Greyashe chapter 376 is entitled "All of the magic in the world.."

Previous chapter 375: What was taken.

Next chapter 377: Interview.

Summary page

-Short summary-

More revelations become clear after the long battle against magic, both tragic and mysterious.

-Long summary-

Dio makes a face at himself in the mirror as he finishes adjusting the red tie he had been made to wear by the Kaiser mage herself. Apparently she had left him in charge of things in Aerhaart while she went to address the people in regards to the sudden change from "doom" to "normalcy". Since not everyone was privy to the deal struck with Van, and more specifically the fight against Butcher, it is only natural that there would be a sense of confusion that permeates the peace. Strictly speaking, most people are happy that the recall had been lifted, but the overwhelming sense of the unknown is now what has people worried. Dio can understand and respect Azha wanting to assuage the fears of her people, as he was once in that position himself, and he really doesn't mind looking after things while she's gone --but he's more of a jeans and a t-shirt sort of guy. Being made to wear a suit and tie is really suffocating for him. Not only that, but this essentially means that he's a part of her cabinet right? He's not entirely sure why, but the idea of it kind of rubs him the wrong way, even though even back in the day he wasn't one to flaunt his position unless he had no other choice. Azha is nice and everything, but her wiliness makes him look like a total amateur, despite technically being several centuries older than her. Maybe that's why he's feeling a little irritated at how events had turned out, but can he really complain? The real MVP here had been Van, and for all intents and purposes, they had thrown him to the wolves without much protection or guidance. If anyone had a reason to complain, it would be him and his family. That's enough to sober the former God's sense of annoyance. "Besides" he thinks as he admires himself in the mirror. "I do look pretty good in this." 

In truth he's actually headed to the hospice to check on the aforementioned Van. Azha had gotten reports that Reid and Libitina had found Van and his friends, and brought them all in for medical attention. Azha had wanted to go see him right away, but then more news from around the nation had come in which had put Azha in the position of having to prioritize her people over her curiosity. Hence Dio going in her place to find out Van's condition along with that of his friends. Not surprisingly his parents had already rushed to be with their son, but as mere civilians they weren't allowed to see him right away. Dio hates that kind of bureaucracy, but they couldn't risk his parents doing something before they could talk to him. Still, it would have been good of them to at least give the Rayleighs some information even if it wasn't much. On that note, they had also brought in the third sentient Candle who's health had suddenly taken a turn for the worst after the recall had been lifted. The reason for that being simple damage control. Butcher might be gone, but his mess sure isn't. They would need any and all leads they could gather to understand just where they stand in this situation, including his former partner Candle. She should be harmless now, but Azha had wanted to operate under occam's razor. Until they could rule out all other possibilities, the fewer assumptions they make the better.

Dio arrives at the hospice with flowers in hand --he had thought it'd be a token gesture, but in all honesty he's not quite sure why he bought them. As he thought, Anna Rose Rayleigh and her husband Colin Rayleigh are waiting in the lobby, their sunken eyes and drooping posture proof positive of lack of proper sleep. The two had been up since they had been brought to Dover tower to see their son; they didn't want to waste a moment of recreating the time lost between them, and then had worried themselves to death when he had gone to fight against the greatest evil known to man. Now he's back and they're being barred from seeing him. The former God sighs and walks over to them, bowing in apology once he's in front of them. Colin nods his head slowly in acceptance of this apology as his wife yawns and leans on his shoulder. Dio apologizes again, and says that they'll be able to see him --Van, once he's talked to the doctors. For now he's the only one who knows anything about what happened then, and is happening now so..

Colin blows air and leans back, wrapping his arm around his wife and bringing her closer. No need to give him the rigamarole, he knows how these things work. Depending on what kind of state their kid is in, the parents might do something weird like run away with him if they're allowed to get too close right? Dio is hurt by the wholly true accusation, but remains silent as Colin gives him the once over. "Bingo" he says flatly. He then shoos Dio away and tells him to get it over with, and if they're that worried about what they might do with their son, then they can even send a guard or someone to monitor their visits. Dio acquiesces and turns to walk down the hall silently, until Anna Rose calls out to him in a half sleepy voice, and reassures him that they (she and Colin) aren't upset with him, but the situation. They know he's doing his best, and thank him for everything he's done and will do. Dio's stature stiffens, and he waves absently without turning around as he walks away. These are good people....he'll have to get this over with as soon as possible.

The wing where Van is being kept has been cleared of other patients as what was ordered by Azha, who continues to ensure that her occam razor isn't dull indeed. Dio mulls that it's almost as if she has an idea of something going on, but is keeping her cards close to her chest for whatever reason. To be fair, it's the smart play until one knows more about the situation, but it's no less irritating. He finally arrives, and upon showing his credentials is allowed into the room where Van is being observed. The head doctor --a middle aged woman with a surgical mask on greets him, and leads him over to the side of Van's bed, where he's given a mask too. He asks if it's really necessary, for him to wear one, but quickly realizes this too is probably on orders from the Kaiser mage. Wily and careful huh? Loath for him to admit that he's actually beginning to like her.

Van is apparently fast asleep, and his body is hooked up to several devices, all making beeping and booping devices that disorient the former God. While his skin is a little pale, he looks otherwise fine which oddly puts Dio at ease. Maybe talking to the parents had had some strange effect on him too. He nods over at the doctor and asks if he's been out like this since he was brought in? She confirms this, and Dio sighs in frustration. So much for getting information out of him right away, but in turn he could set some executive orders of his own. Certainly since the parents had agreed to monitored visits, they could just sit in here with their son until he does awaken right? In any case seems like things today are a bit of a bust, so he'll just head back and wait for Azha to return. Or actually, no. He should meet with his friends and find out whatever they may know too since it couldn't really hurt. The doctor eyes him for a moment and quickly asks him to wait, as if she could tell he was about to leave the room. Dio glances over at her and asks if there's something else he should know, and she nods quickly. Van looks normal enough, right? Though looks are deceiving, and he is in fact a small, but huge medical miracle. Most of his bodily functions have ceased operating, and there's a tear between his body parts that indicates being eviscerated in half. Yet he's still very much alive, and rather than showing signs of decay, is probably more healthy than anyone in the room. She's never seen anything like this on anyone in her life --much less a single fifteen year old boy. Dio frowns and glances over at Van again, trying to comprehend what he's hearing. If the doctor is right, then they're in the vicinity of a miracle that would take all of the magic in the world to invoke. That's not possible....is it?

Azha arrives at GMAGY with Leah, wearing a flowery print dress with open toed shoes, and her strawberry pink hair tied in a whorl on the side of her head. It had been a battle between she and Leah on agreement on what would be professional, since the rebellious young Kaiser mage refuses to dress her status --especially since in her opinion she's only going to see her friends, and had at last come to this conclusion. Truth be told, the two despite their differences enjoy each other's company. They had slowly established a bond not unlike a younger and older sister, and considering their positions, it might not be a stretch to say that this is what had brought them closer. Despite appearances, Azha still dives into the arms of Cayden upon seeing him to the dismay of Iselia and Leah. To his credit, Cayden had learned the proper amount of time to embrace her without it being awkward and employs this when she surprise tackles him. It's helped by Leah giving her charge a venomous stare, which is enough to get a pouty Azha to back off, and for a moment there is only silence. Azha asks sadly if it's true that all of the instructors in the school had given their lives to contain the recall addled students in the building so they would not go out and kill or be killed?

Cayden nods sadly, and grits his teeth in anger. Even that idiot Adele had sacrificed himself in this way. What good does it do for them to survive if they don't have their precious teachers to teach them? Why did it have to be this way...? Azha hugs him again, this time for comfort. Iselia points out that this is --in a way what a teacher's job is, so should they really be upset over them making this decision? Cayden gives her a look full of frost at first, but it melts slowly and is replaced by reverence. Azha applauds her former classmate and makes her way to the podium set up for her to make a speech to the class. She reminds them that the whole point of having teachers is to eventually succeed them, as there is no greater honor for the student to take what they have learned and make bigger strides. As long as they don't forget that then their teachers sacrifices will not be in vain.

Meanwhile Kani stares flabbergasted at Guy who is equally as shocked at something.

Flashback to a few moments before where Guy and Kani were outside in the hospital garden where the fighter is taking a smoke when Kani happens upon him and asks if he's okay. Guy assures her he is, and she breathes a sigh of relief which amuses him. Before this whole ordeal, he could swear she didn't like him at all, yet after just one life or death struggle she seems to have reversed her opinion? It's a little disappointing really. Kani bristles, before cheerfully smiling and admitting that she just didn't know very much about him. Although could he blame her? He is a lot of the time a gross, disgusting pig. Guy inhales the cigarette in annoyance, as Kani looks on, her smile not fading. Guy turns to her and grins replying that she's not too bad at fighting herself. They could totally tear the battle circuit a new one as a tag team, if she's up to teaming up with him. To his surprise Kani mulls this over and nods eagerly. She most certainly wouldn't want to fight for her life again, but it is thrilling to fight alongside someone you trust fully. So he just needs to name the time and place, and she'll be there. Guy is about to respond when a familiar face enters the garden and gasps upon seeing him. Kani covers her mouth in shock and can barely get the new person's name out of her mouth in pure fangirl laden excitement, as the visitor to the garden is none other than the Goddess of fall, (formerly) Anu.

Anu seems equally exasperated and exuberant to see the fighter and states as such as she gives him a big hug. She tells him that it's been a nightmare trying to find him after everything that had happened, and for a while she was afraid he had died. Guy is confused at first, but goes with the flow and proclaims that he has no intention of dying anytime soon. Anu seems overly happy at this and responds that this is good, since he has a responsibility to take care of her now. Guy and Kani trade looks and the fighter asks what she means? Anu blushes bright red as she pats her stomach in reply. Kani and Guy take a few moments to digest this before both recoiling in horror. W-W-W-W-Wait....she couldn't be....

Now in the present Kani's shock fades and is replaced by fury. When he said "have fun" back then, THIS is what he meant?! He had actually done this, that, and the other thing with a goddess?! Guy points out rather meekly that she's human now, which Kani pokes him in the forehead and retorts about how that's not really any better. How could he?! Just when she thought he was an okay individual after all, this happens! Moreover, what kind of father will he make if he's going around doing this kind of thing to people?! Guy irritably responds that he doesn't do that kind of thing with just anyone. In fact there's one person who could vouch for his innocence if they were here....

A voice causes all three to turn to the entrance to the garden and Guy recoils again as he complains about his luck. This time it's another woman who's tied to him, Alicia-Ellen Copeland. She had heard through the grapevine that Guy was here and had come to make sure he was okay. Kani and Anu give him a demonic look of rage and confusion respectively as Alicia stops in her tracks and asks if this is a bad time. Guy shakes his head quickly and asks his childhood friend to help defend his honor, and explain to the other two girls there that he isn't as bad as this situation paints him out to be. Alicia tilts her head, unable to keep up until Kani takes her aside and explains what's going on to her in vivid detail. Alicia then gives Guy her own look of pure demonic evil, and gives Kani a high five. Anu blinks, as the girls ask her to have a seat nearby, and after she does they menacingly approach the fighter who for the second time in recent events is mortally afraid for his life. 

Dio is headed to the garden after finding out that Van's friends are there, and meets Kani, Alicia, and Anu partway there. He notes that they seem to be dragging an individual wrapped up in gauze and medical tape like a mummy behind them, and after taking a reaaaaaallly close look can see someone's pleading eyes poking out of a hole in the tape, but instead asks the three women if they're okay? Kani and Alicia nod happily and reply in sister like unison that they will be after they take out the trash. Dio notices guy struggling to ask him for help, but instead inquires about Van's fight with Butcher. Had they seen it? Kani shakes her head, and asks if Van will be okay? Dio shrugs a shoulder and admits that he's not entirely sure, but at least for now he won't die. Kani sighs in relief, and thanks him for letting them know. The girls then continue past Dio with Anu bringing up the rear in confused protest, and Dio can swear he hears Guy's muffled screams to help him as they leave. He offers a silent prayer to the fighter, and watches them go disappear around the corner.

Dio then process what the doctor had said to him in regards to Van's condition. While it's not strange for one to become an "unloved" after a near death experience, clearly Van had actually died. Yet he's still among them in the land of the living, and healthier for it. He had only quipped about all of the magic in the world back then as a partial joke, but what if.....

The former God loosens his tie as he returns to the tower, lost in thought. If it is true then that throws the entire world as these humans know it into a tailspin. He couldn't have actually pulled something on that huge of a scale off could he? If so, what does that make Van Rayleigh now? If not human, or dead, then what?