"And that's why," Chibi finished ignoring the tingling feeling in her wrist. "It's nothing really too serious. But it is permanent since it happened within my Spiritual Power." She gave a small evil smile. "Maybe I should of given Momo a taste of his own medicine."
"But why red?" LadyDeathStrike asked confused. "I have a friend whom that happened to and her eye went gray. It lost colour. Even when she approached Eir to see if it could be healed, Eir told her that her Spiritual Power absorbed the colour to prevent further damage to that area. But you seem to have gained more colour and if I'm not mistaken…" She came closer to Chibi until their noses touched. "Your eye isn't a human eye anymore. It's more chemical in structure." She looked sideways at Phenomenon, Lack and Tadakono. "I don't know how to describe it in lay terms but I'm sure Chibi understands what I'm saying."
Chibi closed both eyes not wanting LadyDeathStrike to analyze it more. Don't look deeper. It'll hurt both you and me to know the truth. Possessing Azoth cost me much more than you know. Warping it, cost even more. Don't look deeper. Chibi felt LadyDeathStrike move away and she let out a small sigh of relief.
Tadakono, Phenomenon and Lack looked at each other then at LadyDeathStrike. She shrugged and waited til Chibi opened her eyes again. "Can we talk in private?" she asked. Chibi froze and stiffly nodded. LadyDeathStrike got up and extended her hand to Chibi and they move away from the three boys until they were out of hearing range. "I saw it," LadyDeathStrike said leaning against a tree. "You're not completely human anymore, are you." Chibi shook her head. "It's because of Loki? Or your quest to find Azoth?"
"I think both," Chibi replied. "When I went in search of Azoth, I had to find many rare items. Each one stripped away a piece of my Spiritual Power. I found out how to create Azoth by chance. It came to me while I was studying the old texts in Yuno Library."
"What did you need?" LadyDeathStrike asked. "If you can't tell me because it breaks the Alchemist code then don't."
"I needed Footprints of Cat, Roots of Stone, and Breath of Soul. All of which were ancient and well guarded items of the Gods," Chibi sighed and them added. "Along with a Moonlight Dagger, I had to climb to the summit of Mt Mjolnir and call Odin to create Azoth with the items." She paused and took a deep breath. "During the creation process, I passed out. And when I awoke, Eir was standing near me holding Azoth. She told me that from collecting the ancient items alone, I risked my life thread. She had healed me but because I had holes in my Spiritual Power, she used Sinews of Bear to stitch the remaining pieces together. She warned me that I could disappear if I take on another quest similar to Azoth or do an experiment that is beyond my current abilities."
LadyDeathStrike knew where she was going. "You experimented and warped Azoth's nature to allow Lack and MikeRex the ability to use your Azoth. That's more than any Alchemist-class can do."
Chibi nodded. "The Sinews of Bear within me absorb most of the shock but caused my own structure to warp slightly. Tadakono probably feels it when he uses Resurrect on me that it's not as effective as it should be. Eir visited me the day I warped Azoth, she granted me my ability."
"To turn into a cat?" LadyDeathStrike asked.
"No," Chibi replied. "That was Kashy after my dealings with athan. What Eir granted me was the ability to see a certain distance into the future. The distance is short and it's always a definite reading regardless of choices. Then to seal my Spiritual Power so no more can be damaged, she placed four pieces of Thanatos within my heart. Because of the darkness of those four pieces, I can't touch any Holy items without suffering damage to my Life Power. She told me that as time goes on my Spiritual Power will heal, it will remove a piece of Thanatos."
"Pieces of Thanatos?" LadyDeathStrike looked confused. "As in pieces from Thanatos tower?"
"Not exactly," Chibi explained. "The four pieces of Thanatos are fragments that represent the four beasts that guard Thanatos himself. Agony, Despair, Sorrow and Hatred. If I was to set foot in Thanatos Tower, no monster there would attack me because of these fragments. When Loki caught me, his use of a Loki's whisper excited the pieces and caused them to spread physically throughout my body. I'm basically now demonic in nature. Any Holy weapon brought against me will hurt me more than it would a normal human."
"So then," LadyDeathStrike said slowly formulating what she wanted to say next. "What do you see in the future?"
"Towards the end of this day," Chibi began, her eyes going dim and black. "Rena will return to us. She will warp us into a room with three doppelgangers and more trying to break the door down outside. Mike and John will be fighting Jemini and old allies will come to our aid from a guild older than Fight Club. Loki will lose to the power of the combined Guilds and be bound by the power of Forseti and Thor." Chibi's eyes returned to their normal state and she looked up at LadyDeathStrike. "We'll win this battle, if we wait for Rena, but as far as I can see, Loki won't stay still even after being bound." Chibi poked her pouch absently. I wonder how far in the future what I saw before is. If Lack goes to Nameless Island, I need to make sure he doesn't go. It shouldn't be too far ahead now.
"How will you get the boys to stay for that long?" LadyDeathStrike asked. Chibi removed her pouch and sat down onto the ground. Tipping it upside-down, she counted the contents. "You're low on stock…" LadyDeathStrike sat down next to Chibi and helped her sort the various potions, herbs, leaves and bottles.
"I'll need to go hunting," Chibi replied lifting up a condensed red potion and giving it a shake. "And visit the Alchemist shop in Yuno for more bottles…" She smiled evilly. "I can send the boys on an errand to Yuno, make one wait for Rena and we can go hunting for herbs and other things."
"Sounds good," LadyDeathStrike replied mimicking Chibi's smile. "Lets head back."
~~~
Phenomenon stabbed a stick into the ground and began to uproot a glistening red rock. "How long do you think they're going to talk for?" Pocketing the rock, he looked up. "Ah, they're coming back."
"Chibi's going to send us on an errand for her," Lack mused watching them come back, his eyes clearly seeing Chibi's saber and pouch had switched sides. "She looked through her pouch just now." He looked back at the two. "So who stays and who's going to go where she sends us?" They looked at him with raised eyebrows. "If you don't believe me, Chibi's pouch is on her left now with her saber on the right."
"I'll stay," Phenomenon replied. "If Mike and the others get into trouble, a supportive class would be more beneficial than a fighting class." He looked at Chibi and LadyDeathStrike as they came close.
"Lack," Chibi said with a wink. "Can you get me some bottles, test tubes and medicine bowls from Yuno?" Chibi shook her pouch for emphasis. "I'm low on supplies and I think that if Mike and the others get into trouble and I'm to be support I'll need more supplies than I have." Lack nodded and got up to go to create Warp Portal to headquarters so he can talk to the Warpra there.
Tadakono looked at Chibi expectantly. "You guys knew I was going to ask…" Tadakono, Phenomenon and Lack nodded. "I assume Phen's staying here. Tada…" Chibi thought for a bit. "Can you go to the leatherworker in Yuno and give them this." Chibi took off her pouch and saber and set it next to Phenomenon. Then she took off her belt and gave it to Tadakono. "I need a two more loops for pouches. Then go to the weaver and ask for two pouches that Alchemist-class use. If she happens to ask what type. Tell her the Theta model." Chibi opened her pouch and gave him a small blue gem with a silver cat head drawn inside. "Use this insignia when you go to see them. Lack, you may need to use this too when you get the bottles. It's for them to know that I sent you." Lack nodded and cast Warp Portal. Tadakono and Lack jumped in.
"You're going to go herb hunting?" Phenomenon asked. "I don't think you'd be asking for more loops on your belt if you were low on stock. You plan on supporting us properly aren't you?"
Chibi nodded and smiled. "Dia and I are going to hunt herbs and, if we can find any, items to create the potions into condensed potions. It'll be lighter for me to carry that way." She and LadyDeathStrike wished him luck and left for the fields of Yuno.
~~~
"That'll be 1000500 zeny." The leatherworker said to Tadakono and Lack, who stared at each other in shock at the price. "You don't have that much on you?" They shook their heads. "I can't lower the price since my wares are Alchemist specialty."
"Oh!" Tadakono brought out Chibi's gem. "I forgot about this. Tho I guess Chibi didn't mean it for payment." The leatherworker took the gem and looked at it with a trained eye. "I can't sell that to you…"
"I know," the leatherworker replied. "The Creator Chibi sent you did she?" Tadakono and Lack nodded. "I recognize her insignia. Alchemist-class get special discounts when they present their insignia that they received upon graduation from the Alchemist Society." They stared at him confused. "I see. Because you aren't Alchemist-class you don't understand. Alchemists and Creators receive an insignia that certifies them to practice Alchemy. It allows them to attain things like Seed of Life without repercussions. Alchemists usually have a clear gem but when an Alchemist exceeds expectations and attain the level of Creator, the Alchemist Society changes the colour of the gem to represent to colour of the clothing." He placed two fingers onto the gem and drew out a small pouch. "Payment of 50000 zeny has been received. I'll start on the work immediately. Would you like to take a seat?" He motioned over to the lounge area near the main door.
~~~
Chibi cut down a Green Plant and took a few of it's leaves. "Dia…" LadyDeathStrike looked up at her with a few white herbs in her hand. "I think I should call Eir. I need to know if Loki has really affected me or not." LadyDeathStrike nodded and placed the white herbs into the mini pouch Chibi had with her. Chibi closed her eyes and called out mentally. Eir… Eir… You can hear me right? You seem to always be around when I need you. Can you come out please?
"You called?" Eir asked softly. LadyDeathStrike fell backwards not expecting her to appear so suddenly. Eir touched Chibi's cheek. "Loki's done a lot of damage hasn't he… I'll see what I can do. But you'll never be truly human again."
Chibi nodded "Most of those who study Alchemy lose part of their humanity anyway through their experiments." Eir placed a hand on her head. "I've just lose more than the average alchemist." LadyDeathStrike sat leaning against a tree watching in interest.
Eir closed her eyes and sent her power into Chibi. "Sinews of bear seems to be holding well. And the spread of the pieces of Thanatos isn't as bad as I first thought too. They'll still disappear once your Spiritual Power heals. Your left eye has retained a demonic property that will stay that way." She reached out her hand and plucked a bottle of Fluorescent Liquid from the air. "I'll just lighten the colour so it's not so striking." She clutched the bottle hard until it broke. The liquid flowed up to Chibi's eye causing it to go from blood red to a pale pastel pink. "Now to do something about that Loki's Whisper…"
~~~
"Two pouches for an Alchemist?" the weaver asked in surprise. "Most Alchemists only need one. Is Chibi a potion worker? From what I've heard she's more offensive in battle rather than supportive."
Lack frowned. "She's usually supportive for us." The weaver's expression bothered him. "She isn't strong enough to be on the offensive."
"That's where I guess you under estimate her," the weaver replied drawing a small pouch from the gem in Tadakono's hand. "Have you ever wondered where Chibi gets the zeny to pay for her alchemical supplies? Or where she gets the herbs and other items she needs to make potions and other concoctions?"
"She gets some from me, "Tadakono replied. Lack nodded as well. "But even so that's still only a portion of what she normally has. "
"She's the strongest member in the Alchemist Society," the weaver replied proudly. "She always comes to me for repairs to her clothes, pouches and when she's in a really good mood she asks for my specialized pouch that is alchemical in nature. It places items into a storage system. The pouch itself is incredibly light." the weaver looks at them, her eyes sparkling. "Chibi say what type of pouch for Alchemists? There's a fair few types available."
"Chibi said the Theta type," Tadakono replied. "What is the Theta type by the way?"
"Theta type?" the weaver asked her eyes round with surprise. "Chibi has never specifically asked for that type of pouch before. The Theta type pouch allows the user to store up to 300 items at any given time. Chibi usually asks for either the Sigma or Gamma types, as she says they are light and carry a lot. The Theta type is also light but difficult to manage if the user isn't use to using them. It's not a type one uses outside the laboratory." The weaver looked at them carefully. "You sure she said Theta?"
"Positive," Lack replied firmly. "She was certain about it too."
The weaver sighed and shook the pouch she held. "500000 zeny received for two Theta pouches. She prepared the money for them too." She pointed to a tea room. "You can wait there while I create them. It'll take a few hours so feel free to make lunch or whatever in there. Just make sure you clean up after yourselves."
Lack and Tadakono had been sitting in the tea room for a few hours, talking over things they had heard from the leatherworker and the weaver. "What interests me is that Chibi gets an incredible discount. I wonder if it's to do with her insignia." Tadakono mused. Lack shrugged and absently stirred his coffee with a silver spoon. "You think the Alchemist store would give a discount as well?"
"I'm actually wondering about the Theta pouches," Lack replied. "She said that one doesn't normally use them in battle. But Chibi will be… I wonder what type of pouch she's been carrying."
"If it's the one I made for her," the weaver said appearing at the door with the two pouches in her hand. "It's an Alpha pouch. A specially made pouch that has a eight separate pockets. Each pocket can hold 20 of the same item. It's an experimental item I made that she was curious in trying out." She gave the pouches to Lack, who promptly placed them into his pocket. "She's going to get frustrated using those. Unless she's going to use them like a Beta pouch." Seeing their confused looks she sighed "A Beta pouch is a pouch that forces items out that the alchemist is using for a creation process. It's good for speed creation where the alchemist is making many of the same or similar items at once."
"Actually the one she currently carries is one that BlackRose gave her," Lack replied not looking up from his coffee. "She prefers it because for some reason it's easier to manage than the Alpha pouch." Tadakono tapped the table near him. Looking up, Lack noticed the weaver had frozen. "Something wrong?"
"She's using a pouch that was especially made for a Hidden God?" The weaver's voice was shaking. "Chibi shouldn't be able to handle a pouch of that caliber. Pouches for the Hidden Gods are imbued with an ancient item so they can withstand the powers a Hidden God uses. A human alchemist would burn out their ability from using a pouch like that long term."
"Chibi has Azoth," Tadakono replied unsure if his logic was right. "If she can handle Azoth then she should be able to handle a pouch made for the Hidden Gods." Noticing the weaver looked even more shocked, he added "She's had the pouch BlackRose gave her for almost a month now and she's still as strong as ever."
"Did Chibi get Azoth alone?" the weaver asked, her voice low causing both Lack and Tadakono to sit upright. "Because no one who has gone on the quest for Azoth alone has survived. I'm meaning that their life thread was cut somewhere along the journey." Lack and Tadakono looked at her deeply concerned.
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