Three

-STORY START-

Sitting in the living room, watching the television with his father, an obligatory role of a son, Edelus suppressed an urge to grin as his beautiful winged Triel snuggled against him even closer. He wanted to hold her tighter to himself, but his father would question. Sometimes, he really pitied his father for not being able to see her. He really pitied everyone. All the other poor, sad people who didn't know magic existed, those people who couldn't see his lovely Triel. He didn't see the point of fictional television dramas when he had such a woman with him. He faked a yawn.

“Dad, I'll go sleep first.”
“Alright. Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite.”
Edelus climbed the stairs to his room, taking two steps at a time, eager to talk to his Triel. She flitted up ahead of him, her wings beating lazily as she waited for him to open the door.
He paused for a moment, enjoying the wind generated by her flapping and then opened the door, smiling to Triel and abruptly froze.
“Loce! What are you doing on my bed?” He asked, suspicious.
A girl lay on his bed, dressed in only a large, baggy shirt that reached to her thighs. In contrast to her casual appearance, she held an exquisite violin, as well as a matching bow. She looked at Edelus thoughtfully.
“I still haven't gotten used to having a name. Loce.” She rolled the name about her tongue as if savouring it. She shrugged and lay back down on the bed.
Edelus closed the door behind Triel and sat on the bed beside Loce.
“Is that my shirt you're wearing?” He asked the messy-haired girl.
“Yeah. Why?” She sat up languidly, replying with a placid expression.
“Could you, er, don't wear my clothes? I.. It's just weird to wear clothes that a girl has already worn.” He ended lamely.
Loce nodded and just continued looking at him unblinkingly. She held the violin parallel to herself and Edelus saw a dazzling golden eye where her hand grasped the instrument staring out at him from within the onyx wood inlaid with a similar gold, partially hidden by jet-black strings.
“Master.” Triel murmured into his ear as she hugged him tightly.
He returned the embrace as tightly as he could, pulling her onto his lap. “Yes?”
“Are you really tired?”
“Nah. I'm alright.”
“Are you sure, Master?”
“Yes, Triel.” Her look of concern made his heart melt and he petted her head lightly. “You're really cute when you're so worried, Triel.”
She blushed slightly and lowered her head, Edelus just catching a glimpse of a small smile on her face.
Her movement revealed her neck; a black band of cloth encircled her throat.
“What were you doing today, Loce?” Edelus asked as he stroked Triel's hair.
“Nothing.”
“So you were just lying down on my bed the whole day?”
Loce nodded.
“Seriously?”
She nodded once more.
“Come on, Loce, you need to go and do stuff. Don't you find it boring? We'll help you-”
“I don't need your help.” Loce suddenly muttered fiercely. She got off the bed and lifted the window open. Glaring back at the succubus and her master, tears glistening in her eyes, she leapt out of the window.
“Loce! Oh, for the love of- Loce, come back!” He called out as he ran to the window.
In the dim light of the street lamps, Edelus could barely make out her fleeing figure, his large shirt billowing behind her. As she ran past, the street lamps sparked and blew, exploding with a sharp crack in a shower of glass one by one.
Triel made a 'tsk' sound. “So sensitive. Well, she'll be back. You really look tired, Master. You should sleep.” Triel grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the window. “Sleep, Master. Get some rest. She'll be fine.”
Edelus sighed. “I don't think anyone else has to deal with their violins running away.”
“You're special, Master. Now sleep. She will be okay.”
“Alright. You're probably right.”
Triel snuggled up close against him as he slept with his arms around her.

Edelus woke up feeling warmth in front and behind him. The one in front was Triel, his sweet, beautiful Triel. But the warmth behind him was tingling, not unlike the sensation one got from static electricity.
He turned his head to find Loce curled up against his back. He could see that she had been crying, faded lines of her tears across her face. In her hands, she still held the violin and the bow, though now the eye in the violin was closed. A rubbing of something leathery against his arms told Edelus that Triel was awake.
He slowly got up, careful not to wake Loce.
“Morning, Triel. Don't rub your wings against me. They'll rub the skin right off me, I swear.”
“Sorry, Master. Are you going to punish me?” Triel asked, her voice oddly hopeful.
“I'll save that for some other time.”
Despite his caution, a deep yawn sounded from behind him, signaling the awakening of Loce. She reached up to him to pull herself up, but Edelus recoiled in pain the moment she touched his shoulder.
“Ow! You're a little too sparky today, aren't you, Loce. Keep a lid on your lightning, please. I really don't appreciate getting stung. Are you feeling better now?”
She again nodded, expression blank as if the events of the night before had never happened. “I apologise. I shall keep my emotions under control from now on.”
“Master, are you okay?” Triel ignored her female companion.
“Yeah, just stung a little.”
He let Triel fuss over his shoulder for a little longer and then got up, stretching.
“I don't think I've got anything to do today. So, Loce, you want to come out? We could go to the park or something, I don't know. But, uh, could you change into something else first?” Loce was still wearing Edelus' shirt.
Loce nodded and started to pull off the shirt.
“Wait, wait, wait! Don't strip in front of me, Loce!”
“Why?” Loce's expression was one of complete curiosity; she didn't completely grasp the nuances of human society and she still found clothes to be odd, having been used to not being in a violin case for more than a century.
“Because it's.. indecent. Just.. Okay, I'll turn around.” Face red as a ground cherry, he turned about and sighed.
Suddenly, the sound of knocking came from the door. Edelus' eyes widened and he quickly rushed to Loce, no longer caring about decency.
“Quick, hide!” He hissed as he threw his blanket over her. “Keep still and keep quiet, don't make a sound!” He quickly lay over her, concealing the lump under the blanket that was her just as his father came in.
“Ed? I heard some shouting from downstairs. Were you talking to someone?” He asked, looking about Edelus' room.
“What? No, no, I wasn't talking. There's nobody here. You're imagining things, Dad.” At Edelus' words, Triel started giggling.
“Are you sure?” He asked once more, expression doubtful. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
“Positive, Dad. I've got nothing to tell you.”
“Alright. Brush up, breakfast's downstairs for you and Cassandra. I'm leaving for work now.”
“Yes, Dad. Bye, Dad.”
“Take care of yourself, son.” With a final sweeping look of the room, his father left and closed the door behind him.
Edelus exhaled in relief, shoulders sagging. He looked at Triel, who was seated on the floor, laughing and hugging her legs.
“What's so funny?
“Imagining things, huh? But anyway, Master, I think you do have something on.”
“Really? What?”
“Orchestra practice? Remember? Every Saturday morning?”
Edelus smacked his head. “Oh, shit! I knew I forgot something.” He glanced at his tableside clock and swore. “I'm gonna be late! Where's the violin, where's the violin..” He muttered as he ransacked the room.
“Uh, Master? On your bed?” Triel asked, pointing at the conspicuous lump where Loce remained still.
“Not her.” He lifted up the blanket anyway and immediately turned away, seeing Loce partially undressed. “Loce? Dress up, why are you staying so still?”
“You told me to keep quiet and stay still.” She looked up at him. “Can I move now?”
“Yeah, yeah, I only told you to stay still so that my dad wouldn't see you. Triel! Where did I leave my violin?”
Loce replied instead, saying, “But I am your violin.”
“I had another violin, the one I bring to orchestral practice.”
“Use me.” She got up and started to change her clothes.
“What? How am I going to, uh, use you? You'd have to be there and people will see your body-”
“This body can disappear. I am the violin and the violin is me.”
“What? Okay, never mind, just change up first, I'll just keep looking for it.”
“I'm done. Play me.”
Edelus whirled around. Loce was dressed in a black band uniform with a golden trim, perfectly complementing her short, shining, blond, nearly golden hair. She stepped towards him and held out the violin that was herself.
“Take me.” She insisted with an edge in her voice, a slightly manic tone tinging her words. “Play me.”
“Uh, okay. Right.” Edelus gingerly took the violin, expecting to get shocked at any moment; he had noticed small blue sparks crackling about her hair. As he held the violin, careful not to cover the brilliant eye, Loce sighed lightly and seemed to be absorbed into the violin in the moment of a single wing beat with a feeling of static electricity where she had stood which made Edelus' hair stand on end.
“What the- Huh.” Loce, in her violin form, seemed to be shivering ever so slightly, though whether from delight, pleasure or just her innate lightning, Edelus didn't know. He lifted the bow and began to play a short, simple and jaunty tune he was very familiar with.
However, the music that came out startled him. The notes were a hauntingly melancholy, a deep sadness in the tune. Somehow, though the original tune was supposed to be cheerful and uplifting, what he now heard bore a grief and loneliness so thick that he nearly choked and felt the heavy urge to weep.
Barely managing to control himself, he stopped playing and looked down at the golden eye worriedly.
“Why so sad, Loce? Why? You're not lonely anymore. You've got us.”
The eye blinked once as if to acknowledge him and the vibration increased slightly in intensity. He somehow knew that Loce felt better.
“Master!” Triel tapped her feet impatiently, arms folded. “You're almost late and you haven't even had your breakfast yet! I packed it for you already, quick, Master, change and let's go!” She held out a paper bag, evidently containing the breakfast she mentioned as Edelus rushed to obey.

“Man, Edel, you really came on the dot today.” The ginger-haired boy murmured to him as they both readied their violins.
“I nearly forgot about practice, Beland.” Edelus replied softly.
“Let me guess, your little devil reminded you about it.”
“Actually, that's true.”
Beland snorted. “Yeah, that's likely. A little old for imaginary friends, aren't we?”
“She ain't imaginary.”
“Whatever you say, man. By the way, nice violin. How much did she cost, then?”
“I picked her up.” Edelus tried to mutter without moving his mouth too much as they began to play. In his hands, Loce all but sang. He winced slightly as he noticed the difference in tone that Loce was making compared with Beland's violin; he could feel Loce trying to curb it though.
“Stop!” The conductor held out his hands. “Edelus Weissar! Are you playing the right notes?”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“Are you certain? Come out here and demonstrate to us how you played.”
Sighing inwardly, he obeyed the conductor and started to play. He tried not to take notice of the conductor's hard stare as he finished the bar and looked up expectantly.
“Hm. You played the right notes, Mr Weissar, exactly on the tempo, but why does it sound slightly different? Have you been taking care of your violin?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hm. Go back. Treat your violin well, Mr Weissar, violins are temperamental. Treat them with love and care and they will serve you faithfully unto your end.”
Edelus flinched inwardly again upon hearing those words, thinking about how literally the conductor's advice could be. He went back to his seat, Triel sitting at his feet, her face unreadable.
“Weird playing indeed, man.” Beland told him.
“I followed the score precisely.” Edelus retorted.
“And yet there is something different.” Beland replied. “Have you been feeling sad, man?”

“Just straight copacetic, Beland. I'm perfectly alright.”
“Like hell, you are. If you were perfectly alright, you wouldn't be having imaginary girls hanging about you, would you?”
“She isn't imaginary! Heck, Beland, you want some proof?”
“I certainly wouldn't mind, but please, do keep your volume down, our good conductor is glaring at you.”
“Right.” Edelus mumbled as the violin section of the orchestra started to play. As soon as their portion of the music concluded, he began again. “Just look at my violin, Beland.”
“What of her?” He drawled in his accent, an eyebrow raised.
“Her name's Loce. Here, check this out.” Edelus moved his hand lower down the violin to reveal the eye. As he did so, he felt a slight tugging on his pants.
“Master, this might not be such a wise idea.” Triel told him.
Edelus ignored her and showed Loce's eye to Beland.
“Nice decoration. You painted it yourself?” Beland remarked, clearly unconvinced.
“You're a real skeptic. It's a real eye. Look.”
Right on cue, Loce turned her eye to look directly at Beland and blinked.
“Woah, shit, man, that is some crazy shit you got right there. You're serious, aren't you?” Beland whispered, awed and shocked.
“Yes. Like I said, my little succubus isn't imaginary, in fact, she's sitting on my feet right at this moment.”
“Hot damn, Edelus. I knew you were cracked up, but, damn.”
“I'll introduce you to Loce later.”
“Okay.” Beland couldn't stop looking at Loce.

After their practice ended, Edelus brought Beland to the nearby park.
“Give us a moment, will you?” Edelus said, as he went behind a bush. A few moments later, he reemerged, followed by Loce in her elegant band uniform, holding the violin and bow in one hand. She had a slight smile on her face as she grasped Edelus' hand in her free hand.
Beland whistled appreciatively and bowed. “Hello, my good lady, I do believe my esteemed companion Edelus mentioned your name to be Loce?”
“Oh, cut the aristocratic act, Beland.” Edelus remarked, as Loce nodded, almost shyly.
Beland glared at Edelus for a moment and returned his attention to Loce as they sat down. “It's a little hard to believe, Loce. You're a violin?”
“Yes.” Loce nodded.
“Wait, but then, isn't that you?” Beland asked, pointing towards the violin in Loce's hand.
“Yes. This body is just a form I took.”
“Uh, right. Hey, Edel, got any more surprises for me?”
“Not really. I mean, if you could see Triel, then you would see that she's on my lap right now and- Mmph!” Edelus made a muffled sound as Triel kissed him hard. As he returned the intimate gesture, Beland stared at him with an expression torn between amusement and embarrassment.
“Hey, Edelus, you know, all I can see and all everyone can see is you kissing and hugging the air. I grew up in this neighbourhood, man, I sure as hell ain't gonna be seen around here with someone like you.”
Edelus broke off the kiss, breathing deeply. “Sorry, Beland, but you picked this crackpot for a friend. What a choice you made. Look, Triel sure isn't going to let herself be seen, because I'm pretty sure everyone here will freak out due to her wings. And her tail. Let me think, yes, Triel, sweetheart, flap your wings, give Beland a breeze.”
Clearly overjoyed to receive his attention once more, Triel rushed to obey. The gust was so strong that Beland's hair whipped around wildly.
“Hey, man, tell your little devil to stop! I believe you now, alright? No need to mess up my hair like that, you know how long it took for me to style it?”
Grinning, Edelus halted Triel.
“Man, Edelus, you're bat-shit crazy, you are. Though what I'm wondering is, why would your gal pick you? Unless you've got some hidden bad-ass insanity that you haven't told me about, I don't see why Triel would just hang around you all day. And all night, too, am I right? Oh, damn. She's a succubus. I see.” Beland whistled again. “So you two go at it every night, huh?”

Face reddening, Edelus punched Beland on the shoulder. “We never! We don't do anything so.. obscene!”
“Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it, Ed, I would do the same if I had a succubus.” Beland smirked as he re-styled his hair.
“We don't! We never have! Our relationship is perfectly clean!”
“Don't do anything obscene, eh? Yeah, sure, the most you'll go is make out with her in the middle of a public place.”
Edelus sighed deeply. “Beland, she can't be seen by anyone else.”
“But you can be seen, so I think that you really shouldn't do such things in public.” Beland paused and glanced at his watch. “Man, just look at the time. I'd best be going now.”
“Not having lunch? You're meeting someone?”
Beland replied as he walked away. “Not really. I don't actually have anything on, I just figured you might want some alone time with your babe. Have fun.”
“What an odd person.” Loce remarked.

“Edelus!” The shout echoed from downstairs all the way into his room.
“Yes, Cass?”
“Where'd Dad go?”
“Give me a moment!” He shouted back and turned to Loce. “Okay, stay here, hide under my covers and don't come out until I say so.”
Loce nodded and moved to obey as he ran down the stairs and nearly crashed into a blue-haired girl wearing a French maid uniform.
“Hey, be careful!” She huffed indignantly.
“Yeah, well, you did shout. Dad's gone to work, which you would have known if you'd woken up earlier. It's already afternoon, you know.”
“Sorry.” Her playful tone made it clear that she wasn't sorry at all and she grinned at him. “Like my costume?”
“Uh.. Yeah.. You're really into this whole dress up thing, aren't you?”
“All for you, brother.” She teased him, preening, knowing that he liked such dresses.
“Uh, that sounds so wrong.”
“Why would it be?”
“Because siblings don't...”
“Come on, we're not even related! I'm your stepsister, remember?” She reminded him in a singsong voice.
“I treat you like my little sister.” Edelus replied seriously.
“Don't worry, you'll always be my big brother.” She tiptoed to kiss him. “Now, if Dad's not at home, I'll be leaving now. Don't tell him about my costumes! Oh, and I'll be home for dinner!”
“Never. Have fun, Cassandra. I'll get you something good. Anything you especially want?”
“Nope. Love you!”
Edelus watched her leave the house as she blew him a final kiss. He turned to see Triel with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.
“What did I do?” He asked.
“She's not the only one who can dress up, Master! I could dress up in that maid uniform just as well!”
“What? I don't like-”
“Yes, you do! Don't hide it from me!”
“I'm not hiding anything.” He headed back to his room.
“Master, you know I'd do anything for you!”
“Yeah, but I don't want you to do anything like that.” He lifted his blanket. “You can come out now, Loce, the house is empty.”
“Okay.”
Half-turning, Edelus found his shoulders grasped by Triel.
“Triel! What are you doing?”
“I'm proving to you how much you matter to me, Master.” She pushed him onto the bed and straddled him. For a moment, Edelus almost gave in. However, his conscience won out.
“No, Triel.” Edelus pushed her back reluctantly.
“But why?” Her voice was almost a whine.
“It's just not right.”
“Ah, Master, I love it when you're so firm. But, you want to as well, don't you?”
“What I want and what I should do are two different things, Triel.” He kissed her on the top of her head lightly. “I can't give in to my wants.”
Triel shuddered. “Master, it's not just you. My body is becoming so hot, Master. Very, intolerably, hot. Especially.. between my legs.” Triel gasped, trying to breathe. “Please, Master, quench my fire. Please!”
“I'm sorry, Triel. Lie on the bed.” Edelus quickly left the room as Triel complied, trying to hold back her desire. He returned with a pail of iced water and a cloth. Triel moaned in disappointment, having still held out hope for his acquiescence. He soaked the cloth in the freezing liquid and started to wipe Triel's face.
She gasped in shock at the feeling of the water, the extreme cold a contrast against the burning of her body. Even just sponging her, Edelus could feel the sheer amount of heat coming off her body. He paused to dip the cloth into the water again and he continued down her body slowly, bit by bit easing her fiery lust into something more manageable. The act of sponging her wasn't just for her benefit. It helped keep him under control as well, reminding himself that he was responsible for her as well. It pained him to see her writhe, especially under his own hands, but he knew he couldn't afford to make love to her, as much as he wanted to. He had never done so and he didn't intend to start then.
Slowly, but surely, he reached her thighs and stopped to feel her temperature. It was normal, or as normal as a lusty young succubus like her would have, which was higher than a regular person's. Her breathing became slow and regular, her pallor less flushed and Edelus felt relieved.
Loce had been looking on quietly but now she asked, “What was it she kept asking from you?”
“It's...” He trailed off, unsure of how to explain to a violin. “Actually, I have no idea how to explain it to you. You should ask her instead.”

Edelus covered Triel's dozing form with his blanket and kissed her lightly once more before lying down beside her to take a nap.

“Master.”
“Hmm?”
“I think you've got a stalker.”
“Say what?”
Edelus stopped walking and turned behind, catching a flash of black going behind a corner.
“Uh, Triel? That is human, isn't it, whoever that is?”

“Yes, Master.”
Edelus walked towards where the figure had hidden, Triel half-flying, half-stepping lightly on the concrete ground behind him. Loce had declined to go for a walk with them, claiming fatigue, though Edelus didn't see how that was possible. When the person peeked out again, her face was directly in front of him and she flinched in shock, taking a few steps backwards. The raven-haired girl smiled, almost beatifically, as she clasped her hands together.
“I knew it.” The girl whispered, slightly breathless. “I knew I couldn't be the only one.”
Edelus and Triel exchanged mystified looks. “Uh, hello?” Edelus waved a hand in front of her face, impatient with her odd behaviour. “Er, were you following me?”
“Hm, what? Yeah, I was following you. This is a dream come true, I knew I wasn't the only one.” The girl started talking to herself again.
“Only what?”

“Not the only special one. I'm not alone. Ahh..” She sighed pleasantly at the thought.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. Would you care to explain?”
“Thank you, thank you!” The girl hugged him tightly, obviously oblivious to his words.
Edelus pushed her away after a moment. “Look, miss, I don't know who you are, I don't know what you're doing and I would really appreciate it if you'd stop talking to yourself and answer me!” His voice grew in volume until it turned to a shout, finally losing his temper.
The girl stared at him wide-eyed, frightened. “I'm sorry. I just.. I've been looking for someone like me for so long!”
“What do you mean, someone like you?”
“Come on, I can see her perfectly fine! Don't you dare tell me it's just a costume she's wearing!” The girl pointed at Triel, who looked back at her in perfect innocence.
“You can see her?” Edelus asked, not knowing if she was making things up. Immediately after thinking that, he mentally hit himself. Of course she couldn't be making it up.
“Yeah, I can see her clearly. And the bond, the link between you two, I can sense it. It feels so bright and vibrant. It's life energy flowing through your bond, isn't it? It's so fast moving. She's leeching off your life, isn't she? But it looks to me like you've got more than enough, even after she's taken a fair part of it, huh?” The girl spoke quickly, barely taking a breath.
“Slow down. Triel is doing what?”
“Triel? Nice name. She's feeding off your life force, of course.”
“She's feeding off my-” Edelus glared at Triel accusingly. “You never told me anything about this.”
Wings flapping urgently, Triel babbled quickly in a panic. “Master, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hide it from you, it just didn't really matter and I-”
“Didn't matter? This is my life! You've been around me for my entire lifetime just to be a parasite and steal my life energy, is that it? Is that why you've really been with me? Not because you like me, not because I'm your friend, but because I'm just a host for you to feed on?”
“No, Master, it's not like that! We're more than friends!”
“Apparently less. So I'm just the naïve little host and you're the parasite. Get away from me.”
“Master! I-”
“Get away from me!”
Tears brimming in her scarlet eyes, Triel slowly nodded. “It's not what you think.” She whispered. “I love you, Edelus. You,” She turned to the onyx-haired girl. “I'll get you for this.”
“Don't threaten her for telling me the truth, Triel. You can't blame anyone but yourself. Begone.”
“I love you!” Triel sobbed for one last time before her wings flapped once, hard, and she was in the air, flying far away into the blue sky. For the first time for as long as he could remember, Triel was no longer by his side. He felt hollow.
Edelus turned to the girl, realising that he was crying too. He wiped away the tears and took a deep breath. “I.. Thank you for telling me the truth.”
The girl looked at him oddly. “I didn't want this to happen. I thought.. I thought you had an agreement with her.”
“She didn't tell me anything.”
“Still.. How long has she been with you?”
“As long as I can remember.”
The girl frowned. “If she's been leeching off you since you were a kid, shouldn't you be dead by now? You look fine to me. More than fine.”
“I don't know and I don't particularly care.” Edelus snapped.
“I'm really sorry.”
“It doesn't matter. Who are you?” He softened his tone, trying to calm down.
“Zephyra Eurus. You are?”
“Edelus Weissar. Uh, how do you..”
“How do I what?”
“How can you see.. Triel?”
“I don't know. I've never seen other things before. But then I caught sight of her following you just now and I knew you were like me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I.. can do things.” She lifted a hand and Edelus peered at her palm. He heard wind whistle in his ears and a small, dust-grey cyclone arose from nothing within her grasp. Without realising it, he gasped.
She closed her fingers around the whirlwind and it vanished, dissolving and disappearing into the now still air.
She tilted her head to the side, smiling as she looked right at him. Edelus returned the smile, doing his utmost best to forget Triel.
He took her hand, asking, “Would you like to come to my house?”
“Sure.”

As he opened the door, a figure in maid uniform stood there, hands clasped behind her.
“Cass! I thought you were- Wait, Loce?”
“Welcome home.” Loce bowed down deeply.
“Wait, but, where did you get that?”
“It was in your sister's room.”
“How many does she have..” He murmured to himself. “Anyway, why are you wearing it?”
“I thought it would look good.” Despite her bland tone, he knew that she couldn't have decided to wear it just for aesthetic purposes.
“Right. Uh, Zephyra, meet Loce. Loce, Zephyra Eurus.”
“Hello. Where's Triel?”
“I told her to leave. Don't ask.”

Loce nodded.
“Hello.” Zephyra looked at her curiously. “You're not human, are you?”

“Zephyra, she's a violin.” Edelus supplied.
“A violin? Wow. That's cool.”
“Come in.” Loce ushered them both in.
As Edelus showed Zephyra around the house, he realised that there was the smell of cooking in the air.
“Wait, Zephyra, give me a moment.”
He rushed down only to find... nobody.
“What? Hey, Loce?”
“Yes?” Her voice echoed from the kitchen. He peered inside.
“Loce, you're cooking?” Even without looking at him, Loce could hear the surprise in his voice. Inwardly, she smiled and continued stirring a pot of soup.
“I thought you would like to have dinner after your walk.”
“Where did you learn to cook?”
Loce pointed to a side. Edelus stared, aware that he was close to having his jaw drop agape. A laptop, his laptop, was open and the web browser was open to a recipe site.
“But.. I.. How did you figure out my password?”
“You put my name and Triel's together.” Loce shrugged. Her face was as blank as ever, but Edelus knew that she was laughing inside.
His face started growing hot. “Yeah, whatever, anyway, is that dinner?”
“Yes. I cooked enough for four just in case your sister wants some. Will she be coming back for dinner?”
“Cassandr- Oh shit!”
As if thinking about her summoned her, the doorbell rang loud and clear. He ran and opened the door.
“H-Hi, Cass.”
“Hi, bro! Why're you so red-faced?”
“Just.. Just a little out of breath.”
“Aw, you don't have to be so flustered at seeing me. Or is it my clothes again?”
“No! It's something else. I, uh, I-”
“Never mind, big brother. You don't have to explain that, I understand.” She winked at him and walked in. Edelus gulped worriedly, wondering what he was going to say to his sister.
Cassandra sniffed the air and grinned. “Since when did you cook, brother? It smells great!”
Edelus held his breath and looked away as Cassandra walked into the kitchen.
“Edelus! Who is she?” Cassandra nearly shrieked. “Why are you wearing my clothes?”
A loud gasp was heard and then Loce ran out.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” Loce ran up the stairs and Edelus felt somewhat gratified to finally see an expression on her face: panic.
Edelus quickly entered the kitchen and held Cassandra by her shoulders. “Cass, it's not what you think it is.”
“You've got a girlfriend!”
“No, I just said, it's not what you think it is.”
“You betrayed me!”
“Cass, calm down. It's a long story.”
“How do you want me to calm down?” She was close to tears and Edelus felt as if he was torn up on the inside.
He hugged her, patting her back. “Cass. She is not my girlfriend. She isn't human. You've seen her before.”
Cassandra didn't reply for a few seconds, her chest heaving with rampant emotions. “What do you mean, she isn't human?”
“Loce,” He paused, unsure of whether he ought to be blunt or not. “Loce is my violin.”
Cassandra pulled back and regarded him with confusion. “Your.. violin?”
“Yes. You know, the black and gold violin you said was so beautiful?”
“I don't understand, what do you mean? The violin is hers?”
“No. She is the violin.”
“I still don't get you.”
“I am the violin.” Loce had changed back into her band uniform again and she stood on the stairs, holding her true self in her hands.
“How did you change so fast? I don't get what either of you are saying!”
Edelus stepped past Cassandra and walked to Loce. “Watch, sister.”
He took hold of the violin and Loce nodded as she disappeared into the ebony instrument.
“What the- What just happened?”

Edelus raised up the violin and bow. “This is her, Cass. Magic. It really exists.”
“Oh. My. God. You have got to be kidding me.”
“Does this look like a joke?”
“Magic exists. Magic exists. Magic exists. Why did you never tell me?” Cassandra exclaimed. “How long have you had her?”
“I.. It just never seemed to crop up, Cass. I haven't had her for that long either. She came to me about.. Let me think.. A few weeks ago?”
“A few weeks is a really long time!” Cassandra caught sight of Zephyra at the top of the stairs listening to their conversation. “Now who's that, Ed? Don't tell me she's not human either.”
“Ah, Zephyra, I think you can come down now. Sorry for making you wait so long.” Edelus glanced away for a moment, embarrassed. “And she's human, Cass.”
“So you do have a girlfriend!” Cassandra erupted.
“No, no, no, I only met her today!”
“Only the first day and you invited her over?”
“That's because she's the first person I've ever met to know that magic exists! Don't make assumptions, Cass!”
“Oh, okay. Sorry, big bro.” She smiled and waved at Zephyra. “Hello. I'm Edelus' younger stepsister, Cassandra Weissar.”
Tilting her head, she stepped closer to shake her hand. “Hello. I'm Zephyra Eurus. Pleased to meet you.”
“That's a nice name. Make yourself at home.”
Loce materialised back into being and apologised to Cassandra. “I'm sorry about wearing your clothes.”
“Nah, it's alright. Besides, you looked pretty good in it. You know he likes it too, huh?”
Loce nodded and Edelus poked her. “Hey, enough already. And don't you have soup to tend to?”
“Edelus! You made your violin cook for you?”
“Oh, no, Zephyra and I just got back when I found her cooking.”
“I cleaned up the whole house as well!” Loce added, as she went to finish cooking.
“Heh, no wonder you wore that.” Cassandra smirked. “You're cooking dinner for all of us?”
“Yes.”
“Wait, since you're a violin, do you need to eat?”
“Even a violin has to eat. It takes energy to maintain this body.”
“Oh. It's a good thing Dad's going to be late tonight.”
“Yeah.”
Cassandra went up to her room, leaving Zephyra and Edelus in the living room.
“Your sister's really nice.”
“Yeah. I'm glad I've got her.”
“What can you do, though? You didn't tell me.”
“Me? I don't know, to be honest. I don't think I've got anything even vaguely magical.”
“Come on, there's bound to be something you have. Otherwise, you wouldn't have attracted that succubus girl or Loce, would you?”
Edelus didn't say anything, not liking her reminder of Triel.
“Come to think of it, I think that might be it. Even though she's been draining your life almost constantly, and according to you, for how many years?”
“I'm nineteen.”
“For at least fifteen years, and yet you seem to be in the pink of health. Perhaps that's what's special about you. Your life force is.. Uh, you have a lot of life energy?”
“I don't know.” Edelus took a small plastic watering pot and started to tend to the plants.
“Hey, that might be it. Just look! I could sense something seeping out from you just now outside, but now it's practically gushing. Look at the plants!” She pointed excitably.
Edelus stopped what he was doing and looked. The plants did look that much brighter, more vibrant and greener. The stems seemed thicker and straighter, even one of the plants that had appeared as if it were withering had lost its sickly yellow dried hue. He could see that they were curling up, moving and growing towards his hand.
“Huh. You're right.”
“But the changes in you, they're really odd. I don't think it's because you have a lot of it. I think it just restores itself faster than you lose it, even when she drained it away. Either that, or your body is constantly creating more and more and so the excess overflows and spills out. Wow.”
“Wait.” Edelus looked up sharply. “You mean that even when Triel was around me, I still had excess amounts of life force?”
“Uh, yeah, I think so.”
Edelus closed his eyes. “Oh God. It didn't even hurt me and she was just trying to live and I accused her of hurting me... I have to get her back.”
“Uh, actually, that isn't really going to be hard.”
“Why?”
“I can still see your bond. While I can't feel anything moving along it, I can probably still figure out where she is by following the link.”
“Really? Take me to her now, please!”
“Okay. No guarantees though.”
“Hold on. Loce! I'm going to find Triel with Zephyra! If Cassandra asks, just explain to her, okay?”
“Okay.” Loce came out, wiping her hands on a towel. “But don't come back too late, or your dinner will be cold.”
“Thanks, Loce. I really appreciate that.”

“This way, I think. It's getting really bright now, I think we're getting quite close to her.”
“I'm counting on you, Zephyra, I can't see anything at all.”
They found her by a tree, lying limply against the trunk.
“Triel! Triel, wake up, are you alright?” Edelus rushed to her side. Her pallor was far paler than it should have been and her crimson tresses had lost part of its former luster, appearing faded and dull. Her body felt cold, even to his human hands. It completely shocked him, how much she had changed within only a few hours. He shook her lightly.
She opened her eyes weakly. “Master... I'm sorry.. I love you...”
He kissed her deeply. “Take as much as you need, Triel. Take as much as you want.” He rejoined their lips.
As they remained entwined around each other, she slowly grew stronger. She started to return his kiss with more vigor and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Abruptly, Edelus' knees buckled and he ended the kiss. He looked at her face, searching for signs of recovery concernedly. Her skin had regained its usual rosy blush, her hair its scarlet hue and her eyes were as lively as ever. But there was still guilt in her eyes and she started to voice it out.
“Master.. I'm sorry for hurti-”
“Hush, Triel. I should have heard the whole story. It wouldn't have hurt me, would it?”
“N-No, Master.”
“You just want to get back to me, so much that you're willing to give yourself imagined blame that you know is just my misunderstanding just to come back to me. I should never have treated you that way. I should never have made you cry.”
“No, Master, it's alright. I don't mind. As long as I can be with you.”
“Not just for my life, I hope?” Edelus asked playfully, nipping her ear.
“Not for your life, but for you. I want you, Master. I love you.”
“And I you. Now, Triel, tell me about this life siphoning effect.”
She nodded slowly, afraid that he would send her away again if her explanation was not to his liking.
“It's like this, Master. I need life energy to live. And... Your life energy is..”
“Is what? Don't worry, Triel, I just want to know.” He reassured her, seeming to realise her doubts and worries.
“Let's just say that it's of a high quality. Like really good. It's.. nourishing.” She cringed as if expecting him to shout at her. When he didn't, she continued cautiously. “Also, your life energy... doesn't run out. Like, people usually have a certain amount of life energy in them at any time. It's constantly being used, but it tends to only be replenished when they eat something. But your energy isn't just replenishing, it's filling up so fast that you're filled to your capacity. Your body, I don't know how, continues to build up the energy until your body can't contain this amount and then it just kind of spills out.” Her words come out in a rush and she stops, taking deep breaths. “You have so much, so abundant that while I can just take as much as I could ever want and still there would be more, I sometimes get so terribly afraid, Master. I'm sorry.”
“It's okay. I think I understand now. You're feeling better, right? Let's go home, Loce has dinner on the stove.”
“Loce can cook?” Triel asked, clearly surprised.
“I know how you feel. She really caught us flat-footed there. Zephyra, will you be joining us for dinner?”
“If you don't mind, sure.”

“Mmm, this is really good, Loce.”
She beamed in response to Edelus' compliment. “Thank you!” She was seated beside him and she gave him a quick hug and then drew back, face blushing furiously even though she showed no other expression save a small self-satisfied smile reminiscent of a cat.
Triel glared at Loce, while Cassandra held a semi-shocked expression and Zephyra just smiled and continued eating. When Edelus had returned with the two girls, Zephyra had utilised her power over wind to let Cassandra be able to see Triel. Triel had been impressed and the two had promised to trade pointers regarding magic.
On his other side, Triel sat without any food on her plate; she didn't need it, though she could eat if she wanted to. She reached to get more food for Edelus.
“Here, you should eat more, Master, today was eventful.”
“Thank you, Triel. I suppose I should be helping you, seeing as how I wronged you.”
“No, Master, it's what I should do. You are my master, after all.”
He kissed her on the lips and resumed eating. Zephyra could see Triel's black, pointed tail curling up in delight behind her. Zephyra turned to Cassandra with a raised eyebrow and a smile on her tilted head.
“Cassandra, is your brother... really such a playboy?”
“I.. never saw him like that, to be honest.”
Edelus coughed self-consciously at their words, trying to remind them that he was still present and could hear clearly their dialogue.
Almost immediately, both Loce and Triel fussed over him.
“Are you okay, Master?”
“Edelus, don't eat so quickly, you'll choke.”
“I'm alright, I'm alright. Sheesh, I can take care of myself.” His mouth crooked into a wry grin. “Cass, I think you ought to eat more instead.” He reached over and moved a portion of food from his own plate to hers. “Zephyra, you ain't eating a whole lot either. Do finish up everything, if you two would be so kind.”
Zephyra laughed. “Alright, good sir, I shall be your obedient servant and finish it.”
“I mean, don't force yourself if you can't. You're our guest after all.”
“I can stomach it, Edelus, don't you worry about me.”
“If you're sure. See, Cass? She's just our guest and she doesn't complain as much as you do. You could learn a thing or two from her.”
“Hey, that isn't fair, I haven't made a single complain tonight! Loce's cooking is delicious, unlike the garbage you always buy back.”
“Garbage?” He spluttered. “Please, be thankful! It tastes perfectly fine! But, yes, Loce's cooking is delicious.”
“Thank you.” Loce finished up her food. “I'll wash the dishes then.”
“No, no, you already cooked, I'll wash it.” Zephyra offered.
“Zephyra, you're our guest. It would be rude to make you wash the dishes.” Cassandra stopped her.
“No, honestly, I'm fine.” Zephyra swept her long hair out of her eyes. “I want to help.”
“We'll both wash the dishes, alright?”

“You sure you can get home from here?”
“Yes, Edelus. You've already walked me a long distance, you know.”
“Okay. If you say so.”
“Yes, I do say so.”
“Well, ah,” He cleared his throat. “Today was eventful.”
“It certainly was.” She agreed. “It's rather late now. I think I'll go over to your house tomorrow. Is that fine with you?”
“Uh, yeah, sure, I guess so.”
“Alright. Bye then.”
Cassandra took a step forward, then suddenly turned back and hugged Edelus, grinning and she gave him a deep, long kiss.
“I think I like you, Edelus.” She broke off the kiss and started running. “Good night, sleep tight!” She called back to him.
“Good night!” He waved back, grinning like an idiot.
He looked after her retreating figure, only turning to leave when he couldn't see her through the darkness anymore. He caught sight of a stormy look on Triel's face.
“Now what did I do?” Edelus sighed.
“You never look at me anymore! You barely even talk to me, ever since Loce came along. And then just now at the dinner table, you kept talking to the others and you couldn't be bothered with me! Don't you love me? You love me, right? Right? Right?” She started sobbing as her voice hit a crescendo.
“Of course I love you, Triel. I always have.” He caught her just as she nearly sunk to her knees and he hugged her tightly. “I really do, Triel.”
“Then why?” She pounded her hands against his chest ineffectually. “Why have you been ignoring me?”
He pulled her head closer so that she would cry on his shoulder. “You've always been with me. It's not fair to the others.”
“I don't care about the others.” Her muffled voice sounded thickly through his shoulder.
“Hush. You're mine, Triel. I love you.”
Triel slowly slid down from his grasp and her lips trailed down from his lips all the way towards the bottom. Edelus stood ramrod stiff as she did so, but quickly jerked away when she reached his sensitive regions.
“No, Triel, just no.” He started walking. “Come on, Triel, let's get home.”
She flapped her wings, obviously disappointed and still slightly hurt. Tail drooping, she ran and caught up with him, holding onto his arm tightly as if it were her lifeline.

“Cass, what are you doing?”
“Well, I was feeling kind of lonely and all, so I was thinking that I would just come over...” She trailed off airily as she finished dragging in a mattress.
Cassandra was standing in the middle of his dark room, the mattress on the floor with a pillow and blanket laid on it.
Edelus looked around the unlit room for a moment. Above him, head nearly touching the ceiling and slightly to the side, Loce lay in a hammock he had set up for her, peering down at Cassandra expressionlessly with a novel in one hand and a flashlight in the other. Triel was fast asleep on top of Edelus, having been drained by the events of the day.
“Eh, Cass, I already have two girls sharing a room with me.”
“Are you discriminating? You always used to share the same bed with me! I'm only asking to sleep in the same room as you.”
“We were kids back then and you were afraid of the dark. Ah well, if it makes you happy.”
She smiled warmly at him. “Thank you, big brother. Good night. I love you.”
“I love you too. Sleep tight.”
Perhaps woken up by their brief exchange, Triel stirred.
“Edelus?” She mumbled sleepily.
“Yes, sweetheart?” He stroked her hair lovingly. “It's still night. Sleep.”
“Mmm..” She mumbled something unintelligible against his chest and adjusted her position on him.
“Edelus, so she's your girlfriend?” Cassandra questioned, a bit more force in her words than one would expect from a concerned sister.
“Uh, I guess that's what you could call it.”
“You love her?” For a moment, her voice seemed to crack a little.
“Yeah.”
“Don't you love me?”
“Of course I do. Cassie, it's rather late, we ought to get some sleep. Zephyra's coming over tomorrow, remember?”
Triel yawned again and raised her head, looking at Edelus blearily. “She's coming? But, you promised Beland you'd go with him to move your stuff to the manse, didn't you?”
“Oh, right. I suppose she could come to check it out. Thanks for reminding me.” He tousled her hair affectionately.
“Manse? What manse?” Cassandra asked sharply.
“The Ashwood manse. You remember the price of the estate just kept falling and falling until it became absurdly low? Beland and I took all our savings to go buy it. It was so cheap that we still have left-over money. I told you I was gonna move out soon, right?”
“You're moving out when?” She asked quietly, frowning.
“I don't know. Perhaps the day after, or a few days later. Certainly within this week though.”
“Have you talked to Dad about this?”
“No. I will tomorrow morning, though.”
“What if he says no?”
“I don't care. I'm old enough to make my own decisions.”
Cassandra was silent for a moment, then she nodded.
“I'm going with you.”
“No.” Edelus didn't even have to think before he replied.
“I don't care what you say either. I'm staying with you.”
“But how will you-”
“There's no problem. The manse is close to school, right? There's not much else for me to settle.”
“But what about money?”
“Dad's contract things, the one that gives Dad money every month-”
“Bonds.” He corrected.
“-yeah, bonds, sure. Anyway, he told me quite a few were put to our names, so we'll get the money.”
“But still..” Edelus tried to protest weakly.
“No 'buts', bro. I'm staying with you, whether you like it or not.”
“I do like it...” He murmured softly, but Cassandra still heard him and smiled.
“I'm glad you feel that way.”
“You heard me?” His face flushed, though it could not be seen in the darkness of the night. “Never mind, sleep. I'm tired too.”
Loce observed their conversation silently and continued reading the novel once they finished talking.

They were seated at the dining table, munching on a breakfast of toast.
“Dad?” Edelus asked hesitantly. Behind him, Triel patted his shoulder encouragingly.
“Hm?” His father continued reading the newspaper and paid him no heed.
“I'm going to move out.”
The words caught his attention and Edelus' father set down the paper.
“What do you mean, you're going to move out?”
“I've got a house.”
“Since when did you- How much was it- Why didn't you tell me?”
“Not too long ago. Beland and I split the cost. You remember the Ashwood manse that was selling at a few thousand? I used my savings, Dad. I still have a fair bit left, that's how cheap it was.”
“The manse? You sure have taste.. So you're going to leave your sister here alone in the house?”
Edelus cleared his throat nervously. “Well, uh-”
“I'm going with him.” Cassandra spoke up.
“What? Young lady, do you have any-”
“There isn't any problem. I've got it all thought out. While Ed hasn't gotten a job yet, we can still survive on the money that your bonds are supplying. My school isn't all that far from the manse. Clothes and all that, I'll just move them over. Food is covered with the money.” She told him defiantly.
“Edelus Weissar, did you ask your sister to do this?”

“No, Dad, I want to live with him.” Cassandra defended him.
His father sighed and rubbed his face. “You're old enough to make decisions for yourself, Edelus. I trust that you will take care of her. If there's anything wrong, this house will always be here for you.”
“Yes, Dad. Thank you.” Edelus nodded gratefully. “I'm bringing my things over today.”
“What about furnishing and all?”
“It's covered, Dad. The previous owner really thought it was haunted and refused to touch any of the furniture.”
“That's good for you. If it really is haunted, you can come back here.”
“I'll try to visit, Dad.”
They continued eating in silence. After they finished eating and cleared up, their father opened the door and was about to leave for work as he exclaimed in surprise. Edelus and Cassandra rushed to the front door to see Zephyra standing there.
“Hello, uncle.” She smiled.
Their father looked back at Edelus, who quickly nodded. “She's a friend, Dad.”
“Okay. I trust you three won't mess up the house.”
“No, Dad.”
He excused himself and left for work, leaving the siblings, Triel and Zephyra standing in the doorway awkwardly.
“Uh, good morning, Zephyra. A little early, aren't you?”
“Well, I missed you.” She grinned, teeth flashing. “I couldn't stand another moment alone at home, so I came early.”
“Uh, okay. Right, I forgot to tell you, I'm going to move out of this house.”
“That's cool. Where will you be staying then?”
“The Ashwood manse.” Edelus named an address.
“Isn't that supposed to be haunted?”
“Yeah, but that's why it was selling so cheaply. I'm bringing all my stuff over. So, uh, you wanna come?”
“Sure, I always wanted to check out whether it really was haunted or not. I'll give you a hand. You're heading over now?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Edelus excused himself to call Beland.
After a few rings, Beland picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Bel, I'm going to head over to the manse now.”
“Oh, alright. You bringing your violin babe?”
“I'm bringing everything.”
“I'll meet you there.”
“Got it. Oh, and Cass's staying with us.”
“What? Never mind, I don't really mind. Bye.”

It took them some time to gather all of Cassandra's belongings, Edelus' already packed. When they finally reached the manse, the sun had risen high in the sky and the heat was beating down on them fiercely. At the gates, Beland was there with some of his own belongings.
“There you are. Hello, Loce, hello, Cassandra. And you would be?”
“Zephyra Eurus. Pleased to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine. Anyway, let's get out of this blasted heat.”
The manse was imposing with only two stories. The colour scheme was nothing extravagant, simple mahogany wood, windows of an ashen tone and a burnished bronze to the pillars. However, the atmosphere was extremely gloomy as they entered, and the sudden drop in temperature could not have been merely due to escaping from the Sun's rays. The floor was white marble and the entrant room was large. It seemed as if the entire front half of the manse was a foyer for people to enter. Elegant staircases on both sides led to the second floor. There were couches and tables about, gathering dust from disuse.
“Wow. It's amazing.” Cassandra breathed.
“It'll look even better once we've cleaned it up.” Beland retorted. “Put the bags there, let's get cracking.”
“Wait a moment, did anyone hear that?” Edelus stopped them.
“Hear what?”
“It's stopped now. Sounded like someone, a girl I think, crying.”
“A-are you sure?” Cassandra looked suitably spooked.
“Yeah. Maybe this place really is haunted.” Edelus said, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Can I stay by your side? Please don't leave me alone.” Cassandra grabbed his hand tightly.
“You sure you still want to stay here?”
“Yes. I want to live with you.” She reiterated firmly.
“Alright, don't fear.”
The six of them started to clear away the dust and cobwebs from the furniture and bring back the manse to its former glory. At least, that's what Beland told them they were trying to do.
As Cassandra wiped the tables with Edelus, a loud bang and a yelp sounded from the second floor.
“Zephyra? Beland? Are you two alright?” He called upwards. Loce, Zephyra and Beland had decided to clear the second floor while Triel, Edelus and Cassandra would settle the first floor.
“Yeah, we're all fine and dandy, Edel. The door just slammed and we just about jumped a foot.” Beland replied.
“Alrigh-” He stopped abruptly as Cassandra squealed and pointed at the wall. The wall had been covered with dust accumulated over quite some time and suddenly, it was as if there was an invisible hand writing on the wall, leaving trails of dust.
“Leave.. this.. house.. now..” He read as the words formed in the dust. “Zephyra! I think we've got a ghost!” Edelus spread his arms out as if to protect Cassandra from anything that might hurt her.
“Coming!” But as Zephyra came running down, the words were erased away, again as if an invisible hand wiped the wall. “What's up?”
“There was writing on the wall. But..”
“There's nothing there now. You sure you weren't imagining things?”
“Definitely. Cass saw it too.”
“I don't know, I can't see any ghost around.” She looked at him doubtfully.
“Never mind then. I'll call you if anything happens again.”
“Okay.” She slowly made her way back up.

They spent the better part of the day cleaning the manse, but they had finally accomplished it by the late afternoon. Edelus decided to take a long, hot bath after Loce did so and he entered into an ornate washroom and filled the large, jacuzzi-like bathtub.
He sighed contentedly as he submerged into the hot water, the heat relaxing his tense muscles. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the side.
“Why aren't you scared?” A feminine voice sounded right in front of him and Edelus nearly sprang out of the bathtub in fright.
“What the-” He saw, directly in his face, a translucent girl leaning forward and looking at him curiously. Seeing his reaction, she smiled and pulled back, settling into the water beside him.
“Ah, now you're scared. I never did like to go for the cheap scares like this.”
Edelus' first reaction had been shock, but now he started to get embarrassed.
“I'm not wearing anything, don't look, turn around!”
“You're talking to me and the first thing you can think of is privacy? Funny human.” For a moment, it seemed as if the ghost, if such she was, would heed his words. However, instead she floated through the water and leaned onto him, arms pinning his shoulders against the sides of the tub. “What do you think? The writing on the wall thing was pretty cool, wasn't it?”
He started to blush furiously at such close contact and he tried to push her away but found that his hands went right through her, though the water which she occupied was distinctly colder.
“You can't touch me unless I want you to.” The girl frowned. “So, why are you in my house? Why were you cleaning it up?”
“I-I bought it over and I'm going to stay here, could you just turn aroun-”
“You're going to stay here? This should be fun. I haven't talked to anyone for so long. It gets so, very, lonely around here.” Her voice lowered to a coo as she talked. She laughed when she noticed his scarlet face and she drew back to the other side of the tub. “Such a funny reaction. Are poltergeists really that common nowadays that I'm not scary anymore?”
“N-No, I just, it's just, I, uh-”
“Your incoherency is amusing as well. Anyway, nobody paid the water bills so I haven't had hot water for so long. I just want a nice, long bath.” She immersed herself in the water up to her chin.
The water seemed to lose most of its heat, becoming lukewarm within moments of her immersion. The girl slowly nodded off as Edelus watched, her head sliding down into the water. He couldn't see her under the foamy surface of the water. Suddenly, he flinched as he felt something cold settle light against his lower abdomen.
He cleared away some of the surface soap and saw her lying on him, her ghostly short hair unaffected by the swirling water. Slowly, her arms started to clutch about his body and Edelus shivered at the abrupt change in temperature. Her expression was that of innocent sleep, comfort and rest enveloping her as she dozed without a care.
Without warning, she gave a bloodcurdling scream that seemed to echo through the whole manse endlessly. Edelus shivered as he tried to cover his ears from the horrible shriek. She started to cry and pressed herself against Edelus as if hiding from some terror.
Almost as if she had been waiting just outside the door, Loce rushed in, clad once again in the uniform of a French maid.
“Edelus? I-” She didn't continue as she took in the scene: Edelus with his arms spread wide open and a translucent girl crying against him, seeking shelter with his naked form. As Loce stood ramrod still, Cassandra popped in behind her, as well as Triel, Beland and then Zephyra.

“That's it, I'm bathing with you next time.” Triel declared possessively, arms folded.
They were seated around a table, the girl who claimed to be a poltergeist still holding on to Edelus, an arm wrapped around his neck and wiping ethereal tears from her eyes.
“You'd do something obscene with him. I'll join him to watch you.” Cassandra retorted.
“Can you two stop squabbling and get back to the point?” Zephyra told them. “Look, ghost girl, what's your name? What's going on?”
“Rena Ashwood, poltergeist. This is my home and I want all of you to get out!” She detached herself from Edelus, her bearing proud and regal.
Zephyra shook her head. “Look, you belong to a different time, Rena. In this day and age, we bought this house legally and so it now belongs to us.” Both Triel and Loce raised an eyebrow at her use of the word 'us'. “Besides, you said it yourself, you're a poltergeist. How then could you be the true Rena Ashwood?”
“I am Rena Ashwood! I am her and she is me! There is no difference!” She yelled, fists clenched tightly in anger.
“Poltergeists are spirits made, not ghosts born of a dead individual. You're not Rena Ashwood and you have no claim to this house.” Zephyra retorted, an unnatural breeze tossing her hair backwards, giving her the appearance of a fierce warrior woman. She looked almost ready to forcibly evict the girl, with her bare hands if she needed to.
Edelus was just about to tell Zephyra to knock it off, when flames erupted in the poltergeist's hands, her expression murderous.
“I am Rena Ashwood. Neither you nor anybody else has the authority to say that I am not.” She uttered quietly. “I have seen a future, and you living here will destroy this house. All of you shall leave, except for him.” Rena pointed a blazing finger towards Edelus. “He will prevent the destruction.”
“You only saw a future, not the future.” Loce replied calmly, lightning dancing about her eyes and fingers. “It is possible that this future you saw is true, but it is equally possible that the future you saw may never come to pass.”
“You speak truth.” Rena nodded, her expression softening. “But, this is a chance I will not take.”
“No way. We're either all staying here, or we're not staying here at all.”
“No!” She shrieked, causing everyone to grimace. “He must stay, he has to stay, otherwise nothing will survive, nothing will remain, nothing! But the rest of you must leave! All to dust, all to ashes!” Rena seemed like a mad prophetess in that moment, yelling at the top of her voice.
“Rena.” Edelus touched her lightly, causing her to flinch and turn, almost thrusting her flaming hands at him. “You say you saw the destruction of the manse. But if you saw it being destroyed, how do you know I will save it? I don't doubt you, but your words are contradicting.”
“I.. I don't know, I don't know, I don't know..” The flames extinguished themselves as she started to sob again. “I don't know, but I know that you have to stay.” Rena stared at him with glistening, manic, wild eyes.
“If I stay, then the rest of them will stay with me. Either I leave or we all stay, Rena.” He told her gently.
“I..” Rena was torn between the need for Edelus to remain and the need to chase out the others. “I need you to stay.”
“Then they will stay as well.”
She nodded and took a deep, shuddering breath. “I'm sorry. I'm.. not usually like that. I simply cannot bear the idea of my home being.. destroyed.” She smoothened her already immaculate hair and spoke in a more controlled voice. “I am Rena Ashwood, pleased to meet you.”
They introduced themselves in turn.
“What now?” Cassandra asked.
“What now? It's rather late, so I propose that we get dinner and divvy up the rooms. I can only assume that the manse- damn, I can't get used to calling it our home- doesn't have any food, yes?” Beland asked.
“No food. What, I don't eat. Why would I have food in the house? Where would I get it anyway?” Rena retorted.
“Hey, chillax, I'm just asking. No need to be so serious. I'll go buy food. Zeph, are you having dinner with us?”
“Sure, I don't mind.”
“Right, does this place have a telephone? If so, we'll order in.”
“It does, Bel, don't you remember? We did buy a land line. At least, we restored the existing land line, if you want to be technical about it.”
“Good point. Is everyone fine with Chinese food?”
The others gave sounds of agreement and Beland left them to call the restaurant. Edelus cleared his throat.
“So, we need to settle the rooms. Beland already decided that he's gonna take the room with the view of the road. As for me, I think I'll take the one with the tree just out of the window. Triel, you're obviously sleeping with me-”
“I'd accept no less, Master.”
“-Cass, you're going to sleep where?” He continued as if he hadn't heard her remark.
“Your room. I don't want to sleep alone.”
“But this mansion is ours, it's haunted, yes, but said spirit haunting said mansion is right here. We're all friends now.”
“It's just creepy, I'd have nightmares. Just let me sleep in your room.”
“Fine.” Edelus sighed. “Loce, you?”
“I don't mind a hammock above you, as before.”
“What? But, this manse has so many rooms, why don't you people just sleep in your own rooms?”
Loce shrugged. “I'm a violin. You've never heard of a violin that has his or her own room.”
“You're the first violin I've ever heard of who talks.” Edelus muttered. “Look, my room's gonna be kinda crowded. Triel, Cass, you and me. That makes four of us-”
“Five, actually.” Zephyra interrupted.
“What do you mean? Triel, Cassandra, Loce, me, that's only four.” Edelus asked, utterly confused.
“Haven't you realised, Edelus? I'm gonna stay with-”
“Woah, woah, woah, slow down, wait, stop, no.” He raised a hand to prevent her from speaking any further. “You? Stay with me? This is, what, our second day knowing each other and you're gonna move in with me? Stuff like that only ever happens in books or something! Besides, what would your parents say?”
“You're right. It's only our second day knowing each other. I guess that's why you don't know.” She sighed. “My parents disowned me. They called me a freak. They called me a trouble-maker. You see, when I used magic to severely hurt a couple of men- it was in self-defense, mind you, they were going to molest me- the police thought that I was some kind of psycho woman and arrested me. Basically, my parents bailed me out and severed all ties with me. I don't have a house to live in. Why else do you think I didn't let you walk me home all the way? I was staying over at a friend's house.” Zephyra smiled sadly, head tilting.
“Oh my God.. Zephyra.. I'm so sorry, I didn't know..” He embraced her tightly, wanting to comfort her.
“It's fine. I got over it.” She exhaled. “It sure is nice to know that someone cares about me, though.”
“So, you're staying over? Your clothes and all?”
“Oh yeah, I guess I'll get them from my friend tomorrow. I'll just wear this to sleep.”
“I could lend you clothes.” Cassandra offered.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. You only have my word to go on and we've only known each other for two days, but you still trust me. Thank you.”
“All's good, Zephyra. All is good. You can stay, I suppose.”
“I..” Tears of gratitude started to well up in her grey eyes. “I can't thank you enough.”
“You can thank me by not crying, Zephyra. It's really okay.”
She nodded, sniffing and wiping her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Well, back to the point, whatever it is, you are not going to sleep in my room. There are too many people sleeping in my room and it's not because I hate you or anything, but not my room. Not my room.”
“Alright, I guess I'll take the room beside yours then. Anything I need to take note of, landlord?” She asked him jokingly.
Edelus frowned, realising something else. “About that.. How have you been getting money for food and all?”
“Street magic. It's a good thing you live this side of the city.” Zephyra looked away, embarrassed. “I just do some, you know, sleight-of-hand tricks.”
“That can't have earned much.”
“No, I mean, sleight-of-hand tricks. You know what I mean?”
“Huh?”
She sighed impatiently. “Come on, Edelus, you're not that dense, are you?”
Triel fairly bristled at her remark and though Loce's expression remained the same, ominously black sparks crackled in greater intensity as she flexed her fingers.
“I'm a little slow, if you'll pardon me. What do you mean?”
“Sleight-of-hand. Lifting, alright? I've been stealing to support myself.”
“Stealing?” Edelus stared at her. “But.. You..”
“I? What?”
“You just don't seem like that sort of person.” Edelus stated, reevaluating his opinion of her.
“You steal?” Beland was standing behind her and Zephyra nearly jumped a foot when he spoke.
“Uh, yes.”
“You are not staying here.”
“What? Beland, don't be an arse.” Edelus told him.
“No. What if she steals-”
“I wouldn't steal from you two! Edelus, you've treated me very well so far and it's only right that I repay the favour.”
“Thieves can say whatever they want.” Beland stated darkly, taking a hostile stance.
“Beland!” Edelus snapped sharply. “She wouldn't steal from us!”
“And how can you be sure of that? Old habits die hard. You mean well, Ed, but you're just too naïve.”
“I'm too naïve? What, and you're so much more matured and experienced than me?”
“You just don't seem to realise, people can lie.”
“She.. She isn't.. lying.” Triel forced out jerkily, drawing their attention. “I don't like her, but.. she wouldn't steal from you. I can sense the.. truth in her words.”
“You really dislike me, don't you? Why is that so, I wonder?” Zephyra asked, not at all disagreeable with Triel's dislike.
“You still have to ask?” Triel's voice rose in volume. “You made Master hate me! You hurt him, you made him hurt m-”
“Enough! Triel, I don't want to hear anymore about this! What's done is done, I still love you!” Anger flitted across Edelus' face for a moment, then dispersed into a more serious expression. “Look, Beland, I gurantee, if anything goes missing, you can hold it against me.”
Beland snorted and crossed his arms, shaking his head. “Noble, but stupid. If anything goes missing, I'm not going to blame you, Ed, that would just be plain idiocy. No, siree, if anything goes missing, I promise to make that person pay.”
“Your threats aren't needed, nothing will go missing unless we lose 'em.”
“Hmph. I sure hope so. I ordered the food, it'll be here in half an hour.”
Edelus smiled at Beland's not-so-subtle change of subject. Beland shrugged and left to bathe. Edelus put an arm around Triel, pecking her cheek lightly.
“Thank you.”
“I did it for you, Master.” Triel began to squirm uncomfortably. “Master, I-”
“Yeah, I can feel it.” He started to pull his arm from her, her body temperature increasing dramatically. Suddenly, she grabbed him and hugged him tightly, her hips bucking involuntarily against his thigh.
“Help me.. Help me, Master..” Triel moaned, her body flushing and burning with a rush of blood.
“Cassandra, Zephyra, I'm sorry, we need a little privacy.” Edelus apologised as he carried Triel up to their room. He started to lay her down on his bed as before, but this time, Triel resisted.
“No.. Master.. I don't want to.. I want you, Master.. You.. Please..” Her pleas were interspersed with desperate moans as she sought to pleasure herself with his body.
“Triel.” Edelus commanded sternly. “Lie. Down.”
“If I disobey, Master, will you punish me?” Triel panted, voice intensely hopeful.
“Get down!” He roughly grabbed her by her shoulders and set her on the bed.
Triel shuddered in delight. “I love it when you're so forceful.” She tried to reach to Edelus, but he smacked her hand away.
“I said no! Damn it, Triel, I said stop!” He yelled at her. She cringed uncertainly from him, her expression alternating between fear and delight. He breathed heavily, mixed emotions of anger and guilt rising within his chest.
“I'm sorry, Master.” Triel coughed a little. “I.. I couldn't control it.”
“Is it over now?” He asked curtly.
“Yes, Master. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Forgive me, Master.” She dropped to her knees in a gesture of obeisance.
“Then what? I'll forgive you, then this will just happen again and again. I'm tired, Triel. I don't want to talk about this.”
He left the room and sat on the opulent staircase, hand to his head. He exhaled wearily and closed his eyes.
“Hello.” A voice drifted from in front of him and footsteps tapped lightly up towards him.
Without opening his eyes, he replied. “Can't I have some peace?”
“I'm sorry.” Loce moved to sit down beside him on the steps. She observed him for a minute or so before speaking again. “You're tired.”
“Yes.”
“You're sick, aren't you?”
“I am, am I?” Edelus replied thoughtlessly, not really heeding her words.
She lifted a hand to his forehead and nodded. “Feverish. How do I treat fevers?”
“Fevers? Sponge the person down, I guess.” He answered, still not recognising the implications of her words.
“I'll get a sponge.” Loce stood and started to headed to the kitchen.
“I don't feel right.” He commented unsteadily. Then pain lanced through his head sharply and he saw, a blast of images, then he fell limply.

What's happening! Loce's thoughts all but screamed in her mind as she watched him slump to his side, apparently unconscious.
“Edelus?” She barely managed to keep her voice steady. When he did not respond, her composure nearly broke, but she forced her expression to remain calm. She put her violin-self onto him, then lifted him up, struggling slightly, though her manipulation of the atmospheric static helped to support a part of his weight. Loce headed back to where the other two were still sitted, stopping at the door. Unable to hold down the handle and push open the door at the same time, she summoned up sparks of brilliant blue lightning, crawling with agonising slowness towards the handle, dragging it down bit by bit. The moment she heard the click of the door catch, she almost threw herself at the door, pushing it open with the combined weight of herself and Edelus.
“Zephyra, Cassandra, help.” Why isn't he waking up! “He just fainted.”
Loce didn't hear them, all she knew was that the two of them were helping her to lay him down, Zephyra calling up a cooling breeze and Cassandra feeling his forehead. Only after watching her semi-dazedly for a few seconds, did Loce realise what Cassandra was saying.
“-not the first time, he's dehydrated again. I told him to drink water!” Cassandra ran to get a cup of water.
Loce looked closer at Edelus and saw that Cassandra was right. His lips were dry and chapped, his skin pale and clammy. He must have been feeling dizzy throughout the whole day. Cassandra returned within moments and Loce helped her to get the life-giving liquid into his body.
In the midst of feeding him the water, he suddenly choked and coughed, eyes opening.
“Edelus, are you alright?” What happened to him? Loce looked at him, refusing to let a single shred of her wild emotions surface.
“I..” His eyes darted around rapidly, as if searching for an unseen foe. “I don't.. Where's.. I was on the stairs, wasn't I?” He asked cautiously.
“Yes. I carried you here.” Loce affirmed. “You just suddenly fainted.”
Before she could say more, Cassandra cut in. “I told you to drink more water! You got dehydrated again, right? I told you befor-”
“Cassandra! Stop!” He snapped, a hand going to his forehead. “I wasn't dehydrated, damn it. It's something else.” He looked up. “Where's Triel?”
“I don't know, you brought her up, didn't you?”
“Triel!” He shouted towards the hall abruptly, momentarily shocking them.
Immediately, she floated from behind the door, wing beats holding her afloat.
“Master.” She responded quietly as she kneeled down in front of him.
“Did you see it too? Did you feel anything from that moment?” He asked her urgently.
She hesitated, then nodded. “You saw. And I saw, by our bond.”
“You know something?”
“I knew this day would come. I just didn't know if you were ready yet.”
“Ready? What for?”
Triel started slowly, uncertainly. “There are.. three. Three people. Each have something special about them. Different from regular people. Different from the psychic people. Different from the magical folk. Just.. different. They hold the key to everything.”
“What do you mean, everything?”
“Life. Death. Space. Time. Everything. When they come together, the power encased within is unlocked. It's.. a primal thing. It's the birthing force of the universe. This power is immense.”
“Why is there this power encased within three people?” Edelus demanded. Loce could only stare on and listen to Triel's revelations.
“This.. creation force expended much of itself in the making of the universe. I don't know if it's sentient or anything, but then at the end of all it made, it broke apart. It splintered. It simply didn't have enough energy to hold itself together. It broke into three parts. The three parts were to remain dormant and recover, then plant itself within the three people to reform.”
“And then what? What's the point of it?”
“This power is so strong, such that if it ever reforms together as one, it would destroy the universe.”
“So you're saying that the end of the world is locked in three people.”
“Something like that, yes.” Triel bit her lip nervously. “The thing is, you're one of the three.”
“Now you're just kidding me.”
“No, Master.”
Edelus just looked at her. He just shook his head and exhaled.
“Let's just leave that aside. I don't want to think about it. I only need to know, what the hell was that that we saw?”
He had seen images, rushing images. A woman, lips, an eye, Earth cracking asunder, a collapsing sun, eternal dark, brilliant light reborn, a new Earth. There were sounds too, unintelligible whispers, a calling, endless screams and lastly, 'Come'.
Triel took a moment to look around; Zephyra had taken a seat, Cassandra stood with her arms folded, Edelus looking searchingly into her own eyes.
“I don't know. I think she might be one of the three. But, Master, if she is, don't trust her. The other things in the vision, I think she wants to release the dormant energy and destroy the universe.” Triel looked at Edelus wide-eyed. “What I'm sure of is that she sent the vision. She wants you to meet with her. She wants to end everything.”
Edelus stood up and sighed. “I don't know what to think, Triel. But I'm tired now and all I want to do is sleep. I'm sorry for fainting, Zeph, Cass. But let's get some sleep now.”
“Hm, Edelus, dinner's still coming, you know.” Zephyra reminded him.
“I'm too tired to eat. I'll go sleep first then. Good night.”
He walked back to his room, dropping onto his bed, falling asleep as he reached a hand towards the open window. Triel stood vigil over him, her wings flapping to accentuate the natural breeze.

The woman stood in front of him amidst a featureless plain of endless beige. Her face held a smile of familiarity and warmth, her features soft and feminine. She turned to look at the side, where another man stood. That man was looking at her too, expression unreadable. It seemed to Edelus that the man had a slight hazy outline, as if there was another silhouette of himself superimposed upon him, as if two of him were standing on the same spot. The woman was clad in a gossamer dress of green, while the man wore an intimidating black outfit that reminded Edelus of what bikers wore, though slightly toned down.
Then Edelus' attention went back to the lady as she spoke.
“Come. We are one.”
Her voice was gentle, yet contained a hint of something bitter and choking within.
Then the scene changed, becoming a location that Edelus recognised to be within the very city where he lived. The man looked at Edelus with something like a slight question in his face. Then realisation dawned on his face, as if recognising Edelus. Abruptly, the hazy outline vanished from the man as a translucent image of the man detached from him and floated towards Edelus.
“Tomorrow. Stay where you are.” A gravelly voice muttered in his ear. Then the woman beckoned to both of them, and Edelus woke up.
He knew he had woken up, but for a moment, he wondered if he hadn't opened his eyes yet, for he couldn't see anything. His surroundings were pitch-black and Edelus raised a hand forward to bump into something thick and rough. He felt around himself. He was encased in something rough.. bark? Confusion arose in him and he pushed at the thick wood. Surprisingly, easily, the wood gave way, withdrawing from him with the pressure he applied on it. Light shined through in brilliant rays, momentarily blinding him. His eyes adjusted quickly and he was confronted with the strangest sight yet.
From the window he had left open the night before, plants had grown in. Vines, creepers and other climbing plants had spread into his room, edging towards him. The large ash tree by his window had extended an arm in, the source of the bark blanket that had enclosed him. Edelus could barely recognise his room, overrun as it was by the fauna of the garden. All of the plants seemed to be growing in his general direction and Edelus felt as if he had stepped forward into a future where humanity was long gone and plants grew unchecked over the remnants.
A muffled sound came from above him and Edelus looked up to see Loce lift up a clump of vines dangling from the ceiling onto her face. Her hammock was relatively clear of plants, save the vines that hung from the ceiling.
“Edelus? What's all this?” She asked, reactionless as ever.
“I.. have no idea.”
“Okay.” She rolled off the hammock and landed lightly on his bed. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah..” He replied distractedly, still taking in the mess that was his room. “Where's Triel?”
“I'm here.” Her voice came from the floor. Edelus peered over the edge of his bed, seeing a thick layer of some form of vegetation covering the floor. He spotted flashes of red under the deep, vibrant green and he pulled aside the green growth to reveal a cross-looking Triel.
“Uh, Triel, how did you get there?”
“Master, this is what I was afraid of.” She rolled her eyes in annoyance. “This is precisely what happens when firstly, I don't drain enough from you, and secondly, when you sleep so riskily, when the window's open and your room's just above the garden.” She sat up, plucking the leaves from her hair.
“Oh. This is because of that, is it?” Edelus rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “Where's Cass?”
“She freaked out when she saw this and she decided to sleep in the opposite room.” Loce replied.
“So that means she and Zephyra-”
“Are sharing a room. Yes. She went for school earlier too.”
“Huh.”
He went to the bathroom to wash up and properly wake himself up. When he reached the dining table, he was surprised to see Loce laying out dishes.
“What's gotten into you? You really love cooking that much?”
She looked up into his eyes, her twin golden orbs gently observing him. She shrugged and replied, before going back into the kitchen.
“I don't mind.”
“If you say so.” Edelus replied dubiously. “Triel, I dreamt last night.” Then he told her everything he saw.
“He must be the third!” Triel spoke excitedly. “I think he's coming to find you, Maste-”
Just then, a heavy rapping sounded on the door. Glancing at Triel, Edelus ran forward and opened the door quickly.
The man he had seen in his dream, the third, was standing there. Up close, Edelus realised that he was but a youth as well, about his own age. But there was a hardness about him, something in his demeanor that told Edelus that he had gone through terrible things. His eyes were crimson and piercing; though his eyes looked harsh, he seemed as if he could also be gentle and kind.
“You.” Edelus said, barely containing his nervous anticipation.
“Me.” His voice was as rough as it had been in the dream, if dream it truly was. “Atai Bernstein. Quickly, we don't have much time. The Hartmann bitch draws close.”
“Wait, I don't get it, what's going on?”
Atai frowned impatiently. “My name is Atai Bernstein. You are?”
“Edelus Weissar.”
“Edelus. Last night you dreamed and saw me. The other person in the dream, that woman, she's Natalay Hartmann. She wants to unleash the power held within us three and bring every damn thing in existence to ruin.” Atai spat. “I assume that she,” He nodded at Triel. “That she has told you everything? She is your other half, right?”
Edelus shook his head slowly. “I don't understand what you mean by 'other half'. And I do not know if she has told me everything.”
“Master, there's one more thing I wanted to say, but you were too tired.”
“Yeah?”
“Each of the three have a special aspect, something they control. All creatures within their particular domain of power heed them. And there is one of these beings who advise them and guide them. I'm yours.” She hugged him tightly.
Atai nodded. “That's basically it. If you need to know, my aspect is of the spirit. Quickly now, we have to keep moving, the Hartmann bitch is coming.”
“No.” Edelus stood firmly, that single utterance causing Atai to freeze and turn.
“What did you say?”
“I said no. I am not leaving. This house is mine. I don't even know you. I-”
“Oh, you know me. Look deep into my eyes, Edelus Weissar. Look deep and recognise that what lies in me lies in you. We are two parts of the whole. You recognise me.”
“I...” Edelus had no reply as he gazed into Atai's blood-red irises. Atai was right. There was something familiar within, a spark of something that he knew. “Look, whatever it is, I'm not going to move. I just bought this house, alright? I'm staying here and damn if I'm going to move for one woman I haven't even met.”
Atai's eyes flashed with anger. “You're willing to put the world at stake just to stay in a house? Granted, you've got taste, but you want to trade the world for a few moments of luxury?”
“Not for luxury. I just.. Look, if it's that important to you, why don't we just stop her from coming in?”
“Ward this building?” Atai asked, slightly taken aback. He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Damn, I've been running for too long. You're right. This building is defensible.”
“Defensible? You sound like you're expecting a siege.”
“In a way.”
Atai stepped back out of the large doors and walked to the front of the garden, Edelus following out of curiosity. The black-clad man moved his hands in intricate mystical passes, all the while murmuring arcane syllables.
“He's casting wards.” Triel muttered into Edelus' ear. “I can identify most of them. Protection, secrecy, strengthening of the foundations, among others. He's good. Wait, why did he throw up a ward to hide our minds?”
“Astute of you.” Atai remarked as he finished the last ward. “That's the most crucial thing. She mustn't see our minds. By the way, you have a ghost somewhere around here, don't you?”
Rena chose that moment to float from the house behind Edelus, leaning onto him. He shivered and jerked at the sudden change in temperature.
Atai looked at her, a smile forming on his rugged visage. “Come, little poltergeist.”
Rena pulled away from Edelus and almost dazedly drifted towards Atai.
“I.. heed your call.” She spoke as if reciting a ritual.
Atai held Rena's shoulders and looked her up and down. “Cute. What's your name, little one?”
“Rena Ashwood.”
“I see. Normally, I would tell you to be at peace, but it's evident that you have been here for quite some time and we will have need of you when she comes. Stay by my side, Rena.”
“Yes.”
“And now, Weissar, you got any food? I've been riding all night and I haven't got a single bite yet. I parked my beauty right there.” He jerked a thumb in the direction of his motorcycle.

Beland glared at Atai over the table and Atai returned the look with a smirk of condescension.
“You sure have an interesting habit of inviting people over, Edelus.” Beland said irritably. “I don't want to have to remind you that this is our house, not yours alone.”
“Look, Bel, it's alright.”
Edelus hadn't told Beland anything about what the three was and what had happened, only that Atai was someone who had to stay for some time.
“I would much prefer it if you told me what was going on, instead of making decisions and expecting me to follow them like some dog!” Beland slammed down his spoon and angrily stomped out of the house.
“He's leaving?” Atai feigned an expression of surprise. “I wonder what the hell might have ticked that bastard off.”
“Stop it. That's my friend.”
“Yeah, sure, whatever.”
What a jerk. Edelus thought, munching on his cereal. Still, he seems experienced in these stuff.
Zephyra, sitting by his side, looked at Edelus with a questioning eye. He pointedly ignored her gaze and finished his breakfast.
“So, Triel, is it? Triel, what are you?” Atai asked.
“I'm a succubus.” She replied, adjusting her position on Edelus' lap.
“A succubus? Hells, Weissar, you're one lucky bastard.”
“Shut up.”
“And you're living with so many babes, eh?” Atai continued as if Edelus had not spoken. “Makes me wish for the quiet life sometimes.”
“Nothing goes on between Master and them!” Triel interrupted hotly.
“Heh, looks like someone's possessive. So, girl, what's your story? You're not human, that much I can see.” He turned to Loce.
“I'm a violin. Does it matter?” She replied plainly.
“When the Hartmann bitch comes, we'll need every bit of help we can get. What can you do?”
In response, lightning started to form about her head in the shape of a rough halo. From the way the lightning sparked and crackled in his direction, it was obvious that she dearly wanted to strike Atai but she held back.
“Feisty. And you? You're clearly not amazed by the violin's light show, so you must have something in you.” Zephyra was the next he questioned.
Zephyra didn't bother replying, instead a sharp gust of wind blew past and toppled his breakfast. He leapt back to avoid the spill, cursing as Edelus smirked.
Rena rose up in front of Zephyra.
“Don't you ever dare to do that again!” Flames erupted and wreathed Rena once more.
“Or what?” Zephyra stood, rising up to her challenge.
“Zephyra, don't!” Edelus held her back.
Nobody did anything for a few moments. Then Atai laughed.
“All your babes seem real fiery, Weissar. That's good. We'll need that sort of spirit when the Hartmann bitch gets here.”
“Why do you keep calling her 'the Hartmann bitch'?”
“Why? 'Cause I like it, that's why.”
“You keep talking about them-” Edelus indicated the girls “-as if they're mine. What, you had some lovers' spate with Natalay Hartmann and now you're jealous?”
Atai's face darkened. “Say that again and I will break every bone in your body, Weissar.”
“You were involved with Natalay Hartmann and then you broke up with her.”
Something incorporeal, reminiscent of Rena, burst out from Atai's body and flew straight towards Edelus, sending him and Triel crashing to the floor, Edelus flat on his back.
“Edelus!” Zephyra threw a powerful blast of air at Atai, who ducked and dodged it swiftly. At the same time, Loce's crown of lightning slammed towards Atai, but the electric bolts hit Rena instead, who had interposed herself between the blinding blue arcs and the arrogant man who had been the target.
As Edelus caught his breath, a ghostly form of Atai held him down, a sneer held on his see-through visage. Out of the corner of his eye, Edelus could see Triel with a snarl on her face, just about to claw the double.
“Weissar, tell them to stop, yeah? Or I'm going to have to hurt you-”
Edelus slammed his hand against a nearby chair in a burst of anger, his vision clouding over in red. He felt something leave his body in great bursts and the wooden piece of furniture grew, green leaves sprouting from newly-grown thick branches and bursting out so rapidly at the image of Atai that when the wood connected with him, it sent him sprawling on the floor.
“Stop!” Atai yelled, breathing heavily as though he, and not his ghostly self, had been thrown to the floor.
“Guess who started it.” Edelus retorted as he got to a half-sitting position, helped by Triel. “Loce, Zephyra, stop.”
Zephyra glared murderously at Atai, barely restraining herself from doing further. Loce held her face expressionlessly, but lightning crackled off her vigorously and the eye in her violin-self had opened wide. Edelus could almost imagine the violin glaring.
Rena however, was lying, or more exactly, floating a few centimeters off the table. Her eyelids fluttered as though she was struggling to return to consciousness.
Atai quickly went to her side. After a few moments of holding her temples, he looked up at Loce.
“You're lucky you didn't hurt her more.” His words were laced with venom. “Be glad that she will wake soon.”
As he spoke, a loud thud sounded.
“Shit. She's here already.” Atai swore. “It's a good thing she can't breach my wards.”
Another thud.
“You sure?” Edelus asked worriedly.
“Yes.” Atai hissed as if taking offence that Edelus would doubt him. They exited the house, standing in the garden as they looked outwards. “She's here. She can't see us through my wards.”
A third thud sounded and they saw black and red threads momentarily flare into existence along a bubble-like transparent shield encasing the entire building away from a side.
“She's there.”

Natalay Hartmann stood there serenely, looking, but not seeing. Beside her stood a black stallion with eyes the colour of fiery brimstone and hooves with flames rising up from them.
“A nightmare.” Atai told them.
“I can't sense your mind, Atai,” She started speaking suddenly, her voice high and clear through the semi-visible shield. “But I know you're here. Your wards are too distinctive. The only reason you would come here is if the third is here. I know you can hear me. Come out and join me. I do not intend you any harm.”
“That's likely.” Zephyra muttered.
“Zephyra, don't do anything.” Edelus warned. “You too, Loce. Triel... stay close to me.”
The woman continued speaking. “Continuing this pointless defense is futile. I will break through eventually. But I do not wish to force you. I would much rather talk to you. I give you until midnight to lower the wards and come out.”
She ran a hand along the mane of the horse. Flames erupted from its nostrils as it snorted and it knelt down to allow her to mount.
“By midnight today.” She called out. “We shall meet, one way or another.”
Then she waved her hand in front of her, causing the air to shimmer ahead. The horse trotted into the shimmer and vanished.
“Damn, I wish I could do that.” Edelus murmured to himself.
“Actually, I'm half-certain you could, Master.” Triel replied. “But it would take practice.”
“We have until midnight.” Atai announced. “Until midnight to prepare. That's what she's telling us.”
“What if she really wants to talk?” Edelus asked.
“She doesn't. She just wants to subjugate you and I for her own purpose. She wants to destroy everything.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. She sent that vision to you too, didn't she? Didn't you see how she envisioned the world to implode?” Atai asked impatiently.
“Yes, but at the end there was a new Earth, wasn't there?”
“She's lying, Weissar. You don't look as if you can do any magic and to teach you would take too long, we have only until midnight. Succubus, you teach him any offensive or protective magics that you believe he can master by midnight-”
Edelus' phone sounded, interrupting Atai's instructions. Ignoring the expletive Atai sent his way, Edelus answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Edelus, help!” Cassandra's voice screamed through the phone's speaker. She sounded as if she were about to say more, but her voice cut off, replaced by the sinuous voice of Natalay Hartmann.
“Your sister is with me. I will take care of her for now, but make your choice wisely. Remember, by midnight. If you wish to make your choice earlier, simply step out of the barrier if you cannot convince dear Atai to lower the wards.” Then the line went dead, the call ended.
“Cassandra! Hello? Shit!” Edelus swore.
“You have a sister?” Atai asked. “Damn, but you can't afford to get distracted now, Weissar. Weissar! Where are you going?”
“To get my sister back.”
Just as Edelus was about to breach the invisible line, Atai pulled him back forcefully.
“Idiot!” He hissed. “The moment you step out, your life, and that of the world, is forfeit! You really don't care?”
“She's my sister!” Edelus hotly replied. “I have to-”
“You don't have to do anything, Weissar.”
“But I-”
“Weissar, think! The Hartmann bitch won't do anything to your sister. She loses your support instantly if she does.”
“How do you-”
“I know her, okay? Natalay Hartmann won't hurt her!”
Triel pushed him back towards the house. “Master, he's right. Cassandra will be okay. What matters now is that I teach you what I should have taught you too long ago.”
The fight seemed to drain out of Edelus, leaving him limp. He nodded and slowly went back into the mansion.

“.. so I haven't seen any creatures around the manse, but they could just be hiding. I don't think so, though.” Triel explained. She had drawn several intricate circles around the two of them with her own blood while Zephyra and Loce stood by the side, watching with interest.
“Why have I never seen these beings?” Edelus felt uncomfortable with naming them as 'creatures'.
Triel averted her gaze. “I.. made them stay away.”
“You made them stay away.” Edelus coolly repeated and shook his head. “Never mind that.


-STORY END-

A/N: *sigh* I'm sorry guys... I know I promised a full story.. I'm sorry. I couldn't continue. The story just didn't want to be written anymore. Sounds like an excuse >< I'm working on another one. I'm sorry. I know, I'm disappointed in myself too. I'm sorry.

Hello guys, I am sorry for not updating in so long, but I can truthfully say that its because I'm working on a story. As of this post, the story is on its 18th page on OpenOffice, Times New Roman Font Size 12. It's pretty nice so far. It's a harem story. :x Yes, I know, it's not exactly the right thing that someone of my age should be writing, but... Yes. Yes.
So, uh, I just thought it would be polite to tell you guys, so you have something to look forward to! Because there's little to look forward to at this point...
Anyways, live well, sleep well, dream well and play well!
Really hope you guys are having fun.

Lovesick to the nth degree,
Agoraoptera.Ben

Chapter Three: Sudden Eloquence

Lyssa. Wake up. An unfamiliar voice echoed through the depths of her mind. A butterfly flapped into being in front of her. She reached out and tried to touch it, but it stayed just out of her grasp, a little purplish-pink shape in the surrounding gloom. Wake up. She opened her eyes to a similarly unfamiliar scene. There was a woman standing over her; a woman with silver hair and a hawk-like visage. The woman looked once at Lyssa and her smoldering eyes, literally, seemed as though they were only giving her a cursory glance. Her deep violet eyes seemed as though they were in flames, a slight wisp of smoke wafting up from those orbs as she turned her head towards... Aco? He was in the room too. In fact, he was asleep as well. He was seated right beside Lyssa's bed, chair facing her and he lay asleep on her. Evidently, he must have waited for a long time for her to wake up.
Something was missing. Lyssa thought for a moment and realised: it was too quiet. For Aco and the woman to be within such proximity to her, it was far too quiet for their subconsciousness to be. Granted, Aco was asleep and Lyssa could feel the sense of being troubled from him, but the woman was strangely quiet. Quiet? No. Lyssa could just make out a slight interest, quickly stamped out. The woman was controlling her own emotions tightly, leaving a murky mind to peruse.
Lyssa blinked as the woman offered her a cup of water. Odd, Lyssa's throat did not feel as bad as it had been. In fact, she felt much better, as if she had completely recovered. Lyssa took the cup without a word, not wanting to break the silence first or risk waking Aco up. Funny how she cared for his comfort that way.
She took a look about the room as she sipped the warm water. The room was like a mirror of the woman, the colour scheme dark and purple. Lyssa noticed a few butterflies around, some perching on the woman, others just flying about with no apparent destination in mind. The butterflies were a lighter colour as compared to the walls, a bright pink and blue pattern on their diaphanous wings.
The door creaked open as the woman left the room. The noise was enough to wake up Aco as he stirred, lifting his head up from Lyssa's blanketed abdomen.
“Lyssa? Lyssa, you're awake! Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah. I'm okay. What about you?”
“I'm alright. I was worried about you. I'm sorry, please forgive me.” Aco clenched his eyes shut as if he was fighting his emotions deep within. And he was, that much Lyssa could feel.
“What's there to be sorry about? Thank you for rescuing me.”
“I let you get caught.” His words were laden with guilt. “You wouldn't have needed rescuing if I had been able to protect you better.”
Lyssa didn't know what to say and she pondered for a moment before replying in the way she thought best.
“I'm so sorr- Lyssa!” Aco gulped as she hugged him tightly. “What.. what are you doing?”
In response, she simply drew him closer and tightened their embrace. He slowly hugged her back, arms lifting up to encircle her back.
“I'm sorry.” He whispered.
“It's okay. I don't blame you.”
Lyssa became aware of a mind coming close. She couldn't remember who it was, though it seemed familiar.. Then the door creaked open again and Aco pulled away quickly, startled. It was Ren. She didn't look as if she had seen the interaction between the two and she moved to Aco's side.
“Good morning, Lyssa. Feeling better?”
“Yes. Thank you for saving me, Ren.”
“It was what needed to be done, nothing to thank for.”
“Where are we? Who were those people you saved me from? I still don't know what's going on. Who's that woman with the butterflies?”
“We are in a sanctuary. A safe place for our kind. The people we saved you from would be the Guardians. Just think of them as our enemies for now. The woman with the butterflies is the person who runs this place, her and her cell.”
“Cell?”
“Her group of people. An example would be my cell, consisting of me, Psycho, Aco and now, you.”
“Oh. A little family then.”
“That's how I think of it.” Ren agreed.
A man garbed in a brown robe entered the room, carrying porcelain cups with steam rising off the top.
“So she's awake. Here, I bring tea, brewed by the grand Mistress Allende herself.”
Ren and Aco accepted the elegant cups with a word of thanks.
“Oolong?” Ren asked as she sipped.
“Yeah. Your taste buds are as sharp as ever.”
“This doesn't taste like the usual.” Aco commented.
“Truth. Sorry, Aco, we're running low on deadly nightshade so we put in monkshood.”
“It's alright.”
The man pulled back the cowl of his cloak, revealing a bright, silver and messy shock of hair. By now, Aco was starting to look out of place with his ebony hair. The man smiled widely at Lyssa, his manner familiar and obviously intended to put her at ease.
“So, what's your story, girlie?”
“I'm Lyssa. Who are you?”
“Persience Albans, welcome to our humble abode.” He bowed with a theatrical flourish.
“Then where are we?”
“The Butterfly Grove, Lyssa, one of the last few patches of unblemished forests this side of America.”
“And, uh, which side of America is this?”
“That,” Persience said with a grin, “Is a really good question.”
“You don't know?”
“He doesn't know anything, Lyssa.” Ren interjected.
“Come now, Ren, I do know something. I know that Aco likes Lyssa.”
“What?” Aco exclaimed, roused by Persience's words.
“Don't act so surprised, dear boy. You know very well that I can see what your deepest fears are. And right now, it's a fear of failing in your duty, of letting Lyssa get captured again. You don't want her gone from your side.” He nodded in a mocking, sagely manner.
“That doesn't mean anything.” Aco replied irritably.
“Yes, it does. Your deepest fears used to be regarding bad things happening to Ren and Psycho.”
“They're my family and Lyssa is too. I don't like failing in my duty.”
“And you like Lyssa.” Persience stroked a non-existent beard. “As for you, girl, I can't tell. Your fears are strangely murky. I wonder why I can't see it.” He shrugged.
“Don't be so rude, Persience. This is my family you're talking about.” Ren warned.
Lyssa took in the information silently. So Aco liked her? It was.. reassuring. It gave her a warm feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. But did she like him? As a friend, certainly. As something further? Lyssa wasn't sure. Was this what a crush felt like then? Lyssa suddenly wanted to be closer to him.
“Aco,” She murmured, “Could you come closer?”
He obliged, leaning forward. She shifted herself close to him and lay her head against his chest. He stiffened again, clearly not used to such physical intimacy. Ren pretended not to notice anything and spoke.
“Lyssa, when you feel better, you can leave your bed. I have been assured that you are fully recovered. The Mistress serves dinner in an hour's time. Aco, take care of her needs.”
“Yes, Mother.” He somehow contrived to speak, even with Lyssa's hair just under his nose.
Persience winked at him and stepped out of the room with Ren as the pair sat in silence, enjoying their shared warmth.

“How did this happen?” Karl yelled. “Answer me, damn you, how did this happen?”
“Sir, I-”
“How is it that you alone are alive? When almost everyone else died fighting? I expected more of you, Tobias.”
“It was not cowardice.”
“Then what is it?”
“The girl, she planted a mental command in my head.”
“Bullshit. None of the darkers are telepathic. Telepathy doesn't exist.”
“I felt it. It's up to you whether or not you believe me.” Tobias looked squarely at Karldon in the eyes.
“Do you now understand what I mean, Tobi? These beasts are a threat to all.”
“No, I refuse to understand your interpretation. They came for the girl. We provoked them.”
“So what you're saying is that if we don't hunt them, they won't be a threat to anyone?”
“No. I believe that most would not. We should not use the criminals as a gauge of a species.”
“Where did you get such an idiotic notion?”
“The girl had mercy on me. She let me run. She could easily have killed me.” Tobias made no mention of what he had felt and how the girl had also felt his pain.
“They are irrational beasts.”
“We are the true beasts here. That girl was innocent. And we, we provoked them by kidnapping her from her fellows.”
“You're a sympathiser.” Karldon spat. “After all these years, I never truly knew you, Tobias Albans.”
“You can continue on this, Karldon Grave. You can pick up the pieces of the Guardians and rebuild it as an extermination agency. But. I quit. I refuse to follow your warped logic any further.”
“Warped? It is your mind that has been corrupted! You let that girl make you think she is innocent. You let her, just because, just because,” Karl choked his words out with a sob. “Just because she resembles Nadia.”
“No. That's you.” Tobias replied quietly. “I won't have another part of this. I will seek them out and learn their side of the story. They can't be more unreasonable than you.” He tore off the shield emblem of the Guardians from his shirt and walked out of the crypt where they had lain their dead to rest.
As Tobias stepped out into a rainy, overcast day, he took a deep breath. The air smelled of wet mud and fresh grass. The air smelled of change. He would not hurt them unless absolutely necessary, he vowed. Justice and honor, truth and fairness, that was what would lead him. Now all he had to do was to find them. He checked a piece of paper, an address that his brother had given him, in faith that he would never lead the Guardians there. The Butterfly Grove.

Ren had shut herself in her room with Aco, so Lyssa took the liberty of wandering the lodge. The décor was generally green and brown, reminiscent of the forest all around the building, visible through the windows. Psycho was pointedly ignoring her, sitting on a couch and reading a newspaper. Persience had apparently gone out to find someone else, the third member of his cell and the Mistress was still cooking. Pots of plants were placed all about the lodge, plants which Aco had warned her were poisonous. She sat down beside Psycho.
“Hello again.”
He tried to ignore her and focus on his paper, but she could see that he was juddering, shaking as if nervous, bringing to mind the first time she saw him when he was a jittery wreck.
“You don't like me, do you?”
Silence greeted her comment. But she could feel, even through the disturbing sprawl of his thoughts, that he was trying not to reply. Lyssa twitched involuntarily at the wrongness of his mind.
“I know we got off on the wrong foot and I'd like to patch things up.”
No response.
“What do you have against me?”
Psycho glared at her.
“You are insane. That's what I have against you.”
“But you're mad, aren't you? What makes you think I'm crazy anyway?” Lyssa asked, genuinely curious.
“You kill for the sake of killing. You revel in bloodshed. If those aren't signs of insanity, I don't know what else.”
“That was only in self-defense. I'm not mad.” Lyssa retorted. “The Guardians were trying to kill me.”
“The others might believe your lies, but I know the truth.”
“If you refuse to believe me, then I guess we won't ever be friends.”
“You see that now.”
“But I'm part of your family now. It's going to be awkward.”
“I will protect you if the need arises, but don't expect me to be civil.”
Psycho set down his paper, popped a couple of pills into his mouth and started to head outside, but abruptly a couple of butterflies landed onto their heads and Lyssa saw a vision of trees. The edge of the forest. A man with onyx hair carrying a haversack, staring straight at her. No, not her, Lyssa realised, her perspective was that of a butterfly. The man looked somewhat familiar, just where had she seen him before...
Then it hit her. That Guardian who had shown care for her. The one she had let go. The one she should have killed.
“Psycho, that's a Guardian! It's him!” Lyssa gasped.
The vision faded, even as a voice sounded in their heads.
“Northeast edge. Everyone.” The voice was feminine, soft and calm, though the last word was pronounced with a certain emphasis. The voice was the same that had woken her up. The two butterflies hovered in front of them for a moment and then flew into the distance.
Psycho shot her a sharp look and motioned for her to follow, his movements more controlled than his nervous actions previously, before running out of the house.

Gasping for air, unused to the exertion, Lyssa came to a sudden halt, nearly crashing against Psycho. Persience was there already, looking expressionlessly at the Guardian. The mysterious woman, the one with the butterflies, the one they called the Mistress, was standing beside Persience as if preventing him from moving. The Guardian had put his backpack on the ground and he glanced for a moment at Lyssa, eyes widening in recognition. The ubiquitous butterflies fluttered around, indifferent to the scene, though there were substantially more of the insects about the woman. The atmosphere, to anyone else, was tense, but Lyssa could feel the truth under it. Persience was struggling, alternating between anger, fear and joy. His melange of emotions all but covered the woman's quiet mind, though the Guardian's feelings were equally loud. The Guardian was feeling something similar, but there was more of an element of feeling uncertain, as if he had taken a path that he now doubted. Psycho's, as always, was hard to read and Lyssa tried to focus away from the twinging oddity of his insanity.
And then Ren and Aco appeared from the side, their minds in a whirl. Persience seemed to know the Guardian, but Ren and Aco were definitely confused, that much Lyssa could surmise. The Guardian didn't just look familiar, there was something about his features there that reminded her of someone. Lyssa's gaze shifted from him to Persience and back. They looked... similar, if not for the disparity in hair colour, Persience's silver and the Guardian's black.
They all stood there, the silver-haired folk and one Chinese boy in a rough semi-circle facing a sable-headed man among the trees under a starry night sky. Slowly, the Guardian raised both hands up, palms facing outwards in the universal gesture of peace.
“Tobi.” Persience broke the silence first. Tobi? Was that the Guardian's name?
“Brother.” Tobias replied.
The wave of shock from Aco and Ren almost overtook Lyssa, for a moment threatening to make her faint. She gathered herself together and found that she could only stare at the revelation. Persience had a brother who was one of the enemy?
“Don't tell me you finally revealed this place to your superiors.” Persience said, narrowing his eyes accusingly though his tone indicated that he knew otherwise.
“No. I come of my own accord, brother. I'm no longer one of the Guardians. It's a long story, brother.” Tobias faced the woman with eyes with violet flames and bowed low. “Lady, I mean no harm. I would greatly appreciate it if I could rest and tell my tale to all of you.” He stumbled over his words slightly, nervous.
The woman looked at him for a moment as if judging him, then spoke a single word.
“Come.”
She turned and serenely glided towards the lodge gracefully. Her voice was the same as the voice in the butterfly-induced vision. Did this Daughter of the Moon have some form of control over butterflies?
Tobias muttered something that sounded like “Thank you, Lady.” and he hefted his pack and followed the woman at a respectful distance, avoiding eye contact with the others except for Persience.
The others followed behind and Psycho muttered to Ren, “I don't trust him. We're inviting a snake into our midst.”
Ren nodded in agreement and replied, “Yet it is not our place to decide. This is her home after all. Who knew Persience had a brother? A brother who is evidently a Guardian no less?”
Lyssa walked beside Aco and clutched his hand nervously. She was still new to this, she still had no idea why the Guardians were against them and she still wasn't entirely sure what she was if not human. Aco held her hand tightly in return, his own emotions more of surprise at this turn of events than uncertainty.

Persience handed Tobias a mug of coffee and folded his arms. Without waiting for Tobias to drink, he started speaking.
“So, little brother, what brings you here after all this time? Finally decided to betray your brother? What? Tell me.”
“I have left the Guardians, brother. I.. don't agree with them. What they hold true goes against my ethics.”
“You and your ethics led you to join them in the first place.” Persience was angry and he didn't restrain himself. “Why now? After that time when I came to be who I truly am, after that time when you were angry at me and you left them for your high-and-mighty morals, now you come running to me, telling me that they aren't the righteous saviors you believed them to be?”
“It's all changed. They didn't use to be like that. Now they just want genocide. It's all changed.”
Persience snorted derisively. “Please, don't be dense. They always wanted to kill us. We're just bugs and you're the exterminators, wasn't it?”
“No, no, brother. They only retaliated when darkers- I mean, you Children of the Moon attacked.”
“But now they have gone from peacekeepers to hunters and so you leave them? Don't make me laugh.”
“I am not lying, brother.”
“Yeah? Sure could have fooled me.”
The woman with the violet fire in her eyes laid a hand across Persience's chest, an obvious signal to tell him to back off. Tobias looked to her instead and found that he couldn't look away. Those eyes with a fire that couldn't be there, impossible eyes that seemed to see everything, unreal eyes that held his gaze there, immobilising him. Her lips curved into a small smile as she looked at him.
“Tobias Albans.” She pronounced his name slowly.
“Lady.” He inclined his head in respect. He didn't know anyone there except for his brother, but he could see that she was clearly the one in charge.
“You know me.”
“No, Lady.”
“I am Kaia Allende. You may call me Lady Allende, or Mistress Allende. Tell me, how is Karldon Grave?” The Lady's voice grew hard.
“You assume that I'm still his good friend, Lady.” Tobias' voice matched hers and he stood up to face her. “He is the reason I left. How do you know of him, Lady?”
“That,” She replied softly. “is none of your concern.”
“I apologise for interrupting, Lady Allende, but can we stop reminiscing about the past and settle on the problem here?” Ren cut in, clearly impatient. Lady Allende, in return, gave her a condescending and infuriatingly patronising look but nodded.
“Of course, dear Ren.” She replied dryly. “Now, should I grant you sanctuary, Tobias Albans? You clearly mean no harm. But.” She tapped her long fingers against her chin. “You might bring hunters down on our heads.”
“I would never-”
“Not voluntarily, of course.” The Mistress Allende smoothly continued in that soft, controlled voice.
“I was careful, I left no traces-”
“No, you did not, there are two trackers currently outside the forest, reporting to their superior, presumably Grave.”
Persience tensed noticeably and looked as if he would throttle Tobias right there and then. Instead, he asked the Mistress, “What do we do now?”
“What do we do now? We kill them.”

A/N: Okay guys, I am a terrible, terrible person. I am so very sorry for taking so long! I stonewalled for quite a long time on this one, particularly towards the end. Chapter Four has not been started and likely will never be. Yes, I know, I promised to finish this story, but its hard for me, particularly because whenever I feel like writing, it tends to be in school where I don't have my computer at hand to type in. I also can't write on paper and then transfer because I can never remember just what line I stopped at. Incidentally, I have started several new Floaters, stories that I haven't decided whether to continue or not. Bleh, I am so sorry, people, I've just been really emotional recently. I hope you guys enjoy this story. I certainly didn't. This isn't one of my better ones. Honestly, I ought to consign this to the Great Recycling Bin in the Sky. Okay, I'll stop babbling. Once again, I am so sorry. Have a good time, unlike me!
-Agoraoptera.Ben

Chapter Two: Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya.

Lyssa awoke, but kept her eyes closed. She might have been unconscious, but she could still sense the jarring minds all about her. Slowly, warily, she looked about with her mental eye, discerning several minds a distance away from her. One mind, in particular, stood out like a sun among candles, blazing bright. It had purpose about it, purpose Lyssa could not discern. This skill of hers was frustrating, revealing bits and pieces but not enough to assemble a picture of a person. Then there was a collective sense of... Lyssa couldn't put a word to it. Gratification? She didn't put much more thought into it as the fiery mind started to approach her.
“Wake up, scum.” Her eyes snapped open with fear as he grabbed her hair and pulled her up roughly as she yelped in pain. “Don't bother pretending to be asleep.”
She stared wide-eyed at him and took notice of her surroundings. She was in a cold, concrete room, an interrogation room and prison cell of sorts. An opaque glass panel beside the metal door told her how they observed her. The floor was dusty and cold, causing her to shiver slightly.
“Don't try looking so innocent. I know your kind.”
“I don't.. I don't understand.” Lyssa stuttered out in fear. “What do you mean? My kind?”
“Of course, you would be the newly awoken one. It took us a few days, but we have you at last.”
“I don't know anything!”
“Your kind cannot fool me. I know what you scum do upon awakening. My own parents were murdered when one of you woke.” His voice was full of bitterness and hate; Lyssa could at least discern that clearly as well from his mind. It was overwhelming.
“I didn't do anyth-”
Her words were cut off as he slapped her.
“Shut up, worm. I saw the remains of your classmates. You sucked the life right out of them, didn't you?”
Lyssa found those words to be quite interesting. Had she sucked their life out, or merely extinguished the candle flames of their lives? If she had sucked their lives out, then did they in some way dwell within her own-
Her thoughts were interrupted as the man hit her again and yelled at her.
“Look at me! You are a parasite, a leech, a cancerous tumor upon humanity. You and your kind will die, but as all diseases, we shall study you first.”
The man kept on talking, but Lyssa was more concerned with his mind. Was that a hint of panic mixed with guilt? Something to do with the man's past. Was it someone he loved? His lover?
“I didn't kill your parents!” Lyssa croaked out, surprised at how rough her voice was.
Surprise bloomed in his mind, she could feel that clearly. Outwardly, his face was thunderous.
“No.” The man's voice was low and hateful. “You didn't kill my parents. Your kind did. And your kind killed my sister.” The man's composure cracked slightly and he glanced away for a moment. “Your death will only be another payment of this blood debt I owe to you monsters.” He seemed as if he wanted to say more and his conflicting thoughts confirmed it. However, after a moment's hesitation, he left the room, slamming the door loudly.
“And I don't even know his name.” Lyssa sighed theatrically and coughed violently. Her throat hurt much more than she had expected.

The man made a conscious effort to calm down as he stepped out of the room, but his fellow Guardian saw through it instantly.
“Karl. That girl-”
“That is not a girl.” The man Karl replied icily. “That is a threat to humanity.”
The other man shrugged. “Yeah, it reminds you of her, doesn't it?”
The man Karl kept quiet.
“Nadia was about her age when-”
“Don't ever compare Nadia to such beasts!” The man Karl's voice rang out, hard and filled with loathing.
“Let's talk somewhere more private.” The other man pulled him aside, noticing the stares of their fellow protectors of humanity. “Karl, you're not the only one who misses Nadia.”
“Then you ought to recognise my hate; it should dwell in you too!” He accused.
“Karl, I loathe them too. But I loathe them for their acts against humanity in general. Let go of this vengeance, Karl, it's poisoning you. Our duty to humanity is clear; we must eliminate them wherever they threaten mankind. But you-”
“When they threaten mankind? Tobi, their very existence threatens mankind. We have to exterminate them and prevent them from ever taking root on our Earth ever again, not eliminate whoever threatens.”
“Karl, I'm speaking to you as a friend. I'm appealing to your humanity, man. Let go of this vengeance. It poisons you. A duty of protection gets corrupted into an all-out genocidal impulse. Stop this before it goes on further, Karl. We can't afford to lose our humanity in the process of defending it.”
“I'm willing to sacrifice my humanity, and more, to see them wiped off the face of this Earth.” Karl's eyes blazed with self-righteous fury.
Tobi shook his head. “Karl, you're my superior and we've been friends since childhood. You know I'd follow you into Hell and back again if I had to. But Karl, this is a corruption of our duty. We can't let personal emotions get in the way of our duty. Honour and duty is everything.”
“You don't understand me, Tobias Albans. You don't miss Nadia as-”
“I don't miss Nadia as you do?” Now it was Tobias' turn to flare. “I loved her, Karldon Grave. I still do. Your sister Nadia Grave was what my life revolved around, before she was taken from us.”
“You don't seem to place that much of an importance on her.” Karl retorted.
“I still love her, Karl. I still miss her. Every night I think of her, as I know you do. But I remember what she always said, how she always believed in morals and ethics. We have principles to stand by, and her memory is what holds me to my principles.”
“And my principles tell me to kill each and every one of those beasts.”
“If you so say, Sir.” Tobias replied stiffly, knowing that his stubborn friend would not be convinced. “We have spoken many times of this.” Tobias turned about and went back to observing the girl who looked so much like his dead, lost love.
Karl looked long and hard at his friend's back. Poison. What an ironic word choice. Karl looked down and pulled up his left sleeve. A limb of necrotic flesh, withered and foul greeted his sight. He clenched his good hand into a fist. If he ever saw that boy again, that boy who had tried to protect his siste- no, it was a beast. If he ever saw him again, he would make him pay for this.
“Sir?” A female voice roused him from his dark thoughts of vengeance. Karl turned to see an apothecary.
“What is it?”
“Sir, the results are out. There is no other choice but to amputate.”
Karl didn't reply and his eyes looked into the distance.
“Sir? If it matters, I'm sorry.” The apothecary lowered her head in respect and quickly made her way.

“No.”
Ren stopped her pacing abruptly.
“No?” She narrowed her eyes. “Psycho, what do you mean by 'no'?”
“It's not worth it. We don't have to get that girl out.”
“You would abandon her?”
“Yes.”
“She is one of us, one of our kind. She is as much our relative as any other Child of the Moon.”
“She's mad.” Psycho said, as if it settled the matter.
“I don't think so, Psycho.” Now she glared at him venomously. “You remember how it was like for you at first. I would have thought that you of all people would sympathise with her.”
“Look, I'm trying to provide the voice of reason. She's likely dea-”
“She's not dead.” Aco interrupted softly.
“Okay, fine, if you say so. Even if we somehow locate the Guar-”
“I seeded that one Guardian with a poison. I know where they are.”
“Look, stop interrupting me. Even if we can somehow break through all their defenses, the three of us alone, I think we wouldn't get out without injuries. Chances are, that girl's too weak to run by herself, so if Aco carries her again, that means there's only two of us. We are putting our lives on the line for a crazy girl who is likely to go on a killing streak at the slightest trigger.”
“We are more than a match for them, Psycho.” Ren pointed out. “They are just... human. Only human. And we are... much more. Lyssa is strong, Psycho. Her powers may come in handy when we make our escape.”
“Okay, assuming that we are even going to go and rescue her, if we hit the Guardians in the day, we would be weakened and our exit would be compounded by so many problems. But the Guardians aren't fools, I'll bet they have additional security in the night. Only complete idiots wouldn't.”
“Which we can still take on. It's not as if they have guns. You know that now for some reason the Guardians take captives. This chance will tell us what exactly they are doing.”
“C'mon, Ren, don't do this.”
Ren ignored him and started planning with Aco. After a few minutes of watching them uncomfortably, Psycho reluctantly joined their discussion.

Lyssa was cold. They had left her alone in the bare prison for... She could not tell how long it had been since she had that meal Ren had cooked. Thinking about it only made her hunger pangs feel ever more aching. The worst thing was that she couldn't shake off the presence of minds just outside the room, more than likely observing her like an animal. She had enjoyed probing the minds of the people outside- technicians of some sort, she decided- but after a while, the novelty had lost its charm and then the minds became an irritance, a torment. She didn't like the minds. She didn't like the sensation. It felt like a large crowd all around her, muttering inane things that she couldn't make out clearly, things on the verge of being shown and revealed, but frustratingly vague. In the end, Lyssa just crawled to the corner and curled up, trying to keep herself warm as best as she could. She covered her ears with her hands, but it didn't keep out the sound of their subconscious. She started crying, but it didn't wash away the feel of their emotions. She started screaming then, screaming till her voice grew even more ragged and she pounded her fists against the grey concrete wall over and over.
When Tobias opened the door, he saw her limp and shivering, lips bloody from where she had bitten them in an effort to drown out the muffled voices with pain. Her hands were bruised and her skin was pale. When was the last time she had eaten or drank anything? A day? Two? While Tobias could sympathise, having starved for several days on end as part of his training, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt towards the girl. Despite her nature, she still appeared as a perfectly normal human being.
Lyssa looked up at him with swollen, bloodshot eyes.
“I.. Help.. Cold...” She chattered out through shaking lips.
Was it really that cold? Tobias removed his right glove and reached to take her pulse. She didn't draw back, evidently too weak to even respond in the slightest save for the slight look she gave him through glazed eyes. Tobias recoiled instantly upon touching her wrist; it was freezing cold. Not just the temperature of her body, he had noticed slight wisps of shadow curl towards his hand where he had touched her.
Tobias quickly strode out of the room, still silent. As he shut the door behind him, he asked the technicians, “Why has she not been given food and water? Her temperature is far too low for her to be healthy and-”
“Sir, Captain Grave told us to wait for a while more before we took her blood for testing. Nourishment is only to be provided after the blood has been drawn.”
“That's inhu-” Tobias stopped speaking and took a deep breath. He realised that it was Karl who had given the order. It would not do to appear as if he was going against his friend's commands. “When exactly will nourishment be provided?” He asked, forcing his voice to keep level.
“Not too long, Sir.” The man checked the clock on the wall. “Actually, I believe we just missed the timing, Sir. We shall see to it now.”
Karl's hate had reached many of his men too. It wasn't too unexpected; each of them had lost someone close to the darkers, as the Children of the Moon were colloquially known. This level of vehemence was rather regular, Tobias supposed. Yet, it was still startling. Had they intended to let her starve, if he had not said a word? Were the protectors of humanity losing sight of the very thing they were trying to save?
He shook away the heavy thoughts and saw that his fellow Guardians were taking their own time in bringing water and food for the girl. He decided to bring it in to her himself.
“I'll take that for you; I don't have much to do right now.”
“My thanks, Sir, I have no wish of being in the same room as that darker.”
Tobias did his best to ignore the comment and took the tray. The food was meagre; a small bun and a cup of water.
“Wait a moment, Sir, I'll go in first to take some blood samples.” Another man called out.

Lyssa was so weak that she did not even lift up her head to see who was coming in. When the needle pierced her arm none too gently, she didn't even squeak. The only indication that she was still awake was her half-open eyes.
“Girl, here, have some water.” A warm voice suddenly came from in front of her. She did not react and Tobias slowly lifted her head as she just looked at him lifelessly. He put the cup to her mouth and let her sip a little. The warm water seemed to give her a slight bit of strength and she slowly pushed herself up to a sitting position against the cold wall.
“Cold...” She murmured as best as she could through her parched throat. “Cold...”
As if realising that the person feeding her would be warm, she slumped forward onto Tobias and weakly lay her arms around him. He froze, unsure of whether she was going to attack him or not. She just continued letting him support her and after a period of time, her eyes closed in slumber. He slowly pulled back from her embrace and placed the food on the floor at a side; she could feed herself when she woke. He was just about to turn and leave when her eyes snapped open and her mouth curled weakly into a grin.
“They're... coming.. for.. me.” She somehow contrived to force the words out and she started laughing softly. Darkness started to bleed from her, gathering as a black mist about her. Tobias started to run for the door, but found that he could not move. The black mist entwined itself around his limbs, apparently inducing paralysis. Tobias knew fear then.
This must have been what Nadia felt like. The thought went through his head unexpectedly and brought with it a storm of emotions. Guilt, hurt, anger, hate. Abruptly, his limbs were free once more and he stumbled backwards unsteadily.
He saw the girl buoyed by the mist, standing up. Tears glistened in her eyes and she mouthed to Tobias a single word. Run.
The command seemed to echo in his mind and he obeyed without thinking, throwing open the door and realising that the alarms were blaring loudly. He hadn't heard a single thing while in the room because the room was soundproof to prevent the captive from hearing anything. There was no one in sight and he ran out of the building unthinkingly.
It was all that saved him from the ensuing death that came sweeping through the halls of the Guardian's base of operations.

Something like savage joy appeared on Ren's face as she and her shadowy twin cut through the Guardians, her with her knives and her shadow absorbing the life force of the personnel manning the posts. She did not know where Lyssa was being held, but that did not matter. She would kill as many of them as she had to before she could find her. A stun baton caught her arm and the limb fell limply after spasming for a few moments, her knife clattering on the floor. She snarled even as a Guardian kicked her harshly, pain blossoming in her abdomen. Abruptly, the Guardian collapsed. She quickly stood her ground once more, just in time to see Psycho dispatch the last Guardian by forcing the Guardian's blood to burst out of his own skin.
Psycho turned to her.
“See what I mean? If I hadn't saved you there, you would have been caught and nothing would have been accomplished.”
“But you are here and that is what matters. Aco, done yet?”
“Yes. I've found it.” Aco had been rifling through the bodies of the dead, taking access cards. He looked up and his eyes widened in concern. “Mother, you're bleeding.”
Ren lifted a hand up to her brow; the hand came away with sticky crimson fluid.
“No matter. We have to keep moving. They might decide to kill Lyssa rather than let us save her.”

As the trio raced around the corner, they suddenly started hearing screams. Picking up their pace, they saw a man thrown from a side corridor and hit the wall with a sickening crunch. Black fog followed after him slowly, entwining around his torso and the tentacle of black suddenly solidified, crushing his spine.
“Lyssa?” Ren called out.
“Ren...” They heard the reply come softly, followed by a wracking cough. They turned into the corridor and saw Lyssa sprawled on the floor, surrounded by unmoving bodies of Guardians. The black smoke covered much of the corridor, but Ren could clearly see that Lyssa was still weak, especially from her apparent exertions in taking out these Guardians.
“Lyssa!” Aco rushed to her side, lifting her to a half-sitting position.
“Aco...” She gave a short laugh. “I knew... I knew you would come for me... Thank you..”
“Don't say any more.” Aco carried her into his arms and looked to Ren.
“Well, now that we have what we came for, let us depart, swiftly.”
As they ran towards the exit, there was nobody to stop them. In Aco's warm hold, Lyssa sank into pleasant unconsciousness.

A/N: Heyo, this one is distinctly shorter. Still too long perhaps. Anyway, if it seems a little rushed, with all the events happening all at once, I apologise. Anyhoo, read and critique! Oh and if you didn't get the title, go google it and click on tvtropes. But do that at your own risk, for I hold zero responsibility in the event that you waste a large portion of your life there. Just saying. I'll be away for CCA camp from 10th to 13th, so uh, even though Chapter Three is semi-done, don't expect it to be posted. In fact, I probably won't post it until Chapter Four is done. Yes. Yeap, have fun this holiday (which, incidentally, does not appear to be a holiday due to extreme time constraints and... other stuff.) and enjoy yourselves wherever you may be!
-Agoraoptera.CerebrateBen

Chapter One: Wake Up, Time To Die

The girl Lyssa lay on the bed, her face smooth and unblemished, her eyes closed in sleep; deep sleep evidently. The man standing watch over her bed fished out a coin from the depths of his trenchcoat. The coin was gleaming as if it were newly minted. An unfamiliar face and an odd language was printed on it and the man flipped it over and over about his fingers. He reached forward and put it into the girl's open palm, closing her hand into a fist around it. He stroked her long silver hair and took a step back. He walked to the window and looked out. Almost a full moon, but not quite then. Not that he needed to check. He could feel it in his blood. Just a day or two more to the full bloom of the moon. The Flowering Night, as his people called it, or the Night of Nights. He smiled slightly and lifted up the window quietly and jumped out, trenchcoat flaring behind as he fell to the ground, seven floors below. He landed with little more than a thud and he quickly made his way into the night after dusting himself.

“Hey, Lyssa! Wait up!” Tessil gulped heavy breaths after chasing the hooded girl. Lyssa only nodded to acknowledge her friend's presence and adjusted her bag and carried on walking.
“You don't look too well, Lyss.” Tessil commented, looking at Lyssa's deep eye bags. Lyssa just shrugged and kept walking.
“I'm okay.” She coughed out hoarsely.
“No, you're not, Lyss, you should stay at home.”
Lyssa shook her head and muttered, “I'm fine.”
“Your eyes are bloodshot, Lyss, you really should go and rest.”
“I said I'm fine, Tess!” Lyssa flared up suddenly, her pale skin radiating anger rather than illness and weakness.
“Chill, Lyss, I'm sorry, okay? You really scared me there for a moment. Your eyes even went all red for a second. Wow.” Tessil shrank back from her. The pair continued walking towards their class in silence.
As they took their seats, Tessil heard Lyssa murmur to herself, “Full moon up tonight, full moon up tonight.' over and over again.
“What do you mean, Lyss?”
“Huh?” Lyssa looked up distractedly. “What do I mean?”
“Yeah, you were saying 'Full moon up tonight' over and over again. Full moon important to you?”
“I was?” Lyssa appeared genuinely surprised. She shivered slightly and pulled her hoodie closer about her. “I didn't realise.”
“Oh.” Tessil looked over at her friend worriedly, even as Lyssa's gaze started going unfocused again and she started muttering things to herself. Suddenly, Lyssa snapped out of her reverie and looked at Tessil with an intense urgency.
“Tess, tonight we've got night class, don't we?”
“Uh, yeah. What's got you so worked up, Lyss?”
“Nothing. Nothing. It's nothing. Night class...” Lyssa stared around distractedly, “Okay. Right. Right. I think you're right. I should be home. I'll see you for night class then. Bye.” She stood up, grabbed her bag and just left the classroom abruptly as the bell signaling the start of lessons rang, leaving her friend staring after her, concerned for her odd behaviour.

“Lyssa! You look like you've been crying! And are these cuts? You weren't cutting yourself, were you? What happened?”
“Tess, I know what it looks like, but I'm fine now. Really, I am. Don't worry for me, Tess.”
“Yeah... You do look much better.”
Lyssa's complexion was less pale and more radiant; she seemed as if she were glowing. Her eyes were still somewhat bloodshot, though they appeared more alert and less distracted. There were cuts on her arms though, fresh new cuts just scabbing over beside her old scars. She had even pulled back her hood, revealing her long, beautiful mercury-coloured hair.
“The full moon sure is pretty, isn't it?” Lyssa commented, looking directly upwards at the full round silvery orb, a colour not too different from her hair.
“Yeah.” Tessil wondered what time exactly the moon would be full as she stared up into the night.
“It was full since seven. Seven thirty-eight. And it'll end in twenty-two more minutes.” Lyssa switched her gaze to Tessil, her eyes wide open and her mouth spread wide in an open grin. Tessil's blood ran cold.
“How did you know I was-”
“Thinking that? I don't know. I just know. It's amazing. The moon is amazing. The night is amazing. I feel odd. I'm getting this really strong pressure building up in me, you know? It's just building up, building up, building up, building up and I have to release it!” The last syllable left Lyssa's mouth with a scream as the lights of the classroom blew, plunging the classroom into utter darkness as an even deeper shadow pulsated from Lyssa and blasted across the room, black on black, throwing tables and chairs to the sides, throwing her classmates against the walls with bone-shattering cracks. The darkness picked up speed and the class was a whirlwind of shadow and blood, as the impacts left the stains of various people on the walls. All the while, Lyssa laughed maniacally, reveling in the sheer frenzy and adrenaline rush of the moment, soaking in the death like some deity having sacrifices offered to her. As the room started to settle and the unnatural dark receded into Lyssa, night reclaimed the room.
Barely realising the fact that the darkness had shredded away her attire, she picked her way through the splinters of glass and wood to the mangled heap of her friend. Somehow, she could see clearly in the night, even clearer than as if it were day.
“Tessil?” Lyssa called out in a singsong voice. She knelt down behind Tessil's broken and crushed body. “You're all snapped.”
Lyssa stood and straightened and skipped towards the exit, her feet somehow being simultaneously cut by the broken tables and yet mysteriously healing over with darkness shrouding over it. Humming a repetitive tune, Lyssa made her way home.

Heaving the body of her father into the chute, Lyssa found herself singing an old rhyme.
“Lizzie Borden took an axe
and gave her father forty whacks
And when she saw what she had done
She gave her mother forty-one.”
Repeating the same words with a little smile, she threw her mother in as well and started cleaning the bloodstains on the floor. Lyssa decided to leave the blood on the wall. It made for nice décor, she thought.
After she mopped up the blood, she finally went to get dressed. She pulled on a plain white shirt and some jeans before fishing another hoodie from the wash. As she took out the strange coin she had woken up with, the day's events caught up with her and she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

“I may have a reputation for being an odd one, but I'm telling you, Ren, that girl is cra-zee! She's mad! She's touched in the brain, Ren! I don't even want to go near her!”
“Oh, calm down, Psycho. Granted, the way she awoke, taking out a whole class and going home to kill her parents, that's pretty unbalanced, but-”
“Pretty unbalanced? And you guys think the way I awoke was weird? Please, torturing that kid to death, I've got nothing on this girl, Ren, nothing at all. Don't send me in there, Ren, please don't. I know you've got a heart, I've saved it enough times.”
“Quiet Psycho. She's one of us, all the same. She's still a Daughter of the Moon, even as we didn't decide to leave you to die, you a Son of the Moon even though some of us were hesitant about you. You turned out nice enough.”
“But this girl's insane!”
“Enough, Psycho. I'll go in with you, if that will stop you complaining.”
“It's not going to stop me from complaining.”
“Just shut up, okay?”
The willowy Oriental woman pushed the taller man into the room, both adorned in a white medical gown.
Lyssa looked up from the white bed, a drip inserted in her right arm. She smiled a little.
“Oh hello, doctors. Which hospital am I in?”
“Good morning. Before you say anything else, know that we are the same as you.”
“What do you mean?”
The tall silver-haired woman raised both hands and Lyssa watched in fascination as shadows started congealing about her palms and then dripping onto the floor. The dripping increased in frequency until the dark puddle on the floor suddenly rose and formed a pitch-black split-image of the woman. The shadow-woman went to check on Lyssa's blood pressure and pulse as the woman herself took Lyssa's fever.
“This is what I mean.” The woman told her, after making sure that she was alright. “Now, child, tell us who you are.”
“I'm Lyssa.”
“No last name?” The shadow-woman dissipated after writing something on a clipboard hanging on the bedside table.
“I don't remember.”
“Well, that's alright. We'll be faking identities anyway.”
“So I can make my own name?”
“Essentially yes, but we'd like to know your real name.”
“You know I'm Lyssa. Could I go by Lizzie Borden?”
The man standing at the side flinched slightly and started muttering under his breath.
“Psycho.” The woman said firmly. “Control yourself.”
“So can I?” Lyssa asked again.
“Lizzie is close enough to Lyssa.” The woman conceded.
“Then who are you?”
The Chinese woman smiled. “I'm the one asking questions here. But I'll tell you. I'm Ren.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Lyssa, how old are you?”
“How.. old I am?” She hesitated. “I don't remember.” She whispered.
“It's okay. Memory loss is to be expected after such a violent and traumatic awakening. You're lucky our people picked you up quickly. The dramatic way you awoke sent the Guardians coming after you much quicker than they had spotted awakenings before.”
“The Guardians?”
“Bunch of madmen who seek to exterminate our kind and supposedly protect humankind from us.”
Lyssa groaned a little and brought a palm to her head.
“Are you okay?”
“A little headache.”
“I'll administer painkillers through the IV drip, if you don't mind.”
“No... I don't mind.. No. I don't feel so good suddenly.”
“That's normal, Lyssa. The rush of the power within you is very intoxicating, but it doesn't make up for proper nourishment. I don't believe you've eaten much or drank much for a while.”
“No. Isn't that the point of the drip?”
“It's to keep you hydrated, yes, but it cannot sustain you for long. Your lunch will be coming soon.”
“Lunch huh. How long have I been out?”
“Three days.”
Lyssa blinked twice. “Three days. No wonder I feel ravenous. What are we anyway?”
“Now Lyssa, you'll concentrate on regaining your strength. You are no good to anyone, least of all yourself in this state.”
Lyssa nodded and then turned to the nervous man.
“Who are you?”
He flinched when he realised she was talking to him, but he managed to keep under control as he hurriedly replied, “Psycho.”
“Lyssa, are you comfortable in your clothing?”
“Yeah, I'm fine, but can I have my clothing back? I don't feel safe without my wallet-”
“Don't worry, we've got your coin.”
“How did you know?”
“One of our people gave it to you. We give it to those who will awaken within the next day or two.”
“You knew what was going to happen?”
“Not so spectacularly, no.” Ren shook her head. “You are distinctly stronger than many others, but you need to exercise control.”
Lyssa gave a non-committal half-sigh. She drew a deep breath and exhaled. “I'm bored.”
“Try exercising your power, but slowly. We don't want you to wreck our equipment.”
“And how do I start exercising my power?”
“Simply. Start with attempting to draw shadows to you, or exude shadows if that's how you do it. It's a mental exercise, but it will tax you physically so be wary of overdoing it.”
“But how? You haven't answered me.”
“Feel the shadow. It will have a distinctive feel in your mind, unique to each of us. Grasp onto the feel, your impression of shadow and bring it forth.”
Ren headed out of the room, followed by Psycho but she took a step back and then told Lyssa, “If you need anything, we're around. I'll be right back with your lunch.”
Lyssa nodded and closed her eyes, thinking. What was her impression of shadow? Comfort. Where she could rest in peace. Slight cold, comforting cold. She imagined the cold misting around her hands and she opened her eyes to see the pores of her skin exuding an inky black fog. She lost her concentration with surprise, but somehow the shadows continued to seep out from her hands. She let it envelop her arms and then she pulled it towards her with a thought. She inhaled some of the darkness; the frost had a slight bite to it, but it was still extremely soothing. The thick fog of black quickly covered much of the room.
Lyssa started drawing shapes in the mist, pulling strands of fog here and there. Gradually, of its own volition, a face formed in the depths of black. Its features were barely discerned, but its shape was clear. The face, masculine in form, floated just in front of Lyssa, another patch of black among black.
Just then, Lyssa heard the door swing open and she heard a Chinese curse as the black fog started to spill out of the room.
“Lyssa! Call back your shadow! Now.”
Lyssa started and the face dissipated. She concentrated, concentrated on pulling all the frost through her skin into her blood, turning it black as sin, black blood coursing through her veins-
She gasped as the shock of all the cold shadow quickly entering her hit her sharply and she almost let loose the fog once more. She shivered uncontrollably, teeth chattering as her blood ran as cold as the mist had been and her bones felt as if they had been lined with hoarfrost.
Ren sighed as she pushed a trolley within Lyssa's view.
“I knew I shouldn't have told you to practice now. My mistake. I knew you were strong, but to release so much and then to take it back in so quickly, that's not good.” Ren took her temperature again and sighed. “You're too cold. It's due to the shadow, isn't it?”
Lyssa nodded numbly as she tried to pull the blankets tighter around her.
“At any rate, you'll recover quickly enough. I've brought your lunch.” Ren looked closer at Lyssa. “Girl, you look like you've seen a ghost. Are you alright?”
“There was a face in the shadow...”
“Of course. Was it fully formed?”
“N-No... The face was still forming when I called it back.”
“You're much stronger than we expected. Still, that is a matter for another time.” Ren lifted the tray of food and placed it on the bed table, then shifted the table so that Lyssa could reach it easily. “For now, eat and rest. The food may not be to your liking, I'm sorry about that, but we have no idea what you can or cannot take.”
Lyssa shivered some more and then slowly sat up to eat. Her appetite was ravenous and she quickly devoured the noodles and drank the thick soup with gusto.
“Eat slowly. I know you haven't eaten for days, but slow down.”
“It's delicious.” Lyssa commented as she finished the last few drops.
“I know, I cooked it. But still. You watch out for any signs of your stomach feeling upset. Toilet's over there, if you need to go, push your drip along or call me if you really feel too weak.”
“Okay.” Lyssa sighed contentedly and snuggled deeper within the blanket.
“I'll leave first. Anything you need, that button over there will alert me.”

Outside of the room, the nervous man approached Ren.
“I told you, Ren, she's mad!”
“She seems perfectly fine to me, albeit a little on the girlish side.”
“She's an actor, I swear! She's crazy!”
“I think, even though you represent a professional opinion, I think we ought to seek a third, unbiased opinion.”
“'Unbiased'? Look, she killed a whole classroom of her acquaintances, got up, went home and killed her parents for no discernible reason with a ceremonial knife, which I have no idea where she got that from. Who's the one being biased here?”
“I admit, I am being more lenient in my judgement to her, but as of now, she appears fully balanced.”
“I still remember when I was brought in. None of you trusted me for weeks. Is this gender discrimination?”
“Calm down, Psycho. Look, I'm sorry for what happened, but you did torture that little girl unto death.”
“And I admitted it. I never shirk from my deeds.” Psycho threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. “But this...”
“Okay, Psycho, calm down. How about you go in there and have a chat with her and psychoanalyse her? It's what you do for a living after all, isn't it?”
“I'm too jumpy right now. Chances are I'd try to kill her first as a preemptive action to protect my own life.” Psycho shuddered and took a pill from a bottle and promptly swallowed it. “I have got to remember to take my own self-prescribed medication. Anyway,” He glanced through the one-way window at Lyssa dreamily lying on the bed, “She finished eating quickly. Aren't you going to clear the tray?”
“I'll send in Aco. Lyssa should probably get to know everyone of our little family.”
“Family. I never understood your obsession with that concept.”
“It's a Chinese thing.” Ren smiled and called out. “Aco!”
“Coming!” A responding shout came from the other side of the hall. The hall was not particularly spacious, but had a homely atmosphere. It was surprisingly different from the medical feel of Lyssa's room, mahogany walls and a polished floor instead of a sterile tiled white room. A Chinese boy, not much older than sixteen quickly emerged from a side room and stopped in front of Ren.
“Yes, Mother?” The boy had lively eyes that seemed to dance with a certain light in them. His onyx hair was a tad bit too long and was being held to the side by a hair clip.
“The girl in that room is Lyssa, a new addition to our family. Go and greet her, have a talk with her. Attend to any needs she might have and once you're done, take out the tray to the kitchen.”
“Yes, Mother.” The boy shifted his shoulders and headed in to do as he was told.
Psycho looked on with interest. “Explain to me again how you managed to get him to call you Mother after you killed his biological parents.”
“I was honour-bound to take him in. It wasn't a bad choice.”
“Funny. You just evaded my question. Never mind. Go do your paperwork. I'll watch them from here.”
“Alright.”

The youth Aco tidied himself nervously and opened the door; he hadn't had much contact with girls. Not that he had much contact with people in general, for that matter. But if, as Ren had said, this girl was to be a part of his family, then it only made sense for him to get to know her. He saw from the outside that the girl had nice silver hair, just like Ren and Psycho. She was probably one of them, with their dark powers.
He stepped in and closed the door behind him gingerly, feeling uncomfortable under the girl's gaze. He bowed, went to sit at the bedside chair and he looked at her.
“Uh... Hi. I'm Aco.”
“Hello. Do you also have shadow powers?” Lyssa asked, suprisingly straightforward.
“Don't I wish.” He blushed slightly at his admission. “No, but I've got something other.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“I inject myself with Mother's liquid shadow. It's given me... some poison abilities.”
“Oh cool.” Lyssa slowly sat up and grinned. “You look about my age. I don't remember my age. What's your age?”
“Uh, I'm not too sure either. Never kept track. Maybe sixteen or seventeen?”
“I see. Maybe I'm seventeen too. I can't remember. Are you Chinese? I remember something about Chinese friends in my school.”
He nodded in response, self-consciously brushing a hand through his hair.
“We're pretty similar.” Lyssa stared at him with an odd look in her eyes that made him feel even more uncomfortable. “You're cute.”
“Wha- I, uh, I-” He stammered, unsure of how to respond and blushed.
“Yeah, you're really cute.” She giggled slightly.
“Uh.. Okay... Thanks, I guess.. I don't know your name.”
“I'm Lyssa. You can call me Lyss or Lizzie if you want.”
“Alright. Lyssa. Uh, nice name.”
“Thank you. Aco's a nice name too.”
“Thanks. You're a Child of the Moon as well, aren't you?”
“What's that?”
Aco stared at her, eyes wide. “You don't know?”
“Nope. What's that?”
“It's people like you and Ren and Psycho. People who have the dark powers, like Ren's shadow and Psycho's blood. Children of the Moon.”
“Oh. I guess I am.”
“What's your power then?”
“Shadow too. Wanna see?” Lyssa asked, her voice lilting playfully.
“Umm... Okay. Don't tax yourself though. Mother would kill me.”
“Mother?”
“Ren. I call her my mother. But she's not my biological mother. It's complicated.”
“Oh, okay.”
Lyssa closed her eyes and a blissful blank smile came across her features. Slowly, oily, misty darkness began to pour from her once more. Then she opened her eyes and twirled her fingers in the mist; the mist was not as thick as it had been, nor as dark.
The mist slowly enveloped Aco, who inhaled as much of the slightly sweet smoke as he could. As his muscles relaxed and he slumped in his seat, he closed his eyes in complete comfort. While the dark mist was a little cold, it was just the way he liked it and he almost fell asleep.
“Like it?”
He jolted upright, remembering that there was still this strange, yet not unappealing girl by his side, sitting on the bed.
Lyssa giggled slightly at his reaction. “You sure looked like you were enjoying it.”
“I, uh, yeah. Reminds me a little of Mother's opium.” Aco continued soaking in the misty darkness, which started to intensify in its thickness.
“You look really blissful. Ah...” She sighed pleasantly.
Aco opened his eyes and looked straight at the girl emitting the slightly sweet smoke. “Did anyone tell you you're beautiful, Lyssa?”
“You don't look like someone who usually compliments people, so I'm honoured that you think so. I think you're rather handsome as well.” Lyssa pushed aside her blankets but Aco quickly stood up to stop her.
“Hey, Mother would most definitely kill me if I let you get up. I, uh, I'll clear the tray and then go for now.”
“Oh.” Lyssa's tone was crestfallen. “Could you come back later? You're really good company.”
“I wouldn't know about that, I don't socialise much.” Aco replied bluntly as he efficiently cleaned the table and maneuvered it back to its position in front of her bed.
“You can see so well in the shadow?”
“Yeah. I'm used to it, I guess. Uh, see you later.” He opened the door with one hand, balancing the tray with the other and exited, wisps of black smoke following him.
“Aco, boy, you'd best be wary of her.”
“Why, Uncle Psycho?”
“She's mad.” He whispered to the youth as if confiding a secret.
“She seemed perfectly fine to me. She's quite a nice person, though I don't have that much experience with people. Certainly, she doesn't seem mad to me.”
“What's wrong with you people?” Psycho exclaimed. “You all think she's perfectly fine and that I'm mad?”
“Well..” Aco shrugged uncomfortably. “You are mad.”
“Yes, yes, I admit that, my mind is not as properly structured as it should be, but you all think she's fine? This is ridiculous!”
“If you say so, Uncle Psycho. Now, I need to wash this or Mother will have a fit.” Aco politely sidestepped the older man who stared into Lyssa's room with wide, wild eyes and carried his tray, headed for the kitchen.
Psycho continued staring into the receding black fog of Lyssa's room. The girl was smiling dreamily to herself; quite obviously mad, he thought. She was most certainly insane to have decided to gone home and then kill her own parents after her powers surfaced. Most definitely insane. He decided to go in and analyse her, just as Ren had suggested. However, he couldn't go in in such a state. No matter, he simply ingested a couple of pills, calming himself down.

Lyssa cocked her head quizzically to a side as the door opened again, this time revealing that nervous American man who had came in with Ren just now. He looked much more controlled now though.
“Hello, Mr Psycho. It's nice to see another American.”
“This is America, Lyssa. It's not surprising to see other Americans.”
“Ren and Aco are both Chinese. I don't remember much of anything. I wouldn't be surprised if this were China.”
“Lyssa.” The man stared into her eyes as if searching her soul, making feel oddly exposed. “What was it like when your powers surfaced?”
“I felt full, overflowing with energy and I just had to release it. And then I did, of course.”
“You killed your classmates. Then you got up, went home and killed your parents. Why?”
“Why? My parents... were not the nicest people. I've thought of killing them for so long.”
“All children think of killing their parents at some point of anger. However, you obviously had no spur-of-the-moment hatred towards them. The long way home would have cooled you off either way. Why did you kill them?”
“I don't know. I don't remember. But,” She exhaled, “It felt great. Surely you'd understand. The killing. It's so.. exhilarating. I can feel the knife in my hand even now.”
“Yes, we retrieved your belongings, the knife included. Where did you get such a ritualistic dagger? It's too stylised to be anything else.”
“I took it.”
“Where from?”
“From someone. He didn't want to give it to me, but he let me hold it and then I stuck it in him.” She giggled softly. “It took me a while to find a good brand of soap that got rid of bloodstains.”
Psycho named a brand of bleach. “That's a good one to use. But back to the point. You enjoy killing, don't you?”
“Don't you?” Lyssa countered with a smile, her gaze just slightly off-centre but enough to be disconcerting.
“Do you? I'm the one asking questions here, Lyssa.” He pushed.
“Sure, why not.” Her mouth opened slightly as she smiled wider and Psycho caught sight of wisps of black smoke drifting out from her mouth, giving her a deranged appearance.
“You're insane.” He muttered to himself.
“Just like you.” She had heard him and she replied.
“Not like you.” He retorted. “I at least don't revel in murder for its own sake.”
“Neither do I. I like the feel of blood on my hands. You do, don't you?”
Psycho flinched as if he had been struck. “Insane, utterly insane.” He murmured again and made to leave the room.
“Wait, Mr Psycho, could you help me ask Aco to come back in when he can? I'm so lonely...” The longing in her tone sent shivers up his spine as he ignored her request and fled the room as quickly as he could without seeming as though he was afraid of her.

Heh. She starts laughing as he closes the door. I don't remember. What a lie, but only the crazy one suspected that something was out of sorts. So funny. Turns out the only one with common sense was the one who was mad. Ah, she remembered the slick blood on her knife and then her hands as she dug into the bodies of her parents. After a while, the blood turned sticky, but it was still a nice feeling. Then the blood caked and congealed, stiffening and then cracked when she flexed her hands. A nice topping to all those tears and pain she had endured. Mmm. Lyssa stretched, feeling completely at ease in the soft and comfortable bed. They didn't know, did they? That weird man Psycho might be out of the room, but she could still hear the strange tenor of his mind. It made her twitch a little.
She couldn't exactly tell what they were thinking, but she had a grasp of what they felt. And Psycho's subconscious was weird. It wasn't as straightforward as Aco's curiosity or even as Ren's mind, which admittedly was substantially more complex. Ren was curious too, but there was a whole host of other emotions that made it difficult for Lyssa to pick out how Ren felt. Psycho's mind though, the feel of his mind was just plain strange. It just seemed so jarring and unlinked, the undercurrents of his thoughts clashing against each other unlike the smooth flow of Ren's and Aco's. She couldn't hear their thoughts though, not like that night when she killed Tessil and the others. Even with her broken body, Tessil's thoughts had rang out loud and clear, expressing shock, disbelief and pleading for help. Desperate pleading, ah, how sweet it had seemed to Lyssa's ears, though it was all in her mind. It gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling deep in her stomach.
It was rather surprising to Lyssa, how easily she had figured out how it all worked. She felt someone else come within range of her mental hearing. To the best of Lyssa's knowledge, there were only three people in the house, Ren, Aco and Psycho. This mind was pretty colourful and held a certain care for people, evidently Ren. It wasn't that hard to distinguish minds and Lyssa tried to familiarise herself with the pattern of Ren's subconscious.
Psycho's twisted thought-flow approached Ren's. Oh, this would be useful, knowing the location of people through their minds. Nobody could surprise her now. She tried to concentrate on Ren, Psycho's mind a whirlwind of conflicting impulses. Surprise, Lyssa picked up, surprise and disbelief from Ren. Psycho must be telling her about Lyssa's own words. Heh. Ren wouldn't believe him. Not with the little fostering of a good impression that Lyssa had done on Ren's psyche anyway. Ah, but the subconscious was so easy to manipulate and change. It hadn't taken Lyssa that long to figure out what exactly she could do. If she could submerge herself in the undercurrents of the minds of other people, why couldn't she tweak it? And so she did, just because it seemed fun. And nobody suspected a thing except the crazy man, whose own mental instability perhaps protected him from her mind-warping power. Not that it mattered. It wasn't as if she was going to hurt any of them, was she? According to Ren, she was one of them. It would be nice to be among people who didn't dislike her. Or found her scary.
Hmm? What was that? A twinge of alarm from Ren. From Psycho too, the emotion strong enough to be sensed over all his disturbing thought-flows. Something was wrong. Slight panic from Ren, but tightly controlled. Something she knew would happen but dreaded, then. Ren was approaching.

Ren threw open the door, just stopping it from slamming against the wall.
“Lyssa. We have to leave now. Are you well enough or do we need to carry you?”
“I.. I don't know.”
“Aco!” She shouted out the door. “Quickly!”
“Yeah! Just finished packing!” The reply echoed back, his voice getting louder as Lyssa felt his mind come along. He was... quite fearful. Not exactly fearful, but worried. Yes. Worried and nervous. Ah, Lyssa reveled in the relative ease of comprehending him.
“Yes, Mother?” Aco's head came into the room, slightly breathless.
“Carry Lyssa out; we don't have much time.”
“Yes, Mother. The IV, I'll just bring along the bag then?” He asked as he stepped into the room and quickly pulled aside her blankets. He was carrying a backpack, rather large and bulky.
“Just take the bag.” Ren left the room with that final instruction.
Aco unhooked the IV bag from its stand and handed it to Lyssa, hefting her into his arms without much effort. His arms were warm to her touch and she took the opportunity to examine his face closer. Dark brown eyes, almost black, a rounder nose in contrast to her own hawk-like visage. A mouth curled in anxiety, he glanced down in askance as he caught her looking at him.
“Are you okay?”
She blinked sharply and averted her gaze.
“Yeah. I'm good.”
“Aco! Time?” Ren's query rang out.
“Daylight, Mother. Shall I cover Lyssa?”
“Yes, yes, we don't have much time, the Guardians will descend on us in less than ten minutes!”
Lyssa sensed the tension in the air and started to become nervous as well.
“Who are these Guardians?”
“Shh, I'm sorry Lyssa, but Aco will have to cover you for now.” Ren's face came into her view as she draped a dark blanket over her. Before her sight was completely obscured, Lyssa saw that Ren wore a cloak and hood with a cowl.
From under the dark cloth, Lyssa felt Aco moving, moving out of the room, going to somewhere which she could not see. She felt the odd mind of Psycho and Ren, following. Anxiety was the greatest emotion present- no, it had changed. Something nauseating. Fear. It made Lyssa feel sick.
“Shit!” Psycho started swearing. “They're here!”
“Go, Aco, take Lyssa and run!”
“But where-”
“Just run! We'll find you later!”
Lyssa felt Aco's pace quicken and within a few seconds, she could not feel Psycho or Ren's minds anymore. Then she felt someone else in front.
“Aco!” She yelled, the blanket muffling her voice. “There's somebody up ahead towards the right!”
“How do you know?” He asked, voice strained as Lyssa felt him turn to a side.
“I'm not sure.” Then she felt a whole cacophony of minds, too many people, too many for her to think and she screamed with the confusion of so many thought-flows. The impulses bombarded her and she barely felt Aco stopping suddenly.

They were surrounded. Aco swore in his native tongue and concentrated deeply. The men around him him wore black masks, something that looked straight out of a science-fiction military game. Green goggles reminded him of night-vision goggles that were so common in movies and the rest of their outfit seemed similarly surreal. Most of the men held rods in their hands, rods that Aco recognised from Ren's teachings to be stun-rods similar in nature to cattle prods. Others held guns that accomplished the same purpose, tasers with electrical charges crackling as if in anticipation.
There was no way out. While Aco was not one of the Children of the Moon, he had abilities of his own, as he had told Lyssa.
“I'm sorry, Lyssa.” He told her as he laid her limp, seemingly unconscious form on the ground. “Don't take away the blanket or you'll get burnt.”
He straightened and reached into a side pocket of his backpack, removing a vial of murky brown liquid. The smell of the air changed, an odd sickly smell that seemed to be coming from Aco. His skin started to glisten with an oily substance and his eyes seemed to drip with it. His sharp fingernails seemed to turn black as if his fingers were diseased and he flexed his hands slightly.
“You Guardians won't take either of us.”
Suddenly, the lead Guardian raised an outstretched palm, stopping his men from advancing. The Guardian took a step forward and removed his mask, revealing a man in his mid-thirties with auburn hair.
“You.” He had a rich, baritone voice and he raised a finger to point at Aco. “You are not a Child of the Moon. But, there is one of the scum here.” The man looked down at the dark bundle that was Lyssa and smiled. “There, is it not? Vulnerable to sunlight, so you wrap it.” He lifted his stun-rod lazily. “Tell me, why do you aid these monsters? Do you even know what these filthy beasts are? They are enemies of humanity, young boy.”
“So that's your rationale?” Aco whispered. “That's what you Guardians think?”
Without warning, Aco threw the vial at the Guardian and ran forward. The Guardian raised his arms to ward off the vial which broke, spraying its odourless, foul-looking liquid over him. Aco reached him and slashed at him with fingernails that looked as if in a deep stage of decay and the Guardian flinched as Aco drew blood. Then the Guardian brought down his stun-rod and Aco was thrown to the ground, even as other Guardians closed it on them.
“Hmph.” The lead Guardian gave a sound of contempt as he eyed Aco, held to the ground by other stun-rods on him. Aco couldn't move. He looked towards the black blanket.
“The blanket has one of humanity's foes. Take it back, we have much work to do on it.”
The other Guardians heeded his command and one of them carried up the bundle, Lyssa not responding in the slightest to the movement, dead to the world.
“No!” Shadows emerged from a side corridor, harbingers of Ren's path.
“Leave the boy! He is not one of the beasts.” The lead Guardian commanded. “Take the scum and leave, we have what we came for.”
“No! Stay and face me, gutless fools!” Ren shouted as she ran out from the corridor with a shadowy doppelganger of herself and Psycho along with her.
“Any other time, I would gladly kill you, scum. But now is not the right time.” With which, the numerous Guardians quickly left, bringing Lyssa with them. But not before the lead Guardian dropped a small cuboid.
Ren cursed and grabbed Aco, dragging him away into the corridor with Psycho's help just as the explosive detonated, scorching the entire passageway. Ren looked Aco over as he slowly regained his motor skills. He got up slowly and yelled his frustration out to the whole world.
Lyssa was gone.
A/N: Ahh, I am so very sorry, people! I've been meaning to post this up, but stuff has been catching up with me, some really bad stuff. Been through a fair bit of emotional duress errr I think you could call it that. Having a bit of emotional turmoil etc, your regular wangsty shizz. So, uh, for the first time, I'm planning to write a story that will be continued and finished. I'm trying. And uh, sorry for the length, having copy-pasted from word document, it looks loooong. 11 pages on OpenOffice, with font size 12 Times New Roman. Bleh, I'm just bullshitting, aren't I? So uh, I apologise for the length again and please read and review! I would really appreciate feedback and criticisms. Really.
-CerebrateBen