I felt my stomach twist into knots.
311Please respect copyright.PENANARNLhyPtNKK
"It's...get...ting worse.." Alena said somberly.
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In replace of her normal face, a dark mask was covering half of her face. Curled horns poked from her head.
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She had turned. In the time I had wasted..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAbSRxMnDTXS
I slowly approached her. "Iris...it's me. You don't have to worry."
311Please respect copyright.PENANARJu7SyHXSN
Alena also tried to comfort her, wrapping her arms around Iris's sides. Iris initially accepted her comfort, sitting down and heavily breathing.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAeZ1dJbpQ5c
"Arelin is here...to help...you.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8vMwtgxgT
Iris looks up at me, not saying a word.
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I look at Ecluna, who was cowering in the corner and hyperventilating.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAcVvWy7X8kb
"Ecluna, you have to come over here where it's safer."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAV1aJkVziBG
"I can't.." she muttered. "If I move, she'll kill me..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANArITOd0Bpi0
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAGNQAgXGhtY
"Don't worry.. we're going to get you out of here..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANABtHlcIIJ7q
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.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAEdRjVm8JwR
I could see a flash on realization on her face, but she simply stared at me. She didn't make a single word.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA6Hi3ppKzIq
"Ecluna...hand me some of your magic.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA2fMcpyVBHn
"What if I make her worse?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAXmYnPyC74z
"I'll see if I can split the two magics apart. I'll use the Light magic on her and absorb the Dark magic."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAed0hcvezKM
Quivering, Ecluna floats an orb of her ecliptic magic towards me. I ripped the two magics apart and gave the Light half to Iris.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAOxswmpgCx7
She screeches horribly for a couple seconds, then...she snaps back to her original self.
311Please respect copyright.PENANANirlXv1jZu
"...Arelin? What's happening to me?" She looks at herself with fear and confusion.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAF6F2s4WwTb
"You're lucky I could split her magic in half. You could've killed Ecluna.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAEEkg0zBAMk
"E-Ecluna?" She looks behind her, and realizes what she had done.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAopV5bibdd4
"Oh my God, Ecluna! I'm so sorry!"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAmcZhjFyFjI
"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..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANASicyQfa5JT
"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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAygzMd7pbpC
Alena slowly tugs on her sleeves. "It's ok...ay...you're safe and...that's all that...mat...ters,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAvJHozO6pcg
"W-What's Mom gonna think? She's gonna kill you!"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAwQhhPCEn7Z
"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?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAVlDeCCWHW0
She nods. "If you don't mind, I don't..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANABtPO2jQBJc
"Alright then, you must be really really happy to see them again.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAdjM2kNWA8N
I take her darkened hand and lead her out. "Watch your head.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAvpSTPNdhxF
I hear a loud noise on the wall. "Too late..."
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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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANApAAbKYXHYS
"Iris?"
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"Esp!" she took him from the ground and hugged him tight. He then realized was being lifted off of the ground.
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"Wait a minute... where'd you get a growth spurt? You're taller than I am,"
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"The weirdo curse is affecting my body somehow, but I wanted to come out and see everyone again!"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAq2FXRTBTdg
"I noticed. Why don't we take you somewhere so you don't scare the people here?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAoWoLdFhnZ0
"Oh...okay then.."
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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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAFYntq9eUAB
"Your majesty, I'm sorry for bothering you, but this is..Iris, daughter of Irene."
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"...You are the individual Aurelia and the children have been talking about."
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"I...think so.."
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"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."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA9CwuyXDbcf
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..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAZRNE585bKt
"However, you are not the monster you make yourself out to be. You are still human. Don't forget that."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAoRESRW817o
Iris silently thanked her with a light nod.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA3f9NwFtLAD
Queen Violet looks at me. "Arelin.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAH9oP6aaArF
"Yes, your majesty?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAyBA8hl4IwV
"Take care of Iris. Make sure she fully recovers from the curse that has been inflicted on her."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAthnDordLtA
"I will."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA7FwLdZiYYo
"Well, maybe we should get going. We still need to see Aunt Irene.." Espero says, taking Iris's hand and dragging her away.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA1KXmDmklI8
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..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAe4fcC1O702
***
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAaLnIhwuUwT
"Nocturne...did this..."
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I somberly look at my sister. "Are you okay?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAzrsUrPv3Zv
"I'm worried... about Iris..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAvB4XkHpYLG
I had totally forgotten about leaving Iris with Espero. I quickly put on my coat and slipped on my shoes.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAssdRFNp6Ap
"Don't..Mother will be sad...if you leave.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAkZYMpI7dKC
I look out the window. The world around us is in chaos...
311Please respect copyright.PENANAic9QhswRMK
"...I have to. For my people. For Iris. I'll be back, okay?"
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"...Hurry..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANArzAqacmoTm
I jump out of the window and painfully drop down to the ground. I carefully sneak around the area.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAmFygT8DjgM
I run into someone. Their features...were undescribable. The mask that covered their face...it...covered their eyes too..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAFBouS55hWw
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA13zVlvQBFv
"So they're blind..." I whispered. "Good to know.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAWGJUKDx57B
I continue sneaking, sliding by any Darken I saw while looking for Iris in the process. She couldn't be far..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAkZQZFo3LEw
***
Iris POV
311Please respect copyright.PENANAxYIhZlN1yV
Despite my pain, I had to keep going... before anyone else got hurt.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA1cJRbubOSq
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAYKauNqqGDO
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...
311Please respect copyright.PENANAe4A9y6pb3A
I didn't have time to think before someone snatched me from the middle of the street.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAeIAGSb1aUb
"Iris?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAAmoFBMSYIe
"Jake?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAdyEYn2gIxp
"Jesus Christ, I was about to knock you out,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAtiF5L7yCsY
"What's going on?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAWMxx4stOEl
"Nocturne... she's back,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAzUcHsGaNIh
"What are we gonna do?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAegCa1NJmoe
"What we're supposed to. Take her and her snarky little brat down.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAkiHTvnYUmW
"B-but...I can't..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAPnkavduETv
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..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAB4wUhEoZ71
"But...if she gets ahold of me, she might use you against me...I can't be there..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAXzTEc0mOJN
"Don't worry about that,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANASn1oapYydq
"...Okay. I have to...get Arelin..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAoi8qKCbSor
"No time. We have to go. Now,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAAtQxFGpNnk
Jake grabs my arm and drags me around. That's when another one of my jolts of pain hit me..
311Please respect copyright.PENANA3E4mFVAUVd
"W-wait...hold on..." I suck the air through my teeth.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAZZzWfqTHUM
"Did I do something?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANA56RpTf9P1E
"N-no no, it's just something that happens sometimes... I'll be fine. Let's keep moving.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAXjHU4QUcgw
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAYGOfA2BBNg
Jake, at some point had to carry me. "You're gonna be okay. Just breathe. We're gonna fix this.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAITb3V2hz16
I did as he recommended. It did feel a little better..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAfBhdZl26tZ
"Ah..there you are, Iris.." Nocturne says as she noticed me. "Thank you, my child."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA9duIVgty28
"You're welcome... mother.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAWgQswRXLMS
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAZarnB2Q1RR
"Now that our prize has arrived, why don't we get started?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAuzlFmdYcjo
"Nocturne! Let her go!" I hear my mother order.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA8FRs4fdH1N
"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.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAIQHIfM7uL1
"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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA9A2SZfnXQp
Ciaran floats next to me, pretending to sit. "This will be very very interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAFxitVtTVRU
I slam against the wall of the bubble. "Let me go, Ciaran!"
311Please respect copyright.PENANA2HRLmZVNLD
"I cannot let you leave, Iris. Not when we have so many things to look forward to after this.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAuAEDUK7Nna
"Like what?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAYer3rfD2RM
"You'll see..." he smiled with that stupid toothy grin.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAxKxct57xsG
I noticed how well they were doing. Nocturne was looking a little angry at the fact.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAsSPzOzekhp
"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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA0lqjFjINMt
"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."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA9DqfaU1OQ9
She cackled at him...she was cornered but...she laughed at him...
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I slam against the bubble again. "What's so funny? What are you planning, Nocturne?!"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAWnJUePkkqz
"Quiet, child. This is what happens when you attempt to threaten me..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAMJeHuS1M90
Just before I could think about what that meant, an arm of darkness creeped up behind Espero...
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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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAXGg7ctmf3j
"ESP!" I screamed. Others did the same.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAXieOGDGuKf
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAYyXjycVHbD
"Espero! Esp! Get up!" I shake him vigorously. He faintly placed his hand on my shoulder.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAPGLZmCnwdJ
"I-I'm sorry for...n-not h-helping you with y-your c-curse, Iris.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA3mZhlxQv0e
"I don't care about that right now, I'm worried about you!" I feel the tears roll down my cheeks like rivers.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAj6xCsjZOky
He chuckles, coughing up a bit of blood along with it.. "...I d-did m-my job...I d-died p-protecting you.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANATKZYRywGY7
"Don't say that! You've got to stay alive, Esp! You can't just leave me!"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAxVQvPjZFaJ
He wipes my tears. "I-It's o-okay...y-you don't h-have to cry...n-not for me.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAK4dZhippWS
"Esp..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAwLDhPyhOrk
"...I-I'm gonna miss you, Iris.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAGgO9h8Nwyt
His body goes limp after that...
311Please respect copyright.PENANAUMPlYuXsBf
"Esp? Esp?!" I continuously shake him. That's when Jake puts his hand on my shoulder.
311Please respect copyright.PENANABpuP7JT0sH
"It's no use Iris...he's gone.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAJUp6ad1Y3C
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..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAHlgMlC0Lvr
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAuPZn65Lyfd
"Don't worry Iris," Nocturne rips me away once again... "You'll forget about him soon enough..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAOxC4yITwAq
"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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA2F2CsM6d0t
"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.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAgMq9aIYJlG
Mom stepped back with visible tremble, picking up Espero. "...I'm so sorry, Iris. I... don't want anyone else to suffer..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA3yAnFu5MPS
She slowly leaves the scene. The rest of the group follows behind.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAJGHgQwMBjV
Nocturne wipes away my tears...
"Shh, you don't have to cry... we are going to take very good care of you.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAi2Uiq7v1gI
"Why? W-why did you kill him?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANA2MPrr2XNIP
"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.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAiCEzNegFzk
"Shall we leave then, Mother?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAiKYKfMoMwU
"Yes, we have a lot to do.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA33DPj5jzju
What are they planning to do with me? Was I going to die? Those questions swirled around my head as they dragged me away.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAwntqJrrZkc
***
Arelin's POV
311Please respect copyright.PENANAiyL8n24Ooy
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?
311Please respect copyright.PENANAIXFWdu8hS6
"Arelin..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAmyO4yPeDMU
Alena was behind me. I almost jumped.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA0YLUoBC4Pi
"Alena...you can't be here."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4BvBnyrJQ
"Iris is...my friend too. I have to be there...for her.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANATIFFloCCbC
"...If you come with me, you have to promise to leave if it gets too dangerous, okay?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANARaKvXpJT2i
She nods her head and grabs my hand.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA0aIcUOgiri
I try to run as fast as I can to catch up. I have find Iris before something happens.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAqbJN4WzhTG
"Arelin...something bad happened..." she points towards a dark puddle, soaked into the soil around it.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAM8mxcszyC7
Alena goes up to it, and feels it. She shuffles away.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAgMYO4coniN
"I-It's blood...still warm..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAIyMzQ6vOhK
Fresh spilled blood.. Alena was right. Something horrible happened here..
311Please respect copyright.PENANATa8eO64LpJ
...I have a feeling I should go to that town...
311Please respect copyright.PENANAtcFIzhgZyI
I run in the opposite direction, gripping Alena's arms tightly as I do.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAIqdG37sc41
I was hardly breathing when I arrived...
311Please respect copyright.PENANAxnKZ2P0XvL
"Alena...you stay here.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA0VQaqTVUoh
She sits quietly. "Be careful.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAEGqAQdJxwR
I nodded in understanding, and left her there.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAhp4Uo4e8Ey
Using some of my knowledge, I seemingly teleported from one point to another..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAGTY4VRCjkx
Right in front of the castle, I kicked my way through.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA6iFvFiWMkD
"Nocturne.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAHabGEQ1RFz
"Ah, hello again, Arelin..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAK576E67YVk
"I'm not here for chit chat. I'm here for Iris."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAo8CMptPSNg
"If you want her that badly..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA4VJh3RSFwU
Iris...she turned again.. She was no longer herself, an animalistic husk of who she once was..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAfl5kOu5Hc3
I tried to get through to her again. "Iris..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAVyADBYmP6S
I step forward, only for her to swipe at me. Talking to her wasn't an option. Iris continued to angrily stare.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA4FU8ACeQT9
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAMbXK0RUgp5
"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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAJWceK7yBRq
"Good. Now finish him,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAeZA5EoqdHR
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.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAfSx7jKiJqe
Fortunately it worked, however, Iris looked more.. upset about it...
311Please respect copyright.PENANAMGyMk2KdXv
"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?
311Please respect copyright.PENANAvuwX1BB5NA
"I-I'm sorry..I didn't want you to..." Iris hugs me, digging her crying face into my chest..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAbPFI61njFW
I ended the illusion. She was obviously back to normal. I comfort her while staring daggers into the others' eyes.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAjyTnH6HxQe
"What...did you two do to Espero?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAjVvcJOKmKO
"Are you really that empty skulled? Mother got rid of him. He's gone.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAZn2T5YlSIV
"...You...killed him?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAAfMfFS8ryV
"Hmm, yes, I guess you could put it that way,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANABD8JDHrav7
I hug her even tighter. "Iris... I'm so sorry,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANA5aJxs4L4de
She didn't reply, and just cried even harder..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAR4KsOCx05M
"Now, if you would let her go, we can go our separate ways,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANA2diC7AhZ2b
I pull her away. "I'm not letting you. You've tortured her for far too long,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAp0BhXPSmWH
"Then you shall suffer the same fate as Espe-"
311Please respect copyright.PENANARvtmPzchaV
"Mother, I will handle this. You should rest for the night,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAkn3yXfrJHI
"... If you insist. I shall be on my way to bed,"
Nocturne, for once, left our sight..
311Please respect copyright.PENANAKNdzAfvVQQ
"Now that Mother has left, you can leave now,"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAaBWljaiW2b
"...Can I tell you, Araginee, one last thing?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAU6stBMIIb5
"What is it?" Iris replies.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAH90Puz0oTU
I barely blinked before he had teleported right in front of us, snatched Iris from my arms, and...
311Please respect copyright.PENANA9ccXJxEVWl
"I... love you..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAyZM7tW0NTm
He then kisses her, catching the both of us by surprise.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAxHGZEsTF3n
"W-What?" Iris says in shock.
311Please respect copyright.PENANARoaWkQROVh
He hands her back to me. "Did I scare you?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANAdEdNmVay81
"W-we should go..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAUzOIE9wnjm
"Go ahead. Maybe you just need some time to think about it..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANA9tIFFRcxKW
We follow his orders and leave. As we exit, I ask her. "...Are you okay?"
311Please respect copyright.PENANA5linzWmdFK
"I...I don't know. It was all so sudden," she says, still visibly confused.
311Please respect copyright.PENANAl2qi0Bar1b
"I don't know if you should trust those words just yet. You know how much he likes to trick you.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAdWVp3UBIl7
"It felt genuine..."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAaIVSodeIpE
".. We'll have to see how genuine he actually is.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAWnukOayO1I
"...I brought...ev...ery..one else.." Alena says, approaching us.
311Please respect copyright.PENANASAfleKz20A
Mrs. Araginee was disheveled. She must not have slept since yesterday. She sleepily walks over to Iris and wraps her arms around her waist.
311Please respect copyright.PENANA6ePh1LfF1S
"I'm...so sorry, Iris...I didn't want to leave you with them.."
311Please respect copyright.PENANAE2VXLDHpZT
"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.
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"You are okay to come home, right?"
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"I can visit, but I can't stay. If I turn on you or Dad, you wouldn't be able to stop me.."
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"...Come tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired."
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"I have a lot to think about. But I promise, I'll be there!" Iris gives her mother a wide smile.
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Irene smirks back. "Okay, kiddo. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
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Iris nods rapidly. "Okay!"
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Irene looks at me. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
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"You're more than welcome, Mrs. Araginee. I'm just doing as I promised."
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Irene hugs Iris once more. Then Jake, then Ecluna. Suddenly, it had turned into a group hug. I joined in.
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I swear I could feel the wind wrapping around as well...I was convinced...Espero was also there.
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