"Who are you?"
I struggle, only for the arm to grip tighter.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtV9HwaA5N
"I am not trying to hurt you."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegxoibvzzV
"What do you want then?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG9sM73C4y
"Just...come with me." and so he drags me away. "Do not worry, I will not put you any danger."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla5VB8vfe8
"I'm gonna ask again, what is your name?" I say threateningly.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvDX49JWv8
"...Ciaran. I am Ciaran, Prince of Illusions,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWSc3nVRgw
"Well Ciaran, why are you kidnapping me?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTZCtRWczW
"I will tell you later. Just know I am not doing this to hurt you."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuBxmoNNxX
Then I see Jake and Espero leaving the Academy.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IufufgWe3
"Jake! Esp! Help!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UfCxEEoIj
It was like they didn't hear a thing.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0nZ5v2i3y
"I do not want to get anyone else involved."
I hear magic deactivate, and my kidnapper continues walking as if nothing was happening.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiXlmIYV5o
"My mom's going to look for me. You're doing this for nothing."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJezVvOWMd
He covered my mouth with another arm of darkness. "Quite talkative, aren't you?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRS306GLWZ
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62UOqO6I7p
"Stay here, I have to tell my mother that I have returned." and he walks away.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgZljOsSbz
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?
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZHswCC85w
"H-How did you get that?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcNX7T7Hm8
"I found it in this closed off room, it has my mother in it."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIetRISqsr
"You m-mean...?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYGkkjuHhu
"Yes, Nocturne, the Queen of Darkness, is in this chest."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgwOWQ7sVg
"Then what do you need me for?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw09Usezb6F
"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."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrh3K8PeEf
"My mother isn't dumb enough to fall for that." I snap.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjBjmybVkc
"It's obvious. Your mother will do anything to make sure you're safe."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgLYtLsCNE
He drops the chest in front of me. "Unless, you yourself can open it yourself."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0T9q8uECp
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?
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4cPpMe23h
"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."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG3u5E1pQd
"Espero..." Ciaran says, as if they were old friends, "Must you always try to ruin my plans?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQwyeHWcHE
"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?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CG2NANk5x
"If I get someone strong enough to remove my mother from this prison, I would be all powerful, by her side."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf39t4fz6GA
"As if anyone would help you." I snap again. He suddenly holds me up by the arm, an ache forming within my shoulder.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeEKxjr78Q
"I'm getting very annoyed by your smart remarks, Araginee,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR0SZ6tM95
"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."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf0DteATtj
"Okay, you've yelled at her, now leave her alone," Espero activates his magic. "I'm honestly tempted to just end this right now."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaG1URo2FM
"Oho? Is that so?" Ciaran also activates his magic. "Well then, let's end this..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkgX6rNe65
"Sorry Iris, I can't afford to get you hurt,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dl06yoplv
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cKjNYceu9
"You're lucky Esp told me to tag along." Jake says, letting me stand up. "How did you get captured, Iris?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLS0qGgat3
"I was trying to find Ecluna and some weirdo kidnapped me."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinDbby6FL4
"Well, Ecluna's back now so."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuzqwgKxLD
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqWDe2HvuT
He points towards the window. "Espero of course. Don't want him getting killed now, do we?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbH3eOnGna
"I guess not.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwCzgH6sdV
"Well, use webs and boost me up, I'll go get him."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr7cU388xe
I wrap my magic around his waist and haul him up to the window.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEx6RlEvs9
"What do you see?" I ask. Jake grabs onto the windowsill and pulls himself up.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j4WjE9Nvz
"I've gotta get a better-"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOfuywV9Wo
Espero flies outside the window, blood streaming from his face. Using my webs, I successfully catch him.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMztNZnpE7n
"Jake! Are you okay?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxfvk2JnKn
"Yeah," he said, picking himself up, "I've fallen from way higher, trust me.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgI61VMpBV
He takes Espero from my hands, and throws him over his shoulder. "He'll be fine."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYITqS2IlRY
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wSG0rIRsF
"Quickly, let's go before anyone else tries anything funny."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyo4mFgUXu
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTJLvuGYYB
Ikura suddenly ran down her steps and took a look at the situation. "My goodness, what happened?!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlh9YQX6uC
"E-Espero tried to-...a-and he-..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE9b1mgYGx
"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."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAji6YWwlB
"Okay..." I slowly pick up the home's phone and call Mom, who immediately answered.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vIpBUKw7g
"Hello?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4L3nAGbqP
"Mom! It's Espero, he got in a fight and-"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkfpMhveDj
The phone immediately hangs up, and I sit in silence. I hear another person enter the house.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9RVqtKeMG
"Iris!" I hear Ecluna's voice. Arelin comes in with her. "What happened to Espero?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbkorioe64
"He got hurt protecting her. I've just about finished wrapping him up.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8kdTXIoI7
"I know about the plan with Alena, and I came as soon as I heard about Espero."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlXHbjaQcj
"Let's wait for Mom to get back." I tell her, out of breath.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtaSoXlZaq
Jake comes in rubbing his shoulders. "Hey Ecluna,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8n2aXS7H9
"Hey Jake. Did you get hurt too?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m1mEQDiQB
"Yeah, a little, I fell off the side of a tower and I must've hurt myself somewhere. I'll be good though."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQObdq7NbjH
Uncle Damien and Mom came rushing in, my mother immediately grabbing me and holding me close.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwaJvORLiw
"I knew something was off when that chest was missing, but...thank goodness you're okay, Iris."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNfsKUyleM
"I swear Mom, I didn't take that box over there."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgp4xnrIw2
"I know, Iris, I know. You're too sweet of a girl to do something like that.." She releases me.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkDWSjjQjD
"Whoever took the chest is trying to bring Nocturne back."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPPJe7dmku
"Nocturne? Is that the 'her' you were talking about a couple days ago?" Ecluna asks.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccwM84GpPz
"I'd never thought I'd tell you children this now, but I guess I have no choice."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23Y41924AL
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..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAaVO5J4ee
"Who?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfnD0E7CRF
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUXMDWyI2K
"Iris, if you ever see Ciaran, fight him. Kill him if only absolutely necessary. Do you understand?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4kRBMNQOr
I nod my head in silence. "Okay.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWCP2bBO65
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KRd6B5Q1F
"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.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5akVs6jYt
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?
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnyz0hRr9N
We approach the headquarters, where everyone else was sitting down, looking at the map and taking notes on the red dots spread across.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4mj7IdLzS
"Aria, look after Espero while I prepare the room."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfawnXndwJK
Aria does as she's told and checks around the orb for any sign of movement. I do the same.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPPEOgzTBi
"He's still unconscious from what I can see.." Aria says, before sipping her cup of tea.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVlgyvNRcY
"Poor kid." Sargeant Delmira says, pitying Espero. "There's no way this could've been a normal Darken,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pve0AUdX7
"It wasn't...a normal Darken, it was Ciaran,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDuin2nsrE
"Ah, yeah. We've heard of the little evil incarnate. Such a momma's boy, isn't he?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaqmO24CME
"I guess.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWuEEvfz7K
Delmira pats my back. "Don't worry, we're gonna solve this lil issue."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilTlk7wf2t
Mom comes back, releases Espero from the orb, and carries him to the prepared room. I follow.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9FXaJhsEz
A wash of nostalgia drifted over me. "I remember this room. We would stay in here all the time.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDm2yj5iL6
I imagine a younger version of myself, playing with the stuffed animals, which were now placed orderly on the couch.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9bG9xYsCK
"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?
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV9WXJbXS5
"Sad, isn't it?" I hear a familiar, smug voice.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxk2z7zXUE
I turn around as slow as my body would let me. It was just who I thought it was.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HXyBkqQoB
"C-Ciaran!" I immediately activated my vibrant magic, which spiraled into my hands. He scoffs at the flames.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDCJzPFw2D
"You are weaker than you look.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tlDZU5Que
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBx87ynWft
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNAh8lf6cf
"L-let me g-go..." I say with struggle.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh7O2bKvlt
"Let you go? When you fell straight into my arms? At an opportunity like this?" Ciaran replies.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVL74LUWcQ
"O-opportunity? No, I-I'm not letting you take me again...not this time.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rNh0kWvBF
He sighs, and I feel even dizzier. I start to feel sick to my stomach. "Your perseverance is extremely annoying."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ou0xsehvb
"M-M-" he slips his hand over my mouth. My body was too tired to struggle.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha3X8uZewZ
"Everyone is too tired to help you now. Fight back. I dare you."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnTPAkaVzy
I weakly punched him in any places I could, only for him to stay completely still. I was completely hopeless.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr98pkzTfGf
"W-what do you want f-from m-me?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w5ujpiIK3
"I want your mother to suffer in the same way as my mother did,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoBg9liiDT
"S-she deserved whatever p-pain a-and suffering she had.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQisfCqX2Au
Another wave of dizziness. It was nauseating, almost vomit-inducing..
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVqdKtHHof
"Whatever you think is evil...is just your opinion..." Ciaran drops me, my body so weak, I could only lie in defeat.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyKTqd8qvc
"I am actually surprised you cannot fight back. I could've had a nice challenge."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQJdP0unWT
"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.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg1i5rGSzS
"Now you are deciding to give me a fight?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaZnccpGJN
"It's what you wanted..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5zokk7Spd
"Not particularly..." he looks at me with a smile on his face. "But go. Hit me as hard as you can."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMu7LFTNaQ
I then remember my mother's words...
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJfRy943eV
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2TYe4MnNP
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcbeC2sI49
"It's pointless, Araginee."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfGagKcdov
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeADzo2pd6
I remove the ceiling tile, swing down, finally knock him down for once.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30LAqGrscl
"There you are..." he says with grimace. "Very clever of you.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnTL4qWftK
"I've caught you. Give up already." I say, stepping harder on his chest.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AhBZwWFxg
"It takes a lot for me to give up on something."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL0rZMWYyL
"Mom said...if I had to...I could kill you if absolutely necessary.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ32Bv2N7p
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qIwQpNcH8
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGzfUqmv5g
"You never told me Iris was mentally capable to murder someone.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sRjXuGuFh
"What's that supposed to mean?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7Q6xiKTLv
"I mean, you look like an innocent girl. You couldn't kill an animal even if it means you'd starve..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWpEKn0QvL
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.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzh1QQ1y70
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkkj2Pj8Eu
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxargg86O8
"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?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImWEC7i8yM
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6GETaGFI3
As soon as I walk away, I get a slight headache...and I hear Espero's voice echoing inside of my head.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2tKSXBno8
"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?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6eCNSL5jG
I slowly grab the paper and read it. It was the equation we were working on. The one to release Alena from her curse.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ726nB5aDEv
"Okay, I can do that..." I say out loud. I carefully roll up the paper and walk towards the door.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzow3h2oph
"Be careful, Iris,"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xn8GhrY9G
I nod my head quietly and leave. That's when it happened..
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWUH3a5QGR
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3drowS80WY
I had feared the worst had happened. In a angry, yet curious rage, I started running towards the explosion.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIpMCy3230
Ciaran, what have you done now?
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc43n0OTh9
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...
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj126Wyiy6a
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?
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFgODiSoAA
I couldn't let him do that. My strong determination, despite my fear, dragged me forward.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJHr7oWqAm
"You are so much like your mother. Both arrogant and annoying.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8NVNWbMZo
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOUZmEeEow
"Ciaran...what did you do?" I say in shock.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEa0JkAWBG
"We...brought her back..." He points towards himself, then towards me.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiJR31p4mE
"I knew you did something to me..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXVYgBxQFQ
"You...are still alive aren't you? I just 'borrowed' something to achieve my goal."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hYR1BQTVq
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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sZHLwCuFD
"Now child...surrender to me..." Nocturne says, holding a sphere of dark in her palms.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eF9DZTZuj
"N-never!" I angrily say. "I'm not gonna let you terrorize people!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLNkvCk3VH
"...All of you are so perseverant. And I thought you would be useful..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOpnyrFQmg
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yMrCOKyAB
"Mom-"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUCbut8bRj
"Iris. I'll handle this. Go back home."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE1vwhCbGF
"I'm not going to let you get hurt like Espero, Mom!"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPr350hVU5
"My duty, not only as a god, but as your mother, is to protect you. I can't afford you to get hurt."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqrOwkyzgb
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcEtUUoNpm
"...You are...very assertive, Iris. But if I feel like you're in danger, I'll have to take you somewhere safe..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nxg6Un3hQ
"...Ciaran, my child, you should leave as well. I shall handle her..."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAROUvAVIsC
"And don't follow me, you creep..." I snap.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSqqgdOqfn
"Don't start, Araginee. As if I would follow you without a good reason.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7zU1B9QkV
I angrily sigh, slowly backing away. Ciaran smugly does the same. As soon as I get far enough, I start running towards civilization.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEueKhpvgEV
Dad was anxiously waiting for me to run away unscathed. He grips me with all of his strength.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2OUAdNzLI
"Thank God, you're not hurt.."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21zzNc4RCS
"Mom told me to come back before I got hurt."
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHLU5O2b4j
"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.
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xph0b1Glp
As soon as we get to the Kingdom District, I look for Jake, or anyone that could help me...
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbZLkwMkMo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtytvKR4mL
Could this be...the beginning of the end?
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82YaOGs8op
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJeAWHyXCP
