~Chapter 36~

Void of Forgiveness

Abyssa's eyes widened in horror. She always believed the term 'nightmare' was used to define horrifying dreams... yet she never believed they could take form of hideous creatures such as the one she saw before her now. Quickly, she drew her gun-blade, shooting at the creature when it came close, causing green and blue glims to pop off it.

The others had leaped into action as well. Oliver used his "Mornstar' spell on the creature, then summoned his familiar, Mitey, to attack; Esther had summoned a different familiar, a baabarian, to attack as well; and Swaine used his trick-shots, up until he decided to use Gunthur when the Nightmare failed to be losing health.

Then the Nightmare paused, summoning a move of its own: Dark Dream. "Everyone, all-out defense!" Oliver cried, and everyone formed their defense-stances, raising their arms and shielding themselves.

The Nightmare struck, but the damage was not so great. Abyssa summoned Ghibli, having him attack, while Swaine summoned his Thumblemur to take Gunthur's place of attack. Esther summoned back her baabarian, and played a healing hymn on her harp, to help everyone build their health back up.

Then came a golden glim. Abyssa watched as Oliver caught it, then cast his super-charged spell, "Burning Heart", watching as a cyclone of flame surrounded the Nightmare, doing much damage, yet the creature was still up, disappearing and reappearing around them.

It caught Esther from behind. "Watch out!" Abyssa shouted, then had Ghibli charge at it, ramming it away from the familiar tamer, then had him perform 'roly-poly' on the Nightmare, doing as much damage as possible.

Oliver had Mitey use 'cut-loose', doing extra damage to the Nightmare. Finally, it began to slow down, growing weak. "All out attack!" he called.

Abyssa watched as everyone attacked at once- Swaine shooting trick-shots; Esther summoning a third familiar, Ullabaloo, having him use 'whirly-whirlies'; and Oliver striking it with "Evenstar".

Don't just watch- jump in! Abyssa told herself, then summoned Ghibli back, shooting blades at the creature.

It let out a shriek of pain, finally bursting into smoke.

The scenery around them changed, and they were back in Motorville, in front of Oliver's old house. "Okay... what the bloody hell was that?!" Abyssa asked at last.

"A Nightmare- rotten creatures, they are." Mr. Drippy told her. "They come 'round when someone's been heart-broken for so long, an' snag onto their hearts, like."

Abyssa looked around, seeing that people were walking about as if nothing happened. "And I take it no one saw anything- let alone notice a change of scenery?"

"Oh, aye. Ya see, when a Nightmare pops out ready for a fight, we get sucked into a void- th' place where Nightmare's reside, like a troubled part of th' heart. When th' Nightmare is defeated, th' void shrinks- disappears entirely once th' broken-heart is mended."

"Right... and we'd better find out what piece of heart Angus needs," Oliver said, looking down at Angus, who was slowly waking up.

"Ohh... what happened?" Angus groaned, then looked up, seeing Oliver. His eyes were still violet-purple. "You- what are you still doing here?!"

"Angus, please calm down. I want to help... First, you have to tell me if something's wrong-"

"Why?! So you can tell my parents, and have them send me back to a specialist?! Save your breath- I've seen enough doctors, and they never figured out what's wrong with me! They only said I was mentally ill! Traumatized after..." he began to wince, then fell to his knees, sobbing. "No... I can't tell you... it hurts too much... Just go away!"

"He's mighty grief-stricken, en't it like?" Mr. Drippy stated.

"Really? He looked pretty cheerful to me," Abyssa said, sarcastically. "So, what 'piece of heart' does he need?"

"Forgiveness, it looks like. Someone must've done something to th' pooer bunting, harsh enough to darken his mind, like a troubling memory of sorts."

"That's it?"

"What do you mean 'that's it'? It must have been horrible for him if it caused him to be so devestated!" Esther snapped at her.

Angus looked up at Oliver. "Did... did you hear something? ...no, no it's all my imagination... what are you just standing there for?! Go away already!" he snarled.

"Angus..." Oliver said softly, kneeling in front of him. "I promise, I won't tell your parents. I just want to know why you're so upset... and I know it doesn't have everything to do with that cat. I won't think you're crazy, or tease you, or anything. I just want to help you..."

"N-No one can help... you don't understand what it's like... to lose someone," Angus sobbed, angrily.

"Yes I do,"

Angus looked up at him. "Huh?"

Oliver nodded. "My mom... she died over six months ago. She had a heart-attack, after saving me from drowning. I was just like you- I thought I could never move on..." he reached, clutching the shell-like pendant around his neck. "But I learned to."

Angus sniffled. "But no one took her away from you... just... just go away, Oliver. You've done enough!"

Oliver stood up. "I'm not done yet... can you stay here? I'm going to get you something,"

"Yeah right... you already tried, and you failed!"

"Then I'm going to try again,"

"He's out here, Mommy!" came Molly's voice. Oliver looked up, seeing the young girls come out with their mother.

"Angus! What's going on? The girls said you were picking fights with Oliver!" The mother said.

"He wasn't," Oliver said. "He just... he just got upset because a cat we were trying to catch ran away,"

"Angus... apologize,"

"Why? It's his fault- he tied her up!" Angus argued.

"Angus, you listen to me- your behavior today has been bad enough as it is!"

As their mother sternly spoke to Angus, Janice walked next to Oliver. "You might as well go home- Angus never apologizes." she whispered.

"Yeah, he's always in a bad mood. At least I learn how to forgive people when they make mistakes," Molly added. "Just like how I forgave Janice this morning, when she cut my doll's hair,"

"Uh-huh, you always understand when I do something wrong. You're a great sister!"

Oliver's locket began to glow just then. "Oi, Ollie-boy, it looks like we've found some forgiveness!" Mr. Drippy exclaimed.

"Talk about a coincidence," Abyssa stated.

Oliver walked over to Molly. "Hey, Molly, can I ask you something?" he asked.

"Sure, what?" Molly replied.

"Well... can I borrow some forgiveness, to give to Angus?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Yeah, how are you going to do that?" Janice added, equally curious.

"It's hard to explain, I'll have to show you,"

"Okay, if it'll keep him from being in a bad mood, go ahead!" Molly replied.

Oliver cast the spell, "Take Heart", borrowing a piece of Forgiveness from Molly, placing it in his locket.

Molly shivered, giggling. "Wow... something tickled me inside!"

"Me next! Me next!" Janice exclaimed.

"Um, later maybe. Right now, I have to talk to Angus," Oliver replied, then walked over to Angus, who was still being lectured by his mother.

"Angus, what is your problem today?!" their mother was demanding.

"I just... I don't want to talk about it..." Angus replied, harshly. "Why can't everyone just leave me alone?!"

"Angus," Oliver said, speaking calmly. "I'd like to give you something now,"

"Hmm? What is it?" The mother asked.

"Whatever it is, I don't-" Angus began to snap.

Before he could finish, Oliver had opened the locket, allowing the piece of Forgiveness to float out and sink into Angus' chest. His eyes then went from violet-purple back to soft-brown, and he exhaled as if he had been holding his breath for a long time. "Angus? Are you alright?" Janice asked.

"Sweetie?" Their mother gasped.

"What's... what's going on?" Angus asked. "I feel... weird..."

"Lets get you inside, honey." The mother replied, then looked over. "I'm so sorry about the trouble, Oliver... If you'd like, you're welcome to join us for dinner- I'm sure Angus will make up for his behavior that way,"

"Um, okay, I'll have to ask Miss Leila about it, first." he replied.

"Okay. Come over at 6, if she says it's alright," With that, she and Angus walked back inside. The boy looked back at Oliver curiously, before stepping back in.

Janice and Molly approached Oliver. "I knew it! You're a wizard!" Janice exclaimed.

"H-Huh?" Oliver gasped.

"We were talking about it today. You were dressed just like a wizard in one of our books, and you cast a spell to cure Angus of his grumpiness!" Molly added.

"Um... yeah, I guess you can say that," Oliver looked around. "But, you have to keep it secret, okay?"

"Why?" Janice asked.

"Because... um..."

"Because Mommy doesn't like it when we go around saying that about people, just like she doesn't want us talking about Angus seeing ghosts, that's why." Molly replied. "It's just like that, isn't it, Oliver?"

"Um, right!"

"Oh, okay!" Janice giggled. "We'll keep your secret then, Oliver. Bye now!"

"Yep, thanks for helping our brother!" Molly added, then the two girls went back inside.

"So much for getting the Azen," Abyssa sighed.

"Don't give up hope just yet, Abyssa- now that Oliver's mended Angus' heart, maybe he'll tell us where it is!" Esther replied.

"Key word: 'maybe'. We still have our end of the deal to hold up," she looked over at the tree where the cat had scurried up. "And chances are, Angus might not open up much if we don't get that cat,"

"We can at least try, can't we?" Swaine scoffed.

"She actually has a point- I did promise I'd get Angus that cat, and it's only fair that I keep that promise," Oliver said.

"You mended his heart! I think it's fair he gives you the Azen!"

"A promise is a promise, Swaine, you should know that." Esther said.

"Better explain it to him- he might not understand," Abyssa quipped, earning a glare from Swaine.

Oliver walked over to the tree, where the cat was sitting on a high branch, staring down at them. He cast the "Nature's Tongue" spell, so he and the others could speak to it. "Hi there, um... Mr. Cat. Can we have a word with you?" he asked.

"First of all, it's 'Miss Cat', or did you not find I am female?" the cat replied in a huff. "Second, I have no business with you lot, considering those two chased me around town, and you tried tying me up!"

"Hey, we wouldn't have chased you if you didn't keep running off!" Swaine snapped, then thumbed at Abyssa. "And SHE'S the one who tied you up!"

"How did she manage to do it?" Esther asked the cat.

"Basically, she just came up to me. I took out the rope because she wouldn't let me carry her, and she played with it a bit until I managed to tie a bit of it around her waist," Abyssa replied.

"Yes, she was quite subtle in her approach. I studied her for a few moments, sensing she was... quite compatible." The cat added. "It was also fun playing with that rope as well. I decided to walk with her... somehow, I felt a strange connection to her,"

"So that's why it was so easy for her to handle you," Swaine said.

"Yes- unlike you, you grubby bum. Hopefully that scratch of mine will teach you to keep your hands to yourself!"

Swaine only sneered. Esther chuckled.

"Miss Cat, if you don't mind, we have a favor to ask." Oliver said to the cat.

"I know. You want to give me to that Angus boy in exchange for this 'Azen' thing he always keeps in his pocket,"

"Huh?!" The others gasped.

"You know where it's at?! How?" Abyssa asked.

"I could sense it, such is why I stuck around. I can sense something supernatural about it... a power that's far beyond his control. Each day, I would move a bit closer to him while he was reading, just to make sure it was safe... One day, he noticed I was very close to him, and he reached for me... and I panicked and ran away."

"You just abandoned it? But it's so powerful!"

"Yes... but the farther away I got from it, the less I began to care- that's the thing about us cats, my dear. We don't show too much interest in things." She stood up, haughtily. "And I certainly have no interest in living with another human,"

"Another human? You were a pet, before?" Esther asked.

"Pet?! Ha! I prefer the term 'companion'... well, 'ex-companions', having been with more than one. The first ones neglected and abandoned me, leaving me on the streets of some city. The next one who took me in was a heartless brute- never fed me, threw things at me.. why he even sicked his dog on me more than once, until one day I ran away, arriving in this location. Since then, I refused to trust a single human..." she looked down at Abyssa. "Save for this one. Unlike you, she seems more like a kindred spirit to me,"

Esther, Swaine, and Oliver exchanged glances. "Oliver... you don't suppose...?" Esther whispered.

Oliver looked back up at the cat, at her gray face, and how her black fur on her head seemed to be straight, as if she had bangs... "It could be," he replied, then looked up at the cat. "Miss Cat, you don't have to worry. We're not like your last owners, and Angus is a good kid too... he just wants a friend,"

"A cat friend? I highly doubt it likely," The cat huffed.

"It's true- we actually happen to have a friend who's a cat as well!" Esther added.

"Besides, having a home would be better than wandering the streets- believe me, I know how it feels," Swaine answered.

"Pfft, yeah, except I never stole things to survive," The cat sneered at the thief, then turned to Oliver. "However, since you're going through so much trouble... I suppose I could give it a chance. I saw how you fought that horrendous creature, and I sense something new in his heart." she turned to Abyssa. "Also, I sense your friend here will be a better caretaker for the Azen than he could be... and if I must live with him in order for it to be in safe hands, so be it."

"Okay. I'll be back later," Oliver said to the cat. "Right now, I have to get back to the Milk Bar- Miss Leila might be wondering what's taking me so long,"

"I shall wait here, then. It shall be my last post to keep an eye on the Azen,"

"If cats could inherit it, you'd make an excellent Keeper," Abyssa complimented the cat.

The cat purred, smiling. "Thank you,"

"See you later," Oliver said to the cat, and he and the others walked down the street.

"So... looks like we'll be getting that Azen back, after all," Swaine said.

"One thing I don't get..." Abyssa said, turning to Mr. Drippy. "You said fairies could sense the Azen's power at a close range... why couldn't you sense it in the kid's pocket?!"

"Oi, it's hard to keep track of everything, mun! Sensing heartbreak, pieces of heart, an' watchin' a Nightmare pop out o' nowhere can really distract ya, y'know!" Mr. Drippy huffed.

"That, or you were bluffing,"

"Oi, I don't bluff, mun! I always tell th' truth!"

Esther gave him a look. "Oh? How about the time when we had to stop Ol' Smoky from erupting, and you told Oliver and I that we only had a few minutes to get to the top? THAT was a bluff!" she scoffed.

"That wasn't a bluff! It was, ah, motivation!"

"How about the first time we landed on Teeheeti, and you kept trying to stop us from finding the Fairygrounds?" Swaine added.

"Oi, ya met Fairy Godmother! You should understand!"

"What about the time you ate a piece of pie we found in a chest, and blamed it on Swaine?" Oliver added.

"Alright! Alright! So fairies can bluff! Geez, mun, no one's perfect! ...But we DO have th' power to sense th' Azen, that I swear! Either my senses couldn't pick up its power... or..."

"Or... what?" Abyssa questioned.

"Or... its power died wit' Alicia."

"What?! But... surely she must have passed it down to Oliver, before she went!"

"Yes, and you said that since Abyssa's still alive and was its original keeper, it could still have power!" Esther added.

"Aye... but there's a paradox. Th' Azen was sent back in time, remember? Alicia found it and brought it wit' her to th' future. That means, it surpassed th' day Abby-girl inherited it... so there's a chance that she might not be its heir,"

Abyssa paled. "And you're just now figuring this out?!" she yelled.

"Oi, take it easy, mun! There's a wee chance I'm wrong, don't get youer knickers in a bunch!"

"It depends..." Oliver said, pondering. "Abyssa, exactly how old are you?"

"Nineteen," Abyssa replied.

"And what age did you inherit the Azen?"

"When I was five,"

"So that would have been 14 years ago..." Swaine calculated.

"Depending on how far she travelled through time, there is a chance that she still had the Azen during the time you inherited it," Oliver stated. "And since there's only a six-year age difference between the two of us, Abyssa, you might still be the Keeper!"

"So... it was taken back in time 20 years... I acquired it 14 years ago... so you were born by the time I inherited it," Abyssa figured. "But if Alicia never passed it down to you, that would cancel out the paradox of my ex-inheritance, making me the Keeper! You're right, Oliver!"

"Tidy! That cleared that up!" Mr. Drippy exclaimed.

"I hope so... I'm getting a headache," Esther said, rubbing her head.

"Well, that's what happens when you think too much," Swaine quipped.

Esther gave him a look. "Is that why you hardly think at all?"

Oliver sighed, then noticed they were reaching the Milk Bar. "Why don't you guys hang out around the house, until I get done with work?" he suggested.

"Aye, we could all use a quick rest after th' day we've had," Mr. Drippy agreed.

"You said it, Mr. Drippy," Abyssa added.

"Would ya get my name right, already?! Drippy! D-R-I-" he paused. "Wait a min... you actually got it right this time!"

"Really? I thought I was saying it right the whole time," Abyssa walked in, leaving the fairy gawking.

The young wizard handed Esther his Wizards Companion, locket, and wand to put away for him. While the others entered the house, Oliver entered the shop. "Sorry it took me so long. I ran into Angus and his family," he said to Miss Leila. "His mom asked me if I wanted to join them for dinner tonight at 6. Is it alright if I go?"

"Hmm, well it would be past your curfew... but it would be rude not to accept the invitation, I suppose." Miss Leila said. "But I'd like you home by 7:30,"

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you!" Oliver got to work.

It was 5 o'clock when Miss Leila decided to close up shop. Oliver stepped out, locking up the front door, when Myrtle tapped him on the shoulder. "What was the real reason you took off today?" she asked him in a whisper.

Oliver rubbed the back of his neck. "Well... before I met you in the park, I talked to Angus, about catching the cat. I, um, noticed it was nearby, and wanted to catch it."

"I see... catching that cat for Angus must be really important. You must really want to be friends with him," she rubbed her arm. "You're not... you're not just doing it to be in your old house again, are you?"

Oliver's eyes widened. "Of course not! It's just... he seemed really sad when I was talking to him, and I really want to cheer him up,"

"Okay. I-I'm sorry for my accusation, it's just... I know he's sad, too, like he was suffering from a broken-heart or something,"

You got that right, Oliver thought.

"It's like he's been hurt, and if he thought you were just being friends with him because..." she stopped herself. "Ugh, I'm talking crazy again! I shouldn't think so low of you, Oliver, considering what a pure heart you have! You wouldn't just be friends with someone in order to get something you want... unless that 'something' was friendship,"

Oliver paused, considering Myrtle's words. Deep down, he knew her accusation was somewhat right- he had just been doing a favor for Angus just to get the Azen... yet, he was just getting the Azen in order to help Abyssa, helping her meaning he was helping her to let go of her grudge against Swaine...

But, now that he thought about it, he did notice a change in his chain of tasks. The moment he saw Angus break down, he had forgotten about the Azen, just wanting to mend his broken heart so another Nightmare wouldn't form, and help the boy find peace. Now he was going to get a cat to give to him, so he could get the Azen... but he knew Angus needed more.

"It's alright. I do miss my house... but I know Angus needs a friend even more," he said to Myrtle. "Hopefully, after dinner tonight, we'll be friends,"

Myrtle smiled. "I think you will be... there isn't a single person in the world I know who would make a better friend than you," she said... then, unexpectedly, gave him a peck on the cheek! "See you around, Oliver!" she then ran home.

Oliver blushed, feeling his cheek, smiling a bit...

A flirtatious growl was heard, and he spun around, seeing Swaine standing there! "Swaine!" he sneered.

"Heh heh, only joking, Oliver!" Swaine replied, chuckling.

*0*0*0*0*0*

A/N: Next chapter, we see how dinner goes... and it appears another mystery is solved ;) ...Also, I hope the 'Nightmare' battle sounded good enough.

Now for the Reviewer Thanks!

Kai2: That sounded pretty poetic. Cool.

Mike AZ 2: Hope the Nightmare fight was just as good, and you didn't spoil anything (actually, you gave me a good recap!); At first I thought it could be 'trust', but considering he had asked Oliver for a favor involving something he really wanted, I decided to change it to 'forgiveness', since it'll be foreshadowing to a little backstory; I also thought about making Abyssa his soul-mate when I first came up with the story, wondering what it would be like if two soul-mates had different genders... but decided to go with a different idea (especially since I wrote Angus' appearance differently).

Review and nit-pick, but no flames!