"Who are you?"
I struggle, only for the arm to grip tighter.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmpocsNxe9
"I am not trying to hurt you."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E5qmAEGD9
"What do you want then?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx813ufeuW9
"Just...come with me." and so he drags me away. "Do not worry, I will not put you any danger."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpxzIlstnn
"I'm gonna ask again, what is your name?" I say threateningly.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD46J3dKlY
"...Ciaran. I am Ciaran, Prince of Illusions,"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuZfRUamKc
"Well Ciaran, why are you kidnapping me?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwGKyMyDhj
"I will tell you later. Just know I am not doing this to hurt you."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcuazf6eD6
Then I see Jake and Espero leaving the Academy.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy6L41uvR7
"Jake! Esp! Help!"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvEHpLEVDy
It was like they didn't hear a thing.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltnDc2TkdI
"I do not want to get anyone else involved."
I hear magic deactivate, and my kidnapper continues walking as if nothing was happening.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCBZheILYi
"My mom's going to look for me. You're doing this for nothing."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ReJAVc6A
He covered my mouth with another arm of darkness. "Quite talkative, aren't you?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWS2gCwDQN
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApdwRKd4TM
"Stay here, I have to tell my mother that I have returned." and he walks away.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nHFGVB8tn
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?
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbY23hpD2f
"H-How did you get that?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvfXp1i3zE
"I found it in this closed off room, it has my mother in it."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqX5X7Ut5H
"You m-mean...?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RM6m6cOLG
"Yes, Nocturne, the Queen of Darkness, is in this chest."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO77cnwm5Pl
"Then what do you need me for?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLXHFCmtfV
"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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnrXY8oanJ
"My mother isn't dumb enough to fall for that." I snap.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNB5V64Q1o
"It's obvious. Your mother will do anything to make sure you're safe."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnufesMEl5B
He drops the chest in front of me. "Unless, you yourself can open it yourself."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPQXjmABLP
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?
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16pp4FYol9
"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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZHQ6hk4Li
"Espero..." Ciaran says, as if they were old friends, "Must you always try to ruin my plans?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NdFi7QEpZ
"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?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFhHlhWBVO
"If I get someone strong enough to remove my mother from this prison, I would be all powerful, by her side."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2w45vjvIV
"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,"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFyygR3JmH
"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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXsu8HGrqo
"Oho? Is that so?" Ciaran also activates his magic. "Well then, let's end this..."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5mOmPUFOx
"Sorry Iris, I can't afford to get you hurt,"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8wdjafDeh
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZOriv6xr5
"You're lucky Esp told me to tag along." Jake says, letting me stand up. "How did you get captured, Iris?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAKeFSsnRq
"I was trying to find Ecluna and some weirdo kidnapped me."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDwu1dPmWy
"Well, Ecluna's back now so."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TRiV1GKaO
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Wzxw4xnc
He points towards the window. "Espero of course. Don't want him getting killed now, do we?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuoScIKNoa
"I guess not.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqblsPCB9K
"Well, use webs and boost me up, I'll go get him."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lPbdUEWOF
I wrap my magic around his waist and haul him up to the window.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqoJaDcyPK
"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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1T4RHHhpE
"Jake! Are you okay?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsljrES1RmS
"Yeah," he said, picking himself up, "I've fallen from way higher, trust me.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiABJlFEdha
He takes Espero from my hands, and throws him over his shoulder. "He'll be fine."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimC82zItRb
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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMwXbU3aNF
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?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvOh6atGki
"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?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoj5ai6xFP
"He got hurt protecting her. I've just about finished wrapping him up.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2dNEgh3Vi
"I know about the plan with Alena, and I came as soon as I heard about Espero."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndJWXyAZqn
"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,"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9qTf8IHA3
"Hey Jake. Did you get hurt too?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWit9eEXra
"Yeah, a little, I fell off the side of a tower and I must've hurt myself somewhere. I'll be good though."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonT0renUX9
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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqWg6G0uEF
"I swear Mom, I didn't take that box over there."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWBD0XmorZ
"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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkpMoyf2Z8
"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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgohV2GHr2
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCvfW2gax6
"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.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6az0UEuFj1
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?
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29yETxRd37
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,"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqSC4JzDuS
"It wasn't...a normal Darken, it was Ciaran,"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0oheOC6Xu
"Ah, yeah. We've heard of the little evil incarnate. Such a momma's boy, isn't he?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4d3bkASnZ
"I guess.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7nQDYBW6B
Delmira pats my back. "Don't worry, we're gonna solve this lil issue."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTuQKJWzjP
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ100xxYwRew
I turn around as slow as my body would let me. It was just who I thought it was.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOKJ8gnYdL
"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.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuZELWki7Z
"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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzZzPKHb9H
"L-let me g-go..." I say with struggle.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAYY6Ug2Ku
"Let you go? When you fell straight into my arms? At an opportunity like this?" Ciaran replies.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRzSxPt4oz
"O-opportunity? No, I-I'm not letting you take me again...not this time.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClNjprn7g0
He sighs, and I feel even dizzier. I start to feel sick to my stomach. "Your perseverance is extremely annoying."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGs9iSouUd
"M-M-" he slips his hand over my mouth. My body was too tired to struggle.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F5Jht287x
"Everyone is too tired to help you now. Fight back. I dare you."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lKId7SdeV
I weakly punched him in any places I could, only for him to stay completely still. I was completely hopeless.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQSWXoX4pj
"W-what do you want f-from m-me?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lN6LGx1Lx
"I want your mother to suffer in the same way as my mother did,"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixHDiFEufw
"S-she deserved whatever p-pain a-and suffering she had.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrqJlLYVFk
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJHEYdJ8qR
"I am actually surprised you cannot fight back. I could've had a nice challenge."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb4plUhMy2
"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.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HChMrWZUd
"Now you are deciding to give me a fight?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHgMaAhqPt
"It's what you wanted..."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFdcySsqaP
"Not particularly..." he looks at me with a smile on his face. "But go. Hit me as hard as you can."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9InHQLKU5g
I then remember my mother's words...
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPurOYAgSO
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTLtup7pWw
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."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6SKAyd7nj
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapphtmoeoQ
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.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwsLNg8xdX
"I've caught you. Give up already." I say, stepping harder on his chest.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo5uefo65h
"It takes a lot for me to give up on something."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxbM9URKTY
"Mom said...if I had to...I could kill you if absolutely necessary.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrppDqN6wBs
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV68r5SmscC
"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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC29EgVTwUL
"You never told me Iris was mentally capable to murder someone.."
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"What's that supposed to mean?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsAyJFiV7L
"I mean, you look like an innocent girl. You couldn't kill an animal even if it means you'd starve..."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ywBsK01LR
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?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpRB2xl0ET
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?"
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGo7WV8J2W
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..
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC886ZL4u8O
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡour5cHLEyt
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...
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho6fEESYzP
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?
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwYWbMKAdW
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.."
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB96tBbkwaM
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.
386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0nNtVVNLN
"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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