204 One Step Forward

"HEY EMILIA!" OVER HERE!" Daisy yelled out waving her hand high all the seated students.

"Hey, guys!" I smiled taking the seat they left open for me.

"How did your meeting with Paul go?" Helen grinned.

"He's doing great, seems like he can walk and cast spells again." I smiled.

"Does he need any healing?" Daisy eagerly answered making us all chuckle.

"I think he's fine Daisy," I smiled. "On that note, I did persuade him to help out Jennifer," I informed everyone.

"Really? What does he plan to do?" Grace questioned while Helen remained silent but eager to hear more details.

"He said he can either enrol her to Atlantis, personally see over her training or bring her to his orphanage that will look after her and train her," I answered.

"Ohh so what he did with me!" Daisy smiled.

"On that topic why did he leave you to train under the Church of Serra? Surely it would have been better if he oversaw your training personally." Jay questioned.

"Hmm.." Daisy pondered scanning through her memory, "Oh yeah! I can't remember exactly why but he said he arrived too late and that he couldn't heal or cleanse something that was ailing me and that I needed something much stronger then he was, so I'm assuming the power of a deity." Daisy answered.

"Interesting." Jay nodded.

"Yup and lucky Serra came to my aid." Daisy smiled.

"So what is it that ailed you?" I questioned.

"Dunno, all I know is that the moment Paul took me to see a Sister of Serra and I stepped into the church something felt different, it was like a weight as lifted that I never knew was there." Daisy smiled.

"hmm, and you said that the tattoos were a way a Dark God could possess and control you?" Helen questioned.

"That's what it felt like, but at the time it felt more like a very strong suggestion," Daisy answered.

"So I assume Serra must have cleansed the bond or connection," I suggested.

"Sounds like it, and kinda explains why Paul wouldn't be able to do much since it involves divine beings." Jay agreed.

"So do you still get any thoughts, dreams or suggestions?" I questioned curiously.

"Nope, I don't anymore, the only time I've had any recently was during the Demon Lord hologram that caused some sort of nightmare in me where I had zero control of my body." She answered.

"Woah that must have been harrowing," Grace replied in shock.

"Yes, but it was only a nightmare so I don't think too much of it." She smiled.

"What did the rest of your experience?" Helen questioned curiously.

"I saw Paul and Scarlet dying to the Demon, kinda obvious now that it wasn't real." I chuckled.

"My parents were punished for getting afflicted by the blue stigma." Jay answered.

"When did this all happen?" Morgana questioned.

"Ah, interesting and you say a Demon Lord was summoned?" She questioned.

"Yes, it was a big fat grotesque red one with a large flaming sword." I answered.

"Ah, that sounds like Khorcus, and his nightmarish aura." Morgana nodded.

"What do you know about it?" I questioned curiously.

"So in each layer of the Nine Hells are ruled over by one Devil Lord, who are also at war with a Demon Lord that used to reign over that area." She explained.

"So there are Nine Devil Lords and Demon lords?" I questioned.

"There is at least that many, but I'm sure there are more." She answered making me smile a little as I took my first step into trying to save Paul.

"Do Demons and Devil's posses people?" I questioned curiously.

"Hmm they normally possess your soul, actually possession is possible but rare." She answered.

"Why are you so interested in infernal creatures?" Jay questioned.

"No reason just Devils and Angels are stuff was a concept back in my home plane but they were never real," I explained to them.

"So there's no eternal battle between Good and Evil?" Daisy questioned in shock.

"We'll there has been stories and fables about them but nothing really that could be seen or felt." I answered.

"Interesting." Daisy pondered.

"Ohh and even better news, Paul said he'll try and make it possible for you guys to travel with me back to my home plane." I smiled.

"Really?!" They all gushed in excitement.

"But that's only if you guys want to, I'm sure you guys have family and friends to visit." I hesitatingly replied.

"This experience I can't miss, I'll just visit home a few days before we depart." Jay smiled.

"We're in exile." Helen and Grace shrugged.

"Mother's swamp is really far away so I don't have an issue." Morgana smiled.

"Hmm, I do wonder how my church is doing without me." Daisy pondered.

"Don't you remember Daisy that little girl said you were a role model but a lot of the senior sisters and priests? were a little angry at your decision to join Atlantis." Grace reminded her.

"Ohh yeah, I'm bound to get scolded if I went back." Daisy shuddered at the thought.

"So you said you're exiled, is that from ever Elven city?" I questioned curiously.

"Only from the cities we came from, I'm sure other Elven cities and settlements would be fine but they would be different Elve's, I suppose," Grace answered.

"Different Elves?" I questioned.

"Yeah, there are many types of different Elves, such as the ones you'd most often see near human settlements would be Wood Elves, they generally prefer smaller settlements over big cities and tend to dwell in large dense forests." Grace explained.

"By the way how do you guys see in darkness?" I questioned curiously.

"Not sure, we can just see in darkness." Daisy smiled.

"So Daisy can release fire when attacked, see in darkness and super tough. Grace can also see in darkness, unleash a sunbeam and super fast and agile with great hearing. What do humans get?!" I asked a little disappointed I don't get anything as cool as them.

"Don't forget that Elves also sleep for 4 hours." Jay chuckled.

"Well you might not feel it, but humans are pretty amazing." Grace smiled.

"Yes Humans are amazing, despite being youngest race, humans have grown to be one of the most dominant species building massive empires and cities." Helen agreed.

"Yup, unlike other races who quibble among themselves, the ability for humans to assemble to one cause is awe-inspiring, I can't even imagine Elves ore Dwarves coming together to fight for a common cause.." Grace nodded.

"There's also a reason why Humans are seen everywhere with stories and fables of great kingdoms being built in the harshest conditions and most dangerous environments, they say because humans live such short lives compared to some other races is why so many humans strive to achieve such great heights," Helen added.

"Humans are the youngest?" I questioned in shock.

"Well there are some that are younger, like Daisy or Half-orcs, but Orcs and Devils have been around way before the first human was created," Helen answered.

"Interesting." I nodded in understanding.

"Oh food should be arriving," Daisy smiled as the mechanical golems began to spring into life and began to deliver food all throughout the great hall.

"Where's Paul he didn't enter with you?" Helen questioned.

"Yeah, he said he'll be eating in his room," I answered.

"Oh, he doesn't eat with the rest of us, ordinary students?" She replied a little surprised chuckling a little.

"He said he doesn't enjoy all the attention." I laughed along with her.

"Ha, to be honest, if you weren't such good friends with Scarlet and Paul I'd imagine we'd be eager to see a glimpse of him." Helen chuckled.

"I wouldn't mind seeing him in some sort of duel against an equal opponent." Jay smiled.

"Yeah so far we've only seen him destroy small fry which although very thrilling but I'd love to see him fight a more difficult opponent." Grace agreed.

"Well if Mother shows him and Scarlet a lot of respect, I can tell you that he's probably extremely capable," Morgana informed us.

"By the way, not to sound offensive or disrespectful, but aren't all Hag evil?" Grace questioned.

"Um, I wouldn't say Mother is Evil she might have done evil things a long time ago, but she seems to have reverted her ways. She does defend her land fiercely, once I saw her explode a band of Orcs who ventured into to our swamp." Morgana described.

"On that topic also, are orcs and goblins evil?" I questioned knowing that they are generally deemed evil.

"Um, it all depends." Helen hesitantly answered.

"So as you know, us Elves have been in a savage conflict with Orcs for a very long time, but it all depends on the Orc and the tribe," Grace answered.

"It's hard to know how many exactly, orcs generally live in tribes and most are open to talk and trade, but of course you do get some that are very aggressive and enjoy attacking and pillaging, then you get those that are gathered into warbands such as the one's that are in conflict with Elven cities," Helen explained.

"Same with goblins but their civilisation are a bit more complex and vary greatly, but you do get some good goblins but they are still pretty rare," Grace answered.

"Interesting.." I nodded.

"So Helen and Grace where are you from?" Morgana questioned.

"Both are cities are a little far away from here." They both answered.

"Yup far west far beyond the Zesshia borders, you'd find our home cities," Helen explained.

"How did you hear about Atlantis?" I questioned curiously.

"Well, Elves and humans are on very good terms with each other, we also loved attending the Grand Magical Games and Atlantis although always loses because Paul is always absent, they still seemed the nicest of all the institutes," Grace answered.

"Are there any Elves in the other schools?" I questioned.

"Elves are most probably super rare sadly, even we haven't heard of Elves joining a Human Institute," Helen answered.

"So are there Elven schools equivalent to Atlantis and the other three?" Daisy asked.

"They aren't really the same as here, most Elven cities have their own institute for learning and studying so everyone tends to stay in their own cities," Helen answered.

"It also why different Elves tend to stick to certain styles, for example, Sun Elves would focus primarily in sword fighting so Sun Elf casters are a little rarer," Helen explained.

"That's understandable." Jay nodded.

"I do find it a little weird that Atlantis has gone for a route where everyone learns a bit of everything," I said.

"Well I do know in the latter year's students are given choice to specialise in certain areas and classes," Jay replied.

"Ohh so this year is like a small taster so people can decide what they prefer doing and studying?" I asked.

"Seems so, it would explain the reason Atlantis has so many divisions and all different type of students," Jay answered.

"Ohh so we won't be in the same classes next year?" I question feeling a little sad.

"I guess so since Daisy will probably go on a study divine or holy things, Helen and Morgana would study nature and druidic if Atlantis even offers it and Grace would be participating on more physical activities," Jay answered.

"Well, at least you and Jay will be in the same classes," Dasiy smiled.