Louise was nervous.

After long and tiring weeks of training, she finally managed to control her Light with enough to stop herself from breaking matter down to nothing every time she used her powers. In another world, she would be at peace knowing that she wouldn't kill everyone by accident. However...

"Come in!" Ikora's voice ordered behind the door of Zavala's office.

The young Void user took a deep breath before going inside. Inside, she found a sight that almost made her flee in fright. She was surrounded by the entire Vanguard, representatives

of every allied factions, with Eido representing the House of Light insted of her father and her teacher and legal guardian, Lord Kirwan.

"Welcome Louise. You surely are wondering why did we called you here today ?" The deep silence was first broken by Crow who adorned a gentle smile. "Oh and please don't be afraid to use sign language with us. Every one here learned it."

The pinkette answered by a quick nod, not confident with her trembling hands for such task right now.

"Let's start with the presentations shall we ?" Continued Ikora. "I'm sure you already know Eido who represent her House in absence of her father who is too sick to move right now, Crow, Zavala and myself ?"

She nodded again. "V-Van...guard..."

Ikora smiled a little, followed by Zavala. Both finding her way too cute to keep a straight face.

"Good. Then let me introduce you to Petra Venj who is representing the Reef's Awoken and their queen."

"Nice to meet you Louise." Interrupted Petra.

"And Lord Saladin who represent the Cabals and Empress Caiatl." Finished the warlock while Saladin merely grunted in her direction with a grump face, making Louise flinch.

Silence came back for a moment before Zavala spoke up. "Louise, the reason of your presence here is because we have decided to offer you something."

"Mother ? Why are we here ?" Asked Cattleya.

After their quick leave from the academy, Karin stayed silent. Only asking for her dauhter to follow now and then. To say that Cattleya was worried was an understatement. For the first time in her life, her mother was shaking and...fragile. It was almost like she could break from a single touch.

The situation led them here, to their manor basement, in front of a great door made of steel marked with the symblol of what looked a bright sphere held in the grasp of a giant lizard. All in all, it was a beautiful entrance if not for the head of the lizard. It's head was a real skull. A skull that was looking down at them.

"Oh my... You finally came back."

"What ?! Who is there !?" Cattleya looked around in fear, praying to the Founder that the male voice in her head was just an allucination.

"And you brought a friend with you ? No... not a friend...your..." The voice stopped for a moment before laughing loudly. "A daughter ? I know you wished for it to be possible but still..." Laughter resonated within their head once more.

"W-Who are you ?" Asked the poor trembling girl.

"Me ? You haven't told her oh my dear Storm of mine ?" The voice asked Karin with a seductive and sultry voice. "Well I guess I need to do it myself then. Greetings Daughter of the Storm, I am Samkhya'a, the first and last Ahamkara of this world"

"Silence you creature ! I will not let you try to corrupt my daughter's life with your lies and false generosity !" Karin snapped, launching a huge blast of wind and lighting on the skull.

"aha...hahaha...HAHAHAHAHAHA ! FINALLY ! MY DEAR STORM SHOWS HER TRUE COLORS ! SO MUCH POWER !" The voice laughed like a mad man.

"Mother... You used wandless magic... How ?"

"Oh... It's quite simple my dear Daughter of the Storm. Your dear mother never used magic to begin with." Samkha'a answered with a pleased voice.

"I said silen-" The duchess was cut by Cattleya's question.

"What do you mean ? Mother is a wind mage right ?"

"A wind mage ?" The Ahamkara scoffed. "Don't compare my dear little Storm to these weaklings. Your mother is way more than that. She was was chosen by a god of light, reborn from her ashes to fight in his name. Her hands call to the sky and her blade is stained by the blood of her enemies."

"Mother ? Is it true ?"

"I...yes." Karin sighed. "I'm not a mage. I'm not a noble." She turned to her daughter with a small sad smile before hugging her. "I'm not even from Halkeginia nor this world. I'm sorry. I should have told you and your sisters earlier."

Cattleya was lost. Her mother was someone else, someone from another world. But she was still her mother right ? Of course she was ! Who she was or who she is will never change that ! Would she have liked to know about it earlier ? Sure. Was she mad about learning it now ? Not at all. "It's alright mother. I understand."

"Hum... Sorry to interrupt this really touching moment but maybe you could tell me why are you here oh Storm of mine ?" Said the voice, clearly tired of the scene before him.

"I want to go find my youngest, Louise."

Samkha'a growled. "I am an Ahamkara, a wish dragon ! Not a search dog !"

"I know. But you are the only one on this world who can create a portal to where she is."

"Really ? And tell me, oh my dear Storm of mine, where is your spawn supposed to be ?"

"In the Sol system."

"Mother ? What is a Sol system ?" Asked a lost Cattleya before getting ignored.

"Ahhh... And you wish to bring her back ? Should I prepare another contract for you ?"

"No... I wish for you to open a permanent path between our world and this one."

For the first time in his long life, the dragon was shocked. "You what ? Do you even know how difficult will it be ? How much will it cost you ?"

"I think it's finally time for me to go back to my old home. Beside...I feel like this world will no longer be safe for my familly. With the peace coming to an end, Tristain will need the help of the Iron Lords."

"I see...I guess they could help with a war against fools with mediocre magic. If they are still here to help that is."

"What do you mean ?"

"Time flow differently between these worlds. It's only been a few decades for us but for the other side ? It's been centuries."

"What ?! But Louise disapeared for more than a week already ! How long has she been alone without us ?!" Cried Cattleya.

"Difficult to say my dear. The time dilation is not fixed. It could have been a month, a year...who knows. And that bring us to the real problem oh Storm of mine. For me to grant you this wish, I'll need to force the time to flow evently beween our worlds. It will take an immense source of power and mine alone will not be enough."

Karin poundered for a moment before making her decision. "All right. Tell me how I can help."

Louise was shocked. "You want me to become a Guardian ?"

"You will need more training but yes that's the idea." Answered Crow. "In fact, we already asked for Hawthorne to help you with firearms training and Ada-1 accepted to use her ressources to forge you a new set of armor. Of course the rest will be handled by Lord Kirwan."

"If you wish to, I am authorized to bring you with me on patrols around the system." Added her mentor. "I'm still not okay with the idea of you going outside the City and sacrificing your life but...I'll respect your choice."

Louise fidgeted while looking at the ground. She wanted to use her powers, her Light to protect Eido, Kirwan, and the rest of the City. But she was safe here. What if the voices come back if she go outside ? Will they take her memory again ? Will she suffer again ? Will he judge her for saying no to this offer ?

As if he was hearing her thoughts, Kirwan kneeled in front of her with concerned eyes, or at least as concerned as Exo-eyes could be. "Louise... It's normal to be afraid. You have all the rights to be after what happened to you. However, know that whatever your answer will be, I'll always be with you. You'll always have my support my little light."

"I...accept..." Said Louise after a moment, holding back her tears as much as she could. "Thank...you..."

Everyone smiled at the young girl, even Saladin. Maybe he was not so bad after all thought Louise.

"I see... So it seems that our dear Heavy Wind knows where is her daughter. Are you sure that she is the Void mage of Tristain ?"

"Yes. Fails every other elements. Only Founder summoning spell worked."

"Good. Very good my dear. Continue like this and maybe my master will accept to let your mother go. Now for your new orders. Find where is this Void mage and bring her to us. Is that clear ?"

"Will Louise be hurt ?"

"...Is that clear ?"

"...Yes..."

"Good ! We will wait for you so don't take too long. Good night, my dear Tabitha."