[ Outside Mary's Studio ]
'Nico Vitali is a vulnerable man.'
Nobody would immediately think that of a large Italian standing at 6'10", dressed in a black coat while sporting a confident, yet slightly stiff smile lining his square face.
However, everyone is vulnerable, especially those that join a magical order.
Pressing the doorbell again to Mary's studio, Nico shifts uncomfortably, his mind drifting to more ancient bells ringing back home. Within the capital, Rome, he'd watch tons of tourists and locals fill streets, buzzing and eating among the historic architecture rich with culture.
It's not without its shame in its history and modern struggles.
At eleven, he had no choice but to be part of that shame. Kicked out by an alcoholic father, he would watch the streets on top of a blanket with others similar to him, far removed from travelers who were better secure in their life. He'd feel their stares even as they tried to avoid eye contact, but their shift in posture and brief flicker says it all.
Who is weaker: the one who already lies bare, or the one concealing themselves?
Regardless, Nico didn't blame them for their discomfort. He just wished he was in a better position to shield himself like them. Sadly, he was only a drop in the bucket to a wider disparity in the world.
"I see there's quite the fire in you, monsieur."
[IMAGE]
Of course, she came to him. Hand out, her ginger hair flowing by the air forced between buildings, she offered a future where he didn't have to feel exposed or cower.
Just to be.
It helped that Morgan's words weren't metaphorical either. Even if the ideal future never came in the aftermath of the prophesied Flood, his worldview has widened significantly thanks to the goddess' gift. Morgan mentored him how to bring it out, and above all, offered him a home in which he could find sanctuary again.
For him, that's enough. However, anyone that threatened this sanctuary and connection with Morgan, he would gladly risk revealing himself again if it meant he could ensure he had a place to return to.
'Will you recognize your fortune by this flame, Brother, or...?'
Nico hangs up his thoughts, narrowing his eyes at the door as it opens slightly. Straightening, his smile widens as Mary peeks out, her single, visible brown eye squinting through. If he didn't know any better, he would have never guessed Marlin and Mary were related.
"Good day—"
"Excuuuuse me, mister," Mary cuts flatly, then motions with her eye to the right signage that is clearly marked "CLOSED". "I don't suppose you see that? Whether you know my uncle or not, he's not feeling well right now, and I'm busy with work. Kindly leave us poor British alone and actually schedule time properly if you two really are 'business partners'."
Firm, but more polite than she wished. She was going to give him a better piece of her mind, but...
'Why is he so fucking huge?! Uncle, you didn't mention this!'
It's one thing to view from the camera mounted above, but another to stare up from the ground. Her sharp gaze is only a front to less than confident legs behind the door. Luckily, Daniel is concealed by her side, squeezing her shoulder as her support.
Except, she can feel his fingers quivering as well.
Some support, then.
Nico's brows lift, his expression softening as he lowers his head. "Yes, and again, I do apologize for the disruption. If he's not feeling well, then can you at least pass this message along?"
He lifts his hand, palm facing up in front of the artist. In turn, she cocks her head, frowning at the empty offering.
"Sorry, but what exactly—"
FWOO!
Mary's lips immediately seal shut. Illuminated by a violet hue, the so-called "message" reflects in her gaze, fluttering in a neat package within the man's hands. She stares at it for a long second.
With a blink, she lifts her gaze to meet Nico's, whose questionable grin is further highlighted by the flame below.
She looks down to the violet light again.
Creak...
Mary backs away slowly, closing the door with her own crooked grimace. "Ahaha... very nice trick, but I think you're better off giving him your message later. Good day."
The door shuts, but not her nerves. With a sharp breath, she snaps to the deadbolt lock, twisting it closed while her neck starts dripping.
Heartbeats quicken between Daniel and Mary as time catches up in their minds to the gravity of their situation. Although Daniel couldn't see the flame while concealed to the side behind Mary, the familiar noise provided more than enough context to raise hairs. He pulls his fellow artist in tow a few steps back hastily.
"I knew we should've called the cops!" Daniel cries in a hushed voice.
"Would that even help us!?" Mary counters, leaning against him as they steady themselves. Their glances waver at the silhouette behind the frosted glass of the door, now dithered with a violet glow.
The fact that this Italian cultist went ahead and showed some strangers the secret magic is more worrisome. What was he thinking?
"A-anyways, love... um, he's not leaving," Mary notes. She swallows, forcing down a rise from her bubbling stomach. "You saw the violet flame from Victor as well. You don't think reality is going to distort for us now?"
...
Silence.
With no response, Mary frowns and turns behind before her breath stops. Her boyfriend is gone, and with him, her short hallway has stretched far into the dark for no reason.
Click!
"Hieek!"
In her jump, Mary twists back to the front entrance, now warping in her view. She can see the deadbolt lock rotating on its own, and with it, the door flies open.
The outside has disappeared along with Nico, but in his place and the flame he held, a larger conflagration mixed of red and white stands in a human shaped outline. It steps in, ducking under the trims of the entrance while Mary stares, frozen.
"Hmm... strange. It looks like she's finally under, but how did she ignore the effects for that long?"
It's a little distorted, but Mary's pupils shrink to hear Nico's voice coming from the figure.
'What the...?'
Now identified as Nico in some form, the flaming man draws closer. Mary can barely move, only able to watch the swirls of the energy on his outline like those that sprout from the sun. Whether this is part of the intended "effect" or her artistic sense of vision has come back to haunt her, she doesn't know.
But in her frantic thoughts, he passes her, entering the hallway without adding harm. He sighs bitterly. "I'll have to erase these two's memories later, just to be safe. This is already far more troubling than expected."
Mary's breath hitches, but with the man behind her, her mind races a little more easily. It's clear Nico only intended to disable them. Further, Daniel must also be somewhere next to her, even if she can't see or feel him. If it's anything like how Victor approached Daniel, she and him must be standing around with an incredibly dumb look.
'But... I can see and hear him? No, forget that! I need to stop him from doing anything to uncle! Just move... Move, damn it!'
And then...
SPLICK!
══════════ ∴ ══════════
[ Mysterious chamber | One minute before. ]
Only starting to become aware of a problem outside this secondary domain, Viviane stares blankly at Leonardo after his claim.
Her brows knit together. "What do you mean another that doesn't share my flame?"
The master artist closes his eyes. "It's as I say, signora. The flames of Isis evolve in a person as time goes on, but their essence remains close to the remnant that granted it. Any person you have directly connected with, and those that embrace the book would have been spread the flames you and Nimue represent."
"Urgh..." Viviane winces. "So, if I understand correctly, there's another person nearby that isn't linked to me. Are we in trouble?"
Leonardo frowns. "Perhaps. You mentioned you wanted to learn about the Order? Does it exist in the current time?"
"It does, and they're not here to help me prevent the Flood as far as I understand." Silence hangs in the chamber. "Wait, are you saying that someone right now could be..."
"AAH!?"
A sharp cry interrupts, shaking the chamber and pushing the torches and primary magical force to flutter in chaos. Viviane and Leonardo's head turn toward the entrance to the infinite hallway where Anne suddenly stands, gaze wandering around with her jaw hanging.
The elder slime blinks a few times before her shoulders jerk forward. "Anne!?"
Said slime mother stiffens to attention, focusing on her sister and a fancy-dressed man covered in violet flames, all while standing near a marble pit with yellow fire.
...
Naturally, there are a lot of questions.
But, Anne shakes her head to clear most of them. Assuming that Viviane is okay, she breaks from her stun and rushes into the chamber.
"I should've known something was up!"
Viviane internally groans, squeezing her eyes shut. "You connected with Marlin."
"I had to!" Anne huffs. "You were gripping the poor man's head so tightly in the last few minutes. That's longer than any memory exchange we've had, and now I see why!"
"M-minutes?" Viviane sputters. "I've been stuck here more than an hour!"
"O... oh?" Anne turns away slightly, raising a hand to her chin. "Hmm... No wonder you had such a grumpy face outside." Not to be distracted longer, she clears herself and takes in the chamber more, ending her gaze at the colorful blaze. "So, care to explain what this is?"
Shoulder slumping, Viviane forces a sigh. "It's a domain, similar to what we carry. Apparently in the past, I created this place which passes onto every holder of the Book of Isis. That includes Marlin, apparently."
Anne stares blankly. After a long silence, taking in the fact that there can be extra realms outside of remnants, she rigidly faces the glowing man and points. "And... who is he?"
Leonardo smiles and holds a hand to his chest. "I am Leonardo da Vinci, one of the past bearers. I haven't mentioned it, but I should also be the last one who has been imprinted to this domain."
Anne freezes, her gaze shaking once more. "Leo... Leo... Wait, you don't mean... "
"Just give her some time. What do you mean the last one though?" Viviane asks while her sister is reeling.
Leonardo hums. "You must have heard me within the flame before the change in color, no? I took measures to prevent further voices. In case the book fell into the wrong hands, I wanted to ensure none would try to influence you."
"How very thoughtful." Viviane scoffs. "Anyway, going back to The Order, you seem to be aware of a problem with them."
"Sadly." Leonardo's gaze lowers. "In my time, there were already signs of division. Some started to believe that the Flood would be inevitable, just as the old cultists once believed. History, unfortunately, repeats itself. At the very least, Frederick had the hindsight to ensure The Book of Isis was kept hidden, and only a person within who had enough clues would be able to find it among the many records."
"And that happened to be you after five hundred years."
Leonardo nods. "I presume afterward, my real self gave it to any trusted pupils of mine."
"I don't know if 'trusted' means much. It nearly got rediscovered, you know?"
"Ah!" Anne finally snaps out of her shock, twisting to Viviane. "W-wait, this is not the time for autographs!"
Lurching back a bit, Viviane blinks. "Who said anything about autographs?"
"N-no, I mean... F-forget I said that! We have a problem! Speaking of the Order, Nico has shown up at our doorsteps for Marlin! I don't know how much danger we are in, but Mary and Daniel are approaching him as we speak. We shouldn't be here!"
Viviane inhales sharply before grabbing her sister's shoulders. "Why didn't you stop them?!"
"You know very well Mary jumped on it first while Daniel followed. That's how she is!" Anne snaps back, her lips wiggling. "I was hoping to wake you up quickly!"
"... Damn it," Viviane mutters, letting go before turning to Leonardo. "Now we know who you sensed, and it's not good. I can't be trapped here any longer."
Anne's pupils swirl. "Wait, we're trapped?!"
"State calme, mie signore," Leonardo urges with one hand. "You are not trapped."
His gaze shifts to the central fire. "This domain is ultimately a part of you. It is worth taking it back especially if you have to confront a member of The Order."
Viviane sighs, forcing her mind to calm under the pressure. She doesn't even want to imagine the worst case scenario. "Okay, then... How exactly am I supposed to do that?"
"That's only something you would know."
"Oh, great."
Anne twists her lips, switching between the two. Her gelatinous memory races to help. "I... I know I'm late to the party here, but if this place is part of you, maybe you can absorb the flame like you do with your clones?"
Silence fills before Viviane gasps, and focuses on the center fire. "Wait... maybe? I... I never thought to try."
There isn't a better idea, and it makes sense considering anything she split would carry her essence anyway. "Well, let's see."
Leonardo and Anne back away to watch Viviane raise her hand, edging carefully against the yellow flame. As their forms are highlighted between violet and yellow, the artist leans closer to the younger slime mother. "I wish to confirm, but are you also a remnant? My understanding was that creating new ones was to be avoided."
Anne flinches. While swallowing her inherited sense of artistic delight, she nods a few times. "Y-yes, um..."
"She was an accident," Viviane fills, taking the moment to collect herself in case something goes wrong. "I sent a piece of myself out when I saw a green flame from where I was sealed, then something changed because I was taken inside of her somehow."
"Hey, you could have said that more nicely!" Anne protests with a pout.
Leonardo chuckles. "However it happened, these unexpected variables might be what's needed in this time."
"I hope so," the elder slime answers before breathing in. Having hesitated long enough, she jerks her hand forward, letting the colorful waves envelop her.
FWOO!
The flame pillars high in a flurry, crackling in response. Although the elder slime can't feel pain, part of her wanted to pull out right there, but she doesn't back away.
If the fire responds to her will, then...
'Return.'
Marked by her choice of word, the chamber rumbles with tiny pieces of rock falling from the uncertain depth above. Torches running along between pillars waver in an instant, their flames bending towards the central blaze as air circulates around.
Anne watches, holding herself like time has stopped. This scene oddly matches what she has seen of Merlin clearing out in the replica of Stonehenge with Daniel. Soon, the magic fire shifts back to its violet form, shrinking.
"Uh, is this normal?" she asks towards Leonardo.
There's no response. Turning her head, she stumbles back a bit, mouth open to see the master artist gone. Her gooey mass sinks inside of her. 'I... I had so many questions!'
Fwish fwish fwish!
Such questions would have to wait or go unanswered as the air pressure builds, snuffing out the previously immortal flames from the torches. Their castle-like surroundings darken out of existence, only maintained in a small circle by the violet light.
Even then, that would disappear as well. Viviane can't stop even if she wants to, her body shaking as the voices from all the past bearers overlap in her head with their messages, their success, and their failures.
Fsshhh...
Then finally, the center pit extiguishes, ending the mental space, and opening up to Marlin's memories.
If only a little, Viviane has regained more of what she lost.