Welcome to Gaia! ::

Maki turned the page and continued reading not realizing she's nearly finished the book until she felt the last three pages. The ink looked different, as if written in blood.
"... The summons have appeared in the city, I struggled to keep Vivian still who wanted to fight alongside his father. Lady Greed and I hid in her personal reading room trying to calm Vivian down. As the noise grew louder the louder Vivian called to his father, Lady Greed was crying and well. So was I. If Lord Greed was to fail it would mean the end to our kind."

A vision appeared in Maki's mind of a beautiful woman about Greed's height standing next to her watching the door, she blinked and looked around. Maki could see a woman sitting on the foot of the bed holding on to a crying child struggling to reach for the door. A tear poured from Maki's eyes as she continued reading.

"At first there was silence. Even Vivian stopped to listen ... then a loud crash as Lord Greed and a summon appeared as if they materialized through the walls into the Lady's reading room. It was a huge dark creature, the summon Anima. Anima had Lord Greed trapped in some sort of mist that enveloped his body. Vivian became angry and broke free from his mother, he tried to attack Anima. But as Lady Greed reached for the child Anima attacked with Oblivion and ended their lives as well as mine. I lingered there and screamed in horror when I saw my own body ... my shell laying on the floor. My diary that I kept tucked in my belt laying beside me un scorched. Barely holding on to my body I transfered my soul into the pages of my diary. Hoping if any survivors find this, that they know Lord Greed tried to protect us all and ask you seek vengence for my fallen Lordship and his family."

Maki wiped the tears from her eyes as she saw the finger print following the words family stamped in blood, then looked up. At the foot of her bed a ghostly figure of a woman smiled at her and faded away.

"Greed!!!!"

Maki looked confused... "You don't see the woman standing beside you?"

She said pointing. The woman turned towards Greed and courtesy.

"It's so good to see you again my Lord, I'm sorry I wasn't able to bring Vivian or the Ladyship with me. I simply can't find them. Are they with you?"

"History my Lord?" Essy asked as she sat on the edge of the bed. Maki scooted towards the head board to give her room. Also because she was still creeped out about the apparition. "I only know of the dark summon that took my Lady and precious Vivian away. All he wanted that day was to give you his drawing, which I promised to keep until I found you."

She looked over to Maki and held her hand out. Nodding Maki opened the book and handed her the drawing folded in the cover.

"Here it is sir," she said handing Greed the child's drawing. "He wanted to tell you about the nightmares he's been having since you and the ladyship went shopping. Moments before the summons appeared and tried to hide his fear by drawing a family picture. He asked I let him tell you."

Essy paused and began crying.

"I should have told you about the incident at the playground. He wouldn't pay any attention to the other children. Just stared at the skies as if someone was whispering to him and to ask why the summons were foresaking him with these horrid dreams. My Lord, please don't be angry with me for keeping such information from you. I didn't feel it was my place to interfere with family affairs. ... I will understand if you wish to never see me again."

Essy grew silent for a moment before standing up to answer Greed's question.

"The dark summon Anima. The master of Oblivion," she paused as she faded. "I will find the ladyship and Vivian and tell them you are fine, farewell Lord and we will pray for you."

With her mission done, nothing else holds her to this plane of existence and Essy begins to fade away.

In a soft whisper that echoed into the room, Essy answered.

"Yes, M'Lord, thank you kind stranger for releasing me from my dairy ... Farewell to you both."

Maki sat up in the bed crying and handed Greed the book. The last three pages she was reading began to fade.

"This belongs to you," said Maki as she wiped her eyes dry.

Maki remained silent. Taking in everything she saw and heard with better understanding of her friend Greed. A loving father, leader of his clan and strong fighter.

Maki pushed the cover off and scooted herself next to Greed. Placing an arm around his neck she gave him a quick hug.

"I understand," she said. "Now I really understand about the orb. Let's go save Katrea."