The Arcana: Fragments

XI: Don't Think I Won't Hurt You

Asra x Julian x Reader

Plucking a single grape from the ornamented bundle of fruits to his side, Asra honed in on your presence. You were close, and he sensed you long before you even entered the palace gates. Had you not been accompanied by your lover, that wretched doctor that took you from him, he might not have known of your great plan. Luckily, the doctor was weak; his mind already a fragile, self deprecating mess. It really didn't take much effort to see into his thoughts and discover your schemes. Smiling, he plopped the grape into his mouth, the juices burst almost instantly.

A clever plan, he agreed, but a shame it wouldn't work. The agreement that had been made with the devil had rid Lucio and his spirit effectively, leaving Asra further indebted to the bargain - and it had its perks, for sure. All this power, all this insight, all given to him by merely sharing his physical body with the Devil arcana. With Nadia effectively excommunicated from Vesuvia, political power easily fell into his hands. There really is so little average humans can do against a magician. Waving his hand up into the air, Portia appeared and quickly removed the fruit platter from his sight. He smirked as she fled away, as good of a servant she was, she originally wasn't so obedient. She insisted on calling him Asra, and when he looked into her thoughts he saw she had been in talks with you and Julian frequently via letters and portals you'd use your magic to open, a truth she had originally denied. It didn't matter, he had her all of her hair cut off publicly and fashioned into that of a boy as punishment, since then she hasn't met with either of you in weeks.

"One little bird out of the plan, and now it's just you two..."

Walking out onto the balcony, he peered off into the gardens below. That's where you two were coming from. In less than an hour you both will make your way through the foliage and climb up the vines connecting the ground level to your entrance site. The library. The doctor knew the way to get in, the third window to the left had the ability to be opened, and Portia had long before left a piece of cloth stuck in between its hinges so that you two could get inside. From there, the doctor would wait behind in the library and you would guide yourself through a secret passageway until you found your way into this very room where you would use what little advancements you made in your magic practice to send yourself and him into the astral realm. With luck, you'd succeed at separating what remained of Asra from the devil arcana. And it would work, that is, if he didn't know already.

Faust slithered onto his shoulders as he sipped rich summer wine, holding it in his mouth to savor the flavor. He chuckled in anticipation of the events to come. "This is all quite exciting", he said. He watched as his serpent wound itself around his horns. "Perhaps we should intercept a bit earlier once they arrive, let y/n explore the new furnishings while we pay the doctor a visit in the library?"

Faust's now black and red scales shimmered brightly in the moonlight, she bowed her head in agreement. Asra petted her lightly as he began his descent to the library, "We ought to bring his precious Pasha along as well...I hope you've been keeping up your strength, you'll finally be able to squeeze the neck of that excuse of a man".

Your POV

Julian was breathing heavily as he hoisted you into the library, he was scared for you. "This place hasn't been touched in a while", he observed the dust now caking every crevice of the library. The air was dense and the scent of aging books intoxicated your head. He took the piece of cloth that was stuck in the window and brought it to his face, "Pasha..", he sighed.

"She's alright", you squeezed his arm in reassurance.

"We haven't heard from her in weeks..what if he..what if...", he couldn't finish his sentence. Looking as if he might fall apart, you hushed him softly and kissed his forehead. "Do not think that way. All of this ends tonight, my love. We save Asra and Portia and Faust tonight, this will work, I promise you that. Once I get Asra into the astral realm, Lucio will be waiting there as well to help me separate his soul from the devil. If it works, the three of us should be able to stop the devil entirely. Muriel will bring Nadia back into the city and back into power as Countess and from there balance will be restored".