Mallard certainly had a lot more questions. He knew he could only get all the answers from Celeste, but the woman would never acknowledge any of it given her secretive nature. Still, this only gave him a job to do. He always liked doing research. What kind of a scientist would he be if he did not love indagation?

"It was still a surprise to me why she would be set free in the first place. We knew she cannot be killed. Not even the deities can. But why released her knowing that she would still have the same mindset that had her sealed in the first place?" Bordeaux voiced out an interesting question that each of them had in mind.

"I had also asked myself that question, but so far, I have not found an answer." Mormont sighed tiredly. He Knew that she would never change, and she will always be against their laws, but that is until she chose to simply not care about them.

"That man who unsealed her, gave her something after she had threatened to go against the whole of Lukedonia. Do you think that the deities promised her something?" Claudius looked seriously at his seniors. They were the once with more knowledge than him about the matter.

Before either of them could respond, Mallard interrupted. "Before we even assume that. We must think first of what could have been written in that note. Was it a threat, a promise or it could be either. And the only ones who know are Celeste herself and the deities."

"Mallard was right, we also don't know what was written on that note. However, we do know that whatever it was, it stopped Celeste from doing anything." Isumbras gave out a small cough which earned a concerned look from Mormont, but he just waved it off. Looking at his cup of sake, he sighed before consuming it whole. He knew he was already reaching his limits. He needed to take a rest soon.

"Are you going to ask her about it?" Mallard had a twisted smile on his face. He can't wait to visit the woman himself.

"No!" The loud voice of Mormont and Isumbras can be heard all over the mansion.

~~The next day (secret lab)

Celeste sat comfortably on a chair she knew she did not put inside her lab. She had constructed it during her time as a Commander. She used it for her research and some other things. There were only two people who knew its existence. But given that there were some new equipments inside her lab, she could guess that someone found it.

She hid it pretty well. There were spells surrounding it. Unless someone was very perceptive, they would never find the entrance. But even when the opening was found, there was the task of breaking the barriers she had set up. Only those who are strong enough to penetrate it may enter. The problem was, the barriers would have weakened over time. It had been over 2000 years.

The new equipments that were inside the lab were camera's for monitoring Lukedonia. She had set them up because she was bored. Life has become quite boring after some time. To help with the boredom, she had settled for setting those camera's. It also helped her know everything that went around Lukedonia. The fact that the they were replaced with new ones meant that the person was able to locate each camera.

Well, it did not matter anyway. She just hated it when someone used her property. If not, she would never have bothered setting up the security camera to hide and protect it from everyone. But then again, if they had managed to break through, then that person was at least worthy of using her lab.

It's okay though, she never did kept anything important in the lab. It was only used for observing Lukedonia and some research, but the results would be taken back to her house for storage. She had done well to ensure that only she could open the safe where all of her research data were. That was before she had her own dimension. Most things were in the place. She only left things she would need to use.

She was no scientist, but she could collect data and do some tests. The previous era did not have brilliant minds. But this age ought to have someone.

"I thought I would find you here." A voice from behind interrupted her thoughts.

Knowing who it was, Celeste turned around along with her chair. She locked eyes with Isabel who was only a few meters away from her.

"It unnerves me when you look at me like that." Celeste stated referring to the concentrated look Isabel was giving her.

Isabel walked calmly and sat on the chair beside her.

Celeste then gave her a serious look. "Can I assume that it was Kayden who was using my lab?"

"I would assume so too. I never came here since you left. That man was smart and cunning, he could have found it." Isabel smiled sweetly.

Celeste narrowed her eyes. She already knew that the woman had something in her mind. "Say it."

"Whatever do you mean?" Feigning ignorance, Isabel kept her sweet smile.

"Do not make me question you twice." Celeste's voice was dangerous. She didn't have time for this.

Isabel's smile dissapeared. It was replaced by a blank look. "I am just curious." She begun while looking at her intensively.

"Unlike every other Knights, you created your own blade. If I remembered correctly, your blade not only consisted half of your powers, but also half of your soul. Without it, there would be no balance in your power and being. It would possibly collapse. This was what made your blade special. You are only complete when your blade returned to you, but separation from Ragnarok puts your life at risk."

Celeste merely smiled at the woman before her. She really knew her.

"That would only mean..." Isabel trailed off. Her eyes widening as realization hit her like a ton of bricks. If her theory was correct, then-- "You are mortal now." Isabel's tone was low. Seeing the serious look on Celeste's face, she felt her whole body slowly shaking in anticipation. She couldn't even imagine Celeste being a mortal.

For what seemed to be hours, the silence hung in the air like a suspended moment until Celeste opened her mouth.

"No."

Isabel felt her heart skipped a bit as she listened to her every word.

"You assume that without my other half, I will lose my immortality?"

Isabel nodded. Wasn't it to be expected?

Celeste sneered. She knew what was on the woman's mind. "Those things seemed to know how my blade means to me and what I am without it."

"I see." Isabel calmed herself first. She already knew that Celeste would never go down without a fight. "So that note..."

"Yes." Celeste nodded. She doesn't need to hear what was in Isabel's mind.

"Was it the only way to destroy you?" Isabel was all agog. Celeste once said that there was a way to kill her, but she never told her the details. If the deities had planned to execute her this way, then it must be the only way. She wanted to know though, how the deities figured out how Celeste's blade came to be. She had only told her. Not even Callus knew about it.

"No. With those things in mind, I should be dying in one or two years."

"Two years at most." Isabel frowned, but it quickly disappeared when she realized that Celeste was not even the slightest worried by it. "Are you going to tell me?"

"I am still immortal, but the deities does not know that. However, it is true that separation from my blade was not good for my health and may result in my death, but it does not make me mortal. I am still immortal, but I can still die. My immortality is what's keeping me alive right now."

"So, the deities only released you because they found a way to kill you?" Isabel was not even the surprised by the realization that had dawned on her.

"Smart move on their part."

"It seems well though. I was wondering why you would be released after being sealed." Isabel smiled. She now had the answers to her questions. She was released so she could die. "What do you plan on doing now?"

"What do you mean?" Celeste raised her brow. Looking straight at the woman whom she once considered her closest friend.

Isabel locked her eyes with Celeste. There was a minute of silence before she smirked playfully. "Don't give me that look. Knowing you, you're not just going to sit around 'till you vanish. You will surely find a way to survive." There was a clear conviction in her voice. Unlike the others, she won't be easily fooled by this woman.

Celeste gave out a chuckle exposing her pearly white teeth. "You know me better."

Isable grinned. She was right. This woman was really unbelievable.

"Soon, I will lose my evolution, then my energy level would be lowered for anyone to feel. When that happens, know that, I am losing power and death is drawing near." Celeste's expression became impassive, losing the smile she had.

"That is risky." Isabel shooked her head.

Celeste knew that when the time comes, then she will have to start putting her plans in motion just to keep herself alive. "I cannot do anything in this evolved state as my soul cannot be restored. Once I lose my evolution, I can find means to restore my pneuma. Then Ragnarok will just be an extension of my being. She will be no different from any other Knight's blade."

Celeste's explanation made Isabel's eyes widened. Could it be? That would mean that if her sword was no longer half of her soul, then she would become even more powerful! It would also eliminate the only thing that could destroy her. She eyed her suspiciously. "I know that you allowed yourself to be sealed. If not, with or without the deities blessings, the Royal Knights won't even have a chance. I always thought that it was because you were bored and lonely. But now..." Isabel trailed off as Celeste suddenly stood.

"This was the reason why I liked you." Celeste was grinning ear to ear. The woman never failed to entertain her.

"You should not lie, Celeste Alathielle!" Isabel's tone was dangerous. Still, she knew that going against this woman would only result to her death.

"We both know that the only person who managed to peneltrate that cold heart of yours was none other than, Callus."

"True, the only person I loved was Callus. I also liked you, just not enough to care." Celeste took a step forward until she was only a inch away from Isabel.

Isabel stood her ground. Trying not to be intimidated by Celeste's presence. She was about to speak when she suddenly felt a soft lips pressed against hers. Isabel's eyes widened as she quickly pushed the woman back.

"What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?" She tried to remain calm, but her heart was thumping like crazy.

Celeste smirked. She could tell that Isabel was affected by her simple gestures. Using one hand, she playfully caressed her face. "You have never betrayed my trust. You also cared for me, so why should I not return the favor, my sweet Belle?" She made sure her voice was seductive.

Isabel tried to stay impassive. Keeping a dull face, she ignored Celeste's touch as she looked at the woman's eyes. "What are you getting at?"

Instead of answering, Celeste's hand slowly moved under Isabel's chin. "You and Callus are the only souls I cared for."

"By the way, you have grown quite pretty, my sweet little belle." Celeste then kissed her on the cheek.

"I did not think you had the heart to do that." Referring to the kiss, Isabel tried not to flinch under Celeste's touch. She was not used to this physical attachment.

Celeste merely smiled. "I will be gone for a few days. Be a good girl while I'm away." With that, she gracefully ambled towards the exit.

As soon as Celeste opened the door, she found someone standing there. "I was wondering when you would come back."