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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living, dead or fictional, is entirely coincidental

This series is very graphic in nature and is intended for mature audiences as it portrays mental illness, violence, gore, and some sexual content, and may be disturbing or triggering to some. Viewer/Reader discretion is advised.

Chapter 1

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I sat relaxed at my desk, though relaxed may be stretching the truth. I was as comfortable as one could be in a seat made of wood and steel.

 Jace occupied the desk in front of me, although that was not his desk, he sat with us temporarily as a group with Ayame, Skylark, and myself. Our chatter was mostly idle, however some interesting subjects did arise

.

 "Hey little bro.. I was thinking about how you have trouble getting control back from your Sanction right?"

"It's the reason I only use it as a last ditch effort." My mind bounced to the cool eyes of Mjolnir again. Even if everything else failed, I could submit to her.. but it was another thing I really didn't like doing. The biggest problem with being a dragon is that it's easy to lose yourself in the bloodlust. All the evidence I have obtained on the subject pointed to it being a racial trait. No wonder dragon society was so fucked up..

 "Well what if you put in the contract that they have to submit at your command?"

"There's two problems with that big bro. First problem is that contracts are required to be fair. I get something I want, but they also get something they want. It's a give and take. Second, and this is the most important. Requiring a person to give up their life is forbidden. I've only ever heard of it once, and it was a contract between Ancients. They play by different rules than we do. Your brother is quite the collector of contracts so I'm surprised you don't know that."

 "Corvid won't tell me about them.."

"Sounds to me like he's watching out for you then. Contracts can be slippery. It's why most of mine are short term."

 The rear door to the classroom opened, allowing a gentle cool breeze to blow in-

 A scent hit me that I recognized, a flash of the morning I killed the real Hiro rushed through my head.

 It had turned out that the blonde girl I rescued had miraculously survived. Her name was Himari Satou. She returned to school only a week ago while the morning I killed Hiro was almost a month ago.  

 She and I hadn't even spoken, but we constantly danced this tense berth around one another. 

 Today, she stood heaving heavy breaths with a short red haired friend pushing her from behind.

 

 "If that's him then go!" She gave Himari a wide and supportive grin.

 She shakily approached me even as my gaze turned sharp and cold. She jolted at the change of my attention, but impressingly soldiered on to stand before me.

 An envelope was held tightly to her chest, and with both hands she offered it to me. I took the envelope to inspect it.

 It bore an aromatic scent, with the only words on it being "Genji." Only by turning it over did I discover its intent. The rear of the envelope was sealed with a pink heart sticker. I looked up at her, her face was bright pink while she held her cheeks in a nervousness that shook her down to her knees.

 I swallowed hard, feeling Ayame's gaze burning a hole into the back of my head. I had no interest in this human girl. How best could I display that to not only Himari, but Ayame as well.

 The entire group surrounding me sat tensely silent. Nonchalantly I pinched the center of the envelope between both hands' index fingers and thumbs. With one swift motion, I tore the envelope in half and layered the two pieces together. Handing it back to Himari, she took the pieces with wells that poured oceans from her eyes.

"I have no interest in your mortal coil." I spoke flatly, and matter of factly.

 With tears flowing from her eyes, she gave me a proper bow before turning around and running out of the door.   

 The friend she brought with her as moral support I assumed, yelled at me,

 "I don't know what she sees in you, to me you're just another jerk!" She lashed at me, in a fruitless attempt to hurt me. Slamming the door she ran to follow Himari.

 With a short exhale I rubbed at the ridge of my nose with one hand as I tried to recover my composure. Ayame though with her back to me staring out the window, but I could hear her heart thumping from my seat,

"You know Ayame, I can feel that smile from all the way over here."

 She jolted, and turned to me with a bright red face.

 "You really are just a jerk Hiro!" She yelled after losing her temper from embarrassment.

 The group and I laughed at her expense, which only forced her face to turn bright and brighter.

 Though Himari never returned to her seat in our class, the rest of the day was thankfully uneventful.

 

I laid quietly on the bed in my small room, watching the stars that speckled the night sky through the ceiling window. Lifting a hand from the back of my head, I looked at it, and gripped several times. The red sore spots still hadn't gone away.. maybe I ought to ask Oururuu.. Looking from the window, I turned away while his words echoed through my head,

 "...You must first admit that there is one!"

 Was there a problem? The night terrors haven't stopped.. Only the few nights after Fury or heavy drinking do I receive restful sleep. Even tonight I'd assume I'd have night terrors. Was it really worth bothering the others about it though? At least this way, there was only one of us losing sleep over the horrific memories of the past. Slowly I closed my eyes. 

Get at me.. I ain't scared.. I taunted out into the darkness.

 

Isaath was intense. Though she had been intense, she also had a certain kindness about her. Emotion did not rule her,and every situation she had a hand in she approached with fact and logic.

 I wasn't alone when I would say she was the most reasonable of her sisters. 

 

 I looked up the steps to their cabin on the hill. Funny.. they looked much longer when I was a kid..

 A shove came from behind me, forcing me to stumble a step to catch myself.

 "Well Don' jus stand there, Doofus." 

 Luka stepped around me and up a few steps. Reaching her hand back she smiled a warm and happy smile,

 "Come on. I want you to meet the folks."

I gave a laugh, that ended with a scoff,

"In case you forgot. I've already met your folks!" I spoke while reaching a hand up to take hers.

 "That was different.. we weren't the same people back then.." she gave a grimace at just the memory of the last time I stepped foot on these stairs.

 Luka didn't knock, she grabbed the handle and pushed the thumb latch down to let us right in.

 "Isith, Isaath!" She called into the house while dragging me in with her.

 "In the kitchen!" Isith called back.

 Watching Luka I imitated what she did. She took off her boots, and set them next to the door and continued inside. I did the same, and followed her into the house.  

 We stepped through the reading room, with the teapot still on the table just like when I was young. In fact, the whole house hadn't changed one bit, except it had more flora growing about its beams.

 We made it through the house, and into the kitchen. With the same stove sat quietly steeping pots in the corner, the windows let so much light in to make this place feel as if it were outdoors even with a roof. I peered through the windows to find Isaath sitting on a chair in the sunlight with a book, while Isith set the table before her.

 Isith was always such a motherly person, even going so far as to care for her sister in the same way.

 Luka nearly threw the rear door off the hinges and walked out into the light with her arms outstretched, immediately seizing Isith to hug her closely.

 It was while Luka and Isith had a joyful reunion that Isaath and I met eyes through the window. Luka turned and waved me out.

 Without an expression, I followed and stepped out into the light. It was a somber feeling being back in the forest after being exiled for failing to reach that berserk state again.

 Isaath stood abruptly, looking up at me. She quickly stepped around me, her tail swishing to and fro near wildly,

 "My.. you really grew up, Runt.." a look of amazement smothering her face.

 "What do you think? He's one heck of a catch now huh?" Luka beamed with pride from her spot next to Isith.

 Isith's hands figated for a short moment before she cleared her throat,

 "If.. if you want. you.. you can sleep in my room with me tonight, Maielk."

 Jaws dropped all around. Luka's tail flailed so wildly she was forced to seize it with her hands, and hold it to her chest while maintaining a sweet smile. She shifted her weight, her hip leaning towards Isith,

 "And here I didn't think you had it in you, Isith." 

 Luka turned and looked at me, though I could tell she was impressed with Isith's gall, she wasn't the type to share,

 "Go ahead and sleep with her tonight if you want." Her eyes flashed.

I looked from Luka, to Isith, who's eyes were big and hopeful. I felt my face turn hot. Tightly closing my eyes, I waved my hands frantically,

"Nuh'un, nope. I don't play this game. Y'all figure your shit out and leave me out of it!" I huffed while sitting on a side of the outdoor sofa at the table.

 Dinner had started with a little bit of awkwardness between everyone. Luka was sitting so close to me, she may as well have been in my lap. Her tail curled over me, and around my right side, clinging to me tightly while maintaining a sweet smile that said "if you weren't my sister I'd gut you like an animal."

 Isith poked her food with her fork time and time again with a wistful gaze on it. Isaath was the one to break the awkward silence.

 "So Runt.. I thought you were banished."

  She broke the silence with a sentence that garnered a negative reaction from all of us.

"Yeah.." I looked away.

 "Evelyn changed her mind after she saw how useful Maielk has been.." Luka commented over her Shrew Stew.

"All it took was the death of one of our own.." I set my fork down as I no longer had an appetite.

 "Today is just turning out to be a bad day for everyone.." Isith said quietly.

 "How about this, we start from the beginning. Iseth it's really good to see you!" Isaath shoved the conversation back in the direction it should have been in the first place.

 "It's good to see you too, Isaath.. and you too, Isith. It's good to be home." Luka's hand gripped at my thigh quite tightly, but I didn't say a word while resting my hand on hers to force it to relax.

 "It's good to see you too. Iseth..I'm.. I'm sorry for earlier." Isith said quietly, her hands fidgeting again. Shifting uneasily in her seat, it was obvious she was being honest, but with a slight edge of something else.

 "Isith was Foreled again." Isaath spoke matter of factly, followed by a fork of food.

 Isith's face turned a bright red, her hands coming to her cheeks while her eyes welled up.

 With a confused look I glanced at Luka, who caught my look, then sighed softly while she stood,

 "Oh Isith.." Luka went from her seat to embrace her, holding her tenderly.

 "I'm so sorry, Kitty.." Luka petted Isith's head while she held her.

I looked at Isaath, who glanced back at me. I lifted my hands and made a shoveling motion towards the two, my eyebrows high in confusion. Isaath sighed and rolled her eyes,

 "Every year a Seedless can petition the Matron for a child. Foreleading is a nice way of saying she was denied."

"You said "again"..?" I mentioned,

 "She's tried every year since Iseth left the forest."

 My eyes changed from Isaath, to Luka consoling a weeping Isith.

 "And from the way she was very forward with you earlier? She seems desperate enough to try it the old fashioned way." Isaath rested her fork on an empty plate, while interlacing her fingers together to watch the same thing I was.

  After a short time she rested her cheek on a fist, and turned to me,

 "So what brings you two to the forest anyway?" Isaath spoke plainly.

 "Apparently you can only fight a war for three hundred years until you need some time off.." Luka spoke while she still cradled Isith.

 I looked away, tightening my jaw. I didn't want to admit what brought the whole thing on. Not after what happened that day...

 "On the Queen's orders, we'll be heading for Broken Bay soon enough for our forced vacation.. we wanted to stop by and visit for a while.." Luka continued.

 "You mean show off the man Maielk grew up to be. Though it must be nice to get out of the forest" Isaath spoke, but it was a sort of lash. Which was extremely uncharacteristic for her.

 "What's that supposed to mean?" Luka looked over at Isaath

 "The Matron has refused to budge on her rule of only letting one of her daughters out of the forest at a time." It would seem that even Isaath had a nerve that one could touch.

 

 Following Luka, I navigated the winding stairs that led to the second story. They were just as difficult to manage as I had anticipated as I was a full grown adult now and they were built for someone much smaller than I.

 I ducked beneath the doorway leading to the same room I stayed in when I was young, and it hadn't changed either.

 The size of the bed made me laugh while I sat on its edge to relax a little. Leaning back on my hands, I watched Luka walk past me to the restroom. I couldn't help but gawk at her backside with her tail swaying with her hips. I leaned forward after she crossed the threshold of the door to continue watching her. Her eyes glittered at me when our gazes met in the reflection of the mirror that still bore the inscription. She stood washing her face.

 "This used to be my parents' room. My Malnar and Falnar. After they returned to the Matron, it became mine." She turned to the mirror with a washcloth in hand.

 I looked around with that in mind for context, and a lot of the room made more sense now.

"What happened to them?"

 She shifted uneasily and became quiet. It was obvious that it was something she either didn't like talking about, or wasn't ready to. I didn't press the matter.

"Bed's comfy." I said, trying to change the tone of the conversation.

 In the doorway, her figure gorgeously leaned against the frame, a hand on her hip. She had a sad look on her face, her ears drooping a little.

 "You know.. I was thinking.. if you did sleep with Isith.. You might be doing us both a favor.." her body language betrayed her words.

 I held out my hand to her, which she readily took and stepped close to me at the edge of the bed. My other hand took her unoccupied one,

"Luka, I could never do that to you.. I'm only yours.."

 Her chin raised to her lips, appearing to be on the verge of tears,

 "And I'm only yours.. forever.." she whispered softly, bringing her lips to mine.

 

 Before our lips could touch, everything turned black dropping me to fall backwards into the abyss.

 Turning over mid fall, I struck the ground with enough force to cough up blood, my ribs lashed open and gushing the precious maroon liquid. I pressed a hand tightly to the wound in an attempt to stem the bleeding. I lifted to my hands and knees, my vision blurred, meeting Luka's gaze. And just beyond Luka stood a grotesque creature that resembled her sisters. Stitched down the center with each appendage covered in sharpened claws and black sludge that burned like acid.

 This creature had one pink eye, one purple, and wore a sickened grin near constantly.

 "What's wrong Iseth, are you not pleased to see us?"

 "Maielk!!" She shook me from above, her face pained and panicked.

 Standing she clenched her fists,

 "I'm sorry Matron.." 

 Lifting into the air she began to glow a bright, vibrant and blinding green. I could feel the Matron's boon withdraw from me and gather into her. She was draining the Matron's life force to use as a weapon.. a flash swallowed everything with a blinding light, shooting warmth through my body, and as it faded the two corrupted sisters had vanished. Lukas knees shook then buckled to the ground. The dust kicked up around her as her limp form dropped.

 My wounds now healed, I scurried to Luka's side, and slid my hands beneath her head, panic set in my heart while she lay limp, light fading from her eyes..

 

 I shot straight up in my bed, panting heavily

"NO!" I screamed out.

  I stayed still while my heart drummed so hard in my chest I could feel it between my ears while sharp gasps were all I could manage. 

  With the sunlight shining into the room from the window, I slumped back against the wall at the head of my bed while I recovered.

 Today was already turning out to be a shit day I thought to myself while I continued to wipe at the tears forming in my eyes.

 I heard Ayame's door slide open, then the patter of her small feet on the wooden floor below, just outside my door. She knocked three times.

 "Hiro?"

 I didn't answer, I didn't want her to see me like this.

 "Hiro, I'm coming in."

 I lifted a hand to cover my eyes right before she entered. My lip trembled, even as I tried my best to keep it under control. She emitted a soft and tender noise, and before I knew it she sat on her knees on my bed at my side. Her hands slid around the back of my head, and buried my face in her chest. Her cheek pressed to the top of my head while my breaths trembled to match my lip.

"I.." I stammered out.

 "Shut up, stupid. It's okay to feel your feelings.." she said soothingly.

 Her fingers combed through my hair so gently, even while I fought with every ounce to keep my emotions bottled up inside.

 "They can't hurt you anymore.. not while I'm around. I'll fight your demons.." she whispered.

 I cracked. My tears poured, wetting her chest in a pent up monsoon of anguish. Sliding my arms around her I gripped her shirt at the back and wept.

"I can't do this without you.." I croaked.

 She stayed there patiently while I came to a calm. Looking away from her in shame, because now all I had done was dragged her into the mess in my head. 

No one deserves that.

  Reaching a hand up she took one of my horns, and at first I had protested,

 "Just let me pamper you a little.."

 And pulled my head to her lap. Her fingers danced through my hair, brushing it backwards between my horns the way Isith had so long ago. I looked away from her with my eyes, toward the door.

 "Hiro.. what happened to you?"

 My brow furrowed in a vague confusion, while my eyes danced from side to side searching through the piled messes in my head for the right words.

 The only problem was that my hands came up empty every time. I knew what had happened to me. How it felt, and what it did. But how would I tell her..

"A lot..  and I don't know how to word it to you.."

  The alarm on my phone chimed, Informing me it was almost time for school. Hesitantly I sat up, with my back to her. She stood from my bed and stopped at the door to look back at me before she bounced off her merry way to get dressed, just as I did.

 Himari wasn't back today either. It made me think for a moment that maybe I had been too hard on her, but I couldn't be sure in all honesty. I couldn't have her blabbing her mouth about what she saw to the normal students, but I also wanted nothing to do with her romantically. This whole thing was just frustrating.

Chapter 2

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The day went on tensely for me, as if my insides were wound up like a twisted wire. Thankfully though before I knew it, the day had come to an end.

 Jace and Skylark had excused themselves earlier in the day, I wasn’t sure what they had going on but it was important enough to leave Ayame and I behind. I thought these idle thoughts as I passed through the rear door.

 Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a fist headed for the side of my face. Leaning back, the punch missed, and I continued on my way. Or at least I would have if I hadn't heard Ayame yelling,

 "What do you think you're doing?"

 I instantly sized up my assailants. Three human males, fifteen to eighteen years old. Nothing special, or anything to be concerned about really.. 

 "That girl you blew off yesterday is my little sister! She hasn't left her room since she ran home! I'm gonna kick your ass!"

 I grinned, looking him up and down, then leaning around him to do the same to the other two.

"Boy, you're gonna need bigger friends."

 Ayame stepped between us, putting her hands on the boy's chest. Now normally even the thought of her touching someone else was enough to burn my ass, however it wasn't me she had to restrain, or at least look like it. She, as the student council president, had an image to uphold, so I got it.

 "I strongly recommend that you leave this matter for outside of school!" Ayame was extremely professional.

 The boy grabbed her at the wrist with his left hand, then brought his opposite hand to her cheek, echoing the hall with a loud slap. Ayame feigned her weakness when she fell to the floor holding her cheek, it did however have a red mark.

 My eyes turned to slits while I lifted my right hand, knuckles cracking as I formed a tight fist,

"You wanted my attention?! Well now you have it!"

 Within the blink of an eye, I delivered a punch to his nose. His limp body formed a crater in the lockers at the opposite end of the thirty yard hall. He slumped to a seat, blood gushing from his nose stained the white shirt beneath his black school jacket.

 Giving a loud, and long snorted growl, my slits turned on his friends. As I took a single step forward, Ayame reached out and took my right wrist. I looked down at her calm but concerned face. I looked back up to the other two who took several steps backwards,

"You'll want to get whatever is left of your friend to the Nurse right now."

 The two bolted for the boy and hoisted them onto their shoulders. Taking one last look at me, they took off running.

 Ayame stood, her hair covering her eyes. At full height she looked up at me, wearing an angry look but had tears in her eyes,

 "You have no idea what you've just done!"

 Turning she walked away from me towards the stairs that went down. I turned, following her with my hand as I held it out,

"But he.. hit you.." I tried to justify it, but even so, he was a human. The Undead's words echoed in my mind,

 "The council is very strict about hurting humans!"

"Ah shit.." I took off after Ayame.

 

 By the time we arrived at Ayame's chosen location, we witnessed the boy I struck giving a formal bow into the open door of the nurses office. When he closed it, he turned and our eyes met. His breath quickened while the color drained from his face forcing him and his friends to go the opposite direction. Ayame and I stopped right outside of the Nurses office door,

"See? He fine-"

The nurses door slammed open, and a massive bear paw emerged from it to seize me. The door sealed closed behind me. Oururuu threw me against the opposite wall,

 "Maielk what were you thinking?!" He shouted.

"The kid walked out of here didn't he?!"

 "If he hadn't been brought to me, he wouldn't have!!"

 Oururuu brought a hand to the ridge of his nose and took in a deep breath. Exhaling slowly from his mouth, he regained his composure perfectly.

 "That is beside the point Maielk. The Council has eyes and ears everywhere. They likely already know, and are descending upon us as we speak. Not only did you threaten to compromise your own cover, but you have put ours in jeopardy as well."

 My grip cracked the top of the counter I was thrown against. I lifted my lip with my teeth grit and gave a guttural growl while I thought about the boy slapping Ayame.

"He struck Ayame.."

 Oururuu then gave a defeated sound. Despite his size, his steps were quite gentle while he gained on me. Resting a hand on my shoulder he looked down at me with those gentle grey eyes.

 "I understand how protective you are of Luka, especially after-"

Desperately I compressed her chest, and breathed air into her. The others steps roared as they gained,

"Luka please! You have to breathe!" I pleaded with a shriek that even to this day is a foreign sound to me, one that was lost in the echoing sandy waves of time.

 I looked at Oururuu, the most powerful one I knew. I had witnessed him perform miracles, he had to have something..

"Oururuu please! You have to help her!"

He pointed to Borthal,

 "Hold him down."

 I struggled and screeched as Borthal pulled me from Luka.

 "Maielk there isn't much time. Be forewarned I intend to use Deep magic. It has a sixty percent chance of killing you."

"I don't care! I don't want to live in a world where she isn't!"

“Munpiat Ateripa Atis Ahriha, Etorgaud ehrit Exsulvahn, Ordin Pruhanate Verbindiss, Laux Curarin Frolicit eh Korancho vani!“ Oururuu’s hands shone bright with a black flame that danced from his digits, a flame that even in its presence I could feel was evil in nature.

 After his chant, his hand sunk into my chest, lighting my insides ablaze with the burn of a thousand suns. I grit my teeth and bore it in silence.

 Oururuu withdrew a golden thread from my chest, with one hand while the other grabbed Luka's goddess Silver broach. Clenching it into his hand it's shape changed into that of a heart. He bound the replacement heart with the golden tether from me. Placing it onto Luka's chest, his hands glowed a purple that danced with wicked black flames. The moment the replacement sank into her chest, she gasped. Joy welled over me while the darkness danced at the periphery of my vision. Pure tears of happiness poured while the darkness took me.

"Her life force is now bound to yours.. when the day comes..the drum of your hearts, and the breath in your lungs will fail together.."

 My fingers had bore holes into the countertop, in a fruitless effort to support me after my knees had given out. One hand planted on the floor all I could do was breathe it out.

If she mattered so much to you.. then why did you run? Leaving everyone behind..?

The intrusive thought dragged razors along the echoes of my mind. My breath quickened, as if I were to slip into another episode, but rage boiled my blood. Standing, I ripped the top from the counter and threw it at Oururuu.

"BECAUSE I COULDN'T CURSE THEM WITH MY BURDEN!" I screamed.

 Oururuu caught the countertop with ease, while I stood there, my throwing arm limp, I teetered on the razor's edge of another episode, desperately breathing to prevent that.

"No one deserves what I've done.."

Oururuu set the countertop to the side, and within the same moment rested a green glowing hand on the side of my neck.

 The warmth passed through me, but seemed to congregate at my hands, causing a sort of pulsating buzz to alternate between them. This stimulation came from deep within, even my soul could feel it. My mind cleared, breath receded and the drum inside calmed. Oururuu noticed the wobble in my knees and supported me with his other hand before they gave.

 Straightening up, I shoved him off of me. That comfortable arrogance painting me with such a thick protective varnish,

"I don't need you.. I don't need anyone.." my voice shook as I lied to myself.

 With a drunken-like step, I walked past Oururuu and stumbled back out into the hallway. Mentally swallowing, I allowed the arrogance to pull me under. 

 Ayame stood outside the nurse's office in the same exact place I had left her when I was requested for an  impromptu meeting with Oururuu. 

 Every hair on my body stood on end. My gaze followed this cold air to my left. Two men in suits stood at the far end of the hall. I had already begun to slip my fingers into the Aether, pressing them to the hilt of my new sword when Jace gripped my wrist.

 "Play it cool and go hang out on the roof for a while before you head back to the hideout. I'll take care of this. Watch out for Ayame while I'm gone."

 Without ceremony he stepped past us, and joined the two suited men. One of Ayame's hands gripped at the sleeve of my jacket, while the other covered her mouth, forming a dam for her tears,

 "I've only ever seen people leave with them.. they don't come back.."

 

Leaning my neck back over the corner of the concrete ledge, the back of my head pressed against the whistling chain link fence. Ayame rested her head sideways on folded arms, looking out along the long winding driveway to the school. 

 She abruptly stood, her fingers slipping through the chain link fence and pressing her nose to it.

 "That was Oururuu's car.." she emitted quietly.

 I glanced up at her, then turned around to watch a long black car leaving the school grounds, towards the city. I looked at her, while she still wore the disguise I could see her ears laying flat in my mind. Reaching up, I pulled at her sleeve. When she turned her attention to me, I patted my lap,

"Come on, let me love on you."

 Without the need for another invite, she slipped from the chain link fence, and rested her head on my lap from the side with the back of her head towards me. Slowly and with a gentle touch, I pet her while I watched the orange hues of the sunset bounce across the sky, as if playing a skipping game from cloud to cloud.

 We had stayed like that up until the last of the orange light just lined the horizon. Ayame hadn't moved, not a millimeter. I slid my hand to rest softly on the side of her neck, it raised just a little.

"Hey.." I whispered.

 "Mmm..?" She mumbled groggily.

"It's time to head back okay?"

 "Okay.." she said with the same groggy tone. 

 After giving a mighty stretch, she stood yawning. When I joined her I saw a tense concerned look on her face. She reached out and took my sleeve. It would seem she needed to at least feel like she wasn't alone in her head.. that's okay..

I'll fight your demons.

Chapter 3

​

The secret locker door opened with a solemn creek, and closed much the same. Ayame had maintained a lead on me through the door,

 "Hey, we're back-" she abruptly stopped after she rounded the corner.

 Closing the door, I joined her to find the hideout completely dark with not a single soul here. We stepped in, and flicked on one of the lights. Ayame found a note sitting in plain sight on the counter to her left.

 

"Ayame

 Hiro really messed up big time. For the sake of all of us, Corvid, Skylark and I have gone to speak to the council on behalf of Jace. Jace is a much better friend than Hiro likely deserves. Jace swears that he was the one who did it. The defense of the school is up to you and Hiro. We’ll be back in a few days.

  Marielle Delgado."

 

Ayame read the letter out loud. I sneered at the Undead's words. Though they rang true, I didn't appreciate hearing them from someone as filthy as she is. With a light snorted growl I turned to go to my room, but Ayame caught my wrist after she set down the letter, I turned back around to face her, finding that she had a soft blush across her nose,

 "So.. we're here just the two of us for a few days.." she fidgeted her pointer fingers together cutely.

 It made me relaxed a little to find that she had found relief enough to start that cutesy crap again. If I had to guess, it would be the fact that Jace wasn't in trouble, and that everyone else had gone to support him to ensure his safety.

 I stepped close to her, towering over her while I stared directly into her eyes. With a slight cant of my head, I leaned down, lifting my right hand to the counter. As my face neared hers, her eyes slid closed while she nervously started to pucker her lips. With a soft sigh, I crumpled the letter in my hand, and stepped to the left of her.

"I need some fresh air.." I said through exasperation.

 "M-me too.." she whispered.

 Stepping out into the hallway, Ayame was close on my heels. In each of her delicate fists she held a flashlight. Offering one to me, the brightness across her face had still been receding,

 "Here. Let's do a few rounds okay?"

"They don't hire security…?"

 "Why would they when they have us?"

"Fair enough." I grumbled with a certain amount of annoyance.

 "You take the east side of campus, I'll take the west, and we'll meet back up in the middle okay?"

"Sure whatever." I started walking towards the east side of the building 

 Lazily I swept the light from my flashlight quickly over rooms as I opened and closed them one by one. The campus building now felt much more massive, with the main building itself, but also three auxiliary buildings connected to it. One of which was the gymnasium. Thankfully I didn't need to go that far, but I would likely end up down there tonight to bathe anyway.

 It's called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder..

Oururuu's words echoed in my mind. With a clack, I firmly tapped the flashlight to the side of my head,

"Get out of there.." I whispered in frustration.

 I refused to admit there was anything wrong. As long as I still woke up in the morning, and as long as I could still perform my duty.. then there was nothing wrong.  

 Everything else was just a bi-product of being alive..

 With a gentle kick of my foot, I sighed. Truth be told I didn't have any outlets beyond fighting. And as one would imagine, that didn't happen every day. So frustration would mount and pile on itself.

 I had searched nearly half of my share when I glanced over a room where I was forced to take a second look. I saw a large black mass lying still in the darkness until I flicked off the flashlight to find it silvered by the moonlight from the window.

 Peering closer as I neared it, it appeared to be some sort of large box on legs. I glanced around the room to find several of what appeared to be musical instruments, or at least that is what I reasonably assumed. A long ebony board ran along the front of this piece. I slipped my fingers beneath, and lifted it. My mind was amazed to find ivory and ebony keys running in near regular intervals. Gathering that this was some sort of organ, my eyes followed the inside of the board I lifted. Yaskanah piano 381st edition. 

 So it was called a piano. Curiosity receiving the best of me, I pressed a finger on one of the keys. The resulting tune it made reminded me greatly of the organs that were commonly used by Dragon Servantesses to entertain their masters and their guests. Only one came to mind that could be considered the pinnacle of her kind. Fiorinor. 

 Fiorinor, may I borrow you for a short while?

I called out into the vastness of my consciousness. Within only a few moments she appeared. She was tall, even considered tall for our kind. She stood taller than even myself with a lean body. Long beautiful brown tresses hung over lithe shoulders. Her horns were petite, softly curving backwards from the crown of her skull in two layers, a long horn being preceded by a shorter one. She was one of few souls that awoke in paradise. 

 She gave a respectable curtsey,

 Of course, my Lord. How many I serve?

My eyes fell to the keys of the piano once again.

What would you call this instrument?

 An organ, my lord.

You played one for Xanros' court did you not?

 I did.

Would you be so kind as to share your memories of it with me?

 As you wish, my lord.

 Her spine sat straight on the organ seat, her form layered with a lovely red dress that split up the back, keeping her decent in only the chest. A slight wince with each keystroke was smothered by the bolstered laughter of Xanros while he entertained his Elven allies. Her eyes moved down to the keys she played that had been bloodied by her near constant playing at Xanros' command. This was what she had trained for her whole life. She was not the cruel, and strong type of Dragon, but with nimble hands she had learned to play, hoping that she would one day gain a powerful lord. The memories of her childhood were not as sweet as they should have been. Instead of playing and learning to be a Dragon, she learned the Organ. Each little note and technique she learned through trial and error was taught to me through her memories. 

 A lash brought her to straighten her back while she played. Xanros laughed while he lashed her again. She did not yelp, she did not whimper, for she knew the moment she made a single sound, Xanros would fall on her like a hunter on its prey.

 Mjolnir reached out to touch Xanros' arm,

 "My love, she can not play if you wound-"

 "Silence" he commanded his queen.

 And she obeyed.

The reel of the memories she chose to share, ran dry. She performed another curtsey,

 Is there anything more I may do to serve you,my Lord?

No. That will be all. 

She turned back towards the darkness beyond my consciousness,

Fiorinor? I asked hastily before she receded completely,

 Yes, my lord?

You don't have to call me that.

  As you wish, Heir. She gave a cheeky smile.

The warmth of her humor waved over me.

One more thing Fiorinor,

Yes?

Has paradise suited you well for these last few millennia?

 There is no time here, so I cannot speak of the passing of it. But the life you have provided me here, is well worth more than its weight in gold.

 She completed one more curtsey before fading into the darkness beyond my mind.

 

 With a soft breath bringing me back to the present, I recalled the skill taught to me by Fiorinor. I laid my hands upon the keys, and stroked a few of them, attempting to replicate a song I had heard many years ago.

 The tune was off, but reflected it enough for me to find at least a little bit of joy in it. While I explored this new found interest, some time passed without me realizing it. 

 I rocked slowly with each keystroke, attempting to control the tone at which the tune was made through the firmness I laid up on the keys. I closed my eyes while the piano sang to a silence. 

 A clattered noise wrought me from this precious moment. Within an instant I had turned, the seat tipping backwards while I summoned my sword from the Aether. And for moments on end, the only sound made was the ring of my blade in the darkness.

 Focus finding my sight, I relaxed when I found the form of Ayame clinging to the outer frame of the door. Watching me while I played no doubt. Swinging my weapon, it vanished into a cloud of mist. Apprehensively she stepped into the doorway,

 "The song was pretty.." 

"Thank you.." I admitted with embarrassment creeping across my face.

 "You seemed happy.. That's the first time I've seen you like that.."

"It reminded me of a time a long ago.."

 Ayame pressed her back to the wall, slid down and patted the seat next to her,

 "Well.. we have all night, and I like stories."

I joined her quietly, sitting with one leg left up to prop my arm on its knee.

 

"I look ridiculous in this suit." I fussed with the bunched lace at my neck. The suit I wore would have been considered high class for anyone other than "The Butcher"

 I gave a snorted growl while I tugged at the v portion of the colorful jacket, trying to loosen it up around my shoulders. I didn't like being so restricted in movement, I was a fighter, not a bureaucrat. I shifted the hips of the matching slacks just a little before finding some sort of comfort.

 "Well I think you look good." Saraath said, while placing goddess silver earrings into her ears. The goddess silver glittered and glowed like a rainbow still shimmering in the sunlight.

 Saraath was beautiful, but more than that  there was a reason I had chosen to marry her all those years ago.  

 My gut turned and twisted at the thought of how it had ended. She had disappeared into the dark, the night before our wedding.

 Turning from her, I looked into the mirror. My horns had been polished, with a few golden rings around them to add some complexity. I had wondered.. is this how Xanros looked…?

 My train of thought had been derailed when Luka had stepped out from behind a curtain, and slapped me on the backside. I jolted, placing a hand on where she had slapped,

 "Don't fret so much. We'll be in an out before you know it." The way she pronounced out sounded more like "oot" which oddly enough made it rhyme with the way she pronounced know. 

 I was still fairly tensive around Luka. Since the few days in the cavern I had gained this airy feeling in my gut when she was around. 

 Looking down, I peered at my own lavishly clothed body. This wasn't me, and I hated it.

 Jace entered the room, dressed in his own lavish outfit, but his at least fit him in the fashion sense. It matched. 

 Even Oururuu and Borthal wore their own suits that had been tailored for them by the Seedless Artisans. They all looked good, the heathenous bureaucrats.

 I turned to see Luka, having stayed where she had slapped my backside. She was absolutely breathtaking.

 The shade of blue her dress was, had matched and even complimented the shades of blue in her hair. The dress began as a loose choker around her neck, separating then rejoining just past her chest, leaving a sort of window for what little cleavage she had. The dress continued down, leaving her back open, and stopped at her ankles. From there down she wore open-toe high heels.

 "Hey.. my eyes are up here, champ." She teased. I turned red while I huffed putting my back to her. Her laughter caused my face to turn even more red.

 "Alright everyone. Shall we get this over with?" Oururuu held a blue crystal headed cane.

"Why do we even have to do this??" I asked almost rudely.

 "The Queen has invited some distinguished guests for tonight. She is attempting to win them over."

"You mean the elves we escorted here? This is what that was about??"

 "The very same."

I groaned. The elves we had escorted to the forest, and were entrusted with, were very pompous and high class.

 Without further adieu we were escorting the elves out into the main hall of the palace, where food tables and entertainment had been lined from wall to wall. The center of the cathedral-like palace was left vacant for dancing and the like. I swallowed nervously.

 This was all so much to take in for a country kid like myself. More people in one place than I had ever even known. I reached backwards to rest a hand on the hilt of my sword for comfort, only to find it wasn't there. I felt naked without my weapons.

 Saraath stepped next to me, wrapping her arms around one of mine, pressing her modest bust onto me,

 "Come on! Come dance with me!" She grinned playfully

"Saraath don't do that , you know I can't -"

 "What? Didn't Siranna ever teach you-" I pulled away from her, baring my teeth and gave that same snorted growl that Dragons were known to do.

 "I'm sorry.." she held her arm while she looked away from me.

"At least look me in the eyes when you lie to me this time." I forced my way through the crowds for the bar on the other side of the hall. I had felt so confused about everything up to this point. It had been over a year since the day I joined Oururuu's team..

 Sitting down at a long chest high table, I propped my elbows on it and crossed them at the wrist.

 "We'll If it ain't the Seedless Demon. What can I get for you Sug?" She was very sweet and honest in her smile.

"Anything that is going to get me through tonight.." I winced at the mention of The Seedless Demon. 

People were and have always been strange about names, and titles. For one group, a name as simple as Tan could be considered endearing, where others it would be a slur. Yet every time I heard that name.. it reminded me that no matter how far I went, and no matter what I did. All I would ever be, was a Demon. Maybe it was high time to lean into it-

 Jace plopped down next to me, with Borthal short in tow,

 "Make it three of whatever this guy's having!" Jace clapped his hands onto my shoulders.

 "And make'em tall! He's paying!" Borthal laughed.

 I laughed while I turned to them. These were my brothers. Men I trusted with my life, and knew that through anything, they'd support me.

 A few drinks down, our words started to slur, and the night started to feel a little bit lighter.

"You know.. it's.. it's not that I didn't wanna dance.. but.. I just don't know how.."

 Jace looked at me in shock, with one eye drooping. Without a single word, he stood up, and grabbed my arm.

"Hey where-"I protested

 "I'm gonna teach you to dance!" If I hadn't known that Jace was drunk, I would have thought him a little slow.

 We squared up on the dance floor, and Jace was honestly a little forward when he grabbed my hands.

 "Here.. and here." He placed my left hand on his right shoulder, then held the other a little further out, and a little higher than shoulder height.

 I looked around to see how the others were doing it and from the position I was in, females were in with other pairs,

"Hey, I don't.. I don't wanna be the girl man."

Jace laughed a drunken laugh at my expense,

 "Boy or girl got nothin to do with it fuck face.. it's the following position.. so just.. do the opposite of what my feet do okay? My left foot goes back, your right foot goes forward. That stuff." Despite his slurring, he explained the basic concept pretty well. Or at least well enough for drunk me to follow.

 We clunked through the first few songs until we had a certain rhythm worked out. I would never admit it out loud, but it had actually been a lot of fun.

 During the wind down of a song, we had done enough spinning that I had started to get nauseous, that paired with the liquor in my belly left me feeling like I had wanted to puke. 

 With one last twirl he placed his hand on my lower back, and leaned me backwards,

 "Aaaand dip!" He said humorously.

"Noooo" I said pathetically during the dip.

 He hoisted me back up, and I threw an arm around his neck, poking him in the chest a few times while we laughed together,

"People are staring.."

 "So what? Let'em" he stumbled slightly

 "I'm gonna go get some more drink. You want some?"

 His words were wasted on me, as my eyes had locked onto Luka. She was entertaining one of the Elven emissaries with Saraath. She glanced over at me, and my heart froze in place. She looked away with a touch of nervousness while she brushed a bang backwards. I bet she would have put it behind her ear if they weren't on top of her head..

 My heart thumped and pounded in my chest with a roar that decided my next move. I held my hand out for her on the dance floor. Her brow furrowed a little, out of confusion I think. That confusion didn't last long as she handed her drink to Saraath and excused herself. She took my hand as we both tried to assume the following role, Luka laughed, which made my face turn a little red.

 "Did Jace teach you this? He dances like a hick, here like this." She placed my hand on her hip, while the other held out like with Jace. Just as we went into the first step, I saw Saraath over Luka's head. She tightened her jaw and looked away from me, feigning interest in whatever the emissary was saying.

 Looking back on it now.. I wish I had been better to her that night..

 

 "Was she pretty?" Ayame asked with her eyes closed and her head against my shoulder.

 "She was gorgeous.. And like Luka.. she was lethally intelligent. I must have a thing for smart girls.."

 She looked up at me, half of her irises were green that swirled and shimmered in the silver of the moonlight.

 "You know.. I'm.. I'm pretty sma..r..t" she fell limp over my lap.

 With a soft huff, I lifted her up into my arms. I should have known that would have been a little too much..

 When we arrived back at the hideout, it had been exactly the same as when we left it. Dark, and honestly uninviting. 

 Pulling up the blankets to her chin, she rested peacefully on her bed. I pulled a chair up next to her bed, and watched her. For hours I watched her chest rise, then fall. Yet when the late hours came, I gave a long stretch that was topped off with a yawn that matched. Calling it a night, I headed to my room, and got into bed. 

 The very moment I laid my head on my pillow, Ayame whimpered out into the darkness. I groaned as I sat back up. Maybe she felt alone.. what if I gave her something that smelled like me? That way she wouldn't feel alone.. I grabbed my jacket, and went back to Ayame's room. Laying back her blankets, I rested my jacket on top of her. She immediately snatched it with her hands, and bit down onto the nape of the neck. With a natural shrug, I rested her blankets back on top of her, and went to bed.

 

 "Daddy? It's so hot today.. Can we go play in the creek?" Sariah stood before me with her fingertips touching, wearing a hopeful look.

 I looked at the reins in my leather gloved left hand, and the shovel in my right. I still needed to shovel out the Compicken's barn, wrangle the Cattlepillars from the pasture for the night, and deal with a young Pegasus that needed to be trained to pull the plow. The life of a Legion farmer kept me busy, there was always something that needed to be done. But when I looked into her eyes, the call of my duty as a single Dad rang just as loud as my Legion duties.

 I swapped the reins from one hand to the other so I could bring my hand up to block the sun from my eyes. Looking at how much sky was left between the sun and the horizon, it showed to be around 4pm. I usually called it quits around 6pm so I could make dinner and get Sariah ready for bed. If I worked two extra hours tonight I could make the time to take Sariah to the creek to swim. I had been meaning to teach her how anyway, nightmares of her drowning plagued my mind at night. She was only three winters though, would she even get what I was trying to teach?

 With a soft sigh, I smiled down at her,

"Alright.. go get our swimming stuff. We'll take one of the Equinasaurs with us."

 With Sariah in front of me, I held a hand around her, while the other held the Equinasaur's reins. It would only take a few minutes to travel there and back due to the large strides our mount made.

 Sariah leaned back with a giddy hop, and beamed a bright and happy smile.

 She opened her eyes, and black corruption leaked from them and down her face.

I love you Daddy.. escaped her in slow motion, distorting the sound into a horrific message.

The scene turned to pitch blackness while I once again fell into the void.

 

 The moment my eyes shot open to the darkness of my room, they leaked tears onto the pillow supporting my head. The breath in my lungs heaved my chest again and again, the sadness and anger slowly but surely subsiding. I brought a hand to cover my eyes, my chin lifted towards my lips. Try as I might, I could only stifle my soft sobs so much while I clutched my pillow to my chest. All I wanted was to hold her in my arms again..

 My ears focussed when I heard the sound of Ayame’s door opening. Her feet stumbled drunken-like down the hall, and the moment she stopped out front of my door I sat up and started to swing the blankets off of me while I rubbed the tears from my eyes. My door didn’t slide open gently, it was slammed open.

 Her teeth were completely bare while tears poured from her eyes in torrents that dripped to the floor from her chin, her hair covering her eyes as she looked down. I turned and planted my feet on the wooden floor,

“Are you okay, Ayame?”

 The darkness was pierced by the bright and vibrant green of her eyes when she lifted them to meet mine,

“Maielk…!” She sobbed

 She only successfully captured a single step before she stumbled and fell forward. I lifted my arms to catch her, her hands fiercely gripping my shirt at the chest. I brought a hand to push back her right bang, to peer closely into her eyes. Luka’s eyes had always fascinated me, even when they were sharp and unforgiving. After we had come to love one another her eyes were one of my favorite things about her, the vibrant green pools that reflected the same color of the Matron’s. Even now, they almost glowed.

 Using her hands full of my shirt as leverage, she lifted and brought her lips to mine, in a connection that lit my heart on fire. I slid my hand from her bang to the nape of her neck in a gentle cradle. Though our parting brought on a pang of sorrow in my heart, she took sharp and labored breaths,

“I’m still here! I can hear you in the dark… fight for me.. I’m still… I’m..” She whimpered repeatedly until she collapsed against my chest.

 With my hand against the back of her head, I swallowed the harshest I had ever while my chest was pounding with anger, sorrow, and an overabundance of joy.

 Effortlessly I lifted her, and put her in my bed, and brought the covers to her chin. I rested on top of the covers on my right side so I could watch her sleep. Wondering what she was dreaming about. I brought my hand to her cheek, and grazed over her soft skin with my thumb,

"I'll fight for you.." I spoke softly, before closing my eyes.

 For the rest of the night I, for the first time since I came here, had a peaceful night. No dreams, no night terrors. Only the rest filled and comforting embrace of the purest dark.

Chapter 4

​

 The chirping of birds had slowly become louder and louder. It wasn't until the warm sunlight poured over my face did I finally open my eyes. Normally I wasn't the sleep in type, but normally I was alone. 

 My eyes squinted open to find her sitting up in my bed, her t-shirt had slipped over her shoulder to show the fair flesh beneath. I raised with my elbows propping me up. A shaky and almost hesitant hand reached out to touch her bare shoulder. She jolted beneath my touch, which itself did not go unnoticed.

"Hey.." I said so softly I was nearly drowned out by the birds.

 She turned to look back at me, the glorious morning light gilding her profile in a fine line of gold that accentuated a soft tint painting her face in a beautiful pink

 "Hiro.. why am I in your bed?" She finally voiced her confusion.

Turning I rested my chin on my elbow, smothering my face with a comfortable arrogance to mask my distress.

"What? You don't remember last night?" I spoke with the same arrogance I wore on my face, but I wanted to probe to see if she had retained the memory of the kiss.

 I saw her jolt again. Within a blink she whipped the blankets off of her, and onto me, blinding me from her exit. She quickly slid from my bed, and went to her room, nearly slamming her door behind her.

 Well Shit.. I gotta fix this. I'll use her frequent fainting as a scapegoat to keep the truth from her. She's smart, eventually I hope she figures something out..

 I tailed her after pulling the blankets from me, and stood outside her door for a moment before I knocked.

"You see Ayame what happened-"

 Her door flung open, and I was met by the angriest look I think I've ever seen her wear. Each iris was nearly one third green. I had focussed on that, and not her fist as she reared it behind her.

 Then black.

 

 Stepping through the tent opening I scratched my head when I gave a yawn. Stopping for a moment, Luka looked up from sharpening the blades on her bow.

 "Good morning!" She beamed the sunshine onto my day.

"I haven't been awake long enough to comment on the quality of the morning." I said with a groggy yawn.

 I continued my way to appease my stomach, the darn thing had been growling all morning. These long operations were starting to take their toll, or at least that's what I told myself. We still hadn't found any clues as to how I was going to rescue Sariah from Xanros yet..

 I shook the thoughts from my head so I could focus on the task at hand. The way the field cooks made the food was primitive at best. Foods skewered on sticks, and stabbed into the ground around the fire. I took two, one meat, and one that was some sort of fresh squash, it wasn't her favorite but she sure as hell wouldn't eat the former.

 I plopped down next to her, and offered her the other stick. She set her bow to her right to take it,

"You should be lucky they knew ahead of time you were going to be here. Vegetables are hard to come by this far out.."

 She only replied by sticking her tongue out at me. After that we ate in silence. I set my stick down to my left while Luka rested her head on my right shoulder wearing a happy smile on her face-

 

 When I came to, Ayame was just kneeling down and kissing my cheek.

 "Get up stupid, were late for school." 

 I reached a hand up to touch the spot she had just kissed. Sitting up I looked around me. I must have crumpled against the wall when she punched me. Man that is getting old fast.. I don't remember Luka being this violent. Maybe it's the only way she can figure out how to express unfamiliar feelings.. 

 Looking down I found my shirt from last night on me, she didn't want to keep it I guess.

 With a shaky grumble I got to my feet to change.

 I gave an annoyed sigh while I stood perfectly still. Ayame's delicate fingers finished tying my tie, then pulled down on the tongue to slide it tighter to my collar. I didn't normally wear the button up shirt, or the tie for that matter but Ayame insisted.

"I can do this myself." I said sharply.

 "You're going to let me do this." She said just as sharp.

 With a final brush of her hands on my shoulders, she slid her fingers beneath the collar of my jacket, ensuring the fold was just so. She gave her nod of approval and bounced over and faced towards the door,

 "As a matter of fact, you're going to let me do this everyday. And you’re going to let me take care of you"

 She turned, her fists were fiercely clenched and on her hips while she leaned forward with an almost angry look on her face.

 "We're going to eat together, we're going to sleep together, and we're going to bathe together!" She stepped over to me, and grabbed the tie she just so meticulously tied and yanked me towards her,

 "Because you're mine now."

"Ayame, I-" I started

 "No if, ands, or buts, unless it's mine in your lap. Understood?" She released the tie, and patted it back into proper place.

 I watched as her irises grew just a little more green while she spoke. This was the right direction.. I hope this is what Luka meant. I gave a defeated sigh,

"Alright.. But you can't be mad at me about this!" I pointed at her while she bounded to the door, and turned back to stick out her tongue at me.

 We turned right out of the door to find a sort of emergency exit that popped us out into an alleyway off of the school campus. I didn't even know this exit existed, and I had already been here a month! Using the stupid school entrance every time. 

 It was already into the late morning by the time we arrived. For the entire walk she never let go of my arm, her head rested constantly against it. The whispers started as soon as we entered the school,

 "Ayame and Hiro are arriving late together!" One girl giddily exclaimed,

 "What's Hiro got that I don't.." I could hear the moment his soul was crushed,

 "How scandalous!" Another girl spoke with a hand over her mouth.

 I gave an annoyed snorted growl, and just as I went to speak,

 "Ah ah. Nope. Keep it to yourself." Ayame corrected me before I could even get a single syllable out.

 "That heart rate of your's betrays you every time you open your mouth, Hiro." She reached a finger to tap at her own lip,

 "Come to think of it, it's pretty easily to tell when you're having a hard time too.." she must have meant my episodes.. or the night terrors. I couldn't tell which.

 We stopped outside of our classroom. She released my arm, and brushed me down again.

 "I have student Council stuff to do. So you go in, I’ll be in as soon as I’m done."

 She stood on her tiptoes when she leaned forward to kiss my cheek,

 "Be. Good." She said sternly.

"How could I deny such a gentle request?" I replied with a little snark.

 "Glad we're on the same page then!" And off she skipped down the hall. 

 I watched her the entire time, the sway in her hips, and the visible joy in each step. She glanced back before she had gotten too terribly far to see I was still staring. 

 A sly grin creased her lips as her hands gripped her skirt on either side of her hips. Sticking out her backside, she lifted her skirt just enough so I could see just a line of her underwear. White with black lace today. Nice.

 I shook my head with an annoyed huff, then stepped into the classroom.

I'm never gonna hear the end of this.

Chapter 5

​

 The day passed without incident. Of course there wasn't much of the day left by the time we showed up, which only helped it pass by sooner.

 I stood at the end of class, and headed for the door. Ayame was speaking to the teacher when our eyes met. I pointed to the door and she nodded mid sentence and turned her attention back to the teacher.

 The halls weren't as busy as one might expect, but there were definitely people socializing. My eyes bounced from every face I've come to recognize, until I found two that I didn't. They were both males, but varied greatly in size. One male had a large stature. Easily a head higher than myself. His skin was milky, with wavy brown short hair, his clothes were plain black with a sleeveless shirt much like the one I wore underneath my hoodie. The other had a blue martial artist's uniform on. His hair was silver that stood straight up, and wore a set of armless glasses.  

 My sight narrowed on them, but I paid them no real mind until after I had passed them. The very moment I did, they both followed. My senses heightened ten fold while we walked. I wanted to test them, because maybe this was just a coincidence. I haven't gotten where I am today by trusting that either.

 I stopped to retie one of my shoes, while paying extremely close attention to their movements. They both stopped dead in their tracks the moment I did. It's exactly what I thought it was.

"If we're going to do this, we're doing it somewhere there aren't any humans."

 "And here we thought you don't care about the humans." The silver haired one rebuttalled with a nasally voice from a neck I wanted to wring right there.

"I don't. But trying to cover up your mangled bodies is too much of a pain in the ass…"

 The three of us walked together down the hallways.

 "There is a wing of the school under construction. No humans there." The tall one spoke, he was a lot sharper than he was leading on..

"I hope you boys have decent life insurance policies." I said humorously.

 

 After we winded down the stairs to the ground level, we soon found ourselves crossing a large plastic screen which had precaution messages all over it. The lights flickered down the darkened hall, and the moment we reached the darkness they sprung.

 With a blinding spin, I drew my sword from the Aether and blocked the larger males punch, while simultaneously kicking the other would-be assassin in the chest, sending him sliding down the hall a ways. The basic concept was to separate them from each other so it was more of a one on one. I didn't know their strength, making this strategy the strongest and safest in my arsenal.

 With a small pirouette, I turned and brought my sword down on the large one's right forearm before he had the chance to retract. The blade passed through meat and bone with little effort.

 He gave a voice of effort in the delivery of a second punch. The biggest problem with only using your fists to hit things until they stop moving is that if you're up against a trained opponent, they know where your attacks are coming from. I saw his next attack coming from a kilometer away. 

 Turning my blade sideways, I brought the edge to the space between his middle and ring knuckle. Slicing down the length of his arm, the blade passed through it leaving it to dangle in half all the way to the elbow. Ripping the sword from his now mutilated arm, I released its grip, and spun. The speed at which I spun made it seem like the sword just hung in the air until I gripped the hilt again. With the knuckle duster of the sword, I delivered all of the momentum I built up in the spin as a punch directly to the center of his chest. Meat and bone gave way to a crater that exploded out of his back, splattering blood in every direction. His large stature fell to his knees, and gave a single groan before death claimed him.

 Even after the blood splattered onto my cheek, I turned to face the other male as he approached.

 This one was slow. Much slower than the one who had already fallen. Though their speed would be considered impressive in normal terms. Truth be told, if I had been confronted by these two when I was mortal? I might not have stood as good a chance as I did now.

 Each of his attacks were lined with a blue fire, and were easy to dodge. They however left a sort of blue trail from them. They were likely just after images so I paid them no real concern until I crossed one of them. The electric shock I received would have stopped my heart if I had been weaker. It would appear though, this one was not to be underestimated.

 I hopped backwards to put some space between the two of us, shaking my arm repeatedly to loosen the muscles that had just seized from the electric shock.

 "What's wrong? Don't like my little zap?"

"You've got an interesting Sanction, that's for certain."

 I only saw one option in my mind to deal with this one. I would usually count on my chains to suppress his ability, but with them being made of metal gave them the chance to fail before they could completely suppress his Sanction. Which also left me without my most dependable weapon, I had to think outside the box.

 With a slight glance at my surroundings I had found nothing but generic construction. The hallway was nearly completed with the lights being the only thing left to be mounted. I would have been impressed with how quickly they rebuilt this wing, if I hadn't been locked in a fight to the death at the moment.

 His Sanction was the electrical type.. think.. Jace's favorite spell was lightning and you've beaten him before.. the concept should be the same. I gave a grin, and lifted my hand,

"O’ divinity, harkon mine call, thou that hungers-" He bolted at me, interrupting my incantation for the moment. Bouncing backwards I circled him several times, while he continued to throw blow after blow fruitlessly at me,

"stretch out after all burns and sunders from the fate within thy flame, craft thy soul into a foggy mane!; Smokescreen!"

 Smoke bellowed from my hand, coating the entire hallway.

 "That isn't going to save you!!" I heard him yell while he continued to throw his fruitless work in the directions I led.

The greatest combat advice I ever received came from my Dad Matthias, back when he was still the Blooded Chieftain.

"If you make your opponent follow your lead, then victory is already half yours"

And like a conductor bringing his symphony to a silence, the sprinkler system activated.

 The smoke was scrubbed from the air with the misty water, slowly lowering it to the floor. His eyes widened when he found me stopped in my tracks, a grin slowly creeped over his lips when he delivered his next blow. He had been so blinded by the sight of me stopping just long enough for him to strike, that he failed to notice the pattern I led him. 

 He crossed one of his own lines. The electricity bounced through the air, shocking him with so much force it brought him to a kneel. In the same instant he dropped, I threw my chain to wrap around his neck. He attempted to shock me through the metal, but found it had no effect.

 He tried so desperately again and again, only shocking himself until my chains had completely suppressed his Sanction. We were both soaking wet when I stepped off of the thick rubber pad at the foot of an electrical panel. 

 My heels sang a dooming song with each step,

"You aren't the first electrical Sanction I've fought, nor will you be the last I kill."

 I stood over him, menacingly staring down for a moment, before I drove my sword into the soft meat between his clavicle and shoulder. Ripping my sword forward, I split open his chest, spilling both blood and entrails out onto the floor. Shoving him backwards he landed and took a sharp gasp, then laid silent.

 The sword clutched in my fist shook with anger and the back end of bloodlust that hadn't quite been fully sated yet.

 Turning I threw the sword blade into a section of the dark hallway. With a tug of the chain, I flew through the air to deftly land in a squat on the hilt. My glowing red eyes peered down upon the one who only watched while I disemboweled his compatriots.

"What do we have here? Another lamb to the sacrifice?" I asked sickeningly.

 His shaking hand reached up to grab the arm of his glasses, to wipe off blood that had splattered on the lenses.

 "Hello again, Maielk."

 His straight to the point mindset ruined the banter bone I had found myself with. I leapt backwards, and tugged on the chain, returning my sword faithfully to my hand. I sniffed several times. I recognized his scent, and it was another old one. Seems like all of the old ones grouped up, probably for safety.

"What are you doing here?" I canted my head to compound my rude questioning.

  "My name is Jiroh. I am the head representative for The Council in this location, acting as the principal of the school. That means all of the Council's agents answer to me. That also includes you."

"Don't play coy. I know who you are. What are you doing here being the Council's head bootlicker?"

 "Not all of us can wreak havoc unanswered for, Maielk."

"Not with that attitude."

 He laughed dryly, while placing his glasses back onto his face.

 "Maielk, why are you here? Why did you try to assume Hiro's identity?"

"Fortuitous circumstances." I replied shortly.

 Jiroh's eyes found my sword, then bounced back to mine. I could tell it unnerved him, and to be honest I just reveled in the panic that pounded through his veins. Pressing the tip of the sword against the floor, I leaned on it, similar to a cane.

 "When you say 'fortuitous circumstances', are you referring to Ayame?"

"Luka." I corrected him harshly.

 "Ahem.. yes Luka. But why Maielk? After your disappearance, Luka fell apart. Why would you care now after so long?"

I raised my top lip in a sneer.

"Tread lightly, Jiroh."

 "I of course mean no offense. We simply want to know what the end game is."

"You've already identified yourselves as enemies, what makes you think I'll tell you anything?"

 "Consider it a favor. For an old friend." A grin that seized his lips brought my blood to an instant boil.

 Jiroh you son of a bitch.

 I gave another snorted growl, but this one was longer and deeper. The restraint it took me to not rip out his throat was beyond comparison.

"Fine, you want to know?"

 “What exactly are your intentions here?”

 I sharply fished into my pocket, and returned with my jar of shards.

"Do you know what these are?"

 He simply lifted his shoulders and shook his head in a dismissive shrug.

"These are shards of Xanros' heart stone. I think he's trying to come back, and raise his army once again. And do you bottom feeders know what he'll do first?"

 "Please, educate us."

"He'll come here and bring this place to its knees."

 "And what makes you think that will be the case?"

"Because I have something he needs."

 "And what pray tell might that be?"

"His soul."

 "Maielk, that is preposterous. The body and soul are too closely intertwined for one to operate independently without the other." He scoffed at me. He fucking SCOFFED at me.

"Oh by the Matron you're slow. The Ancients, Xanros included, don't play by the same rules we do! Is it so farfetched to believe?!"

 "We would have to have some sort of evidence that supports otherwise."

 I lifted my sword near shoulder high, and brought the top of the blade to my hand. In a swift movement, the golden ichor flowed. I squeezed my hand, and raised it up to his sight level. Each drop reflecting the light with beautiful golden flecks.

 "That means you're a… we may have underestimated the situation."

"Do you know who killed Xanros?"

 "I'm going to assume it was you.." he said with a hesitation that pleased me to my core.

"Good. You're learning. If you're capable of that, then pay attention."

 I stepped close enough that he could feel my breath on his ear,

"If I can kill a God. What makes the Council beyond my reach?"

 He struggled to control his breathing. He was consciously focussing on it. After a short silence, he cleared his throat,

 "We would like to offer a functional truce."

I leaned back so that we could look each other in the eye. The fear rolling off of him almost alarmed me. Was the Council so afraid to lose whatever power they had that badly?

"Go on, I'm listening."

 "For your participation in our ongoing operations, we would be willing to find replacements for your allies, and ensure their safety."

"Now it sounds like you're trying to win me over. Tell you what. I'll play by your rules, but only as I see fit. In return, you ensure the safety of my friends and find them replacements. There are bigger games to come."

 "Shall we form a contract to seal it?"

"Form a contract with the Council? You're out of your mind. If you keep your word, I'll keep mine."

 I turned away from Jiroh, and took only a few steps when i stopped and brought the back of my sword to my shoulder while I looked back,

"And Jiroh?"

 His eyes met the ice cold stare of mine.

"I'll consider my debt to you paid in full. Don't stand against me, I won't spare you a second time."

 I could hear the pound of his heart all the way down the hall through the darkness. 

Bastard.

Chapter 6

​

With freshly boiled blood, I returned to the hideout. The door opened with a creek, and closed making a rattling metallic noise. I rubbed at my neck while I turned the corner. I guess I'll just hang out until Ayame gets back..

 Or at least that was the plan.

The moment I cleared the corner, my eyes found Ayame holding a ladle, and wearing that cute apron from when we made Shrew Stew. I peered closely at her to find that's all she was wearing.

 "Welcome home Darling! Would you like dinner? A bath? Or maybe.. me?" She finished her sentence leaning forward cutely.

 I gave a bothered sigh, walking past her I dropped my hand on her head and rubbed between her laid down ears before making way for my room. Her eyes followed me closely while I stepped past, and when I gently opened the door. 

 She tailed me quickly, right into my room as I started to take off my school uniform.

 "Hiro.. what happened? And why is their blood on your face?"

 She held the handle of the ladle to her chest in a somewhat dainty pose. Not something I had been used to seeing, especially as of late considering how often she's punched me so far.

"I met the principal today."

 "What does commander Jiroh have to do with this?"

Commander??

"Aside from two of his goons trying to kill me? Well.. I just didn't think I'd see him here of all places.."

 "You know him? How?" she said with a slight edge of concern.

“Well..” I started..

 

 The heavens scattered its tears over the land that night. The road was slicked with mud, making my agility mean very little. My hands shook, not for fear of myself, but for the fear of failing my self imposed mission that night.. 

 I stood before three village men. They were good men, strong men. I had known them my whole life. I never wanted to hurt them.

"I do not come tonight seeking trouble. I need only speak to the apothecary!"

 "You will have neither, Demon!"

 "We don't want you or your ilk in our town!"

I looked at the center most man,

"Melkyr, I will use force if I must. But know that is not my choice."

 "Maielk, go home." Melkyr responded coldly.

 My heart sank. I had hoped with all of my being that they would let me through without a confrontation. I knew better though. The Blooded philosophy was to fight until your last breath. And these men were fine examples of that. I wasn't going to get into the village without a fight.

 If I had learned anything in the ten years I spent training under the private guidance of Luka and Isla, it was that as long as they didn't use their sanctions, I could take them. Even if it was three on one.

 The rain lightened up to a trickle for a few moments, and when the lightning flashed I struck.

I drew the sword that hung from my hip, and brought its flat to the far right man's side. At the same moment I threw my left hand's chain to wrap around the furthest left's waist. Both of the men flew over the berm, and down onto the canopy of the trees below. I hoped they survived, I had no intention of killing them. That would only make me the Demon they always feared me to be.

 While both of my other hands were busy, Melkyr struck. At the last possible second, I tilted my head just enough to where his blade would miss the neck it sought. With half of my left horn hewn off, I spun scooping up one of the other men's swords that had been dropped from the mud. With a weapon in each fist, I was at the most lethal I could be. Having only one weapon felt alien to me..almost like a handicap.

 Melkyr stumbled past me after having his blade diverted by my horn. Turning quickly to his left he brought his sword towards me again, but I stepped closer to him, slipping my sword between his hand and the grip of his weapon. Flinging his sword away from him, I brought the flat of the other sword to the side of his head. He fell face down into the mud, but I couldn't just leave him like that. Rolling him over I wiped the mud from his nose and mouth before I quickly headed into the village.

 The village men were already beginning to gather by the time I made it to the apothecary's shop. I slammed the door shut, and slid the blade of my left hand sword through the handle, locking it shut. The men pounded as hard as they could at the door.

"Jiroh, Mom's sick.. she needs medicine." I said desperately with my back bolstering the door.

 "Maielk, I can't serve you, lest my family suffers the same fate as yours."

"I have money!" I screamed and threw the bag of coins at him.

 He closed his eyes, and looked away from me.

"At least tell me what I can do! She's covered in black spots, and even breathing hurts her!"

 His sight snapped back to mine. He gave a hard swallow while his jaw quivered, then retrieved a jar and set it on the counter.

 "If I were to treat her, I would use this. Her dosage would probably be something like mixing three parts water to one part medicine, and taking sips as needed, but no more than 4 times in one day." He used a very professional tone.

 "But I cannot sell this to you. If I did, what would I tell the others??" His hand rested on the jar.

 I slammed the flat of the sword onto the counter next to the jar, my spare hand taking it by its top.

"Tell them I stole it from you."

 Without anything further, I bolted behind the counter, and ran out the back exit. The mud had only grown in the short time I was indoors, I needed proper footing. I crawled to the rooftops, and bound from building to building, stopping at the last one so my pursuers could see me.

"If you follow me, or intend harm on my family, I'll tell my Father of the Forest's weakness. Do not come after me." I yelled from the roof, my voice carrying above the roar of the rain.

 Every single man stopped dead in their tracks and looked at one another. This isn't how I wanted my relationship with the Blooded to turn out. I had grown up with these people, they were my family. Even if I wasn't theirs.

 Melkyr had come to, and was being propped up by another. They all looked to him as the chieftain for a decision. His eyes met mine, and his sternness softened when he saw no malice on my face. He waved a hand,

 "Let him go."

 Leaping from the roof I bound into the forest surrounding the village. My feet carried me swiftly, even as I fell and tumbled.

 I didn't stop sprinting until I had reached the front steps to the house. I slammed open the door, resting my weight on the handle, and was covered from head to toe in mud, and the blood from my horn had stained the little cloth the mud hadn't.

 Siranna rushed to me, and supported me with an embrace. She pulled back, inspecting my face while she wiped at the blood. I lifted up my right fist, and opened it, showing the jar to Dad. Heaving each breath I felt like I was going to pass out,

"He said.. he said three parts water for every one part medicine.." the world went black as I finished speaking.

 I awoke to find my head supported by Siranna's lap. She had brushed the hair from my eyes, and wore a soft and gentle smile.

 "Good morning, sleepy head." She teased gently.

 Siranna looked a lot like her older sister Saraath. She and I became close after Saraath disappeared just earlier that summer.

 I sat up, and brought a hand to my head, then slid it to my horn. Yep, half of it was gone.. the wound though had been cleaned and dressed. 

 There came a knock on the front door. Rolling over, my head throbbed, but nonetheless I grabbed the hilt of my sword. Dad rested his hand on my shoulder,

 "It's going to be okay.." he said reassuringly.

 The front door creaked open to reveal Jiroh standing before it. He had been dressed in a long black coat, holding a black doctor's bag. His feline beast men fur had been wetted by the rain on his walk out to our farm. His tail neatly tucked around his waist beneath his coat to keep it dry. He reached a hand up and removed his hat,

 "May I come in?"

 Dad stepped aside and invited him in. I sighed a breath of relief and leaned back against Siranna, who held me gently from behind. The scar over Jiroh's right eye stood out among his grey fur, yet it was his eye I wanted to catch, and catch it I did.

"I didn't think you'd show.." I admitted respectfully. Seems he found the letter in the coin pouch.

 "I could not simply leave my adopted daughter to her fate." He set his hat on the rack just inside the door, then reached a hand to pull off his armless glasses to wipe on his coat. Standing, Siranna took his coat from him, and placed it on the coat rack below the hats.

 Jiroh wasted no time arriving at my Mom Sylmara's bed side. He set his bag next to the bed while they visited briefly.

 "Dad.. it's so good to see you." She beamed the brightest smile she had since she became sick.

 "And it is good to see you little Sylly." He smiled just as warmly with his eyes closed.

 After their short reunion, he stood, rolling up his white sleeves and slipping an arm over her chest, he gently supported her while she leaned forward and pressed his ear to her back,

 "Give me several deep breaths, dear."

 Mom managed only a handful before she began to cough a rough wet sounding cough. Sitting back down, he took her hand and slowly turned her arm a little this way, and a little that way, peering closely at the black spots that had formed on her skin.

 He gave a sad sigh.

 "How much does it hurt to breathe?"

 "Only a little." She lied.

 "Maielk, please fetch me some water. Siranna please bring me a washcloth.

 I did as he asked and retrieved a bucket of water from the well outside. 

 When I arrived back in, Mom, Dad, and Jiroh were speaking hushly, and stopped the moment Siranna and I entered the room.

 In Mom's hand she held a vial that was sealed shut with a cork. Jiroh dug through his doctor's bag to retrieve two more vials and a piece of paper. While he handed the piece of paper to Dad, he brought one of the vials up to his eye level, possessing the same white powder from the jar I had taken just earlier. He reached his hand out for the bucket which I surrendered without question. Mixing the concoction to the same parameters he had told me, he spoke,

 "For the recipe, only the Aspen bark closest to the Matron will do. Take only a small amount from each tree. It will regenerate overnight, but if you take too much the tree will die, even in the Matron's care."

 He offered the vial that had the concoction to Mom. She drank the small amount of medicine he made, and instantly gave a sigh of relief. 

 I looked to Dad, who held the jar I had taken, while he took the recipe from Jiroh.

 If those are what he had.. then what did-

 "What is in that vial, Jiroh?" Siranna pointed to the one Mom held, while she offered the cloth to him.

 Not one of them would make eye contact. However Jiroh gave a tender, and exasperated sigh, nervously rubbing his glasses with the cloth from Siranna.

 "Eventually my medicine will do nothing for the pain that will rack your mother's body. She has a disease known to my home fishing village as Viper's kiss. There is no cure, and divinity cannot remove it. It is a degenerative disease that-"

"What's in the vial, Jiroh?" I asked sternly, my gaze sharpening.

 "Something that will ease her pain when the other medicine will no longer… forever."

 "You gave her poison!?" Siranna shook, stomping a foot forward, an energy I fed off of,

"We came to you for help, not to kill her!" My lip quivered. Everything I had done tonight for this to be the result??

 "I do not expect you to understand-"

 "We trusted you!" Siranna belt out, tears running down her face.

 "Children, let him speak!" Mom yelled. The entire room became silent, while the both of us looked away. She reached out and touched Jiroh's hand,

 "Eventually the pain will be too much to bear. This way.. she has a method to end that pain on her own terms. It will cause her body to become warm and numb, allowing her to pass in peace.." Jiroh turned to Mom, and brought her hand to his feline lips, kissing her hand again and again while tears leaked down over his fur.

 "I'm so sorry it came to this.. my little Sylly.. may we meet again in the Matron's embrace.."

 "In the Matron's embrace.." Mom echoed while she rested her head against Jiroh's.

 

I sat at the edge of the bed, my hands clutched together. Ayame cried into my shoulder, wetting it for some time now,

 "That's so sad!" She sniffled 

"Just the way life goes."

 "Your mom and dad were.. what did you call them?"

"Blooded."

 "So then you're a Blooded too, right?"

"No. They weren't my biological parents.. My Dad found me passed out in a forest when I was really young. They couldn't find my family, so they took me in and raised me."

 "I'm glad they did.." she wrapped her arms around my left one. Her ears perked a little,

 "So then you and Jiroh go way back. Sounds like you're pretty fond of him!" She rubbed her cheek against me.

 I didn't answer. I didn't want her to know that I would snuff out his life at the first opportunity.

"I'm hungry, let's get some-"

 Ayame collapsed against me again. 

 But.. she wasn't present for those memories.. maybe it's because I told Luka this exact story back then.. snagging my jacket, I lifted Ayame up, and put her in her bed.

 Returning to mine, I laid on my back, scrolling through more articles. This time it was about medical conditions. I wanted to see if Viper's Kiss ever turned up..

 The quiet was interrupted by three knocks. Standing with an annoyed sound, I slid open my door. There was no one there. Three more knocks, and it sounded like they came from the hallway leading out of the hideout. Following the knocks I found myself opening the hideout locker door. And outside of it stood Jiroh.

 He wore a pleasant smile on his human disguised lips. My insides twisted at the mere sight of him.

"What do you want, Jiroh?"

 "We have convened and would like to request you and your team save for Marielle and Corvid, for a planned operation in three months."

"And what are the details?"

  "A musical festival will be held here at the school. It is not only a fundraiser, but a further step for our internal processes."

"So the music festival is a distraction for your real purposes."

 "As sharp as ever it would appear." His compliment sickened me.

 "Please write and practice one song for your team, and have it ready for the festival."

"News flash, none of us know how to play instruments, genius."

 "Ask Skylark what his after school activities are."

 Jiroh gave a cordial bow, then turned away from me,

"Jiroh."

 He stopped and looked back at me.

"What ever became of Viper's Kiss?"

 "It was a disease that only afflicted Blooded. There are no more Blooded, so Viper's Kiss is no more. Is there anything else?" 

 The fate of that horrific disease brought me only a small amount of satisfaction because of its cost..

"You know who my friends are, don't you?"

 "If you are referring to Corvid and the rest, of course we do."

"Then why do you play stupid?"

 "Because it amuses us. Ta!" He waved a hand and continued on his way with a disgusting laugh. Sounds like the real Hiro would have been right at home here.

 I closed the secret door, and made my way back down the hall.

"I don't trust the Council.." I said out loud to myself.

I cleared the corner to find Ayame sitting on the couch in her normal attire, with a blanket at her hips.

 "You shouldn't. They're not good people."

I sat next to her, putting my arm on the back of the couch.

"Then why do you work for them?"

 "I don't know any different. As far back as I can remember, I've been a part of them."

The council rose to power in our absence

Oururuu's words once again echoed. They sure did..

 Ayame siddled, and snuggled into my side, and put her head on my shoulder, while she turned on the TV.

Chapter 7

​

The next morning had its silence broken by that of my morning alarm. I had come to rely on it more heavily than I should have. In the frozen north, it was hard to gauge the time for months, whether it was from too much sun, or none at all. Anywhere else I would have been up at dawn, and down at dusk.. unfortunately that was not a luxury that I could have in a city environment, despite how the school tried to make its location feel remote.

 My eyes opened slowly, the insistent buzzing forced me to reach up and hit the snooze button. Resting the rear of my arm over my eyes I seriously contemplated whether I need to continue this identity that badly. My irritations were rudely Interrupted by the alarm buzzing yet again. Sighing, I looked down at Ayame who was snuggled in the crook of my arm, her head on my chest. Even sleeping Luka was gorgeous..

 I tapped at her cheek a few times,

"Come on, it's time to get up."

 "Nnnn.." she groaned and rolled over, pressing her back to my side, and maintained my shoulder as her pillow.

 Of a like mind, I tapped the dismiss button on my phone's alarm. Resituating, I rolled over onto my right side and put my hand onto her stomach while I cradled her in a gentle spoon. She gave a quiet and contented noise while she snuggled back against me. Letting my eyes droop, they closed to invite the darkness back.

 

Despite the village being subterranean, it was actually quite charming. Each of the fuzzy little fluff huffers went about their way. I personally like the bone masks they wore, they made them look like different breeds of birds.

 Luka however had gotten used to riding on my shoulders to keep her ears and tail from the little addicts since they couldn't resist swarming her to rub their faces into her fur every time I set her down.

 With my hands resting at the top of Luka's knees to keep her in place, I halfway turned to address the Chieftain that walked at my side.

"Since you've tied my armor to the enchantment on my shackles, I have to know. What is it you wanted in return?"

 "Of course, furless one, we do nothing for free. Since our exile from Lord Xanros' service, we have been cut off from the Heart"

 "The heart.." the crowd of fuzz balls surrounding us chanted in unison. Their chant was one of adoration and longing. Poor things really missed this Heart..

"What does that have to do with us?" Luka chimed in, resting her furry tail between my horns.

 The fur from her tail tickled my nose, forcing me to huff in an attempt to remove it from my face.

"Do you fuckin mind?"

 "With a mouth like that? No wonder you're still single."

 Releasing a soft snorted growl, I let go of her knees and dumped her backwards into the eager grips of the Fluff Huffers.

 Her betrayed cries while she flailed in a sea of fur balls that acted like piranhas caused me to laugh. Each fur ball took a huff of her tail's fur then moved for another to do the same in a cycle that quickly continued.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She cried repeatedly while the fur balls had their way with her. Luckily for her the only thing they were interested in was the soft fur of her ears and tail.

 I let her wallow in this sea of despair for a few minutes before finally intervening.

 Reaching into the hip high horde of fur and masks, I lifted Luka with both hands by her sides. With one hand, I swatted away the remainder that clung to her tail for dear life. Luka wore an expression that made me laugh inside and out. Like she had seen and been through something so horrific she was left scarred and maimed.

 I put her back on my shoulders, and pointed at her.

"You done being a bitch?" I asked shortly.

 "Yep.." she replied quickly with a tone of the aforementioned distress.

 Turning back to the chieftain, 

"Now as my partner asked, what does that have to do with us?"

 "When Lord Xanros removed us from his service, he left The Idol to cut us off from the Heart.."

 "The Idol.." the entire sea chanted with rage and malcontent. It was easy to hear their distaste for the Idol.

 The path we followed winded through the caves, and opened to reveal a large blue gem at the back of the cavern. The gem looked eerily similar to the one Oururuu had at the head of his staff.

 The fluff Huffers stopped halfway down the winding path and refused to move a millimeter further. The chieftain stopped at the mouth of the cave to point at a golden statue that stood before the mighty gem. Skeletons littered this place joyously in a strange display.

"So.. you just want us to move it?"

 "If you are able."

 Setting Luka down, she looked around the room while I openly approached this statue. Squatting, I hooked my fingers beneath it, and gave a test lift. It teetered a little but I could carry this thing by myself. Standing, I started to turn back to address Luka when a flash caught my eye.

 Within that same moment, I summoned my armor from my shackles and drew a sword to block the blow.

 The amount of strength I was struck by flung me backwards, slamming into Luka. We slid a meter or two before we came to a stop. The Idol stood with a weapon in each of its six fists. Glancing down to my breastplate, it had a small ding across it where one of the weapons had struck. I was fortunate to have a full suit of Goddess Silver platemale.

 Looking back, I found Luka reeling a small amount,

"You okay?!" I nearly shouted.

 She turned to me, while the entire cave engulfed us in an eerie red haze. Black ooze slid from her eyes, and her mouth when she opened it to speak. My breath quickened, voicing my effort to remain calm but losing that battle.

 She leaned forward, and wrapped her arms around me from her position.

You're gonna be okay.. let me fight your demons..

 I heard those words echo through the darkness, bringing the terror to a halt. And an Aether like darkness and warmth slid over me in a comfortable peace. Though the dream had stopped, so did the night terror before it could do any real damage.

 

 The sunlight stung my eyes as it poured onto my face from the ceiling window. Sitting up I brought a hand to rub at my eyes while the other searched the bed for Ayame. Flipping back the covers I found she was gone. My eyes bounced from side to side while I thought. Was her being in my bed just a dream..?

 My thoughts were interrupted by the lovely scent of food. Smelled like breakfast.

 I nearly floated out, following my nose and the sounds of sizzling.

 Ayame turned and smiled a bright and cheery smile that warmed me to the darkest reaches.

 "Good morning sunshine, go ahead and take a seat, breakfast is almost ready."

 I did as she suggested, which left me some time to think while I waited. I felt strangely good today. I didn't remember waking up at all the night before.. I let out a soft contented sigh, and rested my cheek against a closed fist while I watched Ayame.

 The truth is, everything I adored in Ayame was Luka's. From the way she'd walk, to the way she would look at me. It was all Luka. The only difference I had found so far was the way she spoke. Ayame was much gentler than Luka was when it came to speaking. It was like Isith shining through.

 But no matter how fond of Isith I was, I loved Luka, even the way she spoke. Luka was very matter of fact, almost brutally so. She would always give you her opinion on a matter, even if you didn't ask for it. Her wit was sharp though, so her opinion was based on practical fact. Emotion however did not elude her. When I first joined Oururuu's team.. she and I fought like cats and dogs because of our different emotional responses. Different times.

 I was snapped back to reality when Ayame placed a plate in front of me, then set another plate right next to mine. She pulled up another chair and sat close to me, so close that our shoulders were touching. The flutter I felt in my stomach was a feeling I hadn't had since back then. Back when Luka and I.. I looked down.

 My eyes found my food, and devoured the sight. My fork followed my eyes shortly thereafter.

 With empty plates and full stomachs, we lounged on the couch together.

"So.. are we doing the school thing today?"

 Tackling me over the couch, my hands flew up to grab onto anything for support. The anything I just so happened to grab was the TV, nearly snapping it in half. Looking down at Ayame who rested on my chest, I held a stone still face until she laughed. I knew that Ayame liked this thing, and Borthal watched it quite a bit too, so I had no idea how she would have responded to me breaking it, even though let's be honest. It was more her fault than mine.

 The short adventure it was to go and retrieve a new TV wasn't any real challenge. Ayame flashed that same black card that Marielle had, so money wasn't an issue either.

 Before we knew it, we were back at the hideout and relaxing while she watched a new movie she purchased with the TV. The evening began to run late while we relaxed together.

 My fingers whirled and twirled, braiding strands of hair into neat and pretty braids, while she continued to watch her movie. I had been so focused on her that I didn't even know the name of it. I had began to get concerned when we hadn't heard anything from the others-

 I stood abruptly as my senses sharpened. My dragonic sense had started wailing in my head,

 "Hey.. what's wrong-" Ayame only just managed to voice out.

BOOM

 These whispers really liked making an entrance that's for sure.

 By the time we arrived outside to find a large pillar of dust climbing into the sky, it had just started to settle. 

 The visage my eyes were met with made my heart skip a beat. It stood at least a head taller than me, in the image of a male wearing a robe about its hips. A weapon in each of its six fists, and its neck topped with a darkened sun face.

The Idol..

 Slinging my sword from the Aether, its grip sat snuggly in my tightened grip. I wasn't going to hold back, not at all. The earth and air reacted moments after my movement, with a backward spin and as much strength as I could, I brought my sword to the Whisper.

 It's hand had emptied, dropping a sword to the ground. Without budging even a millimeter, it stopped my sword by the blade. The earth beyond the whisper arched up to relieve the pressure of the blow I delivered. Releasing my sword's grip, I retracted my hand and bounced backwards as it brought down a weapon attempting to remove my sword arm.

 Throwing my sword to the side, the whisper approached. It shuffled its several weapons until a spear with a flag lay in the hand that caught my sword. I saw right through its strategy, it was going to attempt to keep me from my weapon. It was intelligent.

 Ayame flew past me, and before I could stop her she had assaulted the whisper. She was fast, dodging or deflecting attacks until she threw one of her own. The whisper caught her blow on the spears haft, and launched her directly backwards.

 My eyes widened as she flew directly into me. I put my arms around her as we both flew backwards crashing through one of the school's walls. Slamming against the furthest wall in the room we ended up in, my head lolled for a few moments until I shook it trying to snap myself back to attention.

"Are you.. okay?" I said through pained pants.

 "Yeah.. I'll be okay." She groaned out.

 My eyes danced over the surrounding room. It looked like an empty club room. Bows and arrows lined the walls leading me to believe this was the archery club room. Wait.. archery.

 My childhood was not a normal childhood. I spent ten long and grueling years training with the Seedless. They spent much of that time trying to find a trigger for that berserk state, so that I could be used as a weapon.

 Luka and Isla trained me privately in the evenings, after Isla had spent the entire day training the Blooded of the Concord Legion. Isla was much more forgiving of me than Luka had been. Though if it had been Isla's wish, she would have been the Queen's Guard captain, not Luka. Isla has been the only one who could have taken the Bluefang from Alluriah. 

 I spent many nights lying awake, listening to the sounds of Luka stifling her sobs in the quiet dark.

 She and Alluriah had been mated for a long time.. until the night I killed her in that horrific state.. Why couldn't she have killed me instead, then Luka would still have-

 "Now is no time to battle with your demons love… if you don't come back to me.. we're both dead!" Ayame called out, piercing the veil of my mind.

 My breath heaved my chest again and again as my hands gripped at Ayame's arms. With her words, she snatched me from the dark depths.

 Pushing forward I stood Ayame off of me, and bolted for one of the bows and a quiver of arrows and passed them both off to her, who held the bow with a strange look that mixed familiarity and confusion.

 "I don't know how to use this!"

 I stepped close to her, while I watched the Whisper walk towards us from across the yard.

"Do you remember that day in the bathroom?"

 She turned a beat red,

 "Oh no.. that wasn't a dream?!" She squeaked from embarrassment.

"I told you your mind doesn't remember, but your body does. Trust your body to know what to do!" 

 I bolted out of the same hole we arrived through. My heart pounded as I rubbed my finger tips together, but doubt plagued my mind. I was fast, and agile, but I might not be enough without some extra luck. No, I won’t do that. Not unless I have any other option. As my pace stood now, I should be able to reach my weapon before he reaches me. 

 With the same speed as before, I bolted at the Whisper. Dodging its continuous strikes to leapt over its head. It focused nearly instantly, and brought the spear directly up. I was midair so I couldn't change directions.

 Bracing myself for the wound, I grit my teeth. It would at least put the weapon in a disadvantageous position. The moment before the spear made contact with the flesh of my side, an arrow sang through the air, and struck the tip  diverting its path just enough to miss me.

 Gripping the haft of the weapon, and swinging my legs down as hard as I could, I launched the Whisper through the air.

 The moment my feet hit the ground, I sprinted for my weapon. With a leap forward, I rolled, grabbing it by the hilt. The sword that the whisper had dropped was nearby. Whipping my chain at the hilt, I yanked that weapon to me as well.

 Standing with a slight turn, I now stood in my natural state of a weapon in each fist. The Whisper fell and tumbled, but scurried to its feet and was upon me in mere moments.

 Each of its blackened arms were eerily reminiscent of corruption, held to its body by large, round red gems that glittered in what little light was available. Shimmering with each swing of its many weapons. Through great effort I blocked, parried, and dodged most of its attacks while Ayame slung arrows at the Whisper from afar. 

 For an extended period of time Ayame hadn't shot any arrows while I danced death with our opponent.

"Ayame!" I shouted

 "I can't get a good shot!" She replied.

Bounding backwards, making the whisper follow my lead with a tireless relentlessness,

"Use your Sanction!"

 "It won't help for this!" 

 I grunted, with a double spin with both weapons. Giving me just a little space between me and the Whisper, if only for a moment.

"The same Sanction you used on me during our sparring match with Marielle!"

 "I didn't.." I heard her waver, but caught herself at the last moment.

"Yes you did! You identified a probable chance and used it to your advantage! Line up your shot and do the same! Even if you hit me it's better to try and fail so you can readjust!" I managed out before the whisper was right back on me.

 This was by far the most aggressive Whisper I had fought to date. It wasn't exactly skilled, but where it lacked skill it made up for with attrition.

 With a second hand moving to the spear's grip, it stabbed the spear at my chest. Sidestepping I cleaved the handle in half and  had hoped it would discontinue the spears use, but all I had done was arm it's sixth grip. We needed to deal with its limbs.

"Aim for the gems on its shoulders!" I knew it would be a long shot for Ayame to be that precise, but if she tapped into Luka's skill when she hit the spear, then she could do it again.

 Slowly but surely she struck each gem, the connected limb turning to sand each time. Before long the whisper sat on its knees with no arms left. I approached it and struck its mask from its face. The image I saw shook me to my bones. It had Sariah's face.

 "Daddy.." it pleaded pathetically.

 One last arrow zinged past my head striking the Whisper in the last gem on its forehead. The entire creature fell to sand-

"Daddy.." she whimpered.

 The arrow had dug deeply through the both of us. Her lip quivered as she took two sharp breaths before silence. Her skin turned a pasty grey while red cracks crawled over her, slowly crumbling to ash.

"No.." I sobbed into her cloak while I held her to my chest.

 How could it end like this? She was all i-

I felt the warmth in the darkness. Soft hands holding me in such a gentle support. Her cheek nuzzled the side of my head,

 "I'm here.. I'm right here.." she whispered.

 My chin raised, and while I fought to keep it all contained like I always do, I couldn't dam this pain like the others.

 I looked away, my hair dangled over my eyes while tears fell silently over my cheeks. I could defend myself physically.. But mentally? I wasn't ready.

 Ayame cradled me lovingly on the couch back at the hideout. I hadn't said a word since we defeated the Whisper. My concern inside began to mount further and further. 

 Maybe the whispers knew.. but how could they? What if I had another episode during a fight.. what if I couldn't protect Ayame..

 These thoughts ate at me quietly from the inside, even while Ayame did her best to soothe me with her voice humming a familiar and uplifting tune.

 What if there was a problem..?

Chapter 8

​

 The hideout door opened, and several feet stepped inside. I immediately sat up, and as a precaution I had my fingers rested on the hilt of my sword in the Aether until Oururuu, Borthal, and Marielle cleared the turn in the hallway. They all looked exhausted, even the Undead looked tired.

 I caught Oururuu's eyes, who only nodded and stepped aside. Jace passed them. He looked especially exhausted, and even though it would have to wait, my concern was piqued. I'd have to pick his brain this weekend at the mansion.

 Before I could turn my attention, a new strange person walked to the head of the group.

 She was almost as tall as me, with curly black hair that stopped just past her shoulders. Two what looked like scaled appendages drooped down from the sides of her head through her hair, while a scaled tail weaved back and forth. Glasses rested on her nose, as she held a large tome to her chest. She smiled at me with a pleasant smile,

"And who is this?" I snorted impolitely.

 " My name is Akleci I am a Lizard Beastmen. And from now on, I'll be your leash." She said such an offensive thing with such a sweet tone.

 My sight snapped to Marielle,

"Did you do this Undead?" My gaze narrowed,

 "You won't be treating the captain so poorly anymore either." Akleci corrected me almost immediately.

 "In my own defense. I urged the council against this." Marielle stepped past me, presumably going to her room.

 I bore my teeth to Akleci and just as I opened my mouth, Oururuu shook his head slightly. I gave a snorted growl, and stood. If I didn't leave the room, I'd likely kill her.

 

  The next day was by far the biggest pain I'd had since coming here. Aside from the new sleeping arrangements of me moving into Ayame's room, and Akleci getting my room, the new "team member" was more of a tail than I would have preferred. Everywhere I went, she would follow, not letting me out of her sight. Even in the morning when Ayame and I walked to class. Akleci followed me relatively close, meanwhile Ayame clung to my arm so tightly she nearly cut off circulation. Ayame peered backwards at her,

 "He's spoken for. Just so you know." Her words were sharp.

 "I am not interested in the Butcher romantically, Ayame. I am simply here to protect the humans from him, seeing as how you have failed to do so." 

 If Ayame were Luka, she would have laid her out for that one. I snickered with the thought of Ayame feeding this lady a hot one, bringing Ayame to look up at me. We stopped just outside the classroom door like almost every day. She woefully peeled herself from my arm, stood of her tip toes and kissed my cheek,

 "You gonna be okay?" She asked with an edged concern.

"Yeah, nothing I can't handle."

 Our hands parted only after the full length of our arms had been reached, while Ayame continued to glance back at Akleci and I until she hesitantly turned the hallway corner.

 After Ayame had been removed from the situation, I released the door handle and continued down the hall,

 "Where are you going?! Class is starting!" Akleci hushly reprimanded me.

"Get bent." I continued.

 She followed, and before long she reached out to grab my arm. With a lightning fast spin, I gripped her neck, and slammed her against a corner, with a wall blocking us from view. My free hand slid my sword to rest its tip against the wall to the right of her neck, and used the edge of my sword as a barrier to keep her in place without it touching her.

"If you knew I was the Butcher, why did you accept the job?"

 "Fortuitous circumstances." She laughed

"Don't play that fucking game with me!" 

  I pulled her forward and slammed her against the wall again. Her solid resolve shook for a moment before it hardened again, allowing me to see just a tinge of fear in her eyes.

 "Would you like the truth? Or a beautiful lie?"

"How would I know which is which?" I bore my teeth.

 "That's the beauty of it, it doesn't matter."

 I released her neck from my hand to rub at my own brow for a moment. In that moment, she leaned forward, pressing her neck softly to the edge of my sword, blood slowly leaking down her neck from the light graze wound my blade's edge left.

 "I came here knowing that you could kill me without even drawing your sword… but I had to see you for myself."

"What? To see the Butcher like a god damned zoo?"

 "In a way. I wanted to see the last Dragon with my own eyes."

 She squeezed her tome to her chest even tighter, but it perplexed me as she hadn't released it, and I hadn't seen her without it.

"What's with the book?"

 "It's not just a book, it's a Grimoire. It contains endless pages and there are only two in existence and I possess both!" She gloated a little.

 I had made the mistake more than once of underestimating another, but I couldn't help but feel like this person was nothing more than a buzzing fly. However she was associated with the council, an enemy force I currently had a ceasefire with.

 I retracted my sword from her neck, and pointed a finger at her,

"What's your Sanction?"

 "Recall. Anything I've ever learned or heard I can recite with perfect clarity."

"Is that what's with the book? You write everything down?"

 "Not everything. Only what I am interested in. This particular Grimoire I use as a bestiary. However, it has a few missing creatures."

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume one of those missing creatures is Dragons."

 "As sharp as the commander says." Her praise left a different flavor in my mouth. Not sweet, not bitter. Somewhere in between.

I gave an annoyed sigh when I came to realize I may have wasted my time with this.

"Listen.. you're not going to give me any trouble are you?"

 "I am only here to remind you to refrain from certain actions that would negatively impact the Council's operations." She smiled sweetly.

"And to put another entry in that book of yours."

 "Grimoire, and yes."

"What if I decide to be a thorn in the Council's side?"

 "They will return in kind. They are led to believe that Ayame is your goal for coming here."

"And if she were?"

 "Then they would use it as leverage over you. If you step out of line they will make whatever your mission is, very difficult. She could be transferred continuously if they so chose."

 The council had finally given me a reason to play nice for now. Though I'd be a liar if I said I didn't want to hunt down every one of them and gut them like the filthy animals they are.. Without Luka, I could not sow the seed.. and on top of that, the last thing I needed right now was more enemies while I collect the shards. If for no other reason, this silly ceasefire provided a certain amount of security..

 These thoughts all bounced through my mind in an instant, forcing me to release my grip on my sword to allow it to vanish into mist.

"This is going to be a give and take, you understand?"

 "Naturally. I only desire to know what you want in return." She said,

"Just stay out from under foot, and I'll tell you as much as you want to know."

 She giddily hopped up and offered her hand to me, for us to shake on it. I gave a grimace and a voice of disgust while I turned from her, and headed to class with her in tow. As if my life wasn't complicated enough right now..

Chapter 9

 

Chapter 10

 

Chapter 11

 

Chapter 12

​

Chapter 13

​

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