Story Summary: Difference between revisions

[[Darkmoon]] goes to try and heal Laby but is surprised to see that the girl's physical wounds had already healed. Laby wakes up and feels better, Darkmoon insist she rests for now and [[Artea]] explain where she is, also explaining that Bellonde is the El Masters Gaia. Laby in confused and the priestesses offer to answer any questions she has. Laby asks about Denif and [[Anduran]] did notice that he and Gaia appeared to have a menor-pupil relationship, Laby then realizing that Denif was her teacher's teacher and the Sage of Fluone. Excited to learn of this, she jumped out of bed and ran to meet the masters.

Denif and Gaia were in the middle of a conversation where Laby arrived, she was struck with awe when she saw the Large El, saying that it was the same light she called morning. Denif curious of what the girl meant, asked her to elaborate. She told him of the Black Forest she came from and he knows at the very least she isn't human, however without additional information, he can't quite piece what Laby might be. Backtracking to what Laby said about the light, Denif called all the priestesses in to the conversation, though Ignia was absent due to overworking herself earlier in the day. Gloria informs them how by the time they were ready to treat Laby, her injuries had already healed. Curious, Denif asks her about the light she called morning, after she explains the three mornings and how she kept hearing voices till the third morning. Denif suspects the possibility of mind control magic, a demon specialty. Laby goes on to explains each individual light in detail. Denif concludes that the morning Laby spoke of were most definitely related to the Large El. [[Sasha]] equating the first light to the Nasod War, Artea relating the second to the El Explosion, and Darkmoon noting the last having been the return of the Large El that had just happened months prior. [[Anduran]] was shocked to hear that Laby might have been around since the ancient past. Denif notes that with [[Elsword]]'s involvement with the current El's restoration, Gaia is alarmed to learn of a boy with such power. Denif himself is too inconclusive of what to make of the boy, believing he either might be an Elrian of unprecedented power or a being similar to the El Lady. Laby gathers that the boy's actions freed her and wishes to meet him, Denif notes that Elsword doesn't himself even realize what he might be, so no real answers would come from that. Denif then asks Laby about Nisha, but laby hesitates, simply calling it he friend. Denif easily notices her hiding something and steps down, not planning to pressure an answer out of her.

Collecting their thoughts, Darkmoon wonders if she could be a demon, noting that her aura feels similar to the demon generals. Laby says that [[Kallon]] had said a similar thing and wonders if she herself might be some kind of high rank demon. Though she goes on to say that Kallon said he aura was different. Denif and Artea ask about Kallon, Laby telling that he was a demon in the Northern Empire. Gloria tells Laby about how Darkmoon lost the Moon El to the demons and how the demons hurt all of them, with Darkmoon still blaming herself. Sasha tell her beliefs that either demon or human are capable of just as much good or bad, since it was the selfish deeds of [[Rod Ross]] which aided the demons in [[Hamel]]. Laby promises to stop anybody who bullies her friends no matter if she is human or demon, pleading them to not hate Kallon. The priestesses trust Laby, Denif was still a tad suspicious of any demon activity in the area. Laby tells him that Kallon was at odds with some of the other demons, Denif hoping so as much of the demon situation has stabilized since the El Search Party's victories. However, with the day soon reaching its end, Denif calls an end to their meeting and suggests they all rest for now as Anduran prepares dinner.

That night, while [[Laby]] contemplated what she should do with Nisha, [[Ignia]] met up with her. The two talked, Ignia reflects on her life, her determination and purpose after becoming the Fire Priestess and the regrets she harbored when she became a pawn for the demons. She explains that ever since, she has been giving her all to duty, so much so that she had exhausted herself and passed out earlier in the day, she says that she aspires to meet the Fire Master and learn under him to better her abilities. Laby opens up to Ignia and tells her that Nisha is her sadness. Ignia presents the information to [[Denif]] who is a bit skeptical of the information without any concrete evidence. The priestesses believe Laby and Denif accepts to at least hear what she has to say. [[Gaia]] begins to understand why Laby acted the way she did during their journey. Laby tells them what she experienced in the Henir barrier and states that after some reflecting, she's starting to want to accept Nisha. Denif is vexed by Laby's situation, having never seen somebody's emotion take on a physical form. Denif tries to hypothesize what Laby might be. Laby mentions the energy she felt inside the barrier felt somewhat familiar to something she felt in the distant past. Denif then brings up ancient theories of portals opening up in the core of the Black Forest as a potential explanation, siting the El Search Party discovering the Henir passage between [[Elrianode]] and the Demon Realm. Gaia, unsure what to make of the El Search Party, worries they have given them their burdens. Denif then goes on to explain the situation in regards to Henir's Order, the El Search Party, and their current objective in finding an alternative means to maintaining the El.

As they conversed, Denif senses that [[Ventus]] was approaching from the other side of the seal. With the priestesses and [[Gaia]]'s help, Denif takes them below the El where they open up the seal where Ventus comes through with [[Rosso]]. Ventus notes that the Henir passage has become more chaotic on the way back. The priestesses introduce themselves to newly arrived Fire Master. Rosso asks if the Fire Priestess is present, Ignia presents herself but Rosso is quick to criticize her for being weak and unfit for the harsh responsibilities of controlling the power of fire and tells her that she should leave now that he is back. The two fight among each other until Gaia drags Rosso away to get his injuries tended to. Ignia feels dejected by her encounter with the Fire Master but both Ventus and Denif find their encounter to have gone better than expected, knowing Rosso's personality.

[[Darkmoon]] tends to Rosso's wounds when Laby follows them to talk with Rosso. Rosso tries to dismiss the child as she had no purpose for being here, but Laby explains how Ignia had idolized and was looking forwards to learning from him. Rosso expresses he has little interest in teaching, saying he doesn't wish to burden others with the responsibilities of fire, wishing not for anybody else to be sacrificed to its power. Rather he would bear the burden himself. Rosso sensing the abnormal energy coming from Laby demand to know if Gaia knew what she was and wondered why Denif for allowing something like her this close to the El. Gaia tried to calm him down assuring Laby was no threat, Rosso chooses to remain suspicious of her but is willing to accept she isn't an immediate threat if Denif was fine with her. Laby is curious if Rosso knew what she was, he refuses to answer until Darkmoon pleas him to help them even just a little. He states that her aura was certainly of Demon Realm origins, being something he himself felt near where he slept, but without [[Stirbargen]]'s eye, he is unable to point out exactly what. Laby is even more confused, Rosso tells her to be grateful he has said this much and warns Gaia that he only spoke this information so he would be aware and be responsible for the child. Rosso rests, Laby thanks Darkmoon for helping her and Darkmoon reveals to Laby that they already know of a [[Lu/Ciel|demon]] who had helped them before and are confident that Laby will be their ally just the same.

Processing what Rosso said and how she should accept Nisha, Laby feels she might need to go to the Demon Realm for answers. [[Ventus]] appears before Laby using the power of the wind. She asks him if he and the wind are one, which he replies that he accepts the wind even if they cannot be as one itself. Seeing the girl ponder his statement, he tells her of the [[11-6|Forgotten Elrian Sanctum]] where she could train and grow. Laby takes the offer and goes off. [[Lincy]] questions his decision as she knew he was still suspicious of the girl, Ventus himself being unsure, perhaps he simply wished to act as an elder for once. In the sanctum, she sees the luminous forest and feels energy unlike that of the Black Forest. As the went deeper in the sanctum, she began to hear the voices of the past, mistaking it for the voice which prevented her from leaving the forest. She begins hearing her own voice asking herself what she is afraid of, where she replies she fears losing Nisha.

Back in the city, Gaia now dawning his El Master attire meets back up with his teacher in order to get filled in what had happened up to this point. [[Denif]] recalls the events following the El Explosion, informing Gaia that while he fell asleep after he poured his energy into the El, Denif remained awake and used the last of his energy to seal off [[Elrianode]]. Gaia wondered why Denif decided to seal the city alone and not requested the aid of the other masters. Denif gave two reasons, the first being that making the Elemental El was the more important priority they could not afford to fail, and the other was he suspected the possibility of a traitor among their ranks as has happened in the past and kept the plan only among himself and Ventus. Gaia is somewhat saddened that Denif did not trust him enough but understands his judgement and promises to earn his trust in the present. Denif applause Gaia's growth in the time they've been apart, noting that he and Ventus haven't been as affected due to their already inherent long lives, he once again thanks Gaia for returning. Gaia states his new resolves came from Laby, who reminded him of his determination as a Master, believing their meeting at his sister's grave was a sign.

Laby still inside the sanctum talks with Nisha and wonder what would happen if they did become one. If they would both lose themselves in the process of reuniting, expressing she doesn't want to lose her current sense of self. She doesn't quite want to become one with her, but wants them to share with each other. For Nisha to teach her sadness, and for her to teach Nisha other emotions. To understand each other not as one being, but as partners. With her new perspective, she heads back to Elrianode.

The priestesses, diligently at work stabilizing the El begin to talk among each other. [[Ignia]] notices that controlling the El has become slightly easier since Rosso returned, even though he doesn't appear to be actively helping them. The other priestesses tell her that she and Rosso should try and make up. Ignia is still hesitant. During their conversation, Laby returns back to the tower and seeks out her teacher. Gaia is glad to see Laby return and she tells him her decision to accept Nisha not as one, but try to understand her. Laby's new goal is to find the voice that kept her in the forest and seek out answers from them and thanks Bellonde for everything he has taught her.