Legend of the Divine Sorceresses

"So, then this is do or die," Tiara stated, "And what if I say no? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have my partner back. But with all this danger, there has to be a catch. I take it there is another mission set up for me if I refuse?" Her mind was at war with itself. Part of her was screaming to take the mission, she had the power to handle it. Soon, Graham would be back, and they could make up. But the other part had to tell her to not go. It was too risky. Graham was dead, she had to move on. Tiara had no idea which one to chose. Sienna's answer would be enough to either convince her to try, or make her go back home again.

"If you refuse, it is the same as if you fail. You will fight the Mihan Demons, the same ones that had killed those other Magic Users and their Partners. But, if the boss of them all arrives, there's no way you would stand up to it. Even a Divine Sorceress is at risk fighting such a beast. That is why I need a successor, just in case I am unable to fight it myself. I have an ace in the hole, an attack that will kill the demon at the expense of my life. But my legacy and power must live on," Sienna explained. Seeing the confusion on the faces of Tiara, Lena, and Leon - - as well as Japolo's perplexed look - - she asked, "Would you like me to tell you the story of the Divine Sorceresses, their origins, and the mission they all have?"

Japolo jumped off of Tiara's shoulder and onto the table. "Well, it would help us out a whole lot. If Tiara understands more about the situation, it will help her to make her decision. So, you may begin."

"It begins many millennia ago with Yasmin," began Sienna, "She had lost her husband and Partner in an attack, so she summoned a second Partner. This one, she constructed in the image of her beloved, and gave him his name, Collin. With that, she hoped to get the one she loved back. But luck was not on Yasmin's side, and she lost him in combat not to long after. In despair, she reached out to this woman who knew many curses, Wichita. The old crone had learned of a way to walk in the land of the dead, and reel in souls magically bound to you. It would not work with a native of the Guardian World, only a Partner. But Yasmin had already summoned a third, so she knew she was pushing things. However, it didn't matter, only that Collin was back. But when she did get him back, she discovered something had changed."

"And what was that? Did this Collin not want to be around her or something?" inquired Tiara, tapping her foot on the floor. She was leaning towards risking it at the moment, and wondered if this new reversal might just make her change her mind. Hopefully not, it seemed like she owed Graham this much.

Sienna continued, "Yasmin's powers had increased, tenfold. Also, she found that she could merge together with both Collin and her new Partner, a large wolf named Shadow, in order to form a more powerful being. When the Elder found out, he was amazed. He didn't punish her, but instead kept the process a secret, just in case it was needed for some emergency. That came, five thousand years later, when the first Mihan Demons made their appearance. Two new Divine Sorceresses were created, but neither could stand up to the enemy, and died. The only good thing was that the second of them learned a spell to sacrifice ones life in order to win while in the merged form. However, more of them were poised to attack, and all seemed lost. But then a young girl of little talent named Maria came forward. She'd just lost her third partner to the Mihan, and wanted revenge. Becoming a Divine Sorceress, Maria vanquished the Mihan. She lived to a ripe old age, like with Yasmin, and died a peaceful death. Maria was given a hero's burial in a flower field near the cabin she owned all her life." The sorceress sipped her tea, and looked Tiara in the eye.

Lena looked to Leon. "This all sounds so interesting, doesn't it? Well, I wonder what Tiara thinks about this mission now? So, how about it Tiara? Gonna give it a go or are we all going to go out fighting?"

"I'm not finished yet," Sienna informed them, "The story goes on. Tiara might get turned off by the last part. Well, during that period of time the people found a different degree of strength in each of the demons they fought. Some were more powerful than others. That is why we know when the time is right to ask for a successor and when to simply fight. If it isn't necessary, we don't want to involve anyone else. You see, after Maria died, the Mihan came back. They were simply biding their time, waiting until the one who could kill them was gone. Immediately, the Elder sent for Leah, the most powerful sorceress in all the Guardian World. Upon hearing the request, her partner grabbed the sword he carried and stabbed himself to death, so Leah could take the test. His name was Orlon, and he was the most loyal person you'd ever find. Leah took up the offer, and became the Divine Sorceress. But when the war was over, they all knew it was only a matter of time before another attack. So the Elder created a potion, a potion to make Leah ageless. She could still die of wounds, but her age would be frozen at twenty two for all eternity. Unless the really evil ones appeared, she was to stay like that. But if the generals lead the Mihan into battle, she would find a successor to pass on her ageless curse to. Then, she would fight. I believe, when she passed on her power to a girl named Serena in about four thousand years, she managed to win the battle and lived on until she was an old woman. I have been serving a millennia as Divine sorceress myself. So, what will you do?"

"Well, it has its perks, and its drawbacks. On the one hand, I can get Graham back. On the other, it's extremely dangerous. Although I won't have to fight these monsters and die, I don't know if I'd like the idea of having to outlive my friends and family by millennia. But, I don't just have myself to think of this time, I'm responsible for Lena and Leon as well," Tiara debated with herself. It was a difficult decision for her.

Japolo yelled, "For heaven's sake Tiara, just go for it. If it were only the two of us I would tell you to do whatever you wanted, you're risking your life either way. But we're also putting both Lena and Leon at risk if we fight. If you just go, then they don't have to rush at the Mihan Demons along with you and die."

Tiara gave her Partner the look. "Japolo, you don't have to scream in my ear. Well, anyway, I was just debating it over with myself, and I didn't need any input from you. But, I guess I'll give it a go. I'm dead no matter what I do, and this one seems a stronger chance at survival. Besides, it'll be nice to see Graham again. Leon, I don't think you ever met him, since the first time I saw you I was in solitary and he was out arguing with Kagetsu. And Japolo definitely never met Graham since he didn't come until after he died."

At that moment, Miro came in with Yami. Sienna's nod told the two all they needed to know. Tiara saw the three of them join hands - - or in the case of Yami, who was sitting on the table, paws - - and begin to concentrate. Just then, a strand of light began to form, anchoring itself to the table. It split into three lines and one tangled onto Tiara's leg. Then, the line vanished as if it was an invisible cord. A second strand formed between the Princess's hands, and split into two. One tangled around Japolo's foot, and the other struck a wall. Suddenly, a portal opened, revealing a desolate wasteland, and the line went inside.

"Your mission lies in there Tiara," called Sienna, "Go now, and find the one who was lost."

Tiara nodded. Then, she levitated into the sky on the air currents. Finally, after she had gone inside, the portal closed. But the cord began glowing, showing Sienna that the anchor was still there.

- - - -

Long explanation equals a long chapter. Tiara would need to know all the pros and cons before taking such a dangerous mission when she had a choice. Besides, we couldn't couple the Land of the Dead with another chapter, that has to stand on its own.