Michael as well as other Blue Pegasus members came over to Stella. He didnt understand quite why, but he didnt like this. The place was unnaturally dark and he just had an ominous feeling.

Still he was representing Blue Pegasus here, so he was in his suit, looking as tidy and grumpy as ever. His arms were crossed as he walked and looked on, while the feline exceed of a companion rested on his shoulder, reading something.

So far everything seemed rather weird and uneventful. He wanted to find his guild mates of a familiar face, he had enough of exploring on his lonesome. So he wanted to sniff out someone familiar.

But he... sniffed out someone familiar. And not in the right way "Huh?" he was taken aback by the scent that he almost threw off Samuel. "What is wrong with you?" he asked as Michael suddenly ran over to a destination which was the source of the scent.

Upon arrival he would freeze as he would see two familiar figures, two people who had plagued his mind and yet their features that were once idealized and foggy were now crystal clear
"It cant be" he commented, which was overheard by the two people which turned to see him. Although the people didnt recognize him because today he was VERY different, nearly unrecognizable. Nearly being the key word
"Michael?"

He rushed over to them and gave them a hug. Samuel fell at this point and faceplanted into the ground. Michael hugged the two people who were in actuality his parents and tearfully spoke how much he missed them. He had so many questions. And he didnt know where to start. He also knew he needed answers, but he also didnt want to start asking questions. Like why did they hide their nature to him. Who killed them. He just wanted this moment of bliss and happiness to last for as long as possible. Forever if he could choose so. He has his family back

344

Chris followed behind Michael as the group reached Stella. He had just joined the guild and felt like he should interact with the rest of the members in order to get along with them. However since he was more familiar with Michael and Alisa he thought it was better to stick with the odd man in an unfamiliar environment. Speaking of familiar….

His eyes wandered to the small cat that rode on Michael’s shoulder. Chris wasn’t familiar with Exceeds, except what he heard from school and stories. He never expected them to be travel size or….would cute be a good term for a male of the species. A light blue upright cat with a hat and a book. A little stocky, but more compact. Someone Chris felt like he’d like to get to know.

Straining his eyes a bit without letting them glow; Chris looked at the aura surrounding Samuel the Exceed. It was definitely different from humans, though it looked to be different from nature itself. While Michael’s aura looked human mixed with beast Samuel’s looked like it didn’t belong in the world. It looked natural, just not native.

Mentally shaking his head Chris continued to follow the pair a few steps back. He started when Michael suddenly stopped and then bolted, nearly toppling Samuel on the ground. Chris followed behind worried, and was prepared to use his spells to protect the pair if there was danger. When he turned the corner he saw Michael embrace two figures that were standing there dumbfounded.

[Word Count= 255]

As much as a happy reunion and embrace he had. He did realize he was not alone. No not the exceed, he could always ignore a cat. No, it was his guild mate. He let go of his parents and wiped his eyes in case of any tears

"O-oh. Chris. Right you must be weirded out. Allow me to introduce you all" he spoke to Chris but soon switched to everyone. "Chris, Samuel meet my parents. Mom. Dad. Meet Chris, he's a member of Blue Pegasus and that there cat is my exceed partner Samuel." he then turns to his living friends "So, the reason Im an over emotional b-" remembers he cant cuss because his parents are here, so he corrects himself but still crudely gets to the point "My parents are dead"

His exceed gets surprised by such a statement. Michael looks back to his family with a sadder expression "Uhm... sorry for being a bit uhm... blunt." he apologizes to them for delivering their state of existence in a pretty bad way. But they assure him that its alright

"Excuse me, if I may ask. What does bring the dead here to Stella?" Samuel asked
"Honestly. We dont know. Last we were alive, we were in Magnolia." the father spoke and Michael nodded in agreement and spoke to the two living "Yes, I used to live in Magnolia"
"Use to?" Samuel asked him
"Its a long story" Michael merely said.
But they had to realize, how come his dead parents are here in Stella, after dying in Magnolia, East Fiore to be specific. And also having no relation to Stella in any way. Just how? Did someone dig up their graves and take their bodies? Are these souls given physical form? Whats the deal. Or for Michael, better yet, who killed them

334

Chris stood there confused at the scene unfolding before him. Michael was hugging the two figures as if he hadn’t seen them in a long time. And the hesitation the pair had before hugging back showed some confusion on their part as well. But they embraced him in return, so Chris figured they were related in some way.

It was a moment before the scarred man calmed down and turned to Chris and Samuel looking a bit embarrassed. He then did a round of introductions, and Chris gave a nod when he was introduced. The nod froze halfway when Michael mentioned his parents being deceased. ”Wait, what? Samuel spoke the question Chris himself was wondering.

Apparently neither of the couple understood it either, and remembered their last day on earth. But no one knew why they were here. Is it a type of magic? Thinking that Chris focused his eyes until they were on the brink of glowing and looked at the trio. As before Michael looked like a mix of human and bestial. However the pair he was hugging….

”They’re not human.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth Chris corrected himself. ”I mean they aren’t natural.” Cringing at those choice of words he tried again. ”I mean, they are here due to a magic spell.” He never told anyone about his ‘fairy sight’, but he could see the aura surrounding the pair. It wasn’t nature like a lot of normal humans, nor arcane like wizards. This had a darker, more unnatural feeling than he had seen. What it was he didn’t know. Just that they had to be careful around Michael’s ‘parents’.

[Word Count= 291]

The Demoness was drinking in all the excess darkness of the lands, trying not to get so drunk on its influence. Her harpy joined her in the skies but her ravens were elsewhere. She was in her normal form, one that was not quite human. There was no reason to put up a front and hide from within the skies. Her hair was starly white while the bit underneath was the blue and shine of a starry night sky. Her skin as black as the space between the stars and her eats a glowing pink and purple. Tattoos would speck her skin, all glowing in a ghastly blue, her hands looked as though it was made of ice itself. Shadows that looked as if they came alive coiled around her legs, jutting and moving as feathers.

As she flew over, she caught the familiar sight of one she had not seen for ages. Her keen eyes could see the like of anyone from far away and so she was glad to know of him first. It was not for lack of wanting to, her life had simply taken a turn.

He sadly was not alone, and she wasn't used to sharing him with others. It irked her in a way but only made the darkness come flooding in more intense than before.

The Demon lowered her flight, hoping to catch his attention in time. But she wasn't sure how to go about it. She was so lost in the prospect of seeing the wolf, she forgot the harpy flying just beside her. " Did you find something you like?...Do you know him?" Tenevi was not sure as to why they were descending. It took her some time to recognize the man as she at the time was only sealed within Lumi's mind.

" Keep out for now, I don't want to scare him off just yet." Lumi would speak in a near whisper. She was not entirely there. This would be the first time he saw her and she was scared.

Her silent wings did not give her away as they beat in the sky, and the Demoness would simply perch on a roof just behind them. Hoping to find a time to cut in herself. Though meeting him was hardly the only surprise anymore as the words that came from his mouth.

Flustered from such a thing as seeing their parents long gone, she almost darted away altogether. But she was frozen where she stood and did not get away. The best she could muster was slipping into the darkness as she wrapped it all around her so that she may be unseen until it was a better time to simply dart away. She at least wanted to see him before she left to be elsewhere far away. Crippled and heated from embarrassment and shame.

Michael gave Chris a very stern look and looked ever angrier at the 2nd attempt, but eased up when the young member corrected himself for the other time.
"Mmm, some powerful magic for sure." Michael said
"The Stellan deity is Tezcatlipoca. Perhaps he was the one who did such a thing or has some answers" Samuel spoke up
"Ah Tetsumetsupetsu. Ok" Michael nodded, but Samuel just facepalmed at the butchering of the name.

As he wanted to ask his parents some questions, he caught a new scent. Granted he wasnt the only one who was aware. It was odd to be in the presence of other werewolves, let alone ones that are your actual parents. But unlike to them, it was familiar. Which only made him more flustered
"Hey there. You can come out, y'know" his voice was more softer and perhaps shy as well considering his situation. He never dreamed in any circle of heaven or hell. That his parents would meet his love. He wasnt prepared for this at all.

185

His face flushing red at the stumbling of his words Chris listened to Samuel’s explanation of what might have happened. He didn’t know anything about the various deities of the world except what he learned in school, so this ‘god’ of Stella was a mystery. If a god was the one who brought Michael’s parents to life then that would explain why they had an unnatural aura about them. If a god is pulling the strings…. Then they definitely can’t trust Michael’s ‘parents’.

The scarred man’s tone changed a bit when he spoke next, and the familiar tone threw Chris off. It seemed the man knew someone else was there, and wasn’t surprised by it. Maybe it’s the beast part of his aura I’m detecting on him.

Keeping his eyes on the brink of glowing Chris looked around slowly trying to find out what might have triggered the sudden change. He saw a dark aura hidden within the shadows of a building behind them. He couldn’t tell the figure within the darkness; just that whoever or whatever it was was simply watching the five of them from a distance. The aura was unnatural and dark, but it was a different kind of dark than Michael’s parents. Maybe he knows whoever that is. If he does, should I be worried?

Taking a step back Chris figured it would be best to not be between the two if it was indeed an acquaintance of Michael’s. However just to be sure he readied himself to cast some protection spells just in case things took a turn for the worse. Can’t be too careful.

[Word Count= 276]

Lumikki the frost mage, a Demoness of ice, froze. The girl froze as the man below spoke out directly toward her. She almost choked on the air she breathed.

Both her hands would cup her cheeks as she took the time to pace herself. Taking deep breaths as she focused hard on shifting form. Never was there more a vital time to pretend to be human, to look like the Daemon she was before. With each deep inhale the shadows of her skin would pull away to reveal a brown complexion. Her hair would shift from white to a periwinkle shade. The tattoos that covered more of her would dim until they could not be seen and her hands would look as they did when she was a Daemon, stained with black. Lumikki wore a short black double slit dress which had a light motif of flowers and was sheer around her chest. Her hair which was down was now shoved into a ponytail. She wore no shoes as they bothered her to wear and her eyes and lips were painted in darkness.

She clutched the locks of her hair as she anxiously tugged them. Pulling back her wings as she readied herself to glide down. ” I forget how prominent yer nose is Ùlfr.” That was a lie, she was hoping he would be more focused on them that he wouldn’t notice her scent mixed into the air. She took a step forward and began her glide. The shadows that hid her slowly peeling away and dissipating into the air.” Guess I still smell of honor after all this time…”

Her feet lightly touched the ground as soundless as when she descended. After a quick moment to fix her hair again, she walked forward and slightly bowed to the pair before Michael while hardly looking him in the eye. ” Greetings, if yer as he says, then its a pleasure to meet ye. I am Lumikki Hrútr.” She wanted to say more but she didn’t know where to begin. What words were even worth saying as the man she cared for was trying to have a moment with his parents. As all the her thoughts were racing, her eyes would finally fall on his.” Do ye need a moment? Me and……them could get to chatting for a bit as ya sort things out.”

She looked at the man and the….exceed? Since when? She’d think before shaking her head of the pointless question. ” Tezcatlipoca? The Jaguar God of Stella?” She began to tease the desire for conversation elsewhere, hoping the exceed would take it.” He’s old aye, and powerful. Poor bloke long forgotten after the Angels touched the land. But he doesn’t have the power to coat the land of darkness like this…” Still, the reason why she was here at all was to find the source. It’s been flooding her very existence since it first touched her and its been getting harder to resist her desire to match it.

He had a lot to take in, a lot to deal with, he was surprised by the amount of people. He smiled to Lumikki who spoke that she smells of honour after all this time. He told her "Always" even though she had a different scent, a more pungent one to word it. But he wasnt sure why. There was something, but now was not the time to question.

His guild mate looked like he had his own theories of the mysteries of the rising undead, but Michael didnt get a chance to ask as he was a bit emotionally overwhelmed by all of this.
Lumikki would introduce herself to his parents. And the older pair was pleased to meet her, but the mother asked her was she Michaels guild mate as well. She remembered that Chris was a Blue Pegasus member, but was unsure if Lumikki was as well

Michael meanwhile now realized that Lumikki was here longer than he anticipated, so she knew these were his parents which was a newer can of worms that made him blush

In the meanwhile, his exceed would hop onto Chris's shoulder "It seems things are getting quite interesting. We have stumbled upon a family reunion of mysticism and magic. Usually the undead are hostile, but these seem as if they are of flesh and blood just like us. And are friendly. Do you think, whatever force brought them here made them appear for closure? Do you think there are many more people like this out there?" and finally he looked and asked Chris a final question "Do you have someone who might appear to you?"

Lumi asked Michael if he needs a moment, and Michael was still a bit lost and confused
"I uh... I dont want you to leave" he looks at Chris and Samuel "You too" he then speaks to all "I dont want anyone to leave. Its just" he had a hard time having cohesive thoughts as this was a bit of an emotional overload and he had a hard time holding it together.

What did calm and distract him a bit was the fact that Lumikki knew the Tetsu-petsu-metsu god.
Samuel looked over to his demonic love and spoke "Jaguar god? I do not know much of him. But if he did not coat the country in darkness could it be someone else also caused the dearly departed to be nearly departed" he asked Lumikki. The demoness was able to see that the exceed was much more posh and well mannered and polite, where as Michael was pure chaos and wildness. They were opposites

While everyone was debating the Stellan god, Michael approached his parents and finally asked, full on serious
"Who killed you?" he was ready for some blood and some vengence. But his parents realized what he wanted to do. The question only had one motive behind it. The expression of violence and the anger in his eyes was all too familar and so after the two looked at eachother, they non verbally decided not to tell him
"We cant tell you"
"What?!? Why not!?!?" he spoke up and raised his voice
"Honey, we dont want you to go on a revenge quest for our sake. You could get hurt" his mother speaks
"I can handle myself!!!" he got angrier, def mentally returning to that angry teen phase, though he was also tearing up that he was not getting the closure he sought
"Michael, look at yourself dear. How many fights did you get yourself into in our absence" she worriedly spoke because she did see the scars on his face. She saw the way he holds himself, that neck tattoo, she could tell he had a different demeanous and that he grew up different than he was.
The young werewolf didnt know what to do as his thirst for vengence was being denied

652

Chris watched as the figure hidden in the darkness appeared before them. She looked attractive in all honesty, and he could feel himself tensing a bit at her appearance. However it looked like she only had eyes for Michael and his parents, which was a relief for Chris. He quickly relaxed as she approached so it only seemed like he was on guard to the new visitor. As far as he knew only Michael knew of his fear.

It didn’t look like Michael was worried about the woman so Chris relaxed as well. Samuel the Exceed flew up to his shoulder and perched there similar to how he did with Michael, and Chris had to keep himself from toppling over at the sudden weight. However he was able to take his mind off everything going on when the cat started speaking.

”I don’t know much about magic, but if it was done by a god then it would make sense. Raising people from the dead would be impossible for a normal being, but a god.” Chris shook his head. ”It would be nice if this was meant for closure. I know people would want that kind of peace.” He thought for a moment about if there was someone he would like to say goodbye to one last time, and shook his head. ”No. Those I am close with are still alive.”

As the conversation started to turn to which god may have done this Chris noticed Michael slowly growing more agitated. Without warning the scarred man faced his ‘parents’ and shouted something that surprised Chris. His parents were murdered? That would explain some of the frustration the man was showing when he saw his parents after so long.

The couple seemed to talk it over silently and then denied giving the answer Michael wanted. The frustration he gave was obvious, and only grew more at his parent’s silence. It quickly got to the point Chris was worried the man would lash out at someone. Thinking quickly he flung out his arms and pointed at points between Michael and his parents, casting spells that intended no harm.

A translucent wing about 1 meter in length appeared at the spot Chris pointed; giving a little wiggle before disappearing. A second wing appeared a bit to the left doing the same thing before also vanishing. Chris crossed his arms and pointed again; this time the wings crossed appeared and wiggled before vanishing. He repeated the pattern again before letting his arms drop. He hoped it was enough to distract the distraught man and ease some of the tension.

”Michael, calm down. I know this is a lot to process, so you need to take a few breaths and focus on one thing at a time.” He spoke calmly as if trying to calm down an injured dog. ”We are here for a reason. Focus on that for the next minute and then move onto the next topic. Take it slow, and keep calm.” he kept his spells ready just in case he needed to protect or restrain the man.

[Word Count= 533]

” Whatever it could be…..well the Jaguar God is usually that of war and strife but he also is a God of death. I wouldn’t cross him off me list but I would need to know more. A God of death does not simply rise the dead as it’ll harm the world order. But I could say from what I’ve read that it’ll be on par with his kind of behavior.” She licked her lips and tasted the thick dark haze around her. Enjoying its intoxicating presence.

She was only so well verse in the topic at hand because Myth, legend, and stories of old were her fascination. She would often consume literature of such subjects for long periods of time within the library. Stella and her lore was no exception, being one of the first she would read material on as the lands of Stella were located so close to her homeland. It was hard to ignore a god of war and death especially considering it was Iceberg from which she came. It would be curious to find out that the darkness she was feasting so hungrily on was that old such a chaotic God. Would explain the insatiable taste of it.

She kept quiet of any members she could possibly meet in this realm where the dead seem to walk. Though she would keep an eye out if they appeared to her, partially preparing for when she would have to slip away.

The conversation among the three would be halted by the rising of Michael’s voice. His agitation would be clear, and sadly so would the reasons why. Lumikki sighed as she readied herself to turn around but as the man beside her started working magic, she snapped right toward him. Her eyes a-glowed as she watched him carefully. Seeing to it he meant no harm. The air chilled tremendously and the view around them darkened but when she saw his intentions, she would simply ease. The air still chilled by her sudden fury, she walked up to Michael.

” I agree with him Michael. Just enjoy the moment, if nothing at all.” She placed her hand on his back and induced a slight chill to cool him off. ” They love ye enough to protect ye from pointless bloodshed. We can pick a fight or hunt later Ùlfr…” She paused for a moment before turning back to Chris and the exceed. Hesitating for moment before moving away and joining with them.

” To be honest, I didn’t quiet notice ye on me entry. I was somewhat in a daze. I’m..” She looked back at Micheal. Sometimes, ever since her rebirth, it felt foolish and nonsensical to give her real name. A contrast to before when she was a Daemon, as she introduced herself completely at all times. But with Michael here, it would be odd if he questioned her preferred title, and seeing as Chris was a member of his guild. She figured he was fine enough to trust. ” I am Lumikki Hrùtr of Paradise Dawn.” She looked toward the exceed on his shoulder,” A refreshing feeling, running into someone with enough knowledge to reference a local god. I’m curious as to what else ye know.” She looked back to Chris, directly in the eyes. Taking a moment to speak as she finished looking him over with her World’s eye. She was surprise to note then, the Samuel was Michael companion and not Chris. She nodded to herself as she mulled it over, finally speaking to the man properly before her.” Pretty magic ye got there lad, I’ve never seen it before. Mind showing me more of it sometime? I favor wings meself, ye could say.”

He was tearing up and breaking down. Suddenly he saw some magic akin to a wing. He didnt know what it was. Thematically wings were Lumikki's thing. But she had ice magic. This was different, so he assumed this was Chris doing it. He wanted to touch the magic and see what would happen, but before the palm of his hand did so, Lumikki and Chris spoke up, which made him freeze up.

He just lost all his strength, physical, mental, emotional, what have you and just fell down to his hands and knees and cried as his parents tried to help him with his grief.

Michaels exceed didnt do much, he merely stood away from the werewolves and remained silent as he had nothing of value to say. He still didnt get along with Michael greatly, but knew now was not the time to shit talk and scold. His gaze was focused on Lumikki and Chris more. Though in his opinion it would be more beneficial if the dead couple leaves. They seem to be doing more harm than good as he realizes that the living werewolf wouldnt get closure. Whatever he went thru probably ran a lot deeper than just the death of his parents. A revenge denied. And who knows what fallout happened when he was a kid left alive.

"Take me with you" was what the exceed would faintly hear. "Let me trade"
The exceed would realize that the guy hasnt even been through the 5 stages of grief. He was in denial and anger. Only now did he reach the bargaining stage. And theres still the depression stage to come before the eventual acceptance. Though again, the exceed didnt say anything. He couldnt mix in this. So he merely went to Lumikki and Chris and tell them its perhaps better if the dead leave as they seem to cause more harm than good.

The sudden chill made Chris look over at the new woman in a panic. He didn’t mean any harm, as the spells he was casting were all defensive type spells made to protect. They were cast as a distraction to draw Michael’s attention from his pain momentarily. Like a child being distracted by something shiny.

It seemed to work, somewhat, as Michael went from boiling rage to sullen depression. Not quite the effect Chris was going for, but better than the man lashing out in a rage. Still he prepared to repeat the sequence if Michael needed another distraction.

The lady came over to introduce herself, and Chris gave her a nod in acknowledgement. ”My name is Chris Greyknow. I’m a new member of Blue Pegasus.” He wasn’t too sure about her because the air turned noticeably cooler after he used his magic, and that feeling didn’t fade afterwards. She was still wary of him, and her asking about his magic made him feel even more uncomfortable. As long as her interest is in the magic I should be alright.

Seeking a distraction Chris turned to see how Michael was doing. The man was on his knees whispering something that sounded like defeat. He couldn’t hear the words, but Chris could tell by the posture. Whether human or animal it meant that Michael wanted to die. Ignoring Lumikki and Samuel he walked over and knelt next to the forlorn man.

Kneeling there for a moment Chris decided to speak up. He kept his voice calm with the hint of a breeze in his words. It was the tone his teacher spoke, and it had a calming effect. ”Michael, I know this is hard for you. I don’t know what’s going through your head, but I do know what’s going on around you.” He looked at the family that had passed on and left their son in agony. Not by their own will, but it was a fact nonetheless. No, they should not be sent away yet.

”What’s going on right now is that there is a new guild member that needs your council while he learns about the world.” Chris cast another one of the wing spells, but this time he kept it up and in full view of the kneeling man. ”Right now there are people that care for you that are living. You can’t leave them behind.” Another wing appeared, and Chris could feel the strain of maintaining both starting to affect him. ”And right now there is someone who deserves justice for what was done to your parents.” The last spell was the crossed wings, and all three were just within his ability before he’d lose all three in the next few moments. His next words were through clenched teeth as he maintained the spells for a moment longer. ”Not revenge or death, but justice.”

The three spells moved so the crossed wings and individual ones made a large W before all three disappeared. Chris let out a breath as the last of his magic was used, and he took a steady breath before continuing. ”If you do all that then it’s a big WIN for you.” He sat back exhausted as he worked to regain his breath. He really hoped he wouldn’t have to cast another spell anytime soon.

[Word Count= 578]

And with his words…it snapped…the sliver that kept her sane in all this darkness was crumbling away……and the Demon within would rise……

Her eyes were in full view, a ghastly pink and purple. Her tattoos would shine before the darkness would smother her and her skin, merging once more. ” LEAVE….please leave now….” Her voice would echo like the wind in a blizzard. The shadows would obscure her further so that she was nothing but glowing eyes for the moment.

” And ye Ùlfr….” Her shadows would extend further than herself, wrapping the younger wolf in its cool grasp. From the formless shadow of where Lumikki stood, an talon like hand would reach out toward him before being engulfed in her shadows once more. And the darkness would expand rapidly, taking new form. Wings would show out of all angles, shifting around and moving all at once until only four massive ones would remain. It slowly shuffled forward swallowing Michael as well before her talons would become more prominent. The beast pulled all their wings back and beat them down all at once. Rocketing them rapidly high into the air. She would not stop until she pierced the clouds. Excess shadow and dark streaking off of her until the five meter raven was reveals. Wings of the coldest night in winter, with blue and purple feathers mirroring the colors of the sky. Long feathers that would curl when still, now streaking as the air ran through them. Two blue feathers now pulled back, and two horns adorned her head. And Michael would be seen, if there were anyone to see, to be sitting now on her back. Held secure by shadows still.

She darted through the clouds, the water drenching them both but it was for the best. He needed this. The cold splash of water on his face. She would not over look the words he’s said.

” Ye can’t do that…And I won’t let ye….Should ye…would ye….would ye let me suffer this pain too? I said I’d support how ye’d live, not how ye’d kill yerself…”

Meanwhile down below, a harpy swooped in where Lumikki had left. Softly laughing at the reactions of those left behind.” She tried to hold it back but it figures he would be what sent her over. Who would of thought he messed up all so soon though…” She was mostly talking to herself, hardly minding the company she entered and really, she didn’t care. But finally she would indeed look over to the ones here before and clear her thought. ” She’ll be back soon enough…they both get touchy you could say. I was suppose to keep out of the way but my Revna has up and left. But enough of that.” She clapped her talons and looked over to the parents.” Think of it as she bought you some more time, right? Because I won’t let you upset her a second time…So figure out how to deal with your son, aye?” She turned over to Chris and Samuel. Looking them over intently for a moment before finally speaking again. She focused on the exceed, figuring he would be more informed.

” We’ve been looking for the source of this for a bit now….Might as well waste no time, right? What do you off the source of this dark magic?”

Lumikki, once she calmed down, lowered her stride. ” Ye can’t say that. Even if they could trade with ye, ya can’t do that!…” She kept lowering herself more and more, trying to return him to his friend. Maybe it was best she didn’t snatch him up, but she was hardly thinking in the moment. ” Ye weren’t suppose to see me like this…not like this at least….” She was in view of the party below, readying herself to drop him off.

Tenevi kept the Demoness within the corner of her eye, eager for the two to be join once more as the continue their hunt again.

Chris was the first to approach him and try to help him and 'cheer' him up. What his words said, he made sense. And he was surprised someone soo new would go to these lengths to help him. He knew people who didnt do that and even kicked him while he was down. Both figuratively and quite literally when he got a kick to the head from his new guardian at the Magnolia Station.
He looked at Chris and nodded "You're right..." he was still quite sad in his voice, but he was getting back his senses finally. Though just as he was about to get up, he got swooped by Lumikki and flown up

"What just happened?" the father asked as he observed Lumikki fly the two up these to the sky
"I do think those two are a lot closer than they show" the mother said, despite Lumikki appearing like a frightening and ghostly demon. She had faith in the bird lady. Call it womens intuition.
"Perhaps it is best you leave before they descend. We can say that you ghostly vanished" Samuel told the two and the parents nodded
"You're right. We're doing more harm than good. I just wish he'd trust us. Some things are better forgotten" the father spoke and Samuel nodded "What has happened happened. Im sure sooner or later he will figure things out. But until then" the cat made shoo gestures.
The two deceased got the point and said their farewells to Chris and Samuel, saying it was nice to meet and see all of them, before making their exit as Tenevi would soon descend to speak to them all

"The Jaguar God is the clear culprit of this. I do know there is a place of worship in a local jungle in this country. I do not know where exactly. But surely, if there is a rogue god playing with the dead, it is our best bet to go there and find them. A God is bound to be at a temple." the exceed spoke his own theory that he worked on. Though he did take a defencive stance before Chris tho because he didnt like Tenevi's attitude towards them. As much as Samuel hated it, he was a member of Blue Pegasus. So he would rather side with his guild mate, than another guilds.. thing.

Back there with Michael who was up at the sky being soaked by cloud moisture or water, he was shocked like a wet dog. Shocked at Lumikki's words. She didnt reply to him in like forever to his letters. He didnt know she'd care this much.
"Lumikki" was all he could say because he was at a loss for words and no smooth flirt, joke or charisma check would save him or this situation. She did see one of his lower and darker moments. It made him worry about their future
"Im sorry" he could apologize, because he never thought how it would affect her. He was so used to being alone and having those thoughts when alone, that he never thought about others. And never thought how his own thoughts could affect others.
"I didnt know.... what happened to you.... You never answered me" he spoke in regards to the letters. He didnt know was she injured, sick, too busy or if she dumped him and lost interest. Granted... he had no idea what to think, he just didnt hear from her in a while. Thats when a thought came up, a rather stupid one
"Wait, you're not dead too are you?" he asked her with a raised brow. "Lumikki never answered my letters and I know the only thing that'd prevent her is death" he squints sternly and looks at her "Are you a ghost like my parents?"
Though after Lumikki dashes those thoughts too and makes him realize she is infact alive, the two go to descend to the party

Michael would notice his parents were gone
"Where-"
"They moved back to the afterlife" Samuel cut him off and lied
Michael gave him a look, clearly not believing it, but accepting it
"Fine. Say I believe it" he says and crosses his arms. Maybe it was better to think that they are. They're gone and he needs to accept that.
He approaches Chris then because he knows he'll have all the time in the world with Lumikki. He gave him a more stern and neutral look, the resting bitch face which was back to his tough guy routine, as he placed a hand on the guys shoulder
"Thanks about back then there. I appreciate it. Not many people would do what you did. By the way, I feel you might be wondering about what I am. I saw the looks you give me. So best to come clean to ya. Im a werewolf" pats his shoulder and does all the dude bro gestures of bonding but not really bonding stuff "Dont worry I dont bite. Im friendly. To some. Congrats you're one of the rare ones. So yeah... have fun. Im gonna have a chat with Lumikki" he says and then goes to Lumikki

Chris looked over at Lumikki in surprise at her sudden outburst; and froze. The strange lady was going through an even stranger transformation as darkness seemed to flow around her like water. It coated her entire body; taking form and melting before forming again. It wasn’t grotesque, but it was definitely creepy.

The shadows seemed to surround Michael, and even though Chris tried to aid his guildmate he was easily knocked aside by the darkness. And to add more insult to the injury the sudden gust of wind from the newly formed wings was enough to knock him on his butt while Michale was carried into the sky above. He could only sit in shock at the sudden turn of events, and no magic left to even help.

Then another creature landed nearby and began to talk to itself. It made a comment to the two parents, and then turned to Chris and Samuel before focusing on the Exceed. In all honesty Chris didn’t know anything about this type of magic. He was still new to the guild, and new to magic in general. All he could tell was what his eyes told him, and that was it was a dark type of magic that had brought the dead back to life. So he couldn’t offer much beyond that.

The couple spoke to Samuel a bit before they decided to ‘disappear’. He agreed with the idea in a way, as it would take one thing off of Michael’s plate. But the transformation of the lady might have put something new onto the already stacked dish. Please be ok Michael. he noticed the lady was slowly descending, and hoped it was to let Michael down safely.

As the pair ‘landed’ Chris finally had the idea to stop sitting on the ground. He got up as Michael approached asking where his parents were. Samuel lied of course, and Chris kept his mouth shut. He was a terrible liar.

It seemed like Michael was going to let it go, and the man turned to Chris. He was clearly annoyed, but didn’t seem to be particularly annoyed with Chris. That’s good. The praise he gave the new mage made Chris blush a little, and all he could say in return was, ”You’re welcome.”.

Then Michael said he was going back to the transformed lady. Chris wanted to stop him, but it was obvious that the two knew each other. And trusted each other it seemed. It was best that the newbie keep out of the way for now. ”Ok, I understand. I’ll head back to the guild then.” He gave another concerned look towards ‘Lumikki’, then turned and headed back to the ship that brought them here. This was going to be a fun story to tell Alisa when he got back.

[Word Count= 480]

” Neeeever Aaaaanswered?!” She spoke in a voice akin to air escaping, the words lacking near all definition. ” What was theeeeere to aaaanswer?” She barely held back a shriek. Her body was quacking as it was reverberating the low growls she kept doing in quick succession. It was clear that the Demoness was barely holding it together. Her effort and care to maintain humanity was currently unraveling.

” Dead?….” She whimpered. The air getting knocked out of her. ” Deeeeeeeead!” She shrieked while doing too many barrel rolls for the werewolf’s taste. ” Ye think me dead? Then maybe I am.” She was already near the ground by then. Shaking the Wolf off her back and shuffling herself away. ” Dead to ye it seems….”

She looked at him shattered, and took off back into the air. Tenevi would finally make her proper acquaintance to Michael, a cheeky smile shone on her face. Even the harpy could not hold back her amusement. ” Ooood how did you do it noooow do-“ She managed to cut herself short. Remembering it was best to remain polite, else she risked upsetting Lumikki more. The harpy bit her tongue before she continued. ” You really broke her heart you know, maybe it’s best you move on. Like you have managed to do so splendidly before.” She smiled sweetly and gave a slight bow before flying off to follow her master.

Both Demoness and harpy leave the scene.

He had no idea what happned, but he was just too tired to figure it out. As others have left, he merely sat down on the ground and thought over all that happened. While he thought he already was done mourning the loss of his parents, he realized he wasnt. And that he has a lot more issues to work on. But right now he doesnt have the willpower or the energy to do so.

His exceed companion merely walked over to him and sat beside him. He didnt really say anything, perhaps because he knew that the two werent as close to give eachother some pep talk or whatnot. Samuel knew nothing he'd say would help the wolf. So he hoped a bit that his mere presence would be soothing. The exceed merely opened a book he had and started to read, while Michael decided that when they get back to Fiore, he'll have to do some changes

(End)