For the last few days before his summer season comes to an end, the deep sadness and grief he was drowned in turns into anger and hardened determination. His smile left him and he only spoke when he needed to. The shift was obvious to everyone around him but he never answered any of their concerned questions. He always only said he was mentally preparing for his trips. Diamond had given him the documents a few weeks earlier to alert him of his trip's itinerary. First Dzular, then back to Baehalan, and finish in Istrelar before coming home. And after learning of those horrible things in his vision, his trip now had a second motive, finding out why his family was harmed this way and who Sermon was. The day of his departure came and he seemed like a completely different man. He was stone faced and determined, he didn't waste any time on pleasantries when informing Natasia of his departure but this new attitude worried her deeply. She waited until she knew he had gone, giving Persie and Aiah a private moment for goodbye, before she went to the Ivory Sanctuary herself to figure out what had happened to her dearest protege.
Natasia arrives at the Ivory Sanctuary and knocks on the door. Clover answers the door, with a very tall and frustrated night goddess looking down but she still smiles at her. Her frustration isn't with Clover after all.
Natasia: Hello Clover! Where is the Goddess at? *Natasia smiles softly at her but it still looks full of frustration*
Clover looks at her for a few seconds but lets her in. She bows and then leads her to the throne room.
Clover: My Goddess, The Sovereign of Lucid City Natasia Halie is here to see you.
Aiah: -she looks over at them and sighs, she can see Natasia's mood from here- Thank you darling, you may leave us. -she watches Clover bow and leave to return to her original post- To what do I owe the pleasure Natasia?
Natasia comes forward until she's almost to the bottom stare, her eyes are pointed and there is no smile now. Her eyes narrow at Aiah, trying to find something but she can't find much. Aiah is very good at keeping her face neutral.
Natasia starts to walk around slightly from left to right. She looks down at the floor and then back up to the glowing Goddess.
Natasia: I am troubled and I do not know how to put this so I will just be out right. Did anything happen to Persius while he was staying with you? *the tension in the room is very thick as Aiah and Natasia look at each other* I…just want to know because the last few days, he was too quiet and he barely smiled, at least genuinely. He seemed like he had too much on his brain but the last time I've seen him like that, he wanted to quit high school and move across the damn ocean. So I ask you again, did anything happen to him? *her eyes become slits as she angles her very frustrated energy at Aiah.
Aiah: -she sighs and rubs her temples- I did nothing to him if that is what you're truly asking Natasia. I kept my promise, I didn't touch him…I've been worried about him as well…his whole mood shifted this last week…I could only get him to speak to me about it once but even then he was withdrawn in his confessions…I'm really not sure what exactly happened.
Natasia looks at her, concentrating but she also knows that her oldest friend is telling her the truth: I…believe you but I don't know what happened for him to have such a change in his demeanor. I haven't done anything and even his best friend came to me wondering if he was okay because apparently his last time seeing him, he was out of it. Not standoffish just…quiet. Just odd…and we both know right? Of course we both know but is there anything you can remember…anything he said that hints?
Aiah: Well he was exploring my collections as he has been for most of his summer season…he said he saw a pink butterfly which I told him are usually harbingers..of…visions…of visions…! -she stands up abruptly- Oh no…Come with me… -she rushes down the stairs and grabs her hand, pulling Natasia with her down the halls-
Natasia gets dragged in and Aiah knows which direction and she's scoffing: Aiah?? What is going on? You look so frantic I forgot you emote!
Aiah: Hush woman! I don't need your sarcasm right now! -she drags her deeper and deeper into the sanctuary until she finally stops abruptly in front of two large ornate crystal doors- Oh no…
Natasia: What? What is it?? What's wrong??? This is insane, it has to be something he saw and you didn't know?? *she pulls her hand away* I'm right behind you, alright? But it can't…be that bad, can it?
Aiah: -she pushes the doors open to reveal the room filled with crystal strands hanging everywhere- It is very very very bad…you will need to be in your true form to enter this room…your current body will suffocate in there…it is a gateway to my true domain…
Natasia changes into this beautiful night goddess with glittering black skin and blue luminescent eyes, her full form is roughly the same height as Aiah but she rolls her eyes.
Natasia: I don't put it past for him to find things but for him to stumble into your domain is insane. I knew going to Baehalan might teach him dimensional travel..but I doubt he's fully aware of it. He might be now. *looks around at the strands* These are…visions..?
Aiah: Yes…every vision I've ever had… -she walks into the room and starts looking around- This room should never have even been available to him…but because of his species he may have crossed over into my realm without noticing what his magic had done for him.. -she stops when she finds a darkened deep green strand made of perfect tear drop crystals- Dammit…I know what vision he found…
Natasia comes up beside her: What did he find, Aiah…? *she's extremely nervous right now, wondering what he could've seen and then it hits her* No…? Not that?
Aiah: He found the vision I had long ago…about his family…right before I warned you that an extremely important child would be coming to you…Dear Fates no wonder he was so…broken…
Natasia: I-I was entrusted not to tell him until he was ready…this feels too early! Poor boy…*sigh* He is probably feeling everything under the sun and moons right now. No wonder he didn't want to talk…
Aiah: How could I be so careless!...I…I never thought he could break the barrier…but his magic…it must've caused a miracle…U-Unicorns are…so..p-powerful.. -she grips her chest and takes a deep gasping breath as if she was inhaling for the first time. As she tries to catch her breath all of a sudden, it seems like she's quickly gaining more and more vitality back. Her hair turns from a pale gold slowly to a brilliant vibrant gold, the marble of her skin seems more solid and the gold marbling throughout can be seen again, and her deep ruby eyes seem even more vibrant now- Damn it…We have to finish this conversation in the throne room…
Natasia grabs her arm softly: Hold on, I haven't seen you this vibrant in a very long time…wh-what's going on..? I almost forgot that you could even look this vibrant. Not to offend. *she lets her arm go* Why do you have to sit on your throne so much? I always thought you just were trying not to hibernate but you go to events for Adrian and Ra…wait you used to walk around?? What happened?
Aiah: Just..come with me..and I will tell you everything.. -she sighs deeply and leads her back to the throne room. As she sits back down, slowly but surely, the color leaves her little by little. The drain isn't immediate but it's clear that soon she'll be as statuesque as she was before going into the vision room-
Natasia follows Aiah back to the throne room: O-okay…but this is a lot for a Creo Dae…*let's Aiah get settled on her throne while changing back into her human form* Alright, so what's going on? I feel like this is more than just Persius…
Aiah: It is far more than him…but he is also in the center of it…My friend, for the last century I have been feeding mana into Resosia…to keep it from dying.
Natasia, looks at her and recalls times when Aiah walked with her through Resosia before she claimed Lucid City, how she was very involved as a reigning deity, helping the people in the villages before, helping with the famine that happened a few hundred years ago. She thinks on it and looks up at Aiah: How..? I do recall you being more vibrant and even moving around quite a bit but…how did it turn out like this? Is it an inevitability? Or something else…?
Aiah: It's…something else… -she holds out her hand to her- This part is easier if I just show you.
Natasia looks at her, and ascends the stairs, reaching out her hand and once she touches Aiah's hand, her head lurches back from all the energy of Resosia and she has to ground herself just to not get thrown. First she sees what looks like the same kind of gold marbling on Aiah, spreading all around them and extending to all of Resosia…like a net. But as she continues to look she feels something underneath that golden net. It's sticky…it feels like a sickness under her feet that's extremely hot…but not lava hot, more like acid…ACID??
Natasia: What on Ahanium am I looking at? *goes down further and starts to feel a black creeping vine around her throat and it's almost gagging, as she covers her mouth, steadying herself to keep from vomiting* Oh fuck! What in the Infernal hell is that???! *leans over and throws up on the floor* I'm…sorry I couldn't even control it. *she has to brace herself as she uses her magic to try and clean it up* ohhh…ugh…
Aiah: -she quickly holds her up and helps to steady her- It's fine darling..heh worse has happened in here…just try to breathe, I had a burn that lasted for weeks the first time I touched it. -she snaps her fingers and several Sisters come in and clean up the mess- I have been protecting Resosia from that since I found the first of those poisonous vines..
Natasia: What are those brambles and why are they so far under the ground? Also, thank you. I hate when people see me like that. *rubs her hand softly* My friend, you can't keep doing this…even with your immense power, I can tell it's harming you…
Aiah: It has taken everything I have…I found them a century or so ago….I noticed that something was wrong with Resosia, the mana around the continent was…fading for some reason. Plants were dying, people were getting sick, everything was going wrong…So I investigated it and found those forsaken things…They are literally trying to suck the life out of the land. At first they were young and easy to repel, and I could still enjoy my people but…they kept getting stronger. My throne is on a ley line so I connected myself to the land through it..I've been fighting to keep everyone alive for so…so very long…I've found the source but my protection for us has become a double edged sword…And…and Natasia you are such a young Goddess compared to me I didn't want to burden you by asking for help or alarming you…
Natasia takes Aiah's hand and looks her deeply in her eyes: What do you need from me? The existence of Lucid City is to help EVERYONE, not just children. It's to show there are better ways to live and different perspectives. So what do you need? Even if you don't know, we can figure it out together. You aren't alone…so don't ever think that again. I get it…I'm younger than you but I'm still old enough to help, you are just ancient heh. *manages a chuckle between the two of them*
Aiah: Hehe…thank you my dear friend…for now…I need you to prepare your children, they must be ready…I have seen it…soon there will be a conflict and Lucid City will produce many talented souls that will turn the tide…and many brilliant minds to help heal this land…And keep a tighter eye on your city, there are enemies everywhere…even in the daylight.
Natasia holds herself up but doesn't say anything for a while and then after a few minutes, nods: …alright. I believe you but it is a lot honestly. I wish you came to me sooner…but…there are some promising young people who will be joining the high school soon which includes your children. I'm assuming they don't know?
Aiah: -she shakes her head- I'm held back by a damn pact that forbids me from even telling Ra she's a sun goddess until certain conditions are met…my friend my hands are tied in every possible way. Natasia, the one behind this death and decay…it's Him…It's Sermon. I will do all I can to help you but I can't leave this throne for too long…he and I have been locked in this stalemate for so long and he is gaining just a little more ground every year…I'm sorry to put so much on you.
Natasia shakes her head: No, don't apologize. I'm just glad I know the full picture. I felt uneasy for a long time now even outside of Persius, it's just been a general unrest in my country but only a few have felt it. I…I'll see what I can do but it'll definitely take some time. But…I'll help. I'll help Aiah…*she rubs her head* It's always something with you haha. You are never boring, I'll say that.
Aiah: Heh…if I was boring we wouldn't be friends. -she holds her hand and rests her forehead on hers- Thank you my friend..
Natasia smiles as their heads touch: yes yes…you headache…*kisses her cheek and holds her hands* So I should get started, like I said we already have some promising students coming in that I'm excited about. I already have a Battle Master that I need to get back in contact with. He's very very talented but my goodness is he hard to track down sometimes…fuckin' "privateer".
Aiah: -she laughs quietly- Offer an increase to his salary, offer his crew places to stay, I will pay for it all if it keeps him close. Will that help?
Natasia looks at her and touches her cheek and leans up and gives her a quick peck, coughs: Ahem…well, sounds like a good plan, I will get on top of that. *bows to her and then turns to leave*
Aiah: -she giggles quietly- You're too cute Natasia~. I'll speak with you again soon. Be safe my friend.
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Natasia leaves the Ivory Sanctuary and begins her walk, preferring it to taking her usual limo. She wants to be alone with her thoughts and there are so many flowing through her mind. My friend…you went through all of this alone? I wish you had told me…I could've helped sooner. She keeps walking and then changes into a blue blaze as she shoots up into the night sky and heads back to her office, her flourish putting more stars through the night. She enters through the window with magic and illuminates her office by her desk, not needing the light for other means. She takes out a binder and looks at the promising list of students to come in the next few years, one of them is her son, Sebes.
"Oh Sebes…my son," Her voice fills with sadness for anticipation that one day her son will be involved in something he may not be ready for. She thinks of her son fondly, thinking of Niya as well, the two of them home probably getting ready for bed. She should be home but with the news Aiah had told her, she needed to get a jumpstart. First, locating that Battle Master teacher. Ugh, he better not be out of Resosia yet! He's always MIA, she thinks as she rolls her eyes. She takes her phone out and calls. No answer. Rolls her eyes and sighs. She switches to texting since he seems to answer those a little better.
Natasia: Mr. Salam, we need to talk. Soon. *she puts her phone down because it's a little late and he doesn't answer too much but she thought to at least hit him up before he gets busy the next day.
She actually gets a text back within 20 minutes as she is sifting through more paperwork.
Mr. Salam: Ms. Haile, to what do I owe the pleasure?
Natasia senses that he's not fully occupied but he's at least somewhat sober: I need to talk with you soon. In person…
Mr. Salam: I'm currently away from the area…
Natasia sighs loudly: …whenever you get back, we need to talk.
Mr. Salam:Ummmm okay. But it'll be some time, Ms. Haile.
Natasia: That's fine Barbatos…just…when you get back, meet me when you can. Please…do not keep me waiting.
Mr. Salam after a few minutes: Alright. I got you.
Natasia puts her phone back up, orbiting it out of space and puts her hands together, leaning her head on top. Mmmmm, stressed already? She sighs again and rubs her temples. I'm going home, I can't think like this…I want to see them. She leaves back through the window, letting herself fall until she gets roughly 5 inches from the ground and uses anti-gravity spatial magic to steady herself. She gets in her personal limo this time and puts her head back and just listens to the smooth jazz in the back.
Natasia arrives roughly 15 minutes later and gets out, slowly making her way into the house. Sebes is already asleep but Niya is downstairs cleaning up.
Natasia: Darling? Heh, I'm surprised you are down here still. I thought you'd be in bed. *she smiles at her softly, yet exhausted*
Niya: -she smiles lovingly at her, her succubus tail swishing slowly behind her- Sebes and I made some dessert, I was just finishing cleaning up. You're unusually late, I was just about to call you.
Natasia, takes her in her arms and kisses her softly: Yes I apologize, I had more work I needed to do than usual.
Niya: -she returns her kiss and gently caresses her cheek- Is everything alright? Anything I should be worried about?
Natasia: No no. Like I said, just more to do than usual. *kisses her deeply and dips her* But I did miss you quite a bit…*kisses her neck softly* heh.
Niya: -she giggles quietly and holds onto her- Well~...why don't we head upstairs and you can show me just how much you missed me my love~.
Natasia bites her lip and picks her up in her arms: A wonderful idea…I know you'll be…quite fed heh. *kisses her again and they run upstairs to have a wonderfully blissful night together, a needed reprieve with this impending doom looming over her as she drinks in her loving partner.