Fate from the Past

"Ten thousand years ago, in a universe born long before ours, the origins of darkness gave birth to the concept of eternity, otherwise known as Kals.

"Kals was the entity of perpetuity. However, born with only the power to make anything and everything last forever, the one simple thing Kals couldn't do was create life."

"No one body could handle being in a forever state of life and death. To both live and die simultaneously was impossible. The natural concepts repelled each other no matter how many attempts were made."

"So instead of combining them into one, Kals separated the two, creating living embodiments of light and darkness, the elements to represent life and death and the very first beings."

"Their names were...Lis and Deus."

...

Step one of four complete. Particle Magic Fusion Procedure beginning in ten

...Vitals Normal

...Magic Signature Locked On

...Commencing Experiment.

The units inside the lab whirred and echoed, moving about with crass sounds in the empty room. Colors shone brightly, illuminating the darkness, filling every corner as every piece moved with synonymous fluidity, combining their contents and settling them into the drill hanging over the chamber below that had bubbled to life.

The built-in vat rose from the floor meeting the drill halfway. Mechanical arms appeared from the walls splitting off to secure the chamber, and others began to close in on the boy floating inside, tearing off pieces and chunks of flesh as the spear pierced through his stomach, officially starting the fusion process under the eerie green lights.

...

Fusion Process Finished

...Origin Magic Established

...Curse Phenomenon Contained

Upon reappearing in the lab, we heard the machine's automated voice announce the procedure finished lowering the container to the ground and draining the water from the tank.

The chamber flipped upwards, standing straight. Smoke poured out from the cracks as the door parted, and master Reis's bare body collapsed into Xiala's open arms.

She quickly wrapped him in a towel carrying his limp figure to one of the tables on the opposite side. Carefully placed on the surface, my eyes widened in horror, and my mouth went dry at master Reis's new outward form.

A circle was drawn on his chest with two symbols near the top and bottom. Both arms had been ripped off and replaced, his new left appendage a black one as dark as space and the right a white one as shiny as the moon traced with yellow horizontal markings.

"W-What is this? He doesn't look the same at all!"

"I know. That means the fusion experiment worked. I had my initial doubts, but everything is taking to his body rather well."

"You said this would help him!"

"And it has. Already the nutrients his body was sapped of have returned, even his skin's complexion is lighter and healthier."

"The twin arms aren't the sightliest things to look at, but they're absurdly powerful constructs made wholly of magic, something Myscia City can't even produce."

The left arm of darkness is called Phobias. It's composed entirely of pure gravity magic and the one keeping the curse at bay by exerting minute tremors of force throughout his body to keep the hex from spreading any further. The other one, Arlight, is made of pure sky magic. That one will speed up the recovery time of the already afflicted senses."

"Not only do their powers pair well together, but they share the same attribute as Reis's angel magic. Given enough time, training, and one other thing. He should be able to use his birth power easier and without limitations."

"This...was the most dangerous procedure possible, but the best one available at saving him from an assured death."

"Both of you, please, bear with it until our adventure comes to an end."

"..Ah!"

Catching Thalia and me off guard, we gasped in surprise as Xiala approached us and awkwardly began rubbing our heads. Her rough hand movement made the act stiff and cold, but the minute peek of the expression hiding behind her long bangs was one of genuine uncertainty and kindness.

"...Now then, since Reis's situation is stable at the moment, I need you two to go on a quest for me."

"A quest?"

"Yes. Recalling what I said in the kitchen, my words were that I was waiting for four of you; however, that number excluded Reis."

"I will send twenty of my shadow servants to accompany you back to the forest. Meanwhile, I will be finishing things for departure. Our meeting has taken much too long and I sense unprecedented peril surrounding the town at an alarming rate."

"Once you finish your task, seek me out on the city's western edge. I'll be waiting in that area inside the tunnel after preparing a ship for us to leave on. Use these to direct you."

Handing me a compass, Xiala moved behind the occupied table, wheeling master's body out the door as I pulled Thalia behind urgently following her.

"This is rather sudden. What danger are you referring to, and just who are we looking for?"

"Devils, of course. I don't know if they briefly sensed his power, but low-class devils are running amok and heading to the forest."

"By my estimation, you'll have fifteen minutes before they blanket the entire wilderness, so perform the search and rescue, then get out as soon as possible. Only after I'm done dispelling this world will I be able to help you if need be."

"Still, is this fourth that important?"

"Who knows, I'm merely following Lis's final words before she passed. My premonition isn't as good as hers, so I can't say if this person will prove extremely valuable to the team, but I'm asking you to find her anyway."

"The person you're looking for is someone you're already somewhat acquainted with."

"I need you to save and bring back the girl named Jai."