章 9: Emerald Pool

Lowering his head before Lord Zireael, Sir Gilbert gulp as silence consumed Grasmere Street. Many eyes were upon the tense scene watching in anticipation from a distance.

"You may leave, but I have a mission for Sir Gilbert." Said Lord Zireael, "You are to head to the Capital and inform the King of what transpired. Should word not arrive back within two fortnights, I will personally travel to the capital."

A/N: 1 Fortnight = 2 weeks

Without waiting for a reply, Lord Zireael left on foot. Traveling towards his manner a few hours away. With the searing heat pressing against his milky skin, the young master didn't show much care.

Many things didn't make sense to the young Lord. One being why an Imperial Knight was killing two guards of Valmor and why they were dressed like brutes. If their mission was only about investigating him, why disguises themself?

Arching his lips, Zireael smirked, pressing on without much care, disregarding the minor incident. There was no use trying to figure out why someone was trying to incite an incident.

With the creamy orange skies, a soft sigh fell from Zireael lips, "An entire day gone so quickly. I wonder if my life will continue to grow more filled with excitement with that little thing within my house.

Pushing past his gate, Lord Zireael first order was diving into a searing shower before entering his room to relax. Pressing his head against his self-cooling pillows, darkness slowly gripped his consciousness.

Peaking her head into her lord's room, two heads appeared. Scrunching her brow, Aurelia frowned, "How can he sleep? Aurelia will fix!"

Covering her mouth before he was awoken, Talia left without a sound. "Lord Zireael doesn't sleep much. Most nights, he is up reading or gazing upon his longsword."

"But it's so early!" complained the little ball of excitement.

Patting Aurelia's small head, Talia smirked, "Didn't you just wake up from fainting?"

Blushing a bit, Aurelia looked down when the mechanical voice of Anima resounded," Lady Talia, the young Mistress medical bath is ready. Would you please follow the virtual indicators? "

Watching an azure misty light began to rise, Aurelia's eyes glimmered. Reaching out, her eyes widen, watching her palms passed through without resistance.

Taking Aurelia's small hand, Talia lifted her lips, leading the way. "If you are ever lost within this mansion, just ask Anima. He will guide you too where ever you need to be."

"Ok!" exclaimed Aurelia.

Following behind the Azure light, Talia led Aurelia through a large door. Suddenly a large wave of herbs flooded Talia's nose bringing tears to her eyes.

"Bloody hell, what is this?" Shouted Talia backing away from the dense scent.

Gazing upon the large tub filled with an emerald flowing similarly like a river, a gleam of shock filled the Young Maid.

"Please remove clothing for full effect." Voiced the robotic Anima.

Scrunching her brow Aurelia turned to Talia. Arching her lips towards the little bun, she nodded, "go ahead. Lord Zireael would never hu... he would never try to ki... It's safe."

Hearing a whisper of forewarning within the depts of her soul, Aurelia hesitated. Watching the emerald pool ripple, she backed away. However, just as she did, her clothing began to fade, followed by azure mist gripping her entire body. Before she could understand what happened, her body was dunked into the seemingly endless emerald liquid.

Panic Aurelia's arms spiraled out of control. Gulping down multiple mouthfuls of emerald liquid, a desperate cry resounded from her throat. With her lungs straining themselves, her vision began to blur. Yet her arms, still desperately tried to claw to freedom.

"Aurelia!" Screamed Talia in alarm.

Charging towards the emerald pool, Talia's entire body was blasted into a wall. Falling upon her knee, she wiped the blood trickling form her nose. Her body tense and alarmed, she gazed upon the small bubble rising from the pool.

"Anima, what are you doing. She will die if she stays any longer." Talia shouted in fright.

"Incorrect, targets vitals are perfect. Oxygen is not necessary within XARB Bath." Anima coldly responded, "Entering phase Two."

Rushing towards the pool, Talia shot her fist forward, striking the invisible barrier. However, without even a single ripple, the barrier stood strong. Gritting her teeth, Talia's gaze began to glimmer with Azure power.

"Threat detected - Target found, non-lethal use required." The robot voice of Anima, "Permission Granted."

Suddenly a dark chill consumed the entire manner. As if it had awakened, Talia froze when a palm fell upon her shoulder, sending a chill down her spine.

Turning her head, Talia's heart leaped out of her chest. "L-L-Lord Zi-"

With a swift swipe to her neck, the light within Talia's eyes grew faint. Dropping to the ground without any resistance, Lord Zireael glared, coldly stepping over her body.

"So noisy, and I had just fallen asleep." Stated Zireael in a weary demeanor, " Anima, how is the absorption rate?"

"Target absorption rate is 100 percent—the second stage is in progress." Announced Anima.

Watching large globs of black impurities rising from the emerald pool, Zireael nodded, "Excellent, add the mutagen during the third Stage."

"All mutagens were corrupted, my Lord," Anima informed, bringing a scowl to the young boy's face.

"I had forgotten how unlike me." Whispered Zireael, his soul recalling the place where everything changed. " So much was ruined turning my... Forget it. Up the usual dosage during the third stage by seventy percent. That should be enough to replace a mutagen."

Spinning around, Zireael left without looking back. However, deep within the Emerald pool, Aurelia's entire body began changing.

Golden light could be seen pulsing from her body like a heart pushing out more and more impurities from her pore. It wasn't long before her frail body began to peal similar to a snake as the golden radiance slowly began to grow brighter. Swallowing her entire body akin to a star, the emerald pigment began to fade, turning clear with each passing second. Like a black hole, Aurelia's body continued to absorb the emerald water while Anima continued pumping more and more in.

With hours passing over the Blackwater Estate. The morning rays of light pressed against the empty halls. Casting the darkness swallowing the mansion away.