In the modern city filled with high-rise buildings, above a quiet and cozy bar few streets from the main street, a group of girls sat in a room, doing their daily chores. Only one person sat silently, staring at the gun lying on the table in front of her, her eyes unfocused as if her spirit was lost somewhere.
-"Texas mis..."-A blond, cheerful girl with wolf-like ears spoke up.
-"I told you, Sora, just call me Texas."-A stoic Lupo beauty interrupted her while sorting some things.-"You want to ask about Exusiai?"
-"Yes. Did something happen?"
-"Today is an anniversary of something painful for her."-Texas explained shortly, but her eyes couldn't help but be drawn to an old stack of letters.
-"Eh?"-Sora was surprised by that reason, and couldn't help but approach the Sankta who had lost her spirit.-"Sister Exusiai."
-"Hmm?"-The red-haired angel responded lifelessly.
-"Can I help somehow, cheer you up?"-Sora asked innocently.
-"Sigh. I'll be all right, just give me a moment."-Exusiai responded, her eyes finally showing some focus.
-"You shouldn't get lost in the past."-Texas spoke from the side.
-"I'm not, I'm just worried."
-"Don't you always say that he will return for sure? Why doubt it now?"
-"I'm not doubting, just a little tired. Four years already passed, yet there is no trace of him, even the smallest hint of anything. Texas..."
-"From what you told me about him, he will be all right. He always seemed like a calm and careful person."
-"I just hope he can return quickly. How can someone be so heartless, abandoning his childhood sweetheart and a long-time pen pal, right Texas?"
-"Childhood sweetheart? Pen pal? Who are you talking about?"-Sora looked around, feeling like an outsider in their conversation.
-"They are talking about their sweetheart!"-A Minos woman spoke from the entrance, carrying some boxes inside.
-"A sweetheart!!!"-Sora's tail stood up in shock.
-"Sigh, don't listen to her nonsense."-Texas looked annoyed at Croissant, who was causing problems.-"We are talking about someone from our pasts, who because of an incident, disappeared. He was Exusiai's and Mostima's childhood friend. By some strange workings of fate, he also happened to be someone I would exchange letters with, sharing my troubles without worry about who I was back then."
-"I see. But disappeared? Like those who were infected and left to not create trouble?"
-"Not exactly."-Exusiai took over the explanation.-"Because of betrayal on a mission, my sister was put in a coma while Mostima fell. He was also present there and indeed suffered the most, becoming infected, Originium shard piercing his left shoulder. Due to the ambush of Sarkaz that happened shortly after, he stayed back and allowed Mostima to take my sister to safety. But after a rescue party went looking for him, no traces of him were found."
-"Then.."-Sora spoke carefully.
-"He is alive."-Exusiai looked into Sora's eyes, showing seriousness never before seen on her face.-"We are certain that he is alive because of some circumstances, just missing."
-"Sorry."-Sora lowered her head.
-"Don't mind her."-Texas pet the blood head a few times.-"Just be careful when you mention that person near her, or any Sankta, to be honest. Especially Mostima, she..."
-"I what?"-A blue-haired Sankta with horns and a broken halo walked inside.-"I'm back."
-"Any..."
-"No."-She instantly shattered Exusiai's hopes.-"But I got a message from an 'old friend'."
-"Huh?"
-"Can't say much, but one thing was certain. Something happened, and he appeared again."-Mostima's eyes fell on the gun in front of Exusiai.-"He returned. We're not sure where exactly, but he definitely returned."
As Mostima's words sank in, the whole atmosphere shifted. Sora and Croissant were still somewhat lost, but Exusiai lit up, literally, almost blinding others present. Even the stoic Texas showed reaction, her tail wagging slightly behind her.
-"Then we have to look for him!"
-"We will, but calm down. I believe that even if we were to wait, he will find us on his own."-Mostima smiled, but her eyes appeared somewhat dull. Quietly, under her breath, she muttered.-"I need to hurry. Those responsible are still at large."
Everyone seemed not to hear her muttering; only Texas's ear twitched as she looked at her. Meeting her gaze, she covertly took out an animal-skull-like mask, showing it to Texas while avoiding the gazes of others. Seeing it, Texas's eyes couldn't help but constrict, but she quickly understood the story behind it. She once again looked at the fallen angel, her eyes serious, but showing that she wished to take part in this, to which Mostima nodded slightly.
As the two were silently communicating, Exusiai started to talk about some things from her memory, introducing her childhood friend to Sora and Croissant, listening from the side. The dull atmosphere from before was nowhere to be seen, liveliness returning in full force. A day like many others, in Penguin Logistics.
But not everywhere was such happiness present. In the cold and damp mountains of Scotland, Morgan, along with Scáthach and Medea, was looking at the many magical instruments, looking for a sign that things weren't that bad.
-"Still nothing?"-Scáthach asked, looking angry but forcing herself to be calm.
-"He is alive, but... No longer in this world."
-"World?"-Medea asked to be more specific.
-"World as if this whole world, not time-or-world-line. I can't find him."-Morgan closed her eyes.
-"Shit."-Scáthach turned away and started to walk.-"I'll be going back to the Gate. Maybe I can find something from there."
-"Be careful."-Morgan bid her farewell.
-"Heh, I'm not some wannabe knight, am I?"-With that, Scáthach left.
-"I'll also be going. I need to make sense of what happened."-Medea also decided to leave.-"Will you be all right?"
-"Don't worry."
Medea looked at Morgan one more time before disappearing.
After a few moments of standing alone, Morgan finally opened her eyes, anger and hurt making her appear as cold as ice. Taking a few breaths to calm down, she left the room, returning to her throne room. After sitting down on her throne, she took out the copy of my Saint Graph, looking at it, countless thoughts and emotions swirling in her brain.
______________________________
True name: Enoch
Class: Foreigner/Ruler(Sealed)
Type: Nature Spirit/Sankta
Source: Unknown
Alignment: True Neutral
Hidden Attribute: Star
Parameters:
Strength: C → C+
Endurance: B → B-
Agility: A- → A
Magical Energy: ★ → A+
Luck: C → B
Noble Phantasm: A++
Class skills:
Existence Outside the Domain: EX
Chosen warrior of Moon and Stars. Eno possesses part of the Authority of his Patron, along with some power yet to be uncovered.
Divinity: A → C
The favored child of the Moon. They say all should be equal under the Moon's grace, but the chosen few receive not only the blessing of grace but also the true love of the deity. Can be strengthened by calling upon the Patron's power.
Magic Resistance: B (Sealed EX)
As technically a Saint-type Ruler, Eno possesses the same ability to be immune to any form of magic aside from sacraments, but due to the sealed status of his Ruler class, this ability is weakened to work only on magic rank A or below.
Personal skills:
Wisdom of the Moon: E → D
Here beginneth the chill night that encompasses all, reaching the great beyond, the beginning of a thousand-year voyage. With the exception of those particular of certain heroes, almost all Skills can be displayed with a proficiency level of C~B Rank. Strengthened due to absorption of Ruler class skills: True Name Discernment and God's Resolution
The Law: C
Origin of all Sankta. Elevated by Gaia into a seed to replace the original Law, ascending into something beyond even the Divine Spirit. It gives control over spirits and magical energy in the vicinity.
Originium Glintstone: A
Mutation of Originium. Possesses characteristics of assimilating other powers, even authorities and principles. Once absorbed, Eno can utilize them, but he has to bear the consumption.
Saint: D (New)
Bathing in the flame of a true saint awakened the power hidden by doubt and fear. It strengthens miracles and healing power, as well as making one posses holy aura, endearing this of pure heart.
Noble Phantasm:
Remembrance: Unknown: C
Form a Pseudo-Heroic Spirit or Pseudo-Noble Phantasm from relics and memories. The strength depends on the materials and the connection between Eno and the summoned entity.
Azure Dream: Anti-World: EX
A forgotten memory, but the scars still remain. A gift born from the regret of a Goddess who lost her most precious child. Like a planet weaving dreams for her beloved creations, this small piece of the world exists solely so that he can return to Moon's embrace. An Inner World capable of not only acting as a Reality Marble, but even fusing into the world. It lacks any offensive or defensive capabilities, only possessing one power: healing the soul.
Night Warrior: Anti-Unit: C
But a shadow of past glory. A method of utilizing Divinity, granting powerful enchantment to all parameters in exchange for becoming the Goddess's sharpest blade. Many turned to the darkest of Moon's powers for revenge, but only those who chose it to guard others won't get lost in its abyss.
Luminosité Eternelle: Barrier: ?
The broken standard that accompanied a saint throughout her life. It still carries power, but to use it, one first needs to repair it.
______________________________
In the end, she closed her eyes. Sighing and talking to no one in particular.
-"A year. He will be forced to return due to the contract after a year. I'll wait, but... Heh, I'll make sure he won't have the courage to do something like that again."
Silence returned to the castle after that, but even the weather started to feel much colder since that day.