It's three days later. I shuffle around in my sleep as I try to stay in my unconscious state, but of course...I wake up to the prodding of Ciaran's voice.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOq4yBKnNg
"Iris...wake up.."
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I grab a pillow from beside me and smash it right into his face. I instantly wake up when throws it right back.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TwqCnpF0x
"Ciaran!" I angrily stare back at him.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjZ6Gn1oiK
"Someone was at the door..." He lied.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRNEjry3Wz
"Well, why didn't you open it?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EJCNWVysH
Ciaran answers with a scoff and a sip of his cup of tea.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBxwNejjBI
Groaning, I get up from bed and get ready for the day.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKx6kVN6Xb
"And what is your objective today, Araginee?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zA4v7XlfR
"Why does it matter to you?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexJzbSJtt9
"You just seem to be...in a rush."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWEIys5rJ9
"Is it wrong to just freshen up?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMGCZLRroR
"Well, if you are going somewhere, it's only fair I go with you."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RieuEx00o
"I don't care if you go with me, just don't be up to any Darken shenanigans."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMJYoZe99V
"I promise, I have no affiliations with my mother at this point in time." He smirks.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvq0ieh9Ws
"Good. Now let's go.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KIJyewoEZ
I opened the door and walked into the hallway. Ciaran floats quietly behind me.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NWkEmGRyN
"So, where are we going, Iris?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJlJY5Ely0
"First, I'm going to check on Ecluna, then..." I think for a second. "I... actually don't know what I'm going to do after that."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWATsvsGx2
"I am quite famished.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIzerpjH9V
"You can make your own food, Ciaran..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJwVpPklRJ
"...Very true.." He creates a tart right then and there and takes a bite.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXiCI9LaND
I sigh and walk my way towards Ecluna's dorm room.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9e0keSWA6
I hear rapid footsteps pacing on the other side. Nonetheless, I knock on the door.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP24MpKVhho
"Coming!"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHRZ7Ylp0o
Ecluna opens the door...as I saw the room in almost...complete darkness. Her curtains were covered, almost completely.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRN4nIEHgu
"... What's with all the darkness?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHJazPBmvZ
"Just a precaution...
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIokyr2ayG5
"Have you been pacing here in the dark the entire time?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdGtjsmPyB
"I was thinking...about... something. It doesn't matter..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjsaDmFk3z
"Mom said to take care of you and to take you home before the Eclipse Festival. She said something would happen...is that what you're being precautionary for? "
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YKa34motq
Ecluna's stiffened up. "...Yeah, something would happen to me during a lunar eclipse. It only happened once...but it was when I was really young, s-so, I don't r-remember.." she sadly chuckled.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyorhGD7qi
I could tell from her expression and body language she was lying.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPKTmdJP9d
"Do you want me to stay with you today?'
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ869auLtRnP
"No, I'm sure you have some o-other stuff you can do other than worry about me..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1gQc9jooa
"I'm worried about you because you're my friend. If there's anything, and I mean anything you need to talk about.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmESlBwuJIL
"...I'm fine, Iris. You're just overreacting..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxyiNCNTQU
"... Alright.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUrq6afBb0
"...I'm gonna do some necromancy magic...I'll talk to you later, okay?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf17ffQ6RCK
"Okay..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqhElHcXWO
I walk out the door. Ciaran was patiently waiting outside the door for me.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoZoZOnV3a
"Are we ready to leave?" he asked.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYTuUrJxPh
I nod. "...Yes, let's go."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w14i7WlJk
We start to walk to our destination. I just kept looking at the floor and thinking about Ecluna's behavior during our conversation.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqy88LFQNl
"You are looking somber.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48RxIsDzx2
"I'm worried about Ecluna, but she won't tell me what's wrong.. it's not any of your business, so why do you care?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFvGPYZzj4
"I just wanted to start conversation is all."
He takes yet another sip of tea.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlo4mTcekm
"I'm...gonna visit Jake now. It wouldn't be smart to follow me."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ljCeEgjUO
"I shall return to your room, then." He says, fading away into a puddle of black smoke.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGyJF5ZoHg
I go downstairs to the infirmary and calmly knock on the door. When it slides open, Ms. Ikura greets me with a sweet smile.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglmguTqU6p
"Hello, Iris! Come to check on Mr. Kaliber?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQGIBicYFy
I nod. "Mhm. Is he awake now?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmi7SzteIn
"I'm afraid the pain has kept him up all night, so yes.." she opens the door more to let me in.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDL66C5ENV
Jake was messy-haired and barely awake, only conscious from the pain Ms. Ikura just mentioned.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVngOWVJVPe
"Hey Iris..." he croaked.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEVFEm1bmi
"Hi Jake! How are you feeling?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ZTDzZh2s
"Awful, but I can deal."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bURIeycYT
"You should really get some sleep. You have bags under your eyes.." I joke.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuH4amXZeR
"Very funny." He chortles back. "I'll go to sleep when the pain eases down a bit."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICr7MjAXK4
Ms. Ikura comes in with some yogurt, a cup of coffee and some medicinal herbs, all on a tray.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa14h45ASH5
"There you are Mr. Kaliber. I brought you something to ease discomfort before you take the medicine. You don't hate blueberry yogurt, do you?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4omod4AVvY
"Not at all." he says grabbing the cup and a spoon.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfT7vrFxk8
"I also noticed how much you like your morning coffee. Only drink it after your medicine."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4W488Uma6
"Alright.." he says before eating another spoonful of yogurt.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqL85Juy12
"I'm gonna go ahead. I have my own check-up to get to. I'll come back later."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcHTC3n58F
"See you later, Iris."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoApKaSTMgu
I pat his head and walk out.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZXRjBhXmJ
As soon as I exit the infirmary, I bumped Aluise, eager to get somewhere.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7NVvzyXU5
"...Iris...it's been a while..." Aluise greets.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTOK5yiJtJ
I don't think I've ever heard Aluise with such a calm tone of voice before.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOURkGc1K0
"Hi, Aluise. Are you going to see Jake too?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cAl9V0eEr
"N-No...there's a bathroom just past the infirmary. That's why I was in a rush.."
She responded. "Besides, you know how much I hate Jake.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2zEf7hcqQ
"Oh, I'm sorry for getting in your way then.." I step aside.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYv40w0Gbe
"Thanks." she runs up the hall and turns the corner.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XDzgi3zLX
I continue my journey to Arelin's room. It was two flights of stairs all the way up to the top floor.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ho5v5W4Ac
Once I get there, I knock on the door, only to notice...the door was unlocked.
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I push the door open. It was pitch black inside, aside from the the curtain's small crack showing the morning sun.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1bAXaKamo
A draft as soon as I came in...the window was open..
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pf9qZmdpZ
"A-Arelin? Are you here?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAswsLcCQQ
I attempt to turn on the lights, but the glass shards immediately told me something had already happened..
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMQV4P2fHm
I run to the window. Light traces of blood on the windowsill, windows completely shattered.
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What happened? I thought to myself.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPbwToCSVn
"A-Arelin? If you can hear me-"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVpcxUyQHP
Suddenly, the door widens, I hear an almost silent squeak as the light from the hallway brightened up the the room. Slowly, I turn around.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsVngXkO2I
"...Iris. I didn't expect you to be here.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPbfK8gJLB
Arelin was only slightly injured, with his sister, back in her turned form.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mnCaRKYi5
"Are you okay?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bCCvs6A2Y
"Alena turned...for some reason. She was just almost completely recovered..." he leaves her on the bed. "Weeks of progress has reset back to zero..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VxpUHtDrF
"Don't worry!" I assure. "We'll just have to wait it out, like before.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKJUhQK7to
"Getting a word out of her took months on it's own. I don't know how far back she's gone from recovery.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vEvhMhIdV
Arelin flips through his notebook. "It's like...no matter how hard I try..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSvVLeHMrY
I rip the book from his hands.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DyOfY5u9n
"Arelin, I know you want to save me and your sister but...you need to take a break, maybe take a walk and...keep your mind off of work."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9P2qEwk4k
I calmly place the notebook on the desk beside me.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJMpEUXNLx
"It hurts me to see you...so disheveled and disoriented..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkcyifKl7R
"I feel like I'm the one who has to find a cure and save you. If you turn... there'd be no one to stop you.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy7pHnJvfq
"Listen. The stress is already bad enough. Staring at notes all day isn't going to ease it." I slowly grab his hand. "Just a small walk. I'm sure it'll help clear those thoughts."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrqKPpaCdC
"...Is it warm outside?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaK27dCot1
"I haven't been out yet. I was planning on it after your check.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wlmgMN2Xd
"Well, it's obvious you're still your determined, assertive self. We can go ahead now."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQIwtzxGzC
"Great!"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5g4AaPZUJ
I run out the door, practically dragging Arelin along with me, all the way down the stairs, and outside.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxZ2HQQcuL
It was a calming day. The grass only barely waved in the wind, and the sky was a brilliant blue.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xlnCxerMg
"Iris...I forgot my coat..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bANFQ1Fwb
"It's so warm though, you don't need a coat.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVz6yVrnoh
"I just feel...bare without it."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEP3kxPPBj
"I think the coat was holding you back. Besides, it feels wonderful out here."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xbt8z0wOg
I run to ledge the Academy loomed over and sit, listening to the whimsical music of the Ringmaster's Circus.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIoTybNYfa
"I'm sorry for bringing you out if you didn't want be.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdSVSLhAEj
"It's fine...I needed a break after the morning I've had.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQRXQvD7aq
"...You can check on Alena and come back, I'll stay right here."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH1ULlwFSD
"Okay. I'll be right back."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoCupWfIqF
Arelin walks back inside. I stare at the grassy meadow around the cliff. The late morning sun only brightened its color.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiC84QA7ev
"Did you plan to just leave me in that uncomfortably hot room, Araginee?"
Ciaran rhetorically asks.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMdahivClM
"You didn't have to stay in there. If you know where I am at all times, why not come as soon as I left the infirmary?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn9BVGmbvg
"...That is why I am so fond of you. You are unaware of the world opposite to your own.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuJoy3KYig
"I'm...intentionally being unaware...so you or your mother don't pull me in."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWov40J6Z6E
"...Do you want to learn?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpcKqSm8cb
"What's the catch?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBs9XaQZyU
"Hmm?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3r7Ds4F8A
"You're obviously going to make a deal that'll mess with everything, so what's the catch?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJMNkMbsSu
"...There is no catch, Araginee..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jbIOypTER
I hear walking behind us. "I knew you would come here Ciaran..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1fIFzTggr
"...Hi Iris.." Alena whispered, cradled in Arelin's arms.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh0i8oqRW0
"Hi Alena. You're okay right?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cBtibMPva
She nods silently, curling herself like a ball in Arelin's arms.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R6FWonY3y
"She's still upset about attacking me earlier."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLbTiYF4kt
"I'll be okay for now Arelin.." she slips from his hands and curls up on the luscious grass.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2d299yWs3
"Alright.." Arelin says. "Iris. I'm sorry for asking on such short notice but...would you like to spar?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSgGDionI0
That foggy memory of Jake when I punched him some days back flashed in my head as he said that.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL0y06Qc09
"I don't want to hurt you like I did with Jake. I'll just put another one of you guys in the infirmary.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1N4HV6dh2
"I want to prevent something like this from happening again. This is just a test of mine."
He stands back to face me.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjvUb7zLVd
"B-but..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLxSRLii15
"I'll be more careful than Jake."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAabx5PWfwA
"If you will not fight him..." Ciaran states, throwing his flowing cape behind him. "Then allow me to."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoquao1kbhW
I shake my head. "...I'll spar with him. Like he said, it's just a test."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomKBgdsEs7
My hands quiver...
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm2tGB3A2H
"Iris. Don't be afraid. I'll be able to dodge them.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW6atYRwUz
I breathe shakily, telling myself to hold back. I pull the green essence from the grass and gather it as an orb in front of me.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qTH8BGE2m
"Good. That ability seems to be normal."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9uXHHo989
The sphere begins to zap and electrify all over.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG291nIWZYs
"Don't be afraid. It's all part of the plan."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztzPAqF3mV
I feel hesitant to finish the attack. Then, a cool breeze brushes against my shoulders, almost massaging the tension from my body.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvQxUyNG3P
"Don't worry Iris...I think Lin has good intentions.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkrGEiT6AF
I look behind me. "E-Espero?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCCt3fiwjj
"Don't mind me, I'm just moral support..."
He nods towards Arelin. "Now, take the shot. I don't think I've seen this part of your powers before.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHMQEXFuU9
I hold my arm up, the orb ready to fire at my command. Arelin stood stagnant, waiting for me. Finally, with a flick of my wrists, they fly off towards him. I close my eyes, cringing at the thought.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGNaCG3Urq
Four loud thuds echo throughout the air.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXsuYhVGJx
"...I'm lucky I had that barrier. One of those on it's own would've put me in a critical condition."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2lugI2zRR
Arelin was okay, only able to stay safe with the barrier he put up beforehand.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc6yFa55FS
"D-don't scare me like that!" I yell from the other side of the cliff.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvwLxN8ZXG
"I'm sorry. I wanted you to use that ability exactly to determine how strong it was."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuy431DNAD
He pulls out his notebook and walks towards me. "What do you call it again?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoWA5qh7C3
"... I've never thought about it. I was never good with names.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CQnj2bUdM
Espero's spirit faded in. "Well, if the color becomes from her draining it from something..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHvbu02gt6
Arelin was taken aback by his sudden entrance.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUHwlZtEau
"Espero?" He waves his hand around throughout Espero's face, which phases through him like air.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2vDsWZZwb
"...Yeah. It's me. Ecluna decided to do necromancy and brought me back...I was having such a fun time in the spiritual world too.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc9engVLLD
He shakes his head. "Anyways, I'm thinking we should call it Hue Assimilate."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtks5qMsK0
"I like that one.." I whispered.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eRCuczShv
"Good." I feel his freezing cold air run against my hair. "...Welp, I'm gonna go. See you guys later."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJSp2Goc4n
He looks at Ciaran. "And you... don't do anything stupid, alright?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic3hAiLGhE
Espero, once again, disappears with the wind, leaving me to look at Arelin face to face.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaZa85WTgy
"...Can we find some safer ways to check my power level?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrrCBCrQ0V
"If I can find a way, then yes.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvAyxkKA8T
"Jeez, is there anywhere you two won't be together?" Aluise yells from the entrance of the Academy.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBITe9uNOjm
"Nice to see you again too, Aluise..." Arelin greets back. "Did you need anything?"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM4FZ6pXvL
"Nothing really, I just noticed you four were out here and I wanted to get some fresh air too.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzci06EzXrv
"Well, no one's stopping you. Go ahead, we were just finishing a spar session. Did you want to-"
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9UJgiZMQP
"No. I'm only fighting with Jake so I can show him...how much of an idiot he is.."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSucuMlN1pu
"Speaking of which, how is Jake?" Ciaran asks jokingly.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxCJP728hP
"I actually went to check after I went to the bathroom, he was awake when I last checked..."
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4LDtmx7xy
She saw the expressions on our faces and quickly changed her own.
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6J1P259V4
"That idiot is too hurt to be by himself! I was just being nice for a change!"
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"I doubt that's the real reason, but I'll take your word for it.." Arelin chuckled.
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"Besides.." Aluise calms her tone. "He's done a lot for me, even if he's annoying and pesters me the most.."
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She sighs heavily. "...I'm going back inside. I'll see you later.."
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"Bye Aluise!"
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I sigh myself.
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"You know, you should sign up for the competition tomorrow, just to show everyone how strong you are."
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"What if I-"
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"You won't. I know you won't let yourself turn." He places a warm hand on my face. "You're worrying too much.."
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The school clock hums it's usual song, reminding us that it was now noon.
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"Well, this was nice..." I said. "Should we go back inside?"
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"Yes, we should." Arelin responds, slipping his notebook back into his pocket.
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"Indeed. This sun is killing me.." Ciaran says, pulling his hood above his head, his face obscured by shadow. We trudge back indoors as the windows gleam with the sun's brightness.
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"Hey Arelin, I'll talk to you later, okay?"
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"Alright. I'll be my room if you need me." He grabs ahold of Alena's hand and walks up the hall while I go the opposite way with Ciaran.
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"Ciaran, can you do me a favor?"
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"Of course, my love.."
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"Do you mind checking on Ecluna for me?"
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"What for?"
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"Does there have to be a reason? It's none of your business anyways..."
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"...Fine, I shall return by your side once I have."
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"Okay.."
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"Oh? No mean quip or remark this time? Are you finally starting to get used to me being around you?"
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"Just do it.."
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He smirks, and disappears once more. I head back to my room and land face first into the bed as soon as I take my shoes off.
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***
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I was curled up in bed...I had another one of those pain shocks in my sleep, I can still feel some of the lingering pain from it tearing along my stomach. I turn, slowly to my back, but halfway into sliding into my new position, I feel a bump. I look behind me.
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Ciaran was snug beneath me, wrapped in a separate blanket. I sighed with an annoyed tone and returned back into my original position and staring at the late evening sky, which was a bright orange.
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It was almost time for the festival. Faintly, in the distance, I could hear the songs and chants of the Wildlife District.
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That's right...Ecluna...I thought to myself. I got up from bed and ran to Ecluna's room.
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There was no cheery response from Ecluna, just a concerned look when she opened the door.
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"I-Iris! Thank God, it's just you. The festival's about to start.."
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"Yeah, I know. I'm really sorry for oversleeping..."
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"It's alright, let's just hurry before...it happens again."
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She barely picks anything up and dashes to the door in urgency. I try to keep up with her as she fills the halls with her speedy footsteps.
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"We have to make it to the observatory, it's the only way I'll be safe."
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"Aren't there windows beside every exit?" I ask, almost out of breath.
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"I just have to look at the lunar eclipse for something to happen. If I keep my eyes forward, nothing can happen. I promise.."
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"Well, at least cover up your face or someth-"
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Just in the middle of my sentence, something crashed through the window, shattering it completely.
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I look around to find what the something was, and to my surprise...it was a person, dressed in festival clothing people were wearing that day..
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I shake them vigorously, trying desperately to see what happened.
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Then I realized...Ecluna was prone to looking at the eclipse, now full and blood red in the sky like an eyeball staring down at us from the abyss-like sky.
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"Ecluna?!" I stop shaking the unconscious body and call out Ecluna's name. I frantically wait for a response.
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"I...changed my mind..." I heard from the floor. Ecluna was down on her knees, face looking, straight as an arrow, at the floor.
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"What are you talking about?" I reach to pick her up, but her twinkling aura was no longer the tame breeze I had remembered. It was like walking into a tornado, I could feel the air play with my hair.
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"I don't want to go to the observatory.."
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"If you don't go you'll-"
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"Don't you understand?" She looks at me, chuckling to herself. I return the stare in fear as I realized. This wasn't Ecluna anymore...
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"Why did my mom ever let me stay hidden from the eclipse? This power...it's amazing.."
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I feel the Darken energy from my own body call itself into form, the veil of darkness that covered my face and the spikes that poked out of my clothes like spears all around my body.
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"Ecluna...get ahold of yourself!" the flames of my magic burned brilliantly around my fists.
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"Oh, come on Iris, there's no need for violence.." I see the ends of her golden-white hair turn as red as the eclipse forming outside.
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"You can join me, and we can be strong together, just like before, but better!"
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I feel her pull me up from the floor.
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"Ecluna, this isn't you! I-"
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"Of course it is! You just haven't seen me like this yet!"
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I grab ahold of her face.
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"Ecluna listen! Whatever's taking control of you, you need to let it go!"
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She lowers me to the floor.
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"Do you really believe that I'm being possessed by something?"
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Her voice becomes lower in pitch as her aura grows stronger.
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"Do you think that old me is the normal version of myself? Well, do you?"
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I couldn't answer, it was all so confusing to me..
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"I mean, I haven't even shown you the best part about my true self yet. The Eclipsian Kingdom will rise again, with me as it's ruler, and everyone as my people."
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I feel Espero's presence behind me. "I came as soon as I could. Ecluna's gone insane, as expected. Called Arelin as soon as I felt the spike in energy.." he whispered into my ear.
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"Espero, what a pleasant surprise! Can't stay a day without keeping Iris safe, huh?"
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"I feel like she needed help is all..."
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"Well, it doesn't look like anyone's coming..."
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Ecluna's now red ecliptic magic flared brightly as she pointed it at the both of us.
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"Such a shame really. I really thought you could be of some use," she shrugged. "Guess there's nothing left to do but to end you right here and now."
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Ecluna throws the magic in my direction. With my Light magic, I make a barrier to block her attack.
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"You can't keep dodging and blocking forever, Iris. Your magic has a limit, you know.."
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She continues to throw, and I continue to block and dodge as best I could, but eventually my magic breaks, and my shield shatters like glass into the air.
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"What's the matter?" She asks, tauntingly. "Can't keep playing on the defensive side?"
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She charges up another, stronger attack. There was nothing I could do but wait for my death to hit me.
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That's when I hear pacing footsteps in my direction. I look towards the noises, but I was barely able to react when the shadow pushes me out of the way.
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...Ecluna's attack fired. Because of the person who saved me, I was able to move out of the way, but when I looked up afterwards...
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Arelin's shield was at the brink of scattering into a million pieces. He calls it back, visibly tired.
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"Gasp! Arelin Orteino, saving his polar opposite from danger?"
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"I don't know what happened to you..but this needs to end. Right now.."
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"But why? I'm super powerful, and you..." Ecluna looks a little harder at Arelin.
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"I can feel it. You have Eclipsian blood!" She claps excitedly.
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"W-what?" He responds, confused.
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"Don't worry, Arelin! I just have to do something really quickly. You don't mind, right?"
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She pulls Arelin up to her in a ball of energy. "No wonder you wear things covering your neck."
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With my webs, I stop her.
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"Ecluna, stop it!" My Darken form starts to show more as I let my emotions escape through my voice. "Let him go!"
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"Iris, you've got to leave...before you get hurt too..."
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I wrap more webs around Ecluna's hands.
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"You're making this even harder on yourself."
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Ecluna pulls me off the floor with the webs I binded around her fingers, throwing me across the room and making me hit a wall behind me.
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"Now, if you would excuse me.."
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She pulls the neck of Arelin's sweater and places her hands around it, the space between it burning a brilliant red.
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I see the energy draining from Arelin's eyes. Ecluna promptly drops him and waits.
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Arelin's transformation was similar to Ecluna's. The ends of his hair turn the same, blood moon red. As he begins to stand up, he stares menacingly into my being while I stare back in horror.
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He starts walking towards me...
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