"Nonono, why did she make me...?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHioHy8klNh
That's when I see bright colors break the bright orange sky. The dot that ended that flare got bigger...and bigger, and that's when I realized it wasn't enlarging, but getting closer.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4tW9smvRX
I run back as fast as I can. When I felt the shock wave of the impact, I'd wish I'd never left my mother up in those mountains in the first place. Her aura was slightly weaker than before, quietly raging on as she painfully stood up.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t3a86Rr5W
"Finally...I have you in a vulnerable position..." Nocturne taunts.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5FFxtBGXW
Mom spits up a bit of blood. It was the first time I saw her...bleed...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpgFUJjczB
"Mom..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnzBjkbYYj
"I'll make her death quick..." she creates a sword out of her darkness. She swings it...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8GH4hzEg4
I hear the clank of two blades hitting one another.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSrKAbQXyw
"Not this time..." I couldn't be happier to see Aunt Delmira protecting her best friend.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VbLo8rTOQ
"You..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbowUuAg2p
"Didn't think I'd see your ugly mug again, Nocturne."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmzqvxBNSA
"HA. It was my lovely son who brought me back.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhMeiTm54Q
"Iris, take Irene somewhere, preferably safe."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdguSl2Zryl
"But I want to help!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8pMFfsLJu
Mom stops me. "I know you want to stop Nocturne just as much as I do...but we're not in a position to fight."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIxuaJ3sHO
"How am I not in a position to fight, Mom?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2ecEktRnQ
"Your magic was removed, and you're still recovering that magic..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRW7B5ngER
"It's like Espero said. My magic is her complete opposite and-"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX9vxcNNpD
"And if she manages to land an attack on you, you could-"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIzaMZkl8H
"I am more than willing to die if it means I can save everyone else,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoddZYhzZV4
"...You're too naïve. If she does kill you, she'll just use your body as she did with Ciaran..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyN9t7Jck9
"You dare accuse me of such a disgusting thing?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8YYB6YfKe
"You'd do anything for your benefit. Even experimenting your dark magic on innocent children,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfC14hgtFS
"My child was born civilly. Not in the most humane, but Ciaran was not and is not a guinea pig."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5GQbcyJfP
I saw right through Mom's trick. She was stalling for time, waiting for something or someone to save the day. Mom wouldn't be arguing with Nocturne like a child for nothing.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaooRMQBtw
"I have no time for this, Irene. I have a lot to do," she quickly throws an orb of her magic towards our direction.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiegyCbGiPX
The word 'protect' swirled around in my head, and without thinking, I turned my thoughts into actions.
Just before impact, I created a shield out of the little bit of magic I did have. The orb was absorbed by the shield, but the shock wave was too much for me to handle alone. Although I did protect myself from the attack, the shock threw me backward. I tumble far back, dirt and light scrapes covering my hands.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yiEaX89cM
"You and your mother always have something in that brain of yours," she chuckled. "If only you were a bit stronger..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG8elmbaep
She holds up a little bit of...my magic, as if to taunt me. I angrily stand up, dusting myself off.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDVNQsfuTx
"I'll give you one last chance. Surrender to me, and I'll return this magic to its rightful owner."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRIYftIPjv
Ciaran takes a glare at me with glassy eyes.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYBJwlAata
"...Fine. But leave me and my people alone. They have nothing to do with this. Give my daughter back her magic, and then leave."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbv9De8VIW
Nocturne smirks but quietly hands Ciaran back the magic he stole from me. He strolls behind me, wraps his cold hands around my neck, and I slowly feel my aura strengthen.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClck8OUemK
"Now let me go..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D7sGgzLYS
"Whatever you say...Araginee..."
At the time, I couldn't see it at first. But now, I realized...he had set up a trap. And I walked right into it. It was too late before I'd realized something was up.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGGtF7yLS9
Him placing his hands around my neck wasn't just so he could give me my magic back. As he walked back, I could faintly see thin lines of dark in-between me and him. Then, he clenched his fists, and dark magic zapped across it and straight into my neck. It was too fast for me to react, the pain too unbearable to handle. I could only get a glimpse at everyone's faces before I pass out. After I hit the ground, I hear Mom screaming my name. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't get up.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELjswyzkG6
The screams of my distraught mother faded away as I lost consciousness.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa2RjfpTQy
***
This part, along with the some of the next chapter, is in Arelin's point of view.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCcEHNjc8m
I had to keep Alena in a safe place while Nocturne was here. I refuse to let this...corruption...torment her further. Alena was sitting in the corner while I paced back and forth through the room. Iris, even though her magic was still recovering, still went out to aid her mother in battle. I admit...I was a bit worried.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3PZfTAvuq
The door swings open, the knob hitting the wall behind it.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYBZEkhoIC
In Irene's trembling arms was...Iris's lifeless body. She quickly removed my work from the bed and laid Iris in it, briskly checking for breathing or a pulse.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k9iDSbeDn
As she did, I could see the marking, stained a purplish-black on her neck. I draw it quickly and look at the images in the book splayed out on the table. I flip back and forth through pages...when I find it.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOinRhyGGvW
The Emblem of Evil. It's meant to curse those who have it somewhere on their body, making them into mindless animals in a human host.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUCedEuwuf
"Arelin, have you figured anything out yet?" Irene asked, holding back tears.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcxOI8i3IQ
I painfully put the page of the book next to the engraving on Iris's neck. "If we can stop this early...we might have a chance to save her. However, with her magic, it could be more difficult..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGd3yQlOyp
"Do something..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VcLYj1T4f
"If I carelessly try to remove her magic and stripping the darkness, I might hurt her more than actually help. We need someone at a balanced level to attempt to remove it..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nkeAUOX5f
"I failed to save my only child... she's in this position because of me..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaOivvP4zI
"Don't blame yourself Irene..." Mother places a gentle, caring hand on her shoulder. "We'll fix this, you can go home for now.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo99R1Qaq5G
"I can't leave her..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSjcrDgnPH
"Arelin is trying his best at the moment. We'll call you if anything changes, I swear."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDClcgoghcb
She looks at me, then at Iris.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZriEvlJ5Vm
"If she wakes up...please...tell me."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31tsFmOTvH
"We will, I promise."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY6Xoj3pNl
Irene leaves for the day, and I'm stuck with both Alena and an unconscious Iris in the same room.
It was hours until my sister was lightly... shaking Iris awake. As I turned around...I swear I heard her voice, croaking out her name...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIxzD2VR7U
"Alena...Iris is unconscious, she's not waking up.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC0mM06kLS
"F...rie...nd...?" Alena weakly whispered.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCcG8qMISs
I was surprised and elated that Alena, who had been mute for months, was finally speaking, if only a small word. I snatched her away from Iris's side and faced her towards me.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYcwEeurSM
"Are...lin?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe84nO5j4A
"Alena, you have to tell me how you're feeling now. If you're recovering, we might have a chance to fix all of this. You can become... normal, and I can prevent this from happening to Iris,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKHZdpcigD
Alena uses her magic to rub my head.
"Feel...ing...better...less...pain..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rdGQshygE
"Good..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseWULyPAUg
I write the idea of recovery down. If I can get this to Espero, he could figure it out.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG55a82ncqq
...A knock at the door. And speak of the devil...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0OIcTvT8w
"Hey Lin.." Espero says in a tired voice. "I heard Aunt Irene left Iris here..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe2puorDsz
"You haven't slept.." I notified.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa3VJI0w2C
"...How could I?" He looked at Iris. "...Did you find a cure?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewMoXiWRF7
"Not exactly.." I responded. "Alena...she's recovering... It's slow, but surely enough, she's beginning to recover.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJE7G7qnN1
"How do you know?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFsklfQ60P
"She's speaking. She was completely mute at first. This was the first time I've ever heard her voice since that day..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxn4wsDhqI
"So you're saying that we just wait?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQrj4rTbvq
"For now," I answered. "Tomorrow, bring Ecluna. We'll need her magic to finally go through with our plan.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3q5tKpWzk
"Of course."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq8HfNGuYP
He walks over to Iris, promptly giving her a light head rub and then leaving...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunGIYi8huU
Hours pass after that. I was just drifting off to sleep, when I hear someone move.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1HdrQqXCA
"Alena?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfuPjdaeyF
"She's...ok...ay..." Alena speaks in a whisper.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKh4HglpGG
I slowly get up...turn towards the bed, and surely enough, Iris was confusingly looking around.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjB1ojtOqZ
"Arelin?" she asked. "What happened?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLr76NobH4
"What do you remember?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9col6FnRMV
"Me and Mom were fighting...someone, and they knocked me out... that's all I know.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUCxdbHkDX
As soon as she finished that sentence, some of her hair turned nearly white...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSae7tZwgd
"What? What's wrong?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9WAfefeN4
"Your hair...it just changed colors.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhhn4TZnzH
She looks at thin streaks with a concerned look on her face, before running off.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRg6KDbeIW
"Iris, where are you going?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEQF5icNOa
"I have to see if this is getting worse.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ648ik7aiYl
Alena slowly followed behind her.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn0f8jvRfQ
While she looked at herself in the mirror, I knock on the ceiling. Mother was usually in her own room, which was right above that one. A minute or two later, and she's in the doorway.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoNClK6tlk
"Yes Arelin?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTzFWXDqZV
Alena immediately runs into her with a large hug. "Mo...ther..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4les4e7xT
"Could you call Mrs. Araginee, and tell her that Iris is awake?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd9pNzSVwb
Iris comes in with her hair no longer in the small tie that she had it in before.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwAQhUKpqQ
"Don't worry, I'll just go back and-"
She suddenly stumbles, as if a sudden wash of pain struck her by surprise. Another part of her hair bleached white..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAFl0mo5Af
"...On second thought...maybe I should stay..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9AG8sijeY
"I'll send Arelin to get Mrs. Araginee, so in the meantime, why not get a nice warm cup of tea?"
Mother pats Alena's head. "I'm sure you want some too, my child."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8gPGmPdgU
I grab my notebook and leave for the Araginee household. When I do eventually make it to the front door, I knock on it with slight hesitation.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwazpCpq3p0
"...Come in," Arin Araginee says after opening the door. It wasn't someone's aura I felt when I entered the house, but...there was a hint of gloominess roaming around..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVEBgLJH2z
"I'm assuming you came by to give us an update.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97Z3UwqZ7a
"Uh, yes...fortunately, she's awake now, but she seems to have a bit of amnesia...other than that, she's seems to be completely normal,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyIHic25jN
"And the bad news?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUS9iEwJdq
"The curse has progressed. Her hair's turning...white, which is a terrible sign of progression. If we don't stop it soon, she won't be...human..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTqVvNLGtc
"What's going to happen to her?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4694EGKkN
"If we allow it to... she'll be something like Alena...an angry, empty, remorseless husk who's being controlled by the one who gave it to her..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9SEeBmQmB
Mr. Araginee cringed at the thought.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLTJ3rT4KA
"Me and Espero have been working something out. If this works, we can save her and anyone else who's been inflicted the same way."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgBRspe9xS
"Good..." he says, in a sigh of relief. "Now, I know coming here was probably a chore by itself but...do you mind taking this to her?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AlZMRdZq8
He hands me a bag. I could smell cinnamon from it.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx5siGyfDV
"She loves cinnamon raisin bread, and I think she'll enjoy it."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqgo7Qdod3
I nod my head.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiB7j6myRi
"And.. try not to eat it before you get it to her.." he half-jokes.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTpCchiwa2
"Well, I should be heading back. Bread is better warm."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTjJLdXmpg
"Be safe." he says as I walk out.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyG9ej4wO1
I return home as quickly as possible. When I entered the room, Iris was enjoying a warm cup of tea with Mother and Alena.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2rPEKwAcR
"I'm back.." I announce.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7LYudKXEG
"What's that?" Mother asked, pointing at the bag Mr. Araginee had given me.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOFBthEWMm
Iris smells the air before almost ripping the bag from my hands. "Raisin bread!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGEgwCAz1c
"Your parents wanted to give it to you."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7RfK71IFu
Using her magic, she creates a small knife, cuts her slice of bread, and bites into it. "The best kind of bread, no doubt."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwAuCAmxZr
She cuts three more slices for the rest of us. "Go ahead. I'm sure you guys haven't eaten all day because of me.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjPTMspciP
I take the piece she gave me. It was still warm when I bit into. "Amazing," I let the word escape my mouth.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeurQXT6DI
"I know right? Mom makes the best raisin bread."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdoUE7EGb3
"It is really nice with tea.." Mother adds.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Ael22f6N
"Anyways, I'm gonna go to bed. I need to recover, and fast."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHWRRlne8I
"Good...night.." Alena says quietly. I even see...a smile from her.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uQL3CzUa2
"Night!" she says, excitedly hopping to bed.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKcEKiFfsT
I sigh. What was I to do with the both of them?
Nevertheless, I follow Iris back to the room, taking out a book.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYt3g0Zqev
***
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J2BoQQWrM
Somebody knocks on the window. I jolted from my desk and look in the direction of the noise.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDxTvyPLXH
"Lemme in, Arelin!" Ecluna says, muffled by the glass pane in between us. I sleepily walk over to the window and unlock it. She climbs through and dusts herself off.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejaVHcK5rF
"Sorry for coming over so late. I can't be out in the sun too long, so I thought twelve o'clock in the morning would work.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7tWPd0CYT
"Understandable. Both Iris and Alena are asleep now, so if you want to stay until everyone else wakes up, that's fine.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB5Q9uVTx8
"Yeah, I brought my blanket, I can sleep for...maybe another hour." she wraps her blanket around her and lays on the floor next to the bed. I decide to get out of my seat and sleep somewhere more comfortable for the night.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazsZMMutLh
***
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57sIhBcxjR
Later in the day, we completed our first dose of Light magic energy with the both of them. Both of them jolted when Ecluna zapped them with it. I did, however, see great improvements for both. Alena's speech was improving, and Iris was having less of those pain shocks.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wHEYlCmQN
"I feel so much better!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCwvlkvDvQ
"Much better.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UOQcPQeHS
"Very good, you two. Now I'm... gonna take a nap.. it's waaaay past my bedtime.." Ecluna rewrapped herself into her blanket and fell asleep on the floor.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmfuQK6RKM
"Arelin, I wanna go see Mom and Dad,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN2AAmmRWh
"...How good do you feel at the moment?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOvy9g4XuG
"Really good! I swear!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQkAYuN4ZG
I could see her... sweating a little..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWVf5BRjTa
"Are you sure?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6dcljGrnc
"Mhm! D-definitely!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2BijI2wYk
"...You seem in pain.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZECjQrHo2
She rubs her eyes, getting more vigorous every second..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhHJUws13O
"Ah...I think something got in my eye,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV4jGCK3RJ
When she looks back up at me...her face was inked black..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBQqZ2yopW
"Ecluna!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7kF6KvLVE
I hear her bump into something.. "Ow..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl6mpmzCF8
She runs into the room. "Whatwhatwhat? What h-"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3W9RyJizG
"Yeah, that's what I wanna-" Iris gets another shock wave of pain.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuLidBFyYS
"Wait, I think I accidentally made it worse!" she runs back and forth around the room. "I forgot my magic was also part Dark! I'm so stupid!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA1iWwzRMq
I held her by the shoulders. "Ecluna, it was an honest mistake. You were only trying to help."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGICjMa1UNV
"Y-yeah... I-It was a mistake. I'll be-" Iris curled up in pain.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXALp1GiS2
"Iris..." Alena walks next to and comforts her. I felt as if...she knew what she was going through.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5vTyTS4Q9
...I had to make a desperate decision. Find Ciaran and convince him. Convince him to remove this...or...let Iris continue to suffer..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVZKhOnsHg
"It...hurts...it HURTS.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonAUDV2pKc
"... I've got to go.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZj5nB9Hmt
"Where...are you...go...ing?" Alena murmurs.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzms1HAeS3
"I just...have to go. I'll be back. Ecluna, you try to comfort her.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzuwRrzyGC
"Okay..." she quietly repeats that to herself.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH85Rh73Bks
I leave once again to find Ciaran and stop Iris and Alena's suffering..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGPwfDxI0w
I didn't know where I was going. I just... wondered around. I'm sure I'll find him eventually..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvo8uzBDaI
When I get to the small town of Emburaria, I call Jake over to my side. He jumps over the wall and strolls over with a slight limp..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiay2bShpTJ
"Hey Arelin. Everything okay?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd38UfHPnRz
"I need you to be on the lookout for Ciaran. I have a feeling that I can convince him to return both Iris and Alena back to their original state..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXKKO7D3Nu
"Yeah, me and the others are actually doing that right now. Felt sharp aura around here earlier.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RN7Lps97i
"Jake, will you hurry up?" Aluise rushes.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeXKpymTrC
"Gimme a sec, Lulu."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSWhIY0JT8
"Again with the stupid nickname...My name is Aluise Alaxzi, Jake. How many times do I have to tell you?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJTNjTrOco
"Alright, I get it.." he chuckled. "Anyways, yeah, we'll let you know if we get any new sightings of him."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0JTcGRk73
"It's very important to make sure he's captured. If we have to wait any longer..Iris might snap.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMn8alxo9n
"Espero actually might snap too, by the looks of it. He's really upset about what happened to her. I don't blame him either.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIekE8SdCc
I look over to where Espero was sitting. Visible bags sat underneath his eyes, his hair was a mess, and he had a somber expression on his face.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiBHn4HM9L
"Esp, you alright?" Jake yells over in his direction.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnWQyzwVmx
"...Yeah. I'm fine.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeshAkX3BrI
"You sure?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9N2Cn8ebP
"Never better." Espero goes back to reading the book in his hand.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZxlU3KLcz
"He hasn't slept very well the last couple of days. Couldn't convince him to go either,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbvM6hSyVx
So her parents nor her cousin was taking her cursed state very well. If I wanted to repair their family, I needed to fix this..
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAepvoloYiX
"Well, I must be off. I have some errands to run.."
I walk off.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscsGS5RjTN
I exited the area. If I was going to find Ciaran, I had to scout him out. I searched, high and low for any clues on where he could be.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pg8EcHLx3
"Finally. Another innocent soul has arrived.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5RBJreBBg
...It was my next best option. The one with control over Dark Magic.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sukBPWfRu
"Nocturne. I'm not here to fight. I just need something from you," I say, barely turned around.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qLoEcNEIa
"A demand from me has costs, child,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2SmZlHLEp
"Give me all of your knowledge of Dark Magic,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh8JEoaqtM
"Ah, you want me to be your teacher?" she laughs evilly. "If that's what you want. It's almost like having a grandchild,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJo6nY730f
"..What do you mean by that?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cMNoITuIN
"A long time ago...when your mother was about your age...I possessed her body. It was only to protect her from the dangers. She even considered me her...mother,"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiBSnhWhXG
I couldn't believe what I heard. My mother originally accepted this...thing. I couldn't even consider her human at that point...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA7GQUHrDn
She scoops me up and holds me close. "Now do you want to learn from me, or do you want all knowledge instantaneously?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeRcZ4de7x
"...The quicker I learn the better. I have things to do.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qr4MmPS7O
"Understood. Now stand very still..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnMGXmXh6z
I feel her cold palm touch the crown of my head. Then, I could feel... all the knowledge rush into my head at once.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYl6uskpii
"You're welcome..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqAmdvWyys
"Now...what do you want from me?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq58YRM1JtD
"Ah, think of it as a little gift from me, my child. Don't let it go to waste..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6N4Dy5N6r
I...silently thanked her. As I walked away, questions whispered in my head.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDw46usPEO
Was I making a deal with the devil? Had I made the wrong mistake? Those questions didn't matter now. I...had already completed the process. As I trembled home with those questions, I let a flame of dark flicker and spiral around my hand. I stare intensely at it's movements and felt it's deep purple glow.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLZDbLZ54d
"Arelin, thank the stars you're okay!" Mother also holds me close.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0agBKZnyq
"I'm okay. I just...had to take a walk.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZUu3rfvIC
"Iris seems to have calmed down, a little..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i66QaY8KQ
"Did something happen?"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvokr5VpUEH
I see her expression from relief turn a bit sad..
"I think it's best..if you saw for yourself...'
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwxbRtoGAw
I bolted past her and ran up to the room Alena and Iris had been staying in.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxEn7RffY5
"Arelin...Don't...come in.." I hear Alena's whispers creep...through the door. "I don't...want you to get hurt.."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXjByCC4kR
"Alena, you have to let me in..."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PjAOZmkMQ
I hear her slowly move out of the way. I hesitated to open the door..and...
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta0HPqXajO
When I finally built up the courage to, I saw something that I promised I wouldn't.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrbkH4ExDB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNlYBhBrie
