Sorry that I haven't updated for so long. Here is another chapter for you all.

Chapter 35

Using Doranbolt teleportation magic, the three of them were teleported into a crypt that the Zentopia Church was hiding without being detected. They appeared in the middle of the room facing a man's body that was golden for some reason.

Lahar glanced around the room to see that all the other bodies were in a similar state before stepping forward to examine the one in front of them.

"What is this?" Lahar mumbled taking a closer look. "Is it a byproduct of whatever magic killed them or is what killed them?"

"Neither." Tsuna answered getting the other two to look at him curious. "This man isn't dead, none of them are."

"You're saying that all of these people are still alive?" Doranbolt asked taken back.

Tsuna gave him a nod. "I can still sense their magic, it's weak but still there. But…" An uneasiness was heard in his tone.

"But what?"

"There magic is still. Nearly Motionless."

Lahar and Doranbolt glanced at each other, not understanding the meaning behind that.

"Is that a problem?" Lahar asked.

"Very much so. Magic is always moving, it's absorbed into our bodies, flows through us, before being released whether we are actively using magic or not. For magic to be motionless within them, means that it is being blocked on both ends." Tsuna explained. It's unnatural for magic to be in this state and it is a bit uncomfortable to be honest.

"So, whatever is keeping them in this state is blocking the flow of magic of these people." Lahar said thoughtfully as he tried to put pieces of this puzzle together. "If that case, how are you sure if they are alive? If their magic is trapped within them, wouldn't that mean it wouldn't be released after they die."

It's a fair question.

"You can sense someone's life force through their magic. It is a little hard to explain, but you know the term 'magic container' that is within all of us?" A nod. "Well there is no physical container within our bodies that stores our magic power, unless you count our entire body as the container. This is where it gets difficult. Best way to explain it is that it is a spiritual container that is within our physical bodies. That means that this container, thus our magic, has a connection to our soul. That is what allows us to sense one's life force through magic."

"I see." Lahar replied. He honestly does not know much about this, so he will take Tsuna's word for it.

"So, the question is what exactly is this and how did it happen?" Doranbolt added in refocusing on the task at hand.

Tsuna gave a nod. "And how to undo it."

"Let us see if there any records that could help us."

With a nod of agreement from the other two, they split up to search the crypt.

After spending two hours search, they all turned up emptied handed, guess it was too much to ask for someone to leave some useful information lying around. Though in Tsuna own personal experience, it wasn't that unlikely. It's surprising just how forgetful or stupid people can be.

"So, where do we go through here?" Doranbolt asked.

Lahar answered. "We need to do some research. However, I'm unsure about where we could find information about this."

"There's the Magic Library. It's filled with information about all kinds of magic, known or unknown." Tsuna replied. "Though given its size, it might be a bit difficult to find anything useful easily. I've been there before and let just say that one section of magic can easily have over hundred books for it."

"The sooner we start, the sooner we find something." Lahar said before turning looking at Doranbolt. "Will you be able to get us there quickly?"

"Um…" Doranbolt did some math in his head before sighing. "Yea, but I am going to need to rest afterwards."

Lahar gave a nod and with a groan Doranbolt put on hand on each of their shoulder's before teleporting out.

Time Skip – Time Skip – Time Skip

After doing some research, the three of them, mainly Tsuna and Lahar as Doranbolt had to rest after teleporting so much, were able to put the pieces together. All the people trapped in suspended animation were being protected by the church. And digging through some documents they were not to suppose to have, Lahar idea too, Tsuna is starting to wonder if he is either a good or bad influence on him. Probably both. Anyway, they discovered the location of someone that the church is protecting and has not been attacked yet.

So, with the help of Doranbolt, the three were able to quickly arrive at their destination and surprise, surprise, it's another church. Tsuna wonders if these people understood that once the enemy knows that the people they are after are being hidden in churches, then it would be best to move them to a location that isn't a damn church to protect them. It is not rocket science!

It's like how almost everyone is tricked by Reborn disguises even though there is a very much a visible zipper or Velcro on the front or back. It's been years and Tsuna still can't figure out how no one else noticed that it was Reborn in a bad costume.

Tsuna heard to Lahar fill in Doranbolt on everything that he missed when he was resting. He tuned them out as he focused on sensing the surrounding magic. Nobody of noticeable magic level that is threatening, and he can sense someone inside currently using magic along with a small creature made of magic. Seems to be Celestial Magic based off how similar it felt to Lucy's magic and how the creature magic signature reminded him of Plue. However, he could feel traces of another magic on them, one that wasn't theirs and was deeply connected with their magic core.

He was beginning to understand what happened to all those people. If he had to guess, when this magic is removed it causes the person to lose their magic power, possibly forever.

Tsuna frowned, this magic wasn't giving these people any benefits by having it. So, if it's not for their own benefit, then that means that it's for something else. Most likely, these people are seals that keep whatever power the Reborn Oracion Seis were after. That's why this magic is deeply connected to their magic, the stronger the connection, the more powerful the seal becomes. Whatever they are protecting must be incredibly dangerous if they had to resort to these kinds of measure to keep it locked away.

With how far behind they are, and they have no idea how close Reborn Oracion Seis is to their goal, the odds were not in their favor.

To be fair, when are they ever?

When they entered the church, they found themselves in a large room with a woman and a green version of Plue inside.

"Who are you?"

"Are you… a Celestial Wizard?" Lahar asked and Tsuna just gave him a look. There is a Celestial Spirit literally two feet from her, what do you think?

Doranbolt let out a gasp no doubt seeing the similarities between this woman and Wendy, mainly the hair and eyes.

"Nico, let's go!" The woman shouted before trying to run off before Doranbolt teleported the three of them in front of her.

"Calm down." Lahar said as he grabbed the woman's wrist to stop her. Nico quickly went to work to try to save his master and climbed up the man in recorded time and started pulling on his face making Doranbolt look dumbstruck by the sight, the woman sweat drop, and Tsuna was snickering off to the side. "I'm Lahar, the Captain of the Enforcement and Detention Corps of the Magic Council. I'm here on an investigation."

"Magic Council?" She said surprised and Lahar started to fill her in on what was going on while Doranbolt watched from the side.

Tsuna seeing Doranbolt expression decided to join him. "She reminds you of Wendy, doesn't she?"

Doranbolt sigh, he wasn't surprised that Tsuna would notice that right away, or the guilt he still feels. "Wendy would probably look similar to her if she wasn't trapped for seven years."

"Maybe, maybe not. Wendy does love her long hair." Tsuna stated. "However, she isn't Wendy and Wendy is not her. They are two very different people." There was a serious tone to his voice.

"I…" Doranbolt started with a struggle knowing that Tsuna is right, but it's hard to look at this woman and not see a ghost of Wendy there instead.

Tsuna gave him a hard look before slapping the man across the face. "I understand that you feel guilty, but this is not fair to them or to yourself. This woman is not Wendy, she is her own person and is in danger. Don't insult her by only protecting her because of this ghost of Wendy you attach to her because of your guilt. She deserves better."

"You're right." Doranbolt said after a moment before letting out a deep breath and closed his eyes. Yes, she reminds him of Wendy and that is not a bad thing, but it becomes one when he thinks she is Wendy. That isn't fair to her or to Wendy.

Focus, Wendy is safe, but this woman needs their help and he will help her not because she reminds him of Wendy, but because it's the right thing to do.

Doranbolt opened his eyes and smiled as he looked at the woman and able to see her and a ghost of Wendy. "Thanks, Tsuna. Glad you're here to smack some sense into me."

"Part of my job description." Tsuna replied with a sigh. He would like to not get violent with his family. Unfortunately, violence tends to be needed to get sense through their incredibly thick skulls. Even then, it's 50/50 on whether it will get through to them in the end.

"Open. Gate of the Chisel. Caelum."

The sudden use of magic caught Tsuna and Doranbolt attention and turned back toward the other two.

"Please keep watch." The woman said to Caelum as the new Celestial Spirit transformed itself into a weapon and started patrolling the area.

"Um." She started looking at Doranbolt. "Is there something you want to say? You've been staring at me. Is a Celestial Wizard so unusual?"

"No. That's not it. You just remind me of someone I knew… Um?"

"Oh! Sorry, I haven't introduced myself to you. I'm Katja."

"Doranbolt." Doranbolt replied. "And this is Tsuna."

"Nice to meet you!" Tsuna greeted with a smile getting one out of Katja as well.

Katja looked back at Doranbolt. "So, I remind you of a girl?"

"Yes, though I haven't seen her in seven years."

"Huh. I'm a little envious." That caught Doranbolt by surprised. "Even though you haven't seen her in seven years, you still care about her. I don't have anyone like that. No, even if I did, 100 years is…" Katja paused for a moment to collect herself before continuing. "I've already given up on myself. One church after another was attacked and most of my friends had passed on."

"What do you mean by 'given up'?" Lahar asked.

"Living now." Katja answered. "So, I thought I would a least remember even a little bit of this era's landscape."

Tsuna looked down at hearing Katja say that she has given up on living and accepted her fate. It reminds him a bit of Yuni who knew she would die in order to save all of them and accepted it. He couldn't do anything back then to save her, but maybe he can do something now for Katja.

"We'll protect you!" Tsuna started surprising Katja. "So please don't give up on yourself. It might seem hopeless now, but I promise that we'll get you through this so that one day you will find those that you can laugh and smile with. Those who you will treasure with all of your heart."

Katja eyes widen slightly and couldn't help but find comfort in those soft kind eyes. She had given up what feels like a long time ago, but it has only been a week or two a most. Maybe there was hope for herself and maybe all the others as well. She wasn't convinced but the idea of having friends like he described is something she had wanted since she was a little girl. However, because of her duty she had to remain sheltered from most of the world to limit the chances of anything bad happening to her.

Loud beeping got everyone attention just as Caelum shot at something before a blur flew by hitting Caelum, making the Celestial Spirit disappear.

The next second someone appeared behind Katja wielding a red crystal as a weapon and moved to attack. Doranbolt quickly used his magic to grab Katja in time and teleport away. However, the attacker quickly followed and Lahar and Tsuna watches the three shot around the room like blurs.

"Be careful Doranbolt. That guys is…"

"one of the members of the new Oracion Seis. Racer." Doranbolt finished when he got a breather when Racer stopped.

"Destroy… the Vassal…" Racer mumbled as the red lights on his outfit seemed to glow.

"I won't let you!" Tsuna shouted appearing in front of Racer catching the man by surprised as he punched the man in the face causing him to fall to the ground.

Tsuna quickly landed between Racer and Katja with his fist on fire. "Lahar, Doranbolt. Get Katja out of here."

"Understood." Lahar replied with a nod and started to guide Katja away while Doranbolt hesitated.

"I'll stay and help." Doranbolt said.

Racer in the moment shot toward Katja as she was nearing the exit. Tsuna quickly propelled himself over and intercepted Racer, elbowing the man in the chest and launching him into a stone pillar that collapsed on top of him.

"If Racer gets past me, then you're the only one that can get Katja to safety. So, go and keep her safe." Tsuna said keeping his eyes focused toward Racer.

Doranbolt clutched his fist and was about to argue, but Tsuna glanced over to him with a look that made the words die in this throat. "Alright." Doranbolt relented. "I'll leave this to you." With that, he teleported out to follow the other two to keep Katja safe.

His timing was perfect as just then Racer burst out of the rumble and was racing around the room as a blur. Tsuna did his best to keep track of his with his eyes, but the man wasn't called Racer for nothing.

Racer hit the teen from the left sending him staggering in that direction and quickly followed up with a barrage of blows while Tsuna was unbalanced. Tsuna quickly unleased a burst of flames from himself causing Racer to back off and allowing him to find his footing again.

The two stared a each other for a second before both disappeared in a burst of speed as the two began to trade blows around the room.

In terms of pure speed, the two were close with Racer slightly ahead. However, something that Tsuna noticed was there was something off about the other's movements. Sure, he was trying to defeat Tsuna as quickly as possible to get to his target, but he wasn't fighting like this is what he wanted to do. No, he was fighting like he was trying to run away from something, and this is what he must do in order to escape.

Racer was able to grab Tsuna from behind and force the teen into the wall, breaking through, before Tsuna was able to break out of the hold and launched himself away and landed on a roof while Racer landed in the middle of the square, they were in.

"You are fast." Racer acknowledges. "But I'm faster."

"True." Tsuna admitted. "However, that can change."

Racer glaze shifted toward Tsuna hands when he noticed a strange shift in the air around them. His eyes narrowed as he tried to focus to figure out exactly what is happening, but they quickly widen when Tsuna disappeared in a burst of speed faster then he was before.

In panic Racer looked around the room trying to find the teen before he felt a blow connect with the back of his head sending him crushing into the ground.

Racer got up with a growl as the red lines on his outfit glowed as he went down on all fours. Tsuna could feel Racers magic growing by the second before the man disappear in a burst of speed much faster then before and landed an uppercut knocking Tsuna into the air before Racer moved again and kicked Tsuna in the side sending him crashing into the wall of the church.

"Destroy. Vassal. Must destroy vassal." Racer said before disappearing in a burst of speed again.

"Damn it." Tsuna cursed as he got back onto his feet. He misunderstood whatever Racer did to increase his magic. He thought because Racer was looking almost feral for a moment that it would affect this thought process as well. Yet the moment Racer knocked him off his feet, he left to complete his mission.

Not wasting another second, Tsuna took off to chase after Racer. He arrived in time to see a bright red light hit Doranbolt as he used himself as a shield against whatever Racer threw at Katja.

Noticing that Racer hasn't notice him yet, Tsuna took the opening and grabbed Racer by the back of the head and slammed it into the ground, hard. Tsuna, not taking the chance, channeled his magic into his leg to strengthen it while focusing the flames onto his foot.

"Fire Phoenix Talon" His foot connected with the Racer head, slamming it into the ground again making Racer black out.

Tsuna let out a breath before glancing toward Lahar who gave him a nod. Leaving the unconscious Racer to Lahar, Tsuna shifted his attention to the other two. Both looked unharmed but Tsuna could sense that Katja magic was gone.

They were able to save her for being frozen like the others, but in the end, they still failed to stop Reborn Oracion Seis from achieving their goal.

"How are you doing Katja?" Tsuna asked walking over to them.

"I'm fine, but it looks like the biological link was severed. But I'm not cursed." Katja answered somewhat confused at the last part.

"However, you lost all of your magic." Tsuna said sadly.

Their attention shifted to the disappearing spirit who was waving goodbye to Katja. "Nico! Thank you for everything! Tell that to everyone else, too! Right… It won't be 100 years for now. I'm sure we'll be able to meet again sometime."

"Can you understand what he's saying?" Doranbolt asked.

"I cannot make out all of it. But he said thank you and 'Get your off of her!'".

"So, you're no longer a Celestial Wizard." Lahar commented once he was done cuffing Racer.

"I'm so sorry. It's all because I couldn't stop Racer quick enough." Tsuna said bowing his head.

Katja shook her head. "I don't blame you. You fought to protect me and for me that is more than enough. And now, I have a chance to live my life and find those that I can treasure with all my heart." She smiled as she repeated the words Tsuna told her.

Tsuna returned the smile and gave her a nod.

"Need… Need to get away. Can't let them catch me." A faint voice whimpered with fear. All of them turned to see Racer already conscious again and struggling to get up and move.

Tsuna watched for a moment with a sad look in his eyes. "You don't need to run anymore." Tsuna called out making Racer pause. "When we were fighting, I notice that your movements were off from what I was expecting. It was as if you were running away from something. You were running away from your past weren't you, from when you were at the tower."

Racer trembled at the mention of the tower as memories of that horrible place came to him. "No. Can't go back. Need to get away."

Tsuna walked in front of Racer and kneeled down in front of him. "The only one that is making you go back is yourself. You been running all this time thinking that the past was right on your heel. You need to stop running for a moment and turn around."

"I… I can't. I need to keep running or else I'll go back." Racer replied scared.

"You can." Tsuna reassured softly. "Trust me. You can do this."

Racer wasn't sure why he was listening to the teen; he had no reason to trust his words. For some reason he found himself doing what the boy asked as he slowly turned around thinking that those guards from the tower were still right behind him. His eyes widen though when he saw that no one was behind him, just an open field.

"You never stopped running, so you never realized that you escaped that place a long time ago." Tsuna placed a hand on Racer shoulder. "You're free of your past Racer. You can start moving forward toward the future."

Tears ran down Racer face in realization. He free, he finally free of the tower.

"You really are kindhearted." Doranbolt commented fondly. "After what he did. I don't know if I would have helped him."

"No one deserves to be shackled to their past. Especially when it's done by someone else in order to control them."

That is all for now. Leave a review is you want. Until next time o/