At once Lydia recognized the catacombs of Termina from its distinct architecture. She had come here on several occasions, but something was different. These catacombs were old, and yet... They did not appear as old as the ones she knew. Where they in a newer segment of the catacombs? One she had not visited previously? [i]Focus. There are more pressing matters at hand.[/i] Lydia and Ragna were standing in a magic circle and they were surrounded by what could only be five magi. All of them wore flowing robes and had their hoods pulled up to cover their features, but Lydia's sharp eyes were able to penetrate the shadows that wrapped around them and thus she could see them each clearly. If she was right, one of each of the five races was present among the magi. To see all five races come together... It was honestly a bit unsettling.

She and Ragna had been summoned, but for what reason Lydia was not sure. These days there were few things the halfling knew of for certainty, she reflected unhappily. Hearing herself called the 'Bearer of the Twilight Prophecy' only brought up more questions. What Lydia [i]did[/i] know was that she did not take kindly to being threatened. Before she could defend herself, however, Ragna quickly strode across the room to the main speaker to confront him, only to be held back by some invisible force. Once more Lydia was called a 'Prophet' but this time the words came from Ragna's mouth. He knew what these people were talking about, she realized. Then another thought struck her and she felt her blood turn cold.

[i]He knew something and he hid it from me.[/i]

Lydia was not happy with that thought. Far from it. She had asked him days before they reached his mansion if he knew anything about why the demon king had summoned her. He told her he did not, but it was obvious now that it was a lie. Ragna had sworn an Oath to protect her. He had not sworn an Oath to always be truthful to her. The halfing almost began to bitterly think that maybe she should have had Ragna swear an Oath of truth to her, but then she stopped. Those kinds of thoughts were stupid. If Ragna had not told her about this 'Twilight Prophecy' then surely it was for a reason.

[i]Trust him. He cares for you, Lydia,[/i] she reminded herself. [i]Trust him.[/i]

She let go of any indignant feelings that had surfaced and resolved to trust him and believe in him. Ragna had sworn an Oath to protect her, and a demon's Oath was not to be taken lightly. Beyond that she knew he cared for her or he would not do everything he did for her--including swearing his Oath in the first place. Lydia's own feelings for Ragna were more than just simple affection. Seeing him being talked down to and being treated as if he were nothing... Something in Lydia appeared to snap.

The halfing stalked toward the leader of the group. Her eyes burned with fury even though her expression was calm. She could see the others watching her as she stopped a few feet from the leader. Lydia stood straight and proud as she said in a voice that was quiet and steady though her words were still edged with poison, "I do not know who you think you are, but you will [i]not[/i] treat my companion that way and then turn to me and act as if it were nothing. He is [i]not[/i] an impurity. He is [i]not[/i] my pet. He is the man I love, and if you want [i]anything[/i] from me you [i]will[/i] treat him with respect."