Magister Negi Magi is owned by Ken Akamatsu and Kodansha Ltd. Tokyo in Japan, and by Funimation and Ballantine - DelRey in the United States, NOT by me.

Various cameos and other guests are the property of their respective owners, NOT me.

Wow! Two chapter's in two weeks! It's been a long time since that happened! I'm not sure about when chapter thirty-seven will be out, hopefully no later than mid-June, but I have another project I desperately need to work on, so it probably won't come out as fast as chapter thirty-six did.

Thanks go out to kafka'sdragon, Tkigod784, and a bit to Fionn the Otaku as well, without their encouragement, certain parts of this chapter would never have seen the light of day!

SPOILER ALERT! AU story occurring after c189.

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"Who Mourns for Adonis?"
-from: "Aphrodite and Adonis." Quoted by Kazumi Asakura in her book: "One Million Steps : A Journey to Megalo-Mesembria and the World Beyond.

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Ala Alba in the World of Magic: Tales From the Fireside.

Chapter Thirty-six: A Dove's Sacrifice. (Day Five.)

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Rounding an ash-colored hillock, two cloaked figures finally confronted the destination they had traveled across a realm of eternal twilight for over two weeks to reach. After having to constantly deal with the innumerable forms of demons, ogres, and other aggressive 'life' present in the small towns and wilds of the realm they were unwilling visitors to, the prospect that the end of their journey lay within a 'city' filled by such beings meant little to them. 'The end was near,' and woe betide anyone who tried to stand in their way now.

Pulling back his hood to reveal long black hair drawn into a ponytail, a dog-eared young man sighed with relief, even as he clenched a fist in anger. "If I ever see that old man again, I'm gonna' give him what for!"

Next to Kotaro Murakami, Negi Springfield lowered the hood of his own cloak and smiled at his friend's display of rage. "You'll either finally get your chance to fight me, or you'll have to get in line behind me, because I want the first shot at von Herrmann!"

About to step off towards the city, which ringed a dark, flat-topped massif, Kotaro noticed Negi rubbing his arms as if to relieve some dull ache. "Are you okay Negi? You said yourself that the Magia Erebea was dangerous, and you've been using it a lot lately..."

Shaking his head, Negi stopped rubbing his arms and started towards the city. "I'm fine! Let's get this over with! Even if this realm operates similarly to Master Evangeline's Resort, it's still almost time for our match!"

Watching as Negi hurried on, Kotaro wished Asuna Kagurazaka were there to keep the little mage from taking things too far. Negi might be legitimately worried about Asuna and the other girls, but he was beginning to become snappy and irritable. The only thing Kotaro could see that was different about his friend, was the constant use of Magia Erebea. Rushing forward to catch up, he matched step with Negi, then raised the hood of his cloak. "Not much longer now, huh Negi? We just need to find where the barrier's thinnest, break through, and we'll be back!"

Seeing that they were drawing closer to the Demon city, Negi raised his own hood. "Yeah... I hope everyone's okay..."

As they started to encounter other travelers, Kotaro noticed several of them giving he and Negi odd looks. Some measuring. Others curious. Fortunately Negi kept up a rapid pace, keeping the curious honest, and the threatening at bay. Nearing the massif at the city center, they found the entrance into that area loosely guarded by a group of ogres who looked like extras out of a cheap samurai movie. Taking a place in line, they waited for their chance to enter behind a group of what seemed to be tourists, but could have also been a squad of demon bureaucrats. Just as they were about to go through the open gate, a spear came down to block their path.

"Hey Dog Tribe! Is that Hoo-man yours?"

Flinging his hood back and nodding proudly, Kotaro reached out to clap Negi roughly on the shoulder. "Yep! He stoopid enough to make fight challenge he loose! Now he my servant while I travel and train!"

Stepping forward, the guard leaned down slightly to get a look at the face of the Dog-boy's pet. Servant or not, the kid furtively glanced up at him with the look of someone not fully accepting of his situation. Snorting, he turned and went back to his post. "Yoo keep him out of trouble. Not many 'round here will take very kindly to this fellow! What with them and their annoyin' summoning! I mean really! Honest Demon's and Ogres, ripped against their will from their homes, forced to fight for Hoo-mans too lazy to do their own work!"

Shrugging and nodding in understanding, Kotaro flipped his hood back up, then reached into a pocket for several items that passed for money in this realm. "Here! Thanks for tip! I not know feelings that way so strong this town!"

Snatching the gratuity from the air after the Dog boy tossed it to him, the guard took a quick look, then smiled at Kotaro and waved him and his servant on through the gate.

As they moved deeper into what was beginning to look like some kind of bazaar, Negi nudged Kotaro and gave him an amused look. "Lost to you, did I?"

Happy Negi was finally showing a little more life, Kotaro's expression became smug. "I can dream, Can't I? Besides, we wouldn't have to worry so much about being recognized if you hadn't smashed up that little market when we first got here!"

Wincing at the thought of that fight, Negi wondered how just helping a little Fox-spirit had gotten so far out of hand. Just seeing a 'kid' being chased by a bunch of bullies, he had stopped to warn the toughs off. Kotaro had tried to get him to just leave, but a punch had been thrown, and he simply reacted according to his training. In the end, the little Fox-spirit had escaped, but he and Kotaro had been forced to run away, with too many angry demons to count chasing after them. "Well, at least that kid got away, and the direction we ran in took us where we needed to go anyway."

Dodging around a few ogres, Kotaro nodded, thinking about the toughest fight they'd had as he did so. "Even though it turned out to be just a big misunderstanding, I'm glad your Taiindou technique didn't take that red-skinned broken-horns guy out! No matter that he pointed us in the right direction afterwards! If he'd been done-for, even with the help his buddies, we couldn't have handled all those frog-demons who suddenly showed up! I don't think I'll be able to look at a 'Kappa' as cute, ever again!"

Coming to a stop, Negi began trying to find some sign of the place he'd been told to look for. "Yeah, but that creature Broken-horns took out by himself in the end... I hope that was the only time I'll ever have to face him as an enemy..."

Crossing his arms, Kotaro closed his eyes and nodded. Negi was right, that guy had been tough, but there were enemies, and then there were scary enemies. In one place they'd stopped at, a Dog Tribe girl about the same age as Negi's students had latched on to him. Apparently smitten by his Pastille modified looks, she had followed him everywhere, helping he and Negi in their fights, and constantly trying to get his attention. Even when her father finally came to forcibly drag her back home, she had been confessing her love for him. Girls were crazy sometimes... fawning all over a boy like that... at least Natsumi hadn't been so silly, even if he did think she was overprotective... A low growl began in his throat as an image of the freckle-faced girl scolding him for doing such dangerous things came to mind. What was that all about anyway? A guy was supposed to protect a girl, NOT the other way around!

Finally spotting what he'd been looking for, Negi waved at Kotaro before moving off. The building they entered looked like any of the other numerous taverns they'd seen or been in since coming to the Magic World, but instead of being filled with various humans or humanoid types, this one was filled with what passed for normal in this realm; Demons, ogres, and various kinds of ghost-like spirits. Keeping their hoods up, the two of them threaded through the crowd until they finally reached the bar...

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("What a lousy day...")

Six years ago, the Human mage know as the Thousand Master had used a Lightning Axe to disperse Laharl's corporeal form during a fun little attack on a Normal World village he'd been summoned to participate in. Smashing and crushing those puny, annoying humans and their flimsy homes had been a blast. He had been about to put and end to some bawling little brat when the Thousand Master stopped him. In truth, he'd not really learned who had taken him out until reforming nearly five years later. His little sister had given him the news, berating him after she did so for letting himself get involved in the affairs of the humans.

As much as he liked Etna, her penchant for grousing was the source of his current irritation. Sure he was a lower class of demon than her, but did she have to keep harassing him about taking a job as a bouncer? Really. It was hard enough for someone in the Brute class of demons to get work anyway, one who had just been reformed more so, why wouldn't she just leave him alone?

Sitting in an out of the way corner of the tavern where he could keep an eye on anyone coming in, he spotted the two cloak covered noobs at once. Everyone else in the tavern also looked at the strangers, sizing them up for whatever reasons they might have, or quickly deciding to ignore them. He was about to do so as well when he heard two words he knew would mean trouble...

"Milk."

"Tea."

In the year since he'd come back, Laharl had never heard the tavern grow as quiet as it now did. The silence lasted for a few seconds before laughter exploded from everyone present except him and the two strangers. Hoping to keep any trouble to a minimum, he got up and went over to chase them out before someone else decided to start a fight. Reaching out as he approached, he grabbed one of the strangers and roughly turned him around. "I think ya' best move along. This tavern's just for..." As the stranger was forced back against the bar, his hood fell back, revealing a familiar face and mop of reddish-brown hair...

The only thing louder than the pounding of feet as he ran away was the deepness of his shouted warning; "I... IT'S DA' T'OUSAND MASTER!"

Silence reined once more as everyone in the tavern took another look at the person facing them from the bar. Silence, lasting but a brief moment, filled the tavern just before complete and total pandemonium reigned. A few of those present looked like they were willing to fight, but they stood no chance against the tide as the majority stampeded towards the door, emptying the tavern so fast it left the bar keeper staring in open-mouthed shock.

"Hey Negi?"

With the only sounds being a Fox-spirit sitting alone at a table sipping his drink, a dish slowly spinning to a stop in the middle of the floor, and an Cricket-demon passed out and chirping softly in the corner, Negi wondered just how wide-spread his father's reputation really was. "Yeah?"

"I mean this in a good way, but do you ever get the feeling your dad was a trouble-maker?"

Unwilling to totally discount Nagi Springfield's greatness, but certainly beginning to realize, from Evangeline's dream and other things, that there was more to the man than met the eye, Negi could only nod as a mental sweat drop rolled down the back of his head.

Turning back to the toothy, no-neck cyclopedian tavern keeper, Kotaro gave his best disarming smile. "If you don't have what we want to drink, then how about a little information. We're looking for a fellow who goes by the name of 'Wata.' Ever heard of him?"

As the tavern keeper shook his head, the sound of a chair moving drew his, Kotaro, and Negi's attention to the Fox-spirit who was the only conscious customer still present.

"Perhaps I might be of assistance to you boys?"

Displaying obvious relief, the tavern keeper pointed at the squint-eyed little Fox-spirit. "If you really want to find Wata, Oden there's the one to help you do it!"

Stoop-shouldered and harmless looking, the Fox-spirit reminded Negi of a old-man who ran an Oden cart near Mahora Academy's administration building. He was about to begin his questioning when a commotion outside the tavern's entrance caught his attention.

Sighing, the Fox-spirit turned towards the back of the tavern and started to walk away. "You two can follow me, or stay here and fight every demon out to make a name for themselves by taking out the 'Thousand Master.'"

With the increasing noise indicating quite a mob was building, trying to summon enough courage to come into the tavern and confront them, Negi glanced at Kotaro, and his friend nodded in response.

Much to the tavern keeper's relief, they followed the Fox-spirit out the back door. Now, if only that crowd didn't come in, magic spells blazing, he and his business might just survive the day after all...

Leading the way amongst the back-alleys of the bazaar, the Fox-spirit remained silent until they reached the side of the massif in the center of the city. "What brings you boys here to the Demon Realm anyway?"

Both Negi and Kotaro bristled and started to answer, but after a brief pause, Kotaro indicated with a gesture of deference for Negi to proceed.

"It's just coincidence we're here anyway! If I'd not been caught off-guard by that Count-class demon von Herrmann, we wouldn't even be here!"

Reciting a spell that lit a pair of Hitodama-like flares next to his shoulders, the Fox-spirit entered a tunnel leading into the massif. "I have a friend who likes to say this; 'There is no coincidence. Only the inevitable.' If you boys are here, then it's for a reason, whether you recognize it or not."

Growing increasingly irritated, Negi and Kotaro followed the Fox-spirit through a series of switchback tunnels that seemed to be leading towards to top of the massif. "Oden, or 'Fox-spirit,' or whatever we should call you, we didn't want to come here! We have people we needed to protect, and we don't even know if they're still okay!"

Exiting one of the tunnels, Oden lead Negi and Kotaro out into an open area and towards a closed up food cart. "And yet you are here. There must have been something you were missing, something you needed, that made your coming here inevitable." Taking out an old key, he placed it in a hole in the cart's side and turned it until there was a loud 'click!' "So then, what have you gained since coming here?"

Kotaro seemed like he was about to protest as Oden raised the side panels on the cart, but Negi waved him into silence. "Kotaro has gained confidence and pure experience, and I've become more proficient in my use of Mag... my use of magic."

Raising an eyebrow, yet somehow keeping his squint at Negi's hesitation, Oden watched him for a moment before turning his focus towards the items cooking in the cart. "Would you have gained that experience otherwise?" At a reluctant shaking of two heads, he gave a toothy, Fox-spirit grin. "See? Even if it is not the whole reason, you have still gained by being here." Taking a bowl, he quickly filled it and set it before Negi.

Pulling a small stool from the side of the cart, Negi sat down and began eating. Having learned quickly not to do so in this realm, he tried not to look too closely at whatever was in the bowl... beyond making sure it wasn't still moving... "What about helping us find this 'Wata?'"

Filling another bowl, Oden placed it before Kotaro. "All in good time. Besides, two growing boys such as yourselves can surely fight meanly while you're hungry, but you'll still fight poorly. Eat."

Finishing his bowl, Negi handed it back to Oden. "Do you know how Wata will want us to pay for his help?"

Quickly refilling the bowl, Oden handed it back and assumed a posture of deep thought. "Well, he might give you a pass this time, just for the enjoyment of seeing if you can figure out how to get back on your own first." Negi gave a leery look that was ignored as Oden reached out to take Kotaro's empty bowl. "Oh, as far as paying for things is concerned, this food is already paid for, so don't worry about it."

Finding his bowl refilled, Kotaro resumed eating while glaring at Oden. "Why are you doing this? Finding anyone so helpful in the Magic World was rare enough. Finding one in this realm has been next to impossible."

Suddenly becoming wistful, Oden kept his gaze focused on the things cooking in his cart. "Value is a relative. Things are only worth what someone is willing to sacrifice to keep or acquire them." Looking up, Oden opened both eyes and pointed at Negi with his cart's cooking sticks. "That's something you'd best keep in mind, young man."

Nodding, Negi sat his bowl down and stood up to stretch.

Having his bowl snatched away made Kotaro want to get angry, but when he saw Negi stop stretching to just stare at the sky, he stood up to join him. "What's going on? Have you seen something?"

with a thoughtful look on his face, Negi turned in a slow circle as Oden quickly closed up the food cart. Finishing, he lowered his gaze just as the two stools he and Kotaro had used were hung back in their proper place. "Just so I know, you're not Wata, are you?"

Picking up the yoke for the cart, Oden shook his head. "Goodness me no! I'm nothing like that eccentric Tanuki! The only person who really is, is the one I told you about who speaks of the inevitability of things."

As soon as Oden and his cart were out of sight, Negi turned to face Kotaro. "We're already in the arena!"

Opening his mouth to shout at Negi, Kotaro held his tongue as he began to see familiar shapes in the shadows looming around them. "When did we get here?"

Mumbling to himself for a few minutes, Negi considered several possibilities, then finally nodded and smiled at Kotaro. "It's this massif! If you accept that places close to each other in different realms will have similar appearances, then this has to be the arena! I'd bet that if we could see the whole thing in any kind of decent light, then the shape would be similar to the arena in New Ostia! If we're actually on top of the massif, then this place surely matches up with the fighting area of the main arena! The question is how to get through, and what happens after we do..."

Starting to catch Negi's excitement, Kotaro clenched his fist. "Who cares about after! Let's just get through!"

Negi shook his head. "No. After does matter. Worst case is a hole opens up that won't close. A better result would be that we break through and the hole closes up, but there's so much instability no-one will able to cross between realms again until the damage repairs itself." Kotaro started to protest again, but Negi waved him into silence. "I don't think that's so bad either. Anyway, if I'm right, then our best chance to break through the barrier separating the realms should be in this area. If we think of it as a wall or a locked door, then what's the best way to break through?"

Sighing, Kotaro shook his head. "Breaking and entering was never a forte of mine, but I'd guess some kind of hammer, or..." Now his eyes went wide as his gaze met Negi's.

"Or an axe!"

Grinning, Negi became thoughtful and started rubbing his chin. "Lightning Axe won't be strong enough... but if I combine it with something else, Jovius Tempestas Fulguriens maybe, then I should be able to break through..."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Looking up again, Negi tried to discern how far the place they now stood in extended into the darkness. "We need to find the exact center of this open area!"

After listening to Negi's instructions, Kotaro went off to carry them out. When the two of them had paced the area twice each, Negi sat down to draw several circles and lines in the dirt. He wrote out several groups of numbers that left Kotaro completely confused, then it was back to pacing again, until eventually Negi counted off a last few paces, took a step back, then made a big 'X' in the dirt where he'd just been.

Brushing the dust off his hands, Negi looked up at Kotaro. "Ready?" The Inu-Jin nodded, so Negi held out his hands as if here were holding his mage staff. "Rastel Maskil Magister..." A nimbus of energy in the shape of an axe began to form in his hands, grasping it solidly; he reared back with it into a strike-ready position. "JOVIAN AXE OF SUNDERANCE!" Bringing the lighting-axe down as hard as possible, he stuck deeply into the 'X' drawn in the dirt. There was a shattering sound of cracking glass, then an explosion of light that left the two of them covering their faces in prudent self-defense...

(-)

"And were back once more for the third match of the day, pitting the former Valkyrie Brigade members Oboe and Ocarina from Ariadne against the team from Antigone, the 'real' Valkyrie Aer Kitar and her Hu-Jin partner Raiel Taylor!

The team from Ariadne is efficient and coordinated, with years of training in the Educational City-State's premier Magical Knights unit. However, team Antigone's music-based magic and lightning-fast bird-of-prey style attacks have proved to be a potent combination!

Who will be the third team to advance to the quarterfinals on day seven?

In just a few minutes we'll find out! After that, be sure to be back in three hours for the last match of the day between Team Granicus and Team Cruitamunes!"

(-)

Though at time it seemed a lifetime ago, what Nodoka Miyazaki was about to try had its roots in events less than six months old.

Negi's explanation of his past to Asuna while in Evangeline's resort was the idea's seed, but it was the little vampire's training, as well as her own and Yue Ayase's research since coming to the Magic World, which made her realize the possibilities inherent in the Diarium Ejus.

Of course, when she explained what she wanted to try to Yue, her friend had been aghast, saying such a thing was too dangerous to even attempt. She had countered that by saying she would be careful, and would retreat at the slightest sign of danger. Their argument eventually became so heated, Anya had come over to quiet them down, saying other library patrons were starting to look annoyed.

Yue had finally told her not to do anything until they could discuss it with Negi, or until Yue could return from an errand she needed to run. Despite the objections of Collet's bodyguard, Yue had cited the need to not go anywhere alone and taken the Beagle-girl with her as the only other person capable of long distance flight. Their first stop was to be Paru's booth, they would then leave New Ostia for the Estimated Prophet so Yue could speak to Captain Adenaur.

After waiting several hours, concentrating on her regular work and hoping Negi or Yue would come back, she finally decided to at least try the spell to see if it would even work. Excusing herself from Konoka and the others, she went deeper into the library to find a quiet reading alcove.

Sitting down at an empty table, she opened the Diarium Ejus, then folded her arms and laid her forehead across both them and the open artifact.

"Patefacio prodigium ID, Asuna Cagurazaca, ut Nodoca Mijazaci, vires iter itineris illic quod sentio ut quod sedeo intus!"

With Asuna's telepathia link still open, establishing the spell was easy enough. As she expected though, there was nothing to see after pulling her spirit-self through the link except a featureless black plain, illuminated by an indistinguishable source.

Having proven that casting the spell was possible; she wasn't sure what to do next. There didn't seem to be any obvious threats, so, thinking the attempt shouldn't be wasted, she moved off in a direction that seemed 'right.' Drifting and landing, drifting and landing, with the link to her body in the library continuing to play out, she finally gave up and stopped. With not even some new variation in the color of the plain, it seemed pointless to continue.

Just as Nodoka was about to turn around, a sudden, looming presence caused her to give off a shriek of fright.

Standing before her was a person wrapped in a flowing black cloak that seemed more shadow than anything else. Taken completely off guard, she was desperately trying to remember some kind of defensive magic when the person reached up to lower the cloak's hood. Much to her relief, the face revealed was that of Asuna Kagurazaka.

"Asuna! Thank goodness! We've been so worried about you!"

With a wave of her hand, Asuna covered Nodoka with a cloak. "I'm trapped here Miss Miyazaki, so I've been looking around at different things, reminiscing, and waiting until I've been completely freed."

Though in appearance it wasn't quite the same as really being naked, Nodoka felt grateful for the opportunity to cover her spirit-self's nudity. After giving a nod of thanks, she pulled the cloak tight around her shoulders as Asuna turned away. "Negi and Kotaro are missing... Do you have any idea where they might be?"

Glancing over her shoulder, Asuna gave Nodoka a disinterested look before turning away once more. "Perhaps it is for the best he's not here anyway. Such a weak boy... it's really quite shameful that he should be of Kurt'Wa Cae Ffynnon's blood."

Asuna leapt into the void to move, leaving Nodoka wondering about her callous dismissal of Negi being missing. Not wanting to loose contact with her classmate, she leapt in pursuit. "Asuna! Where are you going?"

Without looking back, Asuna drifted down, then leapt away again. "Considering how much risk you took by trying to find me, there's something I'd like to show you."

Matching Asuna's moves, Nodoka followed in her wake until she finally stopped. As Nodoka landed, Asuna waved her hand, and the two of them were suddenly standing in the void of space. Nearly overwhelmed, she could only stare at the vista spread out all around her. A nearby, bright star seemed to be Sol. With just a bit of difficulty, she was able to recognize the misshapen forms of several constellations, and framing everything else, the broad path and uncountable stars making up the Milky Way. "A... amazing..."

With a beatific expression forming on her face, Asuna nodded in agreement. "Isn't it though?"

Asuna shifted her gaze, and Nodoka followed it to find the two of them 'standing' over a green and blue planet with two moons she didn't recognize. Before she could ask any questions, twelve points of painfully bright light flared into existence at various places across the planet's surface. Rapidly expanding outwards from those points of light were multiple waves of roiling, angry red energy which washed over each other, joined, and increased in intensity until they had covered the entire surface of the planet, leaving everything in their wake seared black.

Horrified, Nodoka didn't see Asuna spread her arms wide, making the motions of a spell as she did so. Soon, bits of green and blue appeared on the planet's surface. Mountains rose, seas filled, forests and plains grew and expanded, and creatures of all sort arose to populate everything. Eventually, because of all the maps viewed during her research, she began to recognize landmarks identifying the planet as the Magic World.

Gesturing for Nodoka to follow, Asuna dove down to the planet's surface.

Following Asuna across the planet's surface, Nodoka began to recognize common elements present in the different creation stories she was familiar with. Primitive peoples, made up of the various races she'd seen in the Magic World, were struggling to survive. A benevolent figure appeared in their midst, guiding them, helping them grow, asking only in return that they show it deferential devotion.

Over time, those the benevolent being had helped grew in wisdom and ability. Despite it's efforts to the contrary, the people began to turn away, no longer caring to give the desired deference. Saddened by this, angered at the corruption and contamination the people were heaping upon each other and their planet, the no longer benevolent being resolved to make things right once more.

Before her eyes, Nodoka watched as everything was laid to waste by the roiling waves of angry energy once more. Cities, fields, creatures, people, everything down to the tiniest innocent life was burned to ash, only to rise once more.

Seeing how thrilled Asuna seemed to be by the sight of such a callous annihilation of an entire society, Nodoka felt the cold hand of fear close around her heart. "Asuna..."

Watching as the cycle started again, Asuna's expression became enraptured. "Isn't this wonderful, Miss Miyazaki? Whenever the people no longer need their creator, it can start all over again! To be able to experience that absolute devotion of the completely dependant once more, again and again, is just indescribable!" Now her expression became dark. "Unfortunately, the last time I was careless. Two children of this world successfully challenged My Will..."

Growing increasingly worried about Asuna's verbal gaffs, Nodoka watched as the Life Giver was confronted by those it had brought into existence. Many fell in battle with that being, and also in battle with those who continued to give it their devotion. In the end though, a female Mage partnered with a male Knight, after what was every bit an epic battle, finally defeated the Life Giver by dispersing its spirit.

Red hair starting to flicker with hints of energy, Asuna turned to face Nodoka. "FINALLY... after MUCH too long, things will begin again. After all this time, things will be set right. My Will, will prevail, and everything shall return once more to the way it should be."

Finally seeing the danger for what it was, Nodoka took a step back. "WHY? Why must so much be destroyed? Why must so many lives be snuffed out? Why not just go somewhere else?"

Eyes growing wide, a wild, anticipatory smile spread across the Life Giver's face. "Because I like this planet...' Taking a step forward, the Life Giver's expression became what Nodoka could only describe as macabre. ...and because I can!"

Turning to run, Nodoka fell as the 'cloak' began wrapping her up head-to-foot like a spider encasing its prey. Struggling to breathe as it covered her face, she began to think about how a cat would play with a mouse before the kill. The Life Giver's laughter suddenly ceased, and the last thing she saw before passing out was what seemed to be a little girl, arms spread, standing between her and what in hindsight had been the Life Giver all along...

Angered by such unanticipated interference, the Life Giver allowed the fully encased form of Nodoka's still twitching spirit-self to fall to the 'ground.' "Why are you here? Your useless, unnecessary Teotanasia blood no longer has any real power or meaning in this place."

Emotionless and blank-faced, Asuna Vesperina Teotanasia fearlessly returned the Life Giver's gaze. "Until your followers complete the rituals of your summoning, that has not yet been decided. Do not forget, there is still the blood of Springfield to consider."

Unable to brush aside the little Teotanasia while still in a partially restrained state, the Life Giver moved forward to stare down at her. "It matters not. Springfield will be helpless without the blood of Teotanasia at his side." Looking back at Nodoka, a flick of a finger removed the wrappings from the trapped girl's face. "I'll spare the mind reader for now, but I'll not let her go. She'll be dead soon enough anyway."

Watching as the Life Giver faded into the ether, Asuna finally turned and knelt to place her forehead against the unconscious Nodoka's. ("If you can tell your friends nothing else, Nodoka Miyazaki, please tell them this...")

(-)

Walking up the stairs with Collet after returning from the Estimated Prophet, Yue was seized by a sudden ache. Holding her chest as the Beagle-girl worriedly hovered over her, she finally managed to recover enough to stand up. Rushing into the library she took the stairs to the upper lobby three at a time, then ran up to the table where Konoka and Anya were finishing up their work for the day, while the bounty hunter mage T'fa stood guard. "Where's Nodoka?"

Pointing back into the library bookshelves, Anya cringed slightly at Yue's outdoor voice. "She went to look something up. It's about time for Negi's match, if he ever shows up, so I was about to go find her..."

Taking off at an undignified run before Anya's 'What's wrong?' even reached her ears, Yue threaded her way through the bookshelves until she found the alcove Tsukuyomi had ambushed everyone in. Nodoka was there, slumped over the Diarium Ejus, face and one arm holding down her artifact, while the other arm hung limply at her side. "Nodoka..."

Anya and Collet's bodyguard T'fa quickly joined her. The Kit-Jin mage used a spell to check for traps, and when it indicated everything was safe, went forward to gently take Nodoka's hanging wrist between his thumb and first two fingers. "She's alive." Yue was instantly at his side, and with her help, he gently removed Nodoka from the seat and cradled the still Usa-Jin disguised girl in his arms. "What happened?"

Angry at herself for not extracting a stronger promise not to act from Nodoka, Yue faced T'fa with hot tears running down her face. "She had an idea for using a variation of the Dream Seeing spell to try and contact Asuna... I TOLD her it was too dangerous... but I let myself get in a hurry, and didn't make her swear to wait until Negi or I got back!" Grabbing the Diarium Ejus out of frustration, she glanced at the most recent entries and found herself drawn away from her friend's faintly breathing form out of pure morbid fascination over what they contained. She continued paging trough the entries to get a better idea about what had been recorded, then stopped and stared in confusion at the last entry.

T'fa coughed softly to get Yue's attention. When the girl started at the sound, he gave her a quick bow of apology. "Miss Ayase. Miss Miyazaki is okay for now, but if her spirit has been seized, we'd best get her to a place of safety until someone can figure out how to secure its release and return."

Nodding, Yue summoned a bookmark sprite to hold the spot where the latest entries started, then closed the Diarium Ejus. After reassuring the nervous Tan-Jin librarian nothing was wrong this time, she lead everyone out into the slowly lengthening shadows of the evening and back towards the brightly illuminated massif of the arena.

(-)

Blinking, Chisame Hasegawa came out of the control station for the Spiritus Electronicus and back into the 'real' world. Beside her, Chachamaru began to do the same.

"Everyone okay?"

Looking up, Chisame saw Yuuna Akashi leaning over and holding out a hand to her. "Yes, we're fine. Everything went as planned." Reaching out, she accepted the offered help. "What happened to R'th?"

Pulling Chisame to her feet, Yuuna held the slightly wavering girl steady for a moment, then bent to help Chachamaru. "Something happened with the Valkyries. Every last one of them took off like their tails were on fire. We came here after finishing our shift, so R'th asked Makie and I to keep an eye on you, then went to see if she could find out what happened."

Looking over to where Makie lay asleep on the rooms couch, Chisame gave Yuuna a look that said much about what 'keeping an eye on you' might mean.

Following Chisame's gaze, Yuuna glared at the snoozing rhythmic gymnast, then faced her exasperated classmate again. "No, really! I've been awake the whole time!" Seeing Chisame's expression slowly change to one of grudging belief, Yuuna relaxed and pointed at the wand the girl held. "Is that the thing you got from Negi? It looks like some kind of Magical Girl's wand! What does it do?"

In preparation for going after the servers in Argyre, Chisame had decided to stage a preliminary attack on the less heavily defended servers in New Ostia. Taking complete control to lock Shiori out would have been easy enough, but also impossible to conceal. However, she could insert enough partitions and firewall defenses to make any direct electronic attack against her in New Ostia prohibitively difficult. Unfortunately, she didn't have the time or recourses to block all the possible access routes into Argyre, but when a response did come, Shiori would have to use an access route other than the one Chisame had chosen. Stealth programs she'd sent out under the command of her Sprite Mice were already watching the other access routes, and should be able to give her plenty of warning. While V-Chao, Chachamaru, and the Sprite-mice held the elf-girl off, she would break into Argyre and see what she could see.

"Why don't you ask your sleepy friend? She actually helped me once during the Mars vs. Mages battle."

As Yuuna thought about doing just that, Chisame realized Makie probably wouldn't recognize the Virtual Perception Image she was using this time. Ships from the East-Asian war would represent her various large attack or sprite carrier programs, with the actual work of infiltration being done under her personal direction by Sprites and mini-programs in the form of hundreds of tiny planes, vehicles, and groups of soldiers. Something so complex would slow the speed of data transfer down considerably, but the Virtual Perception Image would be something she was familiar with, if only from history classes in school. Shiori she expected would adapt quickly enough, but being from the Magic World, her lack of familiarity, or outright fear of what she would be seeing, should mean Chisame would hold the advantage in their next battle.

Just as Yuuna took a step towards Makie, someone knocked at the door. To her credit, Makie woke up at once, but all she could do was cower behind the couch as Yuuna readied her grenade-gun and Chachamaru prepped her eye laser.

"Chisame! Hurry up and let us in!"

After scanning through several spectrums, Chachamaru nodded for her classmate to proceed. She had barely unlocked the door when it burst open and everyone from the library poured inside.

When T'fa entered carrying an unconscious Nodoka, Chisame turned towards a grim-faced Yue. "What happened?"

Shaking her head, Yue watched T'fa take Nodoka through the door leading to the suite's bedroom before looking up at Chisame. "She tried to contact Asuna. We think someone or something is holding her spirit." Seeing Chisame's disbelieving look, Yue shook her head. "That's right, you weren't there when Negi told Asuna about his past." Seeing Konoka and Anya moving to take care of Nodoka, she finally gave Chisame her full attention. "There's a kind of spell that can let you directly see the thoughts or dreams of someone else. When you use it, it's kind of like an 'out-of-body' experience." Glancing towards the bedroom again, Yue shook her head. "Like I said; It looks like Nodoka tried to contact Asuna. As far as I can tell, she encountered the Life Giver and it captured her spirit. It didn't kill her, or this would be gone."

Even considering what she was trying to do, Chisame took one look at Nodoka's Diarium Ejus and had to reach up and start rubbing her temples. "One little step... I just took one little step into this world by trying to help Professor Springfield during Mahora Fest, and look where it's brought me..."

Remembering what she'd said about dull and exciting lives as they were going to rescue Professor Springfield after falling for Chao Lingshen's trap, Yue gave Chisame a look that said she knew exactly what the bespectacled girl meant.

Surprised, Chisame forgot her planned grouse, and instead gave Yue a serious look. "Professor Springfield and Kotaro are still missing. Now someone who should have been safe is a casualty. I hope your research is done, because I don't think it would be wise for anyone to go outside the arena from here on out."

Thinking about everything that should have been finished, and about what she could access using the Orbis Sensualium Pictus, Yue slowly nodded her head. "It's possible one more trip to the library might be required, since I didn't expect any trouble when Collet and I came back. I'll let you know." Glancing around, she saw Anya come out of the bedroom. "Leave me Anya's crew. We'll review the information I've collected, and I'll take a closer look at Nodoka's Artifact. I should have a better idea about everything before you get back from Negi's match."

Now Chisame scowled. "If he shows up..."

Yue nodded. "Yes. If he shows up."

(-)

With the countdown towards the automatic forfeiture of the Granicus City team for non-appearance nearing its end, the last thing Fate Averruncus wanted was an interruption. Knowing this, Tsukuyomi entered the room he was in and stood patiently at his side before an HD viewer until her presence was acknowledged.

"Is everything ready?"

Tsukuyomi nodded. "Yes, Master Fate. King Enteofushia, your Elemental Mage, the Princess and I will depart during the concert. Everything should be ready for your arrival at the Temple of Chandika two days from now."

Though outwardly loyal to a fault, Tsukuyomi had refused the opportunity to form a Provisional Partnership. That lack of such a close connection had always given Fate reason to wonder where her real loyalty lay. Possibly with Chigusa Amagasaki, but just as likely with her obsessive desire to duel the Shinmei-Ryu Setsuna Sakurazaki... No matter really, as long as she did what he required of her, anything else was fine. "Good."

A sound of crashing glass and a flash from the HD viewer drew Fate's attention back to find Nagi Springfield and Kojirou Oogami walking across the arena towards their starting positions to the accompaniment of thunderous applause. "What happened?"

Not sure herself, Tsukuyomi watched as Nagi and Kojirou began to limber up in preparation for their fight. "I don't know, Master Fate. There was a flash and the shattering sound, and they were just standing there."

Both Nagi and Kojirou had been missing for nearly a day, Ako Izumi had worriedly confided as much to Shirabe during Damashi's morning practice. When he considered the state of the two fighter's clothes, only one solution made much sense. "Most likely they've been training somewhere, and had to use a teleportation spell to get back in time. Make sure you warn King Enteofushia that they might have such a capability."

With Fate now concentrating on the viewer, and having NOT ordered her away, Tsukuyomi decided to delay acknowledging the order so she could stay and watch the fight.

Cruitamunes Mage, a scantily clad, buxom, white-scaled Naga-type Ryu-Jin opened up with a combined barrage of Sagita and rolling ground waves designed to knock her opponents off their feet. As a measure of his own toughness, her Ministra, a simple looking kid dressed in home made pants, boots, and a fur vest, waded in with the attack to hit Kojirou the instant it passed.

Nagi just absorbed the attack, while Kojirou leapt over the ground waves and countered with a Shadow Split that went against both opponents.

Kojirou's opposite, despite his young looks, displayed enough skill and agility to defeat nearly all the attacking Shadow Clones before they could swamp him. As he turned to go after the two confronting his Magister, a figure suddenly rose from his own shadow for a strike to the back, knocking him face down into the sand of the arena floor.

Forced to divert part of her next attack as cover so her Ministra could recover, the mage from Cruitamunes gave Nagi the opening he needed. Jumping forward, he struck with a lightning axe that left the Cruitamunes Ministra, every hair on his body standing up from the effects of the attack, smoking and twitching on the floor of the arena.

Turning to the Naga-mage, Nagi calmly ignored everything she threw at him as he began forming a huge pole-arm spell in his open hands. When that was ready, he drew the blade back, then slashed forward, shattering the Naga's defenses but stopping just short of actually hitting her.

Staring into Nagi's eyes and seeing something there that didn't show on the viewer, the Cruitamunes mage bowed her head to concede defeat.

Nagi let the spell fade out and stepped back. Kojirou helped the girl's Ministra stand up, shaking his hand while doing so. There was a brief pause, and then the arena erupted in cheers. After graciously bowing to his opponent, Negi turned and led Kojirou towards the exit.

After Team Granicus was gone, and the Cruitamunes mage had helped her still dizzy partner out through their entry, work crews came out to start preparing the arena for the next performance of Damashi.

"They didn't get so much better in just a day, Master Fate."

Suddenly realizing Tsukuyomi was still beside him, Fate spared her a glance, then nodded. "Wherever they were, this has just become much more interesting." With a wave of his hand, the HD viewer shut off. Turning, he led the way out of the room. "I'll need to take a few extra precautions. I'll trust you to warn King Enteofushia appropriately."

Halting while Fate continued on, Tsukuyomi gave a slight bow. "It shall be as you wish, Master Fate."

(-)

As soon as they entered the stairs leading down to their prizefighter prep room, Negi stumbled and fell against the wall. When Kotaro reached out, concerned, he brushed the disguised Inu-Jin off. "Leave me alone!"

Shaking his head, Kotaro took a step back. "Negi, if you ask me that Magia Erebea's starting to burn you up. Are you sure you're going to be alright?"

Standing there in the shadows of the minimally lit staircase, Negi wondered if Kotaro could see any visual effects of what felt like his aura being drained away. Fighting to get himself back under control, he finally stood up and walked the remaining distance to the prep room in silence.

Yue Ayase was waiting there. She immediately signaled for them to follow and walked out. "I don't care were you've been, what matters is that you're back. Unfortunately, we've had big trouble in your absence."

With a sudden feeling of apprehension, Negi rushed to catch up with Yue. "What happened?"

Feeling personal shame, due to her own complicity in matters, Yue decided to start with the easy news. "Kasumi reported Setsuna's group was successful, they found the gate port. Unfortunately, they had to leave Kaede behind to fight that mage who tried to kill her in Megalo-Mesembria. She says there's some other trouble as well, but that they seem to be handling it." Even though she couldn't make herself face Negi, Yue could tell he was looking at her with dread over her next words. "I... um... I went out to the ship. While I was gone, Nodoka tried something I cautioned her against... she's..."

Without a word, Negi ran off down the hall, leaving Yue and Kotaro to catch up as best they could.

Looking up from her examination of the Diarium Ejus as Negi burst through the door, Chisame pointed towards her suite's bedroom. When Yue and Kotaro followed seconds later, she closed Nodoka's Artifact and stood up. "Yue. That perverted old man took the box you brought back and left, was that all right?"

Wishing the Ala Alba had some idea what Jack Rakan was up to, Yue made an affirmative nod while walking towards the bedroom. Inside, Negi restlessly stood next to the bed containing Nodoka's still form as Konoka repeated for him everything she'd discerned about the girl's condition.

Still holding the Diarium Ejus, Chisame came into the room and stood next to Yue. "HEY BRAT!"

Negi's reaction to Chisame's insult was instantaneous. He turned on her with an expression filled with worry, sorrow, and barely restrained rage.

Arms crossed, Chisame glared right back at her homeroom teacher. "Are you going to stand there feeling sorry for yourself, or are you going to try to help us figure out what the things in Nodoka's Artifact mean?"

Momentarily confused by Chisame's words, Negi finally found focus when she held out the Diarium Ejus. "Is there something there that can help us?"

Taking Nodoka's artifact from Chisame's hand, Yue stepped forward and began turning through the pages. "She confirmed that Asuna has been taken over by the Life Giver, but it seems it isn't completely free yet. There's some information that indicates the Life Giver does intend to destroy the Mundus Magicus in what seems to be a 'Life-Death-Rebirth' cycle, but it's the last two pages that are the most intriguing..."

Looking down at where Yue was pointing in the Diarium Ejus, Negi saw a picture showing Nodoka trussed up on a floor, with a young Asuna seemingly protecting her from an older, ominous looking Asuna. The words written in the Artifact seemed to indicate the two(?) Asuna's were arguing over who was in control. When Yue turned the page to show him the last entry, there was no picture, and only six words.

'My name is Asuna Vesperina Teotanasia.'

Yue could see Negi's eyes light up as soon as he read the page. "Have you realized something?"

Grinding his teeth, Negi paced briefly, then reached out to take the Diarium Ejus. "I want to read everything myself before I say anything."

(-)

Yue finished a quiet conversation with Akira Okochi just as Negi looked up from reading the Diarium Ejus a second time. "Well?"

After acknowledging Akira's bow as she excused herself, Negi turned his attention back to Yue. "Even though she managed to confirm Professor Bagera's speculations, I'm not sure what Nodoka did is worth what happened to her..." Yue began growing angry, but Negi quickly calmed her. "...except for these last two pages."

Turning to the page with two Asunas as Yue came over to stand beside him, Negi indicated the smaller girl with a tap of an index finger. "This may be Asuna from when she was rescued by my father. Since Asuna never spoke of such things, it is probably safe to speculate she underwent a memory-wipe at some point. Perhaps to protect her from herself, or some other memory we don't know about. Depending on how it was done, or if any mistakes were made, the personality of the Asuna we know may have been split-off from this younger Asuna. In that case, having the Life-Giver awakened inside her body may have revived the old personality, perhaps as some form of self-defense against being taken over, especially if our Asuna has been completely suppressed and can't defend herself."

Flipping to the next page, Negi began tapping the six words printed there. "I'm unsure about this. Why would this younger Asuna tell Nodoka an incomplete version of something we already know?"

"What if it's her 'True' name Negi?"

Looking up as Anya came to stand opposite of Yue, he saw his childhood friend had a curious look on her face as she leaned forward to examine the Diarium Ejus. "Her 'True' name?"

Nodding, Anya ran her finger along the three words making up the name. "Think about it. That Doll Master girl was able to kidnap your Miss Izumi without a fight because she knew her 'True' name. Easy enough to find out just by asking, since most people in the Normal World never bother concealing their 'True' name." Negi's look told Anya he understood her words, but was having trouble with her point. "Negi you ninny! Don't you remember I'm a fortune-teller? If someone doesn't give me their 'True' name, how could I ever divine an accurate fortune for them? If this is Asuna's real name, you should be able to use magic that takes advantage of that!"

Turing from where she had been idly watching both Negi and the Damashi concert on the HD viewer, Chisame came over and stood beside Anya. "Perhaps you could think of it like this, Professor; If this younger Asuna, or the Asuna we know is a programmed personality, then the enemy has surely protected access to that programming." Pushing back her glasses, Chisame gave everyone at the table with her a significant look. "Remember what Professor Bagera called her; 'Asuna Vesperina Teotanasia Enteofushia.' I know this is a long shot, but what if the enemy believes that to be her name? Perhaps because of something her mother did, or because of her bloodline, her 'True' name IS 'Asuna Vesperina Teotanasia!'"

Negi's expression told everyone with him he was thinking furiously. Eventually he looked up at Yue. "Maybe... Yue... didn't you say that from what you could find out, the Entelechian blood was always added to the Teotanasia? That even though it has been thinned, Asuna could probably trace her ancestry directly to Kush'Na Norista Teotanasia?"

Looking towards the room where Nodoka lay, Yue nodded. "It seems she found something very important for us after all... How do we take advantage of it?"

Chisame sighed and straightened up. "Professor, if this is like some kind of direct access code, then you're going to have to create a situation where someone potentially hostile will listen to you long enough to say this name, then give some kind of command."

Turning from Chisame, Negi gave Yue a questioning look. "If Yue and Haruna get their golem spell ready, then I should have the chance to do so."

Sighing, Yue gave Negi a thumbs-up. "It'll be ready! Just a few details and one special item left to go. We'll activate it on day seven, just before you leave for Old Ostia!"

Silence covered the table for a few seconds before Anya reached out to cover Negi's hand with her own. "We're not going home... are we...?"

Yue and Chisame starred open mouth at Anya brutally honest statement. Negi hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Unless something changes, I don't think we are. The situation at the gate port will be so dangerous, it would be irresponsible on my part to take anyone who can't fight high-level enemies with me. Too many things are going on here at the arena as well..." Sighing, Negi lowered his gaze. "Resolving the situation with Asuna takes precedence over everything else. The only other things close in importance are freeing Nodoka, Ako, Akira, and Natsumi. If we can do that, and avoid arrest, we'll retreat and try for the gate port again at the earliest opportunity..."

After watching Negi rubbing at his arms for a moment, Chisame gave a derisive snort. "You leave that 'avoiding arrest' part to me! If there's anything in Argyre proving our innocence, I'll find it! If nothing else, I'll release Asakura and Chachamaru's film and pictures all over the Mahonet! I'll make it impossible to ignore! That should get enough people asking questions that someone else might finally get a clue about that fake garbage they framed us with!"

As Chisame chuckled manically under her breath, Yue glanced towards Nodoka's room before looking Negi straight in the eye. "Professor, I'd like to point something out. Nodoka didn't activate the Telepathia Terminus before she 'went out,' now she can't."

Having become so used to the communication ability Nodoka provided in the short time they'd had it, Negi realized he'd failed to consider it wasn't there any more. "How... how will I be able to coordinate everyone on the last day now?"

Pulling herself fully erect, Chisame raised an eyebrow and gave Negi an annoyed look. "There's a little thing called 'trust,' Professor. Something you occasionally seem to lack. Perhaps you might consider giving your students their instructions, then trusting in them to carry those instruction out to the best of their abilities..."

Anya shook her head and began to wonder if flies might begin to enter Negi's slack-jaw, but he was saved from insectoid infestation by the opening of the suite's door as Kazumi, Haruna, and the Nek-Jin R'th all came in.

Waving at Negi, Kazumi walked over to him with R'th in tow, while Haruna joined those watching the concert. "Good news, Negi!" With a thumb, she pointed at R'th. "She's got bad news. Which first?"

Groaning, Negi indicated for Kazumi to proceed.

"Setsuna and her crew are safe. They made it back to the Hawk. Except for Kaede of course. Setsuna got busted up a little, but she plans to rest and GAHH!"

As if by Shundo, a chocolate-haired nurse-witch appeared and had Kazumi by the collar.

"Se-chan's hurt! How is she? Is it bad?" Letting Kazumi go, Konoka turned and grabbed Negi's hand. "Take me there right away!"

After straightening out her clothes, Kazumi reached out to put a reassuring hand on Konoka's shoulder. "As I was saying; Setsuna's all right. She said the facilities on the Hawk are good enough to take care of things. She's going to rest a bit, then try to go help Kaede."

Looking up at Chisame, Negi saw a grim expression on the hacker's face. Grinding his teeth, he turned back to Kazumi. "Tell Setsuna to stay put. We can't risk any more of our fighters before we go back to the temple... I'll... I... have to trust, that Kaede knew what she was doing..."

Looking worried, Konoka stood up and released her grip on Negi's hand.

A soft cough drew everyone's attention to R'th. "My news isn't good. Two Valkyrie Cadets went missing this afternoon in the wilds outside New Ostia..." Over by the HD viewer, there was an almost audible 'gulp' as Collet Farandole's ears and tail stood straight up. Next to Negi, Yue began coughing and gasping so much Konoka had to start slapping her back until the girl could breathe normally again. "...as I was saying, another bounty-hunter I know said she expected the Valkyrie Brigade to launch a search right away, but they didn't. All of the Valkyries went back to their ship, but that's it. If they finally do launch a search before you move, there might be trouble."

Reaching up, Negi began rubbing at his temples. "I hope nothing else goes wrong..."

At a knock on the door, everyone standing around the table looked up with dread on their faces.

Rising, 'Nagi' went over to open the door. Standing in the hallway were Mei Sakura, Cocone Fatima, and Takane Goodman, holding an unconscious Misora Kasuga.

(-)

Returning from the post concert wrap-up with Damashi, Ako Izumi entered the room she shared with Akira Okochi and Natsumi Murakami. The members of Damashi had seemed distracted when she tried to ask about the concert on day seven, so she finally dismissed herself and left. ("Everyone's tired... I can talk to them about it again tomorrow...")

Looking around the small room, Ako saw Natsumi lying sprawled in a slightly un-lady-like pose in the lower bunk, while the sound of running water told her where Akira was. Having used the washroom in Damashi's practice studio to clean up, all that was required to get ready for bed was to change into her nightshirt. After quietly prodding Natsumi into moving over, she climbed in with the curly-haired girl and lay down.

In the silence following the ceasing of Akira showering, Ako thought she heard a faint word; 'Abeat.' After the bathroom light extinguished, Akira came out clad in one towel, while vigorously drying her hair with another. In the faint illumination provided by a BlueGlow mage-light in the bathroom, it looked like the tall girl was holding a card between her teeth and grinning triumphantly.

Watching as her friend paused to place the card inside a small paper sleeve before continuing to dry her hair, Ako was surprised at the emotion she felt.

Jealousy.

Shame followed immediately as she realized her lingering resentment had more to do with a feeling of being left out than anything else. Even if she'd thought he was Nagi all this time, having everyone think she needed to be protected from the truth, as well as not being seen as worthy of their trust, still hurt.

Obviously, considering what had happened to Asuna, being Negi's... what had he called it in Granicus City? a 'Provisional Partner?' was something dangerous. Still, what was it about Akira that had made her worthy of being such? She wanted to get up and question her friend, but the energy she'd expended in the concert finally made itself felt. Closing her eyes, she relaxed, and instantly began to dream...

Lost in the desert, she had stumbled into a sand pit. Tendrils from some creature in the pit had appeared and started pulling her in. With both legs paralyzed by something the creature stung them with, she had been screaming desperately for help when Akira arrived. Just before passing out, something she could only describe as an explosion of water had occurred...

Later, in one of her rare lucid moments, she thought she'd seen water swirling around Akira, coalescing and filling up a pair of water bottles...

Other times she'd seen Akira acting strangely came to her...

Akira staring at a glass of cold tea until steam began to rise from the cup...

That time Yuuna and the others had played 'keep-away' with Negi's ring in the dorm bathhouse...

A bump and a creak intruded into the dreams, waking her instantly. In the faint light, she could see Akira climbing into the top bunk where she slept alone. Listening to her friend settling in, Ako thought about the fast, vivid dreams she'd just had and realized Akira probably did have whatever made her useful as a partner to Negi. ("I wonder if I have what it takes?") Rolling onto her side, she felt sleep approaching once more. ("I'll talk to Akira about it in the morning...")

tsuzuku.

(-)

Author's Notes:

'Honest Demon's and Ogres, ripped against their will from their homes, forced to fight for Hoo-mans too lazy to do their own work!'

Paraphrased partially from words by the character Cuervo's words in Itoh Sei's 'Monster Collection,' volume one.

Taiindou technique: Initiator for Negi's 'Rakan-Killer' from c248.

"Two growing boys such as yourselves can surely fight meanly while you're hungry, but you'll still fight poorly, so eat first."

Borrowed from a STNG fiction I once read and saved to my computer, but never seem to be able to find again unless I stumble across it. The original quote is attributed to Worf, and as best I can recall, goes as follows: "A hungry warrior fights meanly, but poorly."

'Jovian Axe of Sunderance!': Realm barrier-breaker. As described, use is only possible under certain conditions.

Nodoka's spell for trying to contact Asuna:

(Latin.)'Patefacio prodigium ID, Asuna Cagurazaca, ut Nodoca Mijazaci, vires iter itineris illic quod sentio ut quod sedeo intus!'

(English.) 'Open the portal of the ID, Asuna Kagurazaka, that Nodoka Miyazaki might journey there and perceive that which resides within.'

Chapter 37: Calm Before the Storm.