I felt my stomach twist into knots.
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"It's...get...ting worse.." Alena said somberly.
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In replace of her normal face, a dark mask was covering half of her face. Curled horns poked from her head.
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She had turned. In the time I had wasted..
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I slowly approached her. "Iris...it's me. You don't have to worry."
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Alena also tried to comfort her, wrapping her arms around Iris's sides. Iris initially accepted her comfort, sitting down and heavily breathing.
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"Arelin is here...to help...you.."
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Iris looks up at me, not saying a word.
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I look at Ecluna, who was cowering in the corner and hyperventilating.
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"Ecluna, you have to come over here where it's safer."
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"I can't.." she muttered. "If I move, she'll kill me..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxS7u8uSwM
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.
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"Don't worry.. we're going to get you out of here..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKOQD76MDd
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.."
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I could see a flash on realization on her face, but she simply stared at me. She didn't make a single word.
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"Ecluna...hand me some of your magic.."
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"What if I make her worse?"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaChEWqH49
"I'll see if I can split the two magics apart. I'll use the Light magic on her and absorb the Dark magic."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJZ1hHVyc5
Quivering, Ecluna floats an orb of her ecliptic magic towards me. I ripped the two magics apart and gave the Light half to Iris.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgChgYRDSHK
She screeches horribly for a couple seconds, then...she snaps back to her original self.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUO1mcCdPl
"...Arelin? What's happening to me?" She looks at herself with fear and confusion.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlbrTSjXcf
"You're lucky I could split her magic in half. You could've killed Ecluna.."
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"E-Ecluna?" She looks behind her, and realizes what she had done.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQtaqgIg7P
"Oh my God, Ecluna! I'm so sorry!"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYICBpTGXH
"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..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK28Egsp8gC
"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.
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Alena slowly tugs on her sleeves. "It's ok...ay...you're safe and...that's all that...mat...ters,"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxhRPUqa9o
"W-What's Mom gonna think? She's gonna kill you!"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXWz3LjQK3
"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?"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tWxdXndX5
She nods. "If you don't mind, I don't..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoSiY3El8P
"Alright then, you must be really really happy to see them again.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9wD909OOF
I take her darkened hand and lead her out. "Watch your head.."
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I hear a loud noise on the wall. "Too late..."
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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.
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"Iris?"
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"Esp!" she took him from the ground and hugged him tight. He then realized was being lifted off of the ground.
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"Wait a minute... where'd you get a growth spurt? You're taller than I am,"
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"The weirdo curse is affecting my body somehow, but I wanted to come out and see everyone again!"
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"I noticed. Why don't we take you somewhere so you don't scare the people here?"
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"Oh...okay then.."
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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.
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"Your majesty, I'm sorry for bothering you, but this is..Iris, daughter of Irene."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zr1RDzcHS
"...You are the individual Aurelia and the children have been talking about."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacXRopjW8n
"I...think so.."
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"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."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lCLeFxdUu
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..
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"However, you are not the monster you make yourself out to be. You are still human. Don't forget that."
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Iris silently thanked her with a light nod.
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Queen Violet looks at me. "Arelin.."
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"Yes, your majesty?"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVdmFdaeut
"Take care of Iris. Make sure she fully recovers from the curse that has been inflicted on her."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHOQczhq3Z
"I will."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLcmxhRqcp
"Well, maybe we should get going. We still need to see Aunt Irene.." Espero says, taking Iris's hand and dragging her away.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2ScamDRqL
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..
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTceLegYsz
***
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.
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"Nocturne...did this..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2IbmNsi10
I somberly look at my sister. "Are you okay?"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB25FDtmzxg
"I'm worried... about Iris..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPGoYDbVJn
I had totally forgotten about leaving Iris with Espero. I quickly put on my coat and slipped on my shoes.
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"Don't..Mother will be sad...if you leave.."
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I look out the window. The world around us is in chaos...
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"...I have to. For my people. For Iris. I'll be back, okay?"
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"...Hurry..."
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I jump out of the window and painfully drop down to the ground. I carefully sneak around the area.
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I run into someone. Their features...were undescribable. The mask that covered their face...it...covered their eyes too..
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VJRXJrFDW
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.
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"So they're blind..." I whispered. "Good to know.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z869UL2n1
I continue sneaking, sliding by any Darken I saw while looking for Iris in the process. She couldn't be far..
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQFh4aGtoO
***
Iris POV
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Despite my pain, I had to keep going... before anyone else got hurt.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSu9CtCyxe
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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARARfKoWAw
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...
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSpdomeUtT
I didn't have time to think before someone snatched me from the middle of the street.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvxnUyreWN
"Iris?"
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"Jake?"
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"Jesus Christ, I was about to knock you out,"
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"What's going on?"
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"Nocturne... she's back,"
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"What are we gonna do?"
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"What we're supposed to. Take her and her snarky little brat down.."
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"B-but...I can't..."
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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..."
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"But...if she gets ahold of me, she might use you against me...I can't be there..."
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"Don't worry about that,"
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"...Okay. I have to...get Arelin..."
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"No time. We have to go. Now,"
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Jake grabs my arm and drags me around. That's when another one of my jolts of pain hit me..
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"W-wait...hold on..." I suck the air through my teeth.
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"Did I do something?"
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"N-no no, it's just something that happens sometimes... I'll be fine. Let's keep moving.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIRDYFiGsT
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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb1THWxDKR
Jake, at some point had to carry me. "You're gonna be okay. Just breathe. We're gonna fix this.."
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I did as he recommended. It did feel a little better..
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"Ah..there you are, Iris.." Nocturne says as she noticed me. "Thank you, my child."
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"You're welcome... mother.."
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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.
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"Now that our prize has arrived, why don't we get started?"
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"Nocturne! Let her go!" I hear my mother order.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGx18Z3rZA
"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.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzgft3hkk1
"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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9ohHmtdKe
Ciaran floats next to me, pretending to sit. "This will be very very interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
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I slam against the wall of the bubble. "Let me go, Ciaran!"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy719Omabh
"I cannot let you leave, Iris. Not when we have so many things to look forward to after this.."
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"Like what?"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPy6By9Ksh
"You'll see..." he smiled with that stupid toothy grin.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVUDkNX1eU
I noticed how well they were doing. Nocturne was looking a little angry at the fact.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2KPFRHu4E
"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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AqNRHrYdY
"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."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WgLTK35Et
She cackled at him...she was cornered but...she laughed at him...
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2jajNjbKf
I slam against the bubble again. "What's so funny? What are you planning, Nocturne?!"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiAEctiV57
"Quiet, child. This is what happens when you attempt to threaten me..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fO6N3bdMC
Just before I could think about what that meant, an arm of darkness creeped up behind Espero...
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPsTCAbswb
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.
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"ESP!" I screamed. Others did the same.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG5BSUP7rY
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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk63kVLgvh
"Espero! Esp! Get up!" I shake him vigorously. He faintly placed his hand on my shoulder.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq875kNTM6
"I-I'm sorry for...n-not h-helping you with y-your c-curse, Iris.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRQAcgsFpq
"I don't care about that right now, I'm worried about you!" I feel the tears roll down my cheeks like rivers.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFNyhlSVmC
He chuckles, coughing up a bit of blood along with it.. "...I d-did m-my job...I d-died p-protecting you.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2SRx9tcuA
"Don't say that! You've got to stay alive, Esp! You can't just leave me!"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpW6CDu56R
He wipes my tears. "I-It's o-okay...y-you don't h-have to cry...n-not for me.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3drw2UCPc
"Esp..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bweU2quUz
"...I-I'm gonna miss you, Iris.."
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His body goes limp after that...
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"Esp? Esp?!" I continuously shake him. That's when Jake puts his hand on my shoulder.
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"It's no use Iris...he's gone.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcsSeS0Bc1
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..
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIyEHav0Yw
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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMe154jjOe
"Don't worry Iris," Nocturne rips me away once again... "You'll forget about him soon enough..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkTkTiWfMd
"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.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sxmxAiMD6
"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.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zgIRrgbuf
Mom stepped back with visible tremble, picking up Espero. "...I'm so sorry, Iris. I... don't want anyone else to suffer..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerfVUwV2jN
She slowly leaves the scene. The rest of the group follows behind.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rg5LEfu1c
Nocturne wipes away my tears...
"Shh, you don't have to cry... we are going to take very good care of you.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD1g2uEnYo
"Why? W-why did you kill him?"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvxCTlt8cu
"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.."
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"Shall we leave then, Mother?"
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"Yes, we have a lot to do.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13RlUxZJ6l
What are they planning to do with me? Was I going to die? Those questions swirled around my head as they dragged me away.
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***
Arelin's POV
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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?
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8U0lPGgs3
"Arelin..."
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Alena was behind me. I almost jumped.
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"Alena...you can't be here."
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"Iris is...my friend too. I have to be there...for her.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WDObzJneG
"...If you come with me, you have to promise to leave if it gets too dangerous, okay?"
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She nods her head and grabs my hand.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpBw6yACpQ
I try to run as fast as I can to catch up. I have find Iris before something happens.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvObtY48ZX
"Arelin...something bad happened..." she points towards a dark puddle, soaked into the soil around it.
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Alena goes up to it, and feels it. She shuffles away.
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"I-It's blood...still warm..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DFhORNUaG
Fresh spilled blood.. Alena was right. Something horrible happened here..
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...I have a feeling I should go to that town...
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql5zdNmVk4
I run in the opposite direction, gripping Alena's arms tightly as I do.
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I was hardly breathing when I arrived...
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"Alena...you stay here.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj9PDmNrCV
She sits quietly. "Be careful.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeRvcYuy65
I nodded in understanding, and left her there.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci73vdUwrf
Using some of my knowledge, I seemingly teleported from one point to another..
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP961lLkqB
Right in front of the castle, I kicked my way through.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fv5iN6ZWv
"Nocturne.."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDRe4h5z27
"Ah, hello again, Arelin..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPE12Ri4IP
"I'm not here for chit chat. I'm here for Iris."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y9o987wmB
"If you want her that badly..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWILYXL6avq
Iris...she turned again.. She was no longer herself, an animalistic husk of who she once was..
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjaRe0C3FQ
I tried to get through to her again. "Iris..."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyiRq9zQN1
I step forward, only for her to swipe at me. Talking to her wasn't an option. Iris continued to angrily stare.
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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.
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"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.
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"Good. Now finish him,"
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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.
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Fortunately it worked, however, Iris looked more.. upset about it...
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"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?
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"I-I'm sorry..I didn't want you to..." Iris hugs me, digging her crying face into my chest..
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I ended the illusion. She was obviously back to normal. I comfort her while staring daggers into the others' eyes.
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"What...did you two do to Espero?"
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"Are you really that empty skulled? Mother got rid of him. He's gone.."
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"...You...killed him?"
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"Hmm, yes, I guess you could put it that way,"
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I hug her even tighter. "Iris... I'm so sorry,"
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She didn't reply, and just cried even harder..
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"Now, if you would let her go, we can go our separate ways,"
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I pull her away. "I'm not letting you. You've tortured her for far too long,"
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"Then you shall suffer the same fate as Espe-"
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"Mother, I will handle this. You should rest for the night,"
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"... If you insist. I shall be on my way to bed,"
Nocturne, for once, left our sight..
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"Now that Mother has left, you can leave now,"
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"...Can I tell you, Araginee, one last thing?"
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"What is it?" Iris replies.
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I barely blinked before he had teleported right in front of us, snatched Iris from my arms, and...
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"I... love you..."
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He then kisses her, catching the both of us by surprise.
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"W-What?" Iris says in shock.
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He hands her back to me. "Did I scare you?"
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"W-we should go..."
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"Go ahead. Maybe you just need some time to think about it..."
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We follow his orders and leave. As we exit, I ask her. "...Are you okay?"
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"I...I don't know. It was all so sudden," she says, still visibly confused.
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"I don't know if you should trust those words just yet. You know how much he likes to trick you.."
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"It felt genuine..."
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".. We'll have to see how genuine he actually is.."
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"...I brought...ev...ery..one else.." Alena says, approaching us.
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Mrs. Araginee was disheveled. She must not have slept since yesterday. She sleepily walks over to Iris and wraps her arms around her waist.
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"I'm...so sorry, Iris...I didn't want to leave you with them.."
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"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.
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"You are okay to come home, right?"
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"I can visit, but I can't stay. If I turn on you or Dad, you wouldn't be able to stop me.."
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"...Come tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired."
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"I have a lot to think about. But I promise, I'll be there!" Iris gives her mother a wide smile.
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Irene smirks back. "Okay, kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
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Iris nods rapidly. "Okay!"
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Irene looks at me. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
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"You're more than welcome, Mrs. Araginee. I'm just doing as I promised."
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Irene hugs Iris once more. Then Jake, then Ecluna. Suddenly, it had turned into a group hug. I joined in.
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I swear I could feel the wind wrapping around as well...I was convinced...Espero was also there.
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