— What's this? — Junko couldn't bear it.
— This,' I replied without opening my eyes and continued to smile. — A perfect answer. — I feel a whisper, distant but insistent. I wonder what kind of craftsman created this thing? Who was the mind that could create such a beautiful key?
— Can I have more details? — I am annoyed that you do not understand my metaphor, although I admit that I have gotten a little carried away here.
— Unfortunately, I don't know the name of this artifact, but I would call it... hmmm... "The Key of the Far Worlds"... -correct, yes, but I just don't have the words to describe how I feel about this treasure. Honestly, if it wasn't for Hermione, Lizzie would have gotten the artifact, but that's okay, we'll find something for my girl, too.
And if there's nothing interesting or suitable in those scum's treasuries, we'll make it, because the Key is in my hands now, and making an astral mold of it isn't so much difficult as it is painful. But I'm going to do it right now, and I don't care about the rest of my business, this is more important.
— What's he doing? — Momo inquired immediately, and the others were also very interested.
— Afiri, my black-eyed treasure, tell us, what do we have to do to summon a foreign essence in our world, even in the flesh? — When I addressed the girl, everyone was astonished, and the girl herself was almost jubilant, because she was right and now she has every right to a reward. A generous reward.
— Since ancient times, people had always tried to find slaves or servants who were strong enough to defeat their enemies, so it was not surprising that someone had thought of looking for a strong servant-slave outside of this world. — No one tried to interrupt Afiri, even though she began with a historical excursion. — Some were successful, and some brought fear and terror to this world, for the sake of which huge armies were gathered. But it is not easy to summon an otherworldly being. — The girl took a deep breath.
— Although there are many summoning rituals and many ways to defend oneself, the main problem is to find a world or a plan where there are enough and not too strong creatures that can be subdued, or at least negotiated with. In order to find such addressees, who are addressed by rituals, either practical experiments are made, i.e. random "breakdowns", which are extremely dangerous, because one can get to some chaotic creature, interworld demon or something worse... — the girl paused again.
— What could be worse than a demon? — Hermione's frown only expressed her thoughts, but Afiri decided to answer her.
— Oh, — a soft, slightly condescending smile. — If you're interested, I'll tell you, sweetheart, what horrors lurk in the darkest corners of the interworld... — even I got goosebumps at that promise.
— Afiri, — I say in my most serious tone. — You will not tell anyone such things without my express permission.
— Yes, Master. — The girl bowed without being the least bit upset. — As you wish. — I nodded in satisfaction.
— Later, when we've settled all this, tell me what you want — you deserve a reward. — The girl nodded meekly, smiled meekly, but a wave of pride and anticipation rose in her emotions. — Go on. — The girl nodded and turned to face the audience.
— There is another way of searching, longer, more complicated, but guaranteeing relative safety to the summoner — it is a long, painstaking calculation and research involving many magicians of different schools. Sometimes it takes more than a decade. But the result is worth it, because if you find the "address" of the world, where, for example, there are creatures with impenetrable skins, little susceptible to magic or protected from it at all. And then, with the help of a complex and powerful ritual to summon and subdue such a creature, the magician has a very powerful tool in his hands that can be used in a variety of ways.
— And who else can be summoned? — Hermione was very interested, judging by the gleam in her eyes.
— There are infinitely many worlds and no less creatures in them. — A small pause and again a soft smile, so uncharacteristic of the usually reserved Egyptian. — And there is also the space between the worlds, shards of chaotic worlds and their primordial ocean, infernal and elemental plans... — and a meaningful silence with a raised eyebrow. I wonder what she's up to? Or is there something I don't know about our Chocolate Girl's tastes?
— And that bracelet...? — Junko looks at the jewelry box in my hands.
— Yes, — I nod in agreement. — This bracelet is a key, a kind of "binoculars" or "microphone". With it you can feel and hear other worlds. — I close my eyes again and listen to the distant whisper of the stars. — It is only worthwhile to want, to think about whom you need, and immediately you hear the "voice" of the world where the suitable "addressee" lives...
When I imagined whom I would like to see, I felt as if I had been hit in the face by a strong current of the oncoming wind, I felt as if I had jumped somewhere far away. A "picture" of open space appeared before my closed eyes. The stars simply slipped away and an unknown world appeared before my eyes.
A ball of green-blue energy pulsating with life in the blackness of space, a bright sun and a few more planets nearby. With a jolt of thought, the world jumped forward again, and now I see high rocky mountains against which the leaden waves of the cold sea crash with a deafening rumble.
Sharp as fangs, the icy peaks of the mountains glisten in the bright light of the local star. Freezing for a few seconds, I try to breathe in the view that surrounds me at the moment, to capture in my heart and mind the corner where wind, ice and unyielding rocky mountains rule. Another step forward, but more gently and carefully.
On one of the slopes of a huge cliff there was a cave with a comfortable ledge where the one I wanted to see was dozing. Thick blue scales, snow-white spikes and horns, icy patterns along its spine and head. The creature's outer eyelid fluttered, lifted, and the very real dragon looked up at me.
For a few seconds I was lazily studied as I hurried to capture the sight of the third dragon I had seen in this lifetime. The black pupil shrank for a moment, and I was literally thrown away as if I'd been kicked in the face. It wasn't the most pleasant feeling, but I smiled. The dragon was ice and cold, but not evil, or I wouldn't have gotten away with frost on my hair and face.
I will paint his portrait, I will put all of myself into it, but the image of the amazing creature slumbering on the stone ledge will be seen in this world....
***
POV Daphne Greengrass
— ...I hope you were joking... — the girl asked with a hint of menace in her voice, outwardly neutral as she watched her friend twirl around in her new underwear in front of the mirror. New because her friend had never had such a set before, she was sure of that.
— I was serious. — The girl with the burnished copper hair replied without turning around. She stepped over, tilted her body slightly, and put one foot forward as she put her best foot forward.
— You can't.
— Why not? — A light, almost neutral curiosity.
— Because I said so. — Confidently.
— Oh, come on. — the girl waved her friend away. — Why are you jealous? — A quick glance over her chiseled shoulder at her blonde friend and her attention was back on the mirror.
— I don't want you to become another mark on the dog's belt. — There was no doubt in the girl's voice.
— And if I want to be that mark? — It seemed to be the same cheerful tone, the same directness and ease of manner, but not for nothing has the blonde friend known her for so long, not for nothing are they so close. She understood immediately that the last words were more serious.
— I don't understand you. — The blonde admitted honestly.
— Sora promised that it wouldn't take long. — The redhead smiled at her friend, turned to her and took the few steps that separated them. — He promised that everything would be fine soon. — A short pause, two pairs of eyes looking at each other, a cool palm resting on a rounded cheek. — Even I can feel the change in me after last night, and I'm sure you can feel it too, my love.
— Yes, — the blonde nodded despite her reluctance, lowering her ice-blue eyes. But she immediately felt her friend's other hand on her skin, lifting her face, followed by a hot, affectionate kiss.
— Don't be afraid, my snowflake, what you're feeling is normal. — Looking into her lover's eyes, the redhead spoke softly.
— But I love you, and this is... abnormal... — the girl said somehow tearfully and quietly, her eyes filled with fear and incomprehension.
— You are wrong, my love. — he smiled lovingly at the redhead. — But don't be afraid, I will always be with you... — she replied with a grateful smile and another strong kiss.....