'I wonder where I'll go first,' thought Vera as she combed her hair absentmindedly. 'Today is the day, where I can take the first step towards mending my relationship with Mara.'

She thought of her sister's face. She shook her head. 'Let's not depress ourselves now.'

She stood up and walked outside the room, where Bassie and Leo were waiting for her.

"Let's go," said Leo as he turned his back towards her and began marching forward. "Follow us."

She matched his pace with Bassie trailing beside her.

"Have you had a good sleep, Vera?" said Bassie.

"Yes, why did you ask?"

"'Cuz I'm gonna miss you! Leo here is so boring!" Bassie pouted.

"I'll just pretend I did not hear that."

"Hmph!"

'They're weird, yet fun. Makes me wish I had my sister with me.'

---

"You've just arrived right on time." Crispin turned towards them. "Do you want to have a meal first, or you want to start now?"

"Oh," said Vera haughtily. "Are you caring for me now?"

"No," said Crispin with a straight face. "I'll take that as a yes. Stand here."

Vera stood on the surface Crispin was pointing at. It had weird symbols interlaced with one another. 'What is this?'

"That is an alchemist circle," said Leo, answering her unsaid question.

'Did he just read my mind? Okay, I'm freaked out.'

He continued, "That is an art lost in your world."

She just stared at him. Noticing her shocked and slightly frightened eyes, he added, "No, I did not read your mind. No, I can't read minds. It's just obvious from your reaction."

'What the? Is he mocking me?'

"Now, if you are curious why we're doing this, it's because this is the only way to transfer you soul. Plus it can give you that ability to hear the wish of your host."

"O... kay...?"

"Now that you're standing there, let's begin the transfer." Crispin turned his head towards the twins, who was lounging near the door.

"Leo, give her a knife." Leo complied. She reached for the knife given to her.

"Now," continued Crispin. "Cut your palm and let a few drops of blood fall on the platform."

She hesitated at first, but a look at Crispin's serious eyes quelled her protests. She cut her palm.

"Oh, why did you 'beautify' yourself?" asked Crispin with an innocent tone. He went for the kill, "You know that you will be in a different body, right?" He grinned, mockery in his eyes.

No one can blame Vera if she cut her palm deeper.

---

"Now, as we wait for the circle to activate, Bassie will give you a brief description of your first trip."

Bassie cleared her throat. "You will go on a world similar to yours, named Terra. However, you will find that there are other rational creatures living peacefully with each other, and that it is quite primitive and magical. There, you'll be in a body named Sarah, an apprentice of a priestess. Good luck!"

'Woah, I'm going to be a priestess? And there's magic?'

The circle started shining brightly.

"What's happening?!" Vera was slowly turning translucent. Crispin remained calm.

"The transport is starting. Don't get out of there." said Crispin. Vera calmed down, closed her eyes and steeled herself.

'Here it goes,' thought Vera.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you something. You won't have contact with us. You can only do that once you return here at Afterlife, with you finishing the quest, of course."

Vera's brain tried to process this information. She opened her mouth, eyes flaring with anger.

"CRISPI-"

She faded completely as her world turned black once more.