51 Ioune, Cleric of Lina

Azura's tent was dead quiet, with the exception of Ai's pacing as she walked back and forth as Ioune sat on one of the many floating disks that Azura conjured up for the party to sit on while everyone tried to get a grasp on the situation.

Ai had been pacing back and forth for the past five minutes. She wasn't sure what to ask, she didn't even know what questions she could ask. Her mother was alive, whoever that was. But she wasn't Aiya's and Amari's mother, she was certain of that, she was an outsider from the clan, sure. But she died years ago, and she certainly wasn't an empress.

Suddenly, she felt a calling from deep within, someone from her domain was calling her. "Ah, give me a minute, this calls for the council of A's." Most of the party looked at her in confusion except for Amari and Azura. Amari knew that Ai could talk to Aiya and Andromeda within her Domain, and Azura had sensed a couple of other presences within her back when they first met.

Ai sat down on one of the meditation rugs as she soared into the void of her Domain. She quickly blinked at the meeting spot where the girls were chatting about their old lives.

"Girls, we have another situation on our hands." Ai said as she sat on the coil.

"Ah? It seems the only time you visit us is when you're having issues." Aiya said with a pout.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but mother is going to attack Caladan soon, she is looking for me." When she said this, Aiya tilted her head in confusion, but Andromeda dropped her usual warm smile and looked serious.

"I assume you are talking about the Empress of the Solitary Empire?" Andromeda asked as Ai nodded.

"Eh? You mean that crazy-powerful bitch that lives on that island to the far west?" Aiya asked in shock.

Andromeda nodded and conjured up the image of a woman completely dressed in sinister-looking black armor. Several spikes protruded from the back as well as the back of the arms and legs while maintaining an elegant albeit obviously evil style. Demonic horns stuck out from the sides of the helmet just above where the ears were located that looked like they could very well have actually attached to the woman's head and red eyes glowed from the semi-solid grill faceplate.

"Shit, does she have to look so obviously evil? Sure, I've got chills running up my spine looking at this psycho but still, cliche much?" Ai rubbed her arms fighting back the goosebumps she got looking at the image of the woman.

"Well, when your powerful enough to not give a fuck, I guess you can do pretty much whatever you want and kill whoever judges you." Aiya said as the other two nodded.

Andromeda waved her hands and the image began to fade, but before the image completely faded, the red eyes turned to Ai, giving her chills.

"Did... did the image just look at me!?" Ai cried out as Andromeda stifled a giggle.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I couldn't help it!" Andromeda said as she started laughing.

*CLONK*

Ai smacked Andromeda over the head as she let out a soft cry of pain and held her head. "I had more than my share of scary shit when you were insane. Pull that shit again and next time I'll punch you in your fucking ovaries."

Andromeda let out a 'meep!' sound and dropped her head. "S-sorry." She said quietly.

"Moving on, do either of you know anything about the 'holy' kingdom of D'vrais?" Ai asked as she said 'holy' mockingly.

"D'vrais is a kingdom on the northern continent. Unlike the other four continents, D'vrais is the sole ruler over their continent. They are the largest of the kingdoms and tend to stay neutral when it comes to the affairs of the other kingdoms. They kind of act as peace-keepers, trying to prevent violence, but they only try once and won't interfere further if war breaks out anyway."

"Currently, all kingdoms are on peaceful terms with D'vrais, including the Solitary Empress, but the only reason her Empire is recognized, despite her being the only person on her island, is because of how powerful she is. The last time anyone spoke to her, her level was revealed to be 48. No army has ever been able to face off against her because she can summon her own army of Eldritch Mana Knights using the bounty of high-grade mana stones she has accumulated over the years."

"Fuck..." Was the only thing Ai can say to Andromeda's explanation.

"'Fuck' would be a reasonable response." Andromeda giggled.

"Ok then, how about this boy that appeared to give me the message. His name is Ioune, he is a Lightborne Cleric of Lina. Know anything about him? The robes he wears are almost exactly like that fucker who claims to be my husband from the Cathedral of the End."

Andromeda looked shocked at first, then smiled warmly. "I do know of him, but why spoil the fun of a good mystery?" Ai glared at Andromeda with a slight intent to kill. "Er, what I mean to say is, I would like to tell you, but I don't think I can."

"Oi, you know I can't stand cryptic bullshit, woman." Ai snapped at Andromeda.

"I mean I literally cannot tell you, if I did, every other word I said would be forgotten the second I told you." Andromeda explained, nervously waving her hands through the air.

Ai sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Fine, whatever."

Andromeda frowned with a sad expression. "I really wish I could tell you, just know that he is an ally, and one of the 7 as well."

Ai's eyes widened. "Wait, seriously? He is like what, 17? 18? And he is a Cleric! Not exactly a good leveling class!" She furrowed her brows and dug her nails into her forehead in frustration. "Fuck me, this shit is too confusing."

Andromeda snapped her fingers suddenly, causing the girls to jump. "That's it! Ask him about Caius!"

Ai nodded, pretty much accepting the cryptic bull at this point. "Alright, I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the info Ameda, sorry for being an ass like always. I know you're just trying to help." Andromeda blushed hearing her say that and simply nodded.

"Alright, I'll see you girls later." She smiled and waved as she took off once more.

"Oi! Come visit sometime! And not just for emergencies!" Aiya yelled out as Ai gave her a thumbs up before opening her eyes to the real world.

"Oi, pretty-boy, who is Caius?" She asked immediately as she blinked in front of Ioune, startling him from the sudden appearance.

"Ah!? Well, Caius is the prince of this kingdom, why do you ask?"

"Caius Caladan, huh? Do you know him?"

Ioune looked down and blushed slightly. "Well, yes, I do know him. We've shared quite a bit of time together in the past. W-why do you ask?"

"In the past? The hell do you mean? How old are you exactly? Like 18 or something right?"

"Aha, well I can see why you would think that. I've actually just turned 118 a few months ago."

Amari spewed out a mouthful of ale as she heard that and the rest of the party looked at the 'boy' in shock.

"The fuck!? A hundred and fucking eighteen years old?"