A week quickly goes by, Velvet and Magilou are getting along as well as they can, I'm not sure how often Velvet needed to consume demons to survive but the Abbey seem to know as demons are dropped into the cell every two days.

Magilou would always pitch a fit during, it was understandable though since she had no way to defend herself against the demons, luckily they never got the chance to attack her, Velvet would devour them too quickly for that to even cross what little minds they had.

"Hey mister!" Magi called out from the cell, we haven't talked much this week not that i didn't want to but because I had no idea about what to talk with her about, what little I did know about her was because of a game and one rated for teens at that.

You would think there would be little that would change because of this but a noticeable difference is the occasional 'offer', because of how little difference there is from her game counterpart I am slowly getting more comfortable with her.

My attitude dealing with Magilou being vastly different than Velvet weirds me out. How was i able to just blurt that out the first time I spoke with her?

Could it be that if I didn't she would have devoured me, that might have been the main reason but not all of it. I'll just blame hormones and the fact that I had apparently died hours before.

Magilou would throw out sexual suggestions, some dark humor and occasionally troll a little, while Velvet would mostly be the same except she was a seventeen year old girl, a year older than her game self, and that plus no game restrictions meant that I was flashed quite a few times in spars.

If I can resist being distracted by her then I should be fine if others try at least that's her reasoning, I think it was just her way of teasing though.

Velvet while still absolutely murderous when thinking about Artorius, didn't allow that to dominate her thoughts as much now that she had a clear idea of how she would get her revenge.

As I opened the cell and looked down, I couldn't help but notice that their clothes still look as fresh as when they first got here, fucking magic man.

"When am I going to get that 'protein' huh?" Again winking at an innuendo. Magilou was always saying things like that to both me and Velvet, although I only got the obvious ones.

"Dinner is scheduled anytime between now and an hour from now, you also know what day it is so be careful." I say that and close the cell, I shouldn't have opened it in the first place.

"Aw no fun, oh well hey Velvet want to help me floss?" There is no stopping this girl is there. She's not even being subtle, have some class. I say that but I still love hearing it from her, there is something refreshing about it, although that just might be my hormones talking again.

While I was able to get this post there is only so much you can excuse, if I was caught opening the cell without another exorcist around then I would just be thrown in the cell with them completely disregarding my 'amnesia' and their respect for my status.

Yeah I don't know what that is about either maybe I'll find out soon.

Less than ten minutes after I closed the cell door, I heard footsteps coming. Echos bouncing off stone walls making it unknown how many. Although with today being the day Velvet should be fed I would guess either two or three.

I was proven wrong when a fourth stepped into the room one carrying food, another a box attached to rope, and the other two escorting a tied demon, the two escorting the demon quickly approaching the cell and I opened the cell as soon as they were ready to throw it in.

"Demon kibble with a side of hair and claws!" I yell into the cell, the exorcists all give me weird looks, I give them a shrug. "I have to warn the other prisoner don't I, speaking of which why is she here? I know it's not my place to ask but it just doesn't make any sense."

The wolf like demon had been struggling this entire time but it couldn't do much with rope tying his limbs together, I could feel a sense of serenity around the rope so I suppose it was blessed not sure how though.

The rope and cell door were soon used to suspend the demon above the opening of the cell with another exorcist went to untie the demon, being careful of its claws and fang seems a bit dangerous when you could just cut the rope but I'm not the quartermaster so I keep my mouth shut.

As the demon fell into the pit it was soon devoured by the resident therion, it didn't even have a chance to get off the floor before Velvet had it in a tight grasp. Another rope was quickly lowered and Magilou went about attaching the now corpse to it by what little trousers there were left of the man it had become.

It's always weird that they keep their clothes afterwards, shouldn't it be like the hulk or werewolves where their clothes get ripped and shredded when they transform? I thought that until about a week ago anyway.

I felt a hand pat me on the shoulder and looked to find the same laid back guard from last week giving me a look of compassion.

"I said it last week but I'll say it again don't think so much about stuff to do with prisoners, it's not our place what Lord Artorius decides. I also wanted to say that you need to take a break, standing around with no one to talk to will make you go mad, that 'joke' earlier only makes this point obvious."

I sigh while slumping my shoulders eventually nodding my head.

" Yeah I know I'll be sure to take a break soon, I'll be sure to take a vacation sometime next month."

He looked away shaking his head and muttering about workaholics before eventually lowering the box.

"Ooh look at this some stale bread soaked in mushroom stew my favorite! Say did you guys add the poisonous ones in here like I asked you too? I would hate for the assassination attempts to stop simply because I was moved."

Magilou sure was cheerful about almost dying, then again it could be like the princess bride where she was immune to deadly poisons and venoms, I doubt that though.

The guards ignored the witch as they always do and handed me my own food much the same except my stew had pork in it.

Same again? Supplies must be scarce if they have us eating the same stuff a week straight.

"Are you sure you don't need a partner to guard these two with? While I don't doubt your combat skills, I'm sure it's lonely." As always when it was time for food this question is asked.

"Thank you for the offer but these prisoners are docile especially compared to the others. If you have another guard assigned here then there will not be as many to hold back the actually dangerous prisoners, plus I'm afraid my singing will drive anybody else insane."

"Yes please shut his singing up it's almost as bad as hearing a bat screech in a cave!" As always Magi was ignored by the surrounding guards except for the laid back guard, I can't keep calling him that but I'm not going to learn the names of people whom I'm going to betray in a few years.

Just as I began to began to speak again the sound of running footsteps interrupted me. All of us turned to the door as another man burst in almost out of breath.

"Captain! There a riot in the cells, we suspect that this is an attempt to mask an escape." The guard whom seemed laid back quickly began marching towards the door barking orders as he does

" In formation men! You" pointing to the man who only now caught his breath "relay to the west tower that guards are to be placed on every door leading outside afterwards rest and join the guards in quelling the riot." After a quick salute the messenger left just as fast as he came. The now revealed captain turning towards me.

Whatever weird respect and deference they have for me being forgotten in this state.

"While this is unexpected you will stay at your post and defend this cell with your life, understood?! If that demon gets out the chaos she could spread would be ten times worse than a simple riot."

I nodded my head and gave a quick "yes sir!" As soon as he was out I waited a few minutes as a precaution and when no one came by I relaxed and leaned over the cell smiling down at the two.

"Seems we can relax for about an hour. What was that earlier about my singing sounding like a screech Magilou? Perhaps I should stop singing altogether." I said Magi waving her hands in faux panic

"No way! I was just trying to help you out, the guards are always looking for more ways of tormenting the prisoners if it looks like we can't stand your singing it would not only make them encourage your singing but also cause them to avoid this area even more!" Maybe the panic wasn't fake after all?

" I got it, I was just teasing. If your really didn't like my singing one of you would have already told me to shut my mouth when I started." I chuckled a little, it wasn't often I could tease either of them.

"Hmph just for that don't come to me when you get a boner next time, I won't help you" even from here I can see she sticks her nose up in the air at me.

"I don't come to you for that anyway." I try to say it in as much of a bland voice as I could. A throat clearing made us break out of our little comedy routine and look at Velvet.

As always when she wasn't sparing or devouring she sat next to the wall and looked as relaxed as could be, once again I'm left thinking about how cool and badass she is.

"If you two are done flirting I think we should continue our conversation from the other night" Right that conversation.

When I first told Velvet I was from another world she didn't question how I knew about her or why I proposed, probably because it didn't matter to her at the time, but Magilou was entirely different.

When asked I gave them the explanation that had gotten popular a few years ago in my world. The theory is that because of how vast the universe is and no matter how small a chance there is of something happening somewhere it will happen. When you combine this theory with the alternative universe theory it means that fictional universes and worlds are real.

When I got done with my horrible done explanation, I told them how the story of tales of berseria went and what little I knew of zesteria.

Of course this came as a shock to them. The thought that who knows how many people all know about what happened to them their highs and lows was demoralizing, even if the majority would back them up it is still upsetting.

This is the first time Velvet has spoken to me since, she still sparred with me and listened to tales of my life but she didn't respond as much so I was at a loss.

I only noticed this after Velvet declared herself my fiance but there is a bond between us, not a metaphorical one an actual one and when I asked if she felt it to it was confirmed.

Since there had been no deterioration in the energy I knew she was just thinking and not upset with me, truly I'm blessed.

Only thing that confused me was I could also feel a small connection between both Magilou and myself as well as Magilou and Velvet, the only explanation I could reach was that God decided to allow me a fraction of the treatment Solomon got.

The connection did start shortly after my and Velvet's became obvious to me, so I would assume it started after their conversation.

I haven't brought it up to them but I will soon, this issue of Velvet not speaking gave me the excuse I needed to procrastinate.

"If our world follows the same patterns then Laphicet has been consumed by this empyrean and I won't allow it to masquerade as him a second longer than I have to."

The firm conviction and anger I can feel from her is a welcome relief but her next words caused the exact opposite.

"But if it doesn't follow what you know then be sure to prepare yourself even if you didn't intend to you still upset me you know what that means right?" Velvet was glaring but this glare was different, this time it was directed to me and not Artorius.

"Yeah I know." I nodded I've been able to realize a lot more clearly what emotions I feel as they happen since I've got to this world, a byproduct of my skill no doubt, and while there is some fear and adrenaline there was a hint of arousal as well although it didn't surprise me that much.

Velvet continued this time speaking with Magilou. " If you join us in our mission to kill Artorius then we will help you with Melchior are you in?" Magi looked at Velvet in a slightly condescending way

"I thought it was obvious was it not? Our objectives lie down the same path not to mention our earlier deal." As she says that I could feel the bond between them strengthen.

After a small stare down they each nodded Magi then looking at me for a moment before making it clear what this earlier deal they made was about.

"You made a deal with a demon, that deal being her hand in marriage for access to your impossible skill so I offer you this, I shall be your concubine, second wife whatever. In exchange you will not only give me access to this skill as well but also be by my side in significant life decisions is this acceptable? Keep in mind that I consider killing Melchior the strongest mage in the Abbey to be a significant life decision."

"We accept." I look at Velvet who spoke for me and eventually looked back at Magilou before nodding my head, as long as Velvet was alright with it then I'm Happy.

As soon as I nodded my head I felt all of our bonds strengthen, the bond between Velvet and myself was the strongest but followed closely by Magi and Velvet's then mine and Magilou's

"Alright!" Magilou cheered. " So mistress Vel do you want first dibs or can I pop my cherry first?"

"Obviously as the first wife I'll go first after some measures are taken we will have to be cautious our revenge will be almost impossible if we have to care for babies as well." I think it's best for me to ignore this conversation and just follow what they decide to do it's for the best really. No I'm not stalling I swear.

"Ah that's not a problem for me I gave up the ability to concieve a child years ago, really the decision was forced on me but at the time it seemed the best choice to go with. The choices were either that or give up all emotions and that's just no way to live you know?"

As soon as I heard that I knew I just had to say something before I lost the courage to do so. I could feel through our bond her immense sadness not something I expected but canon Magilou probably hid that sadness with joy and jokes as most do.

"Was that your oath? You can reject it you know, our bond does more than let us feel that it exists"

"Oh? Going to reveal something you figured out? I hope it's interesting." She gave a sly smile and a laugh not expecting much. What I say will no doubt be shocking to them

"It's something I've noticed a few weeks ago, this is the same body I had in my old world and artes simply didn't exist in my world as they do here so i was surprised when I actually performed one. And while it's something I didn't notice because of how gradual it was It became obvious to me after the bond was discovered you should know what I'm talking about with this "

I hold up a hand before they could ask what I mean and give a tug on my bond with Velvet, surprised by the feeling her left arm burst into her therion claw and on my left arm a transparent version of the same claw appeared.

" It was just a thought but it seems that just as you should be able to access my power I too can access yours, Magilou how about you give the bond between you and Velvet a small tug?"

Shocked Magilou took a minute before looking to Velvet with a questioning gaze and seeing a nod from Velvet, who had transformed her arm back into a human one, looked focused and I felt a jolt through the bond they shared before Magilou also had a transparent therion arm.

This time since she expected the tug Velvet's arm didn't transform and gave a nod, already planning on how to use this going forward no doubt. Soon I felt a tug from my bond on her end, and while there was no obvious change for a few seconds I felt our bond relax and knew she stopped using my power.

"This also explains why I am able to use artes. The energy needed to use artes has been adapting my body to be able to handle it slowly and I suspect that the stronger our bond the faster this process is."

Velvet slowly nodded standing up and looking up at me and with her next few words bringing my joy to new heights.

"My eighteen birthday, thlat's when we shall marry. got it? I was planning on getting to know you better but using your power we can understand each other much faster, I expect a ring for both my self and Magilou, how you get it or what it's made of I don't care, you can even make it out of wood if need be." Well I guess the time table is being moved up slightly

" Yeah I was planning to get your ring next month using the excuse of a vacation to leave for a week but I can just lie to the captain and have them go get them if possible. I'll just tell him I remembered I had siblings and the rings would be a momento for them."

"Hey make sure mine has a sapphire gemstone alright?" Magilou says

"Alright I'll speak with the captain about it hopefully whatever I've earned I can get the rings without fuss." With that I finally shut the cell door and relaxed.

The girls started a conversation about who will be the first to consummate our marriage but I tuned it out, I'll find out their decision in three months anyway so why spoil it.

About two hours later I heard the sound of footsteps echoing soon the sound of a sword being unsheathed also echoed that being myself of course as I held my sword in one hand taking a basic ready stance with the sword held in front of me with both hands

"Be at ease I'm not an enemy." The earlier captain appeared his attitude back to being laid back there was not much different other than a few dents on his armor and his gauntlets having a stain or two on them.

"Just came to inform you the lockdown has been lifted and the prisoners are back in their cells, I wanted to tell you this in person but I can't thank you enough for the job you are doing."

I'm just sitting around a hole in the ground though? Even if I didn't have a good relationship with Velvet there is no way she could escape until seres breaks the seal keeping her there.

" It might not seem much to you but it keeps our mind at ease knowing we have a dedicated and strong willed man guarding the calamity. You have our gratitude." He give a nod my way and begins to turn around before stopping when I call out to him.

" Before you go can I ask a favor?" He turns and looks at me gesturing to go on I ducked my head a little and scratched my head. " I remembered a little more about my life before, while losing my village was a devastating moment the loss of both of my sisters and my baby brother was what lead me here or at least that's what I think. I can barely remember them so I was hoping you could get me a few rings so I could remember them and hopefully regain even more memories."

I looked him dead in the eye as I spoke once more " I don't remember how much we get paid to guard this prison or if we are even paid in the first place but if we are I'm willing to forgo an entire years pay and vacation for them and if need be even more." He looked into my eyes for a moment and slowly nodded his head.

" I think that can arranged tell me the specifications and I'll have them delivered to you how much they cost will shouldn't be an issue since yes we are paid." It's fortunate that while waiting for the riot to end I got both of their ring sizes.

I gave him the ring sizes of myself and the girls telling him I wanted the rings to match their favorite colors one being sapphire for blue, another being amber for yellow, as for my brother I just asked him to get me a plain ring as he was too young.

It's fortunate he didn't ask about the ring sizes although I did have an excuse ready that, that being the girls would have fit them and my brothers for me since I imagined he would be as tall and big as myself.

The blue was for Magilou as she asked for it but for Velvet I got amber for the memories she shared with her brother.

Not the best of reasons but I'm not going to hand her a plain ring no matter the reason.

With that over with the captain left after telling me it will be at least a month before they get here just because of how long it will take to travel which is actually faster than I thought it would be.

We are in the middle of the ocean so I expected that it would take a while, I just hope it gets here before Velvet's birthday or she'll be pissed.

I glance at the cell one more time before sitting down and beginning to meditate. I believe if I can get some control of this energy I use for the few artes I know then it will drastically speed up my progress.

Although it was hard to focus when the excitement sent my blood pumping, it's finally happening I'm getting married with a connection that goes beyond normal marriage too.

I shook my head and tried my best to focus and thought of artes and how I should obtain more, the one arte I did use was a simple azure edge by simple luck.

As I look at my blade in my lap I try to hold it one handed. " It's light enough, maybe I should get a shield?" I mutter to myself.

On a whim I try to move my energy to my hand and when I did so I noticed it glowed and instantly knew what arte to try next.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, and I can think of no better man to imitate at this moment.