Timeline: Heart Kingdom Arc, contains Scene rewrite.
Chapter Rating: T
Chapter 7- A Strange Pair
At the Marina, Magna, Luck, Vanessa and Yami were seeing off the crew to go to the Heart Kingdom. Magna was naming off the people who were going due to the restrictions on the exchange program and Yami interjected.
"Oh, actually you guys have one more coming with you…" he said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
The cosmos mage popped out from behind Yami, waving with a large smile.
"Anase!" Vanessa yelled.
"Oh! It's Gordon's friend!" Yelled Asta, then pointed at the Black Bull's robe over her shoulders "Are you a Bull now?"
"Temporarily" The cosmos mage said as she walked over to their side "I tried to give it back to Captain Yami, but he told me to keep it until I can give it back to Gordon."
'Oh god, not another beautiful woman!' Finral thought as he watched her movements.
"Just keep the damn robe, Sischrono" Yami said "Anyway, off you go then. Break my boat, and I'll break ya harder."
On the sailboat, Asta was energetically doing pushups, with Nero perched atop his head, her wings fluttering gently in the breeze. Each rise and fall of Asta's body rocked the boat ever so slightly, yet his focus never wavered. Noelle stood nearby, gazing intently through binoculars at the horizon, the wind tousling her hair as she searched for any sign of land.
Mimosa and Anastasia sat together on the deck, leaning comfortably against the railing as they admired the vibrant colors of the sunset. The sky was a tapestry of oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a warm glow over the water. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the hull provided a soothing backdrop to their quiet conversation.
Finral, meanwhile, struggled to keep his attention on the task at hand, fighting a losing battle against his natural inclination to flirt with the attractive ladies around him. He kept stealing glances at the group, his charming smile faltering as he tried to contain his wandering thoughts.
"Out of all the people to travel with, why did it have to be two supremely adorable royal babies, a hot nurse and a cool beauty who turns into a bird?" He held his head in an attempt to steady himself from a meltdown "I don't think I'll be able to sleep at night! Oh, come on, tough it out. Pull yourself together man! From now on you have eyes for no one but Lady Finnes!"
"Hey." Mimosa appeared in front of Finral, holding a basket.
Her voice brought him out of his verge of a breakdown.
"Um, I packed us all some lunch. See?" She happily holds up a basket.
"Oooh thanks Mimosa!" Asta shouted as he hopped up from doing his pushups.
She opened the basket, revealing a delightful spread of food. Inside were neatly arranged sandwiches, each filled with a variety of fresh ingredients that made his mouth water. There were also rolls of fresh bread, their golden crusts inviting. Alongside them, a vibrant tomato and green salad, with a medley of crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and a sprinkling of herbs, added a burst of color and freshness to the assortment.
"I-it's not much but I hope you enjoy it, Asta." She said shyly as a slight blush painted her cheeks.
"Wow, everything looks delicious!" Anastasia said as she took a piece of bread.
"It does! you made this all yourself?" He reached out and took a sandwich, then took a huge bite. "So good! Yum!"
He began to eat quicker, grabbing sandwich after sandwich, savoring their flavors.
"Thanks for saying so, Asta," she said timidly.
'Ugh why does this bother me?' Noelle thought as she side eyed the interaction, envy written all over her face.
"Jeez, slow down." Finral said "Save some for us, okay?"
Asta, choking on a ball of food stuck in his throat, waved his hand in front of Noelle to beg for water.
"Here, have some" Noelle pointed her wand at the anti-mage and water rushed out, waterboarding him.
"ACK! That's too much!"
"There. Now thank me!" Noelle said as she turned away "Especially because I'm royalty!"
"I'm not grateful! You scared me! The water almost pushed me to the ocean!"
Mimosa, now side eyed the others in envy. 'I don't get why this bothers me.'
"What the heck am I watching right now?" Finral said, causing Anastasia who was sitting next to him, to giggle.
"They're cute, aren't they?" she said, munching on her bread.
"Wait so Anastasia, how come the king sent you to come with us?" Asta asked.
Anastasia looked to the darkening sky and took a deep breath, figuring it was time to reveal her story to them.
"Because the Heart Kingdom is where I'm from." She reached for her grimoire and showed them the cover.
"It's a heart!" Noelle said.
Anastasia nodded "I came to Clover for new opportunities when I got my grimoire. That's when I met Julius. I was adopted into his family so that's why I use the name Novachrono. But my real name…my Heart Kingdom name is Anastasia Estrella."
"Estrella…" Mimosa said "That means star in the native language here."
"That's right. Fitting, isn't it?" The cosmos mage chuckled "Anyway, the Queen does an amazing job with her land and the people so not much was going on. That's why I left."
"So, you left because you were bored?" Noelle said bluntly.
"Pretty much" Anastasia responded "And I'm glad I did. I've met so many amazing people."
Her heart swelled as she let nostalgia wash over her, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"I've learned so much about healing thanks to Dr. Owen…"
She reminisced about her time at the Healing Tower, recalling the challenging days when she first began her studies there. She remembered the initial struggles to keep up with the demanding schedule and the precise techniques required for advanced healing magic. The scent of herbs and potions had filled the air, mingling with the soft murmur of apprentices practicing spells. Dr. Owen's stern voice echoed in her mind, often offering sharp reprimands when she faltered. Yet, each critique came with a valuable lesson that pushed her to improve. His exacting standards had been daunting, but his unwavering belief in her potential was a constant source of motivation. There were moments when exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her. Over time, she grew to appreciate the way Dr. Owen's tough love shaped her into a more skilled and confident healer. Reflecting on those days filled her with gratitude, not only for the knowledge she gained but also for the resilience she discovered within herself.
"My life has been full of joy since meeting Julius…"
She giggled as she remembered all the pranks they played on each other and their engaging conversations about their shared fascination with magic. From the moment they first met, there was a natural bond between them. His knack for mischief and deep knowledge of magical lore perfectly matched her curiosity and playfulness. Julius became her brother in every sense. He had woven into her life like a tapestry, filled with shared laughter, inside jokes, and a profound understanding of each other.
"...and now, I've found someone very important to me…" Her voice softened as she took out her Gordon doll, looking at it with adoration. "...and I can't fathom a world without him…"
She remembered their first meeting at the mixer, where Gordon nervously babbled in a low voice that she couldn't quite catch. Intrigued by his honesty and sincerity, she moved closer to him, captivated by the contrast between his terrifying appearance and his gentle demeanor. She remembered their first date under the stars, where he showed his vulnerability and how they patiently overcame that together.
Mimosa and Noelle couldn't help but blush at the weight of emotion behind her tone. They both shot Asta a side eye, wondering if they themselves could fathom a world without him.
"That's so nice" Asta said, stars shining in his eyes "You really like Gordon-sempai, don't you?"
"Yeah…I do…" She held the doll close to her chest. "He really saved me back then, and I want to thank him properly. Maybe I'll ask him on a date when we get back!"
'Urgh he's so lucky! I'm so jealous!' Finral thought as he looked away crying.
'She's…so bold' Mimosa thought, wishing she could muster the strength to tell Asta about her admiration for him.
'What a strange pair…' Noelle thought as she watched the cosmos mage scratching the back of her head in embarrassment as Asta cheered her on 'They're total opposites…but then again Asta and I are opposites too…'
She looked at Asta, her mind playing with the thought of them getting together and her face reddened.
'Ugh, it's n-not like I like that filthy commoner or anything!'
The following day…
"Check it out, we finally made it, you guys!" Yelled Asta as the boat neared the mouth of a river. "Who would've thought we could just enter the kingdom legally?"
"Once again, we aren't here on vacation." Noelle said.
Anastasia's heart quickened as she took in the familiar surroundings, a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and nervousness washing over her. The sight of the lush riverbanks and the faint, distant outline of the Heart Kingdom's majestic spires stirred a deep sense of longing within her. The voices of the others faded away as her eyes fixed on the waterfalls and trees.
"…Besides, we should be fine with Anastasia here and all," Asta continued.
"Eh, I wouldn't count on it…" The cosmos mage said, staring blankly at the incoming fog.
A thick, moist fog surrounded the atmosphere, sticking to their skin and slowing the boat. A faint trace of mana lingered throughout as if judging their intentions.
"Woah, why did it get foggy all of a sudden?" Said Asta.
"It's one of the heart kingdom defense measures." Said Mimosa in concern. "No vessel can pass through this fog unless it's permitted by the queen."
"Don't worry," Anastasia reassured them as she stood at the edge of the boat. "She already knows we're here…"
Her palms grew clammy as she gripped the edge of the boat, the comforting scents and tropical atmosphere she had missed for so long now within reach. She could almost feel the familiar embrace of the land. This rush of emotions took her by surprise. She hadn't expected to feel such a strong connection to her past, nor the intense butterflies in her stomach. The weight of her memories and the uncertainty of what awaited her tugged at her emotions, making her grip the edge of the boat even tighter.
'Ugh I couldn't sleep a wink last night knowing I was surrounded by beautiful girls.' Finral thought as he wallowed in his despair. 'Damn it now I'm wondering what the queen of the Heart Kingdom looks like! Is she hot too? She must be!'
'The Heart Kingdom is just ahead. I can't wait to see it!' Thought Asta.
As they reached the end of the river, the grandeur of the Heart Kingdom unfolded before them in all its glory. They crossed the fog barrier into a natural wonderland, where every element of nature seemed to sing in harmony. Beautiful waterfalls with crystal clear water cascaded down majestic mountains, their soothing sounds blending with the melodies of chirping birds. The air was thick with the rich atmosphere of mana, making the very environment feel alive with magic and possibility. Lush, verdant trees stretched their branches towards the sky, their leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze. The vibrant colors of blooming flowers dotted the landscape, creating a tapestry of hues that danced in the sunlight. Rivers and streams crisscrossed the land, their waters sparkling like liquid diamonds as they meandered throughout the kingdom.
An overwhelming feeling of nostalgia washed over Anastasia, bringing tears to her eyes. She had missed this place more than she realized. The familiar sights, sounds, and smells of her homeland filled her with a deep sense of belonging and joy. Every waterfall, every chirping bird, every rustling leaf spoke to her heart, reminding her of the beauty and magic she had left behind. Her companions stared in awe at the breathtaking scenery, their eyes wide with wonder. The Heart Kingdom's natural beauty and rich mana created an atmosphere that was both enchanting and invigorating. The sheer majesty of the landscape left them speechless, their senses overwhelmed by the splendor that surrounded them.
"The Heart Kingdom" Noelle said "Huh, I guess you can say it's pretty."
"It all blends together with the city, forest and water." Finral said.
"So cool!" yelled Asta.
Finral looked around for any sight of a dock "Where do ya think we're supposed to tie up the boat?"
"Just wait for it…" Anastasia said, staring at the sky.
Asta gasps as he senses powerful Ki heading towards them at the speed of lightning. A tall, dark skinned man lands on the boat, just behind Anastasia, who stares blankly, unfazed.
"Please continue sailing forward" The man says as he stands up.
"Wait, you're…" Mimosa stated.
"Allow me to welcome you to the Heart Kingdom. I'm the Spirit Guardian Gaja and I will act as your guide while you're here."
'When did he get that scar?' Anastasia thought as she turned around to see him.
"Welcome back, Mimosa and Lady Estrella. It's been a while…especially for you" he said, looking at the cosmos mage.
"It's lovely to see you Gaja." Mimosa responded "I consider it an honor that you remember me."
"How could I forget? You're well-liked by everyone who made your acquaintance my lady" He responded "And Lady Estrella, last time I saw you, you were but a teenager. I'm sure the Queen will be pleased to see you again."
"And it seems you took my spot for Spirit Guardian." She responded, raising an eyebrow "Good for you."
"You didn't leave us much of a choice when you left." His eyes narrowed "Regardless, we made do."
Anastasia smiled awkwardly and turned back to the scenery.
"Spirit guardian, meet my friends Asta, Noelle, and Finral." Mimosa said.
"It's a pleasure. Would you care for some crimson orange juice? You can use mana to sweeten it." He outstretched an arm to Mimosa, holding a coconut of orange liquid. "For you."
"Thank you very much." Mimosa said.
Gaja handed out the juice to the party as they came upon a dead end, a wall of a cascading waterfall blocking their path. The sound of the water crashing down was thunderous, yet somehow calming, creating a natural barrier that seemed impassable. The mist from the waterfall filled the air, cool and refreshing against their skin.
"What is this? It's super good." Noelle said, impressed.
"Mine tastes super bitter, Noelle." Asta begged as he held his drink out towards her "Would you run some of your mana through it for me?"
"Well, if you're gonna beg, it can't be helped" She responded with a slight blush painting her face.
As the cosmos mage brought the drink to her lips, the familiar scent of crimson oranges with a hint of coconut filled her senses, evoking another wave of nostalgia. The first sip was a burst of flavors, tangy and refreshing, with a subtle sweetness that danced on her tongue. It was a drink she had missed dearly, a native delicacy of the Heart Kingdom. Each sip transported her back to her childhood, to moments spent with her family and friends in this very kingdom. The taste was a reminder of home, of the life she had once known, and the ambitions she had carried with her.
A smile spread across her face as she savored the drink, her heart swelling with gratitude and longing. It was more than just a beverage; it was a piece of her past, a connection to her roots, and a symbol of the journey that had brought her back to where it all began. With each sip, the cosmos mage felt a little more grounded, a little more at peace, and a lot more ready to face whatever awaited her in the Heart Kingdom.
Finral looked out towards the waterfall. "You told us to keep sailing but all I see is a dead end…"
"Fear not." Gaja said "The Queen will guide you."
The cascading water began to shift and churn, the flow transforming into a series of gracefully ascending stairs, each step seamlessly integrated into the natural flow of the water. The boat gently sailed upward, lifted by the now-visible stairway, as if guided by the very essence of the Heart Kingdom's magic.
"Wow all this is controlled by one mage?" Asta said in amazement.
"Both the food and the water stairs are all controlled by the Queen's Mana Zone" Gaja responded proudly.
"Wow, that's awesome!"
'He can't be serious, it covers the whole kingdom?' Noelle thought.
Anastasia's heart raced as she saw the palace coming into view. As Gaja began to explain about the history of the Heart kingdom, she tuned him out, looking out towards the farmers and villagers going about their business. Dressed in traditional attire, the villagers waved enthusiastically, their faces lighting up with friendly smiles and welcoming gestures. Children ran along the banks, their laughter mingling with the sound of the cascading water. Farmers tended to their lush fields, occasionally glancing up with curiosity and offering friendly waves. The vibrant hues of their clothing and the cheerful waves they sent towards the boat added to the tapestry of life in the Heart Kingdom. The scene was a perfect blend of natural beauty and the warm, communal spirit of the kingdom. The villagers' welcoming presence and the sight of their daily lives added a layer of authenticity and heartwarming charm to Anastasia's return. As the boat continued its ascent, the heartening sight of her people and their lively, serene environment made her anticipation all the more palpable.
Without warning, Anastasia was abruptly ensnared in a turbulent bubble of water, yanked violently from the boat and propelled into the sky. A second, more chaotic sphere of water followed swiftly, seizing Asta and Nero with equal force. The two bubbles collided in mid-air, merging in a disorienting whirl of liquid and light. The mages held on to each other's forearms, trying to steady themselves from the violent tumbling as they risked drowning. Nero flapped around the water wildly and Asta reached out to her, holding onto Anastasia as an anchor.
'Oh boy, here we go!' The cosmos mage thought as she squeezed her eyes shut from the velocity of the surging prison of water.
Before they could react, the sphere burst onto a stone floor causing Asta to faceplant on the ground and Anastasia to fall flat on her back.
"Sorry for treating you so roughly, but I need to protect my country and it has need of your devil." Said a soft, regal voice.
They looked up to see a formidable entity, a living armor made entirely of water, shaped with graceful, feminine features. It was adorned with intricately designed light armor that shimmered like liquid crystal. In one hand, it wielded a sword forged from the same fluid substance, its blade gleaming with an ethereal sheen.
'Where the heck did this weird bubble take me?' Asta thought as he drew his sword in defense 'Was that the Heart Kingdom Queen talking?'
The water armor advanced with a fluid grace, its movements both mesmerizing and menacing.
"Asta, look out!" Anastasia said, scrambling to her feet and summoning her grimoire. "Cosmos Magi- AH!"
Before she could begin to cast a spell, she was restrained by chains of water and yanked away from the scene with an unforgiving force.
"Anase!" Asta yelled.
Without warning, it multiplied, creating several duplicates that surrounded Asta with relentless precision. Each replica moved with calculated intent, their swords flashing as they closed in on him. Asta roared as he began to fight, wielding the Demon Destroyer Sword as an extension of his body. He fought valiantly as several armors threatened to overwhelm him. Anastasia struggled against the bonds, her gaze locked onto Asta as the armored foes overwhelmed him, her heart pounding with urgency and frustration.
"So, your attribute is negating magic huh? Abominable as that is, it also sounds quite useful." A mature feminine voice spoke as an enormous motherly figure appeared from the water. "Pleased to meet you, devil possessed child from Clover Kingdom. You may call me Undine. I'm one of the water spirits and I'm contracted to the Queen of the Heart Kingdom."
She created a whirlpool in his vicinity and tossed him around as if he were a plaything.
"You're quite impressive, but that doesn't mean you are any match for me." She measured his mana using the whirlpool and smirked "Intriguing. You don't have any magic of your own, do you? Why, that puts you even beneath the ninth stage."
"What the heck are you talking about?" Asta yelled as he struggled to stay afloat.
Anastasia clenched her fists as her blood began to boil at watching Undine toss Gordon's bestest friend around as she insulted him.
"I really don't want to fight Her Majesty, but you're leaving me no choice…"
"Estrella." Undine said sternly "Are you finally going to stop holding back and join the fun?"
With the flick of a finger, she submerged Asta, chaining him to the floor. "Better hurry, or your friend might drown."
'My usual magic won't be enough…' She thought as her grimoire appeared, its pages magically flipping 'I have to pull out all the stops if I'm going to impress the Queen. Here goes nothing!'
"Cosmos magic…"
Starlight began to gather as the mana condensed around her. The fluid chains began to simmer as it heated with the cosmic power of the sun.
'Hmm, such an enormous amount of mana' Thought Undine 'You've grown up.'
"Solar flare!"
The mana expanded rapidly with a burst of blinding light, evaporating the chains and causing Undine to avert her eyes. Asta emerged from the water in his devil form, freed by Secre's reverse sealing magic.
"Leo, hear my call!" The cosmos mage declared as she danced along the walls, runes glowing around her feet.
Glowing stardust materialized around her, swirling and solidifying into a magnificent set of armor. The armor was sleek and elegant, adorned with intricate celestial patterns that pulse with a warm, golden light. The chestplate prominently features the lion's head symbol, its eyes glowing with a fierce intensity. The armor is a mix of metallic gold and shimmering starlight, creating an ethereal and almost otherworldly look. It covers her from head to toe, with pauldrons shaped like lion's claws and a flowing, starry cape that trails behind her, glistening like a comet's tail. A crown-like helmet forms atop her head, with a lion's mane motif that seems to flow and flicker like flames.
'Leo is my sign…so I have the most synergy with this constellation…'
With a commanding gesture, Anastasia brings her hand to the center of her chestplate, a blinding burst of starlight shoots out, forming the hilt of a celestial broadsword named after the constellation's primary star, Regulus. The light continues to stream, shaping the blade from pure, radiant energy. She wrapped her fingers around the hilt, drawing the long, elegant sword with a blade that glows with a fierce golden-white light. The edges of the blade ripple with heat, creating a mirage-like effect around it. Constellations can be seen moving within the blade, giving it a dynamic, living appearance.
'This is my most powerful infusion spell. It has to be enough!'
The sword's starlight pulses rhythmically, and as Anastasia swings it, the air around it distorts from the intense heat. She can direct this heat to create waves of searing energy, capable of scorching her enemies or shielding her allies with a warm, protective glow.
"Go Asta, I'll handle Undine!" She shouted.
"Got it!"
He sped around the room, searching for the source of the mana, pinpointing a wall of water with a silhouette behind it. Undine turned around with a gasp, watching the trail of black speeding towards the Queen.
"Ponme atención!" Anastasia shouted in Heart Kingdom language as she lunged towards Undine.
The water spirit raised a hand, sending a surge of water to strengthen the barrier around the Queen. With a swift and powerful swipe of Regulus, Anastasia sliced upwards through Undine's arm, thwarting the assist. She then bore the sword down through Undine's shoulder, cutting diagonally through her liquid body, watching steam rise in its wake.
"How Rude!" Undine shrieked in horror as water mended her wound.
The water spirit created a geyser that shot Anastasia upwards with great force, slamming her against the ceiling. Steam emanated off of the armor as some of the water evaporated. She curled up behind her sword, forcing the blade through the water until her feet planted on the ceiling and pushed herself against the current. She channeled more mana into Regulus, increasing the heat output and leapt out of the geyser. She chased Undine who was flowing towards the water barrier, stepping through the air on small circles made of runes.
At this point, Asta sliced cleanly through the water barrier, roaring as he entered. He stopped at the small throne, looking at a stone statue that sat there. He stood there, puzzled at the fact that he could have sworn he sensed someone's Ki. Behind the throne, a young woman laid on a beaver pelt, fighting the urge to sleep.
"Uhm…"
"O-oh my gosh! I'm sorry! This thick beaver pelt just felt so nice and soft on my skin!" She scrambled off the pelt, headbutting Asta in the process.
"Ow! What was that for- AAAA"
Asta's yelling was cut off by being swept away by a tidal wave.
"Oh…where are my glasses?"
"Loropechika, what are you up to now?" Undine materialized behind the young woman and gently patted the queen's aching head "I told you to hurry up and change out of your pajamas, we have guests!"
Anastasia comically faceplanted and slid through the water barrier, her sword and armor dissipating with each inch as she heard her Queen still being in pajamas.
"Right, I apologize…" She said, fixing the glasses on her face.
As the Queen began to describe the mana judging system used by the Heart Kingdom, she heard Asta speak about the lead on the devil curse that was in this kingdom. As the cosmos mage arrived next to Secre, the princess raised her shirt, revealing the black swirl that painted the majority of her abdomen, admitting that she only had about one year to live. Anastasia's eyes widened as her heart dropped at the sight.
"Y-your majesty!" She yelled.
"H-huh!?" Loropechika yelped.
"Why? Why would you tell them that?" Undine scolded "Fool!"
The Queen whimpered as she attempted to search for an answer.
'Ugh…now I know how Marx feels…' The cosmos mage said as she rubbed the spot between her brows.
"It's true…" Undine begins to explain "The reason why we have brought you here against your will and tried to discern your magic stages, is because we desire to defeat Megicula, the devil who cast this curse."
Anastasia and the Bulls listened intently as she spoke.
"Clearly you stand to benefit this as well" The queen states "So, Estrella and Residents of Clover Kingdom, please join us-"
She cut herself off with a gasp, scurrying away with her Grimoire "I forgot to water the Poplatta trees!"
"Hey…I'm a resident there too…" Anastasia pouted.
They witnessed as screens appeared at the Queen's will and mana gently surged through the air as the sky began to rain. She happily named off the happenings of the kingdom, giggling with pleasure to see things were going so well. The cosmos mage found herself smiling as well, infected by Loropechika's joy. On one of the screens, Anastasia saw her former home, a small quaint cottage with medicinal herbs growing all around it and a nearby observatory. Nostalgia washed over her as she remembered tending to the garden as a child, her biological father teaching her all he knew about the plants before he passed away. She was overwhelmed with a bittersweet feeling, cherishing the memories while feeling the sting of his absence.
"Now, now Loropechika, how about we change you into more appropriate attire?" Undine surrounded the young lady with roaring waves "You see, she has inherited everything from the Queens before her. She is our beautiful, all knowing priestess as well as our guardian deity." The waves dispersed, revealing the queen in a completely different light.
She was the picture of grace, beauty and regality. She wore a full-length, layered, white gown with long sleeves and a blue belt cinched under her bust. Over this, she wears a red robe draped over her shoulders with gold ruffles and fringe trimming. Her hair is pulled back and hidden under a white veil and over this lies a magnificent gold crown on her head. Her eyes are serene and calm like water itself. Everyone stood in awe of the stark contrast between the young girl in pajamas and the majestic queen.
"Ugh...it's so hard to walk in this…"
Queen Loropechika took one step and felt herself tumbling. With a yelp she flew across the floor, slamming into the cosmos mage and took her along for the ride. They rolled into the wall, where Anastasia bashed her head and the Queen safely rested on her bosom.
"Oh, Come on!" Asta yelled.
"Gosh, what am I going to do with you?" Undine said.
"I'm so sorry Estrella!" She shuffled off of the dizzied mage in white "Are you okay?"
"Y-yes…" She raised a trembling hand and began to heal herself "J-just my ego."
"Hey I get it!" Yelled Asta "the clumsiness must be part of the curse too, right?"
"Nope...I'm just naturally a klutz" The queen giggled.
Asta, Secre and Anastasia were escorted to the upper chamber of the palace to meet up with the rest of the party. As the others arrived the cosmos mage could only think of her desire to go back to the clover kingdom and eat some of Lola's special Melon Bread. The queen strode in, and gasps filled the chamber as they witnessed her immeasurable magical aura, accompanied by her royal grace. Finral had a visible meltdown, slamming his face on the floor as if he were bowing profusely to her, including the bulls worried for his wellbeing.
"Residents of Clover Kingdom. I humbly ask that you lend your strength to us-"
The queen's toe caught on the edge of her dress and her face violently planted on the ground, catching everyone but Gaja and Anastasia off guard.
"Come now, Loropechika" Undine said as she lifted the Queen off of the ground "Oh no, a nosebleed! Ugh, but you're still adorable!"
The cosmos mage strode over to lend a healing hand, placing her hand gently over her face. Stardust gently trickled down, mending the pain. She contemplated the words of the Queen as she explained the need of mages being at stage zero and the difference in magic between the Heart and Clover Kingdoms.
"Unlike us, your Kingdom created magic that is not derived from nature, such as chain, steel and the eccentric spatial magic. In exchange, they lose the divine protection of natural mana. And some of the irregulars who were born in that environment have the necessary traits to best a devil." She explained "One example of this is Julius Novachrono, who possesses time magic. There is also the black bulls captain Yami Sukehiro and his dark magic. Unfortunately, it appears the majority of Julius' power has been used up at this point."
'How the fuck did she know about that?' Anastasia seethed, taking a deep breath. 'But then again…she is all knowing so I shouldn't be that surprised.'
"And you three. Estrella, Asta and Nero. For combat Nero's about a stage six but she's got ancient sealing magic and has used forbidden magic. Asta has no magic but because of that he was granted the use of anti-magic. Estrella can use natural mana that exists beyond the earth. People like you three who possess unique inexplicable powers are referred to as Arcane Stages."
All parties gasped.
"I would like you to lend us your arcane powers to help us defeat that devil and as a reward I will happily share any information I have with you."
"My grimoire is yours." Anastasia said without hesitation.
"Wait, we don't have the authority to make those decisions!" Noelle said.
"I am a citizen of both the Heart Kingdom and the Clover Kingdom." Anastasia declared "This is my duty. Plus, I know my brother will not hesitate to back this alliance."
Asta calls Yami who is fighting his own demons in the bathroom, and he can be heard across the chamber scolding Asta.
"Pooping is crucial" said the Queen with a giggle.
Anastasia bursts out in laughter "Hah! Look at you saying vulgar things!"
Thanks to Mimosa's foresight, she takes out a device to contact Marx and the King. A mana screen gently appears and Marx answers immediately.
"Mimosa. Did something happen?" he said "Wait, is that who I think it is?"
Julius pushed Marx off of the screen, stars twinkling in his eyes "Oh wow! You must be the Queen of the Heart Kingdom! So, what kind of magic do you use?"
"Julius! It's incredible! She has this amazing water magic and Look!" Anastasia pointed at Undine. "SHE'S THE GREAT WATER SPIRIT!"
"WOOOOOOWWW" The young King was pulled back from the screen by the collar.
"Please don't pop into the frame like that your majesty!" Marx's voice rose in his panic. "Have you forgotten about your condition? People will see!"
"Well, you just called me your majesty, so now they know it's me!" Julius sneered.
"Ah!" Marx slammed a palm to his face.
The Magic King let out a hearty laugh.
"It's no big deal, Marx" Anastasia said with a chuckle "She already knew."
"What!?"
"So anyway," Asta continued, "she says they need our help to beat a devil because we're Arcane Stage or something like that."
"That's fine by me." Julius responded, "You and your friends could gain something amazing from all of this and honestly, I wish I could be over there helping you myself."
"That's out of the question!" Marx said.
"I'll bring you here sometime, brother!"
"Yay! Anase, you're the best!"
"Lady Anastasia, don't you dare!" Shouted Marx.
"I suppose that settles it then." Said the Queen "How wonderful!"
Upon arrival at the base, Finral called everyone to gather at the living room so the crew could share the news. The moment Gordon and Anastasia locked eyes they rushed towards each other.
"Gordon!"
"Anase! You've recovered!"
"I need to ask you something!" They said in unison. "Ah, you first!"
A silence befell them both as they shuffled awkwardly. They began to speak at the same time again.
"Are you free for a date tonight?" Anastasia blurted.
"Would you like to meet my parents?" Gordon said.
The silence returned once again and suddenly they had an audience. The faces of both parties reddened immediately as they stared at each other in shock.
"Ohumyesimfreeiwouldlovetogoonadatewithyouthatsoundsveryniceactuallyandimhappyyouasked…" Gordon mumbled quickly as his eyes shifted to the ground.
"Wh-I-UH-uh-du-Y-y-y-Y-Y-Y-Y-YE-" Anastasia could only produce nonsensical babble at how flustered she was at the question.
'M-meet his parents!? Already!? Does that mean we're an actual couple!? A…. a…s-serious couple!" Anastasia thought as she had her own meltdown, a combination comparable to Finral when he saw the queen and when Grey is flustered. 'I mean I was always serious about him but now I know he's serious about me and OH MY GOD JUST SAY YES ALREADY YOU DIMWIT!'
"GODDAMMIT I'M SO FREAKING JEALOUS'' Finral shouted.
"Oh my gosh. Everyone's looking at them, how embarrassing!" Grey squealed.
"Aww, that is so cute!" Vanessa said "I'll raise a glass to that!"
"God, get married already…" Zora said "Idiots…"
'She actually did it…' Noelle thought, watching the cosmos mage in her struggle. 'Maybe I could…No, No, NO THAT'S TOO EMBARRASSING!'
Noelle wildly shook the thought out of her head as she blushed, her pigtails whipping about.
"Woo, Nelly" Yami came out from the restroom clutching his abdomen as if he dropped the biggest devil in his life.
Voices spoke in the background regarding their adventures in the Heart kingdom as the cosmos mage continued her meltdown. Anastasia stood speechless, her mind spiraling into a whirlwind of overthinking. 'What if they don't like me?' she panicked internally. 'He has a dog, right? Should I bring Canis Minor? What if I can't get along with his mother?' The questions raced through her mind at lightning speed, her heart pounding in sync with her escalating anxiety. She pictured herself awkwardly standing in front of Gordon's home, tripping over her words and spilling a gift for his parents all over their floor. Her eyes widened in comedic terror as she envisioned scenarios: his father glaring at her, his mother politely but firmly judging her every move and the dog, nipping at her heels. She could almost hear Canis Minor barking in indignation at the intrusion. All of this was happening while an important meeting was taking place around them. Important updates and strategies were being discussed, but it was tuned it all out. She was completely oblivious to the critical information being shared. Her internal monologue continued its frantic pace: 'What if I say something stupid? What if they think I'm not good enough for him? What if I can't remember which fork to use at dinner?'
Her face flushed, her palms sweaty as she tried to form a coherent response, all while her internal monologue continued its tangled mess of 'What ifs' and 'Oh no's'. She nervously shifted her weight from one foot to the other, oblivious to the fact that everyone else in the room was growing increasingly puzzled by her distracted expression. The cosmos mage, usually calm and collected in the face of adversity, was utterly undone by the prospect of meeting Gordon's family.
Her meltdown was interrupted by fingers wrapping around her wrist. The warmth of his touch jolted Anastasia back to reality. She looked up, her eyes meeting his deep red gaze. In that moment, she realized how ridiculous she had been acting, her anxieties melting away in the presence of his steady, reassuring expression. She took a deep breath, feeling a wave of calm wash over her.
A nervous laugh escaped her lips. "Sorry, Gordon," she said, still chuckling at herself. "I was... overthinking things a bit."
He frowned slightly, not understanding. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Forget about it," She replied, waving a hand dismissively. She smiled up at him, her eyes bright with genuine affection. "I'd love to meet your parents."
Gordon's confusion melted into a smile of relief and gratitude. He squeezed her wrist gently, feeling reassured by her words. "Great," he said softly. "I think they will really like you."
Anastasia nodded, her earlier worries dissipating in the warmth of his eerie smile and the steadiness of his grip. She felt a renewed sense of confidence, ready to face whatever lay ahead, knowing that she had him by her side.
"Oh, we have to make teams now." Gordon mumbled "Will you be on my-"
In the distance, Grey sprinted towards them with her hands covering her face. She yanked the cosmos mage's hand from Gordon's and took off towards the entrance of the base.
"S-s-sorry Gordon, I need to borrow her!" She shrieked, dragging a confused Anastasia through the air with astonishing strength.
"...eh…?" He frowned as he watched the girls leave.
The two mages stood outside of the base. Grey bent over, catching her breath from all of the sprinting and Anastasia stood over her, arms on her hips to express her irritation.
"Now what in the gas giants was that about, Grey?"
The transformation mage laid both of her hands heavily on either of the cosmos mage's shoulders and looked at her with intense seriousness.
"You have no idea what you're getting into," Grey said as she transformed into Anastasia. "I've seen some terrifying things there! We went there with Asta and Gauche to ask his father about curses and it was like stepping into a haunted house!"
"Really? You went there?" Anastasia raised her eyebrows in interest, looking at the impressive similarity in her double.
"I AM STILL RECOVERING FROM THE TRAUMA! IT'S SO EMBARRASSING!" Grey whimpered.
Anastasia's eyes weaved together in concern, and she placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Grey…" The cosmos mage said softly "Thank you for the warning but I already said yes. I'm not going to disappoint Gordon by changing my mind."
She brought her clone in for a gentle hug, embracing her frame entirely. "You're a good friend. I'm sorry you had to go through that, but I do genuinely want to meet them." Anastasia gently patted the transformation mage's head, her touch reassuring. "I'll be alright. Remember, I like it a little weird."
Grey-Anastasia's face warmed at her closeness, her aura, calming her frayed nerves. Gordon stepped outside to look for them, hoping to get their plans started. Upon seeing the two Anastasia's embracing each other tenderly, his breath caught in his throat. An unfamiliar feeling burned at the pit of his stomach.
"A-anase…" he called out, unsure of which one to address.
Both mages looked at him, one blushing shyly and the other with a mischievous smile spreading on her face. He brought a hand to his stomach, searching for a word to put on this feeling. It was like he was looking at both sides of her. The tender Anastasia who normally would look at him with such a face and her inner trickster, who could cause his heart to race in anticipation, thinking of what she would do to him.
"G-Gordon-San" The tender Anastasia said.
"Hey, don't look at him." The trickster Anastasia said, cradling her face "Look at me."
Time stood still as he watched them looking into each other's eyes, his eyes widening in anticipation. He stood frozen, entranced by the unfolding scene. Unsure of what to feel, a mix of curiosity and bewilderment swirled within him. An unfamiliar feeling began to creep up on Grey too. She found comfort in the cosmos mage's arms but couldn't shake the rapid rising of embarrassment as she knew Gordon was watching them.
"Oh, don't worry about him…" The cosmos mage said "It's only us…"
The tender Anastasia began to tremble as the trickster Anastasia began to lean towards her. Her transformation began to undo, and she pushed herself away, face turned crimson as she frantically ran back towards the base, screaming. The cosmos mage burst out in a boisterous laugh.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself" she said, wiping a tear. "I hope that wasn't too mean"
Hearing her laughter echo in the air sharpened his focus, drawing his thoughts back to the fragile image of her lying in the bed at the healing tower. He remembered the feeling of helplessness that had weighed on him then. He still couldn't fully comprehend her speedy recovery, but none of that mattered now. All he knew was how grateful he was to have her back, more than he had ever expected. With sudden urgency, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
"G-Gordon?" She said, face flushing as she caught his scent.
"I'm so glad you're okay…" he muttered "I was really worried."
Anastasia sighed and brought her hands up to his arms.
"I'm sorry I worried you so much." She said softly "I'll tell you everything on our way to our date spot. Is that fair?"
The poison mage stood back from her, looking down with a sincere expression. "Let's go."
She summoned her Celestial Caravan and they mounted together. Without a second thought Gordon took his place behind her, sliding his long legs on either side of her and wrapping his arms around her waist. The closeness made Anastasia's heart flutter and a blush rose to her cheeks.
"Is this, okay?" He mumbled close to her ear.
In their stillness she could feel his heart thumping against her back, matching the rhythm of hers. "Y-yes…are you comfortable?"
"Yes. This is nice."
She couldn't agree more. The carpet gently ascended, gradually picking up speed. As they soared through the sky, she told him about the children's ward, recounted the encounter with a collateral strike from the battle between Julius and his assailant and then the blackout before her frenzy.
"...next thing I knew, I saw you…" She said as they came upon a dark part of the sky where even the stars seemed to hide.
Gordon reminisced on the event. He remembered the feeling of desperation to save her from herself. Then he remembered the feeling of her lips on his. A slight blush crept up on him, as his mind veered. He caught the faint scent of lavender and mint as he noticed her shifting in his embrace.
"I-uhm…I want to thank you properly." The cosmos mage said, blush rising to her cheeks. "You really saved me from becoming something that…isn't me."
"I wish I would have gotten to you sooner." He muttered, a hint of shame in his voice "I wish you didn't have to go through that."
"It's alright. You did more than you think by pulling me out of such madness." Anastasia shook her head "That being said…I was hoping we could…try again?"
Gordon tilted his head slightly, "Try again?"
"W-well since we're in better circumstances now…m-maybe we could…um…" She shuffled out of his embrace and turned towards him nervously.
As the celestial magic carpet slowed to a stop, the stunning display of the Aurora Australis illuminating the sky around them. Waves of shimmering color danced in endless patterns of vibrant hues of green, blue, and purple. They watched the colors weaving through the air, swirling and twisting like ribbons of liquid light. Above and below, streaks of pink and hints of red flared, adding depth and warmth to the breathtaking panorama. The colors flowed seamlessly, embracing the pair in a dance of light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with their hearts. The mages shared a silent moment of wonder, feeling as though they had become one with the night sky itself. The ethereal glow cast a gentle light upon their faces, highlighting their awe-struck expressions.
Anastasia took a deep breath, steadying herself for this moment and looked at him with a soft, contemplative expression.
"Gordon…" Anastasia said as she reached out and gently caressed his face, "May I kiss you?"
His eyes widened as heat crept up in his chest, causing his heart to pound. He slowly turned his head from the display above them to look into the eyes of the cosmos mage. He was too stunned to speak, even though his heart screamed in her favor, yearning for the closeness that he wanted for so long. He mustered a small nod, just barely moving his head as his eyes held intensely onto hers. Her gaze was unbreaking as she slowly began to close the distance between them, gently moving her hand to the back of his head, grazing every hair in her path. The world seemed to slow down as Gordon's breath hitched, his senses overwhelmed by her closeness. His nose softly brushed her cheek, and he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. Then, their lips gently connected, and a surge of warmth spread through his body, igniting every nerve.
The kiss was tender, a perfect blend of shyness and desire, as if they were both exploring the depths of their emotions for the first time. His hands returned to her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the softness of her body against his. Anastasia could feel her heart pounding against his chest as he brought her closer to him. She slowly shifted, slightly opening her mouth to introduce her tongue into his. She heard him inhale sharply, responding to her tongue by slithering his along hers and a low groan rumbled in the depths of his throat.
She responded with her own soft moan as her eyes shut, pushing the back of his head into hers, deepening their kiss and savoring the hint of black tea in his mouth. Their bodies became charged with passion, a testament to their longing for each other. The southern lights themselves seemed to dance around them as if the universe accepted them as a whole. The world melted away as they made out, the only thing that mattered was the fervor they had for each other, gently and passionately expressing wordless adoration. Gordon's chest began to mirror his quickening breath as if it were being stolen. The sensation of the rising and falling of his chest against Anastasia's caused her to pull back, looking at him with a flushed face.
"G-Gordon?" she asked, her eyebrows weaving with concern.
"I-I…can't breathe…" He said, panting.
As reality returned to her, the cosmos mage realized that they had gained altitude. While she was used to thin air from her frequent stargazing adventures, she failed to realize that being carried away in such a moment could be dangerous for others.
"Oh, gosh I'm so sorry!" Her face reddened entirely.
Anastasia brought the celestial caravan to nearby land, gently settling them on the ground. The poison mage moved to an all fours position in an attempt to catch his breath and she gently rubbed his back in hopes that it would comfort him enough to help him slow his breathing.
'Ugh…how embarrassing! Now I know how Grey feels all the time!'
As his breathing slowed, she shifted his body to a sitting position. He looked at Anastasia's worried face and took a final deep breath.
"Well…that was more intense than I expected…" he said, slightly blushing.
"I-I…didn't realize how high we were. I should have been more careful!" She felt the panic rising, looking at the ground and became more animated "I didn't mean to- …eh?"
She was cut off by the sensation of Gordon intertwining his fingers around hers. He was surprisingly warm, a contrast to the visual of his cool toned skin. She watched their hands for a moment, taking the simplicity of the moment, and slowly traced his arm with her eyes until she met his. His black lips were upturned tenderly, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.
"Don't worry, Anase." He mumbled "I enjoyed that."
Her anxiety melted away at his words and her panic morphed into a shy smile.
"Me too, Gordon…" She said "Though I admit. I might have gotten a little carried away"
"You can get carried away with me anytime." He responded in a playful tone.
Anastasia let out a small gasp, stars of excitement in her eyes "Gordon! Did you just flirt with me!?"
"Eh?" He tilted his head in genuine confusion "What I said was flirting?"
The cosmos mage let out a hearty laugh "I think it was!"
Her contagious laughter extracted his own eerie chuckles. With that reassurance, they both relaxed, cuddling closer together as the aurora continued to dance above, casting a radiant glow that mirrored the warmth and light of their shared moment.
"Oh yeah, did you say you were making teams?" she asked him, snuggling into his embrace.
"Yes, I'm teaming up with Grey, Gauche, Charmy and Zora." He muttered "We're going to start training soon and it would be nice to have you there too."
Anastasia's mind wandered to watching Gordon training, wielding the magic she had yet to see.
"That's right…I've never seen you use your magic before!" She squealed "That would be so cool! But…"
"But?" Gordon slightly tilted his head.
"Chances are that Julius will need me at the Healing Tower. Aside from Magic knights who were injured during the battle, many civilians fell victim too…" She hung her head, her longing to be by his side conflicting with her responsibilities to the kingdom. "I wish I could join you…but I don't think I can."
Gordon could hear the sadness in her voice, and he looked at her tenderly. "I understand. The kingdom needs you too."
"Oh! I should give you your robe back. All of your dolls are still here" she changed the subject before her emotions spilled over.
Anastasia began to remove the robe but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"Keep it, Anase" He mumbled softly "I have extras and I already made a new set of dolls.
He opened his robe to reveal a new collection of Black Bulls dolls, his Anastasia doll and two new additions.
"Oh, you have new ones!"
"Yes! This one is Henry" he said excitedly as he pointed to a doll with long, wild hair. "It was his magic that made the base change at that time."
"Oh yeah I remember him!" She responded as she remembered him waving from behind a window. "Wow, that's some pretty crazy magic!"
"It is. And look," He takes out a mini wooden figure of a black bull "This is the base."
A slight gasp escaped Anastasia as she saw the craftsmanship of the carved figure. She reached out her hand as if asking permission to touch it. He set it in her palm, and she began to trace its features, similar to when she received her Gordon doll.
"Gordon, this is incredible! You're really talented."
Her words took him aback, his face flushing with color as he raised a finger to fidget with his cheek in embarrassment. Compliments were rare for him, and receiving one from Anastasia meant the world. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had praised him so earnestly.
"Th-thank you, Anase…"
The cosmos mage couldn't help but smile at his reaction. Despite his dark, intimidating exterior and deadly magic attribute, he was incredibly humble. He truly cared about his friends and seemed to value life. As she observed him looking away, hiding his blush under his hat, she could feel herself falling even deeper for him. He doesn't know how handsome he is.
Anastasia leaned in and planted a tender kiss on his cheek, causing him to turn towards her with softened eyes.
"We will both be very busy in the coming six months, but it doesn't mean we won't see each other." She said, looking into his deep red eyes "You know where to find me, and I still have to meet your parents."
The poison mage's expression softened, smiling at the reminder and wrapped his arms around her. "Right, let's work hard until then."