[h2][center][color=9e0b0f]W[/color]ilhelmina [color=9e0b0f]A[/color]nholts[/center][/h2]

Wilhelmina listened closely to Lucette's explanation, going over it in her head as the older grimoire wielder talked. It sounded quite profound, especially as she held her hand out to show how the Sun's light cast a shadow and how that translated metaphorically into the Pageless, however, was it truly the case? Young she might have been, but Wilhelmina had her own thoughts about the monsters along with what they represented. Going for a symbolic light and darkness dynamic certainly felt valid, save for one question: What of magical girls, then? If humanity's stories were light, then they did not fit into the picture.

Perhaps another explanation could be found. Neither hers, nor the older girl's seemed to fit the picture completely and Wilhelmina had to admit, despite her expertise in various narratives, she only had a schoolgirl's knowledge about most other matters. So maybe the question would prove itself too difficult to answer regardless of all effort expended.

Regardless of the young blonde's many thoughts and feelings, Lucette moved on to explain a rather peculiar Pageless in response to Olivia's question. Normally, Wilhelmina would shrink from such things, but this one did pique her interest as Lucette explained it. It reflected exactly the nature of the experienced veteran's explanation about the Pageless being a reflection. After all, she fought her metaphorical reflection in that place, only to be rescued by her admittedly dangerous move. A very fine example of what she talked about, now that Wilhelmina thought about it.

[b]"It's exactly like your explanation about the Pageless!"[/b] She noted with a smile when the older girl finished her story. [b]"It was literally your reflection. Well, dressed in black and all creepy, but it was your reflection."[/b] She let out a light laughter as she figured it out. [b]"I wonder why it disappeared once you detransformed though. I mean, it's great that it did, but if it is a reflection, it doesn't make any sense, does it? Maybe... maybe because it makes for a good story? I see this a lot in fantasy stories. You know, when the hero has to face their evil reflection! Or their own doubts disguised as their evil reflection. It's a really nice story element, because it makes you think."[/b]

Indeed. And while it was risky, exactly as Olivia pointed out, detransforming solved the problem, so all turned out right in the end. Exactly like in most stories: Then they lived happily ever after.

However, before she could share her insight into this, Wilhelmina felt a chill down her spine... and she was not the only one as the skies darkened. The clouds gathered. Rain fell, thunder blossoming close to the chest of foreboding messengers before it spread itself out as lightning, illuminating the skies. Almost as though it wished to spell out a message, it echoed within the hearts of the girls around her, pulsing with something all too familiar. Something that towered over them with an evil glint in its eyes and made Wilhelmina freeze in her tracks as she caught its glimpse.

Even on the best of days, she did not like the Pageless. But this truly went beyond the pale. Even though she could only see a fraction of it, her blood felt as though it turned into poisoned icicles. Her spine threatened to crack itself into pieces. Her throat wrapped around its own diaphragm to choke her. She felt as though she could not breathe, her ribs along with her lungs rigid. Filled with terror.

Olivia - and Thyerg'Xolis, as much as she hated to admit it - snapped her out of it.

[b]"R-right! T-thank you!"[/b] Wilhelmina could not hide her pale face along with her trembling hands even if she tried, but she gathered all of her courage and reached for her power. Holding close to herself the hope along with the message of her story, she made it real as golden light blossomed around her, reaching out with its gentle rays to banish the evil. The skies ligthened ever-so-slightly due to her influence, almost as though hope peeked from behind the rumbling clouds.

[b]"O-oaths, p-please! J-just swear on something or swear to do something and I can bless you!"[/b] Trying to ignore the uncertainty in her hands, Wilhelmina brought them to her chest to gather her power, then give it over to her allies. For even if fear ran in her veins, even if the dark skies threatened to overtake the lost and forgotten... Captain Goodhope would stand tall against the waves.