memoryborn | [Video]

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[Video]

--ah! I still know how to turn it on!

[ Pop goes the feed, and the face of a young girl with short black hair and blue eyes appears on the screen. There's a Skarmory also peering down at the screen with wonder and squawks at what Xion's doing with the PokeGear. ]

I, uh... [ Oh, now that she's gotten it back on, she... really didn't think about what she should say. Instead, she gives a brief wave with a shy smile before that hand goes to rub at her neck in slight embarrassment. She recovers quickly, though, after her new steely companion bumps her beak against Xion's cheek. ]

It's been a long time, it seems. At least I think it should be for here. It didn't even feel like I was gone, and yet... I remember this time.

It's good to be back.

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[She waves it off though, clearly amused rather than angry.]

It's fine, it's fine! It's just that normal people aren't supposed to know about magic in the first place where we come from, and the Grail War... well, there are stronger magics out there, but not very many of them.

But it's not like it matters while we're here. I can't even use magic and there are a lot of other people who don't even bother to hide that they were magi or something similar in this world, so really, there's no harm. I can tell you more about it if you're really curious.

That would be nice. I used to be able to use magic before coming here, too. I kind of wish they allowed curative spells, at least.

So you were a Magus too! Or... whatever they call it where you come from. Then it's definitely fine, no one would have a problem with you knowing. They'd probably want you to join the Magus Society though. Where should I start?

There were a lot of people I knew that could use magic with a little training. It sounds like it wasn't as common with the people in your world than it is for mine. What was the Magus Society?

It's just what it sounds like! The Society that Magi made to combine their efforts and police themselves. Since normal people can't know anything about magic, it pretty much had to be made. Some call it the Magus Association, too... the names are basically interchangeable.

Although, not all Magi are part of the Society, for various reasons. I'm not, since the Einzberns are such an old family that they're kind of a law unto themselves.

What do you mean by when your family is "old family"? Are you guys special on your own, or know a special type of magic that others aren't aware of?

A little bit of both. Magic in my world becomes stronger in a family the longer the line of Magi in it, since they tend to pass their knowledge and power on to the next generation. Since the Einzbern line stretches so far back, it makes them incredibly powerful, particularly in their specialties. So much so that they don't usually need to cooperate with other Magi, and since they don't need to, they usually don't. Most Magi are like that where I come from.

That's really incredible. I can see why it has to be kept in such secrecy. Though Saber and Lancer only told me about their sides as Heroic Spirits, it's really interesting to hear the side of the people who... summon them, I think.

Summon is the right word, yes. Of course, we wouldn't be able to pull it off if not for the Grail.

... Well, that's not quite true. I summoned Berserker over a month before the Grail appeared. But I'm a bit of a special case, and it was extremely painful to keep him in the world, besides.

What? Why was it painful for you?

Well, magic goes against the laws of the world. That's pretty much the definition of it where I come from. So when you use it, the world fights back. Usually that just means you have to put in the effort to overcome the world trying to enforce its laws, but if you're doing something really, really big, the world fights so hard to stop it that it's nearly impossible to pull it off.

I'm very powerful magically, easily the strongest Master in my war in terms of sheer magic capacity, but calling a Heroic Spirit strained even me to the breaking point without the Grail to make it easier. The only reason I did it was because... well, I had to.

[ Xion goes quiet for a significant while. Her eyes stray to the side as she thinks about this. Magic is something the world rejects because magic goes against its own laws.

She lets out a sigh that seems too heavy, but turns back to Illya. ] Why did you have to?

[Well, it was quite a bit to take in. Ilya's not too surprised that she might need to consider it for a bit. As the silence drags on, she starts wondering just how different her own version of magic is from Xion's.

Before she can ask, though, her thoughts are interrupted by that sigh, and Xion's question. She ponders a bit over which reason to give her.]

Because I summoned Berserker. They're much harder to control than your average servant, so I had to have extra time to make sure our bond was unshakeable.

[That's a very, very tiny part of the whole truth, but Ilya sees no reason to tell Xion about the sort of things her family tended to do to her in the name of "training".]

A Berserker... [ The term reminds her of the Nobodies that Saix had control over. Their use of a hammer was fierce and their movements unpredictable despite their large frame. Almost perfect for Saix, really.

She lets out a huff, knowing she shouldn't linger on thoughts of that man for long and tries to put on a blank face once more. ]

He was a hero in your world's history, right?

[It's pretty hard to miss Xion's reaction to the name, though once again Ilya has no idea what caused it. For all she knows, Xion could just have a problem with the idea of a person who goes into that sort of battle rage. She'd hardly be the only one.]

That's right. The strongest hero of ancient Greece, Hercules. Though I guess you've never heard of Greece.

Not Greece, but, I've heard of Hercules.

[ She rubs the side of her head for a moment. Static images flicker in her head, but she has memories of Hercules from Sora's POV. Her head aches a little in her attempt and the fact that her mind is still going through the processes of recalling her previous stay in Johto, but she sees it. Granted, she only knows the Disney version of him... ]

He was... a really strong man, right?

[Well, that certainly throws her for a loop.]

Wait, really? How can you know one without the other?

... I mean, unless it was a different Hercules. But you're right. He was the world's strongest man. So strong that men and monster alike were no challenge to him. So having him beside me as Berserker was pretty comforting.

[ Xion gives a small smile to Illya's questions and leaves it at that. ]

And you formed a bond with him. I'm glad you had someone to take care of you, Illya. I hope Saber's doing the same.

[ Though, considering it's Saber, there'd be no question about it. ]

[She's at first mildly curious as to how Xion could possibly know Hercules's name without knowing where he came from or his story, but Xion's comment pushes her mind along a different track.]

Well, yes, she is. She's overprotective, if anything. But that's just kind of her nature.

Of course, I have my Pokemon as well. With them at my side, I'm not really concerned about much of anything this world has to offer.

[She could be called smug there, but her smile looks more proud than anything when she talks about her Pokemon.]

I'm glad. Once I get to Goldenrod, I'd be happy to meet up with you, and then your Pokemon can meet mine!

[ Bright smile now. Xion was always happy to meet new people up and close. Plus, it seems like Illya's past experiences aren't weighing her down here. Unlike her when she first arrived. ]

Well, it won't be hard! If you come by the Center to see Saber you're bound to run into me. But I'm expecting to hear about your world then, since I've told you so much about mine. It's only fair!

[And she is getting really curious about a number of facets of Xion's world by now. If given the chance she will happily barrage the other girl with questions once they're face to face.]

[ Have a slightly nervous laugh at the prospect, but she gives a firm nod all the same. ]

I'll be sure to do that. It's been really nice talking with you, Illya. I'll talk to you again sometime?

Whenever you see me on the network, feel free! Of course, I'll do the same with you. But I guess I should let you get started on your journey... so I'll see you again soon, Xion!

You, too! Bye!

[ Xion gives a quick wave before cutting the feed. ]

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