A/N hello, it's me, here at the beginning to defend myself before you come for me
some parts may be familiar to you but i just wanted to point out that they're rewritten from calypso's pov, as we've never been in her head before
for a reason now, clearly
ex dee
that's all i'll see you at the bottom
Episode 26: Queen Midas and the Golden Touch
Zaflior | Phoenix Fire Guildhall - Girl's Dormitory
Calypso's expression shifts slightly. "Is that so…what a shame." she sighs. "Have I ever told you why I wear these gloves, Emile?" Calypso asks, tugging on the skin-tight white gloves she's always wearing.
Emile scratches his head, confused with all the random questions. "No…" he trails off. "I always thought it was for some personal reason."
"You're exactly right, Em. And I'll demonstrate that reason for you in just a second, but I want you to look at this first." Calypso says, shrugging off her white jacket and rolling up the left sleeve of her top.
Emile hums, watching her curiously. "Hm…?"
Calypso smiles, giddy with excitement as she rolls her sleeve up.
It's a shame Emile has such a good heart, truly. Calypso actually kind of liked him but if he plans to stay in this shit hole of a town in this shit hole guild for the rest of his life, this is as far as their relationship goes.
"Observe." Calypso says, gesturing to her seemingly bare upper left arm.
Emile frowns confused. "I'm looking," he nods.
Calypso swipes her hand over her arm and has to hold back a laugh as she watches Emile's expression crumple.
There, clear as day, a purple Revenant Beasts mark on her upper left arm.
Calypso watches as Emile struggles to come up with a response. His face turns hopeful for a second, probably thinking that it's just a joke, but as soon as he looks back up and sees the cruel smile on Calypso's face, his expression crumples again.
She basks in the despair on Emile's face, adrenaline running through her veins as she thinks about what she's about to do next. Calypso pulls her sleeve back down and picks her jacket back up, pulling it back on.
Tears start falling down Emile's face and the urge to laugh at his heartbreak gets stronger. She was hoping to get that look from Akane the thief but despair looks just as good on Emile.
Oh well, she'll get that look on Akane's face one way or another.
Calypso hums happily as she pulls her gloves off, tucking them between her belt and skirt. She grabs the front of Emile's kimono, her giddiness increasing when the boy doesn't even have the heart to push her away or fight back. Her Magic is already at work, the parts of the kimono in her hands already turning into a beautiful gold. "I fooled all of you." Calypso says lowly to get one last look of utter defeat from Emile.
And then, she pulls Emile down into a kiss.
She pulls away when she feels enough of her Magic has worked its way through Emile and smiles coldly as he turns into a gorgeous golden statue from top to bottom.
"Goodbye, Emile." Calypso says as she pulls her gloves back on. She waits until Emile is completely gold, smiles again, and turns on her heel to head back into the main room of the guildhall as if nothing happened.
"Mmmph!"
Calypso stops instantly, narrowing her eyes.
What was that?
Calypso looks around the hall warily. "I could've sworn I checked all the rooms and they were empty…" she mutters to herself.
"CALYPSOOOOOO!"
Calypso's eyes widen when she sees Veiss quite literally appear out of thin air and Myling falling to the ground on her hands and knees behind him. He's running at her with a look of sheer rage and homicidal intent.
Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit! Calypso swears to herself. I've spent too long avoiding that woman to be caught now. If he gets me, it's over- she stops, her eyes landing on his uniquely shaped sword, Moon-something or other.
Calypso grins madly and holds out her arm, transforming it into a grotesque monster's arm with claws that look identical to Veiss' sword.
Veiss' eyes widen.
And Calypso stabs herself in the leg.
"Shit…" she winces as she drops to the ground. Calypso smirks as Veiss stops and stares at her in bewilderment. "Game on, Dregliark…" she pants, out of breath. "Come on, I dare you to hit me…" Calypso taunts. "Come on, you already stabbed poor ol' Calypso who doesn't know how to fight, what's a few more hits gonna do?" she grins through the pain.
Veiss grits his teeth and clenches his fists, staring down at her with all the hatred in his experimentally enhanced heart. "You stupid bitch." he snarls.
This should be enough to get them to hear me out and stall for time. Calypso thinks and looks behind him, the usual nervous and quiet Myling glaring at her dangerously as she picks herself back up. Nadine Septim should still be away for another couple of hours so the only problem is her.
Myling Alva, one of Phoenix Fire's S-Class Mages and one of the witnesses to what she just did.
Think, Calypso, think. How are you gonna get them to hear you out over a trusted S-Class Mage? This woman let you into her house, what can you use against her?
…Fuck me, how did I even get into this situation in the first place?
Two months ago…
Somewhere in an unknown location…
Calypso Aurelia drums her fingers against the table as she watches an enraged Yutsuko Usagi throw around the less capable Dark Mages of their guild. She sighs, bored. "This is getting old." she whines. "Why does Yutsuko even care that much about her?"
"Manami was Yutsuko's favorite toy." Hibiki Ito answers with a yawn. "And her most successful experiment. Why wouldn't she be angry that she's gone?" she says pointedly.
Calypso groans. "I mean, her experiment was a success so why can't she just replicate it?" she wonders.
Hibiki rolls her eyes. "Do you really think it's that easy to merge two people into one without making the host go crazy?" she scoffs. "Talos is classified as a success and he was the precedent used for Mana's experiment but the only thing keeping him sane is-"
"Oooo, what are we talking about here?"
Calypso and Hibiki cough when Kenji roughly shoves his head between theirs and swings his arms around their necks. "Gossip?" he grins.
Hibiki groans, glaring at him. "When will you learn that you're not wanted, Kenji Onizuka?"
"When will you learn that I don't care if I'm wanted?" Kenji says in the same tone, mocking her.
"CALYPSO, HIBIKI, KENJI, DEVLIO: FRONT AND CENTER!"
The four of them practically manifest in front of the enraged woman.
Even Kenji knows better than to get on Yutsuko's bad side.
Yutsuko lets out an angry, shaky breath, and smiles at the four. "I need each of you to head out and look for Mana. Master Raoul still says it's unwise for me to go out myself," she sneers. "You don't have to bring her back, I just need information. Got it?"
Calypso crosses her arms. "I guess." she agrees.
Hibiki shrugs. "Sure."
Devlio nods silently.
Kenji grins, "But if we do find her, do we have permission to use excessive force to bring her back?" he asks.
Yutsuko smiles dangerously. "If you break my toy, Kenji, you'll take her place." she says sweetly.
"Relax," Kenji laughs, taking a step back. "I'm not going to."
And with that, Yutsuko sent the four of them out in separate directions with instructions to come back within a month regardless of their findings.
One month ago…
In the forests just outside of Zaflior…
Calypso perks up when she hears her voice.
She hasn't heard it in several months now but there's no mistaking it.
It's just…Calypso's never heard her sound so…normal?
Understandable when Yutsuko hasn't been able to administer-
"They kidnapped my siblings and I when we were children. I…I don't remember all that much but they sold us as slaves, separating us. I only just recently escaped from who I was sold to. I'm looking for them."
…Huh?
Obviously the part about kidnapping her siblings lines up but 'only just recently escaped'? That doesn't line up with what Yutsuko told them - Mana escaped from her private residence while she was away, yes, but that was months ago.
And she said she doesn't remember all that much…shit.
Calypso knew it was a bad idea to have that person use Memory Control on her so many times.
"Come join Phoenix Fire!"
Phoenix Fire…that's the guild Finn's brother is a part of, right?
"Fuck me," Calypso mutters, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This isn't going to go well at all." she says, turning on her heel and letting Mana leave with the cute boy with blue hair.
They have her location now but if she's going to take shelter in a legal guild that's a whole other issue. And sure, Calypso probably could've taken that Phoenix Fire Mage in a fight, but with Mana missing memories that Yutsuko didn't have erased, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Who knows what she did and didn't forget?
Somewhere in an unknown location…
"I found her!"
Everyone turns to stare at Calypso when she bursts into the Revenant Beasts guildhall.
Rosalia Moore yawns, gesturing to the three Dark Mages scattered around the guildhall. "You're late, Aurelia." she says.
"At least I didn't wake up to the dead bodies of my family members." Calypso deadpans.
Rosalia flushes, sputtering at Calypso. "Wh-What? What does that have to do with anything!?"
"It means you're a bitch. Where's Yutsuko?"
Calypso and Kenji watch from behind a wall as Devlio prepares to greet the Phoenix Fire Mages that took his 'request'.
Calypso grits her teeth as she watches the look of awe on Mana's face as she steps off the train, looking around with a look of pure wonder and smiling with her new 'friends'.
Kenji raises an eyebrow. "The hell is wrong with you?" he asks.
Calypso gestures wildly at Mana and her company, "She never looked like that when she was with us!" she whines.
Kenji looks at her like that's the dumbest thing he's ever heard. "She was Yutsuko's slave, dumbass. Why in the world would she look happy to hang around us?"
Calypso fails to come up with a response.
Kenji laughs and musses up Calypso's hair. "You truly are the scum of the earth," he says with a cruel grin. "You can't stand to see her happy!" Kenji beams, almost as if he were proud. "Come on, let's get going to the forest."
Calypso groans as she comes to, the damn chain that bitch put around her finally loosening and letting her get some air.
Alright. Time to act your heart out, Calypso.
"Huuh..?" she mumbles, putting a confused look on her face as she glances between the bitch and Mana.
"In the meantime, I think we need to get her back to her brother." Mana says, still staring at the ground. "There's something else here I want to check but I'm pretty sure that's Calypso."
Damn straight I'm Calypso. And what's with the depressed look? What did I miss?
Maybe it won't be so hard to pretend to be confused.
Calypso keeps a neutral look on her face as the bitch scrutinizes her.
Maybe I should say something.
"Um, yeah I'm Calypso but I don't have a brother." Calypso says innocently. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
The bitch sighs and Calypso resists the urge to laugh at the frustrated look on her face. "Well that just makes this even more complicated. Who the fuck is Ogygia?" she wonders.
"I don't know but I promise I don't have a brother with that name." Calypso says. "No siblings at all, actually." Calypso mumbles bitterly and stands up on shaky legs when the bitch removes the chain around her.
A good thing, too. Calypso thinks. If I did have any they would've gone through what I did, too...
Calypso looks down at the pistol Finn gave her and scoffs, tossing it to the side.
"We can figure it out later." Mana says, that troubled and confused look still on her face. "We should regroup with-" she stops short, groaning and squeezing her eyes shut.
Calypso's blood runs cold.
What the hell?
She watches as Mana clutches her head with her free hand.
The bitch - someone really needs to say her name already - steps forward, a concerned look on her face.
Ugh.
"Mana? Hey, what's wr-?"
Mana opens her eyes again, this time with one blue eye and one green eye.
Calypso gulps.
That's not supposed to happen.
The b - the Phoenix Fire Mage frowns. "Mary? What are you…?"
…Mary?
Mana - Mary - Mana's body moves with incredible speed, rushing forward and kicking Calypso square in the chest, throwing her against the tree she was just freed from.
Goddamn, what the hell!?
"Don't fucking lie to us, Aurelia." what is very clearly not Mana's voice snarls, distrust and sheer hatred in her heterochromatic eyes. "Your face made me remember where I've heard your name before." she says, staring her down. "You had a front row seat to what those doctors did to Mana and I. You were a child. You were a child and you didn't cry, you didn't scream in terror, nothing like that." 'Mary' says, tears welling up in her eyes. "You laughed."
Well, I mean…it was funny.
So Mary's alive, then. Very, very interesting…
Mana's friend's eyes widen in surprise, glancing between Mary and Calypso. She stands frozen in place, unsure of what to do.
Calypso pales as Mary presses the barrel of the gun harder against her neck.
Think, Calypso, think!
"Th-That wasn't me!" she tries. "I-"
Mary cocks the gun. "Other than getting older, your face is exactly the same." she says. "Tell me why I should believe that wasn't you or I'll shoot you right now."
"It was my sis-"
"You just said you had no siblings. One more try." Mary says, a dead serious look on her face.
Fuck me and my stupid mouth. Uhhhh-
"B-Because I don't! I mean, I did-" Calypso quickly shakes her head, glancing down at the gun against her neck with a panicked look.
Damn it! Um…oh! Calypso mentally gasps, recalling the original plan Yutsuko had in mind for Mana and her siblings.
"Okay, okay. I'm the oldest of octuplets, alright? All girls." she begins. "We were kidnapped by Revenant Beasts too. They wanted to merge us to combine our Magic Power or something. My youngest sister-"
Um…oh, I can just use that story-
"-M-Maia - it's like she snapped or something under the pressure of all the stress and became...eager to get on with the merge." Calypso says darkly. "So they chose her as the host. They got through the youngest five, successfully. When it was E-Electra's turn…" she trails off, biting her lip. "Let's just say they couldn't use her after what she did to herself." she says. "That's why I said I don't have any siblings. They're all basically dead. After what Maia's done I don't consider her my sister anymore." Calypso lies through her teeth.
…
…
…
Mary's expression softens ever so slightly and Calypso resists the urge to smile that she bought her story. Mary keeps the gun against Calypso's neck as she speaks, "And what about you? You're here, not merged with this sister of yours. Why wouldn't they continue on with you?" she questions.
"By some divine stroke of luck from the Goddess, I escaped." Calypso answers simply. "I don't kn-"
"Then why were you with Kenji?"
"H-He found me. He and his friend were going to take me back but then Devlio saw you - um, Mana, in Zaflior and they set up all this as a trap." Calypso answers. "They knew she would fall for something like some guy looking for his missing family. They didn't know you were alive, Mary, that's why Kenji made me look like you. To bait her."
Not a complete lie but not the whole truth either.
Mary goes quiet. She slowly pulls the gun away from Calypso's neck. "...I'm sorry." she says, looking as downcast as Mana. "I panicked."
Calypso lets out a sigh of relief and smiles, "Hey, it's all good." she says.
Put that gun against my neck again and see what happens.
"I wouldn't trust me either if I'd gone through what you have - which I kind of did but to a lesser extent - but, um, anyways, let's start over." she says, dusts herself off, and bows slightly. "Hi, I'm Calypso Aurelia, Transformation Mage extraordinaire." she says and holds out her hand.
The Phoenix Fire Mage and Mary exchange an unsure look but nod anyways. Mary takes her hand, "Mary." she says, nodding again.
The Mage doesn't take Calypso's hand. "Akane Kumiko." she introduces herself, crossing her arms.
Bitch.
"So where are you from then? Since this job was apparently bogus, we'll take you home."
Mary nods, "It's the least we can do since you got wrapped into all this because of Mana and I." she says. "Our other teammates will understand. Probably."
Calypso pauses, "Other...teammates?" she asks.
I forgot about them.
"Yeah, they're in town investigating for clues about - well, you." Akane says. "We can just wait here for them. They're smart boys, I'm sure they've figured out that Ogygia isn't who he says he is."
Mana (now back in control), Akane, and Calypso are sitting around talking while they wait for the inevitable arrival of Veiss and Emile, as Calypso had been informed..
"-so I'm pretty sure this Ogygia guy is actually Devlio, the other Revenant Beasts Mage that was with Kenji when they captured me." Calypso says. "The way you described him sounds exactly like that creep." she says.
Mana shrugs. "It's whatever." she says, staring at the ground. "Either way, they can't hurt you now."
Calypso sighs, "Okay, what's up with you?" she asks. "You've been all depressed since I woke up chained to that tree. What happened while I was unconscious?" she asks.
Akane shoots Calypso a sharp look, "It's none of your-"
"Kenji made it seem like we were friends." Mana says dejectedly. "He knew about our birthmarks and he made it seem like him and I killing my sister together was perfectly plausible." she says.
Oh it definitely was plausible.
"What did they do to me that would make me-?"
Unfortunately, Calypso doesn't get to question Mana any further because of the sudden arrival of two new voices.
The girls share a look and stand up, putting their guards up as the voices draw closer.
A young man with pale lilac hair dressed as a jester and an armor-clad young woman with long silver hair emerge from the trees, the former dragging two tied up and gagged people behind him. They stop, looking at the girls in surprise. "Oh." the silver haired woman says. "I didn't think other people would be here…" she frowns, studying them closely. "...unless you're with them?" she asks, gesturing at their hostages.
Akane and Calypso step in front of Mana defensively - the only one with any serious injuries.
Our plan literally just succeeded, I can't have these people ruining this for me.
"We're not with anyone but each other." Akane says, glaring at them. "Who are you?" she asks.
The jester gives her a wry smile, "What, you own the forest or something Miss Crop Top?" he asks.
Akane flushes, pulling her shirt down. "Shut up. Keep your freaky green eyes off of me." she says.
Calypso's face drops. "Freaky…green eyes…?" she mumbles insecurely, Mana mumbling something along the same lines beside her.
Mana shakes it off and clears her throat, "We're with Phoenix Fire," she says, moving to stand between Akane and Calypso. She leans on Akane's shoulder, still holding her side protectively. "Who're you?" she asks, hissing as Akane moves Mana's arm around her so she can support her better.
The silver haired woman sighs in relief, "You're not Dark Mages. Good." she says.
Have I got some shocking news for you, buddy.
The woman goes on to introduce herself and explain their purpose in the forest. The man introduces himself too.
Aberrant Hydra? I don't remember having any dealings with them in the past…fuck. I already used my real name, let's just hope they don't recognize it like Mary did.
The girls introduce themselves, Calypso more hesitant than the other two, and explain what they're doing in the forest.
"I see." Luna says, observing the way Mana's cradling her side. "It would be hard to support two grown people on your own while levitating, especially with a broken rib." she says sympathetically. "You have no way to contact your friends?"
Akane shakes her head, "We were counting on them meeting us here either way the mission went." she says.
Luna nods and glances at Yuki.
Yuki pouts, "I don't want to-"
"Yuki." Luna says, giving him a scolding look.
Yuki erases his pout instantly and smiles mischievously at Luna. "Alright, alright." he says and tosses the rope he's using to drag the two Dark Mages over his head. "Just gimme some space, Luster."
Luna squeaks, "Yuki!" she whines, chasing after the rope as their hostages start wiggling away.
"What're you going to-?" Calypso starts but Yuki puts a finger against her lips as he passes by.
"Shhh. I'm gonna do it right now, don't get your panties in a twist." Yuki says, taking off his oversized jester cap and pulling it down onto Calypso's head. "Watch this for me, sweetcheeks." he says.
Don't make me take off my gloves, sweetcheeks.
Calypso huffs, pulling the cap right off and fixing her mussed up hair. "Whatever." she mumbles.
Yuki stands clear of the girls and bows. His back starts glowing a brilliant shade of gold, captivating Calypso.
Shiny…
Then a pair of strange, bat-like golden wings unfurl themselves from Yuki's back. However in place of a usual membrane there are multiple colorful, floating crystals.
Akane's eyes widen, "What the hell?" she whispers under her breath.
Mana looks just as surprised as her, "That's so cool." she gasps.
Calypso zones out, admiring the shiny, crystal membrane of his wings before he takes off with Mana and she's left alone with Akane, Luna, and Luna's two prisoners.
The three of them exchange an awkward look.
This sounds like the start of a bad joke. Calypso thinks. A girl with a temper because she refuses to admit she likes anything or anyone, a girl who's horribly uptight about rules, and a girl who's an undercover Dark Mage walk into a bar. Who's going to break first?
The answer:
"So, which one of-"
"Don't talk to me."
"Oh goodness…"
When it's Calypso's turn to be flown over to Veneto, the boy who brought Mana to Phoenix Fire is immediately up in her personal space, looking at her like she's going to give him the answer to finding world peace and talking to her.
Calypso is not amused.
Calypso is surprised to find Veiss Dregliark among their group. She couldn't quite see his face from when Kenji and her were spying on them from behind the wall but there's no mistaking it now.
Veiss Dregliark escaped a number of years ago about a month after Revenant Beasts succeeded in 'Project: Ascension'. They never found out how exactly he managed to get free but Veiss left an immense amount of destruction in his wake.
His pointy ears, sharpened teeth, sickly pale complexion, and the bandages Veiss is covered in that almost obsessively tightens at random intervals are all a result of being joined with it.
Calypso grins, passing it off as being happy at finally being freed of Devlio's and Kenji's clutches.
Who knows? While I'm here, maybe I can trigger the False God Hero into giving control to it.
When the group arrives at the infirmary Luna pointed them to, the five of them are immediately pulled into five different directions to be treated.
This, of course, is unacceptable for Calypso.
The doctors and nurses claim they want to dispel any spells Revenant Beasts may have put on her but that would in turn dispel the Magic she's using to hide her Revenant Beasts mark on her arm.
Calypso tried to tell them that she was fine but the staff insisted that that could just be what Revenant Beasts wants her to think.
In the end, they really only had themselves to blame.
Calypso sighs as she pulls her gloves back on. She dusts off the new golden statues with a frown. "I tried to tell you to leave it be." Calypso says, observing the neutral expressions on the faces of the statues.
And then, she wordlessly turns on her heel and exits the room, closing the door behind her.
After getting the Phoenix Fire Mages to agree to take her back with them and failing to get any useful information from a very jittery Phoenix Fire Mage named Myling, Calypso adds another success to her book after making it past that woman's - Nadine Septim's - mother, Theresa.
Fortunately, our information was correct. Nadine Septim will be away in Era for an indefinite amount of time and I don't have to worry about being burned alive.
The next day, later in the evening, Calypso finds herself at Mana's door.
Getting close to her is so easy it's almost funny. If only I knew what she was capable of, I could just knock her out and take her back with me right now…
Calypso sighs and shakes her head, raising a hand to knock on the door.
"Yeah?"
Calypso clears her throat and puts on her kindest tone, "Mana? It's Calypso. Can I come in?"
Calypso hears the sounds of shuffling and: "Yeah, hold on." comes Mana's voice. There's the sound of her footsteps and then Mana's in front of her, smiling at Calypso. "Hi, what's up?" she asks, stepping aside so Calypso can enter.
Gods that's still so strange. Why is she smiling so much?
Calypso shrugs as she looks around, taking in the room. "Nothing, I just haven't seen you all day." she says. She gasps and turns on her heel, beaming at Mana. "I didn't get a chance to show you yesterday-" she says. "Look look look look!" Calypso turns around again and pulls her hair up off her neck, revealing a white Phoenix Fire emblem on the back of her neck. "They have a stamp lying around in case the current Guild Master can't put the emblem on themselves. They said something about Master Nadine needing to do something to it when she gets back but I'm officially a member!" she says excitedly, turning back around and practically bouncing in place.
If I have anything to say about it, that woman will never have her hands on me again, especially around my neck.
"Congratulations." Mana says with a friendly smile and gives Calypso an odd, calculating look. "Is there something else you want to ask me?"
Calypso stops, her smile falling and a dark look crossing her face. "Ever the observant one." she mumbles under her breath. "Do you really not remember the past nine years of your life?" she asks with a frown. "Nothing at all?"
I mean, sure you were a slave and constantly abused by Yutsuko if you stepped out of line, but we had some good times too, right? What's so special about this place that you're smiling all the damn time?
Mana shakes her head. "I get bits and pieces but it's mostly just a big blank." she says. "Mary remembers more than I do though a lot of her memory is a blank as well."
"I see…"
Calypso bites her tongue. I don't get it, I don't get it at all. Why is she so happy?
"Why do you ask?"
Calypso shakes her head, "No particular reason. It's just, I remember everything my sisters and I went through with Revenant Beasts. I'm just wondering if it's a better fate to forget than to remember." she says, studying Mana closely. "What do you think?"
Are you really that happy here?
"I disagree." Mana says, going over to sit on her bed. "It's not just Revenant Beasts that's escaping my memory. My sense of time is all screwed up, I don't remember things about myself, and I don't remember my parents or my siblings all that much either. I don't even know my last name or where I came from." she says with a frown. "I'd rather remember everything - the good and the bad."
"Even if the bad made you remember that your family is dead?" Calypso says and quickly adds, "I-I'm not saying that they are, it's just a question."
…
Mana nods. "It's more painful to hold out hope and have it crushed than to just know." she says. "Do you think otherwise?"
"I'm not sure I'd like to remember my sisters last moments the way I do." Calypso says and shakes her head. "Well, that's all I wanted to ask you. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me." she says with a smile.
Mana smiles back and sits up. "No problem." she says and when Calypso is about to open her door to leave, she stops her. "Wait a minute," Mana calls.
Calypso looks over her shoulder. "Yeah?"
"What do you think of Emile?" Mana asks bluntly.
…WHAT!?
Calypso stutters, her face flushing slightly. "Wh-What are you talking about? He's an annoying flirt, that's all." she says.
Mana hums, smirking at her. "Is that really all you think? I saw that look you gave him when we were all talking with Theresa yesterday." she says.
Calypso flusters. What the hell is this? I've never - what - th-that - I was just - is it so wrong to appreciate the appearances of these people even if they're filthy guild Mages!?
Calypso huffs and rolls her eyes, opening the door. "I don't know what you're talking about." she says. "Goodnight, Mana." she says and leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.
"Goodnight Calypso."
A day or two later, Calypso is hiding in the attic of the Phoenix Fire guildhall, spying on Mana's training.
She watches Mana focus her Magic in the palm of hand a few seconds later, a sphere of Darkness appears in her hand. Mana opens her eyes, beaming when she sees a Darkness sphere growing in her hand. Mana throws the sphere up in the air and as it's coming down, she coats her foot with Darkness and shatters it with a kick, "Darkness Scatter Shot!"
Calypso raises an eyebrow. That's not good.
The initial explosion of the sphere sends Veiss and Madelaine stumbling backwards. When the explosion starts sending out projectiles of Darkness, it sends the four spectators screaming and scrambling to dodge. When they start ricocheting off the walls, however, that's when everyone starts panicking.
Mana squeaks when one of the beams scrapes her cheek. "Um, why are they doing that!?" she yells as she dodges another beam. "This isn't what I had in mind!"
Emile smiles nervously as he ducks, dodging a beam. "The enchantments on the building were doubled on this floor for obvious reasons-" Emile shouts, narrowly dodging another beam. "This happens sometimes, don't worry!"
"What do we do!?" Madelaine cries, ducking away from another beam.
"Hell if I know!" Veiss says, expertly cutting a beam in half with his sword when it comes at him.
Akane grits her teeth as she creates a four pronged chain and grapples everyone's legs, pulling them along with her as she runs out of the room. "We RUN, dumbasses!"
Once they're all safely out of the room and in an awkward body pile behind Akane, she drops the chains, setting them free, and she drops to the floor beside them. They're all out of breath from yelling and running around.
"Well," Emile speaks up, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "At least we all got a bit of training in, amirite?"
And that's how it went for the rest of the day.
Madelaine would help Mana come up with a tentative spell and if it got too out of hand, Akane would yank them all out of the room. Veiss and Emile stayed to watch and offer suggestions when Madelaine or Mana became stumped.
"So boring." Calypso yawns. "I've been watching them for days and they still haven't noticed." she says.
Well, I guess it makes sense since they're never really alone per se. There's always at least one person watching another.
"I'm done for the day." she says to herself. "I don't need to see these losers train what's rightfully ours." Calypso huffs and starts crawling towards the way she came in. She smiles when they spot the golden handprint she left behind on the hatch she used to enter the crawlspace.
Once she's outside, Calypso pulls out a Communications Lacrima Crystal from the bag she left behind and charges it up with Magic Power. She smiles when she receives an answer. "The ones who took Mana from us plan on visiting Arkcester around the same time that the Vice President plans on going after Master Xander." she reports, thinking back on the dead drop that was left for her early this morning. "What say we give him a heads up so he can collect the girls for us and get rid of those guild Mages in one fell swoop?"
The grunt relays her message and nods. "Master approves." the grunt responds. "Kenji has returned, by the way."
Calypso's smile falters. "Only Kenji? Where's Devlio?" she asks.
The grunt shrugs. "Kenji said Devlio went off on his own."
Calypso grits her teeth. "Tell Kenji I'm gonna shove that dagger of his up his ass if-"
"Is that Queen Midas?"
Calypso's eyes widen. "Devlio?"
"Move."
"Y-Yes sir-" the grunt stutters as they're shoved out of the way.
Calypso beams when Devlio's face fills the Lacrima Crystal. "Devlio!"
Devlio pulls down his mask and gives Calypso a soft smile. "Queen Midas." he says, resting his head on his hand. "How goes the mission?"
Calypso rolls her eyes. "I told you not to call me that." she says. "And I think it's going well. If Master Xander doesn't screw anything up, the girls should be back in our custody by the beginning of May." she reports. "But when all is said and done, we should visit Zaflior together!" she says excitedly. "If we ignore all the guild Mages running around here, which isn't all that much really, the town and its beaches are gorgeous - I think even you could enjoy this place!"
Devlio gives her a small smile. "Maybe one day." he says. "But focus on the girls, okay? Keep an eye on their progress - and make sure Mana and Mary don't separate. It'd be annoying to get Mana under control if that happens."
Calypso nods, giving Devlio a mock salute. "Of course." she says, flipping her hair. "What do you take me for?"
Calypso spends the next hour catching Devlio up to speed on everything that's happened and complaining about Mana. Devlio, in turn, spends the hour after that catching her up on what she's missed at Revenant Beasts.
Later in the evening, Calypso's fresh out of the shower when she receives a knock on her door.
"Yeees~?" she calls as she dries herself off.
"H-Hey! It's Emile. Um, do you have a second to talk?"
Calypso pauses.
Then, she smirks and walks over to her door. "Sure!" Calypso says cheerfully and opens the door.
"Great," Emile smiles when Calypso opens the door.
Calypso waits.
"So, um, Nov-" Emile's eyes widen when he realizes what Calypso's wearing - or rather, what she's not wearing. "O-Oh my Goddess I'm so sorry-"
Calypso laughs as Emile covers his eyes and turns around. "What's wrong?" she asks. "I thought you wanted to talk?" Calypso grins as she watches the tips of Emile's ears turn red.
"Y-Yes, but not while you're in nothing but a t-towel!" Emile says, his voice cracking.
Calypso lets out another laugh and walks back into her bathroom, leaving the door to her room open. "Come inside and talk while I get changed." she says, shutting the bathroom door behind her.
As it turns out, according to Emile and Novem, her gold statues from the infirmary had already made the news as they were on the train leaving Veneto. Emile and Novem are under the belief that Revenant Beasts sent yet another Dark Mage after herself, Mana, and Mary.
Little do they know, there's one getting changed right under the roof of their precious guild.
"O-Oh, is that so?" Calypso asks, sounding worried. "I didn't think they would find out that fast." she says and opens the bathroom door with a frown. She steps out, having changed into pajamas. "Do you think they know where we are?"
Emile scratches his cheek. "Probably. We didn't capture that Kenji guy or Ogygia - I mean, Devlio. We don't know where Revenant Beasts' base is so they could've told them what happened within minutes of them leaving our sight." he says. "Or they could have Lacrima…"
Calypso raises an eyebrow. A bit of a pessimistic view but hey, you're not wrong about that part.
With that, Emile bids Calypso a goodnight and leaves her room.
Calypso hums as she turns her lights off and throws herself into bed.
They still suspect nothing. This is too easy. she thinks to herself as she drifts off to sleep.
In the morning, a groggy Calypso wakes up to Alistair and Nelio staring down at her, one of them saying something about training.
Later on in the day, Emile asks her to come with them to Arkcester.
The day of their arrival in Arkcester eventually comes and one thing leads to another and Calypso is learning about Emile's dead guardian, his lack of a biological family history, his amnesia, and somehow all of that leads into them assisting Aberrant Hydra in their search for their missing Mage, Cole Match.
She finds herself in Soncha Kapa, the capital of Valiance and a very dangerous place for someone like her to be. Fortunately for Calypso, they spend a majority of their time in Victoria Mormo's room and hotel.
When it was time for the S-Class Mages and Rune Knights to meet up and move out, Calypso got ready to make her own move.
Well, she tried to, anyway.
She thought everything was lining up perfectly: a giant forest easy to get lost in (and easy to get ambushed in), her 'guildmates' were under the impression she had zero fighting capability, and she was consequently sent out alone to do recon.
It was perfect.
As Devlio told her the last time they spoke, he would leave her a note with an update on the situation somewhere around the village.
The second she found and read it, however, Mana showed up.
"I wonder if…Calypso?"
Shit. No time to get rid of it.
Calypso puts on a bright smile, "Mana!" she says, sitting up from the rock she's hiding behind. "I've been waiting for you to show up…where are the others?" Calypso asks, looking around with a frown.
Are they hiding?
Mana quickly explains what happens and Calypso lets out a mental sigh of relief. "I see." she says, frowning again. "Well, I haven't seen Cole come out of this side of the forest." Calypso says truthfully. "I didn't see anything light up like you said you saw either." she lies.
That was most definitely not a signal flare to let Devlio know that I'm here.
Calypso can't think of any way to explain or hide the paper in her hands since Mana clearly saw it so she shares it with her, resisting the urge to laugh as Mana goes off on a panicked tangent.
And then Mana notices her missing Earring Communications Lacrima that she took off because 'fuck that' so she makes up another lie about it falling off.
Whatever. Now to just stall for time until Devlio gets here…
Calypso ends up helping Mana evacuate the villagers into an underground shelter with a Jutsu Shiki that prevents anyone without a Phoenix Fire mark from interacting with it.
Not that it'll do much if everything goes according to plan. Devlio takes away Mana's memories again so she's back to how she was and then I let them into the shelter. Calypso smirks. It's really too easy.
Calypso nearly blows her cover when that guy they're supposed to be looking for suddenly appears behind them. She's content to let Mana do all the talking until:
"Well," Mana says, holding up her hands and counting on her fingers. "There's me and Calypso here, obviously, my best friend Akane-"
"She's not your best friend." Calypso corrects her, narrowing her eyes.
I'm more of a best friend than she is - I've known you longer and I'm one of the only people who put up with your emotionless self.
Mana pouts. "Yes she is."
Why do you like her so much!?
"Akane would disagree."
"...She doesn't need to know."
Calypso rolls her eyes. "I'm just saying, you're lying to Cole and yourself."
"She'll stop rejecting my affection and friendship one day."
Calypso scoffs. Do you even hear yourself right now?
"You saying that she's currently rejecting your affection is already saying that she's not your best friend." Calypso points out and yawns.
"...Shut up." Mana grumbles and continues filling Cole in on their mission.
Calypso's seconds away from zoning out from boredom when she hears her favorite person's voice: "-be here soon. In fact, we're already here, Mary."
The three of them turn around and Calypso beams when she sees Devlio, Hibiki, and Rosalia.
And then she remembers she's not supposed to be happy to see them and quickly fixes her face.
"Tell me, has my dear Queen Midas arrived yet?" Devlio asks. "I miss her terribly."
'Have you revealed yourself?' Calypso translates.
Cole clenches his fist. "Who the hell are these three?" he asks.
"That man is Devlio, a Dark Mage with Revenant Beasts." Mana answers. "I've never seen the girl or that woman before but I'm guessing they're with Revenant Beasts too."
"There's no one else here but us!" Calypso shouts at him. "I-"
"Is that so." Devlio says and nods subtly. "Then we have nothing left to discuss but you returning to where you belong." he says, turning his eyes towards Mana.
Mana grits her teeth and waves Calypso towards the shelter. "Calypso!"
Calypso nods. "R-Right. Be safe, Mana." she says, giving one last look to Devlio before running off to hide with the villagers.
"Although maybe you'd rather hear that from a...friendlier face." Devlio says, paying no mind to Calypso's escape and gesturing to the younger woman beside him. "Do you remember our friend Hibiki? Or is her face lost to the void that Finn's niece created in your head too?"
Hibiki doesn't say anything and just stares at Mana with a conflicted look on her face.
Calypso grits her teeth as she looks back and sees the look on Hibiki's face.
"Don't give me that shit now, Hibiki." Calypso mutters under her breath and continues running off to join the villagers in the shelter.
Calypso doesn't know how long she's sitting with them in the shelter when a rough kick suddenly causes the door to the shelter to fly open.
"Oi, I found the villagers - and Calypso. Everyone looks like they're okay."
Veiss Dregliark.
"...Yeah, whatever, I'll stay with them for now." Veiss grumbles and descends the stairs, looking around. "So, what's up?" he asks.
Calypso stays quiet as the village chief fills him in. Veiss nods and moves to take a seat on the floor next to Calypso.
Neither of them say anything until Veiss starts muttering to himself.
Or rather, to it.
Either way, Calypso finds it incredibly creepy so she clears her throat. "So, you too, huh?"
Veiss turns to look at her, confused. "Excuse me?"
"Your, um, amnesia." Calypso says, making sure to choose her words carefully and not say anything she's technically not supposed to know. "I heard that Revenant Beasts did stuff to you too." she says.
Veiss gives her a look. "Obviously." he says, pulling at his pointy ears. "I'm human. Do these look like normal human ears, Aurelia?"
Smart ass as always. Calypso thinks, looking at him calculatingly.
She raises an eyebrow when Veiss suddenly hisses "Shut up." under his breath.
Calypso bites back a grin. Body buddy not treating you well?
"Shut up shut up shut UP!"
Oooh, definitely not treating you well. Just give it control, Veiss. Wouldn't that hurt less?
Calypso unintentionally pokes the bear some more, trying to see what else Veiss remembers. "Veiss? They did it to you too, didn't they."
Calypso watches as Veiss tightens the bandages around his forehead and snaps at her.
She crosses her arms. "I know that you're obviously not talking to anyone that the rest of us can see and I heard that you were also 'treated' by Revenant Beasts." Calypso says.
Veiss scoffs and moves to tighten the bandages on either of his arms. "Well good for you, you know stuff." he says sarcastically. "But I don't have to tell you shit about what I've been through. I'm not here to make friends with you and I'm not here to make friends with Akane or Emile." Veiss says rudely and stands up. "I joined Phoenix Fire to protect people and I joined this team for Mary and Mana. Where they go, I go. And if being around them means getting along with her teammates, I'll play nice with them. But that doesn't include you."
Fucking hell, what did I do to you?
Calypso grits her teeth and stands up right with him. "What the hell have I done to you!?" she snaps. "I've known you for a month and this is the first time we've held a full conversation on our own without Emile, Mana, or Akane there."
Veiss rolls his eyes and lets out a fake laugh. "And you don't think there's a reason for that?" he says and steps close to Calypso, whispering, "I'm onto you, Calypso. And I know Akane isn't buying into your story just yet either."
…What?
Calypso steps back, a scared look on her face. "E-Excuse me?" she stutters and tries to distance herself from Veiss even more but he grabs the front of her shirt, pulling her back to him.
"Emile isn't sussing your story because he has a crush on you and Mana is just happy to 'relate' to someone else. I heard from Akane that Mary nearly shot a hole in your neck so I'm sure she's not completely buying your story just yet either and Akane is just a whole can of trust issues." Veiss whispers harshly. "But since you're still pretending to be a good person here, let me explain." he says. "I think you're full of shit, Calypso." Veiss says bluntly.
…
"Wh-What?"
"Emile has stupid romantic crap clouding his thoughts and Mana has the excuse of losing nine years of cognitive development but it's pretty fucking obvious." Veiss says. "This random sixteen year old girl-"
"I'm eighteen."
"-has a story that's nearly exactly the same as Mana's? Hers I know is true because I was with her during that time but you...out of everybody in the country and out of all the people Revenant Beasts has fucked over, you just so happen to escape around the same time as Mana and you just so happened to be found by Revenant Beasts' again and roped into their plan to get Mana and Mary back? You, of all people, who has a story oh so similar to Mana's." Veiss says. "You, some girl who has a ridiculous amount of Magic Power but doesn't know how to fight. Can't you see where I'm coming from? How suspicious that is?"
In hindsight I probably should've picked a better cover story but there was a gun to my neck. I panicked!
Calypso grits her teeth. "And you've kept these feelings to yourself for a month? Why would you let me around them without putting up a fight? It's not my fault I have sisters and it's not my fault I was born with a lot of Magic that I don't know how to use offensively." she says. "What can I do to make you trust me!?"
Doesn't that Rina girl have a bunch of Magic she can't use too? Does he treat her like this too?
Veiss smirks and pulls a knife out of the jacket draped around his shoulders. "That guy from Veneto, your fake brother, is out there. Go put a knife in his back." he says and dangles it in front of Calypso like a treat.
…
…
…
Calypso pales. "Wh-What? You want me to kill him?"
As if - out of all of my guildmates, Devlio is the one I would want to hurt the least. A-And I'm not a killer! My statues aren't dead - unless someone breaks them - the people inside are simply frozen. They don't get hungry or thirsty, they're just…paused.
Forever.
"What's wrong?" Veiss says tauntingly. "The man is a mass murderer and works for the people that murdered your precious sisters. Why wouldn't you want to kill him?" he says. "Unless...you're lying about everything and that guy is your friend or something." Veiss challenges.
What in the everloving hell is wrong with this guy?
Calypso bristles and slaps the knife out of Veiss' hand. "Don't be stupid! I've never even fought anyone and you want me to go out and kill a man?! Who cares if he deserves it? I'm not a murderer!" she snaps.
Veiss' expression drops and he stares at Calypso with a calculating look in his eyes. Calypso thinks he's about to challenge her again but he turns on his heel, heading towards the door of their shelter. "I'm going to give the others a hand outside," he says. "Your little boyfriend asked for me. I trust you can pick that knife back up and defend yourself if somebody does manage to break through these barriers?" Veiss asks and without waiting for an answer, he leaves.
Calypso grits her teeth and clenches her fists as she watches him leave.
Veiss Dregliark, the False God Hero…just wait.
You'll regret that.
Calypso wakes up to someone gently shaking her shoulder and she's visibly disappointed when it's not one of her guildmates.
Revenant Beasts guildmates, that is.
Calypso trudges out of the underground shelter and finds her way to the camp the Rune Knights set up. The first one of her 'friends' her eyes find is Emile and she almost goes up to him until she sees the head of white hair next to him.
Ugh.
She rocks on her heels, waiting for Veiss to leave. Unfortunately, he does not.
Calypso tenses as Veiss heads towards her and hardens her expression. "Listen V-"
"No, you listen." Veiss says. "I'm not going to say anything to the others about what I said to you but you're more than happy to tell them and twist my words any way you want. Like I said, I'm not here to make friends so I don't care about how they feel about me." he says lowly. "But know that I have been and will continue to watch everything you do. You can't hide anything from me. Whether you are a rat like I think you are or you're innocent like you claim to be, I'll find out for myself. The only thing I refuse to let you do is spend any more time acting like a member of this team. When we go out on another mission, you're not coming. If you try anything, I won't hesitate to kill you right there." Veiss threatens. "Are we clear?"
"Crystal." Calypso snaps. "Can I go check on my friend now or do you want to ask me to kill somebody else?"
Veiss scoffs and laughs coldly. He pushes past Calypso and walks off.
Calypso glares at him and walks towards Emile.
Emile smiles when he sees Calypso, his cheeks coloring a little. "H-Hey, Calypso!"
Oddly, a natural smile makes its way onto Calypso's face when he smiles at her and she relaxes, the anger from her encounter with Veiss disappearing.
"Hey yourself." Calypso nods. "So, what's the damage? Any new scars?"
From there, Calypso learned more than she ever wanted to about Cole Match's past and learned that the odd woman who refuses to stop smiling is the number two Wizard Saint and a Dragon Slayer.
From the way that woman, Anastasia-Ace-whatever the fuck, is looking at her, Calypso has a sinking feeling that the Wizard Saint knows what she really is: a Revenant Beasts Dark Mage.
And because of Calypso's wild heart rate, Ace knows she knows.
But why isn't she saying anything?
Calypso's heart was going crazy the entire time she was in the capital building of Soncha Kapa. She was so nervous she even found herself denying two million Jewel.
Two million.
Her. Denying money.
Goddess, Rosalia would laugh in her face.
As Ace is setting up to escort them out of the building, she puts her hand on Calypso's shoulder and Calypso has to school her expression into neutrality.
Ace's hand is burning.
"I hope to see you all back here again as real S-Class Mages, sometime!" Ace says with that ever-present smile on her face. "Let's see…" she looks around or rather, to Calypso, pretends to look around.
Then, orange eyes lock with Calypso's green.
"What did you say your name was?" Ace asks.
Calypso nearly breaks her cover again when Mana calls Akane one of those stupid nicknames she has for her.
When the group returns to Zaflior with Eira and the Silver Sabelum Mages in tow, Calypso finally gets a tour of the town.
Of course, she's paying very close attention to everything so she can use it against her current guide at a later date - but she's also having fun teasing said guide with the little Silver Sabelum guy, Kyza.
Upon news of a guildwide hide and seek game, Calypso is a little wary when she's paired with Myling.
Her first meeting with the woman didn't go quite as she liked but as she found out at a later date, Myling is an S-Class Mage. So not only is she stronger than Calypso, she's also most likely fairly smarter.
Maybe that's why she wasn't answering Calypso's questions?
Has she been wrong this whole time? Can they all see through her charade and are just playing along to see what she'll do next?
When Emile gives Calypso a dorky lovestruck smile, Calypso knows that she's perfectly in the clear.
Well, apart from Veiss and Akane.
When it comes time to deal with Rina's stalker situation, Calypso ends up on the team staying behind in Zaflior.
She's paired up with Emile to investigate one side and much to her surprise, they do find something. Rather, someone. And Calypso catches that someone as a ten foot tall tiger.
Of course, one thing led to another and Calypso found herself staring at the second most terrifying person in Revenant Beasts, Yutsuko Usagi, Mana's former master and a walking nightmare.
It's not that she and Yutsuko are on particularly bad terms, it's just as Calypso said before.
Yutsuko Usagi is a walking nightmare and although she's never done anything to Calypso, she's still one of the young woman's biggest fears.
If anything possesses her to tell Emile to run, it's that.
Emile's face pales when he sees the white look on Calypso's face. "W-What?"
"R-"
"Oh Calypso, I'm not here for you." Yutsuko says, smiling. "I could care less about you."
Translation: "Do not blow your cover."
"Something of mine has been taken away from me." Yutsuko continues, her smile dropping. Calypso watches as her gaze turns to the back of Emile. "What can you tell me about that, Emile Solflare? Be honest with me and I won't reunite you with your dead priestess." she says, a twisted smile replacing the faux sweet one from earlier.
Calypso stares at Emile, a bead of sweat falling down her forehead. Emile stares back at her, frozen.
She can practically hear the gears in his head turning as he tries to come up with a response. She watches as Emile takes a deep breath in and composes himself. "You're a member of Revenant Beasts." he states.
"Indeed I am." Yutsuko nods.
Emile shivers. "I-I don't…" he gulps. "I don't understand, what did you lose?"
Yutsuko stares at the back of Emile coldly, scrutinizing him from head to toe. She nods to herself. "...I see. You don't know."
Of course he doesn't know that you're looking for Mana when you talk about her like a possession.
"Then you'll live to see another day." Yutsuko says, nodding again. She waves nonsensically in Emile's direction, "You and your…creature." Yutsuko says. "Just know that this Marcel Skarsguard interfered in my getting back what I lost. If I find him first…" Yutsuko grins. "I'll take care of him for both of us."
Emile musters up the courage to ask Yutsuko her name but of course, Yutsuko ignores the question and tells them to get the man laying between them to a hospital. "I don't care to see his death through - I have better places to be. Go on, take him to a hospital or whatever." Yutsuko says, making a shooing motion with her hand. A dark look returns to her face. "I really don't like when my possessions go missing." Yutsuko says and turns on her heel, walking away.
Translation: she's going to make Mana regret running away.
And then Emile tells her they need to talk.
Goddamnit.
Later on, once they've gotten the man taken care of, Emile, Veiss, Madelaine, Acro, and Danate gather outside of the hospital, surrounding Calypso.
Emile pales. "That's who we met?" he asks. "We met…her?"
Veiss tightens the grip on his sword, a fearful look on his face. "We can't tell Mana. Not yet." he says. "She…I have to see for myself."
What's there to see, Veiss Dregliark? You clearly know the name and we know who she is. We know exactly who she's looking for.
Madelaine shivers. "Someone like that is here in Zaflior? Is…Is it happening again?" she wonders, mostly speaking to herself.
Acro has a confident look on his face despite his very obviously shaking legs, "I-It's okay, guys. All of our S-Class Mages are here - well, Caia's not home yet but she should be here within a few days, right? And Genesis is out, too…" he sighs. "Maybe it is hopeless…"
Danate crosses his arms. "She's no longer in Zaflior." he says. "Emile and Calypso convinced her that whatever she was looking for is no longer here, she has no reason to stay." Danate says with a frown. "Regardless of her connection to Mana, that woman is searching for something, right?"
Calypso stands in front of them, trembling. "Isn't it obvious?" she asks. "Veiss seems to be the only one who understands."
…As much as I hate to admit it.
Veiss gulps and lets out a shaky breath. "That woman...Yutsuko Usagi, Mana's former Master, has come to take Mana back herself."
And if she's involved now, there's no saving Mana.
Eventually, Mana, Akane, Alistair and the rest return to Zaflior (sans Ken).
Unfortunately, they're not the only ones who returned.
As Calypso exits the hall of the girl's dormitory to greet them, her eyes land on Nadine Septim, Guild Master of Phoenix Fire back from Era.
Her eyes widen.
Fuck. Shit. Fuck. Motherfucker. SHIT!
Calypso quickly turns back and heads back inside the dormitory and into her room.
"SHIT!" Calypso swears, frustrated.
This changes everything.
FUCK!
Calypso grabs her new Communications Lacrima Crystal and stuffs it into a bag that she slings over her shoulder.
The last one she had went missing from where she hid it on the roof. As far as Calypso knows, no one was questioned about it but it's still incredibly suspicious. Whoever found it was most likely waiting for Master Nadine to return and here she is.
Fucking hell. Calypso swears and climbs out of her window to find a private place to call Revenant Beasts and let them know.
Calypso grits her teeth as she pulls out her new Communications Lacrima Crystal. "Come on, Devlio…" she whispers, panicked.
She breathes a sigh of relief when her friend's face fills the sphere of the Lacrima. "D-Devlio!" she beams, her happy expression dropping a second later. Calypso's face fills with dread, "I can't stay here anymore," she says. "Their Guild Master is back."
Devlio pulls his mask down, revealing his confused expression. "Nadine Septim? Why does her presence influence the plan?" he asks.
"The whole reason we enacted the plan in the first place was because we got word she went to Era, remember?" Calypso says and smiles awkwardly. "Aaaand I may or may not have been involved in a mission she undertook a year or two ago and I may or may not have barely escaped with my life after taunting her the entire time." she says.
Devlio facepalms. "Oh my dear Queen Midas…" he sighs and shakes his head. "Okay. I'll come for you myself as soon as I can. Just sit tight and don't worry about snatching the girls back. If we get them, great. If not, well," Devlio stares at her. "Master Raoul finally gave permission to Yutsuko to try and bring them back herself."
Calypso pales, nodding. "Yeah…we met."
Devlio gives her a small smile. "Don't worry, Calypso. I'm coming to get you. Keep a low profile until you get word from me again, okay?"
Calypso nods and smiles back. "Okay." she says and looks at him warmly. "Thank you, Devlio. You're like the family I never had." Calypso says happily.
Devlio's face falters for a split second before he puts the kind look back on. "Of course. I'll see you soon, Calypso."
And that brings Calypso to where she is now, bleeding out in Phoenix Fire's girl's dormitory.
Veiss grits his teeth and clenches his fists, staring down at her with all the hatred in his experimentally enhanced heart. "You stupid bitch." he snarls.
This should be enough to get them to hear me out and stall for time. Calypso says and looks behind him, the usual nervous and quiet Myling glaring at her dangerously as she picks herself back up. Nadine Septim should still be away for another couple of hours so the only problem is her.
Myling Alva, one of Phoenix Fire's S-Class Mages and one of the witnesses to what she just did.
Think, Calypso, think. How are you gonna get them to hear you out over a trusted S-Class Mage? This woman let you into her house, what can you use against her?
…Fuck me, how did I even get into this situation in the first place?
Calypso looks between Veiss and Myling and as she does, she feels something shift inside her - a switch if you will. Along with it comes a sort of upload to her head.
Calypso grins.
I can't do the normal motion so this'll have to do… Calypso thinks as she pulls the glove off her free hand with her teeth and drops it in her lap. She raises her index and middle finger. It won't be as strong, but hey, I just need this to take care of Myling for now.
"Light-Make…"
Veiss' and Myling's eyes widen.
Thank you, Devlio.
"Amenonuhoko!"
A spear of light appears above Calypso and she catches it in her hand, turning the spear gold. "Head's up, Myl." she says and musters up all the remaining strength she has, throwing it at Myling with a yell.
As expected of an S-Class Mage, Myling moves quickly despite the clearly known fact between her and Calypso.
Her Magic is weak against Light Magic.
Still on the floor, Myling slams an open palm on the ground: "Shades: Wall Formation!"
Several ghastly entities appear around Myling: cloaked, dark purple and black entities with sinister red eyes; the shades in question. Eight shades begin to merge together and increase in size, presumably the wall in question, but Amenonuhoko hits the wall shield before it can finish forming.
Whether it's because it was created by Calypso's Magic Power or because her Gold Magic was already working its way through the spear, the second Amenonuhoko touches Myling's shades, the ghastly entities seem to scream and they begin to turn gold.
Myling instinctively attempts to dismiss the shades but almost instantly regrets it, her eyes widening in horror. Because of Calypso's Gold Magic, the shades shatter instead of dissipate and the blowback sends Myling flying through the wall and into the room behind her.
Calypso feels something inside her shift again and the Light-Make Magic is gone and the Transformation Magic is back.
Veiss slowly turns to stare at her, a dark, seething rage in his eyes and on his face.
Calypso smirks as she picks up her glove and pulls it back on with her teeth. "I told you, Veiss. Game on. You versus me and Fafnir." she says. "I have my escape ready. What about you?"
If Devlio was able to sense what I needed, that means he's not far now. I just need a bit more time. Myling isn't going to stay knocked out for long, I need to work fast.
"You…" Veiss hisses. He suddenly groans, clutching his head. "No…not now, Brother…."
Calypso lets out a psychotic laugh at Veiss' pained expression.
And I told you this already too, Veiss Dregliark. You'll regret trying to provoke me into hurting Devlio.
Calypso clears her throat as Veiss desperately tries to fight against whatever's happening in his head. She screams at the top of her lungs:
"HELP! HELP ME! E-EMILE AND MYLING - VEISS IS GOING CRAZY!"
PF x AH x SS
A/N ex dee
and now for a short break to let you sit on that and for me to rewrite my dangan syoc :man_dancing: