**SPOILERS FOR JULIUS' BACKSTORY**
Timeline: Episodes 89 - 94ish
Chapter rating: M (Blood, Violence, Death, Grief)
Synastry
The cool evening breeze caressed their skin as Gordon and Anastasia were en route back to the base. The doll in Gordon's likeness swayed gently in the wind, clipped to her Grimoire holder. The poison mage couldn't stop smiling, his heart light with the evening's memories. He recalled the way Anastasia's eyes had lit up when he presented her with the doll, and her laughter echoed in his mind. She had held the doll close, her smile radiating pure delight, and in that moment, he felt a connection stronger than ever before. The memory warmed him against the cool breeze, and as he glanced at her, hair flowing freely in the wind, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of happiness.
"By the way, Gordon…" Anastasia said.
He straightened his back at attention, his expression reverting to neutral as he listened.
"Didn't you say you needed help with something?" She slightly turned her head back to see him in her peripheral.
He looked down slightly, pondering his words.
"Actually, you already helped me." He uttered
"Did I?"
He watched the magic carpet, woven from shimmering starlight, as they sailed smoothly through the night sky, leaving a trail of sparkling dust in its wake.
"Yes. Just by being with you today…seeing the way you just…accept me…" he muttered as his smile returned. "It's inspiring, and I think I should be more accepting too. I'll be able to get closer to my friends. And to you."
His words warmed her heart through and through. A soft blush colored her cheeks as she looked at him, feeling a swell of emotion she couldn't quite put into words. Her heart fluttered, and for a moment, she felt as though she were floating on air rather than on a magic carpet. She turned back to face forward, biting her lip to keep from grinning too widely, but the happiness in her eyes was unmistakable. His sincerity, his vulnerability, and the hopeful look in his eyes made her chest tighten with affection.
The Caravan arrived at the base and settled down gently, gracefully caressing the ground with its starry magic. The two mages shuffled off and stood across from each other, their eyes darting from the ground to each other's. They stood for a while in awkward silence, reluctant to end the night.
"Thank you for sharing this moment with me, Anase" Gordon finally mumbled "I'm really glad we did this."
"Me too, Gordon" She looked up at him, smiling sincerely "Let's go out again sometime?"
His heart swelled at the thought of seeing the cosmos mage again.
"I would love that." He said, his entire face smiling.
He watched her climb back into the Celestial Caravan and waved as it floated off, his heart aching to see her leave but full from the time they've shared. He entered the base, humming a happy yet eerie tone to himself.
The base was abuzz the next day. Everyone seemed to be getting ready to step out for their own reasons. Charmy would go out to look for delicious food to improve her mana-cooking, Yami would go see Vengeance for an apology on behalf of his squad member's assault on Finral, Magna would go off for training and Vanessa would go check on Finral who was at the healing tower for an extended follow up. Gauche attempted to leave as well, but Yami would rely on him to stay in case missions come in.
"B-b-b-be careful!" Grey stuttered as the team left.
"Come back soon" Gordon mumbled, polishing a glass "I get lonely when nobody is around."
Gauche was putting his all into making a wooden doll of Marie, however as he sensed the presence of Gordon and Grey sitting at the table with him, he would get distracted by a feeling of unease.
Grey was fidgeting and whimpering, struggling to start a conversation due to her extreme shyness. Gordon, determined to get closer to his friends, muttered away.
"This is fun,' He mumbled "Thethreeofusspendingtimetogetherisnice. Wecanchat. I'mbesidemyselfwithjoy.
"Hey." Gauche said
Grey blushed at attention.
"Wouldyouliketosharesecrets? Althoughialreadyknowallyoursecrets." Gordon uttered straight-faced, speaking about the journals he keeps of his friends.
Gauche stared at the poison mage, attempting to decipher what he said. "If a mission comes in, I'll take care of it. You two can go to your rooms and rest"
"I-I couldn't possibly ask you to do t-t-that!" Grey said behind closed hands.
"Don'tbeastranger. Ifthereisamissionofcourseilldoitwithyou" His eyes widened
'I have no idea what these two are saying…' The mirror mage thought, his irritation building.
"It's okay. Just go get some rest." Gauche said "I mean that I need to make money to buy presents for Marie"
Grey wanted to say more, but only whimpering babble came out.
"It's not a problem…" Gordon muttered
Gauche shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his frustration building. All he wanted to do was get away from them and focus on his goddess.
'God this is so embarrassing to stay in my original form and not transform!' Grey monologued as she struggled to form speech 'Nevertheless, everyone thinks of me as a friend, so I should at least maintain my original form in front of everyone…Moreover, Gauche has complimented my original form's appearance!'
Her heart fluttered wildly at the memory, the warm blush that spread across her cheeks, getting deeper. His compliment had been simple, but it meant the world to her. All she could do was sit there, her heart pounding in her chest, her cheeks flushed with color, hoping that one day she might find the courage to express her feelings. For now, she could only dream of what it would be like to have his attention, to be the one he looked at with that same admiration.
"I wanted to deepen my relationship with everyone at the seabed temple…and at the star awards festival" A tear threatened to fall as Gordon remembered his feeling of loneliness and his attempt to soothe the ache with painted rocks of his friends. "So, I'm going to deepen my relationship with the two of you today. As deep as it can be."
He'd spent countless evenings in solitude, his heart heavy with the longing for connection. As he reminisced about the times, he felt isolated, his thoughts drifted to his recent date with Anastasia. The memory of her acceptance and the warmth in her eyes when she looked at him brought a small, bittersweet smile to his lips. She had seen past his intimidating exterior, embracing him for who he truly was. Her willingness to deepen their relationship had filled him with a joy he'd never known, a joy that still lingered in his heart.
Inspired by her acceptance, Gordon felt a surge of determination. He wanted to bring that same depth of connection to his relationships with his squadmates. He glanced at Grey, who was nervously fidgeting with her hands, and then at Gauche, whose irritation was evident. Gordon's heart ached for them, and he wanted to show his friends the same kindness and acceptance the cosmos mage had shown him. He wanted to be there for them, to understand their fears and insecurities, and to build a bond that could withstand any challenge. With a renewed sense of purpose, Gordon prepared himself to reach out, to bridge the gaps between them, and to share the joy of acceptance and connection that Anastasia had brought into his life.
Gauche took a deep, shaky breath in an attempt to maintain his composure before he cursed them out. He stood up, carefully cradling his soon to be prized possession.
"I'm heading to my room so I can focus on making a doll of my goddess. Tell me if a mission comes in."
As he turned around, the other two quickly appeared before him.
"Itreallyisembarassingtobelookedatbytwopeople" Grey whimpered even faster "butbeingalonewithanotherpersonwhoislookingatmeisevenmoreembarassing!"
"I'll go to your room too. I don't mind if it's messy." Gordon hovered over him ghoulishly "We went to the library together after all…"
'What the fuck is wrong with these two!?' The mirror mage thought, nearly at his breaking point.
'I have to be confident and find a topic to talk about' The transformation mage whimpered as she mustered the courage to point a shaky finger at the doll he was working on.
"G-g-g-gauche, s-s-s-so w-w-what are you making?" she asked.
"Oh, this?" His demeanor shifted as he shoved the doll in Grey's face, blood trickling down his nose. "When I was an otaku, I discovered how fascinating dolls can be. I am currently making a one-eighth scale doll of Marie!"
"M-Marie-Chan…" She remembered the adorable 10-year-old who clung to her brother, during the moment they happened to save her back in the day.
"I'll let you admire it after I complete it!" he said proudly.
"I knew Gauche was interested in dolls…" Gordon said to Grey, "The time to show you my collection has come at last."
Gordon bravely opened his cape, showing off a frightening collection of sack dolls, each in the likeness of the bulls and one that was dressed in white with white hair and a happy expression.
"This is my full collection of handmade black bull dolls…oh and of Anase. Don't they look true to life?" He uttered as he reached in and wrapped his fingers around the one in white.
Grey screeched in fear "A-a-a-are they voodoo dolls!?"
"They're cute…so cute…she's cute" Gordon chanted as he nuzzled his Anastasia doll.
"Scary!" Grey hid behind Gauche
"Dude, that's freaky…" Gauche's disgust showed clearly in his face.
"What!?" Gordon was taken aback
"This might sound strange coming from me" The mirror mage started speaking "but if you want to get along more with others, you need to try to be more approachable. Start with your face."
"M-my face?" Gordon tilted his head slightly
'But Anase likes my face…did she lie to me?' he thought.
"Show me a smile." Commanded gauche
"Smile…?"
"Come on. Just give it a shot."
'Oh boy, I'm nervous…' Grey thought 'He already freaks me out enough, now Gauche wants him to smile!? Or…m-maybe it won't be so bad?'
He thought about last night, mustering up the happiness he felt with Anastasia on their date and tried to move his face muscles into a smile. His lips twitched awkwardly at first, then slowly curled. But instead of a warm, inviting expression, his features turned the smile into something eerie and unsettling. The effect was immediate.
"THAT'S TERRIFYING!" Gauche shouted amidst a streaming Grey.
Gordon fell to his knees, defeated "That's harsh…so harsh…you're harsh…"
His insecurities began to resurface as their reactions burned their memory into his mind. He knew he was intimidating, but for his friends to fear him? The thought broke his heart.
"Hmph, I'm going to the restroom." Gauche carefully set his Marie doll down on the table. "Don't touch it."
"O-okay..." Grey said
Gauche conversed to Gordon about where the restroom was today, and they discussed possibilities of why the base changes daily. Grey begged Gauche to come back quickly, as she didn't want to be left alone with someone who frightened her so much. He began to walk as he mentioned the things Charmy and Vanessa said.
"They said it wasn't magic, but was a ghost instead" He chuckled
Grey laughed along nervously "Please don't make a weird joke like that."
The sound of shattering glass rang through the base, catching Grey's attention. An undead creature pressed itself against the window causing her to scream out in fear. The door soon began to creak and give, breaking as a horde shuffled in.
"Where the hell did those things come from!?" Yelled Gauche
Gordon, who is used to seeing things of such nature, thought nothing of it.
"So many of you came to be friends with me!" He muttered excitedly.
"THE HELL THEY DID, THIS IS AN ENEMY ATTACK!"
As the undead shuffled in, one bumped into the table that the Marie doll sat on, toppling it over. The doll hit the floor, the head breaking cleanly off by the neck. Gauche watched the doll in horror as it broke, then something in him snapped.
"YOUGUYSAREALLFUCKINGDEAD!"
Mirrors surrounded the base as he cast his signature spell: Reflect Refrain and quickly cleared the horde. The bulls appeared outside, Grey in her large form and Gordon staring curiously at the three who would dare attack the base.
"The eye of the midnight sun…" Said Gauche "Looking for another beating?
"Nah…you guys have something valuable in there, believe it or not." Said Rades
"If you're looking for a friend…here is one" Gordon said pointing to himself, completely misunderstanding the situation.
"That's not- why would you- Ugh forget about it!" Gauche sighed and attacked. "Mirror magic: Reflect Retrain!"
A large salamander made of gel stood in defense of the three, ridden by Sally. The attack was absorbed into the gel, reflecting around chaotically before it was directed away from the scene.
"Let's play!" she giggled, equipping an enormous syringe and stabbing an undead with it.
As the liquid in the syringe emptied into the corpse, it transformed into a large frankenstein-esque zombie, wildly roaring. The poison mage stepped in front, ready to defend his friends and summoned his grimoire.
'These guys hurt everyone…' His black grimoire, lined with intricate ruby colored designs, magically turned its pages. 'Don't even think about getting near our base.'
"Poison curse magic…" Tendrils of sickening, purple poison surrounded him as it manifested into creatures around him "Aufwachen Dachs!"
Three spectral badgers materialized from swirling, poisonous mist at Gordon's command. They coiled around his form briefly before two dropped to the ground at his feet, while the third perched atop his shoulder with an eerie familiarity. With a commanding gesture, they were unleashed upon the zombie with a silent but deadly determination. The badgers, eyes glowing with malevolent intent, lunged at the zombie. Their ethereal forms seemed to distort the air around them as they sank their teeth into decaying flesh. With each bite, a toxic mist exuded from their jaws, seeping into the zombie's body and accelerating its decay. The creature's futile struggles only seemed to goad the badgers further, their jaws tearing into the undead flesh with relentless ferocity.
As the zombie's limbs were torn apart by the relentless assault, Gordon's voice cut through the chaos with a chilling calmness. "Since this isn't a living creature, I can use my magic to its fullest extent."
His pale skin and piercing red eyes seemed to gleam with an otherworldly intensity, a stark contrast to his usual reserved demeanor. The deadly efficiency with which he commanded the badgers spoke volumes of a darker, more ruthless side of his abilities.
"Ooh! What a strong poison!" Sally said excitedly as the quirky researcher jumped upon her salamander "Good thing I can neutralize it!"
She charged at the bulls, the salamander leaping high.
Grey ran in front, yelling something to Gauche about how she had learned a new spell.
As chaos erupted around her, Grey's heart raced with determination. She remembered Anastasia's words vividly, echoing in her mind like a guiding light amidst the turmoil.
"I think your magic is a blessing!" Anastasia's sincere validation filled her with renewed confidence and purpose.
Drawing on that encouragement, the transformation mage focused intently, channeling her magic to intercept the incoming attack.
"Transformation magic..." She raised her hands to the gel creature "Magic convert!"
With precise calculations, she altered the opponent's magic, transmuting it into fragile crystal with a shimmering clarity. As she wielded her magic, she knew that in this pivotal moment, her magic wasn't just a tool, it was a shield to protect her comrades and a testament to the faith her friends had shown in her, reaffirming her belief that her magic was indeed a blessing, not just for herself but for those she fought alongside.
"Now, Gauche!"
With a smirk, the mirror mage casted Reflect Refrain, shattering the crystal salamander into dust. Sally hopped off just before getting caught in the rays of the mirrors.
"Wow, you actually transformed my magic! You must be super smart!" She yelled excitedly "I'm starting to gain an interest in you!
"Ww-w-w-w-what!? N-n-n-no please don't look at me!" The transformation mage hid herself away behind her hands.
Rades chuckled in amusement and gave a nod to Valtos to summon his Number Zero: Michael Caesal. Gauche looked at the creature in disgust while Grey squealed in fear. Gordon stood ready, watching its movements as it began to cast a powerful spell.
"Watchout" Rades said mockingly "This baby is made from two magic knight captains!"
The creature placed its hands together, weaving magic into swirling cyclones of wind and thorny vines that encircled its malevolent form. With an extension of its arms, three powerful spirals of the magic barreled towards the three, hurling them aside like ragdolls. Rades cackled madly as his wraith magic wreaked havoc, raising his dead once more and commanding them to continue to destroy the base.
"Stop…" Grey said.
'Since I had no self-confidence, I was afraid to show my true self.' She reminisced of her days, wandering the streets in her larger form. 'Others shied away from me in distrust…others were afraid of me. I was all alone…'
As she slowly brought herself to her feet, memories of the bulls flooded her mind. She remembered Yami, inviting her to join his squad with a hearty laugh. Happy memories when they threw her a surprise birthday party, memories of days when she danced carefree, transformed into a man with a bull's head.
"Stop it…" Gordon said.
'Born into a family famed for its curse magic, I couldn't make any friends.' He remembered his lonely childhood, peeking from behind the trees, wishing he could play with others. 'My poor communication skills and the despised poison magic made others dislike me.'
He leaned on his knee, mustering up his strength to push himself off of the ground. He recalled times where he would be fed by Charmy, feeling his heart warming at the gesture. Times where he would fall asleep out in the open and would wake up with drawings on his face, the times where his rare expressions would cause a laugh in his teammates. Then he finally reflected on Anastasia, interacting with the others at the base, then grabbing him by the arm to whisk him away to the night sky.
'Even when I was like that' They thought in unison, finally rising to their feet. Standing tall amidst adversity. 'This is a place that accepts me!'
"How are we going to deal with these monsters!?" Gauche said as he lifted himself from the ground.
"Don't give up Gauche..." Gordon said standing beside his squadmate
"That's right, Gauche…" Grey said standing on the other side
The poison mage and the transformation mage stood tall beside the Mirror mage and yelled with all of their might.
"WE MUST PROTECT OUR BASE!"
As he heard them, he swelled with pride and renewed determination.
"Heh, so you guys can speak loudly and clearly after all" He reflected on all of his teammates and the role they played in his life as he rose to his feet, "Aside from Marie, there are actually other people I want to protect!"
Anastasia sat cross-legged on a large, plush blue circular carpet in the children's ward of the Healing Tower. The room was filled with the gentle hum of her restorative healing spell: Celestial Sanctuary, casting a warm, golden glow that enveloped the children around her. In one arm, she cradled a baby, sleeping soundly with her tiny fists close to her face, while in the other, a toddler nestled close, head resting on her shoulder with a contented sigh. The carpet beneath them was embroidered with intricate celestial patterns, stars, and constellations that seemed to twinkle in the healing light. Around the healer, four other children sat in a loose circle, their wide eyes reflecting the soft illumination. Some held onto plush toys, while others clutched small blankets, all comforted by her presence. The walls of the ward were painted in soothing pastel colors, adorned with cheerful murals of magical creatures and vibrant landscapes and shelves lined with books and toys stood against the walls.
As Anastasia worked her magic, the children's ailments began to fade. The baby in her arm cooed happily as it turned its head, returning to sleep, and the toddler snuggled closer, a soft smile on their face. The other children watched the celestial display above, their eyes wide with hope and relief as the healing energy washed over them. Her voice was calm and soothing as she sang gently to the children, her words a gentle melody that matched the rhythm of her spell. She reassured them, her warmth and compassion evident in every gesture.
"Anastasie, which one is that?" A child clutching a plushie of a lion said.
The child pointed to a constellation, lit up by 9 stars.
"That one is called Leo, Elijah" She said tenderly "It represents a lion, just like the one you're holding!"
"Really? This is a Leo?" Elijah trotted towards her, lifting up the plush.
"Yes." The cosmos mage giggled "Leo is a symbol for strength and bravery. Since it appears to you, you must be brave too!"
"Yeah! I am brave!" The child nodded enthusiastically.
The peaceful atmosphere in the children's ward shattered abruptly as the castle rumbled, the ground shaking beneath them. The sudden, loud noise startled the children, who cried out in fear and instinctively gathered closer to Anastasia, clinging to her dress. The healer's heart raced with uncertainty as she tried to soothe the frightened children, her voice calming but her mind racing. She tightened her hold on the baby and toddler in her arms, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of immediate danger.
Mana crackled in front of her, forming a screen where Marx appeared, his urgency written across his face.
"Emergency! All castle occupants, evacuate immediately! The King is in combat with an unknown assailant!"
Anastasia's breath hitched as she heard that her brother was being attacked. Her heart tore at the thought of not being able to help him, as she is now trusted with part of the future generations of the Clover Kingdom.
'I-it's okay…Julius is strong…he's the king…' She told herself as she stood to her feet, clutching the baby to her chest 'He won't be defeated.'
"Anastasie, what's happening?" one of the other children asked, voice trembling.
"We need to leave, right now," she said, her tone steady despite the turmoil inside her. "Stay close to me, I'll take you to a safe place."
The children, though scared, trusted the cosmos and obeyed her instructions. They formed a tight line behind her, their small hands clutching the edges of her clothes and each other. As they moved towards the ward's exit, the castle rumbled once more, but Anastasia kept her focus on the task at hand. They had to get out, and she had to protect them. Converting this feeling into mana, she summoned her grimoire and with a finger she painted invisible runes on the line formed by the children's hands.
"Mana method: Constellation chain!"
The runes of her homeland glowed, ensuring that magic that she would use would protect them as well, indicated by their bodies forming lines connecting the stars that would be their hands. She concentrated her mana, stars shimmered around the group with a brilliant intensity almost blinding the kids.
"Cosmos magic: Taurus!"
The light gathered before her, taking shape and solidifying into an enormous, radiant shield. The shield was a dazzling sight, intricately designed with celestial patterns and glowing softly with a blue-white light. It bore the shape of a bull's head in its center, symbolizing the mighty Taurus constellation. The shield floated before her, suspended in the air by its own magical force. It was both imposing and beautiful, with a surface that seemed to shimmer with the movement of distant galaxies. The edges of the shield were sharp and jagged, almost like crystalline structures, giving it an air of both elegance and danger.
Anastasia reached out and grasped the shield's handle, feeling a surge of strength and protection flow through her. The shield responded to her touch, its surface rippling with power. She wielded it effortlessly, despite its massive size, as if it were an extension of her own body. She swung it in a wide arc, and the shield obeyed gracefully, slashing through the air with a trail of stardust. The shield not only served as an unbreakable defense but also as a formidable weapon. In that moment, she was not just a healer; she was a defender of the kingdom, armed with the strength and resilience of Taurus itself.
Marx's voice continued to urge occupants to evacuate, and the cosmos mage marched forward with the children in tow. She held her shield high, blocking debris that would fall from the castle ceiling.
"I'm scared…" one of the children said.
"I know, Honey. This is a scary situation" Anastasia said, validating the girl's fear "but you have me here, and I am not afraid."
Elijah, the small ten-year-old with dark skin, short, coffee colored, dreadlocks, a yellow tunic and white pants, who was at the front of the line, tightened his grip on her dress and on the child who was holding his hand.
"M-me too! I'm not afraid!" He shouted, rallying the other kids.
With renewed bravery, the kids began trotting in unison with the healer's steps, making their way down the crumbling hall. A wall smashed in front of them, and the baby in Anastasia's arm awoke to the racket, wailing in response. The children screamed, hiding behind each other and the cosmos mage shielded them against the peppering of stone. Her heart raced as her mind searched for a way to get these kids out unharmed. The dust cleared from the destroyed wall and her eyes widened as she witnessed half of the castle razed, exposing the sky. Mana of light lingered on the rubble and as she looked up to the sunset kissed sky, her stomach dropped at the sight. She saw Julius, battling a man in white with long white hair gathered in a ponytail. She stilled, torn as she had to fight her burning desire to assist in battle. Her anxiety threatened to take control and she clutched into her shield, tearing her eyes off her brother.
She summoned her Celestial Caravan and drew upon the power of the stars to increase its size, now accommodating six. She beckoned the children to get on, then hopped on herself. Chained together once more, then soared upwards and away from the castle.
"ANASTASIE LOOK OUT!" Elijah yelled.
The cosmos mage turned at attention to a whip of light, headed their way at astonishing speed. The whip struck with a deafening crack, the force reverberating through her shield. Anastasia felt the impact shudder through her entire body. The shield held, but the sheer power behind the attack sent her sprawling off the celestial caravan with the infant in tow.
"ANASTASIEEEE!" The Child yelled as he watched her fall, a tear escaping his eye in the panic.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself in the air as she clutched the now laughing infant. It appeared as if she were dancing in the air, mana and starlight surrounding her as she twirled, guiding the magic through her body. Her shield began to dissipate and morph into the shape of a horse.
"Cosmos magic…" as she chanted hues of green and purple formed enormous, magnificent wings on the horse's back "Pegasus!"
The ground was coming dangerously close as gravity pulled her and the infant towards it. She willed her magic to work faster and as the cosmic beast came to life with an ethereal cry, a powerful beat of its wings stopped the velocity of their fall and galloped in the air towards the carpet.
'I can't let Julius show me up' She thought as she reunited with the children.
The children wailed and cheered with glee as they saw the healer come to their side, riding the radiant beast with its mane of stardust.
"Wow, a pony!" The toddler yelled, clutching onto Elijah, who had the children gathered in a circle.
The ten year old's eyes widened at the majestic sight of the lady in white on a celestial beast and a feeling of hope overwhelmed him.
"Home stretch, kiddos!" She yelled with a smile "We're Almost to the safehouse!"
As he watched the cosmos mage guide them out with celestial efficiency, a feeling of gratitude came over him. This is what Magic Knights do. They protect people when they need help. He took a silent vow to get stronger, inspired by Anastasia.
'When I get stronger, I'll marry you!' He thought.
They arrived at the church where Sister Theresa and others cared for children. The nun was outside with other children, watching as light began to brighten the sky. Pegasus and the carpet settled down gently on the ground, dissipating into a beautiful array of stardust, returning the mana to the sky.
"Sister Theresa!" The cosmos mage called as she dismounted Pegasus.
"Anastasia!" She stated in surprise. "Oh, thank heavens the children are safe."
The children ran towards the Sister and Anastasia handed the baby off to her.
"Thank you for always caring for their sicknesses" Theresa said "The kingdom is lucky to have a healer of your talents. You should join the sisterhood since you're so good with kids"
"Oh no way," The healer said waving her hands "Abstinence is not for me"
"Well, at least you're honest" Theresa chuckled
"What's going on?" Marie said, looking at the sky as the light shifted into enormous swords, bearing down towards the earth.
"Ugh…We can't catch a break can we-"
Anastasia released a loud gasp as she felt her mana leaving her rapidly. She fell to her knees as her Grimoire flickered.
"Anastasia what happened!?" The sister said as she rushed towards her side.
"S-synastry..."
The bond between her and her brother, Synastry, activated to its fullest extent. This passive spell would allow the siblings to borrow one another's mana as well as feel each other's proximity, pain and emotions to an extent. All of a sudden, everything came to a halt as time stood still. Swords of light, millimeters away from killing the entire kingdom hung above the children. The healer, who was able to see what was happening through their synastry, watched in horror as time reversed and the swords disappeared.
"JULIUUUUUS!"
Anastasia's heart shattered the moment she felt an agonizing pain sear through her chest, a cruel mirror of the fatal blow her beloved brother endured. The shared magical bond between them, once a source of strength and comfort, now weakened and strained under the weight of his impending death. Each beat of her heart felt like a hammer against fragile glass, ready to shatter at any moment. Her vision blurred with tears as she clutched her chest, gasping for breath. The world around her seemed to distort, the colors fading into a dull gray as the bond frayed, unraveling with each agonizing second. The physical pain was excruciating, but it paled in comparison to the emotional torment that consumed her.
"No..No…No…NO…NO," she panicked, her voice breaking. "Julius please...don't leave me…"
Every fiber of her being screamed in protest as the bond snapped, a primal, guttural cry escaping her lips, leaving her feeling hollow and desolate.
"I'm sorry, Little Sis…" She heard his voice echo in her mind.
The cosmos mage's sorrow quickly morphed into rage as she shouted out in utter grief, tears streaming down her face, her magic reacting to the torrent of emotions. Stars burst into existence around her, swirling violently as her control slipped. The celestial energy crackled with raw power, threatening to consume everything in its path. Her eyes, usually a serene purple, now glowed with an intense, otherworldly light.
"WHY?!" she screamed, pounding her fists against the ground, each impact sending shockwaves of energy rippling outward. "WHY DID YOU LOSE YOU FUCKING IDIOT?!"
Her body trembled as her fists bled, teetering on the edge of a berserk frenzy, as she struggled to contain the chaos within her. The pain, the loss, the anger – it was all too much.
"A-Anastasie!" Elijah said, taking a step forward but was pulled back by the Sister.
"Get behind me!" Theresa said, beckoning the children behind her. "Pull yourself together Anastasia!"
"I'll kill them" she muttered with a chilling tone "I'll kill them and give you their time…"
As she danced with the turmoil swelling inside of her, the ethereal form of Pegasus began to shift. The once majestic celestial horse now twisted into a darker, more foreboding silhouette. Its shimmering celestial coat darkened to a deep, cosmic black, flecked with blood-red stardust as it absorbed the blood from her knuckles, healing her in the process. The stars within its body now glowed with an ominous crimson light, casting an eerie glow that seemed to absorb the surrounding brightness. Pegasus's wings transformed into massive, jagged appendages that resembled torn sails made of midnight sky, with constellations flickering ominously across their surfaces. Its eyes, once pools of serene light, now blazed with an intense, fiery red, radiating a sense of wrath and vengeance. The celestial mane and tail, which had previously floated gracefully, now thrashed like tendrils of dark smoke, crackling with the red lightning of nebulae itself. A chilling aura surrounded the hell horse, distorting the air and creating a sense of dread.
As it pawed the ground, the very earth seemed to shudder in response, and when it neighed, the sound reverberated like a mournful wail through the heavens. This new form of Pegasus, a hell horse born from Anastasia's anguish and fury, was a hauntingly beautiful yet terrifying sight, ready to unleash its wrath upon those who dared to threaten its summoner. She mounted the beast, and it took off into the sky, sending a shockwave through the ground with its force.
"Anase wait!" Marie shouted after her, not realizing her own body began to glow with a brilliant gold light.
The squad's base, now a formidable and mobile fortress, had transformed into an enormous bi-pedal mechanical bull. The behemoth moved with a steady, relentless pace, its hooves pounding the ground as it charged towards the capital. The bull's body was a marvel of engineering and magic, with gears and pistons expertly created from parts of the base. Steam hissed from its joints, and its eyes glowed with an ethereal yellow light, scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.
"Eat more!" Charmy said, shoving noodles in her mouth as her sheep cooks frantically made mana enchanting food for the black bulls to eat.
The squad stuffed their faces as the base charged its way towards the capital. The chaos of mana visibly surrounded the area as various fights broke out.
"Man, this is crazy, you can feel the mana from here!" Said Magna
"What….is…. that?" Henry said in his slow speech, pointing outside "It's….so…. pretty"
The gang looked outside as their base charged forwards. A wild array of stars, blinking with various intensities, swirled wildly against the darkened sky, where a fierce battle raged between two powerful mages.
"This mana is insane. It could be another elf, "said Vanessa "But who are they fighting?"
Stone projectiles, each the size of a boulder, were being hurled through the air with violent precision, smashing into anything in their path. In response, ethereal starlight wove intricate patterns, creating shimmering barriers and counterattacks that illuminated the night with otherworldly brilliance. The clash of these elements produced a cacophony of sound, a symphony of destruction that resonated through the very air.
Gordon's eyes widened as he observed the chaos. The sheer scale of the battle was overwhelming, and the ferocity of the attacks sent shivers down his spine. Each collision of stone and starlight sent shockwaves through the atmosphere, rattling the interior of the mechanical bull. He could feel the tension in the air, the palpable energy of magic in conflict.
But what truly gripped his heart was the sight of Anastasia amidst the swirling starlight. She was in a berserk frenzy, her grief over her brother's death fueling her rage. Her normally composed demeanor was gone, replaced by a raw, untamed fury that manifested in her magic. The stars around her blazed with an intensity that mirrored her anguish, each one a testament to her sorrow and rage. Her movements were wild, almost feral, as she commanded the starlight with a force that seemed to come from the depths of her soul. The ethereal light around her took on a darker, more violent hue, as if reflecting her inner turmoil. The once graceful patterns of her magic were now chaotic, unpredictable, and devastatingly powerful.
The poison mage's heart ached as he saw her like this, torn between his admiration for her strength and his fear for her well-being. His concern for her safety was overshadowed by the need to reach her, to somehow pull her back from the brink of her frenzied state.
"It doesn't matter who it is" Yelled Asta "We're here to protect the kingdom. We're going over there!"
Gordon looked at his bestest friend, Asta, in relief. It was like he could read his mind.
"We won't get anywhere if we keep stopping for elves dammit!" Magna yelled
"...please..." Gordon said above his low tone.
The Black bulls stopped and turned towards the poison mage. They were shocked to see him looking more serious than his usual monotone face. His forehead scrunched together as he weaved together his non-existent eyebrows.
"Someone very important to me is there…" He uttered "I need to make sure they are okay. Please take me there!"
"What did he say?" Said Magna
Grey took a single peek outside and immediately, it clicked as to why Gordon looked so distressed.
"I-it's Anastasia…" She said, quivering "She…she's in trouble…"
"Oh? The girl from the Mixer that Gordon hit it off with?" Magna said in disbelief "That looks way scarier than that little dog she summoned before."
The mechanical bull continued its relentless charge, Gordon clenching his fists, steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation.
"There is something wrong. She is not herself." He said "Please, we need to hurry!"
"I…. Under…stand…my…dear…. friend…" Henry accelerated the base towards the torrent of stars "Let's…help…our…friend"
He knew they had to reach the capital, to aid in the fight and protect those they cared about. The swirling stars and flying stones were a stark reminder of the battles they had faced and the ones yet to come. As the mechanical bull surged forward, the poison mage kept his eyes on the healer in her frenzy, his resolve hardening. He would not let her face this alone. They were a team, and together, they would find a way to overcome the darkness that threatened to consume her.
'Julius…'
Her heart hammered in her chest as tears mixed with the sweat on her face. The loss of her beloved brother, still raw and painful, she channeled her anguish into raw power, her magic swirling around her in a tempestuous storm of celestial energy. All she could feel was grief. In her rage, she wouldn't feel physical pain- only the void left by the loss of her brother's life. One elf-possessed magic knight already laid at her feet, impaled by a celestial trident, his features looking older than he should have been.
"Pathetic human. Now you know how it feels to lose someone you love." The Stone mage began to materialize multiple stone drills "Now, it's time for you to join him!"
"No, you'll also be giving me your time…" Anastasia lifted the Trident of Cancer off of the body, blood trailing in its wake. "I'm going to store it in the stars and give it to him…"
A new spell manifested in her Grimoire as it glowed in a brilliant white light. A six starred constellation for the clock appeared behind the stone mage and began to slowly tick.
"Cosmos magic: Horologium!"
The mage expertly jumped from rocks that were suspended in midair, in an attempt to run from the spell, but found that the clock was attached to him. He could feel himself aging and his mana being sapped into the ethereal horse.
The stone mage released his onslaught of massive stone drills, each spinning with deadly intent. They home in on Anastasia, moving with swift, precise motions. With the trident's ethereal glow guiding her, she parries some drills aside with flicks of the weapon, the trident's prongs shimmering with each block. However, not all drills are diverted. Some find their mark, piercing through her defenses, blood splattering across her face and legs. Yet, in her berserk state fueled by grief and adrenaline, the cosmos mage seems almost oblivious to the physical pain. Her focus remains unbroken, her eyes locked on her opponent, determination etched across her face even as blood stains her white garments. Her blood flowed freely into the cosmic hell horse, and it released a chilling neigh as her wounds healed in exchange.
He gritted his teeth and opened his grimoire to a spell that would surely end her. 'I have to kill her faster than she can heal'
"Stone creation magic" The ground below Anastasia began to grow into spikes "Sharp Obelisk Buster!"
The spikes grew rapidly, and Pegasus galloped swiftly, dodging the obelisk by a hair. Stone bricks, blocks and spikes flow at her in varying speeds but she would dodge them or break them as they came at her. The stone mage, amplified by Elf power was too fast and would deter her at any moment she would speed up towards him. Her rage became blinding, as she slipped into madness.
"Come on, after all your king has done for you, it's time for you to pay him back!" She said with a sickening tone.
Life suddenly didn't matter to her anymore. It didn't matter that the body of the Elf was still a member of the kingdom her brother died to protect, she was hellbent on reviving Julius with stolen time.
Gordon's eyes widened as he watched the cosmos mage unleash her fury. Her spells were wild and unpredictable, fueled by a grief-stricken determination to avenge her brother's death. Each surge of magic clashed violently with the stones and starlight, adding to the chaotic spectacle unfolding before them. He could feel the intensity of her emotions, the overwhelming torrent of sorrow and anger that threatened to consume her. He knew she was capable of incredible feats with her magic, but in her current state, she was also vulnerable. He longed to reach out to her, to anchor her amidst the storm of her emotions, but the battle around them left no room for hesitation.
As the battle came into closer view they saw the cosmos mage, slice the Elf's chest with her trident, then reached out and grabbed the stone mage by his neck, digging her nails into his flesh. Her eyes glowed with darker colors of malevolent intent, holding him, as the clock constellation ticked on his body.
"No…" His voice broke as anxiety gripped him, his thoughts turning to her safety. "Don't do it!"
"Gordon, this way!" Asta yelled.
Asta and Vanessa ran towards an opening in the wall, in which the mechanical bull held out its hand. He raced towards the hand, hopping on with his companions. The mechanical bull beneath him rumbled with each powerful stride, but his thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in memories of the mixer and the night they shared under the stars.
He recalled the first time he saw Anastasia, her vibrant energy lighting up the room at the mixer. Her laughter had been contagious, drawing him in despite his usual guarded nature. The way she had looked at him, with genuine curiosity and warmth, had made him feel seen for the first time in a long while. Then there was their recent date under the stars, a night that felt like a dream. He remembered the cool evening breeze, the way the constellations danced above them, and how her eyes had shimmered like the cosmos itself. Her acceptance of him, despite his intimidating appearance, had warmed his heart and given him a sense of hope he hadn't felt in years.
Now, that same woman was consumed by a berserk frenzy, her grief over her brother's death fueling a dangerous and uncontrolled outpouring of magic. Gordon's heart ached at the sight of her, her usually gentle demeanor replaced by raw, unchecked power. The starlight that had once brought them together now threatened to tear them apart.
'I can't lose you…I won't lose you!' He thought as he positioned himself to leap towards her.
The mechanical arm hurled the three towards the vortex of stone and stars. Asta roared, creating a large slice with his demon destroyer sword, exposing her in the center. Vanessa wrapped her strings around Gordon and catapulted him towards the opening.
"GO!" They yelled in unison.
"ANASTASIA!" He flew towards her, willing with all of his might that he would reach her.
She slowly turned towards the poison mage who was flying towards her. Growling and still blinded with rage, she tossed the elf away and raised her trident to attack Gordon. Before she was able to bear the tip of the trident into him, he barreled into her, knocking them off of the horse. As they fell, he embraced her, wrapping an arm around her waist with one arm, cradling her face with his other hand and looking into her eyes.
"Come back to me…" he muttered, his voice lower than a whisper yet full of pent-up emotion, then locked her lips in his.
"EEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH?!" Asta and others exclaimed, completely baffled at his action.
"Wow~!" Vanessa squealed with a smirk
"Kk-k-kk-k-kissing?! I-I-in public!?" Grey covered her red face "Ss-s-so Embarrassing!"
The chaotic magic immediately dispersed into a brilliant shower of stardust as they descended. Pegasus released a pained cry that reverberated through the battlefield as it dissipated along with the fury of the cosmos mage. Anastasia began to see more than just red. A silhouette of black came into her vision as she became aware of the sensation of his lips on hers. She could begin to make out the familiar makeup of the man she cared just as much about. They landed into a cloud of soft cotton, created by Charmy. He pulled back and looked at her, worry written all over his face. He fought through his own fears and doubts, driven by the need to save her. He was not going to let her be consumed by the same darkness that had threatened him for so long. He had to be her anchor, just as she had been his.
"G-Gordon…San?" she said, her voice trembling as tears strode down her face once more.
"I'm here…" He mumbled "...and I brought my friends. Let us help you."
She took a deep, unsteady breath, her body shaking like a leaf from the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. The cotton slowly dissipated, easing them into a standing position and the Bulls ran towards the couple.
"Gordon…Julius…is dead" She uttered, tightly gripping onto his sleeve "They killed my brother…"
The entire squad gasped, then a deafening silence befell them all, only disturbed by the cosmos mages' sobs. She buried herself into Gordon's arms whose expression was as pained as ever. Asta balled up his fists, quivering with anger for his new friend.
"Where have we heard that name before?" Magna said.
"I-I-isn't that the king?" Grey said, trembling
"THE KING IS YOUR BROTHER!?" Asta yelled in disbelief.
"Here, Let's get you inside…" Gordon removed his Black Bulls robe and placed it over her, then ushered her onto the hand of the enormous mechanical bull.
The scent that lingered on his robe along with his presence functioned as a balm to her pain. She wrapped the robe around her tighter as they ascended to the core of the base. Gordon guided her to the dining table as the base continued towards the castle and Charmy quickly placed a comforting stew in front of Anastasia.
"You poor thing. You look so tired." She said "Eat. This should make you feel better."
The cosmos mage stared at the food, her eyes clearly exhausted. Her appetite lost as she became numb. Gordon sat next to her aching to soothe her pain, but unsure of how. He acted without a second thought before, the only thing clear was his desire to save her from herself, but now that she was here, clearly in need of support but not in immediate danger, he was at a loss. He watched her as her temple slowly connected with his shoulder, leaning on him for support, the silent gesture being a testament to her trust in him.
Suddenly, a metal spoon full of stew was shoved into her mouth, nearly breaking her teeth. The poison mage gasped, and his eyes darted between Charmy, who was force feeding Anastasia and the cosmos mage's muffled grunting in protest.
"I SAID EAT!" She yelled as she stuffed Anastasia's face "YOU'RE NO GOOD TO US HUNGRY!"
"That hurts!" Whined the cosmos mage "But it's…delicious...!"
A soft smile spread on Gordon's face as he watched his lady in white come back to life after eating just a few bites of Charmy's food.
"Good food not only feeds the body, but also the heart" He mumbled
"Hey, you seem pretty strong" Said Luck, appearing at her side with a spark of lightning in his wake "I'm Luck, wanna fight sometime?"
"Will you leave her alone, you idiot?" Magna said, swinging his fiery bat at him. "Can't you see she's upset?"
"Wait so, you're related to the wizard king?" Asta asked, "Oh by the way, I'm Asta. Nice to meet you!"
"Hello…I'm…Henry" Henry said slowly as he appeared behind a window, waving
Anastasia's eyes darted at everyone who introduced themselves to her.
"Oh, right. Everyone, this is Anastasia." Gordon said "She's the woman I told you about when me, Magna and Finral went to that mixer a while ago"
"Eh? You mentioned her to the others?" Said Magna
Alas, he had mentioned her several times, but no one would understand his mumbles.
"Guys! I'll be back!" Charmy said, trotting towards the back of the base. "I have to get more food from storage!"
'Wait…. storage…that's it!'
A new sense of hope washed over her as she remembered Julius sprinting towards her one day, speaking excitedly about a magical item he found in the forest as he wandered around as Chronovala. She abruptly stood up from the table, startling those around her.
'I need to go. I need to find his body.'
With her mana restored enough from the enhancing food, she ran to the nearest window and jumped out. The stars manifested around her as she summoned her Magic Carpet. The gang ran after her, looking out the window and she floated up to it.
"Everyone, thank you so much for your hospitality." She said, then locked eyes with the poison mage
Remembered him kissing her and blushed. "Gordon…you especially. You saved me..."
"W-wait…Where are you going?" he looked at her, a pang tightening his chest to see her leave so soon.
"There is something I need to do, but I'll be back. I promise."
She flew ahead towards the outskirts of the castle where nature presents itself in abundance. She chanted in another language, speaking Heart Kingdom runes into existence in an attempt to reawaken her Synastry bond with Julius.
'If he did what I think he did, then there is a chance to save him'
She descended closer to the ground, kicking up dirt and grass in her starry wake, frantically searching for any trace of his magic.
'Where? Where is it? Where are you?'
As if a needle stabbed her straight through the heart, the connection reestablished. It was faint, but it was there. Her heart pounded against her chest as her eyes widened, hyper focusing on the sensation of his mana. She hopped off of her caravan, the magic disappearing behind her and she started running, following the faint silver string that was their bond. She sprinted as fast as she could, her lungs burning from exhaustion of the cardio. She skidded on the grass where she felt the connection strongest and came upon a soft mound that looked as if it were a natural landscape. She desperately dug into the ground, wildly flinging earth behind her. As she encountered hard earth and stone her fingertips split and bled, nails threatening to uproot from their beds. Her hand hit a large formation and she frantically dusted the dirt off, revealing the pale face of her brother.
Her whole body shook at the sight as she inhaled sharply. She abruptly turned to the side, evacuating the contents of her stomach as her body could not keep up with the emotional distress of seeing Julius' corpse. She had seen death before, but it could not compare to seeing it upon someone she loved so much. She spat and wiped her mouth and pressed on to dig him out of his grave. Her body burned as her muscles and mana were at its limits, however she could not afford to falter. She had to get his body to the device at all costs. After digging his body out, she positioned his tall frame against the nearest tree and sat in front of him to carry him piggyback.
"Come on, brother! You're gonna live!"
With a feral shout, she lifted him up and stood to her feet. Steadying herself under his dead weight. She focused her senses on the silver string which now led her to a different direction as if Julius' spirit were guiding her. She marched on, using all of her willpower to power through the acidic feeling in her legs. She drew in deep, shaky breaths as if she were drawing upon the mana of the cosmos. Pleading for the stars to give her strength. As she marched on, she felt as if his body slowly became lighter and used the momentum to pick up the pace.
Anastasia reminisced about the first time they met. At 15, bored with her home in the Heart Kingdom, she left, coming to the clover kingdom for new opportunities. She had found a royal family in which she would integrate, unknowing that on the same day, Julius would integrate as well. They shared a fascination for magic, always showing each other new tricks or chatting about new magics that they would encounter. They bonded over pranks they would do to each other. Anastasia's favorite being her planting a whoopie cushion under the seat of his chairs, filled with starry glitter. He would sit down to study for the magic knight's exam, and the thunderous echo of its flatulence would catch him off guard every time. He would hate her for the amount of glitter he had to clean up. She always used non-magical items as his keen mana-sense was sharp. She remembered when he would take revenge to push her buttons such as enchanting her shampoo to change her hair color for the day or make her shoes especially squeaky when she had to attend important meetings with Dr. Owen.
Her fatigue began to catch up on her, her breath gasping for air. They were so close, yet so far away. She could hear battle in the distance, mana and metal clashing in a desperate fight. She dragged her feet as the device came into view and tripped on a root, being crushed by Julius' corpse.
'Come on, body! we're so close!'
Her limbs quivered and screamed as she struggled to free herself from under the corpse. She dragged herself from under him, taking several breaths in order to steady herself and witnessed his body shrinking to about her size.
'What the hell is happening?'
She mustered a second wind and dragged his body by the cape until they reached the device. The cosmos mage leaned against the metal orb and gathered her brother's corpse close to her. She cradled him, placing her cheek on his cold forehead, her embrace tightening as he shrank. Synastry began to gradually strengthen, and the siblings began to glow with a warm, golden light. Starlight gently caressed their skin as Celestial Sanctuary embraced them both, Anastasia using the last of her reserves to heal them both. Julius' body began to warm as it shrank to its final form and a weak smile spread on the cosmos mage's face as she slipped out of consciousness.
The sun rose high in the sky and Julius stirred with a deep breath, his eyes fluttering open. As the world came into view a familiar, comforting scent washed over him, mixed with that of sweat and blood. He looked up to see his sister, knocked out and in tatters. Dirt, blood and grime covered her features, earth caked in her hair and clothes torn. An undamaged Black Bull's robe hung around her shoulders as if it were a protective shield. This was a portrait painted as a testament to his sister's love for him.
'You would do so much for me…despite us not being related by blood…'
In that moment, he felt a profound gratitude for her existence, for the sister who had risked everything to bring him back. Pride and admiration washed over him as he sat there in her arms, looking over every scar and scratch on her body that she didn't heal enough in order to prioritize his life. He caressed her forehead with his now small hands, brushing back the tendrils of hair that hung in her face and planted a tender kiss on her forehead.
"I love you, Anastasia Novachrono…" He said, placing his forehead on hers.
Synastry- End