Chapter 17: Drachenmagd #17

Projekt Gottheit

Gungungugngugngugngugngungugngugngugnuggungugngugnggn...

It groaned all around him, drawing him deeper into the ocean of darkness far below. Footstep after footstep after footstep upon a staircase that was made of aged stone, tossing up the dust that laid upon its every rung. Despite the churning gears that echoed on the opposite side of the walls from him, Sebastian could still hear his own breathing.

In... out... in... out... in... out...

“Haaaaah...”

Placing his hand upon the wall beside him, the young earl tracked dirt and dust upon his fingers. He thought he'd also feel mud or water or something, but the air here was surprisingly dry, devoid of moister of any kind. Was it healthy to be touching this wall? Was it healthy to be breathing this in? Since coming to the estate, Sebastian knew not dirt and grime, save for that brief venture to the prison. To think that such a place could be sitting right under his home – and he was completely ignorant of it until now... it made shivers run down his spine.

But Sebastian pushed on; one hand on the wall, the other hand grabbing tightly upon Katherine's. The White Dragon held back, her bound eyes remaining locked on the darkness before them. She did not walk on the ground, instead hovering above it as she and her Master descended further and further inside.

Sebastian could feel his fears increasing with each step, for the light from the entrance was getting dimmer and dimmer with each passing second. He looked over his shoulders to see the stars looking at them still, but they were flickering like a candle about to go out. And when it was completely out...

“Haaaah...”

They were in completely darkness.

Sebastian's took one last step inside, stopping as he realized the staircase had run out. Wherever they were, they had finally arrived. His hand leaving the wall, he curled it into a tight fist as the tension rose, the darkness enveloping them. It was uncomfortable, but in spite of this, Sebastian gave a dry chuckle.

“If only I brought my flashlight,” he remarked in a lighthearted tone.

Looking over at Katherine, Sebastian hoped to see a smile or a grin or anything... but no; she was just as emotionless as one would suspect. However, she seemed to understand what the problem was; Sebastian could not see. So she raised her hand, pointed her open palm towards the darkness, and with a mighty shout,

“RAAAAHHH!!!”

A bright light came flashing from her hand and body, making Sebastian block it out with his arm. Wincing, it was as if the light Katherine produced was so great, he could feel it on his body. And it felt... warm. Not hot, not cool, but warm. Warm and snugly, like his freshly cleaned blankets. It brought a sigh out from Sebastian, and once he felt its hold on him subside, he pulled his arm away from his eyes.

And what now lied before him... he could never imagine something so fantastic could possibly exist in his world.

Candles had been lit all around them, bringing life to a chamber that had been devoid of it for so very, very long. Two... no... three... no... four stories laid within this chamber, with the two of them standing on the top most floor. It was cylindrical in shape, with a radius that he'd say was... a mile wide? Look, Sebastian's no architect; he was merely spitballing here. But the shear fact that a room this big, this tall, and this wide could exist right beneath his feet without him knowing about it... it served to remind Sebastian just how big his role as earl truly was.

That's not all; this is just what he could see in the 'lobby' of the laboratory. Rushing to its edge, he gazed over it and stared at the other floors in this massive room, noticing they too had small rooms resting inside. Some of these smaller rooms had windows that were dusty and aged, others were broken and shattered, while most were gone entirely. Even from this distance however, Sebastian could see what appeared to be equipment of some kind resting within. Tables, glasses, vials, other tools, and things so small and distant he couldn't tell what they were.

And much like the windows, it was a toss up which small labs were relatively clean, which ones were so messy it looked like a tornado had blown through it, and which ones were only slightly disturbed. Regardless, all of them were laid in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs, as if centuries had passed since they were last touched.

And going by Heinrich's Records, it may very well have been centuries.

But what was most striking of this room, - and what was no doubt what you put your eyes on first – would be the strange machine at the very middle of the room. It was shaped like... like a giant egg. Forged of metal, it had various poles and towers sticking out from its surface symmetrically. They ran along its sides and roof, but what purpose they had was anyone's guess.

“I can't believe it,” Sebastian said to himself as his hands tugged at the banister before him, “This place is... huge. This... this is it. This is the laboratory. This is where Heinrich... and Projekt Gottheit,” he gazed at the weird, egg-shaped contraption in the middle of the room, “Is... is that Projekt Gottheit?”

“Yes...”

Sebastian's eyes widened, and he turned to face Katherine behind him. He didn't expect his question to be answered, not to mention for it to be right. There before him – that strange, egg-shaped machine – was Projekt Gottheit. But... how?

“Katherine... what is Projekt Gottheit?” Sebastian asked.

But the White Dragon did not answer, instead turning to face the machine once again. Not only that, but the glowing haze she naturally emits began to grow brighter and brighter, to the point that it was blinding Sebastian. Bringing up his arm, he blocked his view of her, where Katherine quickly formed a tight ball of light. This ball of light then moved away from Sebastian, launching over the edge of the banister and falling down to the central floor. Having watched it, the young earl gave a gasp before running to give chase.

Damn, this place was big, but there were staircases that descended down the many floors. Rushing for them, Sebastian quickly traveled deeper and deeper into the laboratory, eventually making his way to the bottom most floor within this massive bunker.

And, whoa... just what was all this stuff?

A chill traveled over the room, as there were various, aged machines resting about here and there. Machines that both looked incredibly archaic, yet also surprisingly advanced. Like the equipment in the lab of a mad scientist, yet dangerously real. Looking at all of them – of particular note the many switches that laid about – Sebastian wondered if any of this still worked. And if it did work... what did they do?

Activate Projekt Gottheit, maybe?

Katherine's light hovered before the massive machine, with Sebastian walking up to join her. Gazing up to the strange device, he came to realize how grand it was compared to him. Ten feet? Twenty maybe? Yes, he'd say it was twenty feet tall, give or take a few inches. But once again, he wasn't completely sure.

Katherine's light began to disperse, the White Dragon returning to her full form. Hovering still above the ground, she turned to face her Master who returned her gaze. He opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't, instead getting lost in the expressionless visage Katherine owned.

Just... who is she? Mysterious, ghastly, yet also possessive and... an artist? So many conflicting ideas about this woman, leaving Sebastian still trying to make sense of the woman before him. He had spent so much time with the others, learning all about their likes and dislikes, from the more overt to the more personal. And, yeah, he still didn't know everything there was to know about all the drachenmagd, but he would in due time.

But Katherine? Katherine...

“Everyone speaks highly of you, Katherine,” Sebastian remarked, “But you act so... bizarre... it's hard for me to like you when you confuse me like this, but...” he reached out for her, placing his hand on her cheek, “I'll do my best to learn about you, too.”

Hearing that, Katherine actually... smiled. Yes, her lips curled in a genuine smile, something that took Sebastian aback. Katherine can smile? Katherine can emote more than just the admittedly horrifying ghost-like visage? Color him surprised. Seeing her smile actually made him smile too, his hand stroking along her cheek.

She felt so smooth to the touch... huh... just like her sisters.

But this gesture was eventually mirrored by Katherine herself. Reaching back for Sebastian, she placed her hand upon his cheek, clutching him near. But it didn't take long for her other hand to reach for him as well, also resting on his face. Much to his confusion, Katherine dragged her smooth palms along his face, reading his features. His eyes, his nose, his cheeks; everything. Yes, she felt it.

“Sebaaaaaaa...” she whispered, “You're just as beautiful... as the one I loved...”

“Wh... what?”

Raising an eyebrow, Sebastian leered at Katherine in a confused, incredulous manner. He's just as beautiful as the one she loved? What did that mean? Was she saying he was as beautiful as his father? That's... a bit creepy. It also reminded him of the conversation he had with Igrene and Selene the other day, about whether or not the drachenmagd have ever fallen in loved. If Katherine loved Klaus – which Sebastian was beginning to believe – then it would explain why she was acting so weird with him around. Hopefully he'd be able to clear this gap with her.

He is his father's son, after all. Speaking of which...

“So... where is it? Where is my father's diary?” Sebastian asked.

That was the whole reason for coming down here, was it not? Finding Klaus' diary? Just thinking about it fueled him, causing his heart rate to spike with excitement. And yet – much like with the clock-shaped dial upstairs – Sebastian already had an idea of where the diary was at now that they stood here. Still, Katherine answered him.

“There...” she said, pointing at Projekt Gottheit itself.

“Haaaah... figures...”

Turning away from the White Dragon, Sebastian slowly walked up to the machine, his hand resting upon its surface. It was surprisingly smooth, its metal exterior being gray and aged, but not rusted. It was just... old. To think that this thing was over two hundred years old, and would probably only need a good cleaning to be returned to its once sparkling hue showed how well protected this underground laboratory was.

“How do I get inside?”

“Why would you want to go inside?” Katherine asked instead, taking Sebastian aback.

“Wh-what? Why would I?” he repeated whilst facing her, “Katherine... isn't my father's diary inside of it?”

“No,” she answered, “That's not what I'm pointing at... there...”

Sebastian cocked his head in a confused, curious manner, his eyes locked on her hand. Yes, Katherine was pointing at something, and yes, Projekt Gottheit was in her direct line of sight... but that's not what she was pointing at. She was pointing at something that hung on Projekt Gottheit.

Within Faust Estate, there is a skeleton key. It unlocks every door within the house, no matter what. That key being the Serpent Key, the very same key given to him so that he could enter the estate in the first place. He still had it, safely stowed away within his bedroom, though he didn't need to use it. All the doors in the estate were already unlocked to him, and it's not like any of the drachenmagd had secrets to hide.

But as Sebastian realize what it was Katherine was pointing at, his gaze befell a new key entirely. It hung on one of the metal spires that extended from Projekt Gottheit; a key not too dissimilar to the Serpent Key. However, where as the Serpent Key was gold, this key was silver. It also lacked the design of a serpent, instead looking more like a typical dragon thank to the way the bow spiked like wings. Its wards were also not jagged like the Serpent Key, instead being more square and rectangular in shape.

Grabbing the key, Sebastian brought it close to his face, gazing upon its every detail. He then felt a draft, as Katherine quickly zoomed up to him, gazing over his shoulder to also look upon the key.

“This is the Dragon Key,” she explained, “While the Serpent Key works on every door in the estate, the Dragon Key works on all the statues above, opening them.”

“The statues above...?” Sebastian repeated, “What? Why would I need this, Katherine?”

“Remember what I said, Master. Remember. The graveyard is a lie.”

“The... graveyard...”

He turned to face Katherine as he held close the key, but she turned to face the entrance to the laboratory. Her usually stoic face looked... pensive now, as if time was suddenly of the essence.

“We must leave now,” she said, to which Sebastian gasped.

“Wh-what!? But we just got here!” he replied in shock.

“Haaaahhh... the graveyard is a lie, Master,” Katherine said as she began floating away, further horrifying Sebastian, “That's where your father's diary is. Keep the Dragon Key. Keep it safe...”

“K-Katherine! Stop moving! K-Kaaaattheerrinne! This place! Y-you're scaring... oh...”

Foo... foo... foo...

Oh that's not good.

One by one, the candles Katherine lit began going out, steadily drowning the laboratory in darkness. And with Sebastian at the bottom most floor with no flashlight to call his own, yeah, he didn't want to be in a place like this. It was equal parts creepy as it was majestic... though it leaned more on the 'creepy' side, especially as the shadows steadily began to approach them.

So Sebastian quickly bolted back up the stairs, clutching the Dragon Key close as he followed Katherine's floating form. His eyes focused on her body like a beacon, he rushed up the main staircase that led into the laboratory proper, moving faster than he ever believed he could in his life. On the other side he saw the starry sky, giving him such relief. At the same time, the churning of stone gears that worked the underground mechanism began dying out while the sounds of the estate's courtyard took over. The chirping of bugs, the gentle stirring wind in the air, the rushing waves in the distance; ah, freedom!

Sebastian leaped clear of staircase, falling on his hands and knees as he panted for breath. Falling on his chest, he groaned with desire on the ground, like he just outran the jaws of some sinister beast. Look, Sebastian's not afraid of the dark, but that? That's not dark; that's advanced darkness!

“Haaah... ohhhooh crap... oh... I'm not going down there without a flashlight again,” the earl muttered to himself as he looked around, “Ah... and Katherine's gone... tch... the nerve on her...”

Ga-gun-gunk! Ga-gun-gunk! Ga-gun-gunk!

Behind him the staircase slid shut, the metal dial that activated it sliding back to 'twelve o'clock', locking it all down. Soon after, Katherine's statue slid back together, covering the dial and the underground entrance once again. And... that's it; Sebastian was safely outside, the Dragon Key in hand.

Now... what to do with it?

…

Projekt Gottheit was my life's journey... besides marrying Gretchin of course. Its goal was to simply see if God – if Heaven – existed, and if it was possible to learn from Him. Many times in history we hear tales of man meeting with demons, from The Lesser Key of Solomon, to the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum; books on demons and how to summon them. But I wanted to do more than that; I wanted to meet with angels themselves. To sit with them, to ask them question, to learn everything I possibly could in the time allotted to me.

And through this massive machine, I would finally be able to do it. Think of all the arcane ways man once used to reach the next plains of existence, from magic to summoning to alchemy; everything! Fields that I myself had studied, their knowledge helping to fuel the Projekt Gottheit itself.

But this way – through Projekt Gottheit – I'd break through the barriers not by arcane devilry, but through science! Separating the fibers of life around us, to finally meet with God Himself! All through this machine; the crowning achievement of mechanical wonder and genius ingenuity. A gate way to the Afterlife.

“A gateway to the Afterlife...” Sebastian muttered in an amazed manner.

Having seen it himself, the young earl could so easily pictured Projekt Gottheit. Of course now, it was old and covered in dust. But back in its heyday, it was no doubt amazing to look at. But, wait, what's with this 'gateway' thing Heinrich was talking about? It looked like a giant egg! How could it be a 'gateway' to anything? Did the egg open up? And if it did... what exactly laid inside of it?

Boy, the more he learned, the deeper the rabbit hole goes.

“Master, are you okay?” called Mylene.

“Huh?”

Bringing his gaze up, Sebastian stared up to his right, eyes falling on the Parlor Maid. She was concerned, gazing at him with an eyebrow raised and her typical pout in a slight frown. Had he really drifted off that much during his read? He didn't think so.

Breakfast was more or less the usual. In his dining courtyard, the sun in the sky overhead, a plate of eggs and grits resting before him, as well as a cup of cold orange juice and hot coffee. He continued looking at her in a doe-eyed manner, before going 'oh' with realization.

“Heh heh, apologies, Mylene. I was just, uh... getting mixed up in this book here,” Sebastian said as he looked back at Heinrich's Records, “My ancestor – Heinrich Faust – he's explaining what Projekt Gottheit is... err... was, I guess.”

“Projekt Gottheit,” she repeated whilst thinking in a wistful manner, “I remember it like it was yesterday; I was there when it happened, you know.”

“Riiiiight, you are as old as your sisters, aren't you?” Sebastian said, garnering a leering glare from the cat-like blonde.

“And what's that suppose to mean; are you calling me old, Master?” she snarled, making him tense up.

“N-no! Of course not, heh heh! I was just uh... like... well... you look so young. Th-that's all I'm trying to say!”

“Nyeh heh heh! Me! Young! Wait until Selene hears of this!” Myelene announced with a laugh, causing Sebastian to grow even more pale in the face.

“No! Don't tell her that! Uh! Uhhhh!” scrambling about, he thought of anything that could help take his mind off of things and switch the conversation, “I just wanted to ask you about... like... um...” he peered at her, “Where... where is it you all come from.”

He honestly couldn't believe this was a question he hadn't asked until now. But, no, wait, that's not true; he has asked them about it before. He just remembered asking Igrene when he was with Emiline and... ahhh... he got really sleepy, and she led him to the bed where they... well, you know.

Mylene took on a more quizzical pose as she thought about his question, thinking for a few moments. It all happened over two hundred years ago; it would be more accurate to say Schonheit and Earth was her home, as oppose to the world she came from. So as she thought about it, longer and harder, she kept coming up with...

“I remember... darkness,” Mylene muttered, making Sebastian cock his head, “It's hard to explain; some of my sisters remember more things than I do.”

“Let me guess... Igrene and Katherine?”

“Nyeh heh heh! So cheeky of you, Master,” Mylene replied with a grin, though she shrugged it off, “I don't remember much about the realm we come from. Nor do I really remember much about Mother. I do remember that Master Heinrich helped my mother in her time of need, which is why we're here in the first place. Honestly...” she shook her head and tossed up her hair, taking an abrasive stance, “Some of my sisters wish to return home at some point, at least to experience it again. I know Igrene is among them, and maybe Faline, but personally, I care not. Schonheit is my home now, and I'd gladly serve the Faust family until the day the sun goes out... and even further beyond that if permitted.”

Sebastian opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a curious sigh. Instead he sat there, thinking about what Mylene said. The world they came from was dark, huh? But she doesn't really remember it that well? But it all occurred over two hundred years ago; as Mylene herself said, Schonheit was effectively her home. Who knows how young she was when she and her sisters originally left the Faust Estate... well, aside from Igrene and Katherine of course.

It always leads back to those two, doesn't it?

But more importantly, this mysterious 'Mother' Mylene brought up. This wasn't the first time he'd heard of the drachenmagd's mother; Igrene had mentioned her before. At the time, he didn't think much about it, but now that he thought about it, the Head-Housemaid speaking about their mother was not the last time he had heard of this mysterious being. No... that would be his father's tombstone. What did it say again? Oh yes...

Jetzt Geh Zu Mutter

Or...

Now Go To Mother

This Mother the tombstone spoke of... was she the same mother of the drachenmagd? Call it a hunch, but he'd say yes. The mother of the drachenmagds; the one who birthed them or... uh... laid them. Hmm...

“Do you know your mother's name?” Sebastian asked, to which Mylene nodded.

He expected an answer, but instead he got one of Mylene's trademark grins. Leering at him sneakily, the Parlor Maid shook her hips as she leaned in, causing Sebastian to smirk too.

“Ooooh! Trying to get spoilers in Heinrich's Record?” Mylene asked in a teasing manner, “Shouldn't you wait until you read about Projket Gottheit first? I'd hate to ruin the... ahem... shocking reveal! Nyeh heh heh!”

“Shocking reveal, eh?” Sebastian replied, “And what makes it so 'shocking' if I don't know what it is?”

“Well, you are a Faust. It's important for all Faust members – earl or otherwise – to know where all of this,” she stretched her arms out, “Comes from? Master Heinrich made a deal with our Mother, blessing him with servitude and wealth the kinds of which have never been seen before. The kinds of which most men would – and have – killed for!”

“A deal... yeah, Faline said it was like that too, but...” he raised an eyebrow, “Deals are a two way street. The Faust family gets all this money but... what did they have to pay for it? What did your Mother get in return?”

“Nyeh heh heh! Well, isn't it obvious, Master?” Mylene replied with a grin and a toss up of her hair, “Why else do you think my sisters and I are here?” she leaned in closer, “That was the result of their deal. We will be here to serve the Faust family for all of our days, and since we exist for so long...” she smiled, “These days have been long indeed.”

“It all sounds so simple but...” Sebastian shook his head, “I don't get it. It's a deal, but it all sounds to be in Heinrich's favor. The Faust family gets all this wealth, this amazing estate, and eleven dedicated servants who will do anything asked of them... how does this benefit your Mother at all?”

“Weeeeellll...” Mylene shrugged her shoulders, “I wish I could say I knew, but I wasn't there when the deal was made. Or at least, I wasn't cognizant. None of my sisters were. So what went on between Master Heinrich and Mother is known only to a rare few. Igrene and Katherine probably known. Maybe even Emiline. And if it's in that book you're reading, Faline knows it too since she wrote it. But...” she shook her head, “I don't think so. But if I'm going to be honest with you once again, Master, I don't really care much for the deal. So long as I'm here with you and the family, that's all I care about.”

Mylene's words were somehow both reassuring, yet also a bit creepy. The extreme devotion she – and the rest – of the drachenmagd have can be seen as being slavish and maybe even unhealthy. Its like they were devoted not just body to their earls, but soul as well, which would probably explain why they were so okay with sleeping with them, among other things.

And yet...

Sebastian had already indulged in such carnal pleasures with all of his maids save for Katherine, something he had no qualms in doing again if given the chance. Hell, Selene alone was easily the most overzealous of the maids, and her personality no longer bothered him.

Still, Sebastian could not pull out of his head the thought that something was amiss when it came to this so called 'deal' Heinrich made with the drachenmagd's mother. It was so completely in his ancestor's favor that it seemed too good to be true. Then again, Igrene said Heinrich aided their Mother in a time of need so... maybe it was less a deal and more a payment? He wasn't completely sure.

“You know your breakfast is going to get cold, Master?” Mylene claimed, snapping Sebastian to attention.

“Oh, right! Hah! I can't forget that! Nadine would kill me!” he replied with a sheepish chuckle as he grabbed his fork in hand, “Well... uh! Happy eating!”

…

To activate Projekt Gottheit, we'd need a lot of energy. Far, far more energy than could be made with mere combustion engines, or gears, or even horses. We'd need energy that man could not readily produce; energy that could only come from nature itself. Energy that could only come from Heaven.

During the early part of November, weather in Schonheit becomes cruel. The winds are sharp, the waves of the ocean are brutal, and the air is filled with this eerie heat that is at odds with the Winter season. It's a phenomena that I've only noticed here in Schonheit, however it could not be any more perfect for Projekt Gottheit. In other areas of the world, it would take days, weeks, perhaps even months for a storm strong enough for us to form. On Novembers in Schonheit, it happens with startling regularity.

I wonder if this was the real reason why Oskar sited Schonheit as the location for Projekt Gottheit.

With one of Schonheit's vicious storms forming in the air, we gave our workers the go ahead to activate Gottheit. Within the bottom-most section of our laboratory, we pulled the switches that activated the four towers needed to perform the project. Each tower was tall, grand and made of metal, with further metal rods extending beneath them to connect upon Gottheit itself. We kept the rods underground in their own little silos, sparing them the onslaught of weather and time. But once the switches were flipped, the gears in the walls would turn, opening the land above the silos and allowing the rods to stand tall on their own.

What a glorious sight it must have been from the outside; I wonder how the people of Schonheit felt about it. Four towers of metal, extending from the ground in their endless fields, right on the edge of the beach side. The earth shook violently as the rose up, no doubt to shock and horrify those who knew not what was going on. They must have thought God himself was finally returning to our world!

If any did think this, they were not too far off.

Oskar came down from the top soon after, telling us that the storm was starting to reach its apex. The skies were a light with vicious thunderbolts and the claps of thunder, meaning that – soon – Projekt Gottheit will get its strength, and I will see if all my days studying were wasted or not.

“I see...” Sebastian whispered to himself.

To think such amazing things had been sitting beneath his feet the entire time he had been here. An amazing laboratory, giant turning gears, Projekt Gottheit, and now metal towers to charge this great invention? Couple that with the endless amounts of luxuries the estate had proper, and it really made Sebastian wonder if his home truly had everything he'd possibly need.

Usually he'd be rushing off after breakfast to join Carmeline and Emiline to further hone his body. He wanted to keep practicing with firearms, improving his skills for what may or may not come in the future. But right now, he went on a brief side quest, traveling through the main courtyard of his home as his hand reached into his pockets.

Resting now in his hand was the Dragon Key, glowing a subtle white light beneath the sun's rays. What had Katherine said last night? Oh yes; this key would give him entrance to the many statues in the courtyard. To think that said statues were actually entrances to areas, serving a purpose aside from being beautiful works of art... which they are as well.

“How does this thing even work?” Sebastian muttered to himself as he wiggled the key a bit, “Aah... Katherine just raised her hand and it opened... hm...”

Out here in the courtyard, Sebastian's feet brought him up to the estate's graveyard. Yes, his quest for his father's diary led him here, mixing with Katherine's warning of the graveyard being a lie. With the Dragon Key in hand, he'll be able to discover what was a 'lie' about the graveyard, would he not? Just a tiny problem in that plan...

There's no dragon statue in the graveyard.

Entering into the gates that separated the rest of the courtyard from the graveyard, Sebastian gazed upon the many tombstones of his ancestors. Katherine claimed this place to be a lie, but he certainly felt a presence here. It was somber and sad; truly feeling like one of the many cemeteries he had been to in his life.

Such as the one containing... well... you know...

But Sebastian would not allow such forlorn thoughts of his mother to bring him down, not when he had a mission in mind. So he continued pushing on through the graveyard, staring around in a circular manner in search of a place where his key could work. In doing so, he traveled even deeper into the cemetery, far deeper than he had before when he merely stopped at his father's gravestone. Here laid so many tombstones, dating back decades, then centuries.

But alas, nothing he could comfortably call a gateway. The closest would be the fountain in the center of the graveyard. Said fountain bore the image of a mournful looking woman, one in a flowing dress. She looked angelic... but instead of having the wings of a dove, she had the wings of a dragon. But something about this woman's statue looked vaguely familiar. Long hair that's braided into an elegant ponytail, a long and slender tail that was tied around her ankle, and an impressively large wing span; where had he seen that before? It was the face that threw him off the most; her elegant and womanly face, though not as mature as Selene's. Hmm...

Her eyes were closed, her expression was sorrowful, and her hands were held out as if she was cradling someone or something in her arms. Reaching out for the woman, Sebastian wondered who she was. Heh, usually at this moment, one of his drachenmagd would suddenly appear out of nowhere with the answer on their lips. But when he turned around, he saw...

Nothing.

Strange. Despite how large and spacious the Faust Estate was, Sebastian had not felt alone since meeting Igrene. But now, here, he felt truly alone.

Approaching the woman, Sebastian held the Dragon Key in hand, wondering how it would work on this thing... that is assuming it was a gateway to the 'real' graveyard. But, you know, this isn't a door or something; its a statue, err, fountain! It has no keyhole!

“Haaah... I swear, this must be some wild goose chase,” Sebastian muttered as he rubbed his head, “What do I do? Just throw the key at it?”

He walked around the fountain three times, searching for a keyhole only to find nothing. So... he tapped the statue with the Dragon Key, but that didn't do anything either. Now he really felt like a moron; trying to open a statue with a key, like, who does that!? If he hadn't seen Katherine do so with her own statue, he'd honestly think he was crazy.

But, right, Katherine did that with her statue; a statue of a dragon, not of a woman. So this statue would not lead to the 'real' graveyard, wherever that may be.

“Darn,” Sebastian murmured as he exited the cemetery, “If the fountain doesn't lead to the statue then... hmm...” he looked around, “Where can the pathway be...?”

Bringing his gaze up, Sebastian looked upon his immediate surroundings, realizing there was a dragon statue nearby. Ah, could that one possibly be the path to the true graveyard? Or was he still chasing the proverbial goose? Well, only one way to find out.

Wait... this was the dragon statue that he and Carmeline 'wrestled' in front off that morning... which means this statue was...

“Larsine's... uggghhh...” Sebastian groaned as he looked at the plaque on the statue.

It was a wyvern; a draconian being whose wings were not on its back, but instead attached to its upper limbs. The horns of this wyvern were curved and short, and its tail was skinnier than the tails of any other dragon.

“Hughgh... jeeze...” Sebastian said as he placed a hand upon the statue, “Although... that still doesn't answer how I'm supposed to get inside...” his other hand reached into his pocket, pulling out the Dragon Key, “Like... how's this supposed to work?”

He fiddled with the key for a moment, tapping it upon the statue's pedestal, though that obviously did nothing. So Sebastian got on his knees before the statue, his hand rubbing its surface and edges, a hum escaping him as he dragged his palms left, then right, and left again. He continued to curiously drag his hands around the statue, hoping to finally find it.

And he did... right where it all started; upon the statue's plaque.

Eyes befalling Larsine's name, Sebastian noticed a slot resting beside it. Yes, there it was; a key hole. It was so small and out of the way, you'd be forgiven for missing it the first time. However, it was the perfect size for the Dragon Key.

Sebastian's heart began racing, realizing he may have been close to finding his father's diary. If it was down here, within the 'real' graveyard, he'd get all the answers he'd need, all the answers he'd ever want. He just needed to do it...

So why was he hesitating? Why now – on the cusp of knowledge – did he stop himself? Was he scared? Of course he was, but this fear was far, far more genuine. This fear did not push him like the previous fears did. No, this fear truly made him question if he was ready to learn the truth.

What if Klaus left them for truly selfish reason? What if Klaus hated them? What if Klaus couldn't be bothered to spend even a fraction of his money to help his mother when she was dying? What if he learned all of these things? Would that truly be the closure he hoped for, or would that only make the hatred he felt for his father balloon?

Sebastian didn't know... but even if he did want the answers now, he ultimately decided against it. It was still in the middle of the day; one of the drachenmagd would know someone was mucking around underground if he activated one of the statues. Perhaps then its best to save it for later?

But...

Why should he care? This is his home, right? And... he trusts the drachenmagd. Sure, they'd be shocked that he got this key, but the estate is his, is it not? Meaning that, yes, everything underground belongs to him too. He should be allowed to go in the underground, should he not?

Then why does it all feel so wrong? Sneaking around with Katherine behind everyone's back felt like the scummiest thing he could do considering their endless kindness to him; whether it be out of servitude or not. Katherine's just so... strange; doing anything with her felt like a slap to the face of the other drachenmagds. Even if Faline, Igrene and Larsine all praised her as being just as dutiful to him as the others had been.

Shit... what to do, what to do, what to do? Why was this so damn difficult?

“Master?”

“AGGHAH!?”

Quickly jerking back, Sebastian gasped and turned around, his eyes falling on... Nadine? Gone her Kitchen Maid attire, instead wearing her casual clothing for when she'd go fishing or out to Schonheit. However, she did not have with her her rod and tackle bag with her.

Stepping back in equal confusion to Sebastian's reaction, Nadine looked at him first in a concerned manner, before quickly relaxing as a smile spread out on her face.

“Har... it's not like you to act so skittish, Master,” Nadine commented, though Sebastian couldn't tell if it was meant as a joke or not.

Regardless, he looked at her for a few moments, his hand resting on his chest as he tried to catch his breath. Approaching him, Nadine offered her Master a helping hand, only to notice something important in his hand. Something he shouldn't have.

“You have the Dragon Key...?” she whispered breathlessly, her deep blue eyes growing wide,
“When did you...?”

Her voice trailed off while Sebastian looked at the key, mentally scolding himself for not putting it away. Oh well. The cat was out of the bag now; there was no point in trying to hide it. So he didn't, merely scratching the back of his head in a sheepish manner before nodding in her direction.

“Yeah... I got it... Katherine gave it to me,” he explained, deciding to be completely upfront with his Kitchen Maid.

“Katherine... gave it to you... ah...” she closed her eyes, “So... have you been to the laboratory?”

“Yes, yes I have,” Sebastian answered.

Nadine's eyes reopened, her expression a bit... confused to say the least. She looked desperate in a way, as if hoping beyond all hope that the answer to her next question was one she wanted to hear.

But whatever that question may be... she never asked it, instead giving a bow in his direction.

“Well... if Katherine felt it was important for you to have it, then she must know what she is doing,” Nadine claimed as she straightened back up, “She's got the right decision, I'm sure of it, and I'm happy you've gotten so serious about being the earl, Master. Maintaining Projekt Gottheit is... one of the most important responsibilities of being the earl of the Faust Estate. So err... is that why you're here?”

Sebastian looked at the statue of Larsine, then over to the Kitchen Maid, and then back to the statue. Walking over to it, he readied the Dragon Key in hand, his fingers brushing along the keyhole within its pedestal. It was covered in cobwebs and dust, seemingly having gone on for a longer period of disuse in comparison to the laboratory's halls itself.

“Yes... that's why I'm here,” Sebastian answered as he looked over at Nadine, “That's... not a problem, is it?”

She shook her head as she bowed again.

“No, Master, of course not. Do as you please; this is your home.”

The emphasis on 'your' felt a bit off to him. Yes, it is his home, but it's her home too, is it not? Shouldn't she say 'our' home, or something like that? Perhaps he was thinking too hard on it right now, especially as his blood began pumping once he looked back at the keyhole. His mind had been made; he would travel into this bunker and see where it led. And if Nadine wanted to join him, well, she was free to do so.

Just slide the key in and...

Ka-Chunk!

You are reading story Drachenmagd at novel35.com

Oh... that had a heavy, meaty noise to it, didn't it?

Ga-gun-gunk!

Larsine's statue slid apart and open, revealing not a metallic dial like the one used to enter into the laboratory, for its staircase was already open for him. Guess with the lab being the most important aspect of the underground bunker, it also needed an extra code to enter it proper. Whoever Zeit was, he seemed to be a secretive man, what with all these codes and underground labs and whatnot.

What happened to him?

Huuuaaaaaaah...

A chilling draft came out of the staircase, one even colder than what Sebastian was expecting. Wincing he hugged his arms close, only to feel Nadine's hand on his shoulder. Looking over towards the Blue Wyrm, he saw her jagged and sharp teeth were in a reassuring smile. Seeing that was more than enough to energize Sebastian, and he quickly took head point.

Ah, but this time, he brought a flashlight! Hey, you aren't gonna fool him twice!

Though it was bright outside, the bunker itself was still dark and devoid of light. So using his flashlight, he illuminated the dusty and cobweb riddled cavern, stepping in with his arm brought up to his mouth and nose. Blocking out the dust and smog, he continued traveling in deeper, with Nadine at his back.

In the walls he could hear the gears endlessly churning, maintaining the doors as well as Projekt Gottheit itself he assumed. Focusing on the halls ahead however, Sebastian realized just how deep these stairs ran. But at the same time, he felt his heart racing; he'd finally arrive at the graveyard, learn what was such a 'lie' about it, and hopefully find his father's diary.

When the staircase finally came to an end, Sebastian brought his flashlight up, discovering nothing more than another long hall. Man, this place just kept going, didn't it? Oh well, then he'd keep going too! So he walked in deeper and deeper, all with Nadine following behind him.

“It's been... so long since I've been down here,” commented the Kitchen Maid, bringing her Master's eyes over towards her.

“Really...? You've been here before?” Sebastian replied in genuine surprise.

“What's that suppose to mean? This is my home too; of course I've been here before!” she replied with a sassy grin, “Har har! Usually, it's Katherine who hangs out down here. If Selene spends all day in the bedrooms, Carmeline spends all day in the courtyard, and I spend all day in the kitchen, then Katherine spends all day down here. It's all dusty and dry though... nothing like my kitchen!”

“Hmmm...”

Hearing this actually felt like a revelation to Sebastian. Igrene is the Head-Housemaid; the estate proper is thus entrenched in her image. In the halls, the walls, the ceiling, and of course, in the paintings of all previous earls. The Serpent Key – which was gold and red like Igrene – was also the master key to every room in the estate. Meanwhile Katherine – the Housekeeper – maintains the bunker which itself contains Projekt Gottheit, among other things. The Dragon Key thus serves as the master key for every chamber in said bunker.

Man... his home is both huge and confusing.

The hall they were in finally came to a stop, right in front a pair of massive stone doors. This was it; it had to be! The 'real' graveyard, right? Palming his hand around its surface first, Sebastian looked about for a keyhole or switch or something. It wasn't until Nadine pointed at the wall did he notice a pressure switch, one covered in cobwebs and dust. Placing his palm to it, he pushed against it hard, but it wouldn't budge. Another push, and another push, but it was so old and crusty, his meager strength wouldn't be enough. Fortunately, he had a powerful drachenmagd with him.

“Har har! I got it, Master!” Nadine said as she placed her hand to the pane, “Haarumph!!!”

With one push of her superior strength, the pressure switch clicked in place, activating the gears within. The hall around them shook as they began turning and churning, causing the door to slide open. A wave of dust billowed in the air as they turned ever so slowly towards them, blocking out Sebastian's view of the other end. He really shouldn't be breathing this in, should he?

So he blocked it off with his arm, though kept his flashlight and his eyes locked forward, watching every moment as the doors opened before them. It was all so slow, so loud, so heavy, but once they came to a halt with a loud--

GLUNK!!!

Sebastian brought his arms down, gazing around in a curious manner. His flashlight came up, illuminating the area in front of him. On the other end, he saw a banister... and something made of metal. What?

“If only I had light in this place,” Sebastian muttered as he walked into the room.

“Har har! Well, I ain't really the 'your wish is my command' type of maid, Master, but I can work this enough!” Nadine said as she raised her hand.

SNAP!

One snap of her fingers, and candles in this other room suddenly billowed to life, illuminating the area. First Katherine and now Nadine? Guess all the drachenmagds could light up candles with their mere presence. Ya'know, dragons and all.

However, now that the area was brought to light, Sebastian saw not graves and tombstones... but a silo. He was sanding in the middle of a small, cylindrical room, one which wrapped around a central, metal spire. Said spire was old, dusty and silver, looking like a tower that had been long since forgotten to time. At the top instead of their being a fine point, there was a circular object, and there were metal rings around the tower as if to help further maintain its charge. Charge of what? Electricity? No... well, not exactly. A charge of lightning.

Yes, this was one of them; one of the giant metal towers Heinrich spoke of within his records. When the switches in the lab were flipped, these towers would extend to the lands above, revealing themselves and awaiting a charge from the heavens above. He was just reading about them... and now he was standing in front of just one of the towers! Gazing up to its ceiling, and he could see the seams where they would part and open. But of course, they had been closed for so long, they seemed to have been caked over with dirt and grime from the decades, no, centuries of disuse.

It was amazing that he'd found one of these towers... but this wasn't what he was looking for. Where's the real graveyard? Had he chosen the correct statue, or was this all truly a wild goose chase he was sent on by Katherine's confusing words.

“Aaaah... crap,” Sebastian muttered to himself in a defeated manner, drawing over Nadine's attentions.

“Is... is something wrong, Master?” asked the Blue Wyrm as he shook his head.

“It's just... uh...” he looked at her, “Nadine... where's the graveyard at?”

“The graveyard? Uh... isn't it in the courtyard? In fact... we're just a few yards away from it; how could you have missed it, Master?” she answered, to which he shook his head.

“Yeah, that's the thing,” he replied with a sigh, “Haaaah... Katherine... Katherine said some weird things to me before. Said that the graveyard is a lie. I remember asking Carmeline about it once, and she told me that the graveyard is the graveyard, and everyone was buried beneath it. So I'm... confused how the graveyard could be a lie. I know Carmeline didn't lie to me, so...”

“Mmm... I don't know what Katherine's talking about,” Nadine said with a frown on her face, “The graveyard's where we've buried all Faust family members. I don't understand why she'd call it a lie. Everyone's right where they should be...” she shook her head, “Maybe all her time without Master Klaus has clouded her judgment; she's acting strange. And since she keeps avoiding all of us... I don't know what to do...”

Nadine's frown and expression looked truly defeated; like her sister was hurting and there was nothing she could do to stop that hurt. Sebastian felt it too... but on the other hand, he also felt as if he knew why it was occurring. Perhaps... perhaps...

“Well... I guess that's that,” Sebastian muttered with a shrug of his shoulders, before turning to face Nadine, “That reminds me uh... with this machine here... do you remember anything about the place you come from?”

“The place we come from?” Nadine muttered in a quizzical manner, “Uhh... hmm...”

Her hand curled inward, her expression a tough one. Where as Mylene would merely giggle, the Kitchen Maid was really turning her gears to try and remember the land she originally came from. But – also like Mylene – she ultimately came up empty handed, shrugging her shoulders as she shook her head.

“I'm sorry, Master Sebastian but... I can't really say what it was like,” Nadine answered honestly, “Har! But I do know that when the moon turns red during a lunar eclipse, that's when we all feel the most at home! I think it's because the world we come from always has a red moon... or... or something like that.”

“When the moon turns red...?” Sebastian repeated.

Now didn't that sound strange and even a bit ominous? They felt the most at home with a red moon? Call him genre savvy, but isn't that typically a bad thing? On the other hand, it was kind of exciting to learn about another world, something most scientist would clamber at the chance to have. To think, other worlds – realms – exist, parallel to ours, and his great ancestor discovered it! Perhaps Sebastian's newly gain hope of becoming a scientist was well placed, though he wasn't sure what field he'd study.

However...

Why hadn't Heinrich done anything with what he had learned? Why did he chose to keep the drachenmagds a secret from the others, and the fact that he'd pierced through realities? What happened to the likes of Zeit and Oskar, and everyone else who participated in Projekt Gottheit? Perhaps... perhaps he should just get on with reading his records.

All would be revealed soon.

“C'mon, Nadine. Let's go,” Sebastian said as he turned around.

“Yeah, let's go, Master!”

…

With the okay given, I ordered our underlings to flipped the many switches placed about. First those at the top, activating the shutter doors that kept Projekt Gottheit's charge stations underground. Even near Projekt Gottheit itself, I could feel the earth shake as the doors were open. This was followed by the second set of switches being flipped, causing the towers themselves to rise from their silos and stand tall outside. We had practiced this many times before, but this was the first time where the towers would finally perform their purposes.

Fully extended outside of their holes, the risen towers would be like a beacon to the thunderstorm above. Lightning often times strike the tallest targets, especially those isolated from other tall objects. With the four towers standing in a vast, empty field, the lightning bolts would be most likely to strike them.

But one charge of lightning was not enough; I needed all four bolts to be stricken in order to properly charge Projekt Gottheit. Anything less, and breaking the boundaries of life would simply not be possible. So as Schonheit was rocked by such a violent storm, we all waited in the bunker, eyes trapped on Projekt Gottheit's shell.

It did not all happen at once; it took perhaps an hour, maybe two; I cannot remember. But I do remember when the first tower was stricken. It rocked the lab, shaking some and knocking others completely off their feet. I remembered clinging to a console before me, then looking over my shoulder to Zeit. He remained standing still, as if completely unbothered, his eyes trained on Projekt Gottheit.

And then another tower was stricken, shaking and rocking all of us once more. This time I stumbled, before leaning up to face Projekt Gottheit. The poles on its shell were starting to emit light, showing that it was getting the proper charge it needed. Closer and closer, but still not close enough!

The third tower was thus stricken, causing my heart to jolt as the grounds quaked and the ceiling shook. I looked over, then brought my eyes up to Oskar who was descending down the stairs to join us. He had toppled over a few times thanks to the quakes, but it was clear in his eyes he was just as excited as the rest of us. With each passing moment, Projekt Gottheit was coming closer and closer to completion.

Now all that was left was for the last tower to be shocked. So we waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. And waited! And waited until!

Oh... my apologies... I seem to have gotten a bit extreme in my retelling of things. Nevertheless...

The fourth and final tower was at last stricken, the energy of such a powerful bolt traveling through its metal rods and straight into Projekt Gottheit's batteries. At first, I remember rushing with so much adrenaline, that I did not realize what had happened yet. The earth shook and my heart did likewise... when I finally pulled my gaze up to face Projekt Gottheit. Its shell was now fully glowing, charged with the lightning from God himself. Pulsating, rumbling, beating.

Beating like a heart.

But we could not be too hasty; we needed to wait for the gateway to form. That was when my part came into play. I dropped my hand on the master switch and gripped it tight tighter than anything I had ever held in my days up to that point. And then I waited for the moments to pass by. This was a once in a lifetime moment, and if I messed things up too soon well... I could very well kill everyone in this room accidentally.

So I paced myself. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

I flipped the switch.

“Wow...”

“Master...?”

“Hm?”

Turning his head, Sebastian looked at his right, eyes falling on Larsine. The Violet Wyvern stared back in a concerned manner, even appearing a bit forlorn, as if he was far away. It confused Sebastian who's expression in turn became a concern one, before his brown eyes took a quizzical glance towards his surroundings.

Yes, it was night, though not deep night. They had just finished eating dinner, and as such, Sebastian figured it was time to head for bed. He was still entranced by Heinrich's Records, doubly so as his ancestor was finally activating Projekt Gottheit itself. Soon he'll learn where the drachenmagd came from.

But, right, he still had to go on his nightly adventures with Katherine, did he not? Perhaps he should have called her sometime during the day, but he didn't, instead opting to wait until night. Why bother speaking with her over the phone when she's not going to reveal herself until the waning hours of the day. Ah, but back to the situation at hand, right?

“Are you okay, Master?” Larsine said as she reached out for his hand, tugging upon it, “You were pretty distant today during dinner. Nothing is amiss, right?”

“Oh... heh heh, no, right, Everything's fine, Larsine,” Sebastian replied as he flashed her a smile, “I guess... well... I'm a bit into Heinrich's history, as you can see. But uh... also...” he glanced way in a sheepish manner, “I suppose you can say I'm trying to fit myself into this new life of mine. The honeymoon period of me living here is gone now. I just... I guess I just live here now! Heh heh! Yes...” he looked back at her, a demure smile on his face, “Does that make any sense? Gosh... I probably sound a bit foolish, don't I?”

“No, Master, I get it,” Larsine said as she smiled back at him and nodded, “Honestly... you're unlike any other Master we've ever had. You didn't grow up here like the others did so... you're as much an oddity to us as we are to you. It's why we've been... steadily trying not to overwhelm you too much, all at once.”

“Uh-huh... is that why you all didn't tell me about Projekt Gottheit being right here beneath our feet?” Sebastian asked, taking Larsine off guard.

She looked at him, wondering if he was disappointed at not being told. Instead he had a smile on his face, both teasing her yet accepting the fact that, yeah, it's probably best not to say we have a gateway to another world sitting beneath our feet. It would be kind of startling, wouldn't it? Especially since it wasn't in use anymore. Though, he did wonder if it could be used if necessary.

“Yes... that... that was Igrene's idea,” Larsine stated, “She already told you she didn't want to scare you with too many things, especially since most of it has been rendered pointless through time. Such as Projekt Gottheit itself. The Faust Estate was erected after Projekt Gottheit's purpose was fulfilled, and Master Heinrich placed his home over it. Projekt Gottheit is too important to destroy, so it must be protected from others. Imagine what may happen if an outsider discovered it...” she shivered, “Disgusting. I'd hate to even imagine someone touching the place we were borne from.”

“Borne from...?” Sebastian repeated, confused, “You were... born from Projekt Gottheit?”

“Oh... heh... not exactly. We came through it. And since Schonheit has been my home for as long as I remember... we may as well have been hatched from it as well.”

“I see,” Sebastian muttered, “So I assume you don't remember anything about your old home, do you? Like Nadine and Mylene?”

“Ah... apologies Master, but I do not,” she replied as she shook her head.

“It's okay,” he said with a smile, before waving Heinrich's Records about, “That's why I have this. I'm sure I'll learn about where you came from through here. And, hey, I always have Faline or Igrene I can ask... assuming they remember too.”

Then Sebastian stopped, his eyes cutting over towards the massive doors of his bedroom. Yeah, perhaps he should sleep for an hour or two, wake up, then call Katherine and see where they could go next. Energize him for another midnight adventure, especially if the White Dragon decided to try and leave him behind like she did last night. Still got shivers just thinking about it.

Sebastian bid Larsine farewell silently, then pushed on for the door. Grabbing its knob, he was about to twist it, but his Valet suddenly stopped him. Tugging on his hand, she made him turn to face her, a confused expression on his face. He saw a blush of embarrassment on hers, while her starlight eyes deigned to look everywhere but him. But after a few moments, she dragged her gaze back into his, her lips pursing.

“I've heard you... you have been... sleeping with my sisters... a-at night,” she said, her voice struggling to come through, “You... you invite them to sleep with you, r-right? Mylene... and... and Adeline... and Igrene... and... and... Selene... y-you even slept with Emiline that one time, r-remember? Though... that wasn't at night... so...”

“Are... are you trying to ask something?” Sebastian said, practically prancing along her words.

Either Mylene rubbed off on him, or Sebastian was more thickheaded than she thought. Was he teasing her? To this level? It was hard for Larsine to even think what she wanted to ask, let alone to come out and say it. But here was Sebastian, casually smiling at her in a knowing manner. Yes, he was teasing her, and so blatant at that.

Larsine once more opened her lips to speak, but Sebastian cut her off as he leaned in close. Pursing his lips, he planted a kiss on her cheek, an action that had her locking up in place as if she had been frozen solid.

“I have plans to meet up with Katherine tonight, Larsine,” Sebastian said honestly, “So... perhaps we should sleep with one another next time.”

“K-Katherine... n-next time...?” she repeated in a dazed manner, her hand raising up to clutch her cheek.

His smile did not diminish, though he nodded in an affirmative manner. Larsine nodded back, but she was still confused by what she had heard. He was going to meet up with Katherine? Why... why would he do that? Ah!

But before Larsine could ask him about it, her Master slipped into his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Standing still, the Valet continued to dissect Sebastian's words, first thinking about why he was going to meet up with Katherine... only to then try and decipher what 'next time' meant. When he said he'd sleep with her 'next time' did he mean 'tomorrow'? Or the next time he decided to sleep with another drachenmagd? Or could it be that tomorrow morning, instead of his normal session with Selene, he'd sleep with her!?

Okay, maybe that's a bit too much... Selene would throw her out the window if she tried to muscle in on their bath time. Perhaps Larsine was just overthinking this. Master Sebastian was going to bed now, and it was best she did likewise. Besides... she'll get her chance soon.

Upon entering his bedroom, Sebastian casually placed Heinrich's Records on his bed's edge, then shifted his attentions over towards his bed's window. He gazed at the massive courtyard in the center of his home, envisioning Projekt Gottheit right beneath this feet. To think it was always there, endlessly churning, and he hadn't felt a thing.

The more he thought about it, the more paranormal his drachenmagd appeared to be. Yeah, now he was just realizing they were strange; as if. But it did serve to remind him of how... accepting he had been upon meeting them. Had he ever pondered where exactly they came from? No, not really; he still had no clue. But if Projekt Gottheit was involved, then he knew it couldn't be in this world.

Imagine... worlds beyond worlds. A world where dragons are real, perhaps even common, and Heinrich discovered it. But – once again – why had he not told anyone about this amazing discovery? The Faust family were endlessly wealthy, but they could have also changed the world with this knowledge. And it was clear that Heinrich himself wanted to change the world, wanted to prove that God existed. And, sure, the drachenmagd aren't angels (let's face it, they're far too sinful to be angels), but they aren't human either. They're... something else.

So why tell no one? Wait... Nadine said that maintaining Projekt Gottheit was an important responsibility when it came to being the earl. What did she mean by that? Were they... protecting Projekt Gottheit? From who? From everyone? Is that why they never told anyone about it? It's power was so great that... it needed to be kept a secret from those who'd abuse it?

Sounded like some movie/comic book/sci-fi story stuff. Mysterious G-men who want to obtain the power to break through reality, and the need to keep such an ability away from them. Though... he was probably thinking too hard on it. Maybe the Faust family was just selfish; they and only they could keep the drachenmagd, and no one else. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel similar.

Yes, the drachenmagd were his girls, and no one else... hm... maybe they weren't the only ones with a possessive streak.

Such thoughts about who possessed who in turn shifted to thoughts about Katherine. He was planning on meeting her again, perhaps confront her on her dishonesty about the graveyard... only to wonder if he was going about things all wrong. As the other drachenmagd claimed, she had only been acting strange following the death of Klaus. Perhaps then it was wrong to accuse her of being malicious with her words. She was only trying to help in her own strange way, and he did feel closer to his father's dairy... even if that feeling was rather minuscule.

As usual, these thoughts about Katherine not only shifted into more confusing opinions on her, but also trying to decode her own mysterious attributes. Like... why did she paint a picture of him and his mother? He didn't remember it from his week here long ago, but it had to have been a live portrait. It was far too detailed to be something from memory, not unless a lot of emotion was behind it.

Hmm... emotion... love... lost... Igrene and Selene said that it was forbidden for drachenmagd to fall in love but... why would Katherine subscribe to such a rule? She already followed her own tune, did she not? Perhaps that's why she was acting so strange. Adeline claimed she was extremely possessive over Klaus so... is it possible that she was in love with Klaus, and that's why his death had affected her so overtly?

Or was it more than that?

Bweeeeeeeemmm...

“Ahh...”

Looking away, Sebastian's eyes fell on the door, noticing a gleam of white light passing by. His eyes tensed up on the sight and he stepped for it, exiting through the doors of his bedroom and out into the dark halls outside. Looking to his right, he noticed the gleam of Katherine's silver-white light, beckoning to him. So he followed, desperate for the answers that only she could give.

As usual, Katherine's light was just out of view. But Sebastian had done this enough times to keep up well enough, chasing her light down around this corner, around that corner, down these stairs, through this hall, and up to a pair of glass doors. Her light was the brightest now, blinding him as he placed his hands on the handles of the doors, pulling them open...

And a cool air welcomed him.

“Huh...? Where am I?” Sebastian muttered as he stepped inside.

It looked to be like one of the many, smaller courtyards that was dotted around his estate, much like the one he usually eats at in the morning. However, it had a glass ceiling... and a bevy of white flowers.

White tulips, white daffodils, white roses, white flowers of all kinds surrounded him in this hidden courtyard. From afar, hell, from up close, you'd think it had snowed out of season when you gaze upon this area clad in white.

“I had no idea this was here...” Sebastian muttered as his fingers dragged along some of the plants.

His eyes then shifted, staring dead ahead at Katherine's white light, which finally began to subside. She landed soon after, an airy sigh leaving her lips as Sebastian continued his approach. At first he hesitated, but then he grabbed her hand, taking it into his own as his thumb slid along the back of her hand.

The smell of vanilla was at its strongest now.

“Did you love my father?” Sebastian asked, out of the blue and without any hesitation.

Katherine's head cocked to the side, then the other, and back again. Her expression – even when bound – appeared thoughtful, and her lips pursed open. It didn't take her long to answer.

“Yes,” she stated, causing Sebastian's eyes to open wide.

He thought he'd need to grill her more for information, but she was so forthcoming, it actually gave him whiplash. But at least it was out there, and Sebastian felt better having known it. And yet, he also felt like that wasn't the fullest extent of things. As if he didn't get the full truth out of Katherine.

There was more to things than just this...

He already knew it. The evidence had mounted, all thanks to Katherine herself. She showed her hand, perhaps accidentally, but it happened nonetheless. And yet he needed to be completely sure that this was the truth. He needed to know...

“That picture of my mother and I... you drew it, right?”

“Yes...”

“I don't remember you drawing it though. I admit, I don't remember much about the week I spent here years ago but... I'm sure I'd have remembered even a little bit of that so...” he stared her in the face, “Did you draw that... when we weren't here?”

“Haaaaaa... yes,” Katherine answered.

Sebastian closed his eyes, thinking long and hard about what he wanted to ask next. Was he even ready to ask it? No, he honestly wasn't, but he knew if he didn't ask it now, he may never gain the courage to ask it again. So he had to know... he just had to know...

Fifteen years ago... a mysterious woman and her son came to the Faust Estate. I had never seen someone like her before. She and her son were the most amazing and beautiful people I had ever seen outside of the Faust family. And her son? He was a Faust.

“Did you...” Sebastian swallowed his spit, “Did you love my mother?”

The air grew tense, and his grip on her hand did likewise. Sebastian even looked down, fearful of her answer for reasons he couldn't quite understand. But he had to know...

“Yes...” she answered.

Hearing that seemed to make so much things click in Sebastian's head... though he was hesitate to say if that was a good thing or not. On one hand, he felt as if it explained Katherine's bizarre mannerisms in relation to him. Being the son of the two people she loved – Klaus and Mai – she probably didn't know how to act around him. It left Sebastian feeling... uneasy, but that didn't stop Katherine.

She placed her hands upon his shoulders, touching him, groping them, then sliding her palms up to his face and cheek. Gently caressing him, an airy sigh left her lips as her head tipped to face his own.

“May I...” she whispered, “Look at you with my own eyes?”

Sebastian mouthed out her words as he stared at her bound face, but Katherine didn't give him much time to think about it. No, she suddenly zoomed up towards his face, taking him aback with her sudden speed. Her face was just a few inches shy of his own, her lips slowly sliding into a smile.

“Don't you keep your eyes bound because... you're too strong? You might hurt someone, right?” Sebastian stated, shivering in place as he feared what may happen.

“I promise... I'd never hurt you, Master,” Katherine said in an affirmative manner.

Sebastian wasn't sure, even swallowing his spit apprehensively as the White Dragon stared him in the face. He was about to speak, but then her hands came sliding up, grabbing his hand and raising it between the two. Squeezing his hand, she let him feel the soft, tender touch of her own hands, and how they rubbed him. Sebastian remained on the fence when it came to removing her bindings, but he also felt the burning curiosity to see what she looked like without it on. So he raised his hands, bringing it close to her face, only to stop as another question came to him.

“Did... did you show my mother your face?”

Katherine nodded.

“Yes.”

Just how deep did the White Dragon's love for his mother extend? It left Sebastian feeling understandably disturbed. It's one thing to hear how much the drachenmagd love his father; he was their earl! And – to be brutally honest – it's not like he had much love for Klaus at all, especially in a patriarchal role.

But Mai? Mai's his mother, through and through. Hearing one of the drachenmagd exclaim love for her was just... strange. Especially as her face drifted in closer and closer, with Sebastian seemingly incapable of moving. The smell of vanilla was only growing stronger and stronger, fully encompassing and surrounding him. Up until...

“Mmmf...”

“Mmm...”

Katherine's lips were so soft, pressing to his lips in a kiss he didn't see coming. His eyes wavered, shook, and then finally closed shut completely. Be it by instinct or genuine desire, Sebastian kissed back, his nostrils flaring as more of that vanilla scent overpowered him. Now there was no longer any hesitation for the young earl; he wanted to see what she looked like without the bindings obstructing her face.

Pulling back with an audible smacking of their lips, Sebastian stared towards Katherine's face, his hands shakily reaching out for her. Grabbing those leather straps, he coaxed a sigh from her lips as his thumbs hooked beneath them.

Just one...

Gentle...

Pull...

And...

“Aaahh...”

It slid off Katherine's face. Her eyes were still closed however, as if hesitant to reveal her true visage. He even noticed her tremble slightly... why is that? Was she afraid of something? Of hurting him? Didn't stop Sebastian from placing his hands on her cheeks, framing her face with his own. Finally she opened her eyes.

Her gray eyes.

He saw the rings of her irises, the slit shape of her pupils, and their slight glow. Katherine's face was the same face as the statue in the graveyard. That's why it looked so vaguely familiar. She was a beautiful woman, one with this slightly... tired look to her. The way the front of her incredibly long hair messily fell over her face, helped to further make the once ghastly dragoness appear more human. Perhaps he had her all wrong since the very beginning. Maybe Katherine wasn't so different from the rest of her sisters.

But...

Placing his hand on her forehead, Sebastian pushed Katherine's hair up, further revealing her face to him. Now so clear and wide, he caused a cute smile and blush to appear on the White Dragon's face, as if she were embarrassed to show herself before him. It didn't bother Sebastian so much, in fact, he found her blush to be cute. It brought a smile to his face as well, as it was almost enough to make him forget everything she had done and said thus far.

“You're... so beautiful,” Katherine whispered.

“Katherine... I... ahh...”

He didn't get the chance to speak, not when the White Dragon kissed him again... and again... and again. She was suddenly ferocious, giving Sebastian very little time to catch up with her. He kissed back, fought back with his lips, but there was this hunger, this desire to Katherine that just couldn't be matched. Her hands even reached to his shoulders, gripping him tightly and pushing him down. Grunting amid the kiss, Sebastian held back against her, trying to push her away so he could at least breathe.

She was kissing him like Selene would kiss him, but lacked any of the Black Dragon's innate playfulness. And that's saying something; Selene is without a doubt the most lustful of the drachenmagd, but at least she holds back so that he can catch up. But right now with Katherine? No such thing existed! She was just kissing him, surrounding him in her love, her desire, her possession.

Fuh? Katherine? Fah! You'll never meet another drachenmagd as possessive as she is!

He was starting to feel it. She didn't just kiss him, her hands began working up the sides of his body, squeezing and holding him in deep. Sebastian struggled to keep up, his mind rushing with thoughts of why this was happening. This was the complete 180 to how Katherine usually acted!

Not only did she smell of vanilla, but she tasted like it too, especially with how her tongue brutalized his into submission. The longer this went on, the more dulled his sense became. His thoughts were becoming harder and harder to come by, air becoming thinner and thinner. But before it could reach the point where he'd black out, Katherine finally – finally! – pulled away.

Sebastian panted for air, struggling to catch his breath as he looked up at the White Dragon. At some point during their heated kiss, he had been pushed upon the ground, his back laying in a soft patch of grass and flowers. Above him was the night sky through the glass ceiling, and the amorous, lustful face of the White Dragon.

Her eyes glowed with this lewd, possessive aura.

Her... eyes...

Faline's voice came drifting into his ears.

Yes, Master. It's the reason why her eyes are bound. It keeps her in check. Without those bindings... Katherine may do things she doesn't mean to do.

Oh shit.

“Harumph!”

“Mmmfff!”

Her lips quickly crashed into his again, kissing him deeper than before as her tongue relentlessly coiled around his. Sebastian's hands found her shoulders, trying to push her off so that he could once again breath, but Katherine's dulling odor of vanilla began to once more overtake him. His kissing grew sloppy, his eyes once more glazed over, but before it could reach the extent of suffocation, Katherine once again pulled back.

She looked at him, smiling wide as the heat of lust adorned her rosy cheeks. These brief moments where he could breath also allowed Sebastian to think, wondering what he could do to get out of this situation. He didn't think Katherine would act like this; it was entirely out of character for her! But, wait, that's it!

He is her Master! He should tell her to stop! He should tell her to stop!

He should... tell her... to... stop...

“MMMFFF!”

“MMMM!?”

But her lips were too strong, the odor too overpowering, the taste too good. Sebastian's eyes began twitching as Katherine kissed him with growing need, affection, and lust. Thoughts about pushing her away fell to the wayside as he instead grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her in close. It took him some time to get used to it all, but soon he was kissing her with just as much ferocious need as she kissed him. Tongues lashing, spit trading, moans and groans filling the air... huh... funny that, Selene actually prepared him for something like this.

But it wasn't to last...

“Mmmm... mmm!!! Mmmmmffuaaahhaaa!”

“Guh! Haaaaah! Haaaaah! Hhaaaahh!”

Panting desperately, Sebastian's glazed eyes leered at the glass ceiling overhead. Just... just what the hell happened? Placing his hand on his forehead, Sebastian groaned as he leaned up, his eyes falling on Katherine once again. He said nothing and she said nothing, the two just looking at one another. The White Dragon herself looked confused for a few moments, leering down at her hands, then back to her Master, back to her hands, and then at her lap. She said something that... took Sebastian off guard.

“You taste like Master Klaus... but... you also taste like... ah... I see...” her hand reached down, grabbing her leather bindings.

Though confused, Sebastian could see Katherine grabbing her bindings, meaning she was about to put it on. That would be good, right? It would cover her eyes, and she'd go back to her typically ghastly self... if you could call that good, anyway. But as he watched her do this – and even though he was still reeling from her crazed assault – Sebastian moved up to his knees. Scooting over towards Katherine, he grabbed the bindings and her hand, taking her off guard. Then his brown eyes stared up into her gray ones, a look of resolve on his face.

“I still want to learn about you...”

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