"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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUZrr4eBIG
"I'm gonna ask again, what is your name?" I say threateningly.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DMXmNaY2V
"...Ciaran. I am Ciaran, Prince of Illusions,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPqWkxHzA0
"Well Ciaran, why are you kidnapping me?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLcaUiyh7H
"I will tell you later. Just know I am not doing this to hurt you."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4IZouIhJH
Then I see Jake and Espero leaving the Academy.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7AqnKyOfA
"Jake! Esp! Help!"
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It was like they didn't hear a thing.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurMks7dXXa
"I do not want to get anyone else involved."
I hear magic deactivate, and my kidnapper continues walking as if nothing was happening.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tn1ArknVS
"My mom's going to look for me. You're doing this for nothing."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6gL0v2pKV
He covered my mouth with another arm of darkness. "Quite talkative, aren't you?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAXCpcpw0a
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkmcxDo9Ug
"Stay here, I have to tell my mother that I have returned." and he walks away.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTdphnZ9cM
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?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFSlQUH93h
"I found it in this closed off room, it has my mother in it."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzL6UTTQro
"You m-mean...?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VjkloWnL7
"Yes, Nocturne, the Queen of Darkness, is in this chest."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuH00VwCxB
"Then what do you need me for?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2lEKTaqLL
"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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDXuZAeKJD
"My mother isn't dumb enough to fall for that." I snap.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx0a7hzUfv
"It's obvious. Your mother will do anything to make sure you're safe."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DKuV8qVZP
He drops the chest in front of me. "Unless, you yourself can open it yourself."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOncnPFyPT
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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M36MeV0zl
"Espero..." Ciaran says, as if they were old friends, "Must you always try to ruin my plans?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW60zyGRJl
"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?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEx7v81QVC
"If I get someone strong enough to remove my mother from this prison, I would be all powerful, by her side."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppeNU1rqRj
"As if anyone would help you." I snap again. He suddenly holds me up by the arm, an ache forming within my shoulder.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwmQjixDej
"I'm getting very annoyed by your smart remarks, Araginee,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkowTDZLXi
"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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjakCAeMyl
"Oho? Is that so?" Ciaran also activates his magic. "Well then, let's end this..."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp8QX3Za8G
"Sorry Iris, I can't afford to get you hurt,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJrcstvhd9
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS50a8yHE0
"You're lucky Esp told me to tag along." Jake says, letting me stand up. "How did you get captured, Iris?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynB4bvLenc
"I was trying to find Ecluna and some weirdo kidnapped me."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f0kpydvW5
"Well, Ecluna's back now so."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn1YauGlRe
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RbCdkJ7Ho
He points towards the window. "Espero of course. Don't want him getting killed now, do we?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvrjGeIPOO
"I guess not.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe8Ckp4Sat
"Well, use webs and boost me up, I'll go get him."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjPwaqaFx1
I wrap my magic around his waist and haul him up to the window.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaC3aGwtuL
"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-"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrjIdu78Xo
Espero flies outside the window, blood streaming from his face. Using my webs, I successfully catch him.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7Ew9gHxC1
"Jake! Are you okay?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77jbNySd1M
"Yeah," he said, picking himself up, "I've fallen from way higher, trust me.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB8C8Cdh6B
He takes Espero from my hands, and throws him over his shoulder. "He'll be fine."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyUxx09SXm
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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigslJtFeuh
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?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8mahZdr9X
"He got hurt protecting her. I've just about finished wrapping him up.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAN4xONdjK
"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,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu9JFGJBib
"Hey Jake. Did you get hurt too?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVTyKH4rjP
"Yeah, a little, I fell off the side of a tower and I must've hurt myself somewhere. I'll be good though."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWXnC6nHuP
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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV361ghqqDY
"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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTsscGNFVS
"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?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KA4GDHTyi
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOOEZjENhh
"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,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBdyNIvlwh
"It wasn't...a normal Darken, it was Ciaran,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanUpL43iKG
"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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurwQilbul8
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.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLULzwrhkF
"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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkptVEvzGRd
"O-opportunity? No, I-I'm not letting you take me again...not this time.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUoRAPaCWO
He sighs, and I feel even dizzier. I start to feel sick to my stomach. "Your perseverance is extremely annoying."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJlu0DxnVS
"M-M-" he slips his hand over my mouth. My body was too tired to struggle.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUvifMFDcu
"Everyone is too tired to help you now. Fight back. I dare you."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ1auK8yij
I weakly punched him in any places I could, only for him to stay completely still. I was completely hopeless.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SL4mnlqNL
"W-what do you want f-from m-me?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4HgUbTTIh
"I want your mother to suffer in the same way as my mother did,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEWRaRPzEk
"S-she deserved whatever p-pain a-and suffering she had.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JPRACjLXD
Another wave of dizziness. It was nauseating, almost vomit-inducing..
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiTPGSg90R
"Whatever you think is evil...is just your opinion..." Ciaran drops me, my body so weak, I could only lie in defeat.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXuM35TXqq
"I am actually surprised you cannot fight back. I could've had a nice challenge."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4nX6Li84O
"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?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgJPVtrTyR
"It's what you wanted..."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIhn5Y0tfx
"Not particularly..." he looks at me with a smile on his face. "But go. Hit me as hard as you can."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3IYTKvOYZ
I then remember my mother's words...
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFTkvGWIYS
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58uDXDhY2O
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."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR2ZSs8RNv
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lp7rictbm
I remove the ceiling tile, swing down, finally knock him down for once.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWWgdxAned
"There you are..." he says with grimace. "Very clever of you.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVZOngTSOd
"I've caught you. Give up already." I say, stepping harder on his chest.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq16dp4t9ev
"It takes a lot for me to give up on something."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01gp1TSF91
"Mom said...if I had to...I could kill you if absolutely necessary.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOIkOgdm8L
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJJg7Ak1ky
"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.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeGYQWMaPU
"What's that supposed to mean?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcerIQHhYe
"I mean, you look like an innocent girl. You couldn't kill an animal even if it means you'd starve..."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxzEtCCoiX
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.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4ZTjt8urf
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?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICAFQFxC6j
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?"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42DzQ0EeCl
I slowly grab the paper and read it. It was the equation we were working on. The one to release Alena from her curse.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoMb8FrXmF
"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,"
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCDYIZo9Sg
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nJajM1Hkt
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?
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZNJ9R9o6Q
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.."
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoc2olhTgQ
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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