Lucy had a straight expression on her face.

So did Nero and the others...

Obed looked down at the strange arrangement of stones and sticks, his expression rather blank.

"This is..."

Lucy shot a glance at him,

"What? You want to complain? You aren't even paying or this, so this is all you get!"

Obed quickly and wisely stepped away.

Nero spoke quickly,

"Lucy, are you sure this is going to work?"

He looked around as well.

The instruments on the ground were not very... impressive. At least, they weren't what came to mind when he thought of divination.

There was a pile of stones, a small dagger Lucy had pulled out from somewhere, a piece of torn cloth, and a waterskin only partially filled with water.

He had no idea what all this was going to achieve.

He thought it would be more complicated than this.

Lucy pushed her chest out,

"I'll have you know— I come from a long line of witches and diviners. What do you think the face paint is for?"

Obed's eyes widened as he muttered, "So that's what it's for..."

He quickly fell silent again when Lucy quietly reached for her blade again.

Lucy cleared her throat then turned to Nero,

"So? Are you ready to begin?" She said seriously.

"I have a problem with this!" An objecting voice came from behind.

Nero felt a pair of soft arms wrap around him from behind.

Lucy's eyes narrowed,

"What is it this time, you brat?"

Aisha snarled as she pointed an accusing finger,

"I always knew you were no good! Nero, this witch might turn you into a frog! That's what they are known for the most. Turning handsome men into frogs!"

Lucy rolled her eyes, "Turning a whole human into a frog requires too much energy. I'd much rather just curse you with a shit ton of bad luck and misfortune."

Aisha trembled slightly as her face turned pale.

Seeing that, Lucy let out a satisfied chuckle.

Nero scratched his head.

Then he turned his attention back to Lucy.

"So? What do I do?"

Lucy casually picked the dagger.

It was an old dagger with a worn handle, yet a surprisingly pristine blade. Even its edge had yet to dull.

On the worn wooden handle was a diamond shaped rune.

Lucy turned it to him,

"I need your blood."

Nero face changed. However, he nodded the next moment and took the blade in his hand.

A moment later, he placed the blade down on his palm and made a quick draw.

Aisha's expression twisted as she watched the thin red line spread out.

Lucy had a pleased look on her face as she took the rag and lightly dabbed it across Nero's fresh wound.

The dirty cloth soaked up the blood, dying it a dull crimson.

However, Lucy wasn't done.

She pulled his hand forward and let the blood drop onto the stones.

"Nero, what do you think divination is?" Lucy said softly as she practiced the ritual...

Nero, slightly in a daze, answered absentmindedly,

"Divination? It is communion with beings that are not physical— spirits, demons, and even the dead Nephilim."

Aisha had told him before...

Lucy nodded,

"Rituals and prayers are communication with higher order beings. The same can be said about divination, only it is an order greater."

Her expression became serious as she explained,

"Divination, are layered rituals and prayers." As she spoke, her placed the cloth on her palm and then placed it on her lips with her eyes closed.

Nero suddenly felt a strange connection.

It was shift and in the air, not tethered to anything tangible.

It filled him with an odd sense of insecurity and fear.

However, he chose to stay silent and endure it.

Lucy's words flitted into his ears again,

"The Sorceresses might not be witches. However, the do believe that not all spirits are bad spirits. As long as you can connect with the right ones, you can receive guidance. And the best way to do that..."

She turned to the mound of stones,

"Is to ask the earth itself."

Nero raised a brow, "The Earth?"

Lucy nodded and pointed at the pile of rocks,

"This represents the earth. Your blood represents the everlasting river and source of energy."

Nero was silent as he felt the atmosphere around him change.

Everywhere was spinning slightly, and even Lucy's voice was becoming more difficult.

"Right now, we need a spirit that is willing to help strengthen the connection between you and your spear. Since we are in Malady's Garden, this isn't going to to be easy and might backfire if we draw the attention of the wrong thing. Are you ready?"

Nero frowned then turned his gaze slightly up.

He knew for a fact there was something up there currently watching. He had no idea what its intentions were, or what its form was.

All he knew, was that its presence was vast and terrifying. Much larger than even he greatest oceans and mountains.

Not like he would know, since he had never seen any oceans or mountains...

Still, it was a risk he was willing to take.

If he tried his possible best not to gaze at the entity, then it would not notice him, right?

Right?

Still laden with uncertainty, Nero heard Lucy begin after a moment of silence...

Her voice started with a low, throat hum as she recited the strange words he couldn't make sense of.

Even with the Oracle's ability to translate language for him, he couldn't understand a single word she was saying.

He glanced up and noticed there was somethystrsnge about Lucy.

Her eyes were rolled to the back of her head as she chanted in that low voice with a timbre that resonated with the depths of his being.

He glanced around.

The others had blank looks on their faces. Almost as though they were frozen in time.

"It's just us now, Nero."

Nero turned to face Lucy.

The blacks of her eyes were still gone. However, he could tell she was looking at him.

Nero frowned,

"What do I do now?"

"You'll need to sleep, Nero." Lucy said softly.

Nero's eyes widened.

Then the world went dark...

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