"It will be a while, so you can take some time to see more of Rolance first," Laphicet reassured Sorey. "The expedition's ship will lie in port Anselm, straight west from Pendrago at the coast."

Dezel listened with a certain sense of curiousity, but no real motivation to follow that lure the boy set out. Going by what he learned of Sorey however, their de-facto leader was intrigued by Laphicet's spiel about ancient ruins on a forgotten island. Rose chimed in asking for details and artifacts, likely to see if they might find anything to sell for profit. Mikleo listened just like Dezel did, Zaveid and Edna had both vanished the moment they arrived, though the latter stopped to exchange a chaste kiss with Laphicet. An odd couple, but not his business.

They needed two weeks to return ever since leaving Elysia; while Sorey was still rough around the edges, he learned quickly how to utilise the winds. As his element was not needed at the moment, Dezel took in the room's long since familiar design instead. He may not see like others, but his winds had their own perks; he knew Edna returned before she even opened the door in the back. The girl she held hands with was a surprise, though; he measured her, finding the shape oddly familiar yet subtly off from who he was looking for. Admittedly, so was Edna; they had a similar build.

"Laphi," a chipper voice interrupted the discussion Dezel since tuned out, silencing everyone. "Velvet says she needs you in the back."

"I see. I'll have to take my leave then." The boy rose with an almost unnatural grace and shook hands with Sorey. "Please do consider it. I'd love to go myself, but I don't have the opportunity." That was a bald-faced lie, but only Dezel and Rose knew. He understood that they wanted to distract Sorey from something else.

"I will, thanks for telling me."

"Wow, Symonne. I like the new look!" Dezel's finger twitched when he heard the name, but the cheery response was so unlike the dead monotone he remembered that he refused to believe it was her. A coincidence, most likely; people could share names.

"Thank you! It took me a while to get just right! Even gets my sweet Edna grabby!"

"Does not."

"Does too!"

The two petite girls stared at each other while the men wisely stayed out of their standoff. Dezel studied this Symonne's getup for a moment, though Rose snapped her fingers a moment later. "Right, you can't really see it. Look, she's got this long, light grey dress that goes down to her calves with lovely golden trims. The sleeves go all the way to her wrists too, so it would be super modest... well, except for the neckline, her boobs are almost spilling out."

"Yup." The other seraph did a quick twirl that made her dress fly, then curtsied at everyone. "I based it off something I used to wear and now felt like a good time to switch wardrobes. The only thing I really kept are the boots." She presented heavy, likely white boots. Dezel also noted some kind of socks, but did not explore further up her legs; that would be rude.

Regardless, the wind seraph could not help but throw an unseeing stare at Rose. "I noticed all that," he deadpanned. He still felt that he had the right person in front of him even then, having to forcefully unclench his hands. Thankfully, Rose ignored him in favour of discussing Symonne's cleavage; for some odd reason, the seraph girl decided to push up her modest bust. Whatever appeal it had was lost on Dezel, who could not be tricked by optical illusions.

He just shook his head, turning around to leave at that point; Mikleo and Sorey wordlessly fell into step with him. Dezel doubted they were agitated like he was for some reason, but he would not refuse the company.

Left behind, Symonne cast a glance at the retreating seraph's back and tried not to frown. Instead, she pulled Edna against her side and threw a sly grin to Rose. "Honestly, I just want to look pretty for my lovelies. Maybe I'll drop this getup entirely if I get tired of it in a week, but going a bit more prim and proper than before isn't bad. Now shoo, your friends are leaving and I-" she got that far before Edna covered her mouth.

"No more innuendo," she demanded flatly, much to Symonne's disappointment. Considering that her girlfriend's other hand took to wandering behind her back however, she appreciated the do-over.

For her part, Rose giggled and waved goodbye. "Fair enough. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, girls!" And with that, she ran off to leave the two alone. Symonne's smile dropped the moment she was out the door. Edna wordlessly pulled her out of the taproom and back into the cozy quiet of the living room they vacated earlier.

"You're not good to be around people yet," the earth seraph remarked as she sat Symonne down. "But was there something with Dezel? You kept sneaking glances at him."

Symonne did not really want to talk about the many atrocities she committed, but felt she owed Edna at least something for her peace of mind. She flopped down to rest her head on her girlfriend's bare thighs. "I ruined his life at one point," Symonne muttered morosely. "He and Rose used to be part of a famous mercenary group that I brought down a few years back." They both knew on whose order; Edna hesitated for a moment, but then she began to card through Symonne's hair as she spoke: "And I know he recognised me. My illusions barely work on him, so he found me back then. I was so sure he'd start fighting, but for some reason he didn't."

"You changed a lot this last year," Edna argued softly. "Maybe he didn't recognise you."

"He did, I'm certain."

Edna hummed and continued to caress Symonne's head; the sensation calmed her as she continued to babble: "I think it's that his anger calmed down over the years. Maybe he didn't want to recognise me, is what I think. So that he can keep moving forward instead of always looking back. He's lying to himself either way, but I'd be happy if it were like that."

"How so?"

"Because he'd die if he tried to take my life. If Laphi didn't kill him, then Velvet definitely would." The hands paused in their ministrations, but Symonne knew that Edna understood. Regardless of how much warmth those two siblings exuded normally, they were fiercely protective of everyone dear to them. Perhaps if she explained that to Heldalf, it would have changed things. Feeling her gut clench, Symonne sighed into Edna's soft thigh. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Can we go back to who of us is more lewd?"

"You, no contest."

"Big contest!" she argued coyly, one finger poking her girlfriend's bare leg. "I might show cleavage, but you're one stumble or a strong gust of air away from flashing everyone. And you're not half as grounded as you pretend you are. Could it be you want others to get an eyeful?" Edna fidgeted and Symonne knew that had she looked up, she would have seen a luminescent blush.

"I just like it," she muttered quietly. "I'm not a pervert."

Symonne gently reached up and rubbed her shoulder. "There there," she soothed, "you're not immediately a pervert for wearing something that's not completely prim and proper. Besides, you shouldn't let what other people think dictate who you are and what you do. If you want to wear a short skirt, you wear a short skirt. If you want to go nude, you go nude."

"So you want to let everyone take a look down your cleavage?"

"No, just you and Laphi." She managed to find Edna's cheek and stroked it without ever looking up; the other girl leaned into her touch, revealing the heat flaring through her face. "I'm probably going to close it up when neither of you is around."

"Good." Edna hesitated, but then shifted until she could pull Symonne upward to sit in her lap. "I may not be the dragon in this relationship, but I don't want others to look at you." She then kissed Symonne possessively, who could not help but smile and kiss her back.

. .

. .

Just a day later, minutes after Sorey and company left for Pendrago, a most unusual procession made their trek along Rayfalke-Spiritcrest. A weary, old witch constantly complained about her back and old bones, but was consistently ignored by the gods and Normin. Only the sole other human took heart and attempted to help by steadying Magilou Mayvin, but was shooed away the moment she tried.

"She only does it for show," Velvet advised Margaret, "just ignore her."

"I see." The teen mulled this over for a moment before sighing softly. "It still galls me, in a way. Though I still do not understand why I am allowed to witness this miracle, either." Velvet shrugged in response and pointed to Magilou, who had insisted Margaret accompany them. The elder merely grinned. From this moment onward, a heavy silence hang in the air; they all knew what was to happen. This day, the gods would declare there existence and their might to the world. They would prove once and for all that nothing was beyond one's ability to achieve if only they wanted to work for it; this day, they would do the impossible.

They took a short break right before Eizen's nest, the slumbering dragon already in sight. Velvet pretended it was to go over the plan one last time, but they all knew she was looking out for Magilou. Laphicet curiously settled next to the elder who muttered about being too old for journeys like this. "You mentioned that you can rejuvenate your body. Why haven't you done it yet? Being young again would be a great boon, right?" His questions drew Margaret's attention immediately, though any follow-ups were delayed by Magilou's chuckle.

"Because reason says so, eh? No, no. I could rejuvenate anytime, anyday. It would be objectively better if I did, but you know what? I like playing the wizened elder and I want to do it a little longer." All but Margaret remembered her senile-appearing behaviour and knew what she actually meant; Magilou simply grinned toothily. "It's not reasonable, but it is what I want."

"Pardon," Margaret interjected quietly into the ensuing silence, staring at Magilou with unabashed curiousity. "I assume you use an arte for this... rejuvenation?" The elder nodded. "Could this arte be taught?"

"...ah. No, my dear. It can not." Both Crowes were listening as well now, never having considered to ask. "Maybe it can be improved beyond what I created, but it is an arte solely for me. It integrates in my body's structure, so any like it would need to be fitted to a given person. The human body is too complex and too varied to be conquered with but one arte." She huffed and tapped Bienfu's gaudy hat for emphasis. "Not to mention that you need to either draw mana from an earthpulse or have two Normin to cast the arte."

Magilou then studied the Malevolence-coated sky. "Perhaps once Maotelus is free," she mused, paying no mind to Laphicet giving his sister some last-minute instructions on how to best draw darkness from a dragon. "It seems we're about ready to get going. You will keep me safe from any stray attacks, won't you, sweetie?"

"Of course."

"That's a good girl." She gave Margaret a pat on the head as she rose to her feet. "Not that there will be much of a fight. No dragon can stand against the might of two Empyreans."

"Then again," Velvet countered, "this is Eizen." The dragon had woken and watched them, slitted eyes completely focussed on them. Though his head still rested on the ground and his front legs were folded, he was clearly tense. This tension thankfully subsided when Velvet's domain and thus her blessing washed over the entire area.

"Too true. Maybe your little trick will keep him docile."

Velvet did not grace that with an answer and stepped forward alone, leaving everyone else to watch. Eizen rose to peer at them, but his attention clearly lay on the woman in front. His head lowered as she neared, followed by a rumbling "Vel-vet". She smiled ever so gently, reaching out; he loomed closer, allowing her to touch his scaly head.

"It's alright, Eizen," she soothed the beast. Her caresses, her affection made Eizen's eyes fall shut.

"Is. It. Over?" he asked, almost hopeful in a way that tugged at her heart. Margaret watched with a hand clasped over her mouth, needing Magilou to drag her aside and away.

"For a time, yes. Hold still for us? For me and Laphi and Magilou."

His eyes snapped open at once and turned to where Laphicet stood, narrowing. "In-No-" -"hush now, none of that." Eizen glared at Velvet, having recognised the golden monster in an instant. His thoughts were clear enough to recall seeing him recently, too, but not when or why. Eizen relaxed again, slumping down bodily; the impact and his latent powers sent a small earthquake through the mountains, setting off rockslides and making Bienfu stumble. "End. Me." he growled in resignation. Velvet shook her head.

"Just hold still."

Eizen twitched in response, clearly agitated, but he did as she asked him to. The young goddess willed her arm to change shape into a vicious claw; at the same time, Laphicet began to weave an arte. Golden light shone into the heavens while Magilou and Margaret took position at the side; the elder beginning to craft a silvery arte of her own. Eizen watched it all, his tail flicking back and forth in erratic fits.

Velvet took a deep breath to focus; she could kill him quickly from where she stood, were that her goal. Stepping forward, she ran her human hand over the dragon's flank, felt for the Malevolence surging beneath; it was plentiful and the sensation became ever stronger as she neared his center. The darkness surged with every beat of his powerful heart, pumping Malevolence like blood. The fact Eizen still retained some of his memories and the ability to think was a miracle.

"Quick. Now!" Eizen ground out while she walked back and forth; he shuddered, the steady heartbeat quickening under her fingertips.

"Don't worry." Velvet chose a spot close to his heart as she soothed the dragon. "It will be alright." He tensed when the tips of her claw pressed against his hide, but there was no pain. Hundreds of teeth unsheathed themselves on reflex within her palm, but Velvet kept herself in check. Each digit was aligned with Eizen's scales. "Laphi? Magilou?" She did not avert her gaze from the being in front of her; Eizen watched their actions with a mixture of anticipation and curiousity, his long neck bent so he could see Velvet. Her brother and friend both confirmed they were ready, drawing the dragon's attention for a moment.

This was when she pulled back and struck, slamming all five clawed fingers into his thick hide. Eizen screeched as the force of her strike pushed him back half a metre, transitioning into a roar. He tried to stand and shake her off, but Velvet simply hovered along; her teeth ground as they could not tear away any more than the outer scales, but she endured the instinctual hunger and began to pull instead. Malevolence came flowing down her gullet like a river, devoured just as quickly as it arrived. From this added power, she created chains of darkness to direct with her free hand and feet; Eizen spread his wings in an attempt to flee, but the chains bound them in place before he could.

His neck and body were tied to the ground, but even her overwhelming power could not seal his nature; the mountain shook as the earth dragon fought, pillars of rock erupting all around her but shattering upon impact. The legendary bringer of the end roared challenges toward the goddess of darkness, but was found wanting. Velvet remained focussed, pulling more and more Malevolence out of her old friend; as Minkkubi, she could devour it faster than Eizen produced it. Less and less coursed through his body with every second. The earth rumbled beneath and fell away, but they just hang in the air by Velvet's chains instead, slowly lowering themselves to follow the collapsing mountain. She could not tell how long it took for the dragon to grow sluggish, but eventually felt something beside the darkness; Eizen's original soul yet remained within the dragon's core. Velvet raised her free hand. "Laphi! Now!"

The golden light grew brighter in response, five more circles joining the first; one below Laphicet, one above him, and one to each side in a triangle. He began his chant once they were all aligned in front: "Oh being of darkness, heed my call! Thy reign of terror hath ended, thou shall be freed, thy shackles fall! Rejoice, for thy wounds shall be mended, rejoice and submit, submit soul and heart alike!"

Circle by circle faded from view, only to reappear around Eizen; Innominat's power stood meaningless against Minkkubi, but even she could feel it tear at her momentarily before sinking into Eizen. Laphicet's light pierced through the veil of darkness and reached the remains of Eizen's soul. The dragon roared louder than before, furiously bucking against her chains. Distant mountaintops exploded and sank away in her peripheral vision, but Velvet did not give. The weakening dragon could not keep up his thrashing, his soul slowly enveloped in gold.

"Vel-Vet... why?"

Eizen's question received no response, for their souls were aligned in this moment; she knew how betrayed he felt, how angry and scared. Yet even then, his heart lifted when she answered with love and hope. "Shh," she soothed again. "Trust me, just once more."

She looked up to meet his gaze evenly and the world held its breath for an instant.

Then Eizen closed his eyes, his body falling slack. The suppression completed, separating soul and darkness just as they hoped it would. Velvet's heart hammered in her chest as she roared for her friend: "Magilou!" No more than a cackle answered her. Glancing over to where one of her brother's artes kept Magilou and Margaret afloat in mid-air, she saw the elder grin; Bienfu and Grimoirh flanked her, channeling power into the singular arte circle she held ready. Their eyes met briefly and Velvet nodded, only to be enveloped in divine silver flame.

They burned her, greedily licking at Velvet's exposed skin, at her hair, at her claw. She was a being made of Malevolence, now wreathed in pain as the sacred fire aimed to cleanse it all. Not even having her heart pierced by Artorius' blade compared, every second feeling like minutes.

Yet with each second, the docile dragon's scales were burned away. The dragon himself was burned away, revealing his remaining soul draped in gold. Several pieces fitted themselves back in as she watched, the creature around it shrinking ever further. She ceased drawing Malevolence out of him and let the flame take over; Laphicet dropped his suppression by the time the dragon was twice Velvet's size. It kept shrinking regardless, bathed in the flames of purification. Her chains were burned away and they descended further, the sibling gods' power seeing them safely settle on the ground as the fire faded.

Shaking off silvery sparks, Velvet smiled down at the man kneeling in front of her. He was breathing evenly and completely naked for the time being. When his sharp eyes opened to take her in however, she felt her heart leap. "Welcome back, Eizen."

She had longed to speak those words; now, finally, they had become true. He rose to the height she remembered, standing taller than Velvet herself. Broad-shouldered, soon cloaked in mana that formed a rugged, dark suit over an orange shirt. His ochre hair and sharp features, it was all the same, even that roguish grin of his. "I should have known you would find a way," he greeted her in turn, voice raw. "But we both know it won't last."

"I know. Rather a dragon than eternity with the Reaper's Curse. We are looking into that."

They held each other's gaze for a long moment, but were interrupted when Laphi chimed in from the side: "That aside, some respite from this existence should be good for you. How do you feel?"

The reminder of his presence earned a glower from Eizen, who then glanced to Velvet. "Weird to see you both together after what happened before."

She shrugged, rather drawing him into an embrace before responding. "He got a good spanking after that rebellious phase, so we put it behind us." His laughter vibrated through her from how close they were.

"Please stop trivialising this in my presence. I want to slap you each time you do." They separated and turned to Margaret, who had closed the distance together with Magilou and was scowling at Velvet. "That aside, perhaps you should take a look around."

She did as told, only to realise with a start that the devastation wrought was greater than she noticed. "Um." Rayfalke Spiritcrest was gone for the most part. Eizen's might leveled the mountain range, leaving but a few distant peaks in place; they reached into the sky like skeletal fingers, surrounding a barren plain. "Oops?"

"Yes, 'oops'." Margaret pinched the bridge of her nose in clear annoyance, but let the matter drop in favour of introductions. She offered a bow to Eizen. "Anyway, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Margaret."

"Eizen." He appeared somewhat amused by her proper conduct, but did not comment; his eyes rather went to the elder grinning at them. "Did I hear right earlier? Magilou?" The grin widened. "You're still alive? How long has it been?"

"A thousand years now," she disclosed cheerfully, placing a wrinkly hand over her heart. "Now we only need Rokurou to come out of the woodwork and the old guard is almost back together." Both Velvet and Eizen shared her smile for a moment, though it did not last.

"We still need to free Phi," Velvet reminded her friend somberly, "and there is no sign of Eleanor. It wouldn't be the same." Then, with a glance at Eizen, she added a quiet: "I'll explain later." He nodded and returned to studying Margaret, who stood a little awkwardly among them; by the way his eyes narrowed, he noticed something familiar. Her stance was little different from Artorius, always on guard, ever vigilant. She had grown up a little more, still short in comparison to Velvet and Eizen but certainly as fit as either of them. Yet her very presence presented a conundrum that made Velvet eye Magilou. "And now out with it, why did you insist on bringing Maggie?"

"I concur," her erstwhile student added curtly. "It is a great honour to become witness of this miracle, but you impressed how delicate a matter it is. Am I truly that trusted?" Despite being who she was, she did not say; Velvet could read it out of her tone and posture just fine.

Magilou snorted at them, straightening her back somewhat but failing to stand at Margaret's size. "Isn't it obvious?" she asked with a soft chuckle before motioning for Eizen. "I wanted you here to see for yourself that the world can and will change. There is no limit that can not be broken by dedicated effort and determination. I still stand alive after a thousand years and a dragon was returned to being who he once was. So take heart, child, and stride into the future."

"I see."

Margaret's voice was blank as she and both Crowes understood Magilou's meaning quite clearly; to prevent another disaster like the fall of Artorius. Despite the clear manipulation however, they all knew it had worked. Margaret shook her head with a sigh, then turned to Eizen. "Regardless, I would like to bond with you." He had been watching the whole proceedings curiously, but her sudden proposal surprised the reaper. Velvet and Laphicet, too. Magilou merely smiled, as did the Normin by her side.

Eizen's eyes narrowed once more, although he did not refuse her outright. Rather, he crossed his arms. "You know who I am?" A nod. "Then perhaps the others didn't tell you everything. I am forever bound by the Reaper's Curse, to bring misfortune upon all who walk by my side. If you seek to bond with me, I doubt you will live another five years." He waited for a horrified reaction or Margaret taking back her proposal, but was surprised when she simply nodded; ignoring Velvet's snort and Laphicet's laughter, he studied Margaret more intently. "Besides, I like to walk my own path." The young woman inclined her head.

"I understand and yet I ask this of you. To walk with me for a time, lend me your power, and strike me down should I lose my way again. My current partner, as dear as she is to me, would not have the heart to do it." Her gaze never wavered from his own until he glanced at the people surrounding them. Margaret took a deep breath before offering her hand and creating a bonding arte circle between them. Her voice rose in volume but never lost its clarity: "I am Margaret Randgriz, inheritor of the soul, the will, and the sins of Artorius Collbrande. Despite all their reassurances, I deny that rebirth absolves me of the past; even if it did, I would still wish to make amends. To bring light and fortune to the people of Desolation, cast back the darkness, and truly earn the title of shepherd this time around. This I ask of you: lend me your power until such a time that I can ask for Maotelus to do the same."

All but Margaret and Eizen himself laughed about the flabbergasted expression on his face. Moments passed in consideration before he nodded, placing his own hand on the circle. "I am Eizen," he returned her words, "whom they call the Reaper. To walk with me is to walk with a near and eventual death. I accept you as my vessel, for now. Should you lose hope in humanity again, stray from your path, I will end you. My true name, thusly, is Uzfmiwuw Uexuv."

His true name began the bonding in earnest; Margaret could feel the moment his mana joined hers, flowed through her body in a way much different from Symonne's. Eizen lost corporeality to join his essence, settling deep within the young woman. For a moment, her flesh felt like stone and the very earth resonated under her will. Then it passed, only for Eizen to reappear by their side. He was met with smiles and gratitude.

Wordlessly, woman and seraph shook hands on their new partnership.