Chapter two: toxic devotion

Nights and Reala appeared in front one of the Wizemin's large stone-like hands.

"Master," Nights fell to his knees and leaned against the stone hand, caressing its palm devotedly.

"Hello my dear creation," the Wizemin said affectionately, "Reala, I am taking Nights for a while I want you to watch over the workers."

"Yes master," Reala bowed, hating every second of it.

The Wizemin cupped his hand so Nights could climb up and sit on his palm, and they left, in a shroud of black clouds.

"Good riddance," Reala said distastefully.

He turned around and saw that Adia was standing right next to him, he jumped, "I was just about to go looking for you," he said.

"I thought you were going to say something like that, since you've got a crush one me and all," Adia smiled teasingly.

"I do not," but Reala's blushing gave him away, "I need you to help me convince the two visitors that I'm on your side."

"Cool,"

"Will, how do you know we can trust that pail face?"

Helen and Will were sitting on the edge of the fountain that sat in the center of the plaza.

"I just have a feeling that he's telling the truth," Will took a rock and threw it into the bushes opposite him, "And did you see the way Nights looked at us, and his eyes were so… empty."

Helen shivered, "I'm scared Will, what if we can't save Nights?"

Will put his arm around Helen's should, "we will save him."

"But without our Ideya were useless," Helen sniffed.

"No were not," Will said encouragingly, " just because we don't have those little orbs doesn't mean we don't have our ideya, we've been growing and learning and hopeful and our hearts are pure," Will smiled warmly at Helen, "And you're one of the bravest girls I know."

"And why do you think that Will?"

Will laughed, "You're dating me that's why, that's one of the gutsiest things anyone could do."

Helen laughed, "No it's not, you're the kindest guy I know, and any girl would kill to be your girl friend."

"I always knew you two were perfect for each other."

Helen and Will turned around, "Adia!" they ran over and hugged their old friend.

"Do you believe me now?" Reala asked.

Helen sighed, "If Will trusts you I trust you."

"That's so cute; if you say stuff like that about me more often I might consider dating you." Adia smacked Reala playfully.

"I just want to know one thing," Helen said, "What happened to Nights?"

"So, he doesn't remember anything?" Helen still didn't understand, "why did Nights let this happen in the first place?"

"He did let it happen," Reala explained, "because the Wizemin threatened to kill everyone he cared about, including every single visitor."

"And now," Adia picked up where Reala had left off, "he is toxically devoted to the Wizemin."

"Wait," Will said in confusion, "Toxically devoted, what dose that even mean?"

Reala bowed his head, "because of the mind numbing, Nights' body is slowly shutting down, like the effects of a poison, and it's likely that he'll die," a stray tear slipped down Reala's cheek, "but there might be a way to stop it."

"What," Helen and Will asked together.

"Nights has been having there's visions, in them he's looking for himself-"

"Wait, wait, wait," Will stopped Reala; "he's looking for who?"

"Well that's how Nights explains it," Reala said showing that he didn't exactly know what it meant either, "anyway, as he's running trough his dream he hears himself call out: you need to understand, you need to realize, and Nights answers himself: what must I understand, but his double never tells he just says that Nights needs to find that out for himself."

Will's head was spinning, "that was just slightly confusing."

"Hide," Reala pushed Will and Helen behind a nearly finished tower as the Wizemin retuned with Nights.

"Don't leave me master," Nights said forlornly.

The Wizemin caressed Nights' cheek with his pointer finger, "do not despair my dear creation, I shall return."

And with one last embrace from Nights, the Wizemin left.

Nights spotted Reala and floated over to him excitedly, "master is good to me," he said fervently.

"So I've heard," Reala replied.

Will and Helen came out of their hiding place and Nights looked at them in panic, he turned around and was about to yell to his master when Adia put her hand on his shoulder. He turned around and Adia put a finger to her lips, Nights mimicked her.

"You have to keep this a secret Nights," Adia said commandingly, "you cannot tell master that the visitors are here."

"But master says I must tell him everything," Nights said tensely, "he will punish me if I do not do as I'm told."

Adia sighed in aggravation and tried a different tactic, "O.K. Nights let's play pretend,"

"O.K.," Nights said happily, "What are we pretending?"

"We're going to pretend the visitors aren't here," Adia said, "Can you do that?"

Nights nodded enthusiastically.

"Good," Adia went over to Reala, "I hope that works."

Reala nodded in agreement, "Nights,"

Nights turned his head and saw that it was Reala that was calling him; he ran over and hugged Reala joyfully, "I love you Reala," he said affectionately.

"I love you to Nights," Reala hugged his brother then said, "I need the key to your old house, do you have it?"

Nights nodded and reached into the cuff of his sleeve, and produced a key tied to a loop of string that was tied around Nights wrist; he gave it to Reala, then clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on the balls of his feet.

"Thank you Nights," Reala patted Nights' head, "now stay here and make sure the Nightopians keep working."

Reala walked towards Nights' house and motioned for Helen, Will, and Adia to follow him.