Lloyd

  ***

  “Obviously it’s her, right?” I asked. “She’s the betrayer. Same as in the game”

  “Well, it would make sense considering the game…” Lna agreed albeit hesitantly.

  Across from us sat Mom and Dad, and with us were our guards 17 and 19. As for the one who told us this information, Charlotte and her guard, 38 stood as if they had just finished giving a presentation. Given what we had just learned from them, a vision likely from the Goddess herself, it could only mean one thing. This Betrayer is Evelyn. Although from the looks on their faces, they weren’t exactly convinced. Although Charlotte seemed rightfully confused when I mentioned the game.

  “Visions can mean many things and aren’t often clear…” Dad said.

  “It’s as clear as day!” I said. “She said that she is closer than we think, so who else aside from Evelyn?”

  “If this betrayer was Lady Eytell, how exactly has she betrayed us?” Mom asked.

  “She’s siding with the demons.” Lna said.

  “How?” She asked. “How would she even come into contact with them?”

  “They could talk to her in her dreams.” I suggested.

  “And yet you want us to assume that the dream or vision that The Young Lady Lottaway had wasn’t from them?” Dad asked.

  “I mean, why would the demons contact the Saint?” Lna asked. “What could they hope to gain?”

  “The demons are crafty, and in the past there were cases where they’ve tried communicating with others, including the Saint.” Dad said.

  “Yeah, but this is different.” I said. “We already know that Evelyn will help the demons. She might already be helping them.”

  After all, she does have a habit of disappearing. They didn’t look convinced, and our guard, well Mom and Dad’s guard, 19 looked like she had something to say.

  “You’ve been following her.” Dad said. “Is there any proof of that?”

  “From what I’ve found, no.” 19 said.

  “Is there anything that she’s hiding?” I asked.

  “Even if it’s small, like meeting up with some strange people.” Lna added.

  “A few things.” 19 said. “For one, it seems that Lady Eytell bought a house for a woman. They seem to be acquainted, although I’m not sure how.”

  “She bought someone a house?” Dad asked, surprised.

  “When was this?” Mom asked, equally as surprised.

  “Not long ago. Sometime between the dragon attack and a few days ago.” She said. “I checked with the real estate firm and the paperwork was done properly. Although it seems that she paid fully in cash.”

  “It sounds like she’s trying to hide it…” I couldn’t help but reason.

  “What were the other things?” Dad asked, intrigued.

  “Secondly it seems that her time in the Dark Woods may have affected her ability to use magic more than we had anticipated.” She said.

  “Well, it’s not like I thought she could use Holy Magic in the first pce.” Lna said.

  “Lastly, it seems that in the past, she may have known about us.” She said.

  “!?” Dad looked at her in arm. “Pardon?”

  “Are you sure?” Mom asked, worriedly.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Although my memories are clouded, I remember speaking with her. And it isn’t just me.”

  19 looked at 17 and 38, who seemed a bit troubled.

  “Yes, it’s true…” 17 nodded.

  “Although I don’t remember her, she seems too familiar…” 38 admitted.

  “Um!” Charlotte said.

  Those of us in the room turned to look at her. Not quite ready for this sort of attention, she hesitated. After a moment, she seemed to collect herself.

  “Um, I… When Evelyn visited my house with that letter from Melody, she called me her friend.” Charlotte said.

  “She’s delusional.” I said.

  “If she was, then why do I have letters from her?” She asked.

  “Probably threatening ones.” Lna said.

  “No they’re not.” She shook her head. “They’re normal letters, talking about trivial topics and school. And she thanked me for sending her birthday presents, and she sent presents of her own, not just to me but to everyone in my family!”

  Hearing that, me and Lna recoiled. It wasn’t just from what she said, but how she said it. She seemed almost angry. But at who?

  “We’ve been friends for years! And we talked to each other for years!” She said, with tears forming in her eyes. “We’re friends! We were friends and I forgot! Even worse, she knows that I forgot!”

  ““…”” Mom and Dad looked at her strangely.

  “Even as I was nervous, distrustful, and recoiled at her very words, she looked after me!” She said. “Why…?”

  “W-well maybe-” I started. “She’s trying to trick-”

  “She’s my friend!” She gred at me. “She isn’t trying to trick me!”

  ““…”” Me and Lna were quiet.

  Why would the Saint be so concerned for her? She’s the viliness. Shes been bullying her the whole time we were going to school.

  “You said that you have letters from her?” Dad asked after a moment of silence.

  “Yes. Lots of them, going back years.” She said, gd that someone was finally listening to her.

  “And when was the st letter you received from her?” He asked.

  “?” She looked at him a bit confused. “N-not long ago… Maybe a few days after the dragon attack?”

  “Are you certain?” Dad asked in a serious voice.

  “Y-yeah…” She said nervous.

  “Is that important?” Lna asked, confused.

  Why does it matter when that happened? Being confused, I couldn’t help but look at the people in the room. The Shadows aside, Mom and Dad looked greatly concerned. Charlotte on the other hand looked as confused as us, and as nervous as one could be. Rightfully so. Just a moment ago, she was yelling at us, who are essentially royalty. Still though, we couldn’t help but wonder about the significance of the letter.

  Before we could ask any further, something strange happened. As if struck by lightning, Charlotte suddenly sat up straight. Her presence changed. It wasn’t demanding, but more compelling. She was to be respected. She HAD to be respected. In a voice not of her own, she spoke.

  “A betrayer is near.” She spoke.

  Astonished, we couldn't help but look at her. Myself with no little amount of fear. That wasn’t Charlotte. This isn’t natural…

  “Um…” Dad seemed troubled.

  “My Lord, an arm in the Noble district just went off.” A Shadow suddenly appeared, the door suddenly flung open, seemingly from behind them.

  Just how many of these Shadows are there? Are there any more around here? Unable to help myself, I surveyed the room, but obviously saw no one.

  “An arm at this time?” Mom asked, concerned. “Haven’t the guards been doubled?”

  “At which residence?” Dad asked.

  “It appears to be the Eytell Estate.” The Shadow said.

  Evelyn

  ***

  Yawning as the sun set, I pulled out my key and entered through the usual side entrance. Not into the manor itself, but onto the Estate property. With a light breeze flowing through my hair I heard a familiar voice behind me.

  “Sister!” Robbie called out.

  “…?” I turned to look at him.

  I almost scowled. Good job me for not doing that! More importantly, what’s he doing here? And by himself no less?

  “Robbie.” I said.

  “To think you really do use the side entrance…” He muttered before clearing his throat. “So, what’s your answer?”

  “?” I looked at him curiously. “My what?”

  “Your answer.” He said. “For the request I sent you.”

  “What request?” I asked.

  As far as I know, we haven’t spoken since the st incident. Hearing my answer, Robbie sighed.

  “The package I had sent to you.” He said. “Did you not open it?”

  “What package?” I asked.

  Did he give me anything? Seeing me confused, Robbie again sighed.

  “I had someone deliver you a package, and they said that you received it. Did you?” He asked.

  “…” I took a moment to think about it.

  Did I get anything…? Wait, that’s right!

  “I have a feeling I know what you’re talking about.” I said.

  “You didn’t open it, did you?” He asked.

  “No, why would I?” I asked.

  “…” He put his hands together and took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you open it?”

  “Because it was pced on the floor in front of me by someone I didn’t know, he said, ‘This is for you’ and ran off without saying anything more.” I expined.

  “Okay…” He sighed again.

  He seemed really tired for some reason.

  “What are you doing here by yourself?” I asked. “Shouldn’t you be with some attendants or guards?”

  “They’re at the front gate. I expected to run into you as you returned but I didn’t expect you to enter through the side.” He said. “But that doesn’t matter.”

  He shook his head and looked at me.

  “I wish to celebrate your birthday. Do you mind if we hold a party here?” He asked.

  “…” I couldn’t help but look at him.

  “Okay, this has to be a trap…” I said.

  “I don’t know, he looks serious.” Angelica said, flying down to nd on my shoulder.

  Startled by her sudden appearance, Robbie took a step back and looked at us wide eyed.

  “You don’t sense anything wrong with him, do you?” I asked, stepping closer.

  Once more, he tried to recoil, but I grabbed his arm and held him in pce. I looked over him carefully but didn’t see anything. Is he sick? Pcing my hand on his forehead, he didn’t seem to be overheating.

  “He seems fine to me…” Angelica tilted her head in a very bird-like way.

  “You aren’t feeling ill, are you?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  “How cruel do you think I am!?” He asked, offended.

  “You put needles in fruits and gave them to me.” I reminded him.

  “I… I didn’t do that!” He said, although he really had to think about it.

  “Right…” I said.

  “Holy shit, did he really do that?” Angelica asked me.

  “It was probably Aunty who put them in there.” I said.

  “Did Aunty put you up to this?” I sighed. “What are you pnning?”

  “No! She has nothing to do with this.” He said. “She doesn’t even know.”

  “…” I looked at him. “Really?”

  It doesn’t look like he’s lying.

  “Yes really!” He said, and then pointed. “And what’s up with that bird!?”

  “Careful, she bites.” I lied.

  “Why keep such a dangerous thing around?” He asked, frantically pulling back his hand.

  “Why do you want to throw me a party?” I asked. “If you want to get on the good side of the Twin Regents, there are far easier ways.”

  “It’s- It’s not about them.” He lied. “I just…”

  He took a moment to think things over.

  “I don’t want us to keep being at odds…” He muttered.

  That’s a lie. Well, not completely. It’s in his best interest to at least appear to be friendly with me. Maybe. Lots of people still hate me after all. Still, he’s going out of his way to tell me, so it’s probably not going to be all that bad. Hopefully.

  “Sure why not.” I sighed.

  “Really!?” He seemed taken back.

  “Do you want me to say no?” I asked.

  “No! No! Not at all!” He quickly said. “Um… How old are you turning?”

  “14.” I said.

  What a great brother.

  “14 huh?” He asked, looking up at me.

  Literally. I am tall for my age. But still, I don’t look that old, do I?

  “If that’s all, you should get going.” I sighed.

  “Um!” He said. “Aren’t you going to invite me for tea?”

  “…” I looked at him with a bnk expression.

  Is he being serious? That way he’s looking at me… By Celestia, he is…

  “Fine…” I sighed.

  It feels like I've been sighing a lot recently…

  “Great.” He said. “I don’t suspect the help will open the gates for us, will they?”

  “I have a key.” I said. “Let’s get your escort.”

  Following close behind me, as if afraid that I was going to lock him out, we entered. As we did so, the gate slipped from my hand and the gentle breeze suddenly stopped. It wasn’t just that. The sounds of the city, though distant, also ceased. All I heard was the sounds of our own breathing.

  “Something’s wrong…” I said.

  “What just happened…?” Robbie asked, feeling the change.

  “Check the area.” I said.

  “Got it.” Angelica said, sounding armed.

  As she flew off, I checked the gate. It didn’t budge. Seeing me try it, Robbie did the same.

  “Why-” He tried pulling with all of his might. “It’s stuck!”

  “Looks like we’re trapped.” I said.

  “Trapped? By who?” He asked.

  “Honestly, I thought it was your doing, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.” I said.

  “And why would I do that?” He asked.

  “I don’t know. To mess with me?” I answered. “Let’s check the main entrance. Even if we can’t open it, we can tell them to get help.”

  “You think too badly of me.” He sighed.

  “Needles in fruits.” I reminded him.

  “…” He silently looked away.

  With him pacified, we headed towards the main entrance.

  “Did that happen often?” Raven asked, flying above.

  “Once every few months I guess. It stopped after I turned ten.” I said.

  “How are these people not in jail?” She asked.

  “They are still valuable to the Empire, and I can heal myself, so there was no need to bother anyone about it.” I said.

  “You didn’t tell anyone!?” She asked furiously. “Why didn’t you tell anyone!?”

  “I just said it…” I said.

  “They were trying to kill you!” She said. “Once we get out of here I’m telling the Shadows about this!”

  “They’re still useful.” I said.

  “That doesn’t matter!” She said.

  “So, do you see anything?” I asked.

  “Nothing.” She said.

  What a worry wart. Anyways, reaching the front gate, something strange happened. Not with the guards, or rather escorts. There were two of them talking to each other. Robbie’s friends and they carried swords with them. Not real ones, but decorative ones. What’s the point in carrying a sword that doesn’t work?

  “Hey!” Robbie called out. “Something strange is happening.”

  “…” The two didn’t react. Instead they kept talking, not that we could hear them.

  “So that’s how it is.” I muttered.

  “Hey! Aren’t you listening!” He said.

  Reaching the door, he tried opening it, but it too was stuck. Even though I knew that it wouldn’t open I too gave it a try. As expected.

  “Hey!” He pounded on the gate. “I’m talking to you!”

  “They can’t hear you.” I said.

  “Obviously!” He said. “We need to draw their attention somehow.”

  “That’s not going to work.” I said. “This is an isotion barrier.”

  “An isotion barrier?” He asked.

  “Yep. They can’t hear us and they can’t see us.” I said. “For all they know they’re looking at an empty yard.”

  “Then what should we do?” He asked. “How can we get help if they can’t see us?”

  “We trigger the arm.” I said.

  “How? We can’t exactly force open the doors to trigger them.” He said.

  “That’s only one of the ways.” I said. “Come on, follow me.”

  Without waiting, I headed towards the estate building.

  “W-what if someone is waiting in there for us?” He asked.

  “The safe rooms are in there, so unless you want to hide in the bushes, that’s our best option.” I said.

  “…” He quieted down.

  Walking through the still air, we all kept an eye out. There was nothing to see. Although the trees were green, they stood lifelessly in the wind. Even the grass seemed dead. Reaching the main building, I carefully pushed open the door and looked inside. Even with the windows open, it was dark, and there were no lights close enough at hand to light. Out of my magic bag, I pulled out a fre and lit it. With a hiss, the dark interior of the manor was lit in a dim red glow, with long shadows dancing from a flickering fme. This looks scary, maybe I should have used a green one.

  “Do you just carry those around all the time?” Robbie asked, trying to put his mind at ease.

  “They come in handy.” I said.

  Truthfully this is the first time I’ve had to use one, but let’s not worry about the details. Stepping inside, I called out into the darkness.

  “Hello?” I called.

  My voice seemed to die out quickly in the dark. It wasn’t as if I was calling into nothing, but rather something was absorbing it. Right, well, clearly something is wrong. Following along the wall, I reached one of the many statues. It was a small one, but still very valuable. Without dey, I pushed it off it’s pce and it shattered on the floor. Again, the sounds were quickly dampened. Regardless, the arm was sent. You see, every house in the Noble district has various hidden arms that can be used to signal for help. Hopefully someone comes soon. Until then, let’s check on the servants. Still, this isn’t looking good…

  “Stay close.” I said.

  “R-right…” Robbie said, drawing closer.

  “Keep an eye on him. And keep an eye out for any magic.” I said.

  “Right.” Angelica said.

  Moving quickly down the hall, I checked various rooms that should be staffed. The kitchen, they should be making dinner, their own if not mine, the break room, where they ate and rested, and some of the nearby bathrooms, but they were all empty. I couldn’t see any signs of a struggle, so maybe they are hiding in one of the safe rooms. Heading to the closest one, I felt a gaze on me. A hostile gaze. Right, well maybe I should be a bit more armed… Or at least not walking around with a small scared child.

  Turning back, I headed to my room and the gaze followed. As I moved closer to my room, I smelled the unmistakable scent of blood. Gncing at Robbie, he too seemed to smell it, and drew even closer to me. Moving faster, I saw dark wet spots on the floor. Under my fre, everything looked red, but those looked almost bck. As the scent grew stronger I came across the first body. Parts of one at least…

  “I-is that…” Robbie started.

  “Keep your eyes on me.” I said. “Don’t look at the floor. Don’t look at the walls. Just look at me.”

  Silently he nodded. I wanted to tell him to close his eyes and hold my hand, but I get the feeling that I’m going to need my hand to be free. Hair, along with loose, semi chewed skin was on the floor along with shards of something that I couldn’t quite tell. There were more of those dark red puddles, along with a carpet which leaked when stepped on. Avoiding them, we kept going.

  “We should turn back.” Raven said.

  “I think it’s too te for that…” I admitted.

  A few more steps, I heard something. A quiet thud, followed by a series of taps. It was getting closer. Quickly I threw my fre towards the noise. Hitting the floor, it rolled slightly before it stopped. Loose hair was burnt with an unmistakable odor as the fme cast dancing shadows on the walls. The thuds grew near. I backed up, protectively shielding Robbie as I did so. Not daring to say a word, Robbie couldn’t help but peek out from behind me.

  That tapping that I heard. It became more clear, more of a scraping. Seeing something appear at just the edge of the light of the fre, I pressed myself and Robbie against the wall and encased us in a bnket of darkness.

  That figure lumbered forwards. It had a long, harry face. From its mouth were jagged, bloodied, teeth. Its movements were unnatural. They seemed human-like, but this thing was clearly not a human. I don’t know what animal I could compare it to, as it didn’t seem like any in this world. Its jaw, though long, seemed more shark-like than a crocodile, and the fur seemed ape-like. As for its two front legs, they were long. Far too long.

  Turning its head to its side, it looked at the fre, its dark eyes absorbing the light and everything it touched. Correcting its head, it raised it slightly and sniffed the air. Two long sniffs. It walked towards us.

  One… Two… Three steps it took, covering the distance in no time. Its movements, though fast, didn’t look like it had discovered us. Rather, it was as if it found something interesting to inspect. Stopping, it looked at us. More correctly it looked at the darkness where we stood. Again, it sniffed the air. Turning its head, it sniffed the floor and looked down the hall we came from. Leaving us, it walked down the hall. Its body, its cws illuminated in the fre were long and dark. The fur in its back seemed stiff and sharp. Almost like primitive quills. And its tail was shorter than one would think for a body of that size.

  Its steps grew distant and only now did I feel something squeezing my arm. Looking down I saw Robbie, pale faced and wide eyed, staring into the darkness after the beast. On his face, there was an unspoken question, the same one that Angelica had.

  “What was that?” She asked, her puffed feathers brushing against me.

  “Given the magic it had, I would say a demon, but that thing wasn’t alive like they are.” I said.

  “What does that mean?” She asked.

  “Someone made that.” I said.

  Who it was, I didn’t know. And I don’t want to find them with Robbie here. Firstly, I need to get him to the safe room. I reinforce them as Melody, so they’ll be able to take whatever kinds of attacks that thing can make.

  “Let’s go.” I said in a quiet voice.

  “…” He barely managed to nod.

  I didn’t want to keep going down this hallway, but turning back seems even worse with that beast there. With no choice but to keep going, I led us down the hall, keeping a bnket of shadows tightly wrapped around us.

  We moved past the gore and down the hall. As we did so, we stopped several times to let more beasts pass by us. They were smaller, but still rge enough to be threatening. Before we could get to my room however, our path was blocked. The thick quill like hairs blocked off the hall. Arranged like rows of spike covered hedges, they were impassable. Carefully I tried grabbing one, but gave up on it. It seems that they have smaller pointed hairs on them that make grabbing them difficult. I could still try to force them apart, but trying to do that, and fight off those beasts with bloodied hands and protect Robbie with only my hair pins and brass knuckles seems difficult.

  I do have things in my magic bag that could help, but I’d rather not rely on those. The explosives made from the Magic ore were to get through walls, not hedges. And there's no pce to hide from the shock wave. If it was just me and Raven we could heal through it, but Robbie doesn’t have that luxury. Right as I was about to turn around, I heard a rumbling. It was coming from behind the quills and was rapidly getting closer. I don’t think I can hide from that.

  “Run!” I quietly urged Robbie.

  Pulling him along, he stumbled, but I picked up speed.

  “Clear the path!” I said.

  “Got it!” Angelica flew ahead.

  Still running in the dark, the rumble drew near and I heard a shrill cry. Once more Robbie stumbled but this time he hit the floor, and because I was holding his hand, I followed. Quickly getting to my feet, I looked up just in time to see the shadow of a beast leap at us. Pulling out my hair pin, I held it out as I shielded Robbie. An immense weight crashed down on me, but I held strong. Once more, that shrill cry sounded out as the beast thrashed about. Its maw snapped at my head and its cws sshed at my arm but they didn’t reach me. The shadow that covered me seemed to hold it off. Holding the beast up, I pulled out my other hair pin and stabbed it into the chest of this thing. Since it had no heart, it wouldn’t kill it, but still, I hoped the damage I caused would at least slow it down.

  With that in mind, I pushed back against it. Luckily me and Robbie didn’t get far otherwise this would be difficult. As the beast cwed at me, I pushed against it. Knowing that the darkness was protecting me, I tried to keep it up, but it felt weird, and given that the entire inside was dark, I couldn’t tell what was mine and what was the building’s.

  Still, I managed to overpower the beast. Once we were close enough, I gave it a strong push and threw it into the quill wall. It screamed out, and struggled, but all its movements did was get it more stuck. Leaving it, I turned to Robbie who was cowering on the floor.

  “We need to go!” I said.

  “!?” He looked up at me, armed.

  I didn’t have the time to be gentle, so I quickly dragged him to his feet and headed off. As we came closer to the fre, we saw the bodies of many of the smaller beasts. It seems that Angelica, no it’s Raven now. Raven was getting used to her magic. There's some good news at least. The bad news is that since the start of our scuffle, more cries have been sounding out.

  “Something big is coming!” Raven warned me. “Hide!”

  “Got it!” I replied.

  Abruptly I pulled Robbie into one of the many rooms in this hall, and shut the door. As soon as I did, I heard what sounded like hooves galloping down the hall. They grew louder and louder. Not only that, but I heard Robbie breathing heavily. I don’t think it can hear us, but I can’t take the risk. Cupping my hand over his mouth, I blocked his breathing. Partially at least. He could still use his nose. Still, he struggled. That was until we heard the ugh.

  “HAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!!!!” A distorted yet familiar voice sounded out.

  Robbie froze in terror and the two of us crouched down, as if that would protect us. The ugh became louder and louder and it filled the halls along with its dreadful galloping. It was upon us. And then it moved past us. That deafening ugh grew distant, and even in this pce where all sound was dampened, it echoed on and on.

  The two of us let out a breath and I removed my hand from his mouth. He was still breathing heavily, and loudly. I moved to face him.

  “Okay, just breathe.” I said. “Long, deep, quiet breaths.”

  “…” He simply nodded, focused on breathing.

  After giving him a moment, I asked him. “Are you good?”

  “W-w-w-what was that…?” He asked, voice shaking.

  “I don’t know.” I answered.

  That much was true. It didn’t seem like a demon. Then again, what’s the point in calling it anything else? Once his breath settled some more, I once more spoke to him.

  “We need to get you out of here. With those things running around, we won’t make it to the safe room.” I said.

  “How do we get out?” He asked, fearful of reentering the hall.

  “That’s…” I hesitated, and then looked at the window. “Can you climb?”

  “A bit…” He nodded, not sure where I was going.

  “Good.” I said. “Come on.”

  Helping him to his feet, we slowly moved to the window. Seeing this, Robbie started shaking his head.

  “I can’t-!” He said. “I can’t do that!”

  How annoying.

  “Can you hold on to something?” I asked.

  “That’s-” He started.

  In the distance, we hear the galloping. Not bothering to wait for a reply, I hurried him to the window and opened it up. We’re on the second floor, so I can’t just tell him to jump. Reaching into my magic bag, I pulled out some rope and handed him one end.

  “Hold onto this. I will lower you down.” I said.

  “But-” He started.

  “Just do it!” I said.

  Forcing his hand to close around it, I pushed him towards the window. Fear from the climb down or whatever was coming, made him hesitate every step of the way. Knowing that he was moving to slowly I lifted him up and forced him out of the window.

  “Wait!” He cried. “Please just-”

  Seeing how tightly he was gripping the rope, I ignored him and started lowering him.

  “When you get to the floor, run for the gate.” I said.

  “But what about you!?” He asked.

  “I can get down on my own!” I said.

  Although I didn’t want to admit it to him, he felt heavier on the rope. I know that I just threw a beast onto those spikes but he could do with losing some weight. As I lowered him, I heard the sound of the door bursting behind me. Before I could react, the window smmed down. For better or worse, Robbie was out of my hands. I turned to face it.

  “Well well well, if it isn’t like our little Magical Girl.” Styx said, peering into the doorway.

  Though he was standing there, much of his body was obscured. I saw him as I did before, only his upper half.

  “Hey, Styx.” I said, looking around cautiously for any traps. “How have you been?”

  “You killed my master.” He said.

  “That’s news to me.” I said. “I haven’t killed anyone.”

  “You were like holding her body, man.” He said. “I saw it.”

  “I don’t remember that.” I said.

  Did I do that? I think I would remember killing someone.

  “What do you want?” I asked.

  “Like revenge man.” He said. “I’m here to totally kill you.”

  “Aw, don’t do that.” I said. “Killing is bad.”

  “Says the murderer.” He said.

  “I didn’t kill anyone.” I said.

  “I know what you Magical Girls are like.” He said. “You like can’t kill. When you do you can’t transform. And you haven’t transformed in a while.”

  “Funny story about that. You see-” I started.

  Bursting from his body, a blue light blew away the shadows, mine included. And he looked very angry.

  “Don’t even think about lying!” He said. “You killed her!

  Before I could answer, he swung out his hand and it stretched out towards me. Jumping out of the way, the floor splintered and I lost my bance. Before I could even hit the floor his other hand grabbed me and squeezed me.

  “I didn't, I promise!” I said.

  “Raven get the teleporter!” I said.

  “On it!” She said.

  Despite the situation being bad, it wasn’t quite deadly. And it’s not like I’m defenseless, even without my dark magic. My neckce, which changed my hair and eye color, also had another purpose. It was one I added myself ter, but it’s a protection spell! With the forces closing in on me, the spell reacted and a pale light engulfed my body. An unseen force erupted, shredding his hand and freeing me from his grasp!

  “AAaaAHhahahhahahah!” He half cried, half ughed in pain.

  Bad news, it only works a few times, so let’s not get caught again. Landing on my feet, I immediately ran out the door, past him. The ughing, pained scream sounded out behind me as I ran away. I need to get out of here!

  Before I could make it very far, I heard tearing behind me and that ugh echoed out even as all other sounds were dampened. Not long after, he once more called out to me.

  “I’ll get you man!!!” He shouted.

  Like thunder, I heard hooves striking the wooden floorboards. Not having much time, I turned into the closest room I could. Right as I cleared the hall, a massive figure shot past me down the hall. Before he could get the chance to follow me, I ran to the window. It was on the opposite side that Robbie went out of, but whatever. Throwing it open, I immediately jumped out. Given that I was on the second floor, it wasn’t that dangerous of a height but it did slow me down. Rolling upon nding I ran alongside the house to the gate. Hopefully someone sees me. Preferably the Shadows if not the city guard. Although I wonder how long it’ll take for them to get through this barrier?

  As I ran, I heard the hideous ughter from inside. Heavy thuds sounded out as cracks formed along the walls. I don’t have much time, and there’s not really any pce for me to hide. Can I even hide from him? Coming around the side of the building, I saw the main gates. Good. Looks like Robbie is already halfway there. Not only that, but I see some Shadows by the gate. Huh. It’s odd to see so many of them in one pce. How long until they can get through the barrier however?

  Wondering that, the wall finally failed and I heard part of the manor colpse behind me. Risking a peak, I saw Styx full form. He was sat upon- No. Rather he grew out of the back of a six legged horse. In front of his elongated body was the head of a horse, although its teeth were longer and pointier than they should be. From his body, Styx’s head hung limply to the side, seemingly broken from the many falling bricks. Still, it turned to me and I heard that pained ugh.

  His already long limbs grew further and with his shredded hand, he reached through the walls and threw a shower of bricks and beams my way. I tried to run, but there was nowhere to run. Bricks and rubble smmed into my body, and sent me flying. Another blow. I’m not sure how much more my spell can take. With rubble still flying, I crawled along the floor to avoid the worst of it.

  “Run.” He ughed. “I’ll hunt you. I’ll find you. And I’ll like have my revenge dude!”

  It’s been a while since I st heard that threat. Normally they mean nothing, but given how I can’t transform for a while, I can’t just ignore it.

  “Any time now.” I hurried Raven.

  “It’s locked in a box!” She said. “Where is the key!?”

  Crap! That’s right! I hid the key!

  “It’s in the red etiquette book!” I said.

  “That book is buried under bricks!” She said.

  “Spare key is in the frame for my parents picture!” I said.

  “Why!?” She asked.

  “Just break it!” I said.

  Looking back at the house I saw Raven scrambling in her human form to smash the portrait. In front of her, and not looking her way was Styx. Although he gred at me hatefully, I was gd he was focused on me and not- wait a second. Was his master Raven? Rather the original owner of her body? If that’s the case, I really can’t let him know that we body snatched her. You know, now that I’m thinking about it, what I did really does sound evil. Well, she was trying to kill me, so self defense?

  “What’s the matter?” Styx asked. “You like, scared of death?”

  “A bit, yeah.” I said, trying to buy some time.

  Carefully standing up, I really wanted someone to get me out of here. Although there’s still that barrier so the Shadows can’t help. Please work faster Raven!

  “Don’t you like think my master felt the same way man?” He asked approaching, hooves crushing beams and bricks beneath him.

  “Again! I didn’t kill her!” I said.

  Although I did take her to the gate of divinity where her soul was torn apart, and might still be getting torn apart. I’m not going to tell him that because it sounds a lot worse than simply killing her. But I mean it only does that to people who are bad people, so she may have deserved it? Okay you know what, I'm never bringing anyone there ever again. Maybe I could have tried talking to her, but I was panicking.

  “Then like, where is she man?” He asked.

  “I don’t know, we got separated.” I said.

  That’s not a lie! Her soul remained there and I didn’t!

  “LIAR!” He shouted, ripping a tree from the ground and throwing it my way.

  Seriously!? Dropping to the floor, the tree flew over me, however its branches still raked the dirt and pulled me in.

  “I got it!” Raven said.

  “Hurry!” I said, as I rolled with the tree.

  Even though sounds were still dampened, the snapping of branches and tearing of the earth was still incredibly loud. I seriously need to make another of these protective spells! I would be very dead if it wasn’t for it! After finding out which way was up, I crawled towards it and broke through the leaves to see the long shape of Styx standing over me.

  “Oh, hey there.” I said.

  I’m not going to lie. He’s more intimidating up close.

  “You like, got any st words?” He asked.

  “Um, well…” I saw Raven flying towards me with a circur amulet in her beak. “How much time do we have?”

  “I have plenty.” He said, raising his fist, which gathered magical energy. “You, not so much.”

  Before he could strike, Raven dive bombed me with the teleporter. As we were engulfed in a pale light, Styx struck with fist bursting with energy.

  Grayburne