Chapter 15: An Ominous Encounter

Chapter 15: An Ominous Encounter

The wind on the outside whispers cold whistles of air that can be carved bone deep, few people are scattering around the skyscrapers and modern stores that some are still open with lights burning inside from it. Looking from the glass window are lonesome cashiers and crews talking with each other while yawning waiting for their long work hours to end. City lights are glistening calmly, sending off for the souls of the tired citizens who labored throughout the day, and traffic lights do still flicker while the cars are parked and motionless.

The smiling moon shines over the streets of Alvarez, including an old and abandoned mansion located in the heart of the city.

The mansion looked as if it was stuck in time for years, though the tall shrubberies and the blooming of flowers continued to grow as a sign that there was still life around it. The once bluish-white paintings were faded, and the flowering vines that crawls on its walls and the soil where it stands were the only one who remembers its history. No one comes in there until a man draped in a maroon trench coat and a tip hat set off his feet.

He entered and walk through the broken door full of child drawings and markings engraved by sharp stones. As he was walking inside, he noticed that he was stepping on some elegant yet dusty design marble tiles. On his left, he saw some fancy old chair that looks like a fake throne which was laying down on the dusted tiles being left behind, when he turned right, his golden orbs caught some abandoned dolls with missing arms, whose smiles are turned empty as they continued waiting for someone to pick them up to play with them again.

In the corner, was a sofa with broken legs seated by a young male kid who’s wearing nothing. He stayed huddled in the corner of the wide mansion, hugging his knees to his chest as he stared through the darkness with his white iris.

The man took off his hat revealing his silver hair and shot his golden orbs to the kid.

The young man instantly stood up when he noticed the man’s presence and slowly kneel down before him. “Welcome back master.” He said in a low and dry voice hinting like it never drink some liquid for some time.

“There’s no need to call me that,” deep and cold voice escaped from the man’s throat with authority. The young man instantly bit his lip after hearing it and bow his head further for thinking he made a grave mistake.

“Please do forgive me,” He apologized, looking embarrassed at the silver-head guy and was unable to speak. Asher didn’t really bother and continued to talk.

“I came here to give you your first task,” Asher said, approaching him slowly while picking up something from his pocket. Then he saw clearly the same white hair the young man possessed, only differ that the boy wore it short. His slim body was presented casually with his nakedness, his porcelain like skin reveals as the moonlight touches it and his luminous white-opal like iris invites and indulges everyone who sees it to its peaceful void. Overall, he was like one of those creature called angels that was sent from the heavens.

“Task?” The young man asked quietly, as if he lost his consciousness for a moment or a few minutes.

“Yes. I know you’ll handle these people smoothly,” Asher paused. Photos are thrown at his sight one after another, exactly on the spot where the moonlight passes through from the shattered glass window. The young man eyed it with caution. ‘It was them.’ He said in the back of his mind as he realized who are in the photos. His eyes were concentrated to the photo of some soft-honey haired girl, he slowly picked up the picture and stare at it with brows furrowed, scanning every inch of her face.

“You can do it, right?” Asher asked. “Well you don’t have a choice anyway, for it was I who created you.” The albino added. The young man crumpled the photo on his hand and looked up to the albino with a wicked grin.

As fast as the light passes through, the moon resides and decided to rest letting her companion, the sun, to rise up. The public-houses were already open, the other stores decided to unclosed, vehicles turned up its engines and people are starting to meet each other. As the solar power rises, it meant for a new dawn to cycle, other may think of it as a never-ending cycle but for those who chose to open their eyes and see the truth, each day that passes is a mystery that is yet to unfold. And for Glory who just woke up and was peering past the window to see the outside, she was unwantedly reminded of the day of that event which is approaching… Again.

*****

“SCHOOL SUCKS!” Yujin exclaimed as he closed his notebook. Noctis and the rest stared at the redhead as they heard him complaining. “Especially math! Ugh!” The redhead continued, acting like he’s going to puke. “When will I ever use Algebra slash Trigonometry slash Geometry slash Calculus in the real world?!”

Noctis stared back at the redhead with a boring look and gave a defeated sigh. “Yuu, I think you’re just saying that because you’re not good at Algebra slash Trigonometry slash Geometry slash Calculus.”

“Oh yeah?” Yujin dropped his bag on his arm chair and leaned forward at the ravenette. “Well, wasn’t it hard for us to cheat when you need to show your own solving? It sucks right?”

“That’s the purpose.” Noctis answered back sighing. “Stop complaining and let’s go.” Yujin scowled, sticking his tongue out for a moment before wearing his knapsack and followed the ravenette, complaining around loudly and whining while he did so.

“Come on, Yujin. School is not that bad, right?” Edward smiled awkwardly as they were all walking in the hallway with all of the scattered students.

“Yes it is! And no one’s going to change my mind! School sucks!” Yujin still persist and that made both Edward and Janine do a sour face.

“Even the cafeteria?” Jade asked who is beside him raising her brow with a smirk on her lips.

“Of course not! Cafeteria is the only cool thing happened in schools!” Yujin responded. “And also those clean and neat comfort rooms with fixed faucet because why other schools don’t have it anyway?!”

“Oh shut it Yuu!” Noctis huffed and that made everyone laugh.

“Oh! Oh! Oh!” Pearl suddenly run in front of them as an idea comes in her mind, making them all to stop from walking. “Speaking of cafeteria! After we buy our lunch, can we eat under that tree just for a change?” She pointed out through the window a giant tree in the middle of the school grounds. It’s too big and wide that shades an enough space for students who wants to spend their vacant time and have a breathing space. “The weather is fine and it’s not too hot, so what do you guys think?” She asked with a pleasing smile.

“I guess its fine.” Glory responded who just spoke for the first time with a sunlight smile on her face. On her back, she was carrying a black gig bag. Everyone turned back at her. “W-What?” She asked after realizing everyone was looking at her with a big exclamation mark on their face.

“I don’t know… But it seems like ages since you made that… Uh, look?” Yujin commented squinting his eyes looking at the soft-honey haired girl.

“R-Really? I didn’t realize!” Glory laugh to herself with her hand behind her head. “Well as what Pearl suggests, let’s eat there, it’s nice to have change of pace once in a while.” She continued to smile. At that very moment, Jade realized something after seeing her friend, her smile was too tense, so much it can be called ‘fake’ and with that she quietly made a sad face. Giving a thought to herself.

“Come on! Let’s hurry!” Glory hurried over pass everyone and instantly turned back. “You don’t want to miss today’s menu at the cafeteria!” With that being said, she flashed a quick smile.

*****

“Whoa!” Yujin exclaimed, making him blink and then examined the burger he was holding. They were under the tree which where they decided to eat their lunch, placing a picnic blanket underneath them. “I am pretty damn right when I said the cafeteria is the only cool place happened in schools! This thing in my hand is top class!” He peeked, lifting up the upper bun. “The meat was cooked with talented hands, I can tell how juicy and tender it is just by looking!” After scanning it, he leaned back in the tree then gradually took a big bite to the burger.

“Move on already, and since when did you sounded like a connoisseur?” Jade lifted her eyebrow and glanced at Yujin.

The redhead raised his finger then motioning it sideways. “What are you saying Jade? A healthy high school students like us comes to school just to eat their lunch!”

“Okay fine, I get it, I get it. Just please don’t do always get so excited over lunch,” Jade sighed as she took a bite of the fresh and golden fried fish sticks in her grasp, she immediately blush in delight as she tastes the indulging savor of the food.

They were eating peacefully when Yujin stiffened a little as his bright ruby orbs noticed Noctis who was bitterly staring at the distance, not even touching his food.

“Hey!” Yujin snorted, calling the attention of the ravenette. Noctis vigorously looked back and paid attention to everyone uncomfortably. The redhead paused from eating, frowning for a moment. He grinned and placed his hands softly on the ravenette’s cheeks. “Is something the matter?” He leaned forward Noctis batting his lashes, his face too close.

“Shut up.” Noctis ordered, pushing his hand into the redhead’s face to get him away. Edward who’s watching them silently, and who was about to scoop up his food, somehow thought, ‘What are these two doing?’

“Is there a problem? Is the food tastes bad?” Pearl asked, tilting her head, confused.

Noctis quickly shook his head. “N-No it’s just that…” He paused and gave out a sigh. He looked at everyone, studying their faces before letting out a word. “I’m sensing something which is unnatural.”

“Unnatural?” Pearl blinked innocently, making her glanced at Yujin. “Oh you mean Yujin failing the math test earlier? But I guess that’s natural?” She thought to herself as she scratches her head.

“I BEG YOUR PARDON?!” Yujin exclaimed, offended, then stuck his nose up in the air and turned his back to everyone.

Noctis eyes flickered for a split second before catching up to what he has been referring, and cleared his throat. “As much as how truly natural that is, unfortunately, that’s not what I’m talking about.” Noctis eyed the redhead, teasing. Yujin looked back at him then just rolled his eyes mumbling something to himself.

The ravenette turned back to Edward. “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

Edward remained still, staring up at the ravenette, letting their orbs meet. There was a moment before he answered but his face remain calm and collected. “Hmm… Surely there is some disturbance in the mana around us, but it’s nothing to get excited about.” He gave off a reassuring nod, with a faint smile crossing his lips.

“Well if Noctis felt it that way, I should’ve told you guys earlier,” Janine suddenly spoke, carefully putting down her drinking bottle.

“What do you mean?” Noctis asked surprisingly concerned.

Janine uneasily stared at the ravenette. “You see, when I woke up this morning. I felt this uncomfortable feeling, like it was running along with the air we breathe, it was heavy and had a terrifying presence... I’m pretty not sure since I’ve only got the hang of sensing the mana around me, but after hearing it from you guys, it seemed it’s nothing to worry about… Right?” Edward hold up his hands before looking at Noctis, who shrugged before looking at Janine.

“Wasn’t it Asher?” Glory finally decided to join the conversation. “It could be him considering his situation.” She said as she looked up at the clear sky. “He wasn’t able to attend school today.”

“It could be.” Edward responded after taking a bite of some deliciously honey-glazed onion rings then folding his arms over his chest. “He needed to rest and regain the mana he lost. It’s possible that the Barranca made the mana around us to be tangled and twisted. I’m pretty sure this is the after effects, after all, the Barranca is an amazing and fearsome technique.” Glory just looked down and nodded quietly.

“There’s no need to worry about that bastard! Probably he locked himself up in his room and do some scientific stuff that only four eyes like him can do!” Yujin snorted making Jade to looked at him and glare.

“W-What? Did I say something wrong? Its true though.” The redhead huffed, waving his hand off before putting it behind his head and sighed.

“We knew him for a long time. Back in the academy when we’re still soldiers in training, he had this habit of isolating himself from every cadets including us.”

Jade lifted her head as she put down her lunchbox after hearing what the redhead has told. “Isolating? What does it mean?” She asked fixing her glasses whilst raising one of her brows.

“Uh well, it’s just like what I’ve said,” Yujin scratches his head. “Like this school, we have dormitories too that we call quarters and whenever we had our vacant, Asher will instantly rush to his own room and do some of his research.” The redhead had a faint smile on his face as he reminisced the past. “Others would think of him of like a sad and weird kid but for me, I was interested of what he does,” he continued to tell.

“Asher as a kid…” Glory mumbles to herself. “I can only imagine a kid who always have such a long and sour face.” She commented and everyone laugh to it.

“Exactly!” Yujin stood up and faced everyone. “He’s like a grumpy old man without a mustache but with a big and round glasses! He was such a kill joy! And I’m just a normal and healthy kid back then who shares my kindness, inviting him to play with us! But he was like!” Yujin suddenly took Jade’s glasses and made a serious face, portraying the albino. “No, I’m not interested.” Everyone did the same reaction and continued to laugh joyously.

“This is the first time I’m hearing this!” Pearl snuggled and hold her stomach, laughing. “I mean, it seems that he didn’t changed a bit?”

Edward nodded. “Pretty much. Whenever I looked at him, I always thought that nothing much of him has changed.” The brown head announced.

“Yep! He always looked like a depressed kid… Oh…” Yujin stopped a bit as if he said something wrong, while giving back Jade’s glasses.

“What is it?” Glory asked, narrowing her soft earthly eyes to the redhead.

“Uh I just remembered something.” Yujin looked down at the blanket then have a glance at the ravenette. “Noctis do you remember the Dromeda Project?”

“The Drome- what?” Pearl raised an eyebrow at Yujin then looked at Noctis then looked back again at the redhead. Yujin paused, frowning for a moment before peeking at Edward and Noctis, who seemed hesitant to speak. There was an uncomfortable pause between the conversation, waiting for who is ever going to talk.

With all the eyes asking for what the redhead said, Noctis studied everyone for a moment before looking at Pearl calmly. He opened his mouth and started talking, “Asher is one of those people who are gifted with intelligence. Even as a kid, he excels at almost everything, written tests, ganlon mastery, and even in combat training. There was no surprise that he was able to be at the top of the class and the talk of the academy. But no matter how successful, and how smart he is, and had all the medals hanging over his neck, most people think that he’s just a loser.” Everyone was astounded and quite left hearing what the ravenette just said. “His habit of isolating himself from his room ended up being the drawback of what people think of him. But Asher didn’t really mind. For him, there is only one thing that matters, and that is… His creations.”

No one couldn’t speak, no one had the words to say. Yujin was just staring at the ravenette quietly while Edward was just listening. Noctis continued, “Behind the wooden doors of his room; is the reason why everyone was shook up to their cores. The research which resulted of defying the law of the spirits by which Asher created, is called the Dromeda Project.”

*****

“Are you two sure?” Yujin asked as he stopped from walking and stare back at Glory and Jade. The three of them are on their way home, the summer air was still warm even though the sun is already at dusk and was about to end another day. The busy crowds flooded the city, hearing the horns of the vehicles which are moving everywhere, and surely most of the people are tired from another long day.

Jade nodded as response. “We can take it from here. You should go home, I bet your dishes are still on the sink right now,” She eyed the redhead grinning.

“What? Of course not! I’m a big man and I'm responsible!” Yujin pointed himself. “I wouldn’t leave the dishes unattended!” The redhead protested then he turned away and whispered something to himself. “Come to think of it, today is the release of this month’s Angels magazine issue.”

“What?!” Jade was close enough to hear what Yujin said and was instantly boiled up. “What magazine?!” She suspiciously glared at the redhead as if she was about to threaten him clenching her fist. Yujin blinked and shift uncomfortably raising his hands, shaking it.

“M-Magazine? D-Did I say that?” The guy twitched, turning his head, facing Jade and smiling nervously while giving himself a distance between him and the girl given that his legs were shaking incredibly! But Jade didn’t bother and continued to glare at him. Yujin avoided her killing stare and looked at his wrist. “O-Oh wow look at the time!” He exclaimed nervously. “I needed to go home! I have dishes to wash! You two can walk to your home right? Right? Well okay see you tomorrow!” And with that, he vanished easily in front of the two girls.

Jade gave out a defeated sigh, shaking his head. “He’s not even wearing a watch!”

Glory just laugh, commenting. “That’s Yujin for you.” They smiled at each other and decided to walk. They go past over the crowded places and later on, the tallest buildings were replaced by residential houses. There were no more noises, only their heels touching the ground can be heard.

“Just to check, do we have an assignment for tomorrow?” Glory asked.

Jade shook her head and answered. “No, it’s unbelievable that our teachers didn’t gave a single one.” They walked through passing many winding streets. They then turned down another wide road, where they could see several homes with cars laying in the side. In this area, children are happily playing in the side road, kicking balls in their feet, screaming at each other’s name. The two walked down the street in silence until one of them decided to open her mouth.

“Thank you…” Glory spoke. Jade blinked and suddenly stopped from walking and looked at Glory, surprised.

“W-Why are you thanking me?” She asked, following her eyes at the back of the soft honey head girl.

“For everything…” Glory said quietly almost whispering to herself.

Jade made a faint smile. “What is this now?” She shook her head, the other girl looked at her with eyes widened, quite embarrassed.

Glory shook her head in a hurry, making some few steps back to Jade. “I-I mean it…!” She managed, her voice shaking. “The times we spent training inside the Barranca was no doubt dangerous and risky but all of you, even Pearl and Janine… You’d still decided to train with me. You don’t know how much fear I felt when I saw the three of you almost risked your life, just for my reason… To save Andrew…” She bowed down looking at her own feet, and nibbling her lower lip, together with her brows furrowed; showing an unpleasant face. “I even raised my voice to you and I wasn’t able to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me! For me being… Foolish…” Glory didn’t noticed that she’s getting hot on her cheeks.

Jade smiled lightly and started to speak. “Andrew is our friend too. We’re worried about him, and we all felt the same way as much as you do, honestly even Yujin and the others. We just didn’t wanted to show it to you because we know you’ll get suffocated by all of those feelings. But I guess it went the opposite way,” Jade closed her eyes and gave an awkward smile.

Then she opened her eyes and looked at the scarlet bizarre sky.

“We were just struck by these changes that will forever lose the peaceful life we had, but in order for us to walk side by side with them, this is inevitable, right?” Jade looked back at Glory who just seemed to realize something. She held up her hand to her chest.

“Come on, there’s no time for us to be sulking like this,” Jade suddenly grabbed Glory’s hand.

“W-Wait!” Glory protested but her friend just looked back at her giving out a smile that shines well in the late summer dusk as they both decided to go home.

The evening had fallen once again. Janine was testing her ability, she was outside their mansion, in a wide garden. The whole area was surrounded by white roses, beautifully motioning like of the waves as it sway as the night breeze blew. In the corner, Janine attempt to control her ability, and was gathering a mass of mana around her. She took a deep breath as the mana swirled around beneath her crawling up to her right arm, in her left is the bow that she uses during her practice in school. Without a moment, the energy has formed into an arrow. Her brows were knitted together as her emerald eyes darken, glaring at a single tree. She positioned herself preparing to aim, but suddenly her brows shot up in surprise! The mana she gathered vanished and she fell on her knees panting hard.

‘It felt like we spent months inside the Barranca but it was actually only half a day,’ She thought as she was regaining the momentum of her breathing. ‘Still this is not enough if we need to save Andrew… We can only struggle.’ Carrying her body, she stood up and concentrated continuing her training.

Meanwhile, on the tallest apartment in the city where Edward stays for over four years, he came out straight from the bathroom after taking a shower, perfectly attractive with his hair as brown as the earth, brushed back making some few locks of bangs to hung near his handsome face. A perfectly etched six pack rolled over his stomach and beneath that, was covered by a cloth. He looked through the window glass and touched it seeing his reflection then stare at the beautiful moon above that was sharing its borrowed light.

“Those who have learned the truth about us… Can no longer keep their eyes closed, they can no longer keep their ears covered,” Edward mumbled to himself as he looked upon the moon. “It’s another night.”

*****

“How many times have I told you not to leave the house at night in your bare feet?” It was Jade’s dad, he announced it calmly as he stare at his daughter who’s outside their mini garden watching the moon.

“I’m sorry I just couldn’t help it,” Jade turned her back to her father. “You know of all people that it was my habit,” she smiled at her father who just shook his head.

“Well fine just don’t get up too late, you don’t want to catch a cold,” He reminded her daughter before entering their house leaving their door open. Jade just looked above, seeing the cirrus clouds quietly covering the moon. She felt cold deciding to pull up the mint green blanket all over her.

“It’s unbelievably cold for a summer night,” She mumbled to herself.

There was a sudden blew of the cold wind and she shrieked as the door behind her closed with an ominous boom that echoed throughout that sounded like a massive but empty chamber. “What was that?” She whispered to herself. Even though it was summer, her body got cold from the core. She rubbed her own arms as her whole body got goosebumps due to a mysterious fear and discomfort. With that, she decided to go inside, illuminated only by the small puddles of light by the lamp above her. But then she stopped from moving as she felt that someone was staring at her.

She nervously stopped from taking a step and swallow her saliva. She slowly turned her head looking around but there was no one. “Hello, is anybody there?” She asked with a low voice. The fear that was rising in her gradually increase. ‘If you stay still, fear will rise.’ She thought. With all her might, she turned her heels back and started making some steps back to their front door but there was a whisper in the back of her mind, someone was telling her to look back.

‘Look at me…’

She felt an unwanted presence, but still the voice that keeps on whispering in her mind reigns until she was overwhelmed by it making her to look back. When she turned her head, her eyes widened in surprise.

“W-What is this?” At the top of the post, there was an owl, majestically beautiful with its soft and pure white feathers, its terrifyingly colored eyes narrowed which made Jade froze as she met its golden sharp orbs glaring at her.

“An o-owl? Impossible, they couldn’t be here especially in a place like our city. And I’ve never seen one of this species!” Cold whispers escaped her throat noticing that the owl looks weird. There was like an antennae thingy, most likely resembles a ribbon just right above on its eyes that was translucent, it shines like glitters even though the clouds covered the moon. “But what is this strange feeling?” She asked herself almost trembling in fear for the creature’s presence in front of her. “And why is it staring down at me?” She was hooked by the presence of the bird like a mall, and its eyes, it didn’t blink even once.

Jade was still staring back at the owl and in one moment, she saw that its eyes were hollowed out, and bloody tears came from the emptiness. She gasped in horror and closed her eyes rubbing it, her heartbeat raised and as soon she attempted to open her eyes again, she saw that it was turn back to normal.

‘What was that? Am I hallucinating?’ She asked herself, her whole body was trembling in cold fear spiraled through her. The clouds moved away, revealing the moon. The owl which is standing at the top of the post spread its wings with the moon behind it revealing its body which shown some dark spots around it.

Then suddenly…

It released a massive and tremendous energy around it! Cold sweat gushes from Jade’s whole body, holding up her breath, feeling tears burn at the backs of her eyes, but she was too scare to even cry.

Couldn’t able to move, she just stood there witnessing the danger right in front of her.

*****

“Yuu… Wake up,” It was the voice of Noctis waking up his friend. He was standing right above the redhead’s bed and quite irritated as he saw his friend sleeping peacefully while hugging a pillow.

“Haha not there…” Yujin spoke as he was still asleep.

‘This guy… What was he dreaming about?’ Noctis thought to himself staring at his friend annoyingly. “Hey Yujin! Wake up! Hey!” He wake up his friend once again, this time making his voice a little bit loud which is working when Yujin unwantedly opened his eyes.

“Wha-?” He yawned. His sight was blurry at first but after brushing it repeatedly he saw the face of the ravenette.

“NOCTIS?!” He shrieked as he covered his naked upper body with his blanket. “W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE IN MY HOUSE AT THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?” He pointed out to the ravenette, shaking. “Wait a minute!” Yujin stopped and thought for a moment when he realized their position, the ravenette was standing above him and he was half naked... He suddenly gasped!

“Noux, don’t tell me you’re into this kind of stuff!- Ow! Hey!”

Noctis kicked him on his face that made Yujin yelped like a kicked puppy, instantly covering up his face. “WHAT THE FUCK?! WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS HITTING MY FACE?!” Yujin complained, only to earn him another sharp glare from the ravenette.

“Tch! Quit letting your imagination run wild!” Noctis scoffed and looked around the redhead’s place. “Geez, you sure don’t know how to clean up huh?” He commented after seeing the dishes that are still on the sink, and a lot of adult magazines scattering around the floor.

The redhead clicked his tongue. “Shut up, you’re not my brother to tell me that,” he said as he was still rubbing his nose line. “So, what brings you here?”

Noctis looked up glaring at the window before landing his obsidian orbs at the redhead. “Yujin, you’ve let your guard down. Remember the strange feeling that I was talking about earlier?” Noctis folded his arms. “It seems it’s not just natural at all. It’s not much of a mana pressure though, but can’t you feel it at all?”

Yujin gazed back at the ravenette for a moment until his eyes grew wide. “Jade!” He gasped.

“Yeah… It’s near Jade’s place.” Noctis answered.

“You should have told me that earlier!” Yujin immediately jumped up from his bed to wear some clothes.

The two run as fast as they could without seeing anything else, crossing countless streets as if running was nothing for them. “When did you feel this pressure?” Yujin asked, still focusing his sight on his front while making some huge and fast steps.

“Just a while ago. I wasn’t so sure but then its pressure rose up furiously.” Noctis answered. There was a sudden vibration in his pocket and he immediately picked it up as soon he saw the name.

“Edward? Where are you now?” Noctis asked as he and Yujin turned left.

“I’m already on my way now. I already called Asher but he’s not answering,” Edward answered from the other line, sounding that he’s in a hurry too. Noctis clicked his tongue as soon as he heard it. Yujin who was running beside him could tell by the look that quickly appeared on the ravenette’s face that it was not a good news.

“Damn it! Where is that bastard anyway?” He asked as he keep on running.

“I don’t know, let’s just hurry. Pearl and Glory are on their way now too.”

“Wait, do you recognize this mana, it’s not ‘them’ right?” Noctis asked.

“No it’s not them but we need to hurry, Jade’s mana is fading,” The brown head announced and Noctis hung up the phone as they turned another left, beginning to worry about the unpleasant tranquility.

“Damn it!” Yujin blurted out as he fiercely regrets being careless, but he can't do anything about it now. Frustration and annoyance was painted all over his face and the worst assumptions were beginning to emerge in his mind. He didn't want to imagine what will going to happen, instead he doubled his speed, leading and making a huge distance between him and the ravenette. Noctis remained quiet and respect the redhead’s behavior.

‘I hope we’re not too late.’ He thought.

*****

Jade continued to endure as the raging energy that was coming from the owl has grown enormous.

“W-Who are you?! W-What do you want?!!” She managed asking but the owl didn’t answered instead, it flew off right away towards the girl’s direction and landed on the ground, the pressure it was releasing didn’t disappear but Jade had a chance to have closer look at the owl, this time noticing a diamond shape pattern that was placed on its forehead that somehow resembles of an insignia. Then in her surprise, it started to glow. It was so bright that made the girl to cover her eyes and looked away.

The owl started to change its shape, its lower limb grew longer up to the point where it already looks like of a human, its talons disappeared and were replaced by ordinary human nails, its beautiful wings lose its feather revealing a gentle and glowing white skin, its beak transformed into lips which curved in a wicked smile.

The only thing that remained is its golden inhuman eyes that are still landed on Jade.

Jade couldn’t utter a word as she open her eyes seeing the creature turned into a human! Moreover she realized that it looks like a young man.

‘A boy? When did he?’ She thought in the back of her mind. She looked at him from head to toe, noticing that he wore a fine, bluish-white, silk-lined cloth which was perfectly adjusted for the young man.

Even she was in awe with the beautiful and attractive man in front of her, she desperately thought of something ‘I should call Yujin and the others, I can’t handle this guy by myself. Even more, his mana! It’s too powerful!’ Sweat was dripped over her face as she was being overwhelmed by the young man’s presence.

‘I should run!’ She finally decided but as when she was about to move her feet, she fell down on the ground. “AH!” She yelped as she felt that her body is becoming heavier.

‘Look at me’

It was the same voice that she heard earlier, she feel like she can hear the voice from her own body and not from her ears. She tried to cover her ears but even lifting a finger was impossible.

“W-What is happening t-to me?” She tried to raise her body but there was no movement.

‘There’s nothing to worry about. Look at me and sleep.’ In inverse proportion to the clearing of the voice in her head, her consciousness becomes unclear and suddenly her eyes started to close unwantedly.

“There it is!” Noctis announced as they noticed the white and tremendous aura coming from around Jade’s house. They made a few more steps as they saw what is the cause of everything, rather who it was.

“What?!” Yujin exclaimed in surprised as they saw a young man, inside his arms is the unconscious Jade.

“W-Who the hell are you?!” Yujin raised his voice but the man only smiled at them, staring them both with his golden inhumane eyes.

“Yujin! Noctis!” The two looked back, it was Edward who called them, on his back was Glory and Pearl following him. They had all the same expression, gasping, seeing the tough situation in front of them.

“Give her back!” The redhead raised his voice with authority but the young man didn’t response as if he didn’t heard anything. “Damn you!” Yujin cursed as he leaped towards the boy and preparing his fist to throw a punch.

“Yuu!” Noctis tried to stop his friend but there was sudden cold air that blew roughly, everyone was caught off guard in surprise and when they opened their eyes, the young man and Jade disappeared in the blink of an eye making the redhead punched the air. Everyone was frozen on their own position, Yujin was just standing looking at his fist with eyes widened. “H-He disappear…?” He asked himself. Everything around them was calmed down as if nothing happened. And then everyone was shocked to their cores as they witnessed what happened next.

“S-Snow?” Noctis' obsidian orbs grew wide as snow mysteriously started to fall all over the streets of Alvarez.