A Curse

“Didn’t think I’d see you back here so soon.” Hephaestus said as Natoru walked into his workshop, “So what’s the verdict?”

The workshop looked like that of the average smelter. Hephaestus was hard at work as he hammered down molten metal on his workbench.

Natoru took a seat in front of Hephaestus. “I’m making good progress actually. They are quite quirky, I’ll give them that, but that isn’t a bad thing.”

“You are back here, which means you want to talk about something.”

“Yeah, the earth and air, Tenso, they might be a problem.”

“So you can’t get them to join you?”

“No, I can’t; they are the most adept at using their elements, and they know the most about the world of immortals and Nisekami.” Natoru sighed. “So I thought I would get them to join by myself. Bad idea; that went southwards really fast.”

“You give up?”

“You know me better than that, don’t you? I can’t, but the light Tenso, I have no doubt about it, he can.”

“Well, I did leave things in your hands. I have no qualms about how you do it as long as you get it done.” Hephaestus resumed forging.

“How’s it coming along?” Natoru asked, watching Hephaestus.

“Just fine.” Hephaestus answered, “I had never taken any request apart from that of the Okami. This is my one exemption.”

“Much appreciated,” Natoru said before turning away from Hephaestus and leaning further into the chair. "I wonder how they are doing.

***

"Any luck?" Trixie asked.

“None,” Hubris replied.

Trixie had crossed paths with Hubris after her search.

"I asked around; it seems no one wants anything to do with her. It's in contrast to what Natoru said about everyone loving her," Hubris said.

"Something's going on; I can sense Numen all around the school and the students," Trixie snapped, and her spellbook materialised.

Where does she keep that? "What's Numen?" 'Hubris?' asked.

"It's practically divine presence; anything touched by divinity or that has divinity will leave behind numen. That's how Natoru finds Nisekami. “Numen on this scale means the Nisekami is very powerful,” Trixie explained. "I should be able to trace the Numen to its source." She slid her hand across her spellbook.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hubris saw Ciel walking with a girl through a window.

"Is he the type to hit on girls?" Hubris asked.

"He isn't, at least I don't think he is," Trixie replied, also looking out the window. “Let’s meet up with him for now.” Her spellbook vanished with a snap of her fingers.

***

"She's Tenso?" Trixie asked.

“Yeah, that's what I said,” Ciel replied, “but before that, I’m pretty sure a Nisekami’s curse is troubling her.”

"M-my name is Lilith." The girl said.

“Call me Hubris.”

“Trixie”

Lilith flinched as Trixie placed a hand on her forehead.

"Um, who are you guys?" Lilith nervously asked.

"We are pretty much the same as you," Ciel said. "You have elemental powers, don't you?"

Lilith lowered her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t say.”

“It’s fine,” Ciel said, a little disappointed.

"I can't break the curse. We have to find the source," Trixie said as she removed her hand.

"Why are we not affected by this curse?" 'Hubris?' he asked.

"Right, I probably should explain… It's part of the training Natoru has been giving you, and my mana is dense enough to keep out the curse's effect." Trixie said with a but, "It doesn't mean we are immune; we have to keep our guard up. The Nisekami who can do something on this scale might be strong enough to affect us also."

"I don't know what is happening, but are you guys helping me?"

“You could say that.”

“Than” – Lilith tripped on nothing once more as she attempted to bow her head to say thanks, but this time Ciel caught her.

"T-thank you," she said to Ciel.

"It's a reflex." Ciel said, letting go of Lilith once he was sure she wouldn’t fall, “Don’t worry abo—”

“Best friend kick!”

“Ow!!” Ciel felt the pain in his side upon impact. “What was that for?” he said, clutching his side and turning back.

The girl who had just kicked him took an offensive stance. “I’m going to beat you all up,” the red-haired girl said. She had an athletic build and looked ready to throw hands before Lilith stood in her way.

“Susan, stop! They aren’t bullies; they are helping me,” she said. Before explaining everything to the newcomer.

“I’m so sorry; I jumped to conclusions,” she bowed.

“It’s fine. It does hurt like hell, though,” Ciel said, still clutching his side.

"This is Susan… my best friend," Lilith said.

Susan casually walked up to Lilith and patted her on the head. “Say it with more confidence next time. It’s nothing to be shy about. I see you found more friends; good for you."

Why isn’t she affected by the curse? Ciel thought.

Lilith didn't think she could consider them friends. "They aren't—"

"Yeah, we are her friends." Trixie cuts in, 'I don't think she is the source, but the fact that she is not under the curse is enough reason to be suspicious.' She signalled Ciel and Hubris to play along, and so they did.

"Yeah, good friends."

"Really good"

"Really? "Ok then," Susan said, "how long have you known each other? What's Lilith's favourite food? What is her favourite book? Why have we never met before? ..."

The questions didn't seem to have an end to them; they just kept coming, and not one of them was answered.

"Cut it out, Susan, you're acting weird again," Lilith said, clearly embarrassed.

"Aww... why won't I act weird? You are the only precious thing in this world; I can't allow you to be tainted by anyone."

"You two seem really close," Trixie said.

"Of course we do. We’ve known each other since we were just little kids."

"Do you know anything about why she is getting so much hatred from other people?"

"Nothing at all; everyone used to be practically in love with her, then all of a sudden they started acting negative and cold towards her," Susan said, then pointed at herself. "But as her best friend, my love for her far surpasses whatever strange power is at play."

Susan's phone beeped. "Anyways, I have to go. See you later, Lilith and her friends, who I don't trust," Susan said as she left.

"You think she's the Nisekami or is connected with them," Hubris asked.

"Hard to say, I didn't sense any Numen from her," Ciel replied, although it is not unheard of that a Nisekami is able to hide their divine presence. "I also didn't feel any hatred from."

"Yeah, you would think someone who cast a curse like this would have some hatred of their own."

"We shouldn't just rule her out; let's leave her as a suspect for now," Trixie said. "Anyway, Lilith, was it? You can control water, can't you?"

"I-I don't know what you mean," Lilith said, looking from side to side, obviously lying. The question was so unexpected that Lilith couldn't formulate a lie.

That’s Trixie for you; she just went right into it,” Ciel thought.

The bell rang.

"Recess is over," Lilith said, panicking. "I have to go back to class." She turned back to go to her class when she tripped on an unsuspecting mop. This time Ciel was too far to catch her, and she fell face down once more.

"Those must be some really tough glasses," Hubris commented. "Let's just keep watch for now until we find the Nisekami."

Trixie was still tracking the divine energy when she thought to herself, "This is a Nisekami, right?" She was unsure.

Who are those guys? Lilith hurried to class. There's something about them.