Awakening

I keep holding Ramia for a few more minutes until she calms down.

"T-thank you." She says again.

"Anytime. So, are you ready for this?" I ask while gesturing to the cords and wires I'm connected to.

"Yes! Just l-lay down and s-start whenever." She replies and I nod. I lay down and she lays down next to me. I smile and open my notifications. I tap on the [YES] option and the last thing I see is her blushing face looking up at me. I close my eyes as my consciousness gets pulled away. During the next five hours I feel nothing. I don't dream or think, my body only breathes.

"Could Myla Garden and Hino Locus please come to the front office." A woman on the PA system says. She interrupts class and Myla hears a few of her classmates go Ohhh. Children. Myla thinks as she starts packing her notebook away. She was in the middle of her history class, which is her last class before her study period. She leaves and starts walking to the front office, wondering what she's been called in for. She sees Hino walking in front of her and runs to catch up.

"Hey Hino." She says and Hino turns to face her. Hino slows down a little to let her catch up.

"Hey, do you know why they're calling us?" She asks Myla, who shakes her head no. A few moments later they enter the front office doors and see Scott and the principal.

"Thank you for coming girls." The principal says.

"Why are we here?" Hino asks, getting straight to the point.

"We believe we've found the Litch King." Scott answers.

"Really!?" Myla asks in disbelief.

"Yes, but the problem is he isn't alone. He's with the Katorg guild leader and second in command, Riot and Barry." The principal explains.

"Is that why we've been called in?" Hino asks.

"Not entirely, we tried to get a hold of Eric, but we can't. We wanted you to enter his Domain and see what's going on. He called in and said he had guild business to take care of today. Then we'd like you to come back here. Also Luna and any other fighters are welcome to come if they want. I'll drive you to the meeting place where your parents are organizing the guild members and getting them ready for battle." Scott answers.

"Okay, will do." Hino replies before the two disappear into Eric's Domain. Once inside they jump hearing someone scream. They turn to see Ramia who dropped a cup of water.

"Who are you!" Hino asks reflexively entering a combat stance.

"What's going on!" Luna says barging in and nearly knocking the front door off its hinges. Ramia quickly runs back by Luna.

"Luna, who is she?" Myla asks as she and Hino relax, knowing Luna would've attacked if she was a threat.

"This is Ramia. Ramia, this is Myla and Hino." Luna says introducing them.

"Sorry, we acted without thinking." Myla says and Hino agrees.

"It's f-fine." Ramia says.

"Sorry, I didn't think that you'd have to have been allowed to enter here to be here." Hino says, assuming she stuttered out of fear.

"No, it's f-fine, I'm s-sure I'd have d-done the same." Ramia replies.

"What are you two doing here?" Luna asks them changing the subject.

"We need to talk with Eric." Myla answers and Ramia sighs.

"That's a p-problem." She answers and the two look at her confused. "Eric b-broke his... Luna d-do they know?" She asks Luna who tilts her head.

"Know what?" She asks her.

"Yes, they know! Eric's up here come on!" Asami shouts from the railing above them while motioning for them to come up stairs. The three girls walk upstairs while Ramia fills another cup of water from a cooler against the wall. She runs and catches up as they get to the door where Asami is.

"What is this room?" Hino asks.

"This is a-an Alchemy Workshop!" Ramia says proudly from behind them. They enter and they see Eric laying on a blanket connected to several cables and wires. His hair is mostly purple now, except for a few patches. He's drenched in sweat and the blanket is damp with it.

"What's going on!" Myla asks in shock running over to his side. She starts to remove some of the cords before Ramia stops her.

"WAIT!" She says running over to her. "H-he's fine! He b-broke his Nature Seal." She explains quickly and Myla stops.

"What are the wires for?" Hino asks walking closer and looking at them.

"F-for research. E-Eric let me p-put these on to c-collect data on the Seals. They're harmless a-and can only o-observe." Ramia answers and Hino nods.

"When do you think he'll wake up?" Myla asks.

"In about t-thirty minutes?" Ramia answers, but also asks.

"What do you mean?" Hino asks calmly.

"He has to undergo an Awakening? I'm sure you have a better understanding of it than I do. But he said it'll take five hours, and it's been about four and a half." Asami answers. "Why do you need him? Also, no offense, but why are you here? School isn't over yet."

"We found the Lich King. But he's with the Katorg guild leader and second in command. We wanted to request his help but..." Myla trails off.

"How long until you attack?" Asami asks.

"What do you mean?" Hino asks.

"Are you guys attacking now? Or in a bit?" Asami asks and Myla shrugs.

"Let me call my father and ask. We were told he was helping to organize our forces." Hino says while pulling out her phone.