The SerumOrb

Serafin takes the SerumOrb

Chapter: Princess Serafin Takes the SerumOrb

"Serafin?" Serafin turned to face the owner of the small voice standing in her doorway.

"Sage." She gave her sister a big smile.

"Are you really leaving?" Sage's voice was heavy with sadness as it cracked. Her eyes were puffy as if she had recently been crying.

"Well, yeah, but I am sure I will be back soon, like always." Serafin offered a reassuring smile. Sage shook her head.

"Like Kitealla?" her eyes narrowed with the accusation.

"What?"

"You refuse to tell us where you are going and I still have not seen anything of Kitealla for months. You are going wherever she is, aren't you?"

"W-what?" Serafin was flabbergasted by the intensity of her younger sister's voice.

"You know where she went. I know you do."

"Sage," Serafin sighed knowing where this was going, "you know as well as I do how secretive Kitealla is. She told me she was going on a study trip for the summer, but left early. Hence why I'm off, no use hanging around while all my friends are adventuring."

"Just," Sage's gaze drifted to the floor, "if you hear from her tell her I am waiting. Have a nice summer." Sage left the room leaving Serafin with her guilt. She did know where Kitealla had disappeared to, and she knew how she was too busy and distracted with applicants to care for a visit. She didn't have much time to stew over it though, she had scheduled a secret meeting with the three Keepers and as with any meeting involving the Keepers it is important to be prompt.

Serafin grabbed the duffel she had packed, mainly filled with study journals, and headed out into the hall. She made her way from the residential section of the castle to the upper floors, restricted to anyone without an invitation from the Keepers.

Serafin slipped into her red Royal Council cloak pulling its mask and hood in place to hide her face. She gave the door a gentle tap, having it open a crack almost immediately.

"State your business."

"I am Princess Serafin Ashton of Kingdom II and I have a meeting with the three Keepers of the three Kingdoms of Galaxia." Serafin did her best not to allow her annoyance to slip into her tone.

"Very well, you may enter." The door opened wide enough to allow her to enter, closing instantly behind. Definitely not appropriate etiquette toward a member of the Royal Family.

No one else occupied the dark entryway she had stepped into, a phenomenon she was quite used to as a Mystico. She further entered the dark room, stopping when a small LightOrb floated in front of her. It shattered, each of its pieces flying to one of the candles lining the walls and filling the room with its light.

"Princess Serafin," the keepers appeared, her own stepping forward to address her, "for what reason have you requested this meeting, and with the terms of such secrecy?"

"Keeper," she began without hesitation, "I wish to answer the subject summons for the mysterious Kingdom II Research and Sciences experiment." she heard a chuckle escape the third Keeper, "What amuses you? I studied with Miss Gathooc as she attempted to bring her idea to life and was acting assistant when she finally achieved her goal. I know more about this SerumOrb and what its true capabilities are than you ever will."

"We do not doubt you, Princess Serafin, but just how do you plan to hide your absence from the Royal Council and your Kingdom?"

"The Royal Council members have gotten notification of my uninterrupted summer study trip, which of course is not anything unusual. I have paid a select few of guards and hunters to provide some physical evidence of an excursion of some sort and my presence, if need be."

"Why do you want to be a subject? I'm sure you've seen your fair share of failures and the resulting Beasts." the first Keeper questioned.

"Those failures were criminals. I have faith I am a good enough soul. You yourself have seen my skill in Mystico Magic and Orbs."

"I see. And Miss Gathooc?"

"I am assuming she is not to know the identities of the subjects? Keeping anonymity won't be very challenging, I've done it all my life. If this study is successful I am sure having a few hidden Royal council members within it will aid in whatever future plans you may have. I am certain I won't be the only one who approaches you."

"Are you sure of this decision?"

"What kind of assistant would I be if I didn't assist my scientist with her experiment? What kind of friend would I be to let her do this alone?"

"Very well."

Princess Serafin was securely strapped to a metal subject table behind the glass of an experiment lab. She could feel the cloth of her facemask stretched across her lower face, but her hood had been removed leaving her eyes victim to the piercing bright white lights.

Keeper II and a robed figure she could only assume was Kitealla closed themselves within the observation room glass leaving the other keepers and assistants out to to watch.

"New Subject, S22A, the Creator will apply the SerumOrb to your eyes. If all goes well there should be a quick sting and a slight blur of your vision and it'll be over." Keeper II explained unnecessarily.

Serafin felt the Creator's gloved hands gently pull her eyelids back and stared into the purple glow of her eyes as the orb was broken and the serum from within allowed to drip out.

The stinging wasn't instant, giving Serafin time to seamlessly blink it away and those near her to step back. When her eyes blurred and the stinging began however, it was overpowered by an intense burning sensation spreading from her chest outward to her shoulders and down her arms to her hands. Serafin clenched her eyes and grit her teeth, Kitealla hadn't mentioned burning. Was it failing? She began to panic.

"Quick! She is on fire!" Kitealla's voice yelled.

Serafin wanted to yell her friend's name but her voice was swallowed by the burning in her throat.

"What is happening? Creator?" Keeper II demanded. Serafin felt something being thrown over her that lessened but didn't get rid of the burning.

"Creator, what have you done?" Keeper II demanded.

"It seems this is what another successful dose of the SerumOrb looks like." Serafin could hear the eye roll in Kitealla's voice, "do you recall my hypothesis for the SerumOrb, Keeper? To grant mystico power like abilities. It seems this subject has fire abilities. Let's keep her cool and alive, give her time to figure out how to put the flames out herself." Serafin felt a hand on her shoulder, "thank you. It is refreshing to see positive results for a change." Serafin blinked, her vision clearing except for an odd red tint. She caught a glimpse of Kitealla's glowing purple eyes looking down at her.