The viscous black liquid gathers in clumps around the scientist's feet, slowing his journey to a destination not even he realizes. The fluid pours from an unknown source, but continues to gather. It folds on top of itself, growing denser and denser with each new layer added. With shock, the scientist realizes the black liquid has traveled past his waist. His journey has been slowed to a standstill, but the liquid keeps pouring. It flows rapidly, and frantically he lashes out, trying to free himself. But his feet stick, frozen solid to the bottom of the river. When he tries to lift his arms, dark, seemingly possessed tendrils lash his arms and tie them back down. The river has now reached his chin, and the liquid fills his mouth, a rubbery substance that coats his lungs. The smell of blood reaches his nose, drowning out his other senses. All he can see, all he can feel, is the blood. It pours into his eyes, blinding him and ripping away his glasses. It covers his scalp, and he is completely submerged in the darkness.

A voice cries out, faintly, "Welcome to insanity, Professor Stein."

And with that, the last bit of air leaves his lungs.

Darkness has fallen.

"Good night."

His eyes reopen.

Black and white tiles stretched in all directions, sealed in by a writhing darkness on all 4 sides of the room. A faint thumping noise was resonating, causing the floor to vibrate weakly. Stein's breath turned a frosty white in the frigid air of the room. An unsettling chill settled on his bones. He stood in a disbelieving silence for a few seconds, taking in his surroundings. From the corner of the room, a sound materialized out of the darkness. The pad of bare feet on the floor approached, slowly growing louder. Stein cocked his head towards the direction of the sound, and noticed a dark silhouette pacing towards him, gliding gracefully over the tiles. The figure came to a halt in front of him, and its physical features began to become clearer.

"I knew you couldn't resist me for long, Stein. After all, your first love was, and always will be insanity," a cruel female voice called, sneering. Her face shaped itself into harsh angles, and a swath of blonde hair materialized around her head. She approached the shell-shocked man, her fingers tracing his face, drawing him in close. "Did you miss me, love?" Medusa whispered, as her face contorted into an expression of superiority. Stein shook away the shock, and pushed her back.

"It's impossible for you to have returned again, Medusa. That genie hunter should've killed you. It did, in fact. I saw it with my own eyes." Stein growled, assuming a position of defense. Electricity began to dance across his palm. Medusa threw her head back, cackling.

"I would've thought a scientist like yourself could figure out how I'm here. Are you losing your touch, Stein? Becoming soft?" Medusa mocked, a cruel smile drawn across her lips. Stein rushed forwards, smashing his fist against her chest. His hand fell right through, unbalancing him and sending him tumbling. He regained his footing, a puzzled expression on his face.

"You're a representation of my insanity, like those times before," Stein realized, "I can't hurt you. I'm virtually powerless here." He stood up straight and pulled his glasses out, allowing them to settle on the bridge of his nose.

"All I can do is wait."

Medusa smiled. "Glad you figured it out. But there's one thing you don't realize." She took another step towards him, pressing against his chest. She looked up with a sly twinkle in her eye. "This is my world. I can do whatever I want to you."

Stein's eyes widened, and he tried to frantically step back, but he was paralyzed. Medusa opened her mouth, and a small arrow-like snake crept out of the corner of her mouth. It writhed briefly, and then turned its attention to Stein. It rushed forwards, plunging into his chest, and Stein fell to the floor, hacking. His mind began to become clouded, and he closed his eyes. Seconds later, he was being rushed into the past.

Stein was in a vividly green forest. A creek swirled around his bare feet, and a faint breeze stirred his hair. It was a warm summer afternoon, and the cackling sun hung high in the sky. Spirit and himself were taking some time off of their classes, staying at a cabin they had rented on the outskirts of Death City. Spirit was inside, calling Kami Albarn, yet again. Stein had gone outside for some training. He busied himself trying to move his soul wavelength from hand to hand. He was concentrating heavily, trying to get it to circulate throughout his whole body. Suddenly, a faint giggle broke his concentration. The electricity fizzled out. Stein let out a sign of exasperation.

"Spirit, I've told you a thousand times not to interrupt me while I'm concentrating," Stein snapped. He turned around, expecting an immature protest from the young scythe. Instead, he was confronted with the sight of a teenage girl. Stein raised his eyebrows briefly, and then waved towards the cabin.

"If you're looking for my friend, he's in there. But he already has a girlfriend." Stein said, dismissively. The girl giggled, and came into clear view. She had short blonde hair with a braid down the front, and donned a black hoodie and miniskirt. She wore no shoes.

"I don't really know your friend. I just saw you playing with your soul wavelength and decided to check it out." Stein's eyes widened. How did she know about souls? He hadn't seen her at the DWMA before…

"Are you a student at the DWMA?" Stein questioned, examining her. For a brief second, a flustered look came over her. Then it passed, and she wore an unreadable expression. Stein narrowed his eyes. This girl was different. She seemed a little… off, quite like himself. "Answer my question." The girl took a step back, then spoke in a much more devious way than before, "There's no fooling you, I see. I don't actually go to the academy. I just know quite a bit about meisters and weapons. You in particular, Stein. I've been watching you for a while now. You have an incredibly strong soul wavelength. I can tell you're at the top of your class."

Stein took a cautious step back at the mention of his name. Why was she flattering him like this? Was she some kind of witch? He had never seen a witch act so…human. Still, he had to be careful. Stein ran forwards, grabbing her wrist and drawing her close. "Are you a witch?" he breathed, his voice strangely calm. The girl gave a brief smile and then shook her head. Stein released her. As soon as he did, she grabbed the back of his neck. He felt paralyzed, helpless. She leaned in close.

"You're more stupid than you come off as, aren't you?" she hissed. Her face was horribly contorted, filled with evil intent. "But still, you are one of the most powerful meisters at the DWMA. I desire that power. And I always get what I want in the end," she whispered. Then, forcefully, she steadied his head with her hands, and pressed her lips against his own. It didn't last long. She quickly dissolved into a storm of arrows, and flew away, into the sky. He wouldn't see her again for almost a decade, but she kept true to her promise. She did take him as her own. And now, she was trying to do the same.

Stein awoke from the past, still crouched on the ground in front of Medusa. "See?" she hissed, "You've always been mine. And I'm not about to let you leave so easily again." An arrow sprang from behind her, steadying itself towards Stein. "You will be mine. I can make sure of that." The arrow readied itself, and began to plunge downwards towards its target. Stein braced himself for the pain, knowing this might be the end.

Clank.

The arrow was deflected. In front of Stein stood the blockade that had saved his life. Marie looked down with warm brown eyes. "We're going to get out of here alive, Stein."

The battle had commenced.