It had been two days since those assholes came into my life. It turns out, they can only stay in their physical forms for so long. I can’t run from them since they bound themselves to me, and it turns out that the ring on my finger is a seal. For what, I don’t know. Not even the Spirits knew. I refused to talk to them, though they were chattering constantly in my head. I learned their names, but gave some of them new names just because I wanted to be petty. It backfired a bit though. The idiots seemed to genuinely like their new names.
Min-jun Choi, formerly Vulpes, is the Kumiho.
Akito Araneus, formerly just Araneus, is the Arachiana.
Nikolai Volkov Nox, formerly Tenebris, is the Hellhound.
Marco San Lucia, formerly Adtonitus, is the Thundercat.
Leon King, formerly Temero, is the Manticore.
Xiaosheng Wu, formerly Glacius, is the Frost Leopard.
Kanan Varma, formerly Colubra, is the Naga.
Calen Draconis, formerly Drakon, is the Diamond Dragon.
Kaito Tairo, formerly Meio, is the TigerKoi.
Sai Khatri, formerly Pava, is the Jeweled Peacock.
Nyx Nuru, formerly Caelum, is the Phoenix.
Daemion, the Demon, never told me his original name. He just told me to choose one.
Gabriel, the Archangel, said the same thing.
Right now, I’m in the middle of a job. Someone is paying me a handsome profit to get an old artifact for them. They want to bring someone back to life or whatever. They’ll fail, curse themselves, and either die or get caught, but it doesn't matter to me. A grand is a grand, and I need to buy a blanket and a pillow. The jewelry I stole earlier wasn't worth much, and the three wallets were practically empty. I had barely enough money to buy some new clothes and a little equipment.
The museum looked empty, but I could see cameras blinking in the dark. Taking out my slingshot, I aimed at the lenses, using marbles as my ammo. Pumping just the slightest amount of magic into my slingshot, I broke all six cameras.
I could have helped; Nikolai growled in my mind. I ignored him, keeping my thoughts directly on my objective. Getting the old book before the guards notice the cameras. I wrapped my fist with fabric, using my weak magic, and smashed the magic glass case. I grabbed the book and jumped onto various exhibits until I reached the vent in the wall and climbed in, carefully replacing the vent cover. Crawling through the vents now, I made my way to the side of the tall building. Straight shot to the outside. I had to carefully and slowly climb down the wall. If I slipped, I would fall eight stories down.
My abilities would be very useful in this situation; Akito said in a singsong voice in my head.
Again, I ignored them. It turned out that they couldn’t read my mind unless I let them in. I was prepared for just about any situation, including falling to my death. But I was preoccupied with the voices in my head that I didn’t sense the presence coming closer to me until Leo screamed brace in my mind. I immediately braced for impact, feeling someone slam into me and felt myself fall into open air. I kicked off the person and used that extra momentum to teleport back to the wall while still falling and kicked off. I teleported two more times and did similar things, eventually breaking the killer momentum before hitting the ground.
“Owwww, fuck!” I whisper-shouted. It still hurt, and I doubt I would be moving much tomorrow. But for now, I broke into a run and started ‘hopping’ away. I was fast, yes, but not fast enough to outrun a barrier apparently. I was trapped in the bubble. I turned to my attacker and felt my heart drop.
First of all, there were three people. Two looked about my age, and the middle one was an adult. Normally it wouldn't be a problem since I can fight better than normal people. This time was different. These people could use magic. In fact, one of them killed me in my ninth life and the other in my tenth. Alexander Caedis, eighteen, adept at demon magic and a strong fighter. Short spiky red hair, gold eyes, and a dark aura. Cassian Swift, nineteen, short grey-blue hair, watery blue eyes, a water mana user, strong mage. John Williams, twenty nine, earth affiliated claymore user, carries a large hammer, clipped brown hair and dark grey eyes.
I raised my hands and prepared myself for the fight. The two students spread out, trying to get me surrounded. I’m very good at fighting with my fists, considering I’m stronger than an average human, and I’m extremely fast. If I can just get one of them to break the barrier, I might be able to get away. But it’s a very small chance. John raised his hammer, I tightened my fists. But surprisingly, he lowered to the ground and leaned on it.
“How old are you?” He asked me. I didn’t answer. John didn’t seem to get annoyed, only disappointed. “It’s fairly impressive that you got in and out of someplace as well guarded as the museum without being caught. If Mister Caedis didn’t see you, you likely would have gotten away. Why do you have that old book anyway? Were you going to use it?”
I could get us out of here in a flash; Marco offered. I slowly shook my head in response to John’s question, but kept my eyes on John and the other two out of my peripherals.
“Then why did you take it? Was it for a favor?” I shook my head. He thought about it for a minute. “Was it for money?”
I nodded. I held up one finger.
Cassian tilted his head. “One dollar?”
I shook my head.
“One hundred dollars?” John asked.
I shook my head.
“One thousand?” Alexander asked.
Bingo. I nodded.
“What were you going to use it for?”
At that moment, just as I expected since the teacher was obviously trying to distract me, Alexander lunged at me with a gold and red flash of light. I barely dodged his fist in time, and Cassian started a spell right away, trying to envelope me in water. I ‘jumped’ (teleported) around, trying to dodge their attacks while leading them to the walls of the barrier.
I could totally help you beat their asses; Leo yowled.
I would take less damage; Calen fired.
Sure, but I would ensure that we would get away before those people call for backup; Akito huffed.
I could just burn them up and be done with this; Nyx said.
So? I have the advantage when it comes to water; Marco whined.
“SHUT UP!” I shouted, covering my ears and crouching on the ground.
Everyone around me stopped moving. Cassian released his water spell and Alexander put out his light. John walked over to me, gasping ever so slightly when he saw the tears dripping on the ground.
I finally addressed the parasites in my head for the first time in two days. You all need to shut up and stop distracting me. You’re giving me a headache.
Or you could just let us help you. We are feeding off of your life-force, so that means you have access to our abilities; Daemion offered.
I know better than to make a deal with the devil. I thought back nastily.
How about an Archangel? Gabriel countered.
In my arguments, I didn’t notice the large hand placed on my shoulder. I didn’t notice John shaking me to get my attention. I didn’t notice the hammer coming down over my head.
.
.
.
Aw, you poor thing. Though, it’s not like your situation will affect your life-force. Xiaosheng purred in my ear. I struggled to get up, soon realizing something was on top of me. I tucked my arms in and rolled over, receiving a yelp in surprise from Min-jun, who was laying on my back in fox form.
I looked around, not recognizing the place I was in. “Am I in a dream?” I wondered out loud. It looked like it was straight out of a movie. There were koi fish in the air, and the clouds made a waterfall in this true fantasy.
“Yup. Pretty, isn’t it?” Kaito asked.
I glared at the tall male next to me, not willing to admit that I quite liked this place.
“This is my Domain. I’ll teach you how to come here when you meditate.” Kaito said softly. Turning to Min-jun, who was back in his normal form, Kaito narrowed his eyes at the white and green haired male. “But there’s no reason for you to be here, Min-jun.”
“So what? I want to be around Aeryn.” Min-jun closed his arms around me, while I tried to push him away in vain.
“Hey, How did you know my name? I never told you guys, did I?” I asked out of curiosity.
“We know a little about you, like the fact that you’ve had thirteen lives. What’s it like?” Kaito asked.
I guess I finally came to realize that I wasn’t going to get rid of the thirteen spirits, so I answered him. “It’s disorienting. I know who and what this world revolves around, and I know bits of the future. I even know a few different paths, though they’re all for the same person. I think of it as…a book, or a game of sorts. Except I’m just watching from the sidelines. Yet, somehow I always end up being killed for things that aren’t my fault. In my ninth life, someone stabbed herself in the gut and blamed me. She got away just fine, but I was killed for it. In my tenth, I came after her and almost killed her before I lost my life. To be honest, I feel no joy in living anymore and only wish that I could die in peace.”
“Wow, it sounds like you’ve had it rough for a while now. I hope you know that we Spirits don’t mean any harm to you,” Kaito said gently.
“True. Kanan didn’t mean to hurt your leg, he just has a hard time controlling his strength,” Min-jun explained.
“I’m not sure I believe that. When you’ve been cursed by the gods like I have, you mistrust anything that looks like help of any sort,” I sighed.
“You’re starting to wake up.” Kaito patted my head.
.
.
.
My head was ringing. This was one hell of a migraine. When I opened my eyes, I saw Sai sitting in the corner of my…cell. Oh, right. How could I ever forget. I got caught by a stroke of bad luck.
“Good morning, beautiful. How was your rest?”
“Shut up,” I groaned. “I assume I’m the only one who can see you?” I glanced at the beautiful and vain male that sat down at the foot of my bed.
“Yup. So much has changed in the mortal realm. The last time I was here was roughly two hundred years ago.”
“So, you’re old?”
“I am not old!” Sai shrieked.
“Uh huh. So how do I get out of here?” I mumbled to myself, not really paying attention to Sai.
“How should I know? After that man knocked you out, we were more focused on choosing a Domain for you to wake up in.”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” I said with a slight growl.
“You weren’t talking to who?” John walked into the padded room. I turned to him with a blank stare, carefully neutral.
“...”
“My name is John Williams, I’ll be interrogating you today. I know you can talk, you just choose not to. Why”
I turned away before answering. “I want my mask. It’s nothing special, but I won’t talk without it.”
“...Fine. Caroline, bring it in.” A few minutes later, a plump lady with too much makeup brought in my kitty mask. I placed it over my nose and mouth, breathing in the comforting smell.
“The mask is something I’m deeply attached to. It’s hard to explain why, and ‘why’ isn’t relative anyway. I just don’t like talking without it. I don’t like talking to strangers much in general, since that means you might be able to recognize my voice. But I guess it doesn’t matter now.” I answered John’s earlier question.
“I see. Well, while you were unconscious, we went through the history of your other clients. You’re a pretty good thief, aren’t you Rin?” John used my codename, meaning that he finally knew who I was. At least, who my work persona was.
“Yeah, I’d say so.” I crossed my legs and held my face in one of my hands. Might as well get comfy since I’m going to be here for a while. The rest of the interrogation went like this.
“Who are you really?”
“Rin.”
“What’s your full name, age, and date of birth?”
“Rin, and I’m not really sure what day I was born.”
“You don’t know what day you were born? And that’s not your real name. What is your real name?”
“Do you really not know?” Sai asked.
“My name is whatever I choose it to be.” I pouted.
“Listen kid, either you tell me, or I’m going to have to put you out and find some info by drawing and analyzing your blood. I wanted to save that as a last resort, but if you won’t cooperate, you’ll leave me no choice,” John explained sternly.
“Yeesh, you’ve really got no other options?”
Yikes! “...My name is Aeryn. Spelled A-E-R-Y-N. My last name is Luna, named after my mother,” I said softly. “I don’t know what day I was born, nor where, since I lost my mother when I was four, but I feel like I was born at the end of July, and I’m pretty sure that I’m seventeen and a half. I spent four years in an orphanage before running away to live on the streets. I learned to fend for myself and made money when I got the chance by stealing things. I’m pretty good too. I don’t know much about myself and I won’t give info on any clientele. That’s all.” I finished my confession with a somber expression.
“I see. That’s enough. I’ll be back soon. For now, would you like something to eat and drink? And perhaps a change of clothes?” John offered.
“I would like to be released,” I deadpanned.
John chuckled at that. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
“Then leave. Come back when you have my sentence. And don’t sugarcoat it.” I waved the older man off. I winced as my head throbbed. My back was starting to hurt again as well. Damn phantom pains. “...Actually, I wouldn’t mind a painkiller. That would be great.” I could at least deal with the headache. Or part of it.
“Sure, kid.”
.
.
.
I rested for the rest of the day, talking to Sai and some of the others, though I still wasn’t fond of them. However, I learned the hard way that ignoring them would result in poltergeist-like behavior. Such as pulling my hair, or nipping my ears in their stupidly big cat forms. (Thank you soooo much, Marco, you stupid giant, fluffy, overly energetic jaguar-looking Thundercat)
When John came back, he brought two people. The first was an older woman, probably in her early forties. She had greying hair and that stern old lady look, as if she hated the youth. (Though I wasn’t a kid) The other was another man, likely in his late sixties. He had salt and pepper hair, and a kind look. I didn’t know who the woman was, but I recognized the principle of Callidus Academy. In fact, Remus Callidus was the great grandson of the original man who set the Academy up.
“Is this the kid?” The lady asked. John nodded. “Bit small,” she mused.
“How many years?” I went straight to the point.
“Considering you tried to steal a Sacred Grimoire, you’re looking at twenty to thirty years.” The lady carefully watched my reaction, in which I gave her none. I simply nodded in understanding.
“Alrighty. Why is Headmaster Callidus here?” I asked.
“Ohoho, you know me?” The old man rubbed his beard and listed one of his bushy eyebrows. “Since you don’t seem to like to beat around the bush, I’ll explain your situation. You’re young and strong. You have a set of skills unlike any of my other students. Law states that those with magic are to be taught at the Academy, and you are no exception. You will be under constant supervision, but will be attending my school. And you are still a minor.”
“I refuse!” I nearly shouted at the old man.
“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.” The old Headmaster chuckled.
“I would rather serve life or be given the death penalty than to go into the Academy,” I snarled wildly. That’s where all my tormentors are. That’s where I’ve died most of the time, and the times I didn’t die there was due to the people in the Academy. Time to reset.
I bit my tongue, tasting blood and choking on it
ns 15.158.61.8da2
