"Who are you?"
I struggle, only for the arm to grip tighter.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNCRZDLogS
"I am not trying to hurt you."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhdFiKsnEW
"What do you want then?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5827dnpN5
"Just...come with me." and so he drags me away. "Do not worry, I will not put you any danger."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJytdDV8c2Q
"I'm gonna ask again, what is your name?" I say threateningly.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwspzb1kIyp
"...Ciaran. I am Ciaran, Prince of Illusions,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8asWvOXZL
"Well Ciaran, why are you kidnapping me?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqrWrk5apV
"I will tell you later. Just know I am not doing this to hurt you."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Z6IsHRu1
Then I see Jake and Espero leaving the Academy.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssepCOgplx
"Jake! Esp! Help!"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUkB7CWffh
It was like they didn't hear a thing.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96FW6sUKUT
"I do not want to get anyone else involved."
I hear magic deactivate, and my kidnapper continues walking as if nothing was happening.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJZ1JVVuHt
"My mom's going to look for me. You're doing this for nothing."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5okgQAJIFX
He covered my mouth with another arm of darkness. "Quite talkative, aren't you?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQubAidYdo
He grabs the ends of the cape he was wearing and throws it above our heads. "Just...keep still, and I won't have to hurt you." Ciaran pulls the cape back down to his body to reveal a very claustrophobic room, drops me, and removes the dark arm from my face.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkzM9KySTj
"Stay here, I have to tell my mother that I have returned." and he walks away.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauDVCbZ4PP
I take a glance at the room around me. Maroon enveloped the room in a very cozy aura. Ciaran returns with...the box Mom had locked in her old headquarters?
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyGuXPiaAx
"H-How did you get that?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMCkvKpFxM
"I found it in this closed off room, it has my mother in it."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8TeRIBipw
"You m-mean...?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4IUY8eNWn
"Yes, Nocturne, the Queen of Darkness, is in this chest."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJlDwHxzJk
"Then what do you need me for?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r1rDUiyCI
"You are a hostage. If I can get your mother or anyone else in her little 'group' to try to retrieve you, I'll simply tell them to bring back Mother in return for your safety."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFkreB3usi
"My mother isn't dumb enough to fall for that." I snap.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2UWNPr1QW
"It's obvious. Your mother will do anything to make sure you're safe."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQsTlIh0xC
He drops the chest in front of me. "Unless, you yourself can open it yourself."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8LQQtxpi7
I feel the sharp dark aura protruding from the inside of it. Regardless, I start to place my hand onto the box. That's when something crashed through the window, shattering it. I look down at the object that landed next to me. A book?
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ywdoreVuf
"Alright you creep, let go of my cousin.." Espero was hovering over the windowsill before climbing in himself. "Or I'm gonna have to use force."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XUbgs4ohy
"Espero..." Ciaran says, as if they were old friends, "Must you always try to ruin my plans?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05JqHGzZdP
"Nah, but this time you've taken it a bit too far." Espero uses his magic to carry me over to him. "What are you even planning now?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDRCvMzhay
"If I get someone strong enough to remove my mother from this prison, I would be all powerful, by her side."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSykxJ5kHx0
"As if anyone would help you." I snap again. He suddenly holds me up by the arm, an ache forming within my shoulder.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpddp7xvFSW
"I'm getting very annoyed by your smart remarks, Araginee,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLomz6m3rnX
"Well, I'm getting very tired of you too," I say back. He drops me with a heavy exhale. "I can't be bothered by your childishness anymore."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzOpUdUvPC
"Okay, you've yelled at her, now leave her alone," Espero activates his magic. "I'm honestly tempted to just end this right now."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWy9pbAyhW
"Oho? Is that so?" Ciaran also activates his magic. "Well then, let's end this..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jDSzTxoKX
"Sorry Iris, I can't afford to get you hurt,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTAN0vTWLZ
Using even more of his magic, he carefully tosses me out the window. I was just about ready to hit the ground below, but I felt someone catch me instead.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60pu3xvgg8
"You're lucky Esp told me to tag along." Jake says, letting me stand up. "How did you get captured, Iris?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaF8aATeZo
"I was trying to find Ecluna and some weirdo kidnapped me."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBHA1bbmyz
"Well, Ecluna's back now so."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKif98jiUn
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdsrWQ5Kuj
He points towards the window. "Espero of course. Don't want him getting killed now, do we?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7BJ3kUghG
"I guess not.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ9fzwWX83
"Well, use webs and boost me up, I'll go get him."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGILvW1RMR
I wrap my magic around his waist and haul him up to the window.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxnOd9YnA0
"What do you see?" I ask. Jake grabs onto the windowsill and pulls himself up.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ8CvFO8Qt
"I've gotta get a better-"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TvKVhVAI0
Espero flies outside the window, blood streaming from his face. Using my webs, I successfully catch him.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5CVhpsxkN
"Jake! Are you okay?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkJ0b77zlI
"Yeah," he said, picking himself up, "I've fallen from way higher, trust me.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkO5etmDT3
He takes Espero from my hands, and throws him over his shoulder. "He'll be fine."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOV928cK7i
Ciaran jumps off the windowsill. "Poor Espero. He can fight from a distance, but he can't defend himself physically." he sighs, then continues. "I won't attack the defenseless. But, watch yourselves, especially you Araginee.." he gives a evil smirk, and disappears into a deep purple smoke.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPZQOaLATi
"Quickly, let's go before anyone else tries anything funny."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmjRpTclOr
We quickly ran through the district to the Wildlife District, the closest place to help we had. As soon as we found Ivy's humble home, we ran in, screamed for Mrs. Ixia's help, and tried to wake up Espero.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb12f94ml0u
Ikura suddenly ran down her steps and took a look at the situation. "My goodness, what happened?!"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocCmTk5qbn
"E-Espero tried to-...a-and he-..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEWX819Vif
"Shh.." she comforted me with small headpats. "I'm gonna make sure he's nice and patched up," she picks up her roll of bandages. "Iris, you call your mother, I'm sure she's worried sick."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBmgzQseNh
"Okay..." I slowly pick up the home's phone and call Mom, who immediately answered.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh5wdwUULX
"Hello?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6cy1DsbZq
"Mom! It's Espero, he got in a fight and-"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59QJaintt9
The phone immediately hangs up, and I sit in silence. I hear another person enter the house.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunu97AjayB
"Iris!" I hear Ecluna's voice. Arelin comes in with her. "What happened to Espero?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNUTkByXdr
"He got hurt protecting her. I've just about finished wrapping him up.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6fvoPWMLA
"I know about the plan with Alena, and I came as soon as I heard about Espero."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMCcvAKEkh
"Let's wait for Mom to get back." I tell her, out of breath.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokFaAXdThO
Jake comes in rubbing his shoulders. "Hey Ecluna,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWLsDz5gYg
"Hey Jake. Did you get hurt too?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMVcvxAL82
"Yeah, a little, I fell off the side of a tower and I must've hurt myself somewhere. I'll be good though."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70aXizd8Wy
Uncle Damien and Mom came rushing in, my mother immediately grabbing me and holding me close.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4RUZn1Qwq
"I knew something was off when that chest was missing, but...thank goodness you're okay, Iris."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcFjjgLoky
"I swear Mom, I didn't take that box over there."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eNkFaXIqI
"I know, Iris, I know. You're too sweet of a girl to do something like that.." She releases me.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUFhlvNzQm
"Whoever took the chest is trying to bring Nocturne back."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09EYmnjVjP
"Nocturne? Is that the 'her' you were talking about a couple days ago?" Ecluna asks.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBUH5sCnva
"I'd never thought I'd tell you children this now, but I guess I have no choice."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M6UV5eOGd
Mom sighs and sits down in a nearby chair. "When I was your age, I and the other Creative Ones had one main enemy, Nocturne. She was, by far, the strongest enemy me or the others had ever encountered. It wasn't long before we had overpowered her, locked whatever was left of her kept in the chest, her necklace. And now that she's possibly been freed, I don't have all the Creative Ones to stop her again..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIqySfZ7Sy
"Who?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMXa1jglDV
"It's been forever since I've seen her." she says, pulling out a brooch of gold. An ancient aura drifted across the room. It's like I could sense someone standing right in front of her. She slips the jewelry back into her pocket.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW07cQHAAh
"Iris, if you ever see Ciaran, fight him. Kill him if only absolutely necessary. Do you understand?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKHPKvfucP
I nod my head in silence. "Okay.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG7wqg0Q27
"Let's go, I have things to do." she picks Espero up in a bubble of her creative magic and practically storm out, her rage still left in the air. I proceed to follow her.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHhoyX5imh
"Iris, I was skeptical to let you go to the Kingdom District for that exact reason. You can't just accept defeat every time you can't use your body. Sometimes you have to use your mind, your one inner power. Remember that.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq433NY6HJ
Despite her calm tone of voice, her words still cut like a knife. I silently nod again before looking at Espero's tattered body. His coat was soiled with blood, it made me wonder how powerful Ciaran really is. Was I strong enough to fight him on my own?
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVR09mLpVX
We approach the headquarters, where everyone else was sitting down, looking at the map and taking notes on the red dots spread across.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJOpGDQit6
"Aria, look after Espero while I prepare the room."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJocuPPXeMB
Aria does as she's told and checks around the orb for any sign of movement. I do the same.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VeC1dN0Eu
"He's still unconscious from what I can see.." Aria says, before sipping her cup of tea.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjiWH0IHZ2
"Poor kid." Sargeant Delmira says, pitying Espero. "There's no way this could've been a normal Darken,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvBCbzbweq
"It wasn't...a normal Darken, it was Ciaran,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHVfEmEWOe
"Ah, yeah. We've heard of the little evil incarnate. Such a momma's boy, isn't he?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbti3tzrfY
"I guess.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEApNEMFwXu
Delmira pats my back. "Don't worry, we're gonna solve this lil issue."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu6LK569CJ
Mom comes back, releases Espero from the orb, and carries him to the prepared room. I follow.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVV6BVUYIR
A wash of nostalgia drifted over me. "I remember this room. We would stay in here all the time.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kIS8Olp4j
I imagine a younger version of myself, playing with the stuffed animals, which were now placed orderly on the couch.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd55EpTem5
"If Espero gets up, call me back." she lets the doors close behind her. I solemnly sit down in the chair next to the couch. How could I leave him in such a state?
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaTYWUNhaE
"Sad, isn't it?" I hear a familiar, smug voice.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKOQYSfn1b
I turn around as slow as my body would let me. It was just who I thought it was.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXcN4bTZMQ
"C-Ciaran!" I immediately activated my vibrant magic, which spiraled into my hands. He scoffs at the flames.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17VjqQAQS1
"You are weaker than you look.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4teE1LhPe9
"S-shut up!" I finally try to land an attack on him, but he effortlessly dodged the webs I had threw his way. He raises his arm, and I see his darkness activate. Slowly, I start to stumble, I feel the ground around me spin.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ARPS1KDc
"If you will not help me, then I will just have to do it myself..." I hear faintly. I unwillingly fall into his arms to catch myself.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKXknBUvB6
"L-let me g-go..." I say with struggle.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspBB3sYHE8
"Let you go? When you fell straight into my arms? At an opportunity like this?" Ciaran replies.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAWEzeb6MT
"O-opportunity? No, I-I'm not letting you take me again...not this time.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooPKgFNPSS
He sighs, and I feel even dizzier. I start to feel sick to my stomach. "Your perseverance is extremely annoying."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkZYr2E8AC
"M-M-" he slips his hand over my mouth. My body was too tired to struggle.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRet735KSvU
"Everyone is too tired to help you now. Fight back. I dare you."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BUAD6xTKQ
I weakly punched him in any places I could, only for him to stay completely still. I was completely hopeless.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlviCkXpbwp
"W-what do you want f-from m-me?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtjZuCziAS
"I want your mother to suffer in the same way as my mother did,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbEGGOp2Jq
"S-she deserved whatever p-pain a-and suffering she had.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwC7CpRQgJ
Another wave of dizziness. It was nauseating, almost vomit-inducing..
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0rVEmaGmP
"Whatever you think is evil...is just your opinion..." Ciaran drops me, my body so weak, I could only lie in defeat.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbcBNLZ2hX
"I am actually surprised you cannot fight back. I could've had a nice challenge."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6PN1J81FN
"I'm not trying to play your evil mind games, Ciaran.." I stand up with a wobble, and activate my magic once more. "Leave me alone...or I'll make you.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN7DCZSa4j
"Now you are deciding to give me a fight?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQvXcVdxMQ
"It's what you wanted..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBkjoW2KFT
"Not particularly..." he looks at me with a smile on his face. "But go. Hit me as hard as you can."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBSbQFPGiz
I then remember my mother's words...
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaH4nXoOSU
Quietly, I started to draw color from the floor. Then, using the bluish hue, I try to copy my mother's ability to make objects with the will of her own magic.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6YujHWU7h
A small dagger appeared, and just before I could make the attack, it faded away. I couldn't miss this opportunity. Just before I could land a punch, I jump up through the ceiling tiles. I didn't know if it would work, but it was worth a shot.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWniAq4cmZ
"It's pointless, Araginee."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6cMrTEnk8
I stay silent, and look for when his back might be turned. Ciaran, however, didn't move a muscle. I had no choice but to try.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvwNfiQ1lz
I remove the ceiling tile, swing down, finally knock him down for once.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkpItYlyYs
"There you are..." he says with grimace. "Very clever of you.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqYburuLgd
"I've caught you. Give up already." I say, stepping harder on his chest.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtLpaOCdPt
"It takes a lot for me to give up on something."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDAzRJ6n8P
"Mom said...if I had to...I could kill you if absolutely necessary.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgcCmuNroP
I slowly move my foot towards his throat, but I realized...I couldn't move it closer. I noticed Espero's weak aura around my feet.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXPNmvg7Rt
"Iris...It's not n-necessary. You have him at a disadvantage..." Espero whispers from the bed. Listening to my cousin, I let the Darken up.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiFMRmjUFx
"You never told me Iris was mentally capable to murder someone.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRbCJQO8qM
"What's that supposed to mean?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpsf6MDshd
"I mean, you look like an innocent girl. You couldn't kill an animal even if it means you'd starve..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlw9B814KL
Espero sighs. "Quiet, both of you. Listen Ciaran, we'll let you go. No one'll know you're here. Just...leave before she hurts you or something.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm9bMH2A8e
Ciaran takes a glance back at me, and disappears into a blanket of smoke. Espero painfully gets up, hobbling to the door. I follow, making sure he didn't fall or hurt himself.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo820txh9UO
When my mother first saw him limping into the room, she carried him to a nearby chair and checks his injuries. I sat in the chair next to him.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsw2USk7Hb
"Well, he didn't break anything, since he walked in by himself.." Ikura says. "For now, just use your magic to stay off of your feet and lay down every once in a while, okay?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQdA2BMJn9
Espero gave her a thumbs up to tell her okay, before laying back in his seat. I give Espero his jacket, letting it blanket him as he tried to rest. I feel his hand rub my head.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjxvmMIo01
As soon as I walk away, I get a slight headache...and I hear Espero's voice echoing inside of my head.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGpBSroTlx
"Wait...take this to Arelin. I don't know if my math is quite right," he silently holds up a paper. "Just...take it to him for me, alright?"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnfndqeM3c
I slowly grab the paper and read it. It was the equation we were working on. The one to release Alena from her curse.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nt4zXRdPz
"Okay, I can do that..." I say out loud. I carefully roll up the paper and walk towards the door.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1MXY8x8Wb
"Be careful, Iris,"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMhLECSIqi
I nod my head quietly and leave. That's when it happened..
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hiz9Blf1E
An explosion, far out from any of the districts. I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. I look in the direction of the noise. Darkness filled the sky.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6UdQW1G54
I had feared the worst had happened. In a angry, yet curious rage, I started running towards the explosion.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORjAYrV3Oo
Ciaran, what have you done now?
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLl5urS6SJ
I quickly make my way to the empty outskirts. That's when I saw it for the first time. It was...a small town. No one was outside...
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRuEY8liZr
Then, I heard it. An evil chuckle that echoed throughout the air. I felt crawling down my spine once again. The realization hit me like a truck. What if that dizziness wasn't just something to slow me down? Did he take some of my magic to bring her back?
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygO96b9gyC
I couldn't let him do that. My strong determination, despite my fear, dragged me forward.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDRjDHJScQ
"You are so much like your mother. Both arrogant and annoying.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC0fCzm1Px
The sharp red eyes. That horrible toothy smile. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was...Nocturne. Half of her face inked with darkness, I stared at true evil.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvadsIVpoYM
"Ciaran...what did you do?" I say in shock.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oEIZXZlWr
"We...brought her back..." He points towards himself, then towards me.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5LRtVoGfR
"I knew you did something to me..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigz3Tf174Q
"You...are still alive aren't you? I just 'borrowed' something to achieve my goal."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU67CdvkHgg
I...caused this. I let him take my magic and he used it to bring back Nocturne. I knew I had to fix it, but I also knew I couldn't. Not with my body nearly stripped of it's power.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7VQCtzUmj
"Now child...surrender to me..." Nocturne says, holding a sphere of dark in her palms.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rmr4rV3cQ
"N-never!" I angrily say. "I'm not gonna let you terrorize people!"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Kn0r94IV
"...All of you are so perseverant. And I thought you would be useful..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzpJcqKdzO
"She's not your child...she's mine. You don't get to decide if she's useful to you or not," Mom made her presence known with a strong aura.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c4bvTCuFP
"Mom-"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq2kcaeQfM
"Iris. I'll handle this. Go back home."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY2aO4bSVy
"I'm not going to let you get hurt like Espero, Mom!"
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM05H13crpC
"My duty, not only as a god, but as your mother, is to protect you. I can't afford you to get hurt."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1OlcoS20k
"And I feel like I have to protect you as my mother." I take some color from the dirt ground, with a dingy orb of color glowing in front of me.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8inegUFRQ
"...You are...very assertive, Iris. But if I feel like you're in danger, I'll have to take you somewhere safe..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0oRSduuio
"...Ciaran, my child, you should leave as well. I shall handle her..."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCllcZr3ZG
"And don't follow me, you creep..." I snap.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ppYqMjEMO
"Don't start, Araginee. As if I would follow you without a good reason.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJkz5BvhkR
I angrily sigh, slowly backing away. Ciaran smugly does the same. As soon as I get far enough, I start running towards civilization.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97IEipiUpF
Dad was anxiously waiting for me to run away unscathed. He grips me with all of his strength.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYfj4zg15P
"Thank God, you're not hurt.."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zNm8AnxBq
"Mom told me to come back before I got hurt."
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVT4HmrobM
"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll fix everything. Now let's hurry.." He grabs my hand and starts to run, before using his spider arms to propel himself through the air.
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtkAFs5ABF
As soon as we get to the Kingdom District, I look for Jake, or anyone that could help me...
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMneXPS2xo
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMY5DXp623
Could this be...the beginning of the end?
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftQi8A6e5D
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMQv3gc4ng
