Bless This World With A Stranger

by RhineWrites

Arc 15: At the End of the World!

54. A11-4: The Shadow

} Chapter 4: The Shadow {

{|} Part 1: A Cheat for Anna {|}

(Anna POV)

"I can hear them."

I said to the others, making them all jump. They then look back at me, surprised and alarmed by my presence. Can't blame them, I guess, seeing as I'm supposed to be a little further back, hiding with the horses and making sure they don't go running off on us.

But after hearing those words being spoken; words that filled the very air itself, I couldn't just sit back and do nothing here. I had to go say something about this to them which meant I needed to get close enough for them to hear me without shouting aloud which would definitely give us all away to these things.

"Anna, don't go scaring us like that. Why are you even over here now and not..."

"Wait a second, Darkness. What did you mean when you said you could hear them, Anna?"

asked Cielo. After a moment, I finally responds.

"I don't know how to describe it really. It's like I can hear this whisper speaking in the air; I've been able to hear it the moment the first one of those things arrived."

"And what exactly are you hearing be said?"

I close my eyes, needing focus to help better hear the words being spoken beneath the howling of the wind.

"Find it. The unnatural entity that has come. Do not let the intruders come any closer. Allow the... allow the reborn devil to come to me without trouble. That's what I think its saying anyways. I wonder what it means by an unnatural... um..."

A sudden feeling comes over me, like having cold and cruel eyes upon myself, making me look up. The others follow my action and look up as well, allowing us to see that one of the creatures was right above us. It was looking right at us too which meant only one obvious thing here...

"CRAP!"

yells out Darkness before we all jump away and just in time too as the creature lunged down onto the spot we had been hiding at just a moment before. It wasn't one of the ones we had seen arrive which meant that there were more of them than what we had first thought.

"Looks like they know we're here now. Guess that means we have a fight on our hands after all."

said Darkness, her sword already in hand and, surprisingly, energy shield activated. Cielo quickly slides on her Blast Gloves while Yunyun takes hold of her enchanted dagger while telling me-

"Try to stay back. We'll handle these guys."

"You don't have to tell me twice."

I quickly run away, finding a nice large rock to hide behind before peeking back out to watch the others do their thing. As I watch them fight, and banter with one another, I find myself feeling both jealous and useless in the moment.

I mean, there they are, fighting these freaky looking creatures, and not having that much of a challenge from the looks of it. Not that they were doing much themselves to take these things out either. But at the same time, they were doing all the work while I was just standing off to the side, watching them do all the heavy lifting when it comes to finding and getting Megumin back.

Was I really useless in times like these, unable to do anything but be in the way.

I then pull out my Adventurer's card and look at it. None of the others, even brother Kazuma, knew I had snuck off to the guild not long ago and had that Luna girl make me a card of my own. There wasn't much to be said written on it. I was listed as Satou Anna, I was currently level 1, and my class... was just a series of question marks. My stats were low and I had zero skills learned at the moment, apart from Assimilation and Morph that is...

Wait, what? When did those two skills appear and how did I even get them to begin with?

As I go to touch the skill information text, a shadow comes over me which draws my attention to what was awaiting above. It was another of those creatures. It had found me and before I could say anything or even move, it comes down fast, pouncing me and pinning me to the ground.

"Ahhh, someone help."

I finally managed to cry out. I'm pretty sure I got their attentions as I could hear the sound of the fighting becoming more frantic and desperate, not that it was doing me any good seeing as I was still being pinned to the ground by this thing. I then heard the voice on the wind speaking again though I wasn't sure if what I heard was meant for me or for this creature.

"KILL-KILL-KILLLLLL..."

It then brings its head closer and closer while its hands and feet keep me firmly pinned down, the black bone jaw opening like it was going to eat me. I struggle and struggle with all my might, to no avail. And just as I feel the touch of its metal like teeth against my skin...

"Assimilate."

I said such a strange word on impulse while feeling this swirling of power coming rushing out of me. At first, I was terrified as I feared I was having all the mana within me stolen away which could likely mean my end. After a moment, I realize that it wasn't my mana I was feeling, but something else.

Was this... arcana, the same dark power Kazuma can access whenever he goes all reaper lich. Now that I think about it, wasn't this new body of mine supplied by...

["Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, so the moment has finally come for you, little ghost girl with a serious thinking problem."]

I find myself blinking, realizing that the world had frozen over around me. I look at the creature and see it appeared to be in the process of being... pulled into me? That doesn't make any sense.

["Oh, but it does, little alcoholic ghost."]

That damn voice again. Where was it coming from. I start looking around, quickly finding the owner of that familiar sounding voice again. It was that stylishly dressed devil guy big brother is working with. What was his name again... Vanir I think it was.

["You are indeed correct. It is indeed Moi, here to explain to you what exactly is going on with you."]

OK, and that would be?

["As the devil of foresight, Moi foresaw something like this happening with you and as such, Moi took it upon myself to build in some special skills for that new body of yours. The first skill, the one you're experiencing now, is called Assimilation."]

Assimilation? What does that even mean?

["It means you can absorb a monster type into yourself to add its capabilities to your own. This will only work though so long as the creature either doesn't have a soul within it or its soul is weaker than your own, thus allowing you to dominate it. Also note you can only absorb one creature type at a time which means you can't absorb another of these strange beings into yourself, not that you need too."]

OK, I think I understand. That explains Assimilation, but what about Morph?

["Moi could tell you, but why not see for yourself. Well, looks like this tutorial explanation has reached its conclusion so Moi will leave you to it. Have fun with your new found power here..."]

And with that, the ghostly image of Vanir fades and I find myself back in reality proper. There was no sign of the creature that had been pinning me down. I sit up and look around, seeing the others were now being pinned down as well and in danger of being killed. I had to do something.

I then look at my card again, my eyes hovering on Morph and for some strange reason, I knew what I could do with it now. I then focus on the image of the creature, which I suddenly knew the name of for some strange reason, that had just been pinning me down moments before, making that image as clear in my mind as I could. I then smack my fist together as I shout out-

"Morph: Geist!"

I then feel the same energy from before flowing over me, altering and reshaping my body into the form of the Geist. I grew taller and I could feel myself becoming stronger. I can't help but chuckle inwardly as I now felt unstoppable; like a total badass. I wonder if this is how the others feel whenever they're doing their own personal thing: Darkness taking a hit, Cielo punching things, Megumin doing her Explosion, Yunyun having friends to interact with, and brother knowing he has a mini-harem in his hands.

Once the morph was complete, I could then hear the voice on the wind from before so clearly now, commanding the beast into doing its will. It was trying to command me too but unlike those other Geist, I didn't feel compelled in the slightest to heed its words.

I then make my move, going first for the ones holding Yunyun down as she was the closest. They clearly weren't expecting me as I catch them both by surprised, sending one flying by using my tail while I pounced on the other, pinning it down like I had been pinned down.

As I look down at the creature, my attention is drawn to its flaming eye. I'm not sure how I knew this, but I somehow just knew that the flaming eye was the weakness of these creatures so I take one of my long, boney fingers, and jab its flaming eye out. The creature screeches in pain before going quiet. Its body then begins to break down into nothing while I look to the sky victoriously.

"Wha... why did you..."

said Yunyun though I'm to lost in the moment for her words to register. Instead, I say with my voice sounding all strange and weird-

"(Holy crap, that weird voice I heard was right. I really can... oh, I am going to have so much fun with this skill.)"

Yes, I called Vanir's voice weird because he's a weird guy. I then recall the others were in need of saving so I quickly go and attack the Geist holding them down, killing two more while sending the others flying. As Darkness and Cielo pick themselves up, clearly confused by why one of the creatures would suddenly turn on the rest and save them, I finally hear Yunyun's voice speak to me as she asks-

"Anna, is that really you in there? What's going on?"

I see the shocked looks on both Cielo and Darkness's faces, going alongside the confused looking Yunyun. I then sense danger, making me look to see the remaining Geist were approaching and no longer looking unsure of what to do. I'm guessing the voice that commands them was telling them to attack me now too.

"(Fight these guys now, explain everything later. Target the fiery eye on these guys. That's their weak point, got it.)"

Not waiting for them to respond, I go on the attack. A moment later, the others finally come into view as we begin to shows these ugly freaks what our little family can do when pushed.

For me, especially with this new battle body of mine, dealing with these Geist creatures was a piece of cake. But I couldn't help take an occasional glance over at the others to make sure they were doing OK.

Darkness was actually taking this fight seriously, striking hard and true. You would think her attacks would be missing, given her past track record and all. I needed to remind myself that brother had gifted her with some offensive technique not long ago; Omni-something or other, which had fixed her accuracy issue though she usually still missed intentionally because she liked getting hit or something.

Cielo was pounding her targets into dust and while her Kaboom Gloves, or whatever they were called, weren't currently 'kabooming' on her targets; likely because the lack of mana in the air was keeping them from operating as intended, her brute strength was still more than enough to crush their thick skulls into dust so long as her aim remained focused on the central fiery eye these guys had.

As for Yunyun, she was doing all manner of acrobatic feats; dancing around her foes in such a way that it was making them become dizzy from the looks of it before she would go in and stab their fiery eyes into oblivion. I had to say, she was incredibly flexible with her movements, which meant there was no position she probably couldn't get into... OK, that sounded way more perverted than what was intended.

It didn't take us long before all the Geist had been slain and as I began to debate on if I should return to my human Anna form, the others finally approach me with Darkness grabbing me by this forms exposed collar bone. She then pulls me in to make sure my attention was on them while Cielo says-

"OK, battles done. Now it's explanation time. Just what the hell is going on here?"

("Um... well. Honestly, I'm still not sure myself. You see, what happened was...")

I then explain what had happened when that Geist had pinned me down, how that well-dressed devil guy appeared before me and told me about my new bodies hidden powers and how that led me to absorb the Geist into myself and thus gain the ability to transform into one without any worry of being controlled by the voice I had been hearing before.

"Damn that Vanir. And Kazuma too, for not telling any of us that Anna could do something like this."

"Hold on, Darkness. How do we know that Kazuma knew Anna could do something like this. I can see Vanir being all secretive on us, but Kazuma..."

"Yeah, Yunyun's right. Kazuma would have told us about this. At the very least, he would have told Anna."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Looks like that damn devil has some explaining to do next time we see him. Makes me wonder though; if he kept this a secret then what else could Anna have hidden within her that none of us knows about?"

("Your guess is as good as mine but now that I know I may have some hidden, powerful cheat like powers sleeping within me, waiting to be awakened, I can't wait to start doing some experimentations with this little old vessel of mine.")

All three of them nod in agreement, then Cielo says-

"OK, so what now? I mean, obviously we continue our trek to find Megumin but... which way to we go? I'm going to be honest with all of you here; that fight has kinda caused me to lose track of what direction we were heading before."

"Yeah, same for me."

Admits Darkness with a sheepish look on her face.

("That shouldn't be a problem as I can sense what direction the center of this place is located at.")

""Really? That's good to hear. Stay here a moment, guys. I'll go grab the horses."

Before I could say anything, Yunyun had already pulled away and started running over to where the horses had last been. I watch her go before finally saying-

("You know, I could get us all there much faster than the horses can.")

"And how would you do that, Anna. Can you teleport... or have the ability to fly in that form."

"Cielo has a point. Just what exactly can that form do for you and for us. Also, I'm surprised you're staying in that form, given your current situation. I would think you'd be worried about the amount of mana that form must be eating up for you, especially so seeing as you only have so much stored within you and if you end up running out while we're still here in the Scarred Lands..."

("Relax, it'll be fine. I'm actually feeling awesome right now. I don't think this form needs mana to function. I certainly haven't been feeling sick like I was before I took this form so staying in it till we leave this place may be for the best here.")

"Let's just hope that isn't a permanent change for you as it will make bringing you with us into Axel and other populated areas a little more difficult if it is."

Oh god, I better not find myself being stuck in this form once all is said and done. While it's big and tough, the one thing it isn't is cute and if I stay trapped inside this form permanently, then my plan on getting Kazuma to help me experience a few more first in the future will be ruined.

Just then, Yunyun finally returned and it became clear something was missing.

"Bad news, everyone. Seems all that excitement earlier was enough to send our rides running off to who knows where."

Darkness clenches her fist as she grumbles out-

"Damn it; and I so had big plans for the Master."

"You named the steed you were riding MASTER? And what was your big... you know what, never mind. Forget I asked as I really don't want to know what that sick brain of yours was cooking up."

"Seriously, Cielo... have a little faith in me. I confess I have a dirty mind but even I am not THAT filthy a degenerate here. I would never... huff-huff-puff...!"

We all look at Darkness, then at Cielo as Yunyun says-

"Now look what you did. Because you had to go give her the idea, she's now starting to fantasize about it."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure she... never mind. So what now, do we walk or something?"

Before Darkness or Yunyun could say anything, I take action by first grabbing Darkness and flinging her over me onto my back. Lucky, she was smart enough and quick enough to realize my intentions and grab on before falling back onto the ground. I then take Yunyun under one arm and Cielo under the other before racing off at top speed.

Huh, these Geist can move insanely fast if needed. Cool!

"Anna, what are you..."

("Making up for lost time. I know where to go and something is telling me we'll find Megumin at the source behind the Scarred Lands so hold on tight and try not to scream as the Anna express is going all out here.")

My words didn't stop Yunyun from having a little freak out moment, maybe Cielo too though it was harder to tell with her. Darkness, on the other hand, was really enjoying it as she was telling me, demanding me actually, to go faster and faster.

And so, the four of us continued on this rescue mission, hoping we weren't too late to stop anything bad from happening to Megumin. After all, that was our job now; to make something bad happen to her after the trouble she has caused us... though I'm willing to be more forgiving given what I have learned.

Anyways, on with the rescue...

{|} Part 2: Wolbach's Fear {|}

(Wolbach POV)

"Remember what I said. Stay at my side no matter..."

Before I could finish, all the tapestry that hung from the walls and the various pillars suddenly came to life, breaking free and running wild, filling the room with a chaotic flurry of cloth. In no time of all, my line of sight was being dominated by these possessed and cursed decor.

And then, I heard a cry coming from my mother's current self. Despite the insanity, I was just barely able to make it out; the sight of her body being wrapped up by some of these renegade tapestry's before being lifted into the air. She is then sent flying down into the darkened hall and beyond my ability to see her.

"NO, DAMN IT. BRING HER BACK..."

I scream out, to no avail as she was gone. For a second, I just stand there unable to process what had just happened. And then, my rage erupts from deep within as I subconsciously unleash my, I mean HER power from deep within my body in the form of a massive blast of fire that shoots out in all direction.

While these tapestry's may have been enchanted and driven to act by the will of the monster that was sealed inside this place, it had made two fatal mistakes. One was not making these things fireproof. And two was getting on MY bad side and that was something you definitely didn't want to do.

"Ah... hot-hot-hot-hot-HOT! Damn it, Wolbach. Warn a slime next time you're going to do something like that as even my kind could be burned up with fire that... Wolbach?"

Hans anger and annoyed filled tone quickly shifts to worry, perhaps even fear, as his eyes fall into me. Despite not having a mirror to look into, I already knew what it was he must be seeing from me right now.

I knew my body was surrounded by an intense aura of fiery power with a kind of gravity that was causing some remnants of stone to float while others to be crushed down into the ground and made dust. My eyes would also be glowing with furious rage, the marking on my forehead shining with light and my hair becoming almost like fire is it waved and flowed freely.

It takes me a moment before I am able to calm my mind enough to take in a few deep breathes, aiding me in further cooling my rage down to a more controllable force. As the aura finally fades and normalcy return to my eyes, I in the direction mom had been dragged off too and say-

"It has her now. That damn destroyer has taken my mother from me... again."

"Huh, what? How did..."

Hans then begins to look around, finally becoming aware of who was missing here. His expression then becomes serious as he says-

"We're going after her, that much is obvious. But how are we going to find her? Do you actually know your way around this place despite never having been here before."

"I may not have set foot inside this place before, but I have two beacons I can follow to lead us to where she is. First, I can feel ITS power. It may be weakened but it is still there. And the other is my other half. She's still with mom and seeing as we're all here inside this place right now, I can easily follow her presence to wherever it is in here they're at. Now, enough time wasting. Let's go."

Without waiting for Hans to say anything more, I break out into a run deeper into the darkened corridor. Hans, despite being reduced to his base slime form, is able to keep up with me surprisingly well. As we head deeper and deeper, he asks-

"Tell me, just how much danger is she in here... really. I mean, you're the one who has the core of power this destroyer thing desires now, not your mother's reincarnation. What else could it possible do with her other than use her as some kind of bargaining chip to use against you."

"Even though my mom doesn't have this power anymore, some residual aspects of that power is still present within her soul. It may try to use that fact to force her to break the seal that keeps it all bound up. And it may want to use her in order to help itself vent all its anger and frustration for having been sealed away all this time. Know this Hans, it may be very limited in what it can do at the moment, but I have no doubt that what it can currently do is still more than enough to make mom suffer if it so wishes."

He does a nodding motion, making it clear that he understands. With that, we continue on in silence as I send aunt Eris a silent prayer, to keep mother safe until I was able to get to her side and save her.

And to end this whole period of suffering once and for all.

{|} Part 3: From the Past {|}

(Megumin POV)

"I told you before, didn't I. No matter where you go or where you try to hide; whether it be on this world or another, this lifetime or another, I would find you and take back what was rightfully MINE to begin with. And now, after all this time, we are finally face to face again... dear Realm!"

Realm? Did this... whatever it is just call me... Just who the hell is... wait, why does that name sound so familiar to me. I... I think I heard that name said not to long ago, back when me and Kazuma...

"What's wrong, don't tell me you don't remember who it is you really are? Actually, that would make sense. After all, the souls of mortals are known to be very bad with retaining memories of past lives lived. No matter for I can still remember it all for you so if you wish for me to fill you in on certain details, I am more than willing to help you out."

"Yeah right. Don't think you can trick me with your weird and confusing words. My name is Megumin, greatest arch wizard of the Crimson Demon clan and she who will soon master the power of Explosion magic."

"So, you are known as Megumin now. No offense, but that's a rather dumb sounding name you've ended up with. And that clan name of yours; whoever came up with that was clearly trying to make some kind of dumb joke or something."

"Wha... how dare you. So go insulting not only my clan but to make fun of my name as well. You must have a death wish or something. What about you. You know who I am so tell me who you are so I can return the favor when it comes to rating your name."

"Hm, I suppose that is only fair, an exchange of names. Very well, I shall tell you seeing as you can't remember me at present. Once upon a time, I was known as Calaster, Praegem of the Arkt faith though that wasn't my true name. No, my true name is..."

"Don't care. No matter what you want to call yourself, I'm going to tell you right now that it's going to be dumb."

"That hurts my feelings, old friend."

"Sorry, buddy. Hate to break it to you but you're no friend of mine. Also, are you trying to create a creepy atmosphere to weird me out. Sorry to tell you this but you're gonna have to try a lot harder if you want to see me quaking in my boots. Now, if you excuse me..."

And with that, I turn and begin to walk away. I wasn't sure if the way I was going would see me actually getting out of here and back with master Wolbach and that slime guy but as far as I was concerned, any place would be better than this one right now.

"Don't tell me you actually think you can just walk out of here without issue."

I ignore its words, continuing to walk further and further away. And then, a dark purple cloak comes flying at me from the darkness. I prepare myself to be wrapped up again like I had been before and while it does circle around me a few times, it ultimately leaves me be.

Unable to stop myself, I look back to see it coming to float before the seed, like it was being worn by someone save for the fact I couldn't see any legs of feet sticking out from the space that separates the cloak from the ground. And then, part of the cloak rises up to the side like it was an arm outstretched.

I then see something else come flying into view though it moved to fast for me to see what it was. It then moves to take whatever the object it had summoned and moves it into the upper half of its cloaked form.

In that moment, the sensible thing to do would be to stop standing there and start running. Sadly, doing the sensible thing was never something I was known for as I just keep standing there, waiting as the floating cloak finally turns to face me, allowing me to see what it had called to it just moments ago.

"So, how does this work for you. Am I more to your liking now?"

The dark purple cloak was just floating there, hood and all. But within the hood appeared to be an old, jawless skull with more than a few cracks and within the eye sockets, one of them clearly damaged, two jade flaming sparks appeared to represent its eyes, I guess.

"Yeah, still not very creepy if I'm being honest with you. Maybe if that wasn't a human skull but instead a skull from some nightmarish demon or something, then you could maybe get the look to work. Having that cloak be more worn and tattered, perhaps even a little blood soaked, would add to the whole package."

"Such a critic, as always. Still, perhaps you may be willing to loan me some of your blood to soak this cloak with."

Crap, that wasn't smart giving an enemy such an idea. I really need to get out of here. Right now, in fact. I go to turn and break into a run, only for the cloak to come whipping past me. I then find myself looking at the skull which was now mere inches from my own.

"Now-now, Realm. Don't be in such a hurry to leave yet. After all, we haven't seen each other in so long, it makes sense for us take this rare chance to spend some time together."

"I'd rather not, thank you very much. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

I then try to run around and past this thing only for the cloak to grab onto me, pulling me back. It then wraps around me, making me feel like it was trying to feel me up which was not only very creepy, but made me feel like I wanted to puke.

"Hey, what are you... damn it, let me go right now."

"Hm, so you really don't have what is rightfully mine, after all. Guess that means you really did pass it onto that little brat you and the Ritu-boy's perversions created. Ah, but I can sense it not too far away from this location. And even better, it's getting closer too."

"I said let me go, you pervert. Now, LET-ME-GO! Otherwise, not only will my master make your life, such as it is, miserable, but so will my man once he finds out you tried to get fresh with me."

The thing makes the skull turn a little to one side, like it was making a head cocking motion. It then says with an almost humorous tone to its voice-

"You know Realm, I just had the most brilliant idea here. How I can make that little brat of yours willingly return what is mine without too much of a fuss... and you are going to help me."

"Like hell I will. I would rather die than help someone like you."

"Well, you just might get your wish as I've never done this before and because of that, there is a chance, I suppose, that this could ultimately kill you but don't worry. I promise I'll give you a proper burial should it come down to that."

And then, this thing begins to bring the mask closer to me. I struggle, I threaten, I do everything I can thank of to free myself, but to no avail. I clench my fist together as I grit my teeth. If he thinks this is going to go his way, then he better think again because my name is Megumin and I'm the...

"... Kazuma, help..."

{|} Part 4: An Explanation for THAT Night {|}

(KazumaPOV)

"OK you two, we're here; the best place in all of Artashire for one to go to when they desire to sit back, relax, and let time just pass them by."

After what had felt like forever, Ruffian finally sat me and Lynn down on the ground. In truth, I was feeling a little embaressed, seeing as we had been carried around for quite a while by the big guy and, as a result of that, had earned plenty of weird looks from any Faea that had seen us.

I look to Lynn, seeing her still looking all annoyed and agitated, to say nothing of being embaressed herself. I really felt bad for her right now, especially seeing as she was the princess... [Eirwasha] to these people.

I then turn my attention to the sight before us, our destination as it were, and say to Ruff-

"So, this place is the Sensua Chamber you spoke about. Um... maybe the Faea definition of a chamber is different from what I know it to be but this definitely doesn't look like a chamber at all."

Nope, not at all as beyond the arch was this massive open area that looked like a garden of some sort. A multi-level garden from the looks of it, broken into various 'zones' or so I was guessing. And each of these 'zones' seemed to be home to very specific plant life, consisting of not only flowers but trees and shrubbery and other such things.

Lynn then comes to stand beside me while saying-

"This isn't the Sensua Chamber's, Kazuma. What you see before you is the [Itsai Ferna] or Hanging Garden in human language. (sigh) I should have known you were messing with us back there, dad. Care to tell me what that little moment you and Haukrin had with one another was about."

"Oh, that was nothing big. Just his way of reminding me to make sure Kazuma has better table manners than I did when I had my first dinner with the old man. Heh, perhaps I should share with you the tale on how MY first dinner with pops went down when my dear Lynn brought me home to meet her family."

"Sure, that sounds... wait, when YOUR dear Lynn...? But I thought..."

"He's talking about my mom, Kazuma. Guess that means she also chose to go by Lynn in her youth, right dad."

Ruffian responds with a thumbs up and a big grin. Lynn looks at him for a moment, perhaps processing the discovery of her and her mother having something in common, or maybe something else that is. She then sighs again while mumbling to herself though she was close enough to me that I could still hear her.

"I should have known he was making that whole Sensua Chamber thing up. I mean, I've never heard of it before."

I then turn my attention back to Ruffian and decide to ask him myself.

"So, you were just pulling our legs before. Wanting to mess with us, right. You went and made up that whole Sensua Chamber thing, I'm guessing."

"Nope, that place is definitely real."

"Huh?" (x2)

Hearing that brought Lynn out of her mumbling and we both looked at Ruff, awaiting him to give us a better explanation.

"The Faea Sensua Chamber's do indeed exist, but they have a very specific use within the culture. Basically, once two souls have come together in unity, the old Faea version of marriage, the pair will be escorted to the Sensua Chamber's where they will spend the next month "imprinting" upon one another, in order to finalize their eternal bond with each other... or something like that. Honestly, all I cared about back then was the fact me and Ka'lynnya would be spending an entire month doing the lovers dance, if you know what I mean."

Lynn and I just stood there for a few moments after, mouths hanging open in disbelief. Was this really a real thing for these people or was this just Ruffian fucking with us... AGAIN. I look to Lynn just as she says loudly.

"Is this really a thing for the Faea? If so, then why haven't I heard about it before now."

"Yes, believe it or not. The Sensua Chamber really is as real as it can get. As for why you haven't heard of it before. You only have yourself to blame, seeing as you haven't been living in Artashire for the last few years; instead, only making short visits while letting the outside world become your home. If you had chosen to spend more time here than out there, then you would have surely heard about it during a certain educational class you would have gone through once entering puberty."

"You're joking, aren't you, dad. Please tell me you're just messing with me here."

Ruffian just sends her a wolfish grin, making Lynn groan while covering her face with her hands. I reach out and pat her on her back for comfort, then turn my attention to Ruffian and ask-

"Out of curiosity, just what purpose dos the Sensua Chamber hold for the Faea. How does it work."

"Like I said before, it's a place newly united couples go to have a little privacy so they can "bond." Think of it as the Faea version of a honeymoon, except instead of going to some fancy location, they instead enter an isolated room filled from top to bottom with the rare Sensua Flowers which, by the way, is the great secret to how the Chamber actually works."

"Come again?"

asked Lynn, coming out of her little moment to join in the conversation.

"Nothing to it, really. The Sensua Flowers have a powerful fragrance to them; one that acts very much like an aphrodisiac. With so many in the room, the twosome find themselves being sent into a powerful sexual frenzy that keeps them both going till they pass out only to start again the moment the wake up."

"OK dad, now I know you're lying just to mess with us."

"Maybe just a little bit. Perhaps there is a bit of exaggeration in that explanation, but the honest truth is this. The Faea are a deeply passionate and intimate people. Love isn't just an art to them. Rather, love is life to them, and couples find the act of love making something special, far more than what regular humans could ever understand. It... it's a way for two souls, separated by flesh, to reach out and become one, even if only for a short time."

"That sounds... rather romantic actually, right Kazuma."

"Sure, I guess so."

"Yeah, I should have expected a reaction like that from you. So dad, seeing as I'm learning something new here, what's the earliest age one needs to be within the Faea before they can experience that?"

"Ah, wanting to go ahead and do something like that already, huh Lynn. Guess I can't blame you as it... it can be quite the experience. Sorry to say you'll need to wait a few more years before you and a certain someone can go do that, assuming that someone ends up being YOUR someone. Also, it's not just a onetime thing either as couples usually return yearly for the purpose of renewing their bond, as the Faea like to call it. Hah-ha, oh yeah... that reminds me of a funny story."

"Do we dare ask what that story is, Ruff?"

Lynn and I wait a moment as Ruffian debates something in his mind before he finally says-

"Oh, what the hell. It was a while ago, perhaps last Fall. I was here making a progress report to the old man and, on a whim, decided to pay the Faea oracle a little visit. She told me something I didn't expect; said I should sneak some Sensua Flower seeds out with me and give them to a woman I would encounter in the near future who would ask me for the seeds."

"That's... rather vague."

"Please tell me you didn't do it, father. You know this is the only place in the world one can even find those flowers anymore and that taking seeds out anywhere is considered a crime."

"True, but it is also frowned upon to ignore the oracle whenever she spoke. Besides, the old man gave me permission to do it though I was limited to just three seeds. Anyways, I went about doing what I do, wondering when I would meet this woman and how she would know about the seeds. And then, one day, as I was passing through the Crimson Demon village..."

"Oh no, please don't tell me..."

I couldn't help but break into a cold sweat at the thought of where this story was going. I was even beginning to shake, which Lynn takes notice of, making her wrap an arm around me. I wasn't sure if Ruffian noticed my current state or not as he continued telling us what had happened.

"She was a beautiful woman; a little on the petite side if I'm being honest. I had heard female Crimson Demons were all supposed to have big breast and voluptuous bods but she seemed to be an exception. It turned out I wasn't the only one who had been given a little future reading as she had been told of my coming from their clan's local fortune teller. I ended up giving her the three seeds to the Sensua Flower's and told her how she could go about raising them. She did ask some curious questions though."

"Like what dad?"

Please no, I don't want what's being thought up inside my mind to be confirmed.

"Mainly, she wanted to know if the effects of the Sensua Flowers could only be achieved when they were in their flower state or if it could have the same effect if made into something more powdery, like... hm, what was it she said again? Seasoning... or maybe it was spices..."

GOD DAMN IT!

"It all makes sense now. What happened to me and Megumin that night after..."

Lynn and Ruffian look at me, having heard what I had mumbled to myself.

"Kazuma? What is is, what about you and Megu...

("...Kazuma, help...")

The next thing I knew, I was down on my knee, breathing heavily. Lynn was kneeling at my side, a very worried look present on her face while Ruffian was opposite me, also down on one knee with his hand resting against my back.

"Kazuma, are you OK? What's happening... why did you just collapse all of a sudden."

"Does this have anything to do with what you did earlier. When you used that interesting power of yours."

It takes me a few more moments of breathing before I'm finally able to get out-

"Something bad is happening. I think that Megumin, perhaps even the others, are in danger."

{|} Part 5: The Orcale's Vision {|}

"So... anyone want to explain to me why the Faea Oracle likes to hang out down here with the roots."

Following my sudden collapse outside the [Itsai Ferna], it was decided that we pay a little visit to the oracle of the Faea people as, according to Lynn-

"The Oracle of the Faea doesn't just see images of the future but can also has the ability to see things from ones past they can't remember as well as see what's going on within the present with other people, so long as there's an emotional connection between that person and the one who's speaking with the oracle."

I had expected to find the oracle living somewhere higher up on the great tree that Artashire had been built upon, but instead I was surprised to find us travelling not only to the ground, but actually heading into a tunnel that went deep below the earth, into the very roots of the tree itself.

To answer my question, Ruffian says-

"Living beneath the earth is ideal for the Faea oracle. Being surrounded by the lifeforce of the world makes it easier for her to work her magic, or so she claims. Personally, I think she just likes to live like a hermit."

After a few more minutes, we emerge from the passage we had been walking down into a small circular room; a room that appeared to have nothing inside it. Lynn and Ruffian step onto a glowing circle, then look back at me while beckoning me to step onto it as well. Once I was standing at their side, Lynn says-

"[Chappai.]"

"Or descend in our language, kid."

"That's what I figured, seeing as we're sinking even deeper into the earth."

As we sank deeper and deeper into the world, I feel a tug on my sleeve, making me look to Lynn who then says-

"Quick warning here, Kazuma. The Faea oracle is rather old, even for one of our species. Saying that, she is also the wisest of our people too. That said... well, let's just say she's... not all together there these days."

"Meaning?"

"You'll find out when you meet her, kid. Trust me on this one though, despite her... unique way of doing things, her skill when it comes to doing her thing is second to none. If she says she's seeing something, then it's something that should be taken seriously."

All I could do was nod after hearing that. I then go back to watch the strange glowing lines along the earthy wall go passing us by as we head even deeper into the world. I wonder if those lines I was seeing in the earth, possibly some kind of natural occurring mana lines.

Just as I was going to ask this, I became aware of something else. I was feeling a strange pressure forming within my head. I look at both Lynn and Ruffian, seeing them showing no sign of feeling this. Was this normal, something that had already become use too, or was this feeling exclusive to me.

Just as I was going to ask them, we finally emerge into another room, twice as big as the one we had entered before with what looked like a door set into the wall. We then take a step forward as Ruffian shouts out-

"Hey, Lifgia you old bat. We're in need of your services."

"Dad, try to show her some respect. At her advanced age, she deserves..."

"Mmmmm, who steps into my parlor now?"

suddenly came a rather sexy sounding voice. The door then slowly opens and out emerged the oracle, causing me to suffer quite the back take. She had long, and I mean LONG, silvery hair that easily touched against the ground, kind of like the hair length Rapunzel was said to have. Second, despite being told she was of an advanced age for the Faea, she didn't have even a single wrinkle present on her body.

"She's supposed to be old? Damn, I hope I'm still looking as good when I'm her age, whatever her age might be. So, about that warning you two were going on about?"

The woman, Lifgia, then finally turns her attention onto us before a long, smokey pipe comes into view; a pipe that had one side producing a long cord that went back into the room she had emerged from. She then takes in a long, deep inhale of the pipe before blowing out several smoke rings before saying-

"Ah, yes. Little Rustaban and our [Eirwasha]. I wasn't expecting you two to come to my chambers for at least another... two minutes. Clearly, I haven't been taking in enough of the flowing mist."

Flowing mis? Wait, tons of weird colored smoke coming from both her room and the pipe she just inhaled. That weird, vacant look in her eyes. Crap. this girl is a freaking junkie, isn't she."

"So, does this mean you know the reason we're here to see you, lady Lifgia."

"Of course I do, [Eirwasha]. You do remember who I am, right? What it is I do here for our people."

Lifgia then looks at me, sending me an almost seductive look as she does before walking towards me. She then reaches out and runs a finger along my cheek down to my chest.

"Such a... curious creature. I can sense... something powerful within you. Something... dangerous! Hm, you wish for me to find something out for you, hm?"

"Yeah, maybe it's nothing but I can't help but shake this feeling that a... a close friend of mine could be in danger. Perhaps even several close friends. I was hoping you could use your powers to..."

I feel her pressing her finger against my lips, making me go quiet as she says-

"Shhh... shush-shush, what do you say I step inside my parlor and we'll see about answer that little question of yours."

Lifgia then takes me by the arm and pulls me towards her private room. Lynn and Ruffian go to follow but quickly come to a stop as Lifgia holds up her free hand while saying-

"Not you two. Having a foursome would be rather boring right now."

"A FOURSOME?"

cried both Ruffian and Lynn as Lifgia finishes dragging me into her 'parlor' and slamming the door fast behind her. She then lets me go before walking over to the sole chair in the room, takes a seat, then takes another hit from her pipe. Perhaps breathing even deeper and longer than the last one.

She then exhales, releasing a surprisingly large amount of smoke into the room before looking at me and asking-

"So, what are we looking at here? Past, present... future perhaps."

"The present. Earlier, I had this strange feeling come over me concern some friends of mine back in Axel. I'm sure it's nothing, that they're fine... but still, it never hurts to make sure, am I right."

"Indeed so. Now then, let's begin our little look into the future."

"Future? But I just said the present."

"Indeed you did. You shall see what you want to see while I shall see what I desire to see of you."

She then inhales another round of smoke, this one going far longer than any I had seen her done so far. So much so that her cheeks begin to puff outwards to an impressive degree. As she does this, I could swear that the room was starting to grow darker and darker till I could barely make Lifgia out.

And then, she exhales and immediately the whole room is covered in smoke. I find myself being overwhelmed by the colorful smoke she was releasing, sending me into a coughing fit while her voice calls out to me from within the smoke with an ominous sounding tone.

"Do not fight or resist, little [Orin]. Breath in my vapor and let what you desire become known to you."

Like I had any other choice but to breath any of this in as it seemed the smoke was forcing its way into both my mouth and nose. Hell, it felt like it was flowing into my eyes and ears too, which was the strangest of feelings to experience.

It took me a moment or two, but I was finally able to bring my coughing under control and clear my eyes from the tears made from how intense my coughing had been. It was then, when I was finally able to focus that I was able to finally make it out; the smoke around me taking on shapes, showing me images that were surprisingly detailed despite being made from the smoke.

The first was clearly Megumin, a look of fear present as some kind of flowing cloak with the face of a jawless skull hovered very close to her. This image breaks and becomes one of Yunyun, Cielo, and Darkness standing before a creature unlike any I had ever seen before; the three of them looking prepared for battle. Once again, the image changes, now showing the three of them alongside two others who I did not know, yet felt like I had seen them somewhere before, standing before Megumin, now wearing the cloak that had been floating before her before with the jawless skull now attached to her face.

And then, she looks at me as I hear a cold, yet somewhat, familiar voice speaks out to me...

("Ritu-boy...")

I wasn't sure what happened next, but I felt as if something inside me had exploded forth, sending everything into chaos. All I did know for certain was I was now back outside, once again coughing up a storm while Lynn and Ruffian attended to me. A moment later, Lifgia emerged from the inner room as well, also coughing.

"Kazuma, what happened. Are you OK?"

"Kid, say something. Damn it, Lifgia. I think you took your reading a little too far this time."

"(cough-cough) For once, Rustaban, I think I'm in total agreement with you. I know what I saw from him, and it was quite revealing. Not sure what it was HE saw, but it was clearly potent enough to make him unleash that strange power that's eroding him from within."

"What do you mean eroding him?"

"We can talk about that after. Kazuma, please tell me you're OK. What did you see?"

"Megumin... everyone... everyone's in danger."

"What kind of danger. Come on kid, don't leave us hanging here."

"Danger... danger... everyone... everyone's in danger..."

Honestly, that was all I could say in that moment. My thoughts were way to chaotic to be able to do anything else that was more rationale. Once again, they try to get me to focus and calm down so I could give them a more explanative response. But I couldn't. Not now; not when I somehow knew that time was very much of the essence.

"Kazuma, tell us..."

"Sorry, no time... TELEPORT!"

{|} Part 6: Wolbach Unleashed {|}

(Wolbach POV)

"We're getting close... almost there, Hans."

"(huff-puff) Good to hear. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

We had been running for a while now, heading down darkened halls and into the depths of Arkt Tuanatiri. I was surprised that we hadn't encountered any kind of monster or force to act as a guard dog for this place. Perhaps that's just how confident the master whole ruled this place was over not having to fear anything.

Finally, we entered a large room that was mostly empty save for the floating seed like object located dead center within it. Covered in glowing, pulsing glyphs that shone with a strange light that filled what would otherwise be another darkened room, the chill was enough to make the hair on the back of my neck stand tall.

I quickly look around, not seeing any sign of my mother's reincarnation, which sends me into something of a panic till I felt a pair of eyes fall onto me. I look, seeing my other half carefully peeking out from behind a pillar that lined the edge of the room. She was clearly shaking, telling me that something bad had happened in here which only increased my worry.

I motion for her to come to me which she does without hesitation. I kneel down and scoop her up into my arms, then I rub her back comfortingly as she hugs herself against me.

"Don't worry, I'm here now. What's happened? Where's mo-Megumin at?"

"I'm right here... daughter!"

I jump, moving back instinctively as a figure emerges from behind the seed. How had I missed seeing this person before? Had they been floating off the ground or something. As the figure draws closer, it became clear that it was indeed mother, but something was clearly off about her.

First had been her voice as it sounded like a mixture of her natural voice and another voice, one that was very familiar and nostalgic, but not in a good way. Then there was the dark, heavy cloak she appeared to be wearing, one that was too big for her smaller frame. And when the face finally came into view, I recoiled at the sight of the skull like mask that was covering her eyes and forehead.

There was no question about who this thing was.

"Praegem..."

I said with no small amount of venom in my tone. A smile appears on my mother's visible mouth as I heard said from her-

"It has indeed been a long time, hasn't it, child. Hm, time has certainly been kind to you now, hasn't it. If memory serves, you truly look like your mother did back in the day, with a little bit of your father being present too."

"You damn devil, let her go right now."

I shouted, taking a step forward but making sure to maintain a level head here. Given he had somehow taken control of her body, there was a high possibility to he could do her harm if he wanted too. Perhaps even kill her if he so wished.

He then sends me a dark smirk before saying cheekily-

"So, does that mean you're offering me YOUR body as a replacement."

He then begins to laugh happily while I send him a sneer. I then send Hans a glance, seeing him back at the entrance of the room, hiding his slime form behind one of the entrance pillars while watching all that was happening nervously.

"Listen other me, go hide with Hans over there. With what I'm likely going to need to do here, I don't want to risk getting you caught in the crossfire here."

My other half just looks up at me for a second, probably planning on protesting my words, but she doesn't as she finally pulls away from me, hopping down onto the floor and running over to join Hans.

Honestly, I would have preferred the two of us go ahead and merge back into one being, so I could do what I know I will need to do here at my FULL power, but the merging would take a few moments and I knew would leave me vulnerable for a bit right after as I would need time to rest and recover my restoration as it had been so long since we had last been one and the same that I would need time to make sure our reunification was complete.

"So, how should we proceed from here on out. Will you offer up your body to me and thus reunite me with my stolen power or should I take it back from you while keeping this poor, innocent girl as my new vessel for the long term."

"How about I kill you, take my mother back all safe and sound, and go live a happily ever after."

"Then it appears we're at an impasse then. To be honest, I prefer it this way. Now, shall we begin."

The Praegem then makes my mother's body take on a battle stance, forcing me to do the same. I really didn't want to go do this, not against her of all people. But if this is what I have to do in order to save my mother and make sure she's able to come home, then I will do what I must here.

But I will need a few moments to build up the power so I can use it. To give me those few moments, I need to distract the Praegem with a few questions. Hopefully, he'll be in a talkative mood.

"Tell me Praegem, how are you able to do this; possess my mother. Shouldn't you still be trapped inside the seal."

"Ah, trying to buy yourself a few minutes for some reason. As you wish. In truth, I am still sealed away here... for the most part. Since I was originally sealed, the seal has weakened a little, enough that my essence can emerge and roam the halls of my old temple home. I can even send my voice out like the wind to cover these lands effected by my arrival."

"About that. How is it you are even here. Sure, you were a powerful force to be reckoned with back home, but to be able to travel from one planet to another... even I, with MY MOTHER's POWER, don't have the ability to do that. At least I'm pretty sure I can't do that."

"(chuckle) I confess even I would not have that kind of power, even after I reclaim what is mine. I had to sacrifice almost ALL of my followers and captives, having converted them into energy that allowed me to warp Arkt Tuanatiri here to this world. I'm sure there may be a couple left back on ruined Arbel, a select few who somehow avoided become fuel for my spell, who must now forever roam the land without direction and purpose."

"But why would you do that? Why go to all that trouble just to come here to our world?"

yelled Hans angrily, turning both mine and the Praegem's attentions onto him. He quickly cowers more behind the pillar, as does my other half. Surprisingly, the Praegem goes ahead and answers his question.

"Because there was nothing left for me to do there. Perhaps it was a consequence of me merging with a human host as a means to survive when I was originally believed to be killed, but I honestly didn't want to return to being just dust on the earth after fulfilling my purpose. I also must admit I may have gone a little bit overboard with my fun back on Arbel as my actions did end up killing Arbel's Mana Tree, which acts as the source of ALL life on any life-giving world."

"Not that the children of any world would call their sacred tree a Mana tree as not all worlds have mana present for them to tap into. I can't believe you, Praegem. To be so willing to sacrifice your own followers, both turning them into Geist to begin with, but then to sacrifice the Geist just so you could come here... how did you even know to come HERE of all places?"

"Complicated magicks; no need to explain THAT concept further to you. And what's so surprising about my actions. You know what I am all about and that is something that's never going to change. Also, I did promise them, didn't I..."

"No matter where they go or where they try to hide. Either on this world or another, this life time or another, I would follow them and I would not let them rest till I had finally gotten my revenge. After all, your parents have been a thorn in my side for more than one lifetime."

More than one life time? Wait, is he saying that my parents previous lives, before they were Realm and Linear, were among the heroes who originally defeated the destroyer; among those who had been killed in that battle? Looks like I'm going to need to ask aunt Eris if she can answer that one, once I'm able to get in contact with her again.

"By the way... what was your name again? No matter, you wouldn't happen to know where your father's reincarnation could be hiding at? It would be ever so nice if I could show him the current state of his woman, to let him know how easily I dominated her (sadistic laughter)."

I find myself grinding my teeth and clenching my fist. I just need a few moments more, then I would be ready to go. I would save my mother's reincarnation and I would return this creature to being sealed away again and I would make sure it sticks for the long term.

The Praegem then stops laughing at me suddenly, the expression he was making becoming serious as he says-

"Are you almost fully charged up, little brat? Ah, don't look so surprised. You think I wasn't aware of what you were really doing when asking me questions you already knew. Well then, seeing as that is the case, I hope you don't mind if I go making the first move."

The Praegem then raises his hands up while sending some kind of energy flowing into his open palms. This energy was so strong that it was becoming somewhat visible to the naked eye.

"I won't let..."

"Far too late foe that... TEMPESTIA!"

{|} Part 7: A Familiar Feeling {|}

(Yunyun POV)

"Now I'm the one who's not feeling good here."

("Must really suck for you, huh Cielo. Don't worry, we're almost there... I think.")

To be honest, I agreed with Cielo as my own stomach was doing cartwheels here; what with how Anna was moving across the land. I turn enough to see Darkness, wondering if she was also suffering a bit like we were in the moment.

"Anna, I dare you to go running into the large rock ahead of us as fast as you can. Don't be afraid of hitting it back first. I can take it; I know I can."

Why did hearing that not surprise me. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever understand this woman.

Just then, as we pass over another wall of rock, it finally came into view, our destination.

("That must be it; the central point of this whole place.")

"Putting aside the fact it is clearly different than anything else we've seen in these lands, are you sure this is where we'll find Megumin."

("Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, this is where the voice I've been hearing seems to be at its loudest.")

After saying that, Anna continued onward till we had reached the base of this strange structure. It was hard to describe, really. It appeared to be this massive spike that seemed to be growing from the very ground; a weird looking kind of metal that was pulsing with some kind of dark power.

We all turned our gazes skyward, recalling the visage of a structure located atop this spike when we had first seen it from a distance. Cielo was quick to ask-

"OK, we're here now so... any ideas on how we get up there."

There was a pause before Anna answered and when she did, there was something scary about her voice.

("Oh, I think I have an idea or two.")

"Anna, you aren't thinking what I think you're..."

Before I could finish, Anna hops back a few jumps, and I was sure she was about to start doing some insane jumps in order to reach the top of this structure. Instead, wings burst forth from out of her back, rapidly fluttering and lifting us into the air.

"Ah, and here I was looking forward to the thrill of cutting through the air with some crazy leaps and climbing moments."

("Honestly, that was the plan till something told me I could do this with the Geist body. Also, just so you don't have to ask, flying around with these funny looking wings is rather tiring hence why these things tend to travel around by long jumping from place to place.")

It only takes a minute or two before we finally set down at the top of the spike; at the entrance of what now was confirmed to be a temple of some sort. As Anna lets me and Cielo down and Darkness climbs off her back, I take a moment to look around the temple entrance and a realization comes to me.

I had this strange feeling, a feeling that I had seen this place before.

"So, this is where Megumin ran off too. Just how the hell did she manage to get herself up and in here?"

"We can ask her once we find her. One thing is for sure, this place has something dangerously dark lurking within it as I'm finding myself wanting to turn tail and run. Considering it's me here, of all people, who's saying that should be enough to make you all nervous here."

"Agreed. So, care to take the lead here... Anna?"

("Ugh... guys, something's wrong. I'm starting to feel all... weird here...")

We all turn to her, concern on our faces as Anna's Geist form begins to sway back and forth for several seconds before she finally collapses forward onto the ground. We immediately rush to her side, terror coming over us as we feared something bad was happening to her now.

The Geist body then begins to glow before shrinking down, returning Anna back to her human appearance. There was a dead silence that followed that made me think the worst had happened. Anna had been on a timer, after all. Had her turning into that Geist morph accelerated that timer? Had Anna just...

"(SNORE!)"

"Did Anna... just fall asleep?"

asked Darkness as both me and Cielo knelt down and placed our hands onto her. Cielo then looks at me and I send her a nod in response before turning to Darkness and explaining.

"Her internal mana is... actually fine. Believe it or not, I think her mana levels may have actually been recharged by being in that Geist form. For now, she doesn't appear to be in any danger of giving up her ghost... as it were."

Cielo quickly adds-

"Good as that may be though, we shouldn't expect her to be of any more help for a while as she's about as out as one could imagine, and I doubt anything we can do will change that anytime soon."

Darkness lets out a sigh, then turns her gaze back to looking towards the darkened temple halls.

"Of all the times to decide to go take a power nap. Fine, get her on my back so we can get going."

Once that was done, we then go to stand beside Darkness as Cielo asks-

"So, where should we start looking first. With Anna having taken a little trip to dream land, we've lost our best guide to this..."

"I know where to go."

My sudden declaration gets them both looking at me, understandably confused. Darkness is quick to say-

"Yunyun, wha... how do you...?"

"I don't know how to explain it. I just... know where to go. Just trust me, alright."

Before they could respond, I break into a run. I didn't need to look back and say anything more as I knew they were following me, despite their confusion. Still, how did I know where to go?

A thought crosses my mind, a memory of what me and Kazuma had experienced within that crystal we found during my Crimson Trial. Was it possible that this temple was connected to the memories that belonged to Krys? Was that the reason. If so, then how did this place...

I shake that question from my mind. Right now, I needed to focus on the task at hand, which was finding Megumin. Anything else could wait till after that. I just hope we weren't too late.

{|} Part 8: Not the Smartest Move {|}

"... Tempestia."

Wolbach stood there, already bracing herself to take the powerful offensive spell from her possessed mother, but nothing came from his command. They all just stood there in baited silence for a few more seconds before the Praegem pulled back in confusion, looking down at his hands.

"Um... OK, that wasn't expected. Let's try this again. Tempestia... Tempestia... well, let's try Dire!"

Again, nothing came from his outstretched hands, making not just me but also Hans and my other half all cock our heads in confusion. Meanwhile, a very much confused Praegem finally says-

"Just what the hell is going on here. I'm pretty sure this one is an expert mage. What little of her mind I was willing to dive into more or less confirms that fact."

"Um... Praegem, what do you mean when you say you barely skimmed through her mind?"

I know this wasn't exactly the time to be going and doing this; asking such a strange and pointless question but I was still curious what he was going on about. Also, my mother would be doing the same regardless as she was also the type of person who desired to learn as much as she could, within reason of course.

"Huh... oh, right. It took me a few centuries since coming here, I was finally able to awaken the few Geist I had managed to bring here with me. I sent them out to patrol these lands and capture any fool who just so happened to be passing by. Naturally, I had them turned into Geist as well though the process wasn't as easy, given my current status. During this process, I learned much about this world, like the Crimson Demon clan of all-powerful mages. I also learned about there... interesting way of looking at things."

"Ah, I think I know what you're saying. You were able to determine my mother's reincarnation was from that clan which made you hesitant to delve deeper into her current self's memories. Afraid that doing so could result in your own mental state would be permanently warped by the Crimson Demon's ways of thinking about stuff."

"I feel I have very good reason for being afraid of that happening. After all, I have my image to uphold. Still... why can't I use any of my spells through her? I know she's a mage. Is it because of her own lack of mana? I thought my own personal power I had within me would be enough compensation for..."

"Maybe it's because you're trying to use spells that she doesn't know."

came Hans, making both me and the Praegem look back at him. The Praegem then says-

"I'm sorry?"

"Well, I've never heard of those spells before so I'm guessing those must have been spells from back on your old stomping grounds and I was thinking that while you are the one who's currently in control of that girl's body, it still is HER body and thus you would be locked into only using the spells she..."

"Hans, what are you doing. Don't go telling the enemy what they're doing wrong."

In truth, I was also confused until Hans had spoken though I'm sure I would have figured it out eventually. Hans quickly hides himself; a sheepish look appearing on his slime face body. I then hear the Praegem start to laugh.

"Hah-hah-ha, thanks for the tip, little slime. You sure have yourself quite the fool of a friend there, brat."

"What can I say. I like the keep company with the crazy types. After all, my parents were the craziest people of them all."

I say proudly. The Praegem chuckles this time, nodding his understanding.

"Yeah, I can see that. Now then, let's try this again except this time, I'll try using one of this worlds native spells... Energy Ignition."

Nothing happened.

"I said... Energy Ignition. (still nothing) OK, how about Inferno... Crimson Laser... Freeze? God dammit, what the hell is going on with this girl's body. She is a bloody mage, right?"

As the Praegem begins to suffer an almost childlike temper tantrum, a thought sudden occurs to me. Why was I just standing here, watching him act like he was. I had already finished building up the power I had received from mother a lifetime ago. I could use it right now and end this with one quick strike. Still, did I really need to use it yet? How about I try doing this first.

I rush forward, catching the Praegem by surprise as I pounce on top of him. I use my legs to pin down Megumin's legs while I grab on tightly to her wrist, also keeping them pinned to the ground. Naturally, the Praegem struggles to free himself from my grasp, but I was the stronger as I shout back at Hans-

"Hans, get over here quickly and help me out."

"Huh... oh, right. Be right there."

Hans quickly moves from his hiding spot over to my side and I quickly add-

"While I keep her immobile, I need you to pull that skull off her body."

"Alright but will that actually free her from this guy's control."

"It better, otherwise I might have to get really rough with her which I would like to avoid."

"Hey, don't think I'm just going to let you get away with... stop that. Quit trying to pull the skull off, especially when someone's in the middle of talking. Surely you two know something about manners here."

The Praegem's struggle intensifies, but it was all in vain as the helmet like skull finally begins to slide off Megumin's head. Just a bit more... a bit more... almost there...

"Megumin... get off her, villain."

The next thing I knew, I felt something come slamming into me fast and hard before my mind could even register the new voice that had spoken up. I was sent flying off Megumin's body, slamming hard against a side pillar. I just barely manage to see another person, separate from the one who had hit me go kicking Hans away from Megumin while a third person leans down to examine her body.

The one who had hit me was a woman wearing Knightly armor. The one kneeling beside Megumin appeared to be a Monk of some kind. And the one who had kicked Hans away was a girl who class was hard to determine. The Knight and the undetermined class girl then come to stand between us while I hear the Monk say-

"Megumin... Megumin, hang in there. Your friends are here now."

"No... wait, you don't..."

"Can it, you monster. What were you trying to do to our friend just now."

The Knight looked like she was about to attack when the other girl suddenly raises a hand up to stop her. I realize that she was sending me a curious look.

"Wait, you're... miss Wolbach?"

I look at the girl, giving her a really good look now and I realize that I had seen her before.

"It's you... that girl I encountered not too long ago. The one I offered to take under my wing as my apprentice. I think your name is..."

"Yes, I'm Yunyun. What's going on. Why were you attacking Megumin?"

Oh crap, of all the times to let myself become distracted.

"No, that's not what is going on. You don't understand. That... that isn't Megumin you just helped out."

"What are you..."

said the Knight, her voice having gone from being angry to being confused. Meanwhile, the Monk girl was still attending to Megumin as I hear her say-

"Come on, Megumin. Say something already."

"... Alright, if I must..."

The next thing we all knew, the Monk girl was sent flying into the air, hitting the ceiling with some much force that it left an impact crater from the act. The Monk girl cries out from the pain before she begins to fall to the ground, forcing the Knight to turn away from me to catch her while Yunyun runs over to me, to help me back onto my feet.

As I stand, I look off to the side to see yet another girl lying off to the side unconscious while my other half was sitting on her lap, poking her small paw against the sleeping girl's body. I then send a quick glance to Hans, seeing her was alright for the most part though him being attacked by Yunyun had sent his eyes into being little spirals.

"I must thank you, newcomers. Had you not stepped in when you did, I would have been forced out of controlling this body here. Perhaps I'll turn you into Geist as my way of showing my gratitude."

"Damn it, we messed up."

growled the Knight as the Monk took a drink of what I assumed was a healing potion. The Monk then says-

"How dare you take control of Megumin's body. Just who are you?"

"He's the Praegem, an enemy of mine from a long time ago."

"The Praegem? You mean as in Praegem Calaster?"

said Yunyun, making me look at her in surprise and shock. How did she know that? Wait, it can't be... is Yunyun the reincarnation of aunt Krys? What are the odds in that happening.

The Praegem begins to laugh again, his gazing sweeping over the area; perhaps sizing up the new arrivals or perhaps being cautious for any other unseen arrivals. He then stops, his gaze focused solely on Yunyun as he says-

"You know about me? How would... ah, I can see it now. Long time no see, little Krys. I'm sure your father would send his regards... if he were here with us now."

Yunyun flinches as she takes a step back which was understandable. The Knight, meanwhile, shouts out-

"Trying to mess with us with some mind games now."

"Don't go thinking that's going to work. We may have been fooled before, but we won't be making that mistake again. With all of us together, we'll definitely defeat you and get Megumin back."

adds the Monk. I then hear Yunyun shout out-

"Megumin, you can hear me, right. I know you can hear me. How could you let yourself be controlled by such a creature as this. I thought you were supposed to be the best of our clan. To let yourself become this guy's tool... are you really that weak? How can you, the master of Explosion magic, possibly..."

Oh shit...

"Explosion magic, you say."

"Ah... nope, I didn't say anything about Explosion magic. Everyone in the clan, even Megumin, knows that such magic is a waste of time and that those who seek to learn it are seen as joke mages."

I can't help but shake my head at listening to Yunyun's sad attempt at taking back her words. The Praegem, obviously, wasn't buying it.

"Ah, I can see it now. So that's what she's into. How appropriate that she would focus on this kind of magic."

"Stop Praegem, I won't let you..."

I shout out as I go lunging at him; the others following my action. Knowing that I should have done this sooner and lambasting myself for being reserved, I send mother's power outward, causing my body to begin to change as I hope that I, that we, could reach Megumin before it was to late.

But I knew we would be as he holds a glowing hand to the sky and proclaims loudly-

"EXPLOSION!"

{|} to be continued... {|}