I'm finally back. After nothing coming into my brain and college being a total takeover of my time. Not to mention the other things that life throws at you to keep you busy. I am so sorry about the long wait.


Red Sky at Morning

Chapter 8

Matsua had successfully reentered the compound unnoticed and strolled the paths like nothing was wrong, though his thoughts from earlier were still bugging him to no end. He wished he knew what exactly had happened to him, but he had the feeling that he should be grateful that he could not remember much. Anyway, he had his spirit ally back and he was free; that's all that mattered.

A spot of green caught his eye and giving it another look, he saw that it was that green haired guy that he looked for the other day. Damn, did he look familiar, but he had never seen him before, had he? Nevertheless, he changed course and headed towards him. Maybe if he talked to him he might know why he seemed familiar.

"What are you reading?" He asked, though he did not care for books.

The guy looked up and closed the book. "Oh, just Sherlock Holmes. I hadn't read it in a while so I thought I'd give it another go."

"Uh-huh. Anyway, I'm Matsua Lun." He held out a hand.

The greenie got up from where he sat and took the extended hand. "Lyserg Diethel"

"You look familiar. Have you ever been to Hong Kong?" Matsua asked anyway, though the chance of him ever seeing him there was very slight.

Lyserg smiled. "Can't say that I have. Sorry."

"It's alright. It doesn't matter. When you say Diethel, you mean big dowsing family Diethel, right?"

This question took Lyserg aback. He didn't think that his family name was that widely known, especially in a faraway city like Hong Kong. "Well, we're not as big as you think. Right now, the only dowser is me. How do you know about us anyway?"

Matsua casually shrugged. "Word travels, as it does. I would have to say that you were known in the Tournament with the X-Laws group. No offense, but most disliked you because of that association."

Lyserg's stomach twisted with the mention of the X-Laws as some…unpleasant...memories came back. "None taken. I don't blame them for their thoughts. I would have disliked me as well, if I were someone else. But I've moved on from that. It's in the past."

Matsua saw how uncomfortable Lyserg became when the Tournament was mentioned despite how he tried to hide it. He didn't know why, but something was urging his words on. "Most were glad when they died. They felt that they were just as bad as Hao, if not worse. I'm sure many would have joined him if it meant…" He didn't get to finish his sentence as Lyserg grabbed him with a strength that surprised him.

"Don't you know to respect the dead and leave well enough alone?" Lyserg said quietly, trying to keep his temper in check. "If you feel that way, then why are you even bothering to talk to me?" He released Matsua with a small shove. "Now go away and do something constructive to help better the prosperity of this place. You have a safe place here. Don't ruin it by being rash." Lyserg turned and walked away. Matsua stared after him and threw a ball of red mana at the back of the other man's head.

Morphine, who had not lost any of her excellent senses, warned her master of the incoming threat. Lyserg quickly Oversouled and turned to block the attack. He wouldn't use his Angel here as Morphine had defeated opponents much stronger than this guy and he didn't want to damage anything. He released the pendulum which flew faster than the eye could see in a series of twists and turns that eventually came together as a tight wire web, effectively trapping Matsua's hands at his sides. "I don't know what you're trying to accomplish by attacking me, but you should know not to attack someone with more experience than you. Besides, I have no time to fight someone so small." He released him once again and gave him the same command to go away. It was only after Matsua left did Lyserg realize what he had just said and it disturbed him greatly.

So small…


Matsua once again left the compound and ran out into the surrounding woods. What was the matter with him? He didn't want to attack Lyserg, who was obviously much stronger than him. He wasn't that stupid. He had just felt so angry. Why did he say those things? He picked up a rock and threw it at one of the many trees, where it ricocheted off violently. He reached up and scratched at the small bump on the back of his neck where so many needles had pierced the skin. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought that something was embedded there.

He knew those people had been human; they had no aura of the other world around them in the slightest bit. Why did they care so much about shaman anyway?


Subject 102, focusing on the Amori area as ordered, stopped its activities and wearily pressed a button embedded in the desk. A harsh voice sounded over the speaker system that the button had turned on. "What do you want?"

In a voice just as weary, Subject 102 replied, "I caught another signal from Amori. The flashes are appearing to become more frequent. Mr. Oyamada would like to know that." Subject 102 paused before continuing. "I'd also like a glass of water and something to eat before I continue." It decided to try its luck with these people who kept it so dark and secluded a room, forcing it to do their will. Subject 102 couldn't remember the last time it had seen sunlight.

"You'll get it when you get it. Keep working like you have been ordered to do." The voice snapped before communications to Subject 102's room was closed. Subject 102 sighed in defeat and continued its work.


Mizu ran down the pathway to the part of the house where Sensei, Shihan, and their guests were quartered. The wind voices had been unusually chatty these past few days and she had lost a lot of sleep listening and writing down their chatter so she could remember everything in case it was deemed important enough to bring to Sensei and Shihan. This seemed like it was important; if not, it was at least interesting. Turning the corner, she slowed down to a respectful walk before coming to Rin's quarters.

"Sensei? Are you there? May I come in?"

Rin's voice sounded from the other side of the door. "Yes, Mizu, come in." Mizu slid into the large room and closed the door behind her.

"I have news," she said in a low voice, "that I thought that you and Shihan would like to know."

Rin stopped what she was doing and sat down across from Mizu, who continued. "I don't know if it is totally important or not, but I thought I'd tell you anyway. These past few days, the wind voices have been very talkative. So much that I haven't gotten much sleep." (Rin had noticed that she looked unusually tired when she came in.) "Anyway, remember when I said that Matsua was running from something

big?"

Rin nodded to indicate that she did.

"Well, the wind voices aren't being too cooperative when I ask them about it (but there's no surprise there), but they are hinting that something is brewing in the south; the direction from which Matsua came. I know that I shouldn't be saying this, but I think it would be best if he left. I think that he is bringing bad luck with him."

Rin noticed the distress in the girl's voice and put a hand on her shoulder in reassurance. "I'm not in the habit of kicking people out of the compound without good reason. I heard your words and I will think about them, but for now, Matsua deserves our protection from whatever he is running from. Everything will be fine. You'll see."

Mizu nodded and got up to leave. Stopping at the door, she turned to leave. "Sensei, there is one more thing I should mention. Do you know anyone by the name Liam?"

Rin thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I don't. Why?"

Mizu shrugged. "I don't know. The wind voices are saying that someone named Liam is alive."


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