Chapter 2: Cora

It was then that Mahiro was suddenly face with his friend only inches away. Amber eyes bore into deep red as the mage walked closer. The blond felt warm breath around his mouth- Yoshino was a little too close to Mahiro for comfort. The blond could feel his heart pound inside his chest cavity. Guided by an unknown force, he was suddenly studying the brunette in close proximity.

The twitch of a brow, caressed by darkened, wet, brown locks; which seemed to curl into itself as wet dew drops from its ends. His hollow eyes worn down by years of solitude, and the seemingly sadness which surprised him. The abnormal snow-white paleness in his cheeks contrasted against the darkness behind him, with a sprinkle of pink added upon the peak of his cheekbones giving off the air of fragility. As Mahiro analysed the unfamiliar face before him, his eyes landed upon his lips. God his lips. They were very alluring since not long ago, a few years back he wouldn't have felt anything for his quiet friend, but now… His lips were pale, and slightly blue due to the cold weather, and possible the freezing temperature. However, what stood out the most was that is was his lips. His lips were full and moist with the sea's residue, and yet it was light purple as if it teased him with its contrast to its ghost-like face. Its succulent curves of symmetry was placid in an seemingly smile, which never reached his changed red eyes. It wasn't the face of Yoshino. was it?

His best friend for whom he divulged all his secrets to. His most trusted confidant. His soul brother who betrayed him and dated his stepsister-his crush. That friend is now the objective of the pounding in his chest. Thats it! The pounding in his chest when he vowed to save his friend that day. It wasn't the sense of having yet another person taken from him, it was that they had tried to take Yoshino away from him that pushed him. It was then that this fire inside of him started burning.

Instead of closing the distance between the two,Yoshino walked passed him and kneeled down to the unconscious male; putting two fingers on his temple, Megumu inhaled sharply.

" Stop! Move away from him!" shouted the female agent who flinched as a large gust of wind was propelled at her.

Sensing no malicious intent from their previous comrade, Natsumura still charged in only to be thrown overboard without movement from the brunette, but caught the boat railings just in time.

After many moments Megumu exhaled and began coughing after Yoshino stood up. Walking towards the edge of boat, he stood on the rails. Staring off into the rapid moving sea, it calmed when the newborn magician commanded it to by raising his arm.

It was as if time had stopped. The water seemed motionless, no ripples in sight. The wind ceased its assault on the world around them.

Gulping the dryness in his throat, Mahiro spoke up, " Y-Yoshin-.?."

" ~~~~~~"

Mahiro's brows narrowed as he heard a small incoherent voice reach his ears. He took a step closer, and concentrated.

"~~~~~~"

" What?" the teen inquired out loud, which made his friend turn.

" Never forgive.." Eyes filled with no emotion.

Instantly, a large shadow bursted out from the water and splashed onto the ocean surface; which, created a wave that engulfed the boat. Mahiro braced himself for impact, but the Princess had created a barrier around them.

Opening his eyes Mahiro gasped as the large serpent circled the boat and jumped up to meet it's new king. Mahiro kept his eyes on Yoshino as he walked in thin air, bounded to no chains, he never looked back.

" Shit!" exclaimed Hakaze as he punched the ground.

Mahiro stood for minutes looking upon that point at the horizon where his companion disappeared to. It happened so fast that he had to think about the situation….Yoshino became the Mage of Exodus? Now he disappeared with a giant fish…. He thought to himself, 'what the hell is going on?!' and faced Hakaze.

Mahiro's determined eyes expressed his anger and frustration. On the other hand Hakaze brushed off Mahiro's intensity and sighed at the thought of how her first love flew away with a fish. Shaking her head she met Mahiro's eyes.

" You knew this was coming, we knew this was coming. Urrrg! Damn it!" stated Hakaze as she scratched the back of her head.

" Hime-sama, perhaps we should retreat for now." They followed Samon's gaze above where helicopters flew above. They all knew that more and more people would flood in and therefore decided that it's no use to stay there any longer.

" Tree within a tree, great tree within great tree, tree of genesis hear my call! I, Kusaribe Hakaze need to disappear." With that chant, a small dip in the water expanded and was eventually filled with darkness instead of water. She motioned everyone to jump in and when it came to Mahiro.

He stood motionless, still gazing at the setting horizon. He inwardly vowed to himself, " Just you wait Yoshino, I'm going to save you like I promised to" and then jumped into the hole.

Yoshino felt...he didn't know what he felt. It was like he was suspended in thin air, or warm water. Although, it was pitch black and when he suddenly landed on solid ground, everything turned white.

Confused and shocked at the sudden change, he took one step forward and as if curtains blocked his view, a beautiful garden laid out before him. A garden filled with all sort of vegetation. Instantly entranced, he observed his surroundings even more. Fully grown cherry blossom trees, golden maple leaves and deep green ash leaves dancing in the wind. Bushes of berries that vary in color are lined in front of him. The warm air ushers him forward. With each step his face grows warmer and calmer, brighter and the dark thoughts disappears from his head. He saw animals lived in peace and harmony with every living being there. He took a deep breath and the smell of fresh pine and sweet berries filled his nostrils. He listened to the birds chirping, boars oinking, frogs croaking, he felt like as if this was heaven.

It reminded him of Aika. She loved nature and being outdoors in general. He frowned at the thought and lowered his head as his thoughts continued, But then she had to di-

" Welcome, I've been expecting you."

The soft alluring voice alarmed Yoshino. He jumped back and positioned himself in a defensive stance. Slightly shocked, his breath hitched as he analyzed the figure in front of him. Dark, straight brown hair, stunning sky blue eyes, and a pure white smile that brought out her tanned complexion; she wore a beautiful sundress made with pale yellow cloth and pure white lacing that flowed behind her.

" Is everything ok? You just got done with a very long journey, you must be tired, why don't you rest?" coaxed the lady.

Yoshino stared at the woman for a while bit longer, and he bit his bottom lip.

This isn't right. Aika? Aika...Ma- His eyes widen and he glanced down, searching his abdomen for any wounds.

A tanned hand covered his own on his stomach. He looked up and was a breath away from the other. In that close proximity, Yoshino was thrown off balanced and confronted by the lady.

"It's okay, I don't bite, besides you can use this-she pointed to her thighs."

"Uh- ah...I-I'm sorry but I don't even know your name lady"

" Oh my, mind me, my name is Cora and you are Yoshino Takigawa." She pulled his hands until he landed on her lap, " Well, Mr. Takigawa, please make yourself comfortable, and relax."

"But you don't underst-" protested the brunette, but was suddenly Shuuused by the lady

" It's okay, just for a little bit okay?" smiled Cora as she started massaging Yoshino's head and he mewled into it. Eventually he fell asleep, and Cora leaned down and whispered sweet words into Yoshino's ears and grinned, Thank you, Yoshino Takigawa.

Sorry for the wait, just revising here, and adding stuff here an there, but hey..I'm still alive!