Thursday, April 20, 2017

Chapter 18 Story of a Cowardly Man

Tenna, Devi and Eric (in vampire form) sat exhaustedly on a lounge seat near the window at Mina’s shop. They were all baffled at what just happened. Devi was dressed in a black hoodie jacket with a magenta color stripe going across, jeans and tennis shoes. Tenna a green tank, black jeans and black tennis shoes. Eric wore a black hoody shirt with white sleeves, black torn jeans and leather belted boots.

“I don’t get it!” Tenna finally spoke up. “Another knight shows up and says he doesn’t want fight along side us!?”

“Well, he did say he doesn’t know what we were talking about.” Eric replied. “Maybe he doesn’t know about the legend.”

“Yeah, but wouldn’t that make him want to join us?” Tenna asked again. “Because we know what’s up?” Tenna noticed Devi being quiet with Demi in her lap and concernly asked “Devi?”

Devi finally spoke after a couple seconds “What I wanna know is what the hell happened with the gem on my chest? It like gave him some sort of power boost...”

“Yeah it did...” Eric replied. “And used it for an attack. If he’s not connected to us, why would we be able to give him a power up? Assume if Tenna and I can give him a power up as well...”

“Things don’t just add up...” Tenna sighed.

“Another thing is why does he seem to know Johnny?” The others gave a surprised look towards Devi as she continued. “It seem like he knew Johnny and wanted to help him more than anything. I just wish I knew why though?”

“Maybe he’s a relative, like a brother or something?” Eric suggested.

“No...” Devi replied. “Something’s telling me that, that’s not the case.”

“Why do you say that?” Tenna asked.

“Because Johnny, from what he told me before, only has a uncle. That’s his only living relative. He has no siblings of any sort and his parents died in a terrible fire. He said they were murdered and had their house a blazed to look like an accident.”

“That’s horrible!” Tenna exclaimed remorsefully. Eric also showed an expression of pity for the crazed warrior.

“So that’s why, I’m really baffled about this sorta thing...” Devi added. “Johnny did a couple times, told me he had a friend that he would see from time to time, so I thought maybe that’s the friend he told me about, but if so, why did Johnny act like he didn’t know him?”

“Hmmm.....” Tenna stated. “Maybe they separated at one point and if Johnny is being tortured by the Dark Lord guy, maybe he just doesn’t remember him....Sometimes being tortured a lot can lead up to memory problems, from what I heard about....”

“You might be onto something, Ten.”  Devi replied.

“What I find weird,” Edgar added as he came over with some tea. “is first this child appears and then this knight that you describe.”

“That’s what I was thinking too.” Eric replied. “Think they’re related?”

“It is possible.” Said Mina as she came over. “I’ve been doing some meditation and location spells and lately a strange anomaly keeps showing up. I keep trying pin point it but to no avail.”

“Do you think it’s that kid or the knight?” Devi asked.’

“Unfortunately, even I can’t say for sure. Sometimes these anomalies last for a while, but disappears before I could get Edgar to go to it.” She sighed “Whatever it is, it doesn’t want to be found it seems.”

“Wish we knew why...” Tenna added.

“Well, if that kid is legit, he’s probably scared and doesn’t know who to trust.” Eric added. “As for the knight, I dunno what he’s about.”

“They have to be related somehow though...” Demi added. “I mean, they just appear out of no where and then disappear. However....I don’t think this new knight is an enemy...”

They looked at the tiny doll in surprise.

“Why do you say that, Demi?” Tenna asked.

“He didn’t seem evil. He felt really kind.” Demi explained. “I think he really just wants to help Johnny out of his situation and just doesn’t know us, that’s all....”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Devi added. “If he wanted to hurt us...”

“He would have done so.” Demi finished. “Plus we helped power him up! He must be one of the good guys!”  Devi smiled at her familiar.

“I guess that makes sense...” Tenna replied.

Eric nodded as he sat back. He then looked at Mina and asked. “Hey, Mina, how is Magnus doing? I haven’t seen him in a while.”

“He’s doing well.” Mina assured him with a small smile.  “He came by the other night to see how we were doing, but didn’t stay too long.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Eric replied in slight relief. “I guess he just hasn’t had anything to teach me lately.”

“Well, you’re already good enough in fights. In fact, it was just the training up to your knight form and how to control it was the major thing he needed to teach you.” Mina explained. “Pretty soon, Magnus will probably stop training you completely....” She said the last part a little sadly.

Eric noticed this and knew she meant. He just looked down. Tenna and Devi noticed this. Devi was a bit confused but Tenna whispered something into her ear. Devi looked in surprise but Tenna nodded with a slight sad expression.

Devi then placed a warm hand on Eric’s back and just smiled. Tenna did a cheerful expression as Eric looked at the two of them and nodded with a small smile. There was no words in that moment.

Mina just looked at them all and finally smiled a little bit. It’s amazing how far they did come. They never had issues working as a team, but should could tell, their bond was much stronger. Now if only the fourth knight could be found so they could bond with whoever it was.

**Back in the dark area**

“Another knight has join them?!” Anne said in shock. “So...They found him?!”

“No...” Nny replied. “I don’t think he’s the one they’re searching.”

“How do you know all that?” Nuka asked as he eyed Nny with a odd expression. Nuka wore the only the he really did wear, a black and white shirt, some old faded jeans that were black at some point and long black leather boots. Anne was just in her usual black long dress, goth black boots and fishnets.

Johnny just stayed silent as he sat there. He was in a long black sweater, jeans and boots. Nuka just looked at him and finally said “You know, if I didn’t know better, I say you know who the real knight is and you just don’t wanna tell! That knight even seems to know you! Are you helping the.. ”

Before he could finish his question, Johnny grabbed his blade and shove it up to Nuka’s face. He force the cowardly man to look deep into his green maddening eyes! Eyes that were like a flame of emerald at that point.

 “You shouldn’t talk!” Nny snapped, his teeth gritting and yet his voice was cold. It was like a shot of ice shooting through the measly man’s heart.  “You have done nothing but be despicable, cowardly and over all useless! So don’t you dare pin me as someone that would go against the Master! When you have done barely anything at all!  Even Anne at least comes up with a plan to fight, sometimes. It fails, but it’s something! So, I would be more worried about your place here than mine, if I were you!”



With that he let out a slash of his blade, causing a bit of wind by his own power, to hit Nuka to the ground. Nuka got up and looked at him, angrily.  With that Johnny teleported away and Nuka just walked off. He didn’t say anything. Didn’t scoff, didn’t fuss. His arms went limp to his sides and just walked off.

This surprise Anne quite a bit. It was the first time she actually seen Nuka, legitimately hurt before. She thought it was weird though. Jimmy as he was known, didn’t get hurt easily. Any insults he took as compliments, but she wondered if something finally snapped into him. That maybe, he thought Nny was right but didn’t want to admit to it, because of the pride he carried. It was also the first time Nny actually said something remotely good about her.


Else where, Nny teleported outside of the city, looking down at the city lights. He thought of the man that stopped him. There was something familiar about him. Johnny couldn’t figure out why, but there was something there.

“Those eyes....” He whispered. “I know those eyes...”

He looked up and saw the crescent moon in the sky. It looks like they’ll be a full moon soon... He thought. He just stared at it for a while until a sudden pain came through his chest. He gasped in pain as he clutched his chest. Something glowed from within where his heart was. After taking a few deep breaths, it finally all ceased.

He fell to his knees and just breath to relieve himself. “What was that...? Where did that pain come from?”

He looked up at the moon, almost pleading at it for answers.

“Lucerne, what would you say if you were here...?”

The wind suddenly blew gently. He closed his eyes as if to try to hear a voice, wasn’t expecting it but somewhere within, he was kinda hoping something would answer.  No voice came. Just the whisper of the wind through the trees. He sighed and looked up at the moon again.

The winds of change will bring forth a new moon.

*****


Nuka sat in a tree and just pondered a bit. He really just wanted to get out of there for a bit. He wasn’t sure how he would even go back.

“I did some things...” He grumbled to himself.

 He remembered how he first became a servant to the Dark Master. Back when he was just normal Jimmy, he was obsessed with this one girl in college. It was just a normal community college. Nothing fancy and it was mainly his parents that forced him to go or they would stop supporting him. He was at one point interested in biology and human anatomy. He didn’t know why it fascinated him, but naturally, it wasn’t because he wanted to help people.

The girl he obsessed over had jet black hair and brown eyes. She wore a lot of trendy things. Whatever would be in fashion at the time.  He would stalk her, steal some of her things, the works that raised up his creep factor. Until one night, he got her alone and did unspeakable things to her, before snatching her life away. Before he was caught by police, a dark voice came forth. It asked if he wanted power, if he wanted to do more things like what he did to that girl, without fear of anyone stopping him. He agreed and he was sucked into the Dark Area.

That’s all he really remembered of his past. He met Anne and not long after that Johnny. He would get tips from watching Johnny fight. At first a lot of those he and some of the other warriors fought were punks, pedophiles, or even some poor soul on the street. Just basic people hardly anyone would miss. This was just enough to feed the Dark Master some negative energy while still keeping low, not to arouse anyone who might be one of the chosen knights.
Though, there were some magic users they also fought. The magic users who agreed to join, sometimes would need to pass a interrogation by fighting and surviving the Dark Master’s strongest warriors, with Nny being the top.

The magic users that refused to join, well, they would still have to fight anyway if they wish to survive the encounter. Johnny wasn’t always in charge of interrogation, but when he did, Jimmy just enjoyed it. He began to admire Johnny more and more. He was like some sort of acrobat when he fought. Just one jump, a slash of his blade and it would be all over. It was like watching a figure skater but with more blood and darkness, but then came that one time when Jimmy pushed too far.

There was a magic user, a young girl. She had snow white hair in a ponytail, beautiful light blue eyes and peach skin. She wore a white dress and tall boots. She did her best against Johnny, but ultimately, she failed. Johnny looked down at the torn girl at her feet. She had some scratches and blood stained her white dress and boots. She looked up at Nny in horror that she would meet her demise right then and there.

Johnny just stared at her with his green eyes. He raised his blade and she embraced for death, but then he lowered the blade and began walking off. Jimmy was shocked.

“Hey! Don’t let her go!” Jimmy snapped as he came over. “Finish her off or kill her slowly!”

“I don’t need to kill her.” Was Nny’s reply.

“What?”

“I don’t kill unless I have a good reason to. There’s no reason for me to end her life. She can’t fight anymore. I’ve won. She won’t go against the Master now.”

He continued to walk off and the girl stood up, but Jimmy had other plans. He raised his own blade over her. The girl let out a gasp and that was the sound that alerted Johnny to grab him by the throat. Jimmy dropped his blade and looked at Johnny in the same fear that girl felt.

“I said there’s no reason to kill her, so there isn’t a reason for you to kill her, either!”

“Why do you care about this measly girl?”

Nny shoved him away and said “Picking on those that can’t fight back leaves a sour tastes in my mouth. I only kill those that truly despicable and yet not worthy of the Master. That is all. You would be on that list, if the Master didn’t want to you merely gather some negative energy.”

“I don’t get it...You know we’re the bad guys, right? We’re suppose to destroy everything. Destroy innocent lives!"

Nny shot a dagger to Jimmy’s chest. “That’s for measly disgusting servants like you to do. It’s not that I want honor nor am I proud. I’m on this path because I have no other path to take. Better think twice before thinking you have me figured out. I hunt the big game, you just get the table scraps.”

“But, we have so much in common....we could work together...”

“First off, you don’t know me, so you don’t even know what we have in common and even if that were true, just because we anything in common, it does not guarantee you’re gonna like me. Have a better judge of character!”

“Wait...I’m just like you!”

With that he let out a grunt and just tossed him. He jumped and with his powers, these bladed hooks appeared and strung Jimmy down. The hooks piercing deep in his skin to the ground, like tacks sticking paper to a board.  Nny shot dark energy from his hand and shot Jimmy in the chest, causing him major pain, especially when the hooks ripped at his arms.

Johnny landed on the ground and snapped his fingers to make the hooks disappear. The girl fainted from the stress of watching that and by her own wounds. Johnny went over to her, picked her up and carried her off where she could recover safely, but not before saying

“I don’t really like myself that much.”

If it weren’t for the Dough Boys and the dark master having some use for him to gather negative energy by causing havoc, he wouldn’t be alive.

That’s why, he wanted to be called a different name. One that didn’t rhyme with Johnny. He chose “Nuka” despite he didn’t know what it meant at the time. He still didn’t mind the name. It just reminded him less of what he wanted at first. He never would ever admit to it, but he still admire Johnny. Being embarrassed and nearly killed by that someone, despite even telling Johnny his admiration, however, was a big insult to him.

To Nuka, it just meant Johnny thought of himself above others. That’s why Nuka wanted to prove he was better. He could fight and he was strong, but compared to the others he was still weak. He was just there to make other’s miserable so that the dark energy could rise. That seemed to be the only purpose he had, but he wanted to prove himself that he was something much more.

“But how?” He asked himself out loud. Then he heard something near the mansion and went to go check it out.

There he saw Mina and the Edgar coming out of the mansion. The knights were already heading back to their apartment.

“It’s that girl that always helps the knights out and her measly butler guy....” He then thought of something. “Hey, wait a second....” Then he stared at them as a grin came across his face.

With no hesitation, he jumped in. Mina stopped and gasped as she felt his presence approaching.

“What’s wrong, Mina?”

Nuka jumped in and tried to grab her.

“Mina, look out!” Edgar exclaimed as he tried to get in front of her as a shield but Nuka swatted him away. Magnus suddenly appeared, having sense the danger taking place ahead of time. He grabbed Mina out of danger and tried to hit Nuka with his cane.

“You!?” Nuka snapped “I thought you protected that vampire kid!”

“I, too, protect this young one and her family!” Magnus sneered under his breath. “ Seems like you really enjoy picking on those that can’t defend themselves! That just proves you will never change!”

This just made the crazed young man crazier with anger even more!

“Mina, get inside the house right now! Use any kind of protection charm or spell if need be!”

Mina, scared, just nodded and tried just that but Nuka just teleported in front of her and grabbed her! She screamed and let out a ball of energy she from her own hands, a small spell she mastered. It hit him in the face, but he was just too strong and it just mad him madder than he already was.

Magnus tried to intervene but Nuka shot out what looked to be a shadowy claw right at Magnus, hitting him right in the stomach, clawing him deep in the center. The elderly vampire fell back to the cold, hard, concrete ground.

“Magnus!” Mina cried.

Eric, also sensing the danger flew to his mentor. Before he could ask Magnus if he was alright, Mina cried to him.

“Eric!”

Eric reached out to Mina “Nuka, wait! Come back here!” He shouted but it was too late. He had gone to the dark area.

“Mina!” Magnus replied as he reached out helplessly. He then just collapsed from both his injuries and the devastation that reached his heart.

“Magnus, are you alright!?” Eric asked in grief.

“Edgar!” Devi called as she and Tenna ran to the scene.

“What happened?” Tenna said.

“Where’s Mina?” Devi asked.

“They took her....” Edgar said in the most pitiful and grieving voice they never heard from Edgar.

“No...” Was all Devi could say.


Saturday, May 7, 2016

Chapter 17 Friends or Enemies? The Knight Ace and The Lonely Boy!

Things were quiet for a couple days since Eric got his armor and they were able to defeat the Dark Master' s best henchmen.  However, it was mainly because Devi and Tenna had worn them out. That, and Eric was at full strength and determination.

However, even with their armor, they still needed to train to get use their powers and maintain control of their powers.  While Tenna and Devi trained together, Magnus would be in charged of most of Eric's training, being his powers and his fighting style was a bit different than the both of them. However, all three would still train together from time to time. 

Most of the energy attack training was done at an old construction site. It was gonna be some factory, but was left abandoned before the workers could even start to build the iron metal frame.

They were training in a grassy field near the outskirts of town. It was by a small creek. This was where they would do most of the small training, such as sword fighting and flying.  Mina also suggested the other two knights to meditate there, something Eric and Devi were good at but Tenna and the familiars weren't, for obvious reasons....


It was perfect weather for vampires, cold and cloudy, so the two vampires could train in the day, then Eric could do his night job. He worked part time at a retail video shop. He hated the thought of Tenna paying for stuff he needed, so he would find work as soon as possible. If he couldn't get work, he would just look to see if there was any criminals he could stop and see if he could take only money from them. It was better than taking from innocent lives, being they didn't need the money in jail. 

Magnus used his cane to mimic the movement of a sword and to show Eric a little one on one sword battle. Not with full power but enough to teach Eric how to wield and use the sword properly.

Eric was cautious but didn't hesitate when Magnus instructed to use a physical strike on him. Eric really started to understand the need to control his emotions, especially in battle.

For an old vampire like Magnus though, he didn't mind at all training Eric in the grassy field. It meant quiet places for him to rest and take a breather.

Eric was taking a few swings with sword in the air as Magnus observed.

"Keep the sword steady, Eric." Magnus told him.

"Got it." Eric replied After a few more practice strikes, Eric collapsed to his knees.

"Nice job." Magnus said in a little impressed tone.

"Thanks" Eric said as caught his breath.

"You best rest. " Magnus suggested. "Resting between practices is vital.  You never know when the real threat will show up."

"Believe me, after the hell those goons gave us, I know that all too well!" Eric added with Magnus just smirking at his comment.

Eric walked over to his teacher and sat down on the grass beside him. Eric couldn't help but smile.  He had been feeling good about himself. Letting out his feelings about himself and finally confronting what really bothered him inside. He felt more free, relaxed and confident. Something he honestly hadn't felt in a real long time.

He still wondered about the vampire from the other world. Who was he? Was he really from another world?  He thought about telling Magnus about Rosario. However, he decided to shrug it off for now and enjoy the rest of the day. Suddenly,  something caught Magnus' eye as he jolted his head forward. Eric noticed this almost right away. He looked at his instructor curiously.

"What's the matter?" He asked. Magnus didn't say anything. Eric turned and looked toward where he was looking at. Eric gasped a tiny bit as there stood the same little boy, that he saw on the cliffs, after he and his friends came back from the Dark Area.

"It's you..." Eric whispered towards the boy.

The boy was dressed in the same outfit as before.  His ice blue eyes stared at the two vampires in fear.  Eric got up slowly and stepped forward a little bit. He then realized he was still in his armor form. However, he knew if he transformed back, he would probably frighten the boy even more.

Eric made his sword disappear hidden by gesturing sheathing the sword. He walked over to the child steadily and knelt down a couple feet away from him. The boy backed away a little bit. Eric offered a friendly hand to him.

"It's alright..." He said gently to him. "Don't be scared...I know we look kinda creepy but this is just a costume.  We're practicing for...a stage play. It's all fake. "

The boy still looked scared at him. Eric realized the boy wasn't gonna take his hand.  Eric put his hands up as if to surrender or give up, then backed away slowly.

"Alright..." Eric said to the boy. "You don't want me to come near you. I'll respect that."

With that the boy relaxed his shoulders a little, letting out a small little sigh that almost sounded like "Squee..."

"Are you lost?" Eric asked him. " You're awfully far a way to be by yourself out here. Are you with anyone here?"

"He's not gonna listen to you, Eric. " Magnus told him as he walked over to Eric.

"Well, it doesn't hurt to try." Eric said to him. "He's really scared and we're on the outskirts of town. He shouldn't be out alone like this."

"Eric, I sense a strange energy from that boy..." Magnus said.

"A strange energy?" Eric replied.

Magnus looked at the boy as he tried to pinpoint where the energy was coming from, if it was coming from anywhere. He also did this to see if he could find a recognizable energy, like that of dark magic. He looked into the boy's eyes.

Within a couple seconds, Magnus started to feel faint. He collapse with a breathless sigh, as if just suddenly drained of his energy.

"Magnus! " Eric called out as he went over to help him. "Are you alright?"

Magnus managed to sit up almost right away but the boy began to run.

"Wait!" Eric called out to the boy. "Stop!" Eric gasped at the second sight he saw. The boy took his parasol and as it flew over him, the boy vanished. After he vanished, his white parasol flew up in the air, as if blown by a large gust of wind and disappeared just like it's owner.

"He..." Eric tried to get into his mind at what he just witnessed.  "He disappeared...."

"I knew I felt a strange energy from him..." Magnus replied "I felt a little bit of energy from the parasol that he was carrying."

Magnus let out another gravelly sigh as he tried to recover from the incident.

"Are you alright? " A worried Eric asked upon noticing this.

"Yes, I'll be fine. " He answered

"What happened?" Eric asked "To you, I mean...Did he hurt you?"

"No..." Magnus assured him. "Occasionally, I will experience sudden loss of energy.  This only lasts a few seconds to a couple minutes.  It tends to happen if I over do things. The combination of training and flying here probably is what triggered it. Checking his energy to see where it was coming from, just put some extra strain on me. Call it the results of getting old."

"Oh...." Eric replied

"A little rest and I'll be fine." Magnus explained "So no need for concern."

"Did the energy you sensed felt evil to you?" Eric asked

"It was hard to tell." Magnus answered "His energy felt different yet somewhat familiar from those of the Darkness. "

"Familiar yet different?" He said. He then thought about the first time he saw the boy.

"You seem to have seen the boy before." Magnus noted

"I have." Eric replied with a nod and explained "When we came back from the Dark Realm,  I saw him on the top of one of the mountain cliffs. I thought I was seeing things but this just proves what I saw. I think he might be the same boy Alex saw as well, the other night at the diner."

"Eric, I want you to be careful of him." Magnus warned him. "I'm not saying he is an enemy, but you must proceed him with caution. Even if he does appear in such a form, it could be a trick or he could be confuse on who he should trust, which is just as dangerous. Least, if his power is strong. It was hard for me to tell. "

"Right" Eric nodded in agreement.  "I understand..."

"Good. " Magnus said as he looked up. He slightly laid his long, slightly wrinkled,  right hand over his slowly fading heart. He did feel a pain in his chest from that incident. It was unusual for him to feel pain there. He wondered if the boy had something to do with it, but didn't seem like that was the case.

Eric noticing this asked "Are you sure you're alright? "

The old vampire nodded and " I suggest you go tell your friends about him. Your training is done for this evening.  I need to rest before the nightfall."

"Oh, alright then." Eric replied "Take care then!" With that he flew off.

Magnus walked over to the old tree where he sat before and sat down. A deep, pondering thought ran through his mind as he tried to relax and clear his head.

****
Meanwhile, Eric had came home to tell his friends what he and Magnus witnessed.

"Hmm...." Tenna replied, her body in a deep thought position, though not exactly in complete thought. To her or any of them, this didn't seem all that surprising. It did surprise for the fact that they had someone new to investigate and especially a child at that.

"Do you think that this kid is the fourth knight?" Tenna asked

"I sure hope not..." Eric replied sadly "Nor an enemy either. This kid looked too little to be on his own. He looked no more than 10. Not to mention but scared as hell. "

"Poor thing..." Demi replied sympathetically as she laid on her stomach on Devi's head. "He must be very lonely and frightened. I hope we find him before anything bad happens to him." 
"Magnus said to still be cautious though." Eric replied. "He's got strong powers from what he sensed."
"Plus, we don't even know if he's really a boy." Devi finally spoke up. "I mean, I don't want to fight him either, but he could be someone just taking the form of a young boy. We can't be too careful."
"True that..." Tenna replied. "With all the freaks we've been facing, we dunno what they will pull off next."

"That's true..." Eric replied. "Well, lets hope that he's not an enemy. Maybe we should talk to Mina about it tomorrow."

"Good idea." Devi replied. "We'll do so first thing after work tomorrow."

They all agreed with a nod.

As Eric got up to get ready for his work. After a minute or two, Devi came up to her friend and whispered "So, have you told him yet?"

"Tell him what...?" Tenna asked uncertainly.

"Your feelings for him!" Demi replied cheerfully, yet quiet enough for Eric not to hear. 

Tenna jumped back a little. "Wha...what brought this up?!"

Devi chuckled and said "So you didn't tell him..."

"Of course not!" Tenna snapped!

"What's going on?" Eric asked as he came over. He now wore a red work shirt with sleeves that went to his elbows, black vest over it, work slacks and shoes.

"Um, nothing!" Tenna replied. "Just girl talk!"

Eric looked at Devi with a confused expression as she just nodded.

"Um okay..." Eric replied. "Well, I'll seeya later. I gotta get to work."

"How do you fly with that outfit?" Devi asked.

"Well, it's not that far way. I just walk there." Eric replied. "I can't fly to every job. Someone's bound to see me one of these days if I did that."

"You don't have to work. I mean, I get plenty at my work." Tenna added.

"It's fine...I really do need to earn though. I feel bad when I can't provide my own needs. Beside, it's good for me to work. While I'm working, maybe I can keep an eye to see if I see that kid again."

"He wouldn't be out at night would he?" Devi asked.

"Well, he shouldn't been out on his own. We don't know if he even has parents..." Eric replied.

"He does have a point there." Tenna added.

With that Eric walked out towards his job.

"So, when are you going to tell him?" Devi asked.

"Probably never..." Tenna added.

"Oh, come on. You always tell me to go on dates and shit." Devi teased. 

"Well...that's because I thought that it would help you, since you know. You went out on dates before..." Tenna then sighed. "But whenever it comes to me...If I like a guy, I dunno why but I freeze up."

"So you never been on a date before?" Devi asked

"Once and it ended bad but...that was partially because of me...." Tenna added. "I know I'm a hypocrite. I tell you to go on dates, even when I haven't...Least all that much."

"It's okay." Devi replied putting her hand on her friend's shoulder. "You were trying to help me out, so nothing to feel bad about."

"How do you do it, Devi? I mean you went out on a couple dates before?"

"I just think about being myself. If I'm just myself, then I see if he likes me."

"And if he doesn't?" 

Devi shrugged and said "Then at least I know that he doesn't, I don't need to put up with him and I move on."

"Just like that?" 

"Well...Of course, I do get heart broken and a little disappointed, but even with that. You gotta move on. You can't make someone love you."

"I guess..." Tenna looked down. "I sometimes still think he likes you...."

"Well...sometimes I get that too but I think he knows I don't feel the same. We're just friends."

"Did you like him when you first met him? Just curious."

"Well, I did at first. I mean you know. He's polite and sincere. Wish most guys were more like that but we just met that one time. That doesn't seal the deal."

"I guess..." Tenna replied 

Devi smiled and said "Besides, I have a feeling you might have a better chance with him then you think."

Tenna raised her eye brow at her and asked "Really? What makes you say that?"

Devi then thought about the time she spotted the two together, hugging warmly on the bench before Tenna got her armor. She walked over to a window.

She finally replied still smiling. "Oh, just a hunch...."

****
"Tenna was sure acting strange..."  Eric thought as he walked towards his job at an electronic store. "I wonder if somethings up...?"

Then looked at his gauntlet and asked "What do you think?"

It dimly flashed as if to respond to him and Eric just smiled.  Then he touched his heart and in his mind a memory came. He continued walking towards his job.

"Maybe our feelings just haven't connected yet..." He thought.

****
Back at their apartment complex, Devi spotted something outside the window. Standing on the sidewalk, under the dimly lit street light, was the boy from before.

"Could it be...?" Devi replied quietly.

"What is it?" Tenna asked. 

"I think that's that kid, Eric and Alex described!" Devi replied.

"What!?" Tenna replied. With that Devi ran out with Demi, Tenna and Spooky behind her.

Once they got there, the boy clearly had vanished into thin air. 

"He was just here!" Devi said breathing heavily from running. 

"You saw him?" Tenna asked

"Yeah, I mean. He looked exactly like Eric and Alex described him. He was all alone and he was holding a parasol. Not many kids would fit that description! I mean what little boy carries a white parasol around, especially at night?"

"Well he can't be too far away." Tenna added

"Unless he flew off, like Eric said." Devi added. 

"We can fly around and see if we can find him." Demi explained. "You don't have to worry about me and Spooky, it's getting dark and most people aren't here."

"Too risky." Devi replied. "For all we know, those goons could be around and we can't afford losing you two."

"Ditto!" Tenna added. "We'll just have to look around him on foot and if it gets dark enough, maybe we can fly."

They did just that. After spending an hour, they met back at the apartment, especially when it started to rain.

"No use..." Tenna replied as she walked into her apartment and sat down. 

"I can't believe he just suddenly disappears like that..." Devi stated. "Why is he even here...? Is he trying to tell us something?"

"Do you think he's a ghost?" Tenna asked

"No." Devi replied. "I don't think ghosts work like that. Just suddenly appearing in random places like a mountain and a hill side? Ghosts, from what I recall, mainly haunt the place they cherished or died at."

"Well, whatever, he is..." Demi replied as she looked out the window. "I hope he's safe..."

"I understand how you feel Demi..." Devi replied sympathetically as she walked over to her familiar. "Me too...No kid should be out in the rain like this."

****

The next day, they did just that, at Mina's store.

"That's odd." Edgar replied as he put his hand under his chin. "What would a little boy being doing out there and you said Magnus sensed a power from the boy?"

"Yeah." Eric said in bat form. "I kinda did too but it was faint, of course, I'm still not as strong with sensing things as Magnus."

Devi explained "Yeah and whenever we get remotely near him or notice him, he disappears."

"We dunno if he's friend, foe, trying to tell us something or not." Tenna replied.

"Hey, Mina, do you think you can use that crystal ball of yours to find him?" Devi asked

"I'll try. It's hard to pin point if I dunno specifically what I'm looking for." Mina replied.

"If you can, that will be helpful." Devi replied. "We'll just keep an eye out in the mean time."

****
The next day, the three knights were out training near the construction site area. They checked the field the other day, but the kid never showed. They would occasionally fly around a certain area, to see if they could find him but to no avail.

"Alright." Said Devi "I want you to attack me as quick as you can. Don't use your full attack. This is just dodging practice. See how fast we can quickly avoid getting hits. I'll go first, then Tenna and Eric. Try to be as on spot you can and try different angles as well."

"Alright." Eric replied.

"Let's do it!" Tenna replied.

With that, that's what they did. At first they did it one at a time, where one was shooting at her and then both at once. Devi was getting the hang of it. It seemed like their armor forms gave them extra agility and flexibility, to even do back flips and somersaults. At least, that's what it felt like to them. They knew they couldn't have done all of that normally. They even tried to without transforming. It didn't work.

As soon as they rested a bit, a blast from the sky hit near them. They looked up to see Nny in his armored form. 

"You call that training?" Nny commented. "Looks more like child's play to me! No wonder you can't get close to defeating my master."

"We'll show you!" Tenna snapped. 

"Easy, Ten, we don't need to get him madder than he already is!" Devi warned. 

He shot at them again and this time they dodged. They took a few strikes at him, both physical and energy. Then when Nny was about to do a full on energy attack, Eric used his Vampire Shield to block, while Devi added a spell over the shield to make the attack bounce back, while Tenna provided extra energy for both the shield and the spell.  The attack shot back at Nny in the chest and knocked him back a bit. 

Nny then landed near them. All three knights were exhausted and looked at him a bit worried. They braced themselves for another attack but Nny was suddenly stopped by someone. 

They all stared in surprise. There stood between the knights and Nny, was a young man in a shining silver armor, with a red sash tied around him and a white cape. The fabric underneath his armor was grey.His hair was blonde that tied in a long braid pony tail and his eyes were green. His skin was a peach color. In his hand that stopped Nny's attack, was a long, double edge sword with a golden handle and oddly, a cursive style capital "A" in red jewels, right in the middle part of the handle. 

The man looked gently at Nny, which surprised him at first but then he jumped away, quickly. 

"Who are you!?" Nny demanded. 

The man said nothing and kinda looked at the him sadly. 

Nny was about to call on a full attack, when suddenly the young man raised his sword up. All of a sudden, Devi's gem on her armor glowed. Suddenly a beam of light shot out and onto his sword. There placed in the middle of the handle was a magenta colored, heart shaped gem. 

He then slid his index finger up his blade and a giant heart shape beam appeared. The man finally called out. "Ace-Heartful Shot!"  as he put his blade up as if ready to fight. "Shoot!" He called out as he stabbed the heart, which shot into Nny directly, causing him to skid to the ground.

The others looked in shock at what just happened. The new knight walked over to Nny and offered his hand to help him up. He still smiled at him as if he knew him. Suddenly, Nny just slapped his hand away and disappeared. 

Before the young man could as well, Devi and her friends stopped him from behind.

"Wait!" Devi called. "Who are you?"

"Are the knight we've been looking for?" Tenna asked.

The young man just looked at them and finally said in a slight monotone voice "I dunno what you're talking about. I've come only to save him and to prevent him from hurting anymore people. I did not come here to join you."

"What kind of answer is that?" Devi asked. 

With that he jumped away and disappeared into thin air, leaving the knights distraught and confused. 





Friday, July 19, 2013

Chapter 16 The Onyx Dragon Part 3: The Vampire From Another World

Please note the character "Rosario Harmoni" belongs to me and me alone! He's originally from my own novel series "Peace of the Rose".  I also own the character Eric's mother. I haven't given her a name yet. :P 

Eric was still stuck in a dream like state during that time. He had just heard a voice and began to look around to see where it had came from.


"Hello?" Eric called out. "Is there someone there?"


No answered as he continued to fly over to no where. He didn't know what else to do. As he floated for a little while, he then stopped as he saw someone in front of him. It was a young man about 14 or so, with burgundy red hair that went to his shoulders. He was dressed in a dark brown coat with a white shirt, green vest and the same color brown pants with black shoes. Chained to his vest appeared to be a strange object. The metal part of the object was almost a smooth oval shape, but on top of it had four curved corners that made it look dragon's head (with four "horns" on top. Two on one side and two on the other) In the middle of the strange pendant was a large ruby gem. Upon the man's ruffle collar was also a red ruby.


When the boy opened his eyes, he revealed to have unusual golden eyes and in his hands was a scythe. At the top where the blade came out, was a large round disk with a large ruby just like the pendant on his vest and collar jewel. This disk was on both sides of the scythe. Upon his back were large reddish brown wings.


Despite the usual appearance, the young man had a kind and warm expression in his face. There just wasn't a scary feeling about him. His appearance just didn't matter. The wings, the scythe, the gold coin eyes and the strange jewels didn't matter. The warmth in his face and just the aura around him, didn't make you care about that. You just felt he was good.


Least to Eric, who was cautious but approached the strange young man anyway.


"Um..." Eric began to say "Hi...uh...Who are you?"


"My name is Rosario Harmoni." The young man said. The young boy spoke in a soft and light tone of voice. There wasn't a specific accent. (If you want picture his voice as being the same as the English voice of Takato from Digimon Tamers except slightly deeper being he's 14).


"I'm Eric Vanheart." Eric introduced himself.


"Oh, those no need to tell me who you are." Rosario said "I know."


"You do? How's that?" Eric asked


"Because I'm a vampire too." Rosario explained then he chuckled "Well its not just that. You see, I came here because I too possess the crystal heart of a dragon and it called upon me to come to you in this dream."


"What do you mean?"

****

"Woo hoo!" Nuka cheered as he leaped around in air in celebration. “We are finally winning against the knights and we did it without that trump, Nny!"

“Oh quit your obnoxious yelling!" Anne snapped. “It’s just as bad as your sniveling! "

“Jee, Anne would you just lighten up?" Nuka whined.

“Shut up the both of you!" Mr. Eff snapped at the both of them. “We still haven’t finished them off yet!"

“Do we have to kill them right now though? " Nuka asked in a slobbering kind of way. “I was hoping to torture the pigtail girl in front of Nny… Maybe have some ‘special’ time too, if you know what I mean."

“Ugh!" A disturbed shiver went down Anne’s back as he said this. “Please keep your sick fantasies to yourself!"

“Enough! " said the annoyed voice of Johnny who floated behind them in his armor form. He floated down between Anne and Nuka.

“Nny…" Anne said in surprise.

“I’ll finish them off." Nny said

Hearing Nny’s voice Devi look up at him. “Nny…"

Nuka gawked in shock and huffed “Hey why should you…"

“Lay a finger on her and I’ll turn you inside out." Johnny eyed him threatenly.

Anne just stayed quiet like she wisely should. Not even uttering a breath to him.

“Well Devi looks like you get to hang out with Nny after all!" Anne said in a fake cheery voice.

“Shut up." Nny told her causing her to back away slowly.

“Alright!" Mr. Eff said “Nny means business! About f@#$ time! Go get them!"

With that Nny flew forward at Devi.

****

“What do you mean you were called upon into this dream and what do you mean like me you have a stone of a dragon? I have a stone of a dragon?" Eric asked Rosario.

Rosario chuckled “You sound just like me when I first became a vampire and a hero."

“Huh?" Eric replied in confusion. Then Eric looked in shock when something appeared behind Rosario. 
It was a red medieval type dragon appeared behind Rosario.

Rosario just smiled and answer “We’re actually just both dreaming. I guess you can say we’re sharing a dream. "

“We are?" Eric asked

Then Rosario nodded and then explained “As for the dragon stone, hold out your wrist you wear your special item on."

“My special item? " Eric replied and then he held out his right hand. With that the gauntlet appeared on his wrist.

Rosario nodded as he said “That stone is actually the spiritual heart of a dragon. Just like mine."as he held the strange dragon head shape pendant of his.

Eric gasped in surprise.

Rosario’ s face became a bit serious. “But that’s why it backfired on you. Since it’s the heart of a dragon, it wants lend it’s power to someone that’s worthy of it’s power."

Eric looked at him in surprise again but a small sad expression came on his face.

“A dragon’s heart is to be used by those willing to protect." Rosario explained

“And I’m not worthy of it’s powers…" Eric said sadly.

“Course you are." Rosario said, his face returning to a gentle expression for a moment. “But something in your heart is holding you back and preventing you from wielding it's power. You need to reflect. What do you think is holding you back? What are you afraid of?"

“I don’t understand…" Eric said “I thought I was just afraid of getting hurt by this thing. I didn’t want to tell my friends that because I didn’t want them to worry or get hurt…"

“Is that really what you believe it is?" Rosario asked.

"Huh?" Eric replied

“Eric, are those the real reasons that you think that caused that Black Dragon Stone to backfire on you?" Rosario asked again.

Eric looked down as he thought about it.


"Well..." Eric replied Putting his right hand in a relaxed fist to his chest. He started to remember something from long ago.

Eric looked at him for a moment and a memory flashed back into his mind.


Eric suddenly got a twinge of pain from the gauntlet. Even in his dream he felt like something piercing  through his heart. In real life, Eric while in bed, gasped in pain. This caught the sight of Edgar, who had finally gotten back and was checking up on Eric in the room. Eric began to glow as his gauntlet appeared and his body began to twinge, his facial expression clearly showing grief and pain.


"Oh my..." Edgar said worriedly "Please hang in there, Eric!"


Magnus who had been waiting for Mina to get ready, also caught sight of what was going on. A sad expression appeared on his face, but the elderly vampire simply looked away and tried focusing on what he and Mina had to do.

Back in his dream, Eric remembered his mother was being abused both physical and verbally by his tyrant of a dad. A 6 year old Eric looked on in horror. He was on the left side of the room between his mom and dad.

“Stop that!" Eric cried out. “Please dad stop right now!" The little boy dressed in a white, baggy, long sleeve shirt and black pants, ran in front of his mother and got slapped across the left cheek by his father’s furious hand.

“Eric!" His mother cried. As the boy tried to get up, his dad grabbed him by the arm and threw him against the wall. The boy fell to the ground with a thud, shivering from pain and fear.

“Eric! " His mother cried out again. “No! How could you do that to your own son!?"

“Shut up!" His dad snapped “That brat of yours deserves it for being a little wimp he is!"

Eric tried getting up. His dad practically growled “I didn’t say you could get up boy!"

Eric’s father was about to slam his foot down on him, but his mother intervened by covering her son with her body.

“No mother!" He cried out

His father finally left the room, leaving the poor boy in tears in his mother’s arms.

“That day I never felt so helpless." Eric said in tears as he remembered. “I hated seeing someone getting hurt because of me. That’s my fear. Of people getting hurt because of me and not being be able to do anything about it...."


Then he paused for a moment and as he crossed his arms and held them tightly in an expression of insecurity or longing, he finally said " I felt like people shouldn't worry about me. I never felt my life was worth anyone else's time. With the few that cared, I still hated myself. Maybe for being weak. Maybe I just felt too useless to be loved, but I guess I still wanted try. I wanted to be someone opposite of my dad, someone that could at least make someone smile and show them what I long to feel.  I thought maybe that could little by little, close that hole that was inside my heart."

He paused again as he thought how he left his friends and said as tears ran down his face "It did when I gained friends who actually cared about me, but sometimes it didn't...Sometimes it felt like the hole was getting wider...I was too scared to let anyone know what I was going through or my true feelings...I didn't want to face my friends when I became a vampire...I felt scared that they would reject me and leave me all alone. I couldn't face that head on...Out all the feelings in this world, nothing feels worse than feeling unloved...." 

Rosario finally said "If that's so why would you wish for that on yourself and others?"

Eric looked at him in surprise as Rosario continue on saying with a smile on his face. "You made so many people feel good about themselves and saved others countless times. With so many people drawn to you by your kindness and consideration of others, how can you say you hate yourself or even say you're weak? Most people who would have gone through what you have,  would end up being depressed or full of anger at the world. You chose to be the better person all the way through, no matter what pain you went up against. That to me is true strength right there."

As Rosario said this, Eric heard a couple voices around him. They were of his friends and he thought of what he had said to Magnus, about all the good came when he turned into a vampire. Then a leaf shape light appeared in front of him. 

"What's this...?" Eric replied as he touched the leaf. He then smiled as he felt a warm light from it.

Rosario finally spoke again, his tone of voice full of warmth. "Your friends care about you and they want you to be happy, that includes feeling good about your own self. Loving yourself is just as important as loving others. It will give you the strength to go through anything."

Eric thought about it for a moment, letting what Rosario had said to him sink into him before he warmly replied "That is true..."


"I do understand how you felt about that whole rejection thing." Rosario said to him. "I was born different than most people due to my eyes that would glow. However, running away isn't a way to solve the problem. Even if you're scared, you never know until you face it. At least, if someone ever did reject you for who you are, you'll know and not have to linger on those thoughts. And hey, if they don't reject you, those are the ones worth keeping, right?"

Eric looked at him a bit surprised by this and in an upbeat tone replied "Yeah!" He then looked down at his gauntlet. 

“Trust yourself, Eric. "  Rosario told him. “Trust you and the bond you have with your friends. That's where true strength comes from and the dragon's heart will sense that and trust you as well."

“I think I understand that now." Eric said.

“Your friends need you now." Rosario warned. “The Rose Dragon told me they're endanger. "

“You serious!?" Eric asked in a shock.

"You must awaken now and go to them." Rosario said but with a voice of another, what seem to be his own dragon channeling through him. "Let the power of the Black Onyx Dragon guide you!" 


Eric nodded as he held out his item, then the black onyx dragon appeared. It had a long slender head like that of a normal western dragon with black spines and scales that shimmered like black onyx stones. It let out a loud hiss like roar. It looked at the vampire who wield it's heart, with eyes as blue as Eric's.  Eric let out a surprise gulp but nodded to assure it he was going to make things right. 

Eric looked at Rosario and asked "Will I ever see you again?"

“Probably some day." Rosario assured him with a warm smile.


Eric lifted his gauntlet arm out and said to the dragon. “Kay, I understand now of what I need to do and I won't run anymore! So please give me the strength I need to protect everyone!"

The dragon let out another roar as if to agree and ready to fight. 


The black stone glimmered as if to agree as well. With that Eric focused his powers and finally awakened. 
He sat up quickly. Then he looked at the leaf that was left on him. He knew it was that of Tenna and Devi as well as their familiars. 

"Guys..." Eric said quietly under his breath. He smiled at this as he gently held the leaf to his chest. "Thank you and hang on...I'll be right there shortly!"

"Eric, hold on!" Edgar said in concern. "You're not going to fight are you?! You just practically came out of a coma!"

Eric smiled at him "I have to! My friends need me and I'm not going to abandon them!" He then gave Edgar the leaf. "Keep this safe until I get back." He told Edgar and held his gauntlet out and transformed into his armor. “Take me to my friends…"  He told it. With that Eric disappeared. By now Mina and Magnus were at the mountain side. 

****
Thanks to the fact that Nny wanted to work alone and that Tenna and Devi had managed to scatter and hide like mice in a house, they managed to survive for this whole time. Hiding behind whatever they could find to rest and take turns taking a few shots at him.

However, they couldn’t keep up and finally they couldn’t hold their transformation any more. Nny exhausted but still enough energy, he turned to Tenna and was about to do the finishing blow.

“Johnny no!’ Devi cried out.

Tenna looked in horror as his blade was held above her head. As he swung down, he was suddenly was paralyzed and then something forced him back. Everyone witnessing were surprised.

Tenna who had braced herself for impact, looked up to see what stopped him. There standing in front of her, facing Johnny was Eric.

“Eric?" Tenna said quietly, expecting the gauntlet to have taken over him again.

Eric turned his head to look behind him at Tenna. He smiled at her.

“Eric, you’re alright! " Tenna cheered.

Eric smirked and said “Was there ever a doubt?"

“Eric!" Devi said in relief.

“Sorry I’m late." Eric said “I had to do some reflecting but we’ll talk about it later. Take a breather. I’ll handle this!"

Johnny looked him as cringed and struggle to get up.

“How that little bat boy get here!?" Anne exclaim. She and the other Dark members looked still were in surprise.

“Why because," Eric said and he introduced himself. “Fueled by the determination to protect my friends. Armor black as pitch. I'm the Onyx Dragon Knight!"

Eric arched his sword up and said “As long I have my friends and love ones, I won’t give up the fight."

“Ek…" Anne cringed “Spare me the friendship speech!"

Eric just smirked at her comment and then looked at Johnny who growled tiredly “I don’t need anyone! Not friends or family nor anyone else!"

“Johnny…" Devi said sadly

“Someone’s arrogant…" Anne commented quietly.

“Well you know Johnny," Eric said as he lean on his sword in a sarcastic, slightly prideful tone. “That’s lousy way of thinking. You should really change that."

“Stop your yapping!" Nny snapped

“Right" Eric agreed. He jumped and the two collided blades with each other. As they did energy from their attacks started shatter out, which caused some of the other minions to leave, except Mr. Eff and Anne who tried attacking together at Eric , but Devi and Tenna transformed and quickly to take them out. 


As they slam their swords together, Eric also heard a faint voice coming out of no where, desiring help. 

Eric stopped for a moment in surprise, but then had to block Nny's attack once, but Nny was getting tired and Eric having been fully rested up, managed to push Nny back and away enough to do a finishing move.

 Eric arched up his sword over his shoulder and called out “Ready, set! Black Thunder!" Then as he swung his sword down he shouted “Raider!"

With that his sword blasted tremendous amount of the black and white electrical energy. Nny blocked it with his energy shield.  The blast was so big though, it was firing sparks in the opposite direction, right at him and his friends. Mr. Eff and Anne decided to head out knowing they wouldn't be strong with all three of them together.

“Everyone, gather behind me!" Eric told them. As they did, Eric put his free hand over the cross on his belt, while keeping his other hand on his sword and threw what appeared transparent image.  As he did a faint image of a cross like the one on his belt appeared in front of him.

“Vampire’s Shield!" Eric called out. Suddenly a faint black sphere went around them and made a force field, protecting them from the attack.  Nny collapsed as his shield broke taking part of the attack.

When it was finally over, Tenna and Devi along with their familiars, looked in astonishment. They had won.

“Whoa!" Tenna said “That was awesome!"

Eric panted and nearly fell back. Tenna caught him just in time.


“Eric!" Tenna said worryingly. “Are you alright?!"

Eric opened his eyes and turned his head to her and assured her “Yeah, just a bit worn out that’s all."

“Well, you got out of a coma and took down Nny. " Devi stated as she walked up to them. “Can’t blame ya for that."

“Well you two had done most of the fighting." Eric said as Tenna helped him up. “I just did the finishing move on him. You even took down two of his minions coming after me. Thanks for that. Wish I was here sooner. "

“Least you got here, " Tenna said “and you saved us! "

“And you’re alright." Devi added

Eric nodded and then Tenna asked “Um, how are we gonna get out of here?"

Eric’s gem blinked which Eric noticed and then he said “Hey, I have an idea. "


“Hmm?" They looked at him. 

****
“You sure this will work?" Devi asked after what Eric had told them.

“I saw it in an anime once." Eric said “That and my gauntlet did get me here. Won’t hurt to try."

“Ditto, on that!" Tenna replied

Without saying anything more, the three friends joined hands and began to focus their energy. As they did they began glowing as their energy combined and they floated off the ground slightly. Little did they know that Johnny was also glowing as he watched them. Within a minute, a portal opened up. This caught them off guard a bit as they looked but focused up again and soon they vanished.

Magnus and Mina were concentrating at the foot of the mountain. They were the ones that had opened the portal to help the knights escape.  Edgar had called them and told them that Eric had vanished. Magnus,somehow knew that Eric had teleported to the Dark Area by himself.

 Suddenly the three knights appeared where they were pulled in before just as they thought. Mina and Magnus fell to their knees, but Mina was able to get up and help Magnus. As Devi and Tenna started to fall, they used their weapons to fly again. Eric of course, had his wings to fly.

As they flew down, Tenna was yelling “Woo hoo!". They laughed in celebration which made Mina smile in excitement and relief. Magnus just smirked a little bit, not wanting to waste energy as much as needed to.

While flying down, Eric spotted something upon one of the mountain cliffs near by. Eric flew closer to get a better look. It was that of a young boy with dark hair and an unusual outfit. It was black and slightly baggy with white trimming and in his hands was a white parasol.

When Eric realize it was a boy, he tried to move closer but all of a sudden, a big gust of wind came up, pushing Eric back. When Eric looked again the boy was gone without a trace. Eric looked where he had seen the boy in confusion, but decided to just join his friends down on the ground.

“Hey Eric, what’s wrong?" Tenna asked

“Oh nothing…" Eric replied brushing off what he saw as just been a trick of the eye. “Just thought I saw something, that’s all."

“It seems like you finally got control of your armor. " Mina said “I’m glad."

“Indeed. " Magnus said with a calm but proud smile. “Nice job."

“Thanks" Eric replied.

“Yeah…" Tenna almost started crying again as she hugged Eric, surprising him a bit. “I’m so glad you’re okay!"

“We were worried about you." Demi from inside Devi’s heart said. Devi nodded in reply.

“Sorry…" Eric said “I should have told you what I was feeling. Didn’t mean to worry you guys. "

Then he returned Tenna's hug warmly as they all enjoyed the warm feeling of relief. It was a small step, but it was an improvement. 


****
It was sunset and the three friends and their familiars, walked on a bridged that over looked the city in the distance. Eric was in his normal self, wearing a navy blue long sleeve shirt, black pants, sneakers and red belt.  Tenna was in an orange top, green cargo pants and neon green and black high tops. Devi was in a magenta colored midriff, dark blue jeans and black boots.

"You told us your dad was a jerk and hated you, but I didn't know he was that abusive to you too..." Devi replied as Eric had told him what happened and explained a bit of his past. He felt it was time to open up a bit about that. They were a bit surprised. 

"He was to the both of us. That's why my mom was desperate to get us out of there, least eventually...My dad was very kind when he first met mom, least from what she told me. Something just snapped in him or maybe was always like that and just showed his true colors later, I dunno." Eric replied.

"That's awful...." Tenna replied as she looked down sadly.

"Yeah..." Eric replied with a smile. "I mean, for the most part I try not to let it bother me so much, especially so I don't live there anymore."

"I guess..." Tenna replied.

"But that's still quite a bit of an ordeal you had to go through..." Devi replied, still a bit baffled, though now it made perfect sense to why he was like that. She remembered that Oblivia had told her, he went through hell. She couldn't imagine anymore ordeals he had went through because of his abusive dad alone.

Tenna thought the same thing. She wasn't too sure how to even respond to that.

"Well, yeah it was." Eric replied. "Sometimes, I even wondered how the hell I went through it, but I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Tenna was silent for a bit and then touched Eric's wrist as she asked "Y-you don't still hate yourself, do you?"

Eric looked at her for a moment and smiled as he gently touched her hand. "No. Well, I'm working on that at least..." He said the last bit nervously and then confidently replied. "With everyone including you four needing me, I can't just dwindle in self pity. That's not going to exactly help defeat the dark master."

"Good answer!" Tenna replied happily. "We'll help you boost that confidence up!"

"Mhm!" Demi replied happily next to Devi who smiled warmly in agreement. 

Tenna quickly jumped and kept her hands to herself, a bit flustered at what she just did. Eric just looked at Tenna's behavior in oddness, but smiled slightly as he turned his head towards the sun a little bit. Devi, Demi and Spooky let out a silent giggle, covering their mouths with their hands.

"So now your gauntlet can change you into your normal self?" Tenna asked trying to change the subject.

"Yeah." Eric replied happily. "However, I can't do it all the time. Magnus said it can strain on my powers a bit, if I do it a lot, so I still need to stay in bat form in the sun at times. But yeah, if I need to return to my normal self, I can without kissing anyone. "

"Thank goodness..." Devi whispered.

"I'm thankful for that as well.." Eric replied, feeling a bit guilty.

"Is that suppose to mean something?" Tenna teased.

"Nothing!" Eric replied nervously. "I just felt wrong doing that because...well proper etiquette you know..."

"I was just teasing you, Eric!" Tenna giggled. 

He then looked down sort of guiltily as he said "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys how I was feeling."

"It's alright." Tenna insisted worriedly. "I kinda was to blame too...I shouldn't have pressured you like that."

"I needed it though." Eric replied "I was just worried about what would happen if the gauntlet did backfire and well, hurting all of you, but I didn't want you to worry."

"Eric, we're friends." Devi simply put it with a smile. "We're suppose to worry about each other. Having friends worry and care you doesn't mean you're being bothersome. It's part of the deal when you have friends. " 

"Yeah, you can always tell us what's bothering you." Tenna replied. "We won't think differently of you or treat you any different. You have our backs and we do the same for you."

"I know that now..." Eric replied warmly "Thanks...." Eric felt his eyes glisten with tears, he had kept so much inside, it was finally just flowing out. He didn't have time earlier to let out his emotions.

Tenna noticed and immediately embrace him warmly. Devi came over and put a comforting hand on his back, while Demi and Spooky landed on both his shoulders. No words were spoken. Everyone just knew how each other felt. 

"I wonder...." Eric thought and then smiled. "Ah, forget it. I'm sure one day I'll see my old friends again and when I do, I'll apologize to them and see truly if they still feel the same way as my friends do now. It maybe a little scary but I won't hide away anymore. Right now, I have current friends that I need to protect and care for. I won't lose them, ever!"

After the warm embrace, they separately but not before Eric and Tenna touched the tip of their foreheads together sweetly, as Eric looked warmly at Tenna, who had her eyes closed shyly.  As soon as they separated, Eric announced " I promise I''l let you know if something seriously bothering me."

"You better!" Tenna replied with Devi nodding.

Eric then took out the leaf that they made and held it against the sunset.

 Demi replied. "That leaf thing was Tenna's idea. She thought it would help remind you that we here for you."

Tenna got a bit flustered and smiled nervously as she rubbed the back of her own head.

"I figured." Eric replied happily. "I felt it when I was knocked out. It even appeared to me in my dream." He then turned to Tenna with a gentle expression of gratitude, he continued "Thanks, you guys and especially to you Tenna."

Tenna got really flustered and quickly in an upbeat tone to hide her feelings said "You're welcome!"

Devi sighed and then let out a laugh with Demi a bit at their hopeless friend. Eric chuckled at his friends warmly as they watched the sunset over the city.


Eric then noted something as he remembered one other thing. "I heard a voice when I clashed my sword with Johnny's."

They all looked at Eric in surprise.

"It wasn't Johnny's voice." Eric explained. "It was like...like someone else was trapped inside him. Who's voice was it...?"