"Who are you?"
I struggle, only for the arm to grip tighter.
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"I am not trying to hurt you."
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"What do you want then?"
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"Just...come with me." and so he drags me away. "Do not worry, I will not put you any danger."
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"I'm gonna ask again, what is your name?" I say threateningly.
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"...Ciaran. I am Ciaran, Prince of Illusions,"
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"Well Ciaran, why are you kidnapping me?"
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"I will tell you later. Just know I am not doing this to hurt you."
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Then I see Jake and Espero leaving the Academy.
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"Jake! Esp! Help!"
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It was like they didn't hear a thing.
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"I do not want to get anyone else involved."
I hear magic deactivate, and my kidnapper continues walking as if nothing was happening.
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"My mom's going to look for me. You're doing this for nothing."
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He covered my mouth with another arm of darkness. "Quite talkative, aren't you?"
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He grabs the ends of the cape he was wearing and throws it above our heads. "Just...keep still, and I won't have to hurt you." Ciaran pulls the cape back down to his body to reveal a very claustrophobic room, drops me, and removes the dark arm from my face.
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"Stay here, I have to tell my mother that I have returned." and he walks away.
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I take a glance at the room around me. Maroon enveloped the room in a very cozy aura. Ciaran returns with...the box Mom had locked in her old headquarters?
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"H-How did you get that?"
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"I found it in this closed off room, it has my mother in it."
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"You m-mean...?"
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"Yes, Nocturne, the Queen of Darkness, is in this chest."
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"Then what do you need me for?"
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"You are a hostage. If I can get your mother or anyone else in her little 'group' to try to retrieve you, I'll simply tell them to bring back Mother in return for your safety."
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"My mother isn't dumb enough to fall for that." I snap.
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"It's obvious. Your mother will do anything to make sure you're safe."
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He drops the chest in front of me. "Unless, you yourself can open it yourself."
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I feel the sharp dark aura protruding from the inside of it. Regardless, I start to place my hand onto the box. That's when something crashed through the window, shattering it. I look down at the object that landed next to me. A book?
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"Alright you creep, let go of my cousin.." Espero was hovering over the windowsill before climbing in himself. "Or I'm gonna have to use force."
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"Espero..." Ciaran says, as if they were old friends, "Must you always try to ruin my plans?"
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"Nah, but this time you've taken it a bit too far." Espero uses his magic to carry me over to him. "What are you even planning now?"
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"If I get someone strong enough to remove my mother from this prison, I would be all powerful, by her side."
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"As if anyone would help you." I snap again. He suddenly holds me up by the arm, an ache forming within my shoulder.
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"I'm getting very annoyed by your smart remarks, Araginee,"
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"Well, I'm getting very tired of you too," I say back. He drops me with a heavy exhale. "I can't be bothered by your childishness anymore."
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"Okay, you've yelled at her, now leave her alone," Espero activates his magic. "I'm honestly tempted to just end this right now."
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"Oho? Is that so?" Ciaran also activates his magic. "Well then, let's end this..."
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"Sorry Iris, I can't afford to get you hurt,"
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Using even more of his magic, he carefully tosses me out the window. I was just about ready to hit the ground below, but I felt someone catch me instead.
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"You're lucky Esp told me to tag along." Jake says, letting me stand up. "How did you get captured, Iris?"
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"I was trying to find Ecluna and some weirdo kidnapped me."
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"Well, Ecluna's back now so."
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"Well, what are we waiting for?"
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He points towards the window. "Espero of course. Don't want him getting killed now, do we?"
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"I guess not.."
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"Well, use webs and boost me up, I'll go get him."
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I wrap my magic around his waist and haul him up to the window.
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"What do you see?" I ask. Jake grabs onto the windowsill and pulls himself up.
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"I've gotta get a better-"
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Espero flies outside the window, blood streaming from his face. Using my webs, I successfully catch him.
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"Jake! Are you okay?"
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"Yeah," he said, picking himself up, "I've fallen from way higher, trust me.."
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He takes Espero from my hands, and throws him over his shoulder. "He'll be fine."
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Ciaran jumps off the windowsill. "Poor Espero. He can fight from a distance, but he can't defend himself physically." he sighs, then continues. "I won't attack the defenseless. But, watch yourselves, especially you Araginee.." he gives a evil smirk, and disappears into a deep purple smoke.
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"Quickly, let's go before anyone else tries anything funny."
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We quickly ran through the district to the Wildlife District, the closest place to help we had. As soon as we found Ivy's humble home, we ran in, screamed for Mrs. Ixia's help, and tried to wake up Espero.
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Ikura suddenly ran down her steps and took a look at the situation. "My goodness, what happened?!"
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"E-Espero tried to-...a-and he-..."
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"Shh.." she comforted me with small headpats. "I'm gonna make sure he's nice and patched up," she picks up her roll of bandages. "Iris, you call your mother, I'm sure she's worried sick."
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"Okay..." I slowly pick up the home's phone and call Mom, who immediately answered.
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"Hello?"
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"Mom! It's Espero, he got in a fight and-"
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The phone immediately hangs up, and I sit in silence. I hear another person enter the house.
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"Iris!" I hear Ecluna's voice. Arelin comes in with her. "What happened to Espero?"
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"He got hurt protecting her. I've just about finished wrapping him up.."
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"I know about the plan with Alena, and I came as soon as I heard about Espero."
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"Let's wait for Mom to get back." I tell her, out of breath.
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Jake comes in rubbing his shoulders. "Hey Ecluna,"
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"Hey Jake. Did you get hurt too?"
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"Yeah, a little, I fell off the side of a tower and I must've hurt myself somewhere. I'll be good though."
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Uncle Damien and Mom came rushing in, my mother immediately grabbing me and holding me close.
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"I knew something was off when that chest was missing, but...thank goodness you're okay, Iris."
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"I swear Mom, I didn't take that box over there."
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"I know, Iris, I know. You're too sweet of a girl to do something like that.." She releases me.
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"Whoever took the chest is trying to bring Nocturne back."
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"Nocturne? Is that the 'her' you were talking about a couple days ago?" Ecluna asks.
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"I'd never thought I'd tell you children this now, but I guess I have no choice."
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Mom sighs and sits down in a nearby chair. "When I was your age, I and the other Creative Ones had one main enemy, Nocturne. She was, by far, the strongest enemy me or the others had ever encountered. It wasn't long before we had overpowered her, locked whatever was left of her kept in the chest, her necklace. And now that she's possibly been freed, I don't have all the Creative Ones to stop her again..."
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"Who?"
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"It's been forever since I've seen her." she says, pulling out a brooch of gold. An ancient aura drifted across the room. It's like I could sense someone standing right in front of her. She slips the jewelry back into her pocket.
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"Iris, if you ever see Ciaran, fight him. Kill him if only absolutely necessary. Do you understand?"
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I nod my head in silence. "Okay.."
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"Let's go, I have things to do." she picks Espero up in a bubble of her creative magic and practically storm out, her rage still left in the air. I proceed to follow her.
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"Iris, I was skeptical to let you go to the Kingdom District for that exact reason. You can't just accept defeat every time you can't use your body. Sometimes you have to use your mind, your one inner power. Remember that.."
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Despite her calm tone of voice, her words still cut like a knife. I silently nod again before looking at Espero's tattered body. His coat was soiled with blood, it made me wonder how powerful Ciaran really is. Was I strong enough to fight him on my own?
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We approach the headquarters, where everyone else was sitting down, looking at the map and taking notes on the red dots spread across.
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"Aria, look after Espero while I prepare the room."
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Aria does as she's told and checks around the orb for any sign of movement. I do the same.
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"He's still unconscious from what I can see.." Aria says, before sipping her cup of tea.
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"Poor kid." Sargeant Delmira says, pitying Espero. "There's no way this could've been a normal Darken,"
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"It wasn't...a normal Darken, it was Ciaran,"
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"Ah, yeah. We've heard of the little evil incarnate. Such a momma's boy, isn't he?"
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"I guess.."
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Delmira pats my back. "Don't worry, we're gonna solve this lil issue."
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Mom comes back, releases Espero from the orb, and carries him to the prepared room. I follow.
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A wash of nostalgia drifted over me. "I remember this room. We would stay in here all the time.."
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I imagine a younger version of myself, playing with the stuffed animals, which were now placed orderly on the couch.
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"If Espero gets up, call me back." she lets the doors close behind her. I solemnly sit down in the chair next to the couch. How could I leave him in such a state?
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"Sad, isn't it?" I hear a familiar, smug voice.
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I turn around as slow as my body would let me. It was just who I thought it was.
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"C-Ciaran!" I immediately activated my vibrant magic, which spiraled into my hands. He scoffs at the flames.
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"You are weaker than you look.."
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"S-shut up!" I finally try to land an attack on him, but he effortlessly dodged the webs I had threw his way. He raises his arm, and I see his darkness activate. Slowly, I start to stumble, I feel the ground around me spin.
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"If you will not help me, then I will just have to do it myself..." I hear faintly. I unwillingly fall into his arms to catch myself.
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"L-let me g-go..." I say with struggle.
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"Let you go? When you fell straight into my arms? At an opportunity like this?" Ciaran replies.
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"O-opportunity? No, I-I'm not letting you take me again...not this time.."
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He sighs, and I feel even dizzier. I start to feel sick to my stomach. "Your perseverance is extremely annoying."
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"M-M-" he slips his hand over my mouth. My body was too tired to struggle.
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"Everyone is too tired to help you now. Fight back. I dare you."
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I weakly punched him in any places I could, only for him to stay completely still. I was completely hopeless.
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"W-what do you want f-from m-me?"
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"I want your mother to suffer in the same way as my mother did,"
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"S-she deserved whatever p-pain a-and suffering she had.."
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Another wave of dizziness. It was nauseating, almost vomit-inducing..
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"Whatever you think is evil...is just your opinion..." Ciaran drops me, my body so weak, I could only lie in defeat.
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"I am actually surprised you cannot fight back. I could've had a nice challenge."
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"I'm not trying to play your evil mind games, Ciaran.." I stand up with a wobble, and activate my magic once more. "Leave me alone...or I'll make you.."
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"Now you are deciding to give me a fight?"
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"It's what you wanted..."
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"Not particularly..." he looks at me with a smile on his face. "But go. Hit me as hard as you can."
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I then remember my mother's words...
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Quietly, I started to draw color from the floor. Then, using the bluish hue, I try to copy my mother's ability to make objects with the will of her own magic.
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A small dagger appeared, and just before I could make the attack, it faded away. I couldn't miss this opportunity. Just before I could land a punch, I jump up through the ceiling tiles. I didn't know if it would work, but it was worth a shot.
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"It's pointless, Araginee."
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I stay silent, and look for when his back might be turned. Ciaran, however, didn't move a muscle. I had no choice but to try.
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I remove the ceiling tile, swing down, finally knock him down for once.
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"There you are..." he says with grimace. "Very clever of you.."
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"I've caught you. Give up already." I say, stepping harder on his chest.
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"It takes a lot for me to give up on something."
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"Mom said...if I had to...I could kill you if absolutely necessary.."
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I slowly move my foot towards his throat, but I realized...I couldn't move it closer. I noticed Espero's weak aura around my feet.
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"Iris...It's not n-necessary. You have him at a disadvantage..." Espero whispers from the bed. Listening to my cousin, I let the Darken up.
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"You never told me Iris was mentally capable to murder someone.."
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"What's that supposed to mean?"
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"I mean, you look like an innocent girl. You couldn't kill an animal even if it means you'd starve..."
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Espero sighs. "Quiet, both of you. Listen Ciaran, we'll let you go. No one'll know you're here. Just...leave before she hurts you or something.."
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Ciaran takes a glance back at me, and disappears into a blanket of smoke. Espero painfully gets up, hobbling to the door. I follow, making sure he didn't fall or hurt himself.
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When my mother first saw him limping into the room, she carried him to a nearby chair and checks his injuries. I sat in the chair next to him.
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"Well, he didn't break anything, since he walked in by himself.." Ikura says. "For now, just use your magic to stay off of your feet and lay down every once in a while, okay?"
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Espero gave her a thumbs up to tell her okay, before laying back in his seat. I give Espero his jacket, letting it blanket him as he tried to rest. I feel his hand rub my head.
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As soon as I walk away, I get a slight headache...and I hear Espero's voice echoing inside of my head.
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"Wait...take this to Arelin. I don't know if my math is quite right," he silently holds up a paper. "Just...take it to him for me, alright?"
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I slowly grab the paper and read it. It was the equation we were working on. The one to release Alena from her curse.
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"Okay, I can do that..." I say out loud. I carefully roll up the paper and walk towards the door.
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"Be careful, Iris,"
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I nod my head quietly and leave. That's when it happened..
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An explosion, far out from any of the districts. I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. I look in the direction of the noise. Darkness filled the sky.
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I had feared the worst had happened. In a angry, yet curious rage, I started running towards the explosion.
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Ciaran, what have you done now?
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I quickly make my way to the empty outskirts. That's when I saw it for the first time. It was...a small town. No one was outside...
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Then, I heard it. An evil chuckle that echoed throughout the air. I felt crawling down my spine once again. The realization hit me like a truck. What if that dizziness wasn't just something to slow me down? Did he take some of my magic to bring her back?
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I couldn't let him do that. My strong determination, despite my fear, dragged me forward.
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"You are so much like your mother. Both arrogant and annoying.."
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The sharp red eyes. That horrible toothy smile. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was...Nocturne. Half of her face inked with darkness, I stared at true evil.
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"Ciaran...what did you do?" I say in shock.
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"We...brought her back..." He points towards himself, then towards me.
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"I knew you did something to me..."
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"You...are still alive aren't you? I just 'borrowed' something to achieve my goal."
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I...caused this. I let him take my magic and he used it to bring back Nocturne. I knew I had to fix it, but I also knew I couldn't. Not with my body nearly stripped of it's power.
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"Now child...surrender to me..." Nocturne says, holding a sphere of dark in her palms.
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"N-never!" I angrily say. "I'm not gonna let you terrorize people!"
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"...All of you are so perseverant. And I thought you would be useful..."
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"She's not your child...she's mine. You don't get to decide if she's useful to you or not," Mom made her presence known with a strong aura.
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"Mom-"
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"Iris. I'll handle this. Go back home."
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"I'm not going to let you get hurt like Espero, Mom!"
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"My duty, not only as a god, but as your mother, is to protect you. I can't afford you to get hurt."
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"And I feel like I have to protect you as my mother." I take some color from the dirt ground, with a dingy orb of color glowing in front of me.
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"...You are...very assertive, Iris. But if I feel like you're in danger, I'll have to take you somewhere safe..."
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"...Ciaran, my child, you should leave as well. I shall handle her..."
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"And don't follow me, you creep..." I snap.
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"Don't start, Araginee. As if I would follow you without a good reason.."
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I angrily sigh, slowly backing away. Ciaran smugly does the same. As soon as I get far enough, I start running towards civilization.
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Dad was anxiously waiting for me to run away unscathed. He grips me with all of his strength.
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"Thank God, you're not hurt.."
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"Mom told me to come back before I got hurt."
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"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll fix everything. Now let's hurry.." He grabs my hand and starts to run, before using his spider arms to propel himself through the air.
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As soon as we get to the Kingdom District, I look for Jake, or anyone that could help me...
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Could this be...the beginning of the end?
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