NOVEL NEXT Andromeda looked at the poor girl walking away, and felt an extremely bad premonition.
"Bella, you have to stop this!" She admonished severely. Her sister was like a mad dog right now, barking at everyone in her sights. "You need to calm down."
"I am calm, Andi. What did I do wrong? She's a Greengrass! You do know what that implies, right?"
"I…" Andromeda couldn't refute that. In the pureblood circle, the Greengrasses are considered time bombs, or the cursed ones. Their curse could manifest any time, either making them mad or worse. It is believed that Cyrus Greengrass got like that due to the curse.
"But that's no excuse enough to treat her that way! She's Axel's friend! And she seemed genuinely concerned for him!"
"Come on, Andi. She is either a fan girl or has an ulterior motive. And I have been keeping tabs on him. He has stopped hanging out ages ago. I'm sure he wouldn't give a damn about some random girl."
There was hidden bitterness in her voice when she said the last sentence. Not giving a damn about women's feelings seems to be a specialty of Hunt men.
But before they could talk further, the door to the vip room opened, signalling that Axel's operation was over.
"How did it go?" Bellatrix urgently asked the Healers who had just finished patching up Axel.
"We've done our best. Unfortunately, some nerves couldn't be properly connected. It might not be as good as it used to be, but he will be able to do basic tasks with his hand. And with due time, we believe there are chances of full recovery."
Bellatrix gritted her teeth. It was not enough. With this, Axel's chances of staying here have lessened. But she still thanked the healers for their hard work.
Martina stepped forward. "Can I see him?" She asked eagerly.
"Of course, but he's still unconscious. After whatever he's been through, his body needs serious rest. Please don't try to wake him up."
Martina slowly walked in, and Akiko followed. Bellatrix looked like she wanted to go too, but that happened the previous time flashed in her mind as she just backed away. She had other duties anyway.
Martina saw Axel. Earlier, he had been badly bruised due to the beatings he had received, but now the bruises were gone, and his face was clean. He seemed to be resting peacefully now, but there was a small frown on his face.
'He's cute when he's asleep.' A thought randomly came to her, making her startled. Martina shook her and went near.
One of his hands had been wrapped in thick bandages, after attachment. She gently grabbed his other hand and concentrated. A somewhat distressed look came upon her face. Axel's magic flow… it was still weak.
"Please wake up soon." She murmured, squeezing his hand.
At this moment, she heard a creeking sound beside her, only to see that Akiko had put a bed right beside Axel's.
"What are you doing?!" Asked Martina in surprise.
Akiko looked bewildered at Martina's over reaction. "I'm tired. I need to sleep," she said simply.
"What does that mean? I need sleep too, but why are you putting your bed here?!" Asked in a whisper, so as to not disturb Axel.
"Because I'm sleeping here?"
Martina was frustrated. "Yes, but why here?!" She said in a harsh whisper.
Akiko shrugged. "He's unconscious. And in a lot of danger. I need to protect him."
"...."
Martina didn't know what to say to that. This reason seems… reasonable? Axel was truly in no condition to protect himself. And be it the Organisation, or the Kraken, both were unfathomably dangerous.
But… sleeping in the same room as him…
As someone with common sense of her previous world, Martina found it inappropriate for Akiko, a girl, to be doing this.
Martina got up and took out another bed from her storage space.
"What are you doing now?" Asked Akiko.
"Well, I can't let you do it alone. I'll help too," she volunteered.
Akiko shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don't disturb him."
Axel had protected them. Now it was their turn to protect him.
….
In the Headmaster's office, a meeting was currently underway, the participants being Dumbledore, Yujiro, Bellatrix, and McGonagall.
That's right, Dumbledore and Yujiro had just teleported back using Fawkes the Phoenix when they received McGonagall's patronus.
"Is something wrong? We came as soon as we received the patronus," said Dumbledore.
"What?! Did you not receive the messages and calls that were sent to you?" McGonagall asked, looking seriously irked.
"Well, an… incident occurred in America while on our diplomatic visit. Just after our arrival, there was a mass outbreak of Dementors, and we were the Prime suspects. Or at least the most powerful potential threats present there at such a vulnerable time. We had to stay under observation for some time," explained Dumbledore.
They were strongly discouraged from having any contact with their acquaintances until the situation stabilized, so they had to give up their tools of communication as well. Had Mcgonagall not tried contacting them using the Patronus, they would still be chilling in America.
"What in the world happened here?" Asked Dumbledore calmly.
"What happened?! Oh, nothing much," said Bellatrix in sarcasm. "The whole of Hogwarts was almost wiped out, maybe along with the rest of Britain!"
Dumbledore's eyebrows went up. "Was it Voldemort?" He asked, already knowing the answer. There's only one person who had the potential to do that."Where is Rose?!" He asked with urgency.
"That!" Said Bellatrix, pointing her finger at Dumbledore. "That is exactly why I want to murder you right now. You already knew that Voldemort was alive, and you already knew that he would come after Rose, didn't you? You knew that he could use her to access this world! That's why you asked me to arrange security for her! But you didn't think it necessary to share it with any of us?!"
"What is she talking about, Dumbledore?" Asked Yujiro. He knew about Voldemort, but he didn't know anything about Rose.
Dumbledore sighed. "I had only a faint suspicion. I didn't think it would be wise to alarm everyone just on an old man's hunch. What exactly happened? What is the current situation?"
"There was a Dementor outbreak here as well! That Lockhart, who turned out to be one of Voldemort's followers, kidnapped Rose using the distraction and opened the portal!" Said Bellatrix.
McGonagall clutched her throbbing temples. "Even we learnt of this much later. And if it wasn't for Miss Valentino, Mr. Hunt and Miss Matsushima, Hogwarts would have been overrun with creatures of another world."
They had gathered information from Akiko, Martina and Rose about what had happened, and McGonagall was still having trouble wrapping her head around the whole thing.
She recounted as much as they knew about the incident to Dumbledore and Yujiro from the outbreak till how they closed the portal as much as Akiko, Martina, and Rose had told her.
Of course, Martina and Akiko had decided not to reveal exactly what had happened, keeping all their abilities a secret.
After McGonagall was done, Dumbledore's countenance was extremely severe.
"Voldemort has become better at hiding himself, and at plotting," he acknowledged.
"I couldn't detect the Dark Magic inside Lockhart. And the way he managed to keep us away was also masterful. I'm afraid if not for those three, it would have been too late by the time the news reached us," said Dumbledore gravely.
Yujiro gritted his teeth. "I told you to not be so "understanding" and just return. Your peacefulness almost got my Granddaughter killed!"
Yujiro was furious after listening to what happened. His granddaughter almost died while he was away.
"How is she now?" He asked, focusing on Akiko rather than other things.
"And how are Rose, Martina, and Axel?" Asked Dumbledore.
"Miss Matsushima wouldn't let us examine her condition, but she guarantees her well being. Rose passed out soon after she had recounted all she had seen. The ritual took a toll on her, but she'll be fine. As for Miss Martina, she is also only tired. But Axel… there was an attempt to kidnap him by a third party shortly after the incident."
"Is that so? By who?"
"Kraken." Said Bellatrix, hatred flashing in her eyes.
Both the Headmasters were surprised by the news. But Yujiro reacted more strongly to it.
"Kraken?! What were THEY doing here?!" He exclaimed.
The Japanese ministry has a long term contract with Atlantis. They hire ninjas in exchange for massive resources. So of course he knew this Organisation very well. After all, numerous Shinobis have died to this damned Organisation, including his daughter and her husband.
But what he couldn't understand was why in the world they would come after someone like Axel.
"He is the Crown Prince of Atlantis."
"The Crown Prince? How is that possible?"
"Preposterous!"
McGonagall nodded, understanding their surprise. "Apparently, his mother was the first princess of Atlantis. I don't know anything else."
"Now the situation at our hands is that the Kraken is going to come after Axel. So, I need you to fully cooperate in arranging for his protection," said Bellatrix.
"Crown Prince of Atlantis..." Dumbledore took off his glasses, taking some time to fully go through the implications of that.
"I always knew Mr. Hunt was special, but truly, to be the crown Prince of Atlantis…" he shook his head in astonishment. Right now, his eyes had this twinkle that gave Bellatrix the chills.
"Hey! Hold that thought!" Growled Bellatrix, leaning forward. "Don't you even 'think' about using him in your plans, or Voldemort and Kraken won't be the only entities you will need to worry about!" She threatened.
Dumbledore was surprised. "Bellatrix, I assure you—"
"Leave it, Headmaster. Your kind granda act doesn't work on me. I know what you must be thinking, and I want you to drop that idea! Keep Axel and Rose out of your schemes!"
Bellatrix knew how much weight the words Crown Prince of Atlantis held. The person can control the most powerful Magical nation in the world. Dumbledore must be having a hard on right now. If not for the fact that she needed him to protect Axel, she wouldn't have even revealed this information to him.
A chuckle escaped Yujiro's lips upon hearing that. "Finally, someone said it."
The meeting continued for a long time after that as plans were made to arrange security for Rose and Axel. Of course, in their infinite wisdom, they didn't think to consider what Axel might think about all the things they had planned for him.
…..
Several days later…
In the VIP room, Axel finally opened his eyes. 'Still alive…' He breathed.
But for how long? He wondered. His life has been on hell mode for as long as he can remember. He has had so many near brushes with death that he has already lost count.
So... how long can he keep this up? His life doesn't seem to have any signs of getting less dangerous.
'Well, just gotta enjoy what I have,' he thought, a person's face coming to his mind. Yes, at least he can have those moments back. The time he can spend with someone who knows and accepts him. He really missed talking to her.
He examined his surroundings. The Hospital wing again. But, something wasn't right.
He could smell a familiar lavender scent, and he could feel a weight restricting his movements somehow.
Axel raised his head, only to see long purple hair fill his vision.
!
Axel was alarmed, but he relaxed when he realized that it was just Martina. But this situation... the girl was hugging him like an octopus, her head buried in his chest. Her eyes were closed, signifying that she was asleep. There were three beds in the room. Akiko was asleep on one of them, but it seemed that Martina was not using hers.
"Hm~"
His movement must have disturbed her, because Martina took a deep breath, adjusting her position. Then as if she had found a comfortable spot, she fell asleep again with a contented look on her, as if having a sweet dream.
"Uh... Martina?"
Axel tried calling her but the girl seemed to be deep asleep. At this moment, Akiko, who was sleeping on another bed, woke up.
"You're awake!" She exclaimed. Then she looked at Martina and frowned. "Not again."
She got up and approached the bed. Then without mercy, she kicked Martina off of Axel.
"Aauch!" Martina woke up in pain, rubbing her side which had been kicked. She sighed, "Akiko! You don't have to kick me every time. It hurts!" She said groggily, wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth.
But she paused as soon as she saw Axel. "You're awake!" She exclaimed in joy.
But then she panicked realizing the situation he must have witnessed just now. "I… I can explain…"
"Well, cover up first," said Axel. "I can see your purples."
"Hn?" Martina looked down to see that her skirt had her nightgown had ridden up due to her fall, exposing the long legs and of course, the underwear of signature colors.
"Noooooooo!"
So, as it turned out, Martina had been somewhat traumatized after the recent events. She would have difficulty sleeping, and somehow, after she does fall asleep, she could end up climbing into Axel's bed.
"I'm really sorry! I really didn't do it on purpose!" Apologized Martina after she had explained.
"Well, I didn't kill you, so it's alright I guess." Due to having to sleep on streets, Axel had developed somewhat wild reflexes. If he had felt threatened or uncomfortable, he would have attacked Martina. If she's fine then, that means it's alright.
Martina sighed in relief, glad that Axel didn't stretch the matter further. She was already too embarrassed as the matters stand.
Axel looked at his hand which was wrapped in bandages. He tried moving his fingers, but couldn't do it at first. It only happened when he exerted more pressure.
"I'm really sorry about your hand. The healers say you can make a full recovery with proper rehab," said Martina.
"Or you can get it fixed from Atlantis," said Akiko.
Axel raised his other hand, and the Valentino knife appeared in it, which he used to cut off the bindings.
[Magic Hands]
"Be careful! You won't be able to use it properly for a few da—"
Martina paused at whatever she was saying when she saw Axel twirling the knife with his newly reattached hand with no difficulty whatsoever.
Axel stopped immediately, shaking his head. "It's no good," he said, completely dissatisfied.
"Atlantis it is, then."
"What?" Martina couldn't understand how he was able to use it so well! She couldn't do what he did even with her fully intact hand. And how the hell was it still not good?!
"Was that the "max"?" Asked Akiko seriously.
"Yep."
"You really do need to go to Atlantis," she agreed.
"Wait, can someone explain what the hell is happening here? His hand looks just fine to me!"
"It's because you haven't seen him do it at its peak," said Akiko. "And if his hand was alright, you wouldn't have been able to see it now either."
"It's just that fast."
Akiko really thought it would be a crime to lose that level of skill. That's why Axel needed to go to Atlantis.
Axel looked around. "Anyways, where's Daphne?" He asked. The rewards from the system this time were great, and he wanted to share something with her.
"...??"
Akiko and Martina exchanged awkward glances.
….
A.N.: POWERSTONES.
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