Gazing into the warm glow of the fire, Rouche's mind saw shapes forming in the bright, orange flames. They weren't anything on the matter of something horrific or real, just his imagination visualizing the stories that were being told around him. The voices of his friends were nearly drowned out by the crackles of the flame.

What were they saying again? Something about a demon that lurked around every corner? Well, whatever it was, he wasn't paying attention to. A cool breeze blew in, causing him to shiver. Rubbing the sleeves of his gray jacket in an attempt to warm up, he finally looked up from the fire to hear Julius rambling on about snacks.

Funny, he thought. Usually it was his sister who initiated any and all topics concerning them. A quick bite to eat didn't sound half bad either. Glancing at Estelle, he noticed her fidgeting with a piece of candy she had bought awhile ago.

"Hey." Julius called.

"What is it?" He replied.

"I know that we plan to stick around here for a bit longer, but don't you think we need some snacks to liven things up?"

Smirking, Rouche turned to face him directly. "And how will food liven things up? You're just going to ask me if I can go buy some." Smiling back in the same irritating manner, the sky pirate pointed at him. "You got it! And I know you will because you're our great commander." He replied.

Before he could counter with a statement of his own, the tactician chimed in. "He's right. I wouldn't mind eating something warm in this weather. Perhaps you could get a discount!"

Giving in quietly to their demands, the commander got up from his seat, and headed for the street. Behind him, he could hear his comrades cheering him on, despite the simplicity of the task. He only waved his hand to signal for them to quiet down, less they want to be viewed as howling animals.

As he walked down the lit streets, multiple costumed children and the like passed him by. Most wondered what he was dressed as, and the others, gazing at him in awe. Such is the price for being considered a "Hero."

"I swear. Those two won't live this down." He muttered to himself, as a following of boys and girls lined up behind him. This was the greatest challenge he's had to face so far. To avoid taking a look at the hoard tailing him. If he gave in to the temptation, he'd be bombarded with questions. The last thing he wanted to do was to keep them waiting.

"But why does it matter to me if they get their treats or not?" He thought, an evil grin forming on his face. It was easy to turn around, but if he did, then an overwhelming sense of guilt would press down on him. The idea was pushed out of his mind, and was now replaced with buying the essentials.

Wanting for a way out of his predicament, he saw a dark alleyway far ahead of him. They would have trouble keeping up with him in such a small and compact space. All he had to do was wait.

With each step, he grew closer and closer to the path. Along the way, he garnered more followers. Each matching his pace. It was a nightmare. If he stopped now, he'd be attacked by the group, and even worse, devoured. Driven mad by the plethora of children wrapping their small arms around him.

When he was finally an arm's length away from it, he bolted. Speeding down the dark passage, he saw an intersection, with light pouring down from the moon. The echoed footsteps of crazed children following close behind. In a last ditch effort, he summoned the crown of light that usually hovered above him in battles. Grabbing ahold of two zodiac signs, he threw two into the left and right. Those two hovered in place, while the rest faded away.

Losing them, he made his way to the end of the path he took. Luckily for him, he arrived at his desired location. The city market.

Multiple shops stood open, despite the lack of business. At the very corner of his vision, he noticed a strange looking figure. One that wasn't human in any shape or form. Passing it off as his imagination, he walked into a convenience store, and searched for something to munch on.


Standing underneath a street light, the sorceress opened up the pillow case filled with treats. A variety of chocolates, hard candy, gummies, and other miscellaneous snacks all swayed as she tried her best to hold it still; despite the windy day. Smiling to herself, she let out a giggle at the sight of the collection. Her luck really did turn up this year.

Hearing a terrified scream behind her, she shot around to notice a group of three young teens. From their point of view, she was a monster. A demon.

The shroud concealed her facial features, making her appear all the more real as the light shimmered off the materials of her costume. Taking a step forward to question why they were so frightened, they ran off into the city market. Confused, she followed them until they crashed into a familiar figure.

Recovering from the fall, the young girls shrieked as the creature neared them. Clinging to the fourth figure, it revealed to be her brother; who was carrying a bag of treats. They had instantly recognized him, and pleaded for him to deal with the being.

"U-Ummm…." Scratching his head nervous, Rouche's eyes wandered to his costumed sister, and back to them. "How about we all calm down for a second and think about this thoroughly?" Just like he expected, they didn't hear a single word that came out of his mouth, and only begged for him to slay the beast.

"Don't you think that's a bit too far? What has it ever done to you?" He kept pressing forward, but his words fell flat on their ears.

Sighing, he walked up to the "demon" and unmasked it. Revealing it to be the his sister. The three cowering females instantly turned on her. "Why're you wearing that thing?!" One growled. "Didn't you know you can't just go around scaring people!" Another added.

"I wasn't doing that. I just got candy." Limera stated, holding out her bag. This only seemed to worsen her situation.

In a last ditch effort, Rouche summoned the crown of light; making them turn around and stare into the bright symbols. "Who wants their sign read?" He asked joyously, even if he was kicking himself as he hated using this trick. They ran up to him, and asked what zodiac sign they had, and what they were entailed to.

After a while of lying straight through his teeth, the group left happily. Not doubting a single piece of his advice or "wisdom." The sorceress walked up to his side, and looked unimpressed. "Why do they base their whole entire life on astrology?"

Grimacing, he was disgusted by how easily they were deceived. "If someone can be described with a few basic human traits, and think they're special because of the singularity of it, then why even bother? A pebble has more effect on you than any constellation of stars."

Nodding knowingly, she turned up to see him. "Oh, so like your Guiding-"

"Please don't compare it to that."