The expanse of the vast open plains caught her by surprise. She remembered arriving in this realm, where nothing but jagged peaks, deep crevices, and towering cliffs greeted her. The surface bore the scars of relentless winds, leaving behind marks of their assault. With the absence of flora and fauna, the soundscape of this place seemed to scream silence. But now, as they were about to begin their journey, Mikoto Misaka took a breath, her gaze captivated by the breathtaking scenery before her.
The lands forward had started to change, undergoing a metamorphosis into something completely different from what she had seen before arriving in the gardens. A gentle breeze carried the smell of growing sprouts of vibrant grasses, flowers, and trees. Even the scent of water seeped into the air. The once barren land had undergone a remarkable transformation and was now coming to life as if awakening from a long slumber.
"Blowing up a mountain range has its positives," whispered Little Misaka. Mikoto absently nodded in agreement. "Vita did say the rains come with the gentler winds now." Little Misaka huffed, dressed smartly, her hair pulled back and glasses perched on her nose. She wore a white pressed shirt with a blue jacket, knee-length skirt, and sensible black shoes. Looking up at one of the many big screens displaying a radar, she observed a clear sky and no signs of rain. "Nothing for a while, but who knows what the next seven days will bring," she chuckled. "Soft rains, sunshine, and gentle winds sound almost like... something, something," she said, stepping to the side and extending her hand. "And that's the weather. Now back to you, Mikoto," she winked playfully.
"Father!" Mikoto's thoughts were interrupted as her daughter's voice called out. She turned her gaze toward Maka, wearing her typical smartass smirk and holding Kea's hand. Little Misaka couldn't help but chuckle inside Mikoto's mind, "I am so telling everyone when we get back home."
"Shut up," Mikoto blushed, unable to hide her smile, as she raised her hand and waved at Maka and Kea. They donned sleek military armor resembling the house Mikoto's black and silver attire. It was Maka's favorite outfit, except when swimming. Nude was the only outfit she wore.
The armor hugged their figures, providing excellent protection without hindering their movements. Intricate silver detailing added an elegant touch to their formidable presence. Electric blue energy lines traced along the contours of the armor, emphasizing their power.
"Talk about official goodbyes and... Wow! It is true what they say about women in uniform..." Little Misaka chimed in.
"One... that is my daughter you are drooling over..." Mikoto playfully scolded.
"And two..." Little Misaka interrupted, "The other was a potential love interest!" she laughed.
Mikoto rolled her eyes, her cheeks blushing. "That is so not true," she whispered.
Maka looked up at her father, her golden amber eyes shimmering. Her gaze was warm and a touch of mystery, tinged with growing wisdom beyond her youth. She smiled, and a glint across the small clusters of dragon scales added a touch of enchantment to her expression.
"What is so not true, Father?" Maka asked with a slight tilt of her head. Her reddish-brown mane fell in lustrous waves, catching the sunlight and shimmering. Her golden amber eyes thinned, and in the narrowed slit, they swirled in delight as if she had picked up on a personal and private conversation.
"Oh, shit..." Little Misaka gasped, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "That's vampire hearing for ya," she remarked.
"It is... isn't it," Mikoto smiled.
Maka reached out, took Mikoto's hand, and attempted to pull her close, but Mikoto beat her to it. Her voice was filled with love and concern, how quickly she had accepted Maka as her daughter. and squeezed her tightly.
"Father," Maka said, falling into Mikoto's embrace. "I know this journey is important, and I know, with all my being, that you will succeed. But please promise me you'll be safe and return to us. Don't be reckless. Don't be careless or rash... be sure and think before you..."
Mikoto loved the concern. Quickly narrowed her eyes. "What has Vita told you?" Mikoto pressed her lips tightly together, a deep growl resonating in her voice. "Only that she has said is the absolute truth. She said she would never lie."
"What about embellishing or telling white lies?" Mikoto interrupted.
"Little white lies are okay," Maka answered, "as long as you are trying to be polite or prevent someone from getting hurt or upset."
"That usually means she's hoping not to get hurt," Little Misaka chuckled.
"Going to kill her" flashed across her mind.
Mikoto's gaze softened as she squeezed Maka tighter and let her go. A reassuring smile appeared on her lips, concealing the look of want in beating Vita. "I promise, Maka," she replied with a strained but steady tone filled with affection. "I will do everything in my power to come back."
"I know you will be okay," Kea nodded and looked at Maka with her cat-like eyes gleaming. "I will protect her, and we will both be here waiting for you." She squeezed Maka's hand.
Kea, who had been the smallest of the group, now had grown to resemble her mother. She possessed the traits of Bastet—her mother, a midnight black coat, bright yellow eyes, tall, straight-to-pointed cat-like ears, and a long tail. However, Kea had unique features, with intricate shades of black, brown, and olive skin and eyes. She had a nurturing and protective nature, particularly when interacting with Maka. Kea loved music, dance, and celebrations. But she had a dark side. She was a hunter by nature. And had shown her skills many times on the hunt. So protecting Maka had become second nature to her.
"Ah... young love," Little Misaka quipped.
Mikoto, caught in a mix of wanting to stay, needing to leave, and wanting to beat Vita, nodded, her eyes glistening with tears and hope. "I will miss you both... and could you keep Vita?" she said earnestly. "If you don't, I'm not sure she will come back."
Maka quickly responded, "Oh hell, no, Father. She's definitely all yours."
"Yep, she's definitely the mature one," Little Misaka said with a chuckle.