I felt my stomach twist into knots.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8VQmjfyhp
"It's...get...ting worse.." Alena said somberly.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTyOMmZiUM
In replace of her normal face, a dark mask was covering half of her face. Curled horns poked from her head.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOflye5isb
She had turned. In the time I had wasted..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryZUOwgLjD
I slowly approached her. "Iris...it's me. You don't have to worry."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFzKjcoKYO
Alena also tried to comfort her, wrapping her arms around Iris's sides. Iris initially accepted her comfort, sitting down and heavily breathing.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5G2jTreJK
"Arelin is here...to help...you.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c3iLH1yqn
Iris looks up at me, not saying a word.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6tC4eHS3V
I look at Ecluna, who was cowering in the corner and hyperventilating.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDG4hTa9AH
"Ecluna, you have to come over here where it's safer."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7UnTSXLIE
"I can't.." she muttered. "If I move, she'll kill me..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7zFjLbRps
She wasn't mad at anyone when I left...but it was the darkness accelerated her anger only towards Ecluna. She was the one who injected more Dark magic into her body.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEI4jeWqsV
"Don't worry.. we're going to get you out of here..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW00Zjgqn3
I slowly approached Iris once again, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Iris...please calm down...we can fix this...you just have to give me a chance.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy65H120Iv
I could see a flash on realization on her face, but she simply stared at me. She didn't make a single word.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoBtG93tuw
"Ecluna...hand me some of your magic.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHvkSAJpvE
"What if I make her worse?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp82C8PymZ
"I'll see if I can split the two magics apart. I'll use the Light magic on her and absorb the Dark magic."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhScPnQDKM
Quivering, Ecluna floats an orb of her ecliptic magic towards me. I ripped the two magics apart and gave the Light half to Iris.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpCOAxRiFM
She screeches horribly for a couple seconds, then...she snaps back to her original self.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4GYeX0L5l
"...Arelin? What's happening to me?" She looks at herself with fear and confusion.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGBtjTawEg
"You're lucky I could split her magic in half. You could've killed Ecluna.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdWaumKwkA
"E-Ecluna?" She looks behind her, and realizes what she had done.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9U4yyI8pG
"Oh my God, Ecluna! I'm so sorry!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuckWK7ng7
"It's okay, it's okay, I'm just a bit shaken up. I'll be fine. At least you're back to normal.. somewhat..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET9gKUqETZ
"Somewhat?" she runs to the nearest mirror before shrieking at the sight of her own face. I noticed her height had increased significantly, her head almost touching the ceiling.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfPICk5vVO
Alena slowly tugs on her sleeves. "It's ok...ay...you're safe and...that's all that...mat...ters,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw9hJoiWRk
"W-What's Mom gonna think? She's gonna kill you!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNhjfBZOLg
"I'll have to talk it out with her...and maybe I should take you with me. You do miss your parents, don't you?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygnjM6Ro2F
She nods. "If you don't mind, I don't..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuCfPBv5sj
"Alright then, you must be really really happy to see them again.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy8AxeIwm5
I take her darkened hand and lead her out. "Watch your head.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MnG7YuXRL
I hear a loud noise on the wall. "Too late..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbsPO34x6B
I sigh and let her through the doorframes. As soon as we made it to Emburaria, we quickly found more places to hide Iris. Espero was the first one to notice her, of course.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cWsoGwcY5
"Iris?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v43SgGuNd
"Esp!" she took him from the ground and hugged him tight. He then realized was being lifted off of the ground.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7JIhh0SOu
"Wait a minute... where'd you get a growth spurt? You're taller than I am,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOp1Rr4dUm
"The weirdo curse is affecting my body somehow, but I wanted to come out and see everyone again!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERfhk1pHDP
"I noticed. Why don't we take you somewhere so you don't scare the people here?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCanvpsXKMG
"Oh...okay then.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6gqWmLTlf
Espero quietly leads her inside. I follow them. Queen Violet sat quietly in her chair. All three of us show respect to her majesty's presence.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc2PaWe8ja
"Your majesty, I'm sorry for bothering you, but this is..Iris, daughter of Irene."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmkzhxQ2u3
"...You are the individual Aurelia and the children have been talking about."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOXLc6bueu
"I...think so.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7u0GpMXXz
"Iris...your abilities, the abilities that have gotten you this far...it could harm more than help. You have both Dark and Light magic in your body, two of the most strong types of magic this world can contain."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLppCUeKbL6
Iris looked a bit enamored by the thought..but then realized she was more of a danger to others, which made her rub her arms in shame..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxNbnqjyr4
"However, you are not the monster you make yourself out to be. You are still human. Don't forget that."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFKc9ADiRK
Iris silently thanked her with a light nod.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4AzpHXz4r
Queen Violet looks at me. "Arelin.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYQ9HbkHaA
"Yes, your majesty?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH45RmZdc2
"Take care of Iris. Make sure she fully recovers from the curse that has been inflicted on her."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFHQJDy2BA
"I will."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FxazulruT
"Well, maybe we should get going. We still need to see Aunt Irene.." Espero says, taking Iris's hand and dragging her away.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zhDkr1qn9
I decided to go home for the day. I had a lot of studying to do. I read until my eyes started to give up, as if weights themselves pulled them down..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgo6PJbTY5
***
It was terrifying when I first heard it. The screams of the innocent, magic swirling around the air. It made me jump out of my seat.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jVdbg7peH
"Nocturne...did this..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeG2M6LyYO
I somberly look at my sister. "Are you okay?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMnBZ6fHjL
"I'm worried... about Iris..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ5ybEtjNV
I had totally forgotten about leaving Iris with Espero. I quickly put on my coat and slipped on my shoes.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5RTv9uq5u
"Don't..Mother will be sad...if you leave.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswX7o2PCJA
I look out the window. The world around us is in chaos...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4Ros0xmAR
"...I have to. For my people. For Iris. I'll be back, okay?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVAonlTioy
"...Hurry..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWyoYyuRRE
I jump out of the window and painfully drop down to the ground. I carefully sneak around the area.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcugWictN0w
I run into someone. Their features...were undescribable. The mask that covered their face...it...covered their eyes too..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNVxCooJvu
That's when the Darken slammed it's abnormally long and clawed hands in my direction. I stop carefully, and throw a rock in another direction. They noticed the noise and ran.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuULHLCNrti
"So they're blind..." I whispered. "Good to know.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyh3W5zs0n
I continue sneaking, sliding by any Darken I saw while looking for Iris in the process. She couldn't be far..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mjufLFVNR
***
Iris POV
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbWqPCY6ve
Despite my pain, I had to keep going... before anyone else got hurt.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVpVRLoQBs
I could feel her aura. Nocturne was the reason all of this was happening. I had to stop her. Darkens scattered around the area, blindly feeling their way around.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicQ94MtNaL
I felt my own face, the ragged teeth of the ends of the...thing that covered my face. I don't want to become...that. I didn't want them to feel the same pain as me either. That was another reason I wanted to stop her...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSU4qJxFFN
I didn't have time to think before someone snatched me from the middle of the street.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNkoWCJyIK
"Iris?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE8tWHXHoW
"Jake?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT1ZcF7WCe
"Jesus Christ, I was about to knock you out,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lB0yocJoU
"What's going on?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptsCMrCXd0
"Nocturne... she's back,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5MRy7OfSe
"What are we gonna do?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoWZX4LaER
"What we're supposed to. Take her and her snarky little brat down.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC9oZ0KpWj
"B-but...I can't..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvQVJyYXCU
He grabs my hands, squeezing them tight.
"Iris. You're probably the strongest person I know. All of us can do this. We're stronger than we were back then..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5cxIShLiE
"But...if she gets ahold of me, she might use you against me...I can't be there..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdn0BdQrQ5
"Don't worry about that,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaymmQItq1
"...Okay. I have to...get Arelin..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadgVbc5RWO
"No time. We have to go. Now,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMNupfoG8X
Jake grabs my arm and drags me around. That's when another one of my jolts of pain hit me..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig2kL1rdM6
"W-wait...hold on..." I suck the air through my teeth.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMLevuRnz4
"Did I do something?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoZEegBiR5
"N-no no, it's just something that happens sometimes... I'll be fine. Let's keep moving.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97b4xp3Cp6
I slowly limp my way towards Nocturne's piercing aura. As time passes on, I start moving a little faster. But the shockwaves of pain became more frequent. I could care less.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyNKbegp2I
Jake, at some point had to carry me. "You're gonna be okay. Just breathe. We're gonna fix this.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXKs4aLyWW
I did as he recommended. It did feel a little better..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc6Wn9fL5e
"Ah..there you are, Iris.." Nocturne says as she noticed me. "Thank you, my child."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnzFQAlyzL
"You're welcome... mother.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXkL2SFaQo
I realized that wasn't Jake at that exact moment. Ciaran had shapeshifted...no...he made the illusion of Jake. In order to lower my guard. Nocturne immediately used her magic to snatch me into her hands.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM6q035V7U
"Now that our prize has arrived, why don't we get started?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQN6eaADtE
"Nocturne! Let her go!" I hear my mother order.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFebleQghE
"Whether I let her go is up to your actions. Leave, and I'll command her myself to kill you. Stay, and risk your life to save the unsalvageable.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfji9QOZp0
"Don't worry, Iris, you'll be safe...for now." Nocturne lets me go, but immediately enveloped my body in an orb of darkness. I was forced to watch my family and friends fight for my sake.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SZxzcbHE2
Ciaran floats next to me, pretending to sit. "This will be very very interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVed68Vx9U
I slam against the wall of the bubble. "Let me go, Ciaran!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ113ImdAl4z
"I cannot let you leave, Iris. Not when we have so many things to look forward to after this.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1vcDIWeNL
"Like what?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR21pbhGm6C
"You'll see..." he smiled with that stupid toothy grin.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMc9ipbCne
I noticed how well they were doing. Nocturne was looking a little angry at the fact.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxUZ2drN89
"Alright Nocturne...you should've surrendered when you had the chance." Espero looks at a pile of boulders, the rocks slowly float above Nocturne and piles on top of her.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SxVFeakI4
"I'll give you another chance though..." Espero pulls out a knife from his pocket and swung it around her face. "Surrender now, and I won't cut into your face."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5LWjZEBI8
She cackled at him...she was cornered but...she laughed at him...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyuLEku0iW
I slam against the bubble again. "What's so funny? What are you planning, Nocturne?!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjgufaOw6s
"Quiet, child. This is what happens when you attempt to threaten me..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrz4xIrnPn
Just before I could think about what that meant, an arm of darkness creeped up behind Espero...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXuRuc8P82
I didn't forget the sound it made. The arm sharpened it's end and...pierced him right through the chest..when it ripped itself out, he slowly fell to the ground, with a pool of blood forming underneath him.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXNbyNwiDR
"ESP!" I screamed. Others did the same.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZIHkpLbay
I had to see if he was okay. I used the little bit of Light energy I had left to break free from my floaty prison and crawled over to Espero.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqqyjYYKh2
"Espero! Esp! Get up!" I shake him vigorously. He faintly placed his hand on my shoulder.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfYcOWPGWl
"I-I'm sorry for...n-not h-helping you with y-your c-curse, Iris.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8k1Fg666N
"I don't care about that right now, I'm worried about you!" I feel the tears roll down my cheeks like rivers.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt53RmmxYH
He chuckles, coughing up a bit of blood along with it.. "...I d-did m-my job...I d-died p-protecting you.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPM9iKyXVk
"Don't say that! You've got to stay alive, Esp! You can't just leave me!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMtzMFdo8O
He wipes my tears. "I-It's o-okay...y-you don't h-have to cry...n-not for me.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRfvU6ePxa
"Esp..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUm2hrpJpp
"...I-I'm gonna miss you, Iris.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkIS2BlqPU
His body goes limp after that...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ0Q1rgOUa
"Esp? Esp?!" I continuously shake him. That's when Jake puts his hand on my shoulder.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8QGHvSCfj
"It's no use Iris...he's gone.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9f2HJ1ty4
I saw the memories of me and Espero flash within my eyes as I saw his lifeless face, a small smile formed in his final moments of life..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxrW94NWKl
Those moments is what made me cry even harder. I had lost him. The one who'd promised to be there for me until the very end. Espero was gone, laying lifeless in my arms.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQVyGVa6kO
"Don't worry Iris," Nocturne rips me away once again... "You'll forget about him soon enough..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9pKWS4yhE
"You've taken one of them from us...how many more souls must you torture before you're finally satisfied, Nocturne?" Mom asked her, stifling tears.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcdsCOj3Qf
"Enough to where you finally snap. Where you reach your limit. That's when the suffering can end. Now, make a decision. Leave now or suffer the loss of another child.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0ijlLVRcR
Mom stepped back with visible tremble, picking up Espero. "...I'm so sorry, Iris. I... don't want anyone else to suffer..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceH8eSy4VB
She slowly leaves the scene. The rest of the group follows behind.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYJAHlGiqI
Nocturne wipes away my tears...
"Shh, you don't have to cry... we are going to take very good care of you.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBWz156XfX
"Why? W-why did you kill him?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JTjJGBda2
"If I didn't, he would have killed me first. I was only protecting myself. And now, there's only one part left of our mission to complete.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs93sTM3MX
"Shall we leave then, Mother?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQORNCezvM
"Yes, we have a lot to do.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLFjvCWLlp
What are they planning to do with me? Was I going to die? Those questions swirled around my head as they dragged me away.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwmV7zxsRQ
***
Arelin's POV
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcyjAqBzNV
I was too late. Nocturne's aura was slipping away from my field of sense. What if she'd already had Iris and was making her escape?
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mX0DVexpP
"Arelin..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8St790frDw
Alena was behind me. I almost jumped.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YGIBMzl6I
"Alena...you can't be here."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ykG326gJ4
"Iris is...my friend too. I have to be there...for her.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiiogX60Rw
"...If you come with me, you have to promise to leave if it gets too dangerous, okay?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhnpxuNyTY
She nods her head and grabs my hand.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxJ6DEh0xi
I try to run as fast as I can to catch up. I have find Iris before something happens.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnj5gnnUbX
"Arelin...something bad happened..." she points towards a dark puddle, soaked into the soil around it.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhaLAJfDzl
Alena goes up to it, and feels it. She shuffles away.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX2pQruUm9
"I-It's blood...still warm..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkUMxcGTz7
Fresh spilled blood.. Alena was right. Something horrible happened here..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy4J0nqlMn
...I have a feeling I should go to that town...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezkpSrGawI
I run in the opposite direction, gripping Alena's arms tightly as I do.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU38kaytKS
I was hardly breathing when I arrived...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2ARl0jXyX
"Alena...you stay here.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PXPc4IDo5
She sits quietly. "Be careful.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECCoDSJOBb
I nodded in understanding, and left her there.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2pfsEcTQ6
Using some of my knowledge, I seemingly teleported from one point to another..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoWi6db5dG
Right in front of the castle, I kicked my way through.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFzFIF6uzW
"Nocturne.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY9paBv3dP
"Ah, hello again, Arelin..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMDR9LlebF
"I'm not here for chit chat. I'm here for Iris."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85tSo5KOEZ
"If you want her that badly..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeNZD4fSuH
Iris...she turned again.. She was no longer herself, an animalistic husk of who she once was..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuVslb54PO
I tried to get through to her again. "Iris..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwWsURalYK
I step forward, only for her to swipe at me. Talking to her wasn't an option. Iris continued to angrily stare.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxevaBg0kGj
She begins to fight with me. I was barely prepared to dodge most of those attacks, allowing her to land hits on me. No matter how many times she landed attacks, however, I wasn't going to hurt her.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2HdJsS9Rx
"Why don't you show Arelin what you've just learned?" Ciaran asked of her. I couldn't begin to think of what he meant. When I looked up, Iris had disappeared, before I felt a hard push from behind me. Iris was on top of me, refraining me from moving.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4PNGdTaGr
"Good. Now finish him,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAcGN0aCub
She stomps her foot against my temple, before charging an attack. At this point, I was ready to accept death. I was in too vulnerable of a position to save myself. Or so I thought. Just before she could finish attacking, I used the illusion of her cousin. A bit cruel to save myself, but it was a last resort.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2TlOawtAN
Fortunately it worked, however, Iris looked more.. upset about it...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnskXJ5Y2G
"E-Esp?" she whispered, as crystal tears fall from her eyes. What happened to Espero in the town square for her to tear up like this?
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA8k3j42CB
"I-I'm sorry..I didn't want you to..." Iris hugs me, digging her crying face into my chest..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcPM7zxTc8
I ended the illusion. She was obviously back to normal. I comfort her while staring daggers into the others' eyes.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtWWxNkLRD
"What...did you two do to Espero?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sMIXof9m3
"Are you really that empty skulled? Mother got rid of him. He's gone.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VjkDs5tni
"...You...killed him?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtwr5USJq4
"Hmm, yes, I guess you could put it that way,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJxdVLvraG
I hug her even tighter. "Iris... I'm so sorry,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAML9oJTDj
She didn't reply, and just cried even harder..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlWMaMqnsd
"Now, if you would let her go, we can go our separate ways,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhfxtsOr0x
I pull her away. "I'm not letting you. You've tortured her for far too long,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnehLckm1P
"Then you shall suffer the same fate as Espe-"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADfebDV8Vl
"Mother, I will handle this. You should rest for the night,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVXcj6dv28
"... If you insist. I shall be on my way to bed,"
Nocturne, for once, left our sight..
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbJV3wqSzo
"Now that Mother has left, you can leave now,"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE4bEvadgi
"...Can I tell you, Araginee, one last thing?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0ZBp8wuFe
"What is it?" Iris replies.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9pBjzAljH
I barely blinked before he had teleported right in front of us, snatched Iris from my arms, and...
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVnkyv6FxT
"I... love you..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwQF1pWdqy
He then kisses her, catching the both of us by surprise.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJcZlGg7x4
"W-What?" Iris says in shock.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaaJHJFcOw
He hands her back to me. "Did I scare you?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7LTrimOPj
"W-we should go..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHVSc10Fuu
"Go ahead. Maybe you just need some time to think about it..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDqVqau3KH
We follow his orders and leave. As we exit, I ask her. "...Are you okay?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkKsGzSRYV
"I...I don't know. It was all so sudden," she says, still visibly confused.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ61mGOBx9
"I don't know if you should trust those words just yet. You know how much he likes to trick you.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQXWpaP66W
"It felt genuine..."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TZPt4Kkwr
".. We'll have to see how genuine he actually is.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxyP31fISL
"...I brought...ev...ery..one else.." Alena says, approaching us.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1wVddrH72
Mrs. Araginee was disheveled. She must not have slept since yesterday. She sleepily walks over to Iris and wraps her arms around her waist.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi4aArstF6
"I'm...so sorry, Iris...I didn't want to leave you with them.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW7YKSlqVm
"It's okay, I knew you were only looking out for rest of them. If I weren't so weak in my regular magic, I'd take care of them myself.." Iris creeps down and hugs her mother back.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH87EGpKBLn
"You are okay to come home, right?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTJt3uEzrZ
"I can visit, but I can't stay. If I turn on you or Dad, you wouldn't be able to stop me.."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaqUxm9ep0
"...Come tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsFF7XiKNY
"I have a lot to think about. But I promise, I'll be there!" Iris gives her mother a wide smile.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsbLUzp93K
Irene smirks back. "Okay, kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa5EqCaZjd
Iris nods rapidly. "Okay!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU3eWG8rRV
Irene looks at me. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSiv8o3m5O
"You're more than welcome, Mrs. Araginee. I'm just doing as I promised."
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI63JI3I7F
Irene hugs Iris once more. Then Jake, then Ecluna. Suddenly, it had turned into a group hug. I joined in.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkmPLMXXOO
I swear I could feel the wind wrapping around as well...I was convinced...Espero was also there.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwSIuN4mxm
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhxYN9dtkt
