Chapter 12
Ominous Warning

"Smashing! Finally, I'm done with that mission! I can't believe I had to sit around all day transferring documents to new ones in the library." Mia Armstrong yelled in the air as she flew on her broom in the night."Man, oh, man. I couldn't even warm up today. I can't believe the Cap got me stuck with doing this, knowing full well I don't like standing still."

Mia was feeling restless, despite being so late. Charlotte had assigned her boring desk duty today and transport documents from one place to another.

"You need to stop acting like a brute." She remembered her Captain sternly saying to her."You can't be solving everything with your fists like a man. A proper lady uses grace, diligence, and her power to demonstrate her superiority on the battlefield."

"Or so she says, but how can I do that when my magic is all about punching my way through things..." She deflated, shoulders slumping. Once she glanced up again, she was surprised to see snow up ahead."Christmas already? But I thought we were in the middle of summer. Oh! Maybe there's some sort of carnival or event going on in that town! I better go check it out for myself and rent a room for the night. I don't feel like flying all the way back to my base."

With great enthusiasm and excitement, Mia flew over to Nean and lowered herself down to ground level, noticing the lack of people in the streets."Man, oh man it's cold as shit. No wonder people aren't outside. But then what's the point of casting a spell that engulfed the whole town in snow then? I don't get it."

As the blue-haired young woman went past a building, she noticed a group of people gathered together, muttering to themselves. Unable to hide her curiosity, Mia flew over and landed close to the group. A young woman with a Black Bull robe was the first one to notice her, rushing to her.

"Hey! I can't believe reinforcements got here so fast." She exclaimed in happiness.

"Reinforcements? Sorry, sis, but I don't know what you're talking about." She waved her hand in front of her."I just came here because I was curious about all the snow. I was making my way back to my base after a long day's work. Judging from your robe, you're a Black Bull?"

"Y-yes." Noelle stammered, hoping she wouldn't get picked on for being one.

"That's awesome!" Mia exclaimed, startling her."I never interacted with another Black Bull before! Smashing! A pleasure to meet ya! Name's Mia Armstrong from the Blue Rose! Man, oh, man! You're...Silva, right? I can tell because you look a bit like that sister of yours, Nebra."

"You know my sister? And yes, my name is Noelle Silva." Noelle replied, still taken back that someone was glad of meeting someone from her squad.

"Kind of? Not really? I spoke to her once but that's about it. But you're basically like a miniature version of her. You'll grow to be quite a beauty, that I guarantee." She grinned, making Noelle flush in embarrassment."But that aside, would you mind explaining to me what's going on here?"

Noelle shook her head, recovering from her embarrassment."Someone cast a spell that covered Nean entirely and is controlling all of the children, taking them away from their homes. Some of my squadmates went to and stop the one doing this to get the kids back."

"I see. That's a neat way to summarize things." She rubbed her chin."Short and sweet. I like it! Alright, I'll go help out your peers. I've been itching for a fight and this is the perfect excuse."

"You're going to help?" Noelle smiled, glad that they were receiving more aid.

"Oh, yeah! I can barely contain myself! Ruffians messing with kids and making their families sad..." Her gleeful expression turned somber in the blink of an eye."Now that's a sin that can't be forgiven." She grabbed her Grimoire from her satchel and browsed through its pages.

"Wait!" Noelle called out to her."You're not seriously planning on going, are you? It could be dangerous."

"Relax! It's all good, trust me. Dangerous is my middle name, sis." Mia gave her a toothy grin."Besides, I'm sure your friends need the backup. You must be worried about them, right? Well, I'll make sure to get them back safe and sound to you. How does that sound?"

"W-what?" Noelle blinked a few times, her face turning crimson."I-I-I'm not worried about them! Especially Dorksta! They can take care of themselves!"

"Right. I guess you make a good point." Mia grinned at her, giving her a peace sign with her fingers."Later. Soul Energy Creation Magic: Sky Scrape Boots!"

Mia's Grimoire was dark blue, decorated with two fists clashing against each other and stopping in the middle of a three-leaf clover in the middle of it. Azure-colored energy came out of her Grimoire, covering her legs and creating battle boots."Hey, kid. Take care of this for me, will ya?" Without looking back, Mia tossed her broom to Noelle.

"Wait, won't you need this to fly?" Noelle inquired, genuinely lost at this point."How are you going to get there?"

"Moonwalk!" The battle-hungry girl proclaimed, jumping in the air and kicking it with enough force to propel herself at great speed."See you later alligator! I'll get your friends back, don't worry, Noelle!"

"I..." Noelle was at a loss of words, still processing what had just happened."Is she really kicking the air to move around? How...I mean, what...?"


"We're almost there. I suggest you both get ready for combat." Sister Theressa said to the boys, who nodded and pulled out their Grimoires. Raiden unsheathed his blades, using his Inferno magic to clad them with black flames.

"You ready, Raiden?" Asta asked his squadmate, who grunted back.

"I don't need you to ask me that. But sure." Once they finally exited the tunnels of the cave, they were met with a spacious area dim-lit. Many things were going on that Raiden quickly noticed. The missing children, the two perpetrators, Gauche, and snowmen surrounding him. Raiden quickly sent slashes of black flames at the imposing snowmen while Asta cut through them.

"Why do they ALWAYS have to go for the damn kids..." Raiden muttered once he landed in a safe spot. He spotted Marie rushing to Asta, much to Gauche's dismay."You. You're still alive."

"No shit I'm alive." Gauche snarled, grabbing Asta and throwing him off his sister."What are you two doing barging in and throwing dangerous attacks while Marie is present?!"

"Relax. Everything was meticulously calculated." Raiden shrugged him off."Besides, you looked like you were in a pickle. Anyway..." Raiden turned to the two mages that were behind the missing children."Now, I take it they are the ones behind this whole thing."

"Neige, do something!" The big dark-skinned man asked the younger one with long white hair.

"Y-yes! Snow Creation Magic: Snow Friends! Go stop him, my friends!"

Raiden clicked his tongue, quickly making work of the snowmen with his enflamed blades. The snowmen themselves were melting even by being nearby Raiden's blades and with his swordsmanship skills, he was cutting them like butter. He momentarily stopped, raising his blades at the brothers in front of him."I'd tell you to run. But it won't do you any good. Now you are on your way to being judged by God."

"I-it's not working, Baro!" Neige panicked, taking a step back and bumping into his brother.

"What is with this kid...?" Baro's eyes widened in fear."Try another spell! This one is crazy!"

Raiden snorted, keeping an eye out for Asta and Gauche."Bastards...going after innocent children like that...what the fuck were you doing in here? And you better not bullshit me because, for every lie, a limb goes off. Starting with the fingers."

"Neige! Don't just stand there! Get him!"

The white-haired boy was pale, if he could even be even paler, but nodded."Snow Magic: Snow Cry!" A stream of snow was blasted at Raiden, causing him to halt.

"Shit. I can't cut through that without hitting me head-on." He kicked the ground, jumping high in the air and thrusting his blades into the ceiling, hanging from them."That attack is too slow. Better switch your strategy because once I get down from here it's game over."

"Hey! You better leave some for me, Raiden!" Gauche hollered from down below.

Neige gritted his teeth, casting another spell."Snow Magic: Snow Cry!"

Raiden smirked viciously."Now you're in for it. You're fi-Huh?" Raiden tried pulling his blades out but they were stuck in the wall. He tried to get them out but the attack managed to hit him, causing him to fall to the ground along with his blades.

"Raiden!" Asta cried out in concern."Are you okay?!"

Raiden groaned, dusting the snow off his clothes."I shouldn't have buried them that deep...What's the status on the children, Sister?!"

"The children...they had their magic sucked out of them..." She grimaced as she tried her best to heal one of the kids."If left like this, they may never be able to use their magic again."

"Their...magic?" Asta's eyes widened at the statement, clenching his sword.

"That man said it'd be worth a lot of money..." Little Marie supplied, shivering.

Raiden's face remained impassive, but his eyes were filled with rage."Well, at least I won't feel bad for what's coming next."

"I want in on the action, Raiden." Asta walked up to him, standing side by side.

The raven-haired teen couldn't help but admire this side of Asta."Guess when you get serious you get serious, huh? Alright, then."

"Ha!" Baro laughed."That kid with the big sword doesn't even have any magic! I've never seen trash like you before! Now that I think about it, you don't even have a robe, do you? You're just the water boy! Neige, take care of the black fire kid and the one with the sister complex."

"Y-you want me to fight both of them?!" Neige took a step back."But I could barely handle one of them..."

"Aw, getting cold feet?" Raiden sneered."Come on Neige, let's have some fun."

Wordlessly, Asta lunged at Baro, hitting him with his sword and sending him crashing against the wall, taking everyone by surprise.

"No way!" Neige cried out in disbelief upon seeing his brother effortlessly defeated.

Asta leveled his word, eyes narrowed."I won't forgive you!"

Taking advantage of his distraction, Raiden dashed at Neige, kneeing him in the stomach before he could cast a spell."S-so fas-ugh!"

Without mercy, Raiden stepped on Neige's chest, obstructing air to properly reach his lungs."Game over." Raising his blade, the black fire surrounding it intensified.

"D-don't...please...I don't wanna die..." Neige pleaded, tears falling down his face."I just...wanted friends..."

"Should have thought of that before doing what you did. All actions have consequences. Unfortunately for you...you won't live long enough to regret it."

Raiden brought his sword down, only for his hand to be grabbed by Asta. Sister Theressa sighed in relief, sitting back down on the ground.'Nice safe. I almost had to stop him myself...'

"What?" Raiden didn't bother looking in Asta's direction."You're not having a change of heart, are you?"

"We are NOT killing them," Asta answered, leaving no room for argument.

The two swordsmen remained silent for a few seconds before Raiden sighed."This is why I find you so intolerable. This is just what they deserve. They committed a great sin. If I don't punish them, God will anyway so what's the point?"

"We are in no position to be the judges." Asta proclaimed, tightening his grip."We are Magic Knights. We can't go around killing people, no matter the reason."

"Well said, Asta." Sister Theressa nodded in satisfaction."Raiden, you are a believer of God, aren't you? Do you think God would want you to go and make your justice? They might be bad people, but that doesn't give us the right to end their lives."

"I wasn't going to kill him anyway." Raiden admitted, wrestling his arm out of Asta's grip."It's like I said before when I fought Magna, Asta. He had to learn. People learn with pain. Before fear comes pain. And now that I've scared him shitless, he won't do anything. You did that with the other guy, didn't you?"

In effect, Baro was left speechless in shock upon nearly being punched by Asta point-blank.

"That's completely di-"

"Different how?" Raiden sheathed his blades, looking down at him due to their height difference."You just didn't think it, but you did. So next time, don't be such a hypocrite and we won't have a problem."

"Enough, both of you!" Sister Theressa snapped, causing them both to stop their bickering."We don't have time for this! We have to do something about the children."

"You better not move from there." Raiden crouched down."Or else."

"Y-yes..." Neige nodded slowly.

"Hey, you!" Asta marched over to Baro, who was being restrained by the Sister's magic."Tell us how to give their magic back!"

"If you let me go, I'll be more than happy to-"

"Don't mess with me!" Asta cut him off, causing him to recoil.

"Asta, can your sword undo the spell that's tormenting the children? That would be a great start." The Sister suggested before addressing Baro."You better not try anything funny."

"With these monsters in front of me...not a chance..."

Raiden sat on the floor, watching Asta run around, touching the children's heads with his blade, and canceling the spell. He shifted his gaze over to Marie and Gauche, who was enjoying some time for themselves and talking to each other. All in all, things didn't go too bad and he was glad. Causing too much collateral damage would have put the children in danger. More than they were. He ran a hand through his face, groaning, thinking about what he had done just now.'Was I really...going to do it...?'

"Hey, Raiden. I want to ask you something." Gauche approached him, hands in his pockets and Marie behind him.

"Yeah?" Raiden rose his head, curious as to what he had to ask.

"Right now you looked pretty determined to kill the guy." Gauche stated, glancing down at him."You said you weren't going to do it, but I can tell you would have done it. Your eyes said it loud and clear."

"What are you getting at?" Raiden huffed impatiently.

"Have you killed anyone before?" Gauche finally dropped the bomb, the atmosphere around them dropping a solid 10 degrees.

Rubbing his nose, Raiden took a deep breath, giving Marie a sad look. The girl wasn't sure what to think, so she opted to stay behind her older brother."Yeah. I did. Not proud of it but it happened. You wouldn't get it. And I don't want to talk about it."

"Maybe not. But maybe I would if it involved Marie. I'd do anything for her and chase whoever hurts her straight to hell. I won't ask you to tell me your life story but I guess I understand where you're coming from. When it comes to the most important person in our lives, we are capable of doing anything. You gotta do what you gotta do for them, right?"

Raiden snorted at that, shaking his head."Guess we're more similar than we thought. Interesting you'd say that. I pegged you to be the type to not voice his true feelings out in the open like that."

"As I said, you are the most tolerable person in our squad. And we both have people that we have to protect no matter what. I think that puts us on a more even ground than I originally thought. But my Angel Marie will always come first, remember that."

"Come on, brother..." Marie gave Gauche a look.

"Your brother is just looking after you, Marie." Raiden gave her a grin."Little sisters have it rough, you know. Their older siblings are extra protective of them. I feel bad for the guy that ends up taking your heart. Maybe Asta?"

"Don't even joke about that, asshole." Gauche kicked him lightly in the side, causing him to erupt in laughter. Unbeknown to them, Neige had sat up upon seeing his brother silently signaling him to crawl over to the group.

"NOW Neige!"

"Snow Restraining Magic: Snow Lime Rock!"

Raiden gasped, quickly shoving Gauche and Marie out of the way of the incoming spell.

"Not so fast!" A hard kick was delivered against Neige's head, knocking him out cold and preventing him from completing his spell.

"What was that?!" Asta cried out, bewildered at the sudden noise.

"HELLO!" Mia loudly yelled, creating a defeating echo throughout the cave. Everyone stared at the bluenette, flabbergasted."What's the matter? Nice to meet ya! I'm the brightest of the brightest! Mia Armstrong at your service, sire."

"Look, she's wearing a Blue Rose robe!" Asta pointed out.

Raiden, however, was focused on something else. Marching over to Neige, he threatened to pull his blade out and finish the job, however, Mia put a hand on his shoulder."Come on, don't dirty your hands like that. Everything is okay now. Lower your weapon."

Sighing, Raiden's shoulders slumped, earning several head pats from the female Magic Knight."That's better! Aren't you just the cutest thing ever?"

"Nice to meet you too!" Asta rushed to them."I'm Asta, from the Black Bulls. That's Raiden and the other one is Gauche."

"Asta...Asta...Asta...Ah, now I remember. That girl Noelle told me you'd be here. Look at you! You're just so small but that's fine. Big things come in small packages after all!"

"I'm not that small!" Asta protested, earning more giggles from Mia as she patted him and Raiden simultaneously."But you said Noelle told you we'd be here? Does that mean she managed to call for backup?"

"Yeah...no. See, I was on my way to rent a motel room here in Nean because I was pretty tired after a mind-numbing mission when...I CAME ACROSS SNOW!" She rose her voice, making Asta and Gauche flinch at her volume."Then I saw a group of people crowded together and there I saw Noelle Sylva herself. She explained what was going on and I decided to help, hoping for a brawl. I like brawls. But sadly, it seems you guys already did the beating here."

"That's putting it lightly." Gauche grumbled under his breath."Bastards thought it was smart to kidnap my sister."

"And the children." Asta interjected, earning a glare from the former Noble."Just saying."

"Still though, how dare you interfere?" Gauche folded his arms."I was about to kick the shit out of him for what he did to Marie. Why did you have to knock him out? Now he's not going to feel anything."

"Geez, no problem." Mia deadpanned, hands on her hips."I saw him about to attack Raiden here, so I just did what's natural and prevent him from launching his spell."

"And we are very grateful for that." Sister Theressa chimed in."But what's important now is asking them how to return the magic to the children."

"I...I don't have to tell you anything!" Baro snapped, shaking his head.

"Guess we'll have to torture him then. If it's for the children, it must be done." Mia shrugged, cracking her knuckles."I know a good way to make him talk. I hope you won't miss your teeth tho-"

"Wow!"

Everyone jumped on their spot, turning to the source of the noise. A black portal had opened up above them, and from it, a young woman with black hair and glasses appeared.

"About time you got here! For someone who travels with Spatial Magic, you took your sweet time!" Baro cried out, sighing in relief."They got in the way of our magic collecting! Help us!"

"Jeez, stop your whining. But considering how many of them there are, you get a pat on the back this time!" The girl jumped out of the portal, landing on a nearby rock."Asta!"

"Another fan of yours, Asta?" Raiden cringed upon feeling the vibes he got from her."Didn't know you attracted crazies too."

"What? No! She's with the Eye of the Midnight Sun! The people who attacked the Capital!"

"Oh, right. I wasn't here for that."

"What the hell? That's one of their members?" Mia squinted her eyes."Doesn't look like much. And she's alone for what it looks like. We could take her out."

"Hey, Baro! I came here because you called me with the magic transmission item, but you haven't gathered that much magic yet. What gives? Are they giving you and your brother that much trouble? Well, it doesn't matter I guess."

"Evil has to be purged. And if you're the one behind this and the Capital fiasco..." Raiden unsheathed his blades with a swift motion."You're not getting away. Inferno Magic: Dark Hollow!"

"Let's hurry up and take her down then." Gauche and Raiden gave each other a firm nod, throwing their respective attacks.

"Hasty, aren't we? Gel Magic: Sticky Salamander!"

A giant salamander made of gel appeared in from of the woman, changing the trajectory of Gauche's attack. Raiden's attack, however, managed to cut through it, but it quickly regenerated.

"What's this? He cut through my salamander?" The young woman adjusted her glasses."Interesting, interesting. But you guys shouldn't interrupt our reunion."

"What kind of magic is that?" Sister Theressa gaped at the giant creature.

"You guys, be careful! I heard she even managed to block Captain Nozel's attacks!" Asta informed them, putting them on edge with his words.

"Then we just have to give her attacks she can't take. Soul Energy Magic: Divergent Fists!"

From Mia's Grimoire, blue energy emerged and covered her arms, forming two knuckledusters in each hand."I'm beating the shit out of that thing."

"I hope you're ready because HERE I GO!" With that, Sally jumped down inside of her salamander as it lunged at the group below.

Raiden and Asta jumped simultaneously, the former throwing two slashes of black fire at the gelatin creature.

"Inferno magic seems cool but I won't let it hit me!" In cue, the salamander split itself into the areas where Raiden's attacks would have landed, avoiding them but not without burning it slightly.'I see. So his magic is not regular fire. I hope he doesn't have any spells that cover a great area.'

"Now it's my turn!" Asta swung his sword, only for him to miss."I'm not done yet!" Using the ceiling as footing, the magicless mage jumped back into action, seemingly cutting the salamander's head off.

"Silly Asta! That won't work either! Your Anti-Magic is useless if it can't hit me!" Sally boasted, laughing maniacally.

Asta grabbed Raiden's arm, causing them both to spin in place before Asta threw him with all his strength at the gel monster.

'Shit! Why the hell did I have to fight a gel creature of all things! My blades are way shorter than Asta's sword and my attacks go right through.' Raiden cursed mentally, spinning around in an attempt to increase his attack potency. Just as before, Sally's salamander splat in half, avoiding Raiden's attack with ease.

"You bastard! Mirror Magic: Reflect Refrain!" Countless mirrors surrounded the salamander, shooting beams of light at it. Sally was unfazed, simply reflecting the light elsewhere without taking any damage."No way!"

"She can reflect light, split that gelatinous creature to avoid our attacks, and fucking piece back together." Raiden snarled, landing back on the ground.

"My turn!" Mia dashed past Raiden, winding her right fist. With a battle cry, she punched the salamander, her sinking in.

"Ha! Physical attacks like that won't work!" Sally laughed hysterically.

"That's not what I'm going for! Divergent Fist!"

Sally glanced down back inside her salamander, noticing a shockwave coming right through it, aiming for her. Moving her body to the side, she avoided being hit with the invisible force, grazing her cheek and going to the other side, creating a huge hole in the salamander's body as it came out and crashed against the wall.

"What?!" Sally gasped, noticing blood dripping down her cheek.

"That had an effect?!" Gauche was baffled at what he had seen."But how?!"

"Oops! I cursed!" Mia chuckled sheepishly."Sorry about that, kids! Now to get my-GRAAAGH!" Mia gritted her teeth, trying to pull her hand out of the gel creature."I can't get it out!"

The salamander launched the piece that had covered Mia's hand, pinning her against a wall and pinning her second hand for good measure.

"I can't let her give one of those attacks again." Sally muttered, briefing turning dead serious."If I get hit by that, it'll be game over."

Mia tried wrestling free, but her angle made it impossible to move."Crap...now what?"

"I'll help you. You said your name was Mia, correct?" Sister Theressa rushed to Mia's side, opening her Grimoire.

"Thanks for the assist but should you leave the children unattended?" Mia asked, concerned for their safety.

"I think that psycho is busier with Asta at the moment." The Sister grimaced, briefing glancing over her shoulder and noting how Sally had Asta pinned down.

Licking her lips, Sally's face drew closer to Asta, making him uncomfortable."Finally, I have you all to myself. I can't wait to inspect you. THOROUGHLY."

"Not a chance!" Raiden shouted, jumping above them and preparing to attack."Inferno Magic: Blazing Cut!" Moving his arms rapidly, Raiden shot a barrage of inferno slashes at the salamander, managing to burn it up in some areas but it wasn't enough.

"Raiden, you'll hit me like that!" Asta pointed out, trying to push his face away from Sally's."But please hurry!"

"That's the plan, you moron!" Raiden landed back on the ground, clicking his tongue."How annoying. We'll be here the whole day like this."

"Please hurry! She's licking me!" Asta shrieked, feeling Sally's wet tongue go up and down his neck.

Raiden and Gauche couldn't decide whether to be traumatized or laugh at the whole thing. One thing was for sure, their attacks weren't working.

Mia sped past them, leaving them in the dust, and placed her fist together, rapidly approaching Sally's creature. The Eye of the Midnight Sun member was too busy playing around with Asta that she didn't notice Mia down below, calculating the perfect angle to hit her specifically."Soul Energy Magic: Seven Emperor Shot!"

Using her fists to aim, Mia used her Mana and fired a powerful shockwave, stronger than the one she had used before, and punched the Salamander. The punch itself didn't do anything at first, but the inside of it was quickly deteriorating at great speed. Sally heard a weird sound getting closer, leaving Asta alone for a few seconds. Precious seconds that she didn't take advantage of once she took the full force of the shockwave hitting her torso, causing her to cough up blood and launched her outside of the salamander and crashed into the ceiling.

"Now, Flame Magic: Brillian Flame Cross!" The Sister cried out, casting her spell inside of the salamander and evaporating it in an instant, freeing Asta.

"Nice!" Asta used his sword to land safely on the ground, sighing in relief."Mia, that was an amazing spell! You're really strong!"

"I'm not...that impressive..." Mia was panting for bread, wiping some sweat off her forehead."It was the Sister's plan after all. Man, that spell was really something."

"I may be old, but I used to be a Magic Knight back in my day. Theressa the Crimson She-Leopard they used to call me. In fact, I used to be Fuegoleon's teacher."

"What?!" Asta and Raiden's jaws dropped to the floor."You taught a Captain?!"

"As for you, dear, don't tell yourself short." Theressa turned to Mia."Your magic is very peculiar. It seems to not use regular mana but stamina. Is that correct?"

"Yup. You got me." Mia gave her a grin."I see why you taught Captain Fuegoleon. You are incredibly sharp. But yeah, my magic is kind of weird, really. I in fact use mana but I mix in some of my stamina as well. Those attacks I did earlier that created an aftermath shockwave? I called those Divergent Fists. When I punch my rival, it creates a bit of a time delay at first. Approximately 1.2 seconds. After that, the attack goes through them, quite literally. Depending on how much stamina and mana I use, I can cause serious damage to a person's insides. But I don't necessarily have to punch a target. I can punch the air and launch the shockwave, but without the time lag thing."

"Sounds really complex." Asta rubbed his chin."But really cool!"

A loud thud was heard, indicating Sally had finally come down from the ceiling. She was crawling on all fours, coughing up bile mixed with blood."Oh...that really hurt something...inside..."

"It's over, psycho." Raiden slowly made his way over to Sally, blades creating sparks as they grazed the ground."You're going to be coming with us and are going to tell us what we need to know."

"I'm afraid that's just not happening."

A hooded figure landed in front of Sally, getting in Raiden's way."Air Magic: Solid Hit!"

Out of nowhere, a wall made of compressed air flew at Raiden. Spitting on the ground, Raiden launched two black slashes, only for them to slip through the attack and hit him head-on.

"I got you!" Asta grabbed Raiden's hand, preventing him from flying further away."You okay?"

"Just my luck...I can't cut through them entirely..." Raiden bit his lip."It's just like my fight against Thomas..."

"Need any help, you?"

Sally groaned, sparing the stranger a glance."Not these people..."

"Is that any way to thank your savior?" The man snickered. His hair was white and visibly unkempt, its length past his chin. His fingernails, toenails, and lips were black and had eyeliners around his eyes. He had black, loose-fitting robes with wide, elbow-length sleeves that have a white symbol on the hood."You know we're allies. And well...we can't have you kicking the bucket now. Air Recovery Magic: Gale Station."

Sally was enclosed by a circle of air, giving off a pleasant breeze that began healing her injuries. The man kicked the bubble, sending Sally rolling over to where Baro was."Go and do your thing. I'll buy you some time."

"And who the hell are you?" Raiden narrowed his eyes at the new foe."Are you with the Eye of the Midnight Sun?"

"Doesn't look like it." Theressa frowned, slightly worried."They looked like they're not exactly happy to see each other."

"I don't care who he is, I'll get him out of my way," Gauche growled, eager to start another battle.

The stranger chuckled, clapping."Oh, this is great. I like the enthusiasm. But to answer your question, I'm not with the Eye of the Midnight Sun bunch. I belong to another organization. A cult, if you will. Well, more like-"

"Get to the point!" Asta snapped, impatient at his rambling.

"Sure. My name is Troy. And if you insist on knowing more about me I'll tell you this. I am a member of the group that will bring about the apocalypse in this world. We are the Order of the First.


I'm sorry this chapter took a bit to come out. But better late than never. As previously stated, Mia is Toby's sister (not by blood) and I thought this could be a good chance to put her in action. The Eye of the Midnight Sun. I considered Raiden's behavior was a bit cruel, to say the least, but I will expand his story along with the other characters as the story goes on so you have a picture of who they are as people. With the Eye of the Midnight Sun appearing, a new mysterious group makes themselves known. What is their objective? What do they want? Find out in the next chapter!