It's three days later. I shuffle around in my sleep as I try to stay in my unconscious state, but of course...I wake up to the prodding of Ciaran's voice.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aDvmb4auQ
"Iris...wake up.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin2RY1RUlw
I grab a pillow from beside me and smash it right into his face. I instantly wake up when throws it right back.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMrbPAH9pA
"Ciaran!" I angrily stare back at him.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5IFPA63nx
"Someone was at the door..." He lied.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchm6leZ6zc
"Well, why didn't you open it?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX9P7vuT1V
Ciaran answers with a scoff and a sip of his cup of tea.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC41sAh9Hu
Groaning, I get up from bed and get ready for the day.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94DD6Qpak
"And what is your objective today, Araginee?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeWkqEnpdI
"Why does it matter to you?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ438W3lJME2
"You just seem to be...in a rush."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jjlMgbTh0
"Is it wrong to just freshen up?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lY7Bird57
"Well, if you are going somewhere, it's only fair I go with you."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMky89qI9Xj
"I don't care if you go with me, just don't be up to any Darken shenanigans."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQPY3LdaaR
"I promise, I have no affiliations with my mother at this point in time." He smirks.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJoAKT5X89
"Good. Now let's go.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1t1Gah4d8
I opened the door and walked into the hallway. Ciaran floats quietly behind me.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1omAJGSX7
"So, where are we going, Iris?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnGrmqIgs7
"First, I'm going to check on Ecluna, then..." I think for a second. "I... actually don't know what I'm going to do after that."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKGR05POws
"I am quite famished.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenQ7C97i5w
"You can make your own food, Ciaran..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmBoH207Ar
"...Very true.." He creates a tart right then and there and takes a bite.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaM8A20LcC
I sigh and walk my way towards Ecluna's dorm room.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjgzWrFDYO
I hear rapid footsteps pacing on the other side. Nonetheless, I knock on the door.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjgXPJadrs
"Coming!"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMpGEG8D6P
Ecluna opens the door...as I saw the room in almost...complete darkness. Her curtains were covered, almost completely.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwektxeygc
"... What's with all the darkness?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkMwgm7qV3
"Just a precaution...
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZprax486Hv
"Have you been pacing here in the dark the entire time?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGfCzMxN75
"I was thinking...about... something. It doesn't matter..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWLkL39zdD
"Mom said to take care of you and to take you home before the Eclipse Festival. She said something would happen...is that what you're being precautionary for? "
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrqwmXQVk8
Ecluna's stiffened up. "...Yeah, something would happen to me during a lunar eclipse. It only happened once...but it was when I was really young, s-so, I don't r-remember.." she sadly chuckled.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CCNV17xfe
I could tell from her expression and body language she was lying.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG7fR7WTG5
"Do you want me to stay with you today?'
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiENW549lkL
"No, I'm sure you have some o-other stuff you can do other than worry about me..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pxn5caLW9
"I'm worried about you because you're my friend. If there's anything, and I mean anything you need to talk about.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FHDswDgsJ
"...I'm fine, Iris. You're just overreacting..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69BFi074yH
"... Alright.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK4FWTwbek
"...I'm gonna do some necromancy magic...I'll talk to you later, okay?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflZSQjR00U
"Okay..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYQtuD170I
I walk out the door. Ciaran was patiently waiting outside the door for me.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrFl5qHeY4
"Are we ready to leave?" he asked.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bog5vF115
I nod. "...Yes, let's go."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4A5hyD33E
We start to walk to our destination. I just kept looking at the floor and thinking about Ecluna's behavior during our conversation.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WTOwidZLG
"You are looking somber.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbElxx9wcu
"I'm worried about Ecluna, but she won't tell me what's wrong.. it's not any of your business, so why do you care?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgBrOruavW
"I just wanted to start conversation is all."
He takes yet another sip of tea.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpiozj8Bic
"I'm...gonna visit Jake now. It wouldn't be smart to follow me."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iaiDIKnHc
"I shall return to your room, then." He says, fading away into a puddle of black smoke.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPMZ6x9rHR
I go downstairs to the infirmary and calmly knock on the door. When it slides open, Ms. Ikura greets me with a sweet smile.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3f1henzUJ
"Hello, Iris! Come to check on Mr. Kaliber?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lVjc7ku9u
I nod. "Mhm. Is he awake now?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDQI1aXwrG
"I'm afraid the pain has kept him up all night, so yes.." she opens the door more to let me in.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCwt93sXQT
Jake was messy-haired and barely awake, only conscious from the pain Ms. Ikura just mentioned.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhsPjSPW8V
"Hey Iris..." he croaked.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZSPieLHTB
"Hi Jake! How are you feeling?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiXerSpHlK
"Awful, but I can deal."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7hQsCj4sc
"You should really get some sleep. You have bags under your eyes.." I joke.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAFeZIBk6M
"Very funny." He chortles back. "I'll go to sleep when the pain eases down a bit."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARWQ6YSYCY
Ms. Ikura comes in with some yogurt, a cup of coffee and some medicinal herbs, all on a tray.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCioznxdp3
"There you are Mr. Kaliber. I brought you something to ease discomfort before you take the medicine. You don't hate blueberry yogurt, do you?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUCKE1J5wS
"Not at all." he says grabbing the cup and a spoon.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDE0oeZUTz
"I also noticed how much you like your morning coffee. Only drink it after your medicine."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQht9s5o55Q
"Alright.." he says before eating another spoonful of yogurt.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTfGok8rWU
"I'm gonna go ahead. I have my own check-up to get to. I'll come back later."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0MzLX6kKu
"See you later, Iris."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgbxXxow6Z
I pat his head and walk out.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZfACaQIoc
As soon as I exit the infirmary, I bumped Aluise, eager to get somewhere.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcObXe5hb7b
"...Iris...it's been a while..." Aluise greets.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Meuzz75W
I don't think I've ever heard Aluise with such a calm tone of voice before.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlvkzQAaAn
"Hi, Aluise. Are you going to see Jake too?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB61cxLOJa
"N-No...there's a bathroom just past the infirmary. That's why I was in a rush.."
She responded. "Besides, you know how much I hate Jake.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWiWzeyIVy
"Oh, I'm sorry for getting in your way then.." I step aside.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9y50LEd0n
"Thanks." she runs up the hall and turns the corner.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFKeY5dNsp
I continue my journey to Arelin's room. It was two flights of stairs all the way up to the top floor.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERgkQumyfC
Once I get there, I knock on the door, only to notice...the door was unlocked.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK544vjaR0l
I push the door open. It was pitch black inside, aside from the the curtain's small crack showing the morning sun.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hs0btwzT2
A draft as soon as I came in...the window was open..
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw0jrryGIK
"A-Arelin? Are you here?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40pfO0D5ke
I attempt to turn on the lights, but the glass shards immediately told me something had already happened..
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqKW1IKq5R
I run to the window. Light traces of blood on the windowsill, windows completely shattered.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPeC4oJ2N4
What happened? I thought to myself.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYRL0PL2gF
"A-Arelin? If you can hear me-"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU0MK2bWM4
Suddenly, the door widens, I hear an almost silent squeak as the light from the hallway brightened up the the room. Slowly, I turn around.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t51SKdAJT
"...Iris. I didn't expect you to be here.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL32Vph63xg
Arelin was only slightly injured, with his sister, back in her turned form.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQvj7dX4eU
"Are you okay?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvNI1tr5MN
"Alena turned...for some reason. She was just almost completely recovered..." he leaves her on the bed. "Weeks of progress has reset back to zero..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSve19UqRIX
"Don't worry!" I assure. "We'll just have to wait it out, like before.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS51pyBJkES
"Getting a word out of her took months on it's own. I don't know how far back she's gone from recovery.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ItGWGsvXV
Arelin flips through his notebook. "It's like...no matter how hard I try..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TiA0ZJQW5
I rip the book from his hands.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZWWl6Z0gw
"Arelin, I know you want to save me and your sister but...you need to take a break, maybe take a walk and...keep your mind off of work."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nhlaLvXvB
I calmly place the notebook on the desk beside me.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa6mp5TmoS
"It hurts me to see you...so disheveled and disoriented..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp76GRTuqJa
"I feel like I'm the one who has to find a cure and save you. If you turn... there'd be no one to stop you.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfDsdd47sr
"Listen. The stress is already bad enough. Staring at notes all day isn't going to ease it." I slowly grab his hand. "Just a small walk. I'm sure it'll help clear those thoughts."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPasds68S4q
"...Is it warm outside?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KrY1HsG0e
"I haven't been out yet. I was planning on it after your check.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJrUp2YTUP
"Well, it's obvious you're still your determined, assertive self. We can go ahead now."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQP2k349WV
"Great!"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmD7VpBYS0
I run out the door, practically dragging Arelin along with me, all the way down the stairs, and outside.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VZKt76wj4
It was a calming day. The grass only barely waved in the wind, and the sky was a brilliant blue.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n8mRuIAy0
"Iris...I forgot my coat..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QUguk7I4G
"It's so warm though, you don't need a coat.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Kr3Odo99
"I just feel...bare without it."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfR7wzL59A
"I think the coat was holding you back. Besides, it feels wonderful out here."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7GUXIxqpK
I run to ledge the Academy loomed over and sit, listening to the whimsical music of the Ringmaster's Circus.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRJiamOWs7
"I'm sorry for bringing you out if you didn't want be.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahv2eip5pu
"It's fine...I needed a break after the morning I've had.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jjmNacZyX
"...You can check on Alena and come back, I'll stay right here."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3plCgk3WUj
"Okay. I'll be right back."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwJh8jDl0t
Arelin walks back inside. I stare at the grassy meadow around the cliff. The late morning sun only brightened its color.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkugr71Opn
"Did you plan to just leave me in that uncomfortably hot room, Araginee?"
Ciaran rhetorically asks.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHflDPg2pZA
"You didn't have to stay in there. If you know where I am at all times, why not come as soon as I left the infirmary?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNQumK3kKc
"...That is why I am so fond of you. You are unaware of the world opposite to your own.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPLliCgSv0
"I'm...intentionally being unaware...so you or your mother don't pull me in."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfX9AQhCT7
"...Do you want to learn?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZD4lzc5LO
"What's the catch?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mAArdP3Ew
"Hmm?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wJDk0rE4S
"You're obviously going to make a deal that'll mess with everything, so what's the catch?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK5EASmB47
"...There is no catch, Araginee..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfRRLsu09m
I hear walking behind us. "I knew you would come here Ciaran..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g3kkhhaSf
"...Hi Iris.." Alena whispered, cradled in Arelin's arms.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2pTSpNuWD
"Hi Alena. You're okay right?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkeBGdceFy
She nods silently, curling herself like a ball in Arelin's arms.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecP5RVQm0i
"She's still upset about attacking me earlier."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcls4M103U
"I'll be okay for now Arelin.." she slips from his hands and curls up on the luscious grass.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2fJN9I90d
"Alright.." Arelin says. "Iris. I'm sorry for asking on such short notice but...would you like to spar?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaowCqJsRkR
That foggy memory of Jake when I punched him some days back flashed in my head as he said that.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCZJ4GtxPp
"I don't want to hurt you like I did with Jake. I'll just put another one of you guys in the infirmary.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiaFvMRffL
"I want to prevent something like this from happening again. This is just a test of mine."
He stands back to face me.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr68vBir8O
"B-but..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2lZZQ5nXt
"I'll be more careful than Jake."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4POhtewPe
"If you will not fight him..." Ciaran states, throwing his flowing cape behind him. "Then allow me to."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cI8V7vb6d
I shake my head. "...I'll spar with him. Like he said, it's just a test."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA0Z1ZyENF
My hands quiver...
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpRTvmRDzZ
"Iris. Don't be afraid. I'll be able to dodge them.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27TAk9WqqU
I breathe shakily, telling myself to hold back. I pull the green essence from the grass and gather it as an orb in front of me.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSiwwnOlTM
"Good. That ability seems to be normal."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29qiwHCZFn
The sphere begins to zap and electrify all over.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8w5jUXEaT
"Don't be afraid. It's all part of the plan."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yj9UZL40F
I feel hesitant to finish the attack. Then, a cool breeze brushes against my shoulders, almost massaging the tension from my body.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfZ67M6Kbw
"Don't worry Iris...I think Lin has good intentions.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC123wPuVnD
I look behind me. "E-Espero?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR4s7mtkpV
"Don't mind me, I'm just moral support..."
He nods towards Arelin. "Now, take the shot. I don't think I've seen this part of your powers before.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlb9nTNlis
I hold my arm up, the orb ready to fire at my command. Arelin stood stagnant, waiting for me. Finally, with a flick of my wrists, they fly off towards him. I close my eyes, cringing at the thought.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6yDWgmfWC
Four loud thuds echo throughout the air.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynfLv8EAEh
"...I'm lucky I had that barrier. One of those on it's own would've put me in a critical condition."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC9YDvF1vi
Arelin was okay, only able to stay safe with the barrier he put up beforehand.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIulSmZsxDh
"D-don't scare me like that!" I yell from the other side of the cliff.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT4puncn6x
"I'm sorry. I wanted you to use that ability exactly to determine how strong it was."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtO12joDxZ
He pulls out his notebook and walks towards me. "What do you call it again?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E82zitmW5
"... I've never thought about it. I was never good with names.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmPRNS6898
Espero's spirit faded in. "Well, if the color becomes from her draining it from something..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonADr6kMKe
Arelin was taken aback by his sudden entrance.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNjNVkd2Au
"Espero?" He waves his hand around throughout Espero's face, which phases through him like air.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZGdYMc3jQ
"...Yeah. It's me. Ecluna decided to do necromancy and brought me back...I was having such a fun time in the spiritual world too.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI7kv1AFIr
He shakes his head. "Anyways, I'm thinking we should call it Hue Assimilate."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcTaTNXVNO
"I like that one.." I whispered.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarl0XXpJOO
"Good." I feel his freezing cold air run against my hair. "...Welp, I'm gonna go. See you guys later."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCbYdvCJj5
He looks at Ciaran. "And you... don't do anything stupid, alright?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeYTK3gWHh
Espero, once again, disappears with the wind, leaving me to look at Arelin face to face.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhHjPI0hbo
"...Can we find some safer ways to check my power level?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5xNPgo8Jc
"If I can find a way, then yes.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rT8vwKTun
"Jeez, is there anywhere you two won't be together?" Aluise yells from the entrance of the Academy.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aiOsrcTLi
"Nice to see you again too, Aluise..." Arelin greets back. "Did you need anything?"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCNGegYzUI
"Nothing really, I just noticed you four were out here and I wanted to get some fresh air too.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Uo54jMgV
"Well, no one's stopping you. Go ahead, we were just finishing a spar session. Did you want to-"
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2pq9rf9fF
"No. I'm only fighting with Jake so I can show him...how much of an idiot he is.."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNEBPYq06U
"Speaking of which, how is Jake?" Ciaran asks jokingly.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCziJLnffBi
"I actually went to check after I went to the bathroom, he was awake when I last checked..."
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiaUSTi93R
She saw the expressions on our faces and quickly changed her own.
636Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8PnGuJ74t
"That idiot is too hurt to be by himself! I was just being nice for a change!"
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"I doubt that's the real reason, but I'll take your word for it.." Arelin chuckled.
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"Besides.." Aluise calms her tone. "He's done a lot for me, even if he's annoying and pesters me the most.."
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She sighs heavily. "...I'm going back inside. I'll see you later.."
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"Bye Aluise!"
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I sigh myself.
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"You know, you should sign up for the competition tomorrow, just to show everyone how strong you are."
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"What if I-"
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"You won't. I know you won't let yourself turn." He places a warm hand on my face. "You're worrying too much.."
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The school clock hums it's usual song, reminding us that it was now noon.
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"Well, this was nice..." I said. "Should we go back inside?"
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"Yes, we should." Arelin responds, slipping his notebook back into his pocket.
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"Indeed. This sun is killing me.." Ciaran says, pulling his hood above his head, his face obscured by shadow. We trudge back indoors as the windows gleam with the sun's brightness.
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"Hey Arelin, I'll talk to you later, okay?"
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"Alright. I'll be my room if you need me." He grabs ahold of Alena's hand and walks up the hall while I go the opposite way with Ciaran.
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"Ciaran, can you do me a favor?"
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"Of course, my love.."
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"Do you mind checking on Ecluna for me?"
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"What for?"
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"Does there have to be a reason? It's none of your business anyways..."
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"...Fine, I shall return by your side once I have."
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"Okay.."
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"Oh? No mean quip or remark this time? Are you finally starting to get used to me being around you?"
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"Just do it.."
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He smirks, and disappears once more. I head back to my room and land face first into the bed as soon as I take my shoes off.
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***
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I was curled up in bed...I had another one of those pain shocks in my sleep, I can still feel some of the lingering pain from it tearing along my stomach. I turn, slowly to my back, but halfway into sliding into my new position, I feel a bump. I look behind me.
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Ciaran was snug beneath me, wrapped in a separate blanket. I sighed with an annoyed tone and returned back into my original position and staring at the late evening sky, which was a bright orange.
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It was almost time for the festival. Faintly, in the distance, I could hear the songs and chants of the Wildlife District.
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That's right...Ecluna...I thought to myself. I got up from bed and ran to Ecluna's room.
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There was no cheery response from Ecluna, just a concerned look when she opened the door.
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"I-Iris! Thank God, it's just you. The festival's about to start.."
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"Yeah, I know. I'm really sorry for oversleeping..."
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"It's alright, let's just hurry before...it happens again."
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She barely picks anything up and dashes to the door in urgency. I try to keep up with her as she fills the halls with her speedy footsteps.
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"We have to make it to the observatory, it's the only way I'll be safe."
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"Aren't there windows beside every exit?" I ask, almost out of breath.
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"I just have to look at the lunar eclipse for something to happen. If I keep my eyes forward, nothing can happen. I promise.."
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"Well, at least cover up your face or someth-"
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Just in the middle of my sentence, something crashed through the window, shattering it completely.
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I look around to find what the something was, and to my surprise...it was a person, dressed in festival clothing people were wearing that day..
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I shake them vigorously, trying desperately to see what happened.
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Then I realized...Ecluna was prone to looking at the eclipse, now full and blood red in the sky like an eyeball staring down at us from the abyss-like sky.
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"Ecluna?!" I stop shaking the unconscious body and call out Ecluna's name. I frantically wait for a response.
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"I...changed my mind..." I heard from the floor. Ecluna was down on her knees, face looking, straight as an arrow, at the floor.
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"What are you talking about?" I reach to pick her up, but her twinkling aura was no longer the tame breeze I had remembered. It was like walking into a tornado, I could feel the air play with my hair.
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"I don't want to go to the observatory.."
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"If you don't go you'll-"
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"Don't you understand?" She looks at me, chuckling to herself. I return the stare in fear as I realized. This wasn't Ecluna anymore...
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"Why did my mom ever let me stay hidden from the eclipse? This power...it's amazing.."
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I feel the Darken energy from my own body call itself into form, the veil of darkness that covered my face and the spikes that poked out of my clothes like spears all around my body.
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"Ecluna...get ahold of yourself!" the flames of my magic burned brilliantly around my fists.
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"Oh, come on Iris, there's no need for violence.." I see the ends of her golden-white hair turn as red as the eclipse forming outside.
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"You can join me, and we can be strong together, just like before, but better!"
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I feel her pull me up from the floor.
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"Ecluna, this isn't you! I-"
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"Of course it is! You just haven't seen me like this yet!"
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I grab ahold of her face.
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"Ecluna listen! Whatever's taking control of you, you need to let it go!"
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She lowers me to the floor.
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"Do you really believe that I'm being possessed by something?"
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Her voice becomes lower in pitch as her aura grows stronger.
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"Do you think that old me is the normal version of myself? Well, do you?"
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I couldn't answer, it was all so confusing to me..
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"I mean, I haven't even shown you the best part about my true self yet. The Eclipsian Kingdom will rise again, with me as it's ruler, and everyone as my people."
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I feel Espero's presence behind me. "I came as soon as I could. Ecluna's gone insane, as expected. Called Arelin as soon as I felt the spike in energy.." he whispered into my ear.
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"Espero, what a pleasant surprise! Can't stay a day without keeping Iris safe, huh?"
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"I feel like she needed help is all..."
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"Well, it doesn't look like anyone's coming..."
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Ecluna's now red ecliptic magic flared brightly as she pointed it at the both of us.
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"Such a shame really. I really thought you could be of some use," she shrugged. "Guess there's nothing left to do but to end you right here and now."
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Ecluna throws the magic in my direction. With my Light magic, I make a barrier to block her attack.
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"You can't keep dodging and blocking forever, Iris. Your magic has a limit, you know.."
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She continues to throw, and I continue to block and dodge as best I could, but eventually my magic breaks, and my shield shatters like glass into the air.
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"What's the matter?" She asks, tauntingly. "Can't keep playing on the defensive side?"
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She charges up another, stronger attack. There was nothing I could do but wait for my death to hit me.
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That's when I hear pacing footsteps in my direction. I look towards the noises, but I was barely able to react when the shadow pushes me out of the way.
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...Ecluna's attack fired. Because of the person who saved me, I was able to move out of the way, but when I looked up afterwards...
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Arelin's shield was at the brink of scattering into a million pieces. He calls it back, visibly tired.
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"Gasp! Arelin Orteino, saving his polar opposite from danger?"
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"I don't know what happened to you..but this needs to end. Right now.."
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"But why? I'm super powerful, and you..." Ecluna looks a little harder at Arelin.
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"I can feel it. You have Eclipsian blood!" She claps excitedly.
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"W-what?" He responds, confused.
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"Don't worry, Arelin! I just have to do something really quickly. You don't mind, right?"
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She pulls Arelin up to her in a ball of energy. "No wonder you wear things covering your neck."
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With my webs, I stop her.
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"Ecluna, stop it!" My Darken form starts to show more as I let my emotions escape through my voice. "Let him go!"
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"Iris, you've got to leave...before you get hurt too..."
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I wrap more webs around Ecluna's hands.
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"You're making this even harder on yourself."
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Ecluna pulls me off the floor with the webs I binded around her fingers, throwing me across the room and making me hit a wall behind me.
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"Now, if you would excuse me.."
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She pulls the neck of Arelin's sweater and places her hands around it, the space between it burning a brilliant red.
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I see the energy draining from Arelin's eyes. Ecluna promptly drops him and waits.
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Arelin's transformation was similar to Ecluna's. The ends of his hair turn the same, blood moon red. As he begins to stand up, he stares menacingly into my being while I stare back in horror.
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He starts walking towards me...
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and then Add to home screen.