I did not intend for my last update to be a year and a half ago, and there's quite a few reasons this took so long to get out, but I'm glad it's here now. About this time last year, I'd been trying to edit the chapter, when I ran into problems with the outdated version of Word I'd been using, and by the time I managed to sort it out, I'd sort of fallen into more original writing, and I kept hitting a wall when I came back to this. Chapter song this time is "Heaven's A Lie" by Lacuna Coil.
Thank you to KacchakoRyuKaru, Peridot Kelpie, and FreeDeLaHoya for reviewing, and to anyone else who has reached out asking about updates. I promise this story has been on my mind, despite my lack of updating.
I do not own Metal Fight Beyblade.
Celestia wore a black dress that glittered as though a thousand stars had been sewn into it. Lace sleeves covered her arms and a long train trailed out behind her. Dark lashes framed her eyes and somehow she seemed younger than ever.
Mei Mei tensed, a mixture of fear and anger tearing through her. She blinked hard. Mei Mei was already exhausted from trekking through the woods all day. Her body could give out on her at any moment, but she had to push it as far as possible. She didn't want to risk using up the last of her energy yet. For the moment, she stayed wrapped in her captor's arms, waiting for the perfect opportunity, waiting for Celestia to speak again.
Her friends were a different story. Hikaru was furiously wriggling around next to her. Ryuga was slowly opening his eyes then closing them over and over again, disoriented. Mei Mei wondered if they'd had to knock him out a second time.
To her right were Madoka and Chao Xin. Chao Xin had been wrapped in a blanket, protected from the elements. Mei Mei found that unusual, but perhaps they didn't want him to succumb to the cold just yet. They likely still needed him alive, if they were going to all that effort, but Mei Mei didn't know how much longer that would be for. He needed to be preserved until it was time. She took a deep, shuddering breath. She suspected they would only have a very small window to get away, if it was even an option at all. Her stomach clenched. How could they help Chao Xin when they couldn't even help themselves?
The sun had already set across the lake, the last few rays vanishing quickly before plunging them into a blue-black sky. Up above, stars shone brightly out in the wilderness twinkling above the trees.
Celestia drew closer to each of them. She paused at Hikaru, a wicked grin across her face.
"So you are the one who eluded me for so long," she mused. "I must say I'm impressed. Did you really think you'd be able to get away with it?"
Hikaru responded with a snarl that didn't sound human.
"Let us go," she spat. "I don't know what you're playing at, but you will not win."
Mei Mei wished she had that kind of confidence. At the moment, a million ideas raced through her mind for dominance, but she didn't know which was best. If they ran back into the woods, there was a chance they could be recaptured. Plus, it was so dark out now; there was no telling what else could be in those trees. More of Celestia's followers for sure, but undoubtedly some other creatures of the night, too. With so many unknowns, making a decision with even the slightest hint of conviction was out of the question.
Celestia reached out and touched Hikaru's cheek, causing the girl to recoil.
"Yes…" Celestia paused. "Bring this one to the altar where the other three wait. I think I would like to make a substitution. Quickly, before the other students are brought out from the castle."
"Hey!" Mei Mei kicked, finding her voice and her strength at last. "If you're going to take her, you have to take the rest of us, too!" The outburst surprised even her, but she'd just gotten her friend back. Losing her again was unthinkable.
Celestia regarded her coldly. "Trust me, you all have a role to play in this. I am merely selecting those whom I believe are best suited for a higher purpose."
Whatever that meant. What little blood remained drained from Mei Mei's face.
Hikaru struggled, finally freeing herself from her captor with a quick twist. She stumbled to the ground, ankle giving out before she found her footing. Within seconds, the henchmen were back on her. Mei Mei watched as Hikaru grabbed something from the sled she had been strapped to and flung it in Celestia's direction before she was restrained.
One of the black hooded figures stepped in front of Celestia seconds before the object would have hit her square in the face. They calmly took the blow without a sound, then picked up the item and presented it to Celestia, bowing slightly.
Celestia's face contorted with rage, immediately replaced by a mask of serenity as if she'd never lost her peaceful façade in the first place. She let out a light laugh.
"This wretched book." She traced the cover with a finger. "I don't suppose you've read it, have you?"
This time Madoka was the one who cried out. "We know what you are," she hissed.
"Call me what you will," Celestia said dismissively. "Monster, sorceress, I have had many names over the years. In the end, those who have called me them have all met the same fate. Yet I still stand here before you today, greater than all of them."
Celestia flipped through the book, pausing every few pages, seemingly interested in the print. Mei Mei squirmed. Ryuga appeared to being growing more alert.
"It is a shame really," Celestia sighed. "The man who wrote it tried ever so hard to warn people about my family once he learned the truth. He devoted his life to uncovering as many Celestia family secrets as possible. He was one of my suitors long ago, desperate to win my affections, but I had already pledged myself to the goddess. I had become one of the ancients long before he and I ever crossed paths, and for a time, he was none the wiser. It should have remained that way.
"Once he discovered I had become a goddess in my own right after the ritual, he foolishly found the truth revolting, and tried to lead an uprising against me. What happened to me was an act of divine interaction, and he was too blind to understand. He'd worked so hard to earn my attention, and in the end, he did. I squashed his lineage right then and there, in front of everyone. Of course, before he died, he had enchanted the book, placing a spell upon the pages to draw people near it, in hopes that someone else might find it and vanquish me the way he so desired if he failed at the task. He entrusted it to one of his men for safekeeping. I think he knew his own fate was already sealed." She smiled darkly.
Mei Mei took in her words. That part made sense somehow, at least. Mei Mei had wondered how out of every book in Celestia's personal library Madoka had managed to pick the one that just so happened to be about the Celestia family when she couldn't even read the language it was written in without assistance. She'd always chalked it up to coincidence, but it should've been no surprise other factors were at play, with everything else going on.
Celestia dropped the book to the ground. It landed open with a thud. "Granted, much of what he wrote is conjecture. Unfortunately for him, he didn't realize the true nature of who he was up against, otherwise he would've understood his efforts and those of any choosing to follow in his footsteps were futile. He barely scratched the surface with what little he uncovered and was left to fill in the blanks on his own. His successor didn't last long before I caught up with him. I kept the book for myself for my own amusement. Truly, it doesn't matter anymore. He is long since dead and I grow stronger every day."
She turned her attention away from them, carefully studying the stars.
Mei Mei glanced over at Madoka, who gazed back with an agonized look. Hikaru's stunt had proved that even if they did succeed in breaking free, the same binds would almost instantly trap them again.
Mei Mei pursed her lips. As she suspected when they first reached the lake, their only opportunity would be to bide their time. Ultimately, they still didn't know exactly what Celestia was planning, other than the fact that it would result in their deaths, but to act too soon would be foolish. Waiting for the perfect opportunity was their only chance.
Celestia snapped her fingers, still peering upwards. "On second thought, bring them all to the altar. I would like to personally explore all of my options while we still have the time."
A strong blow to the back of Mei Mei's legs caused her knees to buckle. She yelped as she was dragged across the snowy ground.
Minutes later, they stopped and Mei Mei was wrenched back up to her feet. She whimpered as pain shot through her legs.
In front of them, three large stone slabs had been placed in a triangle formation. Three people had been placed on them, their arms chained by stone restraints. In the center of the triangle was a statue of a woman with her hands upraised. Mei Mei assumed it was the goddess Celestia kept referencing.
Only one person on the slabs was facing them at the moment. Mei Mei was still far enough away she couldn't make out the features of the other two.
Mei Mei felt her heart ache. The person in front of them didn't even look alive. He was gaunt, ghostly pale skin clinging to his bones. It didn't look like he'd eaten in a long time. His eyes were closed. He took thin, ragged breaths as his chest moved slowly up and down, the only indication he wasn't dead, drawing attention to his protruding ribs. His white hair was accented by red.
Mei Mei froze. This boy looked uncannily like-
"Ryuto!" Ryuga cried in a hoarse whisper. Hikaru looked stricken, a look of total horror crossing her face.
"That's your brother?" Her voice broke.
Ryuga let out a strangled yell and tried to free himself to run toward the slab, but the person containing him only held on tighter. Ryuga struggled for a moment, then relaxed as Celestia quickly turned her attention to him following the outburst.
"Oh, you know him?" Celestia said with an oddly gleeful edge to her voice. "Well, there's no need to worry. Ryuto will remain one of the chosen. After all, I really do have him to thank for all of this."
Ryuga looked darkly at Celestia, pure hatred emanating from his voice. "Let my brother go, you fucking bitch."
"As if," Celestia murmured then raised her voice. "Over a hundred years ago, I was trapped in a comatose state when I first decided to turn my ancestral castle into a school to lure the unknowing so they could be used to fulfill my purpose. In my arrogance, I overlooked what was right in front of me, and a small group imprisoned me in my own coffin beneath the castle. That coffin was never to be used. It was made while I was very young, so it would be ready when the time came and I could immediately join my ancestors in their resting place. Two years ago, Ryuto found my coffin deep underneath the castle and inadvertently unleashed me back into this world."
Mei Mei's eyes widened. If Celestia had been trapped once, then that had to mean they could do it again. Madoka knew where the crypt was. Did they simply need to get Celestia into her coffin, or was there more to it? Mei Mei wondered if there was a spell they would need to perform.
She deflated almost instantly as reality cut through her momentary optimism. There were so many flaws with that plan. She didn't know how to cast a spell in the first place, or understand anything magical worked. It wasn't likely they'd be able to get Celestia near the crypt tonight either, not with the limited amount of time they had. Trying to lead her back to the castle would be impossible. No matter what excuse they came up with, she wouldn't fall for it. Celestia wouldn't have shared the tale if she thought there was a chance they could imprison her again. Besides, the ritual was taking place here by the lake. All of the students would be coming out soon to partake in the "stargazing assignment."
It was clear Celestia felt assured she'd already won.
"And you've kept him here ever since, keeping him half-alive." Venom dripped from Ryuga's voice.
Celestia sounded bored. "I knew from the moment he released me from my dark prison, he would be one of my special sacrifices, one of the most important pieces when the comet passed. I've kept him under my control since the moment my power returned to me. He is far too valuable to waste."
Ryuga attempted to lunge forward. "Ryuto!"
The boy suddenly stirred. He looked up. "Ryuga?" He laughed weakly, followed by a cough. "There's no way you're here. I must be dead."
"No!" Ryuga shouted. "Ryuto, it's me! We have to get out of here! Celestia-"
A hand clamped down on Ryuga's mouth and silenced him. His eyes narrowed to slits.
Mei Mei became aware that they were being dragged around once more, moving along the edge of the circle to the second slab. The person she saw lying on it stopped her cold. Mei Mei never thought she would see them again. She didn't know whether to cry with delight or anguish.
Sophie lay on the slab, her long pale blue hair fanning out around her. Her eyes were closed, but she was still visibly breathing. She'd grown thinner since Mei Mei had last seen her, but she was in significantly better condition than Ryuto, looking much less malnourished. Mei Mei supposed it made sense, considering Ryuto had been a prisoner for an entire two years compared to Sophie's weeks.
"Sophie!" Madoka cried out in shock.
They were all alive- all four of them, despite the odds. Hours ago, Mei Mei never would've considered the possibility.
Sophie's green eyes popped open. Her arms were pinned up above her head, only giving her enough movement to lift her head. She gasped.
"Get out of here," she rasped. Her eyelids fluttered.
"That's the one I caught breaking into my office," Celestia explained. "I can admire a bold spirit. Come, now. It is the last of the three I am uncertain of. He is a strong one, but I do not believe he is the one I seek."
Mei Mei's mouth twitched in annoyance as she was once more dragged around the triangle. Nerves shook her body. She had a vague idea of who the last person was, but she didn't want to see.
Wales was unconscious on the stone. His normally bright orange hair was faded and dull. Lifeless. Mei Mei grimaced. They finally knew what had become of him after he'd been forcefully abducted from the dorm room.
"Yes," Celestia said, as though reading Mei Mei's mind. "The problem with the special sacrifices is there is so little time to select them. They must be chosen within a time frame conducive to keeping them alive long enough until the ritual, and sometimes, there is no choice but to take what is available. Had Ryuto found his way to me any earlier, it would have been near impossible for his body to last until this day. Every minute is crucial. Bring me the five."
Mei Mei felt herself being propped up, her feet barely brushing the ground as she was brought closer to Wales.
Celestia examined each of them in turn. Mei Mei shuddered. It was so creepy.
Celestia paused in front of Mei Mei last, looking her over. She tapped her finger, considering. "Not quite. I've made my decision." She motioned to Hikaru. "As much as I would like to substitute to have both brothers, I'd rather watch the eldest suffer as is. His rage will not make for a perfect sacrifice."
Mei Mei watched in horror as Wales was removed from the bonds and thrown thoughtlessly to the ground. He landed in a heap, the slight rise and fall of his chest near undetectable. Hikaru screamed as she was picked up and placed on the slab. It took several henchmen to subdue her and lock her arms in the stone manacles. She flailed, kicking her legs furiously in every direction. Mei Mei winced as Hikaru kept pulling on her hands, trying to yank them free from the cuffs. Blood trickled from a small cut that formed as her skin repeatedly scraped against the stone.
Any remaining trace of warmth had completely disappeared from Ryuga's face. He looked at Hikaru, then back to where Ryuto was on the first stone, absolutely livid.
"I'm going to kill you." The words were spoken so softly, Mei Mei didn't even know if Celestia could hear them from where she stood over Hikaru. Promise filled every one of them. The danger laced in them caused the hairs on Mei Mei's arms to rise, and the threat wasn't even directed at her. If Celestia did hear, she showed no sign.
Celestia finally broke her gaze with Hikaru, glancing at her other two sacrifices before peering into the distance. A grin broke across her face.
"Excellent," she said, brimming with excitement that threatened to spill over. "The other students will be out here soon. In a mere hour the comet will make its pass. The perimeter has been set. No one will be able to go further than a mile within the boundaries of the lake. I have waited so, so long for this."
Mei Mei struggled to hold steady on her feet. Even if she got away, where could she possibly go now? Running only a mile in the dark would get her nowhere, and apparently, if Celestia was to be believed, it was a waste of time.
Mei Mei took a deep breath. She was dangerously close to panicking. The others were keeping themselves together. She had to do the same.
Across the lake, a strange whitish, vapor-like mist was beginning to rise up from the water. It shimmered, swirling into different shapes before changing its form again, never solidifying into something stable.
Celestia admired the haze. "Wonderful."
"What is that?" Madoka asked before she could stop herself.
"Those are the disembodied forms of many who have come here over the years." Mei Mei strained to wrap her head around what Celestia was saying. "Once they have been taken from their physical bodies, they lie dormant here in a purgatory state. After the comet has passed, they will finally be freed and released upward to the heavens as a sacrifice. See now how the mist is climbing to the skies, yearning for the arrival of the blessed comet."
A fuzzy notion clicked in Mei Mei's head. "Wait a minute. What about the faces in the mirror? Those were of our classmates! Are you saying this is what happened to them after you killed them?"
"Ah, yes. They are free to linger anywhere within a five-mile radius of the lake, however they can only make their presence known through a reflective surface or at the time of the ritual. I'm not surprised you saw them lurking around. While they wait to fulfill their purpose, I find they're quite… restless."
Mei Mei didn't know whether to feel excited or terrified. The latter was definitely more appealing. They'd figured out one secret of Starlight Academy that had plagued their minds for months, unfortunately it just happened to be in the most inconvenient way.
Madoka was right next to her, whispering furtively. "No wonder we always felt uneasy when we were near the lake. Think of how many people must be trapped in there…"
And mirrors. Mei Mei had gotten in the habit of brushing her hair and hoping it looked good rather than risk seeing something unpleasant.
Celestia began walking away, heading in the direction of the castle. She walked down to the edge of the lake staring at the water. Mei Mei and the others were brought down to where she stood. The water looked darker than ever, the bottom nowhere in sight.
"See?" Celestia gestured.
Mei Mei looked down at the water, instantly recoiling.
A mass of swirling faces appeared in the murky water. Most of them had looks of terror or confusion on them. As the water surged, the faces were pulled back, moving toward the center of the lake where the vapor continued to grow higher and higher into the sky as more of the forms joined it.
One of the faces opened its mouth, as though crying out for help. Mei Mei almost screamed. The face in the water had once belonged to Sophie and Madoka's original roommate, Lera.
They hadn't known Lera a day before she was gone. Once her death was lumped in with all the other disappearances, Mei Mei hadn't thought much of her individually. She'd had too much else going on to mourn someone she'd barely known. Now, she would never forget the girl's face.
Those pink pigtails lingered even as Mei Mei squeezed her eyes shut.
"It is already too late for them," Celestia murmured. "It is impossible for any of them to ever return to their physical bodies. Some of them have been here for over a hundred years."
Without another word, she resumed walking with the others at her heels. Mei Mei's mouth went dry.
A hundred years. The victims of the original incarnation of Starlight Academy.
Trapped here all this time, stuck waiting for this moment. So much had changed, the world they had known long gone, yet the evil was still the same. A shiver danced down Mei Mei's spine.
Mei Mei noticed Ryuga now had two people restraining him. One of them clamped a hand over his mouth, rendering him unable to speak. His golden eyes flashed dangerously.
Mei Mei herself could barely stand on her feet. Her captor hauled her around like a ragdoll.
The sky continued to darken, almost black now. In the distance, Mei Mei heard several cries. They had to be from Hikaru, maybe even Sophie if her voice was still strong enough to be carried so far through the air.
To her left, Ryuga thrashed, throwing an elbow. Madoka squirmed. Still wrapped in his blanket, Chao Xin appeared to finally be returning to a healthy state. Color filled his cheeks, and he blinked, clearly trying to fight disorientation. Mei Mei wanted to call out to him, wishing she could reassure him, but her voice was nothing more than a weak whimper. It hardly mattered; there was nothing she could say that would fix this. Celestia paid little attention to any of their movements. Her focus lay wholly on the task ahead.
Mei Mei squinted. She thought she could make out movement near the castle. Shadows danced at the edge of her vision on the horizon. In a blink, they were gone. The darkness was playing tricks on her.
She took a deep breath, but it came out more like a shudder. Her throat tightened uncomfortably. A coldness that had nothing to do with the temperature settled in her chest.
Hikaru's screams were amplified in the quiet of the night, echoing horrifically not too far in the distance. Ryuga had stopped fighting, for the moment. Celestia whispered something to one of the hooded figures. Mei Mei didn't recognize the words; she had to be speaking in that unfamiliar language.
Up ahead, Mei Mei saw several shapes emerging. Soon, many more joined them. She hadn't been seeing things after all. She deflated as her heart sank lower than she thought possible. The other students were coming.