Hi everyone! I want to sincerely apologize for this overdue update. I'm officially in my final year of university (been in uni since 2017) and classes have been hectic. Updates will be slow but for this story slightly quicker. Hopefully, I get a new chapter up by next month. Thank you all for waiting. And with Sumeru officially coming to an end on the next update, all the information I have been waiting for finally has come. I am in the progress of working on an original story for my Screen Writing class and soon I will post that story here on AO3. Thank you all for your time and be safe!
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The meeting in Liyue was the same as the one in Mondstadt. Talking about plans, dates, important events as well as negotiations and such. Plus an Inazuman Diplomat, Kamisato Ayato, was there to represent Inazuma with his retainer. Meeting with the people of The Chasm had been interesting, they were allowed deeper to a certain degree but Albedo had his way sneaking past the guards. Especially because he wanted to study The Black Serpent Knights. He has heard of them from his Master but seeing them up close...some still managed to retain a portion of their sanity. A pity because he cut them down to collect the materials needed to break Lumine's connection to the Geo Element.
Albedo made his way to his room when...His eyes suddenly went wide, a sharp pain went his head fell and a vision flashed before his eyes. The colors of mint green clothing dyed in red. Albedo ran to his room, slamming the door open. He quickly ran to his desk and searched for the other mirror he had.
"Where is it?! Where is it?!" He growled and finally found it, his eyes went wide seeing the green gem on it, shattered, "Her connection...has been served." Albedo gritted his teeth.
That gem was what he was using to keep track of Sucrose's life force. To make sure she was alive and well. At some point, he used some of his power on her to create a connection so he could keep watch over her but now...
There were two options.
Either Sucrose's power grew or in the worst-case scenario...she was dead.
Albedo didn't even want to think about it. He looked back to the other mirror in his hand and narrowed his eyes.
The electro gem was no longer cracked.
[—-]
"What?"
Kaeya's tone was colder than any winter as he spoke to Yelan in the ice crystal. Yelan sighed, closing her eyes as she intertwined her hands together and spoke.
"It's just as I said...Mona Megistus has been found. But she is now a corrupted Hydro Entity and was taken down. Unfortunately, in her retreat, she took Sucrose with her." Yelan said as Kaeya took deep breaths and thought back to the time, he briefly met Mona.
He had sensed some sort of corrupted energy in the area but thought it was an Abyss Mage but he was wrong. Mona became a victim of the corruption of the Abyss. That explained why she was in hurry to leave Mondstadt because...
"Is there anyone way we can track down Sucrose and Mona? What about Childe?" Kaeya said and Yelan pressed her lips together.
"Childe is already working with the people of the Raiden Shogun. Thankfully the Anemo Mage is alive but they are having a hard time trying to locate her." Yelan let out a frustrated sigh, "It is like something is blocking us. Our Elemental Sight should make it easy to track her down but has been difficult." She said and rested her cheek on her hand, "By the way, that alchemist friend of yours," Kaeya made a face, "Keep an eye on him."
"You don't need to tell me that," Kaeya said as he shut down the crystal ball.
He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated. Sucrose was gone along with Mona. Mona was turned into a corrupted entity by something. And usually, people only disappeared if they saw something they shouldn't have. Kaeya wondered if Mona saw what happened to Lumine and Paimon. For now, it's best he remained silent and watched over Albedo. They were going to be stuck in Liyue for a couple more months.
[—-]
Klee liked to explore the forest whenever she had the opportunity. Of course, she was careful to not go fish blasting, or else Big Sister Jean would put her in solitary confinement again. But today, Klee found something strange. A bright pink flower that Big Sis Lumine and Paimon told her is called a lotus. But that wasn't what was weird, it was the white-haired girl dressed in green that sat on the lily pad.
"Hello there!" Klee called out and the girl jumped, nearly dropping the book she carried till she looked up, her big green eyes blinking, "Sorry, were you reading a book?" She asked and she also noticed the girl had ears like hers.
"Yes." The white-haired girl said, "It's about a fairy trapped in a cage trying to find a way to escape the Prince that became evil." She said and Klee gasped.
"Oh! I know that story! It's the Star Fairy and The Black Star Prince! I like reading that story because the Green Wind Fairy comes to help her! But sadly, the green fairy turns to dust to save her friend..." Klee pouted as the girl was still processing what was going on.
"You can see and hear me?" Klee was confused but nodded, "Hmmm...How interesting...What's your name?" The girl asked as Klee came closer to the pond edge.
"I'm Klee! I'm a knight! I like to go fish blasting, but I have to be careful or else Big Sis Jean will have me in solitary confinement again." Klee pouted and the white-haired girl smiled softly.
"A knight...Well then, if you are a knight, maybe you can help the Star Fairy." The girl said and Klee looked at her confused.
"I don't understand," Klee said and the white-haired girl smiled sadly.
"The Star Fairy is here in Mondstadt and she is in big trouble. The Wind Fairy is someplace deep in the darkness, but she can be saved. Miss Knight, can you help her?" The girl said and Klee gasped, nodding her head.
"Yes! What can I do?!" Klee said as the white-haired girl closed her eyes and smiled as she raised her index finger and pointed at her.
"Let's find flowers and dandelions!"
[—-]
"How is she?"
Enjou turned his head a bit and looked at His Highness walking towards him with an unreadable expression. In his hands, Aether held the bracelet that his sister had gifted the Anemo caster but now it glowed white.
"I'm keeping her alive. Barely. To be more precise, her heart has stopped already. I'm just doing what I can to keep her soul from leaving." Enjoy said as he looked back to the girl that was surrounded by runes but also small little crystal-like needles slowly sinking into her and spreading like veins.
Her skin was cracked, glowing blue, and reflected like gems but Aether knew what was going on. The vision on her waist had since long lost its glow.
"The spike went right through her chest. Thankfully it missed the heart, but it was a wound that would have killed her in an instant had she not been a vision holder." Enjou said and clicked his teeth seeing a small orb of purple float out of the girl's body, "The reason her soul hasn't left is because of that."
"Durin's blood. The Hydro Mage was corrupted using Durin's blood and seems some of it went into her." Enjou snapped his fingers and had the blood extracted enter a bottle, "So my Lord, what will you do?" He said.
Aether remained silent as he walked up and stared down at her. His gaze half lidded and void of emotions as he raised his hand and held it over Sucrose's chest. He opened it, letting fall the small star gem his sister gifted the mage. He watched it observed into her body and the cracks of her skin turned gold than green, slowly disappearing. The color returned to her face, and now she looked fast asleep, the wounds healing themselves but...It was all up to her.
"When she wakes up, show her around Enkanomiya. And...have her read those books." Aether said as he turned, his eyes dark, "That Alchemist of Chalk...He should be brought down by the one he sees so weak." He said darkly and began to walk away but stopped to look at Sucrose, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"It's good to see you again...Sucrose."
[—]
Dark...
Everything around her was dark as the night. Small shards of glass floated around yet she kept falling deeper. Her lungs felt like they were burning, filling up more and more as time passed. Yet, she kept falling, deeper.
But...
"I will not allow a child of Mondstadt to fall into such darkness."
"Who?" Sucrose muttered but no sound left her lips as she opened her eyes a tad bit.
Yet, in the darkness, a single speck of light formed as her hand reached out to it. The scent of daisies' filled her nostrils making her feel calm and safe. She kept reaching out to it, to the light till finally, a warm hand grasped her hand. A soft voice spoke.
"Ah, you're the one Klee spoke of." A childlike voice said, "You want to know who I am but I can't say. After all, I'm just a little bird who is passing by. But today, I decided to help you. So please...wake up from this dream of darkness. You have so much to live for. And...Lumine is waiting for you. Just a bit more. Soon, you'll find my fellow moon." The voice said and the last thing Sucrose saw were green eyes with clover pupils.
"When you wake up, I've left a small gift for you. You're not the same anymore but know that this power can help you. After all, the moon can not glow like the sun. So be that sun for the moon. Goodbye child of Anemo. I have a feeling we'll meet again someday."
- End of Dream -
"Hmmm..."
There was no pain.
There was no soreness.
But there was the scent of water and she could hear the faint sounds of water droplets. Sucrose then took in a deep breath as memories suddenly came back and she abruptly sat up, frantically patting her chest but she felt no wound. Her clothing was still bloody like before, there was no wound. The girl looked around, seeing nothing but shelves made of stone filled with strange tablets. Rails made stone beautifully carved but there were broken stones, part of the place was destroyed but still survived. It seemed she was in some sort of ancient library ruin. Sucrose could hear droplets of water falling as she carefully stood up. The place was beautiful yet it looked like it had withered away through time.
"My vision?" She muttered and patted herself but did not find it anywhere, but she held out her hand and found she could still create an orb of Anemo in her hands.
She looked around, walking around the place, and stopped in front of a water puddle. She looked down to see her reflection and touched the left side of her head where she now wore the strange white flowers that Lumine would wear. If she recalled correctly, Lumine called them, "Inteyvats" the national flower of the ancient civilization of Khaernri'ah.
"Oh! You're awake!"
The girl screamed seeing a ghostly blue apparition of a woman dressed in a tunic with strange patterns and a long coat. She wore her hair in a bun, and glasses, and held a ghostly book in her hands. She let out a sigh of relief.
"I was wondering when you would get up! Oh great heavens, you've been asleep for a week! Hopefully, that fool of a scholar doesn't take long. He owes me a new set of books for watching over you." The ghost said and Sucrose gulped.
"P-Pardon, but, where am I? The last memory I have is..." she subconsciously placed her hand over her chest.
"Ah, you are in Byakuyokoku's library. I believe you surface people call it Enkanomiya." The ghost said, "As for me, my name is Ema, the librarian of this place. I was requested by that weird scholar to watch over you as you healed. Anyhow, they left you a pair of new clothing to change into. As well to give you this. It seems to belong to you." Ema handed her a colorless vision.
"My Vision! But, why isn't the symbol of Anemo on it anymore?" Sucrose said and Ema looked at her confused.
"Ah, so that's what it is called. Lady Kokomi never once did specify what it was called. Anyhow, new clothing over there." The ghost pointed to a strange portal that led to another room.
Sucrose was hesitant but touched it, getting sucked and suddenly she was in that other room. There, neatly folded was a strangled uniform with a coat, cape, and sword. The best way she describes it is that it reminded her of the clothing the blonder-haired man, Dainslif wore. Honestly, she also wanted a bath but she had to work with what was available. She removed her clothing putting on the uniform along with dark green tights and boots. Her vision, she put it on her waist even if it did not glow anymore, she wondered why and put it on her waist like usual. Thankfully there was a mirror nearby and she stared at herself.
She didn't know what to feel as the girl looking back at her was different. As if she had seen many things. The girl in the mirror just stared before she took off her hat and held it tightly in her hands as well as her glasses. She chuckled bitterly to herself as she put her glasses back on and put her hat down on her bloody clothing. She smiled bitterly, thinking back to Mona's agonizing moments and how she heard Albedo's name.
"It was him...Albedo...why?" The girl wept as she gritted her teeth, "Why did you do that to Mona? What did she see that made you go so far? Albedo, why do you treat me like some sort of child that needs constant watching?" It was the first time she felt...angry.
No, a part of me had always been angry for being treated like a child. She took deep breaths to calm herself before picking up her clothing and walking back through the portal.
"Miss Ema, I'm done." Sucrose called out from the second floor and from the rails noticed the female ghost speaking or should she say, scolding a man with black hair and dressed in an Inazuman-styled male kimono. The man nervously grinned as the librarian kept ranting at him.
"One entire week and you were nowhere found! Even my fellow people could not find you! I swear to you! That girl just woke up and she has questions and you are nowhere to be found, Enjou!" She said and the man chuckled nervously and finally noticed Sucrose.
"Ah! Hello there! I see you are awake now!" Enjou said and Sucrose looked at him confused as she came down the stairs carefully, "I see you changed into the clothing my l-Ahem! I provided you." He said and Sucrose nodded.
It was a dark green. The man smiled and spoke.
"Hm, the colors of the Earth and Dark Winds suit you." He said and flinched at Ema's glare.
"Pardon, are you the one that saved me?" Sucrose said as she stood in front of him.
"The one that saved you was my Lord. Unfortunately, he could not meet with you but as a gift, he left you those clothing as well as this." He held out a Hydro Vision to her.
"That's Mona's vision!" Sucrose said as she took it from his hands, "What did you do to her?!" The girl and Enjou fixed his glasses.
"I didn't do anything. My lord simply sealed her away until The Traveler is found. Only she can purify the Hydro Mage from Durin's blood." The scholar said as Sucrose looked down to the Hydro Vison wrapped in golden chains, "And that vision of yours." He plucked off her waist, "I suggest you make sure no ever see's it. You don't want people looking at you strangely now, do you?" He smiled and for a moment his eyes were slits.
Sucrose bit her lip, now holding her blank vision along with Mona's. What would people say if they saw her blank vision? Would they believe she was suddenly damned by the gods or her powers taken away? She had so many conflicted feelings that at a moment, she was at the mercy of the ones who saved her. So did what was instructed, she waved her hand and made the visions disappear into her magic space. Enjoy smiled at her actions.
"Since...you both watched over me...thank you. Truly." Sucrose bowed politely, "But I have to return to Inazuma. My friends must be worried about me." She said.
"You're friends are alive. All of them are safe." Enjou said and Sucrose couldn't help letting go a sigh of relief, "But you can't leave yet." He said and Sucrose looked at him shocked, "My lord that saved you said you owe him a debt. And you must pay it." He said and Sucrose hung her head.
"I understand." Sucrose muttered as the man hummed.
"Good. And the way you are going to do this is simple." He said as he looked at her confused.
"You're going to study!"
"...Pardon?"
[—-]
Venti didn't know if he should have a mental breakdown or drink himself drunk as he was still trying to recover from a served life link. Sucrose's life link was gone. As the Anemo Archon, he always knew if an Anemo Vision holder was in pain for loss, in the worst-case scenarios, he could sometimes see their incoming death. But when one is murdered or killed, or their connection to Anemo forcefully served, he could feel it. Now, the young woman was gone. When the group returned to The Shogunate, they informed The Raiden Shogun what had happened. Ei didn't know what to do and commanded Sara to investigate the island along with a group of trusted soldiers. Yae was mortified hearing the news and now the biggest problem was trying to find some way to tell Jean. The most Venti did at the moment was to write a letter, perfectly imitating Sucrose's handwriting saying that a family emergency came up and that she would be gone for a few weeks.
Add a perfect imitation of Sucrose's elemental energy and you got yourself the perfect fake letter. It didn't help either that Focalor contacted him demanding to know what happened to one of her Fontaine subjects, Mona Megistus, her life force was corrupted and served.
"It's just one thing after another!" Venti suddenly wailed, scaring the three individuals that sat with him at the table.
"Venti, what brings sorrow to you that has you so lost in thoughts? Are you in need of speaking your heart out or is thou holding on so much that you wish to burst?" Blonde colored hair tried in two small pigtails with purple ribbons, green colored eyes, a rose eye patch over her left eye, and she wore a purple colored dress with an Electro vision on her back held by a bow, Fischl said as she looked at the bard, worried.
"What mein Fräulein means to say, are you alright?" Oz, Fischl's night raven and familiar said as he perched on a clothing rack.
"Perhaps she heard something only those of the wind can hear?" Silver-colored hair with a streak of red and tied into a ponytail, dressed in colors of red, yellow, and orange, and kimono-like sleeves with leaf designs, Kazuha said as Venti just folded his arms and buried his face in them.
"Well, I mean with the situation going on, especially with Lumine and Mona missing, I sort of getting why he feels down." Tan skin, black colored hair tied up with spiked hair bands, dressed in white and red with a guitar leaned on the wall, Xinyan said.
Kazuha looked down at his drink, his reflection looking back at him with an unreadable gaze. A few weeks prior before Lumine's, Paimon's, and Mona's disappearance, he and the others went on an adventure at the Golden Apple archipelago. It was once in a lifetime experience, something they would never forget. But most of all, they all got to know each other, face their fears together, learn and discover themselves. During that time, he became friends with Mona. It surprised him how close he and the astrologist became, and Kazuha may have developed some feelings toward her during the time they spent together in the summer.
Beidou teased him relentlessly when he had asked her for advice in getting a woman a gift, and because she screamed it out, the entire crew of The Crux had jumped in on helping him. At that moment, he was just happy that Xinyan was not present along with Yun Jin because the teasing would have never stopped. He did ask Miss Keqing at some point and she suggested flowers. He even traveled through the mountains to see Xiao, who he met through Lumine and Paimon. The two became mutual friends. Unfortunately, Xiao had no idea what to say until out of nowhere Hu Tao appeared and commented saying that Xiao loved to gift her small trinkets like colorful stones and rare flowers he would find during his journey.
Xiao ended up grabbing her and disappearing before he even had a chance to ask any questions. The ones that gave him answers were Mr. Zhongli and Yomiya. Mr. Zhongli was a wise man and suggested a handmade craft and Yomiya was more than happy to recommend him some of the best colorful ores. I'm the end, Kazuha settled in making Mona an Inazuma-styled hairpin using electro and hydro crystals. He also infused a bit of Anemo. But the day he was planning to gift it to her was also the time she, Lumine, and Paimon went missing.
"What do you mean?"
Kazuha twitched and closed his eyes as he listened to a conversation that was being spoken privately on the second floor between the bartender Diluc and someone else.
"It's just what I've said, sir...Miss Sucrose was swallowed by a corrupted Abyssal monster. And...sigh...not just any monster. It...was the missing Hydro Mage." Kazuha snapped his eyes suddenly scaring the two females except for Venti who was suddenly sober.
The Archon placed his hand under the table and made his fingertips glow slightly to make sure Kazuha heard nothing. Then he acted.
"Hey, Kazuha! Wanna try this fruity drink?!" Venti cheered as he poured him a cup of sweet Lavender melon juice.
"Huh? Oh, sure!" Kazuha smiled as the girls also asked for a cup.
Unfortunately, all three of them couldn't handle alcohol and didn't even realize it was alcohol. Venti smiled sadly as he muttered a sorry and left the tavern. He walked through the dark ally ways and stopped when a little bird landed not too far from him.
"The girl...Sucrose is alive." Venti's eyes widened as it spoke, "Nahida..." he whispered and the little bird's eyes glowed green for a moment.
"The mage as well...But know when they return...they won't be the same."
[-1 month later-]
Studying
Enjou said to pay her debt she had to study. Sucrose didn't know what was worse. The fact that she was stranded in some sort of another underground world between the upper world and abyss or the fact she was being made to study and relearn the basics of Alchemy? Even relearning to use elemental energy. But one thing she noticed, was the crystal at the center of the eight-pointed star centerpiece of her chest, it glowed a neon green, which Ema informed her represented Anemo.
"And that is the history of Enkanomiya!" Ema proudly said as the girl was still writing down notes, "Now, after you finish your notes, Enjou said he had a surprise for you today." The spirit said and disappeared.
Sucrose couldn't but let go a sigh of relief as she put down her pen and rest her forehead on the stone table. It's been at least a month since she had been saved and there were just so many conflicted feelings. The first was the relearning of basic training, learning why Ema was a ghost and the history of the place she was in. She wanted to return to the surface. The only real good thing that had come out of all of this was the amount of research material that there was. Enjou had given her permission to explore Enkanomiya. Sucrose hated to admit it but she was more than happy to study the old ruins of the ancient civilization and culture as well as learn the language from Ema.
While exploring, she also met other spirits like Ema, called Sinshades. Enjou made it very clear to never once mention that the spirits are sin shades because that means they realize they are dead and will disappear. Of course, Sucrose kept her mouth shut. She stood up from her seat and left out the library, walking up the ancient stone stairs of sin shades of children running (floating) around and playing. Many of the children yelled out, "Hi, Sister!" As she waved and kept walking up the stairs till she reached a certain point. She stopped and stared up at the crumbled pillar that was over 50 feet high.
"Try envisioning a staircase." Lumine grinned as she made Anemo swirl the soles of her boots, "then concentrate Anemo down at the soles of your feet. It's tricky at first but once you do it..." she took a step and began to climb up as if there was a staircase, "You can go anywhere!" The blonde grinned as she looked back down at her friend.
"Nice going Lumine!" Mona clapped her hands, "I must say, I am very impressed. What an interesting way of using Anemo."
"It's a bit similar to how I channel Anemo to my feet then use it to jump and swirl the air around me for combat or an extra boost when jumping," Kazuha said as Lumine came down.
"Lumine loves trying out new things so we both came up with this idea if we want to reach high spaces without climbing so much!" Paimon chirped.
"Isn't that cheating?" Xinyan said, "But whatever works for you folks!" The girl grinned.
"Come on Sucrose! You try it!"
Sucrose remained silent before her gaze became half-lidded and took a deep breath and let it out. She then closed her eyes, imagining a staircase in front of her. Particles of Anemo formed under her boots and her eyes snapped open her gaze firm, and she took the first step.
One step
Two steps
Three steps
Four steps.
She lost count but she kept going higher and higher till finally, she reached the top and stood on top of the pillar. The silence, the feeling of the wind, and the sight of the entire nation of Enkanomiya, yet...there was great sorrow she felt as she looked at the city, but most of all, she thought of Lumine. Reminding her...
"Paimon!" the girl gasped and completely forgot about the little fairy.
Sucrose began to get mentally curse herself as she took out the pocket mirror and opened it. The mirror wavered and of course...
"AFTER SO LONG YOU FINALLY REMEMBERED ME!"
"I am so sorry, Paimon! Truly I am!" Sucrose kept bowing repeatedly as the fairy huffed, "So much has happened, and then with what happened with me and..." Paimon let out a sigh.
"Alright, Alright!" The fairy said, "I can tell you've been through a lot. By the way, interesting clothing. It reminds me of Dainslif." Paimon said.
"Do you want me to tell you to want to happen?" Sucrose asked as she sat down at the edge of the pillar.
"Of course. I've been worried about Sucrose. And did you all find Mona? Where are you anyway?" Paimon asked and Sucrose let out a heavy sigh as she placed the mirror on her lap.
"It's...a very long story."
So Sucrose told her. About the mission. About what happened at Tsurumi Island, about the encounter with Mona. About the mage being corrupted by Durin's blood and that Albedo was the one responsible. How she barely managed to survive a killing stab as well as being rescued and cared for. That she was in a place called Enkanomiya as well as the scholar rescued her and she had a debt to pay. That she has learned the history of the land and that because of her injuries she had to relearn the basics of alchemy and elemental manipulation. The only thing she left out was what happened to her vision. Paimon was too stunned to speak and suddenly let out a sob.
"I wish I was out of this mirror so I could hug you!" Paimon cried as Sucrose picked up the mirror again, "How could Albedo do such a thing to Mona?! Mona was our friend!" Sucrose's smile quivered as she felt her first tears in a while.
"I don't know what to think...Paimon...I think I this point...I think Albedo is the one responsible for Lumine's disappearance...but...I have no proof. I have no way of proving he was responsible. And looking back on the way he was treating me and Lumine. As well as the passive-aggressive comments..." Sucrose sniffed, "What can I even do against someone who is much more powerful than I am?"
The girl looked at her hands before balling them into a fist, gritting her teeth unaware that from the bottom of the pillar, poison ivy vines began to sprout.
"There were so many signs and I chose to ignore them! Why didn't I pay attention?! No, I already did but I ignored it! I wanted to avoid confrontation and yet look what it has resulted in!" The girl cried and the ivy plants grew thicker and with thorns.
"I have to help her! I must help them! I must help Mona and Lumine!" The girl yelled and from far away, Enjou smiled as the wind of Enkanomiya became violent for a moment.
"So her ambitions grow stronger, and now they have resolved. It seems I made the right choice."
The scholar turned to see an Abyss Portal open and out walked His Highness, Aether. The blonde twin went to stand beside him watching from afar. He held out his hand and suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Enjou...you made sure the connection to The Statue of The Seven was served, correct?" He said and Enjou looked at him offended.
"Of course I did! The only use of elemental power she has now is that similar to your sister and you, Your Highness." Enjou said and Aether put his hands down.
"Then why is she blessed by The God of Wisdom?" He said coldly and Enjou froze, "Tch, never mind. It won't matter. Make sure to give her those books. I'll see you at some other time." And Aether left through the portal.
Enjou clicked his teeth as he fixed his glasses, it was soon time for classes.
[—-]
"How are you feeling Sucrose?" Paimon said as the caster walked through blue grassy fields with the mirror opened in her chest pocket.
Sucrose's eyes were red and puffy from crying so much and screaming in anger. Never before she had unleashed such sorrowful and angry wails and words. A part of her felt liberated from finally realizing what has happened but the guilt of choosing to ignore it plagued her. The girl walked and walked, letting herself wander till she found herself back at the library.
Ema was busy organizing books when she heard the sound of someone dragging their footsteps. She gasped seeing it was Sucrose and quickly floated to her.
"Goodness dear, what happened?" She said and Sucrose put on a strained smile.
"I'm alright Ema. Just...going through something difficult." She said and the spirit looked at her sadly.
"Alright...I have some sweet mint tea ready if you like." Sucrose whispered a thank you, "Oh, before I forget. The scholar Enjou left a pile of books for you." Again Sucrose muttered a thank you.
Sucrose walked to the portal room that was set up for her and there on the bed was a pile of books, about seven of them as well as a trunk near her bed. She picked up the teacup that was left on the desk and picked up one of the books. Her expression became puzzled as she looked at it.
"These notes look similar to..." she stopped herself.
She finally noticed the letter that was left for her and opened it.
Hello there!
Unfortunately, I can not stay this time to teach you but do read these books I left. I think you will be very interested in these books about Alchemy. I also left a trunk with all the tools and materials you will need for any experiments you wish to conduct as well as a full map of the lost city. Unlike your home, you have the absolute freedom to study everything in Enkoanomiya to your heart's content. No need to hold back!
Also, a little warning, do not head toward the area I marked in red.
- Enjou
Sucrose blinked multiple times at the letter and then looked back to the trunk that was left near the end of her desk. She stood up and walked to it, removing the lock. She lifted the top and sure enough, the inside was filled with tools and materials she only dreamed of getting her hands on. She found that it was nice that each item was labeled and the tools had instructions on how to use them.
But the question that ran through her head was, why was Enjou going so far to have her learn? Who was his Lord and why did he save her life? And why did her vision not glow yet she can use Anemo?
But...
Sucrose gulped as she picked up a dried celica flower. Her hand trembled as the once-happy memories with Albedo were now shattered. The girl gritted her teeth and then crushed the flower in her hand. She knew what she needed to do.
"I have to become stronger...Lumine...hold on a bit longer."