[Sera's office]
Sera sighed as she put the pen down and leaned back in her seat. Finally done with the mountain of paperwork. "Thank you, Viren. You're a lifesaver. I would've been here all day if not for you."
Viren put the finished papers aside. "Don't thank me, master. I'm only doing my bare minimum as your servant."
Sera chuckled. "I really need to get Medine to give you some human emotions."
Viren shook his head. "No, Master. Mistress Magnatasma offered that many times. But I refused. If I had human emotions. I'd learn to refuse. I'd learn to rebel. I do not wish to become dangerous."
Sera stared at him. Slightly shocked. "... Viren, it saddens me that you're this kind... You don't want to have emotions of your own... Just so you don't risk rebelling?"
Viren nodded. "Yes, master. Humans are untamable beings. I do not wish to be like that."
Sera looked downwards then sighed. "We really don't deserve you, Viren... No one should choose emptiness to keep their loya—..." Her words were cut off by a sudden sensation.
"What the..." She looked at the window in shock. "What is this depth..?"
Viren's eyes lit up as he scanned the energy. "Master I'm detecting an incredibly deep Ocean. The location aligns to the location of Rei Kannazaki and Myra Vespera's mission. It is different from Rei Kannazaki's Ocean signature"
Sera grinned. "Then it must be Myra! She must have manifested her powers! I knew she was gonna do it!" She looked at Viren again. "Can you see anything else, Viren?"
"I believe it is a summoning type ocean. For I scan a fourth presence. Not Rei Kannazaki, Myra Vespera, or the drowned."
Sera turned back towards the window. "Then it must be really powerful, if that tremendous depth belongs to it. I knew it."
"Of course, master." Viren added. "Your judgement is always perfect. I had no doubt in your perspective. Not that I can even doubt."
"Thank you, Viren... Truly." Sera's excited grin turned into a soft, warm smile. "I'm sure they should be coming back soon. They surely killed the Drowned already, with that power."
"Then I'll go inform Hibiki Amagishi to ready a room. Myra Vespera must need treatment. After releasing such a colossal depth at once." Viren said as he approached the door.
"Yes. You do that. Good thinking." She watched him leave before sitting down. Waiting for Rei and Myra to arrive. Barely containing her excitement.
[Elsewhere, within the council chamber.]
All the members of the council froze at the massive energy they just felt.
"What is this depth!?" Kyoka stood up abruptly.
"How... This depth doesn't belong to someone we know.." Oji gritted his teeth in anger. "It must be that brat... What did Kannazaki do... To make her manifest such a powerful Ocean so fast?!"
Kenzo stared ahead. Tears of shock and remembrance welling up in his eyes. His heart trembled. A past traumatic memory shooting across his head. "That depth... That sensation... My lord... She lives..." He thought to himself.
"I nearly contributed in killing her...? No... My lord.. I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry.. I'll fix this.. I must." He wiped his tears. His shock replaced with determination.
Kagami stared at Kenzo in confusion. Then stared ahead. "It can't be intentional. There's no way that Vespera woman could willingly bring forth such depth. It must have been in a panic state."
Oji nodded. "You're right. However, you must proceed with your plan fast. Now that her ocean manifested... We don't know how fast she'll evolve."
Kagami stood up. "I know. I'll proceed with it as fast as I can." He turned around. About to leave. But then.
"Hold it." Kenzo stood up and turned towards Kagami. "I can't let you proceed with this mission.
Oji and Kyoka's gazes turned towards him in shock.
"What are you talking about, Kenzo!?" Kyoka slammed her fist on the table as she shouted. "Have you finally lost the last screw in your cog-less machine!?"
Oji stood up as well. "Kenzo, What manner of foolishness is this!? Why are you siding with the girl and Kannazaki?!"
Kagami approached him. "Master Kenzo. What's the matter? What are you saying?" His tone calm and collected. As if taunting him.
Kenzo stared Kagami dead in the eyes. "I cannot let you hurt that girl. I was with you on getting rid of them. But that was before I saw the true extent of her power."
Kagami raised an eyebrow. "And why won't you let me?"
"..." Kenzo was silent for a moment. "None of your business." Then.. A massive greatsword materialized out of thin air. Into Kenzo's hand.
"You'll have to deal with me first, if you wish to hurt her." He pointed his blade at Kagami.
"Kenzo! You fool!" Oji shouted at him. Jabbing a finger at him in fury. "Are you out of your mind!? They are far too dangerous! They must be dealt with!"
"You don't understand, Mobu! And I cannot explain it either!" Kenzo yelled back. Gripping his greatsword tightly, his knuckles turning white.
"Why you-... Damn it." Kyoka looked at Oji. "Must I?"
Oji nodded slowly. "You must.."
Kyoka sighed and nodded as she raised her hands. "I'm sorry... Ocean of Blossoms: LOCK!"
Kenzo's eyes widened in shock at Kyoka's words. "YOU-" His words were cut off as the ground below him turned black. Dragging him downwards.
"You rotten bastards! Stop this immediately! You can't hurt her! You do not know the consequences! You cannot handle her rage!" He shouted and struggled. Swinging his sword around. Unable to reach Kyoka.
Kyoka stared at him. "I'm sorry, Kenzo. You can't stop us."
"You...!" He could only glare at them as his entire body was submerged. Then he was nowhere to be seen. "Rei Kannazaki... Please... Keep her safe... Please.." He thought to himself as he drifted off in the void of Kyoka's seal.
Kyoka then looked at Kagami. "Go, now. I sealed him away. Don't disappoint us."
Kagami nodded. A little surprised how she didn't hesitate to seal her colleague like that. But pushed the thought aside. "I won't."
He turned around and walked out of the room. Disappearing into the shadows.
[Treatment Sector: Hibiki's station]
Hibiki froze as she finished making a set of Abyssal pearls. "That depth..." She looked out the window.
"That's not Rei..." She muttered. "Myra... Myra!" She giggled to herself. "I knew it! My trust in you wasn't in vain, dear. I best prepare her room. She must be tired as crap!"
She ran out of the room. But was stopped in her tracks by Viren. "Hibiki Amagishi."
She smiled at him. "I know why you're here. Don't worry, Viren. I'm on it." She said as she entered room number 252. Readying the cannulas and turning on the machines.
"Bring her in as soon as she gets here, Viren." She smiled at him.
"That I shall." Viren replied as he turned around and made his way back to Sera's office.
[Sera's office.]
Sera tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Rei and Myra to arrive. "Come on, Rei.."
Eventually.. She felt his presence rapidly approaching.
"They're back." She muttered to herself and stood up as she witnessed Rei rising from the floor. An unconscious Myra in his arms.
"Mission complete." Rei said with a wicked grin on his face. He looks excited.
"How did it go? Viren and I felt an enormous depth earlier. Was that Myra?" She approached and stood in front of him. Tilting her head upwards to meet his gaze.
He nodded. "Sure was. She summoned an almost Eldritch-level beast. And it was an incomplete summon, too! Kid definitely hit the jackpot with Pandora!"
Sera grinned. Her usual calm and collected demeanor fading and making way for her excitement. "What'd she summon? What type of beast?!"
Rei snickered lightly at her change in behavior. "A giant skeleton dog. It was awesome! Like staring at hell itself! Though I think it was missing two heads. I think the kid summoned an incomplete version of Cerberus."
Sera's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "She summoned the guardian of hell!?"
"Hell yeah she did!" He said, his grin widening. "That kid's packing a serious gun, I tell ya. We just needa teach her how to shoot."
Viren then walked in. "I've been ordered to fetch Myra Vespera to Hibiki Amagishi so she can be treated."
"Oh. Yeah. Here." Rei gently gave Myra to Viren. "Careful—Fragile package." He winked at Viren.
Viren stared at him. "I do not understand the purpose of that wink."
Rei stared blankly at him. "Seriously?"
Sera giggled slightly and pat Rei's shoulder. "He doesn't understand our jokes. Don't mind him."
"Jeez. What was Medine thinking, not giving him a sense of humor?" He put a hand on his hip.
"Maybe because she had more important things to add?" Sera cocked her head to the side in sarcasm.
"What could be more important than a sense of humor?" He raised his arms in opposite directions, with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't understand." Viren added. "Please explain."
"Viren, Just go." Sera said with a chuckle.
"Yes, master." Said Viren as he turned around and left with the unconscious girl.
"Jeez. I'll definitely have a word with Medine myself." Rei sighed.
"Just... Do you think you can help Myra control that summon?" Sera changed the topic to something more important.
Rei gave her a confused look. "O'Course I can! What kinda question is that? I'm the-" Sera quickly cut him off before he could speak.
"Hey. Walls have ears, remember?" Her tone got much more serious.
"Right.. My bad." Rei chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"I'll trust you to keep her safe. A lot of people must have felt that energy. It won't be long before someone goes after Myra." Sera looked him dead in the eyes. Her serious demeanor returning.
"You got it. She's safe with me." He was about to leave. But then he stopped. "Oh. Also, did you notice?"
Sera nodded slowly. "I did. Her depth. It's identical to theirs. She's one of them. I'm sure Kenzo will be over the moon to know that."
"Sure, he will. But that means They're gonna start moving again." Surprisingly enough.. Rei's demeanor wasn't as careless as usual. More serious this time.
"That is correct... But they shouldn't pose much threat with you and me here, now. It's what we don't know that worries me. This world has far too many secrets."
"I guess. But still, nothing Pandora can't deal with." He smiled faintly.
"Indeed. Just, train Myra to control her ocean once she's recovered. We really could use one of them on the frontlines." She set her glasses aside.
Rei nodded. "You got it, boss. I'll go see the Angel of Mercy now. G'bye!" He waved at her and walked out.
"Good luck, Myra..." Sera muttered as she sat back down.
[Chapter nine: END.]