Reina: You were supposed to travel with Lamia in this chapter to the Lyric Province..... But I had writer's block. So I did this.

Leo: Fire Emblem Heroes inspired this chapter. 

Takumi: Also, we might write how Leora gets back in a chapter, or have someone else appear and see it.

Chapter 28: Damn you Veronica!

Echo (Isa)

"Ophelia!"

I jump out of bed in shock, getting tangled in my blanket as I did so. I scrambled to get out of bed, but only succeeded in rolling my body off the bed and on the floor.

Leo would be so proud.

Grumbling, I untangled and got up. "Oi, Alice. I'm up."

Alicia looked unimpressed. "After I woke you."

"Yeah, yeah... How the hell did you get into my hotel room?"

"I teleported."

"Oh."

"I'm surprised you're not playing Pokemon Go or Fire Emblem Heroes."

I scowled. "Because I don't have wifi at the moment. Also, did you miss the part where I was asleep?"

Alicia raised her eyebrow.

"Okay okay... I played them last night."

"Thought so."

"Anyway... What are you here for?" I asked as I scratched my head.

"A few things... First off, you need to help me locate Leora's body."

"Why? Don't tell me you're turning her into a wax statue or that you're into some freaky voodoo s***."

"Ophelia, you know me better than that."

"Yeah, I guess so. Why do you want her body?"

"We need to burn it."

I tilted my head. "You sound like Mick Rory."

"I don't care. If we don't burn or do something to the body, Leora can come back."

"She... can?"

"Yes. This world has a necromancer or two. We have to race against them, since they have a high chance of reviving her.... and since I can teleport faster than you, do you know what happened to the body?"

"Yes. There is a pit a mile away from the manor, covered in vines. I buried the body there, unmarked. I gave her a funeral, and was the only person there."

Alicia nodded. "Thank you Echo."

"What else?"

"This."

Suddenly, Alicia struck her hand out, and dark magic surged out of her hand and entered my heart, pulsing rapidly. I gasped and fell down, using one of my hands and knee to support myself, while my other hand clutched at my heart.

After a few minutes, the pain subsided. I gasped for air, and eventually got up slowly. "Alicia... That.... That was overkill."

"Your energy levels were low. At that rate.... You would have dropped dead in a month or so. I extended your life by another four months."

My eyes widened. "I was that close to death?"

She nodded. "Yes. You were lucky."

"If I were truly lucky, I wouldn't have been cursed."

"I know. Just be careful, as the spell I casted will make you ping several magical radars, and it could be deadly, as the magic was 'evil' energy. Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"I need you to get a stone for me. Supposedly, it is composed of pure light energy, and I need it for something. It's found in a cave in the Lyric Province."

I nod. "Sounds fair."

"In case you run into problems, I'll send another agent to help you."

"Another agent stationed here?"

Alicia heads to the door. "Yes. Agent Cassandra Dawnblade."

I put on my gloves. "She's the yandere, right?"

"Yes."

"Cool. I'll get the stone."

"Last thing."

I looked up and held my hand out, catching two devices. One of them was a small white rose with the edges of the petals tinted black and a gray stem. The other was a black paintbrush that had gears on it, with the tip painted pink.

"The rose will allow you to teleport. Think of a location or a person you know, and tossing the rose opens a portal to that location, and you can allow several people through. It can only close if you command it to close, or if you are the last one in. Beware - you can only use it so many times a day, unless you let it charge."

"Sounds fair. And it reminds of Fire Emblem Heroes."

"The paintbrush allows you to change clothes in an instant. Draw a symbol int the air, and whatever symbol you draw will instantly change you into that outfit, but you can still use your hammerspace bag."

"Seems OP."

"You can only change into one outfit per day with that."

"Ah."

"You could save them up.... But let's be real. You'll probably get into a fight everyday or need it for a mission."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"What brought this on?" I asked. "I get the teleportation, but why the paintbrush?"

"Your gift. What if you need to use it on the fly? You showed me that Deadpool 2 teaser, and I'm worried that something similar could happen to you."

"I won't get stuck in a telephone booth. You know me too well. Besides, why would I be in a telephone booth?"

Alicia face palmed and shook her head. "You know what I mean."

"I know. Is that all?"

"That is all. Until next time."

Alicia teleported away, leaving me in the room holding the rose and paintbrush. Stretching, I began to get ready to check out.

----------------------

I walked to the cave, thankful that I choose to crash near the Lyric Province. I didn't want to use the rose yet, but I would have to test it out at some point....

Would Alicia mind if I teleported to the world of Voltron? Or Servamp? Or Evillious?

Probably.

Entering the cave, I turned on a flashlight. Slowly entering, I scanned the surroundings for anything suspicious. As I descended, the cavern became brighter. Shutting my flashlight off, I entered a spectacular cavern with vaulted ceilings and treasures everywhere.

Part of me felt uneasy. Something was wrong.

Eyeing the stone, I approached it and placed it into my bag. I looked around to see if I can grab something else before eyeing a silver staff with a green gem. I walked over to it and picked it up, examining it. It began to hum softly and glow when I grabbed it.

"Weird...."

Sighing, I attempted to place it in my bag. It took me five attempts, but I eventually get it in. Satisfied, I picked a white bracelet and examined it when I heard voices approaching.

Glancing around, I saw a chest and dove behind it, peeking my head out to see who was coming.

A man in a dark suit with a white frilly suit and red pendant entered the cavern, followed by attendants. He walked to the end of the room, heading for a red orb.

What was he doing?

I crawled on the floor, trying to get closer without getting spotted. Heading behind some suits of armor, I watched the man place his hand on the orb and begin to chant.

That can't be good.

I managed to pull out Gray Shadow: Mirror as he stopped chanting. Light filled the room, and suddenly a portal opened. A woman in a red and black dress with an ornate headdress stepped out, followed by some soldiers.

Crap.

Veronica.

"Where am I?"

"In the Lyric Province, my dear. I am Lord Seth Dracul."

That's a badass last name, I thought.

"Why did you summon me?" She asked the man.

"For your help. I am looking for the woman I love. In exchange for your help, you can have all the Heroes you want.... Including Prince Xander."

S***.

"Alright then. Sounds fun. Who are you looking for?"

"(Y/N)."

F***!

I couldn't stand here any longer. I aimed Gray Shadow: Mirror at Veronica's head and fired.

I missed her completely and hit the wall.

Veronica and Seth whipped their heads and laid their eyes on me. "Get her!"

Several soldiers charged at me, and I fired several rounds at the soldiers. I dove from from my hiding place and continue firing until Seth and Veronica were the only ones left.

"You're not a Hero," Veronica noted.

"And you're not from here," Seth added. "Are you a demon, or descended from one?"

"Eh, mas or menos," I replied before firing a few more rounds. I missed once more, and I scowled. "How come I can't hit you?!"

Seth smiled smugly. "One of my minions casted a spell on me to protect me from projectiles."

"Son of a -" I scowled before hiding Gray Shadow: Mirror and pulled out my weapon Rhythmetal, imagining it as a hammer, and grabbed it, having summoned a six foot hammer.

"You are quite unique," Veronica noted. "You seem to be full of secrets."

I smirked. "You don't know the half of it."

In a split second, I lunged at Seth, ready to swing my hammer and send him into the wall. As I began to move my arms, I see something out of the corner of my eye move towards me, and before I could react, I was hit with a spell and sent flying backwards. I hit a wall and fell down on my side, trying not to scream out in pain.

Rhythmetal returned to my bag, and I slowly moved my arm until it touched my side. Raising my hand to my face, I could see blood.

"You poor thing," Seth teased as he sat in front of me, smirking. "Wounded and alone. Perhaps you could join us."

"Not if I send you to hell," I spat.

I summoned Gray Shadow: Smoke and shot Seth in the leg. As he howled in pain and moved away, I grabbed the rose and whispered, "(Y/N)."

Throwing it on the ground, I fell through a portal and blacked out.

Reina: And then we'll cut back to you and Lamia.

Leo: Okay........

Takumi: *glares at Veronica*

Reina: Anyway, for the Voting Gauntlet in Heroes, which hero are you supporting? I'm supporting Chrom. 

Leo: WHAT

Takumi: *laughs*

Reina: I like Chrom.

Chrom: Ha!

Leo and Takumi: ...........

Reina: Although to be honest, if Ike was in the Gauntlet, I'd support him.

Leo and Chrom: WHAT?!?!?!?!?

Takumi: *passes out from laughter*

Reina: Until next time.