years later.
— ROCKET, YOU LITTLE SHIT, WHERE'S MY DAMN SOLDER?!
A girl with skin not so pale screamed like an animal, trying to find her belonging.
— I ALREADY TOLD YOU I DIDN'T TAKE IT, MANA!!! STOP ANNOYING THE HELL OUT OF ME!
An older Rocket replied to the girl with equivalent aggression.
— Argh... I miss the little, polite Mana... it saddens me to see that Rocket didn't take long to corrupt her...
An experienced Marky spoke with exaggerated drama, seeing that the young, cordial Mana had become an almost worse copy of Rocket herself.
— You're right... but it couldn't have been any different. Mana never left Rocket's side... it was always clear she was going to become a worse version. But it's still sad.
An older Zombieden also dramatized the "corruption" of young Mana.
— You're right... actually, her birthday is coming up soon, and that thing is almost ready... do you think Naxes is going to give it to her?
— Hah! I'm sure of it! The EdelGear is Mana's by right!
— Hah... you're absolutely right. If it weren't for her, Naxes and Rocket would never have finished the EdelGear, nor fully understood the stone's functioning... she learned so much in such a short time... she's really going to be the best of us! Hah... just three days...
!!!!!!
— YOU BETTER GIVE IT BACK RIGHT NOW, YOU STUPID COW!!!!!
Mana and Rocket's argument was tense, but not worrying. Just two sisters settling things their way. Even though objects were being thrown and physical aggression seemed imminent, they were still a family. And soon, all members of this family would arrive. After all, it was their little sister's birthday. Three days of preparation until the big day.
— Huh? Boss? Zombieden? Are these two still fighting?
— SHUT THE HELL UP, NORTY!!!!
A ceramic object similar to a flower vase was thrown sharply toward the boy, who dodged clumsily, nearly slamming his head against the floor.
— WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! I'M NOT EVEN IN THIS FIGHT!!!
Mana and Rocket turned to him, grabbing his shirt from both sides and simultaneously punching his head.
— DON'T GET INVOLVED, YOU MORON!!!
— GET OUT OF THE WAY, YOU ASSHOLE!!!
They shouted simultaneously while beating the boy up.
— Hah... jeez... poor Norty, looks like it fell on him... don't you think you should control your girlfriend better, Marky?
Zombieden asked while trying to hide a smile, looking at the broken ceramic piece on the floor. Marky quickly turned as red as a tomato, crossing his arms and looking away.
— Argh... it doesn't work like that, dammit... I don't control Rocket!!! She's uncontrollable, especially when she's with Mana!!! These two are going to drive Naxes crazy one day... by the way... wasn't that his favorite ceramic piece?
— Don't even tell me... when he sees it... argh... he's right behind me, isn't he?
A giant shadow loomed behind them. The massive Naxes placed his hands on their shoulders, breathing heavily, huffing through his nostrils like a bull. His fist was heavy; not meant to hurt, but his anger was highly perceptible.
— So... let's go... start talking... who broke my jar?
Zombieden and Marky stood paralyzed by Naxes' authoritative presence. They stammered, trying to point to the culprit and failing miserably.
— I-it w-w-was M-Mana!
— WHO????
Marky curled up like a turtle, while Zombieden tried to maintain eye contact, failing miserably. Both were sweating and trembling. Naxes looked them in the eye in silence as they were consumed by that fatherly authority. The silence of the three was broken by a cry of suffering from someone who was already on their last legs after a beating.
— NAXES!!!! IT WAS MANA!!! HELP, PLEASE!!! IT WAS MANA!!!!
The cry of hope from poor Norty, who was agonizing after being brutally beaten by Mana and Rocket. They tried to grab him and cover his mouth in a failed attempt to escape punishment, but it was too late. There stood the furious Naxes, his eyes ablaze.
— LOVELY PUNCH OF PUNISHMENT!!!!
He shouted as he delivered a blow to their heads, making them release Norty, who fell to the ground and crawled away quickly, hiding behind Marky and Zombieden.
— Argh... argh... help... Zombieden... Boss... They are demons...
Naxes stared, trembling, at Mana and Rocket, consumed by an immeasurable urge to seek justice for his expensive ceramic piece.
— YOU TWO!!! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!!! YOU'LL HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER FROM THE SAME COLLECTION!!! THIS WAS A LIMITED EDITION!!!!
— HAHAHAHA!!! WHAT'S THE MATTER, NAXES? HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR GIRLS???
A female laugh interrupted his fury as she entered the front doors of the workshop.
— Oh? Is that you, Annula?! Finally, everyone's here!!! Let's start the preparations already!!!
Mana and Rocket breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they had escaped punishment.
— BUT NOT BEFORE I CORRECT THESE TWO IDIOTS!!!
TACK!!!
TACK!!!
Two punches ended their relief. Manners were served along with a loving swelling on top of their heads.
— OK, OK, WITH EVERYONE HERE!!! LET'S BEGIN THE PREPARATIONS FOR MANA'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!!! LET'S GO!!!
Marky wiped the sweat from his forehead and cracked his knuckles and back.
— Argh, finally! I was already losing my patience with these two!!! So, let's get to work!!! Are we doing it like the initial plans? Divide into groups, each group handles a task!!! That way we'll speed everything up!!!
Marky had a massive excitement in his voice. Norty stood up immediately, forgetting the previous beating; Annula and Zombieden also showed their excitement, stretching and getting ready to work.
— YES, YES!!! LET'S GO!!! LET'S SORT THE GROUPS ALREADY!!! WE NEED TO START NOW!!!
Norty stretched while shouting clumsily—typical behavior for him—everyone there was waiting for this. It was their special moment, and the time had come.
— I'M STAYING WITH MARKY!!!
Rocket shouted what everyone already knew in the background. Mana quickly covered her ears, protecting herself from Rocket's high-pitched scream. Marky turned red again upon hearing it and quickly hid behind Zombieden, consumed by a shame that strangely made him happy.
— Hah, nothing new from Rocket!
Zombieden smiled while rubbing Marky's hair, who was still trying to hide.
— Hahah! You're right, these two don't even try to hide it anymore.
Annula laughed along with Zombieden at the recurring situation. Rocket, realizing the embarrassing situation she had put herself in, tried to cover her face in shame, failing miserably to contain her excitement and embarrassment.
— N-NO!!! IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE THINKING!!!
— ENOUGH!!! LET'S GET STARTED!!!
Rocket, it's fine to stay with your boyfriend!!! And the rest of you, start working now!!! And Mana, come with me!!!
Naxes ended the confusion, giving clear commands. Rocket would pair with Marky for simple two-person tasks. Annula, Zombieden, and Norty would handle heavier activities, like moving decorations. But for Mana, he gave an even simpler command: just follow him through the door. She followed without questioning, leaving the workshop as the others began to organize it.
They crossed the door, Naxes always in front. Mana was two steps behind; both were walking. The trails, alleys, streets... every part of that place had been fully explored and learned by Mana in that time. Walking there was possible even blindfolded, but she didn't understand the pattern of the path Naxes was taking. He was following a random path with no apparent destination.
— Naxes... where are we going?
She asked while staring at Naxes' broad back, as he didn't look back.
— Mana... you know, you and Rocket are daughters to me... since she arrived when she was only 5, and since you arrived 4 years ago... I've really felt complete... the two of you... the team... really, Mana, I don't want to lose you for anything...
— I know, Naxes... you are my family too... you know, I had nothing when I arrived. You welcomed me, gave me a home, a house... you gave me a heart!
— Hah... and because of you... I'm not the demon I used to be... I'm no longer that monster, Mana...
He stopped, turned to Mana, and continued:
— I was a demon before all this, Mana... one of the worst kinds... the worst of the worst... I did horrible things and, because of my actions, I couldn't raise my son. I couldn't raise Naxel purely as a consequence of my choices... I just pray every day that he's okay... and even though I can't have my son nearby... and even though I committed so many sins... you guys... made me truly happy, Mana.
Tears streamed down the good man's eyes
—the first time Mana had ever seen him cry.
— Naxes... I...
— Mana, don't feel sorry, please. I am thanking you, thanking you for everything!!! I am grateful to all of you!!! Hahah... I'm just sad Rocket won't change her name, Naxena would be much better, wouldn't it? Hahah!!!
He wiped the tears from his eyes while hugging Mana. A true, sincere hug, the kind she never thought she'd receive in another life.
— Hah... yeah Naxes, Naxena would be much better indeed, hahah! That idiot needs to get that into her head!!!
Mana put a true smile on her face, returning Naxes' hug, feeling the warmth of her father.
— Hah... well... today is your day, my
daughter, enjoy it... let's enjoy until we are all gathered!!! I'm anxious for you all to meet Naxel in the future. He's a shy boy, but he's a good kid!!!
They broke the hug while looking into each other's eyes. Tears also streamed from Mana's eyes; she quickly wiped them, trying to maintain her posture.
— Hah!!! Of course we'll get along with Naxel, you idiot, he's your son, remember?
— Hah, you're right... Mana, to tell you the truth, I wanted to tell you something. You know... these 4 years, you, Rocket, and I updated and built the EdelGear to sell it... the idea of a weapon... but no... what it meant to all of us over these years... Mana... it shouldn't belong to the world. It should be yours!!! It was always yours, everything pointed to it: the way the stone always reacted to the non-reactive Arcanum in your body. And the way you pushed this project forward... it's yours! Everyone knows it. It's just a shame... the stone's functionality...
Naxes pulled back. Mana noticed: something wasn't right.
— Naxes, what happened?
— Well... the quality of the stone, over time, it degraded, most likely due to contact with your body's energy... even if your body doesn't exude Arcanum, you still have a refined genetic signature. The sparks of the Purple Flame that the stone absorbed... well, it can't handle it.
Mana understood. Because of the stone's quality, the greatest project of their lives—her father's life—was being lost. Because of that stone's quality, she realized this could not stand.
— Naxes... no... we're not losing the EdelGear... trust in our project... trust in me...
A dark idea ignited in Mana's mind. She understood what she had to do. Stone quality. She remembered something.
"Kameliel Reixys"—she remembered the face that made her want to vomit. She remembered that night... that damn event. A voice came to her mind. The "KAME-EL" stone, the great discovery of her wretched cousin. Most likely something residing at House Reixys. Then, once again, that feeling.
DARK DETERMINATION.
For her father. She was willing to go back to that place and raise whatever hell was necessary. That was her determination: to do whatever was necessary and possible, without sparing any effort.
— Uh, Mana?
Naxes noticed Mana's trance, lost in her own thoughts.
— Hah! Relax, it's all good, old man!!! Hah!!!
She gave a firm punch to Naxes' shoulder and started walking forward.
— Mana, are you okay?
She stopped and looked him in the eye.
— Relax, dad... it's all good.
She walked alone, facing the sun. Her silhouette blended with the light, while Naxes saw her shadow swallowed by the sunlight. A massive sense of worry took over his body as he watched his daughter walk alone toward a destination he didn't know. A shiver ran down his spine and a coldness took over his stomach.
A few hours had passed. Naxes had stopped at the only, yet successful, market in that place. Alone, hours had passed since he had left. After buying the few things that were missing, he returned to the workshop. He entered and saw everyone exhausted after hours of working ceaselessly to give Mana the best they could offer. Annula was dozing off while leaning on a metal support.
Zombieden was curled up, sleeping soundly on one of Naxes' workbenches. Rocket was sleeping peacefully and comfortably on Marky's chest, who was knocked out on the floor. Norty was with his head on the floor and his butt pointed upward—a strange habit of his, but very common. Everyone was completely out. Exhausted to the max.
Those who had given their all for their dear Mana, who was the only one not present. Naxes gave a faint smile. Even though he was still worried about Mana, his heart filled with comfort and gratitude. He turned off the workshop lights and decided to finish what remained, for he was certain his daughter wouldn't be long.
VRUUUUUUM!!!!
Far from there, a jet-propelled bike sped through the forest. Mana traveled, cutting through the vast distance in an instant. The turbine roared; in her mind came flashes of memory of that night. The thunder, the rain in that same forest... she remembered everything, every detail of that night 4 years ago. And once again, she was returning to that place. Once again taking that same path toward the damn hell she lived through in her childhood. It wouldn't be long now, and a bizarre sensation returned to her heart. That fear, that anguish... now it was so exciting. The distance was being cut shorter and shorter. It didn't take long to see the gates, that immense and cursed mansion. The gardens covered in those beautiful Purple flowers, which brought back so many horrible memories.
VRUUUM!!!
The engine stopped; she was finally facing the hell that had tormented her so much. Before the gates, she removed her helmet. She got off the bike. She took a deep breath and shouted:
— HEY, YOU ASSHOLES!!! I'M BACK!!!!
A shrill scream, without a hint of etiquette. The sound of the turbine had already
announced an unexpected presence, but that shout confirmed it. The servants stared confused, trying to identify the coarse figure standing outside the gate.
— Huh? Who could it be? With that kind of language, I doubt it's a guest of Lord Hiro or Lord Homi.
— Unacceptable! It must be just a troublemaker. Surely the Lords won't let this slide!
— That gutter rat has no idea what she's just walked into!
Mana heard the whispers at the gate, looking on with boredom. She expected it; they would only open if they recognized her as the legitimate Mana Reixys.
— Argh... these assholes, always whispering behind people's backs, huh? Some things never change.
— And who would you be to define that?
A familiar voice cut through her thoughts. High-pitched. She felt heat on the left side of her head. Someone had positioned themselves next to her, carrying a weak spark of Arcanum energy—threatening to an ordinary person, which unfortunately for the noble, was not her case.
— Aha! Hahah! Look at that... if the first one to welcome me isn't skinny JayJay, huh?
Mana identified that voice. It was none other than her third cousin, Jayme Reixys. An ego-inflated member of a lower lineage of House Reixys. Practically a nobody compared to the authority of Hiro, Homi, or even Kameliel. He immediately panicked upon realizing she had referred to him by his childhood nickname.
— What??!!?!?! Dammit!!! Who are you, dammit!!! HOW DARE YOU?!?!!.
He quickly grabbed her arm, turning her around to see her identity.
— Argh... i-it can't be!!! You're dead!!!
— No... no... I'm right here, JayJay, can't you see? Little cousin...
Treck!
Mana cocked a pistol, pointed directly at Jayme's head, who was completely shocked and speechless. Paralyzed to see that ghost in front of him. That ghost that had magically vanished 4 years ago. He barely noticed the moment she pointed the gun at his head. There was no room for arrogance now, at least if he valued his skull.
— Ma-Mana!!! Y-y-you're alive!!! Hahah! How good it is to see you, my cousin.
— CUT THAT SHIT OUT!!!
Mana's furious shout cut through Jayme's fakeness. She pressed the pistol against his skull; he sweated and trembled uncontrollably.
— Don't worry, idiot... I didn't come here to take my rightful place as the Princess of the Reixys or anything like that... I just want to see Hiro or Homi... got it? If you don't make them open the gate, it'll be hard for me to see either of them... and it'll also be hard for your skull.
— O-OF COURSE, MANA!!! P-PLEASE. ALLOW ME TO OPEN THE GATE, COUSIN!!!
The desperate noble quickly found himself subjugated by the one they used to despise so much. But in that position, resistance was impossible; the enchanted gate soon recognized her energy signature and, like magic, opened.
— My, my, you're actually quite helpful, huh, JayJay? If you weren't such a prick I wouldn't treat you so badly... now be quick... take me to one of those bastards.
— A-hah, of course, my cousin!!!
Mana kept her weapon pointed at the now fragile noble's head. They walked; the servants all stared in shock, speechless. Jayme Reixys kept his head low, a hostage to that threat. They stood face-to-face with the main door of the mansion.
— Hey, you piece of trash, open this damn thing!
Mana ordered; Jayme could only agree.
— RI-RIGHT NOW, COUSIN!!!
— That won't be necessary... Mana...
VUSH!!!
A blur as fast as a smear crossed Mana's vision. A voice so familiar... striking... it was... It was that cursed nausea. When Mana noticed, Jayme had disappeared along with the pistol. That blur had taken them.
— Stop causing trouble, Mana... your attitude has been irritating me since I saw you! Your attitude has changed a lot... where did you get such insolence?
A cursed anxiety took hold of Mana's heart; she had recognized the voice.
— Don't you see you only embarrass our family's name by causing these damn commotions? Mana... it's pathetic! To think that such a polite lady became this... how disgusting!
That blur took shape in front of her. Her heart raced. Totally defenseless, now disarmed, she swallowed hard, seeing that figure become her greatest nightmare.
— Gulp... look at that... that's a cool scar on your face, huh... damn, I drew it well! Hah... and look at you... you're taller... hahah! You look like a bigger prick than ever, Kameliel!
Kameliel's cold, lifeless gaze met Mana's determined eyes, something he had never witnessed in her. A dense and heavy dark determination radiated. He looked away and turned his back. The main door opened, and he stepped inside the mansion.
— It's good to see you healthy, Mana... follow me. My father wants to see you personally.
He moved on. His voice was cold, without a hint of emotion. Mana felt an enormous danger coming from the noble in front of her; she felt he had become infinitely stronger.
Even armed, it was impossible to deal with him now. She hadn't even expected to find him so fast. There was nothing to do; she simply followed him. They walked through the mansion in silence. They crossed room after room. Everyone inside the mansion stared. In shock, servants and attendants watched the ghost that had returned. Mana watched everyone back, the lower members of the house and their subordinates. Her eyes seemed to be looking for someone.
— Where is Camilya...
Mana asked with a serious, dense, and heavy look, her eyes fixed with hatred on Kameliel's back.
— I don't know. Shortly after you left us, my father sold her... apparently, she possessed some gifts of which I am unaware...
Mana clenched her fists... her teeth grinded. She was not far from losing control.
— You bastards!!!...
Kameliel heard the insult and remained in silence. They continued and returned to silence. They crossed more rooms, more whispers, more glares. This was until they reached a giant room, the room normally occupied by the House Leader for administration. Mana didn't understand; she clearly heard that Kameliel had referred to Hiro, right?
They entered the room. And there he was, Hiro Reixys, sitting in a comfortable armchair with a giant desk at his disposal. He saw Kameliel enter alongside Mana; his eyes locked; he confirmed, the ghost had returned.
— HOHOHOH!!! LOOK IF IT ISN'T TRUE!!! OUR LITTLE PRINCESS MANA IS BACK, AND SHE'S LOOKING A BIT CHUBBIER TOO!!! HAHAH!!! HAS SOMEONE BEEN FEEDING YOU ON THE SLY, HUH?
The man slithered like a demon. He was just as Mana remembered: one of the worst rats hiding within those walls.
— Cut the small talk, Hiro!!! I didn't come here to taste the shit that comes out of your mouth!
Hiro was surprised by Mana's answer. It was certainly not what was expected from the fragile little girl he had oppressed and watched others oppress.
— Hohoh!!! Look at that, you learned to talk, did you? How lovely! And these clothes... one can tell, this isn't the sort of thing one sees every day, huh...
— Argh... cut the crap, you piece of shit! I didn't come here to catch up with any of you...
— So tell me... why did you come back? Huh??? You pathetic abortion...
Mana felt her chest tighten, an immense murderous intent toward the man in front of her. But no... it wasn't the time.
— Hah... funny as ever, uncle... well, I think you remember well, but I am Mana Reixys, right? The rightful heir to House Reixys after the current Rameliel dies. But 4 years ago, I left the House of my own accord. And no, I didn't come with the slightest intention of reclaiming my rightful position.
Hiro was surprised. She hadn't taken his bait; she seemed controlled, communicating well. This intrigued him, sparking his fury.
— So... what did you come here for, little Mana Reixys?
— Simple... I want a KAME-EL stone. Do you understand, uncle?
Hiro was surprised by the request, interlaced his fingers, and assumed a serious posture.
— And why would you want something like that?
The tension rose.
— Does that even matter? I believe it's none of your business... it's very simple, actually. Just give me a stone... and I guarantee you'll never see me inside these gates again.
The tension continued to rise. Suffocating for both, Mana continued to swallow hard. Hiro rubbed his hands with anxiety until a spark came to his mind... the only thing in which men surpass gods is in malice.
— HOHOH!!! AS YOU WISH, MY NIECE!!! Kameliel!!! Provide a stone for Mana immediately!!!
— Huh?... that easy?
— Of course, of course!!! After all, you are the rightful heir of House Reixys, so it's only right you have an inheritance, correct? Since you insist on not assuming your rightful role as the new Rameliel, I must provide something to suffice for that inheritance!!!
Mana felt a horrible sensation run through her entire being. She saw a demonic spiral in the eyes of that man. Infinite malice.
Something warned her: this wasn't right, that man measured every action, nothing was in vain or by chance. There was something behind it, something demonic. But she wasn't in a position to refuse.
— I accept!
Mana shook the devil's hand, as if signing a pact. The tragic irony is that every pact with the devil comes with immeasurable pressure.
VRUUUMMM!!!!
The turbine roared. Mana vanished into the horizon; evening was falling. She left the mansion with what she had come for. Hiro Reixys watched her from the window with his cursed malicious gaze. His mind flooded, disturbed. His eyes empty, his pupils were spirals. Hypnotizing, he followed Mana with his eyes. Simple. He had won; his smile and look gave it away.
— "What a chance... when will I have another chance to put the Blood Blades to work, huh? What a beautiful day..."