Chapter One
"I love you… I love you… I love you…"
Tomoki could feel Ikoras' arms tighten around his waist. Her tears dampened the top of his hair as they flow together to the Synapse.
"I love you… I love you…I love you…"
Ikoras continued to proclaim to her master softly as the tips of her wings sparked and dim red embers ate their way to her body. As they flew closer her clothes armor sparked and the embers seemed to dance around the two. Tomoki's heart raced knowing he was going to lose her.
"Stop! Ikoras, that is an order! Please, just stop!"
Tomoki paniced in Ikoras' arms. Desperate to be set free and keep his angel, he did everything in his power to break free. To no avail, they made it though the clouds and into a platform in the Synapse. Ikoras dropped Tomaki, spun him around to deliver a final kiss goodbye.
"I love you, my master…"
Ikoras' last five words echoed throughout the Synapse as the embers roared and consumed the last few inches left of her. Tomoki, beaten, battered, and charred from the burning, dropped to his knees in defeat.
"Ikoras! Come back! That's an ORDER!"
The words lingered, but to Tomoki all he heard was Ikoras proclaiming her love.
"I beg you.. don't go…"
"Ikoras!" Tomoki yelled as he jolted up and out of bed. Drenched in sweat, Tomoki searched the room in panic, looking mostly for Ikoras. Before he realized he was in bed and not the Synapse, Ikoras rushed in, wings fully extended, and wrapped herself around Tomoki.
"I am here, master. There is nothing to fear." Ikoras whispered in his ear as she stroked the back of his head. Tears ran from Tomoki's checks and on to Ikoras' chest.
Master is crying… perhaps I came too late. I never should have left his side. I have done wrong.
"I am sorry, master. I remained close by, I do not intend to leave your side." She left guilty. This is one of the few nights she has ever left him to sleep alone. This was the first time he had woke in such a panic while she was away.
Tomoki, with tears still in his eyes, embraced Ikoras and pulled her closer. His heart slowed knowing now that he, and Ikoras, was safe. Everything was just a bad dream, an all too real, bad dream.
"It's okay, Ikoras. I don't mind you staying entertained while we all sleep. I almost prefer it actually. I'm just glad you're okay."
Ikoras' reactor picked up speed. The unexpected pinch it caused forced a slight cringe; Ikoras hurt for her master. She knew what had happened, she knew about tonights dream just as she had known about the others. She played dumb along with the other angeloids to not confuse the others. It was understood that no one spoke of the events that happened. The temporary end of the world may be too much for the normal humans to handle.
Nymph could see Ikoras from the roof she was sitting on, straddling Tomoki as she comforted him. She always kept watch over Tomoki, but it was not her place to step in and help. She knew existed between Tomoki and Ikoras, and had to respect the bond between angeloid and master, but she had her own feelings as well, and was certain something existed between her and Tomoki.
"I'm sorry, Tomoki. I see you have this same dream over and over again, but it's not my place to help. I know I could do something for you, but you aren't my master…"
Nymph gave a heavy sigh as her reactor picked up an irregular rhythm with a pinch of pain different than Ikoras; it was the subtle sting of jealousy. This pain is too well known to Nymph. Feeling resolute to end her internal aching, she jumps down and returns to the house. She knows Tomoki will soon fall back asleep and Ikoras would be free to talk downstairs, after assisting in some made up chores for tomorrow.
"I need to do something… I need to talk to Ikoras about it. Tonight's the night, no more hesitating, no more just standing by. I will help him, I have to." Nymph quietly makes a small mess and a list of things to do, needing nothing now but patience.
