Aisen nodded subtly at the remark, brushing them off as just Adara trying not to be… uncomfortable, he guessed.
”We can’t do anything about the situation yet, at least not until we have clear directions as to where to go,” he turned back to the mage, somehow being able to crack a smile.
”Enjoy the rest while you still have time, alright?” he asked kindly, really hoping that Adara wouldn’t be so cold with him this time around. As much as he hated to accept it, he needed as much help as he could get. Even if they were from people outside the Labyrinth.
"Fine," Adara said. It was a surprise to her that he didn't react after her lashing out at him, but maybe she shouldn't be. After all, he had always been a much better person than she was. "I'll rest." She hesitated for a moment. "You… take care of yourself, okay?" She asked, surprising even herself with the request. "I don't want you kidnapped, too."
”I will…” he stood up from the edge of the bed and went to the door.
”I promise,” when he opened the door, the worst thing was to happen. The sound of a loaded gun can be heard behind the opened door. Although there wasn’t a clear view of the person, the barrel of a pistol can be seen aiming right at Aisen’s heart. The opened door was a problem, Adara couldn’t see who the figure was or even how they looked like.
Aisen stared at the pistol, then the figure holding the weapon. Of course, he’d placed on a calm expression although his heart was pumping at seemingly excessive speeds per minute.
Adara threw her hands in the air. "What is it about people trying to kill others?" She considered for a moment. "Then again, I do the same, but still." She crossed her arms in the direction of the figure with the gun. "I don't like when people I like are threatened."
Still half under the blankets, she waved her fingers slightly. A wave of flame shot up between Aisen and the gunman, so hot that the wood around the doorway burst into flames.
When the attacker heard Adara’s voice, they immediately fired shots through the door. Three, to be exact. Two missed her but one scraped her cheek.
”Ada—“ ”No moving.” the gunman stated. The voice was one of… a female? It seemed like it.
”What do you want?” Aisen asked, his stance was stiff.
The attacker went silent for a bit.
”How much does the girl mean to you?”
”What?”
”How much do you care for her?”
…
Aisen went silent.
Adara's hand went to her cheek. She moved her fingers, and they came back wet with blood. She stared at her blood as if it was an alien, not seeming to hear the conversation, although she heard when her name was said.
With her concentration gone, the fire vanished, leaving a smoldering door. She knew that she should bring it back up, but she was so tired…
The gun can be seen pressed against Aisen’s chest.
”Answer me you coward…” the attacker demanded. This situation was one he honestly feared.
Soon enough, Aisen sighed.
”I…” he took a pause.
”Go on… tell me—“
”I love her more than words can describe,” with that, whatever amount of energy he had left inside of him turned into a burst towards the attacker, sending them back and potentially hitting the hallway.
”Excuse me,” Aisen closed the door as the sound of aggression can be heard from the hallway. Most of which were Aisen’s magic. When silence emerged, the door was once again opened. The Knight came back in with bloodstains all over him.
”Not mine… don’t worry…” he said before turning his face away from Adara.
(You hear that sound? That's my HEART!)
"You're okay," Adara said in relief. She had been half listening as they talked, her muddled brain not really processing their words. She would, though, in time, realize what they had been saying. It would be an… interesting reaction of hers.
"What happened? Who was that?" She asked, reaching out to catch his hand.
(Oh I hear it alright XD)
”A fallen angel in disguise to ‘claim a sinful life’ or whatever they call it,” when Aisen realized that she hadn’t heard what he said, he casually walked over and sat back down on the edge of the bed.
He slowly motioned, though, towards Adara. He leaned in towards her and placed a hand on her cheek. He looked at her for a bit before retreating his hand back to himself as he took out a sticking plaster. He stuck it on her opening and gave a satisfied look.
(You should be ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! XD)
"Thank you," she said, surprised at his moment of kindness. Didn't she just yell at him a few moments ago? Why was he treating her with such care? Her cheeks warmed, and her skin prickled where it met his. "Why did they come here? Do you know?"
(I WILL NOT BE ASHAMED FOR WRITING FLUFFERS!! XD)
”No idea, but at least one has been taken care of,” Aisen answered truthfully. In all fairness, he felt like it was best if Adara didn’t know what he’d said earlier. She didn’t need to know right now. He’ll have the courage to say it to her face someday.
(WELL YOU SHOULD B- actually, no you shouldn't be. They're amazing and if you stop I will be very sad. XD)
"One of them? Were there-" Adara stopped and shook her head at herself. "Nevermind. There was only one here, right? I only heard one voice." She didn't seem to notice anything was amiss with Aisen. She pulled his hand to her and absentmindedly started tracing circles on it, not paying attention to what she was doing.
”Of course, you didn’t need to know that. But I feel like you should know,” Cassius mentioned subtly. He gave a broken yet honest smile. As the elder brother of the family, he should’ve known what to do… yet he didn’t.
Matthew gazed at Cassius with clear worry in his eyes. Working decades with this man made him realize that he really cared for his brothers, especially the young one and to have such a situation happen…
Matthew was worried about Cassius, and that meant Hinata was too. She didn't know Cassius well, but she trusted Matthew to. She also knew how much one could be protective of one's family.
"Is there any way to find him?" She asked. She knew it must be a horrible pain for Cassius right now, but she wanted to help, and that meant she needed to know.
(I mean, Adara and Aisen is one ship I’m on… Matthew and Hinata is another one but clearly, theirs will be a bit more… dangerous, so to say.)
Aisen didn’t mind what Adara was doing with his hand. After all, her soft sensation wasn’t something he’d regret experiencing.
”There was only one inside this hall, but there could be more outside. Who really knows?” he answered. For some reason, he didn’t seem as dangerous as his many stories across the multiverse would depict. Most of the Knights had stories surrounding them which were shared across the different universes, a lot of those stories pictures the Knights in a dangerous and menacing way.
”Other than your cheek, do you feel hurt anywhere else?” he asked calmly.
”Not any that I can think of right now,” Cassius mentioned as he made his way to Hinata. He’d placed a hand on the back of Hinata’s head.
”The sealer I put on you seemed to have worked, you’re no longer bleeding so that’s a plus,” Cassius stated as he pulled out what looked like an aura-based sticking plaster from the back of her head.
”Be more careful next time,” the doctor gave a weak smile as he said the last part. He soon left the room with several documents in his hand. In a situation like this, he was definitely a busy man.
Matthew glanced at the door for a bit before returning his attention to Hinata.
”You’ll be fine, I’m sure of it,”
Hinata listened to Cassius quietly, nodding at this last worse before he left. She turned to Matthew, sighing softly.
"Probably. I'm just worried… The last thing I remember is being with you. I have no memory at all of what had happened to me…" Hinata shrugged a little.
Kye continued through the dark tunnel stopping every once in a while to listen and make sure nothing was following him. This was also an effort to try and pick out if something or someone was ahead of him. This cave was different from what he was used to. The crystals on the walls were pretty, but they were also disorientating. If he wasn't careful he could walk in circles and not even know it.
Why not use your torch again?
I have limited oil left, and I am not convinced that we are alone in this tunnel. Light attracts all sorts of things. You remember what happened last time I used my torch a lot.
Which time? The spiders? Or the cave trolls?
Exactly.
Matthew shook his head softly.
”To be honest, I don’t either,” the Knight replied.
”It’s weird how I feel like my memory’s been erased,” he regarded with a small laugh.
Traveling through the tunnels, Kye would finally come across a person; one who looked a bit… weird. He had some crystals coming out of him, the same ones as those that align the walls of the cave system. He seemed to be emitting light from his body which refracted from the crystals. Thankfully, he hasn’t notice Kye just yet.
Kye spotted the person and instantly froze. Most untrained people would have moved backwards to make sure they were out of sight, but Kye knew that movement attracted attention. He waited until he was sure the person wasn't looking anywhere near his direction before slinking back so that he was fully concealed in the shadows. He looked around for a moment trying to decide if it felt safe. He didn't feel like getting into a fight right now, and he had a feeling that this person was bad news if they decided to attack him.
What do you think?
About the situation? I hate it. About the figure standing ominously in the middle of a cave all by themselves doing nothing? Still hate it.
I can not say that I don't agree with you on this, it is a little creepy.
So now we're going to make our way out right?
What? No, I am going to figure out what that person is doing.
I was afraid you were going to say that.
Hinata was concerned now, but gave a week chuckle as well. If someone had messed with their memories… That wasn't good.
"Yeah, weird…"
(Well, I look forward to reading about this "more dangerous" ship!)
"I-yeah, I'm fine. I mean no, I don't hurt anywhere else." She gave the tiniest of grins. "Except for my poor heart." She instantly regretted saying that, her face warming. She realized what she was doing with his hand and pulled away, blush deepening.
What was wrong with her?
(Uh… this is really weird to say but do you guys mind if I don’t reply for a bit. I’m honestly lacking inspiration.)
(Eh, so am I. I have 22 roleplays to respond to. And I don't want to answer any of them. So, I don't really care!)
(I'm fine with that. A good response is better than a rushed one!)
The figure froze again. After a short period of time, the figure turned to Kye. He provided a rather friendly smile although it did seem subtly faked for some odd reason.
”I see that you’re awake.” the person said soon after. The crystals on his body seemed to be shining subtly like they were their own light source.
”You surprise me, you know that?”
Matthew nodded softly. He turned to the door when someone knocked on it.
”You can come in,” the Knight said aloud to the door. Opening, it was a clearly another Knight… but he didn’t look as friendly as Matthew was. Perhaps maybe it was because of his horrifyingly sharp crimson eyes that were glowing.
”Still in battle mode?” Matthew asked.
”Really? Sorry.” the newcomer said as his eyes relaxed, turning to a softer side.
”What do you want?” the Nature’s Knight asked.
”Answers,” the other Knight said sternly. Matthew’s reaction was a clear confused expression.
Aisen, though prepared for a lot of things, wasn’t prepared for what Adara had just said. And though he deeply wished this wouldn’t happen for unspeakable reasons, he didn’t exactly regret it once it was subtly hinted at him. Of course, being him, he leaned in a bit closer with his right hand cupping her cheek.
”Let me fix that for you…” he said with a tone almost as quiet and sensual as a whisper.
