Snippet #2758260

There was something terribly wrong, Clover could tell, but she wasn't sure what. Her memories had returned, she should have been happy, but the only emotion that filled her was despair. With no mana nodes to attack, the miasma instead filled her bloodstream, attacking her cells, transforming the molecular structure of her entire body. Still, Manfred did not let up, he continued to pump it into the kitten, tormenting her to ensure that the miasma had something to cling to. Clover felt numb, the chest pain no longer prevalent so much as the agony that filled her entire being. She wanted to sleep, but nightmares plagued her dreams, she wanted to eat, but Manfred would not let her. With nothing to do, Clover spent the time riding out the hours by counting the cracks in the ceiling tile.

Today was different, she could tell. Today, the new mana stone shone an eery black, dark lines coming from it, thinning out and disappearing. Clover felt more anxious, the pain had returned, her tail curling so tightly up her leg that it left a bruise. The last person the kitten had expected to see was Erika and yet when the door swung open, there she was, looking fragile despite Clover's memories of her appearing so strong. Her swollen belly looked ready to burst and she was clearly weak. Clover was quiet, recalling their last interaction. The kitten had pleaded for help and Erika had slit her throat in response, whether it was out of desperation or fatigue for having to come to her pathetic cat's rescue, Clover wasn't sure. "Erika?" Clover asked quietly, the pain in her chest growing two fold.

Erika reached out, wanting to speak. She apologized for acting rashly, for not being able to show her the love and happiness she deserved. Clover smiled slowly, "Clover wanted to save Erika," tears filled her eyes, "but Clover didn't know how." When they had first met, Erika had saved her from becoming a doll and Clover, in exchange, had wanted to save a girl from her fate. She had failed and now, it seemed Clover might become a doll after all. Erika wasn't looking so great, she collapsed, the kitten struggling against her bonds to try and see what had happened. "Erika?" Clover asked, frantic. Manfred laughed, Khryia suddenly attacked, striking him. At ththe same time, the ceiling exploded, two very familiar faces peering at then from within. Karma and Valkyrie. "Huh, so they were alive after all." Karma grinned, her team of anti mages flooding the space. "What's wrong with Blue Lotus?" Valkyrie asked, kneeling beside her. "Pregnant!" Clover cried, wishing she could do something.

She screamed, pain filling her body, the black lines growing worse. "S-save Erika!" If she died, Khyria would disappear, if she died, Clover would be all alone. A fight had broken out, drag on versus mage. They surrounded Erika, Valkyrie tearing the machine off of her skin, a medic stepping forward to stabilize her. Someone else jumped into the hole, her black tail swishing angrily. "Clover!" Maple cried, having at last managed to pin point the tracking spell. "Maple!" Clover's eyes filled with tears again. "Maple, utility belt. Use Clover's medicine to help Erika!" The black haired twin nodded, grabbing the belt from the chair it had been sitting on and running it towards Erika. The kitten breathed a sigh of relief, hoping it would help. "CLOVER!" Manfred yelled, her bonds releasing, "attack!" She didn't know what happened after that, as the dark stone in her chest began to glow and she lost consciousness.

When Clover awoke, she was tied down to a table. Her arms and legs were both crossed and strapped down, a muzzle over her mouth. She struggled against the binds, blood staining her mouth and hands. Karma was standing in the corner, reading. "There isn't a lot of research on miasma that's been published." She snapped the book shut, stalking forward. The kitten recoiled as Karma placed a hand over Clover's heart. "You're suffering, your heart is breaking, quite literally. My researchers have never seen anything like it." Karma took out a key, unwrapping the muzzle. "Manfred is in our custody, but he won't tell anyone anything. Erika is stable for the time being, but I can't say she'll be performing magic tricks anymore." Clover's stomach clenched. "On his behest, you became a monster. Slaughtered six of my men, some of my finest too. Your sister, Maple, made a deal that if we saved you, she would submit herself for research." Karma grinned, "but I would much rather have you. With a subhuman with your abilities in our arsenal, no mage in the world stands a chance against us. Estelle showed us the way out, Fearsome is going to perform the ritual and from there, us humans will rise and create a magic free world. Your sacrifice will not go unnoticed." Clover struggled against the bindings, noticing the runes and talismans all around her. "Oh? Still got a hit of a kick in you? Don't worry, we'll train that right out. Be a good little kitty, won't you?"