resided in a Palace, but this looked fitting for a cathedral! Was she thinking too much into this?

"A nightmare, you say?" Resting an arm against her chair's rest, Viola observed her silently as she brushed her fingertips along her lips. Her Einherjar was still on edge, nevertheless, she would ask her. "What did that nightmare entail?"

Why did Viola suddenly care? She's up to something. Watching her suspiciously, Natsuki's eyes narrowed as the Valkyrja merely exchanged a pointed stare. Seriously. What was she supposed to say? Confessing her dreams would only be twisted into a lie. Natsuki bet that Viola would use it against her in ploy. It wouldn't surprise her whatsoever, and what's worse, Natsuki somehow felt guilty to think this way. Why should she care? Viola's a monster!

"You also looked fearful, as though something occupied your room." Viola mentioned, pulling the Einherjar from her train of thought. Other than herself, Viola knew that something was terrifying Natsuki. Ever since the wolves, Natsuki had been constantly on edge. It was obvious that she had met The Lady, Garderobe's Guardian.

Clenching her hands into the armrests, Natsuki's anger steadily rose. "...Quit it." She strained after a stressed pause, feeling lost and agitated as crimson fixated onto her. Why must Viola have this power over her? What gave this woman the right? "Why would you care? What are you? Some kind of sick sadist?"

"That tongue of yours has become rather confident."

Is that it? Standing sharply, Natsuki stood before the Archvalkyrja in spite. Tearing her hands into scarlet fabric, fingers whitened with tension. "Why is everything a game with you?!" Heaving the elder closer by the collar, Natsuki growled: "Make sense already!"

Having been dragged partially from out of her chair, Viola merely stared at her quietly.

To Hel with this. Of course Viola wouldn't react! Why had Natsuki expected anything different? Brow furrowing, her glare transformed into annoyance as Viola's hands encircled hers. Looking down to the larger palms, her fingertips twitched before relenting their iron grasp upon her Valkyrja.

"You have a lot to learn before you can disarm me." Viola taunted, easing up onto her feet before the Einherjar. As the animosity was thrown her way again, she smiled softly before transferring her focus upon the HiME Star. Heading for the balcony's edge, she gestured Natsuki closer with the flick of her index finger. "I will not ask you again."

She wasn't lying, it turns out. Refusing to follow the Valkyrja, Natsuki quickly found herself feeling foolish as she glared after Viola. Just—Ugh. She had no idea how to behave around this woman! Much less how to have a civil conversation with her. Continuing to watch the woman suspiciously, Natsuki couldn't help but actually find it uncharacteristic of Viola: She was leaning against that balcony's stone railing as though somehow it went against her personality. How does that make sense? Natsuki still had no clue who Viola is, let alone understand her finer details. At this point, Natsuki should just leave Viola. But, where would she go? It wasn't like she trusted anyone in this godforsaken Palace, nor did she have enough knowledge of the world in the first place. Thus infuriatingly, Natsuki was forced to stand by Viola's side once more.

"The Phase will begin shortly."

Sure enough, as Natsuki forced herself to look into the skies. Suddenly she realised that the Moon had long since faded, but the Star had not. The chaotic interchanging of the HiME Star gradually began to settle: rouge and cerulean's battle for dominance slowing to a standstill. Then, as the azure glow loomed upon the Star, disbelief skyrocketed within Natsuki. A beam of incredible light cut through the celestial object and bolted down into the horizon. Cobalt erupted along the sky, filling the empyrean with fantastical lights. Suddenly, the Phase began to rise within the horizon, the crimson daybreak pushing it upwards. Further and farther it was launched until the sunrise crept above the treeline, blanketing the land in daylight.

Just like that, as though nothing had happened at all, the Phase finished.

"Due to your Earth origin, you may feel fatigued more easily. Because you cannot absorb souls, I shall be maintaining your anchor link."

"How did she respond to last night's Phase?" Tomoe asked as she and Viola observed Natsuki. The fellow Einherjar was a dozen or so yards away, practicing swordsmanship on one of the training ground's dummies. She had to admit, Natsuki seemed to have some raw talent with the sabre. Personally she had tried and failed to master swords. Axes and halberds however, now there's Tomoe's true potential. "I have brought the crystal like you instructed; is that everything?"

"Yes. Thank you, Tomoe." Taking the chained crystal from her, Viola allowed the anchor to dangle from her fingertips. "She took it rather well. Though I am yet to observe her fatigue. How has the crystal been under your care?"

"It's been giving me nightmares again. I'm not really sure what's going to happen this Phase. I…" Clearing her throat, Tomoe decided against continuing. "Should I return later?"

"That would be wise, yes." Watching the eldest Enherjar turn her back, Viola stopped her. "Tomoe." Searching the woman's eyes carefully as Tomoe twisted around slightly, Viola asked: "Answer me honestly; Is the weakening of the Anchor and the Garderobe Ruins causing this?"

Sincerely? "I'm not sure." Tomoe said. "I feel like something is wrong, but I can't pinpoint what that is." It very well could be either her anchoring crystal or the ruins. But what if it was something else? Not to mention, what if the delicate balance of supporting two Einherjars was putting strain upon Shizuru? This could also be a possibility, and one Tomoe was afraid to ask about.

"Meet me at our quarters tonight at the time we arranged. We will discuss the retrieval of equipment from the ruins with Natsuki." As she began to leave, Viola uttered: "And Tomoe?" The Einherjar paused, but didn't face her. "Return to me if it feels worse."

Watching the Einherjar depart, Viola felt uneasy. How were they supposed to tackle this dilemma if they did not understand it in the first place? They still weren't completely certain how the Star's Phases related to their existence. Nevermind how it affects their wellbeing. Sighing, Viola smeared her palm against her face before pressing her heel to her temple. But, nevertheless they would traverse through this problem. Shaking herself out of it, Viola unsheathed her sabre and approached Natsuki.

Meanwhile, Natsuki felt disgruntled as she clumsily attacked the training dummy. This thing was made from hay which was tied together by rope. It was doing nothing to improve her bitter mood. Ever since last night's nightmare her paranoia had increased. For whatever stupid reason, it only relented when she was close to Viola. Gritting her teeth, she angrily swiped the blade along hay, sending yellow grass flying everywhere. This is ridiculous! Is that horse out to get her or something? Surely not when the last time she had seen it had been at the Garderobe Ruins? Perhaps she was simply at her wits end?

Noticing her Einherjar's state, Viola paused behind her. Natsuki seemed to be stuck in place, simply glaring at her inanimate adversary. "Natsuki." She spoke, curling her free hand around Natsuki's sword arm.

Pulled from the training dummy, Natsuki fought against the Archalkyrja for a brief second. "W-wh—Viola?" What now?

"You are on edge. What is the matter?" Viola stood her ground as Natsuki pulled her wrist from her grip. They exchanged a solid silence as confusion, anger and frustration was shot Viola's way.

'What is the matter?' The words echoed within Natsuki's mind. Scoffing, she shook her head. "What's wrong?" Because Hel, Natsuki sure wishes she knew. Her hand tightened around her sabre's handle strongly. "Frequently I have nightmares! They always involve death. Now I'm just paranoid! What's gonna happen next, Viola? Are my dreams going to become reality and rip me to shreds?!" She glared through the Valkyrja who watched her closely. Her rage only simmering as Viola's eyebrows lifted faintly. "Don't fuck with me!"

A provocative slash was parried by Viola who took a step away from the Einherjar. She hadn't witnessed Natsuki's rage become so serious before. Something last night had clearly affected her negatively. Was it the Star's Phase, or something more sinister? She continued to observe Natsuki carefully whose anger wasn't relenting. In fact, she may very well have to apprehend her Einherjar. "What are these nightmares?"

"Like you'd care!"

Seems she was being too aggressive for her own good. Deciding their next cause of action swiftly, the Archvalkyrja poised into position. "If you feel I do not care, then attack, Einherjar." Circling her sabre above her head, she struck Natsuki's own blade. Her adversary's weapon was flung across the training grounds and sailed within the air. "Go fetch-" Too late, for Natsuki had caught her off guard. She curiously observed her Einherjar whose fingers had curled around her collar tightly.

"I… why…" Natsuki's head pulled downwards in defeat. Why couldn't she ever be satisfied? Viola was revealing information now, she certainly was—but it still wasn't enough. Her nightmares may as well be reality, without Viola she felt paranoid of something unknown, nor did she know a thing about this world. Would she ever? Then, her ears twitched as metal slid against leather. Training her eyes back on Viola, she realised the Archvalkyrja had sheathed her own blade. "What are you do-"

Wrapping her arms around the confused Einherjar, Viola silenced whatever Natsuki had been about to say. "I know. My own Valkyrja could not answer the multitude of questions I had for her either. Nor could hers." She whispered into the stunned woman's ear who remained prone within her arms. "I am powerless to help you in this regard. Your anger—your realisation: this is key to unlocking your potential future. I cannot guarantee that you will accept it like I and Tomoe have, but…" Clasping her hands to Natsuki's upper arms, she eased her away gently. "I can help you learn about this world and find your place within it. If you remember your past life, this does not matter. I only remember fragments of my own, myself."

Natsuki's fingers slowly untangled from Viola's collar as their staring was exchanged. Even though she should be angry, Natsuki realised she no longer had the energy to do so. Was it honestly true that Viola didn't remember her own life either? Did she have similar nightmares to herself? Was this merely a ploy to trap her further into the unknown? Natsuki was genuinely afraid. Swallowing, she removed her gaze from the Archvalkyrja. Maybe this was just one gigantic nightmare?

"The Garderobe Ruins is an abandoned site of unknown origin." Viola explained as she stood behind her seated Einherjar. "Nor has anyone ever completed its mapping." Delicately unfolding a fragile piece of parchment, Viola placed it in front of them on the central table. "My Valkyrja managed to map a portion of the ruins, but she was killed by the Guardian of its underground chamber."

Again with this Guardian. Natsuki's demeanor visibly shifted as she stared hard at the old map. She recognised the placement of some of the buildings which had been hastily drawn by a shaky hand. Even the collapsed hallway had been detailed; crossed out messily until the whole corridor was blacked out. "...Guardian?" She forced her strained throat to comply, internally swearing when she felt eyes burn into her.

"The Guardian, yes." Viola observed Natsuki closely, able to see rampant anxiety upon even just half of her face. "She is a living statue who speaks in riddles. I am unsure how, but it appears she has control over the Ruins."

Sitting upright to readjust herself, Tomoe hovered an index and middle finger above the parchment. "Where shall we begin the salvage mission? Site #1 was a bust with the corridor and flooding damage, after all."

"We never checked upstairs, if I remember." Viola reminded, her hand gripping Tomoe's chair whilst her arm brushed past her other side. Pointing to a location that seemed to signify stairs, Viola said: "We avoided the upper storeys due to the stairs giving out. We will likely require climbing gear if we are to journey on up."

"Better lanterns too, that place is dark."

Having lost track briefly, Natsuki was pulled back into reality by Viola's hand landing upon her shoulder. Startled, she peered upwards to exchange a stare with the Archvalkyrja.

"Natsuki?" Viola asked, turning to face her as Tomoe glanced her way momentarily, returning her attention to the map soon after. "You seem distant."

"I'm fine." She grunted, pulling her eyes from the Valkyrja. Instead, she looked to the window, gazing upon the night sky. The azure star was shimmering and casting a silver aura across its neighbouring Moon. None of it made any sense. The horse, her paranoia, the nightmares, the statue: Would it ever?

But it was obvious that Natsuki wasn't. Viola allowed the subject to drop however, returning her attention to Tomoe. "This building here. Did we ever search it?"

"I doubt it. It's that one up the hill with the tree growing through the windows, right?"

"Correct." Whoever occupied that building must have had quite the view indeed. Hovering her fingers above this location, Viola followed the path down to the main gathering of buildings. "This one here; we never checked this either. It is the white hall we were unable to access because of structural damage."

"Oh, right. I remember it, I think. Do you think we will be able to enter it, Shizuru? It may have collapsed entirely by now."

"So what are we supposed to be salvaging here?" Natsuki interjected the two. Couldn't they make up their mind already?

"We were getting to that." Tomoe only threw her a pointed stare, rolling her eyes as she received a glare. "What's made you angry this time?"

"What's it to you?"

"Tomoe. Natsuki." Viola silenced them swiftly as she encircled the table to face them instead. "I will not have my Einherjar fight needlessly." Once the pair relented, she continued: "I propose that we do a thorough search through the entire site and map it as we go. Shall I relay this information to the Huntsmaster?"

"Y-yeah." Tomoe cleared her throat, having particularly disliked that Viola had broken up their mild argument.

"Natsuki?"

"Why are you asking me for?" Only receiving another stare from both women, she sighed, crossing her arms afterwards. "Fine, I guess." It wasn't like she had an actual say in this, was there?

. . .

. .

"In God's name I bestow upon this most holy Avalon the two Guiding Stars: Jezebel, the Crimson Princess and Ya'el, the Azure Liberator. Unto His loving embrace, Avalon shall forever bask in the glory of Eternal Paradise!"

. .

. . .

A/N: I've finally managed to update something. I have no idea where my writing fuel went, it just disappeared last month and didn't return until a few days ago. It wasn't writer's block, just had no genuine interest. It was weird.

Reviews

Elizabeth Charlotte: Looks like your wish is about to come true next chapter.

Dinamox: Thanks! It's a nice change to be writing Shizuru with this personality. Rarely do I ever write her like this in my solo stories.

Darwater: Oh, don't worry, you aren't delusional. I've been purposefully drenching tension all over them for a few chapters now. Obviously Natsuki isn't too happy about it.