An : Welcome to another chapter.
The night was cool and calming, she felt at peace it was forgiving. The dark hour was yet to occur. Hiding themselves amongst the shadows they were keeping an eye around the victim they chose to counter, the request offered 50 000 yen if the operation was successful. Jin was not convinced about her performance during the last night, but Chidori insisted otherwise, it surprised her.
Thinking Chidori would defend her, but something was different in the words she have pronounced it wasn't her words rather Medea's. By the time Takaya emerges, he placed himself between them, Chidori whispered too quiet for her to hear.
Theo was not present tonight. He chose not to... besides, he has another mission in hand. Her cloak hiding her thoroughly, her hood hiding her face. She was completely unreadable. Inside her mind, she counted down signalling herself to be ready for the coming of the eerie light that will soon loom over the whole world. 3 ... ... 2 ... ... 1.
The Clock Strikes twelve, the world was again consumed by the eerie green light, The calm waters under the bridge of moonlight turned crimson in a raging storm. The people sunk into their slumber inside coffins. Moving blobs of black substance begun to crawl on the pavement, screeching their nails in the concrete streets. Blood continues to flow, through creaks and pipes of which drained waters once moved.
Her eyes opened as if she was just awaken from a deep sleep, her eyes burn and the annoying itchiness came running back on her neck, involuntarily she touched the back of her neck from under her hood.
Something inside her mind flexed. What happened ? Where am I ? Who are they ? What is this ?
"Nyx " A man spoke in a deep calm tone, she turned. Nyx ? who's Nyx ? Is he calling me ? Am I Nyx ?
"Nyx pay attention ... That man is our target ... Cut his throat and open his mind... make him remember this day ... " Another spoke, his tone cold and hard.
Cut ? his throat ? You want me to kill him ?
"Do not do more than harm him... " A girl with red hair added. "Leave a light and slow pain around his neck ... make him fear you ..." Nyx bowed her head. Closing her eyes. Her reasons seems to be countered with a desire she has no idea where it came. The words echoed inside her mind.
Fear... Fear ... Make him fear me ... Make him fear Death ...
Nyx repeated the words quietly as it slips through her tongue, it became clearer every time she repeated them, her purpose. Her doubts fading, it's queer her desire .To Bring the fear of Death.
"Do as you are told ... begin."
Engaging through the shadows, approaching the coffin that glowed red, tapping it's door with the tip of her blade, it faded, revealing a man. His eyes were closed and when he opened them, he let out a sharp gasp. Nyx was still, a sharp bladed weapon in hand, her hood made it hard for the man to give a good look at her. He shifted in his place, she could feel his uneasiness and ... fear.
"w-who the hell are you ?!" he yelled. "w-what the fuck d-do you want?"
No response came from her, she moved forward backing him up against the wall, he was shaking practically shivering. It gave her excitement, her mouth forming a grin. Why was she so free ? This feeling is so very extraordinary, the fear of death it came from the man. It made her uneasy with pleasure. She tapped her weapon under his chin. Pointing the sharp edge just above his shaking throat. Pressing it slowly until it bled, the blood travelled on the flat side of her blade. Out of the blue a hand was holding her wrist, she stopped. Slowly the hand guided her hand to draw the sharp blood stained weapon aback.
Tracing the arm he saw a man about a year older than her. His glare was cold and demanding his grip on her wrist was tight and firm. She tried to pull away but she did not move an inch.
"A little too late for the likes of you ..." He grunted, voice deep. She can't see well under her attire. She felt the man below her squirm slowly panicking. The victim was about to escape, she can't let that happen! "Let go ..." Nyx ordered.
Clumsily the man stood and ran towards the other direction, she let out a sharp hiss under her breath. "Let go of her ..." Takaya's voice came behind. The heels of his shoes clapping against the pavement. The man turn still holding her wrist. "She did well ..." he added.
"What are you trying to prove here..." The man spat, throwing her hand forcing her to move forward. She did, slowly walking over the small group.
"Nothing of your business ... We are merely doing our job." Takaya replied his tone mocking the man. Nyx had a better view from where she stood, the man looked familiar to her. She managed to register some features. A man taller than her, wearing a pea coat the colour of maroon, shaggy messy hair, and a beanie... She can't seem to find the place to see his facial features.
Who is he ?
"Forgive me ... I have failed." Nyx whispered. Her voice different. Takaya and the man looked at her, she received a grunt and a calm smile. "What brought you here ? Shinjiro ?"
Shinjiro ? ... Her mind suddenly became clearer, her sight becoming steady, but she felt woozy, what was she doing again ?
Port Island Train station, It wasn't far and it did not took Theo long to reach the SEES. He remained hidden until they were inside the train. As just Minako have described their movements, it was repeated without flaw. Minako did not ask Theo to do anything to them, she just told him to watch them.
Carefully and swiftly following the 3 members of SEES. Theo watches 10 feet behind them, The members were composed of 3. Specifically her brother, Minato. A girl, Yukari. And a boy, Junpei. Her former comrades the people dear to her, as he recalled the order of his Mistress, something in her tone told him otherwise. He watched as they separated and reunited. His mistress warned him about the danger of being on the train with them, should they fail she was not sure what will happen. OR what will happen to him. In the past repeated years he claimed himself as the avatar of power, however, he was not sure himself.
Leaving the velvet room proved something else, he felt weaker than he remembered. The train was immobile because of the lack of electricity, and it was already the dark hour so he won't expect it to be mobile. In retrospect he should have thought about that theory more.
The train begun to move in a matter that he almost lost his balance, it gradually moved faster and faster. The SEES was already on their way towards the front car. Where the Shadow was located.
He ounce difficulty at their struggles to defeat the shadow and quite a force they used to do so. He saw the swift movements of her brother as he danced over the shadows' attacks and the repeated patterns of his attacks.
The blows emitted by his fellow comrades deserves praise too. He could see flaws in their movements none the less, they proved to have power of their own. The Mission went accomplished, greeted by a small part of congratulations and acknowledgements, Theo set out on his way to report their progress to his mistress.
To what she wanted this information he wondered. His Mistress became secretive lately, why must she be silent ?. They must be done with their own mission by now. No time to dally on the thought.
They manage to defeat the enemy and save the monorail from any formidable damage, Yukari and Junpei are surprisingly strong, it took them a breather before the adrenaline left their body until it left them like limping skeletons. If he was honest to himself, he doesn't want to do anything else other than stay in bed and rest his eyes.
He still have Yu and Yosuke supporting him, he could always use them to fetch any home activities he needs to do ... but that would mean abusing his power.
Nonetheless, he went to school with the other tired underclassmen. Maybe later tonight he might be able to sleep with his guard down. But that proves to be a little trouble. Laying on his bed he felt a cold presence behind him.
Opening one eye he saw a young pale boy. His expression saddened or rather disappointed. Rubbing his eyes with the top of his hand. Minato blinked trice before he was sure he was seeing something real. The atmosphere was different. The Dark hour already occurred. How long was he asleep ?
"Your presence resembles hers ... I thought you were her." The boy told him. He has no idea what he meant. "Where would she be I wonder..." The pale boy added.
"I haven't seen her in a while... Do you think she'll be okay ?" Minato stiffened. Is he talking about his sister ? Did she know him ?
"Who are you ..." Minato asked.
"I ..." a pause "I can't remember ..." The boy looked down sadly. Minato felt guilty all of the sudden.
"I must warn you ..." Minato looked at the pale boy that stood before him, a surge of adrenaline took over. "She is in Great Danger ... You must save her. "
Minato was shocked... The residents of the velvet room told him the same thing. His heart stopped.
"I can't remember much about it but I'll come back again when I find something interesting ..." He smiled. Minato was confused, the boy disappeared before he could protest.
"Who was that kid ?" Minato stood up and placed his bare feet on the floor. It was a cold night. The winter air hasn't left yet. A few minutes later the dark hour ended, he checked on the digital clock he had placed on the desk. 1:00 am. A sigh escaped her lips.
He tried to string up everything he had learn, he wished he had at least one lead that would make sense . He thought of the information Yu told him, about the rumour that her sister was hanging out of some back alley.
Could she really go there on her own ? A memory ran through his mind. The trip to Nagasaki shrine, that was an odd one. A vision of some sort about his sister in a Yukata. It was strange she seemed happy and content. That made him ponder, he hasn't notice it but he was staring at his own door. Shaking his head, his eyes begun to droop. He needs sleep, believe it or not, he would prefer staying at his office rather than attend school.
Going through school made him change his mind about office and paper work.
What happened last night was unknown to her. It was already 10 in the morning when she woke up on her bed. Theo was beside her, sleeping on a chair. Her cloak remained suited and she had to lift her hood before she could see where she was.
She couldn't remember anything clearly last night, It was like, her memory was robbed from her, or more like her consciousness slipped from her grasp. She somehow remembered going home with Theo by her side, other events remained a blur. Why can't she remember anything last night. The back of her neck was itchy again. That made it all worse. Slowly and carefully trying not to disturb Theo in his rest she quietly sneaked into the shower room, she noticed no one was present in the living room. She was rather thankful. She can't face another embarrassment like what happened yesterday.
Facing the mirror backwards she peeked behind her head, lifting her lose hair above her neck she almost screamed at the sight. Under the base of her hair was black feathers, black and silver feathers growing at the back of her slender neck ! She turned and backed away from the mirror. Panic running around inside her stomach. It felt like she was about to throw up. Is this some kind of infestation ? A curse ? A disease ? Some kind of horrid humour ? A trick ? How come she haven't noticed it before ? What's next ? Wings ?
She stopped herself from thinking such things, she breathed slowly and deeply in her nose and out through her mouth. There must be an explanation Theo may know ! surely he may help her ! Nyx opened the door as she turned the handle, she stopped and remembering that her hood was not placed. She adjusted it over her head and continued.
STREGA was already placed in the living room polishing their weapons doing about their own business. Jin with his laptop, Chidori with her sketchpad, and Takaya with his gun. Theo was placed behind the counter working on the kitchen.
Chidori glanced at her for a moment, when she glanced back she quickly returned to her sketching pad. Walking across the room towards Theo, she was stopped by Takaya.
"Here is you share ..." He gave her another satchel of money. "You did quite well and our client is most please... Please pay no mind on our friend last night. "
"He sometimes does that ... " Jin commented his eyes not leaving the screen.
"I'm fine ... May I ask ?"
All 3 looked up to her, she felt the stares pierce through her body. Either way she continued.
"Who was he ? "
"His name is Shinjiro Aragaki ... He proves to be useful at times."
The name felt familiar, of course it was and will be familiar. She just wanted to make sure that it was him. She gave a faint nod and proceeded towards Theo. He greeted her like a servant would greet his master.
"Theo" Nyx whispered.
"Yes ?" He replied softly like his mistress.
"Do your guests tend to grow feathers when they deny access ?" The question landed on Theo more of a joke than a serious question. He chuckled somehow amused. "Mistress ... I have no information on what you are describing, You are our guest for many repeated years."
She looked down. "Besides, you are the first of our guest who have denied access to the velvet room. However, my master may have some answers to that of the question. Would you like us to visit -"
"No !" Her reply was louder than she expected it made Theo flinch and the 3 other members stare at her. She gave an apologetic look at Theo who just smiled and kissed her hand as a reply. Takaya and Chidori looked away without Interest. Somehow Jin was caught to be looking at them for a moment before turning again to his work.
"Shall I give my report ? "Theo asked as he placed pancakes in front of her.
"You shall ... " She whispered, while smothering syrup on her cakes. Theo placed himself beside her. His expression dull and serious. He kept his voice in a soft quite manner. "The execution went on as usual, they have defeated the first ordeal. Nothing much changed."
"My brother how was he ?"
"He is indifferent. Although, I did not see him change in his persona."
"Was he ?" Minako was reluctant to continue "The Leader ?"
Theo nodded.
"perfect ... " Her voice has no sarcasm or irony, rage or defiance. She simply said the words as it was supposed to be said. Theo can't find any traces of relief either. He watched as his master placed the a piece of sweeten flat cakes in her mouth. She smiled at him.
Cutting another small piece from her plate she pierced her fork into another topping another piece. She motioned him to open his own mouth and as was told he did, Nyx playfully placed the cake in his mouth then retrieving the fork. Theo chewed, smiling . She had to reward him somehow not only he was a good cook, he made sure that she was safe.
The least she could do is to thank him.
Author's Note : Sorry I was not able to post for awhile. I'll be putting this on HIATUS, but don't worry though We'll be posting whenever we can. Both of by co-writers are busy. So will I, in the next few weeks. Again.
: Sorry guys ... XNFE here made me do this
: We'll be posting whenever we can PROMISE
XNFE :