Chapter II: The first world; Radiant Garden part II

[Namine's POV]

The sun rays shimmer through the blinders in my room. I felt comfort below me in stead of the hard ground.

"Hikaru!" I rose from my sanctuary. I couldn't control my legs. They wouldn't stop searching for him. I didn't know what to do.

"Namine!" I could feel heavy footsteps rushing towards me.

"Dad…Hikaru, he's gone…" I tried talking in proper sentences but only broken ones were heard.

My father's expression changed. I couldn't read them but I know he wasn't pleased with the news. He helped me up as my frail legs didn't feel like standing.

"Namine, stay here. I'll find Hikaru, I promise." He carried me to my room, laying me on my bed. With that, he kissed my forehead.

"I promise, I'll bring him back." I heard the footsteps wither, following with a loud 'bang' from the door. He was gone.

I quickly stood up and dressed myself in appropriate attire. It's not right for me to wait for him. I was the one who caused this, not my father. I should be responsible. I took a piece of paper and pen, wrote down a quick note of my whereabouts and placed it on the table. I took my backpack along, filled with bandages, canned food, a bottle of water and a flashlight. The necessities needed for any adventure. Finding Hikaru was an example of a thrilling adventure to me.

I locked the door behind me. That was when I went blank. What am I supposed to do now? I didn't come up with any plan or strategies to finding Hikaru, and yet I felt so ready. I scratched my head and that brought me to the incident yesterday.

"The tram station!" I exclaimed to myself. It was the place where Hikaru was last seen! I scrambled to the tram station, hoping that Hikaru would be there.

But hoping wasn't enough. The Tram station was over pouring with people. It was not an easy task to search for a small boy in such a crowded place. He could be anywhere!

I scanned the crowd for any blondes but most of them were women. I looked around once more and spotted someone who would know Hikaru's whereabouts.

I approached the ticket counter and rang the silver bell located on the desk.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

A tall man with brown moustache and round spectacles appeared behind the counter.

"May I help you, Ma'am?" He leaned in closer to hear my answer.

"Have you seen a small boy, six years of age and having the same features as me?"

This time, he leaned in closer as if he hadn't been closed enough. His nose was pressing against the glass which separates us from the 'in and out.' Scratching his moustache, he leaned back.

"He went to Radiant Garden"

The short answer startled me.

"Radiant Garden? Isn't that the Demon world?"

He looked insulted. He didn't reply. The sudden change in the colour of his eyes sent me away form the counter. His eyes were bloody, teeth as sharp as a tiger's. A demon.

I backed away, turning around, wondering about the demon's answer. Is Hikaru in Radiant Garden? This was not the time to hesitate. From now on, no hesitating.

I've got to make a decision." Radiant Garden, here I come."

I waited for the tram to Radian Garden. It wasn't long until I remembered something. Demons. I have to disguise myself as a demon.

I searched for the nearest costume shop, hastily making my way to the shop. I looked high and low for any demonic features but there weren't any. No demon tails, horns, wings but there was the dog ears.

"Poot! Poot! Poot!"

The tram! I blindly picked anything from the shop and paid the cashier, making my way to the tram.

"Phew! Just made it!"

The tram started moving. I sat down and put on the disguise that I picked.

"The dog ears?" Could've been better. Oh well.

I got comfortable in my seat and watched as the sky began to change. White clouds were no longer hovering in the blue sky. Black fogs replaced the clouds while red paint spilled over the blue skies.

Twilight Town, which I thought was the perfect replica of other worlds, was proven to be wrong. Each world has a speciality to it. Twilight Town, a world filled with mortals, gifted in every way. Radiant Garden, demonic, it was rumoured to be. Destiny Island, peaceful, beautiful; more like heaven if you were to ask me. But, what about 'that' world?

The brooding of other worlds, made me forget where i was. The tram stopped. Passengers stood up from their seat, changing into their true form. This magic is known as changeling. One of the most common in all worlds as people would do anything to master this act.

I stepped out of the train. My eyes, wandering everywhere. This was Radiant Garden. A hell of a world. I thought back on my main objective which is to find Hikaru, not being a tourist. I felt lost here. Where in the world could Hikaru be? I spotted a ticket counter, approaching it cautiously. The same man appeared from behind the counter, grinning like a devil.

"May I help you, Ma'am?"

His eyes were flaming, teeth as shiny as a diamond.

"My brother. Where is he?"

I cut off the details, assuming he's the same person I encountered previously in Twilight Town.

He handed me a piece of paper with bright, red words written on it.

'You're invited to Radiant Falls'

I read through the message once more. Was Hikaru at Radiant Falls? I looked up from the paper, feeling the need to thank the man or demon but he was not in sight.

I shrugged the matter off my shoulders. I followed the 'black bricked road' which lead me to the town. Demons were busy hanging up streamers, balloons and all sorts of decorations. I wonder what they're preparing for.

A man, no, demon, was ordering a group of demons to put up a banner. I couldn't read what the banner said but I saw a glimpse of it, having the letters's-t-r-u-g'

Strug? Never heard of that before. I approached him after he was done.

His features came into view as I draw nearer. He had a tail longer than his hand, foot larger than any elephant. He turned to face me as soon as he noticed I was staring at him. I took out the piece of paper and pointed out the words 'Radiant Fall' on it.

"Ah! Radiant Falls! So, you're invited eh? You best get ready soon, the party's almost starting. If you don't know where it is, just follow the 'black bricked road'. It'll lead you there."

He went back to his work, shouting at the demons. No wonder. They placed it upside down. I let out a small giggle sending glares at me. I picked up my pace and followed the directions I was given.

It was tiring following the road. Who knows where it might lead to? The bustling town was now out of my sight; silence filled the atmosphere, making me feel more frightened than before.

The closer I got to my destination, the darker it became. It soon got too dark to see. This scene…it was familiar.

I could feel the lurking of shadows in front of me beckoning me to go further down the road. I set my eyes down onto the black road, avoiding their gaze. I walked a few metres further and stopped as I heard music flowing through my ears.

I looked up to see the entrance of a castle. This must be Radiant Falls. A smile crept on my face. I finally found it. I walked towards the entrance but stopped. This wasn't just a normal invitation to the castle, it was a ball.

The foyer was lit by dozens of candles in every corner of the castle, with the chandelier being the main source of light. Every deman and dewoman were dressed in their best. Their demonic features stood out the most catching the attention of many.

My face turned red to see most eyes on me. I turned on my heels, feeling their eyes on my back. I couldn't go in there! Especially not in this!

I hid in one of the shrubs outside the castle, hatching up a new plan. There must be a back door or some sort of 'secret entrance' into this castle. This is a castle, we're talking about. There are many possibilities.

I shove my head out of the bush, checking if the coast is clear. There was no one in sight at the moment. This was my chance.

I stepped out of the shrub, searching for any other entrance. I leaned against the wall of the castle. It was dark and I hated the dark. I have to find another way in.

I placed my hand on the wall, trailing it as I walked. This was my only guidance. It was long before I bump against something. It was blocking the path for me. I brought my hands to the obstacle in front of me.

It wasn't anything ghostly, it was human. I felt the warmth that I yearned the most at times like this. I couldn't let go. No matter how much I wanted to stay in that position, my obstacle doesn't want to.

He grabbed my wrist, clenching it tightly. I couldn't see his face but I could see the outlines of his horns on his head. But what intrigued me were those cerulean blue eyes that sparkled in the dark.

"Look what I've caught. A stray demon." His tone was imperious but his voice, angelic.

He tousled my hair, as though searching for something. He slid off my dog ears and held it in his hands.

He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear.

"Or human?"

He found out. This is the end.

Reviews get better, so does the story. Pls! I need to polish my diamond!