ULTRAMagic Interlude

Chapter 12

Another day had passed, with Blood-Wraith feeling slight unease that morning. He had a dream the night prior that was fairly odd. It featured him and a figure that resembled Dunja... going to school? Specifically she was walking him to the place in question. The realization of how strange the situation was jolted him awake. If that dream meant anything, he was not sure what it was. After contemplating it for a couple of minutes, Blood-Wraith figured it was time for breakfast and got out of bed.

"Good morning, Blood!" Aureolus greeted him as he sat down at the table.

"Hey, Aureolus, Vex... Wait, who's cooking?"

"That would be Valentina," Vexation replied. "She arrived 10 minutes after you fell asleep last night. I offered to prepare breakfast myself, but she insisted since she-and I quote-just showed up out of the blue..."

Valentina then entered the dining room with the rest of breakfast. She was casually dressed, wearing a black, modest blouse and a sky blue dress going down to her ankles. "Good morning, Blood. You don't mind if I stay with you while I'm in the Unlight, do you?"

"Hey, Val. No, I don't mind... you have normal clothes?"

She chuckled. "Of course I do, silly. Did you think I'd wear my armor or angelic robes all the time?"

Blood-Wraith thought about it for a second and chuckled. "Yeah, makes sense. Come to think of it, I need to get my armor on soon."

"Is it because of that thing you can't tell me about yet?" Aureolus asked.

"Yup."

"Are you sure you can't tell me about it yet? I promise I'll keep it a secret."

"Nope... Yes... NO, ARGH! Sorry, Aureolus, but it's top secret."

"Aw man... Can you give me a hint?" This made Blood-Wraith groan, causing Vexation and Valentina to laugh.

"Blood, I will admit that I do have a rough idea of what's going on" Vexation stated. "To satisfy some curiosity, I will say that it's wrong to assume certain events are set in stone."

Blood-Wraith grumbled. "I suppose that's vague enough..."

"Oh, okay..." Aureolus seemed like he was going to drop it. "This is about Dunja, isn't it?"

"SHHHHHH!!" Blood-Wraith lurched and put his finger over Aureolus' mouth. This elicited more laughter.

"Blood, why are you so on edge?" Aureolus wondered.

"It's because I'm being knighted in two weeks and a lot is riding on this thing I can't discuss..."

"Well firstly; congratulations, Blood," Valentina cut in. "Secondly, he has a lot of responsibility now, Aureolus."

Vexation nodded. "Doubly so given the guild about to be founded."

"A guild?" Aureolus questioned. "What guild? Tell me!"

"Yeah, that..." Blood-Wraith started to elaborate. "Me, Val, and the others ran into a weird angel who had ULTRAMagic back in the labyrinth. He said he wants to round up ULTRAMagic mages to form a guild to help keep the Cosmos safe."

"Oh wow..." Aureolus was amazed by this development. "Good thing I'm getting my own set of soul fragments then!"

"Pardon?" This caught Blood-Wraith off guard, causing him to nearly drop some of his food.

Vexation smiled. "Yes indeed, Blood. Aureolus wants to become an ULTRAMagic mage. He already has five as is."

"Really now?"