Chapter 3 - The Lands Within This Rock Part 1

Sagitta slowly opened his eyes, groaning in pain—rubbing the top of his head with his wing.

"How in God's name did I get outsmarted twice by Leofric and that stupid fox?!" Sagitta screamed angrily, expanding his wings, pushing all the golden feathers away from him. 

He sat up rubbing his head and his eyes glowed a bright gold. "Lady Aeliana, we have a problem."

"Sagitta? It's been awhile since I've heard from you, what's the matter?" The wind goddess's voice spoke, transmitting into Sagitta's mind.

"I'm afraid that… you were right. That humanity… will eventually find its way back to us." Sagitta stammered.

Aeliana chuckled back. "I told you, it's only a matter of time that we'll touch the surface once more. This time… it'll be different."

"But Lady Aeliana, this has been going on for thousands of years! What makes you think it will be different this time?" Sagitta exclaimed, flapping his wings out of frustration.

Aeliana didn't answer at first, then sighed. "Everything was probably fated to happen, I did not plan any of this. I simply just predicted."

Sagitta sighed in response. "Right… I'll see you back in Aurvenia." Sagitta's eyes furrowed with the glow of his eyes fading—returning back to the shiny golden iris.

The wind continued to blow as Leofric and Otis descended down into the pit with the music fading the deeper they got.

"Otis! Are you there?" Leofric shouted.

But there was no response, Otis had already stopped screaming ever since falling down the pit. 

Perhaps the wind made it hard to hear…But it's starting to get hot.

As drops of sweat began to form on Leofric's forehead, rolling upwards, the droplets flew up. A faint screech could be heard, then another, until noises of agonising screams of both men and women echoed throughout the pit. A red hue then filled the rock wall surrounding the pit the deeper he fell.

"H-help me!!!" A male voice agonised

"I-… I don't belong here! I lived a good life!" A female voice screamed frantically.

"Aghhhh!!!" A female voice screeched.

"It burns!!!" A male voice screamed

"I can't handle this anymore!" Another male agonised.

"God, please give me mercy!" A female voice frantically pleaded.

The voices overwhelmed Leofric, he covered his ears but the voices continued to echo throughout his mind, leading him to grit his teeth.

"Gotcha!" Otis quickly grabbed onto Leofric's tunic. 

"O-Otis!" Exclaimed Leofric while still covering his ears.

Otis pulls one of Leofic's wrist with his paw, Leofric the instinctively let go.

"Don't let the voices get to ya! It's the tarnished souls of the Mantle!" Otis spoke loudly, shifting his paws to wrap around Leofric's neck.

"The Mantle?! I thought this was a gate to Agartha!" He shouted.

"We're likely passing through one of the pillars to Agartha! It's a pathway within the Mantle and straight into the place!" Otis shifted his gaze to the surroundings. 

The hue changed from scarlet red to crimson red, the agonising voices continued to still scream and screech throughout their minds but was less coherent and loud—progressively fading.

"Please, get me out of here!!!" A man pleaded angrily.

"No more!!! Stop!!!" A woman cried.

"This is too much!!!" A woman screamed.

The echo of the voices still lingered in his head, Leofric then jolted and covered his ears again. He closed his eyes and scowled.

"Don't let it get to ya Leofric! Just focus on my voice alright?" Leofric opened his eyes then slowly let go of his ears, nodding to Otis.

"We're in this together. It's almost over! You see how the red is becoming darker? We're almost out of this place!" Exclaimed Otis as the hue of red disappeared and back onto the deep dark pit.

"That was… so agonising… my head was ringing…" Leofric muttered.

"That's the Mantle for ya, you gotta go through hell to get to paradise… literally!" Otis laughed maliciously.

Leofric chuckled in response. 

"It's like even if my ears were covered, it never stopped the voices from getting louder." He murmured.

"That's just how souls work! Ya just gotta deal with it!" Otis shouted.

Soon, the ground below them started to shine a bright light.

"Otis! Look, the ground has light!" Leofric points to the ground.

"Oh ho! You're right! We're making it to Agartha, kid!" Otis giggled maliciously.

"We're really making it… Otis!" Leofric laughed too.

The duo descended down closer to the light, as it grew larger, brighter and colder. The two of them both with large smilesthe light engulfed their faces, their eyes sparkling the closer they got. Until they reached the end, they were shot up to the sky diagonally, tilted slightly upside down high up the sky.

"W-woah!!!" Leofric screamed.

"Holy shit, kid! This is… Agartha!" Otis exclaimed, pointing at the view in front of them.

It was no ordinary city, it was an entire kingdom of a small community with no walls. The sky was no different, but with a smaller white sun. Houses made of polished stone, roofs made of brick, the flooring mixed with greenery and tiles, and at the centre of it, the main castle, a wide building housing what appears to be a gigantic tree with golden leaves.

"W-wow…" Leofric murmured, astonished as his eyes sparkled in the sight.

"Hey we're falling down! Kid, you gotta stop the fall!!!" Otis screamed, holding onto Leofric's neck.

"Augh—! Ahhh!" Leofric extends his arms towards the floor as they descend down. 

Unfortunately, nothing worked, they both fell flat, with Leofric landing chest first and Otis cushioning his fall with Leofric's back.

Leofric turned around laying upright with his eyes widened—unable to speak.

"Oh shit, kid! Your lungs got compressed! Turn around!" Otis demanded walking to Leofric's side and pushing his shoulder.

Once Leofric laid on his stomach, Otis began jumping, landing his shoulder on Leofric's back. He did it repeatedly, with each landing, Leofric's head would nudge, and with the fifth jump, Leofric intensely gasped for air.

"That's right, kid. Breathe, breathe." Otis spoke assuringly, rubbing Leofric's back as he breathed raspily. 

"Huhh…. Uhh… guhh… huhhh…" Leofric breath blew the grass below him, his chest pumping up and down.

"U-um… are you two the new souls that just got here?" A girl approached them peering out from the trees. 

"We're… uh… well yeah, we are." Otis stammered rubbing the back of his head.

"Let me help you." The girl strolled to Leofric, turning him face up then laid her palm right in front of his face. Wind began to flow towards Leofric's mouth and nose. After a few seconds, Leofric took a suddenly long frantic gasp.

"I— can breathe properly again…" Leofric sat upright resting his hand on his chest while panting.

"Woah! Did ya just put wind in his nose?" Otis exclaimed, staring at the scene.

"W-well yeah… I noticed he was struggling to breathe and I knew the wind could regulate his breathing and relax the shock in his muscles." The girl stammered at first then regained her tone.

"Well ya got a name sweetheart?" Otis asked while grinning.

"Camille, Camille Pius." She replied.

"What a beautiful name, young lady. I'm Otis, Otis the fox." He points to himself.

"And this is Leofric, Leofric Godwinson. He looks about your age." Otis said with a confident tone nudging Leofric's shoulder.

"Just what are you trying to do Otis?" Leofric raised his brow and glanced at Otis.

Otis laughed and Camille laid her hands by her mouth.

"W-well I'm actually a lot older than you think…" Camille stammered looking away.

Leofric stands up patting the grass of his tunic. "Doesn't matter, thanks for saving me back there." He smiled with gratitude.

"Y-you're welcome." Camille said with a shy smile as she lowered her head.

"Anyways so… we're in Agartha right?" Otis gazes over the city with a smile on his face.

"You're right… but we're specifically in Aurvenia, the land of the wind." Camille stands up and gazes over the city.

"Aurvenia? Huh, interesting." Leofric too shifted his gaze to the beautiful city within this other world.

"Let's head into the city, perhaps we can find a lot of things in there!" Otis gleamed, running towards the city to the tile path on all fours.

"Otis wait up!" Leofric stood and ran towards Otis.

"A—ah?" The startled Camille too began running after them. "W-wait for me! I still need to guide you around Aurvenia!" 

Two duo laughed and giggled as they made their way towards the city with Camille running to catch up to them.

Now in the tile path towards the city, they were all walking together. However, Camille was fidgeting with her fingers, lowering her head.

"So Camille, how old are ya really?" Otis asked as they walked towards the city.

"Uhh— I… don't know… heh…" She stammered, laughing nervously.

"Well, who was the famous person in your time?" Leofric asked.

"Hmm… Marcus Aurelius." She put a finger on her lips and she looked up in thought.

"Marcus Aurelius? That's centuries ago!" Leofric exclaimed.

"Wait, but you look so young… don't tell me… you died at a young age?" Otis turned his head to look at Camille.

"Well—you're right. I was always really sick since I was born, everyday my body felt warm during the day and really cold at night. My forehead was always hot and I didn't get to play much." Camille explains, lowering her head upsettingly.

"You don't seem sick though." Leofric replied, raising his brow.

Camille raised her head, chuckling as she laid her hand by her mouth. "That's because I'm here in Agartha now. After I died, well, while I died I was quite glad I made the most out of my life even with such a frail body."

Otis and Leofric both turned their heads to Camille with a shocked expression—widening their eyes.

"W-well…" Camille smiled shyly, lowering her head again.

"…I might have died young but I died happy. My soul felt even more intact the closer I got to death's door." She laid her palm resting on the centre of her chest with a warm sincere smile.

"But Otis, how do you even end up in the Mantle? You told me it depends on the nature of one's soul, but how does that work exactly?" Leofric turned his gaze to Otis.

"Well, like our sweetheart Camille just explained, she died without any regrets, her soul was strongly intact while she died. Thus her soul was offered a place in Agartha. Ain't that right?" Otis smirked, resting his paws by his hips—glancing at Camille.

Camille blushed gazing at the floor as she covered her lower face with her hands. "If I'll be honest I didn't even know… but, it makes me happy." Her eyes squinted, gleaming.

"Interesting…" Leofric rests his chin over his hand.

"So, if I get murdered, what happens then?" He asked.

"Well, it depends. Are you gonna die with your mind at ease or corrupted by the grueling pain?" Otis replied.

"Meaning if I die, despite being let's say, a good person and get violently attacked as I bleed out in battle, I could end up in the Mantle?" Leofric exclaimed.

"Exactly!" Otis snaps his fingers.

"But that's not fair! What even happens if you just die? Like I grow all old and wrinkly then my life expires." Leofric turns his attention to Otis.

"Well… to get to Agartha, you gotta have the purest soul. Even if Camille was born unlucky with her illness, her soul was pure enough that instead of being scattered to the world to give life to others." Otis trailed off with a smile on his face, gazing into the vast landscape of the open air of Aurvenia.

"Scattered to the… world? What do you mean?" Leofric furrowed his brows as he asked.

Before Otis could speak, a sudden voice echoed around like a gentle gust of sweeping air.

"So these are the two who've set foot into Agartha…" The voice reverberated. 

Camille immediately gasped and dropped down on one knee. "Wind Goddess." She bowed. 

Otis and Leofric instinctively followed her lead, kneeling down as well. Leofric glanced at Otis "Wind Goddess?" He raised his brow. 

Otis for once, was stunned in silence, his eyes fixated on the figure in front of Leofric. A hand stretched out to Leofric's chin and with its fingers brought his face facing front.

It was Aeliana, the Wind Goddess. Smiling with the same golden eyes with no iris holding onto Leofric's chin with her soft fingers.

Leofric looked at her with fear, gulping down with his eyes wide open and a sweat dripping down his forehead down to his cheek.

Aeliana chuckled playfully, letting go of his chin. "You need not be scared. Please, stand." She turned to Camille. "Camille." She said gently.

"Y-yes, Wind Goddess?" She stammered, raising her head.

Aeliana crouched down to her level and clasps both her hands together over Camillems hands . "Thank you for guiding these two here." She smiled warmly.

"A-anything for you Wind Goddess!" She stuttered, her cheeks flushed with a wide smile on her face.

"So you're the Wind Goddess of Agartha huh? Ya got a name?" Otis asked with a brow raised, his tone sharp contrasting with his sincere posture.

Leofric whispered sharply. "Otis! What the hell are you doing—!"

"Y—you…" Aeliana murmured, her gaze darting to Otis' chest—seemingly studying intently as if looking for something hidden. 

"Wait… you know about me?" He points to himself with uncertainty in his tone—his ears perking up.

"Is something wrong, Wind Goddess?" Camille stood up while still holding onto Aeliana's hands.

"Huh?" Aeliana snapped. "I must apologise, I thought you were someone else." She stammered looking at him, her eyes softened with unspoken sorrow.

"Oh…" Otis said disappointingly, his ears lowering down, turning his gaze away from Aeliana.

"Oh how rude of me to not introduce myself. I am Aeliana, the wind Goddess." She laid her palm by her chest with a warm smile.

"You must be Otis and Leofric." Aeliana turns to Leofric, leaning forward then holding his hand—guiding him to stand up. 

"H-how do you know our names?" Leofric stood with his voice stammering.

"Because of me." A voice from the distance spoke. 

A blade fell from the sky and stabbed into the soil right in front of Otis. Leofric, Otis and Camille all jolted, taking a step back with Camille screaming.

Right after, a human, a child, dashed into the scene from the air landing right beside the blade—the air swooping the ground as pulled the knife out of the soil.

"Hey, who the hell are ya you brat?! Coming here and throwing a blade right in front of my face!" Otis shouted angrily, clenching his fists—scowling.

He ignored Otis' banter while sheathing his blade into his belt, irritably scowling. 

"Sagitta." Aeliana spoke sternly, commanding him.

"Yes, Lady Aeliana." He immediately kneeled to one knee and bowed his head low.

"W-wait that's the golden bird?!" Leofric exclaimed in disbelief. 

"You're the birdie?!" Otis exclaimed too.

"W-what's going on?" Camille asked nervously with her hands clenched right by her face.

Aeliana laughed nervously and wailed her arms towards everyone. "Please, please, calm down everyone. I believe there's a lot of tension that has not yet been resolved."

"Tension—?" Camille asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah, they knocked me out on the head two times." Sagitta exclaimed sarcastically—raising his head turning to Camille.

"Enough." Aeliana commanded.

"I apologise, Lady Aeliana." Sagitta bowed his head once more.

"Please, let's settle this now, we can not be fighting here in this sacred place." Aeliana pleaded looking over at everyone.

"H-hey… I'm sorry for hitting you in the head… I didn't know you were just a kid." Leofric stammered as he crouched to Sagitta's level.

Sagitta clicked his tongue and sipped the air. "I'm a lot older than you, I'm only using this form because it's easier to move around." 

"Ah-!" Leofric leaned back in shock—his jaw dropping.

Otis tried to control his laughter, his cheeks were already bloated. Soon, his cheeks popped and he began bursting out laughing uncontrollably, laying his paw on his stomach.

"W-what's so funny?" Camille turned her gaze to Otis looking confused.

Sagitta began to scowl, his voice grunting as he held in his anger. However, Otis' laughter didn't stop.

"Ah—Ahahaha! That's so funny! He's using a kid's body! How old are ya anyway?" He said while gigging.

"One—thousand years old." Sagitta stammered as he raised his brow.

Otis fell on his back and continued to burst out laughing while giggling in his words. 

"Hahaha! He's an oldie in a kid's body! Ya want me to start feeding you like an old man or a—toddler? It's either I say he's the soup—or here comes the flying birdie!" He gestures a flying spoon then starts laughing even louder, wailing his arms on the floor.

"Y-you stupid fox!" Sagitta stood up clenching his fists—scowling as he looked at Otis.

Unexpectedly Aeliana too began bursting out laughing with her hand positioned by her mouth. 

"Oh, Sagitta." She said through her laughter.

"Lady… Aeliana?" Sagitta slowly turned his head to her with a brow raised.

"Sagitta, you look so funny when you get angry." Aeliana pointed at his face and giggled.

Sagitta gasped in shock—he began to blush slightly.

"Even after all these centuries I can never take you seriously." She said through her laughter.

Soon Leofric too began to burst into laughter. "Otis—you look so stupid—! The way your mouth is opening with your tongue sticking out is killing me!" His words broken down into another heavy laughter.

With Aeliana, Leofirc and Otis all uncontrollably laughing and Sagitta scowling furiously while blushing, Camille stood there clueless and nervous.

"Eh… Ehhhh??? Why is…—everyone laughing so much?" She asked nervously while her hands were covering her mouth.

The whole group continued to laugh endlessly with Sagitta still enraged—wailing his arms.

"S-stop laughing! I'm not some—ragh!" He stomped his feet—which resulted in Otis to laugh even harder and Leofric and Aeliana to keep laughing.

A soft chuckle then leaked out of Camille's mouth as she covered it with her hand. 

"I see it now, you do look adorable when you get angry, like a little child being teased by his mommy." She giggled.

Otis then laughed even louder, again his arms wailed, slapping the grass. Sagitta flustered, blush turned more red.

"Hahaha! You're an oldie being treated like a little kid! Wh-where's my mommyyy? Uuwah—haha!!!" He mocked and pounded on the grass with his arms.

"G-grhh you—! Otis!!!" Sagitta then jumped Otis.

However it was another of Otis' illusions, the real Otis was behind him, Sagitta fell and landed on his cheek. Otis crouched, his laughter intensifying as he pointed at Sagitta with his free hand on his stomach.

"N-no! You fell for it again I can't with you! Bridie the oldie in a kiddie! M-my stomach hurts! I—Hahaa!!!" He crouched forward while trying to catch his breath.

The entire group began giggling at Otis and Sagitta's banter. Otis still laughed uncontrollably, Sagitta frustratedly scowled while blushing, and Leofric, Aeliana and Camille all laughing at the sidelines.

They were all finished laughing, they all sat down on the grass catching their breaths. 

Otis was drinking water from his leather pouch with his chest pounding.

"Gah—! Ya really pushed me to laugh this hard after a long while." Otis turns around and smirks gazing at Sagitta, who is sitting down by a rock.

"Oh you better—." Sagitta bit his lip, furrowing his brows as he shifted his gaze to Otis.

"N-no, don't get me started." Otis extended his palm to Sagitta, giggling in his words as he looked away—his grin slowly widening with soft huffs.

Leofric then sat up straight from leaning back then turned to Aeliana. 

"W-wait, Aeliana, who is Sagitta exactly? He's not just the golden bird right?" He asked, glancing over to the irritated Sagitta.

"Well…" She turned her gaze to Sagitta. "He is my courtier."

Leofrics eyes widened but Otis was not and continued drinking through his leather pouch.

"W-wait. How can he be your courtier if we could beat him up so easily?" Leofric asked.

Otis giggled with water sprinkling out of his mouth, then began coughing all of the water out of his mouth. This time Sagitta pointed at Otis and grinned widely.

"Ha! Now it's your turn you stupid fox!" Sagitta said as he smirked.

"W-wait, wait! Wind Goddess we have to bring them around Aurvenia first! They haven't even taken their first step in the city. Those can wait." Camille exclaimed as she stood up from the grass.

"O-oh, right! We ought to bring them around, perhaps the discussion can wait for later in the great hall." Aeliana stammered as as well she stood up—a gentle wind spiral around her blew away the grass of her dress.

"Woah, that's cool." Leofric said, standing up then patting the grass off his tunic.

"Come on, let's go!" Camille takes Leofric's hand and drags him with her as she runs along the tile path to Aurvenia. 

"W-woah!" Leofric screams playfully as Camille dragged him with her.

Aeliana giggled as she watched the scene. "Ah sweet Camille, I've never seen her this excited before."

Otis turned to Aeliana. "Really? What got that sweetheart all so giddy?"

Aeliana chuckled "She never had anyone who was around her age here in Aurvenia for centuries. Most teenagers have a disruptive soul by that age so it rarely happens."

"Huh… I see that now." His ears twitched, his gaze shifted to Leofric and Camille's playfully run towards the city.

"Lady Aeliana, I will head to the Eolian Spire already and prepare the great hall for our guests." Sagitta stood placing his palm by his chest.

"Alright, go ahead Sagitta." She replied with a smile.

Sagitta nodded and transformed into the golden bird soaring through the sky making his way towards the castle—bits of grass flew off as he transformed.

"Well, we better get goin' too, Wind Goddess Aeliana." Otis stood up using his tail to fend off any grass on his fur.

Aeliana nodded. "Yes, we must." She smiled warmly as they made their way to catch up with Leofric and Camille who were playfully running towards the city.

Back in the seal, Edith was still kneeling on the ground sobbing as she stared at the pit through the seal.

"Leofric…" Her voice shattered as she clenched her dress with tears falling down to her clothes.

"Edith!" Leo runs into the secret room—panting.

Edith turned to see Leo, her eyes were full of sorrow that they glistened the gold of the seal. The moment she saw Leo, she began to sob loudly as ran to him.

"Wha—… what is that…?" Leo turned to the seal, his jaw dropping.

She hugged Leo by the shoulder as she wept continuously. Leo was startled but only stared at the seal.

"Where's Leofric?" He lowered his head to face her.

"He's… he's… we won't see him again…" She spoke while her words shattered through her cries.

"What are you talking about!?" Leo furrowed his brows.

"I didn't believe any of what grandpa and grandma had told me… but it's true! It's all true!" Edith grips onto his shirt tightly.

"Huh?" He raised his brow.

"Where did we go wrong…? Leo!" She shouted, burying her face into Leo's chest—wailing as she wept.

Leo stayed silent, staring at the golden seal then shifted his gaze down the pit. His brows were about to furrow but then shifted into a concerned look.

Back in the Eolian Spire's main entrance Aeliana, Otis, Leofric, and Camille take their first few steps in front of the castle's entrance.

Camille was still holding onto Leofric's arm and pulled him with her as she walked forward. Otis notices the gesture and lets off a cheeky smirk.

"Heh." Otis murmured.

"Lady Aeliana." One soldier placed his palm by his chest with the other soldier beside him following suit.

"Guillaume, Bertrand." Aeliana nodded back with a smile.

The two soldiers saluted then opened the large grand door of the Eolian Spire with designs of golden spirals representing the wind over the heavy brass door. 

As the doors opened, the interior caught the eyes of the entire group. A red carpet in the middle leading to the large throne with spiral designs, red cushioning and golden barriers. Between the centre, chandeliers lit the room, contrasting with the series of windows. Right above them, the ceiling was filled with the art of angels in the sky.

"You're not the wind goddess for nothing, Aeliana." Leofric's jaw slowly dropped as he turned to his surroundings.

Aeliana chuckled. "Thank you." She continued syrolling within the red carpet as the group followed her.

"Is gold like a common resource here? Because everything's been shining in my eye since then." Otis rubbed his eye.

"It is a resource that we can easily get here in Agartha." She giggled. "You are at the world's core."

The golden bird flew in from one of the corridors, he stood on top of one of the bird poles in the throne room.

"Lady Aeliana, the great hall is ready." Sagitta spoke with his stern voice.

"Thank you, Sagitta." She nodded in acknowledgement.

Sagitta nods in return then flies back to the corridor where he came from. Aeliana then strolled towards that same corridor.

"Even after this time I still get startled when I hear Sagitta speak as a bird." Camille exclaimed.

Leofric laughed. "Right? It's so odd from sounding like a kid then like an old man right after."

"What did I say? He's an oldie." Otis giggled.

"Now, now, we don't wanna have anything heated in the castle do we?" Aeliana turned her head back to the group—grinning.

"Right…" Leofric replied.

As they entered the great hall and the doors opened, there was a bowl with some green and white paste and a basket of cut up baguettes on the table.

"Eugh, what is that thing?" Otis hops on the chair and studies the paste.

"That's Moretum and bread, Wind Goddess you must really like it don't you?" Camille turned her head to Aeliana.

Aeliana giggled, placing her hand by her mouth. "You're right, it brings back lots of memories. Please make yourself at home, I asked Sagitta to bring it out for you all."

"Really?" Camille's eyes sparkled as she beamed excitedly. 

"You eat this stuff?" Otis uses the wooden spoon and scoops out a spoon or Moretum—his ears drooping.

"Thing looks like mush." He mutters then takes a sniff of the moretum. His reaction shifted from disgusted to surprised—his ears perked up. 

"Honestly, it looks like cheese to me." Leofric walks over to the table and takes a piece of bread, grabbing the free spoon and scoops up some Moretum.

"You're right about that actually." Camille replied with a large smile still on her face.

"Really? This is cheese?" He exclaimed as he smudged the moretum over the bread.

"My mother always told me about all kinds of foods during my time and let me try them— but, since I was sick… I didn't really get to enjoy food that well." She stammered.

"Well, you can now." Leofric hands over the moretum and bread over to Camille with a gentle smile on his face.

She takes the bread with both hands, a smile of gratitude on her face. She takes a look at the moretum, glances at Leofric then takes a bite.

"Mmmm!" Camille squealed with the bread stuffed in her mouth.

"What?! Lemme try!" Otis quickly snags a slice of bread and spreads the moretum on it then takes a bite. "Mmmm!" 

"Guess I gotta try too huh?" Leofric chuckled, scooping up another spoon of moretum and took a piece of bread.

Camille swallowed then spoke. "Wind Goddess, your moretum is so much better than the ones we usually make!" 

Aeliana chuckled heartily. "You think so? It's the same moretum recipe I've had since the first time I took a bite."

"Woah… so it's like a centuries old recipe?" Leofric exclaimed as he took another bite.

"You could say that." Aeliana replied, glancing over the group's banter, she let off a warm smile—tilting her head slightly.

"Mmmm!" Leofric took a bite.

"This sure brings back memories…" Aeliana muttered, her eyes softening.

Camille finishes her last bite and takes another slice of bread, Otis still chewing and savouring the taste, and Leofric who just finished his last bite.

"But Aeliana, what are we going to discuss here?" Leofric swallows then shifts his gaze to Aeliana.

"Ah, you read me like a book, must be a noble or of royalty. That doesn't happen quite often." Aeliana steps forward standing by the middle seat of the table.

"Please, while you enjoy the moretum, take a seat." She gestures while taking her seat.

The rest of the group follows and sits down on their respective seats.

"So… what are we here for?" Leofric rests his arms on the table.

"Well, as you know, you two…" She gestures to Leofric and Otis.

"…have dwelled into Agartha." 

Otis stopped chewing with his eyes widened and his ears perked up with food still stuffed in his mouth. Leofric and Camille too widened their eyes.

"Wait, you two never died?" Camille turns to Leofric and Otis.

"They ate half of a golden apple." Aeliana spoke.

"But Wind Goddess, golden apples don't grow on the surface." Camille raises a brow in disbelief—turning to Aeliana.

"That's right, but it was an extremely rare occasion, and these two were lucky to take advantage of it." Aeliana explained with a gentle smile.

Otis swallows and slumps against the chair. "And that's where Leofric and I beat up birdie" He smirked.

"So does that mean—… they have powers too?" Camille turns to face Leofric and Otis.

"That's right, but there's something more important that I wish to talk about." Aelaian shifts her gaze to Otis.

Otis makes eye contact, his ears perking as he points to himself.

"You, Otis, have a… unique soul." She muttered.

"Well, I kinda already knew that since I'm a talking fox… Aaand I get these nightmares of when I was a "human"." He scoffed.

"No, that's not what I'm referring to." She leans closer towards Otis.

"Typically, people's souls have a unique shape and colour. Some are larger, brighter, shinier, and a different colour…" Aeliana squints her eyes towards Otis' chest.

"But you… you have a spectrum. Your soul is not mono coloured. In fact, the shape of it is weird like… your soul is forcefully combining pieces that don't go together."

"Huh?!" Leofric stood up from the table gleefully.

"W-what does that mean?" Otis stammered, shaking his head.

"It means your soul is corrupted." She sat back down on her chair.

"Huh…" Otis quivered, staring at his paws.

"But what could that mean?" Leofric leaned forward, his palms pressed firmly on the table, eyes darting between Aeliana and Otis.

"Hmm… there's many possibilities of what it could mean. But it has something to do with a previous soul that lost its way." Her words slowly murmured.

"Maybe parts of his soul escaped from the mantle?" Camille turned to Otis.

"That's not bad of a theory. If I'm going to anchor from your point, Camille, then Otis' soul escaped from the mantle and went to the surface, but into the body of a fox." Aeliana shifted her gaze to Camille.

"So he just… stole the body of an innocent baby fox?" Leofric sat down clasping his hands together, resting his mouth by his fingers.

"That's not how souls work, Leofric. It's a little more complicated than that." Aeliana crossed her arms.

"Well, I lived like a fox since the day I was born but slowly regained those memories, hence why I learned to talk and…" Otis stared at his paws, clenching them repeatedly. "…act very human."

"Exactly." Aeliana smiled. "His corrupted soul merged with others along the way and birthed the fox that your mother carried, Otis."

"Wait, wait, I'm confused." Leofric's head quivered, his gaze darting between Aeliana and Otis.

"Kid, the Mantle is a place where it cleanses corrupted souls. When you die, unless your soul is completely pure, your soul splits and scatters into the ground with the corrupted parts of you sinking down into the Mantle." Otis spoke as he took a piece of bread, ripping off pieces and dipping it on the bowl of moretum.

"That's interesting…" Camille murmured—staring at the basket for moretum.

"Well sweetheart, your soul is as pure as gold! That's why not a single piece of you had to suffer in the Mantle." Otis smirked then took a bite of his bread.

"Aeliana if you can see souls, what's mine like?" Leofric stands and points at his chest.

Aeliana darts to Leofric, studying his chest. "Hmm… your soul is quite ordinary, but it is a little shattered, thus, I am sure of one thing."

"What is it?" Leofric beamed.

"Did you have an argument? Perhaps with a loved one?" She replied.

"Y-yes…" He muttered, his smile slowly fading away.

"Oh, I-I apologise! I didn't mean to sound so abrupt." She stammered, shaking her palms towards Leofric.

"No, it's alright I— understand." He slumped down to his chair resting his hands by his mouth.

"It's just when I came to Agartha—things didn't really end well between me and my mother. I left her in a state of panic, yet I'm here in Agartha enjoying my time not knowing how she's doing without me…" He stammered.

"Leofric." Aeliana stood and walked over to his chair looking concerned. 

"Wasn't it your choice to go here?" She leans down to his level, looking at him with concern and holding his arm.

"Yes but… I have this guilt—that I've been so—selfish, I don't deserve feeling so carefree." Leofric stammered as his eyes darted to the basket.

"You're better than you think you are…" She gently rubbed his back.

"Wind Goddess is right! I don't know what you went through, but I don't think you should beat yourself up for it, Leofric!" Camille jolted, standing up and leaning forward, pressing her palms firmly on the table. 

Leofric's eyes widened and raised his head.

"Everyone deserves to have fun and be happy, you're no different!" Camille exclaimed with a smile.

"Thanks, the two of you." His expression shifted into a soft smile—darting between Aeliana and Camille.

"Additionally, you and Otis both got powers now right? Then show it to us. I wanna know what you can do!" Camille chuckled.

"I was just about to get there too." Aeliana stood up straight—walking to her chair.

"Sagitta." She commanded, her eyes glowed bright gold as she strolled.

"Yes, Lady Aeliana?" Sagitta's voice responds in her head.

"Hand me over two golden apples." Aeliana rested on one arm against the table.

"W-why?!" Sagitta grumbled.

"I'm giving it to our guests." Aeliana sat down on her seat.

"Lady Aeliana, forgive my rudeness but I don't think it is wise for us to—." 

"Sagitta, it is an order." She commanded with her voice still gentle and soft.

He sighed. "As you wish." 

The glow in Aeliana's eyes began to fade. The group stared at her confused, Otis particularly was raising his brow.

"What the hell did ya just do?" He exclaimed.

Aeliana laughs. "Oh dear, I forgot no one else but I could hear it. I spoke to Sagitta through a special connection made through the essence of Agartha." She took a seat.

"Wind Goddess, your eyes glew bright gold." Camille pointed to her eyes—her brow raised.

"Huh, it reminded me of when that birdie flashed me with his eyes." Otis lowered his head, rubbing his chin.

"Oh, right! It does remind me of that!" Leofric snapped his fingers and turned to Otis.

"It is just a reaction to using such power, you need not be concerned." Aeliana chuckled.

The door opens with the sounds of wings flapping.

"Lady Aeliana." Sagitta flies into the room, his voice muffled by the apple's peduncle in his beak. 

He lands into the bird stand on the corner of Aeliana's table and places the two golden apples on the table. 

"Woah… we fought our way to get half a slice, and now we get to eat 'em for free?" Otis giggled with malice.

Sagitta grumbled and turned away from Otis, closing his eyes with his brows furrowed.

"We are simply going to bring out the potential of your abilities" Aelina gestures to the apples.

"The golden apple is a sacred yet common item in Agartha." She darts between Leofric and Otis.

Sagitta flies away to grab the apples and places one each over to Leofric and Otis. Both Leofric and Otis stare at the golden apple, its skin once against reflecting their distorted faces.

"Please, eat. There is no harm in eating another apple." Aeliana smiles and gestures again.

Camille chuckles. "You two look so funny staring at the apple. Don't be scared, I've eaten more than I could count." She leans forward, resting her arms over the table with her head on top of her hand.

"Are you sure?" Leofric raises his brow.

"Trust me, Leofric." Camille smiles.

"Alright, mann I can't wait to eat this! It was the best tasting fruit my tongue has ever laid upon!" Otis takes the apple and bites it on its side.

"I'll take your word for it then." Leofric grabs the apple and bites it on the bottom.

"Why do you eat apples like that?" Otis turned to Leofric with his brow raised while his teeth sunk into the apple.

"It's so I can finish the whole apple, it's easier this way." His voice slightly muffled as he takes his second bite.

"That's… actually quite smart of you." Aeliana's eyes widened, muttering her words.

"I should try it when I eat another apple too!" Camille leaned forward on the table. 

As Leofric and Otis take their last bites, both of them lick their lips.

"Mmm—but then again— I don't feel different." Leofric said while drinking some water.

"Gotta agree, what's the difference between eating a whole apple from eating half?" Otis shifts his gaze to Aeliana.

"More apples does not necessarily mean more power, it simply kicks starts your powers' potential." Aeliana's eyes then glowed gold once more, studying both Leofric and Otis.

"What are you doing this time?" Leofric asked nervously.

"It should be working now." Aeliana shifts her gaze to Leofric.

Leofric made eye contact with Aeliana, except the world around him was once again—glowing bright. The waves of energy were everywhere this time. In awe, his jaw was left open as he turned to his surroundings.

"So you see the same things I do, Leofric?" Aeliana spoke.

His eyes were beginning to glow gold, he snapped then turned to Aeliana, whose entire figure glowed a bright gold. 

"So… bright… how do I—? Make it stop?" He squinted, grunting as he spoke—extending his arm out to cover Aeliana from his sight.

"Huh… interesting." Aeliana muttered while studying Leofric's face.

"Wait, please—it's so bright that it's hard to see and my eyes are hurting." Leofric winced then sat back down on his chair—squinting his eyes, the glow pushing through his eyelids.

"Why don't you try cutting the supply of your power to your eyes?" Sagitta spoke—flying to Leofric's side of the table.

"You're a little too bright as well, Sagitta…" Leofric closed his eyes and faced the ceiling.

"He's like us." Sagitta points his wing to Leofric.

"His eyes also glow, I'm assuming he could see the essence of souls too. But since we're in Agartha where everything has the essence of a soul, he should begin to feel overwhelmed if exposed for too long." Sagitta turned to Aeliana.

"Leofric Godwinson, has soul vision." He said sternly.

"But that's a power only superior beings could have right?" Camille exclaimed, leaning forward.

"Perhaps he lived by his name." Aeliana muttered.

"Wait please, I can't even open my eyes." Leofric groaned, his head now against the chair still facing the ceiling—his eyelids lighting up from the glow of his eyes.

"Right, right. Leofric, you know the feeling of your eyes when you focus on an object?" Sagitta turned to Leofric.

"Y-yes. I do." He stammered.

Leofric's eyelids began glowing red from the glow of his iris.

"Soul vision enhances your focus hence you start to see things you don't normally see. So, you must deliberately block the apple's essence from reaching your eyes." Sagitta explained.

Leofric then took a deep breath, his brows furrowed with the glow slowly dissipating.

"Good job, you should be able to see properly now. Open your eyes." Sagitta commanded.

He slowly opened his eyes, his vision still slightly blurry as it regained focus. Sagitta was staring at him, Camille looked surprised. He turned to his side as sees Aeliana still studying him and Otis with a face of worry.

"You alright now, kid?" Otis asked.

"Yeah… I can see everything normally now. Aeliana was so bright that I couldn't handle it." Leofric murmured.

Sagitta smirks. "She's a god after all." He smugly said, lifting his head and closing his eyes.

"Only the gods and courtiers could have soul vision so far, yet there's only one person who ever did have soul vision in Agartha…" Aeliana murmured.

"Who would that be?" Otis asked.

"Alexander the Great." She replied.

"Alexander the Great?!" Leofric shouted.

"Unfortunately though, he is no longer in Agartha." Camille replied upsettingly resting on one arm.

"He was a great human and died in a way that anyone—even his enemies—would respect." Sagitta then flew back to his bird stand.

"Keep my hands outside so that the whole world knows that the person who won the whole world had nothing in his hands while dying…" Leofric murmured.

"So he understood that what is taken from the world returns back to the world upon death. What an interesting man…" Otis murmured rubbing his chin.

"But what happened to Alexander?" Leofric raised his head.

"He did not want to live in Agartha any longer and offered his soul back to the surface." Camille replied with an upset tone.

"You could do that?" Leofric raised his brow.

"It was always possible, but it means to split your soul apart. It is impossible to return to the surface with the seals." Sagitta replied, extending his wing.

"Upon his death, he both changed the world and Agartha. He's someone I truly admire." Aeliana smiled.

"Well, enough of the now deceased legend. Let's go test out our powers shall we? Sweetheart's dying to know what you can do, kid." Otis smirks, nudging his elbow against Leofric's arm.

"R-right." He laughed nervously.

Camille then turned to Leofric with her brow raised as if waiting for something.

"And what better way to hone their newfound powers than through a duel." Sagitta spoke with a sharp tone, his brows furrowed and his eyes gleamed, a gentle wind around him blew bristling his feathers.

Leofric, Camille and Otis all looked at Sagitta fearfully—with Otis beginning to grin.

"Sagitta." Aeliana commanded.

"My apologies, Lady Aeliana." He swallowed then bowed to her as the gentle wind halted.

"We will head to the Eolian Spire's garden for that purpose." Aeliana stood up and strolled to the door.

"Garden? Do you want ya flowers to be destroyed?" Otis exclaimed, raising his brow.

"It's an open space, trust me." Aeliana smiles—she opens the door and gestures.

"Alright, if you say so." Otis shakes his head and hops off the chair.

Camille and Leofric both simultaneously stand from their chairs, Otis flapped his wings and flew straight out of the door.

As they make their way to the garden, they walk by the pavement with the ginormous tree with golden leaves radiating the Eolian Spire's core beside them.

"Here is the garden, welcome to the Eolian Spire's centre." Aeliana gestures to the tree.

"So this is the tree we saw Otis, it's huge!" Leofric exclaimed, the gold aura glistening off his iris.

"Right?! This is amazing! It's a lot better than I imagined!" Otis raises his two paws up—waivering them.

"What are you doing?" Leofric raises a brow with a confused look.

"Feeling the aura of this tree of course." He grins.

"This is the everglow tree, it grows an abundant amount of golden apples, specifically this is Aurvenia's everglow tree." Aeliana glanced at them behind her.

"So there are multiple trees? Not just one?" Otis puts his palms down.

Aeliana nods. "There are multiple."

"So if we are in Northumbria, is there another in the area below Wessex?" Leofric raises a brow.

"The world is larger than you think, Leofric." Aeliana chuckles.

"What?" Leofric tilts his head.

"So as far as the Indies or Cathay or Egypt?" Otis raised his brow.

"Exactly, the region you belong to is above Aurvenia." Aeliana nods with a smile on her face.

"Just how many regions of Agartha are there?" Leofric asks.

Aeliana then smiles mischievously. "Take a guess."

"Hmmm… if I recall Cuthbert's story… there's 9 gods and a rumoured 10. So…— 9… maybe 10 regions? No! I'll stick to 9." Leofric rubs his chin while in thought.

"That's right! There's 9 regions of Agartha." Aeliana giggles.

"Woah… the world is a lot bigger than we think." Otis' eyes widened.

"And even larger outside of this world." Camille smiles.

"Outside of this world…?" Leofric murmurs.

"We call it the universe, it's an expansion of the world we live in. Ever wondered why the night sky has so many stars?" Camille exclaims.

"Well I wondered that too but doesn't the sun and the stars revolve around the world? They're just tiny little balls like that one up there" Leofric furrows his brows studying the "sun" above them.

"It is the opposite, the sun is a star, we are simply a small piece of rock floating with the sun." Camille explains joyfully.

"This is so much info that it's hard to accept it all." Otis grumbling rubbing his head with his paws.

Aeliana laughs. "There's more there is than we actually know. Humanity's evolution will be able to understand the universe at an incredible rate. Perhaps in a thousand years from now."

"I'd be dead and long gone, thank God I'm in Agartha then." Leofric sighs.

"We'll let you know more about the world and Agartha but first!" Camille excitedly points at the wide open space of stone tiles, the garden's arena.

Sagitta flies in and transforms back into his human child form—beginning to warm up his shoulder.

"Sagitta, it seems you're well prepared." Aeliana chuckles.

"How can I not?" He replied with a mischievous grin.

"Ya ready to get ya arse kicked the third time?" Otis laughs mischeviously.

"Oh… that won't happen. After all my limiter is gone for this duel, we are no longer on the surface." Sagitta pulls his head—cracking his neck.

"Otis, mayb-." Leofric speaks up but is immediately interrupted.

"Guess we know who's gonna duel first." Otis steps in and cracks his knuckles.

Camille leans in and whispers to Leofric's ear while darting to Otis. "Since when could foxes crack their knuckles?"

Leofric swiftly turns to her confused. "I don't know either! It's the first time he did that in front of me too."

"Camille." Aeliana spoke with a gentle tone.

"Yes, Wind Goddess?" She immediately darted to Aeliana.

"Would you like to be the referee of the duels?" She asks with a warm smile.

Camille gasps excitedly beaming with happiness. "I'd love to!" She grabs Leofric by his wrist and drags him with her to the centre side of the arena.

Leofric was startled, but smiles back at her gesture—his footsteps following hers.

"Oh I can't wait to see the look of your face by the end of this duel!" Otis exclaimed, shaking his paws and lightly hopping.

Sagitta smirks, furrowing his brows. "You don't know who or what you're dealing with. You're fighting Sagitta of the Wind, not the golden bird no longer." He stretches his arm in front of him cracking his knuckles.

"Both of you ready?" Camille raises her hand.

"Oh I'm more than ready." Otis circles his head then tightens his belt.

"Lets do this, Otis the fox." Sagitta draws his blade.

Aeliana stood at the side carefully studying Otis, her eyes squinted and her brows slightly furrowed. Leofric sat on the bench behind him leaning forward with his fingers clasped.

"Fighters, take your stance!" Camille exclaimed.

Sagitta positions his blade by his waist with his left arm in front of him. Otis leans on all fours grumbling as his fangs grow more prominent—his fur stands rising upwards.

"Ready?" Camilles takes short but quick glances to Otis and Sagitta.

The two make eye contact, Sagitta with a calm expression and a large smile on his face, Otis' snout begins twitching with drool dripping off his teeth.

"Fight!" Camille lowers her hand.

Otis makes the first move, pressing his legs and arms against the stone, he lunges forward causing a slight break in the sound barrier.

As Otis ran on all fours, drawing closer, Sagitta's grin only widened, pulling his blade further back.

Otis then lunged low—grumbling—his claws expanding out of his right paw like a lion's, positioning his arm to the side leveling Sagitta's torso.

Sagitta then grabs his arm, raises it high, then uses the blade's hilt to smack Otis' head. Otis then swiftly repositions his head, opening his jaw wide, extending his drooling sharp teeth close to biting Sagitta's wrist.

"Tch." Sagitta grumbled, he let go of Otis' arm then immediately positioned his palm towards Otis' mouth. 

A strong gust of wind bursts directly into Otis' mouth pushing him a few meters back, causing him to briefly gasp then cough rigorously.

Sagitta giggles. "Not so strong are ya now foxy?" He said mockingly. 

Otis finished coughing then quivering and scowled—his fangs becoming more prominent, growling as he dashed forward again.

Leofric leaned closer sitting at the edge of the bench, his eyes following their movements.

Otis isn't laughing anymore… he's serious…

"Not so fast." Sagitta throws his blade towards Otis, but as the blade touches Otis, he disappears.

"Did you think that will work again?" Sagitta smirks, extending his palm towards the blade, the wind now blowing into his hand.

His blade nudged out of the stone then flew right back on his hand. He swiftly veered to his back and swung his blade.

The real Otis was behind him—startled, as Sagitta's blade swung nearing his head. He instinctively opened his jaw and bit onto the blade, causing a loud metallic clunk that ringed throughout the garden as his teeth sparked against the blade. 

Leofric and Camille both covered their ears, gritting their teeth. Aeliana remained standing with her arms crossed studying the duel, her eyes locked onto Otis' movements.

However the pressure was still prominent, Otis' eyes were twitching and so did his snout—grunting as the blade rattled in his mouth.

Sagitta pulled his blade a few times but it would only nudge. "So your bite is like a bear's!" His eyes began to glow bright gold once more with another smile growing in his face. 

"You think that is going to get me?!" Sagitta shouted using his free hand to swing a punch towards Otis' face, but he suddenly stopped and swung his elbow behind him instead—knocking the real Otis' face.

Otis fell far on his back and to the ground, he sat up rubbing his cheek for a moment. "Gah! How'd you—! I'm not done!" He draws his knife from his belt and places it in his mouth as he runs toward Sagitta on all fours.

"Bring it on Otis! Prove to me you're better!" Sagitta swings his left arm open—golden feather daggers bundles around grew out of the skin of his wrist.

He then leaps into the air then throws a series of daggers towards Otis by swinging his arm left and right.

Otis ran on a zig zag with Sagitta's daggers sticking onto the stones of his trail. When Sagitta's final dagger struck down, he used his tail to wrap the dagger and—like a whip—redirected it back to Sagitta.

"Huh, interesting." Sagitta points his blade towards the incoming dagger, parrying it—causing a minor spark and large shockwave as the sound of metal clinging echoed.

The parry caused Sagitta's blade to move upward. Unsuspectedly, Otis' knife too appeared flying towards Sagitta's face. "With soul vision, your simple illusions won't trick me so easily." He veered behind him.

Sagitta's eyes were locked onto the invisible scenery, upon touching Sagitta's face the dagger disappeared. Within his soul vision, he saw an outline of Otis' corrupted soul, who appeared behind him ready to strike with his knife. 

A wide grin on his face, his foot began to infuse with a strong spiral of wind then swung a kick onto the figure. However when Sagitta's foot touches the figure, it swirls violently then disperses along with the knife into colour particles.

"I was always in front of ya birdie!" A paw then reaches out behind Sagitta's neck and Otis grapples his arms around it, he opens his jaw wide open—his drooling teeth nearing Sagitta's neck.

"Gotchaaa~." Otis playfully whispered in his ear, a grin widening in his face.

Leofric jolted up and raised his hands whiel clapping. "Otis!" He beamed.

Sagitta gasped then scowled. A strong gust of wind then blew out of his back, Otis' arms slipped off sending him flying back to the ground.

"Stop! Duel is over!" Camille shouts, raising her hand.

While Sagitta was mid air as Otis descended to the ground, he let off a malicious smile, placing his palms together pointing in front of him.

"The winner is—!" She shouts but is abruptly interrupted.

"This is…" he slides his right hand down his left arm forming a glowing golden arrow.

Leofric's smile fades, Camille's eyes widen as both of their eyes reflect Sagitta's arrow.

He pinches the end of the arrow, then lifts the golden arrow off his arm by his shoulder.

"Sagitta stop, that's too much!" Leofric shouts frantically. 

"…the power of grace!" Sagitta lets go of the arrow sending a large shockwave as it whistles through the air towards Otis.

Otis furrows his brows and opens his arms, his eyes beginning to glitter from the arrow's nearing approach. 

"Otis!" Leofric screamed and ran towards him.

Before the arrow could even touch Otis, Aeliana appears in front of Otis with the golden arrow held in her hand. A large gush of wind blew to the area where the arrow was directed for a brief moment—blowing Otis's fur, Aeliana's clothes and hair.

"You would have not been able to catch that, Otis." She slowly turns her head behind to Otis, the glow in her eyes fading away.

Otis upsettingly put his palms back on the ground, lowering his head. His gaze softened.

"Otis!" Leofric frantically shouts running towards him.

He raises his head and shifts his gaze to Leofric.

"Are you alright?" Leofric kneels down with a worried expression.

"Yeah. I'm fine, kid." He looks away irritably.

"What the hell are you doing Sagitta?!" Camille shouts, wavering her hands to him as he descends.

The golden glow of Sagitta's eyes began to fade away. "It was all part of his training." He smirked.

"Not." Aeliana interrupts furrowing her brows angrily.

"But, it went better than expected. A blessing in disguise." Aeliana crushes the golden arrow, throwing it away—dissolving into golden particles.

"All part of his training?! You could have killed Otis!" Leofric furiously veers his head to Sagitta scowling.

"It's true I fought with vigor, but if I had not would he truly know his current limits?" Sagitta said smugly.

"Y-you!" Leofric clenches his fist.

"Enough." Aeliana said sternly.

"But Wind Goddess…" Camille spoke but didn't speak further and lowered her head, still with frustration.

"What's done is done, we can only deal with what we have now…—Otis." She shifts her gaze to him.

"What?" Otis said irritably, furrowing his brows—veering away.

Aeliana leans forward, her hands pressing on her thighs. "Your powers are exceptional, I assume you've both seen what you can do and can not with this duel, yes?" She smiles warmly.

"Y-yeah… right about that." He murmured.

Aeliana offers her hand. "Then stand, you have a lot to learn and room for growth." She brings her hand closer to him.

Otis sighs and ignores Aeliana's hand, he stands up on his own—patting his thighs. Aeliana watched as he stood and strolled away, pocketing her hand—her gentle smile still remained.

"I'm still wonderin' how ya hair's not messed up from all that wind." He makes his way to the bench—Leofric, Camille and Aeliana staring at him.

Leofric and Camille shift their gaze to Aeliana studying her hair. 

"Huh… he got me wondering too." Leofric stammered.

"Same here…" Camille raised her brow.

Aeliana's jaw slightly dropped then let off a playful giggle. "Well, it appears it is your turn now, Leofric." She shifts her gaze to him.

Leofric's eyes widened. "Me? But who will I duel with?"

"I will." Aeliana smiles, standing up.

"Huh?!" Leofric and Camille's jaws both dropped.

"Lady Aeliana did not stutter." Sagitta exclaimed—sheathing his blade walking towards the side. 

"But Wind Goddess you're so much stronger than Sagitta!" Camille exclaims.

Aeliana chuckles. "Dear, don't worry. I will hold back." Placing her hand over her mouth.

"Wait, but I don't have any weapons." Leofric stands up.

Aeliana then proceeds to walk towards the spot of the arena.

"Who said we needed them? It's to simply test your abilities." She turns her head back with a playful smile.

"Right…" Leofric murmured.

Suddenly, Camille laid her hand on his shoulder with a serious look on her face clenching her free hand.

"I believe in you. Show me why you're here, Leofric." She furrows her brows with a smile.

Leofric's eyes widened "Thanks." He smiles back.

Camille then runs to her spot, Leofric walks to the other half of the Arena.

"Ready?" Camille raises her hand.

Leofric stood there nervously with his fists positioned forward. Aeliana on the other hand stood still with a smile still on her face.

"Before we begin, Leofric." Aeliana speaks up.

"H-huh?" He replied nervously.

"Take a deep breath and see the world differently." She says as her eyes glowed gold for a brief moment.

Leofric gulps and takes a deep breath. "Alright." He exhaled, furrowing his brows, clenching his fists.

"Fighters take your stances." Camille darts over to both Leofric and Aeliana.

"Fight!" She lowers her hand.

Leofric's eyes began to glow gold, however it was not as bright as Sagitta's or Aeliana's. He could see the waves and the bright glow of Aeliana's figure walking towards him. But as he blinked, Aeliana suddenly appeared closer to him. She raised her hand and swung it sideways as the wind whistled, whirring around her hands.

As Leofric studies the scene with his soul vision, by Aeliana's hand were green glowing thick sharp waves.

The waves… Aeliana's winds are made of the essence of souls!

He grits his teeth and immediately extends his arm forward, lifts it up. The green waves suddenly veered upwards, a strong gust of wind then bursted and whistled towards the sky.

Aeliana smiles. "Well done, but that is just the beginning." She swiftly palm strikes beside his head.

While Aeliana's arm travelled, there were bright green glowing waves swirling rigorously on her palm. As Leofric froze, studying Aeliana's movement, a large powerful gust of wind blew behind Leofric. His eyes widened, the wind blew the back of his hair and his clothes—whistling throughout. 

Camille and Otis' jaws both drop while Sagitta intently studies Leofric with his eyes glowing gold.

Leofric furrows his brows, swiftly grabbing Aeliana's wrist, he steps back, keeping her arm still then swings a punch to her neck. A sudden burst of wind swirled around Aeliana's grip, blowing off Leofric's hand. Aeliana then swiftly grips Leofric's wrist—stopping his punch then positions her palm in front of his face.

"Gah!" Leofric leans back as the powerful gust of wind shoots out of Aeliana's hand—blowing the tip of his hair.

Aeliana then raises her grip, positions her hand to her shoulder—gesturing a slice.

"Ah!" Leofric's squealed, his eyes widened and hopped in between her legs with Aeliana still gripping on to his wrist, his arm now in between her legs. 

Around the same time, a slice of wind then cuts the pavement on the ground, the debris flew upwards with air blowing the ground—tiny rocks rolled through the ground with some going into Leofric's hair.

Leofric shifts his body to the side and knee knick kick's Aeliana's knee from behind, but it did not budge.

"Heh. Clever boy." She giggled.

 Aeliana places her left palm firmly on the ground, her leg lifted up—cartwheeling forward. She makes eye contact with Leofric, looking at him with a playful smile while her head is upside down. As her legs were now midair, she started pulling Leofric's wrist, dragging him along with her momentum.

"Wha-!" As his body started to lift off the ground.

Aeliana's legs landed on the ground, her arm nearing to point the sky. 

No way… Leofric's face turned pale.

she then let go of Leofric's wrist, sending him flying towards the sky as she finished her cartwheel gracefully.

"Oh my fucking god!!!" He screams as his body leaps high into the air.

Otis, Camille and Sagitta both look up at the sky as Leofric's figure grows smaller into the sky. 

"I better be lucky I fought birdie." Otis' jaw drops as he stares into Leofric in the air.

Camile's jaw dropped too, but she stayed silent with her eyes widening at the scene.

"Talk about going too far." Sagitta chuckles as his eyes still glew gold.

A strong gust of wind then whirred around Aeliana, causing her clothes to blow. "You better pay attention!" She shouts as she drags her hand up, the wind then disappears.

Through Leofric's soul vision, multiple sharp pikes of green glowing winds with waves violently swirling around them were heading to his direction—whistling as they grew closer.

Shit! If I don't do anything now my body will be punctured by her winds!

He then recalls the time Otis was being pushed by Sagitta's strong gust of wind blowing Otis' body while he clinged onto his knife by the tree. 

Such a strong wind blew Otis; he was unscathed… That's it! If I make the winds less sharp, then I can land safely!

Leofric then extends his arm, studying the pikes of wind headed toward him. He then clenched his fingers, the pikes of wind then flattened into spiraling discs, breaking into pieces, then disperse into a much sparse set of waves. 

The wind then suddenly blew on Leofric's entire body, blowing his clothes and hair upwards as he descended slowly. His eyes were twitching as the wind pushed against his face.

"What an incredible feat, Leofric Godwinson." Sagitta murmured, his brows raising.

Aeliana's been pushing me to the edge and I haven't even done a single reliable attack!

His eyes glowed brighter, within his soul vision, everything became brighter and the waves became more prominent. He studied his surroundings, the waves of the wind cushioning his fall, the slight glow of the stone pavement below him, and Aeliana's overwhelming glow—then Sagitta's words clicked in his head. 

But since we're in Agartha where everything has the essence of a soul…

Leofric's eyes widened upon realisation.

As long as there's a soul—

He extends his palm to the ground with his eyes now furrowed.

I can control it!

As he nearly touched the ground, the waves of wind turned into a massive spiral, the wind blowing against him, allowing Leofric to hover the ground. While the wind's blow progressively weakened, he slowly laid his foot on the ground then stood upright.

Leofric lets off a sigh of relief."You almost got me there." He patted his chest.

"You finally caught on." Aeliana grinned as she placed her hand by her shoulder gesturing another slice.

The shattered stone on the pavement where she had previously cut began to slowly wiggle and nudge.

"Let's raise the steaks fu—." Suddenly, the rocks flew out of the ground and cuffed Aeliana's wrist.

"I've figured it out!" Leofric smirks with his brows furrowed—his fist clenched towards Aeliana.

"You now have toys to play with." Aeliana giggled pushing her arm against the stone cuff, instantly shattering it—the debris and small rocks fell to the ground—bouncing and rattling against the pavement.

"Jeez, Aeliana is scary." Otis murmured.

"Go Leofric!" Camille shouts with her brows furrowed.

Leofric extends his arms below him lthen lifts it up to his waist, the stones pulled out of the pavement and hovered around him.

"I won't lose this duel!" He took a step forward and swung his arm forward. 

One of the hovering stones began flying towards Aeliana. As it drew closer to her, the stone shattered, revealing Aeliana's extended palm on the site of impact.

"Interesting, bring it Leofric!" Aeliana giggled playfully as she began running towards him.

Leofric then walked towards her, switching between his arms, swinging them, sending a series of stones one after the other.

Aeliana's grin grew wider as she swiftly kicked and broke one stone with her right foot, she spins and hits another with her elbow, then another with her left foot, and palm strikes the next. It continues on with Aeliana gracefully shattering each stone in her direction with each shatter causing her to laugh playfully.

"This is so fun!" As her palm strikes the final stone—the rocks shattering, but not a single sound of pebbles rattling on the ground.

The shattered stones did not touch the ground after she broke them, instead stayed hovering behind her.

"It's over for you!" Leofric extends his palms in front of him then clenches his hands

"Hm?" Aeliana's smile faded closed and her eyes widened.

As Leofric clenched his hand, the rocks began flying towards Aeliana's back.

She chuckles, slowly turning her head behind her. "That's smart." she grinned.

As Leofric blinked, she disappeared again, a gentle breeze tickled his face, and the rocks were now heading towards him.

"Agh! Shit!" He raises his hand up sending the rocks flying to the sky.

An arm then swiftly wraps Leofric's neck, pulling him back as he begins to gasp for air, his hands gripping onto the arm. It was Aeliana, she then leaned close to his ear then blew into I—Leofric shivered, sweat dripping down to his cheek while grunting.

A small pebble of rock then hit Leofric's head, soon the rest of the rocks fell around them.

"Stop! Duel is over! Wind Goddess has won!" Camille shouts and raises her hand.

Aeliana then lets go of her arm, Leofric immediately falls on his knees, rubbing his neck, coughing, and panting.

"Damn." Leofric pants, staring at the floor—still rubbing his neck, his free hand clenching against the pavement.

Camille then ran towards him. "Leofric!" She shouted.

Leofric turned his head to her. "Camille…" He muttered—letting go of his neck.

She then grabs his arms and pulls him up, he was surprised but held onto her arms anyway lifting himself with her help.

"That was amazing! Your powers are so cool!" Camilles held his hand together gleaming with excitement.

"R-really?" Leofric laughed nervously.

"Don't doubt her words, kid." Otis hops off the bench and walks towards him.

Leofric then shifts his gaze to Otis.

"You did exceptional, who knew ya could manipulate people's very own powers?" Otis smiles as he stands beside Camille.

"Manipulate…?" Leofric stammers.

"You controlled the Wind Goddess' winds! I've never seen anyone do that at all, for centuries—at least!" Camille holds his hands tighter.

"Both your powers and Otis' have a lot to grow for, but your output today was exceptional." Aeliana strolls over to them with a warm smile.

"Thank you." Leofric turns to Aeliana and places his palm by his chest with a smile.

"However, the sun is about to set, I have already asked the servants to prepare food for you all." Aeliana gestures to the door, beckoning them with a smile.

Otis' stomach started gurgling, his head turned to his stomach. He then slowly raised his head and looked at Aeliana with his eyes widened. 

"Clearly…" Leofric narrows his eyes darting at Otis.

Aeliana laughs, placing her hand by her mouth. "Oh, in case I forget to say, I have also asked to fix your rooms too in the Eolian Spire." 

Leofric's veered to Aeliana with his eyes gleaming. "Really?" He exclaimed.

"Woah! And you get a room in the Eolian spire? You're so lucky Leofric!" Camille squeezes his shoulder, shaking him lighty.

"Camille, that includes you." Aeliana turns back and chuckles.

"Really?!" She squeals, placing her hand by her mouth.

"Let's go then!" Leofric takes her wrist and drags her along with him back inside the castle.

Camille's eyes widened, flustered. "Ah—!" but a bright smile grew on her face as she ran with Leofric.

Otis on the other hand, stayed behind and stared at the Sun. 

"Hey, birdie." He asks.

"Cat got your tongue foxy?" Sagitta shifts into the golden bird and flies beside him. 

"Tell me, how the hell does the sun here work? I can look at it without my eyes hurting much." Otis then points to the sun, squinting his eyes.

"Well that…" Sagitta turns to face the sun, his eyes reflecting it.

"…is the 10th god, the one who holds all life, God." 

Otis studies the sun, his brows furrowing. The then turns around, begins sniffing the air and starts retching then coughing.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sagitta raises his brow, flapping his wings away from Otis.

"Eugh! It smells like a wet dog! Did ya shower you stinky ass bird?!" He covered his nose with his paw while coughing.

"Hah?!" Sagitta lifts his wing and sniffs himself. "I don't smell bad, don't blame me you stupid fox!" He shouts irritably.

"Then why the hell am I smelling a wet stinky dog?! Eugh!" Otis coughed and curled his stomach.

"Maybe it's because you're a fox and you can smell miles away you idiot!" He shouts.

As the two argued in the open, their voices echoing throughout the air, within the nearby forest and its bushes, a Tasmanian devil was hiding inside peeking at their banter.

With the scene reflecting on the animal's iris, it began to glow gold. 

"Elder Mamaragan." It spoke.

"Calling me by my sacred name this time huh, Warragul?" The cold deep voice spoke in its mind.

"Because it is urgent, Elder Namarrkon." Warragul's ears twitched.

"Have you analysed the strange occurances of the Mantle around Aurvenia?" He asked.

"No Elder, I have not even touched the Mantle." Warragul crouched lower down the grass.

"Then what the hell did you call me for?" Narmarrkon said irritably.

"It is about the Wind Goddess and her visitors." She replied, her eyes peeking deeper out the gap of the bushes.

"Visitors? You mean new souls that entered Aurvenia?" Namarrkon exclaimed.

"A human and a talking fox… who had both eaten the golden apple…" Warragul stammered.

"What?! Are you serious?" Namarrkon blurted out—a small thud could be heard.

"Aughhh, it smells so musky like a dead corpse! How the fuck does that end up in Agartha?" Otis groaned, then retched.

Sagitta—who was looking away—turned to Otis with his brow raised. "A dead corpse…?" He tilted his head.

Otis covered his snout. "What? You don't know what the hell is causing that smell?" His brows furrowed.

Sagitta furrows his brows, his eyes glowing gold as he opens his wings high and flies to the sky.

"What the hell are ya doing?" Otis lifted his head up to Sagitta.

In Sagitta's soul vision, he noticed a sudden glow of sky blue within the gaps of bushes. "There's something in the bushes."

"What are you-." Otis turned to the bushes and noticed a slight movement within the gaps of the leaves.

"After it!" Sagitta flaps his wings, dashing to the spot.

Otis follows suit and pounces the ground running to the bushes on all fours with immense speed.

"I've been spotted!" Warragul whispers frantically.

"Then get out!" Namarrkon commands.

"Who's there?!" Sagitta shouts from the sky.

Something then began trailing the bushes, the leaves shaking, the trail of moving leaves sprinting away from Sagitta at an incredible speed.

This creature is fast, but why is it glowing so bright…? 

Otis then leaps to the sky, his figure covering the dimming sun.

"Who the hell is stinkin' my nose?!" Otis shouts then retches right after.

"Otis, don't be too reckless! We don't know what it is!" Sagitta shouts.

"The hell do I care?! This thing has been stinkin' and making me wanna puke!" He then pulls out a leash from his belt.

Immediately while mid-air, Otis then whips his tail, breaking the sound barrier and dashing towards the figure in the bushes at a fast rate.

With Otis's body whistling throughout the sky, his body shoots right into the figure running within the bushes.

"Gotcha ya stinkin' piece of shit!" He grumbled as the sound of lightning crackled.

"Wait Otis!" Sagitta flaps his wings—immediately diving into the clash.

Otis playfully laughed. "Hahaha! You're such a cute lookin' lil' stinkin' bea—. What the f—?!" Otis screamed.

The moment Sagitta enters the bushes, he sees Otis sitting on top of Warragul's stomach. Warragul's eyes began sparking out lighting, her mouth was wide open with lightning cracking within her sharp teeth nearing Otis' hand, Otis was attempting to pull his paw away with the rope still in his paws with a fearful expression on his face. 

Sagitta spins then lands one of his feet and pushes Otis' chest while using his wing to slap Warragul's snout. Otis' arm was pushed away, the slap stopped Warragul from pushing her head further—but her teeth caught one of Sagitta's golden feathers.

As the teeth clash with the golden feather, a large soundwave of metal clunking with a large sparks of lightning echoes the forest pushing the leaves of the bushes surrounding them.

Otis grunted, his ear dropped, immediately covering his ears. Sagitta pulled his golden feather away from Warragul's mouth while wincing and Warragul kicked Otis' stomach and swung her arm to smack Sagitta away.

"Agh—ahhh!!!" Otis groaned, pushing his paws deeper into his ears as the clash began ringing.

Warragul immediately dashes away with traces of lightning into the bushes again, Sagitta followed Warragul but could not move and began to grunt—falling to the ground—groaning. He then put his wings over his ears.

The bushes stopped shaking, the ringing then stopped. Otis started smacking his ears, Sagitta rubbed his head.

"Ah, ah, ah." Otis repeated while rubbing his ears.

"Ahhhhhhh." He then smacked his ear.

"Fuck…" Sagitta sighed.

"God damn it, that thing hurt." Otis exclaimed.

"Ha… ha… What the hell was that thing!?" Otis peeked at the hole of the bushes' branches—rubbing his ears.

"Warragul… what the hell was she doing here…?" Sagitta murmured, staring into the hole.

"Huh? Warragul? That creature's called a Warragul?" Otis peeked deeper into the hole.

"No… Warragul, Namarrkon's courtier—the Lightning god's courtier… that animal… is a Purinina(Tasmanian Devil)" Sagitta stammered.

"The hell's a Purinina? I know all of the animals within the kingdoms but never heard of a "Purinina" before." He turned to Sagitta.

The glow Sagitta's eyes faded away. "That's an animal exclusive in another region, the one above Namarrkon's reigion." 

"Sagitta." A gentle wind blows, Aeliana then appears in front of them beside the bushes—kneeling on the ground.

"Lady Aeliana." Sagitta stands up—surprised.

"What happened?" She stands up.

"Some thing called a Purinina, the Lightning God's courtier, was spyin' on us and broke our ears." Otis turns to Aeliana while smacking his ear.

"Ah, ah, ah." He hummed.

"What?" Aeliana replied in disbelief.

"I'm afraid it is true." Sagitta points his wing towards his ear—a gentle wind blowing into it.

Aeliana looks down studying the floor, she places her hand below her chin—her brows furrowed.

"Otis!" Leofric screams in the distance.

Otis continues rubbing his ears with his paws oblivious to Leofric's call. 

"Otis!" The bushes rattled, Otis turned to the scene.

Leofric the pops out of the bushes with Camille behind him.

"Otis!" Leofric exclaims, running to him and kneeling down.

"Kid!" Otis exclaims while rubbing his ear.

"Jesus, are you alright?" Leofric places his hand on his shoulder.

"Ha?" Otis lets go of his paw from his ears.

"You're bleeding out of your ears!" Leofric screams—pointing to Otis' ear.

"What?" He shouts.

Everyone but Aeliana turns to Otis with their eyes widened. Blood began dripping down from his ear, staining his fur.

"Let me handle this." Camille kneels down beside Otis and places her palm by his ear.

A gentle gust of wind then blows into Otis' ear, causing his ear to slightly twitch. With her brows furrowed—studying his ear—the wind continued to blow into Otis' ear. Eventually…

"The bleeding's stopped…" Leofric mutters.

"Ah, Ah—. Hey, I can hear again! What were you saying? I couldn't hear ya everything was muffled." 

"Your ear was bleeding. Look at your paws." Leofric points to his paw.

"Huh?" Otis puts his paws in front of him, horrified by the blood—his other ear then begins to drip out blood.

"Do you feel better now, Otis?" Camille puts her hand away and looks at Otis with a concerned look.

"I do now, but my other ear's still muffled." Otis rubbed his right ear squinting one eye.

"Oh—! Let me." Camillie then strolls to his other ears then shifts her palm in front of it—sending another gentle gust of wind into his ear.

"Sagitta." Aeliana raises her head after being in thought.

"Yes, Lady Aeliana?" Sagitta flies towards her.

"Come with me, we have an emergency to discuss. Leofric, Otis, Camille, head to the dining room. We will be there shortly, please enjoy what we have prepared in the meantime." She turns to the group with a serious look.

Camille nods while still caring for Otis, Otis stares at Aeliana, Leofric who was looking at Camille then turned to Aeliana and nodded as well.

Aelina nods then suddenly vanishes, causing a gentle wind to blow the leaves around her. Sagitta then opens his wings wide and ascends into the air at top speed leaving a gust of wind to the ground, blowing the grass and leaves.

"Ah, ah…—Hey I can hear with both ears now! Thanks sweetheart!" Otis turns to Camille with a smile.

"No problem, Otis." Camille smiles back, she grabs a towel from her purse and begins wiping the blood off his fur.

"What even happened to you? We were in the hallway and heard this really loud clunk then Aeliana veered at the window and suddenly disappeared off the dining room." Leofric leans forward inspecting Otis' ears with Camille still scrubbing the blood off his fur.

"I noticed you and Sagitta were not yet there, so I assumed something went wrong between you two again." Camille then moves to the blood stain by Otis' neck.

"Some creature called a purinina named Warragul was spyin' on us. Apparently that thing is the Lightning God's Courtier." Otis' ears twitch as Camilles drags the cloth down.

"What?! The lightning god?! And what's a purinina?" Leofric shouted

"Lord Lightning God and Warragul?!" Camille also shouts in disbelief.

"That animal's bite was so powerful and strong, they are nothin' compared to a lynx nor a bear." Otis scowled.

"And when birdie pushed me away from its mouth, his feather clashed with the bite and led to that big large sound!" He clenched his fist.

"I didn't think anything could be that loud aside from thunder!" Otis exclaims.

"What…" Leofric murmurs.

"W-wait! Let us just… go inside the Eolian Spire for now, cool our heads a bit. She told us to be at the dining table already." Camille interrupts her face full of worry.

"You're right sweetheart, we ought to go." Otis starts up brushing his back and legs with his tail.

Leofric nods, standing up after Otis.

What is going on…? Are Otis and I really safe in Agartha now? 

Leofric places his hand by chin staring at the ground as we walk with Camille and Otis. He looks up and stares at them heading back to the Eolian spire.

As they entered and stood in front of the dining hall's door with two servants standing between the door, they could hear music, the sound of violins, pianoes, chellos, tubas, a harp, and chanting echoing out the door.

 "What is this noise?" Leofric turns to Otis.

Otis laughs and looks over to the servants. "This the right place? Sounds as intense as a mass."

"Sì signore, you are in the correct room. Please proceed" The servant nodded his head and opened the door.

"I don't know what the hell he said… but I'll take it." Otis shrugs, walking into the dining hall with Leofric and Camille following behind him.

As they enter, a long table is placed in the centre with chairs filled only on the left side, sides, and none on the right. Food of all kinds of European cuisine had already been placed on the table with candles already lit. To their right was a large space with a small stage of an orchestra, playing a harmonious song with the hymn in Italian.

"Woah…" Leofric walks in with awe strolling towards the middle seat.

"Those things make that sound?" Otis walks and hops into his chair to Leofric's right.

Camille walks to her seat which was on Leofric's left. "Those are instruments that will likely be produced by the surface in a couple of centuries. This is what we call an orchestra." She sits down.

"An orchestra? What an odd name…" Leofric mutters then raises his head—watching the performance.

A woman then walks onto the stage and starts singing in Italian, a grand orchestra in front of them as they dine, the harmony becomes louder, all of them in awe of the scene.

"I never knew such music could exist…" Leofric murmured.

Otis's eyes widened. "Me either…" he muttered.

"So this is Wind Goddess' grace…" Camille muttered.

After the woman had finished vocalising, a gentle gust of wind blew onto the stage blowing onto the performers' clothes and hair. Aeliana appeared in the centre, and began singing in French.

"A-Aeliana?!" Leofric jolted—leaning closer to the table.

Otis lifts a finger to his mouth. "Shh! Keep it down you fake noble!" Otis whispers.

Camille on the other hand, had her hands by her mouth—shocked at the scene—tears filling her eyes.

Aeliana sang on a higher note, with the instruments becoming louder—raising her hands as she vocalised. The grand orchestra's grandeur unfolded, until…

"Wait… I have an idea…" Leofric murmured then stood up and shifted into soul vision—his eyes immediately glowing gold.

The waves of golden soul essence were emitting off the performers and Aeliana, like music sheets flying and trailing all over the room. These waves began to gracefully flow around the air like a "dance". Leofric 's jaw slightly dropped, starting at the performance completely stunned. 

Aeliana shifted her hands to her chest then reached her final note, vocalising a high pitch as the instruments lowered their tones. 

The waves slowly stopped flowing around the air into gold particles floating to the sky, she closed her eyes as her singing concluded and so did the orchestra. 

The servants, Otis, Leofric and Camille began clapping with Aeliana and the performers bowing towards them. 

Aeliana rises up and turns to the performers. "Fantastic performance everyone, thank you." She bows to the performers.

"No Wind Goddess, we are more than honoured to have performed with you than it is for us to play." One of the violinists speaks bowing in return.

Aeliana chuckles. "I am flattered, please continue playing for our guests tonight. This time, keep it on a low melody, they must eat while we discuss."

"Understood Wind Goddess, we shall play symphonies." He began to play the violin and so did the rest of the performers. 

Aeliana then walks to the dining table with a warm smile on her face. 

"Aeliana, that was incredible!" Leofric exclaimed, the glow in his eyes fading.

"Ah, you saw the whole thing with soul vision, clever." Aeliana chuckled while walking to the chair at the edge of the table on Leofric's left.

"It was beautiful… both to my ears and to my eyes." Leofric beamed, taking his seat.

"I am grateful!" Aelaina exclaims, her head tiling as she smiles—taking a seat.

"My ears feel better now too, that or—chestra…? Was like medicine." Otis chuckles.

Aeliana giggles. "I am glad you enjoyed it, Otis."

Camille stood and turned to Aeliana. "Wind Goddess… that was one of the best performances you've done so far!" She exclaims.

Aeliana giggles. "Thank you, thank you. Camille, Do you want to perform as a vocalist in the future?"

Camille's eyes gleamed. "Yes! I do! Please train me!" She squealed.

Aeliana laughs in return. "When we are done with business we shall give you room for that."

"Thank you, Wind Goddess!" Camille beamed, taking her seat.

Aeliana shifts her gaze onto Otis, who was starting at the chicken with his mouth literally drooling.

"Otis? Are you hungry?" She asks.

"H-huh?" A piece of drool fell on Otis' lap.

He immediately looked to his lap. "O-oh… sorry…" he then grabbed the napkin and wiped it off.

Aeliana laughs. "But first, can you sit on that chair?" She gestures to the chair opposite to her.

"There? Alright, but why?" He hops off the chair and begins walking to the chair.

Aeliana grabs her napkin then places it on her lap. "Because we are to discuss after we eat, and you are the person of interest." She gestures to him.

Otis hops on the chair. "I see." He gulps.

"Don't be afraid, we are doing everything we can to cause little conflict, please enjoy the food along with the orchestra." Aeliana darts over to the rest with a warm smile.

Everyone nods back with a gente smile, Leofric then shifts his gaze to Otis, studying him.

Why is Otis the person of interest and not me? I ate the apple too… is he going to be alright? Knowing his corrupted soul… what could it mean?

The servants opened the door, Sagitta walks into the room in his child form.

"Lady Aeliana, I have returned." Sagitta heads to the empty seat beside Leofric.

"Sagitta." Aeliana turns over and smiles at him.

Sagitta smiles back and takes his seat. 

"You all must have been hungry earlier. We will discuss shortly, but first, please enjoy the meals." Aeliana gestures, standing up and taking a piece of braciole onto her place.

The rest followed suit, gathering food, placing it in their place and began to eat. 

"This trencher seems… odd." Leofric stammers examining the plate.

Camille turns to Leofric while grabbing a piece of pierogi. "We call that a plate." She replies.

"A …plate?" Leofric tilts his head.

"It is made of pottery and it is reusable." Camile smiles, grabbing a piece of Cioppino to her plate.

"So it's not made of bread… interesting." Leofric murmured, grabbing a piece of porkchop then places it on his plate.

"Aeliana, this food is amazing!" Otis exclaims with his mouth stuffed and his plate full of food.

Sagitta turns to him—started. "Manners you stupid fox." He irritably grumbles.

Aeliana then laughed in the background patting her mouth with a napkin. "I am glad you enjoy it Otis. For a fox you sure do have a lot of appetite." She takes a bite of her barciole.

"I am a talking fox after all, I gotta eat more than a typical one." Otis exclaims stuffing a piece of butter chicken in his mouth.

"That makes sense. You need more energy in your brain that's why you eat more than a typical fox." Sagitta cuts his braciole in half then eats a piece.

"Interesting…" Leofric murmured. They continued to eat and with their plates now empty…

"Eugh… I still want some more… Everything's so yummy." Otis slumped on the chair.

Saiggita turns to him and raises his brow. "Sit up properly you gluttonous fox." He said irritably.

"Gahh… I have room for a little more, everything tastes so good my stomach wants more." Leofric exclaims, rubbing his stomach.

"Me too." Camille chuckles.

"Well, that is why we saved the best for last. Leuthard." She smiles while commanding.

A server then walks beside Aeliana and leans forwards. "Sì, signora Aeliana?"

"Prepare the Parmigiano Reggiano." She commands.

"Come si desidera." He bows then walks away.

Servers then come forward onto the table and takes the used plates and utensils.

"What language is he speaking in?" Leofric tilts his head.

"Italian." Camille replies.

"How come you can understand what he's saying but we can't?"

The servers then return and places new charger plates and forks for everyone. 

"Hm… when you become an Agarthian it's like your soul can understand others' souls too." Camille smiles.

"Huh…" Leofric murmured.

Leuthard returns with a large half-cut parmigiano reggiano wheel, a bowl of cream sauce, bottle of white wine, and a pan of boiling fettuccine all on top of a trolley, bringing it to the middle of the table.

Everyone's eyes widened at the scene, Otis's eyes continued to dart at the wheel, his mouth began to drool.

Sagitta leans in and whispers. "Hey, stupid fox, your saliva is gonna drool down your lap." 

Otis, his eye still locked on the wheel, sips the saliva back in and grabs the napkin—holding onto it. Sagitta raised his brow—his jaw dropped in disbelief.

"Buonasera signore e signorine." Leuthard places his palm by his chest, glancing at everybody with a slight bow.

"Today we have pasta alla ruota. It is a special dish made from this cheese called parmigiano reggiano." Leuthard gestures to the wheel.

"It is a cheese that takes a whole year to make." He opens the wine bottle, takes a ladle and pours it into the ladle—filling it up.

Leuthard then pouts the white wine into the cheese wheel.

"And with fettuccine, it makes this one of the best pasta of Italia." Leuthard then snaps his fingers, causing sparks to form in his hand which fall down to the wheel lighting the wine on fire.