"So, that makes Flame the Fire Guardian," Silver caught on, "and Leaf the Earth Guardian." He looked to see that his girlfriend was holding her head the same way she did when he first saw her; like she was about to burst. She hides it away, just like I do... And I must repay the favor for when she saved me that night... We need some space, his eyes told Mephiles and Dad. Respectfully, they left.
"Leaf?" he cooed, gently brushing her right hand away from her face. "I understand a little of what you're feeling right now... And I want to help you. Not just 'cause Vanity wants to kill you, but...Because I love you. I will never let anyone or anything hurt you. I promise that." Leaf finally opened her eyes, which looked wet and gazed at him.
"Y-you mean it, Silver? That you would never let me get hurt?"
"Yes, Leaf." I mean every word I say. And as I understand it, you're the equivalent to the life force of the earth. If you die, the world dies with you. I'm not going to let that happen. I made it my vow two years ago that I would ensure the safety of this planet and its future. Even if it means I have to give up my own life. I will do what ever it takes.
Vanity...that blow to the head...Silver cleared his mind to confirm if it would take awhile for it to heal.
Blood dripped from the cuts the crystals made when he hit her. She couldn't very well control a shadow.
"That cursed demon!" she growled.
"Come on, Leaf," Silver tugged on her arm. "Let's go have some fun together." Her eyes bulged.
"But...Vanity..."
"She's hurt. I don't think I could recover from a blow like that quickly. I'm pretty sturdy, too. It'll be alright," he smiled. Her peach muzzle smiled back.
"Well, alright. I know that I can trust you."
"Erk! But she's Silver's girlfriend!" Mephisto growled. "Staying in her shadow, that would be weird!"
"Come now, you're only helping them," Mephiles persuaded. "And it's only until Vanity is confirmed dead." Suddenly, the demon-spawn twitched. Mischief shown in his dark eyes.
"Or," he smiled, "I could track down Vanity herself and end this. That would be so much better!" Mephiles let out a metallic growl.
"You'll do what I say," he glowered. "I won't allow you to foolishly try to kill her. She's powerful. And there are certain requirements to be followed."
"Death doesn't have a manual!" he hissed. "It has no 'special requirements!' Why do you always have to be so technical about the funnest things, like killing?"
"'Funnest' isn't a word, Mephisto. It's 'most fun.'" The demon-spawn growled and turned crystalline. The bright red whites were his true colors right now. Oh, you had such promise… Such potential, but you were corrupted, just like I am… Destruction is what you crave…
"Mephisto," Mephiles called to the tense crystal covered demon. He looked back and sneered, "Yes, father? What is it? Would you like me to possess my own cousin, Master of Manipulation?"
Ignoring the last remark, he offered, "If I trust you not to finish Vanity, will you hold her off until I have gathered enough information about what powers she has acquired in the past centuries?" With a head tilt Mephisto was back to normal.
"Oh? I've been promoted," he mused in a mumble. "From bodyguard to scout. I see. Run into her a few times and report. Alright, fair enough," he shrank down into a gas-like puddle. "But don't expect me to remember first thing…"
"Mephiles! They ran off," Shadow almost growled. "Silver… Where would he go?"
"Not necessarily a bad thing, Master," Mephiles remarked. "Vanity's been crippled by the encounter. It'll take a day or so to heal."
It's not just about this whole "Vanity" deal, he thought. Silver is my son. Ever since I offered him to stay he's pretty much been dead set on Leaf. Why didn't I see this coming…
"Whatever," he grumbled, sounding like he had 201 years ago. "I'm going for a walk."
Silver yawned and crawled into bed. He wondered though, where his father had run off to. The house was empty except for Mephiles, who had informed, "Master is out at the moment; he'll probably return when you're both asleep." The silver one was still a little curious, but decided Mephiles would just bend his questions and beat around the bush. But Dad was trying to warm up… It's a little uncharacteristic.
They had so much fun together. Leaf and him played games and ate some pizza slices. She wasn't that bad of a dancer, either. But now, Silver's ears caught some mental chatter.
"Silver?" Leaf called out with her mind. "Are you awake?"
"Barely," he whispered. "Why? What's wrong?"
"I-I can't sleep...I'm scared..." she sounded just like his baby cousin. He tried to comfort her: "But Vanity won't be able to attack you as long as she had that blow to the head-"
"She'll do anything to kill me," she shuddered mentally. "Even if it means resorting to stabbing or shooting me. I-I don't feel safe at all."
"I'll keep my second eye on you," Silver promised, mentioning the eye for the present. "I won't let her hurt you."
And he made sure that didn't happen the rest of the evening.