Chapter 80: On The Knife's Edge

Back At Alfea...

"Woah..." Selina murmured in awe as the spirits around her dissipated. The faerie slowly reached out towards the mystical crescent moon box and grasped it in her hands. "It has some strange magical energy...I wonder what it is...?" Selina pondered before she froze in place hearing someone coming. Quickly Selina used her powers to make the crystal moon vanish as Miss Faragonda and the Professor burst through the trap door above that she fell through.

"THERE SHE IS!" Miss Faragonda cried out as the two hurried over to her. "Are you alright dear!?" the headmistress asked. "Y...Yes...I think so..." Selina studdered. "But something strange happened. Ghosts suddenly rose out of the bones and attacked me...but this strange light seemed to cast away their presence..." the faerie told Miss Faragonda. "Then we don't want to linger here..." Takuna muttered before they escorted her back to the headmistress office.

"Oh, Selina...I find this all too familiar...another faerie that had a knack for getting into trouble." Miss Faragonda let out a sigh. "Really..." The professor muttered as he crossed his arms. "I believe that will do for today. "Please keep in mind Selina that a faerie must set an example for others to follow. There are rules and discipline for a reason. I highly suggest you bear that in mind dear." "Yes, Miss Faragonda." Selina frowned. "Thanks, mom. I'll keep in touch." "See that you do." Miss Faragonda smiled and hugged Takuna before she saw them off as he used the mirror and take both of them back to his house.

"Woah!" Selina gasped as she nearly tripped coming out from the mirror. "I got you." The Professor quickly caught the faerie before she could fall on her face. "Phew. Thanks." "The only thing that went well today about...things could have gone better..." Takuna sighed. "...I blew it big time...didn't I?" Selina frowned as she held her arm looking downwards at her feet. "...Well, I wouldn't go that far." The Professor told Selina.

"I mainly blame myself for opening my big mouth..." Takuna muttered as he took a seat on the couch. "All I wanted was to find my best friend...and I did sort of..." "Oh?" "Yeah. I saw Bloom in some kind of picture like a hologram and she was surrounded by five other faeries. It was REALLY cool. Bloom almost looked like a completely different person. But when I went to explore there were...one or two...mishaps..." Selina confessed. "One or two?" Takuna teased. "Mom seems to think otherwise." the professor mused.

"Ok so maybe it was more than just a few...anyways i'm starving. What do you want for dinner?" the faerie asked. "Whatever. It doesn't matter to me." "Cup Ramen it is," Selina spoke up as she walked into the kitchen and took out two instant noodle cups and placed them under hot water. "And now we play the waiting game." Selina murmured before she checked her phone. "...Uh oh..." the blonde made a face as she saw that Carlos had tried to contact her.

"I guess I forgot that I was supposed to meet him after I came back...hmm well it's still early enough I could probably make it to our usual hangout spot. Selina opened up a text box and began to type a message to Carlos before she sent it. Afterwards, the timer went off for the ramen cups. "Here you go. Dinner is served." the faerie cracked a smile and placed The Professor's dinner in front of him. "I'm going to take mine upstairs. I still have some homework I need to finish." "Alright." Takuna murmured before Selina took her instant noodles up the stairs into her room.

Her room was small but cozy with a simple bed, dresser, and desk. Most everything was painted black and purple with a few different colored salt lamps scattered about. A book about Faerie's and spell resting on her bed on top of the violet bed sheets. "Now...where did I put those notes..." Selina asked herself out loud before she began to look around her room. Finally, she spotted them on her desk in her textbook. "Thought you could hide from me did you? I don't think so." the faerie laughed softly.

"Takuna will understand if I don't say anything to him..." Selina murmured as she pulled a folded ladder out from her bed and opened her window. Carefully she made her way down to the ground and took her bike riding into the darkened streets of Gardenia. The Professor however already knew and let out a heavy sigh. "...Kids these days...now you're going to make me worry even MORE..." Takuna muttered as he took out his lighter and lit his cigarette. Slowly he inhaled it before exhaling blowing out the smoke through his lips. "...Well...she'll return eventually..." he sighed softly.

Meanwhile...

Back At Bloom's House

There seemed to be an almost deafening silence as Kaiba listened to Cellos's proposal. Yugi was seriously wondering if Kaiba was actually considering accepting the offer. "Atem do you think Kaiba might actually take the deal?" Yugi asked almost in a whisper. {I'm afraid that is for Kaiba to decide...we cannot interfere with his choice...that is between Kaiba and Cellos...if he does accept then most likely it will be similar to Joey's agreement with Undine...} the Pharoah told the scarlet-eyed male.

"But...should something happen to Cellos...then it would also happen to Kaiba...even resulting in his death...that's too high of a price..." Yugi trembled at the mere thought of it. "Atem there HAS to be another way!" the scarlet-eyed male cried in desperation.{It would seem that even Kaiba himself is reluctant to accept Cellos's proposal...} Atem pointed out to his other half. Yugi looked at Kaiba's eyes filled with confliction. "You're right..." Yugi admitted softly. The ghoul pursed his lips before he began to speak.

"Hmm...perhaps you need more time to contemplate the contract Mr. Kaiba." Cellos concluded. "So be it, after all, there's no need to answer to my proposal now! Take your time." the ghoul told the CEO. Raeger slowly walked over to Kaiba. "I know the offer is quite tempting but you shouldn't be too hasty." the Guild Master advised as Kaiba turned his attention to Raeger. "Keep Bloom in mind too...your her fiance. What effects you also, in turn, affects her. Either way, your decision will have consequences...there is no easy answer to this..." the Guild Master murmured.

"...Hmm, you have a point..." Kaiba admitted with a sighed as he crossed his arms. "Right now we need to come up with a plan...I think that's a good enough place to start as any..." Raeger told Kaiba. "Come to think of it I bought a map with me!" the Guild Master exclaimed before along with the map the satin sack was pulled out along with it once again scattering on the floor. "Oh no not again..." Raeger sighed.

"WELL WELL! What do we have here!?" Cellos exclaimed as he raised his brow. "...Are those...runes...?" Yugi questioned as he blinked a few times. "Yes they are...but they're made out of gemstones," Kenshin added to the conversation. "...Great decorative rocks...just what we need..." Kaiba muttered in an annoyed manner. "And where pray tell did you happen to acquire these unique items? Hmm?" Cellos questioned.

"...Well they were given to me in a dream...a voice called out to me and told me that I could use them to restore a flame which could not conform to our world...but at the time I really wasn't exactly sure what they meant by that...but now that we've learned what's causing Bloom's ailment I believe that the voice must've been referring to her!" Raeger exclaimed. "Then can we use them to help Bloom?!" Yugi questioned. "That's precisely what I want to know..." Kaiba muttered. "You're the Guild Master of Covenant can't YOU figure it out!?" the CEO snapped. Raeger only responded with a frown.

"Well. The truth is my parents were the ones who were RuneMasters, not me. I was more interested in cooking than I was in magic...not to say that I didn't have ANY interest in it...but after they died I was the one everyone looked towards to become the new Guild Master so...I had to learn a lot all at once...but I've never seen gemstones with Runes Carved into them. So i'm afraid I don't have any knowledge which would help...but the Elder of Covenant has been around for a very long time...more than likely he would be able to lead us into the right direction. He's the previous Guild Master I spoke of earlier..." Raeger advised.

"Well, that sounds like a fine place to start as any!" Cellos exclaimed. "However there IS the matter of paying the BriarBlood sibling a little visit." the ghoul pointed out. "Obviously Bloom can't go in her condition...and we need someone to go see the Elder in Covenant...it looks like we'll have to split up again..." Yugi frowned. {I believe that is the best route to follow...} Atem agreed. "I will stay here with Bloom. She'll probably be resting for awhile anyways." Kenshin told them.

"It pretty much goes without saying that i'll have to go and see the Elder. Otherwise, it could get pretty ugly..." Raeger concluded. "Then i'm coming as well. If anyone's going to save Bloom it's going to be ME!" Kaiba exclaimed right after the Guild Master. "...Then I guess it falls to me to go to BriarBlood..." Yugi narrowed his eyes. Atem, however, couldn't help but be concerned. "We have to go under the A.O.J's radar right? Then it'll be best if just one of us goes...we won't draw as much attention than if we went in a together..." the scarlet-eyed male muttered. {...Are you certain Yugi...?} Yugi nodded.

Cellos clapped his hands together. "WELL! It looks like we have a plan! I'm certain my mistress will be pleased with this turn of events indeed! I do wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors. Do keep in mind the warnings I've given to you. I'm afraid I must sadly leave as I have another task which but of course falls upon my shoulders! Oh but don't worry i'll return shortly after to check on your progress! And of course Mr. Kaiba. I do hope that you keep an open mind to at the very least consider my offer! Ta ta!" the ghoul winked before he disappeared.

"And here I started thinking he'd never leave..." Kaiba sighed before he turned towards Kenshin. "I'm counting on you to take care of Bloom while i'm gone...but mark my words if anything at all happens to her...I don't think I need to tell you what you'll be in for..." Kaiba warned Kenshin. "I understand. Please be careful." Kenshin responded softly before Kaiba turned back towards Raeger. "Let's get going...I hate to be kept waiting..." Kaiba told the Guild Master. "As you wish." Raeger murmured and opened up two portals. A red vortex and a white one. Yugi swallowed hard as a bead of sweat fell down the side of his face as he gazed into the blood red portal.

{The dark aura is so strong...} Atem observed as his eyes widened. Raeger slowly walked up to Yugi. "Hold out your hand for a moment." he instructed. "oh...alright..." Yugi murmured and did as the Guild Master asked. Raeger placed his finger on top of the scarlet-eyed male's palm. Slowly the Guild Master traced a Rune into Yugi's hand. It was the same symbol they had witnessed in the fire back when they entered the temple to find Undine. "It's a Rune of protection...it will help in keeping the negative energy produced by BriarBlood from affecting you...those whom are not Blood Mages tend to have their powers drained and sometimes rendered useless..." Raeger warned.

Yugi, in turn, offered a smile. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." the scarlet-eyed male told the Guild Master. "And Yugi...try to refrain from getting into trouble...you seem to always attract it..." Kaiba muttered. "I won't do anything more than try to talk to Derrith and Weldon. After all, that's all I CAN really do." Yugi told Kaiba. "Well then...best of luck...you'll probably need it..." "You too Kaiba...Raeger...be careful..." Yugi murmured as they both faced their respective portals and entered them without hesitation. Shortly afterward Carlos entered the room with only Kenshin sitting beside Bloom. Just what exactly was going on? Before Carlos, however, could open his mouth his phone vibrated.

"Oh, what now!?" Carlos groaned before he pulled out his cell phone. The Mexican looked at the alert that read he had one new message. It was Selina whom he had tried to attempt to contact earlier. It was an invitation to meet at their favorite hang out spot Java Junkie just down the street. "...Let's see..." Carlos read her message and began to respond back and forth to Selina.

Selina: {Coffee?}

Carlos:{Sure Why Not? The Usual Place I assume?}

Selina: {Yeah, i'll be there soon. Btw it's ur treat. You know in exchange for using my notes ;P}

Carlos: {Geesh fine...i'm heading there now}

Selina: {K}

Carlos took a deepened breath before he left the room and walked over to Vanessa and Mike. "Hey, guys. I have to step out for a bit but i'll be back." Carlos told them. "Is everything alright? Any news about Bloom?" Vanessa asked worriedly. "Uh yeah...but it's complicated...to tell you the truth...I wouldn't have believed any of it...had I not seen it with my own eyes..." the Mexican's voice trailed off. "Anyways i'll be back!" Carlos exclaimed before he ran out the door and took his bike heading into the night. He couldn't shake the visions from his head. The more he thought about it the larger that knot in his stomach became. Just what was Bloom involved in anyways!? Not just her but these other people. Maybe talking to Selina would help. But he knew that this sure as hell wasn't going to be easy.

Selina parked her bike beside the coffee shop as she waited for Carlos. She propped herself up against the door holding a notebook in her hand. Her eyes turned towards the full moon. Bright and beautiful lighting up the darkness of the night. Nearby Cellos appeared hidden in the shadows the wind gently blowing against him ruffling his black and purple coak. Selina looked left and right before she manifested the Moon Crystal Puzzle into her hands. "Hmm...intriguing...VERY interesting... indeed..." the ghoul mused. "I can certainly see why my Mistress's interest peaked about this particular individual...I myself find I grow more and more interested in these people as I observe and study them..." Cellos grinned broadly.

"HEYYYY!" Carlos's voice broke the silence as Selina gasped and quickly made the Moon Crystal Puzzle vanish in thin air. "P...Phew...you know you COULD have given me more of a heads up!" Carlos pouted. "My bad. The project that i'm working with The Professor took way longer than I thought it would." "No kidding. It's almost 11:00 pm! The employees probably will give us the hairy eyeball for even coming in." "Well, you were the one who wanted to meet with me." "My mistake..." Carlos sighed. "Ugh come on!" Selina groaned as she pulled the Mexican inside Java Junkie.

"Welcome to Java Junkie can I take your order." the young woman asked. "Uh yeah...two pumpkin lattes and a bistro sandwich please..." "That'll be ten even..." the employee answered with a yawn. Carlos took out a few bills and placed them on the counter before they waited at the table situated nearby. It only too a few minutes before their coffee was delivered. There were only a few people actually in the cafe mainly students studying and a few friends hanging out. Carlos wasted no time tears off the plastic standing in the way from him and his dinner. Taking two large bites he stuffed his cheeks till they were about ready to burst as Selina waited patiently for her coffee to cool off a bit.

"Oh here's the notes you wanted," Selina told Carlos as she placed the notebook in her hand in front of him. "Oh right! Thanks a bunch! I thought for sure I was going to out of luck. Lucky for me you always take notes!" "Well duh. Bloom always took notes except most of them would end up on her face when she'd fall asleep in class right along with you." Selina teased. "Oh yeah there was that wasn't there?" Carlos laughed in return as he looked through the notes.

"So um you wanted to talk with me? At least that's what you told me at school. Unless of course, that was just to get my notes." Selina spoke up. "Yeah, I did...but...um..." Carlos nearly found himself hiding his tongue. Maybe he should start with something that wasn't as much as of a shock to the system. "But?..." Selina raised her brow skeptically. "Well that is...yikes!" Carlos cringed as he froze in place watching Cellos phase through the wall near the back of the cafe looking around. "...Carlos are you sure you're ok...? You're acting...odd...well odder than USUAL..." Selina asked her best friend.

"Me!? Oh yeah! Never better!" Carlos laughed nervously. "...Ok then...so you were saying?" "Huh...OH RIGHT! Yeah, Anyways I was at the Frutti Music Bar working my part-time job as usual and I found out from Klaus that Bloom had come back home to Gardenia!" Carlos exclaimed. Selina's eyes widened wide before she looked him straight in the eyes. "Are you serious Carlos!? You're sure?! You're positive it was Bloom he was talking about!?" "Yeah I know I know I found it seriously hard to believe too. But I just went to her house to visit her." the Mexican confessed as Selina narrowed her eyes.

"And you didn't even think to tell ME about it first!?" Selina cried upset. "I-I tried to call you but you wouldn't pick up!" Carlos defended himself. "...Well, that was...never mind...did you get a chance to speak to her at all?" "...Well no..." the Mexican frowned. "Actually Selina...Bloom's sick...that's why she came back..." "...Oh, no...is it...serious...?" Selina asked as her voice shook as she spoke. "...I...yes and no..." Carlos began. The words however just wouldn't come out right. And how could they?! If he told Selina the REAL truth she'd probably have him committed!

"A-All I know for sure is that Mike and Vanessa and REALLY worried..." Carlos told Selina as the grip tightened on the cup in front of her. "...You're hiding something aren't you..." Selina narrowed her eyes skeptically. "M-Me? N-No why would I do that?" Carlos tugged at his hoodie nervously. "...So then you deny it? Very well I know how to make you talk..." Selina muttered as she rose up from seat and slowly proceeded towards Carlos. "N-NO! Please, ANYTHING but THAT!" Carlos pleaded before Selina grabbed him with her hands. Cellos watched the scene from within the cafe. "Oh dear...it looks like Carlos has gotten himself ensnared in the black widows web." the ghoul chuckled amusedly as he picked up the coffee cup in front of him swirling the coffee around within.

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