Daiki whistled as he sauntered through the forest, enjoying the warm day. He paused, listening to the birdsong above him. As he prepared to return to the village, an arrow whistled through the air. The pain was intense and his knees buckled as he tried to grasp what was happening. Blood ran through his fingers as he fumbled with his phone, finally managing to dial Ailsa.

Ailsa picked up her phone, "Dai? What's up?"

"Someone..shot me." His voice was pain filled.

"I'll be right there." She answered. "Just try to hang on."

"It hurts.." His voice became panicked. "Who are you? Stay away! Stay away-" The call cut off.

Ailsa focused on Daiki and a light formed, beginning to lead her toward him.

The cellphone lay broken on the trail beside the river in a pool of blood. A bloody arrow, snapped in two, lay discarded on the bank. A blood trail led from it into the river.

She stared at the scene for a moment, her panic rising. She focused on Daiki again and let the ball lead her.

He lay floating facedown in the water, caught on the rocks near the waterfall. Aside from the current's flow, he wasn't moving

She moved to him, pulling him from the water. She checked him over a moment before forcing energy into him.

A jagged hole in his side was barely bleeding and his lips were blue from the icy water.

She continued working for a long time, ignoring when her body began feeling weak.

"Run.." His raspy voice whispered, his eyes barely open. "Hide before he returns.."

"I'm not leaving you." She said softly. She tried to lift him, but struggled between her weakness and her pregnant belly.

"He wants the babies...You have to pro-" His eyes slid closed.

She took out her phone, debating whether to try calling Nori or Gaelin. She finally decided on Nori and dialed his number.

"Ailsa?" He answered quickly. "Where are you?"

"Dai was hurt, we're at the river. I was wondering if you could come help?"

"You're safe? And of course. Give me a few minutes."

"Alright. Dai was talking about some kind of danger coming.. So the faster the better."

He hung up, arriving ten minutes later and embracing her quickly. "I was terrified when I heard your voice after the call Gaelin received.." He glanced at Daiki worriedly. "Is he..?"

"He's alive. What call did Gaelin get?"

"Someone claiming to have kidnapped you. Said he was going to control you and the children and that our days were numbered." Nori gently cradled Daiki in his arms and stood.

"Dai did say someone wants the babies.."

"And I will have them." A determined voice spoke from above them.

Nori hissed as he tightened his hold on his injured brother.

"Why do you want them?"

"A child of the light carrying a child of the dark's children? Imagine the power.." A man emerged onto a tree branch, a cocked and loaded crossbow aimed at Nori's head.

"As a child of both light and dark, I don't have to imagine the power.." her eyes began glowing black. "Do not hurt him or you'll regret it."

The man raised an eyebrow, then altered the crossbow's angle to rest on Daiki instead. "You don't really care about him then?" He shrugged, finger tightening.

A blast of dark energy arced toward him, bouncing off a shimmery barrier.

"Fuck you asshole." Daiki's eyes glowed as another burst gathered on his fingertips.

The man sneered, then fired.

Daiki grunted as the arrow buried itself in his neck, his body pitching out of the horrified Nori's arms.

Ailsa rushed over, gently pulling the arrow out and forcing light to close the wound. She then stood, looking at the man again.

He cocked his head at her, a small smile on his lips. "Now then, where were we?"

"Don't hurt them." She said quietly, her exhaustion showing in her voice.

"I'll consider it." He jumped down and waved his hand, the barrier disappearing as he approached.

Nori caught her eye, a slight glow appearing in his clenched fists.

She looked at him, backing up slightly as the man approached.

Nori tackled the man, pressing his hands over the enemy's heart and releasing a large wave of energy.

The man screamed and struggled to get free as the energy swelled, then flashed brightly. He disintegrated as Nori stumbled backwards, the Fae's front charred and smoking.

Ailsa moved toward him and healed him up. She then leaned against a nearby tree, trying to stay upright.

Nori took a shaky breath. "We need to get out of here."

She nodded and was about to move when suddenly she felt arms grabbing at her.

Something was strapped to her wrist. She tried to move away but couldn't move far.

A cold voice laughed, "My partner may have failed, but I won't."

"Let her go!" Nori began to approach with hands glowing.

The man held a blade up to Ailsa's throat, "Don't come any closer."

Nori snarled, but stopped. He raised his hands, preparing to fire a blast of energy.

The man grabbed Ailsa and began pulling her backwards. She suddenly turned, moving to attack the man. He sliced at her, cutting her arms and ripping through her dress to her chest. She began shooting energy blasts at him but then he pressed a button. Suddenly, she couldn't form energy balls. She frowned before remembering the device on her wrist.

She began messing with it, unable to pull it off. It shot her with a light electric shock after a minute.

Nori flew past her, a massive energy ball in his hands. "Get Dai away from here!" He slammed into the other man, then released the stored energy.

Ailsa rushed to Daiki, trying to pull him to safety. She fell back after a minute, her body's strength giving out. She pushed herself up into a sitting position and cradled Daiki protectively.

The other man began disintegrating. With the last of his strength, he pulled out a pistol and began shooting wildly.

Ailsa hissed as she was hit with one of the bullets. She slumped forward unconscious, blood beginning to drip on the man in her arms.

She woke slightly, her hand going to her belly before she opened her eyes.

Gaelin exhaled softly. "You're alive…"

"Are they okay?"

"The babies are fine." He rubbed her belly softly before kissing her.

"And my brothers?"

Gaelin averted his eyes, busying himself with straightening the blanket over her. His hands shook slightly.

She sighed and struggled to push herself up to look around.

"You should rest."

"I need to help them.."

"Ailsa.." Gaelin's voice was ragged. "Maybe you can do something for Dai, but Nori…"

She got up slowly and went to find her brothers. She checked them over for a minute, wincing at the damage. She then began pouring light into them. After a long time, she pulled her hands back, looking at Nori sadly. "I'm sorry, Aniki.. I couldn't help you.."

Suddenly, an orb of light appeared. She looked at it for a moment then nodded. The light surrounded Nori for a few minutes before going to Ailsa. It slowly disappeared as her body absorbed it. She felt a bit stronger as she checked Nori over once again.

He was unconscious, but breathing.

Daiki groaned softly, his brow furrowing as he struggled to open his eyes.

"Hey, Dai. You're safe now."

He finally got his eyes open and they darted around. "Where is he? He was going to hurt you.."

"He's gone, don't worry."

"You're okay?" He pushed himself to a sitting position shakily.

"Yeah, just a little tired and sore."

"I'm sorry..if I hadn't called you.." He hung his head.

"It's alright. I'm glad to be able to help you."

"Such a disappointment. Can't even protect myself, much less you."

"Shh, it's alright. I'm your older sister, it's my job to protect you."

Gaelin took a hesitant step in, his jaw clenched. His eyes went wide as he took in the room, then he looked at Ailsa.

"Hey," she said quietly.

He embraced her silently.

Daiki tried to slip his way around them, his eyes on the floor.

Ailsa grabbed him and pulled him into a hug. "You're alright, Dai. I love you no matter what, okay?"

He stood trembling, then clung to her. "I was so scared he'd hurt you.."

She chuckled slightly, "Well, everything is alright now and the babies are safe."

Gaelin ruffled Daiki's hair gently. "Why don't you two get some rest?"

Ailsa nodded before yawning. "I am pretty tired.."

"C'mon. Daiki, you better not do anything stupid or I will sedate you." Gaelin's eyes narrowed as Daiki swallowed hard. "Ailsa, knock some sense into him, will you?'

Ailsa chuckled and stuck her tongue out at Daiki, "I've been trying for years.."

Daiki pouted a little, then sighed. "I promise I'm gonna sleep, No need for threats."

She kissed his cheek, "Alright then."

He gave her a small smile, then headed down the hall.

Gaelin was quiet for a minute, then nudged her. "Come on, time for bed."

She took his hand and headed toward their room.