Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Chapter 11 A Brand New Feeling

Devi's Log */**/****

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually feel...Happy! O.o Like something good is gonna come out of today. I mean at the same time, I can't help but shake off that something bad is going to happen before the good... I dunno, maybe its the vacation? 

Devi couldn't shake off this weird feeling. She felt like something amazing is going to happen that day and she just didn't know why or what it was. At the same time, she also felt like something bad was going to happen before hand. She wondered if she was just going nuts and was in between good and bad feelings.

Maybe it was a bad idea to take a vacation... Devi thought in her head and sighed. It was sunny that day, therefore, they decided to go out in town that day.

"Finally the rain cleared!" Tenna shouted as she jumped out into the outside.

"I kinda liked it." Eric replied as he rode on Devi's right shoulder in his bat form.

Devi smiled at him and said "Yeah, me too. I enjoy rainy days more then sunny ones."

"I like splashing puddles!" Tenna said and then she sneezed as she said "But that doesn't mean I want it rain all the time."

"Did you get a cold Tenna?" Eric asked

"Aww, I warned ya about jumping around in the rain like that!" Devi told her in a nagging sort of sense.

"It's just a sniffle!" Tenna assured them.

Devi laughed a little bit and shook her head. Eric looked at Devi as he noticed her better attitude.

Maybe this vacation helped her come around a bit more. Eric thought happily in his mind. Least she's feeling a bit better and more like the way she was when I first met her.

"So, what do you wanna do today?" Tenna asked "I got a map with a list of all the interesting places we can go and things to do!" She said as she held the map up in her hands.

"Um..." Devi replied trying to think.

"Why don't we all look at the map and see what to decide together." Eric suggest

"Spooky!" Mr.Spooky replied in agreement.

Before Demi could agree her senses caught something for a quick moment. "Huh?" As she turned to see if she could see anything.

"What is it Demi?" Devi asked her familiar on her head.

"Oh, nothing." Demi replied Maybe it was just my imagination...Besides Devi is in a good mood, so today is gonna be a happy day! With that she perked up with her pigtails arching up and down.

They decided to go to a shopping area near an aquarium the also planned on going to. Through out the time, Demi couldn't help but feel a faint distinction. She couldn't put her little arm on it. It was a faint energy that would appear and disappear the moment she started to feel it, so couldn't decide whether it was something to be weary of. Especially since Devi didn't seem to feel it either. Demi wished the feeling would go away.

I wonder if Mr. Spooky feels it too? She thought to herself.

"Demi, what's wrong?" Eric asked as he flew over to her on Devi's left shoulder.

"Oh, its nothing really." Demi replied

"Hmm, what's up?" Devi looked on her shoulder.

"I noticed you keep looking around like you're searching for something." Eric explained and asked "Is there something going on?"

Demi shook her head and said "No, just doing some sight seeing."

"Well, we can do some sight seeing in the aquarium." Demi replied "I really want to go in there and check out what kind of creatures they have in there."

"Well, they have fish that's for sure." Demi replied

Devi giggled and said "Yeah but thing about fish is that they come in different shapes and forms. I find the ocean and the underwater world pretty interesting, cause of all the weird creatures that come from there."

"You mean they have sea monsters or things like that there?" Demi asked curiously.

"No, they're fish but they look weird." Devi explained "Some fish like from the dark ocean depths, look like something from outer space or straight out of hell. That's kinda one of the reasons why I like going to places like aquariums, cause they give me inspiration for some of the stuff I work on."

"Sounds creepy..." Demi replied "But cool at the same time!" then she perked up and said "Lets go!"

"That's the spirit." Eric replied though not sure of her over enthusiasm about the creepy fish part.

They looked at all different exhibits. Demi got up close a tank with a pufferfish in it. She turned her head curiously at it and as she did the pufferfish blown up which scared her. Demi flew behind Devi who just chuckled at her.

Eric also chuckled and said "It's alright. That fish is more scared of you then you are of it."

"That fish just became a spiky balloon!" Demi exclaimed.

"It's called a 'pufferfish' " Devi explained

"Huh?" Demi replied

"It's a pufferfish." Eric explained and said "It's a fish that puffs up when it feels threaten."

"So it thought I was gonna hurt it?" Demi asked

"Yeah, that or it wanted to impress you!" Devi teased "It might have a little crush on you thought it do the macho act to impress you."

"Ew, yuck!" Demi replied "I don't want to date him, he's got fishy breath!"

They laughed good heartedly as they walked away to look at something else.

"Oh, yikes!" Devi replied as she notice some people looking at them strangle. "We really should be quiet...Damn it!"

"We should really find Tenna." Eric replied

"Oh yeah!" Devi replied

"Hey!" Tenna said as she came over to them.

"Hey Ten." Devi replied "Where were you?"

"Oh, I was at the park outside and saw you two come in here." Tenna replied "Having fun?"

"Yeah..." Devi answered then noticed Eric flew onto Tenna's shoulder.

"Thought it was time to switch rides?" Tenna asked

"Well I thought Devi could use a break from carrying me." Eric replied

"I could use a break from you kissing me to transform..." Tenna added.

"Sorry..." Eric replied a little shamefully

Tenna looked at him for a moment and smiled warmly and said "Just kidding!"

"Yeah, we don't take it personally anymore." Devi explained "Especially since you just do it in an emergency."

"Yeah..." Eric replied a little shyly. It wasn't something he was proud of but at times he had no choice. His bat form was useless at least when it came to fighting. He wished there was some other way to transform without doing that. He felt so wrong doing that. Not kissing any of them but just doing it without much of their content. It felt wrong kissing someone he wasn't dating.

"Hey why don't we go to this great walking trail I found on the map?" Tenna suggested. "There's like a wildlife park and camp site area that seems like a lot of fun!"

"You want to go camping?" Eric asked curiously

"No!" Tenna replied "Just visit. There's supposedly a lake and water fall near by too. It would be a change of scenery if we visit a little mother nature."

"Yeah, you're right." Devi replied.

"Okay, that sounds like fun." Eric replied.

"Okay, lets go!" Tenna replied

****

They took a bus up to the park and arrived about less than half an hour. The entry of the park is where a lot of people camped and picnicked being it was a bit more safer, along with beautiful. It was situated in a valley of trees and in the far left hand side of the entry gate, there was a lake on the side of a small cliff where a waterfall spouted from the cliff.

"I told you this place was cool!" Tenna said "Let's go exploring!"

They walked among one of the hiking trails and just chatted away. Being they were in a more secluded area, their familiars got to float around more freely around them, but had to return to their partner's side when they sensed or saw other people.  Devi was actually really enjoying herself. She enjoyed a bit of the fresher air and shade among the trees.

Eric enjoyed it as well, especially since he could fly around and stretched his wings. The cool air felt good on him, he was getting hot while they were in the shopping area. However, it was starting to get dark and a forest did get kinda creepy at night. As they were walking out, they all felt a strong presence and then Wam! Devi was slammed to the ground and Tenna was kicked out of the way, while Eric was swat to the ground to be separated from both girls.

When Devi looked up, she saw Johnny in front of her. Tenna and Eric both looked in shock.

"Oh no...He's awake..." Eric whispered to himself.

"Oh, what's he doing here!?" Tenna snapped annoyedly

"Spooky!" Spooky reminded her it was time.

"Right!" Tenna replied as she handed her hand out to Mr. Spooky who turned into his staff form.

"Devi!" Demi shouted as she flew to her master, but Nny jumped in and ended up swatting her away, so she couldn't help Devi.

"Johnny, what are you doing?!" Devi asked

"I have to destroy you..." Johnny said this time he was completely dazed and by the looks of it, the darkness was controlling his mind completely. He had no control this time.

"He's completely out of it!" Devi said "I have to find away to get through to him!"

Tenna jumped in and try attacking him from behind, but Johnny managed to turn quickly and attack her in mid air.

"Tenna!" Devi shouted

Eric quickly flew over to Devi but again he was struck to the ground by Nny.

"You're not Nny..." Devi said "Are you?..."

"What do you mean?" Tenna asked

"I mean, something is actually controlling Johnny's body!" Devi said "I feel like another presence in Johnny!"

"Smart for a young knight..." Said Johnny or more so the presence in Nny.

"Why are you controlling him?" Devi asked it.

"Because he is not yet fully awaken yet..." The presence within Nny said. "I have enough energy to get him to do something right and eliminate you..."

"Oh wonderful..." Tenna replied as she coughed, She was still recovering from the attack she just endured.

"Are you the darkness that we must fight?" Devi asked it. "Are you the one that's doing this?"

The presence said nothing as is made Nny summon his energy blade. "Give up..." It said "Just give up...There's no hope for this world...The darkness within your heart will consume you eventually...So just give up and let us end your life right now..."

"That's not true!" Demi cried out as she flew over to Devi again, but before she could make Nny swung at her. Devi jumped in and took the hit, shielding Demi with her body and clutching Demi protectively in her hand. Both tumbled to the ground.

"Devi?" Demi said worriedly as she looked over to her friend who was getting up and quickly picked her up.

"What you said is not true!" Devi sneered at the presence. "As long as I'm a live and breathing, there is still hope in this world!"

"What?..." It made Nny say.

"You're too late for that doubt talk to work on me!" Devi said "I went through a whole lot of hell and over came it. Anyone can over come their doubts and insecurities. My friends did and I did, we all fought the darkness within our hearts and over came it! And I know deep inside, Johnny can too! "

"Wow..." Tenna replied

Eric managed to lift his head to look at what was going on.

"Devi..." Demi replied a bit surprised as she started to feel a glow in her. An odd power they had never felt before was starting to build up inside.

"You think you can do that?" The presence said

"Just watch me!" Devi told him.

"Devi, can you feel it?!" Demi exclaimed.

Devi noticed the odd feeling of a new power. "Wait, what's going on?"

"I dunno but when you stood up like that this new feeling became stronger!" Demi exclaimed cheerfully

"This is the power of the true knight." Said a voice

Devi recognized the voice "Mina?" She said as she looked around. Tenna looked around too

"I'm no where near you but I'm watching the whole event from my crystal ball." Mina said "You guys can hear my voice through a spell upon my crystal ball. Devi listen carefully...The power welding up in you is the power to merge with your familiar!"

"Merge with my familiar?" Devi asked

"From what I learned from the legend of the knights," Mina continued "the knights were able to merge with their familiars to gain their armor. You need to transform with your familiar to dress into your armor."

"How do I do that?" Devi asked

"You focus your mind and what your goal is here." Mina said.

Devi closed her eyes and began to focus. I want to protect my friends. I started to feel better about myself and the world around me. I want to keep this feeling, cause for so long I had felt distant and distrustful and now, I had been feeling positive and close to people that care about me. I don't want that to be taken away!

With that Demi began to glow and floated into her Devi's chest. With this Devi also began to glow. Her body felt warm as something appeared on her body. It was like she wasn't wearing the same clothes anymore. The power she felt was sensational. She felt she could never get hurt again. It was almost the same feeling as when she first called on Demi to turn into her brush form.

Speaking of which, Devi's fude brush appeared in front of her. As soon as she looked at it, she took it and then the glow illuminating from her body, burst and vanished. Her clothing was different now. She wore a magenta color top with armor shoulder pads, with armor chest plates. The armor pads had a white swirl in the middle of them, as well as white lining around the outfit. She wore skirt and shorts that almost touched her knee. Her magenta armor knee high boots, had white rings that went from the top to the ankle. Upon the toe area of the boots had the same swirl as her shoulder pads. She also had armored gloves that went up half way up her arms.

"Woah!" Tenna replied

"Very nice..." Eric replied

"Devi, we did it!" Devi heard Demi said. "We merged inside you and you gained your armor! You're an official knight now!"

"So you're in me?" Devi asked Demi

"Yeah!" Demi replied "In your heart and mind. It's kinda hard to explain..."

"Who are you?" the presence asked through Johnny.

Devi looked at him and felt the words to say. "I represent creativity and love! Armor of a rose color! Knight of Magenta Heart!" Then she pointed at him and said "My passionate heart won’t stop beating! So just shut up and listen!"

"Then be destroyed..." The presence said as he charged at Devi with all his might.

"Devi, now!" Demi told her. Devi nodded as waved her fude brush effortless and out came the liquid ink like substance, but this time it illuminated a bit and when it struck Johnny, he fell back.

"Now that's power!" Tenna replied

"Spooky!" Mr. Spooky agreed.

Devi then drew her kanji,  this time in the air and called forth "Hikari Heartbeat Wave!" With that she forced her hand out front and the attack sent out a shocking force of energy at Johnny, who was rendered helpless.

"Devi!" Her friends called out as they went over to her.

"Okay?" Eric asked

"Yeah..." Devi replied  Devi then walked over to the unconscious Johnny.

"Um, Devi..." Eric replied as he flew up.

"I don't think you should go near him!" Tenna replied

Johnny then opened his eyes and looked towards Devi who knelt beside him. This time, this was Johnny. The presence was gone for now. He noticed her armor and felt her new power.

"Nny?" Devi replied "Are you okay?"

Johnny just looked at her for a moment. She then handed her hand out to help him. After a moment he finally began to reach it but then felt a twinge of pain, which seemed to becoming from his heart.

"Johnny!" She called out as she tried to help him, but he quickly jumped out of the way from being touched and disappeared up into midair. Devi looked down sadly upon this as she felt to her knees.

"Devi!" Tenna and Eric went over to her again as she transformed back. Tenna caught her before she fell back.

"You okay?" Tenna asked her friend.

"Yeah I think so..." Devi replied "I'm just worn out....I guess I gotta get use to transforming"

"Me too..." Demi said as she managed to float up to Devi and then sat on her head.

"Well, you did great today!" Eric said "You gained your armor and fought Johnny or whoever that was in him by yourself."

"Yeah, you should be proud of yourself today!" Tenna replied "You know we are!"

"Thanks..." Devi said with a warm smile.

"So what got you going anyway?" Tenna asked "I mean to just suddenly stand up like that?"

"I think it was the fact that lately, I've been feeling really good about everything." Devi said "Something that I haven't felt in a long time...I guess I just didn't want anyone taking that away from me."

Her friend's expressions brightened a bit more upon hearing this.

“That...and I really want to help him....” She thought to herself. Demi looked down at her master and nodded with a warm expression on her face, sensing her thoughts.

They all went back to the hotel to relax for the night and two days later, they finally went back home.


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Chapter 10 Draining Rain

Tenna was thinking about Eric and Devi talking that one time. She in some ways felt a little left out. It seemed like Devi and Eric were close. She guessed she just wanted to fit in somewhere with them. Devi seemed to talk to Eric a lot about her problems and well, she felt like no one turned to her for help.

Maybe its just me... Tenna thought She sighed as she held her arms and looked down sadly

"Spooky...." Mr. Spooky popped out from her bag and looked at Tenna worriedly. Then he floated up to Tenna and touched her on the arm.

Tenna looked at her familiar and said "Oh, yeah I'm fine..."

As Tenna was walking around, just trying to clear out somethings from her head, she accidentally bumped into Eric.

"Oh, sorry!" Tenna said

"Oh its fine." Eric said and then asked "Um, are you okay?"

"Huh, yeah I'm fine." Tenna said "Why?"

"Oh, I just noticed that you were alone and I thought maybe something was wrong." Eric told her.

"Oh, I just thought you guys were talking about something important..." Tenna said "So I thought I'd bud out of it..."

"Oh..." Eric replied "We weren't talking about anything too important. Devi just had some stuff on her mind and needed to clear her head. You could have joined in if you wanted to though."

"Nah, she doesn't want me to listen to her nag about stuff..." Tenna  replied a little sadly. "You seem to be more helpful to her than me."

"That's not true." Eric told her. "After all, you're a very caring friend. You listen to anyone that needs support and you've stuck by her this whole time."

"Eric..." Tenna replied a bit flusteredly "Well I don't do much..."

"You cared for me when I was sick." Eric reminded her happily. "That's doing much to me and I know you do much for Devi, being she has told me what you have done for her and that she appreciates it."

"Yeah...." Tenna said and asked "Hey, you're not saying this just to butter me up right?"

Eric giggled and said "No! We really do appreciate you and glad that you are our friend, so don't feel bad about yourself."

"Thanks!" Tenna said as she felt blush rushing to her face and her heart pounding so fast. Tenna touched her chest and looked at it oddly. Okay that's strange...

"Something wrong?" Eric asked when he noticed her acting odd.

"Yes, I'm fine!" Tenna said quickly "I'm gonna go get me and Mr.Spooky a few snacks! I'll seeya later!" Then quickly burst off running.

"She must have been really hungry...." Eric said in his cluelessness.

Tenna stopped running and said "Man, that was weird!..." Then she touched her chest and then her head. I've been feeling strange lately, especially near Eric...WTF? No way! I've only known him for a month! There is no way I could be falling for someone that fast! She thought as she stomped her foot down. Still...She sighed I gotta admit he is kinda cute and well...He's so sweet, so modest, a real gentleman with skills to boot! Then she thought of what he said about her and touched her face in a dreamy way.

She shook her head and said No! Snap out of it Tenna! Besides, he likes Devi. Obviously...I gotta respect that and I'm going to! Then sighed and thought as she looked out the window Or does he still? Do you really just see me as just a friend, Eric?

"Spooky?" Mr. Spooky said as he popped out from her bag and cuddled her face.

"Oh..." She cuddled her little friend and said "Thanks...Least I got you Mr.Spooky."

"Hey, Tenna!" Eric called out. Tenna turned to him and said "What?"

"We decided since we can't really do much during this weather, we should make tonight a movie night!" Eric told her. "And we think we should all decide together on what movie to watch. Want to?"

"Sure!" Tenna replied "Better then doing nothing."

"Cool!" Eric said and then noticed Tenna didn't get anything to eat. "I thought you were going to the snack bar? You said you were going to get a few snacks for you and Mr. Spooky?"

"Oh..." Tenna replied as she remembered her saying that. "I was just thinking about stuff and lost track of what I was going to do..."

"Oh okay...." Eric said alittle uncertain about what she said but just put it off and said warmly "Well, come on, we'll pick out some snacks together to eat during the movie."

"Alright." Tenna said as she nodded. "Sounds good!"

With that they walked off.

****

Anne was walking in the rain under an umbrella. She loved the dreary cold and pitter-patter sound of the rain. Now if only it was blood instead of water. She thought cheerfully to herself. Anne couldn't help but sense a faint energy source coming from the forest near by, so she decided to check it out. As she threaded deeper into the forest, she found Johnny completely a sleep, where he had fallen asleep the other night.

Anne just about jumped when she saw him there. However, it seemed like he was in a deep sleep so Anne crept up to him slowly. Then she put her hand shakily to towards him. To her, this was like putting a hand into the cage of a viscous man eating tiger, except being not only could her hand get chopped off, her whole body could be decapitated by his fury if he was angry enough. Though, Nny seemed to only be triggered to doing things like that, if prompted enough to. He never really seemed to do so without a reason, though annoyance was one of these reasons but only annoyed enough.

Still, Anne was taking a risk doing this but she was curious and decided to take the risk.  She first waved her hand over his body and then pressed her hand against his chest to feel his heart beat.

"Amazing..." She said finally calming down a bit. He's nearly stopped breathing and I can barely detect a heart beat. He's in a trance like sleep. Whenever the master sleeps, Johnny especially becomes a bit drain and ends up falling to sleep somewhere too, least eventually.

She pondered about a bit I forgot about that when I saw Nny with that girl. I knew he would be resting off some place, before hand, which is why I was surprised to see Nny here in the first place, but why didn't he sleep earlier? Does it have to do with that girl? 

It was amazing to her and to Nuka, sometimes to the Dough Boys even, how Johnny didn't like to sleep all that much. In fact, he almost despised it, yet he would sleep a lot when he wasn't doing any task. He would even sleep during times when he was punished or tortured for something. Johnny thought it was scary to wake up and be uncertain if what you remember about life was real or just a dream.

 However, at the same time, his body being it was still human and would become weak, he needed to rest. At least being a sleep meant he couldn't feel any pain. Which is why at times he forced himself to fall a sleep, sometimes even using his own powers on himself to do that, so he could escape a little bit from the pain. To him, sleeping was just one of those bitter sweet things that he had to go through.

Anne touched his head and then stroke a few of his bangs back. "You know I could kill you right now and then I wouldn't have to worry about you, but then again you are the master's little pet. He wouldn't appreciate anyone killing his little attack dog. What the master see's in you and why he forces you out of your own will, kinda is a mystery to even me. He and the Dough Boys say you're special, different from the rest of us warriors but won't say why. I wonder if you even know?"

She then placed a hand under his chin and leaned it to the side to have a better look at his face. "And yet the master punishes you worse than any of us. It's like he's afraid of you. And what about that girl? What does she have to do with you? You could possibly escape so much punishment if you only would kill her. You got the ability to and the perfect chances to, yet you keep that scrawny girl alive, even when she's perfectly helpless!"

She gently laid his head down and sighed "Do you possibly still love this girl? I know she was your ex-girlfriend. What you saw in her, eek! I will never know! Well, lover boy, I would kill her gladly, but knowing your personal reasons towards her, well, not sure if I even want to risk what you would do to me. You're definitely not my biggest fan, that's for sure, but then again who needs fans, when you can be feared?"

Then she looked at him again and said "It's a shame too. You're kinda cute and you got the touch of a true dark warrior. Striking down your opponents so quick, even if its against your will to. You do it in such a perfectly fine way. Cold and ruthless. No mercy at all. I really do admire that in you. Sweet dreams, knight of true darkness." With that she disappeared.

"Interesting..." said Magnus as he had watch the whole thing from far up on a tree. "I think its time to test a certain apprentice of mine." With that he disappeared.

Devi, Tenna and Eric had just done with the movie they were watching. They were laughing a bit cause the movie had cheesy effects that were used to try to scare people, only to end up looking totally fake with the actors over acting the parts.

Tenna almost busted a gut from laughing. "Man, when that guy was pulled into the water, I got all tensed, but then he pops out with a giant fake snake, I thought I was gonna die laughing! That's the cheesiest thing I've seen since early days in childhood, where me and my sibs would watched power rangers and those super hero things!"

Devi laughed "Yeah! Oh and that woman who flipped out cause she thought a leach was on her, but it turned out to be a leaf...Good grief!"

Eric chuckled and said "The plot was okay though but those effects...Man...." He shook his head as he didn't know what to say about it really.

"Yeah..." Devi said "Anyway, I'm gonna go edit a painting. It's something for Mina."

"Oh, yeah, you told me you were painting something for her." Tenna commented.

"Is it her birthday or something?" Eric asked

"No, it's just something I wanted to do for her as a thank you for what's she done."

"That's nice." Eric replied warmly. "She and Edgar have done a lot for us."

"I know right?" Tenna said. "Not only did they help us understand about this knight thing and what we're facing, they even gave us a vacation. We definitely should treat them to something. I dunno what, since she's rich but a painting is a start."

"Yeah..." Devi replied. "Sometimes the most simplest of things are a great gift and with how Mina is, I have a hunch she really would just appreciate the normal stuff that we enjoy."

"I agree." Eric added

"True that!" Tenna replied happily. "Anyway, I'm gonna do one of those normal things and take a shower."

"Okay, well I'm gonna just hang out in the lobby for a little bit." Eric said. With that, Tenna and Devi went back into their room, while Eric went towards the lobby. As Eric walked into the lobby, he spotted Magnus sitting in one of the lobby chairs. He was a bit surprised to see him as he walked over to him.

"Magnus, what are you doing here?" Eric asked

"Oh, I thought I just stop by to see how things are." Magnus said "However, I do have a test for you."

"Test?" Eric replied as he tilted his head curiously.

****
"So, he's a sleep?" Eric said standing next to Johnny who was still a sleep.

"Yes, in kind of a trance like sleep." Magnus explained

"You don't think he's going to jump out and attack do you?" Eric said a bit weary.

"He doesn't show signals of waking up." Magnus explained "When you get more experienced, you will start to know when someone is about to strike. You just can sense it in the air."

"So...." Eric replied "What's my test?"

"What do you think you should right now?" Magnus answered

Eric looked at Nny for a moment and then summoned his dark energy blade and held it up under Nny's chest. He stood there for a while as he thought about it.


"I don't think he really wants to..." Devi's voice rang in his mind. "I don't think he has control of what he does..."

Eric took a deep breath and sighed as he made his decision. He held his blade back as if to strike, but then rest his hand as his blade disappeared.

"Hmm?" Magnus replied

"If I end his life right now while he's like this..." Eric replied "I'd be no better than he is...Even if he does deserve it for what he's done and it would be easier for us, I can't bring myself to do something like that...."

Especially... Eric thought  If he does have no control...than he really doesn't deserve it...Though he didn't want to admit that out loud. Besides, I can't hurt Devi like that....if she does want to save him...Eric sighed

"Magnus?" Eric asked "Did I pass your test?"

"This wasn't a pass or failed test." Magnus explained "It was to see what you would do and only you will know if you did the right thing or not."

"I see...." Eric replied as he turned to leave. "I dunno really if I did the right thing or not....."

"Maybe the answer to that will come to you in time." Magnus said as he watched him walked away. "Eric!" He called to him which caused Eric to stop and turn to him.

"I will say this." Magnus told him. "I am proud of you. Not for your decision but how you thought about it through before you act. That is the most important thing in situations like this. However, remember not to take too long in your decision. That is the tricky part and in future decisions, you may not always have time to think and must live with any consequence of your actions. I hope you remember this. "

"I will, Magnus." Eric replied and then said with a small smile "Thank you..." as he turned around and headed back to the hotel.

That boy certainly follows close to his heart. It's amazing how strong his will over that is.. Magnus thought with a proud smile but soon frowned. However...Will it be enough?

Then he looked at the silver manacle he wore on his left wrist and laid his hand over the diamond shape, onyx jewel on top of it.

 Eric took a deep breath and sighed again as he walked in. Devi who had got done editing her painting, was walking towards the lobby, when she notice Eric looking a little bit bummed out.

"You okay, Eric?" Devi asked

"Oh..." Eric replied and said "Yeah, I'm alright, I guess I'm a little tired. I think I'm gonna go to my room and rest . Maybe get cleaned up."

"You looked like you came out of a shower a little bit, you're a little soaked." Devi pointed out. "Were you outside?"

"Oh yeah, I was out for a little bit..." Eric said with a little chuckle "I wanted to get some fresh air. The rainy air sure smells fresh. Better then the smog of the city!"

"I guess, well, I'll see ya later then." Devi said

"Seeya..." Eric replied and then thought as he walked toward his room  If you think you can save him, Devi... I won't take that chance away from you, but if push comes to shove, then I may not have any other choice next time...

****
It wasn't too long before Devi got back to work on her painting. As she was working on the painting, Devi looked at her familiar who was painting a picture on a piece of paper beside her. She smiled a little bit at her, almost like a mother or an older sister smiling upon their young ones. Devi's face became a little sad, upon remembering what had happen to Demi during the fight against Nny at the mall.

"Hey, Demi?" Devi asked nervously.

"Huh?" Demi asked as she looked up at her master.

"What would happen if I lost you?" Devi asked

"Lose me?" Demi asked back and then replied cheerfully "You'll never lose me, silly!"

"I'm serious!" Devi replied "You got hurt when Nny attacked us and knocked you out of my hand..." Then she asked shakingly "What would happen if you got badly hurt or worse....?"

"Nothing bad will happen like that." Demi said optimistically as she floated up to her face. "I'll always be okay, because we're apart of each other. As long as you are alive and we're together, everything will always be alright. You don't have to worry about me, ever! As long as I have you, I'll always be okay!"

With that she cuddled her master's face cheerfully, Devi was a little bit surprised but smiled as she closed her eyes and returned the cuddle, finally relieved a bit.

"You know, Devi?" Demi asked

"Hmm, what?" Devi asked

"You worry too much!" Demi replied cheerfully "You need to lighten up a bit more!" With that she flew over to the bed and said "Come on! Lets jump on the bed! Tenna told me that you can always get away with that in hotels!"

"I need to get you to stop listening to Tenna..." Devi sighed as she watched her familiar jump on the bed. Devi hectically said as she ran to her familiar "Wait, you still got paint on you! Don't get it on the bed!"

****

That night Eric couldn't sleep. He was more of a night owl being he was a vampire. After he drank a little bit of a blood pack, he had packed and put in the fridge, he put on a black, silk, loose shirt and black silk pants, an outfit that was both appropriate for just around the house or out and about. Eric then walked over to his window and decided he didn't want to stay in his room for very long. He walked out and went into the lobby. There was a beautiful full moon and the moon gave him energy. It was like sunlight was to a human. It made him feel energized and refreshed.

Yet despite he felt this refreshness, Eric felt something bothering him. He guessed it was because of what had happened that day, with Magnus and Johnny. He wondered if he really did the right thing. Johnny was dangerous and he worked for the darkness. Eric could have saved them a lot of trouble doing so, but to kill someone a sleep and unable to fight back and also Devi seemed to have feelings for Nny. He wonder if he would have felt even worse.  Eric sighed as he leaned his head on the window.

"Everything okay?" Said a slight emotionless voice behind him.

Eric turned around quickly to see Mina as she walked over to him. She was in a baby blue night gown.

"You startled me." Eric said.

"Sorry..." Mina said as he walked over to him.

"What are you doing up?" Eric asked curiously.

"I just couldn't sleep." Mina replied "And I thought I sensed something so I thought I come out to check on things."

"Ooh..." Eric said "Same here I couldn't sleep either..."

"Well, you're a vampire." Mina said with a little smile. "You're suppose to come out at night, that's why I didn't feel the need to ask. However..." She frown as she said "There's something bothering you isn't there?"

Eric was surprised a bit but then he remembered she had powers too. He sighed and said "Well yeah...I guess I do have a lot on my mind."

"Magnus explained to me about what happened." Mina told him.

"You know..." Before Eric could asked Mina replied

"Yes..." She said "Magnus has been a friend of my family for years..."

"I thought he never allows himself to get close to anyone?..." Eric asked

Mina explained "Yes does, however, he met my family from centuries ago. It's the reason why he knows of the knights and why he knew you were the chosen knight. He slowly started keeping his distance from my family in later years, ever since my 5th great-grandfather died..."

"You had five great grandfathers?" Eric asked with an odd face.

Mina chuckled and shook her head "No, I mean my great great...ect"

"Oh..." Eric replied slightly embarrassed and then asked "Why?  Was he close to your great grand father?"

"I dunno much about that..." Mina replied "From what my parents and grand parents told me, my 5th great grandfather was killed during a great battle. I think Magnus was in charge of protecting him during that time. "

"Oh...." Eric said "That must have been real rough..."

"Eric?" Mina asked as she looked at him sadly. "Please, do me a favor."

"Yeah?" Eric replied

"Don't ever mention what I said to you to him or to anyone else..." Mina told him. "Especially to Magnus...It might bring back bad memories."

"Oh of course." Eric told her honestly. "I promise I won't say anything. I kinda understand how he feels a bit...."

Mina nodded and said "Besides me, only my family and Edgar know of this. I just brought it up to let you know why he's like the way he is, since you're his pupil...Plus I trust you, he cares about you a lot so I know I can tell you something like that."

"Really?" Eric asked

Mina nodded and said "Yeah, he doesn't like showing his feelings much, but he does care. It's just hard for him to show."

"Well, I guess so..." Eric with a slight smile. "He did teach me everything I know...Even when I was out on my own, I kinda always felt like someone was watching out for me and felt it might have been him... I wish there was something I could do in return for him."

"The only thing you can do is prove that you are truly the knight of protection and determination." Mina told him.

"Did your family sent him to find me?" Eric asked

"Tis not we that did." Mina replied "The original third knight was a vampire and my family figured that when the time ever did come, the third knight would be a vampire as well. My family then met up with Magnus and asked him to be the vampire that would train the third knight. It is why he became friends with my family. I dunno how or why, but Magnus agreed upon repaying a dept. I dunno what my family did but since then he agreed to this and thus later became our guardian vampire."

"And how did he know that I was the chosen knight?" Eric asked "And I never thought I would hear the term 'guardian vampire'

"He just knew..." Mina said "He told me how he found you. He was out having an evening flight and felt a presence or something and fate brought him to you."

"Fate?" Eric replied


"There's no such thing as coincidences." Mina explained "Just fate and fate happened upon you on that day. "

"I see..." Eric said. Then thought as he placed his hand on the glass window when he looked out the window. Fate...I wonder... He thought

"As for the guardian vampire thing..." Mina began to explain. "Some vampires will become guardians to people or things such as shrines. There is a code that some vampires, least the noble kind will follow and one of them is a vow that allows them to become a guardian."

"I see..." Eri replied.

"Anyway, you should talk about what's bothering you...." Mina said "Otherwise it could eat your soul."

Eric made a discouraging face cause of what she said and remembered what he told Devi about the same thing.

"I just dunno how to talk about it...." Eric replied "It's kinda personal..."

Mina placed her hand on his on the glass window comfortingly and said "Well, then all I can tell you, if its something you cannot change yourself, let fate guide you and then your mind will be at ease eventually."

"Thanks...." Eric replied with a small smile. Mina then yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"You should really go back to bed." Eric told her warmly. "I'm the vampire but you are still human and you work a lot. You really need the rest"

Mina nodded and said "Good night. Seeya tomorrow..." She then headed to her.

"Good night, Mina." Eric said warmly and then looked out the window. I wonder who you are fated to, Devi? Is it to him? And not to mention, who will fate bring me to, since I know I'm not destined to be with you?

Such questions made him feel so hazy. He decided to go outside for a little bit to bask in the moonlight, before heading back into his room to rest for the remainder of the night.













Saturday, April 28, 2012

Chapter 9 Rainy Day Spa

Devi's log */**/****


Things have been hectic in my mind lately. 
I mean as soon as I think things have calmed down for me, things just get more hectic. The other day, 
we ran into two people saying that we're these strange "mage knights" and we have to defeat this 
darkness thing that Johnny is working for. When Johnny attacked us, he seemed to be hesitant towards 
hurting me.  


Every time I see Nny, I feel so strange to towards him. I can't help but feel bad for him. I mean I know 
its hard to say that about a guy who wants to kill you, but I have a feeling that's not what he really 
wants. I feel like he's just doing it for the sake of the darkness or whoever his master is. The other day, 
it was like he was struggling to break free from his command over him.


Another thing that has been bothering me, I almost lost Demi that day. She got hurt and roughened up.
That kinda scares me. She says she's a part of me, so what would happen if I lost her? What would 
happen to me? Will she just return to my heart or be lost forever?


Tomorrow, we're going to a hot spring that Mina's family owns about a couple hours away. Edgar and 
of course Tenna insists we all go. I guess it wouldn't hurt except, with all this running off and doing stuff, 
I haven't been able to get any work. I mean not just my projects for work, but my original stuff has been 
suffering too. I hope maybe I can get some work done while I'm at the spa. Maybe it will give me some 
inspiration.


****
Tenna, Devi and Eric (in bat form) were on the train, heading towards the hot spring. Edgar and Mina had 
already left a head of time.


"Man this is so exciting!" Tenna exclaimed


"Tenna, can you please calm down?" Devi asked her friend. "We don't want people to stare at us like we're 
nut cases..."


"Oh let the people stare!" Tenna said as she nodded her hand like she didn't care. "We're getting really out and 
about and I've been so proud of you! Being a trooper and coming along with us!"


"Well, this the last time for a while." Devi told her. "After this, I'm gonna stay in and paint."


"Aww!" Tenna said "And we were just getting you out more!"


"Well, its nice but I have to work." Devi told her. "I'm seriously behind on stuff both for work and my original 
works."


"Fine..." Tenna said as she nodded not wanting to get into it any further.


"Well, maybe this experience will help inspire you, Devi." Demi said as she sat comfortably on her master's 
shoulder.


"Hey we're almost there!" Tenna said as she pointed towards a small valley surrounded by huge mountains.


As soon as they finally got to the hot spring, after driving and then walking some ways, Eric flew out of the bag 
he was sleeping in. He stretched his wings and yawned.


"So, we're finally here!" Eric said.


"Well, good morning sleepy head."  Devi said humorously as he flew onto her shoulder.


"Man, Eric!" Tenna said "You sleep more than my grandmother's old dog!"


"I'm a vampire." Eric told her sarcastically. "Not a prissy pop star..."


"Spooky" Spooky replied as he also a woke from the bag.


"I was just kidding!" Tenna said as she petted his head.


"Welcome, everyone!" Edgar said as he greeted them. This made them jump cause they weren't expecting him. 
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Welcome to the the Guardian's Hot Spring Resort. It's been in Mina's 
family for generations and its always been one of the best spas and we even have special programs at best 
deals."


"Edgar, you sound like one of those annoying TV commercials...." Devi said but then got elbow bumped by 
Tenna.


"Don't bite the hand that feed you!" Tenna told her. "Come on, just try to have a good time for once?"


Devi nodded and sighed a bit. Maybe the spa would help her be more tolerable about things.


Little did they know, someone else decided to take a vacation there. Disguised as a human with her powers 
concealed so no magic being could sense her presence, Anne walked to the entry way of the spa wearing a 
long coat, black silk skinny pants with long black boots. Upon her head was a black fedora. She smiled as she 
approached the spa gates.


Ah finally... She thought to herself. A nice vacation away from being punished, yelled and also to be free 
away from that dump! It's a good thing the master sleeps for a while so we can get a break. Even a 
witch like myself, enjoys being pampered and treated like the queen I deserve to be! With Nny resting 
off some place and Nuka getting fumigated for fleas, and the Dough Dweebs off to Bora Bora or 
whatever to enjoy lava surfing and scaring the heck out of people, I'm free to be good old, wicked me! 
Well, young wicked me! Well, I will be. A little spa treatment and a perm and I'll be my beautiful,self 
again!


As soon as she got over she nearly jumped out of her skin. "Ack!" She squealed as she saw Devi and her friends. 
They turned to her but as soon as they did, she turned away.


Great! She snapped Those brats are here?! Why!? Why!? WHY!? Do they have to ruin my life even when 
I try to relax!? She then took a deep breath and thought Okay, calm down Anne! As long as I have my 
magic concealed away, maybe change your looks a bit so they don't recognize you, and of course, stay 
away from them and you will be fine! Everything will come out just fine and dandy!


Eric took a whiff in the air. Something didn't smell right about that girl to him and it wasn't cause of her 
overbearing perfume. Eric just shrugged but kept an eye on the woman anyway.


"Eric, is everything okay?" Devi asked


Eric nodded and said "Yeah...I guess I could use some relaxation time too."


"We made special mini tubs for your little friends and they can be in the same spring as you." Edgar explained


Eric blushed and said "Um...can mine be in a private room?"


"Yeah, I mean Eric is a bat but he's still a guy!" Tenna snapped


"Oh, yes of course!" Edgar laughed and said "We will have a place where young Eric will be able to relax peacefully."


****
Devi and Tenna were sharing the same hotel room. They were surprised how big their room was. It was a 
medium size room with two beds. One bed was on the right side of the room and the other was on the left side, 
both beds facing each other. The TV was in the corner of the left hand side, which they thought was kinda odd 
to put a TV. The bathroom was on the right hand side. They had a nice view of the pool below. The pool 
almost looked like a garden pond. It even had a bridge people could swim under or walk across. In the horizon, 
there were beautiful lush forest mountains and being it was overcast, the clouds would touch the mountains and
rain on them for a mystical feel.


"Wow!" Tenna shouted excitedly. "Look at this room! I never thought we would have a room as nice as this!"


Demi was also excited as she and Mr.Spooky flew around the room.


Devi shook her head at her friends as she giggled a little bit. She had to admit, she herself never thought of ever 
being in a place like this, not that she ever desired to be in a fancy place to begin with. She was happy 
anywhere as long as it was a roof over her head and she could paint. Devi was of course thankful inside, 
despite she didn't want to show it. This was nice and the view kinda would help her clear her mind a bit.

She smiled as she gazed up at those mountains and the calm pool below. There wasn't many people there, so 
the pool looked almost empty and relaxing to look at. Devi took off her shoes and coat and sat down on the 
bed on the right hand side. She still felt like she was moving on the train, so she decided to relax a little bit 
before joining her friend to the hot spring.


"So, are you glad we came or what?!" Tenna asked excitedly.


"Okay, I admit." Devi said with a smart smirk. "This is kind of nice."


"Told ya!" Tenna said brightly. "Well, come on! Lets go to the hot springs!"


"Okay, in a little bit." Devi told her. "I need to chill a bit after the long way here."


"Okay, meet you there!" Tenna said


****
After a couple minutes, Devi got ready to go to the hot springs. Before she did she looked out at the view again. 
Little did she know, someone was watching her. She felt an odd and eerie presence. Like some was about to 
grab her from behind. She turned but no one was there.


As Devi went into the lockers to get dress out of her clothes, she too felt an odd presence and almost certainly, 
she felt cold fingers around her neck.


"Eep!" She screamed as she turned around to see no one there.


"What's wrong?" Tenna asked which also startled Devi. Devi took a deep breath and sighed. "You look like 
you just saw a ghost!" Tenna pointed out.


"Yeah..." Devi said as she moved her hair back from her face. "I guess I need to relax more then I thought. 
Come on, lets go."


With that Devi went with her friend into the hot springs. Devi sat comfortably in the water as she leaned against 
a rock.


"I'm glad we got you out more." Tenna said in a more honest manner. "You seem much more out going and 
happy. Your mood has gotten much better I can tell."


Devi smiled and said "Yeah, I guess..."


"You still not all that pleased with people or interacting with people that much, are you?" Tenna asked


"Well maybe a little bit." Devi said "For so long I've had nothing but bad experience with interacting with people." 
Then she twirled the water with her finger a little bit and said "But I guess when some good actually started 
happening, I guess I started to rethink my views, especially after what Mina said, that it wasn't some curse or 
bad aura stuck on me."


"I think you really started to become happier when you accepted your powers and Demi!" Tenna said "You 
two get along so well! You seem very inseparable!


"Yeah, true..." Devi replied warmly "She is like a little kid sister to me. Some what annoying but sweet and can't 
help but care and look out for her too. She likes to play with my paints and paint as well."


Demi was behind Devi and smiled upon hearing this.


"Course, she is a part of you!" Tenna said


"Hey, does Mr. Spooky share any of the traits that you have?" Devi asked


"Well, he helps cook sometimes and he's pretty good at it as well!" Tenna replied "So, yeah he does share 
some personal traits of mine."


With that they heard "Spooky!" as a relaxed Mr. Spooky popped up and floated in the water in front of them 
in a relaxed posed. The two squealed in shock, like any girl would if a boy was in the hot tub. Demi popped 
out and using her magic, she levitated Mr.Spooky and then said "You're not suppose to be here! Get back to 
the boys side!" With that she threw Spooky over to the guys hot spring.


"Ah, you aren't suppose be seen by people!" Devi told Demi!


"Oh, shoot!" Tenna exclaimed "Mr. Spooky!"


"Quiet!" snapped a disguised Anne Guish. Her hair was straighten and she was still wearing sun glasses. Devi 
grabbed Demi and hid her behind her back. "The hot spring is not a play ground, so I suggest you be quiet and 
put your ugly toys away, before I complain to the owners! Those toys should be thrown in the garbage!"


"Jeez..." Tenna said as she sat down beside Devi. "What grouch!"


"She seems familiar..." Devi said as she eyed Anne.


"Yeah and what kind of person wears sun glasses in a hot spring?" Tenna commented then remembered 
"Mr.Spooky!" She stood up only to be stopped by Mina.


"Edgar's got him." Mina told her. "He managed to catch him in his net while cleaning out the men's spa. No one saw him."


"ohh..." Tenna replied "Thanks for that."


Mina nodded and in her usual mono tone manner she said "Your familiars are just curious, but if they ever get 
out of hand, you can just leave them to us."


"Thanks..." Tenna said gratefully "Would you like to join us?"


"Huh?" Mina asked a little surprised by Tenna's courtesy.


"Well, you're wearing nothing but a towel," Tenna said "so I thought you might like to join us."


Mina was a little surprised as she paused again. It was as if no one had ever asked her to join them for any type 
of merriment. She then nodded and walked over to them and sat beside them.


"Devi?" Demi whispered


"Hmm?" As Devi turned to talk to Demi while still hiding her with her body.


"That lady was mean." Demi commented "I'd like throw her in the garbage!"


"Well at least you wouldn't be littering..." Devi commented. This made Demi giggled as she said "Yeah!"


"She's just one of those scum I told you about." Devi told her.


"The ones that wear too much make up?" Demi asked


"Yeah..." Devi said "They like to say mean things and do that stuff cause they're lonely, remember?"


"Right!" Devi said and then she looked down sadly "But now that makes me feel bad for what I said."


"Don't worry about it." Devi told her. "Sometimes people can't help but reply the same way they're treated. 
Its just a natural reaction. But yeah don't talk to loud about them. It's okay to tell me or a close friend how you 
feel though."


"Oh okay." Demi said like a kid who just learned a new lesson.


Meanwhile, hidden somewhere in the men's hot spring, Eric sighed in relaxation in a small plastic tub like that in 
which one would put their lunch in, on a table. On top of his head was a shower cap.


Spooky was in another tub and looked still dazed out from being tossed like that.


"You okay, Mr. Spooky?" Eric asked as he looked over to him.


"Spooky...."


"I don't get it..." Eric replied "Tenna doesn't allow you to bathe with her. I thought you were a part of her heart?"


"Spooky spooky spooky"


"I'm sorry to ask that..." Eric replied apologetically "I'm sorry, I just don't understand what you're saying..."


"Spooky." Spooky let his "hand" out as if to say it was alright or understandable.


"Enjoying yourselves?" Edgar asked as he came to check on him. He was dressed in a white business shirt, 
brown work vest, black pants and black shoes. He was just rinsing dirt and grime off the concrete.


"Yes, thanks!" Eric replied.


"No problem!" Edgar replied politely. "I'm glad you like this place. Mina and I go here to work sometimes, but
we also come here to relax. It's so peaceful here."


"Yeah, its a nice place." Eric told him. "I've never been in a place as nice as this before."


"Never really traveled a lot?" Edgar asked


"Oh I've traveled before..." Eric replied implying on his first years as a vampire. "But never could afford a place 
like this, even for one night."


"Well, there's a first time for everyone." Edgar replied.


"Yeah, true." Eric nodded "How long have you cared for Mina and worked for her family?"


"Ah.. For many years." Edgar replied "Ever since she was little. Her parents hired me as a employer. I took the
job gratefully, being I needed work and her family treated me wonderfully.  Eventually, they hired me to look 
after their daughter, in which I agreed without hesitation. I had no family of my own and so they became the 
closest thing to one."


"That's nice." Eric replied touched by his story. "I can tell that you really care about Mina, I just wondered why 
you were always doing stuff for her."


"Yes, that is the reason!" Edgar replied cheerfully.


"Hey, um...." Eric was trying to think of the most polite way to ask. "I hope you don't mind me asking this, but it 
seems like Mina is always kinda...well quiet and well not to be rude, but she seems...."


"To lack much emotion?" Edgar added very calm. He knew what Eric was asking about and didn't mind about 
it at all.


"Yeah...I guess you can say that..." Eric replied


"Mina, despite I am around a lot, doesn't interact much with people." Edgar explained "She was raised around 
busy parents, responsibilities both as a young employer in-training and in the mystic arts. Her parents seem to 
always be out a lot, so all and all, Mina is actually very lonely. In some ways she doesn't know how to interact 
with people. Least not outside of duties."


"Did she ever went to school?" Eric asked


"Her parents hired special teachers and had her home schooled." Edgar explained.


"Oooh..." Eric replied


"So you see, even those who seem to have it all," Edgar explained again "tend to be missing certain things in life. 
Truth is there is no such thing as a 'perfect life'. Whether you're rich, poor, in between, life will always have its 
bumps, turns and twists in the road. Just gotta learn to make the best of it."


"Believe me, I know that all too well..." Eric replied


"Perhaps, meeting you three will be the best thing for Mina." Edgar replied warmly. "Perhaps she'll learn to 
lighten up more. She is still a young teen girl and though, yes you’re older than she is, you’re still quite young 
and inexperience yourself. She could use some friends like that to help her along her journey in life."


"I'm sure she'll come around, like Devi." Eric said in an upbeat tone. "Devi was the same way but afterwards, 
she came out and is now a little more out going."


"Well that's great." Edgar replied gratefully. "Things change mysteriously and while at first it seems like it's not
for the good, some positive comes out of it.


"Yeah, it does." Eric replied.


****


Mean while, Devi was starting to get dressed alone in the changing room. She then heard something behind her. 
She looked and there was nothing there.  She continued on getting dressed and then she felt arms wrapped 
around her neck and shoulders. She broke free from the grip and turned to see Johnny floating above her. He 
was wearing a tattered black, long sleeve top, ripped black jeans and belted black boots.


"Nny!" Devi gasped. She also realized Demi was with Tenna and Mr. Spooky, so she couldn't use her as a weapon.  She was also partly dressed as she clutched her arms over her chest. She was wearing pants but didn't put her top on yet so she was still in her bra. "Stay back!" Devi demanded "Stay the hell away from me!"


"Afraid are we?" Johnny said in his usual cold tone. Little did they know, Anne was watching them from a far. 
Anne was shocked to see Nny there. "What on earth is he doing here?" Anne whispered to herself. Then 
looked at Devi.


"Shut up and stay away from me!" Devi snapped "My friends are here, you know!"


"Not in this very room though..."  Johnny told her. "And your precious little doll isn't here to help you either. I 
could easily kill you...Right here and now..."


"I can still put up a fight!" Devi told him. “If I blasted you the first time you tried to kill me, I especially can do 
more damage now! Powers or not, women are especially not to messed with when they’re in the middle of 
changing, you creep! ”


"Really now?" Johnny replied "Do you really want to test that?" As soon as he said that he put his hand out 
forward as if he was going to blast her. Devi braced her self to either dodge, use her powers to counter the 
attack or just take the blast full force in hopes of surviving.


Why do I have to have a big mouth when I’m stressed? She thought to herself.


Mean while, Demi a woke from being in Tenna's arms and she became really alertive.


"What is it, Demi?" Tenna asked


"Devi is in danger!" Demi exclaimed Tenna and Eric looked in shock at this and ran to go help.


Back in the changing room, surprisingly Nny didn't blast her. Instead, he gently put his hand under her chin.


Devi's eyes widen when he did this and then tried to slap him, but he caught her hand just before hitting his face. 
He had a firm grip on her but wasn't specifically trying to hurt her. Just didn't want her to move or struggle. 
He then rubbed his face against her hand..


She looked at him in the eyes and sighed as she said "What do you want? To kill me?" Nny let go of her but 
backed her against one of the lockers and put his hands  against the lockers with her in front of him, so she 
couldn't escape.


"Oh, I don’t want to really kill you." Nny replied "I have to, eventually, but I can't bring myself to do so."


"Johnny?" Anne replied quietly as she was a bit surprised upon hearing this as well.


Devi looked at him in surprised and asked "Can't bring yourself to do so? Then why are you here?"


Nny paused as if to wonder the very same thing and said "I dunno really... I guess maybe I wanted to talk to 
you....We haven't really talked in a long time..."


"Talk?" Devi asked and then said "Well, you could have come up to me in a better way than what you just did!"


"Oh, and get caught by your little friends?" Nny asked "I had to get you alone so they wouldn't interfere!"


"Nny..." Devi replied in a sad tone."Listen, maybe I can help you. It doesn’t have to be like this. We can save
you!”


"Save me? " Nny replied with a smirk. "Sorry, but it’s a bit too late. I’ve done too many terrible things in my life 
to ever be redeemed and this world deserves what’s coming."


“Johnny...” A shiver went up her spine. He was talking the same way I use to. It felt wrong, especially of 
how kind and happy he use to be when we dated. Could I have been like this if I hadn’t accepted Demi? 
If I hadn’t let Tenna and Eric into my life?


“ I just let those who are decent to enjoy the life I can't have until that time comes." Johnny continued “I guess 
I’m still weak that way. Plus, every time I see you, I always hesitate, which is why I strike faster to prevent 
myself from withdrawing. I just don't want to do it." He said this while putting his left hand to his heart and he 
looked a bit sad. He then put hand back against the locker. " I mean, yeah, I blasted you once, but I felt myself 
withdrawing, so I did it quickly so I wouldn't disobey my master...."


"You're really just a slave to them, aren't you?" Devi asked


"Slave?..." Johnny looked down and said "I guess I am...I have no other choice..."


"Johnny..." Devi thought about it a little more and said "You do have a choice! Yes, you may have done awful 
things, but that doesn't mean you can't change your path. I changed mine! I never thought I would but here I am! I'm proof that people can change for the better!"


Devi’s voice became a little strain and said “Besides I know you’re suffering so much. Those scars I can tell 
aren’t just from fights! I dunno how I know. Call it sixth senses or feelings, I just know you’re constantly in pain 
and...I want to help you..."
Nny looked at her oddly and a bit surprised. He finally asked "Why do you want to help me?..." Then they heard Devi's friends call out to her. The door was completely locked because Johnny put a spell on it to keep all out.


"Because...." Devi looked down and thought about it for a moment. Then she looked at him and said "I...It just
hurts to see someone I once knew as someone I love suffer so much! You’re still a person.  I normally think 
most guys are just creeps when they hurt me...." She looked down and back up at him and finally said “But I 
always knew you were different. When I look back and saw your eyes when you first attacked me, something 
didn't seem right and I realize you were trying to fight whatever was trying to hurt me. You tried to protect me 
from that once and you just couldn't. I knew that you would never hurt me, but that THING forced you too!"

Johnny was surprised by what she said. Devi became shaken up upon saying these words. She actually started crying. Johnny looked at this and wipe a tear from her eye. Then he leaned his face over to her cheek as if to give her a kiss, but just quietly said "You are right....I did try to hold back. I guess I still feel the same way.You're one of the few that are nice to me...Sadly, I can't change though. I can't go back to being who I was before and one day, I'm going to kill you. For now, I will let you live, but only because they're not forcing me to."


He kissed her cheek and said "I don't cry anymore...I don't like it when you do..." Then he floated up and 
disappeared. When he did, the doors unlocked and her friends came bursting through the door.


"Devi!" Eric shouted. Eric had kissed Tenna to change into normal form. He was dressed in a black jacket with 
a black cotton shirt underneath, black baggy pants and boots. Tenna was fully dressed in a baggy, grey midriff 
top and a long tan skirt with orange wrapped, wedged heels.


"Are you alright, Dev?" Tenna asked


"Yeah..." Devi replied a little shaken "Yeah...I'm alright..."


"What happened?" Eric asked "Demi said that you were in danger..."


"Oh yeah...the doors were locked and I thought I heard something..." Devi lied "But I'm okay now...It was just 
because the doors were stuck..."


"You sure?" Tenna asked "Demi said she sensed a dark presence around here."


"Mhm!" Demi replied as she floated up to her.


"Well...whatever it was, its gone now..." Devi told her warmly as she tapped Demi's head with her finger. "So 
don't worry now, I'm fine."


Then she hugged Eric and said "But I'm glad you guys came..." She was still shaken up still and she wanted to 
embrace someone that cared about her out of sheer comfort.


"No problem..."Eric replied a bit flustered and then asked "You sure nothing happened? That you're okay?"


Devi nodded as she rubbed the back of her head and said "Yeah...For real I'm alright..."


"Well...good..." Eric said still a bit flustered "I better go now...I'll see ya when you come out...." Eric walked 
out as if he was a bit nervous about something.


Devi looked at him oddly and then Tenna whispered in her ear. She realized she still didn't have her top on and 
was still in her bra. This made Devi blush and do a face palm. Poor Eric was a bit flustered and embarrassed. 
As for Tenna, well she thought it was a hoot! She just busted out laughing which caused Devi to swat her
friend in the gut.


While Anne was about to leave, Johnny all of a sudden grabbed her and took her to a place where they could 
privately chat. Once they were alone, a dagger appeared in Nny's hand and he then wrapped his long finger's 
around Anne's throat as he held the dagger up.


"Speak to anyone about what you saw," Nny threatened "and I'll make sure your suffering is as great my 
punishment!"


"I didn't see anything, honest!" Anne said desperately.


"Don't lie you cowardly, measly, little bitch!" Johnny sneered at her. "Don't think I couldn't hear you 
commenting and revoltingly breathing. You should know me better than that, Anne..I have sharp keen senses.
I'm one of the top warriors for our master, you know? No one can barely match my power!"


"Then, why are you so fond of that girl?" Anne asked


"That is none of your business." Nny said threateningly "It's my own personal reason. I will kill her eventually. 
Anyway, I'd be more worried about keeping my head intact and being able to breath, if I were you..."


"Right...." Anne told him. "I won't breath a word to anyone, not the Dough Boys, not Nuka, not anyone 
I promise for my life..."


"Good!" Nny said as he let go of her and then disappeared.


Anne slumped down shaken with fear. She never felt her heart rush so fast. Out of all the people she dare not 
speak against and the few she feared, Johnny was number one! Knowing that he could just spring out and kill 
her right there on the spot or even torture her. Anne knew that even if she told the Dough Boys and got into 
good graces with the master, that wouldn’t stop Nny from finding away to tear her apart, limb from limb.

*****
Mean while, Edgar was sweeping outside when he noticed something sitting in the tree. He looked up and there sat Magnus, sitting quite comfortably on a large tree branch.

"Oh, hello Magnus." Edgar said in his usual polite manner.  "Didn't expect to see you here, but then again, you always seem to appear least expectedly. Are you here to train Eric or make sure he's safe?"

"No..." Magnus replied "I just came here to relax just like everyone else. Eric has fought enough and I don't have anything specific right now to teach him."

"Oh, well you're welcome to come in and see him or Mina for that matter." Edgar said to him "I'm sure they both would be thrilled that you are here."

"No,no, no..." Magnus replied in his usual calm solitude manner. "I didn't come here to socialize or have much company. Just thought this place was a nice quiet place to rest."

"I see..." Edgar replied "I take it you don't want me to tell them you're here."

"If you don't mind, but yes. Mainly I don't want you to tell the knights. I'd like it if you keep my presence between us and perhaps Mina..." Magnus replied.

"Very well, Magnus." Edgar said as he titled his head politely and put his hand to his heart, like he was bowing slightly to like a lord or a king.  Magnus nodded his head to him as he continued to sit quietly in the tree.

*****
Mean while, Johnny sat in a tree and continued watching Devi and her friends. Interacting, playing, laughing and all of this, caused Johnny to wonder if he had past experiences like that. He barely remembered anything about his life before the Dark Master took him.

"I wish..." Johnny said but then just sighed. Johnny looked at Devi, she seemed to act as if nothing happened, but he knew she was just covering it up. Or perhaps, she found some sort of happiness with her friends. She seemed to be fully content and so sure that her friends will always protect her. Johnny looked at this and felt a bit of emptiness he never notice before.

That night, Nny quietly came into Devi's room. He put a weary spell to lower the chance of Devi and Demi waking up at least at the moment. He gently touch her face and stroke it gently with the back of his fingers.

"Johnny?..." Devi whispered which caused him to jolt back a little bit. She was only dreaming or having a nightmare by her expression. Something caused him to feel a bit sympathetic about this.

Nny touched her face again. "I'm here..." He whispered just out all of a sudden. He didn't know where that came from. Then he remembered he once said that to comfort her when she was upset once. 

*Flashback*
Johnny had been laying on a bench, drenched in the rain. He felt exhausted and just felt depressed at the same time.  He wore a teal-green tank top under a dark blue jacket with sliver trimming, including on the shoulder pads. He wore the same colored pants and laced, black boots.

As he laid staring at the sky, Devi suddenly came into his view holding a red umbrella, she was dressed in a brown rain trench boat with champagne colored turtle neck sweater underneath, brown warm winter pants and thick, high black, laced rain boots. Her hair was tied in a ponytail.

"What are you doing out in the rain like this?" She asked with a warm smile. Nny just looked at her a little surprised to see her and just blinked at her.

****

Johnny sat in a chair on Devi's balcony of her apartment. The balcony had a roof over it. A towel was draped over his shoulders. Devi came out and sat in the chair right beside him, as she handed him a cup of coffee.

"So why were you out in the rain like that?" Devi asked

"I was just cooling off." Nny replied as he thanked Devi for the coffee.

"Cooling off like blowing off steam or temperature wise?" 

"Eh, a bit of both." Nny replied. "I kinda work out with a friend sometimes. Kinda martial arts type stuff a little bit."

"I didn't know you were into that kind of thing." 

He smirked with a shrug. "Eh, I do it just to get a little exercise. They say exercise helps clear the mind."

"Is that why you chose to soak out in the cold? Is it like that meditation under a waterfall thing?"

Nny chuckled and said "I guess you could put it that way."

Devi giggled a bit and said "You can be so weird sometimes!"

"Aren't we all?" Nny laughed.  They both shared a laugh. Then Nny asked "You haven't told me why you were out in the rain?"

"I just wanted to clear my mind a bit." Then she looked at him with a smirk and said "Unlike you though, I had an umbrella."

He returned the smirk and said "Tch, it's sometimes helps when you feel the rain and wind on your body."

"Yeah, it helps get you pneumonia."

"Open your mind a bit." He then got up and stood against the clay wall of the balcony, his head facing the sky. "It's nice just listening to the rain and wind."

Devi got up and stood next to him looking up as well. She gently listened to the pitter-patter of the rain and the wind that blew through some trees near by.

"Yeah, it is kind of nice." Devi said finally smiling.  She looked at him a little bit, after a while Nny looked at her and asked "What?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." She giggled a bit and said "You know, I'm not use to sharing views like this with anyone?"

"What about that Tenna girl?" Nny asked

"Well, she and I hang out but I'm more so use to hanging out alone." Devi replied

"You're like me then..." Nny said. "We mostly hang out on our own. I hardly had any friends growing up."

"Same..." Devi replied as she looked down. "I had one friend growing up....She kinda inspired to me to continue painting."

"You almost gave it up or something?" 

"Well, I didn't think too much of it..." Devi smiled and said "But she encouraged me to paint so I painted a picture of her dancing one day. I remember how happy she looked when I showed her it." 

Devi nearly had tears in her eyes. Except for Tenna, Devi hardly talked about her childhood friend. 

"Something happened to your friend, didn't it?" 

"She died in a hit and run..." Devi began to cry a bit. She then thought about Eric "dying" for her as well, which made her feel even worse.  "I'm sorry...It just hurts when I talk about it..."

Johnny looked at her sympathetically and gently rubbed her back gently. 

"I understand..." He said sympathetically. He then stood up and had her face him. He wrapped his arms around her in a warm, comforting embrace. He said in an upbeat and warm tone "It's okay, I'm here now so don't cry anymore...I hate seeing you cry."

She was surprised at first and then returned the comforting embrace.

*Flashback end*

Nny tilted his head at her for a moment and thought about what he believe, were memories of them together. That’s why he found it curious when she said what he use to do. He barely remembered any of it, yet when it came to hurting her, it was as if those memories were fresh yet still so far in his mind.

Johnny thought about it a little more.  He took a deep breath and sighed again before disappearing.

Tenna woke up and looked around because she thought she felt something or heard something. She looked at Devi sleeping peacefully across the room and then just shrugged and went to sleep.

Johnny then appeared on the building across from theirs and looked towards their room.

"Perhaps..." He said to himself. "The reason why I can't bring myself to killing you....is you're the only one of two people that I remember ever being kind....Perhaps...the only four people I remember from my past...and not from a dream."

Johnny  disappeared again to sleep somewhere. From a far, Magnus had watched the whole thing. He was curious of the young maniac. He was about to spring in there to help fight him off but felt unnecessary to do so.  Some how, he just knew Johnny wasn't gonna hurt her. Question to him was why?


Mean while, Johnny appeared some place where he knew no one would come and find him. He took a deep breath and sighed as he sat and leaned against a tree. He hated to sleep but he had nothing else to do and he just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. He slowly closed his eyes and fell a sleep and thought of someone also from his past.

"Usagi..." He whispered in his sleep.

****
It was raining unusually hard the next day. Devi and her friends were in the lobby wondering what to do. The clouds were thick enough that Eric wasn't even effected by the sun, so he got to stay in his normal form all day.  Tenna was wearing a pale green hooded jacket with matching cargo pants and a black long sleeve light sweater, underneath the jacket. Devi wore her usual brown trench coat, black shirt and brown jeans. Eric was in a black hooded sweater that was lace at the collar, in which he kept it loose and black baggy pants.

 Eric looked outside at the rain. "Weird..." He said "The weatherman yesterday said it was gonna be nice all week."

"Since when have the weathermen ever been correct?" Devi asked.

Eric just shrugged and continued to look out the window again.

"Aww, man! I wanted to go out and see the town!" Tenna complained.

"Relax, we still have a few days here." Devi told her friend.

"Yeah, plus we're in a hotel resort." Eric replied "We can still eat at a restaurant, hang out and enjoy the sound of the rain."

"I guess..." Tenna replied "Might want to play in the rain instead of just listening to it!"

"Just try not to get a cold..." Eric replied

"Yeah, we got done with Eric being sick not too long ago..." Devi reminded her.

"Don't worry, I won't..." Tenna scowled.

****
Devi was sitting in a library area on a lounge chair.  She had picked out a book but wasn't really focused on it. She was too busy thinking about the incident between her in Johnny.

"Devi?" Demi said quietly worried about her. "Something's wrong isn't it?

"No..." Devi replied "I just have a lot on my mind..."

"Hmm..." Demi replied sadly. She knew something was bothering her, but she knew Devi would be bothered if she asked. She couldn't force her if she didn't want to talk about it.

Eric then notice Devi alone and decided to join her.

"Hey!" Eric said as he walked over to her. "Mind if I join you?"

"Oh sure..." Devi said as she put her feet down from the cushion to let him sit beside her.

"Thanks..." Eric said as he sat beside her on another chair. "Hows it going today?"

"It's going good..." Devi said "I just got a lot my mind."

"Something happened to you in the changing room..." Eric said "Didn't it...?"

"Eric..." Devi said starting to get frustrated.

"I won't force you to talk about it... " Eric quickly said "I don't mean to nag, its just I worry...I know when something is upsetting people. I don't like not being able to do anything about it. If something is troubling you, you should let people know. It might help."

"Devi..." Demi said as she floated onto her knees. "It's unhealthy to keep things bottled up inside...If there's something bothering you, you should talk about it. You can trust us."

Devi looked down and sighed.


"So Johnny said he just couldn't bring himself to kill you?" Eric asked Devi nodded as she hugged her knees nervously.

"I don't think he really wants to..." Devi said

"Why do you say that after what he's done?" Eric asked

"Eric, didn't you see the way he hesitated?" She asked "It was as if he was struggling not hurt me. I don't think he has control of what he does..."

"Even so, Devi, he's still dangerous." Eric told her. "Especially when he can just come out of no where...and having some unknown force controlling him, just makes him even more dangerous..."

"I know...." Devi said. Eric looked at her and looked at her facial expression.

He let out sigh and then said "Do what you feel you need to do or what you feel you can do. Just be careful, okay?"

"Yeah, okay..." Devi said

Eric then got up and hugged her in which she embraced back. "And you'll always have us if you need help."

Devi smiled finally as she nodded and let out a few tears out. She finally felt a little relieved now. Little did they know, Tenna was watching from a far with a concern expression on her face.

****
Devi walked around a bit in the hotel. She was sorta stuck in her thoughts. Then she heard what sounded like a flute playing. She followed the song outside but seemed to be coming from the roof. She then went up the stairs with Demi up to the roof. Upon the roof was a beautiful garden, with a vast amount of plants and flowers. In the middle was a water fountain, with a Chinese dragon statue spouting out the water in the center, with other smaller dragons around it spouting water. The roof garden had a large, transparent cover that protect it from the rain, so anyone could be there during any type of weather.

There in the corner of the garden was Mina. She was dressed in a lime green, winter dress with black soft, fur trimming, black leggings and black ugg boots. Upon her head was a matching winter cap in the same lime green, with the same black trimming around the rim.

She looked to be in a trance as she played the flute. It was a beautiful melody mix of happiness and a little bit of sadness. Devi and Demi listened in silence as they closed their eyes. 

This song...Devi thought. It really feels like I'm in a misty yet tropical forest. A mix of warmth and coolness. Very peaceful and yet still with a bit of passion...Where did this girl learn to play like this?

She then took out her sketch pad and began sketching out the scene. She did this for about 10 to 15 minutes. Mina seemed to be so lost in her music, that she didn't seem to pay any mind until the wind started blowing a bit, which caused Mina to hold onto her hat and then sense Devi and Demi.

Demi touched Devi on the head, she stopped sketching, quickly closed her sketch pad and and put it back into her bag. 

"I'm sorry, I hope we didn't disturb you..." Devi replied. 

"No..." Mina replied. Her tone reverting back into a normal monotone. It was like the passion she put into her flute, just suddenly went into hiding. "The wind was what distracted me. I didn't notice you came in, until the wind was about to knock my hat off.

"Oh..." Devi replied. 

"You were playing wonderfully, Mina." Demi replied. 

"Yeah, where did you learn to play like that?" Devi asked curiously and also trying to lighten up the mood a bit. "It was very beautiful..."

" Well, my own personal tutors were the ones that taught me the basics..." Mina replied and she looked out and said "But, I guess when I learned the basics...I started doing my own thing occasionally. It just came to me like the wind does.... I like to play when I'm alone...I'm not too keen on playing for others..."

"Well, that's understandable." Devi replied. Mina looked up at her. She seemed to be a little surprised by Devi's comment. Devi explained "Sometimes, in order to put your passion into something, you should be alone so that nothing bothers or distracts you. Least then you can pour out all your emotions, while expressing it in a way that's clear and in your own way. I do that too when I draw or paint."

Mina looked at her for a moment and then with a small smile she nodded.

"So, were sketching me...?" Mina asked.

"Oh...I hope that was alright." Devi spoke a little bit nervously. She hoped that Mina didn't take such a thing personally.

"Can I see it?" Mina asked in a tone more curious then offensive.

"Oh...Sure." Devi got her sketched book out and showed her the sketch. It was in complete detailed. How her hair moved, the details of the plants and sculptures and even the mountain in the back.

"You did all this that quick?" Mina asked in surprised by the detail she managed to capture in such a short amount of time.

"Yup..." Devi answered. Mina looked at the pictured and smiled. Indeed, even a quick sketch, there was a lot of emotion felt just by look of the picture. It matched just like her song that she played on the flute. 

 Devi noticed how Mina seemed to really like the picture and gently said "You can have it if you want...?" 

"Oh...No. I shouldn't..." Mina replied a bit flustered. "It's your sketch...."

"Well, I shouldn't have sketched you without your permission in the first place..." Devi giggled to herself. "I couldn't help it. You look so pretty though...Especially your hair and how it flows in the wind and of course, your song is very beautiful as you said. It's actually probably one of the reasons why I did it in such detailed so fast. The song just let my emotions guide me. My hand just moved the way I felt hearing the song."

"Devi..." Mina replied. She heard many compliments before about her music, but hardly ever delved deeper than "Elegant" or "beautiful" and a bunch of fancy words to make it sound deep, but were as deep as a puddle. 

Mina then said "It's fine though...I don't mind that you did that...I mean. I've had my picture painted before...But..." She looked down sadly. "I will admit...Most don't put a lot of feeling in it when they paint my picture and such..." Then she smiled as she looked at the sketch. "But I can tell you really did feel and were guided by your emotions, when you're looking into this."

"Hmm..." Devi thought about it, until she struck an idea. "Tell you what? Why don't I paint a full version of the sketch. Call it a thank you gift for bringing us here."

"You don't have to do that." Mina said

"But that's thing about gifts." Devi explained happily. "A gift is never something you have to give. It's something that you want to give 

"Something from the bottom of your heart!" Demi replied cheerfully. Which caused Mina and Devi to giggle. 

"Well what she said." Devi added "I wanted to do something nice for you and Edgar. You've done a lot for us, Mina and I want to show my appreciation."

"Oh..." Mina replied shyly and with a small smile said "Thanks..." and then she shyly asked "Is it...okay...That is..if it helps. If I play for you when I paint it...?"

"Sure, that's a wonderful idea." Devi said a tiny bit excited for that. Mina then finally smiled a bit bigger this time and said "Okay...!"

"I'll let you know when we can and let me know when you can too." Devi told her.

"Alright." Mina said.

Mina gave Devi back her sketched book back and walked back in.

"She's really an emotional girl." Demi commented.

"Yes...She is." Devi said with a warm expression. Then she looked up at the sky. 

"It's been a long time since I drew for someone..."


**flashback**
"You painted this?" Johnny asked as he looked at the detailed painting of him sitting facing towards the left a bit, painting in his usual striped shirt. The background was a tannish color and surrounding him in the picture was his paints, in many colors. The paints and his green eyes were the colors that stood out from the rest.

"Yeah..." Devi replied a bit shyly. 

"Wow..." Johnny said touched by every detailed. "This is great...Amazing actually. The way you put so much detail and emotion through it."

"Thanks..." Devi replied warmly. "I'm glad you like it. I wanted to do something nice since it's your birthday...and well..."

"This is for me...?" Nny asked a bit surprise.

"Well...yeah..." Devi stumbled upon her words. "It's a birthday gift..."

"Devi..." Nny's eyes were almost teary. 

"Is there something wrong?" Devi asked.

Nny wiped his eyes. "No, there's nothing wrong...It's just. It's been a while since someone gave me anything for my birthday. Normally I don't mind but...I guess it's a nice change." Nny's expression became warm as he smiled. "Thanks..."

Devi felt a mix of apathy, sorrow and happiness all at once. Something she never thought she would feel before. She then returned a bright smile and said "Of course!" 

****

It was still raining even in the middle of the day. As Edgar looked out, he was surprised to see Magnus sitting on a different tree this time, under the shade of the branches above him.

Edgar opened the window and said "Oh dear, Magnus you should really come inside."

"It's fine." He calmly said with usual calm smile. "It's actually quite nice out here."

"But you're gonna catch a cold..." Edgar said

"I do not catch colds." Magnus simply said.

"Oh...." Edgar said

"He's a vampire, Edgar." Said Mina who slowly came over to her friend. "The rain and cold doesn't cause vampires to get sick. The sun does."

"I guess you're right..." Edgar said  "Anyway, I'm gonna check up on some of the guests. Mina, if you want, I just set some tea on the table there. You're more then welcome to come down and have some yourself too, Magnus. Just be sure to dry yourself off before coming in."

"Thank you." Magnus said

With that Edgar walked off, as Mina sat by the window to talk to Magnus.

"The three knights are are united at last." Mina said "However, I dunno about the fourth one. I can't even detect anymore lights that match their's."

"I have feeling that the fourth knight is closer then you think, Mina." Magnus said

"What makes you say that?" Mina asked

"Call it a hunch." Magnus replied "I don't really suspect anyone right now. Just a feeling I guess, that the fourth knight is not too far behind."

"I see..." Mina said "Edgar told me about you don't want Eric to know that you're here. I promise not to say anything."

"I knew you wouldn't." Magnus said with a warm smile. "I don't worry about you when it comes to that."

"Does he like follow or tag along as they say around you?" Mina asked Talking about Eric.

"No its not that." Magnus said "He's a polite and respectful young lad. In fact, I was a bit surprised by his manners, being that most that do want to be vampires are spoiled brats. And of course, his father wasn't exactly one I trust in raising a boy to be the one he is."

"Then, may I ask why?" Mina asked more out of curiosity.

" You already know." Magnus replied "I just don't want to get too attached to him. More so then not, I just don't want him get attached to me. I've turned him into a vampire to teach him so that he can full fill his destiny as a knight, as promised that I would do for your family. Not to dolly around and be all buddy buddy with him or anyone."

"But isn't that the point of teaching?" Mina asked "Creating a bond so the pupil can be more connected with what they're learning?"

Magnus widen his eyes a little bit at the young girl as she continued on saying "I never really bonded with my teachers really. I just studied from books and just did the assignments they handed to me. Maybe I'm wrong, but I read some where that lessons are taught better when the teacher and student bond and get along together...Least that's what Edgar said..."

Magnus then smiled warmly at the girl and said "My dear, you are truly wise beyond your years."

He then leaped off from the tree and floated down slowly through the window. Using a spell he instantly dried off within a second and it was as if he never was in the rain. He sat beside Mina at a glass table.

They were a bit quiet for a while until Mina finally said in a sad tone. "You just don't want Eric to get hurt as much when that time comes... " Then she thought After all, Eric wouldn't be the only one effected by this. You've been like a grandfather to me and Edgar as well. You don't want more people to be hurt. You really are very kind.

Magnus was just silent as he leaned forward as if to have read her thoughts . He crossed all five fingers together and rested his chin against them, resting his elbows on the table. He took a deep breath and sighed a bit.

"I'm sorry..." Mina said sadly as she looked down "I said too much..."

"No..." Magnus said assuringly as rested his hand firmly on her shoulders. "It's alright. You know me quite well and you're concern for those around you, which is never wrong."

 Mina bowed her head politely.

"Unlike most kids these days..." Magnus sighed as he took a sip of his tea. "Many children these days are really rotten and don't seem to show much appreciation..."

"Do you think that's why the Darkness suddenly awakened?" Mina said "Because of the shallowness of human kind?"


"Mina..." Magnus said "There has always been darkness. Humans have always acted shallow, therefore, a bit of darkness always lingers. It's born from people's selfish desires, fears, hatred and sorrow. The thing is the Dark Master is something that can physically destroy the world. And the knights have the physical and spiritual powers that is used against it. Still even if the Dark Master is defeated, there will still be the darkness that lingers in people's hearts. "

He rested his hand on her shoulder as he said "Despite that, as long as enough people care and show the human's greatest gift, the darkness cannot corrupt the world completely. Just as there will always be darkness, there will always be the light too.."

"I see..." Mina said "Since I was born, I was taught about the prophecy about the darkness and the four knights. It was something that was passed down from those before me, because my family did not know when the Dark Master will show up. I was hoping that when the knights showed up and they defeated the darkness, maybe..."

"You could live a normal life?"  Magnus added sadly. The girl looked down sadly a little bit. Magnus comfortingly replied "You've held a heavy burden and duty both as a the Messenger of Light and a manager for your parent's business. Something I always thought was too heavy to put on a child. Perhaps those three knights can lighten up your spirit."

"They are a bit interesting." Mina said finally putting a smile on her face. "Devi is firm but still very loving, Tenna is happy and open to people and Eric is generous and sincere. They seem much more lively than what I pictured the knights to be."

"They're kids." Magnus reminded her "Well they're young anyway and you're only young once. You're especially young as well. You should learn and enjoy what they have to offer. What life has to offer. "

Magnus remembered something he wanted to warn Mina and Edgar about, so while they were still on subject he said "Mina, the other night I spotted one of the Dark Master's warriors. He didn't do anything really. He was just sneaking about and then disappeared."

"Do you know which one it was?" Mina asked

"I believe it was Johnny..." Magnus said

"I'm not all that surprised..." Mina said as she sipped her tea. "I sensed a dark aura and suspected it was him. He and the leader of the knights have a connection. So it doesn't surprise me. I sensed another presence here that wasn't here before and it was dark, but I dunno for sure if it was from the Dark Master. It was very faint but occasionally I felt it stronger and then just disappeared."

"I wanted to warn you and I want you to keep close to Edgar and the knights." Magnus said

"Thank you..." Mina said humbly "I don't think we have to worry about this place or the people here from them. Once we leave, the resort should be safe from them."

"Well, I'm not worried about the resort." Magnus said "I'm worried about you and Edgar's safety. Times are more dangerous now that the knights have been reunited. It's best for you to stay close to Edgar and the knights especially and to also keep an eye out."

"I understand..." Mina said and nodded politely "Thank you." Then giggled a little bit.

"What's so funny?" Magnus asked with a blank stare.

"I just find it ironic that you say you don't want to get close to anyone," Mina said "but you worry and care about us."

Magnus chuckled a bit and said "Well, I guess I can't help but be a sap sometimes. You two are the few that I let in anyway. Besides Eric a little bit...I've known your family for hundreds of years. Can't know a group of people for so long, without growing a little fond of them. " He got up slowly but suddenly knelt down, nearly tumbling over a bit. Mina quickly got up and went over to see if he was alright and help him.

"These legs of mine..." Magnus sighed " 500 years younger and they'd be strong enough to run those human Olympics." Mina helped him up to his feet.

"Thank you." He said

"Are you really going back out in this?" Mina asked "You should really rest in this condition."

"Yes, I'm fine really. Just a few achy joints here and there. " Magnus said "The rain has calmed down a bit and it's almost dusk, I have to feed soon anyway. . I'm sure I'll be back to rest warmly for the night, being tonight suppose be extremely cold. As much I don't mind the cold weather, there is a limit on how long I can stand. Take care young one and be safe."

"Thank you, I will and I wish you well too." She said reassuringly as he flew out the window.