I felt my stomach twist into knots.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbBrRZg4Mj
"It's...get...ting worse.." Alena said somberly.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzgbUBcu7J
In replace of her normal face, a dark mask was covering half of her face. Curled horns poked from her head.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi1HQxWcIu
She had turned. In the time I had wasted..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41KB2uitLr
I slowly approached her. "Iris...it's me. You don't have to worry."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDTRmUfbcH
Alena also tried to comfort her, wrapping her arms around Iris's sides. Iris initially accepted her comfort, sitting down and heavily breathing.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooj4c3lQwr
"Arelin is here...to help...you.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUPqAmMtW6
Iris looks up at me, not saying a word.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssNvaqmV65
I look at Ecluna, who was cowering in the corner and hyperventilating.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zffeZIxBM
"Ecluna, you have to come over here where it's safer."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztncSrHfOe
"I can't.." she muttered. "If I move, she'll kill me..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRbYKpyp9Z
She wasn't mad at anyone when I left...but it was the darkness accelerated her anger only towards Ecluna. She was the one who injected more Dark magic into her body.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjSqQg0wOt
"Don't worry.. we're going to get you out of here..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpgpSqwAuJ
I slowly approached Iris once again, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Iris...please calm down...we can fix this...you just have to give me a chance.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLtM92r5ks
I could see a flash on realization on her face, but she simply stared at me. She didn't make a single word.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXQhHmaTLT
"Ecluna...hand me some of your magic.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7NBOC2Mmh
"What if I make her worse?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn4M4U1OCc
"I'll see if I can split the two magics apart. I'll use the Light magic on her and absorb the Dark magic."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJunpDJ6Ms
Quivering, Ecluna floats an orb of her ecliptic magic towards me. I ripped the two magics apart and gave the Light half to Iris.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYdNuPiwpG
She screeches horribly for a couple seconds, then...she snaps back to her original self.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM9z7JU4Ta
"...Arelin? What's happening to me?" She looks at herself with fear and confusion.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7eiC8AKzb
"You're lucky I could split her magic in half. You could've killed Ecluna.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX27t6POhZX
"E-Ecluna?" She looks behind her, and realizes what she had done.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu1Q0JFNlR
"Oh my God, Ecluna! I'm so sorry!"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXNSPgFJuL
"It's okay, it's okay, I'm just a bit shaken up. I'll be fine. At least you're back to normal.. somewhat..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyVhVT8YZV
"Somewhat?" she runs to the nearest mirror before shrieking at the sight of her own face. I noticed her height had increased significantly, her head almost touching the ceiling.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDE0TgXI2d
Alena slowly tugs on her sleeves. "It's ok...ay...you're safe and...that's all that...mat...ters,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fTEmYj5zT
"W-What's Mom gonna think? She's gonna kill you!"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6POZDxngr1
"I'll have to talk it out with her...and maybe I should take you with me. You do miss your parents, don't you?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIkQiJ786j
She nods. "If you don't mind, I don't..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7qDRTz05L
"Alright then, you must be really really happy to see them again.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhIJGY25ei
I take her darkened hand and lead her out. "Watch your head.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DKIfHp7nu
I hear a loud noise on the wall. "Too late..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzwKNK9hDJ
I sigh and let her through the doorframes. As soon as we made it to Emburaria, we quickly found more places to hide Iris. Espero was the first one to notice her, of course.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXITy8md2VO
"Iris?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxoe3xLdS7
"Esp!" she took him from the ground and hugged him tight. He then realized was being lifted off of the ground.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWd1kRq29b
"Wait a minute... where'd you get a growth spurt? You're taller than I am,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly7lk9HlOL
"The weirdo curse is affecting my body somehow, but I wanted to come out and see everyone again!"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrggNcefOmJ
"I noticed. Why don't we take you somewhere so you don't scare the people here?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcChQKhrGc
"Oh...okay then.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNa9WW8hrp
Espero quietly leads her inside. I follow them. Queen Violet sat quietly in her chair. All three of us show respect to her majesty's presence.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4AtaSqunc
"Your majesty, I'm sorry for bothering you, but this is..Iris, daughter of Irene."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqljz5rBc8
"...You are the individual Aurelia and the children have been talking about."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz0wA6qpsl
"I...think so.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlfpYpW0gq
"Iris...your abilities, the abilities that have gotten you this far...it could harm more than help. You have both Dark and Light magic in your body, two of the most strong types of magic this world can contain."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4YF9RQ337
Iris looked a bit enamored by the thought..but then realized she was more of a danger to others, which made her rub her arms in shame..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4Iu7MCYbz
"However, you are not the monster you make yourself out to be. You are still human. Don't forget that."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfII1KMmYx8
Iris silently thanked her with a light nod.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3ANnhhX8F
Queen Violet looks at me. "Arelin.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx46PXq4MTX
"Yes, your majesty?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XNJLztQRm
"Take care of Iris. Make sure she fully recovers from the curse that has been inflicted on her."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VNHiax0LQ
"I will."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqNp7wiov4
"Well, maybe we should get going. We still need to see Aunt Irene.." Espero says, taking Iris's hand and dragging her away.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7TszzCm99
I decided to go home for the day. I had a lot of studying to do. I read until my eyes started to give up, as if weights themselves pulled them down..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRiUUtS1kB
***
It was terrifying when I first heard it. The screams of the innocent, magic swirling around the air. It made me jump out of my seat.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzj1cU6tw6
"Nocturne...did this..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwU93BXYKH
I somberly look at my sister. "Are you okay?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36sNu0GQBp
"I'm worried... about Iris..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE4PWvV6pB
I had totally forgotten about leaving Iris with Espero. I quickly put on my coat and slipped on my shoes.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44NQAJ4iLf
"Don't..Mother will be sad...if you leave.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZn5KQPn0u
I look out the window. The world around us is in chaos...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq7x0h0AYp
"...I have to. For my people. For Iris. I'll be back, okay?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZjrZrH4fs
"...Hurry..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdPgtmZGYi
I jump out of the window and painfully drop down to the ground. I carefully sneak around the area.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAg43Mq6KV
I run into someone. Their features...were undescribable. The mask that covered their face...it...covered their eyes too..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE32z9Vzmnm
That's when the Darken slammed it's abnormally long and clawed hands in my direction. I stop carefully, and throw a rock in another direction. They noticed the noise and ran.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUg6TbJXUG
"So they're blind..." I whispered. "Good to know.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1dQe4K9dY
I continue sneaking, sliding by any Darken I saw while looking for Iris in the process. She couldn't be far..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3OdVxFFkm
***
Iris POV
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbY56NFxc0
Despite my pain, I had to keep going... before anyone else got hurt.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAaRrsfeoQ
I could feel her aura. Nocturne was the reason all of this was happening. I had to stop her. Darkens scattered around the area, blindly feeling their way around.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjGEwDB2Ms
I felt my own face, the ragged teeth of the ends of the...thing that covered my face. I don't want to become...that. I didn't want them to feel the same pain as me either. That was another reason I wanted to stop her...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiAnGqDN1z
I didn't have time to think before someone snatched me from the middle of the street.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQfjDa4Uht
"Iris?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp1fYtvVdO
"Jake?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyxOGhmIqX
"Jesus Christ, I was about to knock you out,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztLBmg5Ah4
"What's going on?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi3Tn94sie
"Nocturne... she's back,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2WbGgkC15
"What are we gonna do?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMnuwOHSAy
"What we're supposed to. Take her and her snarky little brat down.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVC0rWYyDC
"B-but...I can't..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG1its9VUu
He grabs my hands, squeezing them tight.
"Iris. You're probably the strongest person I know. All of us can do this. We're stronger than we were back then..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuCAtv3XjP
"But...if she gets ahold of me, she might use you against me...I can't be there..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB1N47aG1y
"Don't worry about that,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DwBmUoTvJ
"...Okay. I have to...get Arelin..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZK4MHnwfT
"No time. We have to go. Now,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh6Ts5tbzn
Jake grabs my arm and drags me around. That's when another one of my jolts of pain hit me..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikeD1okfYe
"W-wait...hold on..." I suck the air through my teeth.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs0KqA74vj
"Did I do something?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EHvGu5wEx
"N-no no, it's just something that happens sometimes... I'll be fine. Let's keep moving.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZqSUGrU7F
I slowly limp my way towards Nocturne's piercing aura. As time passes on, I start moving a little faster. But the shockwaves of pain became more frequent. I could care less.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwZjusddoP
Jake, at some point had to carry me. "You're gonna be okay. Just breathe. We're gonna fix this.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO98Wdnzi8z
I did as he recommended. It did feel a little better..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa9mBQ0NbQ
"Ah..there you are, Iris.." Nocturne says as she noticed me. "Thank you, my child."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyjcZHfKG3
"You're welcome... mother.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALGQwRCaD4
I realized that wasn't Jake at that exact moment. Ciaran had shapeshifted...no...he made the illusion of Jake. In order to lower my guard. Nocturne immediately used her magic to snatch me into her hands.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxZy5gdzwW
"Now that our prize has arrived, why don't we get started?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5TuQfOzRm
"Nocturne! Let her go!" I hear my mother order.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacXQtMswha
"Whether I let her go is up to your actions. Leave, and I'll command her myself to kill you. Stay, and risk your life to save the unsalvageable.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MCWrT1JPW
"Don't worry, Iris, you'll be safe...for now." Nocturne lets me go, but immediately enveloped my body in an orb of darkness. I was forced to watch my family and friends fight for my sake.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3dyraHNHJ
Ciaran floats next to me, pretending to sit. "This will be very very interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabDJPIXuJZ
I slam against the wall of the bubble. "Let me go, Ciaran!"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG3Tsv87aN
"I cannot let you leave, Iris. Not when we have so many things to look forward to after this.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BT6SAoYpr
"Like what?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f5EjTc2hr
"You'll see..." he smiled with that stupid toothy grin.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ9nMwPR3D
I noticed how well they were doing. Nocturne was looking a little angry at the fact.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8GYaP1UeA
"Alright Nocturne...you should've surrendered when you had the chance." Espero looks at a pile of boulders, the rocks slowly float above Nocturne and piles on top of her.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBfhpNrez8
"I'll give you another chance though..." Espero pulls out a knife from his pocket and swung it around her face. "Surrender now, and I won't cut into your face."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNW0KAxwUm
She cackled at him...she was cornered but...she laughed at him...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFcgZSmqr4
I slam against the bubble again. "What's so funny? What are you planning, Nocturne?!"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBNb5oGq32
"Quiet, child. This is what happens when you attempt to threaten me..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUskVTRiQh
Just before I could think about what that meant, an arm of darkness creeped up behind Espero...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ77vcZpOE
I didn't forget the sound it made. The arm sharpened it's end and...pierced him right through the chest..when it ripped itself out, he slowly fell to the ground, with a pool of blood forming underneath him.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0LSQmZAdh
"ESP!" I screamed. Others did the same.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKhuxeNG0g
I had to see if he was okay. I used the little bit of Light energy I had left to break free from my floaty prison and crawled over to Espero.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFnEa0GLJr
"Espero! Esp! Get up!" I shake him vigorously. He faintly placed his hand on my shoulder.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRTBIF0fbH
"I-I'm sorry for...n-not h-helping you with y-your c-curse, Iris.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu6dGRZe3x
"I don't care about that right now, I'm worried about you!" I feel the tears roll down my cheeks like rivers.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXINbOWIsd3
He chuckles, coughing up a bit of blood along with it.. "...I d-did m-my job...I d-died p-protecting you.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj9FfToH0Z
"Don't say that! You've got to stay alive, Esp! You can't just leave me!"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WBrZy5RCT
He wipes my tears. "I-It's o-okay...y-you don't h-have to cry...n-not for me.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7j7D6HWXn
"Esp..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbSQg4JmxO
"...I-I'm gonna miss you, Iris.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJwQsi2mYJ
His body goes limp after that...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNIEaNhuCN
"Esp? Esp?!" I continuously shake him. That's when Jake puts his hand on my shoulder.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyIcVL23d5
"It's no use Iris...he's gone.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8unUClg3U
I saw the memories of me and Espero flash within my eyes as I saw his lifeless face, a small smile formed in his final moments of life..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODgj9WdcRG
Those moments is what made me cry even harder. I had lost him. The one who'd promised to be there for me until the very end. Espero was gone, laying lifeless in my arms.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tX3vbpPPB
"Don't worry Iris," Nocturne rips me away once again... "You'll forget about him soon enough..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWHqGfTr6W
"You've taken one of them from us...how many more souls must you torture before you're finally satisfied, Nocturne?" Mom asked her, stifling tears.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHckHkx83DH
"Enough to where you finally snap. Where you reach your limit. That's when the suffering can end. Now, make a decision. Leave now or suffer the loss of another child.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVM1BWiTmh
Mom stepped back with visible tremble, picking up Espero. "...I'm so sorry, Iris. I... don't want anyone else to suffer..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vny8whe1C
She slowly leaves the scene. The rest of the group follows behind.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghHgok6y7P
Nocturne wipes away my tears...
"Shh, you don't have to cry... we are going to take very good care of you.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAKzNi2i98
"Why? W-why did you kill him?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLca8foHsA
"If I didn't, he would have killed me first. I was only protecting myself. And now, there's only one part left of our mission to complete.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyt4YEuCk4
"Shall we leave then, Mother?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfjM5npUSD
"Yes, we have a lot to do.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFK3svjUAX
What are they planning to do with me? Was I going to die? Those questions swirled around my head as they dragged me away.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5k08QCfxz
***
Arelin's POV
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvzpwLJihm
I was too late. Nocturne's aura was slipping away from my field of sense. What if she'd already had Iris and was making her escape?
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ5x3f4Ziq
"Arelin..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbVQ0knFMN
Alena was behind me. I almost jumped.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNKBC6kjr7
"Alena...you can't be here."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjFrpYXt68
"Iris is...my friend too. I have to be there...for her.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pfCNBBJzW
"...If you come with me, you have to promise to leave if it gets too dangerous, okay?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw2x019ycN
She nods her head and grabs my hand.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT48owCVaN
I try to run as fast as I can to catch up. I have find Iris before something happens.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6rDV4UGLR
"Arelin...something bad happened..." she points towards a dark puddle, soaked into the soil around it.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneHpHIKgQX
Alena goes up to it, and feels it. She shuffles away.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry8ue1Pluf
"I-It's blood...still warm..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xPazgeI7T
Fresh spilled blood.. Alena was right. Something horrible happened here..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFfFeu5YVi
...I have a feeling I should go to that town...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KpjC5Jvwv
I run in the opposite direction, gripping Alena's arms tightly as I do.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOOvltAPAK
I was hardly breathing when I arrived...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfloeCUY0SU
"Alena...you stay here.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxDCLRILce
She sits quietly. "Be careful.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD4HTLNbEa
I nodded in understanding, and left her there.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNyOMxlfdF
Using some of my knowledge, I seemingly teleported from one point to another..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkHPeARZYH
Right in front of the castle, I kicked my way through.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ba060ake5
"Nocturne.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFhlryikjJ
"Ah, hello again, Arelin..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9NUm5m2GW
"I'm not here for chit chat. I'm here for Iris."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMattRCMtjG
"If you want her that badly..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8FHRuG4fj
Iris...she turned again.. She was no longer herself, an animalistic husk of who she once was..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxBWDiFoUx
I tried to get through to her again. "Iris..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhLdKhIltl
I step forward, only for her to swipe at me. Talking to her wasn't an option. Iris continued to angrily stare.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmx06LzKXM
She begins to fight with me. I was barely prepared to dodge most of those attacks, allowing her to land hits on me. No matter how many times she landed attacks, however, I wasn't going to hurt her.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsku3Si4PZX
"Why don't you show Arelin what you've just learned?" Ciaran asked of her. I couldn't begin to think of what he meant. When I looked up, Iris had disappeared, before I felt a hard push from behind me. Iris was on top of me, refraining me from moving.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NptgASJrW
"Good. Now finish him,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2EAUEOIbW
She stomps her foot against my temple, before charging an attack. At this point, I was ready to accept death. I was in too vulnerable of a position to save myself. Or so I thought. Just before she could finish attacking, I used the illusion of her cousin. A bit cruel to save myself, but it was a last resort.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg8fCEh7bx
Fortunately it worked, however, Iris looked more.. upset about it...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgkDhyPqWt
"E-Esp?" she whispered, as crystal tears fall from her eyes. What happened to Espero in the town square for her to tear up like this?
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1QfhEVlfg
"I-I'm sorry..I didn't want you to..." Iris hugs me, digging her crying face into my chest..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsYhBuno8e
I ended the illusion. She was obviously back to normal. I comfort her while staring daggers into the others' eyes.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRhOTpofjn
"What...did you two do to Espero?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO8Ew50UkU
"Are you really that empty skulled? Mother got rid of him. He's gone.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf4xLZK10s
"...You...killed him?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48opZ5IfFc
"Hmm, yes, I guess you could put it that way,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WEE6Mu0xF
I hug her even tighter. "Iris... I'm so sorry,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNwDJteb7s
She didn't reply, and just cried even harder..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajh0FU1Hf4
"Now, if you would let her go, we can go our separate ways,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjKrW0aXHx
I pull her away. "I'm not letting you. You've tortured her for far too long,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckiSbzXhld
"Then you shall suffer the same fate as Espe-"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxqLCXKnU8
"Mother, I will handle this. You should rest for the night,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpQAuaFvz9
"... If you insist. I shall be on my way to bed,"
Nocturne, for once, left our sight..
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFogSjyIKC3
"Now that Mother has left, you can leave now,"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODrgIzhznO
"...Can I tell you, Araginee, one last thing?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3delu34yuQ
"What is it?" Iris replies.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnjcS8Lbwj
I barely blinked before he had teleported right in front of us, snatched Iris from my arms, and...
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyYEvtauPW
"I... love you..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lDSmLgbBy
He then kisses her, catching the both of us by surprise.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlFKJznrZL
"W-What?" Iris says in shock.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfGIa0trDr
He hands her back to me. "Did I scare you?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrFfMKf5HW
"W-we should go..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxQSgj6j90
"Go ahead. Maybe you just need some time to think about it..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8TGRck43c
We follow his orders and leave. As we exit, I ask her. "...Are you okay?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGW2uvMxw4
"I...I don't know. It was all so sudden," she says, still visibly confused.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39TFW68yLS
"I don't know if you should trust those words just yet. You know how much he likes to trick you.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUawk4qiVd
"It felt genuine..."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HU0aTmB4f
".. We'll have to see how genuine he actually is.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17jtMU9yTV
"...I brought...ev...ery..one else.." Alena says, approaching us.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHqfuyv61l
Mrs. Araginee was disheveled. She must not have slept since yesterday. She sleepily walks over to Iris and wraps her arms around her waist.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDOj2YmDj8
"I'm...so sorry, Iris...I didn't want to leave you with them.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbBVxYSW1d
"It's okay, I knew you were only looking out for rest of them. If I weren't so weak in my regular magic, I'd take care of them myself.." Iris creeps down and hugs her mother back.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpNxOQEayk
"You are okay to come home, right?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSEEUqPXxH
"I can visit, but I can't stay. If I turn on you or Dad, you wouldn't be able to stop me.."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SlU9TMUTS
"...Come tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1QuHfE67Z
"I have a lot to think about. But I promise, I'll be there!" Iris gives her mother a wide smile.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRyIyinKT7
Irene smirks back. "Okay, kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHhGGIjFmd
Iris nods rapidly. "Okay!"
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oWNlk6DWN
Irene looks at me. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LKaS7UmsR
"You're more than welcome, Mrs. Araginee. I'm just doing as I promised."
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQCC5PfNbC
Irene hugs Iris once more. Then Jake, then Ecluna. Suddenly, it had turned into a group hug. I joined in.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHAeHXYdRQ
I swear I could feel the wind wrapping around as well...I was convinced...Espero was also there.
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SDTzbdyNP
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w9kA5a767
