Gift From The Gods

Since the odd blast, Zadavia and Ayane had been set back onto the road to recovery.  The two young ladies, who had now been moved to a more heavily shielding holding facility, usually reserved for unwilling guests of the empire, received around the clock care as their energies returned to normal.  After the last blast however, Shin Itami had decided to take a more hands off approach in the investigation, observing the two young women via the reports from his staff while he tended to the needs of his now reverted wife.

Even for the usually serious Oyan prince, the situation with which he found himself presented was a rather amusing one.  Admittedly, it had been a while since he had been unable to power up himself, but he remembered the state of reversion vividly from his childhood, a state that was usually associated with his intensive training regime, discipline from his father or a strange combination of both.  A smirk broke across the great prince’s face as the memories rushed through his mind, drawing a strong look of disdain from his wife.

“What are you laughing at Max?”  Naomi inquired now.  “I don’t like not knowing what’s on your mind...”  She continued, causing him to rest his hand on her head.

“I was just reminiscing of my childhood, nothing to concern yourself with.”  He laughed lightly now.  “You remind me of our boys, seeing you in reversion is an...”  Shin paused now, choosing his words carefully.  “...unusual occurrence.”

“I don’t like it.”  Naomi stated bluntly, her voice subtly taking on the traits of an annoyed child.  “I feel... lonely.”  She continued.

“That makes no sense, I’m right here with you.”  Shin retorted, causing her to shake her head slowly.

“You’re too far away, and your mind is closed...”  Naomi replied, attempting to explain exactly how she felt.  “You wouldn’t understand...”

“Perhaps not.”  Shin conceded.  “But it shall not last long.”  Naomi just nodded.

“How are the girls?”  She inquired now.

“They are exhibiting anomalous readings, which seem to only get stranger and stranger with time.”  Shin began to explain before taking note of the look on Naomi’s face.  “With regards to their well-being however, there is a minimal risk of there being any further threat to their life.  It is more than likely that they will make a complete recovery.”  He added now, drawing a smile from his Terran raised wife.

“That’s good to hear.  Have you informed Roun yet?”  She inquired.

“No, that would only serve to distract him and he will require his concentration for his training.”  Shin replied.  “He will be receiving a short leave of absence to attend the New Year’s event sponsored by the Networks; I will inform him at that time.”  Shin added, causing Naomi to sigh.

“Very well... but you should note that I suggested that you tell him earlier.”  Naomi replied.

“Your suggestion will be duly noted.”  Shin replied now.

“And ultimately ignored?”  She countered, causing her husband to laugh ever so lightly.

“Indeed, that will be the case.”

“You are the worst...”  Naomi laughed as well now, before the conversation between her and her husband was interrupted by a light knock at the door.

“Enter.”  Came the sound from Shin, who instantly took on a more commanding tone, one which most knew to be his only tone.

“My humblest apologies Great Prince, but it would seem that you have an unexpected visitor.” Came the voice from one of the palace servants, causing Shin’s eyebrow to raise slightly.

“Who is this guest?” Shin inquired now, being unable to even fathom who would journey all the way to Itam to see him, rather than contact him personally.

“A noble of Crystales, her name is Claea Survales Falco.” The name instantly drew Shin’s interest and similarly Naomi’s.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what business does she have here?”  Naomi inquired now.

“Well, she originally asked for you Princess, but we assumed you to be indisposed.”  The servant explained.  “She said that she had an item to deliver to you.”

“I will receive the item on Naomi’s behalf.”  Shin stated now before turning his attention to Naomi.  “Stay here and rest, I will see to this and return.”  He continued, causing Naomi to nod and smile inwardly as his regal tone.  The terran born princess would watch as Shin left the room and made his way to one of the many secured meeting rooms to receive the item which Claea was delivering.  Lacking her usual psychic perceptive abilities, Naomi would be forced to wait until her husband returned to find out exactly what it was that her acquaintance had brought for her.

As Shin entered the room, Claea stood and bowed respectfully, a gesture that was returned by the great prince before he gestured for her to sit down, and then did the same.  The two sat quietly for a short while before Claea finally leaned back in her chair and removed a small gem from its carrying case.

“I would imagine that my presence here comes as quite a surprise.” Claea opened with a smiled, drawing a slightly smile in return from Shin as he nodded.

“That it does, and we are all curious of this item that you have brought for Naomi.” Shin added, attempting to speed up the interaction.

“Well there is no need for concern, the item in itself poses no threat to Naomi or to Itam.”  Claea began as she rested it on the table.  “Are you familiar with the Eye of God?”  She inquired now, drawing a visible reaction of shock from the Itami prince.

“Yes I am, how did this come into your possession?”  Shin inquired now, his voice taking on a very serious  tone now, more so than normal.

“It was entrusted to me by the Archetype... but I am unable to properly utilise it.”  Claea explained, causing Shin’s eyebrow to raise suspiciously.

“I find that hard to believe as its previous wielder possessed a far lower proficiency in the matters of the psychein realm than you.”  Shin retorted.

“That is true, but his use of the artefact was limited to an extremely small ethereal area and usually a very limited range of time... he was, like I am, unable to truly tap into the real power of the artefact.”  Claea explained.  “The Eye is all seeing, not just with regards to space and time of the ethereal realm, but with regards to spiritual and the psychic realms as well... it requires a proficiency beyond mind to see and interpret all of this information.”  Claea continued.

“And you believe that Naomi has this... proficiency?” Came the question.

“Your wife’s perceptive abilities are the strongest that I have ever seen, and possibly the strongest that currently exists... if not her then who?” Claea questioned now, causing Shin to recline in his seat.  The next in line for the Itami throne had to admit that Naomi’s powers were indeed prodigious, he could not contest Claea’s reasoning.

“Very well, I will accept the artefact on Naomi’s behalf.” Shnin replied formally.

“Thank you, Great Prince.”  Claea replied, keeping with the formal tone.  The two would exchange further pleasantries before Claea would finally take her leave and Shin would return to present the Eye of God to its new weilder.