Angelica's POV:

I woke up in the complete abyss. I stood up and looked around. There was darkness and only complete darkness. Where am I? Is this another one of my dreams? Suddenly, I could hear carnival music from far before me. Also, my nose was hit with the smell of burning wood and paper, maybe a burning house, it was coming from behind me. I wanted to turn back but I couldn't. I only could go forward to the music, now entangled with somebody singing. The voice was suiting, calming, seductive. I went a bit closer. Behind me manifested a shadow of the man and hugged me from behind. It was the owner of the voice. He started to whisper loving things to my ear. It was calming and so trapping, I wanted to stay like this and never leave. It was giving me peace, comfort, and safety, things that I always wanted.

„ I will bring you down, into the dark abyss of despair, with me, " I shivered after hearing that.

His hands were now white and I could see part of the white robe. I turned to face him. I stared into a pair of beautiful, bright, blue eyes accompanied by a few strands of light purple hair. They seemed so kind and pure but soon they fell into sadness. I reached my hand to wipe his tears off.

„Apollyon, I am sorry, there was no other way, " I said with pity.

As soon as my hand landed on his cheek, his skin started to decay. I quickly pulled my hand away. His eyes changed to blood-orange and his hair darkened to the point where it was hard to recognize if they were black or purple. His embrace became tighter, I struggled against it but to no avail.

„Let go of me!" I struggled.

„I will bring you down, into the dark abyss of despair, with me, " he said again.

It echoed in my head and it wouldn't stop. I managed to get out of his embrace and fell to my knees. The voice wouldn't stop.

„Make it stop, please! Stop it! " I felt like my head was going split open.

I woke up in cold sweat. I was breathing so fast.

„Hey, are you okay? You were screaming and shivering in your sleep, " Ritsuka and Azuna looked at me worried.

„It was just a nightmare, I hope,"

„You hope?"

„It could have been a psychic dream, I sometimes get those, "

„What was it about?"

„I-It's hard to explain, "

„We get it, it's ok. But we should prepare for school, " Azuna said and I nodded.

We went through the first half of the school day without any problems. There was no disturbance from the student council. We were sitting outside and having lunch. Well, only Azuna was eating.

„You two should be eating too, " she said.

„I am sorry, I'm just not hungry, " I replied.

„Are you thinking about that dream?"

„Yes, I can't get it out of my head, " I answered.

„Ritsuka, Angelica, you are needed!" some girl called for us.

I turned to her and behind her was standing a boy, I recognized him from yesterday. This will be something with the student council. I stood up and so did Ritsuka and we went to him.

„You have been summoned by the student council, please follow me, " he said. I gestured to Azuna that we will be okay and we went with him.

The whole time we were walking there we were completely quiet. It was unnerving. We were standing before the library's door.

„Are you okay?" Ritsuka asked.

„Yes, let's just get this over, " I said, opened the library door, and went inside.

As I stepped inside, something jumped into my hands, something with brown fur. It was Roen and he started to happily wig his tail. I smiled softly. Suddenly, a shadow came over me and Roen started to angrily bark and growl.

„It's lovely to see you again, butterfly, " someone said.

I didn't have to lift my head to know who that was. That nickname is starting to get on my nerves.

„But I wonder what for, " I said.

„No need to worry it's nothing bad, just some formalities. That applies to both of you, " he said smiling.

Ritsuka let out a small sigh of relief. We are not out of the water yet.

„Were you scared? I admit some of us are pretty scary, but we would not hurt someone like you. At least not me, " Mage joined the conversation. His attitude is just unbelievable.

„Well, there is always that fear that I did something wrong, " she explained. Yeah, last time she was here they tried to get her soul, so I don't blame her for being scared.

„Well, that could be the case or you are scared of the system misjudging you again, " Shiki said and suddenly grabbed me from behind by my shoulders.

It startled me so much that I stumbled forward with a little shriek. Keep it together! Urie caught me.

„Shiki you shouldn't scare our quest. Is everything okay?"

„Yes, it just surprised me that's all, " I said.

Roen jumped out of my hands and angrily barked at both of them. This pup knows what's up. He ended up biting Shiki's ankle. It didn't bother him that much, it seemed like he enjoyed it. Nothing changed there. I tried not to crack a smile.

„That dog hates you, "

„Do you even wonder at this point, he teases that thing whenever he gets a chance," Mage intercepted. As I thought before, absolutely nothing has changed.

„Says someone who checks up on girls constantly,"

„You are one to talk Urie!" Mage immediately shoots back. I am starting to feel sorry for Rem since he must deal with this every day.

„Admit you were checking her up when she was on the podium with us, " Mage nudged Urie.

„Excuse me, what did you just say?" I said with a passive-aggressive tone.

I would have rather zapped both of them with lightning, but I settled on just my warning tone, for obvious reasons. Throughout this mess, Ritsuka was just watching it not understanding what was going on.

„What is going on?" Rem interrupted that chaos.

Everybody calmed down. But something changed with Rem's appearance. I felt a strange yet familiar energy. I looked him up from head to toe and I noticed it. He had a new accessory, an accessory that I am not fond of. Where did he obtain the ring of darkness? So here, in one room, we have Satan's ring of darkness, the vampire king's blood gem, and haven's holy sword. Three powerful artifacts under the name Grimoire, which can grant someone the power to rule over the realms. The good thing is, that I am the only one who realizes it.

„Ritsuka, I just got off the phone with the police department," Rem announced to Ritsuka.

„So any news?" Ritsuka asked Rem.

„Yes, there is something, they tracked your mom's last location, using her phone's GPS,"

„Where is she?"

„In Nagano, not too far from Karuizawa,"

„Nagano?"

„So you're familiar with it?"

„My grandpa's house is there,"

„Then, we should go," Rem announced.

„So, why am I here? " I asked.

„Well, that's easy, you need to know some details about the singing competition. So, if you would follow me," Urie said and gently took my hand. Oh, great.

„Can we just text someone, we left Azuna without a word, she might be worried," Ritsuka asked. Good thinking.

„Of course," Rem agreed. So we both wrote Azuna a text, and I gave her a bit more information.

„I think we are good to go, now," Ritsuka said. Please be safe, Ritsuka.

„Shall we?" Urie asked.

„Of course," I answered and waved Ritsuka goodbye before being gently escorted out of the room by Urie.

He led me to a glass conservatory.

„What are we doing here?" I asked surprised.

He ignored my question and opened the door.

„After you," he simply said.

That didn't answer my question. I reluctantly went inside. This place was a winter garden.

„I must apologize for earlier,"

„Oh, that. I accept your apology," I said, keeping my cool, I didn't want to lash out.

We walked to the center of the garden when something clicked in my head. This is an exact reimagining of Eden. I recognized some parts and plants not to mention a giant apple tree. From far I heard music and singing. He did not start a cult, did he? We went closer and soon I saw several students with pretty dead eyes and smiles a bit too fake, singing and playing instruments. Oh, he did. He did start a cult. As soon as they saw Urie they swarmed around him like wasps. I was thankfully standing far from him because I think they would have no problem stepping over me to get to him. But he just gestured them to leave him be and again, took my hand. He led me to a bower and sits me down on the couch/futon, himself taking place next to me.

„Shouldn't there be more participants?" I asked carefully.

„Well, you came here technically after the due of turning in the forms, so others already acquired the details," Urie explained. Well, that's not suspicious at all.

„I see," I answered.

„So the competition will be on Monday from 3rd to 6th period including the lunch break, during which other students can go there and see. All participants don't have to go to the 1st and 2nd periods. Members of the council, not including the president, will be the judges. Also, you need to choose three songs you will be singing, you can send them during the weekend," he said.

„ I can write them down right now. If there are pen and paper," I responded. I know just the songs that will captivate them.

„There are," he said surprised, and handed me a pen and paper.

I wrote down three songs, with themes of confidence, seductiveness, and purity. Two of them were not my cup of tea but if I wanted to win they were necessary.

„Is that all?" I questioned as I gave him back the paper and pen.

„Yes, but I would want to know more about you," Urie said and leaned a bit closer.

„There isn't much about me," I start making excuses.

„There is always something, darling," he said, grabbing my chin and making me face him. Too close. Just be calm, don't want to produce any angelic scent.

„You don't have to be afraid, you're in my Eden now," he softly whispered.

I oddly relaxed, just his voice and eyes were so suiting.

„Yes, just relax," I heard him again.

Calmness just spread through my body. I felt comfortable just like in that dream. I felt weightless. I would like to stay like that forever until I realized what is going on. Oh, that bastard. I snapped out of his little spell. I was laying down and he was on top of me. I instinctively slapped him. That felt good.

He backed off holding his cheek radiating an ominous aura. That did not disturb me until I heard giggles, many of them. Oh, who would have thought that that would get the cult active. I guess it's time to run. I stood up and bolted out of there. His followers went immediately after me. So we played cat and mouse for a while. If this is a reconstruction of Eden then they don't stand a chance. I ran around a corner and jumped over a taller bush and hid. Bingo.

I heard them running past the place I was hiding. When I looked around if they were around I spotted someone sitting on the ledge of the building. I couldn't make out who it was. Once I knew the air was clear I went in a different direction. Now I just have to find an exit. I kept running. Suddenly all lights went out so I stopped. Oh, what is it now?! Around me appeared many carnival attractions. Oh, no. Once I started hearing the giggling I started running. After a while, I hid behind a building to take a breather. Suddenly everything lit up and the girls were getting close to my hiding place. I can't just bolt out of here they will easily catch me. I must distract them somehow. I thought for a bit. Oh, Lord let this work. I started to sing a lovely little song catching the girls off guard and giving me a window of opportunity to escape. So ran out of there to a mirror maze. Once inside I slowed down a bit. I walked through the intricate mirror halls. Suddenly, and out of nowhere few girls grabbed me. I didn't hear them nor sense them.

„Give us that pendant and we let you go, " one of them said.

„As if, " I said firmly managing to kick off one of them.

After a few close calls, I somehow managed to get out of their grip, only to fall and be caught by somebody's hand dragging me outside.

So after that, I was hiding behind a carriage on the carousel with my "savior". I wanted to take off immediately.

„You should stay close, I will protect you," Urie said and drew me closer to him.

„Who are those girls?" I asked just because I didn't want to be suspicious for not asking.

„My apologies, my butterflies are a bit protective of me," he said.

„A bit?" I exclaimed. He smirked after hearing that.

„You are quite an interesting girl, I never met someone like you before," he said bringing me even closer to him.

„That's interesting, but I should go, I have other things to do," I said moving back to create some distance. He grabbed my hand and I relaxed, again. Oh, not this again.

„You are rushing through life, just calm down and stay with me. Maybe you can answer something for me," he sweetly whispered. I didn't even let him speak.

„I will not fall for the same trick again," I got my hand out of his grip, and using his shook state I ran away. On the way, I escaped another two close calls.

I was running in complete darkness for a while until it just disappeared and I was on the street. I leaned back on the wall of some house in relief. After some rest, I started to walk to my home. As I was closer I started to smell something burning and I saw rising smoke from there. I picked up my pace running to that place. It was my house engulfed in flames. And all around there were the police, fire department, and a group of people keeping a safe distance from the place. The air was full of the smell of burning wood but also vampires. I knew this wasn't an accident. And I can't miraculously put out the fire and repair the damage, too many people saw it. I ran up closer just to be stopped by an officer.

„Madam you can't go any closer it's too dangerous, " he said.

„But I am the owner of that house, " I answered.

„I am very sorry for this situation,"

„Do you know what caused it?" I immediately asked.

„Well it looks like faulty wiring," the officer said.

„That's weird, it was a pretty new house. I guess you will need a write report," I said.

„You would be kind, " he said and lead me to his car.

As he was constructing the report I looked towards the house. The flames are normal which means that they did not get to the holy water. If I could get it in I would be able to control it. I concentrated on pushing the bottles into the fire. The fire changed color from reddish-orange to really light yellow nearly white.

„I only need a few answers and we will be done," he said.

„Of course, just ask, " I answered focusing on the fire trying to slowly put it out.

At the end of that interview, I managed to put out the fire.

„Do you have somewhere to stay? We can offer you someplace to stay if you need it, " he asked.

„No need for that I will contact my friends if I could stay at their place, " I answered kindly.

„Okay then, I grant you peaceful rest of the evening, " he said and parted. Well, I guess that dream I had was true, the only thing missing is Shiki.

„Well, what an unfortunate thing, " someone said behind me. Speak of the literal devil.

„Shiki what are you doing here?" I asked.

„Well, I was just walking by and I saw the smoke. Poor thing, you have nowhere to live now. You could stay with us, our manor is big enough, " he offered. Staying under one roof with four demons. That's my worst nightmare.

„No thanks, I don't want to bother the student council. I will ask Ritsuka or Azuna but thank you for the offer, " I said as politely as I could.

Right before he wanted to talk my phone rang. It was Ritsuka. That's just some perfect timing. I picked it up.

„Hi Ritsuka, so you're back safely?"

„Yes, how about you?"

„ Well, yes but I need a favor could I stay at your place for a while?"

„Sure, why?"

„Well, my house burned down because of faulty wiring, "

„That's terrible, sure you can stay. Should I or Lindo go your way?"

„No need, wait Lindo is already back?"

„Yes, he is. Then see you in a moment, "

„See you, " I said goodbye, hung up and I went her way.

When I got to her house, she immediately hugged me.

„Hey, hey, I am okay don't worry. It happened and we can't change that, " I said calmly.

„I known, " she said and invited me in.

„You can go take bath I will prepare the bedroom and Lindo will make dinner. Also, you can borrow some of my clothes if you want," she said.

„Thank you very much, I appreciate it," I said and went to the bathroom.

After I showered I went to dinner. I sat at the table which was already full of food.

„It smells delicious," I said with a smile.

„Yes, Lindo always makes the best food," Ritsuka smiled.

„Alright, you two dig in," Lindo said. We started to eat.

„So Ritsuka, how was the trip?" I asked.

„Well, we got there and the house was racked like when my mom disappeared. We only found her phone and after that, the house somehow caught on fire," she said. That surprised me. Well, someone was busy.

„That is terrible," I said.

„But Rem helped me," she said.

„I see," I said and continued eating.

After dinner, we helped to clean the table. Ritsuka yawned a bit.

„You should get some rest, it's been a hard day for you"

„How about you?"

„I am not that tired yet,"

„Okay, then good night,"

„Good night,"

„Good night," Lindo said and Ritsuka walked off to her room.

„Want some tea?" Lindo asked.

„I would love to," I answered and sat on the sofa as he walked off to the kitchen.

After a while, he returned with two cups and sat with me handing me one cup.

„It's a lemon balm for nerves and good sleep," he said. I just smile and took a sip.

„Delicious, so Azuna told you?" I asked.

„She did, I was surprised," he said.

„That's good at least I am not obvious," I laughed so he did.

„But it's getting a bit over my head," I sigh.

„I understand," he simply said.

„Will, you ever tell her?" I asked.

„We planned to tell her before her 17 birthday,"

„ I guess that's a good decision," I said.

„Well you can at least rest for a weekend," he said.

„You are right, I will rest easier around you," I smiled and drank my tea. He kindly smiled.

„I will go to sleep. Good night," I said.

„Good night," he said and I went to Ritsuka's room and laid on the prepared matrice. I covered myself with a blanket. Before I closed my eyes I prayed for a little then I went to sleep.


So another chapter is up, I hope you liked it. Also thank you for your reviews. And I hope that chapter 4 won't take me so long time to release like this one, Okay, bye!