Story Summary: Difference between revisions

[[Laby]] manages to make it to the other side of the barrier, but she is badly hurt from being inside it for an extended period of time. [[Gaia|Bellonde]] rushes to her side and takes her immediately towards the El Tower for aid. When he arrives towards the tower, the priestesses are shocked to see an outsider approach and [[Denif]] is surprised to see his pupil and fellow El Master return. Denif orders [[Darkmoon]] to take Laby and heal her wounds, the other priestesses follow to aid her. Denif thanks Gaia for coming back, and informs him of the El Priestesses, proof that his sister, [[Verdel]], and the other priestesses succeeded in carrying their duty. Gaia properly greets his teacher and proudly reclaims his duty as an El Master.

[[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, [[Artea]] explain where she is and explaining that Bellonde is the El Masters Gaia. Laby asks about Denif and [[Anduran]] notices 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. 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. Denif called all the priestesses in to the conversation, though Ignia was absent due to overworking herself earlier in the day. Curious, Denif asks her about the light she called morning, after she explains the three mornings and the voices. 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. 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 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.

Darkmoon wonders if she could be a demon, noting that her aura feels similar to the demon generals. Laby says that [[Calonne]] had said a similar thing and wonders if she herself might be some kind of high rank demon. Denif and Artea ask about Calonne, Laby tells them about Calonne being a demon in [[North Fluone]]. Gloria tells Laby about how Darkmoon lost the Moon El to the demons and how the demons hurt all of them. Sasha tells 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, pleading them to not hate Calonne. The priestesses trust Laby, Denif was still a tad suspicious of any demon activity in the area. Laby tells him that Calonne was at odds with some of the other demons, Denif hoping so. 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 but the priestesses trust her. [[Gaia]] begins to understand why Laby acted the way she did during their journey. Laby tells them what she experienced in the Henir barrier. Denif is vexed by Laby's situation, having never seen somebody's emotion take on a physical form. 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, 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. 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 remains suspicious 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 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.

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. 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. 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. 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 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 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.