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_ Castit _
"Ah, Neptune. The one and only who DOESN'T SHIFT INTO HIS DAMN HUMANOID FORM."
I turned over to the ass who was angry at the giant blue-grey wolf that was sitting in front of the pathway to the icy-ish house. With how much anger he builds up, he should go see a therapist. Oh wait, he won't get much help from them from how much bullshit he spills. "... Wait, could I do that, big sib?" I heard Paradise's little brother ask.
"I'd rather not ... let you get yelled at," Paradise told him.
"awww..."
"And plus ... there are people here who may not see you at all, little one," Carla told him, frowning. "So ... they might step on you."
"Oh." Bambi frowned even more before nodding, "Our animalic forms are small, big sib."
"Yeah ... it sucks." Paradise drooped their ears. "But we'll deal with it."
"But I'm surprised that giant wolf is allowed to be in HIS animalic form," Setchi grumbled.
"I think he purposedly stays in that form, Setchi," I told him. "Just to get on the leaders' nerves."
"WELL, I should do that too." Setchi rubbed their chin sinisterly. If you can ... that is.
"Another patch of newcomers?" The giant wolf spoke, getting up to its paws and walking over to us. "Niiicce, you even have two rabolks this time around. Makes me hungry." Oh ... god.
"OH HELL NO," Carla shouted at him. "You will not eat them, you hear me?! I will squish you like a damn bug!"
The giant wolf just snorted, "It's not like I can within this colony, relax." It turned over to Verde, flickering its many tails. I narrowed my eyes at them, confused by their appearance before shaking my head from the thought. "So ... who's gonna be my new roommate this time?"
"... Oh gosh, what happened to the last?" Carla whispered.
"Probably moved out due to his stupid teasing." Paradise hissed in a whisper to her.
"Yeah ... probably," Setchi whispered in agreement.
"The feaolk," Verde spoke, grinning widely at me. I raised my brows as my glare appeared through my gaze, shooting him a death glare. Erase that stupid grin off of your face.
"Oooo, I never had a feaolk roommate before. Great." The giant wolf spoke, turning over to me. "He already doesn't like me. Oh well, this will be fun." It chined with a sly smile. Of course, I don't like you, you're acting so damn cunning. I gazed back at Verde, sensing something different from him but yet familiar to the ones back in that nature elemental colony. ... Is he a nature elemental but ... a much more powerful kind?
"... You ... damn ... nature elemental ..." I hissed, trying to sound unsure of his type.
"Oh? You knew I was one? How clever you are, thought feaolks were all dumb." Verde snorted. Well ... that gives me my answer.
"No. You just gave me the answer that you were one." I grunted, turning over to Sutato as worry spread across my face.
"What?!" I heard Verde freak out.
I turned back to him, which unsurprised me that he looked pissed off at what I said. But the real thing here is that ... I don't want to leave Sutato's side. I ... I can't I say something about--- I blinked when I was being pushed forward. I turned towards Sutato with a surprised look, "You ... No, I don't want---" I paused when he nodded his head, displaying a smile. I could sense his anxiety there as I frowned, spotting Setchi walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be by his side, Castit. Don't you worry, I'll comfort him as much as he needs."
I narrowed my eyes, "You better." I grumbled. "Or I won't hesitate to come over and hurt you myself."
"Oh relax, Castit." Carla said, "Stop being an overly worrisome mother. He'll be fine. He'll be with us ... if he gets picked to be with us."
I stared at the three of them as I sighed, giving up. "Fine," I spoke before turning over to Verde who stupidly grinned with proudness that I could sense rising within him. The fuck are you proud about?
"Come on." I turned over to the giant wolf who was halfway on the bridge over to the house. "Jeez, I never realize you were this slow- guess that's another stereotype of a feaolk."
"And good luck with THAT." Carla quickly told me.
I sighed in annoyance as I was going to dislike this so much. "Yeah ... I definitely need that." I walked over to the bridge entrance. I halted and turned towards the group as they waved me off. Soon I watched them go with Verde and disappear into the crowd. I frowned, drooping my wings as I heard the wolf call behind me once more.
"Should I even wait for you?"
"Jeez, leave me behind if you must think I'm that slow. But I thought my own kind was fast and not slow. Was that a wrong stereotype or am I just dumb?" I asked, turning around to the giant wolf who stood in front of me. It was just around my waist height.
The giant wolf stared at me, shrugging, "I don't know, I'm just trying to guess about you feaolk." It turned and walked forward. "Since I'm so looking forward to how we interact in this house. Should I keep it cold to freeze your wings off or should I warm it up for ya?"
Is it trying to piss me off? I shook my head, keeping quiet and walking forward. Don't let the wolf get to you. I stepped into the house, meeting the hallway first. I shivered slightly before shaking my head, walking through, passing an archway to a kitchen and a room filled with books that were scattered everywhere. I arrived in the living room which was medium-sized. I stared at the couch as I glanced up at the TV. I glanced over to my left, seeing the hallway lead to a staircase as my right only lead to two rooms.
I turned towards the couch and grasp my hands on it, gripping it tightly to feel its softness. Despite the cold atmosphere, this couch wants me to rest on it and I don't want to. "Are you really just gonna sit and stand there?" I heard the wolf ask. I turned to my right, seeing it jump on the stool, balancing it out carefully while grabbing a bag off of the counter.
What am I supposed to do? Try and bond with you? I'd rather not with an attitude such as yourself. So instead, I'll ask the questions I want to ask. "I thought everyone in the colony was supposed to be in their humanoid forms. I guess you went against that rule."
It turned and jumped down, "Do wolves have six tails?" It asked as he walked over to the couch.
"... No ... But---"
"Then don't ask me anything of my own." It spoke, setting the bag down before jumping on the couch. It stared at me with an unreadable face. "What about you? Why do you let people do things for you?"
Excuse me? I never knew the bag was on the counter in the first place. I narrowed my eyes, stepping away from the couch, "I believe the bag was there before you even question it. So for me to let you do it, you never asked for help. And so far, you got it under control."
"I shouldn't need to ask. You should have known to actually be nice. Nice to see you're not. I guess that's false when you don't help out others." It said, staring at me.
I felt a nerve pulsing through me as I held my breath from lashing out at It. I think I know what It's trying to do now. Trying to get me mad so it could insult me. Ugh. I really wish I could speak about this but I think doing it will just have Verde push through to leave me with this guy. No wonder the guy grinned in the first place, this damn wolf is insufferable. "Ah yes, shouldn't I from the start?"
It perked its ears, "Yes. And now that I think about it ... you don't deserve to be in this colony."
"Excuse me?" I narrowed my eyes.
"With a selfish attitude and lazy aura, you don't deserve to be in this colony." It spoke again. "You deserve to be outside with the other humans' trash."
I shot the wolf a glare, clenching my teeth as I held back the anger that wanted to seep through. I can't deal with this any longer. I turned and walked back to the door entrance. I was suddenly halted by force as I turned around to see the wolf on the floor, ice grew from its paw, all the way to my right leg. I hissed and turned to face it. "Let me go."
"Or what? What could you possibly do? Kill me?" The wolf asked, displaying a silly grin. "And why are you trying to run away from the truth? You can't run from it ... but ... there is a chance that you can change from it."
I have no idea what this wolf is talking about, but it's pissing me off. "Unfreeze me at once!"
"I think the word you're looking for is thaw out." It spoke, sitting down and staring at me.
"Just let me go already!" I hissed as I attempted to pull my leg out of the ice.
"Why? So you can run away like a coward?" The wolf continued. "Jeez, I should have spotted that sooner--- I guess all feaolks are cowards and always need their fellow folks with them."
"Stop comparing me to the other feaolks already!" I shouted, realizing the anger seeped through. Damnit. Fuck this wolf. I will tear my leg out of this damn ice spike if I have to.
"But I can't help it!" The wolf chirped, bouncing up to its paws. "You're fun to mess with of course!"
I narrowed my eyes, spreading out my wings and thinking of an idea. I stepped as far from the ice spike, lowering my wing to the ice spike. I soon twist my body, allowing me to swing my wing against it, shattering it completely as I backed up. I watched the wolf perk its ears as its jaw dropped. "How did you do that?!"
I turned and walked out of the door, turning around to slam it right into the wolf's face. I turned and stormed across the bridge, standing in front of the entrance as I sighed in irritation. I scratch my head in anger before lowering my hands and gazing up at the fog above me. I sat down and crossed my legs, placing my hands on my lap.
"You're really just---"
"Shut up and let me relax for a moment before I do something worse that I regret doing." I interrupted it. "I'm not in the mood to deal with your fucking games."
"Hmmm ... I think I know a perfect spot to release some of that anger off of you. The Fighting Arena!" The wolf chirped behind me. I felt a vein pop as I grumbled to myself, trying to keep myself from exploding. I don't want to fight and I don't want to go there. I don't want to feel that same pain in my neck from before. I stood up and turned towards the wolf who smiled up at me. "How about it? It may get us closer than this?"
"That's what you think, jackass." I hissed.
"Yep. Let's go. We need to release that anger off." It walked forward and over to the less dense crowd. I glared at it, feeling the fear creep on in as I breathed. I ... guess it won't be ... too bad to visit her ... for once.
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...
I glanced at the wooden railing of the massive platform, looking up to the fog. I wish I can see the sky but I can tell it was still daylight since the sun's shining was still coming through the dense fog. Confusing how the fog isn't disappearing. I shook my head before turning my head forward, staring at the sign in front of me. A large arch stood in front of us before we passed underneath it. I stared at it before turning to the voice. "Hey, my little nephew!" I felt an arm wrapped around me as I grunted. I winced at the pain stinging in my neck as I coughed.
"I didn't hug you that hard." Aloe snickered.
I pushed her away from me as I glared at her. Fuck, I can't talk. Why? Well, I have no idea. Every single time I'm around Aloe, my neck pains me and it doesn't allow me to talk anymore. My aunt glared back at me, displaying a disgusting expression. "Well ... that was disrespectful to one of the council leaders." I heard the wolf say. Don't join in, please. Gosh ... why did I think it wouldn't be "TOO BAD" to visit her?!
"Very disrespectful ... looks like someone needs a beating." She said, grabbing my wrist as she squeezed it tightly.
I attempted to pull away from her but she just dragged me along. Let go of me you damn hag! I tried harder and harder but she wouldn't let go of me. And soon I could feel my heart racing with the fear and panic rushing through my brain. Shit--- don't show it. Don't show it for the wolf to pick on me with.
"May I watch, Aloe?" The wolf asked.
"Sure, Neptune! Always need a guest to watch." Aloe chirped, walking over to the arena. Oh God ... please help me. We entered the arena where the platform was massive. Once we halted, I viewed the place with my eyes, noticing steps that went below the arena below us. The steps were at least 48 inches tall. Surrounding the arena were stands and equipment with certain unknown things to them. I tilted my head before snapping back to the situation I was in. I wiggled and struggled against my aunt's strength, wanting to be freed.
"It's a shame that your sister was granted powers instead of you. Seems like you'll be the weak one out of us!" Aloe chirped, swinging her arm and tossing me over to the arena. I fell onto the steps, tumbling down them and onto the floor. I winced in pain before getting up to my knees. I slowly looked up, frowning at the sight of those words. I kept my wings close to myself as I gazed down at the wooden floor. No need to remind me, aunt, I know how much my mother loves my sister more than me.
"Oh what am I kidding, you were already weak in the first place." She continued her venomous words. I glared at her before frowning with fear appearing on my face. The reason for my hesitation when I didn't run up to my mother is because of that reason. She loved my sister more than I did and I barely could remember if either of my parents ever cared for me. To be honest ... since I was told my father left us--- it feels like he wasn't in my life for the entire time. She loved her more because she is an enchanter and I am not.
Another honest thought ... when we were separated from our mother, I was actually thinking of abandoning my sister and trying to push away the enchantments that had happened in our family. But ... something told me that it wasn't her fault. It just was the enchanters' fault. I winced when I was kicked in the face, snapping back to reality as I quickly stood up to my feet, wobbling away from the attacker who managed a hit in. "Don't tell me my nephew grew weaker now that he doesn't have to protect his sister anymore." Aloe taunted.
I heard her gasp as she grabbed one of my wings, pulling me over to her as I struggle once more against her strength, "Oh look at those wings! Have you been damaging your wings?!" She told me, grabbing my chin and turning towards it. I avoided looking at them as I felt guilty yesterday for doing that. "Look at your wings! You're losing feathers, my dear nephew. But! I shouldn't be worried about that! They'll grow back within two days! Like they always do."
I stared up at her, widening my eyes at her statement. Shit, I didn't hide them enough. I wipe the blood that trailed from my nose. As I try to speak, I winced in pain in my throat as I coughed up blood.
"And you're coughing up blood. That's a shame really." She spoke with her cunning tone. She crouched down and lifted my chin up with her hand as she grinned widely at my frightened expression. "You shouldn't have told on me when you were younger. Then this would have not happened at all."
I was confused as to what she was talking about but she begin to grab my wings and take a look at them. I pulled them away as she pulled them back to her. I glared at her and yanked my wings from her before smacking her with them. I lifted up myself and backed away, staring straight at her. Aloe rubbed her forehead before getting up and turning towards me with anger. "Oh ... you should have regretted doing that."
She bolted right into my face, grabbing my throat and slamming me to the ground. I coughed up more blood as I grabbed her wrist, trying to pry it off. She slammed her foot in my stomach as I winced more from the pain within me. I quickly used one of my wings to knock her off but she grabbed it and immediately pull out one of my flight feathers. I yelped which caused me to wince from the noise I made. Not only I cannot talk, but I also can't make any noises or sounds from my mouth- or else, it will cause me pain and me to ... cough up more blood.
"Will you obey me now that I am in control?" She asked, placing her foot down next to my head as I panicked, trying to scoot away from her. "Or will I have to beat you back to your weakened state? You've grown too strong and I need to fix that--- in fact, why don't I do that now?"
I shook my head no repeatedly as I desperately tried to get out of her range. That failed when she immediately got close, though before she could kick me, she was flung across the arena and through the railings, falling off of the large platform and possibly into the fog below from somebody that stepped in. I widened my eyes as I felt the pain disappearing from my throat. I breathed as I coughed slightly, rubbing my throat. "... Okay. That wasn't ... the plan at all." The wolf spoke behind me as I turned and glared at them.
"There. You happy now?!" I hissed.
"... No. I am not." They lowered their ears.
I clenched my teeth as I collapsed onto the ground, lying on my back, and panting slightly as I gazed up into the fog. The bad memories, everything was coming back to my mind as I was shutting my eyes because of it. I turned over on my side, curling up into a ball as I covered my head with my wings.
"... Do you wanna walk over to the hospital for your injuries you might have?" They asked.
"... why...? Why would that matter?" I responded quietly.
"So ... you can get better."
"... Even if I do get better, everything in life gonna get worse from this point on," I told them. She's here ... and there is no hell in a way I can escape from her. She's gonna hunt me down, tear me piece by piece until I obey her little commands. I slowly placed my hands on my head, holding my hair tightly as I shut my eyes. She's gonna come--- she's gonna come knocking down my door again--- she's gonna---
"Well, with the faces we are getting, I don't want you lying here anymore. Some folks are starting to walk over to us so ... let's go to the hospital to get you treated." They whispered.
I lay in silence, thinking for a long moment before slowly nodding my head, "Okay." I breathed, opening my eyes as I sat up, spotting tears dropping from them and onto the ground. I wipe them out of my eyes and stood up carefully.
"You got yourself?" They asked as I slowly turned towards them.
"Yeah... I do." I nodded, getting up to my feet before wobbling a bit. I turned towards my wings as I closed them back up.
"Let's go." They said, turning and walking forward, leading the way slowly as they were checking to see if I was following behind every now and then. I was, just at a slow pace as I was wincing from the pain in my torso.
... I will not enjoy this ...
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...
_ Winter _
I stared at the vined-covered library, having a giant wooden book on its roof to show for all. I narrowed my eyes and gazed down at the map that was provided at the center of every T-section. Can't believe this colony has already established its library system--- I wonder, do they have the book I'm looking for? I folded up the map and placed it in my pocket, looking up at the building with my left hand on my hip. I crushed my right hand, disliking the negative thought that appeared in my head. And soon emotions welled up in my eyes as I blinked away those tears. No need to cry, it's all in the place--- there's nothing I can change about it.
But ... even if I attempt to force the thought out of my head, I cannot forget you. Perhaps, I can hope that ... you are with my brothers for when I arrive at their dungeons.
I let out a sigh, stretching out my arms and taking a step forward. "Let's get this over with." I stepped onto the wooden platform, passing by some folks before walking into the library. The library lady greeted me, saying the sorts of what these workers say. I narrowed my eyes and waved back at her, denying her offer of a library card. I stared at the labels before halting at the "information" tab. I peered over and walked in between the bookshelf and the wall. I walked through, gazing at some small books, big ones, and medium-sized ones.
I grunted, not finding what I was looking for. I dived deeper into the library, already on the second shelf of the section. I scanned the books before landing my eyes on a light blue-colored book. I widened my eyes, finding it at last. I reached out and grabbed it, only to stare at someone's hand on it. I glared over at the figure, who blinked at me. "Let go of the book or this will have to get bloody," I warned.
"... Jeez, you can have your book." The figure let go of it, looking disgusted. "Don't know why you would fight over one."
"You wouldn't know." I sneered, gazing down at the title of the book.
"So your focus is so much in that book and not the intruder in front of you?"
"What intruder?" I asked, feeling the cover of the book before freezing in place. Wait. I slowly gazed up at the figure, widening my eyes as I dropped the book. Fear struck in as I took in the view of this disgusting creature. The intruder was incredibly tall, possibly up to 72 inches or 84 inches. Their hair color was russian blue as fox ears appeared, along with two foxtails that hung below their waist. But what I saw was something terrible, those familiar devil wings and claws. I narrowed my eyes and created an ice spear in my hands before swiftly attacking the foul creature. The demon grabbed hold of the spear and shattered it to pieces before knocking me backwards onto the floor with a kick.
"Why do you Mythics always try to attack demons?" The demon questioned, having a grin on their face as they were wiping their hands off.
I glared up at them as I scooted back and turned around, widening my eyes at the disordered shield. "You fuckers are horrible, what else?" I turned back to them.
"Always with the assumptions... I'm only after books." They said, crouching down and grabbing the ice spellbook. They waved it in the air towards me with a dull expression. "Will you be using this to improve your abilities or not?"
"Don't ask such casual questions! You're an enemy to us!" I hissed, getting up to my feet before summoning another ice spear.
"It's not wise to fight in a library." They narrowed their eyes. "You don't have a wide enough space for that spear. Go for something smaller, like an ice knife?"
"... Why are you suggesting this?" I asked, glaring at them as I pointed the spear at them.
"Because I don't want to fight." They answered, leaning on the bookshelf.
"... What do you mean you don't want to fight?! You demons always want to fight!" I hissed.
"That might be the wild ones who don't have the intelligence of a human's brain." They said, pointing at their head before shifting their claws back into their hands. "I do and it's much, much bigger than yours."
I blinked, putting my spear down before glaring at them. "What do you expect me to do? Act all happy or curious since there was a demon who was hanging about in a library?! In all sources?! Also, what's with the shield?! Are you here to kill me or something?"
"If I was here to kill you, I would have already done so by now, but killing isn't my thing so you have that." They chuckled. "And the shield is there to disguise this one spot in the library as an illusion. You may see other folks walk in and not notice us due to the shield."
"... So ... what are you here for real?" I asked, gripping tightly onto my spear.
"To live normally really." They answered. "But I can't have that when you mythics fear that, so I have to hide my appearance." As they spoke, they were shifting into a human who had blond hair with blue eyes. "So I have to look like this all the time."
"... Are there more of you in this colony?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"I don't know." They shrugged.
"Are you lying?" I asked. They must be.
"No. Telling the truth, Icefolk." They smirked.
I glared at them, stepping back as my ice spear vanished into thin air. "I don't believe you."
"You don't need to. However..." I froze in mid-motion of my steps, widening my eyes at the invisible force. "I don't want to let you go now that you know of my secret."
"... Are you kidding me?!" I spoke. At least I can move my mouth to speak.
"Not joking. I don't want the enchanters to realize there's a demon in their colony." They frowned.
I stared at them confused, wondering about the behavior of demons. Or at least how some of them act. Or ... the reason behind the war between demons and enchanters. Heard of the stories during my youth, and most of them were brutal due to the foul creatures' corrupted powers. I narrowed my eyes before putting up a facade. "What do you want from me?"
They glanced up at me, shifting back into their demonic humanoid form as they walked over to me. "I don't want anything, though I can give you something on a deal. What will you do with this book?" They waved the ice spellbook in the air.
Dealing with demons is bad enough as it is, but if it's getting out of this situation--- then so be it. "I was going to use the book to improve my ice powers," I answered.
"Just a basic goal in mind?"
"Yes." I nodded my head.
"There gotta be something more than that. What is it? For family, for food? Perhaps ... it's someone you loved, lost in the hands of humans." They grinned widely.
I hate how he's so right about this all. There's no way to lie about this, huh? "... Fine, there's more to it, to become stronger to recuse my family."
"As always." He shrugged. "If you allow me to train you, you must keep my secret kept and shut in that mind of yours. Do we have a deal?" He held out his hand towards me.
I stared at him, gazing away for a moment to think. It's a bad idea to train with a demon already ... but ... with the strength of what they know... is it worth the risk? I thought about the suggestion for a while, before making up my mind. I sighed and gazed back at him. "Fine. I'll keep your secret quiet."
"Good, let me just ..." He trailed off as I felt like I had control over my movements again. I glanced down at my hands before looking back up at him. "There, now you can shake my hand."
I narrowed my eyes as I made a disgusted expression. Oh lord, what did I get myself into? I slowly walked over and shook his hand without hesitation. I just kept my cold gaze at the demon, glaring him down. "Who are you?"
He snickered, pulling his hand away, "Wouldn't think a mythic would ask me that---"
"Gotta know what the name of my dealer is," I grunted.
"... Right ... Aoyko is what I go by as." He grumbled, staring at me.
I rolled my eyes, turning away, "Winter is my name." It wouldn't nice if I didn't give you my name.
"Winter? As in the season right now?" I heard him snort.
"Yes," I spoke coldly, growing annoyed with these puns.
He snickered. "Alright. I will come and get you tomorrow. Sounds good?"
"Sure," I grunted.
Aoyko nodded, snapping his fingers. As soon as I blinked, he was gone. Along with the shield that appeared around us. I glanced around, confused about that event. Ugh ... I facepalmed myself before crouching down and grabbing the ice spellbook from the floor. I stared at it before looking at the spot the demon last stood. This will be fun to bear
You'll have to yell at me later, Tyler.
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- End of Chapter 14
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