The Scarlet Nightmare

"That's about all I know for now, It's just a mystery to me as it is to you."

"So you lied to Felli when you said it was an Astral Ability?"

Flinching at Tearia bringing that up he silently confirmed her thoughts. He had spent the last hour explaining some things to them and answering whatever questions they had. He doubted any of them were really satisfied with his answers but it's not like he was either. At least he got everything off his chest now besides one thing. "Althea's goal and the spirit inside of me." He didn't want to worry them any further so he kept those a secret for now especially since they weren't related to that form to his knowledge. For now though this was good enough and let him get some things off his chest.

"Hey Xilo, does that mean back when we were together in the forest those times you ran off had to do with that form?"

"You're kind of right there. Sometimes I get attacked by large amounts of pain and anger. If I'm unable to control it though it will awaken that form or at least I think it will. The first time I awakened to it was because of that exact same scenario and I haven't risked it since then. The only way to deal with them is endure or equal it out with another emotion I think."

Xilo knew exactly what Xelfia was talking about when she asked him that.

"Quite an annoying power you got there then. Sure you get power from it but if you can never control it then it's useless."

Sitting beside Felian, Seli looked back to see the three women pressing their bodies against Xilo as much as they could as they all cuddled up while Xilo healed. A couple thoughts ran through her head as she tried to think what to say next since their conversation seemed to have ended. Wording it the right way was the tricky part even for her, if she made a mistake she might set something bad in motion however it was worth a shot. If he always ran from it like this it would just keep happening. Staring down at the blade that slightly extended out of her hand she smiled as she retracted it without anyone seeing.

"You're right about that but it's not something I know enough about to do much with."

"If that's the problem why not learn more about it. Use it more and learn to actually control it instead of just going on rampages with it. I'm sure it's crossed your mind once or twice what you could do if you were in control of it. Own it Xilo."

Xilo had heard those words quite a few times now but still he didn't think he could cross that line.

"I don't think I'm capable of that."

Lightly brushing some hair out of his face, he went back to petting Relia's head as he said those words trying to calm down.

"Don't think so lowly of yourself. There's probably plenty of things you haven't thought you could do and ended up achieving in the end. It's worth a shot and you got your..friends by your side now that can help you."

"....."

"Going to keep running from it then, letting it consume you and put you on a leash of fear? Doesn't sound like a fun way to live if you ask me."

Xilo didn't say a word after hearing those words. Frozen, he looked down at the ice spikes in his hand that had once put him on a leash of fear as thoughts swirled through his head. Turning he looked Xelfia directly into her golden eyes as a fire of passion raged in them that threatened to pull him in. There wasn't any fear or doubt in them, next he looked at Tearia hoping for something different. All he found though was a dance of excitement as her purple eyes glowed in support. Looking away, he turned to Relia, who was his last hope only to find they were an ocean of calmness that helped settle his heart. Looking at Seli's confident smirk and wicked eyes glow in joy, Xilo felt himself hardened as he decided something.

No one else said anything as Xilo's smile grew into one that craved and enjoyed fights. A vicious smile that sent the hearts of the women around him a flutter as he spoke. If he could really control that power then he was fully on board. Strength was something he craved especially as of late, it was something he needed now and that form was a good source of it. "Althea, if you think I'm going to sit idle and wait for you to show yourself again, then you've got another thing coming." Solidifying that in his heart his thoughts and fate began to turn.

"If you really think I can do it, then I'll try. I'm sure you won't mind helping me, Seli?"

"Haha what makes you think I'm much of a fighter that can help you?"

"Let's just call it a familiar hunch."

"Not much of an answer but alright, I don't mind helping you after we drop this off. It seems like a fun way to waste some time."

With the town coming up there little discussion was coming to an end. They all still had a job to accomplish first, other things could wait until then. While they were talking a silver haired woman silently floated in the dark space of Xilo's mind as she watched. "And so it begins. The boy has found his drives. Althea are you ready? I don't think I am..." Stretching her back she looked at the silver haired Xilo as an image of a red haired boy overlaid on top of it. A distant memory from the past that she couldn't forget even trapped like this. "Will you rip fate to shreds and devour it or will you let it lock you in it's chains. Selfish or Selfless...The Scarlet Nightmare, how many more will die or be saved because of you?" Feeling sleep take over that was the last thought she had before she faded into sleep.

"Althea will you be his queen or his master....or maybe he'll finally end our own nightmare...."