Chapter Restructured & Expanded: 15-02-23.

CHAPTER III
Ætlimpan Bīcwide (Lost Tale)

XVII • CM Mynetdæg of Sōlmōnaþ
(The 17th Day of Cake Month, Coin Day, 900)

Within Viola's personal quarters, a discussion is taking place.

"So I'm a "HiME" that's supposed to have powers… but mine haven't awakened yet?" Natsuki peered down into the drink between her hands, seated at the central table.

Honestly, all of this is so outlandish that she's starting to believe it…!

Though, she suppose it helps that she seems to have amnesia. All she can remember is a terrible pain, deafening noise then… endless light. Natsuki's expression scrunched up, unable to ascertain whether this is truly a memory. What Viola had described in the Black Valley as well—she could not recollect that.

"That is correct. You are a HiME, which is an acronym." When her fledgling Ánhere shot her a confused look, Viola forced a smile. "It means Highly Advanced Materialising Equipment."

Natsuki unsurely nodded, fiddling with her wooden cup.

"I only know a few details." Viola warned her, stroking an index finger along the rim of her own cup. "These HiME can only be women—it is unknown why precisely, that knowledge has been lost to the ages. These HiME have the special ability to summon weapons and…" She paused.

"...and?"

"—creatures. There is an ancient festival they partake in; the HiME Carnival. What this Carnival is has unfortunately also been forgotten. Though, what we do know, is when partaking in it, their soul can sometimes wander—"

"W-wait—HiME Festival? Wandering souls?" Natsuki kept hearing she had been "found", but weren't festivals ancient traditions? How old is the HiME?

"Legend has it that the HiME ripped reality apart and created this world. Sometimes after perishing in this Carnival, a HiME's soul wanders. This is perhaps what happened to you, Natsuki."

"I don't get it at all. How would you know that I am a HiME? Queen Mashiro said something about a…" Natsuki's brow furrowed, gaze pulling to scarlet eyes. "...a mark?" She shook her head, unable to grasp this situation well.

"A red mark identifies a HiME. From what we understand, an awakening HiME has the mark elsewhere, but when their soul enters Earl, it disappears."

Yet Mashiro had quite literally demanded to show her apparent mark. Natsuki took a hesitant drink before setting the wooden cup down. "I don't get it at all." She sighs.

"A HiME—" The Arcewælcyrge continues, looking to the crown-glass window above the counters and shelves. "—becomes an Ánhere upon entering our world. Earl's reality differs greatly from other realms."

"Different? How?"

"You could say it is technology compared to magic." Viola turned back to her, smiling as she rose. Placing her now empty cup down, she approached Natsuki. "But enough of that." Rounding the table, she encouraged her: "I am sure that you have more questions, but those can wait. You are far too confused."

It's true. Natsuki is having trouble keeping up and—well… she feels frustrated.

"Do you mind if I check your wound?" Viola eased down before her, kneeling in front of her. Gently she took hold of Natsuki's white tunic, lifting her gaze to her.

"Ah—huh, no." Or yes? Either way, Natsuki found herself nodding in permission.

It's strange. Viola's tone is delicate yet commanding. Something else that Natsuki couldn't help but suspect is that she's being swayed by this woman. Whyever for? What advantage would that give Viola, unless—Natsuki peered away, her heart racing at the mental declaration.

Is Viola hiding something from her?

Unthreading the tunic, Viola examines her carefully.

Blood has seeped through the first layer of bandages. Luckily it hasn't exuded into the next layer to stain the tunic. "Have you been feeling any pain at all?"

"No… nothing." Natsuki realised she hadn't noticed anything. Unconsciously she cupped her stomach. Here she had been impaled by a weapon—she should feel agony yet she did not.

"It would be confusing to explain it right now." Viola tied her tunic back up before placing her hand upon Natsuki's shoulder. "Let us simply accept this for now." Easing away, she headed into the other room, much to Natsuki's confusion. "I will be gone for just a moment." Her voice muffled behind the partially open door.

Left in silence, Natsuki stared at the door Viola had exited through.

Earl, the HiME, an ancient festival… Her mind spiralled with such scenarios. It will take a long while for her to absorb all of this and understand it.

After a while of listless waiting, Natsuki brought her attention to the crown-glass window. What had Viola been looking at earlier? Or rather, what she wasn't looking at. All she can see is the incredibly distorted Sprites' Forest outside. This glass is awful, the circular swirls framed with lead lining. Natsuki supposed there's nothing of interest to see.

Or… that is what she would have said, for she could see the argent Moon. Beside this hazy mess is another blob—a crimson star.

Viola is yet to explain what that star is.

As though conjured by this thought, the Arcewælcyrge returned.

Within Viola's hold is a basin and towel, whilst hanging from her arm and fresh bandages. Following Natsuki's line of sight, she notices Natsuki's looking at the Moon. "Red suits it well, does it not? A few years ago it was blue."

"Blue?" Natsuki watched her kneel in front of her then place the basin beside herself. "The star had been a different colour? Why?"

"Every so often this happens, though no one knows why." Viola's scarlet gaze did not meet Natsuki's. "I will need to remove your old bandages." She cautions, guiding Natsuki's hands from her tunic. As she predicted, Natsuki looked uneasy. "Is this alright?"

It's not like she has a choice. "J-just hurry up!" Natsuki mumbled, gaze veering back to the window.

"I shall." Viola promised her.

Time sparingly fled by until eventually, Natsuki felt cool air hitting her bare skin. Not once did she regard Viola; willing her eyes to remain on the indistinct Moon outside. She hates this. Natsuki couldn't even look at her! But… who is she kidding? This woman is a complete stranger to her—of course she'd be like this.

Feeling the Arcewælcyrge's hands ghost across her skin, she stiffened. A bolt of electricity shot through her, tingling her form. "W-watch it!" She accused Viola, gaze shifting to her.

The woman is still knelt and a cloth is within her hands. Surprise momentarily etches upon Viola's face before disappearing. "I am sorry." She murmured, squeezing excess water from the sodden cloth.

Why did Natsuki feel guilty, suddenly? Her eyes veered away again, unable to think of anything else to say. Yet, Natsuki's unable to keep her mind clear of turmoil. What is this tense feeling? It is especially apparent as Viola heedfully pieced together her bandages—scarlet gaze forever vigilant.

She hardly knew this woman, yet she is being cared for so delicately.

Natsuki's teeth clenched behind sealed lips.

"...Do you feel pain when I touch here?" Viola murmured, hovering her fingertips against her wounded abdomen.

"N-no." Natsuki forced. "—Still nothing."

Good. Viola concluded her wound-care. 'Her shift into Earl is going nicely. I hope she does not go Soul Maddened.' Viola refused to reveal this information to Natsuki. Drifting her hands away from Natsuki, she stood. "I am finished." She smiled. "I suggest that you rest, Natsuki. You will overexert yourself if we push you too much."

Once Natsuki had been moved into the quarter's spare bedroom, Viola sighed by the door.

"You haven't told her what happens, have you?" Tomoe asked at the table once Viola shut the door. Standing up she went to her side. "She was impaled, Shizuru! You're pushing yourself too hard—"

"Tomoe." The Arcewælcyrge warned. "I will be fine, I promise you." She vowed.

"How do you know that? Anh sacrificed too much spiritual energy. You're doing just that—don't forget that." Tomoe stressed, feeling at a loss. Why would Shizuru be like this with Natsuki? Why on Earl is she so important? When she had become an Ánhere, sh—

"Why are not underground nor beneath the Sun." Viola captured Tomoe's shoulders, her gentle touch quieting her. "She is not dying, I promise you, I am fine."

"But why her? Why is she so important?"

Ah. Viola mulled over this exact thing as well. No, she could not explain it to Tomoe because she did not understand herself. After all… they had lost so much after Arcewælcyrge Shamrock's fall…


XVIII • DCCCXCVII Bæþdæg of Gastmōnaþ
(The 18th Night of Ghost's Month, Bath Day, 897)
The Garderobe Ruins

"There is a piece of old technology here somewhere." Arcewælcyrge Lu's voice echoed as they carefully made their way down ancient stairs. This stone staircase is brittle to the bone and the steps are steep. "It was only recently detected, so we may have a chance before it unanchors itself again."

"We should retrieve it before it gets another chance, then." Viola is closely following after Anh.

This staircase is far too long. Who knows how deep underground they were now?

"As long as we Anchor the site, it should be fine." Anh reminded her, finally taking her last step down the staircase. Here a huge chamber greeted them; transparent pillars surrounding them on all sides.

What is this place?

Anh headed towards one, resting her palm against it. There is an eroded plaque engraved upon it:

'M a - - - - r a - - - u - - , 2 6 5 - 3 - -'

The text is incredibly worn with age and only a few letters remain. Anh slid her fingers across the jagged edges, pulling her gaze towards Viola soon after. "Is this a cemetery?" She mulled aloud, stepping back from the pillar to survey the chamber.

A great deal of the Garderobe Ruins lay undiscovered—and for good reason. Danger is fraught within the Sprites' Forest, it isn't safeguarded like the Guadeloupe Province.

"Maybe…" Viola stepped beside her Arcewælcyrge, also studying the pillar. "...Maybe they were soldiers?"

"Perhaps." Anh quickly noticed that there were weapons and other gravely goods with most pillars. Were these ceremonial or real? She headed for a batch, gaze trailing along each one: A bow… ball and chain… a set of claws… sais… No matter. "Well! We should find that technology." She shifted her demeanour, throwing Viola a casual smile.

"Hm." Viola agreed, following after her. Yet… her brow furrowed as she stared at her Arcewælcyrge's back. Something felt wrong—deadly wrong. It just doesn't feel right down here. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what it is. S-should she say something? "Anh, I th—"

Somehow, bygone lights snapped on along the ceiling they strode beneath.

"How would the power still be running down here…?" Anh questioned, feeling an unease starting to flow into her stomach. Hovering a hand behind herself, she halted Viola as she pointed out a lone light at the far end of this tunnel.

"Anh, I really think something is not ri—"

"—It isn't, no, but we must Anchor this site before it's lost forever."

They had no choice; this is the reality of the Wælcyrgan. If they do not continue Anchoring Ardour, then—well, they shall cease to be. "Imagine what we could do with all of this technology!"

That might be true, but still. They had unfortunately never managed to recover much from these Ruins. Hopefully Anh's Anchor will pick something up this time… "There is another room down that way." She reported, directing her Arcewælcyrge towards an inconspicuous door.

The lights clanged on, momentarily blinding them. In the centre of this cylindrical room is a mystifying platform. Atop it is… a statue? An increasingly eerie sensation radiated from it.

Anh is the first to warily approach it.

This foreboding slab of metal and rock wore an intricate dress and wielded a scythe. There is something horrifically wrong about this statue, they realised. Alas, because before either could react, something impossible happened.

"G-uadeloupe Suuu-rrogate System F-Failure. Energy capacity critical: Boosting energy reserves inside the F-F-Founder's Mausoleum." The statue emitted, whirling into motion. Its eyes illuminated an off-putting pink, heaving towards them.

The two could only speechlessly stare in astonishment.

Is this what they had detected from the surface, this monster—"Anh!" Viola screamed, the statue readying its deadly weapon within milliseconds.

Time froze for Viola upon witnessing what came next. In one single, fragile moment, the statue's scythe struck, slicing her Arcewælcyrge apart. Another short pulse transpired; the statue phasing from their reality.

Blood spouted akin to a fountain; droplets careening everyplace violently.

"A-Anh?" Viola dared to whisper, legs feeling like lead as she forced herself to… just… move. Suddenly, a rush hit her and she ran to her beloved Arcewælcyrge's side. "Anh?!" Falling to the elder's side, her hands crammed against the deep wound. The weapon had slashed right through Anh's gut.

T-there's no way of stopping this?!

"A-Anh!" She cried, her gentle shaking of the unresponsive woman becoming hectic.

"S-Shiz—" Anh heaved, blood pouring from her lips. "G-get out, b-before—uh… before it comes b-back."

"No! Anh, please, d-do not… do n—" Clinging onto her, Viola desperately swept Anh into an embrace. She did not care that the blood encased her clothes nor that the statue may still be here. A-all she wants is for Anh to—

"Y-you truly are my dear Ánhere." Anh smiled.

Then, just like that, her violet gaze dulled and she went limp.

A shimmering Ardour of emerald materialised around her body, wispy entrails absorbing into Viola's body.

"A-Anh…?" Viola delicately held her within her arms, eyes welling within strife, loss and panic.

Now she is the Arcewælcyrge.


Reality struck Viola again.

Without realising, she had remembered that Godforsaken day…

It seems she had headed into her personal bedroom within the quarters. Her gaze shifted to the far wall window, watching the water smash down against the glass.

Pressing a hand to her mouth, she remained still for a time. Leaning her back against the wall, trying to remove the memory.

Anh would've survived if she had stopped supporting her with spiritual energy…

Sliding both hands to her eyes, she wiped them slowly.

What is she doing? Viola hadn't a clue anymore…

From her pocket she removed a small piece of fabric. This is a piece of Anh's shredded shirt. Viola simply hadn't had the heart to throw it away. Pressing it to her lips, she inhaled the musty smell.

Ah, her scent had long since vanished, hadn't it? Sombre eyes studied it, fingertips tracing along darkened blemishes.

Her eyes welled more harshly suddenly and her shoulders shook. Sliding against the wall, she sat, sobbing quietly.

"O-oh Anh… what do I do?"

Later

Sometime later, Natsuki found herself unable to sleep.

What time is it? Gods' if she knows. Prising herself up from bed, she lumbered towards the oaken door, wincing as it creaked loudly. Hesitantly entering the quarter's communal room, she found it to be empty.

Where is Viola and Tomoe?

After a few minutes of uselessly standing around, she instead sat herself down at the table. Much to Natsuki's mild annoyance, she is feeling rather restless. Truthfully she wants to see the Palace grounds, or at least go outside. Unfortunately she had no idea where the others were. Not to mention, there's a storm still brewing.

A frustrated sigh releases from her and she immediately stands up. Heading for the window, she leant against its sill. Now, how do you open this thing…? She fiddled with its lever, discovering it's practically jammed shut.

Actually, now that she thought about it… Natsuki peered behind herself into the room. If Viola is the apparent Arcewælcyrge—whatever that is, anyway—shouldn't her quarters be…—well, better than this? Or is it that she didn't care for expensive things?

Maybe she should ask her l—

"Shizuru has business with the Queen." Tomoe abruptly entered the quarters, almost making Natsuki jump out of her skin. She eyed the latter oddly, eyes narrowing faintly. "Your name is Natsuki, right?" She asked.

"Er—ah, yeah, it is. Am I supposed to be going?"

"No. Also, you and I share her quarters." Heading over, she leaned her side into the windowsill beside Natsuki. "Though I am out most of the time on patrol."

"Your name's Tomoe?"

"It is. I believe we didn't get a proper chance to introduce ourselves." Tomoe said, offering her right hand to the fellow Ánhere. "My name is Tomoe. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Eyeing the hand for a moment, Natsuki almost hesitated before taking it. "I'm Natsuki. Good to meet you."

Upon that moment, the door opened again and Viola strode inside. The two remained still, staring at her for a moment.

"Oh?" Crimson eyes flickered between the pair's held hands. "Did I miss out on something again, Tomoe?"

"What?!" Natsuki barked, pulling straight out of Tomoe's hold. Her ears pricked upon the brunette's laughter. "What's so funny?!" She flushed, shooting her attention to Tomoe. The woman appeared just as amused, easing back against the wall.

"I jest, Natsuki." The Arcewælcyrge murmured softly. "Tomoe, Queen Mashiro has ordered we cull the wolves. It seems the maids let slip of Miya's discovery."

Of course they have. "Then what should we do? The forest is dangerous enough at night. Next week?" Tomoe suggested, moving from the wall to face Viola. "Or, I could do it alone tomorrow."

"No. I will not take that chance." In fact, Viola had a better idea. "We shall all take a trip to the forest next week." She awaited Natsuki's reaction, watching her closely. The shorter woman's eyes shot to her, and her brows furrowed. "Yes, you are included."

"But I'm injured?" How did that make sense? She'd practically be useless! Neither did she like the idea of culling animals! "Why does she want the wolves culled?"

"Their numbers have grown too large recently." Tomoe uttered. "They will become a threat if we don't do something quickly."

But still, this all felt too wrong. Natsuki frowned, covering a hand atop her wound. For a moment she stared at the floor, swapping her weight on one leg. "Fine. I will help even if I don't know how to. It's both your fault if something goes wrong."

Why was Natsuki even going along with this?