After dropping unconscious from the exhaustion of using his Devil's claw attack, Naki connected to his soul realm.
Familiar darkness around him as his soul wandered
"Hmm? Where am I?" Naki murmured, looking around
"Fret not. It is simply your soul's plane. A safe space for us to discuss"
Naki was shocked and turned around to find the person talking to him.
It was Lucille, assuming his patronizing smile
"So, how does it feel? having so much power."
"Power to defy fate, the gods themselves, at your fingertips, my vessel?" Lucille asked, hand stretched forward.
"Lucille," Naki frowned.
"Oh, you don't look too happy to see me. I'm wounded," he joked.
"Like hell you are!" Naki said, pushing the sigil and the circles in front
"What's the deal with these freaking circles? We never discussed this or you consuming my soul in the contract!"
"Ah, you mean my mercy system," Lucille responded with a cheeky smile
"Mercy, he says. What Mercy!? More like a time bomb!" Naki shouted
Lucille chuckled, "Honestly, you humans are never satisfied, are you?" he said
"What do you mean?" Naki asked, raising a brow
"You asked for reincarnation. I did all in my power to make that possible," he replied
"To exist in this world without the goddess's blessing, you need that of the devil."
"It just so happens mine requires sustenance, as I'm sure you're aware," he continued.
"The vices," Naki commented.
"Exactly. So, to protect you, give you a chance to be old enough to meet my demands, the mercy system was relevant."
"For without my mercy, you would've been dust in the wind ages ago," he concluded with a satisfied grin.
"(An elaborate lie. These circles are not meant to protect, they're meant to remind me. He needs his vices, I need to be useful, or he'll consume my soul and find someone else)" Naki pondered the devil's words closely
"You're not telling me everything about it, are you?" he asked
"Why should I bother? There's someone else for that." Lucille responded
"Hm? Do you mean the girl you sent, Habiki?" Naki asked curious
"Or Keifa; either one works so long as the message is delivered."
The devil said and walked gently towards Naki.
"That said, now that she's helped you master control, it's about time you start returning the favor."
The devil created a bloodstained scroll, sealed with a crimson stamp.
"I have your first mission."
"My first mission?" Naki reluctantly accepted the scroll
"Remember our deal, my vessel. You are to behave like an extension of myself. Whatever I say, when I say it, you will obey," Lucille said, as his eyes glinted red
Naki dared not resist as the circumstances wouldn't favor him right now
"You don't have to remind me." he attempted to regain control
"A wise reaction," Lucille responded with a sly smile
"You've heard of the will stones, yes?" he asked, turning back around
"Yeah, stones to bend the will of existence as a whole."
"Don't tell me you plan to use them to take control of humanity's will, too?" Naki asked with scorn
"Ah, my endgame. I'm afraid you are not yet ready for my true ambitions, my vessel."
"For now, follow my orders, and in time, I may bring you to my domain, into the fold, if you amuse me well enough," the devil replied bluntly.
"(His domain? wait, does that mean what I think it means?)"
Naki stared at the devil walking away
"(I could find out through inference)"
"(But I have a feeling if I do so now, he'll pick up my intentions. Which is to find out if my contract is also in his domain)"
Naki stared at the scroll and clutched at it.
"(I can't afford to be too hasty, I'll bid my time and find out when he least expects it)"
"So, does this mission concern the will stones?" Naki asked
"Yes"
"You are to infiltrate the world's so-called Hero's party and acquire the will stone of Listeria."
"Huh? Hero's party?"
"Find more details in the scroll using your sigil."
Then the devil stared at him with a smile and started vanishing.
"It's time you learn about the world beyond the confines of your home, Naki."
"And then perhaps, you'd appreciate more, the company you keep."
With that said, he disappeared, leaving behind a spontaneous spread of dark crow feathers.
"...the world beyond, and the company I keep. I'll be the judge of that."
With his first mission granted, Naki's consciousness slowly left his soul plane and returned to the physical.
Meanwhile, back in Ampha
In the area, or more like rubble that was once Naki's home
An old man was guiding a young woman to the area.
It was Isla who had descended in her world form.
She wore the silky outfit of a female samurai, with a blue-sheathed katana on her waist and a black woven straw hat over her head.
"Here you are, miss. This is the area of the cursed child we spoke of."
The old man pointed to the rubble.
"As you can see, his despicable power has caused yet another catastrophe. Please, you have to get rid of that child before he ruins us all," the old man cursed
"Rest assured, Oyaji. That's why I'm here."
The lady walked to the rubble and crouched down, analyzing the damage
"(hmmm, I can sense faint traces of Lucille's black magic here and also)"
She looked around the area once more
"(That's weird...why am I getting Lady Ferr's energy here as well...that makes no sense)"
She frowned, looking around some more.
"(I shouldn't be too concerned about that. I need to trace where the rogue soul's headed. It's clear he was here)"
Then, she walked over to the rubble.
"(I've been searching for over 3 years, I've come so far to fail now. I need some kind of lead to go on)"
Isla came across a picture frame, a family photo.
It was that of Naki's Mother, Father, and himself as a baby.
"Hmm...a family photo. The father's face looks familiar, like I've seen it somewhere in my travels," she murmured.
Then, she showed the photo to the old man and pointed to the father
"Oyaji, do you recognize this man?"
"Ah, ye-yes! He was once a famous instructor in Listeria's academy; that was until he got married and settled down here in Ampha."
"He's a good man. Together with Zickler, they were an iconic duo."
"It's a shame he had to be responsible for that cursed son of his," the old man replied
"Naruhodo, thank you. You've been a great help," Isla said and bowed graciously.
The old man nodded
"Happy to be of assistance. What will you do now?" he asked
"I shall carry on my mission. Until then, take care of yourself."
Isla replied and left the old man behind.
"(Going by the degree of the damage, it'd seem the rogue soul is indeed related to Lucille. I can only hope I'm not too late)"
Isla was making her way to Listeria, suspecting Naki might've used his father's connections to seek temporary shelter somewhere in the kingdom after their home was lost.
Kingdom of Listeria
Listeria Magic Academy - Habiki's room
Naki was slowly regaining his consciousness, but his vision remained blurry.
He could hear the sound of leaves being mashed and water dripping on wood
"Urghh...(I've been having these rude awakenings far too often for my liking)."
He looked around and noticed he was on a bed in a room.
The room was well decorated with fancy window blinds, flowers, and an alluring fragrance in the air.
It felt relaxing, ephemeral.
Then he looked and saw Habiki at the table preparing some medicine.
His eyes lingered on her as she worked, admiring her lean stature without the cloak and her smooth, deep red silky hair waving about
Then the bell chimed for a moment; it seemed Keifa had alerted her that Naki was awake.
"Hm?" She turned around and caught him staring.
"!?" he quickly cast his gaze to the side, scratching the back of his head in guilt.
"You're awake," she said
"Yea! um-umm I see you're pretty- um, doing something with that." Naki was a little flustered, finding it difficult to string a sentence together
"Yes, Pshi Salve. It should help ease your mind and steady your recovery after expending so much during our last practice."
"Sounds like good medicine," Naki said, having steadied his composure.
"Indeed. Once I'm done mixing the minerals, I just have to dilute in water, give it some time to settle, and it's good to go," she said as she turned around, mixing the stuff once again.
"I'll be done soon. Then, we can begin our talk."
"Yeah, before that - what happened after I collapsed?" Naki asked
"I used teleportation magic. It's a unique ability only few people can use," she replied
"That means you're special?" Naki said with a subtle smile
"Not just special; I am a prodigy," she said, and turned proudly
"And also, the only friend you can count on to help you with your quests."
Naki stared at her, his inquisitive look returning once again.
Who really is this girl, and how much does she know about him and Lucille?