"So, Maka," Soul said to his Meister. Maka glanced up from her book in acknowledgement, not really interested. "You know that Keshen we killed a while back? The witch?"
Maka looked up for real this time. Her olive eyes searched partner. He was leaning back casually with his feet up on the desk. "What about it?"
"I hear they found another one," he continued. "Only this one is stronger. Sounds like someone in the next class over got messed up pretty bad."
"So?" Maka pressed. "What are you saying?"
"The Keshen is rising, and it's way more powerful than the others. I hear the teachers are going to pick out their best students to train to fight against it."
"That's… insane," Maka said, facing her book once more.
"We'll be training outside with the other classes today," Stein said monotonously, wheeling into the classroom on his swivel chair. His face was deadly serious as he shifted his gaze among the students. "I suppose you all know about the Keshen attack last night?"
New Keshen; Rise of Madness or Worse?
"This Keshen doesn't have a past with Lord Death like Asura," Stein was explaining. The students formed loose groups around the schoolyard. "This is still a Pre-Keshen, but it has power against the Academy. You won't have to fight a war like the last time, but we need you all to know how to fight against it until we track it down. I've brought a trusted witch to help us train today. Bernkastel, please step forward."
The black and white-clad girl treaded out of the shadows, summoning gasps and murmurs from several people in her audience. She shifted her gaze along the arc of students and staff taciturnly.
"A witch-Keshen threatening enough that we'd need her?" Blackstar thought with distain.
"This must be worse than Soul let on," Maka said. "Who are we going up against exactly?"
"If you get hurt, she can heal your wounds with ease, so don't hold back when in combat," Stein continued. "I want you to separate into the groups you were set into last year and practice defensive tactics. If anybody gets injured, come straight to me. After that, we'll be going into more detailed skills."
The groups dispersed as they had been assigned.
"It feels a lot like last year, huh Patti?" Liz asked her sister as they transformed.
"I worry for the students," Stein was telling Bernkastel, who was sitting in the grass beside him. "I don't want them to feel as if it's a serious as last year."
"Is it?" Bernkastel inquired, matching his monotonous tone.
Stein looked at her from the corner of his eye. "We don't know that yet."
"Well, since I am the highest witch, I have a right to know everything you've figured out," Bernkastel slid her gaze to the corner of her eye as well.
"Last time I trusted a witch within the DWMA, it ended in trouble," Stein said. "But you're not like that… are you?" His tone was that of confirmation, not curiosity.
"Of course," she replied, turning her head and staring at him with her deep teal eyes.
"A pair of third-year students from Half-moon Class went on a mission," Stein began. "Only… they didn't come back. They were making their way back when another pre-Keshen—the witch—interfered. Lord Death and Spirit were watching from the Mirror, and immediately went to help them. When they got there, the students were almost dead. The Keshen was about to finish them off, but when it saw Lord Death coming, it fled."
"That's what drives most witches to become Keshens," Bernkastel said, turning to look back at the dueling students.
"What's that?"
"The fear of dying," Bernkastel whispered. "Based on what I know of the witches in that area, I think I can figure out who it is—this will help us analyze our risk and gain. Was there anything prominent about the witch? Color, attire?"
"They didn't see it," Stein replied, putting his head on his arms in defeat.
"That's unfortunate," Bernkastel said. She focused more intently on the Meisters and Weapons. "I've never had much practice with my Seals," she thought out loud.
"Seals?" Stein turned his head curiously.
"Wings made of iron and shards," she replied. "An official 'seal' of an Endless Witch. If my power is suspended, this may be the only upper hand I have."
"Interesting," Stein mumbled, turning the screw in his temple. "Do you want to keep your training sessions private?"
Bernkastel deliberated before breaking into a grin. "No, after all you've told me, you deserve some of my personal information."
"Then in that case, you can train with Maka and Soul in a little while. In the meantime, tell me about your powers being suspended."
"There's a complex 'Hold' spell," she said. "It can deter our magical abilities with correlation to the caster's strength. There used to be a game I played when I was a child called 'Grace;' it's similar to when humans play chicken."
"I was too busy dissecting organs to play such frivolous competitions," Stein countered obstinately. Bernkastel laughed darkly, her hair dancing in an unnaturally lively way. It caught Stein's eye. "I'd much like to inspect a lock of your hair, Bernkastel, if that's okay."
"No—"
"Stein, stop scaring the little girl," a blonde female chided jokingly, stepping behind them.
"Oh, hello Marie," Stein greeted. Bernkastel got to her feet and turned to see Marie and Crona behind them, possibly doing rounds to check progress. "Bernkastel, this is Marie and student Meister Crona. Crona, Marie, this is Endless Witch Bernkastel."
"Ah, yes," Marie greeted, putting her hand forward. "You're the witch I've heard so much about. I'm Miss Marie; if you need anything, just let me know, okay?"
"Okay…" Bernkastel breathed, tentatively shaking hands. Despite her haughty attitude, she was a shy greeter.
"Unless you're lost," Stein added. Marie laughed with him. Bernkastel shifted her gaze to Crona and gasped. Crona stiffened uncomfortably as he did around most people, especially witches.
"Crona, what's wrong?" Marie asked.
"Ragnarok…" Bernkastel whispered, almost too quietly for the others to hear her. "Come… show yourself."
As if responding to her near-silent command, the small, ink-black creature tore out of Crona's back. "Another witch? Aren't we done trusting those—"
"Not that it's any of your business, Ragnarok," Stein interrupted. "But Bernkastel is a sane Endless Witch."
"As if that makes her sane!" the pathetic weapon squeaked. "Endless Witches are impossibly darker than the others. Just because they aren't power-hungry doesn't mean the darkness within them is dormant."
"Another word, Ragnarok, and I will use 'Inner' to haunt your nightmares."
"Please don't," Crona whispered, cringing. Bernkastel laughed.
"You're so cute when you're innocent," she muttered, looking away.
"We should go check the other groups," Marie said, taking Crona by the arm and leading him away.
Behind Bernkastel, the students gathered at Stein's command.
"Maka, Soul, Bernkastel would like to train with you using her Infinite Seals."
"Okay," Maka said, slightly nervous.
"The rest of you, I want you to watch them. If this Keshen has similar weapons, you need to be familiar with how they work."
Bernkastel cringed; she wasn't used to being around other people, and it felt weird having everyone watching her all at once like that. Nevertheless, she stepped towards Maka, pausing a few feet away. Her body was at an oddly defensive-threatening angle. In a flash of teal light, two bent iron rods holding shards of metal were protruding from the witch's back. The students steeled in excitement.
"You ready Soul?" Maka asked.
"Heck, yeah," Soul replied.
Maka drew the scythe in front of her and charged at her opponent. Bernkastel crossed her seals in front of her like a barrier and ran to meet Maka. They collided with a metal crashing sound. Bernkastel shifted one of her seals, narrowly missing Maka's face. Maka skillfully deflected her and poised herself for another attack. Bernkastel took the blow with grace, twisting and flipping in the air until she could lightly touch her feet to the ground. She grinned and took her turn, charging at Maka with her weapons poised for attack.
As the fight continued, Maka and Soul made mental notes. Bernkastel's seals were wings; flexible and aerodynamic. Her fighting style was basic, clearly premature. After a few more turns, Bernkastel's eyes began to glow supernaturally. A teal aura engulfed her and her seals vanished in a cloud of teal ashes. Holographic teal swords* appeared on either of her arms. She didn't seem to know what she was doing, but when she lunged forward, Maka wasn't ready.
"Stop it!" Crona cried, jumping inn between them. He had a black sword, Ragnarok, in his hands. He lifted the sword up defensively; Bernkastel's swords disintegrated at its touch and she snapped out of her trance. She collapsed to the cold, inviting ground, unconscious.
"Bernkastel!" Maka called.
The witch awoke sometime later in Stein's office. Maka, Soul, Blackstar, Tsubaki, Kid, Liz, Patti, and Crona were surrounding her bed, tense with apprehension. She sat up uncertainly.
"What happened?" she asked.
"We'd rather ask you the same thing," Soul said, sighing and crossing his arms. "Your seals disappeared. You became a different weapon."
"Of course," Bernkastel gasped. "The Furniture."
"The what?" Blackstar asked.
"The witch's weapons?" Maka didn't say this out loud, for fear of disturbing something within Bernkastel.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," Crona said, lowering his head. "I'm very sorry."
"It doesn't matter," she assured him. "You were only protecting your friends. Besides, I shouldn't have attacked you like that; you clearly weren't ready."
"Why is it that when she apologizes, it still sounds like she's insulting me?" Maka thought, the corner of her mouth twitching with annoyance. She looked up as Professor Stein entered the room.
"Bernkastel, Lord Death would like to speak with you," he said, not making eye contact with the others.
"He'd like to see me?" she asked. "Is he mad at me for nearly killing three of his students?"
Stein started laughing. "I don't think you need to worry about that; it's actually quite common when training."
"Of course it is," Bernkastel thought, getting to her feet.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, it's about your weapons," Lord Death said. He'd made sure that he and Bernkastel were the only ones in the room to ensure complete privacy.
"From what you know, you're not talking about my seals," Bernkastel stated. Lord Death nodded.
"Do you know why you became Furniture?" his tone became serious.
Bernkastel deliberated. It could possibly mean that this Keshen was looking for enchanted furniture, but that would also mean that it could be a previous… acquaintance of hers. She wasn't positive, so she figured she didn't technically have to share. The Death Room became quiet and soaked in red as Bernkastel replied. Captions dictated her speech.
"No."
*Her 'holographic swords' look like Kanon's weapons in Umineko.
Today's special Higurashi/Umineko reference is… going to be replaced by a special Squid Girl reference! Yay! Bernkastel's hair can move with speed, power, and agility like Squid Girl's tentacles. I just think it would be more interesting this way. Besides…
This. Is. Fanfiction!
Madness…
Sparta? xP