14 The Unwavering Will

Milla was in Otherworld together with Origin and Chronos as they had asked for her presence, the Lord of Spirits was a little nervous as it has only been two weeks since the rift accident and her awakening to her full power as Maxwell. They were in the headquarters inside a giant tree, inside was a big round table stumb with a couple of throne like chairs made of roots placed around it and a chandelier of glowing flowers in the ceiling to provide light. The headquarters of the council is a every sacred place which could keep everything that was discussed private from listening ears from other creatures that weren't welcome. Milla sat in a chair in front of the two spirits in her new robes as she waited for Origin and Chronos to tell her the news they've asked her for.

"We're glad you managed to come so quickly." Chronos told the human grateful even if it didn't show on his face.

"What's the urgent message you wanted to tell me?" Milla asked a bit stressed. "My club is going to have a meeting soon of our own and I don't want to miss it."

"Of course, this'll be quick." Origin assured her, which calmed the Lord down a bit. "We want one of your friends to take the Mystic arte test."

"The test. It's been a long time someone did it." Milla pointed out. "Sorey did his some time ago and Jude activated his while I was recovering."

"Yes, Mister Mathis and the Shepherd did excellent on their activations to their full potential as Mister Mathis managed to obtain an Unison with you in battle." Origin explained, knowing of those instances. "But that is not what we're here to discuss."

"Then tell me who it is and the place, I'll be on my way." Milla said and the two began to give her the information she needed before leaving for the Human Realm.

-

"What?!"

The voice of a shocked Velvet rang through the academy from the clubroom. Milla had just told her fellow leaders and friends about the meeting which was a shock to everyone, mostly to the therion. Velvet has been the one chosen to do the special test and was in shock over its location. Milla had been trying to calm her friend down and keep her collected but didn't really work since Velvet shouted in her ears.

"Come on, Velvet. It isn't that hard." Emil replied as he was sitting in a chair, causing Velvet to panic even more.

"It's easy for you to say, you fought your double personality and Sorey fought one of my predecessors with almost his entire team while Jude fought a manticore!" Velvet exclaimed in a matter-of-fact while crossing her arms. "The one I have to fight is my own brother-in-law! He's been dead for the last three years and I'm supposed to fight him at the shrine that made me like this!!"

"I think you'll pass it, you and Milla have been out on the field far longer than we have." Jude pointed out as he was trying to cheer her up.

"Velvet. This test will the determine how much stamina and mana you have to be able to obtain a Mystic Arte, a powerful arte that allows us that have unique attributes unlike many others in Otherworld to release our full potential." Milla explained serious. "Me, Jude and Ludger will accompany you just in case. Yuya will join us as well as he missed my own test a few years ago. You're going to get a lot of support, you're not alone." Velvet closed her eyes to try calming down but there was something else troubling her mind.

"It isn't just because of the test, Milla." The Lord of Calamity replied. "The reason I'm worrying is because of what everyone in my hometown would think of me after I left without saying a word. They don't even know I'm a student here, more of less alive after what happened that night." Everyone looked away sadly, mostly Milla since they all knew what happened.

"If Milla and Ludger hadn't taken you then you would have avoided society as a whole because you don't want to hurt anyone. You wouldn't even had known that your nephew was alive." Sorey said to his friend, making Velvet look up at the Shepherd.

"You may be right. I'll go pack my things and change." The black haired woman said gloomy before walking away out of the clubroom, leaving her friends worried over her health.

Mentioning Velvet's past and making her go back to the place where she was turned into a therion under her brother's sacrifice ritual, that's the only thing that took away the happy and peaceful atmosphere around them since they all knew how much willpower it took for Velvet to keep in her emotions for herself and in check after that dreadful night of her awakening as the Lord of Calamity.

An hour later, everyone had packed their things that was needed to be gone for a couple of days as Velvet needed to get ready for the test as well get used to being in her hometown again after leaving so suddenly that night. Yuya and Yuto were waiting in Ludger's car as the detective was helping the others to pack their bags in the car as Velvet was fixing her bike for the road, Laphicet had asked to come along but Ludger said he would come back to pick him up when they got settled in. Sorey and Mikleo would join the next day to give their support to their childhood friend as an apology for leaving her. They finally drove away with Velvet in the lead to her hometown, Aball. The therion started to think about her old life before it turned upside down as she drove to Aball.

-

- 3 years ago -

A younger Velvet was walking down the road with a grocery bag in her hand. Her long raven black hair reached her waist in a neat single braid going down her back tied with a red hairband, she's wearing knee-high jeans, a sleeveless black shirt underneath a brown jacket and ankle boots. She sighed in relief as there had been some time since she left her little brother alone to get groceries and his new medicine.

"Velvet!" A girl's voice called out behind the black haired girl. Velvet stopped walking and turned around to face a girl with red hair in pigtails running towards her, wearing a green dress and long dark white sleeves, with brown boots. With her there were two dogs of the same size, one white and the other maroon with white in the chest area and below.

"Niko!" Velvet greeted as they arrived.

"Just got back from shopping?" Niko asked.

"Yeah! The new medicine came today and I just got the last ingredients for the dinner I'm planning to make." Velvet explained as they continued walking. "Arthur is coming home tomorrow because his meeting got cancelled and has something to do tonight."

"Oh, so you two are going to be home alone for the night?" Niko asked and Velvet nodded. "That's bummer, considering that he's your guardian."

"It isn't really, I got Laphi as company." Velvet pointed out with a smile.

"I know but you're still a teenage girl, you even dress as a boy sometimes." Niko told her friend. "I can even mistake you for a boy."

"Good thing I'm a girl." Velvet replied as she started to fiddle with some of her bangs. "Also I broke my comb recently by accident and had to throw it out."

"Then get a new one." Niko said and the black haired girl thought about it.

"I don't know, I might not have time and I need the money for Laphi's medicine and food for us. I don't think I'll have enough." Velvet replied sadly. Niko looked at her worried as she didn't mean to bring up her parents or sister like that but it couldn't be helped when Velvet lost most of her family when she was just a child and had to even drop out of school to take care of her brother twenty four seven.

"Velvet…" The girl looked up at her friend. "You haven't forgotten that you would show me how to make your special quiche?"

"You mean to that apprentice animal doctor you had your eyes on? You were serious?" Velvet was really in shock over the request.

"Dead serious! Please. This is life or death for me."

"I thought your parents weren't so keen on the two of you dating." Niko held up her hand, suggesting that Velvet to be quiet.

"Who cares what people think! The important thing is my feelings." Velvet smiled over Niko's determination.

"I like what you're saying. If I were a boy, I think I would fall in love with you." The girls laughed together over the sentence. "Well, I need to hurry home. See you tomorrow, Niko." Velvet ran over to her house, leaving her friend smiling.

-

The group eventually arrived at Aball. They drove by people and they looked at them, eyeing the bike driver and swore they saw the chestnut eyes under the helmet. Velvet finally drove up the highway towards a house that was placed near the woods and far from the rest, it was still untouched since the day she left it and Ludger parked the car next to her as Velvet took off her helmet to look at the house.

"Welcome back, Milady." Velvet turned her head to the front door and saw B-Rabbit in human form walking over to her.

"Why are you here?" The therion asked as the servant took her hand, and gently placed something in it before rolling her fingers over it.

"I've secretly been preparing for this day when you would return to your old home." Black Rabbit replied before he left the Lord of Calamity as she looked at the key in her hand. Milla and the others got their bags before getting to their friend's side.

"This is a really nice house you've got." Yuya pointed out and Velvet looked at him. "You must have had a peaceful life here."

"Y-Yeah, it was." The therion stammered which Milla picked up.

"How about we get inside? We still don't know about your childhood or how you were before we found you." Milla asked and Velvet nodded unsure.

The black haired girl walked over to the door and put the key in the keyhole, she took a deep breath to calm down her nerves before slowly opening the door and turned on the lights. The interior looked as normal as it could look for a normal family. The kitchen was not far from the front door and the living room was just a bit further away from the front door which a terrace led to the backyard. Three doors were downstairs, one was a bathroom and the other two were two bedrooms with small name signs on them. The whole group walked in to the living room to leave their bags.

"Looks like that servant of yours cleaned this place not too long ago, there aren't any dust anywhere." Yuto pointed out, looking around the ground floor as Jude got to the second and Velvet walked over to one of the bedrooms by the living room.

"There's a few more beds up here!" Jude called out as he came back to the rest. "Looks like we don't have to worry about where to sleep."

"B-Rabbit really was prepared for everything. Cleaning the whole house and placed extra beds upstairs just in case." Velvet said as she goes into one of the bedrooms which had her name on the sign. "Leaving our rooms untouched."

The room was small with a bed placed perfectly against the back wall between the other walls, a wardrobe and a shelf of wood was behind the door and a desk with a chair next to it with a couple of picture frames on it. Velvet took one of the frames to look at a picture with her younger self from three years ago with a boy younger than her. He had long blonde hair that reached his shoulders and the same yellow eyes filled with curiosity. The Lord of Calamity looked at it sadly without noticing Yuya joining her with Odd-Eyes on his shoulder.

"Is that your brother?" Yuya asked, getting her attention.

"Yeah, he was the only family I had left." Velvet explained while looking back at the picture. "I gave Laphicet his name after him because he reminded me so much of him. Laphi…" Yuya smiled a bit at her expression.

"I'm sure he's happy for you." Yuya said and the therion is shocked over his statement. "I don't know a lot about my mom but I know she is watching over me and Milla all the time, that's why I know your brother is looking after you too."

Odd-Eyes squeaked in agreement as Velvet looked at the young boy next to her, how come he could be so pure and kind after all that has happened to him that kids his age have never experienced. Velvet still had a long way to go if she was to ever know how he did it.

-

When Velvet opened the door and walked inside, she saw her little brother sitting by the dining table and was writing something that he quickly hides when he heard the door open before turning around to face his irritated older sister.

"Welcome home, Velvet." Laphicet greeted and Velvet moaned as she put her hands on her hips.

"Laphi, I swear I told you to stay in bed!" The older sibling exclaimed a little angry as she quickly placed the bag in the kitchen and walked over to her brother.

"I was only up for a little." Laphicet explained and Velvet placed her forehead on his to check.

"Look, your fever hasn't gone down a bit." Velvet told him. "Go to bed while I cook dinner." Velvet helped Laphicet to his room which was almost identical to her own, helping him onto the bed.

"Arthur isn't coming home tonight, is he?" Laphicet guessed and Velvet was shocked.

"How do you know that?" Velvet asked confused.

"Seres came and told me." Laphicet explained.

"That spirit that is always with Arthur, you really have that gift he spoke of."

"Yeah, he thinks I got exorcist potential!" Velvet silently giggled before she sat down beside him on the bed.

"No kidding. I think you'll be an exorcist to rival even him." The older sibling turned her head forwards the desk, seeing a lot books scattered on it. "I can tell you've been learning all sorts of things from his book collection."

"I really want to become an archaeologist. I want to go traveling with you and see all the new discoveries and wonders of the world." Velvet smiled at Laphicet's dreams as he have always wanted to travel to know the origins of fairy tales and myths. "I wish… I wish I could do that…" The sister's smile dropped at the sad tone of his voice and hugged Laphicet.

"You'll get there, Laphicet. It should only take…" Velvet let go to look at him. "Twenty years tops."

"It won't take me that long!" Velvet chuckled as she stood up to help Laphi lay down.

"Prove it to me then!" Velvet placed both her hands on her hips again after placing the blanket over him. "Enjoy this meatball stew I cooked, eat every mouthful even if you don't feel hungry. And take your medicine, no matter how nasty it tastes."

"I promise!"

Velvet cooked dinner like she always did and the siblings had a sweet time together before the older sister took care the rest of her chores. Once done, Velvet got to her own room to do homework from her school for the week but she fell asleep on her desk in the process.

-

It was early morning at Velvet's house. Yuya was inside with Yuto and Ludger, discussing the many artifacts and relics they've had gathered the past months and what they are. Sorey and Mikleo were sitting outside studying, they had arrived just a few minutes ago and they also watched the training fight between Jude and Velvet.

The two black haired leaders were kicking and punching each other to knock each other down. Both were wearing training outfits and were barefoot. Jude was wearing a white t-shirt and dark blue baggy shorts while Velvet was wearing a black training top and tights as well having her long hair in a high ponytail. Velvet was dodging Jude's many attacks while she waited for the right moment to counter attack, soon enough she ducked Jude's leg as he was about to kick her but the therion used her hands to spin and axe kicked the other leg. Jude lost his balance immediately and crashed hard into the ground with his back while Velvet stood up, whipping away some sweat from her chin. Both of them were breathing heavily like this was real fight rather than training.

"Okay… you win." Jude breathed out. Velvet held out her hand to him to help him onto his feet, which he gladly accepted.

"That was a great match though, you had me cornered there a few times." Velvet replied as they walked over to the terrace to grab the towels laying next to the two boys sitting there already together with a hoodie and a couple water bottles. They took a towel each to wipe away the running sweat from their faces.

"You looked pretty good out there." Mikleo pointed out and Velvet grinned.

"You had a better view under the hot spring accident last summer." The Lord of Calamity told her old friend, who blushed in embarrassment.

"Don't tell them that, especially not Zavied!" The water seraph yelled as he jumped onto his feet and Velvet laughed. "And I talked about your strategy, NOT your appearance!"

"I was just joking, Mikleo." Velvet confessed as she put on the yellow pullover hoodie that was only halfway, showing her stomach while still having a pocket in the front. Milla came out to the backyard just in time with black slippers in her hands and noticed the expression on her friends.

"I was meditating for an hour at the same time you two started your match." Milla said both surprised and impressed over their stamina as she gave the slippers to Velvet. "Who became the victor?"

"It was an even match but Velvet won in the end, catching me off guard." Jude explained before drinking from one of the water bottles.

"'Know your foes and strike where they're weak'." Velvet recited, getting all the Tales students' attention. "It was something Arthur told me whenever I was training. Four maxims to help keep me focused in a fight."

"That's interesting. It really helps out now that you are in a real fight." Sorey pointed out with a smile. "Can we hear them?"

"The first one: Plans must be solid and reactions flexible. The second was the one I just told you." Velvet answered. "Third maxim: Never weaver once the sword is drawn, control your feelings to control the tide of battle. And the fourth one: Don't let your guard down even when victorius."

"Sounds like Arthur was a really good teacher back in the day." Mikleo said as he was going to remember those words for a long time.

"That was before he broke my world apart!" Velvet growled at the memory while clenching her fists.

Suddenly, the doorbell was heard which had gotten everyone's attention. Ludger got up from his position on the couch next to the gay couple to answer the door while everyone else were confused as this was the first time since they arrived that someone ringed the bell, after all this house had been abandoned for three years since Velvet got to the Academy. When the detective opened the door and met the sight of Niko waiting outside by the door, looking curious at Ludger.

"Are you the newcomers?" Niko asked and Ludger nodded.

"Kinda, we're here with a couple friends of ours." Ludger replied politely. "Want to come in?"

"Don't mind if I do!" Niko replied as she walked inside.

"Who was it, Ludger?" Mikleo asked from the backyard as Ludger closed the door.

"Just a girl from the neighborhood, Mikleo." The detective answered which peaked her interest.

"Wait, Mikleo is here?" Niko asked curious. "I haven't seen him and Sorey for years."

"They are in the backyard as we speak." Yuya answered and Niko hurried outside.

"You think that girl is someone they know?" Yuto asked his vessel, who shrugged as an answer.

Outside, Sorey and Mikleo were having a conversation with Jude at the porch while Milla and Velvet were by a tree a few meters away from the boys to have a private conversation, the black haired girl was leaning against the tree as they happily talked to each other. They then heard Niko come out and the boys quickly greeted her as the girls took notice of the newcomer.

"Niko…" Velvet gasped in disbelief.

"You know of her?" Milla asked worried and the Lord of Calamity looked down on the ground sadly.

"Yeah, she was my best friend." She answered. Niko stopped greeting the boys as she noticed Velvet further away and slowly walked over to her.

"Velvet? Is that really you?" Niko asked, trying to make sure that the person in front of her was real and not imagination.

"Niko, I-"

"Do you know how worried everyone were?!" Niko yelled, taking Velvet off guard. "We all thought you were dead that night. We didn't even bother watching the news because of everything that happened." She then hugged her old friend and cried tears of joy. However, Velvet couldn't bring herself to give back the favor.

"I won't be staying." Velvet confessed guilty as the red head broke away, giving Velvet the chance to hide her left arm from view. "We're only here for three more days before we head back to the city."

"But this is your home! I'm sure everyone could-"

"I'm sorry but I can't!" Velvet exclaimed, cutting Niko off. "I go to the same school as the people around you and I have a responsibility to take care of my nephew. I have more than one reason why I live in the city now, one of them is the memories of what happened to me. To Laphi!" All the Tales students began to worry over Velvet's emotional state as she was almost at her limit before her dark mana started to manifest itself which meant that the group would be found out in front of a normal human.

"Velvet, please calm down! Or else you'll hurt yourself!" Milla told her worried as a single mention of the sacrifice would play with Velvet's mind and replay in her head everything that happened.

Velvet had soon snapped. She was trembling as she looked at her hands shaking before running away. The others couldn't follow after them as Milla stopped Niko in her tracks while Sorey stopped Mikleo and Jude from going after the Berseria leader through the woods up ahead. The two leaders knew that Velvet needed to be alone for the moment. Velvet ran as fast as she could, the scene replaying in her head as she felt guilt and despair at the same time through the trees before arriving at the ruins that painfully changed her life forever. The therion sat down, leaning against the altar before hugging her knees and cried out her pain in her arms while a purple steam like aura appeared around her body.

-

Velvet woke up on her desk after hearing a strange noise outside and the sound of her bedroom door closing. She sat straight up and stretched her arms, turning her gaze to the alarm clock at the headboard to see it was almost midnight. Velvet looked back at her desk to find a beautiful and very detailed comb lying on top of a folded paper slip, she unfolded the paper slip to read it.

"'Your comb was broken, right? You have beautiful hair so you should take care of it'." Velvet read out loud with a big smile. "Laphi."

Suddenly, Velvet heard voices outside and gets up while pocketing the comb in her jacket before walking out to the living room to see what's going on. Outside, people in white, blue and gold were walking into the woods. Being as curious as a teenager is, Velvet goes quietly outside through the backdoor to the backyard. What she didn't know was, Laphicet wasn't in his room anymore.

Velvet stealthy followed the people through the woods until they arrived at the ruins where a lot more were gathered and Velvet quickly hid herself in a couple of big bushes to watch what's going on but she wasn't prepared to see the man with white hair and wearing the same clothing as everyone else.

"Arthur!" Velvet exclaimed hushed to not drop her cover.

"My people! I, Artorius Collbrande, will end your pain and suffering!" Artorius held his speech as he stood next to the altar. "For many years, humanity have suffered at the hands of those corrupted by darkness with no means of fighting back, bringing forth despair and anger to us all. Now, it is time once again to attempt to awaken the Empyrean Innominat, who will bring an end to our pain." The crowd cheered in agreement over what he said.

"Arthur, what's going on?!" Velvet asked desperate as she came out of hiding and ran through the crowd before seeing her little brother on the altar, unconscious and bound by rope. "Laphi!" But before she could run to help her brother a few people grabbed her tightly to stop her from going any further. "Let go of me! Let go!"

"Here, a civilisation sacrificed children pure of heart to awaken a god of extraordinary power, who will take away the emotions of mankind." Artorius replied not caring about her and takes out a sacrificial knife from his pocket, walking forwards the altar and to the unconscious Laphicet. "With Laphicet's life as a sacrifice."

"Arthur, no!!" Velvet shouted in despair, knowing what the man was going to do. Artorius stared at the boy before he stabbed Laphicet in the chest.

Velvet's eyes went wide in fear as Artorius backed away from the altar and the black haired girl had enough. She quickly beat down the people hold her and ran as fast as she could to the altar but as she arrived and stretched her left arm out, a red and black barrier appeared from out of nowhere which also caught almost Velvet's whole arm in the process. Velvet tried to get her arm free but she suddenly screamed in pain as a stream of red light shoot through the sky. A car parked at the end of the other side of the woods and out of it came Ludger and Milla, who saw the light from the spot and they get alarmed that something happened. The duo quickly ran forwards the sight as fast as they could.

A shockwave blew around the ruin as a warning as it knocked most to the ground and the barrier disappeared, Velvet slowly fell to the ground in pain. Everyone present stood still in shock over what had just happened and Velvet struggled to get up through the pain, her eyes shadowed by her bangs and growled. Velvet then dashed forward Artorius inhuman speed and a demonic claw had replaced her left arm, grabbing the man's head and Artorius screamed in agony before being devoured by the arm. All the spectators then lashed forwards the changed girl, who paid no mercy to her attackers and slashed through the people as well devouring some of them.

After an hour of constant fighting, it finally came to an end and Velvet breathed very heavily before she realized what she had just done, slowly back off until her back hit a tree where she collapsed on her knees. Velvet hugged her knees and cried, The demonic claw had transformed in a normal arm except its appearance was black with red trace up to the middle of her forearm, where it ends in cracks and slightly covered by her ruined jacket sleeve.

"What have I done? What have I done…" She cried mafulled. The girl hear running footsteps and became quiet as the people came to her, which revealed to be Milla and Ludger.

"Hey, are you okay?" Milla asked and was about to place a hand in the girl's shoulder when she crawled terrified away.

"Don't come near me! I'm a monster!" Velvet exclaimed, holding her head in denial of her actions. "I'm a monster…"

"You're not…" Velvet looked up a little, showing her fearful yellow eyes and stared into Milla's ruby red eyes as she holds out her hand to Velvet. "Come with me, to a place where no one is going to judge you nor hurt you ever again."

"Are you telling me the truth?" Velvet asked, not trusting her after what happened just a few minutes ago.

"It's a choice you have to decide on your own." Milla explained. Velvet hesitated before taking the person's hand, deciding to trust her. Milla helped her up on her feet but Velvet was swaying a bit and Ludger catched her just in time before she would collapse onto the ground again.

"Don't worry. I can help you walk to our car, there you can rest for a bit as we take you to safety." Ludger told her as the detective took Velvet's arm over his shoulder. "What's your name?"

"Velvet Crowe…" The black haired girl answered absolutely exhausted.

"I'm Ludger and I'm a police detective. I'll try my best to keep your identity hidden under our investigation." Ludger replied as Otherworld needed to stay hidden as much as possible, even to court.

"My name is Sakaki Milla." The other girl introduced herself politely. "We'll try our best to know what has happened to you as soon as possible."

The trio then slowly walked back to the car and Milla took a few glances at Velvet's abnormal arm as it is out of her knowledge. When they arrived, Ludger helped the exhausted girl inside the car and Milla took a blanket out of the trunk to give Velvet some warmth and comfort. Milla took her seat in the passenger seat while Ludger got to the driver's seat and puts on a headset in case a call came in.

"You can take some shut eye, Velvet." Ludger told the girl behind him. "You deserve it, it'll take a while before we arrive at the destination." Milla turned her head to see that Velvet had already fallen asleep against the window.

"I think she already has." Milla replied and the two smiled at each other before Ludger started the car, driving away from the site like they were never there.

-

Velvet had accidently fallen asleep as she was crying, probably from her past trauma. The constant reminder had put on a great strain on her mind. Someone was heard walking forwards her, placing a hand on her shoulder and shakes her a bit. Velvet stirred before waking up to see Milla and Sorey in front of her with small smiles on their faces.

"Sorey, Milla." Velvet breathed out as the two leaders sat down on both sides of their friend.

"We knew you would come here." Sorey pointed out as he looked at the field of pink flowers in front of them. "This place have always been this peaceful."

"Nothing has changed, hasn't it?" Velvet asked and Sorey just smiled at her.

"This place might not but you have." Milla told the two. "You've trailed away from the path many times but you climbed back up again with the help of those who offered their help to you. This have made you into who you are today."

"This wasn't possible if you didn't come when you did." Velvet said grateful. "If you and Ludger weren't there that night then I don't know what would have happened to me."

"True. You would have avoided society as a whole to not accidentally hurt anyone." Sorey pointed out. "You made the right decision to bring Velvet to the Academy, Milla."

"Yes, I did." Milla responded as she stood up. "Now, I think it is best for us to return before everyone gets worried."

The two leaders nodded in agreement before they stood up and walked together back to Velvet's house. As they walked they chatted like there wasn't anything abnormal between them.

-

It was morning when Velvet woke up, the sun rays hit her head through the windows from the headmaster's office at the Academy. She had a peaceful sleep but didn't remember arriving inside the office or lying down on the couch in the room. The black haired girl sat up and looked around confused before she heard the door opening, a man with dark brown hair and eyes walked in. He was wearing a suit and a pair of black framed glasses, holding two cups of warm liquid as he closed the door.

"I see you're awake, Miss Crowe." The man said as he goes to Velvet, who was eying him confused.

"Where am I?" Velvet asked the man as he placed one of the cups on the coffee table and sat next to her on the couch. "The last thing I remember was falling asleep in a car…"

"A great student of mine, Miss Sakaki, brought you here to my special academy to protect you." The man explained casually as he placed his mug on the table and took out rolls of bandages from his pocket. "May I have a look at your arm, please?"

Velvet nodded and the man gently took the transformed arm but Velvet flinched whenever he touched it as he started to wrap it in the bandages to hide its appearance. Once he was done, Velvet looked at it in relief and the man smiled at her reaction.

"Miss Crowe, I would like you to have your arm covered at all times." The man told the black haired girl.

"Why?" Velvet asked confused, the man gave Velvet the other mug while taking his own.

"What I'm about to tell you is the truth of how our world is divided which have been held secret from humanity for centuries. There's another realm in ours which contains things that we humans have thought were just myths." Velvet was extremely quiet as she listened and was interested in his explanation which could answer many of her questions. "The realm is known as Otherworld, where our wildest dreams and fantasies becomes reality. However, only a very few know of this world and can see those creatures in our realm, an ability known as the Sight which can only be given through heritage or their abilities."

"Do you have the 'Sight'?" The man chuckled a little at her question.

"No, I don't. I only have knowledge of Otherworld and am a regular human. This academy is for children with gifts and powers that are supernatural to learn to harness these abilities, and are protected by the afforidies for safety reasons until they leave. They will learn how to help people from threats that the police or even the military can't handle such as supernatural phenomenon." Velvet blew at her mug to cool it down before drinking and is shock at something which caught the man's attention when she put a hand over her mouth. "Is something wrong, Miss Crowe?"

"I… I can't taste it…" The man looked at her sadly at the answer.

"I see. You've lost your sense of taste when you got your powers that resides in your arm." Just then, a knock was heard and in came Mikleo and Sorey. "Mister Evans and Waters, what's the problem?"

"Excuse our instruction but Sorey managed to make a mess out of the laboratory under class." Mikleo explained and Sorey chuckled in embarrassment.

"I kinda mixed up the chemicals by accident and caused an explosion after that." The Zestiria leader confessed before noticing Velvet sitting next to the suit wearing man. "Headmaster Gotanda, why is Velvet here in your office?"

"You know each other?" The headmaster asked impressed.

"We've known each other since we were kids." Mikleo answered. "But we haven't seen each other for a couple of years now."

"Why did you leave?" Velvet asked angrily as she covered her eyes with her bangs in order to keep herself from crying.

"We didn't have a choice when our powers awakened." Sorey defended them and the black haired girl clinched hard around her mug.

"Don't give me that!" Velvet growled as tears streamed down her face. "Celica died just a few days after you left and I almost took care of Laphi all by myself. Now, I'm completely alone!" The events of last night started to replay in her head and Velvet dropped her mug on the floor, grabbing her head in panic and Velvet started hyperventilating.

"Boys, let's take this conversation outside." Gotanda ordered and the three walked outside into the corridor to give Velvet some space to calm down.

"What happened?" Sorey questioned after Gotanda closed the door. "I've never seen Velvet this terrified in my entire life!"

"Her brother was killed last night." Gotanda answered simply which shocked the two students.

"No way…" Sorey gasped.

"Laphicet was murdered? By who and why?" Mikleo asked really confused over the situation.

"I'm afraid we don't know the details." Gotanda explained. "Crowe's mind is still in a state of shock and is traumatized over what happened. Me and Sakaki are taking our time with her to know what happened and earn her trust so we can keep an eye on her."

"I see." Mikleo understood a little sad, looking down on the ground.

"If we just stayed in Aball, maybe we could have prevented this from happening." Sorey said guilty and Gotanda placed a hand on his shoulder for comfort.

"Don't blame yourself for what happened." Gotanda encouraged him. "This is why I chose you to become the leader of Zestiria. You're kind and take the individual over the many which is the strength you hold. You and Waters are the only ones that she knows, stay by her side when she really needs it."

"Of course, headmaster." The Zestiria members replied together as Milla arrived.

"Greetings Sakaki, sleep well?" Gotanda asked politely and Milla smiled.

"Yes, I have but I have some bad news considering Velvet's condition. I know what she has become thanks to Origin." Milla said which made the three men serious over the Lord of Spirits' words. "I've been told that Velvet has become a therion, a being capable of devouring living beings and dark mana among some other things. However, the dark mana she possesses is stronger than that of a normal therion or demon. She has become…"

"The Lord of Calamity." Sorey finished and Milla nodded in correction.

"Looks like your friend has become your worst enemy." The ruby eyed leader pointed out and Sorey looked down on the floor over the answer.

-

The leaders arrived back at the house to see everyone waiting patiently for their return on the porch. Mikleo was talking to Niko, probably explaining Velvet's behavior earlier. Instead of talking to her old friend, Velvet walked just by and into the house, leaving everyone except the two that were with her concerned.

"Velvet just need a moment to clear her thoughts." Milla told the group.

"I never knew Velvet went through so much." Niko said guilty as she knows what happened except for the supernatural parts involved. "You were just helping her through everything."

"It isn't your fault." Yuya pointed out. "You didn't know what happened to her."

"She didn't even bother looking for information if she was alive at all." Yuto told his vessel, who nodded slightly in agreement.

"Velvet has been taking the role of an adult now, you could say." Ludger said out of the blue. "What has happened to her is what made her into a person that shuts herself away from others. You have to be patience to not force her to open up, that way you'll get to know her old self."

"All of us has slowly but nicely opened up to Velvet after she came to the academy," Sorey continued, "even we have changed as well. Though there was one that really have opened up her heart."

"True. He may be young but he had it tough growing up but he remained pure at heart when he got his freedom." Mikleo pointed out, knowing they were talking about the seraph Laphicet.

"Thanks for reminding me that I'm supposed to pick him up." Ludger remembered before leaving. "Maybe her nephew can help her lighten up a little."

With Velvet, she was taking a bath to ease her mind with some peace and quiet. She would have gotten out of control if everyone were present and then they had to tell Niko everything because Velvet couldn't control her emotions. The Lord of Calamity looked at her still bandaged arm and sighed in annoyance over that she had forgotten to take them off again, she was too used to have them on all the time that it slipped her mind somehow.

"Looks like I have to use new ones again." Velvet mumbled to herself before hearing the door opening behind the cover door to the bath area. "Who's there?"

"I knew you were bathing with your bandages on again." The voice of Laphicet replied as the aunt sat up from her lying position in the bathtub. "So I brought new ones for you. They're in the basket with your clothes."

"Thanks, Laphicet." She thanked the young boy.

"You're pretty forgetful, you know that." Laphicet pointed out.

"I've had a lot on my mind. The test, meeting people I haven't seen in years. All of it happened so fast and at the same time."

"Are you scared?" Velvet became silent as Laphicet looked at the door sadly. "Weren't you the one that taught me that being scared is a part of life?" The Lord of Calamity was shocked over the words he just said.

"Yeah, it was." Velvet hugged her legs with a small smile present on her lips. "I'm glad that you remembered that."

"Of course! You're my aunt, Velvet! You've been so kind to me since we started living together, you've taught me so many things and I've been able to know the true you."

"That's true. You can join me in here if you like?" Laphicet started to blush madly and Velvet just giggled, knowing exactly what reaction he had. "I'll get up in a few minutes. You can take a look at Laphi and Arthur's book collection until I'm done."

"Alright, see you downstairs." Laphicet was about leave when he remembered something. "Hey, Velvet. Can I comb your hair later when you're done?"

"Of course." Laphicet then left the older woman alone again.

The young seraph joined Yuya and Yuto with playing with the dragons as Niko had left the house to collect her thoughts after hearing what had happened to her old friend. Sorey and Milla were practicing outside since their powers were very similar to each other and as well their respective roles as the Lords in Otherworld, with Ludger and Mikleo watching. Velvet soon came down in casual clothes and her hair in a towel on top of her head and a smile on her face as the boys in the living room were looking at her before Velvet walked over to her room with Laphicet leaving the boy couple to follow his aunt to her old room.

"Velvet has changed, hasn't she?" Yuya asked Yuto. "She's a lot more kind and happy since we met. I wonder what made her change her mind."

"She's a mystery as a whole and it'll continue to be so." The spirit replied and Yuya chuckled at his answer. "How are you feeling? With the wound and all?" His vessel raised an eyebrow in confusion over his sudden question.

"I'm fine really, it is almost healed now since the trip." Yuya replied and Yuto smiled a bit before looking at his hand.

"I just wanted to make sure." Yuto said simply.

Yuto couldn't help but thinking about Yuya's strange behavior back at the Evermore Hotel under their fight with the vampires a week ago, the summoning of that dragon seemed to have some sort of connection to Yuya's powers but they felt different to the usual times he summoned the dragons. Something have changed in Yuya's powers and yet he wasn't affected by it or didn't even remember it happening. Though their injuries have almost healed, they're still in a vulnerable state and at any moment, they would try to get to Yuya in any means possible.

-

It was now time for Velvet's trial. Everyone was at the shrine ruins with Velvet on the field, Milla was with Chronos and Origin at the altar while the rest was at the sidelines to watch. The humans were worried over what would happen under the trial since they knew that Velvet might lose control of her anger, after all she would be fighting another version of her brother-in-law. The females of the group were the only ones wearing their Otherworld clothing for their own reasons that are quite explanatory.

Soon, a man appeared with long white hair in a ponytail and bright blue eyes in front of Velvet, who narrowed her eyes in anger and hatred. He was wearing a white and blue robes, his right arm in a sling underneath his cloak and was wielding a longsword in his left hand. Velvet took out her own blade and they stared at each other before Velvet dashed forwards Artorius with immense speed as their weapons clashed, creating shock waves as they fought both big and small.

Artorius was a really powerful opponent as his apprentice was getting cuts in various places on her body, one more appeared on her cheek. Her friends were starting to worry over the many wounds she was receiving from white clothed man she was fighting, he really knew Velvet's fighting style from the inside out.

'It's no use! I can't beat him! But…' Velvet thought as she flipped into the air and took out one of her foot blades to block Artorius' sword. 'I have to do this! For their sakes!'

"Milla…"

-Flashback-

The two female leaders were sitting by the fountain in front of the school, eating their homemade lunches together. Milla took down the book in her other hand to look at Velvet by her side, who was looking at her lunch box sadly.

"Do you think my power is a curse?" Velvet asked her. "I know I've become the Lord of Calamity, destined to bring this world into chaos. But I don't think I can use it to help people. All it brings is death and suffering." Milla sighed slightly as she closed her book.

"There's different definitions on what a 'curse' is." Milla explained. "It can either be a spell or a wish, an evil attachment or even plain misfortune." Velvet chuckled at the last word because she knew someone who has constant misfortune. "The way I see it, you've taken on a burden that you can't escape from nor deny."

"A burden, huh."

"You can say that my powers are my burden but my brother's powers can be considered a curse of some sort." Velvet looked at Milla confused.

"You have a brother as well?" Milla nodded as an answer and looked at the blue sky.

"Yes, a younger brother. His powers allow him to see the death of people through physical touch or touch an object of a person. Not only that, it is very hard to control or hide, tormenting him from inside out. With his powers together with the abuse that he get, he hides it behind a mask of a smile. I just wish I knew how his suffering feels like."

"Then he and Laphicet…" Milla nodded again.

"They both have been in familiar situations and we don't know how it was for them, how they feel or what their scars are like. All what we can do is watch and support them, even get involved if it is necessary. But inside, they are still so good at heart…"

-Flashback End-

"...not many children has that left after what they have been going through." Velvet was jumping around in an attempt to hit Artorius with her foot blades. "They endure the pain and believe there is a more beautiful world on the other side of that suffering."

Everyone was really worried, Velvet was losing a lot of blood from her wounds but she was nowhere to be stopped. However, Milla could sense that the Lilium orb in Velvet's earing was resonating with her heart, she was surprised at first but then smiled, knowing what's going on. Yuya and Yuto noticed it and looked at each other with smiles that Velvet was going to be okay.

"There comes a time in life when you have to choose between flipping the page…"

'Or closing the book!' Velvet exclaimed in her head as she locked herself onto Artorius with her gauntlet blade as she growled, "Arthur's forgotten maxim:-!" Velvet then pushed him back with great strength, however, her body was surrounded by a scarlet aura. "Don't despair… no matter what!!" Yuya got shocked upon hearing those words, after all it was the same words she had said to him back when he confessed about the child abuse in the museum.

"Do it, Velvet!" Laphicet cried desparte as he was cheering on the black haired woman in front of them.

"Wounds that won't heal! Carved in flesh!" Velvet jumped high into the air before diving forwards Artorius, sending him airborne. She then unsheathes her gauntlet blade and slashes him a few times before sheathing her blade again to unleash her therion arm, ending her attack by diving down and clawing the imposter with her claw as she lands back onto the ground. "Lethal Pain!!!"

The life like illusion disappeared into smoke as Velvet was breathing heavily in exhaustion as she stood up straight. The group started to smile in relief over it was finally over and Velvet had passed the test but it was short lived when they saw that their friend had trouble standing straight as she was swaying from side to side.

"Velvet?" Mikleo asked a little worried as they all walked over to her but Velvet soon collapsed and the Zestiria members quickly caught her before she fell to the ground, her clothing changed back into her regular ones.

"What happened?!" Yuto asked worried as the rest hurried over to them.

"You three don't have to worry." Sorey explained as Mikleo and Laphicet used their powers to heal her wounds. "Unlike us, Velvet's body isn't used to her powers and exhaust her a lot if she uses too much."

"After all, she was a normal human until three years ago." Milla continued as she came over to them with Origin and Chronos behind her.

"Even though it seemed like she wouldn't make it until she hit her limit, Crowe managed to unlock and fully use a Mystic Arte with extraordinary results." Origin said as Chronos glared at the unconscious Lord of Calamity in the Shepherd's arms. "I have to say she has truly passed the test. Am I wrong, Chronos? Maxwell?"

"I have to say I was a bit worried, however, when I sensed the Lilium orb reacting to Velvet's desire, I admit that she passed without any casualties." Milla confessed before looking at the Spirit of Time. "I don't know if Chronos would agree with our decision."

"You children are reckless but I must admit she has passed the test without bigger injuries." Chronos answered simply.

"I don't disagree on that." Milla replied and everyone laughed in agreement.

-

It has been three months since Velvet had arrived at the academy and she showed no sign of getting better from her trauma. Velvet had isolated herself in her apartment on the campus, hardly talking to anyone except to Milla. The Lord of Spirits had been checking on her almost every time she had time off and would usually bring food to her but with the fact that Velvet can't taste anything, she wouldn't dare to eat anything directly. The now inhuman girl was sitting on the couch of the living room in baggy clothes as Milla came into the apartment with a paper bag in hand.

"I've brought some food for you." Milla replied as she placed the bag on the table.

"I told you I'm not hungry, I can't taste it anyway." Velvet mumbled which made the other girl sighed in annoyance.

"Velvet. You can't go on like this, it's been three months since we brought you here." Milla explained worried. "You're hardly outside or eating. We're starting to worry about your health, you've even told me that you have problems sleeping through the night." Velvet hang her head in shame as she hugged her legs. "Anyway, I'll send Sorey or Mikleo over to check on you. I'll be helping Ludger with a case after practice, come and find me if you need anything."

The black haired girl buried her head in her legs as she listened to Milla walking out the door. The ruby eyed woman took one last look at Velvet before closing the door behind her and the Four appeared by their master's side.

"What are you thinking, Milla?" Undine asked worried.

"She'll be fine, all she needs is time." Gnome said trying to cheer her up.

"We might not have so much time left if she continues like this." Milla replied to the spirits. "Velvet needs to understand that all we are trying to do is for her to live as normal life as possible. If this keeps up, Velvet might end up being isolated from normal human society forever. I don't want anyone to experience that at all."

Unknown to her, Velvet had been listening to what she said as she was leaning against the door. The black haired girl was conflicted of her decision but she still didn't dare to leave the apartment. It wasn't because she was scared of her powers, she was terrified that people knew of what she had done that day. Velvet didn't dare to trust anyone else after that. Deciding not to stay any longer, Velvet walked away over to one of the bedrooms of the apartment that she had taken as her own. However, as soon as she open the door to the bedroom, in the middle of the room stood a woman with bright red hair.

Her red hair had white tips at the end of four longer bangs tied into a bun atop her head and wears a black, butterfly-shaped hairpin with gold outlines, as well as a black and gold mask shaped after a butterfly that conceals her eyes. She wears a black underdress with a white and blue dress atop it, along with a printed red ribbon on the back of her waist, which also features twin tails of sorts themed after butterfly wings in black and blue colors, along with a white bolero with black and red accents. Her look is completed by black stockings with red accents, as well as white, low-heel shoes with more red accents. Her nails are also painted red.

"Who are you?" Velvet asked as she glared at at the woman standing in the middle of the room. "And how did you get in here?"

"I think you already know who I am though you haven't seen me with your own eyes." The woman said calmly as she looked around the room.

"I won't ask you again. Who are you?!" Velvet asked again impatient.

"Is that how you speak with someone who's known you since childhood." The woman replied. "You were unable to see me until now."

"You're Seres…?"

"My time is up, we have to take this conversation another time." The woman, Seres, said before she bursted into flames.

"Hey! Wait!" Velvet didn't get a chance to ask anything else, Seres and the flames disappeared, leaving nothing after her.

The Lord of Calamity could just stare at what she just saw. When she decided to lay on her bed, Velvet stared at the ceiling as she collected her thoughts as time went by. Many questions had come into her mind but she have only known about Otherworld for just a few months and yet to experience anything other than the spirits Milla tend to summon, Arthur had always described Seres as a beautiful spirit of fire that had protected their family since the day Celica died in that car accident when she was pregnant. Velvet never had imagined that Seres would look so human and now understood what exactly he meant. There was only one way to get those answers and Velvet didn't like the result.

"What the hell!" Velvet growled as she sat back up. "Looks like I have no choice then."

Velvet got up and changed into the clothes Milla had given her as replacements for the clothes that got ruined back at the ruins. A dark red sleeveless turtleneck, a pair of jeans, white sneakers and jacket with fur lined at the hood. Velvet stared at her reflection in the mirror as her gaze landed on her long black hair that was once straight and the highlight of her appearance, was now unruly and frizzy because Velvet hadn't the need to brush it since she couped herself inside her little safe haven. She looked at her precious comb sadly as it layed on the desk before using it to brush her hair free of the tangles and didn't bother to braid the black locks in her usual braid.

Velvet took a deep shakenly breath before walking out of her apartment after months of forcing herself to stay inside. Once outside of the building, Velvet was slightly blinded by the sunlight as it shone on her pale skin that appeared ghostly white compared to what it normally was. When looking around after getting used to the light, Velvet started to walk over to the school building in order to find Milla but she didn't know how to navigate through the school building. Velvet decided to sit by the fountain to wait for her to come out, however, she felt so out of place when she saw the students walking around the courtyard.

After a few minutes, Sorey and Mikleo were talking to each other as they walked out of the school building. They were talking about what they should do on the weekend until Sorey's eyes wandered to the familiar girl with long raven hair sitting by the fountain by herself.

"Looks like the bird finally left her nest." Mikleo pointed out as he followed his childhood friend's sight and saw the sad look on him. "You want to tell her about our role in all of this?"

"She… she needs to know, even if we're destined to become enemies." Sorey answered. "Velvet deserves to know."

"I can't blame you. You are the Shepherd after all." Mikleo said before the two walked over the lonely girl, they were slightly shocked by her appearance.

They knew that she would have pale skin after being inside for three months but the almost unnoticeable bags under her eyes indicated that she hadn't been sleeping well for a while now. Velvet glanced up at the two before looking away.

"What do you want?" Velvet scoffed irritated.

"I want to tell you the truth." Sorey answered and Velvet tched.

"I think I already know the truth." The black haired girl said as she stood up. "You two just left without a word to go to a luxury academy when I needed friends to be by my side to keep me from breaking down to be an adult in such a young age. You haven't contacted me for SEVEN years! No one knew why you left Aball, or even why you chose to go to a school like this when we had a good school nearby. The way I see it, you abandoned your old life once you two were given those recommendations and to prove that you're better than everyone else."

"This has nothing to do with being better than anyone!" Mikleo exclaimed as Velvet's face showed no emotion.

"Enough, I don't want to hear your excuses." Velvet said in a monotone voice. "I thought we were close friends. I guess it was just an illusion, just like with Arthur." Velvet started to walk away and Sorey flashed to the words Milla had said to them three months ago before he grabbed Velvet's left arm to make her stop.

"Please, Velvet." Sorey begged. "Listen to what we have to say." Just then, Sorey felt some sort of energy zap into his arm and Mikleo exclaimed in pain as he collapsed on his knees and clenching his chest. "Mikleo!" The childhood friends hurried down to the blue haired boy on the ground. "I forgot about that I need to have my glove on, sorry. It just slipped my mind."

"Don't worry…" Mikleo groaned as the pain slowly disappeared. "I still need to get used to it like the others."

"You sure?" Sorey asked and their friend nodded as Sorey helped him sit on the border of the fountain. Velvet was utterly confused. Why would Mikleo yell in pain all of a sudden when the brown haired boy was holding her and why was Sorey apologizing to him about it. Seriously, she really needed answers now.

"Can you seriously explain to me what just happened?" Velvet asked the two, who looked nervously at each other. "To tell you the truth, the real reason I'm here is to ask Milla about something. But I don't know where she is."

"Then I'll take you to her." Sorey responded with a smile.

"It would be easier to explain things if Milla were with us." Mikleo explained as a matter of fact. "She's a Maxwell descendant, after all."

'A Maxwell... descendant?' Velvet questioned in her head in confusion.

"Well, why don't we go to her right now. If you're up for it, that is?" Sorey said as he turned to Mikleo.

"You can go ahead, I'll catch up." Mikleo replied.

"Okay, let's go, Velvet." Sorey said as he began to lead Velvet into the school building.

The two childhood friends were quiet for some time after what happened in the courtyard. Sorey was trying to think of ways to try mending their old bond but with all the misunderstanding and loss of contact between the two, it'll take a long time to mend that bond again. Especially since they are supposed to be enemies of each other. Sorey just didn't want him and Velvet to fight and become allies of each other to help protect both worlds.

"I'll listen to what you have to say, only this once." Velvet said suddenly which snapped Sorey out of his train of thoughts. "Then maybe I'll forgive you. However, it is my own judgement to your words, so choose wisely." Sorey nodded in agreement before he prepared what to say.

"Velvet. We didn't leave because we wanted to, we were forced to do it to protect everyone from our enemies." Sorey started to explain, "We both know about Otherworld since I'm a very important person to that world." They stopped walking as Sorey took out a white fingerless glove with a strange yellow symbol on it. "I'm the Shepherd, the myth about a human who leads the people from chaos and calamity. Headmaster Gotanda enrolled me and Mikleo here in order for us to control our abilities to help protect the two realms. My role in all of this involves you."

"How does this have to do with me?" Velvet asked confused. "The headmaster told me about Otherworld and Milla told me what my powers can do. What makes you think I have anything to do with it?"

"You're… you're the Lord of Calamity." Velvet was shocked as she stares at her old childhood friend. "The being destined to destroy both the realms."

"You can't be serious, Sorey! That has to be a joke!" Sorey looked sadly as he clenched his glove in his hand.

"I wished it could." The black haired woman clenched her bandaged arm as she bit her lip. "We're supposed to be arch enemies of each other."

"It wasn't enough that I lost the only family I had left, I'm supposed to be a monster that'll destroy the world. I can't take this anymore!" Velvet tried running away before Sorey grabbed her by her shoulders.

"Velvet, this only happens at random. YOU were MADE into this by accident. All I'm trying to do is to explain things you need to hear now that you're a therion." The black haired girl avoided eye contact. "I'm just trying to help in anyway I can. You're still Velvet inside, you just need to get used to all of this and I know how it feels."

"You can't mend an already broken heart." Velvet said solemnly. "It'll take a long time for me to control myself again."

"Yeah, I know. At least, think of yourself as a normal person instead of a monster. All of us that are from Otherworld or related to it thinks the same, even people who knows about our powers and existence." Velvet was slightly shocked at the statement.

'People called Sorey a monster? But he's one of the kindest people I know.' Velvet thought in disbelief.

"Let's go, Milla would be almost done by now." Sorey said and Velvet slowly nodded before the two continued on their way as the former was leading the girl over to Milla.

After a few more minutes, Velvet started to hear music coming from one of the rehearsal rooms nearby and the two saw Mikleo looking inside one of the rooms as he waited for his friends.

"Glad you made it, Milla is doing one more before she will get to work on her assignment." The white haired boy explained and the two looked out the window, which shocked Velvet over what Milla was doing inside in front of the mirrored wall. The Lord of Spirits was dancing together with the song played in the room in a purple version of the gym uniform of the school.

"It'll be hard to do this song alone without a partner, not that I doubt her when it comes to idol activities." Sorey pointed out a little worried. Velvet was quiet as Milla put on the song again from the start as she stood in a pose.

"Mainichi chigau watashi ni kizuiteru kana

Anata to utau watashi ga ichiban kirei"

Suddenly, a burst of purple glitter came into the room around Milla. Milla was surrounded by a purple glow and a golden chandelier circle was around her with a flowery, jewelry-like design composed of pale beads in gold, silver, and white, along with emeralds, topaz, rubies and sapphires, a gem in their respective cut separating the curves. Purple and pink morning glories and lilies flows outward from her.

"Chiffon no blouse ni hizashi wo atsume tara

Tokimeki ga yokan ni naru

Senobi shita perfume hazumu kokoro mitai

Kaze no naka odotteru no

Anata no hidari gawa de, kasanete itai rhythm

Mezameru tabi ni koi shiyō

Mainichi chigau watashi ni kizuiteru kana

Kinō yorimo kakujitsu ni suki ni natteku

Hora, kikoete kuruyo Sweet music

Volume wo agetara Wake up, Love!!"

The song ended and Milla breathed out proudly as sweat dripped down her temple. The aura disappeared and the girl then was surprised over hearing someone clapping inside the room, she turned around to see Sorey, Mikleo and Velvet by the door.

"That's the first time I've seen your aura in person." Sorey complimented as Maxwell took her water bottle to drink some.

"I have to train hard since this was originally a duet." Milla explained proudly. "I suddenly just flew with the music. Aikatsu is a hard idol activity to do, you have to have a lot of practice with both dancing and singing. It's actually really rare for an idol aura to appear outside a performance."

"Right, your idol aura is like a unique trademark or scent and each one is different because of their personality, style and theme." Sorey said with interest before Mikleo elbowed him. "Oh, right! Velvet is here with us." Milla looked at the two as they moved away to let Velvet be seen from behind them.

"Milla, something happened after you left…" Velvet started to explain her meeting with Seres which left the three in wonder.

"I see." Milla said after a while. "So she came undetected into the apartment right after I left, you say she disappeared into flames before you could ask questions." Velvet nodded in correction.

"Do you know what color she had on her hair?" Mikleo asked suddenly.

"Bright red with white streaks." Velvet replied. "Almost like your hair." The two Zestiria looked at each other, figuring out what she was talking about.

"It's definitely a fire seraph but the problem is, why would she go so close to you and know where you live?" Mikleo thought out loud.

"That's something we have to figure out later. For now, I have to help Ludger with his current investigation." Milla replied.

"Then why don't we come with you." Sorey suggested and the group was shocked over the statement.

"Sorey, are you nuts?!" Mikleo exclaimed like his partner was stupid. "You and I still have some training left before we can go on an actual big assignment! Besides, Velvet hasn't officially joined the school yet and isn't prepared to face any creatures from Otherworld either!" Milla and Velvet were slightly surprised over Mikleo's concerns over the latter female's safety.

"Haven't you noticed the pattern in that Ludger have only asked Milla specifically in his recent investigations? It is obvious that those 'investigations' are related in some way or another." Sorey pointed out. "Besides, Milla is an upperclassmen. So, if the headmaster asks about our involvement, then we could just tell him that Milla is giving us a first hand experience involving helping in police investigations." The Lord of Spirits just giggled at the green eyed boy's brilliant plan and having noticed the connections between her involvement.

"I guess nothing goes unnoticed by the two infamous ruin lovers, at least the signs." Milla pointed out which made the boys glaring at each other in a childish rivalry.

"Are you sure I can come with you guys?" Velvet asked confused. "I don't exactly have the best control of my therion powers."

"This investigation is actually connected to Artorius." Milla confessed to the trio, shocking them. Velvet later grew angry and curled her hands tightly into fists.

"Artorius…!" Velvet growled quietly.

"We're looking into some of the victims under the massacre that were members in Artorius' cult to see if they have undergone crimes hidden under the naked eye as well their connections to him." Milla explained to them. "So far we have no luck, but these people we're going to investigate now might have some clues."

"Alright." The Zestiria members replied simultaneously.

The three split up to go change into civilian outfits to avoid attention from the public before meeting up with Ludger outside the gates. Milla explained why the other three were coming with them on the little investigation, Mikleo had shocked Velvet when he turned into a blue light and then went inside Sorey. The Shepherd explained that it was for precaution and associated with his role as a Shepherd, being Mikleo's vessel together with three other people who share that same ability.

As Ludger drove the group to the location, the detective told them of who they would look into. They were going to the half siblings Teresa Linares and Oscar Dragonia's mansion that had been abandoned since they went missing but Velvet knew it was a lie. Once the detective showed the pictures of the siblings, the Lord of Calamity faintly remembered seeing those two under her berserk state at the ritual. Now, she knew she had become the same as Artorius in some ways. The man she despited so much.

Soon enough, the group arrived at a manor in the outskirts of the city and you could already sense that something was off about it. Despite the big size and the welcoming aura of the manor, there was something pretty bothering about what might be inside the manor. Mikleo had appeared out of nowhere to join them.

"This place truly has bad vibe to it." Milla pointed out, not liking what she's sensing from the building. "It's… different from the vibe you get when coming to my manor."

"I can sense life inside but I don't know what it is." Mikleo explained, catching Velvet's interest. "What I can tell, there are no humans we're dealing with here."

'It is pretty obvious that Mikleo isn't human unlike the rest of us that were turned into supernaturals.' Velvet thought. 'The similarities between him and Seres doesn't go unnoticed. Can he be a 'seraph' as well?'

"Thanks, Mikleo." Ludger thanked him as he gave them each a communicator which they immediately put in their ear. "We gonna have to split up once we're inside the mansion. I want everyone to be on guard for creatures that might attack." Sorey quickly puts his glove on his left hand when the detective explained everything. "Velvet. Sorey. When the two of you get in any danger, don't hesitate to call for me or Milla. Do you understand?"

"I'm no damsel in distress." The black haired woman said a little irritated. "I've trained martial arts since I was ten and developed perfect balance in a matter of months. I can take care of myself." Velvet then walked away to the inside of the manor to avoid any more questions.

Milla wasn't that worried unlike the males in the group. They used to have that opinion that she didn't know how to protect herself. The Lord of Spirits has been very involved with Otherworld from such a young age that she was one of the most skilled fighters and spellcaster since she was ten, so Milla had sympathy towards Velvet the most. Milla still remembered the reactions of the boys when Headmaster Gotanda told them she was going to be a new leader for Xillia like it was yesterday, now Velvet has prove that to them that she's capable to protect herself until she needs help.

Velvet got inside with the rest walking a safe distance away from each other before splitting up to search in the different areas. The therion walked through the upper west wing alone, her mind was in an absolute train of thoughts. She knew she was helpless when it came to fighting against supernatural beings, after all, she couldn't control or even get out her therion arm yet. However, her thoughts quickly disappeared when Velvet sensed something familiar but also different. She looked up to see Seres, standing at the end of the hallway. The red haired woman turned her head forwards the therion before quickly walking forwards the next hallway.

"H-Hey!" Velvet yelled as she ran after the mysterious person. "Seres! Wait!"

Once she was the place where Seres once stood, the black haired maiden heard a door closing nearby. Velvet slowly walked over through the hallway to look for the closed door that she heard but sensed something the latest door she passed by. She was sensing something divine or holy, something she couldn't quite explain.

When trying to open the door, the therion quickly realized that it was locked from the outside. Velvet kicked as hard as she could at the door, not caring about being discreet and careful, to get inside and find out what she was sensing since it was the first time she was sensing something since being transformed. Walking carefully into the small room, Velvet saw that the room belonged to a slave of some kind judging from the only mattress on the floor and the small odre that hit her now sensitive nose. Velvet then heard whimpers from what sounded like a child somewhere in the room.

In the corner of the room, a boy was whimpering in fear as he stared at the black haired woman in the room. He was wearing old rags as a shirt and pants with his short blond fading to silver hair ruffled except the cows lick of his hair shaping like a halo on his head. Velvet could just look at him with sympathy, after all, his expression told her that he was not only scared for his life but scared about himself.

"Hey, it's okay." Velvet tried sue him as she walked slowly to him, getting to one knee when she was right in front of him and held out her hand. "We're here to help you." The boy stared at her with his fearful forest yellow eyes. "We'll take you to a place where no one is going to judge you nor hurt you ever again."

The boy reached for her hand but instead of taking it, he hugged Velvet as he cried in her chest. Despite being slightly surprised by the hug, Velvet returned the gesture and brushed his hair as she comforted the young child. She felt as if she was comforting her brother again.

"Let's go, my friends are somewhere nearby." Velvet told the boy as they stood up, holding hands as they walked out of the room to go back to the others but the boy looked behind them before getting terrified at something. Velvet followed his sight and was shocked over what she saw.

In the other side of the mansion, the Tales students heard someone screaming a fair distance away from the two groups in the main and down east wing.

"Velvet, what's going on?" Milla asked through her ear piece.

"We got a problem!" Velvet responded from the other side.

"What kind of problem?" Sorey asked from his side.

Meanwhile, Velvet was carrying the child in her arms as she was running as fast as she could. She glanced behind her to see a rampaging werewolf a few meters behind her, looking at them like they were small animals. It had blocked the staircase down so they couldn't escape downstairs to the others.

"You ask that when you sound like you're running for your life!" Velvet let out in annoyance. "I found a strange kid in one of the rooms and now, a furious werewolf is right on my tail. I think this was all a set up!"

"They knew who we were the instant we arrived?" Mikleo questioned in realization.

"They must have sensed my presence upon entering." Milla explained to the group. "They're trying to hide all the evidence of the ritual on Artorius' orders."

"Then we just have to improvise!" Velvet told them. "I meet you in the backyard." The black haired woman looked at the child in her arms with a small reassuring smile after she stopped talking to her comrades as she ignored them yelling at her for being insane. "Hold on tight, okay?"

The boy nodded in agreement. Velvet ran over to a big window and jumped through it, glass shards from the window swirling around the two of them. The therion quickly rotated herself to protect the boy but once they hit the ground, Velvet screamed in pain and had no feeling in her right arm.

"A-Are you okay?" The boy asked both worried and nervous at Velvet, who slowly but painfully sat up.

"I'm fine." Velvet reassured him as she held her injured arm, the pain not disappearing. "I… must have dislocated my shoulder during that fall." A yowl was heard and the werewolf growling from where they had jumped out from, it was really angry. The two could just stare at it before it jumped from the house to rip them to pieces. "Leave us the hell alone!!!"

Out of instinct, Velvet brought her left arm in front of her and out came the demon claw. By the time Velvet was self conscious of what happened, blood being splattered onto her check from the werewolf in her therion arm. The sound of bones cracking was heard in the empty yard and the werewolf became a black mist that twirled around Velvet's inhuman arm before the body disappeared together with her demonic arm turning it back into its human form. Velvet just stared at her arm in shock with the boy being a bit terrified over what she had just done but he could see that the woman, who just saved him twice, was as shocked and terrified as he was.

'I used it… again?' Velvet thought fearfully.

Velvet was too busy trying to figure out how she used her demon arm again to notice more werewolves had been slowly surrounding the two. The boy whimpered as he hugged Velvet again, who finally looked up but knew this was the end for the both of them.

"Luzrov Rulay!" The voice of Sorey chanted in the distance. Streams of blue light traveled around before turning and shooting some of the werewolves nearby the two.

From the back door came Milla and Ludger out running while Sorey came falling from the sky, however, his appearance made it hard to recognize him. His usual short brown hair had turned blond and was now in an extremely long ponytail, he was wearing strange robes similar to the cult had but his feather earrings and eyes had turned a bright blue just like the intricate bow in his hands. Sorey landed in front of them like a superhero would and turned to Velvet with a reassuring smile.

"Sorry, we're late." Sorey replied with his own voice mixed with Mikleo's for some reason.

"Sorey? What happened to you?" Velvet asked in confusion as the Shepherd stood up, readying his bow again with a magical arrow.

"We'll explain later, but right now, you have to make sure that boy is unharmed." Sorey explained. "Leave these to us!"

Milla and Ludger took out their weapons and joined the fight, with Milla's Otherworld clothing appearing as she jumped on the head of a werewolf, kicking herself away. She then disappeared into a ray of which swirled around the battlefield and once she appeared again, some werewolves stopped dead in their tracks and fell to the ground. Ludger had his dual blades out to kill off a few but one tried to ambush him from the back, a gunshot was heard and the werewolf fell dead to the ground with Ludger having been behind him with one of his guns before continuing with the fight. Sorey was busy trying to get enough distance between him and the werewolves that left Velvet and the boy open, Milla quickly summoned Sylph and Undine to protect the two as Efreet and Gnome helped eliminate the rest of the werewolves, getting the boy's attention with amazement. It didn't take long before most of the werewolves was killed and the rest fled for their lives, the group could take a breather from all the action going on.

"Guess I owe you guys." Velvet told them grateful.

"You alright?" Ludger asked, noticing the lack of movement in her right arm that's laying numb on the ground beside her.

"I'll be okay." Velvet groaned as she slowly stood up. "We need to get the kid to safety." However, the pain in her dislocated shoulder made her get to the ground again as she panted as she tried to ignore it.

"She hurt her shoulder after the fall." The boy replied worried and Ludger quickly acted on this statement. He quickly but carefully helped Velvet take off her jacket, showing the displaced shoulder underneath the skin.

"Okay, Velvet. I'll count to three and relocate your shoulder." Ludger explained and Velvet nodded in agreement, wanting the pain gone as fast as possible. "One… Two… Three!"

Velvet exclaimed slightly in pain as Ludger popped the shoulder back into place. The therion's hand moved as sign of it being back into place. Mikleo was about to go to Velvet's side to heal away the recovery needed when he saw the strange boy, that she had been protecting, hesitantly placed his hands over Velvet's injured shoulder and a gentle, but powerful, green light shone between his hands and on her shoulder. Everyone were in shock over the little boy and his abilities as he soon stopped healing Velvet's shoulder.

"You're a seraph…" Sorey breathed out in realization, frightening the boy a bit.

"I'm a freak, not a 'seraph'." The boy replied guilty. "That's what Lady Teresa used to call me." Milla smiles sadly as she got down to sit on her knees.

"Do you know who I am?" Milla asked gently and the boy looked at her with amazement.

"You're the… Lord of Spirits." The boy answered, shocking Velvet in the process.

"That's right." Milla replied. "Do you have a name, young seraph?"

"Number Two." The boy answered unsure.

"That isn't a name." Velvet pointed out immediately. "That's a title given to those who treats you as an object, not a living being." The boy tilted his head in confusion. "My name is Velvet Crowe."

"Milla Maxwell, but in human society, my name is Sakaki Milla." The Lord of Spirits introduced herself.

"Ludger Will Kresnik."

"Sorey Evans."

"Mikleo Waters." The seraph replied. "Like you, I'm a seraph."

"You are?" The boy asked in awe. Mikleo nodded as answer.

"Before we continue, Velvet, can you tell us where you found him." Ludger asked serious and Velvet chuckled slightly.

"You'll know where." The therion replied simply. "I kicked the door opened. It was locked on the outside and didn't have the time to find the key."

While the childhood friends got to the entrance to check on the boy with them if he was injured in any way, Milla and Ludger got the boy's old room to investigate. They quickly realized that the boy was basically a slave and prisoner of Teresa Linares but an unanswered question arrived, why did the werewolves want to kill the young seraph so badly?

"None of this makes any sense." Milla replied as Ludger gathered samples around the room. "What's so important to have that boy killed when he's clearly left in the dark about this whole situation?"

"It could be that that boy has a connection to Artorius. One way or another." The detective concluded. "I'll send a DNA sample for trace, I'm starting to think there's more to it than a psychopath killing innocent children." Milla raised an eyebrow in question but didn't say anything and starting to consider Ludger's conclusion that the seraph boy might have a deeper connection.

Once getting proper clothes for the boy, thanks to Milla, they decided that the boy would stay with Velvet as he had taken a liking to her despite her inhumanity. Ludger said that if the two needed anything, then he was just a phone call away and knew Velvet wasn't ready to interact with people yet. The black haired girl made some food for the boy and let him use the spare bedroom next to hers, she was glad that she could make a decent meal without tasting it which had brought a smile on the little boy's face for being allowed to do things on his own.

However, that night when the boy finally fell asleep, he heard Velvet's terrified scream from the hall. Alarmed, the young seraph quickly got up and quietly opened his bedroom door slightly to hear someone panting for breath. The seraph slowly walked into the room to see Velvet, sitting up in bed with her hands holding her head and gasping for air.

"Velvet… Are you okay?" The boy asked slowly but worried.

"I'm okay, Laphicet." The black haired woman breathed out in auto response, confusing the boy.

"What's 'Laphicet'?" The boy asked and Velvet realized her mistake. She gestured to the boy to sit next to her on the bed.

"Laphicet… was the name of my younger brother. He died three months ago and I saw everything, he was murdered before my eyes by someone I truly trusted." Velvet slipped her hand under one of her pillows and took out her special comb. "I've only had nightmares since that night. This comb is the only thing I have left of him."

"That's so sad."

"Ain't that the truth. I still blame myself for what happened, even though I never knew that would happen to him."

"Can I brush your hair?" Velvet looked at the boy shocked. She slowly gave him the comb and turning around to let him gently brush it, every stroke felt strangely calming. "You have beautiful hair. It's soft like silk and so long, you need to take care of it more often." Velvet giggled at the comment, being reminded of her old life.

"My sister told me this joke before about my parents naming me Velvet because of the small amount of hair that was on my head was so soft." The boy laughed slightly, causing Velvet to smile slightly. "Have you thought of a real name for yourself? We can't just call you seraph or boy all the time."

"No. I don't even know what a name is." The Lord of Calamity turned to face him.

"A name is something that identifies who you are as a being, no matter what class you are in society or what type of person you are. Parents takes their time when giving name to their children, sometimes they take inspiration by things they see or has deep meaning to their own lives that they want to pass on. Other times, they choose a name that comes first in their mind or something that is unique to their child, just like my parents did for me. Most names have a hidden meaning to them that usually can be found from the name's origin or actual language." The boy listen intensely as Velvet explained further. "What matters is that, having a name is something important to have in order to live a human life. Sometimes, they use names that comes from other family members or important people to honor them even if they're dead. It's a proof that we're alive."

"Then what does 'Laphicet' mean?"

"It means 'one who lives'." Velvet then looked away in despair. "It doesn't matter anyway, he's dead now." The young seraph looked at her with sympathy.

"I don't mind if give me your brother's name." The therion glanced at the blonde boy next to her as he smiled gently. "I can't replace your brother but you seemed so happy ever since you saved me. When I met you, I thought you would be like Lady Teresa but you showed me such kindness and saved me even though you didn't know me nor had any means to fight those things. You were prepared to risk your life for me even though you were so terrified when you used your arm." The boy then got a serious look in his eyes. "I chose to be with you because I thought I could help you, be yourself again."

"That's a kind thought but my trauma will be with me for a long time. There isn't a cure to this."

"Then let me help you get better!" Velvet stared at him surprised before hugging the boy, tears streaming down her face.

"Thank you, Laphicet…"

By the time she calmed down, the little boy, now given the name Laphicet, stayed with her the whole night through.

-

Velvet groaned as she woke up, feeling sore all over before remembering about what happened with the test. She looked around to see that she was laying in bed in her old room and dressed in fresh clothes with some places having bandages or band-aids. The therion got up and with little difficulty, managed to get out to the living room to see nobody there.

"Where is everybody?" Velvet asked herself before going to the backyard. It was weird for her friends to be quiet, nevertheless leave an injured friend behind. Once she got outside, the therion met the sight of everyone enjoying themselves. Laphicet was with Yuya and Yuto again until he saw Velvet going out the back door and immediately ran to her from under the tree.

"Velvet!" Laphicet called out as he hugged his aunt. "We got so worried after the test."

"Sorry for worrying you, Laphicet." Velvet apologized and the rest of the group smiled at the loving exchange between the two.

Later, Milla and the others explained what had happened and that Velvet had passed her test, much to her shock. The Lord of Calamity couldn't believe she had passed it like she did, she took that fight too seriously that she had completely lost herself to her instincts and anger towards her deceased brother figure for his sin of killing her brother and other innocent people. Soon enough, all of them started to celebrate Velvet's victory. However, the therion and Yuya just observed the festivities between their loved ones since they still need to recover from their injuries so they sat at the porch together with small smiles on their faces.

"They looks like they are having fun." Yuya pointed out as he saw Yuto talking with Mikleo a few meters away. "Too bad I still need to take it easy."

"Well, you at least aren't anti social like I am." Velvet pointed out and the two giggled slightly at this. The black haired maiden then looked up to the sky to see birds flying and a thought came to mind. "Yuya, there's something I like to ask." The young teen looked at her confused. "Why do you think it is that birds fly?"

Yuya looked at her before looking at the sky and thought of his answer, "I think birds fly because it's how they explore new places and wonders. There's so much that we don't know that birds have seen with their own eyes, being free in the sky to do what they want and when they want. That's what I believe anyway." Velvet smiled at this.

"You're really special, Yuya. And I'm not talking about your talents or powers. I'm talking about your outlook on life in general, waiting to explore all corners of the world like that reminds me of my brother. He wanted to become an archaeologist to explore the world and its history just like our parents before us, but they died in a cave in during one of their exhibitions. Leaving Celica to take care of us all by herself and enjoyed every bit of it."

"What happened to her? I know it is not my place to look into your past but, I'm just curious. That's all." Velvet smiled sadly as he defended himself.

"Don't worry. It doesn't matter if you invade my privacy about my family, Laphicet is the only family I have left now and people deserve to know the truth." The Lord of Calamity took a deep breath to prepare herself. "Celica was my older sister. She taught me everything about cooking that she learnt from our mom and came up so dumb puns that can make you laugh at how dumb they are. I was nine years old when she died. Arthur was driving her to the hospital so she could give birth but when they got close, another car crashed into theirs and succumbed to her injuries by the time they came to the hospital and Arthur lost the use of his right arm that day.

"A few months after Laphicet came under my care after my brother's death, Ludger found out that Laphicet had miraculously survived in the womb and was delivered successfully which was probably when he turned into a seraph from the start. Arthur had told me of a spirit that acted as our guardian angel named Seres back then and she sent me a message to meet her in the woods. That's when I found out the truth. Seres was a reincarnation of Celica."

Yuya looked at her surprised at the revelations as Velvet took off her ring to look at it.

"However, she wasn't the sister I once knew. She might have her body and face but it was a completely different person all together. Seres was a witness at the sacrifice and had regained the very memories Celica had under that time and felt extremely guilty for doing nothing but obeying Artorius' orders and thought she didn't deserve the second chance she was given because of Laphicet being gifted right from the get go. So she wanted me to eat her."

"And you… devoured her…?" The black haired girl nodded slowly as she showed him the ring in her hand.

"If I didn't do it, Seres would have ended her own life. So I did even though deep inside I knew I would kill my own sister, but the last of her power I wasn't able to devour turned into this ring and once I wear this, I'll be able to do things I wouldn't imagine to be able to." Velvet puts the ring back it turns invisible in order to hide it. "That way I know that Seres is by my side at all times. Now, I'm using this to protect what matters and right the world from the wrongdoings of others."

Yuya looked up to the sky, "I see…"

The next morning, the group packed their belongings to journey back home to the city. However, Velvet had something left to do before she could leave her old life behind her. So, when Niko came to say goodbye to everyone, they told her that Velvet was waiting for her at the temple ruins. Confused, Niko walked through the forest through The Crowe's backyard and as she arrived, she saw the black haired young adult standing by the altar and looking at the sky with a smile as her long hair blew with the wind.

"Velvet…" Niko called out, getting her attention, "I'm sorry for making you run away like that the other day, I wasn't thinking straight and trying to force you to come back."

"I should be the one apologizing." Velvet admitted as she walked down the steps, grabbing her leather jacket from the altar as she goes to her old friend's side. "I yelled at you for no reason, I guess my trauma is getting the better of me." That was when the red head noticed Velvet's bandaged arm.

"I didn't think you were that scared when Mikleo told me what happened." Niko pointed out sadly. "Trying to burn you to secrecy like that is just awful!" Velvet slightly but knew that she couldn't know the whole truth about what actually happened.

"I rather keep my scars hidden than let people ask how I got them." The therion explained shortly.

"Does it hurt?" Velvet shook her head in response.

"It was a long time ago. My injuries were minimal and healed quickly but still made a mark on me. Luckily, they only did it on my arm and not anything else."

"I have to admit… I thought you had died that day and I didn't want to that it was true. You've been my best friend since we were kids and not knowing what happened was hard to deal with." Velvet managed a small smile at this.

"Then, it is time we make up for lost time." Velvet took out a dark purple ticket from her pocket. "I'll be helping with a show tomorrow and got a ticket left, wanna come?"

Niko's eyes glazed with tears of happiness as she accepted the ticket, "Of course!"

-

Everyone was waiting inside the performance hall, Milla looking at Niko as she was a little nervous over where Velvet was as she hadn't seen the Lord of Calamity since their arrival. Milla and the others hadn't said anything to Niko that Velvet was the one going to perform a catwalk Aikatsu in front of them right now. Velvet was standing in the Fitting Room backstage as she was getting a bit anxious as this might be the first time she performs by herself instead of being Arabian Sky.

"To think I'm standing here after Laphi died, he would have laughed over that I'm doing an idol activity like this." Velvet said to herself amused and she opened her small folder of cards, looking at her premium rare dress. "My passion will burn like the Phoenix!"

Velvet ran forwards to the pedestal and grabbed a hold of her Aikatsu! Pass and placed it onto the diamond, activating the snowflake crystal pattern. The hall's virtual space begins to activate as Velvet stood at the platform. An array of cards glow in red proceed to surround her as she took her coord. She then place her cards onto the diamond platform in the pacific pattern.

The surrounding crystal joins into the center crystal to create a rainbow crystal. The rainbow crystal then disappears to reappear as a structure behind the pedestal. Three crystal points that has long shards of blue and pink crystal in front of it stand behind the entrance to the runway, a doorway with a golden rim and a diamond at its top, the scallop fans of pink and yellow opened for Velvet when it's time to enter the runway.

Velvet run along the blue runway bordered with gold all the way to the sphere-cut diamond at the end as her body is covered in red. The runway is within a blue crystal virtual space, ornaments of the cute, cool, sexy and pop symbols floating around the room, along with two streams of waterfalls flowing down from the sky. Velvet jump on the diamond as it bounces her towards the ceiling to where the cards are placed. The outfit appeared on Velvet as she passes through each card head-first.

After she's done, Velvet land on a blue crystal platform with a crystal design of the four idol or card types in the center. Behind the platform is a golden chandelier ornament, with two ornaments with shell openings that is the start of the waterfall on the sides of a chandelier, held up by an arching ornament above all three ornaments. Velvet pose as many different shades of red roses and flames exploded behind her.

The performance hall changed into a royal rose garden inside a beautiful forest as the sun shines through the trees, giving the stage a beautiful and mysterious light. Golden flower arches over the runway with a marble pathway from a fountain behind the start as Velvet comes out of a light doorway as it disappears right afterwards, surprising Niko.

"Is that really Velvet?!" Niko exclaimed in shock as she placed a hand over her mouth. "She looks so beautiful."

"That's what Perfect Queen does with their dresses." Milla explained with a smile as Velvet prepared herself. "Radiating an overwhelming presence, it's a perfect brand designed for none other than perfect idols. Along with its royal look and gemstones that lure anyone, their dresses' luxury design and royal motif is its point. That's their concept."

(Listen to Amalee's 'Here' for this segment)

The audience cheered to the roof when the last tune was played as Velvet's friends smiled and was amazed over the performance. Niko could only stare at her old friend in amazement. Not only was she so beautiful, but you could see that she had changed to much in the three years apart from each other.

Once the staff fixed away everything, the Tales students gathered in front of the concert hall together with Niko, who was still so confused over Velvet's change of personality after such a long time.

"I can't believe that my best friend, Velvet Crowe, is an idol who prefer a feminine sexy clothing brand!" Niko exclaimed in sure disbelief as the group of supernaturals watched in amusement. "Wow! What happened to the 'tomboy Velvet'?"

"A lot." The Lord of Calamity answered. "I just started to accept my appearance a lot more and don't dress more like a boy to keep guys from flirting with me." Laphicet chuckled at the reminder of the many failed attempts that happened to guys flirting because of her beauty.

"So, you must be Laphicet, right?" Niko asked, looking down at the boy at Velvet's side.

"Yeah! It's nice to meet you, Niko." Laphicet greeted.

"I should thank you…" The red head began, confusing the little boy, "...for being there for Velvet after everything that happened. She's lucky to have you." Laphicet smiled at this.

"Aren't you the little hero, Phi?" Velvet asked, causing the young seraph to blush red in embarrassment and the others surprised.

"Phi?" Milla questioned amused as everyone else tried to keep their chuckles from coming out.

"You promised not to call me that in public!" Laphicet exclaimed at his aunt.

"I never said that." Velvet teased a little.

"You're the worst." The nephew mumbled while pouting. Niko laughed slightly at the exchange and took a minute to calm down.

"It's time to say goodbye, huh?" Niko pointed out sadly as the two friends hugged each other in comfort. "I'll miss you."

"This isn't a 'goodbye', it's a 'see you later'." Velvet explained. "I might have changed but that doesn't mean I won't visit you guys." The two broke away slightly, both having tears in their eyes as Velvet wore a confident smile. "I need stay here but I'll make sure not lose contact again."

The two old friends giggled together for finally being reunited completely again after years apart. Niko might not understand Velvet's grief and pain but now that she knew that her friend was okay (for the most part), she'll do her best to support Velvet till the end.