I felt my stomach twist into knots.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNWkIcHOKA
"It's...get...ting worse.." Alena said somberly.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cN7IFoYSr
In replace of her normal face, a dark mask was covering half of her face. Curled horns poked from her head.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sq5gXx9LP
She had turned. In the time I had wasted..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYup4BaDPBC
I slowly approached her. "Iris...it's me. You don't have to worry."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5rermuENt
Alena also tried to comfort her, wrapping her arms around Iris's sides. Iris initially accepted her comfort, sitting down and heavily breathing.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh6tA9v9vZ
"Arelin is here...to help...you.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0Db3gTT5A
Iris looks up at me, not saying a word.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxUr0j8WRb
I look at Ecluna, who was cowering in the corner and hyperventilating.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19dtlZX88B
"Ecluna, you have to come over here where it's safer."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7r086ysT6
"I can't.." she muttered. "If I move, she'll kill me..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrxJ88G1TY
She wasn't mad at anyone when I left...but it was the darkness accelerated her anger only towards Ecluna. She was the one who injected more Dark magic into her body.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJdgqo0aXx
"Don't worry.. we're going to get you out of here..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzSgzk8vaO
I slowly approached Iris once again, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Iris...please calm down...we can fix this...you just have to give me a chance.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj1kmQxpFN
I could see a flash on realization on her face, but she simply stared at me. She didn't make a single word.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcmJZvMkuD
"Ecluna...hand me some of your magic.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79ht1FXpFD
"What if I make her worse?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsjdLP5ZoM
"I'll see if I can split the two magics apart. I'll use the Light magic on her and absorb the Dark magic."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K62VVqUbI
Quivering, Ecluna floats an orb of her ecliptic magic towards me. I ripped the two magics apart and gave the Light half to Iris.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eeBMWIaRM
She screeches horribly for a couple seconds, then...she snaps back to her original self.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI1LAZRBnF
"...Arelin? What's happening to me?" She looks at herself with fear and confusion.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aPX80OypI
"You're lucky I could split her magic in half. You could've killed Ecluna.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T1oPnpwKd
"E-Ecluna?" She looks behind her, and realizes what she had done.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT1dLHARDE
"Oh my God, Ecluna! I'm so sorry!"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNpLRwyCNs
"It's okay, it's okay, I'm just a bit shaken up. I'll be fine. At least you're back to normal.. somewhat..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScb66tv75G
"Somewhat?" she runs to the nearest mirror before shrieking at the sight of her own face. I noticed her height had increased significantly, her head almost touching the ceiling.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM4h8AJsGJ
Alena slowly tugs on her sleeves. "It's ok...ay...you're safe and...that's all that...mat...ters,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikOrGIJ939
"W-What's Mom gonna think? She's gonna kill you!"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRZ0lZUbHi
"I'll have to talk it out with her...and maybe I should take you with me. You do miss your parents, don't you?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2RUkc6I0U
She nods. "If you don't mind, I don't..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciLeg61kw5
"Alright then, you must be really really happy to see them again.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChvLbMOBvd
I take her darkened hand and lead her out. "Watch your head.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX2CudhQae
I hear a loud noise on the wall. "Too late..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4YZQG6nMM
I sigh and let her through the doorframes. As soon as we made it to Emburaria, we quickly found more places to hide Iris. Espero was the first one to notice her, of course.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsip6GZ32gW
"Iris?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ehUb1ID97
"Esp!" she took him from the ground and hugged him tight. He then realized was being lifted off of the ground.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwuFfaXck6
"Wait a minute... where'd you get a growth spurt? You're taller than I am,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcMZgLtVew
"The weirdo curse is affecting my body somehow, but I wanted to come out and see everyone again!"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEZ3o7b9F6
"I noticed. Why don't we take you somewhere so you don't scare the people here?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09L0d23ZSJ
"Oh...okay then.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5usbuIY9Yl
Espero quietly leads her inside. I follow them. Queen Violet sat quietly in her chair. All three of us show respect to her majesty's presence.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m52uVCXPY
"Your majesty, I'm sorry for bothering you, but this is..Iris, daughter of Irene."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx8swn8JM2
"...You are the individual Aurelia and the children have been talking about."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g9C0IQNKQ
"I...think so.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyirP57nDRG
"Iris...your abilities, the abilities that have gotten you this far...it could harm more than help. You have both Dark and Light magic in your body, two of the most strong types of magic this world can contain."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7W8DX22YG
Iris looked a bit enamored by the thought..but then realized she was more of a danger to others, which made her rub her arms in shame..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprTNxh7tmm
"However, you are not the monster you make yourself out to be. You are still human. Don't forget that."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXAG0uru2t
Iris silently thanked her with a light nod.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckA6TJhJVw
Queen Violet looks at me. "Arelin.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kfydyJFQi
"Yes, your majesty?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNXYt1ifzN
"Take care of Iris. Make sure she fully recovers from the curse that has been inflicted on her."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOxHP4rqSL
"I will."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ3rO1honQ
"Well, maybe we should get going. We still need to see Aunt Irene.." Espero says, taking Iris's hand and dragging her away.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn7kytgdUL
I decided to go home for the day. I had a lot of studying to do. I read until my eyes started to give up, as if weights themselves pulled them down..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk53CR9ccD
***
It was terrifying when I first heard it. The screams of the innocent, magic swirling around the air. It made me jump out of my seat.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQpS6YErpv
"Nocturne...did this..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisJmIszzPd
I somberly look at my sister. "Are you okay?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6uamPu41m
"I'm worried... about Iris..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN5ibwLcjk
I had totally forgotten about leaving Iris with Espero. I quickly put on my coat and slipped on my shoes.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i2thrHGVI
"Don't..Mother will be sad...if you leave.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt8zvD212R
I look out the window. The world around us is in chaos...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdivXEy05HV
"...I have to. For my people. For Iris. I'll be back, okay?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrrrBbv7hr
"...Hurry..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX0a8rLpX9
I jump out of the window and painfully drop down to the ground. I carefully sneak around the area.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddV0iZARpJ
I run into someone. Their features...were undescribable. The mask that covered their face...it...covered their eyes too..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzYmryK2f8
That's when the Darken slammed it's abnormally long and clawed hands in my direction. I stop carefully, and throw a rock in another direction. They noticed the noise and ran.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6JXdWQv8p
"So they're blind..." I whispered. "Good to know.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3aUBbBpVv
I continue sneaking, sliding by any Darken I saw while looking for Iris in the process. She couldn't be far..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhwBQE7jix
***
Iris POV
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIs537QvgW
Despite my pain, I had to keep going... before anyone else got hurt.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nRp8UwwHb
I could feel her aura. Nocturne was the reason all of this was happening. I had to stop her. Darkens scattered around the area, blindly feeling their way around.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZCsxnoSiR
I felt my own face, the ragged teeth of the ends of the...thing that covered my face. I don't want to become...that. I didn't want them to feel the same pain as me either. That was another reason I wanted to stop her...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xR3OtnIN9
I didn't have time to think before someone snatched me from the middle of the street.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQqMtnKpTW
"Iris?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkzTUcVx4h
"Jake?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzGjyp8lFM
"Jesus Christ, I was about to knock you out,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iIzv7qwuI
"What's going on?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPhHJ1NQHJ
"Nocturne... she's back,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjPS8xGdbj
"What are we gonna do?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5QcpIMjFW
"What we're supposed to. Take her and her snarky little brat down.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvtzlQPTOQ
"B-but...I can't..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPREpAFv7d4
He grabs my hands, squeezing them tight.
"Iris. You're probably the strongest person I know. All of us can do this. We're stronger than we were back then..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHrkU5ICT6
"But...if she gets ahold of me, she might use you against me...I can't be there..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iz4NbLz6y
"Don't worry about that,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArqQWa6o0g
"...Okay. I have to...get Arelin..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ6x3IVEj9
"No time. We have to go. Now,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjJyoKYWt2
Jake grabs my arm and drags me around. That's when another one of my jolts of pain hit me..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGAsnHId4J
"W-wait...hold on..." I suck the air through my teeth.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR2qozG0lg
"Did I do something?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVacpgBONbM
"N-no no, it's just something that happens sometimes... I'll be fine. Let's keep moving.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLKHe9l8N8
I slowly limp my way towards Nocturne's piercing aura. As time passes on, I start moving a little faster. But the shockwaves of pain became more frequent. I could care less.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOmwiFdu6n
Jake, at some point had to carry me. "You're gonna be okay. Just breathe. We're gonna fix this.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFtbMQQ8TR
I did as he recommended. It did feel a little better..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LxYZLLADw
"Ah..there you are, Iris.." Nocturne says as she noticed me. "Thank you, my child."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDcmQSVAEC
"You're welcome... mother.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM9G737BCr
I realized that wasn't Jake at that exact moment. Ciaran had shapeshifted...no...he made the illusion of Jake. In order to lower my guard. Nocturne immediately used her magic to snatch me into her hands.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89rnF1Lx77
"Now that our prize has arrived, why don't we get started?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAHGG9uqWC
"Nocturne! Let her go!" I hear my mother order.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVhgtf9plP
"Whether I let her go is up to your actions. Leave, and I'll command her myself to kill you. Stay, and risk your life to save the unsalvageable.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkiFkUGF6A
"Don't worry, Iris, you'll be safe...for now." Nocturne lets me go, but immediately enveloped my body in an orb of darkness. I was forced to watch my family and friends fight for my sake.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCjxprjTQR
Ciaran floats next to me, pretending to sit. "This will be very very interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP3kOqk0RJ
I slam against the wall of the bubble. "Let me go, Ciaran!"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWJzHMLMKn
"I cannot let you leave, Iris. Not when we have so many things to look forward to after this.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS0c14aDza
"Like what?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmolxvqonBA
"You'll see..." he smiled with that stupid toothy grin.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8CVE7eqO2
I noticed how well they were doing. Nocturne was looking a little angry at the fact.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdZo2RQfOf
"Alright Nocturne...you should've surrendered when you had the chance." Espero looks at a pile of boulders, the rocks slowly float above Nocturne and piles on top of her.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RVpY8R3Zl
"I'll give you another chance though..." Espero pulls out a knife from his pocket and swung it around her face. "Surrender now, and I won't cut into your face."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7FKfc2IED
She cackled at him...she was cornered but...she laughed at him...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCHH1iL8QN
I slam against the bubble again. "What's so funny? What are you planning, Nocturne?!"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwR4mMlPPd
"Quiet, child. This is what happens when you attempt to threaten me..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1lFsjfhuV
Just before I could think about what that meant, an arm of darkness creeped up behind Espero...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzmtk5F0ad
I didn't forget the sound it made. The arm sharpened it's end and...pierced him right through the chest..when it ripped itself out, he slowly fell to the ground, with a pool of blood forming underneath him.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa0N5vvtAg
"ESP!" I screamed. Others did the same.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYppWFPUn6x
I had to see if he was okay. I used the little bit of Light energy I had left to break free from my floaty prison and crawled over to Espero.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ265eZtbWns
"Espero! Esp! Get up!" I shake him vigorously. He faintly placed his hand on my shoulder.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHJq878UX4
"I-I'm sorry for...n-not h-helping you with y-your c-curse, Iris.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt6es4GqEE
"I don't care about that right now, I'm worried about you!" I feel the tears roll down my cheeks like rivers.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDn2tAcdXg
He chuckles, coughing up a bit of blood along with it.. "...I d-did m-my job...I d-died p-protecting you.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagbD6bAtsB
"Don't say that! You've got to stay alive, Esp! You can't just leave me!"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGc6YNbQdz
He wipes my tears. "I-It's o-okay...y-you don't h-have to cry...n-not for me.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjaqEXUsqj
"Esp..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4xdCV9uYV
"...I-I'm gonna miss you, Iris.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LI5nNhbVr
His body goes limp after that...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ1AcO3IuW
"Esp? Esp?!" I continuously shake him. That's when Jake puts his hand on my shoulder.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjMIupgXQr
"It's no use Iris...he's gone.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGs3StbQ1Y
I saw the memories of me and Espero flash within my eyes as I saw his lifeless face, a small smile formed in his final moments of life..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxbIG706xy
Those moments is what made me cry even harder. I had lost him. The one who'd promised to be there for me until the very end. Espero was gone, laying lifeless in my arms.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMBAPrj302
"Don't worry Iris," Nocturne rips me away once again... "You'll forget about him soon enough..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3cmI69XqP
"You've taken one of them from us...how many more souls must you torture before you're finally satisfied, Nocturne?" Mom asked her, stifling tears.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjaGjg5AaX
"Enough to where you finally snap. Where you reach your limit. That's when the suffering can end. Now, make a decision. Leave now or suffer the loss of another child.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRu3op78Jn
Mom stepped back with visible tremble, picking up Espero. "...I'm so sorry, Iris. I... don't want anyone else to suffer..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFgN9aCUTi
She slowly leaves the scene. The rest of the group follows behind.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdM3X0Saq0
Nocturne wipes away my tears...
"Shh, you don't have to cry... we are going to take very good care of you.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOVTvhgQr3
"Why? W-why did you kill him?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV30Wvbxzj
"If I didn't, he would have killed me first. I was only protecting myself. And now, there's only one part left of our mission to complete.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJcyBEUHmx
"Shall we leave then, Mother?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5xC4xisc7
"Yes, we have a lot to do.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXmJ2WOatr
What are they planning to do with me? Was I going to die? Those questions swirled around my head as they dragged me away.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzhyv3w9Zk
***
Arelin's POV
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeUaVpvYbQ
I was too late. Nocturne's aura was slipping away from my field of sense. What if she'd already had Iris and was making her escape?
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k4yGaK0aP
"Arelin..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznyHF0YrHQ
Alena was behind me. I almost jumped.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJG46DOSZW
"Alena...you can't be here."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlISqHXOSWP
"Iris is...my friend too. I have to be there...for her.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSmxRiDukA
"...If you come with me, you have to promise to leave if it gets too dangerous, okay?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSows1khSV
She nods her head and grabs my hand.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXm8dGv5yw
I try to run as fast as I can to catch up. I have find Iris before something happens.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDuifxg9IE
"Arelin...something bad happened..." she points towards a dark puddle, soaked into the soil around it.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmZ2I8ws9L
Alena goes up to it, and feels it. She shuffles away.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqGhjtTj1A
"I-It's blood...still warm..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShFpsntDnQ
Fresh spilled blood.. Alena was right. Something horrible happened here..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYuP4AnBBZ
...I have a feeling I should go to that town...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFf3APl4iq
I run in the opposite direction, gripping Alena's arms tightly as I do.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKcEsEgW8X
I was hardly breathing when I arrived...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyvAw7of9c
"Alena...you stay here.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEMRWnwRjh
She sits quietly. "Be careful.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecFDenfmo0
I nodded in understanding, and left her there.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzpq1LdQGN
Using some of my knowledge, I seemingly teleported from one point to another..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqQPOhR1mt
Right in front of the castle, I kicked my way through.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLUX3hJtcZ
"Nocturne.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYLRgLCPl7
"Ah, hello again, Arelin..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8npEQZBQ7
"I'm not here for chit chat. I'm here for Iris."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphTAOx1LQB
"If you want her that badly..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNaeaYzBjV
Iris...she turned again.. She was no longer herself, an animalistic husk of who she once was..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgyNZDeUhC
I tried to get through to her again. "Iris..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDlrGFiZld
I step forward, only for her to swipe at me. Talking to her wasn't an option. Iris continued to angrily stare.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7sL596gEw
She begins to fight with me. I was barely prepared to dodge most of those attacks, allowing her to land hits on me. No matter how many times she landed attacks, however, I wasn't going to hurt her.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgrLHfzICr
"Why don't you show Arelin what you've just learned?" Ciaran asked of her. I couldn't begin to think of what he meant. When I looked up, Iris had disappeared, before I felt a hard push from behind me. Iris was on top of me, refraining me from moving.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6kgaabjti
"Good. Now finish him,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjkpZAEaEN
She stomps her foot against my temple, before charging an attack. At this point, I was ready to accept death. I was in too vulnerable of a position to save myself. Or so I thought. Just before she could finish attacking, I used the illusion of her cousin. A bit cruel to save myself, but it was a last resort.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeloL86GkU
Fortunately it worked, however, Iris looked more.. upset about it...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8xTPTYJYQ
"E-Esp?" she whispered, as crystal tears fall from her eyes. What happened to Espero in the town square for her to tear up like this?
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOXqMYkD5m
"I-I'm sorry..I didn't want you to..." Iris hugs me, digging her crying face into my chest..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTo9kbmG8Y
I ended the illusion. She was obviously back to normal. I comfort her while staring daggers into the others' eyes.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqBmqaFGc8
"What...did you two do to Espero?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6JqVShlJy
"Are you really that empty skulled? Mother got rid of him. He's gone.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOLRGREIZh
"...You...killed him?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS4aUAnTcu
"Hmm, yes, I guess you could put it that way,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CCqitmfZx
I hug her even tighter. "Iris... I'm so sorry,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCxVSwUopR
She didn't reply, and just cried even harder..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1Vu0dSeKu
"Now, if you would let her go, we can go our separate ways,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5tVy9QjQy
I pull her away. "I'm not letting you. You've tortured her for far too long,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf1F7vqByF
"Then you shall suffer the same fate as Espe-"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W31CTMofY
"Mother, I will handle this. You should rest for the night,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKTeUd6zAT
"... If you insist. I shall be on my way to bed,"
Nocturne, for once, left our sight..
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsgmrAZaQJ
"Now that Mother has left, you can leave now,"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXmDj6Uste
"...Can I tell you, Araginee, one last thing?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5riRnIZUs
"What is it?" Iris replies.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUlPOVutDB
I barely blinked before he had teleported right in front of us, snatched Iris from my arms, and...
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYa6RmTulO
"I... love you..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUC1gBbSkz
He then kisses her, catching the both of us by surprise.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFatqk95MUg
"W-What?" Iris says in shock.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8ZU9u5K06
He hands her back to me. "Did I scare you?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3PJyB2CBI
"W-we should go..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdsCbk92ts
"Go ahead. Maybe you just need some time to think about it..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZSnKKqEuy
We follow his orders and leave. As we exit, I ask her. "...Are you okay?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaAdfFkWYZ
"I...I don't know. It was all so sudden," she says, still visibly confused.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYUMGbjLx3
"I don't know if you should trust those words just yet. You know how much he likes to trick you.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ28L61a26d
"It felt genuine..."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn63oz8tBX
".. We'll have to see how genuine he actually is.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsesm4Q5Q7
"...I brought...ev...ery..one else.." Alena says, approaching us.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4QMDUKAwz
Mrs. Araginee was disheveled. She must not have slept since yesterday. She sleepily walks over to Iris and wraps her arms around her waist.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yOUZZGePT
"I'm...so sorry, Iris...I didn't want to leave you with them.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ707j9sotKA
"It's okay, I knew you were only looking out for rest of them. If I weren't so weak in my regular magic, I'd take care of them myself.." Iris creeps down and hugs her mother back.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcpKf59sq4
"You are okay to come home, right?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkrSYaOaSo
"I can visit, but I can't stay. If I turn on you or Dad, you wouldn't be able to stop me.."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMLuUwKuKn
"...Come tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2losyPlQRS
"I have a lot to think about. But I promise, I'll be there!" Iris gives her mother a wide smile.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoyspxU0qz
Irene smirks back. "Okay, kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy1b1DfJt6
Iris nods rapidly. "Okay!"
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72ithY1wpI
Irene looks at me. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvla88ufSL
"You're more than welcome, Mrs. Araginee. I'm just doing as I promised."
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw5N55AzTq
Irene hugs Iris once more. Then Jake, then Ecluna. Suddenly, it had turned into a group hug. I joined in.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqd7hmvGZt
I swear I could feel the wind wrapping around as well...I was convinced...Espero was also there.
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIjpwGkxEB
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lIidWbsa8
