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Chapter Text

The world was plunged in darkness. That's how the world had always been. Humans created civilizations praying to higher beings to protect them and with their collective beliefs they gained the ability to learn magic. With this new found power human civilization was able to make light in the darkness.

But not all humans prayed for light, some enjoyed the darkness. They wished for it to consume them in exchange for power.

One such person was a young woman with long, curly, green hair. A woman who wished for immortality, to be able to study life for as long as she desired. Dedicated to her craft she became one of the worlds most powerful sorcerers but it still was not enough. Always teetering on the brink of darkness. She did what she believed was best for human society at first but people found her methods questionable and threatening, so the banished her to the Dark Lands, pushing her fully into the darkness the humans so feared.

She would wander the Dark Lands for months, using it's inhabitants as test subjects or killing them for potion ingredients. Still it was not enough, too much time was passing and she wasn't any closer to her goal. But she would realize that like the Holy Angel the Demon King could bless her with what she seeked.

But getting such a high power to notice her would take a lot, she summoned a great storm. One fourth of all living beings in the Dark Lands would die at her hands over the course of just three hours. It took all of this to get the Demon King to acknowledge her presence in his land.

The Demon King would give the woman the immortality she so desired but it came at the cost of two things. The first cost would be that she would have to be his chosen one, the one to represent the darkness of the world. The second cost was if the Holy Maiden was able to take her staff the Maiden would be able to kill her if she so chose.

The Sorcerer quickly agreed to the terms and with that the darkness took her with its full embrace. Hundreds of years would pass, civilizations would rise and fall. The woman's name would be long forgotten by Humans, Fairy's, and Elf’s alike, and only the fact of less than humane deeds would remain. The evil Sorceress is what stories and legends would call her. Even with all this time at her hands she was yet to figure out how to manipulate life.

She used to worry about the Holy Maiden throwing her years of research down the drain but it had already been so long and the Holy Angel was yet to appoint a Holy Maiden to kill her, unfortunately for her there was a reason for this unknown to her. She was growing complacent, believing herself untouchable, after all she was the most Sorceress to ever live.

___________

“Wake Elysia…” The voice called out to her. It was angelic, but hard to describe it was like the voice of many fused to one to create it.

The pink haired woman rubbed her eyes, she had not woken in the field of flowers she had fallen asleep in, but a room of just white light and herself.

“Where am I?” Elysia fixed her hair, tightening the bow that held her hair in a low, slightly messy, ponytail.

“This is the realm of the good. Those who die and have been good people come here.” The mysterious voice responded.

The woman looked around the room, searching for the source of the voice. “So I've died? How did that happen?”

“No, you're still very much alive.” The voice replied calmly.

“Then how am I here?”

“I have seen you. Every action you've taken. Every decision you've made. Everything you've done in this life I have seen. You Elysia are the one who aligned with my vision. I am choosing you as my Holy Maiden. You will save this world from the darkness that has plagued it since its conception.”

Elysia's baby blue eyes widened in surprise, “Me? Wait if you're the one selecting me that would have to mean you're the Holy Angel.”

“Indeed I am. Go back to your relax and be my champion. The world will know your name once you return. Seek out your party and make your way to the dark lands. You know what you must do.”

“How will I know to add them to my party?”

“Your heart will tell you. Your heart has never led you astray, go. You will know, so do not be afraid.”

Elysia had so many questions that would be left unanswered, her eyes felt heavy as the room felt like it was flying past her. Her eyes shut and as soon as she opened them again, she was in the field of flowers, back in her hometown.

A constellation shone high in the sky. The forecast predicted rain, but the night sky was clear. The Angels constellation, brighter than all. It hadn't been visible for hundreds of years and yet here it was.

The Holy Angel told the world the next time it would appear was when the Holy Maiden had been chosen. Her dream was real, she was the Holy Maiden.
____________

“Elysia, with the blessing of the Church and the acknowledgement of the Holy Angel to appoint you as the Holy Maiden, you and your party are granted permission to set off on your quest to defeat the Evil Sorceress of the Dark Lands.” The priest, named Aponia, flicked holy water over the half-elf Elysia then placed a white staff into her hands.

“Thank you, we won't let you down~!” Elysia said with her usual upbeat personality. She stood up holding the staff with pride. Quickly dusting off her pink dress she walked out of the church to meet up with her party.

“Are you ready to go?” Kevin, the prince of Kaslania asked. He has short white hair and an intimidating aura about him.

“Almost, I just need to do one thing first.” Elysia responded sweetly. “Hua, did you bring what I asked you?”

The young knight, Fu Hua, nodded and handed over a small potion, “Here it is.”

“Perfect!” Elysia poured the potion over the staff. The staff glowed a blinding bright white for a few seconds once the light had died down the staff was no longer white or a staff. It was now a pink bow adorned with pink roses.

“Miss Elysia, are you sure that was a good idea? All the legends say you'll need to say that you must use a staff to kill the Sorceress.” Su, the medic of the party asked.

“I'm sure it'll just come to me like everything else~! If it doesn't I'm sure we'll figure it out once we get to that point.” Elysia took a few steps forward before looking back at her party, “Let's get going, our world needs us.”

And with that the party would set out on their long journey to the dark lands to defeat the darkness that had plagued the world since the beginning.

___________

“Well guys that's chapter one of the Holy Maiden and the Prince! At our next meeting please read up to the end of chapter five and we'll discuss it then.” The girl with ginger hair leading the ground said.

Carmen sighed and walked outside of the library with her friend Kitty. “Is that seriously the book they picked for us to read? A cheesy romance novel with the same plot that's been done a million times? I hate it already.” Carmen ran her fingers through her curly black hair.

“I like book club but that was certainly a pick of all time. But I think it's quite funny the evil Sorceress sounds a whole like you.” Kitty continued walking as she twirled a sapphire necklace between her fingers.

“Just because I'm a genetic scientist interested in human evolution doesn't mean I'm going to go around fighting some Holly Maiden” Carmen’s eyes landed on the necklace Kitty was twirling. “I see you're dying to talk about the new shiny jewel you got from your victim- wait I mean your sugar daddy.” She said smugly as she rolled her eyes.

“I got more than just that from the stupid old man. He gave me five thousand dollars straight up. He said he'd double it if I kissed him, he can keep dreaming. I may be broke but I'm far too disgusted by him to do something like that.” Kitty said, annoyed by the thought of the man.

“He's going to start expecting it sooner or later.”

Kitty looked off to the side, “you're not wrong. I honestly should've dropped him by now but he's been paying better than any sugar daddy before.”

“Fine but it's your grave. Anyway I need to hit the lab before I go home, I still have some unfinished work.”

“I guess I can tag along with you, I need help finding the cliff notes for the book.”

“You don't need my help for that, just use Google.”

“I need to talk about the dumb story with someone” Kitty gave her best puppy eyes and pouted.

“We can do that, but you're not allowed in the lab.”

“What? Why not?”

“You'd probably break the equipment or even steal it.”

“Hey I haven't stolen anything in a while! I've left that behind!”

“You're waiting outside and that's final.”

“Awww come on!!!”

“Would you like to be my test subject then?”

“Eek!!! Nope! Suddenly I have no desire to go into your lab.”

____________

Kitty had to wait in the lobby of the building for almost two hours waiting on Carmen.

Carmen had been testing this new microscope that supposedly was better than the old equipment. Looking through it it was clear the stuff under it was crisper but it couldn't get up as close as the old one.

She had almost thought this lab had done something good for a second but she was proven wrong once again. She really wanted to leave this job and find work elsewhere. They were one of the lowest paying in the area and they had poor management.

Trying to apply for another job close by was hard to find. There weren't too many openings for the area, getting a job here was a struggle itself, but working here for the first four years after college was her own choice. Company loyalty was a joke, there were little benefits.

Carmen had begun to wonder if living in the area was worth it when there were better opportunities elsewhere. But leaving would mean leaving her friends behind, she already didn't have many and she didn't really trust herself to text often. Even when she did text it was usually just one word.

As she put up the new equipment the boom crept back into her mind. What would it be like to live there? Would her scientific progress be taken seriously in that world or would she end up like that Sorceress that, as far as she knew, didn't have a name.

“What a stupid thing to think about.” She muttered under her breath.

Walking out of her private lab and into the lobby she could see Kitty getting hit on by her boss.

Carmen's boss was a man in his late fifty's, he had a wife and kids at one point but he fucked up his marriage by sleeping around with his secretary who was only twenty at the time. It wasn't surprising that he was interested in kitty, she had a younger appearance even though she was twenty four.

Kitty wasn't one to turn down the opportunity to find a new sugar daddy, especially when she was starting to lose her grip on the old one.

“Ah, there's my friend, I must be going. Feel free to call me sometime~” Kitty said cheekily.

“Oh hello Carmen, I thought you clocked out a few hours ago.” Her boss said.

“I did, I just had to check on something in the lab.” Carmen replied, annoyed that she had to talk to him outside of work hours, even if this was still their shared workplace.

“I see. Feel free to bring your friend by more often. She's pretty hot.”

Carmen internally shuttered at that comment, “I will if she wants to.” She forced out, the words left a bad taste in her mouth.

She knew Kitty wasn't even into older men but did it to get herself some quick cash. It didn't make her feel any less icky about hearing a much older man flirt with her friend. Her boss walked off, leaving her and Kitty alone in the empty lobby.

“Carmen, does your boss have money?” Kitty asked, still fidgeting with the necklace.”

“Yes, but I'd prefer you not jeopardize my position once you leave him.”

“Understandable… I'm kinda hungry, wanna go get dinner?”

“Sure, I don't feel like cooking anyway.”

They eventually went back to Carmen's apartment after having dinner. Kitty complained about the wait for the food all the way to Carmen's apartment. Sitting down on the couch the two women opened Google to look for the books' cliff notes. Lucky for them, there was an entire wiki.

Once they found it they took turns pointing things out and laughing about the ridiculous plot.

“Hey, remember how you compared me to the evil lady?” Carmen chuckled.

“Duh of course.” Kitty smirked.

“Apparently evil Sorceress Mobius, because she has a name. Shocking for one of these shallow books but that's besides the point, she has assistance from a thieving cat girl named Pardofelis. Sounds a lot like you.”

“Well I'm not an actual cat girl but close enough. I guess we know who we'd be if we got hit by a truck.”

“That won't happen. If it did you'd be the one getting hit, not me. But unfortunately you'd be dead, not a real cat girl.”

Laughing about the book was easier than reading the ridiculous thing. There was little character depth and the author just seemed to want a reason to have the Holy Maiden marry the prince even though they had little chemistry.

“We already know so much about this shallow world. I'm sure we could survive there of we had to." Kitty commented while laughing.

“Damn right we could!”

Eventually the two women fell asleep on the couch, into a peaceful rest. Convinced that once the next book club meeting came, they would be prepared for whatever questions people asked them about it.
____________

“Tell me, does this feel familiar to you?”

“Is this your past or present?”

“Is this you?”

“Is she you?”

“Or are you one in the same?”

“Figure it out.”

“Find your name.”

“Find out if you're Carmen or if you're Mobius.”

“Find out if there's even a difference.”

“Who are you?”

____________

“Mobius! Pardofelis! Wake up!!” Hearing Carmen would slowly open her eyes instead of being greeted by a curtain of black hair in her face, it was green. And a small elf was shaking her, calling her to reality.

“Huh-” she would attempt to get her bearings but would soon be cut off.

“OH MY GOD I'M A CAT GIRL!!!!”

The elf girl looked up, “Miss Pardofelis you've always been one…”

“Ha. This can not be real.” She sat up, the reality sinking in. Her and Kitty were now Mobius and Pardofelis, villains in the romance novel The Holy Maiden and the Prince. “I don't remember getting hit by a truck.”

“A truck, what's that, lady Mobius?” A short woman with brown hair came in, seemingly floating in the air. Followed by another girl who looked exactly the same except for the color outfit and eye color.

There were three other women in the room who looked concerned. One had dark purple hair and a stoic face. Another had short light blue hair and a motherly air about her. The third woman looked similar to the small elf who had been shaking her.

“A vehicle.” She got up and dusted off her dress. It was shaped like an hourglass, green, white, and black all coming together in harmony to make this extravagant outfit that wouldn't be possible in the real world. She even a black pointy crown on, how ridiculous.

“A what-”

“No more questions please. Just all of you leave us for a moment. I must talk to Pardofelis here, alone.”

“Lady Mobius, you really should let us run a checkup on you.” The woman with light blue hair said.

“I can't die unless the Holy Maiden kills me. As far as I'm aware,” She picked the staff off the ground. “I have my staff. Pardofelis isn't dead either. Stop worrying.”

“Fine, we'll leave you be…” The woman who looked like the small elf said. She ushered the other girls out of the room, leaving her and Kitty alone.

“What the fuck is happening!?” Kitty said, still freaking out.

“I don't know. But I think we just got slapped in the face. Did you have a weird dream before we woke up here?

“Yeah, it was something about ‘figure out who you are’! It was weird as hell!”

“It appears right now we are Mobius and Pardofelis. I guess we should call ourselves that while we're here.”

“That would be easy if we knew anything about their lives. I know I'm not actually a real life cat girl. We have to figure out how to go back to our world and be us.”

“We don't even know if we're alive or dead over there. That mysterious dream implies this might be the current us. There may be no world to return to..”

“So are you suggesting we just be those stupid isekai protagonists that just forget about their lives before? That we don't try to go home.”

“We need to calm down and analyze our current predicament. We'll go from there.”

“I can tell you I don't remember the evil Sorceress having an entire team behind her, just that one that eventually betrays Mobius.”

“Do you remember her name?”

“Nope. Crap I think we're cooked.”

“Slight alteration to the plan, analyze and try to survive.”

“I can't believe we're in an isekai. I want to go home and be Kitty, not a shallow cat girl with no personality.”

Carmen, well it's Mobius now, took a deep breath and sat down at the table. “Ask them to come back in… If they work for Mobius they're probably loyal to her and actually want to help. We'll just pretend it's a simple case of amnesia.”

“Let's try that then I guess.” Pardofelis walked to the door and gestured for the woman outside to come in.

All of them come back into the room and look at Mobius who was just sitting there, hand on her head. “Me and Pardofelis have an issue. We can't remember shit right now.”

“Lady Mobius, are you serious?” One of the women with brown hair and white and blue colored outfit asked.

“I'm dead serious. Please try and help us remember.”

“I guess we should introduce ourselves then?” The woman with blue hair asked.

Pardofelis put her hand out in a thumbs up position. “Exactly!”

“Well I'm Blanca,” Blanca then gestured to the woman with green hair who was similar to the little elf, “This is Human Klein and that little elf there is Elf Klein.”

“Why are there two Klein's?” Mobius inquired, looking up from the table.

“I went out shopping for too long, in your opinion, you thought I died so you recreated an elf version of me. And before you ask, no, we are not the same.” The human Klein said.

“Impatient, sounds right.” Pardo said.

Mobius didn't comment on that, just shot her a menacing glare.

“I'm Mei,” The woman with dark purple hair said.

“I'm Fuxi,” The girl in the mostly white outfit with blue eyes replied.” The older one.”

“And I'm Nuwa.” The girl with the mostly black outfit and red eyes said.

“You said you two can't remember anything right? It sounds to me like the Holy Angel is playing dirty.” Human Klein said, crossing her arms.

“You think this is the effect of the Angels constellation appearing again?” Blanca asked.

“Lady Mobius had been acting rather weird since its appearance so it could be the explanation.” Nuwa remarked, making her opinion known.

Well that certainly explained where they were in the novel. Chapter one, the chapter they probably had the most information about.

The Holy Angel… not much of it was mentioned in the novel. In the book it was really just there to be the foundation of the main religion in this world and to announce Elysia was the maiden. Or at least that's what the cliff notes summary told her. Was it possible that the voice she and Pardofelis heard was the angel’s?

A false God in her world, but in this one it was very real. Was this the height of magic in this world? Being able to manifest into another universe? None of this was making sense.

But being a scientist she needed to investigate. And the first step of the scientific method is the question. The question here is ‘is the Holy Angel the voice that they heard in their dream.’

The second step is the hypothesis. A hypothesis is an if-then statement. If the voice of the Holy Angel is the one that is heard then she and Pardofelis should try and seek it out to find an answer.

The next part of the step not often talked about is the null hypothesis. If the voice of the Holy Angel is not the one she and Pardofelis heard then they should not try and seek it out to find an answer.

Now, one last step before investing can begin. That step being, having all the right equipment. But what would the right equipment be in this situation? That would be learning about the magic of this world. It shouldn't be too hard as she now possessed the body of the greatest Sorceress to ever live, somebody that would understand this system quite well.

Only problem being she wasn't Mobius. She wasn't from this world. She didn't have this woman's memories, that means she didn't understand magic or how to even do it. That was a really big problem.

“I have a lot to learn it seems. I must be taught magic.” Mobius said.

“Lady Mobius, you taught us most of what we know. It would be a challenge to try.” Blanca said.

“I accept this challenge. Maybe it'll jog my memory.”

“Hey we've just been talking about her, do you guys remember anything about me?” Pardofelis asked, hair tail flicking expectantly.

Mei shook her head, “Unfortunately no. You are a more recent addition to the team and just joke around most of the time.”

“Well we do know you're a great thief! But you can't fight. Like at all.” Fuxi said.

“That's it!? Why must I be so weak!?” Pardo glanced at her arms, they were weak as noodles just like in her average life. It was like she was another version of herself, unlike how Mobius got to be a little more than she was.

“You could try working out?”

“Hmm you're right! I could get ripped and get another sugar daddy.”

“Uh ummm okay.”

“Felis, you're banned from getting a sugar daddy.” Mobius said.

“You can't do that! I need money.”

“I'm your boss and I pay you. You have money.”

“Extra money is always nice.” Pardo pouted and crossed her arms.

“We have more pressing matters at hand. Like how to deal with the Holy Maiden being out there and probably already on her way to kill the Lady.” Elf Klein replied.

“We should start making plans to deal with that.” Mei replied.

Mobius nodded, “Yes. Allow us to plan the downfall of the Maiden.”

The group gathered around the table and began concocting ideas of how to stop the maiden. Keeping the staff away from someone shouldn't be too hard, right?

“Aha! I have a great idea!” Pardofelis said, “We should kidnap her. If she doesn't have her party to help her then we can easily get rid of her.”

Mobius cocked an eyebrow at that statement, she scooted closer to Felis and whispered in her ear, “I think you're skipping a few chapters there. We don't even know how to cast a damn spell.”

Felis whispered back, “She's at her weakest now, right? They weren't smart enough to think of it early in the novel but since we have that information we can get ahead.”

“I guess you're right…”

Mobius finally took her personal space back, she didn't want to keep the others waiting, “I believe we should try Pardo’s idea. She's weak.”

“My Lady, you don't really have it together yourself right now. Besides, you'd be bringing her right to the staff.” Human Klein said, disapproving of the notion.

“We can hide the staff away. Maybe even craft a fake. She's just acquired her blessing, now is the perfect time to strike, waiting for her to take her sweet time getting here is time to prepare. That can not happen.”

“If you insist then it shall be.” Blanca said.

“Let's start preparation then.” Mobius got up from her chair.

This life may or may not be hers but while she's here she has to take charge.

_____________

Dear Vill-V,

I need to use that favor you owe me. You swore on your life you'd do anything for me because of what I did for you. It's time you follow through.

Mobius is plotting something that will force him to come running. I can't afford for him to get hurt, he still has my heart and I have no doubt I am still in his.

Use your inventions to intervene, to stop him from getting hurt. I can't afford to lose him. I know you have your reservations of setting foot in the darklands ever again but I have a feeling my favor will force your hand. Please write back, once you do and ensure your loyalty to the plan. I'll give you the new details as soon as I can.

-You know who this is.

The crow flew out of the window, sent on its merry way to find the engineer in the kingdom of Kaslania. The sender watched it from the window with baited breath. She may be a traitor but that didn't matter. Her loyalty lies elsewhere. It always had.
_____________

Chapter Text

The results of training seemed ever fruitless. They had been trying for over a week to try and get Mobius to be able to use her magic again. Yet nothing was working.

Trying to do something without understanding the inner workings of it was hard, almost even impossible. Mobius didn't understand a thing about magic.

If she can't kidnap and kill the maiden the maiden will kill her. If the maiden kills her, she can't go back to her world. She did not want to die as Mobius. Playing along with the plot of the stupid book was the last thing she wanted and yet her hand was being forced.

Playing the antagonist… People at work and all throughout her life had thought her to be such all her life. Maybe she was, it would be logical if that's why she was to pretend to be an evil sorceress.

But weren't the ones reincarnated the ones that were there to flip the script and win? The protagonist was the problem all along? It was supposed to be easy because she knew the general plot and yet it wasn't simple.

_______________

A room, all black, nothing there but a mirror on the ground. The feeling of looking in the mirror and seeing someone else was odd. Could Mobius be considered another version of her?

One simple shared dream had shattered herself and what she knew. You live for twenty six years and you'd think by then you'd know yourself well, but when faced with the reality you might not be who you think you are is mind boggling, madding, a force that can drive one to insanity thinking it over and over and over again.

The ‘her’ in the mirror had a disappointed look on her face. If this was just a talk to the original Mobius, Carmen would at least feel like herself once again but even from her point of view, she was still currently Mobius.

“Are you actually trying to learn or are you just incompetent?” The mirror Mobius asked.

Mobius was frustrated. She had been for the past few days. Learning magic wasn't easy. If she was supposed to be some all powerful sorceress shouldn't re-learning all of this be like second nature?

She clenched her fists, “Of course I'm trying to learn, I'm trying to figure everything out. I have to.”

“Try harder. The instructions you're receiving from everyone should have been more than enough for you to get started and yet my staff won't work for you.”

“I'm doing what I can.”

“Do more. What you're doing is not enough.”

It was taking a lot of energy to scream all of her frustrations out at the mirror. Here it was, insulting her for not doing ‘enough’. Though this scolding was not unfamiliar to her, after all she had said the same thing to herself all throughout her childhood, into her teenage years, into her adulthood.

Whatever she did was never enough for herself. God why did this stupid book character have to be so much like her!? She shouldn't let her emotions get the better of herself though, letting that happen would make her laugh in her own face.

Mobius took a deep breath before saying anything again. She had to. She had to control herself. “...Who are we?”

“I'm not quite sure, it's not like I can do research from this mirror.”

“Geez, that sure is helpful.” She rolled her eyes, getting more fed up with this conversation by the minute. Is this how others felt when talking to her?

“What I do know is that we are inherently similar. So similar to the point that us being one in the same is more probable than us being our own individual.”

“If we are the same, then we shouldn't we be able to see the others memories?”

“Logically speaking, yes. I have seen yours, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to see mine. Maybe instructions from yourself can finally make it click for you.”

Mobius stepped closer to the mirror, her hand pressing against the glass. As if she subconsciously knew this was how she'd get information.

The mirror Mobius stretched her own hand and touched the glass too. The moment of almost contact snuffed out all of the light. Complete and utter darkness.

Opening her eyes felt like it took forever. She was not in the bed she slept in the night before, Mobius was standing in dried up land with dead trees and monsters for miles.

The staff she'd helped hide away for the plan of kidnapping the Holy Maiden in her hands. Her legs felt as if they forced her to push further into this wasteland.

Step after step, her hands clenched tighter around the staff. Words that she'd never even heard before on the tip of her tongue. Say it. Say it. Say it. Say it. Say it! The voice in her head screamed at her as her feet came to a stop.

Lifting the staff up in the air, the words came out loud, angry, booming, like years and years of frustration caked onto the venom. Years of frustrations not her own but now part of her, “Ventus circulo tempestatis collige, hanc terram viribus tuis destrue, nihil mihi deest!!!”

The clouds seemed to gather around her, the wind picking up, whipping her hair violently in every direction it blew. The dead trees being ripped up by their roots into the storm, lightning, thunder, rain. This was the storm talked about in the beginning of the book.

This didn't feel like just a plot in a book though. The emotions of this, too strong for a writer of such a silly book to even attempt to capture. This didn't feel like living in someone else's life, it felt like her. The emotions poured themselves into the storm, fueling its might. Using the staff felt like second nature, like it was just another extension of her body.

Maybe that was the solution… The way to do magic was to funnel all of your emotions through it. But how did someone as cold as herself learn to funnel emotions through it? The original her as Carmen as well as Mobius seemed apathetic to most things. But apathy doesn't mean you can't feel anything.

She closed her eyes and opened them again, back in the room she had fallen asleep in. She quickly pushed herself to sit up. Putting a hand to her face, she couldn't help but let out a semi-crazed laugh.

“So that's how you do it, you dump your bottle of things kept inside to the magic. I am so stupid! How did I not see this before!?”

Pardofelis, who had been sleeping on the floor, sat up and rubbed her eyes, “It's so early… What are you doing?”

“I just figured out how to do magic. Or at least how to get started. Either way, our plan is about to be set in motion. Get ready.” Mobius got out of bed and quickly got herself ready. She wanted to practice as soon as possible.

The plan was soon to be in motion.

______________

Everrain, a small village a thousand miles north of the border of the darklands, yet it was still far from the Capital of Kaslania. The people of the village were quite welcoming, after all who wouldn't be if you knew the people standing before you were prophesied to bring the world its salvation from the dark.

The Holy Maiden and her party was seated at a table on the patio on one of the residents' homes. Su and Kevin were seated next to each other across from Elysia and Fu Hua.

Elysia used her spoon to take a scoop of her strawberry and blueberry parfait and pushed the spoon close to Fu Hua’s face. “Hua, you should try this! It's really good!”

“Miss Elysia i’m quite alrigh-” Fu Hua was cut off by the spoon going into her mouth.

“Sooo what do you think?” Elysia tilted her head and smiled.

Fu Hua sighed, “It was pretty good.”

“Wonderful~! Just tell me if you want anymore and I'll be happy to share.”

“You're just going to share with her?” Kevin teased.

“Oh Kevin, don't be like that. You should know by now I only feed cute girls~! But you can have some too if you want.” Elysia put the spoon in the parfait and pushed it across the table towards Kevin.

Kevin picked up the spoon, looking at it hesitantly he hadn't eaten after anyone except… He put the spoon down back in the parfait. “I think I'm good.”

“You sure?” A sympathetic look fell across the maiden’s face.

“Yeah I'm sure.” Kevin's hands quickly hid under the table. His hands were shaking slightly.

Su noticed his friend's predicament and patted him on the shoulder. “The sun is setting, we should probably do some shopping tonight before we head off tomorrow.”

“Yeah let's do that…” Kevin said as he stood up from the table. “I'll go ahead and get on that, you guys enjoy your dessert.”

Fu Hua got up from the table as well and pushed her chair in. “I already finished mine, I'll help. It'll go faster that way.”

“Alright, we'll see you guys later then.” Elysia waves the two goodbye and went back to enjoying her parfait.

Su and Elysia sat in silence for a while, until Elysia spoke up again, “I feel bad for Kevin… especially for what happened a few years ago.”

“That's not your fault.” Su replied calmly, sipping on his tea.

“I know… I want to make him feel better. He's a good friend and I try to be a good friend too but I think I remind him of what he's lost.”

“You aren't the reminder, you just sometimes do things that remind him of her. I do it sometimes too.”

“The difference between you and me is that I'm sure the king expects Kevin and I to be wed after all of this.”

“I wish I could quel your thoughts with reassurance that it's not the truth, but I have no doubt you are right.”

“Would either of us even be able to say no when the time comes?”

“I don't know… Maybe if you're lucky you two will eventually fall for the other.”

“That would be for the best. I'm not sure if it's possible though… I do love Kevin, just not in that way.” Elysia lowered her head, picking at her parfait.

“This will be a long journey, you will have time to figure things out.”

“Indeed. I didn't reject receiving the portal potions for no reason. I did it to strengthen myself and to prepare myself for the inevitable future.”

_____________

Fu Hua and Kevin had split up to go shopping. Kevin definitely wanted to be left alone, he needed time to take his mind off his memories.

The only reason Hua had decided to come along was because his moping would mean he wouldn't get most of the shopping done. She was basically the clean up crew. It was probably best she got most of the shopping done anyway. Only a few things left to get.

As she was looking at some of the fruit for sale, she noticed a familiar tail behind one of the buildings.

She put the fruit down, and decided to investigate. She hadn't seen that silly thief for almost an entire month. Going behind the building, she grabbed the cat girl's arm.

“Felis, what are you up to this time? What are you even doing here?” Fu Hua asked, clearly peeved.

Pardo turned to face the young knight, her eyes sparkled with hope. Finally somebody who might know something about who she was supposed to be in this world.

How would she get details from her though? Aha! She would use her special tactics that she usually used to get money from her sugar daddies.

Pardofelis clinged onto her arm, “Awww! You missed me didn't ya?”

Fu Hua blushed, startled by the sudden affection. “What are you doing!?”

“I missed you too, my beloved~” Pardo said in a coy manner.

“Beloved!? Felis are you on drugs!?”

“Is it crazy to show my girlfriend some affection and want to reminisce on our time together?” Felis nuzzled her head against Fu Hua, her tail brushing gently against the other girl's leg.

Hua's face only got redder, this was crazy. “Girlfriend!? We aren't together!”

“Oh but we are! Now how about you tell me everything you know and like about me, hmm?”

“I'll tell you what I know! You're annoying, lazy, a thief, a trickster, and a huge pest!” Hua attempted to pull away from Pardofelis grip, even though she was much stronger than the cat girl, something in her wouldn't allow her to pull away.

“Those are character traits! Give me details! Memories! Shared adventures!”

“Can't you just remember those yourself!?”

“It would be nice if my girlfriend would recount it for me though! Do you really wanna disappoint me?” Pardofelis pouted, it worked on old men in her original world all the time! She was sure to get what she wanted. Well that was until they were interrupted.

“There you are Hua, I didn't know you had a girlfriend.” Elysia said, a small smile on her face.

“I don't have a girlfriend!”

“You're so mean to me…” Felis grumbled, getting information out of this knight felt almost like pulling teeth.

“I know it was a great accomplishment to graduate from the knight academy at twenty two and almost immediately get chosen for an adventure that will go down in history, but neglecting your girlfriend is still a big no no.” Elysia shook her finger at Hua disapprovingly.

Su shortly walked up next to Elysia, “I didn't know you had a girlfriend Hua.”

“I don't!” Fu Hua pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand. “I can't believe you people are believing this thief over me.”

The sun had set for the most parts, only a little bit of the remnants of the day remained. A little light sliver in the sky, that was it.

Kevin, who had managed to get out of his own head, approached. He grabbed Pardofelis by her shoulders and pried her off of Hua easily, comedically so. So easy that it was like how you would remove a velcro strap on Skechers kids shoes.

“Hello Pardofelis.” Kevin said.

“Sup.” The cat girl replied.

“That is not how you address royalty.” Fu Hua crossed her arms, the blush on her face finally calming down now that she was free.

“What would a thief care about respecting royalty?”

“Nothing clearly.”

Elysia tapped her own cheek with a finger, clearly thinking about something. “Hmm Hua, what if we attempt to reform your girlfriend?”

“She's not…” Hua sighed again, these people would just not let it go. “How are you going to reform, Felis, of all people?”

Elysia stepped closer to Pardofelis and took the cat girl's hands into her own, “She could join our party on this grand adventure. A way to reform herself.”

“You want me to join??? What good would I be?” Pardofelis asked quizzically.

“You never know when somebody can be useful on the journey. The more the merrier, right Kevin?”

“You said the Holy Angel told you to go with your gut on who all should join. If your gut is saying go for it then we are in no place to oppose.”

Elysia looked straight into Pardo’s eyes, “Then it's settled. Pardofelis, please join our party and help us defeat evil!”

Uh oh. Maybe coming super early and attempting to kidnap the maiden was a bad idea. Pardofelis was here to use the portal opener in Elysia’s room tonight and send her straight to Mobius's evil lair, not become her bestie and join the hero's party!

Elysia was getting Holy Maiden, it's not like she could just say no! It might be beneficial later right? Just walk up to her and say ‘Hey bestie, can I kidnap you?’ Yeah that could work. The kidnapping plan is back on! She should totally give herself a pat on the back for this later.

“Sure I'll join your party.” Pardofelis said.

_________________

Kaslania, the holy capital, home to forty percent of the kingdom's total population. It was a large place filled with grandeur and the wealthy. A place where magical studies and innovation thrived. A place that welcomed just about anyone as long as you had proper documentation when entering and exiting the city.

And in the heart of the city was a grand clock tower. A monument dedicated to the innovation that the light had brought. It was one of the few things not operated by magic in the kingdom’s capital.

It was old, about as old as the kingdom itself. So it needed routine maintenance. But that's what engineers were for after all.

Vill-V got off the ground and stretched, her bones slightly cracking as she did so. “This damn clock is going to be the death of me.”

She used the wrench in her hand to scratch her back before moving her goggles from her face to the top of her head.

“You've only had to work on it twice this week.” A young man replied. He was wearing a cloak that covered his face and arms well.

The engineer walked over to him and pulled down his hood revealing the horns on his head. “Kosma, how many times do I have to tell you that it's safe to take that off here? Nobody in their right mind climbs to the top of the clock tower.”

Kosma quickly pulled the hood back over head, “You never know what could happen. It's just safer this way.”

“You're so overcautious. It's good to take that stupid cloak off sometime. Come on, just give it a chance ! Stretch your wings!”

Vill-V walked over to the window of the clock tower. It was the highest building in the capital and it overlooked everything. Truthfully the windows at the top were just for circulation so the air inside wasn't stale.

But it was safe for Kosma to take the hood off as nobody would be able to make out details of whoever was up here. Still, he refused.

She couldn't blame, he knew what could happen if someone found out the truth of what her assistant was? Kosma was a dragon, a creature only born in the dark lands, therefore the kingdom classified him as a threat. The punishment of him being here would be death. Vill-V would receive the same punishment for not turning him in.

As much as she liked working on contraptions of all kinds, the fresh air blowing on her face felt nice. The crow that was flying right for it, not so much. Wait a crow?

The crow flew right into her face before eventually perching on her head.

“Ow! Watch where you're flying!” She grumbled.

“Hello Midnight.” Kosma said, acknowledging the bird before turning to Vill-V, “He never seemed to like you much.” Kosma lifted her arm, the cloak's sleeve pulling back enough to see his claw-like hand and scale covered arm.

The crow flew right over and perched on his wrist. Kosma carefully untied the letter tied to the crow’s leg, looking it over before handing the letter to Vill-V.

“Cleary. That bird is always flying right for my eyes. I swear it wants to poke them out or something!”

Vill-V looked over the letter, the contents making her tired but content demeanor fade into something more annoyed. “Am I loyal to the plan? You haven't even told me a plan to be loyal too!”

Kosma looked over her shoulder to read the letter. “If you have to go to the dark lands do you think this could be our chance to take me back?”

Vill-V shook her head, “This bullshit is too uncertain. Besides we're not exactly on good standing with kingdom mages that would willingly give us a portal potion. And the check point certainly hasn't lessened its restrictions on entry and exit of the capital.”

“Let's just humor her. Please…”

“Fine, when we get back to my workshop I'll send a reply. She may have saved my life but that doesn't mean I'm loyal to her and her schemes involving the darklands. I just feel guilty and owe her a favor…You can return if this all works out, but me? That place has burned me too much to return.”

“We both know you'll have to go back eventually…”

“It's only been a few years since the incident and it still feels so fresh. I don't want to mess with Mobius again. I was foolish in ever trying to see eye to eye with that hag.”

“But this letter sounds like she's trying to take Mobius down.”

“Only the Holy Maiden can do that. Last time I checked, she is not the Holy Maiden.” Vill-V sighed, “Maybe I shouldn't be so cynical. Fuck it, I'll help her play her stupid game. If those two get married she better invite me to the damn wedding.”

That night was calm. Kosma has already gone to bed and Vill-V was left alone. It wasn't surprising that she had been contacted, it wasn't that long ago that she had sent off her friend Pardofelis to see if she could find a way to help take Kosma back to the darklands.

writing her reply. The reply reads as follows.

Dear miss ambitious,

I'm in. Just send me one of those portal bottles and I'll get to work after you send me those details. Actually screw it, I need a whole lot of them.

I must assume something must have happened for you to jump into action like this. All I've got to say is don't get us killed.

Sincerely,

-Your favorite engineer

She tied the letter to Midnight’s leg and sent the crow on its long journey back to the dark lands.

_______________

Kidnapping Elysia was in fact, not as easy as she hoped. Pardofelis knew that the original Pardofelis was somehow able to do it, so she'd have to find a way to do it too.

The more days that passed traveling with the party made her hurt. She was sentencing such a kind woman to death. All Elysia seemed to do was help people and try to be a good friend. It made Felis feel sick to her stomach.

Then again should it surprise her that someone that represents light isn't a bad person? She expected not to feel bad. These are characters in a book. A book that's flat with little characterization other than completing the mission and marrying the prince. And yet all the people around her felt so real.

Could she go through with the plan? No she shouldn't think this. If she doesn't Mobius dies and so do her chances to go back to her own world with her friend. It is their lives on the line, they are the only real people here!! Right? These people couldn't be.

She had heard that Mobius was getting better at magic every day that went by. Though it has certainly confused her dear friend when she had to tell her that the kidnapping plan wasn't taking off as fast as planned. Mobius understood her feelings on the entire thing but the plan still had to go through.

She had to act now. The more she spent time with these people the more they felt real. These people shouldn't ever feel real to her. She was committed to the world she was from, being committed to two was too much.

The woods were pitch black, apart from the campfire. Insects chipping were loud and seemed to surround the camp. Then again, they were in a dense forest where the creatures lived. Pardo had been out on watch duty, to make sure the fire didn't go out during the night.

Everyone but her was asleep, now was the perfect time to act. Pardofelis reached into her bag, pulling out a portal potion. She hid it behind her back as she shook Elysia awake.

“Psst! Elysia!” Pardo whispered.

Elysia yawned and rubbed her eyes as she slowly sat up. “Is something wrong Felis?”

“Sort of. I don't want any trouble.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Please just come with me, willingly.” Pardofelis grabbed Elysia’s wrist with her free hand.

“Oh? Is this betrayal? I guess the reform didn't work.” Elysia smirked, almost as if she knew something.

“Nope. I have to do this, nothing can change that.”

“Fine, just allow me to grab my stuff.” Elysia reached out and grabbed her bow.

That action put Felis on high alert, she tugged the elf’s arm, making her get up and go forward.

“That's enough. Let's just go.”

She couldn't stand this. The guilt of what she was doing was eating her alive. It's what she had to do. She has to, right?

The two went deep into the darkness of the woods, Elysia made no move to attack or escape. Eventually the other party members' voices could be heard calling for the two of them. They were too late.

Pardofelis poured the liquid to the ground, creating an ominous looking sludgy gate. With one last breath of the fresh night air, she pulled them both into the portal. The strange gate quickly disappeared.

_______________

Mobius could only look at the room in front of her with shock. Pardofelis had given no warning as to when she'd enact the plan. But there in front of her was none other than the Holy Maiden, Elysia. The woman destined to kill her with the very weapon Mobius currently held.

She quickly searched the room for a grimoire for a binding spell, she shouldn't have taken the damn staff out of hiding. Not now.

“So, you're the sorceress that has cursed this land for so long.” Elysia said calmly.

Mobius quickly straightened herself out, trying to not look frantic in front of her enemy. “Indeed I am.”

“You're a lot prettier than I expected.”

Elysia stepped closer. And closer. And closer. Mobius had to take a step back from how close the other woman was getting. Did she never learn about personal space?

“Huh?”

The maiden simply smiled and touched a section of the sorceress’ hair, letting her fingers run through its silky softness.

Mobius took another step back, offended that this girl would touch her like that so casually. Suddenly a purple light would curl itself around the maiden like a rope, restraining her.

“Lady Mobius, are you alright?” Mei asked, it was clearly her magic that had restrained the maiden.

“Yes I'm fine.” Mobius glared into Elysia's eyes. There was just something about this girl that ticked her off.

“Mobius? That's your name, it's just as beautiful as you~!” Elysia smirked sweetly. Was none of this bothering her???

Pardofelis got closer to everyone, her eyes carrying heavy guilt in them. “Sorry for the lack of heads up. I just felt I needed to act now or it was never going to happen.”

Nuwa floated into the room and took the staff from Mobius, quickly leaving to securely hide it. Sure the maiden was restrained right now, but they were dealing with holy magic so who knew what could happen.

“I didn't expect you to be working for Mobius. But it's alright, I forgive you.”

Pardo could only lower her head in shame. “You shouldn't. I just-”

Mobius placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, “Go.”

Pardofelis nodded her head and went off, she definitely needed some alone time.

“What should we do with her?” Mei asked.

“Just take her to the dungeon for now. I haven't learned killing magic just yet, unless you propose I use that spell that got the demon king to notice me.”

‘me’ still felt weird to say. It tasted weird when the word left her mouth. For now, she'd just have to cope with it.

“I would not propose such a thing, I'll take her there now.”

“How cruel, doing this to a cute girl is rude, you know.” Elysia teased.

“What's cruel is you doing… whatever it is you're trying to do now. You're supposed to kill me, not flirt with me. Do not get that twisted.”

____________

I'll send it as soon as I can, transporting those by crow is a bit challenging. You have to act now. Mobius is planning to kill the maiden and as of the day I'm writing this, she's trapped her in the dungeon. It's of the utmost importance you hurry, he can't come to this terrible place.

-Yours truly