Disclaimer: I do not own Familiar of Zero, nor it's series or charters. Neither do I own Destiny. May that go to it's respective owners.

This is a work of fiction inspired by other fictional works of many other talented writers and those that are inspired by the series of the Anime and Game. As such, this will not be following the exact same Canon as intended.

Second day, and Eldwin had chosen to leave camp and wonder in thought. The elder Guardian knew that Professor Colbert would keep a eye on young Louise, and the girl herself was once more in meditation. It was something that Eldwin felt a spark of pride over. While Tabatha showed to have great focus for meditation, Louise showed a bit more… openness in it. He didn't speak his mind, but Eldwin could feel her Light and Magic flow so freely inside the young mage's form. And such as now, he could almost sense the thoughtfulness she had inside of her mind.

It almost spoke volumes of Louise's Light and how her magic made such a defined impression of her own person and being. In some ways, Eldwin felt that Iroka Rey would of been fast to take the girl as her own student. The potential Louise had untapped was simply uncalled for. And Eldwin would of been more than happy if Iroka did take the girl on as an apprentice.

Iroka Rey was, in his humble opinion, the strongest Warlock Guardian in the whole city. While it was true he was a powerful Voidwalker, she knew things that he had yet to even master. Being a former student of Osiris himself contributed to such skill and power to be sure.

I digress. Thought the lone Guardian as he traveled deeper into the forest. He had spent his time to just sense and feel the world that surrounded him. The little tiny Light in the small creatures. The elements still detested him, though Eldwin did not attempt to prod at them. Instead he simply felt and observed.

During the previous night, he had asked Colbert if he wanted aid in doing some wandless magic with his newly figured means of manipulating magic. Thinking of it now, Eldwin could recall Louie's clear enthrallment during late dinner as the elder Mage of fire played and formed the flames in the air. There was effort, and the fire had to be lit. Such as from the camp's fire or a spell done by magic. But afterwards, Jean Colbert used his skills to manipulate the flames that were more than happy to dance for him.

It was truly a marvelous display. One Eldwin hoped to do at some point, but wondered how. I will learn in time.He settled with. Refocusing his mind and holding a hand out to feel for the Void and it's strongest place. This was his current task, to find a medium for Louise to meditate near and feel the Void.

While it was true he could used his Void-Light to allow Louise to sense and feel- the issue was she was not a simple Titan. Needing only simple examples. She needed to feel and embrace what she was to use. Have the element at its most current rawest form and just get her hands into it.

So far the man had wandered far off from camp, and Eldwin began to wonder where the void was calling him to. He traveled about the grassy ground, traversed rough spots and even marched through a small creek. His senses and instincts called to him to follow that creak though, and make his way up towards its source.

It was only after a near half hour, that he found his destination, being a yawning mouth of a cave. Despite the darkness, he walked in and began to explore, Ghost materializing by his side and turning on a light. While they moved deeper inside, Ghost asked, "what is it with you and overly dark places?" Optic looking to his charge to go on, "First it was Russia's abandoned faculties. Then it was Hive Caverns on earth. And then after that the Hive's home on the moon."

"Now we're going into a dark, damp cave which we have no idea what's inside." For a moment, it seemed like Ghost was gripping over the fact of where they were. But after a few beats, Ghost admitted, "hope we find a old artifact. It would make this little trip worth it."

It caused a slight chuckle escape Eldwin's lips. "I have doubts there would be anything here, Ghost. Bare the cave and the water." Following Ghost's light as it helped him find his way with his senses. "Though perhaps something more is here. The Void has been oddly calling me to this place only." Walking off the smooth rock coated in trickling water, and up a small ridge to a small cavern.

"I just think you enjoy places that would fit into Dead Orbit poems." Ghost seemed to supply while following the Guardian. "You know, since so much revolves around nihilism, gloom and death. This cave would fit right in." And soon zipped right after his Guardian.

The two moved through the almost tight space for a time, eventually coming out into a larger cavern that was next to dead silent. The trickling of water could not be heard any longer and the dripping of drops also silent. Eldwin wandered until he was in the near center of the space and stood. Observing and thinking before telling, "Ghost." Getting his partner's attention. "Lights out."

As soon as ghost clicked the light off, did things go black.

Silent. Still. Suffocating. Smothering.

Nothing.

With a slow, dilibrith breath of near silence, Eldwin relaxed. He heard nothing to his human ears. He was sure there was a chill in the air if not for his robes. The darkness wrapped around him, almost grasping him in his place. He could not see a thing and could not hear a thing. Ghost remaining silent and allowing him to focus.

There was a feeling of trepidation in being here, a primal unsteadiness. Eldwin, was not afraid. In fact, he felt elated. This… is perfect.

It wasn't the Void. But he could see why this was the place that called for him. It was quite. It was still. It was dark. It was vast. It was also just as blinding and most of all, unknown. This… would be where Louise would meditate. And he understood in a way. It wasn't the void, but it simulated so many things the void had. Darkness, was the absence of Light. It was a state of nothing, that Louise could comprehend when she was ready.

It was simply perfect.

Pouring a bowl of stew and handing it off, Jean gave a smile to Louise and asked, "how has the meditation been working out for you, Louise?" Having dropped formalities woulst out in the wilderness. "I heard from Sir Eldwin that you've been progressing some?" Posing it more as a question to know more.

Accepting her meal, Louise looked to the steaming food of mostly wild veggies before admitting, "I think I've.. found something." What that something was, Louise wasn't sure. There was a odd balance she was now aware of with her magic, Light and herself as a person. "I'm still trying to figure it out."

With his own nod and pouring himself a bowl of stew, Professor Colbert told, "these few days have been a interesting experience." Meditating as he did had caused a whole slew of new thoughts to bombard the fire mage's mind. He could say that oher mages could benefit from this meditation. While they had some lessons that did something similar, these meditations had a whole different… quality to themselves.

"It is simply fassinating." Began Jean in some excitement, settling himself to the ground and getting a spoon for himself. "This method of meditation, it helps a mage actually be more aware of their own magical reserves. I think this was a good idea by Sir Eldwin, Louise. Even more on your behalf."

Blinking some, Louise asked, "for me?" Not sure what her other academic teacher had in mind.

"Of course. You're still young, Louise. Learning this meditation at a younger age might help your own magical potential more greatly than myself." Told the elder man with a smile. "I have experience, but this is still new to me. In the years to come, your experience will eventually get past mine, even exceed once I get too old." Then mused, "I wonder what history will get out of this?"

Shaking his head, Colbert continued. "Anyways. With this early use of meditation, it should help your overall control over your own magic. Measure the amount more easily and how it's directed. It will be very useful in your later years." Seeming pretty sure of this fact.

"Oh. I see." Spoke the young women, bowing her head. And in a way, she had to agree. With how powerful her magic surges whenever casting a spell- particularly explosion? Well, it was left unsaid that her control was something to left to be desired.

It would be nice to control how much power gets placed into her explosions. Miscast or not. Though curiously, Louise asked, "what about yourself, Professor?" Eventually reaching for spoon and gently stirring her stew. "I'll admit, my meditation has been… interesting, what about you?"

Pondering on it a little, Jean Colbert admitted, "enlightening. Mostly when it comes to wandless casting. I have noticed a subtle difference at the magic it takes to cast spells or simply manipulate fire that's already around. It's a useful tool." He wouldn't say it was a huge leap in difference. But there was a slightly noticeable one after having done the meditations. He would surmise it took a couple of weeks before he actually noticed the slight difference occurring when he was first taught meditation by Eldwin.

"That is good to hear." Louise nodded some, half distracted by both thoughts and food. On a whim, she asked, "did you happen to see where Eldwin had wandered off to? I missed him this morning."

Thinking some, Colbert admitted, "well, he mentioned that he would be meditating near the rocks we've been focusing at. He was trying another season of attunement. From what I understand, he is studying how his Magic and his Light react to the elements on their own."

Of course he is. thought the pinkette with a small eye roll. How the man could stay still for so long left Louise at a loss for words. She and Colbert could only stay still for so long before getting a little stiff. But Eldwin? He would probably do it from the earliest hours of dawn, to the latest of dusks- or night in most cases. She half wondered how he got any sleep at all!

But, that was something Louise didn't bother thinking over. When she did ponder over was her own meditation. Mostly something she had figured after the fourth day. Her magic, was shy. Well, shy wasn't the word, hesitant and unsure was the term. There was a familiarity to it to be honest, and sometimes Louise felt it tug at her heart.

She wasn't sure why it did, but it did cause a feeling deep within herself. So she made sure to respect her own magic, by being gentle with it. To handle with care. As long as she worked with her magic as if it were a fine silk, it would respond with little hesitance. It was a practice that went almost against how Louise was used to being taught. The Rule of Steel that called for strong and firm strength. Or the Mage's way of grasping power with her will or a Nobles way of asserting control.

Her magic, just had to be coaxed. And it only took a little coaxing to make a explosion big enough to make builders turn to pebbles. It was odd, to give respect to her own magic. It was part of her, yet almost seemed like it was it's own. It confused her, but Louise didn't think too hard. It was a topic she could ask Eldwin.

"Ah yes." Spoke the Professor in realization. "Louise, I should mention before I forget." Having a smile whilst telling, "the Headmaster asked me to evaluate your progress while here. And not to worry about any academic scores that you would normally gain from the Exposition. We found that this would be a suitable replacement for that. Since it still involves you and your Familiar's cooperation to an extent."

"R-really?" Perked up the young women, feeling… relieved really. While it wouldn't have made a dent in her overall scores, knowing that she would still gain credit was good to hear. Her practical application was already abysmal as it was, making ehr scores 'poor' in one large area that would normally make her a accomplished mage.

Nodding, Colbert continued on. "Yes. In fact, when enough training has been done, the Headmaster is hoping for a demonstration of your current magical skill before the teaching staff. Or, at least a select few. To help re-gauge your Practical skills, since your current scores don't show any."

"I… I don't know what to say." slightly flushed Louise. This was more than she could of hoped for, though she did gramance. "But… what about spells?" Knowing that even now, most spells did not at all agree with her. Her Void Alignment still having a odd… adverse effect with her magical potential.

Holding up a hand and showing a patient smile, Colbert told, "as I mentioned. Only after more training and teaching has been made by Sir Eldwin. If you can not perform any normal Academy magic, then it's possible that you will simply have to use your more… exotic spells."

Nodding, the Valliere accepted that. In truth, it was a very generous thing to be given. Seeing as her magic was volatile, being given a chance to show some practical application, even if limited… it will still up her practical scores. They were, as Colbert underlined, none existent. Any small show to the teaching staff would seem like a leap in skill, or a utter miracle.

That being said, the knowledge that this will effect her score may also result in something else. Being her Mother finding out. Not that was a bad thing, it was simply the anxiety driven thought of doing demonstrations before her mother and gaining her approval if it was truly as good as the teachers thought. Though as nerve wracking as that thought was, part of Louise felt a want to try and make her mother proud.

Maybe if she was lucky, she would learn something at least minorly impressive to garner interest from her mother. At least, something other than a big explosion. She was sure her mother would not be amused by a Explosion spell as being a step up. As useful offensively as Eldwin told her it was- her mother has had enough of her explosions. And Louise almost agreed, if it were not for the new utility of the spell as her own unique offensive magic.

Sighing, Louise refocused on just eating for the time being. That and maybe think about her magic and Light a bit more. There was a certainty that she had a better grasp on it, and now it wasn't nearly as intimidating. At least now that she knew where part of her magic's heightened power came from. But the other half still bothered her. That being of the cold touch that she wondered about.

Step by step that cause small pebbles to crunch and light echoing splashes to bounce around, Louise, Colbert and Eldwin moved. By mornings light when the two first arose and had a moment to wake, did the Warlock ask for Louise to follow. Jean was not too far behind, curious as to what was going on. All Edwin told, was it was a little something he wished to expose Louise to. A manner of gauging, as he put it.

The sight of the cave confused both, and Colbert felt the need to light a flame as they went further in for light. "This way." Eldwin spoke with a calmness while heading for a thin crevice in the cavern wall. Slipping right in and following the dark place.

Louise followed with only a slight bit of hesitance, only stealing her resolve to follow while Colbert bright up their tail. The sight of the cavern slightly intrigued the mage, wondering how eldwin had found this place. But what peaked his curiosity all the more was the reason for them being here. Or rather Louise's, as she was the one eldwin wished to have follow him here.

It took a while to slip all the way in, but once they reached inside a vast cavernous area, did Colbert truly become confused. The cavern wasn't too huge, and had nothing special about it. Yet as they acme to it's center, Eldwin moved to sit. "Louise, Colbert, please." Motioning to the slightly damp cavern ground.

Regarding the ground with a slight twist of her lips, Louise eventually kneeled down to do so. Colbert also taking a seat and holding the flame up. Though both were surprised when Eldwin said, "Louise, this will be a place that you will meditate. This is the place that you may touch the edge that is Void."

"Here?" Asked the shocked young mage. "How?"

Turning his visored helm to Colbert, Eldwin, "by first snuffing the flame." Causing trepadition to rise in either. "But, before that. Close your eyes, relax.. And breath Louise." Waiting for the young women to do so and watching intently. "Just breath, and focus, Louise." he further encouraged and waited.

When eldwin felt Louise had settled enough, he nodded to Colbert to snuff out the small flame. And with some reluctance, Colbert did so. The darkness, was suffocating. It was dreadfully quite and Louise had to resist the urge to warm her arms from the slight chill.

For a moment, she gulped. Even with her eyes closed, it seemed even more darker than normal and it made her slightly nervous. The silence didn't help. It was with a odd relief she heard Eldwin speak. "Calm yourself Louise. Focus." A task that took a little effort on her behalf. "I need you to focus on your Light, you magic and the darkness around you. Mold it, move it, let it feel the air around you."

Colbert remained silent, and he himself used his old military training to keep centered. "I know you have a primal want to fear, Louise. The dark does that to anyone. You can't see. You can't hear. You do not know." Something morbid about the words though, made Colbert wonder what Eldwin wished to achieve.

"Do not fear, Louise." Urged Eldwin. "Instead, focus. Focus on feeling. Breath in… focus, feel… breath out." Words of mixed comfort and instruction echoing in the darkness. "To get a taste of the Void, I want you to embrace a few of its many facets. Silence. Darkness. Cold. Emptiness. And the primal fear it compels."

I'm not sure if the last one is a issue. Louise thought a little unnerved. The only thing keeping her really calm at the moment, was the knowledge of Eldwin being right there. Hearing his voice gave a measure of comfort.

"Focus." Eldwin spoke again. "For a time, I will remain silent. Keep focused, meditate and feel. When you had enough, say so. Are you prepared?"

Breathing in and feeling a odd vice worming itself around her chest, Louise spoke with a slight bravado she didn't completely feel, "I am." Though it felt more like a lie than a honest truth. Any response she hoped for, did not come though.

Even as she peeked a eye open, all she was greeted by, was pure black darkness.

Closing it, though Louise wondered if it mattered at this point, she breathed in once more. Stay calm. It's just you, Eldwin and Colbert. They're here, I just can't see them. That's all. She assured herself. I can't see them, or hear them and maybe can't even reach or touch them. But they're there.

Flexing her magic within her body and stirring the Light that strengthen it, Louise began to focus. Or focuse best she could. The silence though, felt deafening, and the chill almost creeped over her body in a discomforting manner. It was so far removed from what she was used to. The scent of the woods. Or the sounds of life. Crackling of torch lights or the gentle murmurs of moving students. That was all removed here, in this dark… slightly damp and completely pitch black cavern.

Time, felt oddly meaningless here. Even as Louise tried to focus and feel about her and the emptiness that was supposed to let her touch the Void in some way, she felt slowly more and more unnerved. Rule of Steel.Reminded the young Valliere to herself. You are a Valliere. Your mother is a square class mage, and your father a triangle. We live by the Rule of Steel and don't bend or break like steel. It was the only consolation of resolve she could get.

And in a way, it helped a bit.

In a way, it felt more useful here than out there. Out there her tormentors and peers would bombard her wall of will with insults and barbs. Gossip and tease over her non-magical skills. Laugh openly with mocking smiles when she failed, or half cower behind a desk when she would perform magic.

Here… here there was none of that. She could just assure herself and no matter what, there would be no mocking laugher, or sharp barbs of words nor even jeers at her failures. Though even with that, this was still unnerving.

It could also be debated that her brovado, her raising anger and strengthen resolve- meant nothing to the vast dark spaces around her person. It simply didn't care in a way, and as she sat there, Louise felt oddly bothered by that. Bothered by the fact that her own strengthening of will… didn't even invoke a single sensation.

Perhaps…. Because she was still scared.

No… Louise felt like shaking her head. I am not scared. Resolving to focus again on her magic. But there was still that nagging, that gripping of something around her heart. A coiling that made her being want to shift and her magic almost crawl. She took another breath and tried to relax. It's nothing… nothing at all…

That didn't assure her. Somehow that did not at all reassure Louise in the least. She gently gripped her hands, hands she could not even see while feeling that chill just get… colder. The silence slow got to her. The youngest Valliere felt sorely reminded of when she was but a small girl. Cowering in her room when it got dark.

It was like a tickling on her ear. A small voice in her head. She was scared. No, I'm not. She would then deny, stealing her will to remain firm. But again, she would feel it. That she was scared, that she wanted to flee. It made her shake her head, feeling the bits of her hair slip over her face. She refused to be cowed or scared.

Not by nothing. She wouldn't let nothing frighten her. It was nothing, and therefore it was nothing to worry over. That makes sense, right? Louise questioned to herself while trying to remain focus. I can't be concerned over this place, there's nothing here to be worried over. she felt herself wanting to prattle. Wanting to fill that void of silence all around her. It just felt so… unnatural, so alien.

Gulping, Louise shifted. It's nothing. she reminded herself. It's nothing. Nothing at all. Breathing in…. And screaming at the top of her lungs when a deep and loud rumbling growl broke the silence with a thunderous boom-

"Louise, Louise- Miss Valliere!" Colbert's voice called, fire and light blinding her while the man went on, "It's alright, it's alright!" Hand out to calm the young women that was breathing quick, fast and trying to recover her sight. When she did, she looked about to pinpoint the horrible growl- before colbert told with some ting of embarrassment, "excuse me… I believe it's time for lunch."

Wait, lunch? Louise came to a halt to that and after a moment… heard the growl again.. From the Professor himself. Slowly, Louise felt her face heat and flush in utter embarrassment. So much for not being scared.

Humming, Eldwin spoke up, "I do believe now is a good time to adjourn for a meal." Gently and almost silently got to his feet while doing so. "We have been down here for a long while. Now is possibly the time to simply head back and get some food in ourselves."

"I, I agree." Louise nodded while getting up. Trying to calm her heart and ignore the embarrassment she brought on herself.

Smiling kindly, Colbert said, "I know just the thing." Seeming rahter uppity at the idea of getting something cooking. It made Louise sigh and feel a little relieved to finally get out of the cave in some small way. Or, at least to just get a break.