While we began circling one another, Mom set up a barrier to keep the others safe from the after effects of the attacks.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAJqZBNqhufZ
Ecluna, with her Ecliptic energy, makes herself a weapon, before dashing towards me.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAcGlwcrRPk2
With my spear, I managed to block the first attack, before dodging another. Ecluna continues to giggle as she continues to attack. Finally, I landed a stunning blow on Ecluna. I could feel the Eclipse grow weaker.
166Please respect copyright.PENANASoFwgIp5el
I glance towards Arelin, Jake and the others. I felt a warm feeling when I saw the turned become more normal.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAfCa8Lz63eu
Ecluna suddenly throws herself onto me, landing blow after blow right into my stomach.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA79lXa1UP81
I feel the pain burn within my entire body as her attacks grow stronger.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAt8CwClf2EL
Pushing her away, I return with my own barrage of attacks. I painfully get up with steady legs, but I just couldn't help but to make sure the others were okay.
166Please respect copyright.PENANASwSg98TbBm
"Iris, don't tell me you're holding back to make sure your friends are okay..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAJZf00k4HkP
Despite her large decrease in power, Ecluna's grip around my throat was tight.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAfPMrNYB4hq
"What's the matter? Have you already given up on fighting back?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAO08M3BqBUg
"T-That's e-enough.. Ecluna.." Arelin says through clenched teeth.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAYm6APIlEAW
"Hmm? Did you say something Arelin?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAzAjpKBBrnF
She floats closer towards him.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAW3b64lmgH1
"D-don't...hurt her.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANACmArEntm9U
"...Jeez, I'll need to be quick if I wanna keep you."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA8pYMQKcCiN
Then, she turns back to me.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAZUbzk6aJzN
"Hopefully I can kill you before he changes back.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAMpEWPyAhpV
She charges up another magic to attack me with, but I didn't move, because I was trying to help Arelin snap out of it.
Arelin was switching back and forth through forms, as if..this nightmare was finally coming to an end.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAsTXEvtFBXH
The last sliver of the Eclipse had to be charged up in it's final form.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAIGfPChCv5x
"Consider this a final message. If I can't kill you..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANApftddv3EoF
She immediately points the attack towards the others.
"Then I'll just kill them, and kill you from the inside!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAnaOAg38vD6
The attack fired, the maroon beam of Eclipsian magic tearing straight into the area where they were.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAmLDVxssqjK
Ecluna didn't change her expression, her eyes never moved off of the area until the dust clouds cleared.
166Please respect copyright.PENANALk5Xf1BDLQ
...A familiar, ancient aura became apparent.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAbJ63v8RyiH
When I looked behind me, I noticed someone was standing next to Mom while she held a pendant in the air.
166Please respect copyright.PENANACIy41FDjRv
"...Iset. It has been too long..." she says under her breath.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAaI0ka7xIZ4
"Now is not the time for salutations. You have summoned me to aid you in battle..."
The woman returns, hovering only slightly off of the ground.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAxfCOnsjIK5
They were safe, luckily, the barrier that shielded them had barely a scratch.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAIjDtVDRBss
"Do not fret, Iris. She is weakened enough to where she can be subdued."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAFo8NiqrK2z
"Subdue me? When she's barely touched me?"
Ecluna taunts again. "If you want her to die so bad, I'll always make it quick.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAXldQNpU0fm
A scythe appears in her hand, as she brandishes it towards the bright red sky.
166Please respect copyright.PENANADOFlGz05rv
Slowly, I can feel my own form become more distant. Had my power begun to run out too?
166Please respect copyright.PENANAgUrSJfvEcZ
I put up my own weapon, but suddenly I dropped it, and shook my head.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAkAu8nafzPn
"Again...your funeral.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAzXgSUkYI7S
Ecluna dashes straight for my chest, but once again, someone saves me.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAtgUIHp4xdM
"...Rest now. You've done your task, Araginee."
Ciaran calmly says, cradling me. I let my true Darken form disappear. A great weight had been lifted from my chest as I grew tired.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA5eM6ZcrYfK
However, that sense of tranquility was short lived, as suddenly Ciaran was shot out of the air with a sudden beam of energy.
166Please respect copyright.PENANARWTkzGJtMl
"Of course you try to take my kill away from me, Ciaran!"
Ecluna says angrily.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAFcuM3xQPXM
"I cherish her enough to put myself in danger."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAfznvPO9wqr
"...Okay then, one last deal..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAsdlnrYbeDE
Ciaran preciously plants another kiss upon my head and handing me to a confused Arelin, and by this point, I had already started to close my eyes.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAlVgroqxphE
"I-Iris...you have to stay awake."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAV52ISyg1yx
I open my eyes again. "Why?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANATMllhDPcOt
He stops to think for a moment.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA4UEXoAwtaE
"I'm n-not sure why but... just stay awake... it's b-better if you stay awake.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA8E7ESzix3J
I nod. "Alright... I'll try.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAywXVxdjckl
I listen to the conversation between Ciaran and Ecluna.
166Please respect copyright.PENANALMkND9VzGU
"Well, what is this deal of yours?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAiorDJkNUXo
"Easy. Iris' safety in return of you."
166Please respect copyright.PENANALNVxDQIEi7
"You want to kill me in return for Iris' life? I am usually not very greedy, but I have a lot to live for.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAsYvvp4tkMK
"No no, I meant..." Ecluna pulls another transforming orb. "I get to keep you."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAgghU8da0tu
"...That is something...interesting.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAixlZhfDOsr
"So, deal or no deal?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANA4IOcLYsHKa
Ciaran steps forward and removes his cape.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAl0NIvdfWjG
"I will accept. Only if Arelin and Jake are released from your grasp.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAJv6AZUSFNb
"Less fun, but a deal's a deal.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAl1vUsAAFr1
Ecluna calls on the powers of the eclipse, as Arelin and Jake dropped to the ground, but their appearance had changed back to normal.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA3rz0u6TnOs
The two orbs used to transform them was brought into one, and Ecluna held it as it flared brilliantly.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA5GkOYyYNog
"This is where I will say farewell for now."
166Please respect copyright.PENANASuWyJFMayF
Ecluna pushes the orb into his chest. I almost felt like puking as Ciaran's eyes began to blur. The transformation began to happen again..
166Please respect copyright.PENANAbGXuSZ4hgh
Ciaran stood up, examining himself.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAflOUX2wy1j
"Isn't that a little better?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAgdoQbO01Di
"It is...exhilarating."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAcxjJMo566L
"Good good. How about we give that power a little test run, shall we?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAWpt8iZqfJH
"With pleasure..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAMnGf4xlDx6
Ciaran direction went straight to me. With no more of my energy readily available, I let him pull me from the ground with both of my wrists in his hands. He leans closer to my face and then...
166Please respect copyright.PENANAsLmTWZ0LHJ
He starts to laugh. His laughing becomes so hysterical, I almost couldn't help but laugh with him. But... what was so funny?
166Please respect copyright.PENANAwxkSE0tV7g
"Ecluna, Ecluna, Ecluna...you poor soul. It seems you have misunderstood..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAL3ICbQnqvI
He lets me go, turning back into his original form.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA35F2T6BAEb
"I have no bloodline. I made out of the essence of darkness itself. I cannot be Eclipsian by any means.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAXqAVfUMd0G
"...Well, I guess that's it then..."
She shrugs. "I have no more power to throw at you.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAv21nmsuclk
The eclipse disappears from the sky, leaving dawn in it's place. Ecluna returns back to normal, with the small change of red tips at the ends of Ecluna's hair. Ecluna blinks, as if everything that has happened... disappeared from her mind without a trace.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAxmk6yNs7eL
"W-what happened?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANABBCM14GDDk
"...Take a look for yourself." Jake says, dusting himself off.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA1Pf2cF4Mk0
Ecluna looks around. "D-did I do this?! What did I-..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAhwVBxLFi61
The injuries she has sustained during the battle came as she started to cough up large amounts of blood. I was so worried about her, I had forgotten about my own blood running down my face.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA4C9f2UuTju
I stumbled towards her.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAMnjfdCnFaG
"Iris, stop! D-don't hurt yourself more!"
She cried.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA8SxPdvCTEz
"I have to make sure you're okay too.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAIis8CqXy7Y
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine-..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAvtUgD9l64y
More blood spills from her mouth. "I'm okay, just...stay where you are.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAqa294hGJus
"We have to get both of you to a hospital."
Arelin states. "The severity of your injuries could be fatal if they aren't treated."
166Please respect copyright.PENANABkL3jJIFml
Arelin scoops Ecluna from the ground, while Ciaran does the same for me. That was the last thing I remember before finally giving into my tiredness.
166Please respect copyright.PENANATGViqFQF38
***
I see everyone else staring back at me. I was back at home, snuggled under my quilt on my bed.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAO0ag9i0ViE
"Hello everyone..." I croak.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA9Me1qPtzsv
Everyone lets out a sigh of relief.
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"Thank goodness you're alright." My mom says.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAgQ4m4BagKk
"...How long has it been?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANA0DsGBQtZVB
Jake gives my head a pat.
"A good four days. Ms. Ikura patched you up pretty good though..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAe3cMQ0iVeL
I jump up, only to be met with discomfort and dizziness. I had to stumble back into a sitting position.
166Please respect copyright.PENANADWafB2QDAA
"...Is Ecluna okay?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAoS3AWnoVeL
"She's disappeared, we have no idea where she could've gone..." Soluna says somberly.
"She was asleep at one point, and then the next...she wasn't there..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA1My4GBSCzq
Mom rubs her shoulder, comforting her.
"We've sent your father and uncle to find her, Iris. The best thing you can do is rest.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA1pofji3G58
"And you better rest too.." Aluise added.
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I nod. "Okay.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZobBsGFqN
I begin to shuffle back into bed, resting my head against the frame.
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"You're heading back to bed?" Jake says, sitting back in a chair.
166Please respect copyright.PENANARJQyyUpHng
I nod my head again.
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"You're not even gonna eat first?"
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"I am...a little hungry..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAyo5WrfAHA5
"I think Arelin is making something..said he was waiting for you to wake up."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA6v1igYJ6ss
"Could you call him here for a minute then?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANADQnjtJdd0S
"... Alright." he gets back up from the chair with a slight limp and leaves. In a few seconds, Arelin was in the doorframe.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAdlfEGt6Qn9
"...I'm sorry if I distracted you.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAOoWLRPug7Z
"It's fine. It's just about done right now."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA2qiGZQzZZL
"Ah, alright then.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAS82Vu6xvqq
"...Ciaran was asleep behind you earlier, but I'm not sure where he could've went.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA9OTv7rjp82
I pull back the quilt again, where Ciaran was sleeping comfortably underneath.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAVFDYn57PM4
"I found him.." I say, pulling him towards me.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAOkmuCNf7MB
Ciaran wakes up when I do this, but promptly shuffles even closer.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAVEy1jmBWwO
"This is the calmest I've ever seen him..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANATwPnqZCH7x
"...I'll be right back. You must be hungry..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAskdY30XEii
"I'm starving! Bring back something really good okay?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANA6IcEedUM12
A smirk appears on his face.
"Alright.."
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As soon as he leaves, Ciaran wakes up.
166Please respect copyright.PENANALqgsW2D1MD
"You are...awake..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAiD0sqiBPyM
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I just needed to rest a bit.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAnrShASXaLZ
Arelin comes back with a steaming plate.
"It's not much, but it should be enough with some bread.."
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He places the plate in front of me, before sitting on the bed beside me. I slowly pick up the fork and start eating.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAZej3KaleVV
Afterwards, the sleepiness started to come back. I yawned as my body starts to slide underneath the quilt more and more.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAydhdHwAgor
"You're going back to sleep?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAzURj1USOXZ
"Mhm...I want to be up bright and early tomorrow."
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Arelin gets up, taking the empty dish from my almost unresponsive hands.
166Please respect copyright.PENANADOYGIi6Yla
"I will...check on you in the morning then.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA4qptZC3e4S
He turns off the lights and shuts the door. I slowly closed my eyes, and I drifted off to sleep.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAcPliyt7bQY
The next morning, I felt refreshed. Getting up from bed, I stretch and walk to my mirror.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAwfSYjdQa2V
A sudden weight almost pulled me off my feet. As I struggled to stand up, I look at the mirror to see...
166Please respect copyright.PENANA93KEqj1gJu
"Good morning, Araginee..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAt2rYKlS5FL
"Ciaran!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAFsOLrhdqiJ
Ciaran held onto my shoulders and tried his best to hold on to my back while I tried to remove him.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAIJuRwkImMk
"Get off of me! You're too heavy!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAVKpz68wBd8
"You seem to be holding me just fine.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANACATIUCLvDu
I sighed heavily. "I don't want to carry you around!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANA30w7QA1MDA
We have a wrestle for a bit. Eventually, I gave into his ways and let him stay there.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA8f2e1jEmKx
"How was your sleep?" he asked.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAuvfhGM0PZa
I stumble to the hallway. "It was fine. You were taking up all the bed space though.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAoixLzOw91r
I go into the kitchen, where Uncle Damien was asleep on the couch, and Mom and Dad sitting and drinking a cup of coffee together while Arelin made breakfast.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAPkxO4xEE6e
"Good morning, Iris." Mom greeted, before giving Ciaran an untrusting, mean glare. "And Ciaran..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA8FS6ephJhg
Ciaran responds. "Good morning to you too.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAv7SeHKhp9F
Uncle Damien woke up in an attacking stance. I couldn't help but snicker a little at his expression, but I also had to feel a little sympathetic.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAVC1tg22kj9
"Did you have a nightmare, Uncle Damien?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAthkqt2ybTu
Walking over to him, I give him a grin. "If you keep thinking about stressful stuff, you'll never get any sleep.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA3EpY7f3f1f
He responds by tiredly turning around while mumbling and returning to sleep.
166Please respect copyright.PENANA4Odex8aL1d
"That grumpy older brother of mine won't even smile a little for his only niece.."
Mom smirked and shook her head.
166Please respect copyright.PENANALFW0FWue4J
"Arelin! Iris!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANASf6qKDdNGI
Someone comes running into my arms, but quickly, from the long, almost midnight colored hair, I immediately knew who it was.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAz6fvNGN29K
"Hey, Alena!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAtk4nXZf0Ue
"I came as soon as I heard. Are you feeling alright?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAL1scW5R0jK
I assure her that I was feeling fine. "Yep! I'm doing really well!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAU1cy3GbXKj
"Good!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANANPlpEzGlm4
Alena then turns her attention to Ciaran, who I was still carrying.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAduCILVCmhO
"Huh? Why is he here?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANA6iduvnuFzp
"He decided it was a good idea to ride around with me today..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAIGvLTBHQNu
Ciaran only snickered mischievously.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAHprVQvwEiX
"I sadly haven't been able to remove him yet.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA1h8RIKEUWO
Alena playfully flicks his nose.
"I think he's cute. He's like a little baby."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAFClELbEq2f
"You compare me to a child?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAj3WzSV0D4f
"Admit it, you can't go anywhere without Iris."
166Please respect copyright.PENANACzRgPeqAuw
A weight was lifted from my back as Ciaran jumps off to lend Alena a stare.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAJqJpiOGXzR
"A-Ah! He's quick to anger!"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAwjfoFVPoHj
"Do not belittle me, Alena."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA05HJVTz4oL
"Hehe, belittle." She punned. Arelin laughs as well.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAglCsccLEuo
"Why you..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA70E3ENBKsP
Before Ciaran could get a hold of her neck, I pull him back. "Alright Ciaran, no need to get all snippy."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAohtzPonowE
He slips back behind me.
166Please respect copyright.PENANANhq3YSIC0u
"That...girl..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAwYkiqNQN4v
"Don't worry, she's just messing with you."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAtF49DySYLZ
"...Her presence now pesters me to no end.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAFp9gGTpjhE
I sigh. "You're a lot of work, you know that?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANACNmpdsa45H
He rests his chin on my shoulder.
"Am I?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAw0fCdq8fTb
"...No, not really. Not anymore."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAWjgpSHBWLs
"Perfect. Then I will never leave your side."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA96vN1WmtTk
I immediately regretted the words I said earlier, as I realized he wasn't going to let me go.
166Please respect copyright.PENANADUAWnQDKxK
I had to walk around with Ciaran all day, having small talk every other hour or so. Once the sky became a deep blue, I had found a comforting aura within the Darken as he slept.
166Please respect copyright.PENANABaLPmDHTWX
I took him to bed, and about to head there myself, when someone knocked on my room window.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAhb3m0Dq7fl
I quickly cover Ciaran up with the quilt and walk to the window. I slowly unlock and open it, where a piece of the night jumped into my room.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAslJQQDT4xO
"Hey Iris..."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAJGU1QdsU92
Ecluna was still wrapped up in the old bandages.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAg0Ra20X3jL
"Ecluna?! We've been looking for you! Where have you been?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAVY8Ioe8q5C
"I was only doing what I promised.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAmJKcIfClIw
I lead her to the edge of the bed to sit, and rests her head on my shoulder.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAxUIbRTEAs0
"I didn't want you to leave. I just wanted my friend back. That's why I pushed as hard as I did."
166Please respect copyright.PENANARpO3quEwPv
"...I understand how destructive I can be under influence of the Eclipse."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAsirDx8Q1yq
"As do I with my new Darken forms.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAituG4kBmPv
She sadly chuckled. "...If only I had your mental strength.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAtyh2HeYh3d
"...It's getting late. Do you still want to leave?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANAq3eSPxyZgM
Ecluna was weighing her options. After a confusing thought, finally, she came to a conclusion.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAeszhYWryNV
"...I'll have to think about it."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAJHMf3L0nqq
"Then you can stay here for the night." I threw her a pillow and pointed towards the closet."
166Please respect copyright.PENANAiUPM11ZS8o
"There's blankets and extra pillows in there. Help yourself to them."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA67j7ezXBox
"Thanks again for...forgiving me.."
166Please respect copyright.PENANA7imjleOrGR
"Of course. That's what I'm supposed to do, isn't it?"
166Please respect copyright.PENANA0ib3XXc1aX
She slowly pulls a blanket from the closet, making a makeshift bed. I then turned off my bedside lamp and shuffled into bed.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAV6OJMV4pih
I wonder what the morning will bring.
166Please respect copyright.PENANAdz4tBATqz5
166Please respect copyright.PENANAezGrImh19i