Monday, after their Ceremonial Magic class, Izuku and Ochaco received their assignment, the unexpected inclusion of Mina in their group drawing protests that fell on deaf ears. Mina promptly swept from the room, her vibrant hair trailing behind her like a crimson banner.
Izuku made his way toward the stairs, turning to face Ochaco, her features awash with the golden light filtering through the high windows. "I'm going to have to leave as well, Ochaco."
"Do you have somewhere to be?" she inquired, the furrow of her brow betraying her concern.
"I promised Nana we'd visit the Glade," Izuku explained, watching understanding bloom across her delicate features, quickly supplanted by worry.
"Is that wise?" Her fingers twisted together anxiously.
Izuku shrugged, aiming for nonchalance though her trepidation pricked at him. "Probably not. But I agree with Nana that avoiding this won't help anyone. And apparently, Nimue was one of the Powers allied with Merlin and my Father."
"She betrayed Merlin and Arthur," Ochaco reminded him, her tone clipped. "She's a coward who has hidden from the Court ever since."
Surprise flickered across Izuku's face. "And yet Nana says she knows her, that she interacts with the Clan quite often."
"What?" Ochaco's exclamation echoed sharply in the empty room.
"The Clan? Nana's extended family?" Izuku explained.
"I know what the Clan is, Izuku. Their presence in Japan is hard to miss, Nana's being here is a prime example. However, the Clan is primarily a human power structure. They're not aligned with any of the Powers," she explained, the words tumbling forth with an urgency that set Izuku's nerves on edge.
"And?" he prompted, eyes narrowing as he tried to grasp her point.
"So what does such a distinctly human group have to do with Nimue? And how much does Nana really know?" Her voice dropped, concern lacing every syllable.
Izuku considered her words, mind working. "Maybe it's just because she lives so close to them? They might be friendly neighbors or something."
Ochaco sighed, the sound laced with a world-weariness that tugged at Izuku's heart. "Sometimes, I despair at your lack of political acumen, Izuku. If we ever return to the Court, the byzantine politics there will come as an unwanted surprise."
Straightening his shoulders, Izuku met her gaze steadily. "The way Midnight-sensei described them, they sound like a Gordian knot. Sometimes the best solution is not to play the game but to cut through it."
A small smile curved Ochaco's lips, tempering the worry in her eyes. "Perhaps. Well, someone is in for an unwanted surprise, at least. I could certainly see you in Alexander's role."
Izuku chuckled, the rich sound seeming to momentarily lighten the gravity of their discussion. "Are you off to Elsewhere now?"
"Yeah, I'm supposed to meet Nana at the Portal," he confirmed with a nod.
"Then I shall take my leave for now as well." Ochaco stepped closer, reaching up to cup his cheek with one slender hand. "I'll see you at our next class. Hopefully, we can survive this homework assignment unscathed."
Leaning into her touch, Izuku felt himself settle. "We'll manage, Ochaco. Together, we can do anything."
Her smile deepened, banishing the last vestiges of her concern. "Together, my love. Stay safe. Do not trust Nimue. And be careful with Nana; there are too many secrets here," she cautioned, the weight of her words hanging between them.
Izuku raised a brow, aiming for levity. "Come on, Nana's a friend."
But Ochaco shook her head, her fiery tresses swaying with the emphatic motion. "Nana's loyalties are to the Clan. Always remember that."
Meeting her unflinching gaze, Izuku countered, "And yours to the Court, right?" His gentle challenge struck home, her eyes widening briefly before she inclined her head in acknowledgment.
"Yes, I suppose they should be," she conceded after a weighted pause. "Just be careful, Izuku. Come back to me."
His smile held all the warmth of the sun's embrace. "Always. I'll see you later."
The both of them kiss, the warmth of their lips giving each other the strength to move forward.
With a final caress, their fingers disentangled as Ochaco turned and strode away, leaving Izuku to make his own way to the appointed meeting place and whatever awaited him in Elsewhere.
At the Crowley
Izuku slinked towards the Crowley, trying to avoid drawing attention, a difficult feat considering his towering stature and hulking frame dwarfed even the most imposing heroes. He'd never hear the end of Midnight's scolding if things got too rowdy, given most of the current patrons hailed from Elsewhere rather than the mundane world. Not that Normies were banned, but one was more likely to encounter a talking donkey accompanied by his ogre best friend than a regular human here.
Stepping inside, Izuku was enveloped by the bar's meticulous order. The glassware held a crystal clarity unmatched by earthly vessels, while the heavy oak counter seemed to thrum with the weight of tales it had witnessed. This was a crossroads of worlds, where weary travelers could find respite and perhaps sample flavors long forgotten.
A rich blend of cinnamon and ethereal spices hung heavy in the air, both comforting and tantalizingly unfamiliar. Polished wood gleamed softly under muted lighting filtered through heavy tapestries, whispering of age-old secrets kept. Beneath the soft clink of a carefully placed glass, a faint thrum pulsed – the quiet, expectant energy of magic lying in wait to be unleashed. A cool draft swirled around ankles, a reminder of unseen realms. And ever at the edge of awareness lingered the faintest whisper of sweetness, promising flavors that could shift one's very soul.
Izuku spotted Nana, already prepared to venture into Elsewhere. Unlike his camouflage suit, she wore futuristic-looking armor with tactical components like reinforced plating, straps, and buckles. The overall aesthetic blended militaristic functionality with a stylized, almost cyberpunk-inspired look.
"Hey, Izuku! Ready to kick ass?" she called out, her voice ringing with eager anticipation.
Izuku simply stared at her and stated, "You're aware we're going to visit a Power, right?"
"Aye. I didnae say we're going to kick her ass. Anyway, Nimue's a friend of the Clan," she replied with a dismissive wave.
Confusion furrowed Izuku's brow as they descended into the basement. "How does that work? Ochaco seemed to think she was hiding from the Court."
"Do me a favor, Izuku. And never say that out loud anywhere near Nimue. Telling a Power that you think they're a coward is a really good way to make enemies." Nana's tone blended joking levity with dead seriousness, advising caution.
Noting the wisdom in her words, Izuku committed it to memory. "Let me just get dressed," he said, removing his top to change.
"No worries, take your time," Nana replied, her gaze roving shamelessly over his form.
Her eyes drank in the sight of his sculpted muscles, the curves of his pecs, the ridges of his abs, the powerful definition of his shoulders and arms. He was a sight to behold, truly – his body built like a Greek god, perfectly proportioned and chiseled to sublime masculine beauty.
"You're looking fine there, kid," she remarked with obvious appreciation.
Izuku flashed a smile. "Thanks, Nana. You could at least have given me a reciprocal show, you know?"
A sly grin curved her lips. "Aye. I could have."
Shaking his head in amusement, he turned and headed for the storage area to retrieve his armor, his powerful back flexing with each stride.
"Damn," Nana muttered under her breath, admiring the firm swell of his backside. She wondered idly what it might feel like to deliver a firm smack or an appreciative squeeze to those toned glutes.
"Are you ready?" she called out once he'd been gone for a minute or two.
"Give me a minute," came his muffled reply.
After a minute or two, he came out from the storage, fully geared.
"I'm ready. Let's go."
Izuku's camouflage armor lacked the cutting-edge technology of Nana's futuristic suit, but it was sturdy and reliable; something he could count on to get the job done. Together, they stepped through the shimmering portal, the world around them warping and distorting until they emerged in Elsewhere.
"By the way," Izuku began as they started down the path, "If you know of Nimue, why didn't you know of the Glade?"
"Because she didnae want me to," Nana replied with a casual shrug. "Powers do things for their own reasons. Perhaps my father knew. Then perhaps he didn't. Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead." She paused for a moment, peering around, before asking, "So, where to from here?"
Izuku's gaze shifted slightly to the left. "It's just around the corner, like 15 minutes' walk."
They soon arrived at an ornate Gate, its metalwork gleaming as if newly forged. Nana activated her Float quirk, her body lifting effortlessly into the air as she attempted to bypass the Gate by soaring over it. To no one's surprise, some unseen force rippled around her, barring entry with its impenetrable boundary.
"That's weird as fuck," she muttered, the surprise evident in her tone as she drifted back down. "This place would map to around Yamanashi in the real world."
"But the Elsewhere won't directly map to the real world, correct?" Izuku pointed out.
Nana gave a thoughtful nod. "No...not really. Elsewhere feels more like a gravitational map, places of power distort it like a weight on an elastic surface. The bigger the power involved, the bigger the dent."
"And is this place significant?" he asked, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied their surroundings with renewed interest.
"It should be, but I've been past here a thousand times, and never sensed anything. Now it's clear as day."
"Any significance to the location itself?"
"Aye. It's a meeting of the ley lines. Two of the biggest ones in Japan, in fact. The Okamoto-Hachiman Shrine and Male World Dragon Line. Can't you sense them?" Her voice held a tinge of surprise as she asked the question.
Izuku shook his head. "Nope, I should probably get my eyes checked. Can we even use these ley lines for anything?"
Nana's response was accompanied by a shake of her head. "Not really. Not us. Enchanters sometimes use them to power constructs; we think Merlin used the Arbor Low nexus to move Camelot," she explained.
"Sounds like a useful skill," Izuku remarked, a hint of annoyance tingeing his words that he didn't know of this sooner.
"It's a pain and a half, frankly," Nana countered with a derisive snort. "There's a lot of power, especially in the main meridians, like these. But the power fluctuates; spikes at sunup and sundown, then huge-ass surges during equinox or solstice. It would tear most constructs to pieces if you tried to draw power from it."
A contemplative look crossed Izuku's face. "Would it be enough to hide this place?"
Nana arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, easily. But it wouldn't even be a fraction of the power you could pull from a single ley line, never mind a junction like this. So what needed two ley lines?" Her voice took on a wondering tone as she mused aloud.
"And if you spent 1600 years doing it?" Izuku suggested.
A visible chill ran down Nana's spine at the sheer magnitude of power he was implying. "Don't even joke about that," she admonished, her voice dropping lower with apprehension. "It'd be enough power to vaporize a star system and likely the next half dozen around it, easily."
"I think there's a good chance it's been going on for that long, actually," Izuku stated, undeterred. "Nimue said this has been going on since Merlin's days." He closed his eyes, seeming to gather himself, before walking closer to the imposing Gate. "Open, Gate," he commanded, his voice resonating with authority.
"Yes, O Promised One," a disembodied voice reverberated around them in acknowledgment. The Gate swung open with a groan of shifting metal, revealing a breathtaking vista on the other side.
The Glade itself was a vast expanse of lush, verdant beauty; towering trees swayed gently, their leaves rustling like a soft whisper in the warm breeze that carried the sweet fragrance of a myriad of wildflowers dotting the rolling emerald fields. The very air felt welcoming and surreally tranquil, as if the world's cares could not penetrate this serene sanctuary. And in the heart of this paradise lay the Lake, its glassy surface reflecting the brilliant azure sky in flawless detail.
Nana smirked at Izuku, amusement dancing in her eyes. "'Promised One'? Look at you, Mister Fancy Pants."
"Bite me," he retorted, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
"Only if you've been especially good," she countered with a salacious wink. "Want a match here?" She slipped into a fighting stance, beckoning him with a curl of her fingers.
Izuku waved off her challenge with a chuckle. "Let's just get this over with. After you, miss." He gestured for her to precede him through the Gate.
"Why thank you, Mister Fancy Pants," Nana replied with an exaggerated curtsy before stepping through.
Her senses were immediately assaulted by the breathtaking beauty surrounding her. The air was warm and carried the sweet fragrance of the meadow, while the sun shone brilliantly overhead. Wildflowers of every vibrant hue dotted the landscape, adding splashes of color amid the serene expanse of green. And at the center, the crystal clear waters of the lake shimmered a brilliant azure; a flawless mirror reflecting the sky above.
"It's so beautiful here," Nana breathed, her eyes wide with wonder as she drank in the picturesque scene surrounding them.
"So. Here we are. Nimue's domain," Izuku stated, his gaze sweeping over the verdant expanse.
Nana turned in a slow circle, taking it all in. "This is so fancy, Izuku. Where's the beach?" She craned her neck, peering around as if expecting one to materialize.
A small smirk tugged at Izuku's lips as he gave the serene lake a considering look. "I wouldn't imagine a lake this small has a beach. You'd need real waves for that." Nevertheless, he scanned the glassy surface just in case, but the waters remained perfectly calm and still, not even the faintest ripple disturbing the mirror-like reflection. 'Unless there's a far larger body of water around here, it's unlikely there would be a beach,' he reasoned inwardly.
Nana's amused laughter rang out. "You're still trying to think like this is real. It's not. Some Power carved it out of reality with their imagination. And if I was carving it out..."
"...You'd have made a beach, I see," Izuku finished with an understanding nod.
'Well, so much for that,' he thought, resigning himself to the lack of sandy shores.
Without warning, a sultry feminine voice drifted through the air like a caress. "Of course there's a beach, Izuku."
A woman materialized before them, long raven waves framing her delicate features. She wore a revealing yet elegant dress, the wispy black material clinging enticingly to her petite figure while maintaining an understated, refined style.
Izuku instinctively took a step back at her sudden appearance. "Nimue. Where did you come from?"
"Oh, I have been waiting for you, young Izuku. And Little Nana as well...it has been too long," she replied, tilting her head in a birdlike gesture.
"So you have met her before?" he asked, indicating Nana.
Nimue's expression remained serene. "Not necessarily. She must've been 3 or 4. Time passes too quickly for mortals, and I feel less and less connected to the axis of time as the years pass," she explained, her melodic voice seeming to wrap around them like silk.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Izuku blurted, "How old are you?"
The sorceress's demeanor shifted in an instant, her expression turning stormy as she fixed him with a withering glare. "Didn't anyone tell you to never ask questions like that to a woman?" She huffed out an irritated breath before continuing, "But the short answer is I'm old. Far older than mortals are wont to become, even the Powers."
Izuku swallowed hard, regretting his impulsive query. "So you knew Merlin? You're that Lady of the Lake?"
Nimue's ire faded as quickly as it had arisen, her features settling into a somber, wistful look. "Oh, I knew Merlin. And mourned him," she said softly. "As a mage, I don't think he'll ever have an equal, though as a man he wasn't always easy to live with."
Emboldened, Izuku pressed on. "And my father?" The implied question hung in the air between them.
"That was...afterwards," Nimue replied after a weighted pause. "That last night, before the battle, we met. My old teachers. My Love. Arthur. Your Father. And we made a pact."
Her words kindled a flicker of trepidation within Izuku. "So you knew you'd lose the battle?"
To his surprise, Nimue shook her head. "Oh, we knew we'd win the battle. There was an excess of sorcerers at that meeting, between us, we knew what we were getting into." She paused, letting the weight of her statement sink in before continuing in a lecturing tone, "Our worry was not the battle, but the War. Even Merlin struggled to see an age ahead with any great accuracy."
"What happened?" Izuku asked, his brow furrowing.
"The Outsiders were destined to hit Tír na nÓg the next day," Nimue revealed, confirming his suspicion.
"Not Camelot? But..." His voice trailed off as he recalled what Midnight had told him – that Arthur died fighting whatever threat emerged.
Nimue seemed to read his thoughts. "I doubt they were even aware of the Court back then. After a mere 1600 years my grasp of time is slipping, and the Outsiders are far, far older. But they knew of the Fae."
Understanding dawned. "So why did Arthur sacrifice the Round Table to save the Fae?"
The sorceress clicked her tongue, her distaste evident. "You'd not need to ask that question if you'd ever met the man. Humorless, fanatic, obsessed with duty."
"Death is lighter than a feather, duty is heavier than a mountain," Izuku recited the familiar quote Ochaco had often repeated since they first met.
Nimue scoffed derisively. "Ah, it sounds like you have met him. But then you are dating his great-granddaughter. What a pity."
Affronted, Izuku leapt to his beloved's defense. "I wouldn't say Ochaco is humorless."
"Well. Perhaps some Fae blood has been good for the bloodline," Nimue conceded with a shrug.
Keen to redirect the conversation, Izuku pressed, "What was the pact?"
The ancient sorceress studied him for a long moment before answering. "We knew we could beat them; no shortage of paths led that way. The Outsiders are powerful, but not particularly bright." Her voice took on a grim tone as she continued, "But we knew they'd be back. Which brings us here." She spread her arms in an encompassing gesture, indicating the serene lake and verdant glade surrounding them.
"Why didn't Merlin stick around? Sounds like he'd be useful to have in a fight," Izuku questioned.
Nimue's expression turned somber. "Merlin was old, even then. And largely tired. Mortal souls are...different, even those of us who are Powers. There is a gap between a Power and a God, even a lesser one like Arthur."
Understanding dawned on Izuku's features. "So Merlin wasn't a God, or a Power, or whatever you call it?"
The sorceress shook her head. "Oh, Merlin was most definitely a Power. But he neither liked, nor trusted, most Gods. The feeling was largely mutual, especially once they started to grasp what the Mantle meant. Your Father was a rare exception."
Izuku considered her words carefully before posing his next query. "Why didn't my father fight with Merlin at the last battle? Why didn't you?"
Nimue's gaze grew distant, her mind drifting back through the centuries. "Because someone had to remain behind. To carry out the plan. The Coven fought using your Father's power, Arthur helped defend the Fae, and in return your Father protected the Court through the aftermath." She paused, the weight of those days still bearing down on her. "And I was left to bury my Love, and pick up the pieces."
Izuku studied her expression, sensing the profound depth of emotion she still carried. "It still hurts, doesn't it?" He couldn't fathom a love so powerful that its loss would resonate across the vastness of sixteen centuries.
Her eyes turned glassy with unshed tears. "Some," she admitted quietly. "But once the worst grief had time to die down, your Father made me his Chosen. It isn't the same as the bond I had with Merlin, but it provided a comfort through the long, long years. Not to mention provided the energy to keep me alive. My life has been stretched far longer than it had any right to."
"You don't look a day past 27," Izuku remarked, unable to reconcile Nimue's ageless beauty with the weight of the centuries she claimed to have experienced.
The sorceress fixed him with a pointed look. "You better stop flirting, or your prude girlfriend will get jealous."
Izuku's brow furrowed slightly at her dismissive words about Ochaco. "You really don't like the Pendragons, huh?"
"No." Nimue's tone took on a hint of disdain. "They're overly duty-bound..."
"I'd say loyal, actually," Izuku countered, coming to the defense of his beloved's bloodline.
"...prickly..."
A wry smile played across his lips. "As long as you're careful about the thorns, the fruit is amazingly sweet."
"...stubborn..." Nimue continued as if he hadn't spoken.
"Well, yes," Izuku acknowledged with a casual shrug. "But you've been sitting here nursing a grudge for 1600 years. You're not really the right person to complain."
Nimue arched an eyebrow at his audacious remark. "This isn't a grudge. It's one of the greatest spells since the Ascension of The Faes," she stated, her voice ringing with conviction.
Realizing his mistake, Izuku amended, "I was talking more about your grudge with Arthur. It sounds personal."
The sorceress paused for a moment, considering his words, before letting out a mild chuckle laced with a tinge of melancholy. "Well, yes. I've never been very good at letting go. And for what it's worth, Izuku, I do wish you luck with your girl. Arthur, for all his flaws, was a great leader. A genius at war. And loyal, as you say."
A glimmer of optimism sparked in Izuku's eyes. "So you'll be nicer to Ochaco if we return?"
Nimue's expression turned somber as she let out a deep breath, dashing his hopes. "I doubt I will see her again. My long watch is over. Soon, I can finally return to my Daddy, to sit at the foot of his throne. A few last tasks before then."
Izuku felt a pang of disappointment, but pressed on. "Wait, what then happens to the Lake?"
"It is yours, of course. You will need a base in Elsewhere for what is to come," Nimue stated matter-of-factly.'
Her words gave Izuku pause. "Wait, so you're giving me the Glade?"
"Hardly," the sorceress replied with a shake of her head. "It was always yours. A gift from your Godfather."
Realization dawned. "Merlin?"
"Yes. He and your Father crafted this Glade, and the Lake, in the days before the battle. Since then I've watched over it and...nudged...the spell when it needed it."
A pressing question burned within Izuku. "Who was my Father? You clearly know who it is."
Nimue's expression turned bittersweet for reasons he couldn't fathom. "And I clearly have no intention of telling you. You'll find out when He wants you to."
Frustration simmered under the surface, but Izuku knew there was little he could do to compel a Chosen Sorceress powered by an actual God. Reigning in his annoyance, he conceded, "All right. Tell me, what was the spell, then?"
Sensing his resignation, Nimue smirked faintly. "Arthur was the Trial Run. The Power was...less. He had Merlin himself to backstop him, and so the threat was not as severe. For the return of the Outsiders, we needed more magic. Thus, the Lake."
Izuku's brow furrowed in confusion at her cryptic implication, but Nana's complexion paled, indicating she grasped the meaning.
Unable to contain his curiosity in the face of such mystery, Izuku pressed, "What do you mean?"
This time, it was Nana who answered, awe and trepidation mingling in her voice. "It was a Mana Pool. A literal Mana Pool. Feck me sideways, it's a Mana Pool kilometers across!"
Still not fully comprehending, Izuku sought clarification. "Nana, could you talk to me as if I was someone who barely got out of his corner of Elsewhere the past half a decade?"
Nimue's melodic tones provided elucidation. "Crystal clear water can hold magic, just as a gem. Not as densely as a great gem, of course. But finding gems the size of the Lake would be difficult."
Understanding blossomed across Izuku's features. "So it's kind of like a battery? You've filled it up, probably from the ley lines, and then you'll use it on some spell?"
Nana's voice took on a hushed, reverent quality as she did the mental calculations. "The Lake's what? 9 by 5 kilometers and a little extra? Around 90 meters deep or so? That's...feck...something like almost four trillion liters? That...that can't be right?"
Izuku glanced sidelong at his companion, an unbidden thought niggling at the back of his mind. 'Did she have more than one quirk?'
"You're off, but not by that much," Nimue stated, drawing his attention back to her. "It's significantly deeper in the middle, and the total is closer to 11.3 trillion liters, or 3 trillion gallons, if that's what you'd prefer. Trust me that keeping it pure has been an ironcast bitch."
Dread clutched at Izuku's heart as the immensity of the undertaking sank in. "That's how you plan to power the Mantle, isn't it?"
A serene smile curved Nimue's lips. "It is already done. The Mantle waits only for you to become King. And the Lake has gone back to being just crystal clear water. Feel free to drink it, or go for a swim. I have no need for it anymore."
Stunned by the revelation and overwhelmed by gratitude for her dedication, Izuku couldn't help but bow before this woman who had maintained such purity for a span of time that might as well have been eternity.
Nana, however, was still grappling with the scope of Nimue's achievement. Grabbing Izuku by the shoulder, she shook him urgently. "Izuku. Are you not fucking listening?! It's a Mana Pool. A four trillion liter Mana Pool."
"I think she said it was closer to 11.3, but yes," Izuku confirmed, his voice tinged with wonderment.
"A full 11.3 trillion liters Mana Pool..." Nana's voice dropped to a ragged whisper. "That's enough to...to..."
Meeting her stunned gaze, Izuku supplied the obvious conclusion. "Create a God?"
Nana's eyes went wide as she shook her head vehemently. "To rip reality itself to pieces. What the fuck do you need that much power to do?!"
Izuku turned his attention back to Nimue, hoping for an explanation, but his expectations were low.
To his surprise, the sorceress answered, though her words fell short of the clarity he craved. "I do not know. All I know is that Merlin felt this was the bare minimum he needed. But Nana was right. It is an extraordinary amount of power, even by Merlin's standards. Orders of magnitude above what he used to create the Mantle in the first place."
Frustration gnawed at Izuku, but he pressed on. "So what do I do with it?"
Nimue's smile held a trace of finality as she replied, "I'll leave you to find out, Izuku. I'm done here." She stretched languidly, causing Izuku's gaze to be inadvertently drawn to her form through the near-transparency of her flimsy attire. "We shall meet again, when you need me most desperately. Farewell."
"Farewell, Nimue," Izuku answered automatically, watching as the ancient sorceress vanished into the ether.
'She went back to her 'Daddy,' huh?' The thought couldn't help but conjure an image of Mina in his mind.
"Feck," Nana breathed, jolting Izuku from his momentary reverie. "What the hell are we getting into here?"
Izuku's eyes danced with an emotion akin to exhilaration rather than trepidation. "We're preventing the end of the world, of course."
"With that amount of energy, I'd be more worried about you being The End of the world," Nana countered dryly.
An enigmatic smile played across Izuku's features. "Don't be a downer. Let's find the beach." For some inexplicable reason, he felt no fear over what was to come, as if navigating the unknown had become his natural state.
"You're still planning to swim in this?" Nana asked dubiously as they began walking.
Izuku shrugged. "Why not? Nimue said it was safe."
Eventually, the duo reached a pristine stretch of beach. It was a picturesque scene - the azure sky stretched endlessly overhead, the sun's golden rays bathing the white sand in warmth. Gentle waves lapped at the shore, the crystal blue waters sparkling like liquid diamonds under the brilliant light. A salty breeze carried the scent of the sea, clean and refreshing.
"You're way too fucking chill about this," Nana observed, shaking her head slightly.
"I'm more or less used to the world throwing me curveballs these days," Izuku admitted with a casual air. "It's likely I don't really know enough to be properly freaked out. And the beach is too pretty to waste time feeling upset." He turned an inquisitive look on his companion. "You think it's safe to swim in?"
Nana arched an incredulous eyebrow. "You're talking about if the magic is going to rip the flesh from your bones if you stick your hand in it? Entirely fucking possible, if she didn't fully drain it."
"No, I meant...y'know, monsters? Ochaco said things live in the waters of Elsewhere," he clarified.
Chuckling, Nana's earlier tension seemed to bleed away entirely. "You mean beasties? Nah, not in this pool. Apart from the magic energy in it, the Lady would have kept it crystal clear, and it's not as if Gourdy would get out of the lake to have a shit."
A mischievous glint entered Izuku's eyes. "So. The beach is private. The water is clear. The sun is always shining. All we're lacking is some ice cold beer, and girls in bikinis. Actually, maybe I'll invite a few of my friends. It'll be fine so long as they don't know it's literally magic in front of them!"
Nana shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Izuku. You're a crazy bastard, do you know that?"
An impish grin stretched across his face, laced with a hint of something Nana couldn't quite put her finger on. "The trick is, when you walk into the pub, you find the largest dude there and kick him between the legs. So...are you in?"
Her eyes narrowed for the briefest moment, sensing that something was slightly...off...about his demeanor. But the sensation passed quickly, and she waved it off as her imagination. "Aye! You bring the beers, I'll bring the bikini!"
"Sounds like a plan. It's a little busy this week, but we should be able to go this Wednesday?"
"Sounds about right."
Izuku considered for a moment. "I guess we'll come back, unless you want to go skinny-dipping?"
"Nah, without a couple of beers first," Nana countered.
A rich laugh tumbled from Izuku's lips. "Haha! Let's just head."
As they retraced their steps, Nana brought up the crux of their encounter with Nimue. "I still can't get over the scope of this thing. If we need that kind of power, how can any of us matter?"
A teasing glint sparked in Izuku's eyes. "Feeling humbled?"
She snorted indelicately. "Ehh. You wish. Ain't nothing humbling me. I'll just step it up." Her expression grew contemplative. "I will say though. It kinda puts things into perspective. Where we are, and where we're going. And what we need to become."
Before long, they're now back to the Crowley.
Before long, they found themselves back at the Crowley. Izuku placed a hand on Nana's shoulder, his gaze sincere. "Thanks for being there for me."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," she assured him. "So, this Wednesday. I'll see you here. Remember, you bring the beers."
Izuku chuckled. "You bring the bikini. See you, Nana."
With a wave of her hand, Nana headed for the exit while Izuku went upstairs to acquire a disguise for his next class. The faint sounds of a commotion drifted up from outside, but Izuku paid it no mind - his thoughts were already moving on to the next challenge awaiting him.
Thanks for reading the chapter! As always, do let me know if you have questions or feedback. I'm open to them.
Izuku finally inherited his own Glade! I'm thinking of a few chapters centering around it in the future. But first, we're gonna have to fix that particular Izuku, Ochaco, and Mina relationship.
The next chapter will cover the Ceremonial Magic, the homeroom, and lastly the...trio?...three musketeers?...threesome? homework.
Next up: Cucumbers