Hyaci Maltran was calm; a part of her pitied the old woman standing in front of her speartip, but it had little say. She took notice of how calm the elder remained and discreetly eyed her surroundings for any tricks or ambushes. The small woodland she picked for this moment revealed nothing of the like, but looks could be deceiving. Old Nica was well known to meander through these parts for hours.

"Now, what makes you do that, sweetheart? You were always such an unruly-" "Shut up."

The older woman fell silent, waiting for Hyaci to explain; despite everything, she would grant her this courtesy as all deserved to know why they were to die. "I do not know what exactly you did to Symonne, but now that I have confirmation she was seen working against us, I know it was your influence initially." Hyaci's curt voice coaxed no discernible reaction from Nica at first; the momentary silence broke only when a wide grin broke through and the elder cackled in clear amusement. Hyaci could not help but gawk.

"My, oh my, it took you long enough!" This blew away her final doubts, though this mirth in the face of death unsettled Hyaci greatly. It made her hesitate and wonder.

"You are in a surprisingly good mood for one that is about to die."

The elder laughed at her again, agitating and humbling the Blue Valkyrie in the same breath. When she spoke, it was with a certainty born of ancient wisdom: "Sweetie, I have lived a long, long time. I've seen so much, and done even more. I can't run from the end forever, even if I gave it a good attempt. I'm already far beyond my time; if I die today, so be it. But don't you ever forget this, Hyaci: before death, we are as equals." Her grin grew more feral, Nica's words and posture ringing alarm bells in Hyaci's mind. Well-honed instincts screamed at her about danger she could not see. "But you might be misunderstanding. I am not just giving you my life."

Two tiny seraphim materialised, the purple one with top hat standing in front of their mistress, the grey-furred one with pointy hat behind her. Two dozen paper figures floated out of the elder's sleeves, dancing around her in circles of twelve while hundreds of glittering spheres formed in front of her. "If you want it," she declared to the befuddled warrior, "you have to come and take it! Face the face of eternity, Magilou Mayvin!"

Lightning flew before she registered the battlecry as such, scorching Hyaci's dominant hand. She earthed herself to direct it downward, then charged right at the shield; soft ground broke under her feet, crumbling to dust from the shock of impact. Nica stood unmoving, the tip stopped but a finger's width from her chest. "This is as close as you will get," she taunted Hyaci, just as something heavy hammered into her gut.

Realigning in mid-air, she found the top-hat Normin land in a crouch. Mana surged around the tiny creature as it followed her descent; Hyaci broke her fall against a tree whose massive trunk splintered, then dashed forward again. Hails of icicles greeted her, shot with pinpoint accuracy that she barely dodged. Several punctured her arm and cheek before quickly growing paper slammed down where she just stood. She lashed out on instinct, cutting another guardian apart as it made to close the hole.

Nica gave her no chance to recover or assess the situation. The elements rained down all around her in an unending wave, from spears of ice and water to orbs of wind. The very ground Hyaci fought on rose under the elder's will, reforming constantly to box her in and bury her alive. Were it not for several high jumps and the thick canopy to climb in, their fight would have been over already. Hyaci managed to bypass it all nonetheless, dodging a mistimed lightning strike that singed the tip of her braid; on the approach however, that Normin slammed into her weapon and bent it apart. Hyaci twirled into a sweeping kick to send him flying, but received fist-sized chunks of ice to her side in exchange. Nica cackled condescendingly behind her shield, still in the spot she was when it all began. The second Normin kept channeling power into her.

This was not a fight. It was a wild chase, with Hyaci as the rabbit! She danced around various projectiles again, approaching once more to slam into Nica's shield without passing through; her weapon was completely bent out of shape, so she threw it at the elder in order to disengage. Spears of bedrock surged upward right where she just stood. Trees fell around them as their roots were torn apart, giving Hyaci an idea.

When next she dodged near a fallen trunk, she flipped behind it for cover and ignored Nica's taunts. Gripping the sturdy wood, Hyaci quickly lifted it up and threw the tree forward like one would splash water, no regard for form in favour of speed. She dashed for a second one before the first even impacted, hearing more than seeing the crash as it broke apart upon Nica's shield. For her second improvised javelin, she held and aimed it properly first. A paper guardian hammered into her arm and broke it, but she held on; Hyaci took three steps, braced, and threw. This time she saw all the remaining guardians form a rotating shield, half torn apart as the tree went through Nica's first defense. The purple Normin kicked away her slowed projectile, splintering it.

In this moment, her own foot impacted the seraph and a wave of Malevolence coated the other one, interrupting their power boost. The reappearing shield spheres faded away, Nica's eyes widening ever so slightly. Hyaci darted forward, bereft of a weapon but not out of options; she reached the elder after ducking under a guardian's slam and powering through another breaking her nose. Her fingers set together, she stabbed the good hand forward... and felt the hot wetness of a living body more than she saw it.

Silence engulfed the clearing they made. Slowly, Nica's guardians covering her face fell away; Hyaci's heart pounded as she beheld her handiwork, one arm having punched straight through the elder's chest. She pulled back, making the woman drop. Spell circles faded out around them, guardians dropping like puppets with their strings cut.

Hyaci stared her opponent in the eyes and saw a myriad of unreadable emotions. Nica did not breathe, could not breathe with her lung and heart torn. Blood soaked the ground beneath her, mixing with Hyaci's own on her arm. She flicked the limb once to get some of it off, stepping back and wincing as torn muscles and cracked ribs complained at her. The Normin ignored Hyaci, racing to their fallen vessel's side; she used their distraction to limp away, trying to nurse her many injuries.

Deep down, she was in shock; waking up this morning, Hyaci expected a quick judgement and execution. What she got was the most demanding fight of her life, against a woman who was old already when she was a girl. Skill alone kept her beyond Hyaci to match, victory more a stroke of luck and a clever trick than superiority. The most accomplished warrior of Hyland shuddered, wondering just what would have happened if Nica had been in her prime.

Limping away and planning how to hide the injuries she could not have healed quickly, Hyaci left behind a scene of destruction and two Normin. Neither of these two knew what to do or what to say; they accompanied Magilou Mayvin for a thousand years, saw living and dead history by her side and even fought down a god. Now their dearest friend lay dead, her last breath spent separating their bonds as if she ever planned it. Neither could turn away from the sight of her gored body, the soft relaxation of death so long evaded on her features.

Grimoirh placed a paw on Bienfu's, a silent means of comfort that failed to stop the tears staining his fur, or hers. They were alone for the first time in a thousand years; it felt jarring, not to have their bond anymore. Night fell before long, but they failed to notice; though the ruptured ground and felled trees faded from view in the darkness, their dead friend remained burned into their retinas. All that changed was how their tears ran dry in time.

Be it the malakhims' woe or the world itself paying its respect, not a single critter approached the fallen giant during their silent watch.

Bienfu slumped when the sky began to brighten, taking off his hat; Grimoirh mimicked him a moment later, then they embraced each other. They did not know or care which of them initiated the motion.

Then there was light.

A gentle shine enveloped the inconsolable seraphim before abruptly fading away. By the time they realised what their senses told them, a tiny flame illuminated the half-dark, held over a slender hand. Slowly, ever so slowly, Bienfu and Grimoirh turned toward the new presence; their eyes grew wide in unison at the woman sat in front of them. She stared back almost blankly with curious green eyes, head tilted ever so slightly. Pale blonde hair framed her face and ran down her body, it being the only covering she possessed; smooth, pale skin shone in the light, shadows dancing with the crackling flame. The sun picked this moment to crest the horizon, its first rays welcoming the newborn seraph.

Her flame flickered out as more light began to fill the forest, revealing a svelte, youthful woman. Soon however, she broke eye contact while the Normin remained frozen in shock; her gaze was drawn to the corpse by her side, likely from the smell it began to emanate. Flinching, the woman scooted backward. "W-What happened here? Who is that?! And who are you?"

Even her voice sounded just as it always had, if more hysteric. The frantic questions finally tore the Normin out of their stupor. Bienfu quickly hopped up and traipsed over to the newborn, calling out to her: "Hey, hey! It's okay, you're safe! Don't worry! It's me, Bienfu!" When his name only earned a confused stare, he beamed up at the seraph. "Come on, don't you remember me? Or Grim?" The seraph slowly shook her head, replacing Bienfu's momentary relief with another bout of grief. "Oh."

Grimoirh, being more composed, shook her head as she approached. "It is only natural she would not remember," she chastised her friend. "Few do. Do not be alarmed, my dear; we were mourning our friend."

"But Grim, she's-" "shush."

The unnamed seraph studied them a moment longer before nodding; she crouched next to the lifeless body with quivering eyes, sparking hope of remembrance once more and dashing it right after: "That poor old lady. Who would do such a thing?"

Neither Normin knew how to respond; they were aching on a primal level now, but they soldiered on much like she would have. Grimoirh approached the newborn and reached for her hand; it closed around her paw without hesitation. "Are you a fire seraph?" Seeing her nod, the Normin gently coaxed her to stand. "Then may I ask something of you? I do not wish for my friend to rot and decompose like this; macabre as it may be, would you lend us your flame to cremate her?" She received another soft nod; tears ran down the woman's face as she channelled her flame forward without hesitation.

"Rest in peace," she murmured while engulfing the body in flame; Bienfu made sure the fire would not spread, its heat quickly cooking the ground. No one spoke as they watched clothes and flesh turn to ash, wincing when bones cracked and splintered. The unnamed seraph began to sweat halfway through, but remained on her feet until it was done; when her flames cut off and she slumped to the ground in exhaustion, Bienfu produced a handkerchief to wipe her face with.

Meanwhile, Grimoirh pondered the situation; as much as she would want to continue grieving, she had to take the necessary steps first. Once her friend was done tending to their unexpected charge, she spoke up with forced calm: "Bienfu, take her to Lastonbell. She will be safe there."

"Um, it's okay. I can just be on my way, I don't want to bother you two any more. I already intruded on, uh, this here," she motioned for the ashen remains of their friend, already dispersing through a gentle breeze. "I'm really sorry about that." She then made to turn around, but halted and began to blush over her entire body. "Except I don't really know where I am... or who I am. Who am I?"

"That's right," Bienfu chimed in with eagerness to play over his devastation, "she needs a name, doesn't she?"

"All in due time," Grimoirh retorted gently. "I feel it would not be appropriate for either of us to name her." She then addressed the lost seraph. "It is no problem for us to help with your first step, little one. We can take you to a place that will be happy to have you and teach you. If you do not wish to pick your own name, I am sure someone there will find one for you as well."

"Oh, really?" The way her face lit up reminded Grimoirh of the little girl Bienfu sometimes told her about; the one that was already broken before Melchior Mayvin got his hands on her. "Okay then! Thank you!" She was pulled up into a tight but warm hug, a gesture Magilou had been ever so loathe to give. Bienfu jumped into it moments later and despite the jarring experience, it was a bit of comfort.

After sending them off ahead to the nearest teleportation gate, Grimoirh made her way back to Ladylake; there were various items to be removed from 'old Nica's' house before anyone realised she had died.

. .

. .

They brought Velvet out of the kitchen just before lunch preparations were done; at first she was annoyed, but upon seeing the half nude seraph girl being dressed by shapely Bell, her thoughts derailed. She could not help but stare at the familiar face, prevented from approaching by her brother. Alisha had followed and their presence quickly drew the rest of her group; Eizen's face clouded over at her sight.

"Odd," Symonne commented, "I could have sworn I saw her before, but she's a newborn, right? Wait." The water seraph's eyes focussed on Bienfu crumbled on a nearby chair, forlorn and alone. "Wait." Her voice broke as she put the pieces together while Velvet felt her own heart break; she understood it too, without any need for explanation. Tears clouded her vision for a moment, but she quickly wiped them off and forced herself to calm down. Laphi let her go in favour of taking Symonne's hand.

Once free to move, Velvet made to question Bienfu; unfortunately, her motions drew the unnamed seraph's attention. Now fully dressed in soft red and gold, she offered them all a shy smile. "Oh, um, hello. It's nice to meet you. The nice lady said I can stay here for a while, is that okay?" When she noticed Eizen's near-glare however, she wilted and hid behind the amused Bell with a squeak. "I'm sorry! Did I do something wrong?!"

Velvet threw her old friend a glare, which at least made him school his features. He shook his head. "No," he reassured the fretting seraph. "It's nothing you did."

"Ignore Eizen," Margaret chimed in with a gentle smile. "He always looks that way. I'm Margaret, nice to meet you." The young blonde's disposition coaxed the even younger one out of her hiding spot. "What's your name?"

"Oh, um, I don't have one yet. Could... is your friend alright?" A sob had distracted the seraph, whose attention focussed on Symonne; Velvet felt for the girl currently crying on her brother's shoulder. Instead of joining her however, she slowly approached Magilou's remnant with a smile of her own.

"Symonne just lost a dear friend. Give her some time to come to terms with it all and she will be alright." It was odd to see her old friend's face on a woman who shied away from her imposing figure for a moment; Velvet's friendly tone stopped the seraph from hiding away again, however. She took her hands. "And yes, you can stay here as long as you want." The bright, unburdened smile gave her even more whiplash, but she soldiered on.

"Thank you thank you thank you! I didn't know where else I would go! Thank you, miss!" The girl cheered, then embraced her without hesitation. Velvet tensed for a moment before returning the gesture. Next to her grief, she began to understand that who she now held was free. Just like Seres ceased to be Celica, this one no longer was Magilou; more than that, without any memories she was free.

"Is it alright if I name you?"

"Yes, please! I'd like a cute name!"

She chuckled, stroking the enthusiastic girl's back. "I'm not sure I can do cute, but let's see." Taking in the bright smile and clothes, Velvet could not help but ask: "You're a fire seraph?" She received a series of nods and had to stop herself from huffing. Magilou had burned ever so brightly. Perhaps a term related to fire would do just right. "Enya, then. You are Enya."

"Enya," she tested her new name curiously before beaming again. "I love it! Thank you again! Oh, what about my true name?" All the resident seraphim tensed up at once; Symonne even stopped crying to stare in befuddlement, though Enya took no notice of it. She focussed on Velvet, who was a little surprised as well.

"Do you really want me to choose your true name?" Enya nodded eagerly. "It's a deeply personal thing, isn't it?" A shrug was all she got. Velvet sighed. "Alright. Laphi? Get over here and translate something for me." Her brother grimaced, but followed; Symonne did the same but split off to give them space, which put her right next to the giddy Enya. While the siblings conferred however, their new arrival offered Symonne a friendly smile.

"I'm sorry for your loss. Do you want another hug?"

Velvet exhaled slowly, trying to hide her pained smile from the room; Laphi had to do the same when his girlfriend accepted the offer, now being cradled by the reincarnation of her lost friend. They got to business right after and Laphi translated several terms and titles; at first she went with themes related to Magilou, but soon realised that would not be appropriate for a new life. Then she had an idea and called Bienfu over, the morose seraph simply nodding when she proposed her idea. Laphi liked it too. 'Enya the Free', Ubva shu twuu. She could work with that.

Once they were done, Velvet returned to Enya, who gingerly let go of Symonne; Laphi immediately snatched his girlfriend away and dragged everyone out of the room. Enya folded her hands in anticipation; once the door closed, Velvet put both hands on her shoulders. "If you're really fine with me naming you, here goes. You are Vashu Wuu, 'Enya the Free'." The seraph girl's eyes glazed over momentarily, but her own smile did not diminish in the slightest. She jumped up and down once it was done, being led outside to where everyone was waiting, where she curtsied somewhat clumsily.

"Hello, everyone! I'm Enya! Thank you for letting me stay here with you!"

She then went to introduce herself to everyone separately before Bell coaxed her away with the promise of a tour around the place. Silence reigned after she left, broken only when Symonne dropped to the ground and pulled her knees to her chest. "Why is it that everyone I care about ends up dead?" she asked no one in-between sniffles. Laphi settled by her side and Margaret took the other, both wrapping arms around her to offer comfort.

"I might have missed something," Alisha admitted after studying the grave expressions all around. "Who is this seraph?" Symonne blubbered Nica's name and the therion's eyes widened as pieces clicked together for her. Velvet put a steadying hand on her shoulder, Eizen mirroring her gesture.

"Today is a sad day for Desolation," he drawled, clearly trying to blink away his own tears. Velvet could only nod her agreement. She soon noticed Bienfu sitting by Symonne's side and scooped up the oddly cheerless Normin.

"What happened, Bienfu?"

"..."

He stared up her helplessly, but a bark of derisive laughter prevented him from responding. Symonne's listless eyes were on them all. "It's my fault," she declared, immediately shushing Laphi and Margaret from trying to dissuade her. "I left a name off the list for Hyland." That got everyone's attention, though she continued to babble at first: "And she knew where I went. She was the only one who knew. I should have said something, but I thought... I..." The girl trailed off, slumping further.

"Who, then?" Malevolence surged around Alisha, clearly tasting of anger. It did not last long, though.

"Hyaci Maltran."

The therion recoiled as if someone slapped her in the face. Eyes widened in horror, she stared at Symonne. "W-What?" When no response came, no admission of a joke, she began to take shuddering breaths and clutched her chest. "Lady Maltran?"

"Yes," Bienfu confirmed into the dazed silence. "She came at us in the forest... and she won." He had trouble talking about it, so Velvet squeezed him gently until another voice interrupted them.

"Rain plagues Ladylake. Even the world is shedding tears for the passing of Magilou Mayvin, the grand historian." Grimoirh toddled into the corridor they all frequented, carrying an old book in her hands. The pointed hat hid her eyes from them as she approached. "In accordance with her wishes, I have removed any... problematic matters from her home. Her body was incinerated, if in a somewhat unorthodox way. Has that girl been given a name yet?"

She stopped in front of Velvet, who nodded slowly. "She is Enya now."

"Good. Let her be free of the past, it is better this way. Now, Laphicet?" The boy straightened up slightly, then received the book and a small pouch from Grimoirh. "I believe these should help you in the future. And this, well, I remember where it came from." He received both items reverently, though there was an odd sort of expression on him when he felt the ancient tome; Velvet needed to see Innominat's crest on the cover to realise why it felt familiar.

"What's that? Why this book?"

Symonne's curiousity was fleeting, but at least she had been distracted from hating herself momentarily. Laphi brushed the cover with a gentle smile. "I wrote this," he explained. "Well, I copied the original, but still. It's something I wrote, back when I was still human." Turning to Grim, he inclined his head. "Thank you, really. I will treat it with care." Then he immediately passed the tome into his own holding arte, giving Eizen a wary glance. The reaper was busy consoling Alisha, though; Velvet knew they would all need some more time to come to terms with 'old Nica's' true identity later. For now, she crouched down next to Grimoirh, placing Bienfu by her side.

"What about you two?"

Neither responded at first; Bienfu shuffled listlessly while Grimoirh frowned. It was the female Normin who spoke first: "I need some time to myself, I believe." She made a half turn toward the door, intention clear. Velvet gently tapped her shoulder.

"You don't want to talk to Enya first?"

"...no. She is better off without the burden that is being Magilou, and I am better off without the heartache of seeing a dear friend's face not recognise me. Farewell, Bienfu, Velvet. Until next we meet." Neither of them responded and Velvet let her go; it felt oddly final to watch the Normin's retreating back.

She glanced down at Bienfu once Grimoirh left their sight. "And you?"

He shrugged, head turning this way and that. "I don't know, I guess I'll stay around for a bit. Do you think they have a nice ball of yarn for me?"

"Always."

Offering him a gentle smile, Velvet made to help look for a fitting vessel; before she could however, several things happened in rapid succession: first she realised that with Magilou gone, there was no one to teach Laphi how to wield the silver flame. Second, Lailah began to thrash in Minkkubi's grasp again, calling for her. There were only three words, but they gave Velvet pause. She heaved a sigh and nudged Margaret to help the Normin. "I need to talk to Lailah," she explained while in the process of wandering off.

Three words they were, but they sent Velvet into a stupor: "Take my heart."