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?"
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"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.."
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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.."
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"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?"
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"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.
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"You are okay to come home, right?"
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"I can visit, but I can't stay. If I turn on you or Dad, you wouldn't be able to stop me.."
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"...Come tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired."
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"I have a lot to think about. But I promise, I'll be there!" Iris gives her mother a wide smile.
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Irene smirks back. "Okay, kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
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Iris nods rapidly. "Okay!"
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Irene looks at me. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
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"You're more than welcome, Mrs. Araginee. I'm just doing as I promised."
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Irene hugs Iris once more. Then Jake, then Ecluna. Suddenly, it had turned into a group hug. I joined in.
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I swear I could feel the wind wrapping around as well...I was convinced...Espero was also there.
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