Asuka was now in quite the awkward situation. She was seated at a table inside a room of the large building. Sitting across from her was General Octavi. Her arms were crossed, and eyes closed. She was almost the exact opposite image of a general Asuka had imagined. Asuka believed they would be more arrogant and proud, or look down on her and scorn Ichigo. Maybe even look at her with fear for being a Trinity.
But neither she nor her lieutenant ever looked at them in that way. Maximus talked to Ichigo almost like they were good friends. General Octavi, though not exactly friendly, was not hostile. In fact, it almost seemed like she didn't feel much at all. An almost inhuman aura of calmness, order, and apathy radiated from the woman. There was one thing that puzzled Asuka about the woman though.
Suddenly, the woman spoke up, startling the girl.
"You're wondering why you cannot feel my anima, aren't you, girl?"
Asuka did not pretend that she wasn't intrigued by the woman.
"Y-yes. I am."
Octavi opened her eyes to look at the girl. Her expression betrayed not an ounce of emotion.
"It is a seal. It restricts my anima inside my body and shrouds it, making it almost impossible to detect. All the other generals have one as well. The only downside is that the person with it cannot detect the anima of others either."
Asuka didn't miss the one word stopping the spell from being perfect.
"Almost?" Asuka asked.
"Yes. If I were in battle, and poured my anima into a weapon or used my element, someone could detect where I was. "
Asuka nodded in understanding. Once again, an awkward silence fell upon them. Asuka wanted to make conversation but wasn't sure what the general would be interested in talking about. Then, a question came to her.
"If I may, what is the princess like?"
The general's calculating eyes again locked onto hers, sending a shiver up her spine.
"You'll find out soon enough."
As if rehearsed, the door to the room opened revealing the princess of the entire kingdom. Her fiery hair was no longer in a ponytail, now flowing down her back in a wave. She wore a white turtleneck sweater with four golden stars on the right shoulder, pants and boots. And around her neck, a necklace carrying a ring.
But what caught Asuka's attention was her anima. She wasn't used to such energy emanating off of a person. Such beauty. Such elegance. She had such a strong aura of superiority it made the Trinity feel so small. Like she wasn't worthy of being in her presence. She was a bit taller than the princess, but her golden eyes always carried a look that made her look small, inferior.
In that moment, Asuka knew they would not get along.
"Your highness."
Asuka looked across the table and the general had taken a knee. She then looked back at the princess who already had her eyes on her expectantly. Their eyes met and the princess waited for Asuka to follow the general.
She did not.
Frustration appeared in the princess's eyes, and a heavy weight mounted onto Asuka's shoulders. She shuddered at the sudden pressure but did well to catch herself. The pressure increased but Asuka remained seated in her chair. Before it could shatter under the pressure, the general spoke out.
"That's enough Lady Anastasia. Come take your seat."
She wanted to protest, but looking into the general's eyes made her abandon the idea. She clicked her tongue in frustration and released the pressure on Asuka.
"Cur," she hissed just loud enough for Asuka to hear.
It was a new word to Asuka, but she knew it didn't mean anything good.
She quickly made her way to the side of her master staring daggers into the girl across from her. If looks could kill, Asuka would be long dead.
"Now that all the necessary parties are here, let us begin," said Octavi.
Asuka turned to her in confusion.
"What about Ichigo? As my master, isn't he suppo-"
"Do well to know your place in all this, cur."
The words felt so off coming from Anastasia's mouth. Who knew such vile words could be spit by such a beautiful girl.
"Enough Lady Anastasia. Children you may be, but you should know how to act. This meeting can be done without your presence. Do well to understand this."
Asuka couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction hearing General Octavi bring the princess down a couple notches.
"As for your question, Ichigo is currently speaking to the emperor and it may take some time before he is finished. He said it would be alright to begin without him."
Asuka nodded in understanding.
"During this infiltration mission, you both will play the role of friends. You and your families were in a caravan escaping your village which was pillaged by slavers, but they caught up to you, and everyone was killed. Though you both managed to escape. Is everything so far understood?"
Asuka raised her hand and the general nodded. Anastasia rolled her eyes and scoffed at the sight.
"How do we convince them that we managed to escape? It would be a bit difficult to convince the people of Cael that two young girls could escape."
"You managed to slip away in the night. They left you alive to be sold, but due to negligence you managed to escape."
"Alright," Asuka replied.
"Now, naturally you'd both need to act like girls who had just lost their families. Lady Anastasia has already been enrolled in acting classes so she should fare well. But for you Asuka, you'll need to begin classes as well. Is there anyone near your home who could teach you?"
"Um... I don't believe so. Actors aren't exactly needed where I live."
"I see," the general replied, "then, perhaps to start, the lady will give our guest some advice."
She looked at the princess beside her who gave an uninterested expression.
"Fine."
"Good. Now, when you get to Cael you will need living arrangements. They have already been arranged by trusted members of the church and its head, the Archprophet."
Asuka was familiar with the man known as the Archprophet. He is at the top of the hierarchy of the church. They say for over two centuries he's been faithfully serving the Aeons as the direct link between man and the divine. He's the one who relays messages from the Aeons to the emperor.
"Your place of living will be near the church you both will attend. We do not currently know who may or may not be in collusion with the cult in that church, so it will be your jobs to find and eliminate them. Am I understood?"
Both girls nodded in understanding.
Octavi then pulled out four pieces of paper. Two with the design and layout of the church and the other two with a map of the area around the church. She gave one to each of the girls. Both took their time identifying the number of buildings, entrances, exits, hidden doors, rooms for specific deeds and more.
Seeing the intense detail that was going into this mission, Asuka realized just how underprepared she was for Aboa. She wondered how Ichigo could've sent her on a mission so ill-prepared, but she quickly realized that Ichigo probably didn't prepare too much for his own missions either. After all, if he's as strong as she thinks he is, then there really isn't any reason to prepare. But still, it left her wondering. The maps blurred in her vision. She blinked, but the thought returned, heavy and cruel.
"Would Amelia still be alive if I had prepared better?"
Noticing Asuka's saddened expression, Octavi spoke.
"Is everything alright Asuka?"
Asuka quickly wiped her eyes and replied.
"Yes, I'm okay. Just deep in my thoughts."
"Alright then. Now, what I'm about to tell you is not likely but in the event it does happen you need to know what to do."
Both girls looked intently at the commander waiting for her to finish.
"One thing we don't know is just how big the cult has become. Whether it's only that one church, or two or all of them is still not known. We also don't know how deep into Cael they've gotten. So if you find out that a Seraphim has betrayed us and joined the cult or the cult's influence comes close to the cathedral, immediately abandon the mission and return. You both are not ready to handle something of that level. This is the most important part of the mission. If you forget all else, do not forget this. Am I understood?"
Both girls nodded.
"Good. With that, this meeting is over. Do well to remember all discussed today."
First to leave was Anastasia. She quickly stood from her seat and gave Asuka a glare of disdain before leaving the room.
Octavi let out a sigh seeing the princess's antics.
"I must apologize for her actions. She isn't usually this tempered."
"Oh please you don't need to apologize. Her actions are hers alone."
"Yes, but still, I am her master."
They both then stood, and made their way out the room.
"You should find the cafeteria straight down the hall. Help yourself to a meal," the general said coolly.
"Thank you, I am quite hungry."
"Until next time Asuka. A pleasure meeting you."
Octavi turned and left Asuka behind with a feeling of shock.
"How unexpectedly nice."
"And weird how her expression didn't change a single time," said Annie.
"I guess. But I'm sure she has her reasons."
Asuka then made her way to the cafeteria but stopped in her tracks when Anastasia stepped out from the corner. Her fiery eyes burning holes in Asuka's face. She didn't speak. She merely tilted her head towards the exit and walked away expecting her to follow. This time, Asuka did follow her instructions and walked to the exit and made her way to the training ground.
She followed the princess to one of the sections. There, Anastasia picked up a training sword and pointed it at Asuka.
"What are you doing?" Asuka asked.
The princess gave a small, arrogant smirk before replying.
"Oh nothing. I just want to show this Trini where on the food chain she really belongs."