The words that Espero said to me still linger in the back of my head. A full turn of the moon since he died, but deep down inside, the aching feeling of sadness and guilt pounded against my chest.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYkFe06FnFI
It was a silent evening at Aquateir Palace. I was the only one awake at the time, trying to hold back tears whilst I gripped a pillow. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see Espero's blood soaked body.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAulA4xCTnBR
I hear someone shuffling around, before I see the silhouette of someone cut through the moonlight.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAf50vQMPOLF
"Iris?"
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I answer with a silent whisper. "Mhm?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAWdEEWJ1HwW
"Are you...okay over there?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUHck2TF1bz
"No..."
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I hear the click of a lamp as the dark room became enveloped in light. Arelin walked calmly towards the bed and sat down at the head.
126Please respect copyright.PENANApNJG5DtLeh
"I'm not going to sleep until I know you are.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAukEoTbMVvq
"I don't feel like going to sleep. You don't have to stay up because of me.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAuPkNueyR2X
"I'm worried about you. Not only because your magic is affected by your emotions, but because I care about you,"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAb6NJWHKcA3
"It's just that I still miss Espero...he was more than just my cousin, he was basically the only other friend I've had, and because of me...he's dead.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAq1QkNKB70c
He lightly strokes my hair as I continue to talk.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5l32ahsAFQ
"Espero sacrificed himself in order to ensure your safety.. "
126Please respect copyright.PENANAXlW7Rn2I8E
"I just...wish I could see him again..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAWiJpR7SXUH
"Well, there has to be some way..." He says, thinking a bit. "Of course, we'll have to ask Mother about it in class tomorrow. It's getting late..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMog9EJFRoV
"...Okay. Can I get a hug though?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYx4SFrUype
Without question, Arelin wrapped his arms around me and tightened his grip. When he lets me go, I felt a sense of comfort.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2Fy8LdZVXO
"Good night Iris.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAt86SErxKOx
"Night..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKfjvF9sbzo
***
The morning came around a couple hours later. I was barely awake before Arelin lightly shook me up.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9BVsMNJ7w
"Good morning.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqICtfvofMq
"Ah, is it morning already?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdMZRUxuQYk
"Of course. It's your first day back, and Mother doesn't want you to be late.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAK4Vo4dBjKV
"But...I don't have any clothes...I grew out of my normal ones.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4TctpT6uEE
"Hmmm...this might be more difficult than I expected..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZ26f93sDdO
"You can go ahead and take a bath if you'd like," Arelin says as he heads for the door. "I'll see what I can do.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFbnqOp7tVg
I freshen up for the day, taking a quick bath and brushing my now bleached hair into a straight wave. I peek out the door once I'm finished, finding a deep colored dress that was carefully folded on the bed.
126Please respect copyright.PENANABjtTx4uCoV
I quickly slip the dress on, and walk outside the room for the first time in weeks.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAS2VfSaV3Hg
"Great. Are we ready to go?" Aurelia asked.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAw0kO23bYBm
I nod.
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Arelin holds up his hands. And before I could blink, we were there. Students flooded the school and entered into the cafeteria as fast as their legs could carry them.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAoOiDXUbhzR
"I shall go to the classroom and await for you there. Have a good breakfast," Mrs. Aurelia says as she drops us off.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAie1VFQ8on9
I walk in, looking at the entire cafeteria from a new perspective from above. I try to crouch down to make myself as normal as possible. When I find Jake and the others sitting at a table, I dragged myself onto a seat next to them.
126Please respect copyright.PENANANtAWFYaYf7
"Hi Iris!" Ecluna says, taking a sip of orange juice.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwFqr6BJwAu
"Hey everyone!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANA81xAucFET2
"I see you're out on the town. You doing okay?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANANvtYLrfuc7
"For the most part, yes." The waiter places some toast onto the table in front of me. "How about you guys? What have you guys learned since I've been gone?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAm9qsYqtzvG
"Quite a lot. I can handle Aluise's attacks now."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOb8sa6zvXQ
"That's only because you only fight with me.." Aluise responds before eating.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEOmc0IHVKi
"I've been studying more on my magic. I read a couple books on Astral magic and apparently it as a lot to do with spiritual energy. Like, ghosts and stuff?" Ecluna says, taking a big bite of toast.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAo9IOz6M9ga
"So, you can basically become a necromancer? Cool."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkYW0AWLTnC
"That's what Mom said," Ecluna says, taking another bite. "I'm just excited that Iris is back!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANADsXvA82mfn
I softly smile. They really haven't changed a bit, have they?
126Please respect copyright.PENANATBvhw5JeUb
"You haven't taken a bite of your food, Iris. Are you sure you're not hungry?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANA1Mi9DAsbOw
I nod. "I just wanted to talk with you guys before class."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAbKxtFYgczA
Jake happily accepts my answer...and promptly takes my plate.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAxChJYK1PN3
"Jake..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAxGDGsZl245
"What?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAUgOIPDbTli
"You're going to be late for class if you eat Iris's food.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZZEechOta
"..True..." he walks up to the nearest trash can and chucked into the bag. And right on cue, the bell finally rings, and every student inside swarms to the door and into their respective classrooms.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAzYAuMztz6O
As we all did the same, a stuffy, nostalgic, but mostly uncomfortable feeling hit me in the chest, making me feel paralyzed to even take a step inside of the room.
126Please respect copyright.PENANASirJuDFYek
Mrs. Aurelia quietly gripped my darkened fingers, and led me to my seat. I felt a stab in my gut as soon as my back hit the back of the chair. Not because of my broken nostalgic feeling, but because...
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEyQHRSaxx0
Arelin took notice at my somber expression, sitting where Espero would.
"Thanks Arelin.." I whispered. He slowly nods.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAVyg3cDHPBB
"Okay class, I want to take a look at some of your newly taught abilities from class on yesterday."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFpSKwtAyIT
I see everyone hold out their hands, palm outspread in order for their now brighter and more brilliant flames to reach out into the air.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhacPZy4FOM
Carefully, I do the same. When the flame nearly exploded out of my hand, I noticed something different about it. The center of the flame, which was usually a clear and misty white, was a empty black. It's flickering barely showed, still as a statue as it burned.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAS10bMroGZx
Everyone was shrouded with their magic. As I look around the room, I try to feel everyone's energy.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAyl50fw02AE
"I've noticed that you've tried repeating Irene's magic ability of creation."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHVyS6hDNKJ
Ms. Aurelia was suddenly behind me, and suddenly startled, the flame went from still to a strong beam of darkness and light mixed together.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhP0Qz9cHwP
"Interesting..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANABsfMpFzgmo
"I apologize for startling you."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAz4l5YW1u6Q
"It's okay! I wasn't expecting you to be behind me.." I help continue the conversation. "And yeah, I've gotten really close...one time.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAp0R9mZfKlT
I shakily create the dagger I made before, only for it to repeat what happened last time and disintegrate.
126Please respect copyright.PENANABDaZtQeuMc
"With your magic level, it should've materialized...could the Dark magic be affecting this as well?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAeWAoNLlMqk
"I'm gonna try again." I open my hands, and imagine the small dagger once again. As I'm using all of my energy to finally recreate my mom's magic, loud screams of anguish and fear echoed throughout the room. It again startled me, taking my concentration off of the dagger and it splitting into a million microscopic pieces. When I turned around, Ecluna had her hands cupped around a large orb of souls and spirits.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEIgn0uIlI1
"Ecluna, this is not the time for necromancy.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0G0d5NFFcC
"I didn't mean to! I really was trying to do Astral magic that time!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANANLdsBVeLMG
"That's what I was supposed to ask.." Arelin's voice perked up as he snapped his fingers in remembrance. "Ecluna, can you take out certain spirits from wherever they came from?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJO3LJiYhcr
At first when he asked that question, I couldn't pinpoint what he was up to.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiqpfcltOik
"I can't yet, but if I study really hard, then maybe that would be an option. Why do you ask?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAd0t2jEjUum
"...No reason..." he digs his nose back into the book he was reading.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAkdHybCPxo0
I take a look at Jake, who was trying to put out the flames that twined around his forearm.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMMtByKjmkx
"Are you alright over there, Kaliber?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAT9lUCYyh5X
"I would be if these things had an off switch.." he says, rapidly waving his arms around.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdAtEIXjmhH
"Why not pour water on your arms, you idiot?" Aluise says, before using her magic to extinguish them. "Do I have to do everything for you?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANArf4VxyjkKa
"Thanks Lulu," he says in a singsong voice.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAaRZUnMF8VT
She angrily sighs, knowing he'll never stop with the nickname. "Whatever..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAk0Nu9XkLco
"Now, before class ends for the day, do you have any questions or concerns for me?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiht3qUpufB
Majority of us shake our heads no.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAmw0Kzx9RTk
"Okay then, don't forget that a sparring competition is going to be held four days from now for all the classes, you have until that day at 5 PM to sign up.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcI1Gg8z3jd
And with that, the bell rings, everyone picks up their things and leaves the room.
126Please respect copyright.PENANArsMdZEEPhw
"...Is Uncle Damien there?" I ask, catching up with Jake.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA3UoAtzRly9
"Pretty sure. He was there yesterday."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAxiTLk5vDPS
"Well, let's hurry." I say picking up the pace. I get to the door and run in.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlNuVsFUuAD
Uncle Damien was sitting on one of the benches, sulking quietly with his head hung low.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcBsoJtxtmi
"U-Uncle Damien?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAIbYPOYTU3A
Before I could blink, he was holding close enough to where I could hear his heartbeat. I could barely move due to how tight he was holding me. I've never seen him so desperate for affection in...forever..
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtVmdqwDLIN
"I'm ready for class. What are we up to today?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAk0tcLdTb7K
When he lets me go and sits me down, he answers with his voice full volume.
126Please respect copyright.PENANABFIc1HLM3l
"We're still training how to use our magic to envelop our hands, giving the hit extra power on impact. Once you figure out what magic type they use most, you can pinpoint which attack to use to do the most damage."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAixR9kBTQiG
He then passes us a small slip of paper, with the symbols of different magic types drawn with colored circles around them.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAmHWMBnyPib
"Study these carefully. The arrows that point towards another type means that the specific type is strong against it. Some are obvious, of course, but some are less so.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAla2uQSa9Ov
I look at the paper. Fire was weak to Water and Astral, Water was weak to Electric and Nature, Nature was weak to Fire and Wind, so on and so forth.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAzAAyOgVnsj
"What if one person has two types of magic, take me for example?" Ecluna raises her hand and asks.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOO5YqDgNQY
"If one is lucky enough to have two, you can have somewhat of immunity or even worse weaknesses depending on the two types." Uncle Damien responds.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJzLODADLux
"Now, what you want to do is to move your magic output to your arms or hands, depending on which one you're using.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAcN3IBdAcWI
I then see his fist engulfed in orange flames of energy, with him landing a few attacks in the air with precision and swiftness.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfcvmc6nSqw
"Try and focus your magic towards the outside of your palms, not the inside. Magic can't escape if you clench your fists before it's left your body."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqKkctDaZjy
I call up my own darkened Light magic to my hands, as it gleamed brilliantly with the air around it. I slowly close my hands, as the flame enveloped around them, becoming balls of rainbow-colored fire.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAELdtHkxp51
"Just...don't hit each other please, especially if your magic has the advantage..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYsxaBKakFq
We all nodded.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6iWC9vi06i
"Now, if you want, you can do more sparring before class ends, I'll be in my office," Uncle Damien ambles to another place. All of us stand from our seats and prepare for a quick spar with one another.
126Please respect copyright.PENANARMdQvNhNDe
I was a bit hesitant, I knew how strong I was physically. My heart started to beat like a drum against my chest.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOghyqYL2L0
"Hey Iris. Lulu wanted to beat someone else up today, so..." I jump as I hear Jake's voice from beside me.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAkpU2Aorkk
"I don't wanna hurt you.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAdqlev25nsa
"Nah, I'll be good. Aluise helped me build a tolerance to pain a little more, so you don't need to worry about me."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHUrydS18to
I take a deep breath. "You promise?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANA65JJatCtRp
"Cross my heart."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAd5kPtchNH3
"Okay, I guess.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAQzSPFZywie
We make a little space for us to move around.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAbiJ3Z10lSZ
"Alright Iris, just in case. Hit me. As hard as you can." he says, his chest open wide for me punch at.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6lXDVrAThm
"I just told you I don't wanna hurt you!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgHygdMT4Qx
"This is a test to make sure you don't. Just take a shot."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAk0mOSREi9t
I slowly raise my fist, quivering a little. Jake was impatiently waiting for the impact.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA89Ou3n4ATv
I couldn't do it, but whatever took control of my arm sure could, and my fist went full force into the middle of his chest.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA6mSQI8ezng
Surprisingly, he took the hit better than I expected. Sure, he stumbled back a bit, but he didn't look seriously hurt.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4j62JaVWLJ
"Jeez, it seemed like you were eager to hit me there.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANANXjOP0AeoD
When he looks up at me, I watch in horror as a line of crimson rolled down his face.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2SjfJedqYV
"Jake!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANACdTBno8A6y
"I'm good..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwOhwIZwcwh
"I told you I didn't want to hurt you!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAOPWiARvpk4
"You're just a bit stronger than I thought...you were also the one who aimed straight for my chest.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA7UE4QQZDli
"No, she didn't..." Even more fear struck me as I heard his voice from behind me.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKcQJVQRIXE
"Despite her strength, you are still extremely resilient.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAavJrN7vFOI
Jake's poker face turned into one filled with rage as he steadied himself.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAX0NBVjAuR7
"Ciaran..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA3adM6ppGKt
"Don't move Kaliber. I still have her hands in my control.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJGFlwdDSyu
"Let her go..." Jake inches closer, hand outstretched to grab my own.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA9RHAD5oybg
Ciaran holds my arm up and takes another swing at him, as he makes me hit Jake right in the face.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAwPNYQ2UFim
"Plan on giving up yet?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFrVT8gpUv5
Jake wipes his bloodied nose. "I don't give up until the last breath I take."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5gAkJjSHTG
"Your loss then.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgnWZ6enOvW
I'm forced to continue attacking my friend as he tries to dodge and block the best he could.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAEQyHSOWbxF
"Alright, that's it..." Jake says as he covers his body with his now bruised arms.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAA05PQzkg1m
Suddenly, a wave of heat and flame protected him from my attack. It scorched my hand to the touch.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA9vkqBjHf2s
"Sorry Iris, but I can't keep tanking hits from you. You've pretty much destroyed my ribcage.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYbY9vTWIha
The fact that he was even standing right now astonished me. That's when the magic around my hands dispersed, and I was finally able to move my hands on my own.
126Please respect copyright.PENANATHApBR8aVa
"Ciaran.." I grumble as my vibrant webs get a good grip around his body. "Why are you here?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAtMl0aSFBbv
"Oh?" he chuckles. "I just wanted to know how you've improved. And that I can say you have.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGKntDSU1WE
"You know what? Fine. I'll play this stupid game you have planned."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAZCN4Ri0T0i
"And which game do we plan on playing?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAWMUrhz0jHd
"You can stay with me. But the moment you ambush my friends and attack them..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAjWkVHR1y8k
With a clench of my hands, a jolt of my rainbow colored energy coursed through the web and sends it through his entire body. As he finishes screaming in agony, he begins silently chuckling.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAHYRL1Iq6vA
"This game is very intriguing indeed.." he said, painfully smiling.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAMS1nwnMl9C
"Good..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAvbkL3RX1zX
I dropped him with slight force and turned my attention to Jake, who was barely standing and blood running down his face.
126Please respect copyright.PENANADHdnHJMgsB
"Jake, are you okay?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAybxCrmRbm9
"Not really.." he coughed out.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYxpQtHk9tw
"I'm taking you to the infirmary,"
126Please respect copyright.PENANATjKhj4ZbP5
"Iris.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJFIwESapU2
"I'm not letting you get hurt like Espero did.." I scoop him up with relative ease as he continues coughing.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4jLG6DsTl4
As the bell rings, I carry Jake carefully to the infirmary, and knock on the door the hardest I could.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAunDBKAmqAB
"Just a minute!" I hear from the other side of the door. After a few footsteps, and a fumbling with the door handle, the door flies open, and Ms. Ikura looked down and sighed.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAFB5Ifb6H4G
"Not again, Mr. Kaliber.." she said underneath her breath. "What happened?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANA4WDeAm0z2O
I pulled Ciaran from behind me. "He happened. He got control of my arms and made me attack him,"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKn2iGvWMIt
"...I'll take Jake for now," she carefully takes Jake as to not hurt him more.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAPGcUPFKVZ7
"Tell me if he gets better.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJJNKacZb7o
"I'll be sure to update you if anything changes.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANApHKHRop7ZE
She calmly shuts the door, with me to wonder if Jake was going to be okay.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlGgbhEfjDQ
"Where shall we go now, Araginee?" I hear Ciaran snicker from behind me.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAz82Nb6rubs
"I don't know. You're just gonna keep pestering me no matter what."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAIxS3j98VQc
"I can keep quiet..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA0EOhzFx6OF
"You're going to keep quiet.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAYnximIQeXq
"Whatever you say..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAKVOXzOrpE0
Every word he spoke after that made me closer and closer to hitting him with every attack I had. Once I reached my own and vacant dorm room, pushing the door open and entering.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAT4m0K6cWdU
I flicked on the lights and dragged Ciaran in before letting him go. The moment I released him, I hear the sound of the drapes closing and saw the room get darker.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAgFLL0kueNz
"I'm going to get something to eat. Don't destroy anything while I'm gone.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAhCvlLQVGNV
"You can trust me.." he says with a devilish smirk.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAY9Iaw7cKRl
"Nevermind.." I wrap him back up and drag him along with me. For some reason, the walk from my dorm room to the cafeteria was longer. I quickly sit down next to the others.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAJSStPYUTXY
"Oh great...you brought him.." Arelin says before digging his nose in a book.
126Please respect copyright.PENANATmpun4uEmC
"I couldn't trust him to stay in my room by himself.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANARufxXB7VRR
"I really was not planning on doing anything. You were just being paranoid."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA9wYWE3I4NW
"I was right to be paranoid."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAqPXUuOwj1G
"You guys..." Ecluna grabs our attention. "That's enough arguing. I'll watch Ciaran while you guys go to class and stay a little longer after class to do Agility tomorrow."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAl5rHBMyAq0
"Are you sure?" Arelin asks, eyes still focused on his book.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAiYzDCpQhsM
"Of course, as long as you're alright with me staying in your room."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAGsUZ0cc9jH
"If you feel like you can handle his dumb quips, go right ahead. I've already told him what'll happen if he hurts one of you guys.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAxE6WgQEZSV
I clench my fists again, as a small jolt of energy zaps him, causing him to jump in pain.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAjFCaqmZwhT
"Just a reminder..." I let him go.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAIHUm8WTSSy
The bell rings once again. Time for the last class of the day. As I step into the classroom, I'm greeted with confetti and party horns.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAO3ME2ZPW0Z
"Welcome back, Iris!" Ringmaster Poppy exclaims as she hands me a funnel cake.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAAf578B83V6
"I see Ecluna and Jake are not here.." Aria says, soft spoken.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAa2Dm3mfR7B
"Jake got hurt and Ecluna is doing something.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANA5BTuDpOA6B
"Well, if that's the case, class can start without them today!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAN9Q8izCPkU
As we learn how to run faster and climb on the walls, I start feeling a little chilly, then the chill turns into freezing cold.
126Please respect copyright.PENANACynUPHYBft
I wait until the end of class to head back to my dorm. Only to be met with Ecluna practicing her necromancy and Ciaran quietly asleep on the floor beside her.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2zfgdzEGrx
I knock on the door.
126Please respect copyright.PENANA3KkXHrnkkP
"A-ah!" Ecluna jumps, letting more souls of the dead escape her palms. "Iris! I just read about the last thing needed to bring an individual spirit back to...life?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANA2YHUHt1pp5
"Is that why you're doing this in my room?"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAfKx3moBQ2e
"Yeah. I just need that picture of him!"
126Please respect copyright.PENANARkLMOwEHgI
She places the picture of Espero that stood stagnant on my dresser in front of her on the floor.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAmfMorvQN12
"Now, let me focus again." she quietly closes her eyes, cups her hands, and chants something quietly to herself. Nothing happened.
126Please respect copyright.PENANAsTRg5KrYO6
"Alright, nothing happened, now put Espero's picture back..."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAlPfxQM7Rth
"Sorry Iris, I just-"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAsv8jdaCAtx
She stops dead in her tracks, her eyes bigger than the excitement I saw in her eyes. "Iris. I-Iris look-"
126Please respect copyright.PENANAp2QzxHdInV
"Haha, very funny, Ecluna," I say, placing the photo back where it belonged.
126Please respect copyright.PENANApi6NCBZEn4
"Yeah Ecluna, very funny.."
126Please respect copyright.PENANAykMzfjPvsn
"Don't encourage her, Cia-"
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I looked towards his direction, only to see he was still sleeping on the floor where he was before...
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"...Wait...wait a minute.."
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I was confused. If Ciaran was asleep, then who...?
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I finally looked behind me.
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"Long time no see, Iris.."
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It was...Espero. Even with his ghastly appearance and signs of decay, it was a spitting image.
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I couldn't believe my eyes, as they begin to well up with tears.
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"I-It...can't be.."
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"Do you need proof?" I feel myself being picked up by thin air, before slowly twirling me around, just like he would do when we were younger.
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"I was trying to get to you earlier, but I don't think you noticed..."
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The tears began to spill over. It was really him.
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"We have to tell everyone else about this!"
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"No, wait.." Ecluna stops me. "I don't wanna get in trouble for using my magic like this..."
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"And I don't know if I can even stay here. It's got to do with my connection on Earth, or something like that.."
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That's when he started to fade away...
"Speaking of which...I guess I'll have to come back later. I'm sure be back if Ecluna does what she did, I guess.."
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"I'm exhausted...I don't think I can handle another word from these books.." she says as she tosses the stack of books. "I could probably do it tomorrow. Come see me then, okay..."
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"Yeah, that seems like a good idea..."
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"And remember. Don't tell a soul about this," Espero reminds me. He gives me one last headpat before he phases through the wall...and disappears.
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I still couldn't believe what had happened.
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Ecluna left me in the room with Ciaran, who was now wide awake.
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"What shall we do now, Araginee?"
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"I'm going to bed, do whatever you want.." I responded. I threw the blanket over me, laid down, and closed my eyes..
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***
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"Iris.." Mom's voice echoed. I slowly wake up.
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"Mom?"
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"Thank God...I didn't know if this would work..."
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"Am I...dreaming?"
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"Lucid dreaming, but yes. I have a favor to ask."
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"What is it?"
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"Do you mind getting Ecluna home before the end of the annual Eclipse Festival?"
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"Hm? Why?"
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"Just...make sure she gets there. Her mother insists that she stays inside during the eclipse, and I think you're the strongest person I know."
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"I guess I can do that. When is it?"
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"Just a week from now. I'm trusting you to bring her home...safely."
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"I will, don't worry.."
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"Good...now good night." she walks towards me and plants a small kiss onto my head.
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Don't worry Ecluna, I'll make sure you're safe.
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