Year 65

  *Early in the morning, the Summer heat warms the city below. Emma wakes up and begins her day As she walks out of her room she is met with yelling.*

  Keya: What do you mean you threw it out?! I needed that!

  Isabelle: I told you last month to stop leaving your stuff on the counter or I’m throwing it out.

  *Emma stands next to her Dad as he adjusts the collar of his shirt.*

  Emma: What was it?

  Goren: Some paper with the date of some sale.

  Emma: Can’t she get a new one?

  Goren: It contained some important information she had written down.

  Emma: Well, that’s what you get when leaving things out. Bye, everyone!

  *Emma waves as she heads out of the house, Lily hops on her shoulder.*

  Lily: We are meeting “Him” today, right?

  Emma(TL): Yeah. *Pause* You know you can wait at home, right?

  Lily: You said he is safe. So I’ll trust him for now.

  *Emma reaches the hill the figure showed her before, she takes out Ratha’s journal and reads while she waits.*

  “I’ve started showing signs of Spirit Loss, which was to be expected after Aurora vanished. Sylvar is taking us to see our fathers. He’s hoping they can help me see her one last time. We decided it would be best for Sarah to live a non-royal life. So with her approval, we left her behind, but she’s strong I know she’ll take care of herself. It seems like the newborn spirits of this plane haven’t been disappearing so If this book finds its way to you one day Sarah. Just know I never stopped thinking about you two, I hope you two have a long and happy life.”

  “ It seems like it was just last year that everything seemed like it was starting to turn normal. Now they’ve outlawed the term Spirit Walker. We’re to call ourselves Elves to hide from the Devil’s and their prophecies. They’ve found us before, but we’ve never had the opportunity to claim to be another race. The elves look almost identical to us so hopefully we’ll be safe for now. Father just passed last fall, but we believe the spirits of this plane are safe from vanishing. It’s almost like they’ve become a cross of Magical energy and Spiritual energy. Sarah, I hope you never meet these Devils but if you do…”

  *The corners of the pages, having deteriorated make the last few letters unreadable.*

  Emma thinking: I wonder what was supposed to say before.

  *Emma hears the bell toll in the distance, and as the final ring hums, she begins to stand.*

  Emma: Great. I wasted my day off and now I have nothing for it.

  *As Emma begins walking away she hears an indescribable noise, she turns to see a floating wavelike effect in the air, almost like using stealth. Emma hops back, reaching for her blade, but remembers she left it at home today. Suddenly the Devil walks out from the effect and it dissipates. He looks over at Emma and smiles.*

  Devil: Thank goodness. I thought I’d have to kill someone.

  Emma: What do you mean?

  Devil: Well I can’t exactly have just “Anyone” seeing me come through a rip in the veil. I take it you’re paying your respects?

  Emma: For who?

  Devil: The fellow they killed here, the seer.

  *Emma’s eyes spark as she speaks, they’re filled with sorrow.*

  Emma: Josh… He. He died here?

  *Emma kneels down and looks upon the single flower growing atop the hill.*

  Devil: Yeah, gruesome death that one. While I have you here I want to ask something.

  *Emma looks up at the Devil.*

  Emma: Only if you answer my questions. Truthfully.

  Devil: *Sigh* Fine. you can ask one question first.

  Emma: What connections did the Devils have with the Elves?

  *The devil turns to Emma with a grin, Emma catches a glimpse of what almost looks like the corners of the Devil’s mouth stretching farther and farther, before he clears his throat and his face goes back to normal.*

  Devil: That’s quite the question. You’ve been busy.*Pauses* Okay, but first I need to know how much you know.

  Emma: I know that they claimed to help the elves but tricked us into attacking other planes.

  Devil: Is it really tricking, if they asked me to create a prophecy so that they can travel to any plane more easily? What’s easier than multiple planes being a part of your world? And you all got the spirits though. It’s a shame some races didn’t make it, but. I did what I had to. Now.

  Emma: What do you mean “you did what you had to do?”

  Devil: I said one question. If you can answer my question correctly. Maybe I'll answer another one.

  *The Devil steps closer to Emma, she feels her body lock up as some unknown force holds her in place. He walks around her once before stopping and turning to face her directly.*

  Devil: If I told you how to survive. What would you do?

  *The devil releases Emma from his hold, and she drops to her hands and knees before standing back up.*

  Devil: To clarify, I said “You” not everyone. And by the look in your eyes, I think you have an idea.

  *Emma’s mind races as she tries to think to herself. .*

  Devil: I guess a better question is. Could you willingly do something, knowing it will result in that dream of yours?

  *Emma’s mind is immediately filled with the memories of the nightmares and all the people who died in them. She blinks and her gaze fixes on the Devil.*

  Emma: If I have no other choice. And if it would ultimately save our race, then yes.

  *The Devil conjures a small book and opens it. He smiles again.*

  Devil: Good. Then in return, I’ll answer one more question. But think hard. I probably won’t be seeing you for some time after this.

  Emma: In detail. What is your role in all of this? Not just your title. I want you to explain it in a way I can understand.

  *The devil rubs his forehead, and his face turns to irritation.*

  Devil: Normally I wouldn’t offer. But… Are you sure you want to know the answer to that question? I’m not sure you’ll be able to.

  *Emma stomps forward*

  Emma: I’m tired of all the secrets! Tell me the truth.

  *The Devil sighs and snaps his fingers. The two are brought to an empty, dark room.*

  Devil: Sit down.

  *a chair appears and Emma is forced to sit down. *

  Devil:*rubs forehead.* Of course she tried to talk. *Deep breath* When a Devil makes a contract with someone, they get the ability to use the magic generated from the contract to create a “Prophecy Seed.”

  *images appear, floating around the room, depicting the signing of a contract, then a seed rises from it.*

  Devil: The more contracts the Devil obtains, the more powerful the Prophecy. The most any Devil has saved up was the Devil King himself. They said he saved up one million deals. I. Saved up my contracts with one prophecy in mind. One where I could save the others. Just like I promised her.

  *A genuine smile forms on his face.*

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  Emma: How does this?

  Devil: *Stern* Wait and don’t interrupt. *Sigh* Anyway. Managing roughly one contract a year. I finished my seed at one hundred thousand contracts! I stayed hidden from the others, in hopes of finding what I was looking for. And one day I heard a voice. Asking for some rain. From an elf.

  Devil: So when the elves met me and asked for a contract. I offered them my seed. “ Plant this and You’ll face hardships, but you can free your planet from the disease that plagues it.” They planted the seed that grew into a new element which was used to create a rift portal. I left them the coordinates of our plane. So one day they would make more deals with all the Devils.

  *Emma watches as the images show her elves walking through a treelike portal.*

  Devil: It’s law, in the Devil plane, that all new contacts must meet the Devil king first. Because when he plants a seed into the planet, he gets half the magic from any contracts made with future residents. Since every race gives different amounts no one will question a slightly lower-than-average magic-level contract. When I had them plant my seed it wasn’t quite enough to be what I needed. But the magic from the countless contracts being made now that they met the Devils. Right before the finalization of their prophecy, I planted a new seed here. But this time I saved…

  *A counter quickly spins up 10… 100…1000….100,000… 1,000,000,000.*

  Devil: One Billion wishes. You see. Lesser magic contracts are quickly used to train new Devils. So they made contracts, sometimes something as simple as. “ I wish I was rich.” Then they’d find a bag full of gold. So while the Elves fell into greed. Asking for everything from the Devils, almost like a market.

  *Images of contracts fill the room until Emma blinks. She rubs her eyes and they’re back in the field.*

  Devil: I made a prophecy, whatever it took. To find them. *Laughs* I couldn't care less about the other elves.

  *Emma clenches her fist, but can’t move forward as the figure holds her back. She calms down with a deep breath and her glare locks onto the Devil again.*

  Emma: So you already know what is going to happen?

  Devil: Oh gods no.

  Emma: *Confused.* Then how do you know where to go?

  Devil: *Smile* No more questions for now. But I’ll leave you with this last thing. Mainly because I hate being curious. So think of this as a gesture of goodwill for keeping her safe. Think about what you’re saying the next time you – Wish– for help...

  *Looking through the Devil's eyes we can see multiple threads. As he focuses he sees Eugene running toward the two.*

  Devil: It seems that’s all the time your people will allow.

  Emma: Wait!

  *The Devil starts walking away but then turns back to Emma.*

  Emma: How is Spike?

  *The Devil opens a small window/portal Spike rubs his back into the ground, wiggling back and forth. Upon seeing Emma, Spike starts to run toward her, and the devil quickly shuts the window.*

  Devil: Seems he remembers you. But.*Turns aways.* I’d like to stay hidden for now. My grand reveal isn’t for a while.

  *As the Devil walks away his body fades, like smoke. Soon after, Eugene comes running toward Emma.*

  Eugene: Captain!

  *Eugene reaches Emma and leans over, breathing heavily.*

  Emma: *Irritated.* What? What’s wrong?

  Eugene: It’s Ginne and Jasmine’s Workshop! Their Golem is rampaging.

  Emma:*Shock* Let’s go!

  *The two quickly run as fast they can to the workshop. The Golem thrashes about, it has multiple arms holding back the rest of her team.*

  Emma: Wait. Where is Ariella?

  Eugene: They’re on “Guard Duty.”

  Emma: Okay. help the other guards evacuate while I deal with this thing.

  *Emma and Lily stand before the Golem. It continues to grab elves and wrap them in some white magical adhesive, covering their mouths. Emma’s team’s eyes light up as she approaches the Golem. The Golem turns toward Emma and starts making weird noises. It extends two of its arms toward them. Emma quickly dodges and the Golem’s eyes turn red as all twenty of its arms start crashing into the ground in attempts to grab either of the two. Monica manages to break her mouth free.*

  Monica: She said it can negate magic!

  *Emma flips backward, avoiding the hands.*

  Emma: Is there an off switch?!

  *One of the arms manages to grab Emma. It quickly slams her into a nearby building. Lily sleeves the arm, freeing Emma. Emma hops onto Lily’s back and they stop just out of the Golem's current reach.*

  Monica: They said it is still connected. The root-looking thing out its left leg! But Captain!

  *The head of the Golem opens up and shoots globs of the adhesive at Emma and Lily.*

  Monica: If you get out of range it will shoot this sticky stuff. It’s stopping us from casting anything so avoid getting hit by it!

  *Emma’s foot gets splashed by the liquid and she feels her Mana draining from her body slowly. She quickly removes her boot, kicking off any adhesive. She sits behind cover with Lily beside her looking at the boot.*

  Emma(TL): I want you to stay out of this one. I don’t know what will happen if that stuff gets on you. But we know you are connected to my Magic.

  Lily: *Nods* I understand.

  *Lily runs off to get a vantage point. Emma prepares a small ball of fire in her hand and jumps out from cover. As the golem shoots at Emma, she throws the fireball, destroying the projectile. A knife shoots past the impact, the golem manages to block the knife as it explodes on impact by sacrificing five of its arms. One of the golem's arms manages to crawl over to Emma, they latch onto her leg and it turns purple disrupting her Purple magic. Emma attempts to hide behind the cover, but the arm acts as a beacon. The golem throws rubble at Emma in an attempt to draw her out.*

  Lily: On your left! There’s a solid stone wall!

  *Lily shares her sight from up above on a nearby rooftop. Emma gets behind the wall and attempts to pry the arm off her. After a moment the arm’s grip weakens progressively until it powers down and releases from Emma. Lily notices Monica yelling something, Emma attempts to read her lips, making out the words, “They grow!”.*

  Emma thinking: Grow?

  Lily: Wait! The Golem is starting to move again. It’s roots. they started, glowing?

  *As Emma realizes what this means the Golem begins charging toward her. She creates five clones and they all scatter in different directions. The golem struggles to follow them all and begins shooting at them, and as it hits two of them they vanish. Emma sneaks around in stealth but the golem turns its attention to her. The stealth magic alerts the golem to her location and it begins to target solely on her. As the arms reach for Emma an arrow flies past, freezing the arms in place. Emma looks down the road to see Ariella and exhales a breath of relief. The arms warm up and quickly break free, Emma’s clones almost reach the power source but the golem manages to swiftly capture them all as the golem seems to have increased its speed. After disposing of the clones, the golem releases steam and the glow dims. Emma takes this chance to cut the power.*

  *Ariella runs down the road and as she turns to look at the ruins of the fight she watches as the golem’s glow brightens.*

  Ariella: Emma!

  *Before Emma can turn around the golem pins her to the ground with three of its arms. The golem turns to Ariella after sealing Emma’s magic. Lily weakens and drops down next to Emma.*

  Emma: Just keep it busy!

  *The golem seals Emma’s mouth and charges after Ariella, she fires a volley of ice arrows but the golem smashes right through them. As the golem closes in on her she puts her bow away and unsheathes her sword. She cuts one of the arms off and it turns to ice. Right before the golem grabs Ariella, Keya appears and slams her great hammer into the side of the golem. The golem stumbles a little and turns to Keya, she looks at the golem with a smile.*

  Keya:*Nervous* Figures that didn’t do much against you.

  *The golem slaps Keya away into a nearby building and charges after Ariella again. She manages to cut off two more arms but they latch onto her and as the golem stands over her the hum it was emitting quiets down.*

  Ariella: Is it over?

  *After some time passes the adhesive liquifies, freeing everyone.*

  Emma: I assume if you’re here everything is safe?

  Ariella: You’re welcome. Yes, I even closed up behind us.

  Emma: Sorry. I just don’t want something else to go wrong. Just in case. I’m going to go check.

  Ariella: Okay, I’ll finish up here.

  *Emma heads toward the Veiled Glade, making sure to lose any spies. As she heads to the front gate, a guard stops her.*

  Guard: I thought you had today off?

  Emma: So did I. *Sigh* I just need to double check somethings. Ariella should be back soon.

  Guard: So that Golem is taken care of?

  Emma: Yeah.

  *After checking the entrance to the underground, Emma notices Ariella talking to the guard from before.*

  Ariella: Yeah, Ginne said the Golem is going to be broken for a while.

  *Emma walks over to Ariella.*

  Emma: *Sarcastic.* Oh, that’s too bad. I was hoping to have another day off ruined.

  Ariella: You okay?

  Emma: Yeah… I’m just tired of people talking in riddles and getting interrupted.

  Ariella: Well, what were you doing before the Golem?

  Emma: I’d rather not talk about it right now.

  Ariella: Okay. Well, I’m going to head back to work.

  Guard: That reminds me! Lord Giovanni asked me to send Emma to his office when she returned.

  *Emma’s eyes crackle as she heads back into to tree with Ariella.*

  Ariella: It’ll be okay, Emma. I’ll go with you to help speed it up.

  *Ariella walks with Emma to Giovanni’s office.*

  Emma: It’s fine. I can’t go back. He’ll be gone.

  Ariella: He? Wait you don’t mean?

  Emma: Later, Arie.

  Ariella: Emma.

  *Ariella looks at Emma, worrisomely. As they enter the room Giovanni looks over at Ariella.*

  Giovanni: Out.

  Ariella: I’m just here to help, It’s her day off and.

  Giovanni: Out Ella!

  *Ariella stomps off.*

  Emma thinking: Ella?

  Giovanni: Now.

  *Emma looks at Giovanni, his cold stare makes her feel uncomfortable.*

  Giovanni: Where did you go this morning?

  Emma: Excuse me?

  Giovanni: The deal was you be clear with us and we tell you all we have on our past.

  Emma: Did you?

  Giovanni: So it was the Devil. We told you…

  Emma: Did you or did you not tell me everything?

  Giovanni: Yes, we did. Now are you happy with yourself? This is what Devils do. They corrupt your mind.

  Emma: So you make more deals?

  Giovanni: What do you mean?

  Emma: The Endless amount of deals made with the Devils before the Collision.

  Giovanni: We told you they were our first ally. What do the amount of deals we made matter?

  Emma: It doesn’t matter now. What we need to do is figure out what to do after we seal the doors.

  Giovanni: Emma, if you know something.

  Emma: I can explain it later. Unless you need me for something else I’m going back to my day off.

  *Emma angrily heads toward the door.*

  Giovanni: Get back to me by Wednesday.

  Emma: Will do.

  *Emma heads home where her Dad is in the back tinkering away while Isabelle brushes Shrieker.*

  Emma: Keya back yet?

  Isabelle: No, she headed to the Guild because the store she wanted to go to got destroyed.

  Emma: Oh. I bet she’s pissed.

  Isabelle: Yeah, but I’d rather that then the Seers attacking us. The peace right now is both nice and unnerving.

  Emma: I know what you mean. I feel like I break up a fight at least twice a day now.