While we began circling one another, Mom set up a barrier to keep the others safe from the after effects of the attacks.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAVaVk0tQXBe
Ecluna, with her Ecliptic energy, makes herself a weapon, before dashing towards me.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAAd3p4oo4Wd
With my spear, I managed to block the first attack, before dodging another. Ecluna continues to giggle as she continues to attack. Finally, I landed a stunning blow on Ecluna. I could feel the Eclipse grow weaker.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAcBKiMA9t5G
I glance towards Arelin, Jake and the others. I felt a warm feeling when I saw the turned become more normal.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAAk1JLcKTpc
Ecluna suddenly throws herself onto me, landing blow after blow right into my stomach.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA3gZ0GEzDgd
I feel the pain burn within my entire body as her attacks grow stronger.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA032zqeGdBi
Pushing her away, I return with my own barrage of attacks. I painfully get up with steady legs, but I just couldn't help but to make sure the others were okay.
182Please respect copyright.PENANANcNiqOKIBe
"Iris, don't tell me you're holding back to make sure your friends are okay..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAdtfrmUrXiM
Despite her large decrease in power, Ecluna's grip around my throat was tight.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAHNoYhrHi7R
"What's the matter? Have you already given up on fighting back?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAYeOuZPAzeq
"T-That's e-enough.. Ecluna.." Arelin says through clenched teeth.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA6iq45TncCR
"Hmm? Did you say something Arelin?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAXLNwE6x2wD
She floats closer towards him.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZgVLxx1hz
"D-don't...hurt her.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA0utcDtKzkZ
"...Jeez, I'll need to be quick if I wanna keep you."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA0BG330rV8r
Then, she turns back to me.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAwbPLWaLtpc
"Hopefully I can kill you before he changes back.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ub0o3Fp6t
She charges up another magic to attack me with, but I didn't move, because I was trying to help Arelin snap out of it.
Arelin was switching back and forth through forms, as if..this nightmare was finally coming to an end.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAKvCzGDB2BT
The last sliver of the Eclipse had to be charged up in it's final form.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA2EmiV0SKRr
"Consider this a final message. If I can't kill you..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA3SDk5MDyDC
She immediately points the attack towards the others.
"Then I'll just kill them, and kill you from the inside!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAVM5YwDY5KX
The attack fired, the maroon beam of Eclipsian magic tearing straight into the area where they were.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAraUi2d7yH8
Ecluna didn't change her expression, her eyes never moved off of the area until the dust clouds cleared.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAu3727oMDVA
...A familiar, ancient aura became apparent.
182Please respect copyright.PENANACNoXgxOMol
When I looked behind me, I noticed someone was standing next to Mom while she held a pendant in the air.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAUevu7L5Yj8
"...Iset. It has been too long..." she says under her breath.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAZNnAnDam2l
"Now is not the time for salutations. You have summoned me to aid you in battle..."
The woman returns, hovering only slightly off of the ground.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAFc4qYRVkSs
They were safe, luckily, the barrier that shielded them had barely a scratch.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAHhPI4RtvFx
"Do not fret, Iris. She is weakened enough to where she can be subdued."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAPHqTsTn5xb
"Subdue me? When she's barely touched me?"
Ecluna taunts again. "If you want her to die so bad, I'll always make it quick.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAvqFRcwZ7aI
A scythe appears in her hand, as she brandishes it towards the bright red sky.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAHBwMMzoWZc
Slowly, I can feel my own form become more distant. Had my power begun to run out too?
182Please respect copyright.PENANAIEilKRtb8j
I put up my own weapon, but suddenly I dropped it, and shook my head.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAQjq0hI0wvt
"Again...your funeral.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAuh19cN3zlv
Ecluna dashes straight for my chest, but once again, someone saves me.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAy4Jrg52Xre
"...Rest now. You've done your task, Araginee."
Ciaran calmly says, cradling me. I let my true Darken form disappear. A great weight had been lifted from my chest as I grew tired.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAVnHNAvcMd4
However, that sense of tranquility was short lived, as suddenly Ciaran was shot out of the air with a sudden beam of energy.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAbWFOBggeON
"Of course you try to take my kill away from me, Ciaran!"
Ecluna says angrily.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA9sblYtkeZM
"I cherish her enough to put myself in danger."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAmPm6F2oo8u
"...Okay then, one last deal..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAYHHvMJUDoJ
Ciaran preciously plants another kiss upon my head and handing me to a confused Arelin, and by this point, I had already started to close my eyes.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAQUqgyJjtcP
"I-Iris...you have to stay awake."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAHQnS0yM1GK
I open my eyes again. "Why?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA38I97LDvm8
He stops to think for a moment.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAwbMHVTrqDo
"I'm n-not sure why but... just stay awake... it's b-better if you stay awake.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAERu9j9yG4T
I nod. "Alright... I'll try.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANADBaqcctrnW
I listen to the conversation between Ciaran and Ecluna.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAmvoN7Gs86v
"Well, what is this deal of yours?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA75ozPppU22
"Easy. Iris' safety in return of you."
182Please respect copyright.PENANApVmpK0arsI
"You want to kill me in return for Iris' life? I am usually not very greedy, but I have a lot to live for.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANANBgcY8brii
"No no, I meant..." Ecluna pulls another transforming orb. "I get to keep you."
182Please respect copyright.PENANATDeuvvV7FR
"...That is something...interesting.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAVciywquW2a
"So, deal or no deal?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZCz6hCl18
Ciaran steps forward and removes his cape.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA0x8xS4nUXc
"I will accept. Only if Arelin and Jake are released from your grasp.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAOwWOQwBykp
"Less fun, but a deal's a deal.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA71imubkRkJ
Ecluna calls on the powers of the eclipse, as Arelin and Jake dropped to the ground, but their appearance had changed back to normal.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA1L3efMlM4r
The two orbs used to transform them was brought into one, and Ecluna held it as it flared brilliantly.
182Please respect copyright.PENANANyjomdf4c7
"This is where I will say farewell for now."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAHBRwei0rpj
Ecluna pushes the orb into his chest. I almost felt like puking as Ciaran's eyes began to blur. The transformation began to happen again..
182Please respect copyright.PENANAJOS8Rbzg2C
Ciaran stood up, examining himself.
182Please respect copyright.PENANArVIXxNbSwb
"Isn't that a little better?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAk7WJo5r87n
"It is...exhilarating."
182Please respect copyright.PENANANAnPaNtCTa
"Good good. How about we give that power a little test run, shall we?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAK9PLKx9Etw
"With pleasure..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAT7dHqzU1o3
Ciaran direction went straight to me. With no more of my energy readily available, I let him pull me from the ground with both of my wrists in his hands. He leans closer to my face and then...
182Please respect copyright.PENANAntP2vXR5D1
He starts to laugh. His laughing becomes so hysterical, I almost couldn't help but laugh with him. But... what was so funny?
182Please respect copyright.PENANAR2GhEuumNW
"Ecluna, Ecluna, Ecluna...you poor soul. It seems you have misunderstood..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAKkj6GFMlul
He lets me go, turning back into his original form.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAzEng2dznGk
"I have no bloodline. I made out of the essence of darkness itself. I cannot be Eclipsian by any means.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAYE6fg0GIML
"...Well, I guess that's it then..."
She shrugs. "I have no more power to throw at you.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAu1GYqyW2zE
The eclipse disappears from the sky, leaving dawn in it's place. Ecluna returns back to normal, with the small change of red tips at the ends of Ecluna's hair. Ecluna blinks, as if everything that has happened... disappeared from her mind without a trace.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAiC3kV9PWV6
"W-what happened?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA3ke1BIsvfV
"...Take a look for yourself." Jake says, dusting himself off.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAnRU0rI0jRZ
Ecluna looks around. "D-did I do this?! What did I-..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA720FSjEFLY
The injuries she has sustained during the battle came as she started to cough up large amounts of blood. I was so worried about her, I had forgotten about my own blood running down my face.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA3nom4Iz16r
I stumbled towards her.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA2aki500jrA
"Iris, stop! D-don't hurt yourself more!"
She cried.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0SDrEws5G
"I have to make sure you're okay too.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAxrHl2I1t7h
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine-..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAReD0ypFCvl
More blood spills from her mouth. "I'm okay, just...stay where you are.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAJFaga6F8yv
"We have to get both of you to a hospital."
Arelin states. "The severity of your injuries could be fatal if they aren't treated."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAyJwGUDBjZK
Arelin scoops Ecluna from the ground, while Ciaran does the same for me. That was the last thing I remember before finally giving into my tiredness.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAeMVnEcE6oj
***
I see everyone else staring back at me. I was back at home, snuggled under my quilt on my bed.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAC2rrO8BzGM
"Hello everyone..." I croak.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAV9Cp0J6nBo
Everyone lets out a sigh of relief.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAw46QKnAobk
"Thank goodness you're alright." My mom says.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAPxmOmYWbga
"...How long has it been?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA0S7ZBCuAm2
Jake gives my head a pat.
"A good four days. Ms. Ikura patched you up pretty good though..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAMMN5N3KGih
I jump up, only to be met with discomfort and dizziness. I had to stumble back into a sitting position.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAxAhjja4Wo4
"...Is Ecluna okay?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAxjbQqMbzhk
"She's disappeared, we have no idea where she could've gone..." Soluna says somberly.
"She was asleep at one point, and then the next...she wasn't there..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAdlwANdMygg
Mom rubs her shoulder, comforting her.
"We've sent your father and uncle to find her, Iris. The best thing you can do is rest.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAX9h7ZSEU8w
"And you better rest too.." Aluise added.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAPqo2JxWKPX
I nod. "Okay.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAAdUXQ3E2iY
I begin to shuffle back into bed, resting my head against the frame.
182Please respect copyright.PENANABX5mN6XVwY
"You're heading back to bed?" Jake says, sitting back in a chair.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAEdaH7jQtzt
I nod my head again.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAAir4oOHZM8
"You're not even gonna eat first?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA8klw4Tgflo
"I am...a little hungry..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAroGDMP6a2w
"I think Arelin is making something..said he was waiting for you to wake up."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA0yh48GDJmd
"Could you call him here for a minute then?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAajoVtwrBXI
"... Alright." he gets back up from the chair with a slight limp and leaves. In a few seconds, Arelin was in the doorframe.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAtREs0qoLtF
"...I'm sorry if I distracted you.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAC0e6IXbq9m
"It's fine. It's just about done right now."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAyfBU3HBZ7d
"Ah, alright then.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAXvtudmaUOb
"...Ciaran was asleep behind you earlier, but I'm not sure where he could've went.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAxEoVtupiga
I pull back the quilt again, where Ciaran was sleeping comfortably underneath.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA4j0UW8dW5Y
"I found him.." I say, pulling him towards me.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAPJzzWwlqyv
Ciaran wakes up when I do this, but promptly shuffles even closer.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAUBOjoFscM5
"This is the calmest I've ever seen him..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA2Abs8YXLfK
"...I'll be right back. You must be hungry..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAZ99hVoiyXN
"I'm starving! Bring back something really good okay?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAG2DBggTmzg
A smirk appears on his face.
"Alright.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAX3yY3X1PYn
As soon as he leaves, Ciaran wakes up.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAouSaKt2OeR
"You are...awake..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAnz3R7KYS9n
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I just needed to rest a bit.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANATJtRI7CXlK
Arelin comes back with a steaming plate.
"It's not much, but it should be enough with some bread.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAPCHyG2MYam
He places the plate in front of me, before sitting on the bed beside me. I slowly pick up the fork and start eating.
182Please respect copyright.PENANADEaFBCCxgu
Afterwards, the sleepiness started to come back. I yawned as my body starts to slide underneath the quilt more and more.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAoNmougK7z9
"You're going back to sleep?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAbM9GUBe6Kb
"Mhm...I want to be up bright and early tomorrow."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAdmhhVCPGeM
Arelin gets up, taking the empty dish from my almost unresponsive hands.
182Please respect copyright.PENANACvrFWjwUBn
"I will...check on you in the morning then.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANADfvpcaGpkF
He turns off the lights and shuts the door. I slowly closed my eyes, and I drifted off to sleep.
182Please respect copyright.PENANADTemg6fRdk
The next morning, I felt refreshed. Getting up from bed, I stretch and walk to my mirror.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAoi5796f8z7
A sudden weight almost pulled me off my feet. As I struggled to stand up, I look at the mirror to see...
182Please respect copyright.PENANAHKTKTwVaFX
"Good morning, Araginee..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANATgoytC7Pvv
"Ciaran!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAkmLYF2v1ye
Ciaran held onto my shoulders and tried his best to hold on to my back while I tried to remove him.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAtRf4qJfhfU
"Get off of me! You're too heavy!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAQV7oKCAyY1
"You seem to be holding me just fine.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAqcjkaNb6zF
I sighed heavily. "I don't want to carry you around!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAU9RGRqXyyx
We have a wrestle for a bit. Eventually, I gave into his ways and let him stay there.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAxB2k7TgfB5
"How was your sleep?" he asked.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAP7a4142os0
I stumble to the hallway. "It was fine. You were taking up all the bed space though.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANANFBj8yGin7
I go into the kitchen, where Uncle Damien was asleep on the couch, and Mom and Dad sitting and drinking a cup of coffee together while Arelin made breakfast.
182Please respect copyright.PENANATTUauk4G9s
"Good morning, Iris." Mom greeted, before giving Ciaran an untrusting, mean glare. "And Ciaran..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAAi97uXAcAr
Ciaran responds. "Good morning to you too.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAmhUjH53p82
Uncle Damien woke up in an attacking stance. I couldn't help but snicker a little at his expression, but I also had to feel a little sympathetic.
182Please respect copyright.PENANASQdE71ihCA
"Did you have a nightmare, Uncle Damien?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAYfNiYOpb1l
Walking over to him, I give him a grin. "If you keep thinking about stressful stuff, you'll never get any sleep.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANALB4aefvJvn
He responds by tiredly turning around while mumbling and returning to sleep.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAPQo0qH7KC3
"That grumpy older brother of mine won't even smile a little for his only niece.."
Mom smirked and shook her head.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA3khPS2FKJe
"Arelin! Iris!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAhnctq0DFD8
Someone comes running into my arms, but quickly, from the long, almost midnight colored hair, I immediately knew who it was.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAj72FIAxcLJ
"Hey, Alena!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAVQTrCPJsGv
"I came as soon as I heard. Are you feeling alright?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAmFgcAJGsl1
I assure her that I was feeling fine. "Yep! I'm doing really well!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA4MO0w4PZCg
"Good!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAtWVl9uXKDj
Alena then turns her attention to Ciaran, who I was still carrying.
182Please respect copyright.PENANA3mhDMxTFbk
"Huh? Why is he here?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANARqF2N84hoe
"He decided it was a good idea to ride around with me today..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANASWLrwp8PWA
Ciaran only snickered mischievously.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAD8y2ovBCCM
"I sadly haven't been able to remove him yet.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA1YwBol4y3w
Alena playfully flicks his nose.
"I think he's cute. He's like a little baby."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAErJGwZNLVY
"You compare me to a child?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAoOLU6OTDMC
"Admit it, you can't go anywhere without Iris."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAFi893VO9uY
A weight was lifted from my back as Ciaran jumps off to lend Alena a stare.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAawe63Pi9vw
"A-Ah! He's quick to anger!"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAdkMloWxLgm
"Do not belittle me, Alena."
182Please respect copyright.PENANARftA6gS7fS
"Hehe, belittle." She punned. Arelin laughs as well.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAOVJL1LylLe
"Why you..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAFI9HeAm949
Before Ciaran could get a hold of her neck, I pull him back. "Alright Ciaran, no need to get all snippy."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA38851wxjUv
He slips back behind me.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAdvNwiGzwtG
"That...girl..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAKDGj0ZAQwT
"Don't worry, she's just messing with you."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA7Clxn0VGSB
"...Her presence now pesters me to no end.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANArtzqX8K5Uk
I sigh. "You're a lot of work, you know that?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANADvmPheDPTS
He rests his chin on my shoulder.
"Am I?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANA8OvqYsBLry
"...No, not really. Not anymore."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAmkXIh0aR6A
"Perfect. Then I will never leave your side."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA10uz8FXTgy
I immediately regretted the words I said earlier, as I realized he wasn't going to let me go.
182Please respect copyright.PENANARX68ilqitv
I had to walk around with Ciaran all day, having small talk every other hour or so. Once the sky became a deep blue, I had found a comforting aura within the Darken as he slept.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAcvlyT86BHE
I took him to bed, and about to head there myself, when someone knocked on my room window.
182Please respect copyright.PENANABYwifAl8Eq
I quickly cover Ciaran up with the quilt and walk to the window. I slowly unlock and open it, where a piece of the night jumped into my room.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAoQ4EbBsFio
"Hey Iris..."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA1zfwH06CGl
Ecluna was still wrapped up in the old bandages.
182Please respect copyright.PENANABCoS1b6h4z
"Ecluna?! We've been looking for you! Where have you been?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAuc0UFaUsdy
"I was only doing what I promised.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAMNbGJT37Uo
I lead her to the edge of the bed to sit, and rests her head on my shoulder.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAx6z7ahxoqv
"I didn't want you to leave. I just wanted my friend back. That's why I pushed as hard as I did."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAcTv9ku73TM
"...I understand how destructive I can be under influence of the Eclipse."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAT7COnuxI5f
"As do I with my new Darken forms.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA5BTG0CJfvK
She sadly chuckled. "...If only I had your mental strength.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAkvNqwS5LGe
"...It's getting late. Do you still want to leave?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAWwuRL0ttsi
Ecluna was weighing her options. After a confusing thought, finally, she came to a conclusion.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAA4OMla86hM
"...I'll have to think about it."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAHiZN3kiEu7
"Then you can stay here for the night." I threw her a pillow and pointed towards the closet."
182Please respect copyright.PENANA80POXT1uyY
"There's blankets and extra pillows in there. Help yourself to them."
182Please respect copyright.PENANAaBUvB4Zooc
"Thanks again for...forgiving me.."
182Please respect copyright.PENANATVlqVJlRJX
"Of course. That's what I'm supposed to do, isn't it?"
182Please respect copyright.PENANAO7RZSFXEpE
She slowly pulls a blanket from the closet, making a makeshift bed. I then turned off my bedside lamp and shuffled into bed.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAlkt41KS66Y
I wonder what the morning will bring.
182Please respect copyright.PENANAtPsxRz0Eaa
182Please respect copyright.PENANApA74Zbun3s