Three weeks after the Timeless Eclipse had ended,
Protopaterpolis had finally settled into calm. Thanks to the combined efforts
of Zacky in the Sacred Ruins and Alex Sansta in the realms of the Underworld,
the looming world war had been averted. At last, peace reigned.
Amidst the remnants of the Sacred Ruins (what little
was left of them) Lucie wrinkled her nose, scratching it absently. Her nose
always reacted in odd ways when something was about to happen: multiple
sneezes, relentless itching. But she was too engrossed in studying the symbols
discovered in the ruins to pay it any mind. The mere existence of other worlds
fascinated her. Lyka, on the other hand, couldn't have cared less. And yet, the
redhead had become obsessed with the ruins’ findings. Lucie had tried, time and
again, to have a proper conversation with her about them, but every time she
brought up the subject, Lyka simply played dumb to avoid talking.
But Lucie had made another, far more unsettling
discovery. She had found a magical symbol unlike any of the others, etched onto
the wall of one of the underground chambers. She had entered through yet
another of the ruins’ countless passageways. The symbol was ancient, though not
as old as the rest, it was still undeniably ancient. And it was identical to
the symbols recorded in her mother’s research documents. Yet, nowhere else had
she found any reference to it.
Lucie had been sitting in front of the symbol for
hours, drawing it over and over again. At last, she decided to take a break and
return to the camp where they had set up base. There, automatons from the
HANADA group stood guard—partly to protect Lucie, partly to keep an eye on her.
The stigma of witches had not faded, not even after the end of the First Witch
War, and everyone who knew what she was looked at her with scorn, even though
she had played no part in that conflict.
She let the papers she had been sketching on slip from
her hands, scattering across the floor as she reached for some water.
—I remember that symbol. Master Yokoshima was obsessed
with symbols like that one —said one of the automatons. It was an old model,
its outer shell rustic, a stark contrast to the sleek automatons used in
Academy City.
—You know this symbol? —Lucie asked, hope flickering
in her voice. —What does it mean?
—I don’t know. I never discussed such matters with
Master Yokoshima. The only one who did was Robo Maeda —the automaton replied.
Lucie nodded. At last, a lead.
Lyka was laying napping in her bikini under the midday
sun. The Sacred Ruins had become an almost paradisiacal place after Thir’ahmh,
the Hound of Eternity, had nearly destroyed them completely. Water had surged
from an underground aquifer, forming something akin to a tropical beach. The
lingering magic of the ruins had caused the vegetation to grow at an unnatural
speed, turning the place into something beautiful. It was yet another secret
they had uncovered within the ruins: where once there had been death, life
could flourish once more.
—Take me to Robo Maeda —Lucie told the automaton.
Lyka could rest. Lucie would tell her about any updates once she returned.
The HANADA Group skyscraper was just as impressive on
the inside as it was on the outside. Lucie was escorted to one of the highest
floors. When the elevator doors slid open, they led directly into an enormous
room—a conference hall with very little furniture.
At the head of a massive table, large enough to seat
more than twenty people, Robo Maeda was working on three laptops
simultaneously. The speed at which he typed was almost inhuman.
—To what do I owe this intrusion? —he asked without
lifting his gaze from the screens.
—Miss Lucie has requested a meeting with you, Sir
Maeda. And, following Master Goliath’s orders… I have brought her to you —the
automaton replied.
The way the automatons addressed Robo Maeda was
entirely different from how they spoke of Goliath. The HANADA name was
everywhere: from the skyscraper’s façade to the uniforms of its workers, but it
was Robo Maeda they treated as the true master of the place.
—Ah, Miss Lucie —Maeda said, shutting the laptop lids
in one swift motion. With a flick of his hand, he dismissed the automaton, who
bowed deeply before exiting the room—. To what do I owe such a pleasant visit?
—I thought witches weren’t exactly your favorite
people —Lucie said.
—The fact that I once tried to kill you does not
contradict my programming, Miss. However, Master Goliath’s orders are clear: if
you are an honored guest, you must be treated as one. It would be most impolite
of me to do otherwise. Tea? —Maeda offered.
From within the table itself, a tray emerged, carrying
an exquisitely ornate, antique teapot, along with a matching set of pristine
teacups, never before used.
—Thank you. This place feels strange to me, you know? —Lucie
said, taking a sip. The tea was delicious—. Everything here is the complete
opposite of what witches stand for. We use magic to help people, but here, you
see magic as something dangerous: something to be eradicated.
—Spare me the ethical lectures, Miss Lucie. I fought
in the First Witch War. I stood against calamity alongside my Master,
Yokoshima. Witches bring no good to this world —Robo Maeda replied.
Lucie bit her tongue. There was no point in engaging
in a debate about the morality of witches—she knew she wouldn’t change the
automaton’s mind. And that wasn’t why she was here.
—Actually, it’s your Master Yokoshima I wanted to talk
to you about. Do you recognize this symbol? —she asked, pulling out one of her
sketches and placing it in front of Robo Maeda.
—Of course. It’s the Sealing Glyph. Master Yokoshima
studied it extensively for years. Have you found one? —Robo Maeda asked.
—Yes. There’s a place in the ruins where the symbol is
drawn. It’s small, so it makes sense that it was overlooked. But the amount of
magic it radiates made it impossible for me not to notice it —Lucie explained.
—Take me there. I will destroy it —Robo Maeda said,
rising to his feet.
—Destroy it? Why? —Lucie asked.
—That symbol was used by the Calamity to trap monsters
and release them at will—for pure amusement. Those monsters… my Master and I
fought against them countless times. Whatever is sealed behind that glyph must
never be set free —Robo Maeda said.
—I don’t know who the Calamity is or what happened
during the First Witch War, but this is the only clue I’ve found about my
mother, and I won’t let you destroy it —Lucie declared.
Robo Maeda adjusted his glasses. His posture betrayed
his intentions: his hands subtly shifted, ready to draw his weapons. But he had
promised not to disobey Goliath’s orders. Just in case, Lucie braced herself
for the worst.
—Why are you searching for your mother, Miss Lucie?
All mothers abandon their daughters when they find out they’re witches. And
society doesn’t even frown upon it —Robo Maeda said—. Are you certain your
mother wants to be found?
—My mother would never do that —Lucie said firmly.
—Oh? And how can you be so sure? —Robo Maeda pressed.
—Because my mother is a witch too —Lucie shrugged.
The automaton let out a booming laugh.
—Miss, witches cannot bear children. I’m afraid your
mother was just an ordinary woman —Robo Maeda said.
—That’s impossible —Lucie snapped. She pulled out all
the paper documents she had on her mother’s work and slapped them onto the
table, crossing her arms—. There. Proof. This is my mother’s. Check for
yourself.
Without much interest, Robo Maeda opened the thickest
folder. He flipped through a few pages, but when he reached the registry of
witches from the tower (where their names and photographs were listed) he
froze. His eyes narrowed as he examined the document closely. Then, slowly, he
removed his glasses, revealing his glowing red eyes.
For the first time, Robo Maeda looked shaken.
He lifted the list and turned it toward Lucie.
—Which one of these is your mother? —he asked.
—She’s not on the list —Lucie said. Robo Maeda’s
shoulders tensed, and he leaned back—. My mother is the one who signed the
document. At the bottom—the blonde woman in the photo.
—If this is a joke, it’s not funny, Lucie —Robo Maeda
said, his tone suddenly stripped of all formalities—. Your mother cannot be the
one who signed this document, girl. No.
—What’s wrong? You’re scaring me —Lucie said.
—Girl, your mother cannot be Helen. Helen is the
Calamity. She’s the one who started the First Witch War —Robo Maeda said—. The
one you call “mother”… murdered my Master Yokoshima.
Lucie’s eyes went wide.
No. That was impossible.
Her mother, the most dangerous, most powerful witch of
them all?
There had to be some mistake.
—My mother… —Lucie pressed her fingers to her temple.
Thinking about her mother made her head throb—. My mother…
—You can’t remember anything about your mother, can
you? —Robo Maeda said.
—I… —Lucie covered her eyes. The automaton was right.
She couldn’t remember anything about her mother. Just… just that she had to
find her. It was… an unshakable need.
—Damn it. Lucie, that woman is not your mother. That
woman is the Calamity. The one enemy we could never defeat. She subjugated
Protopaterpolis until we united against her. And yes, she vanished in the
Sacred Ruins, but that was… nearly 500 years ago. How old are you, Lucie? —Robo
Maeda asked.
—I… I don’t know —Lucie said, sinking into one of the
chairs, holding her head in her hands—. I honestly don’t know.
—Then, young lady, that means Helen did to you what she
did best —Robo Maeda said—. She stole your memories.
—That can’t be. Helen… is she really not my mother? —Lucie
said.
—I’m afraid not, young lady. You’re not the first
witch I’ve known she’s tricked, but making you believe you’re her daughter… that’s
twisted —Robo Maeda said.
Lucie sighed. She didn’t want to believe it, but deep down in her heart, she knew it was true. The evidence was too obvious. She gave in and allowed Robo Maeda to escort her back to the Sacred Ruins. She had to talk to Lyka, tell her the news, and they had to do something about the symbol they’d found.
Shortly after, accompanied by an armed detachment from
the HANADA Group, Lucie arrived to the Sacred Ruins. Robo Maeda had fully
prepared for battle, armed with everything. Upon arrival, they found Lyka
waiting for them alongside Zacky, who greeted them with a wide grin.
—Hello! —Zacky said. She was dressed in an elegant
shirt, fit for the finest archaeologist.
—Miss Zacky? It’s a pleasure to see you recovered!
What brings you here? —Robo Maeda asked.
—I wanted to see how things were going with our
“witch” friends —Zacky said.
Lucie ignored the archaeologist and went straight to
Lyka, showing her the photo of her mother.
—Do you know who this is? —Lucie asked.
—Yeah. Your mother —Lyka replied.
—Witches can’t have children! —Lucie exclaimed.
—Well, so what? You don’t have to come from someone’s
body for them to be your mother —Lyka said.
—Fair. But do you remember anything else about her? —Lucie
asked.
—Helen… found me when I was little. She took care of
me. She taught me to speak, to use magic, to fight… she did everything. But one
day, just like that, she vanished. I never heard from her again —Lyka said.
—How long ago was that? —Lucie asked.
—I don’t know. Eight hundred years? Seven hundred? I
honestly don’t remember —Lyka said.
Silence fell over the Sacred Ruins. Lucie let out a
laugh.
—This is ridiculous. What did my mother want from you,
Lyka? Why did you decide to help me find her? Is it because she was a mother to
you too? —Lucie asked.
—I’m going to ignore that “mommy issues” remark. Helen wanted something inside me, but it didn’t awaken until I started traveling with you. Watch —Lyka said, stretching out her arm. Her tattoos began to glow. Suddenly, a row of symbols emerged from the tattoos on her shoulder, forming a mathematical equation. It repeated itself over and over, extending across her torso until it reached her other hand.
Lucie read it: “-(r/10)ln(r/10) ≤ 1/e.”
—What does that mean? —Lucie asked.
—It’s the golden ratio. The perfect number —Robo Maeda
said—. You hold many secrets, Beast Lady.
Lyka flinched at those words. The symbols faded from
her arm, and her entire body shifted into her rabbitnorphed form.
—What did you just call me? —Lyka asked, unaware she
had transformed.
—“Beast Lady.” That’s what my master, Yokoshima,
called the Legacy hidden behind the perfect number. Over a thousand years ago,
this place, these Sacred Ruins, wasn’t a ruined site. It was a grand place, a
vast city. Here… here, one of the most powerful heroines of the past spent her
final days. No one remembers her name, only her title: “Beast Lady.” My master,
Yokoshima, searched for her power to use it against Helen, but he never found
it. Who would have thought the Legacy of the “Beast Lady” would reincarnate in
another beast girl: one who, instead of speaking to animals, can transform into
them at will —Robo Maeda said.
—You’re full of secrets —Zacky said.
—Not by choice —Lyka shrugged—. Helen wanted to find
this… this perfect number. All the time she spent with me, we kept exploring
these ruins over and over, but we never found anything. It’s ironic that I only
discovered how to manifest what we searched for after traveling with you.
—It must be because you’ve experienced magic from many
different parts of Protopaterpolis. The old stories say that “Beast Lady” was a
friend to all animals. I don’t know how that’s possible, but if you’ve forged
bonds with beasts from all over, maybe that awakened your magic —Robo Maeda
said.
—Oh, so now you’re an expert in magic? —Lyka asked.
—Not me, but my master Yokoshima was —Robo Maeda
said—. I hold all the information from his research in my memory, except for
the location of his Imaginarium. That remains secret even to me.
—Anything else you want to reveal? —Zacky asked—. This
is getting really interesting.
—The symbol —Lucie said.
She led the three of them to the symbol. They were far
from the place where they had found the Green Jade Amulet of Jhrelth, so even
though that area had been destroyed, this spot was in relatively good shape. The
symbol was on a column, partially hidden.
Robo Maeda explained the danger of the symbol to Zacky
and Lyka. But even so, Lucie refused to destroy it.
—It’s the only clue we have about my mother… about
Helen —Lucie said.
—I think we should see what it’s hiding —Lyka said,
leaning against the wall near the symbol.
Suddenly, the entire wall lit up. The symbols on it
exploded one by one in bursts of light. All except for the Sealing Glyph.
Around it, similar symbols appeared, forming a… face?
The stone holding all the symbols burst outward. The
Sealing Glyph shattered into pieces across the ground.
—I didn’t do anything —Lyka said, raising her hands.
—I believe that was me, darling —a silky voice said, coughing.
From the rubble emerged a beast-woman, a Skulk. She
wore a flowing outfit and a wide-brimmed white witch hat, dusting herself off
in a manner so sensual that Lucie had to look away.
—Wang Sia? Is that you? —Robo
Maeda said.
—Metal rascal? Oh, what a joy to see you! —the witch,
Wang Sia, said.
The two embraced. Seeing the automaton warmly greeting
a witch felt surreal to Lucie. Still, she took a deep breath and asked:
—Who are you? Why did you destroy my mother’s Glyph? —Lucie
said.
—I am Wang Sia, dear —the witch said—. The witch of
the Tower number one.
Lucie checked her documents. Sure enough, her name was
at the top of the list. But next to it, it clearly said: “Missing.”
—Did you know my mother? Did you know Helen? —Lucie
asked.
—Helen? —Wang Sia crouched down—. Is she here?
—She disappeared in the Sacred Ruins, Wang Sia —Robo
Maeda said.
—Ah. She hasn’t returned yet? Good. And she didn’t
disappear: she found a way to travel to other worlds —Wang Sia said.
—Other worlds! —Zacky, who had been silent the whole
time, suddenly spoke up, absolutely thrilled.
—Yes. Helen always wanted the power to travel between
different worlds, different… dimensions. And she discovered that she could do
it by stealing magic and life from other witches. That’s the source of her
power, or at least, it was when I knew her. She even tried to take mine —Wang
Sia said—. How is Yokoshima, my friend?
Robo Maeda shook his head. Wang Sia swallowed hard.
—How did you survive? Even Master Yokoshima was no
match for the Calamity —Robo Maeda said.
—By being myself, my friend: cunning and a bit of a
coward, you see. I fled her ritual and managed to escape by using a sealing
spell on myself. But I had to use the most powerful sealing magic I know, one
that only someone who has mastered and found the true magic of the Forest of
Aradia can unlock. Was it you? —Wang Sia asked Lucie.
—I think that was Lyka —Lucie said, pointing at Lyka.
—Ah, yes —Wang Sia said, sniffing her with her sharp
snout—. You smell of ancient magic, girl. You smell of the forest. But you
don’t… you’re not yet… never mind. The time will come.
—Where is my mother? —Lucie asked.
—Witches can’t have children, girl. That… “Helen”, is
not your mother. And if she’s not here, I don’t know where she is. In her last
ritual, she killed five of my friends to harness the power of the Remnant of
the Rune and travel to another world. Yomidgard, I believe —Wang Sia said.
—The last ritual? The last time we faced the Calamity
was… —Robo Maeda started.
—During the First Witch War —Zacky said—. And that’s
when Helen disappeared, along with five of her closest witches, in this place,
the Sacred Ruins.
—Oh, they weren’t close, dear. They were sacrifices —Wang
Sia spat—. Nothing that woman has done is good. Nothing!
The skulk woman looked at Lucie and smiled, baring her
teeth.
—My apologies, my apologies —Wang Sia said.
Lucie placed her hands on her back and tilted her head
toward the ceiling. They had made no progress in finding her mother… but she
had just discovered that Helen wasn’t her mother. And that only made her more
determined to find her.
—Does Helen’s magic steal memories? —Lucie asked.
—It’s what she does best: steal magic and steal
memories —Wang Sia said.
—I need you to tell me everything you know about my
mother —Lucie said.
—And I need a bath, dear —Wang Sia said, sniffing
herself and wrinkling her nose.
Zacky, meanwhile, had stepped away. She held a
brand-new Lunar communication device, crafted by the HANADA Group, replicating
moon technology. She slipped it into her pocket and rejoined the group, paler
than usual.
—We have to leave. Now —Zacky said.
—What’s wrong? —Lucie asked.
—Miss Zacky is right —Robo Maeda said, touching his
ear, where his communication system was embedded—. Light Castle has fallen.
Giotto Sansta… is dead.
—What?! —Lyka and Lucie said in unison.
