"Revenge?" Asuka asked out loud.
It was more to herself than to Kopika, but the woman answered back.
"Yes. It's a natural thing to feel," she responded calmly.
Asuka had never given the thought of revenge much thought. The demon which killed Amelia was already dead. The only other person she could want revenge on was the emperor, but the reason was so petty and was purely to satisfy her own pride. And though she did hate demons, she wasn't looking for some perverted version justice. She simply wanted them gone.
But she decided it would be best to play the part.
Asuka couldn't help but feel shame for it though. Playing a role many would be in if their lives weren't taken so unfairly.
"Is something wrong Madeline?"
The question brought Asuka out of her thoughts. She stuttered for a second before gathering the words.
"I-it's nothing major, it's just, for the longest time I was taught revenge wasn't something to be welcomed. It's a bit of a shift to suddenly be told the opposite."
Kopika sighed, disappointed but understanding the girl's concerns.
"Just trust me. I understand the feeling well and I can assure you, it is essential in developing your power."
Part of what Kopika said caught Asuka's attention.
"You understand it? What do you mean?"
Kopika froze in place, seemingly realizing she said something she shouldn't have.
"That is something you do not need to know," she replied coldly.
Asuka made herself flinch to make herself look shaken by the sudden lack of warmth in her words. Kopika noticed and took a deep breath.
"Do you wish to become strong?"
Asuka didn't know if the benefits of agreeing outweighed all the detractors.
"The information I could gain from agreeing would be priceless. But if I'm found out, Anastasia would be found too and we'll both be killed. Ugh, I hate being in these situations."
There were so many ways things could go wrong in this situation that it would be the darkest of night before listing them all. The fact that Asuka is already well trained and has battle experience could lead her to show more than she is truly capable of without her even knowing it. Not to mention all the things she doesn't know and could take her by surprise. She wanted to say no.
"I know it is a lot to consider now," Kopika continued, "so I will be here at sunrise. If you don't show up, I will know you have rejected my request and will bother you no more. But if you do choose to come, I will make you more powerful than you could ever imagine."
The woman then walked up to Asuka and gently held her hand.
"I will escort you home."
As they walked, Asuka continued to ponder on her dilemma all the way until they arrived. When they did, Kopika stood still for a moment before speaking.
"I know I said I wouldn't bother you if you rejected my request, but if you need anything at all to help the healing process, do not hesitate to come to me. I will help you in any way that I can. I swear it."
Asuka wasn't sure where this came from. She was too shocked to say anything so all she did was nod. With that, Kopika bowed and walked away.
~
When Asuka entered the apartment, she found Anastasia laying on the couch. She was staring at the ceiling deep in thought.
"Something is bothering her," Asuka thought.
She decided it was best to leave the princess for now and ask about it later. But suddenly, Anastasia spoke up.
"Where were you?"
Asuka paused a moment, pondering if it was better to lie or tell the truth.
"I was with the sister we met the other day."
That seemed to bring the royal out of her stupor. She shot up suddenly with a stunned expression.
"Kopika? Really? What did you talk about? Anything about the cult?"
Asuka put up her hands overwhelmed by the questions.
"It was nothing like that. She just wanted to speak to me."
"About what?"
Anastasia couldn't hide the intrigue on her face.
"She… wants to train me."
"….."
"….."
To say Anastasia was lost for words was an understatement. So, Asuka told Anastasia about what had happened.
"Are you serious? This is the opportunity we need. Risks be damned, you need to go to her tomorrow," said the princess.
"How can you be so careless? There are just too many risks to this plan. It could go wrong in so many ways, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some ways I haven't thought about yet," Asuka protested.
"And all we must do is prepare for them. The answer of what you need to do is clear."
"You're not thinking big enough. Forget what happens to me, what about you. If I get caught so will you and when they find out the princess of the entire kingdom is here, there is no saying how they could use you to get to your father."
"Don't you dare take me as some weak cur who can't protect herself!"
"I'm not saying that you are, but we don't have nearly enough information to do something so risky. All I'm saying is that we should think carefully about what to do."
"And I'm saying there's nothing to think about."
The pair didn't talk for a while. Asuka then walked over to the couch and on the other end opposite to Anastasia.
"Where did you go?" the Trinity suddenly asked.
Anastasia didn't show any outward sign of discomfort with the question, but Asuka could feel her anima jump a little.
"Nothing special. I ran into Bishop Sebastian, and we talked in the church. Gave the same old speech about how he's there for me and you if we ever need him."
"Is that all?"
"What the hell are you asking? Of course it is."
Perplexed by Anastasia's sudden aggression, Asuka calmly looked at the girl. Quickly, the princesses' furrowed brows relaxed.
"Listen, nothing of note happened alright. Just leave it at that."
Asuka remained silent for a moment, her blood red eyes fixed on her partner's golden ones. Then, she sighed and stood up.
"Whatever you're hiding, you shouldn't bottle it up. I know from experience."
With that, she turned and headed to her room leaving the Seraphim to her own thoughts.
In her room, she sat on the floor in a meditative position and fell into her inner world. There, Annie stood with her arms crossed and a dark flaming sword pinned in the ground. When Asuka saw her, she couldn't help but give her a face of annoyance.
"Of course you're on her side."
"I didn't even say anything," Annie replied defensively.
"You don't need to. Linked emotions, remember?"
"Then you know you should take this opportunity. This is the best chance you've got."
Crouching on the ground, Asuka sighed, understanding that Annie is right.
"Even so, this isn't something I can jump into."
Annie walked over to Asuka and sat down beside her.
"You're worried this would turn out like Aboa aren't you."
The Trinity didn't respond but Annie knew it was true.
"You know, without taking risks, you'll miss out on chances you never knew were there," Annie said.
"And by taking them, I may be putting others into a scenario that I can't get them out of. What will I do if something like Aboa happens again? All because of what? Arrogance? To prove myself? It's not worth it."
"Asuka, if you fear the risks, you'll never be able to accomplish anything. It's good to acknowledge them, but do not let the fear of them deter you from achieving your goal. You're in a more advantageous position than you think."
Asuka's turned to the visage with a look of confusion.
"How?"
"We may not know a lot about the cult. How many there are or how strong they are. But they also don't know anything that you or the princess are capable of. And most importantly, they don't even know they have enemies in their midst. No matter how many or how powerful, it is useless if they don't know there is even an enemy."
Asuka was going to say something to rebuttal Annie's claims, but what she said made too much sense.
"I guess that makes sense. But they don't take away the fact there are still risks to getting too close," said the Trinity.
"Of course," Annie responded, "And you should never forget them. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't let them blind you to your own advantages."
Asuka pondered those words for a moment, before making a decision.
"I'll sleep on it. By the morning, I'll have made a choice."
Annie couldn't help but smile, knowing that Asuka had already made her choice.
~
Just as Kopika promised, she had gone to the room before that sun had made itself known. She sat calmly in the middle of the room humming a melancholic tune. Her voice rang out in the room. Her mask was on the floor and gloves lay on top of them.
Slowly, she began to stand and instead of humming, words began to flow from her lips in a harmonious soft tone, only the divine could replicate.
She then began to move and her hands and feet, golden bracelets and anklets chiming with each movement. At first, she remained in the same place, arms carving a tale of peace and balance into the air and her feet, twisting with her like a leaf flowing with the wind
Then, she took her first step. Soft and matching the pace her voice.
She began to drift through the sand. Her touch so delicate, not a single grain moved from its position.
Kopika moved like a ship lost at sea. Floating and letting the waves dictate how she moved. She continued this dance for a few minutes before she sensed a familiar anima signature.
She couldn't help but give a soft smile.
"Finally. To make right of my wrongs. Don't worry little sister. I won't be long"
~
Ichigo POV:
I hate having to come to this realm. Not only because I was so far from loved ones, but also because it was so depressing. It wasn't the fiery pit most people believed it to be. Tenebrae was a dark, cold and dead realm. There was always a feeling of hopelessness and despair whenever I came here. So, I was especially annoyed when my informant decided to be late for our meeting.
I sat at the highest peak of a mountain range. Snow slowly came down from the dark sky but a blizzard tears through the side of the mountain only a few meters below. A chill breeze made the air feel like I was touching ice. It doesn't bother me as much as it used to, but the cold still made me shiver.
I try to distract myself from my circumstances by thinking about better things. About Mei. Her smooth skin. Gentle touch. Soft lips. Divine taste.
"Great. Now I want to go home even more. Where the fuck is he?"
On cue, I sensed contra making its way up the mountain.
"Finally," I thought to myself.
After a minute, a small black figure walked up the side of the mountain. His frame was small, and he only had two short horns protruding from his head. He walked with confidence completely unbothered by the cold. I was envious.
"Machi. You really took your time huh," I said with an irritated tone.
His maroon eyes shot up at me. At first with surprise, but after processing my words, fury raged in them.
"Says the fucker who decided to have our meeting at the top of a fucking mountain."
"Sorry. But you know the risks of talking anywhere else below. Now, you got anything for me."
Machi grumbled before speaking.
"Yeah. I got something."
I shifted my tone to serious one.
"Which one?"
"Hubri."
I make a sound of annoyance with my mouth.
"Hey, you better be grateful I found any of them. You have any idea how many times I almost died trying to get this information."
I took a sigh, trying to forget how inconvenient an opponent he would be.
"No. I am grateful Machi. Once again, your efforts have brought this world one step closer to peace for all the realms. We are in your debt."
I meant every word, but I don't think he understood that. He clicked his tongue and scowled at me.
"Well? I haven't got all day. Let's go. His palace is days away in this blizzard. I don't want to waste any more time."
Angrily, he turned and made his way back down the mountain.
I remained for a few more moments. I looked to sky of nothingness and took a deep breath.
"O great Aeons, bless this cursed blade of mine, so that I may strike my enemy true."
I knew prayer was worthless in this realm. But I still try. Because if there is no hope in the deserted world, I will become that hope.
"Watch over me Mei."
With that, I stood up and followed my companion down the mountain.