It's so early. I'm still feeling sleepy.
Dad already told Mr. Holiness that the black magician will be unsealed. Of course, Mr. Holiness had doubts at first, but when Asher and Sir. Abel talked to him about it, they were able to convince him.
Now, I'm nervous.
It took the Priests an hour to be able to draw this complicated magic circle.
"Please step inside the magic circle," Mr. Holiness said, all of us went inside. Me with Eri, and my Dad is carrying me. My brothers, Asher, Sir. Abel, as well as Ziel entered the magic circle too.
"Athalia is an extremely powerful black magician, please be careful around her," Oh, if only you know the truth, sir.
"Don't worry. The Astras are with us," Dad said, he's in serious mode. I wonder what he's thinking.
"...yes," that's the only thing that Mr. Holiness said before he poured a mana onto the magic circle. The magic circle glowed, and the light is blinding.
When I opened my eyes we are still within the magic circle, but it seems like we are slowly falling somewhere! Is this a magic elevator? Wait, we are actually within a glass container created by this magic circle and we're going down—like an elevator!
"Woah, this is so cool!" Eri reacted, and I think I can feel her slightly grabbing my hair.
It doesn't hurt though, probably because she's so tiny.
"We should create something like this in our palace, Dad! So, it won't be tiring to use the stairs!" I said cheerfully. Dad looks at me softly and smiled, then he ruffled my hair.
"We'll ask the magicians," he gave me a peck on my forehead.
"Hehe, thanks Daddy!" I replied, kissing him on the cheeks. I know everyone's in serious mode, but I can't handle this seriousness. And it looks like it'll take minutes before we can reach the place where Athalia is sealed.
"Your Majesty, may...I know the reason for this? It's been centuries since the black magician is sealed, and we have no idea what she can do," Dad stayed quiet and turned to Asher. I'm sure Dad is having a second thought whether he should answer him or not.
"Since you're a High Priest, maybe you have the 'right'," Right? The right to know the truth I guess?
"What do you mean, Sir Astra?" Mr. Holiness asked. I love how his very long hair is moving with the winds.
"The black magician you all believed to be evil, is actually Azrael's incarnation. She is the one and only Selene among all the five incarnations. And cursing the Odilia family, is something she planned with the 77th Duchess. I...know you're aware that the Princess have divinity within her, right?" Wait, Sir Kiernan know?!
"Well, yes. Big Sis—I mean, Lady Ashley told me," He was about to call her 'Big Sister', didn't he? Is he actually close to my Godmother? And it seems like he's quite in good terms with the remaining two Astras here. And the fact that my Godmother told him about my divine core proves just how much she trusts His Holiness.
"Athalia, after being saved from execution asked Ashley to seal her. And only wake her up once a human with divine core is born. However, Ashley chose to seal the Princess' divine core and didn't unseal Athalia. Which is strange. We were there when Athalia was sealed by her, so we know of this request," Asher explained. Sir Kiernan looks confused.
"Wait, so the black magician is also an incarnation of a God?" Wow, his delayed reaction is so adorable. Maybe because his attention was caught by Asher's question about my divine core that he forgot to react to Asher's fist explanation.
"Yeah, what a late reaction, bud. Anyway, we need to ask Athalia about it first before we decide whether to unseal the Princess' divine core or not," Asher ended, and Sir Kiernan understood it right away. He believed the word of the Astra, of course.
"Alright...anyway, we are here, please embrace for the slight impact once the magic circle landed,"
A huge cave can be seen, and there are no source of light here except the floating red crystal in the middle that is shining brightly. There's a magic circle under this crystal as well and as this magic elevator go down, a figure of a person is starting to become visible to us.
She's within the red crystal, and it looks like she's just sleeping. She is...pretty. And her long red hair looks like they're floating within that red crystal. She looks like a baby fetus with her knees bent like that, and she's hugging it too—
"Wait, is she naked?!" I covered my mouth when those words, that's supposed to be just inside my mind spilled out!!!
Ahhh! Embarrassing!!
"Looks like it, Your Highness," Sir Abel answered, he's even smiling? Eh?
Wait, most of the people here are men—no, all of them! Because I am the only female here!
Goodness gracious, I took a deep breath and covered my face. I don't know why I'm feeling a second-hand embarrassment right now. What the heck.
•
Asher and Abel walks ahead the team as they are the ones who will unseal the Selene. Looking at the beautiful face of the sleeping lady, Alina can't help but be amazed.
"She's so pretty...well, seeing Asher and Sir. Abel's face, I think it's in their blood to become beautiful..." Alina thought as she stare at the red-haired lady sleeping within the red crystal.
"Let's start..." Asher spoke, looking at the magic circle under the red-crystal.
"As expected of Sis Ley, this formula is a bit complicated," Abel said, which Asher agreed upon by nodding his head.
The magic circle under the red crystal is the seal that their sister, Ashley, created. It's a seal that will allow the body of the person sealed to be unconscious the entire time they are sealed. In other words, they are in the state of 'sleep'. However, this also lets them conserve energy and mana.
"Yeah. There are only three rings, but it does looks complicated..." Asher raised his hand, and a magic quill materialized on it, Abel did the same and they crouched down on the ground.
"Hmm...there are total of eight glyphs here representing eternal stillness, fate, will, secrecy, death, life, creation, and prophecy—that girl, she just put whatever it is that came in her mind, did she?" Abel chuckled seeing the disappointed expression on his brother's face.
"Well...Sis Ley herself is a bit...complicated too," Abel spoke, checking the middle ring, which consist of the sealing incantation.
"I think she half-assed the incantation, too..." Abel forced a laugh when he read the incantation that says 'By the creation of life and fate, the eternal stillness of death unavoidable, the will of secrecy and prophecy are bound'
"Everything doesn't seem to make sense in this incantation...can you actually consider this a sealing incantation," Abel mumbled and sighed in disbelief.
Alina confusedly look at the two Astras who looks like they're already exhausted when they haven't even started yet.
"Are you guys alright?" She asked, Abel smiled at her and nod his head.
"We're fine, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern," He answered and wave his hand to the kid, while Asher ignored her.
"The inner ring is composed of a triangle enclosed in a circle, with a partially closed eye in the middle. This symbolizes secrecy and prophecy within fate, and fate within eternity," Asher explained.
"The center sigil consists of a spiral, which symbolizes 'life'. A downward-pointing blade symbolizing the 'seal', and red dot...uhh, Brother. Is this dot Sis Ley's blood?"
Asher took a deep breath.
"That's why it's so complicated, because it's a half-assed magic circle," Asher slapped his forehead while shaking his head. He can hear the voice of his sister telling them 'good luck' with her tongue sticking out and a playful expression.
"I'll change the incantation spell, Brother," Abel said, and Asher stayed quiet.
"I'll work with the glyphs. And maybe those sigils too. You work on how to erase that dot, because that is Ley's Will of the Seal. We won't be able to unseal this if that blood is not removed," Asher spoke, pointing at the dot in the middle with the tip of his magic quill.
"Understood,"
°
Both Asher and Abel took a deep breath as they stood up. The formula of the magic circle has already been changed, and they just need to utter the incantation in order the unseal Athalia.
Asher smirked as she looks at his younger sister.
"Brother, please take a few steps away," Asher did as he was told and took a few steps away from the red crystal. He placed his right hand on his hips and looked at the red crystal while smirking.
"Been a while..." He mumbled.
Abel raised his right fist in front of his chest and folds three of his fingers, leaving the index and pinky finger. He closed his eyes as he release divine magic around the red crystal.
"Prophecy is unveiled, secrecy is shattered, the will is released. Death is reserved, the stillness breaks, fate unspun, life dissolves, and creation undone,"
As Abel says each words, a strong gust of wind surrounds the red crystal, with the rings of the magic circle spinning uncontrollably.
"Unseal," And when Abel uttered that one word, the magic circle shattered at the same time with the red crystal.
Torches attached to the walls of the cave starting to light itself as the crystal broke.
The lady inside spread her arms and legs as her long red hair floats in the air. A crescent moon can be seen on her right waist, and a small skull tattoo on top of her right chest.
She slowly opened her eyes, and it glowed gold before it turns back to it's original red color.
The lady slowly landed on the ground, and when she reached the soil, she scoffed.
She leaned her left hand on her waist and smiled at Abel in front of her, who is also smiling.
"Good morning, Abel—oh and Bro Ash too! Dang, why are you back to being a kid, bro?" Athalia asked, looking at Asher while trying to suppress her laugh.
"Shut up. I've been hopping worlds," Athalia creased her forehead.
"Why? That means you already died many times, as much as the worlds you've visited?" Asher nod his head, while the people behind him looks at him with surprised written all over their faces. However, when they realized that there's a naked lady in front of them, they turned their heads away.
"Pfft—so, you're about 9 or 10 years old right now? Hmm, who are those people behind you?" She spoke. Alina, who is surprised by her beauty ended up staring at her with widened eyes.
"And why are they like that? Stiff neck, perhaps?" She asked, pointing at the unfamiliar faces of guys behind her brother. Asher smirked and walked towards her.
"That's because you're naked, dumbass," Asher spoke, Athalia lowered her head and check herself, she blinked for a couple of times before she snapped her finger and created clothes for herself.
"Jeez, are they virgin?" Alina was snapped back into reality when Athalia asked that.
"You're still foul-mouthed as ever," Abel said, the lady chuckled and stretched her body.
"Well, who raised me?" She asked, looking at Asher. The latter, who is smirking, looks proud.
"By the way, how long have I been sleeping? I don't know any of those peo—wait, that child," Athalia's eyes narrowed at Alina when she felt an ounce of divinity from her. She started walking towards her, and the little girl felt her heart race.
"You—Alina?!" Everyone was surprised to hear the Selene called the Princess with the right name. Even Alina's family, Kafziel, and Kiernan finally turned to her direction.
"Y-Yes, I'm Alina...Your Divine Highness," Alina answered, and then she smiled at her. Athalia stared at the little girl and smiled softly.
"I see. Bro Ash, are these the descendants of Fel? I can feel my magic within this kid. So, she's the cursed child in this era?" Her words made Kafziel and Kiernan confused.
"Uhh, seriously. Can you not reveal things like that?" Asher sighed in disbelief, but he did not do anything to alter the memories of the two people, because he knew that it is bound to happen. He knew that Kafziel and Kiernan should know about the curse as well.
"Oh, is it a secret?" Athalia covered her mouth partially, looking like she didn't care at all if they knew.
"Yes, it was. Until you said it," Abel replied, Athalia creased her forehead.
"Hmm, okay. So, how long have I been sleeping again? And I can guess why I am unsealed," Athalia spoke, looking at Alina.
"287 years," Abel answered.
"Hmm, that's quite long! And I think a cursed child with divine mana is finally born, huh?" Athalia faced Alina and smiled at her. Her family stayed quiet, as well as the High Priest, and Kafziel.
"So ~ what stories did they have about me?" Athali asked, facing her brothers with sparkles around her. She looks like a kid who is excited to hear a bedtime story.
"That you're a black magician that cursed an entire family until their current generation, and that you were obsessed with Aeron, and that you killed Fel,"
"What the fuck?! I am obsessed with who?! And I killed who?! And I am a what?!"
Everyone flinched except the Emperor, the First Prince, and the Astra siblings.
"Yeah right, Virexon wrote those,"
Athalia clenched her fist and grit her teeth.
"That fucking jerk of a demon..." She said while grinding her teeth because of how mad she is after hearing lies written by the Demon King.
"Your vocabulary stays the same, but filter that mouth, there are children," Asher spoke, flicking Athalia's forehead. She groan in pain but clicked her tongue right away. Then she turned to Alina again and smirked.
"Children..." Alina felt chills on her spine when she realized that Athalia too, have figured out right away about her soul.
"Anyway—I'm hungry! Treat me to eat while telling me everything I need to know!"
Athalia yawned and stretched her body again, then she looks at her hands, feeling the mana flow within her body.
"Alright, I'm healthy. But still hungry," Athalia said.
"Ohh, you guys haven't introduced yourself yet. Wait, me too. So, I am Athalia, the one and only Selene, and the guard of Azrael's Empire," Asher and Abel exchanged look as they smile at each other.
'Now that Athalia's unsealed, we can ask her about the portal to Azrael's Empire,' Abel said, using telepathy with his brother.
'Yeah, exactly my goal,' Asher replied.
"Don't freaking talk behind my back," Athalia made an annoyed face as she turned to her brothers behind her.
"We aren't," The two Astra answered simultaneously.
"Lies, I can feel you talking telepathically," Athalia rolled her eyes and faced the Imperial Family again.
"So, you are?"
Orpheus put Alina down on the ground and then take a bow in front of Athalia.
"I am the current Emperor of the Ciera Empire, Orpheus Raven de Ciera. It's nice to meet you, Selene," Orpheus greeted, Athalia slowly nod her head.
"Greetings, I am the first prince and the Crown Prince of the Empire, Helios Rishi de Ciera,"
"It's an honor to meet such a great person. I am the second prince of the Empire, named Aelius Luke de Ciera,"
"Greetings, my name is Diellzain Ray de Ciera, the third prince of lf the Ciera Empire. I am honored to meet you,"
Athalia smiled at the four of them and then turned to Alina.
"G-greetings, I am the first princess of the Ciera Empire, Alina Devi de Ciera. I am glad to meet you..." Alina greeted, and take a proper bow as well. Athalia stared at her and stayed silent. Alina, who felt nervous look up to her and stared back directly into her eyes.
A moment of silence falls within the cave, and the focus of the people's attention are towards the Selene and the Princess who are having a staring contest right now.
"I'm nervous, I'm nervous her eyes are fiery red, it's different from Asher's! Don't look at her eyes, don't look at her!" Alina, despite the protests of her mind to avoid an eye contact, can't look away however.
[ This kid...it's her. Her soul. It's her. She came back ]
Athalia thought.
"How about these two?" When she finally spoke, the family of Alina sighed in relief, which confused the Selene.
"What the heck...?" She mumbled.
"Greetings, Your Divine Highness. I am the current High Priest of the Ciera Cathedral, Kiernan Chilton," Kiernan gave her a proper bow and smiled.
"I...greetings, Almighty Selene. The name is Kafziel Laverde. It is a great honor to meet such an amazing being," Kafziel spoke, causing Asher and Diellzain to react negatively with their faces.
"This jerk don't act like that in front of me," Asher mumbled, enough for Abel to hear.
"Maybe he sees you as a playmate, brother,"
"That's even more disrespectful,"
"Since the great Selene is starving, we shall prepare enough food for her," Helios spoke which made Athalia's face light up.
"Great! Make sure it can cover my 287 years of hunger!"
Alina blinked for a couple of times.
"Wow...she's so different from Asher and Sir Abel. Her personality is a whole lot different from the arrogant Astra and the calm Astra,"
"Let's go, Ali," Alina turned to his second brother and accepted his hand.
"Yes!"
***