Good morning! I hope today's going to be a good day for everyone (: anyways, I can't wait till you guys read this chapter, it was fun writing the action scenes :3 and I can't wait to see if you like it! Enjoy!

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VOID SOUL: RUN

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Next to her bed there stood a side table, where a half-full glass of water sat poised upon a doily. The wood was stressed and worn quite like the rest of the room. Moon light filtered in through the window and shone upon where her father sat, slumped in a chair, one arm missing. She sat up completely, glaring at him. Her movement must have startled him awake.

"Auralie... you're alive!" he moved to hug her. She pulled back and didn't speak, a weighted silence added to the gravity in the room.

"Are you insane?" she snapped. Her father stumbled for words, but she cut him off, "What have you done?"

"Aura, please you have to understand..." he reached for her hand, but again, she flinched away.

"Understand what," she loved her father, but his actions were beyond her. If he hadn't written that alchemy circle they could've gotten through mom's death together, but now they were only shadows of who they used to be and one less.

"I was just trying to..." he paused, holding back tears, "bring your mother back to life," his voice disjointed into two very distinctly separate voices, one deeper than his own.

"Pardon?"

"I was trying to…" there it was again, the second voice. Her father coughed and hit his chest, trying to clear his throat, "I just wanted to see her again," he hung his head low. From the side Aura saw his cheeks pull back, a chill ran down her spine.

"W-where is William," she stammered, inching away as discretely as possible. Her father shook his head, which hung even lower. His chest started to convulse and his shoulders shook. Aura gripped the blanket that covered her, bidding back tears.

"Do you wish you could bring them back?"

She sniffled, "Huh?"

"Do you wish you could bring them back?"

"Of course I do but…"

"But what? Are you telling me you wouldn't do just about anything to get them back?"

"I would, but…"

"But what," there it was again. He stood from his chair, his face still hung low and she shrunk to the corner of her bed.

"What you did killed William! Don't you see that? Mom wouldn't—"

"I know, I know," he interrupted, "There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I haven't thought of them," he paused, flexing his hand, "But that's not going to stop me from trying again,"

"Don't you remember what she said?"

"Of course I do,"

"Then you know why I'm not doing that," she said.

"Then you don't really love them," he hissed, "Are you with me or not,"

"..."

"Are you WITH me or NOT," that wasn't her father's voice. She threw off her blankets, getting off the bed as quickly as possible. Her father grabbed her wrist, pulling her back. They both screamed, she ripped her hand away as they held their wrist and hand respectively. It throbbed, a dark scorch mark appeared where he'd grabbed her. Shaking it off, he advanced towards her again.

"Don't you love them?" he yelled in anger.

"Shut up!" she yelled and took the glass from the side table, she raised it threateningly above her head. It started to laugh.

"Oh, what do we have here?" he purred. That voice…

"You," she whispered.

"Yes, me,"

"Where's—"

"Gone, all gone," it smiled, sauntering towards her.

"Stay back!" she warned.

"Well, I did try things the easy way," it said, "But I never was known for my patience," its voice grumbled, dripping in darkness. She backed away. The cup shaking in her hands, her trembling composure made it difficult as she aimed at it's head. She acted fast, throwing it with a dexterity she hoped would land her target. The cup spun through the air, in a perfect arch. It easily sidestepped, the splatter of glass and water lay pathetically behind it.

"Missed me," it's eyes glowed, stepping towards her.

"Wait!" she cried as it closed in, the wall trapped her body from receding any further, it reached out, grabbing her by the neck, "Get off!" she pleaded as she was dragged and lifted by the neck. She shrieked as her neck burned. Her vision blurred as her head snapped against the wall when it shook her. Her lungs burned as they expended more energy to try and get what little oxygen they could. Her eyes rolled back and her mouth gaped as she desperately clawed at anything within range.

It dragged her across the wall, then threw her at the bed. Aura's body staggered back as her feet connected to the ground too soon, she fell over the bed and onto the floor. Her body recoiled into a fetal position as she grasped her head, desperately trying to clear it. She could see that she was closer to the door now than it was, but the pulsing booms that shook her mind and singed lungs blurred her vision as she lost focus.

Am I going to die here?

She wouldn't grant it the satisfaction.

An unfeasible strength took over her body, the burning stopped and her head cleared, the shadows receded to their corners. She looked up to see a disgusting hand reaching towards her, attached to a darkly clouded body. Its eyes shone red and its shadow nearly swallowed her in its depth. She bolted up, clambering away.

"Why do you even exist… useless. Give it to me," It was her father's slurred voice, it was her father's body. This thing that she saw, this disgusting, horrific thing that she saw, was not her father.

She revolted in terror. Her wide eyes darted from the looming figure above her, to the door. Her heart pounded in her chest as she swallowed back the fear that built up in her stomach. He lunged forwards, she rolled to the side, scampering to her feet. The door was within her reach, but she ran off balance, crashing into the door frame and nearly catapulting down the stairs.

Steps flew beneath her feet, but it wasn't long before she heard another pair crashing down after her. She turned and saw him, crying out in fear, as she tripped and fell down the rest of the stairs. He was nearly upon her. She outstretched her hand, her fingers extended, the front door was within her reach.

"Ahhh!" her hand recoiled as she looked to see her father, screaming, an unholy black flame engulfing his one hand. He had jumped mid-stair, his eyes ablaze, fist cocked back to his jaw. Her heart dropped to her stomach.

She threw her arms across her face, bracing against the wall. His feet struck the ground like an anvil, cracking the wood. His arm shot towards her and a knowing feeling sunk into her bones. She squeezed her eyes shut. This was it.

As his fist connected she heard a crack and a bright light immersed her, her skin tingled with the sensation. She felt herself grow light, as a warmth spread all the way down to her toes. She felt it in her heart, comforting and strong. But soon it faded, she opened her eyes to see the glow was leaving her hands. What was that?

On her knees, she took in her surroundings. The floorboards broken and upended, her father was halfway submerged in the staircase surrounded by splintered wood. He wasn't moving. Scared and timid, she stood up, wandering closer.

"Dad?" she whispered. His eyes fluttered at the sound of her voice.

"Grrrnghh," he mumbled. She drew even closer, her hear rate rising.

"Dad," she poked him. His eyes flew open, terrified. He looked at her and saw her wrist and neck had been burnt badly. A single tear lilted down his cheek.

"My baby," a sob gently escaped from his lips.

"Is it really you?" something bittersweet pricked at the corners of her eyes. He shook his head no, but she knew better.

"Dad!" she ran to hug him.

"No," he said, she stopped in her tracks.

"But you—"

"Run,"

"What?"

"Run," he spoke fervently as his face began to morph, a wicked grin cracked it's way into the corners of his cheeks. Aura backed away, one hand on the doorknob, she couldn't leave, not now that she knew he was in there, somewhere.

"Get out," he said. She heard his voice warping again and knew it was coming, "You see that?" he gestured at a black hooded cloak mom used to wear, she nodded, "Take it, and go," she shook her head no. She knew she had to but…

"Run," she stayed, "RUN!" black flames exploded from his arm. She needed no more encouragement.

She grabbed the cloak and turned back one last time, mouthing the words 'I love you', before running out the door and slamming it behind her. She'd only gotten fifty paces when the house started groaning from the heat of the flames that shot out in different places. Run.

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Every stride made her legs tauter, with each step her muscles screamed in refusal. But she was almost there. After fifteen miles, Oshibana train station had finally come into view. She looked around warily, pulling her hood up to hide her face. The sun had risen in the East, but it was early, so few people were bustling about. Auralie weighed the jewels she found in the cloak in her hand and took them out. She only had 2,400 Jewels, barley enough for a one way ticket.

Her stomach rumbled. Food or transportation? She weighed the options in her mind. Begrudgingly, she walked up to the counter and bought a one way ticket to Magnolia. It was the farthest she could go with what she had. Only 300 jewels left.

She waited, strength waning, in the train station. The large clock chimed six times as the train pulled in. On its way down she saw that it was mostly empty save for the few who boarded at Clover Town. As the doors opened, she boarded and found her seat. The smell of warm wood drifted into her senses. Her surroundings grew darker as she slumped over, the sound of the engine slowly muffled until she was enveloped in complete silence.

Two stops later, a loud horn startled her awake. Discombobulated, she wiped the sleep from her eyes and peered out the window, for a moment she forgot all that troubled her. The city of Magnolia was so vivacious. It was much different from her little secluded town near the mountain. She shuddered.

Her mind suddenly turned to a more immediate problem as her stomach threw a fit, earning her more than a few peculiar glances. She removed her hood and smiled apologetically, quickly making her way off the train.

She stepped out onto the cobbled streets, intrigued by the atmosphere. But the gravity of her situation still weighed heavy in her bones. She walked down the streets, looking for a street vendor that might offer a cheap bite to eat. Multiple times, she had to stop and hold her head. Her vision would start to go dark and every time her stomach whined she felt like she'd faint.

The day passed in this uncomfortable haze. She had no money left and became familiar with the idea that she would be spending the night outside in the chilly, pre-winter air. The moon had risen above the city, casting shadows from the rooftops. She began to feel uneasy, as if every shadow held an enemy; or worse, her father. With so many people in the city, she felt exposed and sook seclusion.

She passed a large tavern-like building on her way to the outskirts of town and found a quaint bridge to take shelter underneath. She looked over to the woods in the distance and shuddered. Sinking to a sitting position in the mud, she took out her prize for the day. In her hands she held the loaf of bread she bought from a cheap bakery earlier that day. Settling down for the night, she devoured her meal. The night was cold and rainy, but she soon fell asleep, numb to the circumstances around her.

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"Aye, Natsu! Wasn't that fish delicious?!" Happy flew through the air in loops, his mouth watered at the thought of such perfect food.

"You bet it was!" Natsu smirked.

"Aye!" Happy smiled contently. He flew higher and higher, he felt like he was on top of the world! "Aye, Natsu,"

"Yea?"

"What if there—" he said as he looped lower to the ground, they were nearly home, "—was a TROLL UNDER THE BRIDGE!"

"Hah! I suppose I'd defeat it!"

"N-no really! There's a troll!" he flew behind Natsu's shoulder, "Save me!" He wailed, "I don't wanna be eaten! I'm too good!"

Natsu's interest was piqued. He jumped down the hill at the side of the bridge and saw a black lump. Whatever it was, it smelled. He looked over his shoulders, finding the biggest stick around and poked it. It didn't move.

"Hey!" he shouted, continuing to poke it harder. It still didn't move, "HEYY!" he shouted once more. It… it moved!

"Ahh!" Happy screamed and backed away, "This is it! It's gonna eat me!"

"Shh!" Natsu hushed Happy. They both watched with big eyes as it pulled the black cloth down from its head. It groaned, sitting up.

"Ee—!" Natsu clapped a hand over Happy's mouth and stared intently at the dark form, it wasn't bright enough to see anything. He had to get closer, he lit his fist aflame as he jumped right in front of it, "Gotcha!"

She screamed and backed away against the bridge wall. As his eyes came into focus on the figure before him his breath hitched, it was her… her hair was messy, her choppy bangs skirted her deep and lustrous eyes, which were rimmed with eyelashes thick and dark. Her golden eyes fell on him, reflecting the delicate glow of his flames. Her mouth was slightly parted, as if there was something she wanted to say.

He stood rooted to his spot, he could tell the rainy night hadn't treated her well. She looked frozen and her lips had become blue and chapped; as if she heard his thoughts, she licked her lips.

"W-who are you?" her voice was scratchy, she coughed trying to clear her throat, pulling her cloak closer around her shoulders. He noticed her jaw tremble, "What do you want?"

"Name's Natsu," I suppose she wouldn't remember, he thought, scratching the back of his head, "You are?"

"Auralie,"

"Natsu," Happy raised his hand matter-of-factly, "I don't know about this. She seems crazy, the look in her eyes says she wants to eat our souls,"

"Huh?" she said, standing up with great difficulty.

"Wah! Save me Natsu!" Happy cried.

"Relax Happy, she doesn't look dangerous at all!" the cat clung to his face, out of the corner of his eye he saw the girl start to back away, but she didn't seem too well, "Happy! Gert Offgrremmee!" his voice was muffled by the blue cat. Natsu finally threw Happy off of him and into the bridge, his back hit the wall with a loud thud.

"Jeeze, I didn't now you'd gained so much weight Happy,"

"I-I didn't! Oh, it must be the fish!" Happy seemed pleased with this reason, "What's wrong with Floraly?"

"Eh? Oh no…"

"She must be super tired. Come on Natsu let's let her sleep,"

"You think she's just tired?" Natsu scratched the back of his head, a little worried about the perceptiveness of his friend. He walked over to her, turning her onto her back. A deep scarlet line flowed from her nose to her chin, "We'd better take you home," he mumbled.

Would they always meet like this?

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