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Ever since the Christmas event, hell, even before that when Violet and Sakura used Penny’s Evolution to become Ruby, Ilum had kept a close watch on the magical girl. Bigger wish granting had been at a minimum, and it had kept her out of the public eye for a while now. Usually during these lulls it meant it was time to move on. Then came an unexpected and somewhat ominous summons to Ilum’s lamp. Was this it? Had her time run out, some missed agreement that meant she was to become a full djinn and sealed away for an untold length of time.

Floating in as a plume of smoke, Ruby’s form took shape before a lavish palace. Everything here clearly touched by the djinn’s magic, and setting foot here struck home that she too was a mere possession of the patron. Walking forward, the girl sheepishly took hold of the door knocker at the entrance, the impacts sounding out much louder than the motion would suggest.

The knocker, shaped like a lion's head holding a ring between it's fangs, smiled as the heavy metal reverberated on the door. "Welcome, it said," followed by the door opening to a lavish, wide room filled with treasures and luxuries. Ilum was sitting on a large cushion, smoking on what looked like a bizarre hookah. "Come, my child," Ilum gestured towards the magical girl. "Take a seat."

Taken back by the spectacle of the space, she shifted forward. This was a lot more treasure than she ever imagined. It made the little pocket dimension she had, as comfortable as it was, look like a school locker. Coming to, Ruby walked forward as instructed and took a seat on a smaller pillow before Ilum. [color=crimson]”You called for me?”[/color] She’d learned better long ago than to talk back to her patron, particularly when in his presence. Not that she could hide anything from him anyway with the Mind Link.

The Patron gently breathed out a cloud of iridescent smoke. "Yes. I have seen an omenous portent." The smoke took shape, producing images that resembled the places and people described. "A great upheaval is at hand, in the place known as Penrose, resting place of a Nexus." Curiously, the smoke took the shape of a nameless book, with hands reaching out for it. "If this magic is disturbed, it will have devastating consequences. To avert this fate, you must intervene." The Patron glanced over to Ruby. "The balance of magic must be kept in equilibrium, and the Nexus must remain unsullied by greed. Do you understand?"

Never in her time as a magical girl had Ruby been given a mission like this. Actually, most of the time there wasn’t really a mission at all. [color=crimson]”Intervene? I… Yes I understand, but I’m not a fighter like the others. Am I supposed to grant a wish or something to help them?”[/color]

"Ruby, your magic is but one of the gifts bestowed upon you to shape fate. Like your namesake, your brilliance is only shadowed by your passionate will to endure." The smoke split into countless tiny rubies, then glittering into nothingness. "A wish in the correct place, correct time…Like ambition itself, it can change the world. But whether it is for good or evil…You must be the judge of your own heart."

Ilum was always difficult for Ruby to read. He could be harsh at times, or he could be encouraging like he was now. Not quite a father figure, but a mentor in his own way. Nodding assuredly she smiled lightly. [color=crimson]"Thank you, Ilum. I will do my best."[/color] She snapped her fingers and a spark of magic went off. She narrowed her eyes and looked up at Ilum with a playful glare. [color=crimson]"You were preparing for this weren't you? That's why you've been having me save up magic."[/color] She would wag a finger in the Djinn's direction with a smirk.

The Patron would only smile at the accusation. "As sharp as a jewel. But time is of the essence." With an elaborate motion of hands, a portal was conjured out of the lamp. "Now, you must go, for it is preordained."

Preordained huh? Hard to tell if that was what she wanted or not. As if magic cared about ones feelings. Getting up, Ruby hurried through the portal. She had a job to do.