I felt my stomach twist into knots.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsYNL0uQLM
"It's...get...ting worse.." Alena said somberly.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KeyFJgiXk
In replace of her normal face, a dark mask was covering half of her face. Curled horns poked from her head.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbGfJtUKrY
She had turned. In the time I had wasted..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5VWVTiO9V
I slowly approached her. "Iris...it's me. You don't have to worry."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CZA18RBYS
Alena also tried to comfort her, wrapping her arms around Iris's sides. Iris initially accepted her comfort, sitting down and heavily breathing.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB4B8iyfAE
"Arelin is here...to help...you.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60TUOPn2yE
Iris looks up at me, not saying a word.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cC0rEHDyW
I look at Ecluna, who was cowering in the corner and hyperventilating.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0zff4gSLS
"Ecluna, you have to come over here where it's safer."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH4PIMiNL7
"I can't.." she muttered. "If I move, she'll kill me..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID1ddAPhos
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTt9jkK0w7
"Don't worry.. we're going to get you out of here..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdPoGQRc1F
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.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ESHpFfZT7
I could see a flash on realization on her face, but she simply stared at me. She didn't make a single word.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvlo6iIibm
"Ecluna...hand me some of your magic.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoifVZ5QDKJ
"What if I make her worse?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC8etyAx1F
"I'll see if I can split the two magics apart. I'll use the Light magic on her and absorb the Dark magic."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjeFnYDsjX
Quivering, Ecluna floats an orb of her ecliptic magic towards me. I ripped the two magics apart and gave the Light half to Iris.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3uhZ9Hs5v
She screeches horribly for a couple seconds, then...she snaps back to her original self.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRQiH3y0YH
"...Arelin? What's happening to me?" She looks at herself with fear and confusion.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbpxSJ1suA
"You're lucky I could split her magic in half. You could've killed Ecluna.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1YppYYpgW
"E-Ecluna?" She looks behind her, and realizes what she had done.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36i4LoQGYC
"Oh my God, Ecluna! I'm so sorry!"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwpag2vbMP
"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..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkBsYXMr7O
"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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYyg4Qsg8b
Alena slowly tugs on her sleeves. "It's ok...ay...you're safe and...that's all that...mat...ters,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCvk9JjfiB
"W-What's Mom gonna think? She's gonna kill you!"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fBnuSagdj
"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?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXx5b3SEQU
She nods. "If you don't mind, I don't..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERT5LLcHTf
"Alright then, you must be really really happy to see them again.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFTfhFLT5n
I take her darkened hand and lead her out. "Watch your head.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RS19E5XKX
I hear a loud noise on the wall. "Too late..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh3SF7nWUn
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BwHLdP5NN
"Iris?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02lrGLmxak
"Esp!" she took him from the ground and hugged him tight. He then realized was being lifted off of the ground.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFNCHVcbxf
"Wait a minute... where'd you get a growth spurt? You're taller than I am,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUmRiPJkjr
"The weirdo curse is affecting my body somehow, but I wanted to come out and see everyone again!"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv7wA62H69
"I noticed. Why don't we take you somewhere so you don't scare the people here?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6LpygYErt
"Oh...okay then.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScu0ABMK3g
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnffR2FZAk8
"Your majesty, I'm sorry for bothering you, but this is..Iris, daughter of Irene."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ZK2GYk15
"...You are the individual Aurelia and the children have been talking about."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcODivfcyYo
"I...think so.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBuV4NdEdv
"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."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCItW27C8bW
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..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRS6db5h1D
"However, you are not the monster you make yourself out to be. You are still human. Don't forget that."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCfAUXNpSn
Iris silently thanked her with a light nod.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcVp5frU9R
Queen Violet looks at me. "Arelin.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cYxFhevhc
"Yes, your majesty?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhZS5fDmYt
"Take care of Iris. Make sure she fully recovers from the curse that has been inflicted on her."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7k27EORB2
"I will."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj28BLjPRxb
"Well, maybe we should get going. We still need to see Aunt Irene.." Espero says, taking Iris's hand and dragging her away.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwX7NDubAT
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..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSq61gcJGH
***
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6VTASsFJj
"Nocturne...did this..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QWAuebl0o
I somberly look at my sister. "Are you okay?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWInQKzQYTR
"I'm worried... about Iris..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5QhJRU8GA
I had totally forgotten about leaving Iris with Espero. I quickly put on my coat and slipped on my shoes.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTSbYySSaB
"Don't..Mother will be sad...if you leave.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGV4iSeatd
I look out the window. The world around us is in chaos...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuHrrYPBYc
"...I have to. For my people. For Iris. I'll be back, okay?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeb40qQCD3
"...Hurry..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPCJ7DkJkK
I jump out of the window and painfully drop down to the ground. I carefully sneak around the area.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrsuaI4Wg9
I run into someone. Their features...were undescribable. The mask that covered their face...it...covered their eyes too..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuN3Q0vpmf
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuRWFRMeox
"So they're blind..." I whispered. "Good to know.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDryo0Gm3H
I continue sneaking, sliding by any Darken I saw while looking for Iris in the process. She couldn't be far..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIgsi6r99B
***
Iris POV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuca72kZAGF
Despite my pain, I had to keep going... before anyone else got hurt.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreXG7y05XT
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwBZD55O33
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...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa340c5ffL9
I didn't have time to think before someone snatched me from the middle of the street.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjhjCpNqFW
"Iris?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPynGmktH6
"Jake?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Wh3B9Psj
"Jesus Christ, I was about to knock you out,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VAVEM0TNQ
"What's going on?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UZT2VNpfb
"Nocturne... she's back,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rbZdibh6S
"What are we gonna do?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq1hCHinPb
"What we're supposed to. Take her and her snarky little brat down.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvACPg8dwRx
"B-but...I can't..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Y0kUqooD
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..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynWb4NlYwy
"But...if she gets ahold of me, she might use you against me...I can't be there..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ340VClOn6S
"Don't worry about that,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxekZTlJmUh
"...Okay. I have to...get Arelin..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKDiPaV8TL
"No time. We have to go. Now,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx1HoUqlyN
Jake grabs my arm and drags me around. That's when another one of my jolts of pain hit me..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6PUDkG3bW
"W-wait...hold on..." I suck the air through my teeth.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioXgYXiCWP
"Did I do something?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Qa0a8Gp0
"N-no no, it's just something that happens sometimes... I'll be fine. Let's keep moving.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTglSEaepz
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oD6KuyALf
Jake, at some point had to carry me. "You're gonna be okay. Just breathe. We're gonna fix this.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc40tJZpPP
I did as he recommended. It did feel a little better..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8DeaI01HF
"Ah..there you are, Iris.." Nocturne says as she noticed me. "Thank you, my child."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gl3h4IwDU
"You're welcome... mother.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z9AKpoddm
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h7BZSbPnc
"Now that our prize has arrived, why don't we get started?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJHszPQb6I
"Nocturne! Let her go!" I hear my mother order.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VaMH3cHYo
"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.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTJHMWWcMz
"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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME6CaxydRp
Ciaran floats next to me, pretending to sit. "This will be very very interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P6PmiNyES
I slam against the wall of the bubble. "Let me go, Ciaran!"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5zGx0zwkU
"I cannot let you leave, Iris. Not when we have so many things to look forward to after this.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43K27el8Rr
"Like what?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNc9o5PSSi
"You'll see..." he smiled with that stupid toothy grin.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNoNp6hFXF
I noticed how well they were doing. Nocturne was looking a little angry at the fact.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJdBYAeZ9j
"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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4vpM2s7vq
"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."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUNqNhQnmZ
She cackled at him...she was cornered but...she laughed at him...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ012vSUk8MJ
I slam against the bubble again. "What's so funny? What are you planning, Nocturne?!"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Y9vm0Ip7
"Quiet, child. This is what happens when you attempt to threaten me..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8fjkGLQoR
Just before I could think about what that meant, an arm of darkness creeped up behind Espero...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Jl55XJ6L
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLTOXWANI9
"ESP!" I screamed. Others did the same.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImEdtRlR3Y
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPrEP9b2WO
"Espero! Esp! Get up!" I shake him vigorously. He faintly placed his hand on my shoulder.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchd0ArvDHP
"I-I'm sorry for...n-not h-helping you with y-your c-curse, Iris.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuKDcI4xmf
"I don't care about that right now, I'm worried about you!" I feel the tears roll down my cheeks like rivers.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GsU7wW2z2
He chuckles, coughing up a bit of blood along with it.. "...I d-did m-my job...I d-died p-protecting you.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnmOdBFmYq
"Don't say that! You've got to stay alive, Esp! You can't just leave me!"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLWvqGNx8D
He wipes my tears. "I-It's o-okay...y-you don't h-have to cry...n-not for me.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzgehZ0gwl
"Esp..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf88DY8GNDq
"...I-I'm gonna miss you, Iris.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDr11Llrmu
His body goes limp after that...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7JoNszvYq
"Esp? Esp?!" I continuously shake him. That's when Jake puts his hand on my shoulder.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX5HVL9SKB
"It's no use Iris...he's gone.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGQGiasBvR
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..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV675UU76ue
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ2jA35ff6
"Don't worry Iris," Nocturne rips me away once again... "You'll forget about him soon enough..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ1VwAl8Tx
"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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafKeqnfs72
"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.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSRYdIs4KH
Mom stepped back with visible tremble, picking up Espero. "...I'm so sorry, Iris. I... don't want anyone else to suffer..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW6asL2ni6
She slowly leaves the scene. The rest of the group follows behind.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uXq3zALtX
Nocturne wipes away my tears...
"Shh, you don't have to cry... we are going to take very good care of you.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8EQaZnGGs
"Why? W-why did you kill him?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3YnPYNeZY
"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.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zqaU70qdy
"Shall we leave then, Mother?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLep4VIDgF3
"Yes, we have a lot to do.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Y4JRTPqk
What are they planning to do with me? Was I going to die? Those questions swirled around my head as they dragged me away.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmszLGkJc4
***
Arelin's POV
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46yJ3vdF4p
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?
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHzYKFpEaY
"Arelin..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrkrN90yxH
Alena was behind me. I almost jumped.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIdn6Lg1zx
"Alena...you can't be here."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzh4lelKQ2
"Iris is...my friend too. I have to be there...for her.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiKVjmcH6r
"...If you come with me, you have to promise to leave if it gets too dangerous, okay?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo0Aq5FNuz
She nods her head and grabs my hand.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW02QviOez
I try to run as fast as I can to catch up. I have find Iris before something happens.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr3ZiufN9B
"Arelin...something bad happened..." she points towards a dark puddle, soaked into the soil around it.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5OeETcPMV
Alena goes up to it, and feels it. She shuffles away.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc2wyYYKO3
"I-It's blood...still warm..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWIQ7RMcTh
Fresh spilled blood.. Alena was right. Something horrible happened here..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllM8O6KQi3
...I have a feeling I should go to that town...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMUGcI8FiP
I run in the opposite direction, gripping Alena's arms tightly as I do.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN02nIWqZW
I was hardly breathing when I arrived...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy5Px1W47u
"Alena...you stay here.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPHmZR4SwJ
She sits quietly. "Be careful.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJxIEOtV9M
I nodded in understanding, and left her there.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCBaHi4tmn
Using some of my knowledge, I seemingly teleported from one point to another..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fOBtof9QQ
Right in front of the castle, I kicked my way through.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObBzv5yLB6
"Nocturne.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29UeG4lOxC
"Ah, hello again, Arelin..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPaC6Zqqn3
"I'm not here for chit chat. I'm here for Iris."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQednnDAQJN
"If you want her that badly..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv9PLnbseY
Iris...she turned again.. She was no longer herself, an animalistic husk of who she once was..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdCUucMIqw
I tried to get through to her again. "Iris..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZD6DPEj0r
I step forward, only for her to swipe at me. Talking to her wasn't an option. Iris continued to angrily stare.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgTZc8XEwp
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJfx8M0faN
"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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TjPAcBBEX
"Good. Now finish him,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VwdOYuEdH
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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9iSw3upwR
Fortunately it worked, however, Iris looked more.. upset about it...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1d1WPn1Ue
"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?
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fVdSArF35
"I-I'm sorry..I didn't want you to..." Iris hugs me, digging her crying face into my chest..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IqXdWL5Hr
I ended the illusion. She was obviously back to normal. I comfort her while staring daggers into the others' eyes.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72cMV5BcvF
"What...did you two do to Espero?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2n5WV8h54
"Are you really that empty skulled? Mother got rid of him. He's gone.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lMbfh5lYs
"...You...killed him?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYks1lNS98
"Hmm, yes, I guess you could put it that way,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj9ckXmwoi
I hug her even tighter. "Iris... I'm so sorry,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2KoXcC99f
She didn't reply, and just cried even harder..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShtiunkxdT
"Now, if you would let her go, we can go our separate ways,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJMTfhElAo
I pull her away. "I'm not letting you. You've tortured her for far too long,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemJw6pt9QL
"Then you shall suffer the same fate as Espe-"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCma3yXmuDN
"Mother, I will handle this. You should rest for the night,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxBbWzEd45
"... If you insist. I shall be on my way to bed,"
Nocturne, for once, left our sight..
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjNYnKtn1j
"Now that Mother has left, you can leave now,"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XAKPbeYgf
"...Can I tell you, Araginee, one last thing?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgdXaIfZMl
"What is it?" Iris replies.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4o9zcmynM
I barely blinked before he had teleported right in front of us, snatched Iris from my arms, and...
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJqUhtFovy
"I... love you..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9hGAz3cSw
He then kisses her, catching the both of us by surprise.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8XVT5aih5
"W-What?" Iris says in shock.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDY6eglCHO
He hands her back to me. "Did I scare you?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡankoNQj7sX
"W-we should go..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJsUg2YSrL
"Go ahead. Maybe you just need some time to think about it..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPGVSHXrC3
We follow his orders and leave. As we exit, I ask her. "...Are you okay?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2xiaAW0On
"I...I don't know. It was all so sudden," she says, still visibly confused.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnpYtgnphO
"I don't know if you should trust those words just yet. You know how much he likes to trick you.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDvBE0vFdy
"It felt genuine..."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ552732Q07l
".. We'll have to see how genuine he actually is.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG6IPAvof6
"...I brought...ev...ery..one else.." Alena says, approaching us.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8sDuM26at
Mrs. Araginee was disheveled. She must not have slept since yesterday. She sleepily walks over to Iris and wraps her arms around her waist.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKbfn71phT
"I'm...so sorry, Iris...I didn't want to leave you with them.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFvQFI97k
"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.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR3ZrftDQ5
"You are okay to come home, right?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4ClCBHRKi
"I can visit, but I can't stay. If I turn on you or Dad, you wouldn't be able to stop me.."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBoEsEscwY
"...Come tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3A0HEH40x
"I have a lot to think about. But I promise, I'll be there!" Iris gives her mother a wide smile.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDJNP4qhQ5
Irene smirks back. "Okay, kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6tJwNSOmg
Iris nods rapidly. "Okay!"
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KEdZ05deY
Irene looks at me. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxqfUhaTIN
"You're more than welcome, Mrs. Araginee. I'm just doing as I promised."
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuIChFAg9E
Irene hugs Iris once more. Then Jake, then Ecluna. Suddenly, it had turned into a group hug. I joined in.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueZwQIMHYo
I swear I could feel the wind wrapping around as well...I was convinced...Espero was also there.
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48vWhLwiBi
243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAANOWlkwL
