"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

She had arrived in Roma the minute the news had hit the internet that a woman in a blinding white? Light had shot herself into the colosseum; it had been Echowix and part of her was glad to hell and back that she had the money to get in and out of countries. She didn’t work per se but Daenu had always found a way to ensure she was financially able to do anything she pleased. The man at Customs didn’t seem to think she was capable of looking after herself considering her blind state but she waved his concerns off with a sharp tongue response in Italian.

Now here she was sitting in a cafe; her fingers gliding along the Braille menu they had placed in front of her. So far it seemed this cafe’s savoury menu which mostly to her disappointment consisted of Tomatoes; she despised tomatoes and waved over the waiter who she knew had been watching her - she suspected that he thought she’d ruin the cutlery or the crockery because she was blind.

How could people, even mortals be so insensitive? I want nothing more than to slam my fork into your throat, stop staring at me
she cleared her throat and waved him over. “Is there anything here that doesn’t contain tomatoes? I am deathly allergic to them.”
she had decided she wasn’t going to bother speaking Italian to such a rude male. He was taken aback and part of her could tell he was about to lie “Please. I need something that doesn’t contain tomatoes. One lick even a whiff and you’ll have a lawsuit and an investigation on your hands for murder.”


The other customers had now started paying attention as she ran her fingers over the menu pages again, she had read the entire thing and had memorised it the waiter sighed indignantly before speaking “I believe we have pastries. But asides our desserts and our drinks there is nothing here we can serve you that does not contain tomatoes.” “Then I’ll have your recommendation of the best pastry here. Thank you.”
she handed him the menu and he scurried away cursing under his breath. She then resumed what she was doing moments before the menu had been sat down in front of her, observing with her ears and other senses.

As her plate of food was placed down the overwhelming scent of iron filled the air and that immediately caught her attention, she froze A claimant of Nammay. What is he doing here… no doubt he’s here looking for the book, he must have seen or heard the news. Christ.
she then waved the waiter back again giving him an apologetic look “Please do me a favour and shut the window to my left, I feel as though the breeze outside is a bit much for my skin. It’s hot where I am from and I do not do well with the cold.”
admittedly that was a lie but she could not and would not expose herself to another claimant… it sucked that to other Claimants she smelt like white vinegar.

As soon as the window was close she ate, there were murmurs and gasps coming from around the room and many of the individuals inside the cafe were admonishing the claimant for his behaviour, weren’t Nammay’s claimants meant to be the definition of manners and chivalry? Apparently not for this particular individual, his behaviour was entirely out of sorts and terribly flamboyant to boot.

Once she was finished she paid quickly before leaving through the back, her luggage in tow; her fingers trailing against the walls, she walked through the streets until she finally settled upon a hotel close to the colosseum, but not so close that she would be noticed; as she stepped into the lobby a sudden surge of overwhelming heat as if she had been forced into the oven washed over her and she swallowed nervously.

She approached the desk happy to see that the woman who stood there was quick to work and quiet; as soon as she is given the key to her room she rushed up to her room. The feeling was gone now but she had been seen and noticed by a Claimant of fire, that had to mean bad news; two claimants in less than an hour, what were the likely chances they were all here for the book?



-That Evening-





The camera flashes and questions that flew at Phillip Pickering made him smile eagerly, the swords he had discovered just a day or so ago were now next to each other in a bullet proof case; behind him stands Adaline who is trying to silence the crowd of curious souls all wanting to hear what he had to say about the woman who had appeared and disappeared. He clears his throat after taking a sip of cold sparkling water, the bubbles popping in his mouth. Now that the crowd was hushed he stood up and stood by the case.

“Good evening, good evening! My how many of you there are! So many so many! Now. We know, we know these swords do not belong to this earth! We know because there is no such thing as the metal that made them! There’s one more we believe and we are digging for it now! We will find out why they exist and what they can do! We know they are not of this planet or this this place because because they emit an energy. Energy that we think comes from another universe altogether! Altogether! We may have just found our keys to portals! Portals! Soon we shall find the third and then we shall conquer whoever or whatever it is that brought them here! As for the woman. The woman. The woman, she is from there! the place where these swords are from. from. from.”


He took a sip of his water swallowing it; as a suddenly as a huge influx of questions hit him he smiled eagerly as Adaline stepped in front of him and started to answer the questions with non-specific answers as to not give away how or what they intended to do with the swords they had discovered; the professor on the other hand patted the case lovingly his eyes almost jumping out of his sockets with awe.




“As for the woman who emerged in the colosseum this morning, we believe that she has sent out a message to a certain group of individuals who are unlike us and who are capable of accessing power that we do not yet know of. Regardless they are currently in the midst to find a certain book, it is without a doubt a call to adventure and the Professor and I believe that with the assistance of the swords and the strange almost omnipotent energy they emit we will find this book and get down to the mystery behind the woman.”


Adaline waved the questions away and continued her speech, one that she had written and rehearsed inside her mind ever since they had touched down in Italy, though they were just outside the city of. Rome; she took a deep breath smiling at the cameras

We believe that as of right now the final sword is somewhere in Tibet however these are only speculation. As for the people who the woman has spoken to, we ask that you come forward so we may talk to you.”
“That’ll be all, that’ll be all!!


As soon as the conference was over, and the Professor and Adaline were left alone he opened the cases tracing his fingers across the blades and giggling like a child; as he was pulled into another realm, there was a cold rumbling and the Professor looked up to see Novevu and Xainayne both of them stood near him but not entirely beside him, it was as if they were afraid of the swords his fingers were tracing. “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. I have two I’ll have three and soon all of you will bow to me.”
before he was whisked back into the mortal realm, shutting the cases he gave Adaline a smile “Shall we begin?”



-Back in Rome-




Stephani sat in her hotel room, she had been pacing for more than six hours back and forth, back and forth the problem was; in the moment she needed to speak to her Ancient most it was if she had… been locked out and her powers her abilities were waning; she was panicking and without being able to return back to the Forge she felt alone.

The only other person she could possibly turn to had to be ice Claimant she had seen earlier that day, but how could she approach someone that was ice cold and possibly if not quite literally cruel. She fell onto her bed and wanted to scream – she didn’t evidently because what was worse than raising suspicion.

As she reached for her phone that she had thrown onto her pillow she dialed her mother and shut her eyes. “Mama”
her mother’s voice was shrill and panicked “Something is happening after the second sword was found no one has been able to return home.” “So it’s happening back in London too.”


“It’s happening everywhere, hurry and find the book.” “I will Mama. I am working on it, there are Claimants all over the city and I think we are all on each other’s trail. We’re all waiting to see who enters the Colosseum first.”
“Go now. Make a head start. Echowix might have left something behind and is just waiting for one of you to find it.” “I will mama. I will. Just let me handle this.”



-Somewhere in the air space over Italy-




She waved her arms allowing her to be lifted up higher, it would take a lot of drinking of which the bottles she had on her would help her in lowering herself down back to Earth, she was struggling to breathe and found herself half choking on the air – it was cold up above the clouds, well and truly she had flown to an altitude that would ensure that no human plane would catch sight of her; she didn’t want to have to explain to her fellow Claimants as to why she was being so reckless by flying in the air rather than on… say a plane something that was far more acceptable for claimants like her; but she had hated flying in planes because she felt so claustrophobic “Almost there!”
she mused to herself.

As she slowly flew over the city of Rome she decided now would be a good time to start drinking, opening the first bottle she had on her body she started to drink quickly and heavily until she was no longer in control of her surroundings… the next thing she knew she was plummeting at an almost deadly rate to earth, shielding her head with her arms she found herself crashing through a pane of glass and directly into someone’s hotel room; she had expected a stunned scream but instead she was met with silence as she dust herself off and looked up; opening her mouth she smiled “Hi. Sorry about the window. I’m Vivi. You are?”

She had arrived in Roma the minute the news had hit the internet that a woman in a blinding white? Light had shot herself into the colosseum; it had been Echowix and part of her was glad to hell and back that she had the money to get in and out of countries. She didn’t work per se but Daenu had always found a way to ensure she was financially able to do anything she pleased. The man at Customs didn’t seem to think she was capable of looking after herself considering her blind state but she waved his concerns off with a sharp tongue response in Italian.

Now here she was sitting in a cafe; her fingers gliding along the Braille menu they had placed in front of her. So far it seemed this cafe’s savoury menu which mostly to her disappointment consisted of Tomatoes; she despised tomatoes and waved over the waiter who she knew had been watching her - she suspected that he thought she’d ruin the cutlery or the crockery because she was blind.

How could people, even mortals be so insensitive? I want nothing more than to slam my fork into your throat, stop staring at me
she cleared her throat and waved him over. “Is there anything here that doesn’t contain tomatoes? I am deathly allergic to them.”
she had decided she wasn’t going to bother speaking Italian to such a rude male. He was taken aback and part of her could tell he was about to lie “Please. I need something that doesn’t contain tomatoes. One lick even a whiff and you’ll have a lawsuit and an investigation on your hands for murder.”


The other customers had now started paying attention as she ran her fingers over the menu pages again, she had read the entire thing and had memorised it the waiter sighed indignantly before speaking “I believe we have pastries. But asides our desserts and our drinks there is nothing here we can serve you that does not contain tomatoes.” “Then I’ll have your recommendation of the best pastry here. Thank you.”
she handed him the menu and he scurried away cursing under his breath. She then resumed what she was doing moments before the menu had been sat down in front of her, observing with her ears and other senses.

As her plate of food was placed down the overwhelming scent of iron filled the air and that immediately caught her attention, she froze A claimant of Nammay. What is he doing here… no doubt he’s here looking for the book, he must have seen or heard the news. Christ.
she then waved the waiter back again giving him an apologetic look “Please do me a favour and shut the window to my left, I feel as though the breeze outside is a bit much for my skin. It’s hot where I am from and I do not do well with the cold.”
admittedly that was a lie but she could not and would not expose herself to another claimant… it sucked that to other Claimants she smelt like white vinegar.

As soon as the window was close she ate, there were murmurs and gasps coming from around the room and many of the individuals inside the cafe were admonishing the claimant for his behaviour, weren’t Nammay’s claimants meant to be the definition of manners and chivalry? Apparently not for this particular individual, his behaviour was entirely out of sorts and terribly flamboyant to boot.

Once she was finished she paid quickly before leaving through the back, her luggage in tow; her fingers trailing against the walls, she walked through the streets until she finally settled upon a hotel close to the colosseum, but not so close that she would be noticed; as she stepped into the lobby a sudden surge of overwhelming heat as if she had been forced into the oven washed over her and she swallowed nervously.

She approached the desk happy to see that the woman who stood there was quick to work and quiet; as soon as she is given the key to her room she rushed up to her room. The feeling was gone now but she had been seen and noticed by a Claimant of fire, that had to mean bad news; two claimants in less than an hour, what were the likely chances they were all here for the book?



-That Evening-





The camera flashes and questions that flew at Phillip Pickering made him smile eagerly, the swords he had discovered just a day or so ago were now next to each other in a bullet proof case; behind him stands Adaline who is trying to silence the crowd of curious souls all wanting to hear what he had to say about the woman who had appeared and disappeared. He clears his throat after taking a sip of cold sparkling water, the bubbles popping in his mouth. Now that the crowd was hushed he stood up and stood by the case.

“Good evening, good evening! My how many of you there are! So many so many! Now. We know, we know these swords do not belong to this earth! We know because there is no such thing as the metal that made them! There’s one more we believe and we are digging for it now! We will find out why they exist and what they can do! We know they are not of this planet or this this place because because they emit an energy. Energy that we think comes from another universe altogether! Altogether! We may have just found our keys to portals! Portals! Soon we shall find the third and then we shall conquer whoever or whatever it is that brought them here! As for the woman. The woman. The woman, she is from there! the place where these swords are from. from. from.”


He took a sip of his water swallowing it; as a suddenly as a huge influx of questions hit him he smiled eagerly as Adaline stepped in front of him and started to answer the questions with non-specific answers as to not give away how or what they intended to do with the swords they had discovered; the professor on the other hand patted the case lovingly his eyes almost jumping out of his sockets with awe.




“As for the woman who emerged in the colosseum this morning, we believe that she has sent out a message to a certain group of individuals who are unlike us and who are capable of accessing power that we do not yet know of. Regardless they are currently in the midst to find a certain book, it is without a doubt a call to adventure and the Professor and I believe that with the assistance of the swords and the strange almost omnipotent energy they emit we will find this book and get down to the mystery behind the woman.”


Adaline waved the questions away and continued her speech, one that she had written and rehearsed inside her mind ever since they had touched down in Italy, though they were just outside the city of. Rome; she took a deep breath smiling at the cameras

We believe that as of right now the final sword is somewhere in Tibet however these are only speculation. As for the people who the woman has spoken to, we ask that you come forward so we may talk to you.”
“That’ll be all, that’ll be all!!


As soon as the conference was over, and the Professor and Adaline were left alone he opened the cases tracing his fingers across the blades and giggling like a child; as he was pulled into another realm, there was a cold rumbling and the Professor looked up to see Novevu and Xainayne both of them stood near him but not entirely beside him, it was as if they were afraid of the swords his fingers were tracing. “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. I have two I’ll have three and soon all of you will bow to me.”
before he was whisked back into the mortal realm, shutting the cases he gave Adaline a smile “Shall we begin?”



-Back in Rome-




Stephani sat in her hotel room, she had been pacing for more than six hours back and forth, back and forth the problem was; in the moment she needed to speak to her Ancient most it was if she had… been locked out and her powers her abilities were waning; she was panicking and without being able to return back to the Forge she felt alone.

The only other person she could possibly turn to had to be ice Claimant she had seen earlier that day, but how could she approach someone that was ice cold and possibly if not quite literally cruel. She fell onto her bed and wanted to scream – she didn’t evidently because what was worse than raising suspicion.

As she reached for her phone that she had thrown onto her pillow she dialed her mother and shut her eyes. “Mama”
her mother’s voice was shrill and panicked “Something is happening after the second sword was found no one has been able to return home.” “So it’s happening back in London too.”


“It’s happening everywhere, hurry and find the book.” “I will Mama. I am working on it, there are Claimants all over the city and I think we are all on each other’s trail. We’re all waiting to see who enters the Colosseum first.”
“Go now. Make a head start. Echowix might have left something behind and is just waiting for one of you to find it.” “I will mama. I will. Just let me handle this.”



-Somewhere in the air space over Italy-




She waved her arms allowing her to be lifted up higher, it would take a lot of drinking of which the bottles she had on her would help her in lowering herself down back to Earth, she was struggling to breathe and found herself half choking on the air – it was cold up above the clouds, well and truly she had flown to an altitude that would ensure that no human plane would catch sight of her; she didn’t want to have to explain to her fellow Claimants as to why she was being so reckless by flying in the air rather than on… say a plane something that was far more acceptable for claimants like her; but she had hated flying in planes because she felt so claustrophobic “Almost there!”
she mused to herself.

As she slowly flew over the city of Rome she decided now would be a good time to start drinking, opening the first bottle she had on her body she started to drink quickly and heavily until she was no longer in control of her surroundings… the next thing she knew she was plummeting at an almost deadly rate to earth, shielding her head with her arms she found herself crashing through a pane of glass and directly into someone’s hotel room; she had expected a stunned scream but instead she was met with silence as she dust herself off and looked up; opening her mouth she smiled “Hi. Sorry about the window. I’m Vivi. You are?”

She had arrived in Roma the minute the news had hit the internet that a woman in a blinding white? Light had shot herself into the colosseum; it had been Echowix and part of her was glad to hell and back that she had the money to get in and out of countries. She didn’t work per se but Daenu had always found a way to ensure she was financially able to do anything she pleased. The man at Customs didn’t seem to think she was capable of looking after herself considering her blind state but she waved his concerns off with a sharp tongue response in Italian.

Now here she was sitting in a cafe; her fingers gliding along the Braille menu they had placed in front of her. So far it seemed this cafe’s savoury menu which mostly to her disappointment consisted of Tomatoes; she despised tomatoes and waved over the waiter who she knew had been watching her - she suspected that he thought she’d ruin the cutlery or the crockery because she was blind.

How could people, even mortals be so insensitive? I want nothing more than to slam my fork into your throat, stop staring at me
she cleared her throat and waved him over. “Is there anything here that doesn’t contain tomatoes? I am deathly allergic to them.”
she had decided she wasn’t going to bother speaking Italian to such a rude male. He was taken aback and part of her could tell he was about to lie “Please. I need something that doesn’t contain tomatoes. One lick even a whiff and you’ll have a lawsuit and an investigation on your hands for murder.”


The other customers had now started paying attention as she ran her fingers over the menu pages again, she had read the entire thing and had memorised it the waiter sighed indignantly before speaking “I believe we have pastries. But asides our desserts and our drinks there is nothing here we can serve you that does not contain tomatoes.” “Then I’ll have your recommendation of the best pastry here. Thank you.”
she handed him the menu and he scurried away cursing under his breath. She then resumed what she was doing moments before the menu had been sat down in front of her, observing with her ears and other senses.

As her plate of food was placed down the overwhelming scent of iron filled the air and that immediately caught her attention, she froze A claimant of Nammay. What is he doing here… no doubt he’s here looking for the book, he must have seen or heard the news. Christ.
she then waved the waiter back again giving him an apologetic look “Please do me a favour and shut the window to my left, I feel as though the breeze outside is a bit much for my skin. It’s hot where I am from and I do not do well with the cold.”
admittedly that was a lie but she could not and would not expose herself to another claimant… it sucked that to other Claimants she smelt like white vinegar.

As soon as the window was close she ate, there were murmurs and gasps coming from around the room and many of the individuals inside the cafe were admonishing the claimant for his behaviour, weren’t Nammay’s claimants meant to be the definition of manners and chivalry? Apparently not for this particular individual, his behaviour was entirely out of sorts and terribly flamboyant to boot.

Once she was finished she paid quickly before leaving through the back, her luggage in tow; her fingers trailing against the walls, she walked through the streets until she finally settled upon a hotel close to the colosseum, but not so close that she would be noticed; as she stepped into the lobby a sudden surge of overwhelming heat as if she had been forced into the oven washed over her and she swallowed nervously.

She approached the desk happy to see that the woman who stood there was quick to work and quiet; as soon as she is given the key to her room she rushed up to her room. The feeling was gone now but she had been seen and noticed by a Claimant of fire, that had to mean bad news; two claimants in less than an hour, what were the likely chances they were all here for the book?



-That Evening-





The camera flashes and questions that flew at Phillip Pickering made him smile eagerly, the swords he had discovered just a day or so ago were now next to each other in a bullet proof case; behind him stands Adaline who is trying to silence the crowd of curious souls all wanting to hear what he had to say about the woman who had appeared and disappeared. He clears his throat after taking a sip of cold sparkling water, the bubbles popping in his mouth. Now that the crowd was hushed he stood up and stood by the case.

“Good evening, good evening! My how many of you there are! So many so many! Now. We know, we know these swords do not belong to this earth! We know because there is no such thing as the metal that made them! There’s one more we believe and we are digging for it now! We will find out why they exist and what they can do! We know they are not of this planet or this this place because because they emit an energy. Energy that we think comes from another universe altogether! Altogether! We may have just found our keys to portals! Portals! Soon we shall find the third and then we shall conquer whoever or whatever it is that brought them here! As for the woman. The woman. The woman, she is from there! the place where these swords are from. from. from.”


He took a sip of his water swallowing it; as a suddenly as a huge influx of questions hit him he smiled eagerly as Adaline stepped in front of him and started to answer the questions with non-specific answers as to not give away how or what they intended to do with the swords they had discovered; the professor on the other hand patted the case lovingly his eyes almost jumping out of his sockets with awe.




“As for the woman who emerged in the colosseum this morning, we believe that she has sent out a message to a certain group of individuals who are unlike us and who are capable of accessing power that we do not yet know of. Regardless they are currently in the midst to find a certain book, it is without a doubt a call to adventure and the Professor and I believe that with the assistance of the swords and the strange almost omnipotent energy they emit we will find this book and get down to the mystery behind the woman.”


Adaline waved the questions away and continued her speech, one that she had written and rehearsed inside her mind ever since they had touched down in Italy, though they were just outside the city of. Rome; she took a deep breath smiling at the cameras

We believe that as of right now the final sword is somewhere in Tibet however these are only speculation. As for the people who the woman has spoken to, we ask that you come forward so we may talk to you.”
“That’ll be all, that’ll be all!!


As soon as the conference was over, and the Professor and Adaline were left alone he opened the cases tracing his fingers across the blades and giggling like a child; as he was pulled into another realm, there was a cold rumbling and the Professor looked up to see Novevu and Xainayne both of them stood near him but not entirely beside him, it was as if they were afraid of the swords his fingers were tracing. “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. I have two I’ll have three and soon all of you will bow to me.”
before he was whisked back into the mortal realm, shutting the cases he gave Adaline a smile “Shall we begin?”



-Back in Rome-




Stephani sat in her hotel room, she had been pacing for more than six hours back and forth, back and forth the problem was; in the moment she needed to speak to her Ancient most it was if she had… been locked out and her powers her abilities were waning; she was panicking and without being able to return back to the Forge she felt alone.

The only other person she could possibly turn to had to be ice Claimant she had seen earlier that day, but how could she approach someone that was ice cold and possibly if not quite literally cruel. She fell onto her bed and wanted to scream – she didn’t evidently because what was worse than raising suspicion.

As she reached for her phone that she had thrown onto her pillow she dialed her mother and shut her eyes. “Mama”
her mother’s voice was shrill and panicked “Something is happening after the second sword was found no one has been able to return home.” “So it’s happening back in London too.”


“It’s happening everywhere, hurry and find the book.” “I will Mama. I am working on it, there are Claimants all over the city and I think we are all on each other’s trail. We’re all waiting to see who enters the Colosseum first.”
“Go now. Make a head start. Echowix might have left something behind and is just waiting for one of you to find it.” “I will mama. I will. Just let me handle this.”



-Somewhere in the air space over Italy-




She waved her arms allowing her to be lifted up higher, it would take a lot of drinking of which the bottles she had on her would help her in lowering herself down back to Earth, she was struggling to breathe and found herself half choking on the air – it was cold up above the clouds, well and truly she had flown to an altitude that would ensure that no human plane would catch sight of her; she didn’t want to have to explain to her fellow Claimants as to why she was being so reckless by flying in the air rather than on… say a plane something that was far more acceptable for claimants like her; but she had hated flying in planes because she felt so claustrophobic “Almost there!”
she mused to herself.

As she slowly flew over the city of Rome she decided now would be a good time to start drinking, opening the first bottle she had on her body she started to drink quickly and heavily until she was no longer in control of her surroundings… the next thing she knew she was plummeting at an almost deadly rate to earth, shielding her head with her arms she found herself crashing through a pane of glass and directly into someone’s hotel room; she had expected a stunned scream but instead she was met with silence as she dust herself off and looked up; opening her mouth she smiled “Hi. Sorry about the window. I’m Vivi. You are?”

She had arrived in Roma the minute the news had hit the internet that a woman in a blinding white? Light had shot herself into the colosseum; it had been Echowix and part of her was glad to hell and back that she had the money to get in and out of countries. She didn’t work per se but Daenu had always found a way to ensure she was financially able to do anything she pleased. The man at Customs didn’t seem to think she was capable of looking after herself considering her blind state but she waved his concerns off with a sharp tongue response in Italian.

Now here she was sitting in a cafe; her fingers gliding along the Braille menu they had placed in front of her. So far it seemed this cafe’s savoury menu which mostly to her disappointment consisted of Tomatoes; she despised tomatoes and waved over the waiter who she knew had been watching her - she suspected that he thought she’d ruin the cutlery or the crockery because she was blind.

How could people, even mortals be so insensitive? I want nothing more than to slam my fork into your throat, stop staring at me
she cleared her throat and waved him over. “Is there anything here that doesn’t contain tomatoes? I am deathly allergic to them.”
she had decided she wasn’t going to bother speaking Italian to such a rude male. He was taken aback and part of her could tell he was about to lie “Please. I need something that doesn’t contain tomatoes. One lick even a whiff and you’ll have a lawsuit and an investigation on your hands for murder.”


The other customers had now started paying attention as she ran her fingers over the menu pages again, she had read the entire thing and had memorised it the waiter sighed indignantly before speaking “I believe we have pastries. But asides our desserts and our drinks there is nothing here we can serve you that does not contain tomatoes.” “Then I’ll have your recommendation of the best pastry here. Thank you.”
she handed him the menu and he scurried away cursing under his breath. She then resumed what she was doing moments before the menu had been sat down in front of her, observing with her ears and other senses.

As her plate of food was placed down the overwhelming scent of iron filled the air and that immediately caught her attention, she froze A claimant of Nammay. What is he doing here… no doubt he’s here looking for the book, he must have seen or heard the news. Christ.
she then waved the waiter back again giving him an apologetic look “Please do me a favour and shut the window to my left, I feel as though the breeze outside is a bit much for my skin. It’s hot where I am from and I do not do well with the cold.”
admittedly that was a lie but she could not and would not expose herself to another claimant… it sucked that to other Claimants she smelt like white vinegar.

As soon as the window was close she ate, there were murmurs and gasps coming from around the room and many of the individuals inside the cafe were admonishing the claimant for his behaviour, weren’t Nammay’s claimants meant to be the definition of manners and chivalry? Apparently not for this particular individual, his behaviour was entirely out of sorts and terribly flamboyant to boot.

Once she was finished she paid quickly before leaving through the back, her luggage in tow; her fingers trailing against the walls, she walked through the streets until she finally settled upon a hotel close to the colosseum, but not so close that she would be noticed; as she stepped into the lobby a sudden surge of overwhelming heat as if she had been forced into the oven washed over her and she swallowed nervously.

She approached the desk happy to see that the woman who stood there was quick to work and quiet; as soon as she is given the key to her room she rushed up to her room. The feeling was gone now but she had been seen and noticed by a Claimant of fire, that had to mean bad news; two claimants in less than an hour, what were the likely chances they were all here for the book?



-That Evening-





The camera flashes and questions that flew at Phillip Pickering made him smile eagerly, the swords he had discovered just a day or so ago were now next to each other in a bullet proof case; behind him stands Adaline who is trying to silence the crowd of curious souls all wanting to hear what he had to say about the woman who had appeared and disappeared. He clears his throat after taking a sip of cold sparkling water, the bubbles popping in his mouth. Now that the crowd was hushed he stood up and stood by the case.

“Good evening, good evening! My how many of you there are! So many so many! Now. We know, we know these swords do not belong to this earth! We know because there is no such thing as the metal that made them! There’s one more we believe and we are digging for it now! We will find out why they exist and what they can do! We know they are not of this planet or this this place because because they emit an energy. Energy that we think comes from another universe altogether! Altogether! We may have just found our keys to portals! Portals! Soon we shall find the third and then we shall conquer whoever or whatever it is that brought them here! As for the woman. The woman. The woman, she is from there! the place where these swords are from. from. from.”


He took a sip of his water swallowing it; as a suddenly as a huge influx of questions hit him he smiled eagerly as Adaline stepped in front of him and started to answer the questions with non-specific answers as to not give away how or what they intended to do with the swords they had discovered; the professor on the other hand patted the case lovingly his eyes almost jumping out of his sockets with awe.




“As for the woman who emerged in the colosseum this morning, we believe that she has sent out a message to a certain group of individuals who are unlike us and who are capable of accessing power that we do not yet know of. Regardless they are currently in the midst to find a certain book, it is without a doubt a call to adventure and the Professor and I believe that with the assistance of the swords and the strange almost omnipotent energy they emit we will find this book and get down to the mystery behind the woman.”


Adaline waved the questions away and continued her speech, one that she had written and rehearsed inside her mind ever since they had touched down in Italy, though they were just outside the city of. Rome; she took a deep breath smiling at the cameras

We believe that as of right now the final sword is somewhere in Tibet however these are only speculation. As for the people who the woman has spoken to, we ask that you come forward so we may talk to you.”
“That’ll be all, that’ll be all!!


As soon as the conference was over, and the Professor and Adaline were left alone he opened the cases tracing his fingers across the blades and giggling like a child; as he was pulled into another realm, there was a cold rumbling and the Professor looked up to see Novevu and Xainayne both of them stood near him but not entirely beside him, it was as if they were afraid of the swords his fingers were tracing. “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. I have two I’ll have three and soon all of you will bow to me.”
before he was whisked back into the mortal realm, shutting the cases he gave Adaline a smile “Shall we begin?”



-Back in Rome-




Stephani sat in her hotel room, she had been pacing for more than six hours back and forth, back and forth the problem was; in the moment she needed to speak to her Ancient most it was if she had… been locked out and her powers her abilities were waning; she was panicking and without being able to return back to the Forge she felt alone.

The only other person she could possibly turn to had to be ice Claimant she had seen earlier that day, but how could she approach someone that was ice cold and possibly if not quite literally cruel. She fell onto her bed and wanted to scream – she didn’t evidently because what was worse than raising suspicion.

As she reached for her phone that she had thrown onto her pillow she dialed her mother and shut her eyes. “Mama”
her mother’s voice was shrill and panicked “Something is happening after the second sword was found no one has been able to return home.” “So it’s happening back in London too.”


“It’s happening everywhere, hurry and find the book.” “I will Mama. I am working on it, there are Claimants all over the city and I think we are all on each other’s trail. We’re all waiting to see who enters the Colosseum first.”
“Go now. Make a head start. Echowix might have left something behind and is just waiting for one of you to find it.” “I will mama. I will. Just let me handle this.”



-Somewhere in the air space over Italy-




She waved her arms allowing her to be lifted up higher, it would take a lot of drinking of which the bottles she had on her would help her in lowering herself down back to Earth, she was struggling to breathe and found herself half choking on the air – it was cold up above the clouds, well and truly she had flown to an altitude that would ensure that no human plane would catch sight of her; she didn’t want to have to explain to her fellow Claimants as to why she was being so reckless by flying in the air rather than on… say a plane something that was far more acceptable for claimants like her; but she had hated flying in planes because she felt so claustrophobic “Almost there!”
she mused to herself.

As she slowly flew over the city of Rome she decided now would be a good time to start drinking, opening the first bottle she had on her body she started to drink quickly and heavily until she was no longer in control of her surroundings… the next thing she knew she was plummeting at an almost deadly rate to earth, shielding her head with her arms she found herself crashing through a pane of glass and directly into someone’s hotel room; she had expected a stunned scream but instead she was met with silence as she dust herself off and looked up; opening her mouth she smiled “Hi. Sorry about the window. I’m Vivi. You are?”

She had arrived in Roma the minute the news had hit the internet that a woman in a blinding white? Light had shot herself into the colosseum; it had been Echowix and part of her was glad to hell and back that she had the money to get in and out of countries. She didn’t work per se but Daenu had always found a way to ensure she was financially able to do anything she pleased. The man at Customs didn’t seem to think she was capable of looking after herself considering her blind state but she waved his concerns off with a sharp tongue response in Italian.

Now here she was sitting in a cafe; her fingers gliding along the Braille menu they had placed in front of her. So far it seemed this cafe’s savoury menu which mostly to her disappointment consisted of Tomatoes; she despised tomatoes and waved over the waiter who she knew had been watching her - she suspected that he thought she’d ruin the cutlery or the crockery because she was blind.

How could people, even mortals be so insensitive? I want nothing more than to slam my fork into your throat, stop staring at me
she cleared her throat and waved him over. “Is there anything here that doesn’t contain tomatoes? I am deathly allergic to them.”
she had decided she wasn’t going to bother speaking Italian to such a rude male. He was taken aback and part of her could tell he was about to lie “Please. I need something that doesn’t contain tomatoes. One lick even a whiff and you’ll have a lawsuit and an investigation on your hands for murder.”


The other customers had now started paying attention as she ran her fingers over the menu pages again, she had read the entire thing and had memorised it the waiter sighed indignantly before speaking “I believe we have pastries. But asides our desserts and our drinks there is nothing here we can serve you that does not contain tomatoes.” “Then I’ll have your recommendation of the best pastry here. Thank you.”
she handed him the menu and he scurried away cursing under his breath. She then resumed what she was doing moments before the menu had been sat down in front of her, observing with her ears and other senses.

As her plate of food was placed down the overwhelming scent of iron filled the air and that immediately caught her attention, she froze A claimant of Nammay. What is he doing here… no doubt he’s here looking for the book, he must have seen or heard the news. Christ.
she then waved the waiter back again giving him an apologetic look “Please do me a favour and shut the window to my left, I feel as though the breeze outside is a bit much for my skin. It’s hot where I am from and I do not do well with the cold.”
admittedly that was a lie but she could not and would not expose herself to another claimant… it sucked that to other Claimants she smelt like white vinegar.

As soon as the window was close she ate, there were murmurs and gasps coming from around the room and many of the individuals inside the cafe were admonishing the claimant for his behaviour, weren’t Nammay’s claimants meant to be the definition of manners and chivalry? Apparently not for this particular individual, his behaviour was entirely out of sorts and terribly flamboyant to boot.

Once she was finished she paid quickly before leaving through the back, her luggage in tow; her fingers trailing against the walls, she walked through the streets until she finally settled upon a hotel close to the colosseum, but not so close that she would be noticed; as she stepped into the lobby a sudden surge of overwhelming heat as if she had been forced into the oven washed over her and she swallowed nervously.

She approached the desk happy to see that the woman who stood there was quick to work and quiet; as soon as she is given the key to her room she rushed up to her room. The feeling was gone now but she had been seen and noticed by a Claimant of fire, that had to mean bad news; two claimants in less than an hour, what were the likely chances they were all here for the book?



-That Evening-





The camera flashes and questions that flew at Phillip Pickering made him smile eagerly, the swords he had discovered just a day or so ago were now next to each other in a bullet proof case; behind him stands Adaline who is trying to silence the crowd of curious souls all wanting to hear what he had to say about the woman who had appeared and disappeared. He clears his throat after taking a sip of cold sparkling water, the bubbles popping in his mouth. Now that the crowd was hushed he stood up and stood by the case.

“Good evening, good evening! My how many of you there are! So many so many! Now. We know, we know these swords do not belong to this earth! We know because there is no such thing as the metal that made them! There’s one more we believe and we are digging for it now! We will find out why they exist and what they can do! We know they are not of this planet or this this place because because they emit an energy. Energy that we think comes from another universe altogether! Altogether! We may have just found our keys to portals! Portals! Soon we shall find the third and then we shall conquer whoever or whatever it is that brought them here! As for the woman. The woman. The woman, she is from there! the place where these swords are from. from. from.”


He took a sip of his water swallowing it; as a suddenly as a huge influx of questions hit him he smiled eagerly as Adaline stepped in front of him and started to answer the questions with non-specific answers as to not give away how or what they intended to do with the swords they had discovered; the professor on the other hand patted the case lovingly his eyes almost jumping out of his sockets with awe.




“As for the woman who emerged in the colosseum this morning, we believe that she has sent out a message to a certain group of individuals who are unlike us and who are capable of accessing power that we do not yet know of. Regardless they are currently in the midst to find a certain book, it is without a doubt a call to adventure and the Professor and I believe that with the assistance of the swords and the strange almost omnipotent energy they emit we will find this book and get down to the mystery behind the woman.”


Adaline waved the questions away and continued her speech, one that she had written and rehearsed inside her mind ever since they had touched down in Italy, though they were just outside the city of. Rome; she took a deep breath smiling at the cameras

We believe that as of right now the final sword is somewhere in Tibet however these are only speculation. As for the people who the woman has spoken to, we ask that you come forward so we may talk to you.”
“That’ll be all, that’ll be all!!


As soon as the conference was over, and the Professor and Adaline were left alone he opened the cases tracing his fingers across the blades and giggling like a child; as he was pulled into another realm, there was a cold rumbling and the Professor looked up to see Novevu and Xainayne both of them stood near him but not entirely beside him, it was as if they were afraid of the swords his fingers were tracing. “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. I have two I’ll have three and soon all of you will bow to me.”
before he was whisked back into the mortal realm, shutting the cases he gave Adaline a smile “Shall we begin?”



-Back in Rome-




Stephani sat in her hotel room, she had been pacing for more than six hours back and forth, back and forth the problem was; in the moment she needed to speak to her Ancient most it was if she had… been locked out and her powers her abilities were waning; she was panicking and without being able to return back to the Forge she felt alone.

The only other person she could possibly turn to had to be ice Claimant she had seen earlier that day, but how could she approach someone that was ice cold and possibly if not quite literally cruel. She fell onto her bed and wanted to scream – she didn’t evidently because what was worse than raising suspicion.

As she reached for her phone that she had thrown onto her pillow she dialed her mother and shut her eyes. “Mama”
her mother’s voice was shrill and panicked “Something is happening after the second sword was found no one has been able to return home.” “So it’s happening back in London too.”


“It’s happening everywhere, hurry and find the book.” “I will Mama. I am working on it, there are Claimants all over the city and I think we are all on each other’s trail. We’re all waiting to see who enters the Colosseum first.”
“Go now. Make a head start. Echowix might have left something behind and is just waiting for one of you to find it.” “I will mama. I will. Just let me handle this.”



-Somewhere in the air space over Italy-




She waved her arms allowing her to be lifted up higher, it would take a lot of drinking of which the bottles she had on her would help her in lowering herself down back to Earth, she was struggling to breathe and found herself half choking on the air – it was cold up above the clouds, well and truly she had flown to an altitude that would ensure that no human plane would catch sight of her; she didn’t want to have to explain to her fellow Claimants as to why she was being so reckless by flying in the air rather than on… say a plane something that was far more acceptable for claimants like her; but she had hated flying in planes because she felt so claustrophobic “Almost there!”
she mused to herself.

As she slowly flew over the city of Rome she decided now would be a good time to start drinking, opening the first bottle she had on her body she started to drink quickly and heavily until she was no longer in control of her surroundings… the next thing she knew she was plummeting at an almost deadly rate to earth, shielding her head with her arms she found herself crashing through a pane of glass and directly into someone’s hotel room; she had expected a stunned scream but instead she was met with silence as she dust herself off and looked up; opening her mouth she smiled “Hi. Sorry about the window. I’m Vivi. You are?”

She had arrived in Roma the minute the news had hit the internet that a woman in a blinding white? Light had shot herself into the colosseum; it had been Echowix and part of her was glad to hell and back that she had the money to get in and out of countries. She didn’t work per se but Daenu had always found a way to ensure she was financially able to do anything she pleased. The man at Customs didn’t seem to think she was capable of looking after herself considering her blind state but she waved his concerns off with a sharp tongue response in Italian.

Now here she was sitting in a cafe; her fingers gliding along the Braille menu they had placed in front of her. So far it seemed this cafe’s savoury menu which mostly to her disappointment consisted of Tomatoes; she despised tomatoes and waved over the waiter who she knew had been watching her - she suspected that he thought she’d ruin the cutlery or the crockery because she was blind.

How could people, even mortals be so insensitive? I want nothing more than to slam my fork into your throat, stop staring at me
she cleared her throat and waved him over. “Is there anything here that doesn’t contain tomatoes? I am deathly allergic to them.”
she had decided she wasn’t going to bother speaking Italian to such a rude male. He was taken aback and part of her could tell he was about to lie “Please. I need something that doesn’t contain tomatoes. One lick even a whiff and you’ll have a lawsuit and an investigation on your hands for murder.”


The other customers had now started paying attention as she ran her fingers over the menu pages again, she had read the entire thing and had memorised it the waiter sighed indignantly before speaking “I believe we have pastries. But asides our desserts and our drinks there is nothing here we can serve you that does not contain tomatoes.” “Then I’ll have your recommendation of the best pastry here. Thank you.”
she handed him the menu and he scurried away cursing under his breath. She then resumed what she was doing moments before the menu had been sat down in front of her, observing with her ears and other senses.

As her plate of food was placed down the overwhelming scent of iron filled the air and that immediately caught her attention, she froze A claimant of Nammay. What is he doing here… no doubt he’s here looking for the book, he must have seen or heard the news. Christ.
she then waved the waiter back again giving him an apologetic look “Please do me a favour and shut the window to my left, I feel as though the breeze outside is a bit much for my skin. It’s hot where I am from and I do not do well with the cold.”
admittedly that was a lie but she could not and would not expose herself to another claimant… it sucked that to other Claimants she smelt like white vinegar.

As soon as the window was close she ate, there were murmurs and gasps coming from around the room and many of the individuals inside the cafe were admonishing the claimant for his behaviour, weren’t Nammay’s claimants meant to be the definition of manners and chivalry? Apparently not for this particular individual, his behaviour was entirely out of sorts and terribly flamboyant to boot.

Once she was finished she paid quickly before leaving through the back, her luggage in tow; her fingers trailing against the walls, she walked through the streets until she finally settled upon a hotel close to the colosseum, but not so close that she would be noticed; as she stepped into the lobby a sudden surge of overwhelming heat as if she had been forced into the oven washed over her and she swallowed nervously.

She approached the desk happy to see that the woman who stood there was quick to work and quiet; as soon as she is given the key to her room she rushed up to her room. The feeling was gone now but she had been seen and noticed by a Claimant of fire, that had to mean bad news; two claimants in less than an hour, what were the likely chances they were all here for the book?



-That Evening-





The camera flashes and questions that flew at Phillip Pickering made him smile eagerly, the swords he had discovered just a day or so ago were now next to each other in a bullet proof case; behind him stands Adaline who is trying to silence the crowd of curious souls all wanting to hear what he had to say about the woman who had appeared and disappeared. He clears his throat after taking a sip of cold sparkling water, the bubbles popping in his mouth. Now that the crowd was hushed he stood up and stood by the case.

“Good evening, good evening! My how many of you there are! So many so many! Now. We know, we know these swords do not belong to this earth! We know because there is no such thing as the metal that made them! There’s one more we believe and we are digging for it now! We will find out why they exist and what they can do! We know they are not of this planet or this this place because because they emit an energy. Energy that we think comes from another universe altogether! Altogether! We may have just found our keys to portals! Portals! Soon we shall find the third and then we shall conquer whoever or whatever it is that brought them here! As for the woman. The woman. The woman, she is from there! the place where these swords are from. from. from.”


He took a sip of his water swallowing it; as a suddenly as a huge influx of questions hit him he smiled eagerly as Adaline stepped in front of him and started to answer the questions with non-specific answers as to not give away how or what they intended to do with the swords they had discovered; the professor on the other hand patted the case lovingly his eyes almost jumping out of his sockets with awe.




“As for the woman who emerged in the colosseum this morning, we believe that she has sent out a message to a certain group of individuals who are unlike us and who are capable of accessing power that we do not yet know of. Regardless they are currently in the midst to find a certain book, it is without a doubt a call to adventure and the Professor and I believe that with the assistance of the swords and the strange almost omnipotent energy they emit we will find this book and get down to the mystery behind the woman.”


Adaline waved the questions away and continued her speech, one that she had written and rehearsed inside her mind ever since they had touched down in Italy, though they were just outside the city of. Rome; she took a deep breath smiling at the cameras

We believe that as of right now the final sword is somewhere in Tibet however these are only speculation. As for the people who the woman has spoken to, we ask that you come forward so we may talk to you.”
“That’ll be all, that’ll be all!!


As soon as the conference was over, and the Professor and Adaline were left alone he opened the cases tracing his fingers across the blades and giggling like a child; as he was pulled into another realm, there was a cold rumbling and the Professor looked up to see Novevu and Xainayne both of them stood near him but not entirely beside him, it was as if they were afraid of the swords his fingers were tracing. “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. I have two I’ll have three and soon all of you will bow to me.”
before he was whisked back into the mortal realm, shutting the cases he gave Adaline a smile “Shall we begin?”



-Back in Rome-




Stephani sat in her hotel room, she had been pacing for more than six hours back and forth, back and forth the problem was; in the moment she needed to speak to her Ancient most it was if she had… been locked out and her powers her abilities were waning; she was panicking and without being able to return back to the Forge she felt alone.

The only other person she could possibly turn to had to be ice Claimant she had seen earlier that day, but how could she approach someone that was ice cold and possibly if not quite literally cruel. She fell onto her bed and wanted to scream – she didn’t evidently because what was worse than raising suspicion.

As she reached for her phone that she had thrown onto her pillow she dialed her mother and shut her eyes. “Mama”
her mother’s voice was shrill and panicked “Something is happening after the second sword was found no one has been able to return home.” “So it’s happening back in London too.”


“It’s happening everywhere, hurry and find the book.” “I will Mama. I am working on it, there are Claimants all over the city and I think we are all on each other’s trail. We’re all waiting to see who enters the Colosseum first.”
“Go now. Make a head start. Echowix might have left something behind and is just waiting for one of you to find it.” “I will mama. I will. Just let me handle this.”



-Somewhere in the air space over Italy-




She waved her arms allowing her to be lifted up higher, it would take a lot of drinking of which the bottles she had on her would help her in lowering herself down back to Earth, she was struggling to breathe and found herself half choking on the air – it was cold up above the clouds, well and truly she had flown to an altitude that would ensure that no human plane would catch sight of her; she didn’t want to have to explain to her fellow Claimants as to why she was being so reckless by flying in the air rather than on… say a plane something that was far more acceptable for claimants like her; but she had hated flying in planes because she felt so claustrophobic “Almost there!”
she mused to herself.

As she slowly flew over the city of Rome she decided now would be a good time to start drinking, opening the first bottle she had on her body she started to drink quickly and heavily until she was no longer in control of her surroundings… the next thing she knew she was plummeting at an almost deadly rate to earth, shielding her head with her arms she found herself crashing through a pane of glass and directly into someone’s hotel room; she had expected a stunned scream but instead she was met with silence as she dust herself off and looked up; opening her mouth she smiled “Hi. Sorry about the window. I’m Vivi. You are?”

She had arrived in Roma the minute the news had hit the internet that a woman in a blinding white? Light had shot herself into the colosseum; it had been Echowix and part of her was glad to hell and back that she had the money to get in and out of countries. She didn’t work per se but Daenu had always found a way to ensure she was financially able to do anything she pleased. The man at Customs didn’t seem to think she was capable of looking after herself considering her blind state but she waved his concerns off with a sharp tongue response in Italian.

Now here she was sitting in a cafe; her fingers gliding along the Braille menu they had placed in front of her. So far it seemed this cafe’s savoury menu which mostly to her disappointment consisted of Tomatoes; she despised tomatoes and waved over the waiter who she knew had been watching her - she suspected that he thought she’d ruin the cutlery or the crockery because she was blind.

How could people, even mortals be so insensitive? I want nothing more than to slam my fork into your throat, stop staring at me
she cleared her throat and waved him over. “Is there anything here that doesn’t contain tomatoes? I am deathly allergic to them.”
she had decided she wasn’t going to bother speaking Italian to such a rude male. He was taken aback and part of her could tell he was about to lie “Please. I need something that doesn’t contain tomatoes. One lick even a whiff and you’ll have a lawsuit and an investigation on your hands for murder.”


The other customers had now started paying attention as she ran her fingers over the menu pages again, she had read the entire thing and had memorised it the waiter sighed indignantly before speaking “I believe we have pastries. But asides our desserts and our drinks there is nothing here we can serve you that does not contain tomatoes.” “Then I’ll have your recommendation of the best pastry here. Thank you.”
she handed him the menu and he scurried away cursing under his breath. She then resumed what she was doing moments before the menu had been sat down in front of her, observing with her ears and other senses.

As her plate of food was placed down the overwhelming scent of iron filled the air and that immediately caught her attention, she froze A claimant of Nammay. What is he doing here… no doubt he’s here looking for the book, he must have seen or heard the news. Christ.
she then waved the waiter back again giving him an apologetic look “Please do me a favour and shut the window to my left, I feel as though the breeze outside is a bit much for my skin. It’s hot where I am from and I do not do well with the cold.”
admittedly that was a lie but she could not and would not expose herself to another claimant… it sucked that to other Claimants she smelt like white vinegar.

As soon as the window was close she ate, there were murmurs and gasps coming from around the room and many of the individuals inside the cafe were admonishing the claimant for his behaviour, weren’t Nammay’s claimants meant to be the definition of manners and chivalry? Apparently not for this particular individual, his behaviour was entirely out of sorts and terribly flamboyant to boot.

Once she was finished she paid quickly before leaving through the back, her luggage in tow; her fingers trailing against the walls, she walked through the streets until she finally settled upon a hotel close to the colosseum, but not so close that she would be noticed; as she stepped into the lobby a sudden surge of overwhelming heat as if she had been forced into the oven washed over her and she swallowed nervously.

She approached the desk happy to see that the woman who stood there was quick to work and quiet; as soon as she is given the key to her room she rushed up to her room. The feeling was gone now but she had been seen and noticed by a Claimant of fire, that had to mean bad news; two claimants in less than an hour, what were the likely chances they were all here for the book?



-That Evening-





The camera flashes and questions that flew at Phillip Pickering made him smile eagerly, the swords he had discovered just a day or so ago were now next to each other in a bullet proof case; behind him stands Adaline who is trying to silence the crowd of curious souls all wanting to hear what he had to say about the woman who had appeared and disappeared. He clears his throat after taking a sip of cold sparkling water, the bubbles popping in his mouth. Now that the crowd was hushed he stood up and stood by the case.

“Good evening, good evening! My how many of you there are! So many so many! Now. We know, we know these swords do not belong to this earth! We know because there is no such thing as the metal that made them! There’s one more we believe and we are digging for it now! We will find out why they exist and what they can do! We know they are not of this planet or this this place because because they emit an energy. Energy that we think comes from another universe altogether! Altogether! We may have just found our keys to portals! Portals! Soon we shall find the third and then we shall conquer whoever or whatever it is that brought them here! As for the woman. The woman. The woman, she is from there! the place where these swords are from. from. from.”


He took a sip of his water swallowing it; as a suddenly as a huge influx of questions hit him he smiled eagerly as Adaline stepped in front of him and started to answer the questions with non-specific answers as to not give away how or what they intended to do with the swords they had discovered; the professor on the other hand patted the case lovingly his eyes almost jumping out of his sockets with awe.




“As for the woman who emerged in the colosseum this morning, we believe that she has sent out a message to a certain group of individuals who are unlike us and who are capable of accessing power that we do not yet know of. Regardless they are currently in the midst to find a certain book, it is without a doubt a call to adventure and the Professor and I believe that with the assistance of the swords and the strange almost omnipotent energy they emit we will find this book and get down to the mystery behind the woman.”


Adaline waved the questions away and continued her speech, one that she had written and rehearsed inside her mind ever since they had touched down in Italy, though they were just outside the city of. Rome; she took a deep breath smiling at the cameras

We believe that as of right now the final sword is somewhere in Tibet however these are only speculation. As for the people who the woman has spoken to, we ask that you come forward so we may talk to you.”
“That’ll be all, that’ll be all!!


As soon as the conference was over, and the Professor and Adaline were left alone he opened the cases tracing his fingers across the blades and giggling like a child; as he was pulled into another realm, there was a cold rumbling and the Professor looked up to see Novevu and Xainayne both of them stood near him but not entirely beside him, it was as if they were afraid of the swords his fingers were tracing. “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. I have two I’ll have three and soon all of you will bow to me.”
before he was whisked back into the mortal realm, shutting the cases he gave Adaline a smile “Shall we begin?”



-Back in Rome-




Stephani sat in her hotel room, she had been pacing for more than six hours back and forth, back and forth the problem was; in the moment she needed to speak to her Ancient most it was if she had… been locked out and her powers her abilities were waning; she was panicking and without being able to return back to the Forge she felt alone.

The only other person she could possibly turn to had to be ice Claimant she had seen earlier that day, but how could she approach someone that was ice cold and possibly if not quite literally cruel. She fell onto her bed and wanted to scream – she didn’t evidently because what was worse than raising suspicion.

As she reached for her phone that she had thrown onto her pillow she dialed her mother and shut her eyes. “Mama”
her mother’s voice was shrill and panicked “Something is happening after the second sword was found no one has been able to return home.” “So it’s happening back in London too.”


“It’s happening everywhere, hurry and find the book.” “I will Mama. I am working on it, there are Claimants all over the city and I think we are all on each other’s trail. We’re all waiting to see who enters the Colosseum first.”
“Go now. Make a head start. Echowix might have left something behind and is just waiting for one of you to find it.” “I will mama. I will. Just let me handle this.”



-Somewhere in the air space over Italy-




She waved her arms allowing her to be lifted up higher, it would take a lot of drinking of which the bottles she had on her would help her in lowering herself down back to Earth, she was struggling to breathe and found herself half choking on the air – it was cold up above the clouds, well and truly she had flown to an altitude that would ensure that no human plane would catch sight of her; she didn’t want to have to explain to her fellow Claimants as to why she was being so reckless by flying in the air rather than on… say a plane something that was far more acceptable for claimants like her; but she had hated flying in planes because she felt so claustrophobic “Almost there!”
she mused to herself.

As she slowly flew over the city of Rome she decided now would be a good time to start drinking, opening the first bottle she had on her body she started to drink quickly and heavily until she was no longer in control of her surroundings… the next thing she knew she was plummeting at an almost deadly rate to earth, shielding her head with her arms she found herself crashing through a pane of glass and directly into someone’s hotel room; she had expected a stunned scream but instead she was met with silence as she dust herself off and looked up; opening her mouth she smiled “Hi. Sorry about the window. I’m Vivi. You are?”