If you freaking thought the drama and suspense in chapter 7 was insane, my friends, there are going to be so many revelations near the end of this chapter (One that is gonna shock you to the core). The last scene came to my mind at 2 am in the freaking morning and I was like can't sleep, gotta write this down now before I forget! Oh, you guys are gonna be shocked as heck about one of the OCs of mine (And it ain't Shiro).

Btw, I apologize for being late, I was kinda in a half sleepy daze.

I don't own MFB. All OCs belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 8 The masks we wear, and the lives we live

"Y-You're his sons!? But how!?"

"I-I never knew Obscure's royalty had a linage, did you?"

"Come to think of it, they do look alike, if you look at all three of them at once."

There was a chill in the air as Yukina watched the paladin of ice turn away, his familiar appearing on top of his head. "He's coming this way isn't he?" Lucas asked.

"Yes." Eirlys said, "Would you like me to peck his eyes out? I'll do it, free of charge."

Luke snorted, "You're my familiar. You kinda have to anyways."

"You can get me a mouse or a rabbit."

Luke sighed, and shook his head minutely. Eirlys moved from her position on Luke's head, to his shoulder. She fluffed up herself a little, causing herself to look more threatening and imposing.

"A lovely day, isn't it?" Caspian walked up next to Luke. The teen forced down a shiver, but he was unable to stop himself from snapping and unsnapping the clasps on his bracelets, "Son?"

"I'm not your son." Luke growled out.

"You are my blood." Caspian pointed out, "The heir to the throne of Obscure."

"To which I do not want. Give it to someone else."

"Your brother is not suited for it. You are."

Luke snorted, and turned to face his father, "And why's that, father?" He spat the last word out, like it was poison to even think of the man before him in such a way.

Caspian's lips curled into a half smirk, and he leaned in, voice lowering so no one near would hear him, "Because you're my favorite, pet."

Luke recoiled, and Eirlys screeched angrily, catching the entire room's attention- royals, paladins, and the guards all turned at the commotion. Yukina and Wales started to approach, both of them with fire in their eyes.

Luke growled, "I ran. I ran because I was sick of you- sick of what you did to me. I WASN'T about to become another piece in your sadistic game of chess." He smirked, "And it was rather easy- you never told anyone about having any heirs to the throne, so really it worked in your favor. I'm out of your hair while you do your kingly duties. And why don't you explain to me again? Why didn't you want Wales as your heir? I mean, he's the older one. Wouldn't he be better suited?"

Caspian snorted as said guardian and Yukina appeared, flanking Lucas. Eirlys took to the air for a moment, flapping her wings and glaring at the king before her. At Yukina's side, Frost growled, hackles raised, and Wales' familiar glared darkly. Caspian's familiar, Vespers, raised up, hissing at the other three familiars. Each of them was reflecting their own Paladin's emotions, their anger and rage for the man before them.

Caspian's lips quirked up again, "Hah. Sorry, but no. Wales..." Caspian's eyes flicked to said man, "You would've talked too much. You're too easy to manipulate, weak minded, and-"

"Maybe they had a reason for leaving." Yukina said, and everyone looked at the girl, "You were. From what I've heard, with Wales being my guard, and Luke being my friend-" Luke blinked at her in shock upon that statement, "I believe you were the reason they left."

Caspian hummed, and fixed his sons with a look, "Maybe I was. Can you prove it? Would you two say anything? Even as guard and paladin, you're both from the streets. You don't accept your royal blood, haven't for 5 years. And by Obscure law, you've all but disowned yourselves. And who would believe the words of two criminals?"

Luke's entire body shut down and he swallowed thickly. Wales glared, the air around him vibrating. Yukina scowled, unable to come up with a response.

"Whatever you did to these two boys," Frost growled, and snapped at Vespers, who hissed and recoiled, "You will not get away with it."

"Ahem." Queen Glacia's voice cut through the tension, "If we may get the meeting under way? We have much to discuss."

Caspian turned away, allowing Vespers to crawl up his arm. The black mamba curled around the man's neck.

"Much to discusssssss indeed..." Vespers hissed, "Cassssspian, you musssssst tread carefully... You can not hide your sssssecretsssss forever."

"Do not fret, Vespers." Caspian murmured, "Soon, they will pay with their lives- everyone here- and I'll have my sons back under my control. And then, my secrets will never be revealed."

With that The king of Obscure looked up and waited for the king of Prism to begin. "Thank you, Glacia. Now, as you know, we had decided to being our Paladins and their guards to this meeting as a way of greeting. As we've already mentioned last meeting, and probably by now you're more aware of it, the Kingdom of Nocturne is on the course of being revived. It is up to the Paladins of the Elements to prevent the destruction that nearly destroyed Trinity once from returning." Zane paused as he looked over at Arc, who was quickly looking through pages of Trinity's past, "Arc here had been studying Trinity's history for me on the request of her queen. Arc, can you quickly bring up the aftermath of the battle between trinity's kingdoms and nocturne?"

"Of course! According to what history has said, the king of Nocturne declared as he was being sealed away that he would eventually return on the eve of the solstice. It could either mean the summer or the winter solstice though, your majesty." Arc explained.

"True, but we have to remember something. The winter solstice is a celebration for the shortest day in the year, while summer celebrates the longest day of the year. But there's another meaning to that."

"Wait... I think I get it." Titania stated, "Day and night are polar opposite, just like many elements of the kingdoms. In this case, Day represents the light of life, and night represents the darkness of death, right?"

Zane nodded, earning murmurs of intrigue. "That leaves us 3 seasons to train for the final showdown between Nocturne and it's supporters. Which leads to the realization I came to. The team tournament of Prism is fast approaching. I propose that we have a special exhibition tournament to help the paladins and their guards get to know each other, work on their teamwork, and allow themselves to test their strength." The king of Prism paused as he noticed the sparkle of a battle emerging in several of the paladins and guards, "I can tell quite a few of you are aching for some fighting. Think of this as your first test as Paladins of the Elements, and Guards of the Paladins."

"I like where this is going already," Kyoya admitted, several others nodding in agreement, "So what's the catch?"

"As stated, it is a team based tournament. you will be fighting in unison with each other. The whole tournament is used to help those who work in teams. Dynamis, my son. Seeing as you've been in this tournament before, would you like to explain how it works?"

Dynamis nodded. "Like father said, it's team based. Each team has four members, and there are 8 teams in total that fight in each tournament. It's a matter of coordinating attacks, working side by side with your teammates, and building onto your abilities. And it's a lot harder than you'd think, believe me. Took me, Kana, Trixx, and Whimsy 4 years to finally win last year."

Nile raised an eyebrow. "You're quite the the ladies man, aren't you?" The guard of light asked, and Dynamis turned bright red in embarrassment as Whimsy and Trixx giggled.

"Oh, you got it all wrong mister. Kana's his sister and guard, and me and Whimsy are just good friends of his," Trixx explained, her sister nodding in agreement.

"That's right. Besides, we wouldn't want to interfere with his and Rosalina's love life." Whimsy said, before gasping, "Uh oh."

"Whimsy!" Dynamis exclaimed, his face turning a deeper crimson, even deeper than than Rosalina's hair, before turning to his father, "May I be excused? I wanna release some of my magic before it gets out of hand due to my emotions."

"Of course Dynamis. Kana, would you-"

"Accompany him? Of course."

The room grew deathly quiet as the two Prism siblings left the room, before everyone turned their attention back to Zane. "Well, I believe that concludes this meeting. Should you have the need to ask me something, I will be here to answer your questions. In two days we will be heading to Prism to help prepare you all for what's to come."

A resonate nod escaped people in the room, and Rosalina was quick to notice Lucas, Yukina, and their guards rush out of there before anyone could talk to them. "Man, talk about family tensions. That really made this meeting uneasy." Titania sighed as Ryutaro and Ranmaru nodded in agreement.

"I've seen enough of it already, to be honest," Kana admitted as returned to the room and joined the four, "Between Yukina's strained ties with her sister, and Dynamis getting pestered by both Whimsy and Trixx." There was a giggle from Titania before the purple haired teen continued, "I'm just used to it."

"Maybe be. But I can't help but wonder if Lucas is right on his intake of his father." Rosalina stated, "When I shook hands before with him, I grew really ill at an alarming pace, just like I did when I felt that pulse of death magic several days ago."

Concern grew in the others four teens as they looked at each other. "Are you saying that Caspian might be behind Nocturne's revival? To say something without proof will get you in trouble." Titania pointed out.

"Perhaps. But Obscure is also a kingdom full of secrets that leave us in the dark. Who's to say that the truth is obscured in it's shadows."


"I just can't believe it! How could he do something like this right in a meeting!?"

Lucas watched Yukina pace around the room, her aunt watching her with concern. "I get it, there's not much we can do. But to say that his own two sons are criminals. That was just down right cold!" The paladin of wind stated, her pace quickening.

"Unfortunately, he's right. We technically rejected our royal blood, making us criminals by Obscure's law. I don't know how it is with other kingdoms, but it's hard to believe the word of a criminal in a lot of them," Wales pointed out.

"I believe it though! After all, after my encounter with him, and the aura I saw around him... How is it he hasn't been exposed for who he truly is!?"

"Our father's clever. He knows how to put on an act that is very convincing. He drops it to those who know him for who he truly is. Unless you can find a way to expose his facade in front of everyone, We've got nothing to back up our claims. Except for your aura sight. But who would be convinced of it outside of us?" Lucas asked.

"...I would. Your words have more truth then what people think."

Lucas looked over at Yukina, who had a saddened look on her face, and he recalled what the other said in front of his father. "Do you really think of me as a friend?" the paladin of ice asked as Yukina looked up.

"Of course. Granted you're sarcastic at times, but it's something I was used to growing up with Frost as my familiar. Besides, I suppose we have similar problems when it comes to family. My sister wasn't exactly the nicest person you'd meet. In fact, she was downright cruel." Yukina paused as she rolled up her sleeve, revealing a large scar on her arm. Lucas' eyes widened slightly at the sight of the ruined skin, the paladin of wind feeling the roughness of it before she rolled the sleeve back down.

"Nozomi... How should I say this. She's not the kindest person. She often liked to go overboard in fighting me during training, often with me receiving injuries. But she never figured out that hurting me ruined herself in terms of royalty. The scar you just saw was the one which was when I was left along in a forest when I was 9, and as punishment the title of crown princess fell upon me. But all things come with a cost. My sister's anger, Shiro's guilt for failing to protect me... There's been a lot of pain due to her own jealousy."

Lucas looked over at Wales, who nodded to confirm his paladins words at the young woman finished speaking. "That's why I believe you, and can connect with you. We may have had a rocky start, but we've both seen the darkest sides of our family being controlling, however bad it is. That's why I'd rather believe the words of a criminal than a king who wears his lies like a mask. I may not look like it, but I'm a fighter. So if anything should happen to both you and Wales, both of you know that I got your back." The realization hit for both males as they nodded.

"Truer words haven't been spoken, milady," Frost stated as he appeared alongside Eirlys, "It seems you have matured a bit since you've become a paladin Yukina."

"I'm not a child Frost, and I really wish you would notice that. I may be somewhat of a klutz and can't navigate to the best of my ability, but I have become stronger over the years. If our opponents wish to win, they'll have to face the Temperance of Stratos and the Winter's chill of Cryos to do it."


"...I know I shouldn't do this. For all I know I'm risking the chance of Noir spying on me on Caspian's behalf."

Shiro sighed as he walked down the corridors of Vivia's castle, ignoring the architecture that was begging for attention. "There's a big chance I'm gonna be exposed as a traitor for this but... Even though I love Chrona, I've had a strong loyalty to the queen of Stratos. She is my aunt after all. And after the conclusion I came to, I need the comfort of my home where it's closest." The stratos native sighed as he reached his destination. But as he raised a hand out to knock, a voice on the other side called out to him.

"I've been waiting for you. I had a feeling after the meeting that you needed to talk to me. Why don't you come in and greet your aunt Mizore before you change your mind."

A half smile escaped Shiro as he opened the door, the Queen of Stratos sitting on the chair across from him. "Milady, I apologize for for visiting you at such a late hour, as well as vanishing from Stratos all those years ago."

"You had your reasons to leave Shiro. As much as you do right now," Mizore smiled as she adjusted the silver and pale green gown she wore. "So tell me, what can I do for my nephew on this quiet evening. I can hardly think that you would come here just to reunited with your dear aunt."

"I... I..."

Shiro sighed as he pushed away the regret in his mind, "I know what's cause Nocturne's revival. It's a group of rogue mages and figures from many kingdoms who have grudges with Trinity. They're called the rogues of Chaos, and they're run by several masterminds." Mizore frowned slightly as Shiro sat down across from her, the male looking a bit guilty about something as he continued, "I should know because I joined them. I didn't cause the magic, rather I was more of a mercenary for them. But over the past few days, there have been certain events that have made me grow conflicted with how I go about my duties."

"Such as?"

"Their new member. Forgive me for telling you this, but your oldest daughter, Lady Nozomi, has gone traitor and joined up with them. I feel as if she's got a grudge with Yukina, and to be honest, my youngest cousin's wellbeing is just as important as my love for the woman I am dating. But as far as loyalties go, I weigh the ties to my home greater than to Obscure." Shiro paused as he bowed his head, "I suppose my self exile could also be considered an act of mutiny to Stratos, and for that, I am extremely sorry."

Mizore nodded at her nephew's intentions. "You always had a desire to protect those close to your heart. You may be on the enemy's lines, but you are not the traitor you expect yourself to be. Your exile was self imposed Shiro, and it was more of a soul-search compared to a mutiny. Besides, there is no act of treason against you." The queen of stratos smiled as Shiro looked up at her, "Raise your head high, my nephew. Yukina does not blame you for what happened so long ago. It was Nozomi's decisions, that caused you and her pain."

Shiro gave a half smile as he sat up, a bit of the burden off his shoulders. "Aunt Mizore, if it's alright, can I come to you for advice. I still love Chrona, the woman I've been with for several years, but I still have loyalties to Stratos. I'm not sure where that leaves me in terms of choosing sides."

"You're confusion is natural Shiro. But if should ever need my advice, send your familiar to me, and I will give you words of wisdom when I am able to."

"Thank you, Milady. Also, if you could, can you give Yukina a message. Tell her that I never blamed her for my failure years back, and should she ever need to talk to me, have her whisper for my familiar, and I will try to find a way to talk without arousing suspicion. I still have to keep a mask on for this mission."

"Of course Shiro."


"Finally, for crying out loud! I never thought I'd get a break! Was it ever this hard for mother when she was my age!?"

Noir grumbled as she washed her hands, the nail polish she wore chipping as soap cleaned it away. "I get it, Caspian's got plans. But to induce that much drama in a meeting like that..." The dark haired woman stated as she looked over at the mirror and frowned. There was something within the woman in front of her that upset her, made her a different person. Made her feel like she was wearing a mask.

A thought came to Noir, and the Obscure reaper hesitated for a second before closing her eyes. "Illusion: Meltdown," The teen commanded in a firm, but soft voice as a wave of magic pulsed out.

Stains of black shadows escaped the front of her bangs, revealing dark purple bangs that complimented her ocean blue eyes before they changed to a pure gold color. The corset's color changed from a pitch black to a dark purple with black laces, and the skirt went from knee length to halfway down the lower half of her legs and gained several gold stripes. The silver jewelry around her neck remained, but the black gems on it changed into deep purple stones glittering in the light of the full moon.

Noir's eyes opened, and a gentle smile graced her features as she looked over at the mirror to admire her new appearence. "My goodness, that's a lot better. Keeping illusion magic up for 4 day straight is taxing on the body and magic. Thank goodness I get a break from everyone so I can replenish my magic. It takes a lot of concentration to keep the facade of Noir Reaper in front of everyone." The young woman pointed out to herself, a smirk on her face.

A crash could be heard behind her, and Noir's smirk changed into fear as she whipped around, looking for the source of the disturbence. A groan escaped her as she looked at Shiro, the white haired 19 year old's mouth wide with shock as he looked at her and, a broken glass bottle on the floor as the liquid that was in it spilled out its contents. "W-What the-" The Stratos native stuttered, his voice escape him.

Noir snarled as she yanked Shiro into the room, slamming the door behind her as she gazed at the other. "You are not going to tell a single person about this! If you do I will not hesitate to stick Persephone on you!" The reaper growled, her cat familiar hissing at the male as it appeared at it's master's side.

Shiro made eye contact with the now transformed Obscure woman, her enraged gold eyes piercing into his pale green orbs. "You're not really Noir, are you?" The Stratos native asked in a calm voice.

A scoff escaped Noir as she let go of Shiro. "Wow, the boy's smart. Give him a prize." The other stated as she crossed her arms, and looked at the other with a glare of anger and an aura of superiority before giving a smirk, "Tell you what though. You keep my secret safe, and I'll be kind enough to keep a secret of yours safe. Besides, another person in on my charade makes it more intriguing to see the results."

"What secrets do I have to hide from you and Caspian?"

"Oh not many. Just the one where you have higher loyalty to the kingdom of Stratos."

Shiro immediately straightened up as Noir pulled back. "Deal. Besides, from what I heard behind the door, you don't sound too keen on siding with Caspian either."

"You'll understand why once I explain myself. As my father once said, Mirrors are a reflection of a person's soul. You can't hide the mask within it." Noir smirked as she casually relaxed herself onto a chair across from the pale haired male.

"Noir Reaper's just an alias I go by, Shiro Mizukami. Name's Amethysia Kagami Cosmina. And what I'm about to tell you is something few people know."


"Lady Corona. King Caspian has sent a message to you through his familiar. And it's very important.

Corona paused as a guard handed her a scroll and took it, before her smirk widened as her familiar appeared on her shoulder.

"Summon the other Zepheros. A meeting is in order."

Oh yeah, I'm gonna get hit with the rage in the comments. Warrior's back on the path of evil cliffhangers! And that's not all! *grins* Guess who's got a beta reader for this story?

Dynamis: *randomly appears and looks at script* Oh no... Double trouble! *disappears*

That's right my good friend Queen is my beta reader for Elemental. so If you thought the drama and suspense was intense now, I'm gonna say this once, and once only in all caps: YOU GUYS HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET! :D

So, the question of the day is, what is to happen of this revelation involving Noir/Amethysia? And what do you think her purpose is behind this? Answer will be revealed in the future, but we got a new arc to get on with now: The Festival Tournament Arc! Oh, and also, remember when I said that Chiarobscure was hinting at something a few chapters back? I hinted at something in this chapter as well using that. Look around where Titania and Rosalina are talking in this chapter.

But because I'm kinda feeling bad for leaving ya in suspense like this, here's a round up of the teams:

Team 1: Sophie, Wales, Yukina, Lucas

Team 2: Ranmaru, Titania, Ryutaro, Nile

Team 3: Atlantia, Aurora, Felipe, Arturia

Team 4: Ryuga, Kyoya, Koji, Kana

Team 5: Rosalina, Dynamis, Ruka, Gingka

Team 6: Platina, Amethysia/Noir, Shiro, Emily

Team 7: Dashan, Ninel, Chao Xin, Koto

Team 8: Arc, Whimsy, Trixx, Aria

That's it for this chapter. Until next chapter, this is Warrior signing out! Catch ya on the other side of the nexus!