Chapter 37: By your side

Skysin Rillem-

While I was busy in my subconscious, we were all located in the Core Centre of Tayon City. Which is extremely busier than the outer sections of this humongous city. Always teeming with citizens, and tourists. Including large buildings withholding businesses, inns, restaurants, and of course, vendors.

Melluna was occupied in the playground. Playing with Tenko and other kids her age. All while me and my friends were seated on a nearby table, simply conversing among ourselves. It did catch me off-guard at first. I wasn't expecting Razon, Rolland, and Delilah to be present with Elaine as well. But apparently, Principal Zynsim allowed them to have a day off since they've been doing well in school recently. However, this'll be the only one, and last time he'd allow, unless it's school break.

Still, what dad had said to me a couple of nights ago just kept playing through my head, like a person running in an infinite number of circles. Attempting to dismiss the fact that maybe, having so much strength doesn't mean everlasting happiness, and nonexistent problems. Which was only guided because of my ignorance as a child. All those fairy tales mom read to me when I was a toddler.

This doesn't mean that I'll stop growing in strength of course… but what dad told me did instill something that I really needed to hear. For the better of myself and what I'll have to experience as I grow.

"Sin, you ok?" Delilah asked as her copper eyes observed my rather concentrated expression.

I nodded stretching my arms, "yeah, I'm fine."

Razon tilted his head in concern, "you sure? You looked a bit troubled."

I wrapped my left arm around Elaine's shoulder and pulled her to me, giving her a firm side-hug as I responded to Razon, "I'm perfectly fine. Just a little daydream." I smiled as Elaine's face mantled in rose.

Rolland lifted a brow, "y'know, you guys seem a lot closer than a few years back. Are you two a couple?"

Elaine's face became beet red, including her ears, "h-he's my to-be fiancé…" She stuttered in response, her face increasing in bloom.

Delilah clasped her hands, making an animated smile, "Oh-My-Malerenz, that's so cyutee!"-Her copper eyes gazed onto Razon- "No wonder you kept getting denied." She innocently spoke.

Razon's face was simply deadpan, his blue eyes staring at her; not speaking a single word.

In silence, he steadily lifted his hand, aiming it right at Delilah. "W-wait…" Delilah hysterically waved her hands, telling him to stop. However, remaining with an unconcerned expression, a small ball of water materialized, hovering in front of his palm. Then, he fired, running it right across her forehead. Drenching Delilah's face and hair in water. Causing her curtain like bangs to damp, and drape right over her eyes.

"Pfft," Both me and Rolland covered our mouths as our shoulders bobbed, witnessing this scene play out.

Delilah made wind appear, swirling around her face as her hair frantically twirled and twisted. "I take the blame for that,"- She slouched her shoulders- "I apologize for slandering you."

Razon crossed his arms and nodded, "apology accepted, curtain-girl."

While we all chuckled, Melluna approached us with Tenko at her side. "SinSin-SinSin." She energetically pronounced sitting in-between Elaine and me.

As Elaine rubbed her dark-azure hair, "what is it Luna?" I asked with a smile.

"I want some pastries!" She cheered shooting her arms in the air.

I chuckled from her enthusiasm, "hahaha, ok Luna, we'll get some." I turned to the others, "are you guys coming?"

They all nodded.

Subsequently, just when I was preparing to stand. I felt something light, land atop my head. Everyone gazed at me, or it; while I was utterly bewildered by what it could be.

"Bastet?" Both Elaine and Tenko worded in a confused tone. Aloud and in my head.

I raised my hands and gently grasped the fluffy black kitten and pulled her down as her sky-blue eyes stared at me. "Bastet? If you're here, then where's Cleo?" I pondered the small feline.

She meowed and rubbed her soft head against my cheek, faintly purring.

"Sin!" a familiar, melodic voice called out. I turned to my right, espying Cleo and Devail, approaching us while civilians all bowed and greeted them.

Melluna quickly stood and ran to the two, "Cleo! Devail!" She excitedly shouted, hugging their thighs when they stood before us.

Cleo lifted Melluna into her arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek as my sister giggled. Then she sat her down, and basically pounced onto me as her slim arms wrapped around my stomach. "~Helloo Sin, I missed you so much." Cleo said showing a passionate smile.

"Hahaha, I missed you too Cleo," I responded embracing her.

Cleo's red eyes gazed onto Elaine, "ogre." She calmly greeted.

"Retard," Elaine replied with a quick nod. But somehow, her personality swiftly altered, "hello Devail." Elaine spoke erecting to her feet and shared a hug with Devail.

It blows my mind that these two still have a vendetta against each other. But nonetheless, it's much better then what it used to be like. All because Nirvana somehow magically made them more of 'acquaintances', rather than eternal nemesis.

While Tenko and Bastet played around, Cleo and Devail took a seat beside me as Melluna sat on Devail's lap.

Then, all three of my friends hastily stood. "I-I'm Razon Stilt, a part of the noble Stilt family." Razon stuttered stiffly bowing.

"I'm Delilah Ophrey, I'm from a common family." Delilah did the same as Razon, like a parrot.

"And I'm Rolland Oreland, son of Duke Marcus Oreland." He followed suit like the others.

Devail chuckled rubbing Melluna's hair, "hahaha, please, there's no need to be so formal. If you're a friend of Sin. Then you're a friend of mine." She released a pretty smile.

Cleo nodded, "agreed, if your friends of my fiancé, there's no need for formality."

They all stared at me, dumbfounded by what Cleo had stated. Delilah waved her hands while shaking her head, "wait…"-She pointed at me- "Both of you…are to marry Sin?" She pondered, still in shock.

"Yes." Cleo and Elaine answered in sync.

Rolland looked over to Devail, "does that mean…" Razon and Delilah gazed at her too, completely muddled.

Devail's face flourished in rose and shook her head as her lips wriggled, "n-n-no, Sin is o-only like a younger brother to me…" She lowered her head, still red as she could be. All while Melluna laughed at her reaction.

Albeit, if I were being honest… I wouldn't have a problem being with Devail either. She's an exceedingly beautiful girl, and her calm personality is attractive to me as well. I fixed my eyes, staring at her while she continued combing through Melluna's hair with her slender fingers. She lifted her head, and we made eye contact.

I released a smile as her face brimmed in rose once more, and quickly withdrew her emerald eyes away from me. Causing me to chuckle lightly.

While we all conversed and had pastries on the side as well. The day quickly passed, becoming late afternoon; the sky displaying a horizon of orangish tint, slowly fusing with the shaded blue.

Walking down the road, Melluna on my shoulders and my friends at my side. Elaine turned to me, "well Sin, I'm happy you're doing fine. Principal Zynsim said we'd have to be home before dark." She said in a gloomed tone.

"Right," I spoke, sitting Melluna down and wrapped my arms around Elaine, both embracing each other. "I'll see you when I come back Laine."

She released an ardent smile, her gorgeous face before mine, "I'll be waiting, Sin."

Elaine bent down and kissed Melluna's cheek, then approached Cleo. "Mm-mm – I bid you farewell for the meantime, retard." Elaine spoke in a calm manner. "Make sure Sin…"-She glanced at me, her cinnamon eyes showing a cold leer- "Doesn't flirt with any girls."

Cleo nodded, "of course, Ogre. You have my word…"-She did the same as Elaine- "There will be no such thing as…flirting, with him by my side." She critically assured.

'These girls are crazy…' I uttered in my thoughts, feeling a minacious atmosphere when those two get along. I'm positive Razon and Rolland felt it too, both possessing a rather sympathetic expression.

I turned to the others, "I'll see you guys later, yeah?"

They all nodded.

Delilah pointed at me, "you still owe me that spar," she remarked.

"Of course, just remind me." I replied with a wink. Delilah vaguely blushed, withdrawing her head away from us.

"Sin…" Cleo faintly spoke, her red eyes glaring at me with spite. Along with Elaine by her side, following suit, crossing her arms.

I simply bowed with a fretful smile, then feebly walked to Cleo's side. Not attempting to speak the slightest of words.

With that, the others headed off in the opposite direction. Walking to the central building, where the rift to Series Academy is located.

Then, we all took a seat at a near by bench and relaxed. While we conversated, Melluna had finally fell asleep, laying on Devail's lap, who was still combing through her hair with a relaxed smile on her pretty face.

Abruptly, a large hand clasped my shoulder.

"Eughh!"

Appalled, I faintly shrieked and turned around. Only to face mom, and dad, whom had a face trying to control his laughter as his cheeks moderately puffed from air.

"Pfft," both Cleo and dad chuckled from my reaction.

I frowned staring at my dad, "I hope you go bald…" I hissed at the tall man.

He busted out laughing at my face, while mom had lifted Melluna into her arms, "did everything go smooth today, Sin?" She asked.

I nodded, "yeah, everything went pretty good mom."

Mom smiled, "good."-Her lavender eyes widened looking at Devail- "Oh yes, Devail? I need to borrow some of your Fiendevor vital."

Devail tilted her head, "of course auntie, is it fine if I may ask why?"

Mom lifted her hand in the air and spread her fingers. However, I did notice that she used her spatial kinetics, but I couldn't exactly perceive it. Then, she took a seat on the table with us. "I used my spatial kinetics to block any noise from our conversation." She took a deep breath, and explained.

Cleo and Devail were shocked, coming to discover that me, mom and Melluna have Fiendevor blood. Plus, mom is a princess of an entire empire. Devail showed a resolute smile, "I'll happily help auntie. It feels good to know that I'm not the only one with Fiendevor blood."

Mom showed a tender smile, "thank you Devail. I'll be sure to teach you how to handle your Fiendevor vital more as well."

Devail nodded, "ok, what do I have to do?"

Mom made a small, grey gem appear on her palm, "all you have to do is release some of your vital in here. When its limited, it'll glow a black light. You won't have to worry about others seeing you either. The cube I made is basically invisible to others outside of us." Mom explained.

"Right."

Devail extended her arm and placed her palm on the grey gem. Then, she released her blackened aura. As she deepened her concentration. Devail's features had changed. Her back-length amethyst hair, altered to a beautiful, silky raven black. On her head, she grew two, huge scarlet horns, propped on the side of her head, curving to the front and transpierced the air. Which made her overwhelmingly alluring to me.

The gem had completely changed into the color of a blackened sea, a chasmic void of darkness. Next, it glowed a dark hue, steadily surrounding it. Devail came to a halt and moved her arm.

Mom rubbed her head, "you look just like your mother, I'm sure she'd be proud by how much you controlled your powers honey."

Devail showed a solemn smile, "I hope I meet her soon…" She slowly lowered her head and stared at the ground.

Mom handed Melluna to dad, then took a knee and embraced her, "you'll meet her soon sweetheart, I'm sure she's feeling the same way."

Devail nodded, "we should be going now, it'll turn dark soon."-She turned to dad- "It was good to see you again uncle."

Dad smiled and patted her head, "likewise kiddo. I'll walk with you and Cleo over to the Central Building just to be safe."

Then Cleo spoke, "is it fine if me and Sin could talk for just a minute uncle. It's important."

Dad nodded, then everyone exited the invisible cube.

Cleo took a seat, and softly patted the spot next to her. Sitting down beside her, "what is it you want to talk about Cleo?" I pondered.

"I heard about what happened at Series. I'm absolutely happy that Nirvana is fine and well."-Her short eyebrows furrowed- "But I was still worried for you, about what I had heard.

The bloodied hole in Nirvana's stomach shot back into my thoughts. Something I'll never forget.

I gazed into Cleo's eyes, "yeah I'm fine. Just lost my temper is all. I just need to control it."

"I understand… but Sin. If you ever need to talk to me, about anything – I'm here for you, always. Not just as your friend, but as your fiancée, your future wife. Through thick and thin, I'll always be at your beck and call. I'll be by your side - no matter what happens, whether it's for the better, or for the worst. I just want you to know this." Cleo expressed, showing a loving, tender smile.

Cleo steadily enveloped her arms around my stomach and embraced me. My nose capable of smelling a wonderful, relaxing fragrance of roses. I did the same, wrapping my arms firmly around her slim waist. "Thanks Cleo, really…"

Cleo chuckled and quickly surveyed the area for some reason. When she faced me again, Cleo wrapped her arms around my neck, puckered her pink, lush lips, and slowly pressed them against mine.

It caught me by surprise of course, I couldn't help but blush. Her lips were so soft, like kissing a pair of warm marshmallows. I gently clasped Cleo's waist, pulled her closer and closed my eyes, following through.

After a few seconds, she moved herself away from me and released a melodic chuckle. Before I could word anything, she spoke, "hehehe, I'll see you later, darling." She kissed my cheek and stood, walking to my mom and gave her a hug. Then, went off with Devail and my dad.

I was utterly dumbfounded; I didn't want approach mom yet. I could feel my face flourishing in rose from our kiss. Our first. But nonetheless, she made me feel better, I'm happy that I'll be with Cleo, and Elaine of course.

I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe from harm, all of them…