#“I've not forgotten about our library venture.”

[kiwiplaetzchen]

"We do so adore restricted areas, don't we?"

"We shouldn't go in there. Which is exactly why we should. Now take heed. There's a chance we could get caught."

[endless-ineffabilities]

Hi, I was wondering if would you be able to do something where the reader is with Morpheus when he tells Nada he still loves her? Only if you’re comfortable with writing about Nada or just angst in general ofc

Only you can set alight the fire in me

pairing: Morpheus x reader

warnings: allusion to smut, angst

summary: Reader is the half human, half immortal (take your pick - goddess, angel, witch, etc.) soulmate of Morpheus. When they come across Nada in hell, Morpheus makes a confession that the Reader simply doesn't like, to say the least.

Main Library

When I found out that he came back, I was elated.

It had been nearly a century since I last saw my beloved Morpheus, who suffered captivity in the wretched hands of Roderick Burgess. I tried everything in my power to free him, but even I cannot stray from the rules of magic.

I was able to communicate with him several times, and each time I had strained my power completely, to the point where he discouraged me from attempting to do so.

I knew that I just had to wait. Somehow, someday, my love would come back to me.

And he did.

He came back different, broken. But in my arms, he was still the same. I could sense a rage had developed within him - against his captors, from finding out that most of his subjects had left, from losing Jessamy.

From being away from me. I could also see that he tried to temper it down, for my sake, simply being content with basking in the glow of our reunion.

"My love," he whispered, voice breaking. We held each other for the longest time, Lucienne having excused herself much earlier to give us some space. Whispering sweet nothings, and promises of devotion repressed through the years. Sitting there in his throne room, almost wrapped in each other's skin, I never wanted to let him go.

"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry," he breathed against my skin, nose nuzzled in my neck.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, my love. They did this to you."

"But all of that caused you pain. You have no idea how," he runs his fingers down my arm, "badly," his hand now gently moving up my knees to my thighs, "... I needed you."

"Morpheus," I whispered, voice getting caught in my throat, "welcome back."

His lips crash to mine, gentle yet demanding, and all else was forgotten.

--------

Of course, there was much work to be done. My love had been robbed of his tools during his time in captivity.

We ventured off to London to retrieve his sand from Johanna Constantine, whom I've grown quite fond of, due to her tireless wit and devil-may-care attitude. I made a note to catch up with her another time.

And now, where else would we be but in the cold, depths of hell -myself, Morpheus, and his new raven Matthew, determined to take back his helm from a demon. Being here feels excruciating, as if hell is pricking through my damn skin. The ceaseless tortured screams of the damned don't do much to help, either.

Morpheus firmly holds my hand, as we follow Squatterbloat through each cursed area of hell. I was distrustful of the demon immediately, knowing that their kind was prone to acts of deceipt and malevolence, no matter how mild-mannered they may show themselves to be in the moment.

We start to climb the cells of the damned, a sprawling block of dreary towers covered by a sky of smouldering fumes. We pass cell after cell, and I try to avert my eyes from every tormented soul, as I don't think I can bear it.

"Take heart, my love," Morpheus squeezes my hand, sensing my discomfort, "We'll be out of here soon."

"I know," I try to focus on him, and nothing else, "Let's get your helm, and get out of this hellhole."

"I am grateful that you came with me. You give me all the strength that I need." He lifts my hand, and leaves a loving kiss.

"I would go anywhere with you, my love."

"Aww, you guys are so cute." Matthew intervenes, "It almost made me forget that we are literally in hell. Almost."

"Well, I nearly forgot that you were flapping about with us, Matthew. Almost." I turn to him playfully.

"Ha-ha," he responds dryly, "Leave it to you two to get all loved-up in hell, of all places."

Matthew and I had gotten into a routine of friendly banter, ever since Lucienne assigned him to be Morpheus' new raven. I appreciate the reprieve that it offers in this situation.

"Just walk on, you two," Morpheus says, feigning disinterest, but I could tell he was amused.

We walk on, and I dread the view that surrounds us, but I dread coming face-to-face with Lucifer even more.

I shuffle closer behind Morpheus, when a strained voice echoes from inside a cell.

"Kai-ckul?" A woman breathes heavily, peering through the jarred bars of her entrapment. "Dream Lord?"

Morpheus halts. He recognizes her voice.

"It is you." Her eyes well up in tears. I can't even imagine what she is going through.

"I greet you, Nada." Morpheus responds, his grip loosening on my hand.

So this is Nada. Morpheus had once revealed to me all of his past lovers. He said that he didn't want to hide anything from me, he wanted me to know what exactly being with him entails. All the good and the bad that came with it.

"But now, there is only you. There will only ever be you, my love. If you'll have me," I remember that he had said to me then, eyes ablaze in passion.

I stay silent as they speak, even when Morpheus drops my hand entirely.

Then I hear her ask, "Do you not still love me?"

I feel myself tense at her question, and Matthew and I exchange a knowing look.

A moment passes, and I assume that he is simply choosing the right words to reject her, while still being considerate.

Until he responds, "It has been 10,000 years, Nada. Yes, I still love you."

Her face lights up in realization, and I try to steady myself, disappointed at what I just heard.

"But I have not yet forgiven you." he turns away from her, and starts walking.

"Come, my love. Come, Matthew." he calls out to us, gazing straight ahead.

"You," Nada's eyes find mine, "are with him?"

"Yes," I answer weakly. I don't wish my words to bring her any further pain.

"He loves me," she grips the bars of her cell, as if wanting to break them off, "He said so himself. One day, he will forgive me and we will be together once more."

"I'm sorry," I don't know what else to say, feeling empty inside from hearing Morpheus' confession.

I walk faster to catch up with Morpheus, with Matthew promptly following behind.

Morpheus reaches for my hand, but I pretend that I don't notice and say, "Let's go. I've just decided that I really hate this damn place." I walk past him.

"That's rough," Matthew quips beside me.

"Tell me about it."

--------

We succeeded, as I believed we would.

Triumphant, and helm in hand, Morpheus, Matthew and I made our way back into the Dreaming.

I had been so afraid for my love when he engaged the Ruler of Hell in combat, that I nearly forgot the exchange that he had with his former lover.

Nearly.

Upon returning, Lucienne greets us with a relieved smile. However, she looks as if she's thrown off by my expression.

"Is something wrong?" she asks me in concern.

Everyone looks at me expectedly, but I'm not really in the mood to share so I just shrug, "Not at all, I'm fine. I'll just head to my library."

Morpheus tries to catch my eye, but I am already heading off. He calls out to me, "I'll be with you shortly, my love."

I enter my library and feel a sense of calm wash over me. Morpheus had constructed this library just for me, and it contains only the books that I love, as well as the ones that I have yet to read but am bound to love afterward.

This room is but a single proof of his efforts to win me over, and that he did, but now I can't help but wonder if I am truly special, or if he had achieved similar feats for his past lovers too. Perhaps he had, and normally I would be fine with that, but then again, he said that he loves her. Does he still love all of them? If he does, then his love will never be just for me.

The door flies open, and he strides in, unbothered and unaware of my thoughts.

He sits next to me on this plush, dark gray loveseat, but I don't look at him.

"Something's wrong?" he asks slowly, "Something's bothering you, my love. Tell me."

"You love her."

"What?"

"You still love her. Nada." I turn to him so he fully see the extent of my emotions. Maybe I am overthinking things, but his declaration of love didn't sit well with me.

"I..." he seems at a loss, choosing his next words carefully, "I will always have a love for her, yes. But it's different with you, of course."

"How so?"

"What do you mean? You know how important you are to me. You are everything." he reaches for my hands, eyes imploring me to understand.

"Morpheus," I pull away, and pace the room, "what if I had encountered any of my exes - Aeneas, Gabriel..."

"Don't mention those names in front of me," he cuts me off, his voice darkening.

"What if I meet them, and tell them I still love them?" I press on, as he looks up at me, brows furrowed, "How would you feel then?"

"You wouldn't dare do that, my love," he stands, adding the term of endearment in a slightly menacing tone, far from the usual doting one.

"That's how I feel!" I raise my arms in exasperation, "I mean, do you still love all of them? Your past lovers?"

"It's not the same. I am an Endless. It's almost impossible for me to simply get rid of old ties. My love runs deep for whomever I devote myself to. With Nada, she's an extraordinary woman... but she's nothing compared to you."

I find it hard to wrap my head around it, and take a few deep breaths. If he thinks that flattery, and a couple of sweet lines will completely diffuse the situation, he is sorely mistaken.

"I'm sorry," he reaches out to me, and I let him wrap his arms around me tightly, "I'm sorry I said that, and that it upset you. I do have a kind of love for all my former lovers, but all that pales in comparison to my love for you."

"I don't know," I mutter against his chest, "what to think."

"Then don't." He leans down, and kisses me. I try to stay angry, but he kisses me harder, moaning low and deep against my lips, and I lose myself in him.

His hands run down my sides, settling on my waist, pushing my back down onto the loveseat.

He proceeds to kiss my neck, biting a trail along the way.

"No one else can kiss you like this," he rests his forehead against mine, and runs his fingers down my chest, "No one else can touch you like I do. You're mine."

I wrap my fingers around his wrist, halting his movements, "And you're mine. Don't ever tell a former lover that you love them ever again. Not like that. I understand the extent of your compassion for each one of them, but you wouldn't want me to do the same to mine."

He gazes at me for the longest time, before a soft smile emerges on his lips, "Understood. And I'm yours."

He kisses me again, and again, and again.

Endlessly.

The end.

first oneshot/request done! It's not as angsty as I intended but hopefully it's got enough 😂

Yes, I do take requests, for Morpheus, Corinthian, and potentially other characters in other fandoms too. Drop me a message!

And, Ineffable's next chapter will be out in a couple of days. Corinthian will be making an appearance - I simply couldn't resist.

[corinneecrivaine]

WILLOW FANFIC

PART 9

THE SECRET OATH OF TIR ASLEEN

Elora: Willow... Graydon's alive. I know it, I feel it. You feel it too, don't you. I must help him.

Willow hesitated before answering: If that were the case, and I doubt it very much, he's no longer the man you knew, infected by The Wyrm. You've seen his effects on Ballantine, Merrick and... Airk, Graydon... He doesn't have the strength to fight.

Elora: That's why I have to help him. If there's even a glimmer of hope, then I've got to do it. We've got to get back to Tir Asleen.

Willow approached the young Empress and took her face in his hands: "You're not ready. Until you accept who you are, you won't be able to master the magic that lives inside you.

Elora begged: "When I looked through the light, believing I'd find Graydon's body, all I saw was an apocalyptic world in flames and ashes. I won't let The Wyrm destroy our world. I've defeated The Crone, I'll defeat The Wyrm. But I need you. I'm begging you.

Mims joined them at that very moment.

Mims: I'll go with you, Elora.

Willow got angry: No, Mims. It's out of the question!

Mims raised her voice: I will, Popa. I'll follow our Empress. She'll need all of us. She can't do it alone. We need to assemble an army to fight alongside her. Whether you like it or not, I'll be part of that army. Tir Asleen needs us. You feel it, as does Elora, The Wyrm is growing in power.

Willow stared at the young Empress, who implored her with her eyes.

Willow: My place is by your side. How can I help you without my magic ?

Elora: Willow, as you've always told me, magic is inside you, you just have to believe in it.

*******

Airk went to the castle library in the hope of finding answers to his questions. All the mysteries his mother had kept from him. Ever since he'd been under the Wyrm's spell, a change had taken place in him. A change that made him want to know the truth about his family and his past. King Hastur's words and Elora's never ceased to torment his mind. Ever since he'd returned home, he'd been haunted by horrible nightmares in which he heard The Crone's voice over and over again, saw Lili's face, the fight with his sister, the king he could have been and all the power that had inhabited him without any sense of fear or weakness. But what oppressed and frightened him most was the vision of that confrontation in which Kit succumbed. He could never see her assailant. He was terrified. Every night he dreaded falling asleep and seeing those horrible images of his sister, inert, dressed all in black, a tunic protected by a cuirass, leather gloves covering her hands up to the elbows, pants over which waders, a hood and a mask enveloping her face. He had refused to tell his mother. As for Willow and Elora, the only one who could possibly help him were no longer at Tir Asleen. He had to save his sister by any means necessary, even if it meant sacrificing his life.

The place was rather gloomy and dusty. It had been many moons since anyone had ventured into this almost forgotten place. Hundreds of books on shelves and others lying loose on a wooden table. The library, reading, was not the young prince's first passion. How was he going to find the grimoire he was looking for?

He faced the bookshelf and sighed : « Come on, Airk, get started ».

He'd been searching for hours, throwing all kinds of manuscripts on the floor: cooking recipes, astronomy, astrology, herbal medicine, naturopathy, but nothing about his family or Tir Asleen.

In a sudden fit of terrible anger, the young prince threw all the books on the table aside with a wave of his hand. He had to get hold of this manuscript at all costs - it might be the only way to save his sister.

Suddenly, he noticed a locked drawer. He tried to pry the lock off with his hand, but to no avail. Examining every nook and cranny of the room, he found nothing. Annoyed, he picked up a paperweight and struck as hard as he could. Mad with rage, he swung the object, which shattered against the wall and released a silver cleaver resembling a key. He grabbed it and opened the drawer.

Inside was a magnificent leather-covered grimoire bearing the symbol of royalty: the Tree of Life within a circle of lilies of peace surrounded by an octagon, entitled: The Secret Oath of Tir Asleen. The manuscript was closed by a lock, which he pushed aside, revealing its buried secrets. Calligraphic gold scrolls recounting the history of the Tanthalos family and Tir Asleen. Airk leafed through the grimoire and plunged into the past.

*******

Tir Asleen was a magnificent, prosperous kingdom of peace and plenty, the most powerful in Andowyne, with rich farmlands and ruled for many moons by benevolent monarchs. Renowned for its hospitality, anyone could find shelter here. Renowned for its rich culture and teachings, many sorcerers studied in the castle's library. It was here that Fin Raziel and Bavmorda learned magic alongside Cherlindrea.

Mikal Tanthalos, son of Tanthalos VIII, was the last king of Tir Asleen. A man of culture, arts and letters, he was renowned for his greatness of spirit, kindness, compassion and generosity. He was a king who always strived to do what was right. But all that changed with the arrival of Bavmorda.

A child prodigy, curious and intelligent, she assimilated magic so incredibly well that she earned the respect of Cherlindrea. Everyone saw her as a child of Heaven, the chosen one who would bring peace to the whole universe. But Bavmorda was destined for an altogether different destiny. When she came into the world, many creatures of the night surrounded her mother and witnessed her birth. This child had been conceived by darkness.

One evening, while she was in the castle library, the Malatrium, a grimoire containing incantations of evil sorcery, appeared to her. She began to study this forbidden magic, and the more she immersed herself in it, the darker her soul and heart became, and the darkness flowed through her veins. Not only did she feed on Malatrium, but this dangerous magic also fed on Bavmorda.

Over the years, she became such a powerful evil witch that she attracted the interest of the nascent Order of the Wyrm, who rallied her to their cause. The day she pledged allegiance to this sect, Bavmorda turned definitively to the dark side. She used her dark magic to destroy the parents of Mikal, sole heir to the throne of Tir Asleen. The young prince, under Bavmorda's spell, eventually married her.

She seized the throne and ushered in an era of violence and bloodshed. When her daughter Sorsha was born, she left Tir Asleen, taking her child with her and trapping her husband and all the inhabitants in blocks of ice. She settled in the volcanic fortress of Nockmaar, from where she continued her reign of terror.

*******

Airk had grown up in a golden bubble in which his family's darkest secrets could never reach him. But today, everything that had been buried and forgotten had been revealed to him. The young prince was discovering a side of his mother he'd never imagined existed. He had been raised and educated by a person with a dark past, acting alongside the most evil witch with the sole aim of destroying the young Elora. The same Elora she was now protecting. It was all lies and deceit. Anger overwhelmed him.

He continued to peruse the grimoire and understood one of the reasons why Tir Asleen was so coveted. The Tree of Life was not only the emblem of the Tanthalos family's royalty, it was the very essence of the magic that shaped Cherlindea's The Wand. Whoever owned Tir Asleen owned magic.

Bavmorda's presence in these parts, fanned by the dark world using magic to fulfill its evil ambitions, blackened the roots of the Tree of Life and awakened the Malatrium awaiting her coming. Her greed and thirst for power fed it a little more with each use.

The Malatrium was a manuscript with a cover made of Satyr skin, containing the incantations of a forgotten magic, too dangerous to be practiced. Anyone who allowed themselves to be seduced by this forbidden magic fell under the spell of the Malatrium, which fueled envy, power, domination and darkness. It was created by the Malevoiy, an ancient people of fairies who revelled in death and cruelty. In those ancient times, the Malevoiy ruled the world until the Daikinis drove them from Nockmaar, but their spirits continued to haunt the place, awaiting their return to restore their glory.

Flipping through this sinister part of his family's grimoire, the pages darkened as did the calligraphy. Airk felt a chill run through his body. The young prince learned that, between them, Willow and Elora had used this forbidden magic to save Graydon.

Airk : Elora, no you didn't.

It's as if the manuscript had woken up and was filling itself with the adventures of his family and all that related to it. From his kidnapping to his release. It was all there. The last empty page slowly took shape before his eyes. What it revealed filled him with terror. The grimoire had just reproduced his abominable nightmare, his sister inert, succumbing to the attacks of her assailant hidden in the shadows.

Airk brutally closed the manuscript to chase away those awful images. His family had a direct link with The Wyrm. Perhaps the magic that ran in his grandmother's veins could also live in him and his sister. Perhaps he simply had to awaken it.

He needed the Malatrium to save his sister.

He had to return to Nockmaar.

[averyscarlet-blog]

Noise’s Story

Prisoned

Warning: Slightly R-18

Theme(s): Tragedy, Revenge, Injustice

Type: Original Story

Featured Original Character(s): Noise, Sound, Ayane, Rei, Percy, Xavier, Ulric

Other Character(s): Zephyr

Inspiration: N/A 

Summary: The backstory of the boy who has chosen to lazily live his days in Avarus. One day, while taking one of his annual naps, he began to recall his past. Something he rarely does or allows himself to do. But after much thought, he allowed himself to relive his past by lulling himself back to sleep. It was about time he learns how to accept his past; how else is he gonna sleep in peace?

When I was a kid, the only sky I've ever known was the giant cage thar surrounded the city. We're all told that it's supposedly meant to protect us from the outside world, to make sure we're not exposed to the toxic air outside, but I knew better, and so did my best friend, Zephyr. We were the only ones that saw past the lies and felt the urge to venture the world beyond our prison. Surprisingly, my dad encouraged me to pursue my dream, and I think I understand why he was so eager to help whenever he can. He was a man trapped in a world of his own, filled with nothing but pleasure, a prison that he can never leave.

After gaining access to the library and learned the origins of my real name, it somehow suits me. I'm the son of a sinner, it makes sense I'd be named after someone like that. He wants me to do something he's too late in doing, breaking free from my prison. That's what I aimed to do, and after much talking, so did Zephyr. We listed various methods on our escape; the first being an underground tunnel. Only miners were allowed so one of us thought of working there then secretly steal one. We failed miserably after trying to pass off as teens. Our second idea was to climb over the wall, which was easy since no one ever guards it. But when we got to the top, we had completely forgotten about the cage and ended up wasting our time by trying to bash out way out.

We ended up getting arrested after making too much noise. After my second trip to the library, I learned of the existence of boats. No one could reach us if we sail away! Then I realized we couldn't build one because; 1) wood no longer exists and 2) the irrigation dam's opening is so small that I'm sure we'd get stuck. Then I found it, the solution that'd get us out. An airplane. We decided to worry about how we'd get through the cage later, this was the best plan we could ever come up with. So the next four years, we spent most of our days building, working tirelessly to gather the necessary materials and use whatever blueprints we could steal for assembling the necessary parts.

The only thing we did during our rest days was either talk about the outside world or sit in silence and relax. To my surprise, Zephyr told me that there were people out there waiting for him. I didn't believe him because that was impossible, we've known each other our whole lives. How could he know if there's any living thing outside if he's been stuck here like me? He would have told me if he knew a way out. Right?

I caugjt him writing several times, but I never asked who they were for. I just figured he was practicing how to write since his family wasn't given the same privaledges as mine. Learning is a blessing, hence why I taught him when I could. That was how our days went, then it happened. My dad got in too deep and ended up sleeping in a tub filled with his own blood. I ended up becoming trapped like him, trapped in my feelings of revenge. Zephyr tried to stop me but it was too late. I joined the Secret Police and used up another four years of my life, but instead of using them to free myself of this city, I wasted it on making sure I remain trapped. Zephyr never spoke to me again, and by the time I did arrest the people that killed my dad, I was too far deep to leave.

Like father, like son.

Then one day, word got out that someone was attempting to flee the city. My co-workers brushed it off as nothing as they knew it was impossible to get out. Even if they did, who knows what awaits outside the walls. All that talk about radiation from the old war and the toxic air still sounded like nonsense to me, but anyone would believe anything they hear as long as they remain living in fear. If that person does attempt to make his escape, I know he'll fail, and his failure will cement the already see rooted fear in everyone's hearts. And I was going to ignore it as well, till I heard the name of who was the fool that publicly declared his departure. He was always an idiot, but I didn't think he was stupid enough to let the whole city know he was making his grand escape.

I don't know what drove me to meet him after so long. I was ust aimlessly patrolling around the farther regions if the city and found myself at our old hang out. It was an abandoned construction site, a passion project dedicated to our beloved dictator's 66th wife till she died of unknown circumstances. When I was about to push aside the oldy moldy door curtain, I heard the familiar sound of a roaring engine from the upper floor. I ran in only to find myself tackled and pinned to the ground by Zephyr.

"Heh... About time you got here!" he cackled.

Struggling, I demanded, "Get off me!"

"Sorry! No can do!"

"Then tell me, why are you leaving the city now!?"

For the first time, the brilliant light I've seen in his pale blue eyes disappeared. He stared down at me with an unfamiliar cold gaze.

"I told you... I have people waiting for me outside," he spoke in a monotone voice. "I thought about it for a long time. I was supposed to join them 8 years ago, but then I met you."

He briefly gets off my back, grabs my shoulders then proceeds to flip me over. I hitch a breath when we finally made direct eye contact. When I first met him, he was a scrawny kid that didn't know when to stop smiling. Before we went out seperate ways, he had grown but still wore that stupid grin. Now, four years later, his smile remained but gave off a different vibe. It felt like he was trying to control his emotions, forcing himself to smile. He sits back on my abdomen before I could sit up, then pins my arms above my head when I tried to reach him. His sudden strength surprised me.

When I tried to fight back, he tightens his grip hard enough to potentially crack my wrist bones.

"All I've ever thought about was taking you to the outside world, but I couldn't because you're not like me." Zephyr bowed his head so his long bangs concealed his eyes. He tried to sound like his usual cheerful self, but it came off as forced as he spoke. "Zephyr's not even my real name... I only picked it because it's cool. That's all I wanted to be for you, but you always beat me to the punch. Even after you dropped our plans, abandoned me so you can join those stiffs..."

A tear drop falls on my cheek. I felt helpless as I watched my best friend began to cry. To my further surprised, he reaches for something on his eyes and removes... A contact lense. The blue that I was so familiar with was replaced with a spine chilling yellow color. It almost appeared as it they were glowing. He lightly punches my chest before I could think of a response.

His voice cracks as he yelled, "I still waited! I thought that once you got your revenge over with, you'd come back so I can take you out of here!"

I gasp when he lets go of my wrists and roughly grabs the jacket of my uniform, lifting me to bring out faces closer.

"But I'm done. I've waited long enough. I'm getting out of here," he said coldly. "You were my only reason for staying in this shit hole. Sound was right, I shouldn't have waited for someone that second guesses themselves."

'Sound...?' I thought.

Before I could as what he meant, Zephyr stands up and movea several steps back. Using the sleeve of his soot covered shirt, he wipes his tears away then stares back at me once more. This time his eyes blazed with determination.

"I'm glad you dropped by though." He bitterly smiles. Zephyr croaks, "Least I know you still thought of me to the end. I just needed to see your face to make sure I'm doing the right thing."

"Wait, Zephyr-"

Desperate for answers and fearing the meaning behind his words, I shot up on my feet and ran towards him. My heart was beating against my ears as the gap between up quickly began to disappear. But just as the tip of my finger was close to touching him, my entire went numb the second he vanished from my line of sight. I could hardly comprehend what just happened. He was there, standing and talking to me. There was no way that was a hallucination, the bruises on my wrists are proof enough that he was real. I don't know what brought me to do it, but my eyes automatically fall to the ground.

For a split second, I thought I saw some sort of ripple effect on the cement floor. I thought of reaching just to check if I was seeing things, but before I could, a small pebble was thrown at the side of my head. I automatically turn in the direction it came from and saw Zephyr, leaning against the doorway to the stairwell with his arms crossed like nothing happened. He turns his head and smirks, a familiar playful glint appearing in his eyes.

"So, what are you gonna do now, Mr. Policeman?"

Anger began to boil. Without an ounce of hesitation, I drew my gun and charged. A cunning smiling crosses his lips as he gravitated away from entryway , practically gliding into the stairwell as he disappeared from my line of sight. Ticked at his continual resistance, I replaced the rounds with one filled with rubber bullets and dashed after him. Punching the door to open it wider, my head snaps up and saw his hand sliding over the hand rail on the third floor. Tightening my grip around the shaft of the handle, I held my pistol up and ran after him. The building was about 15 floors up, so there's a slim chance I'd be able to reach him.

When I checked to see how far he's gotten, I saw that his pace had remained unchanged. Mine, however, was starting to decrease as the previous momentum I had earlier was being weighed down by Earth's gravity. His footsteps began to echo farther the higher we go. My chest was beginning to feel heavy, it felt like I was suffocating as my lungs began to greedily take in as much as air possible. Stopping, I attempted to shoot him while a part of him was within my line of sight. The problem was, when I attempted to aim, sweat was dripping passed my brow and entering my eyes, blurring my already hazy vision. I tried to control my breathing, but after climbing up 10 flights of stairs while wearing thick layers of clothing, I couldn't gain at least a few seconds to recover.

Realizing Zephyr was going to escape at the rate I was going, I discarded some articles of police uniform as I resume running. First I peeled off my white gloves by bitting them off that's prevented me from properly making any physical contact, then I shed off the black trench coat which felt heavy on my shoulders since I put it on. And lastly, yanked off my black tie and threw my hat off. With the weight lifted, I found myself moving at a faster pace, almost reaching the same floor as Zephyr before he abruptly turns and bashes he way through the door of the top floor. I follow after a minute later.

The top floor was just an unfinished area with no walls on all four corners, leaving only a poorly made ceiling and sever unfinished cement columns and beams. On the other side of the room was Zephyr, whose back was turned as he stared at aircraft in front of him. An aerobatic plane.

Stunned to see an actual one in person, I was going to step forward in awe only to do the opposite when Zephyr partially moves to face me.

"Beautiful, isn't it? I made it after the exact sketches you made when we were kids."

"Don't fuck with me! You know the moment you declared your escape attempt to the city you'd became the government's no. 1 on their most wanted list!"

When I raised my gun at him, for a split second, I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes, which was briefly replaced with sadness then anger.

"So... We really are at the point of no return..." He mumbled, frowning as he closes his eyes and turns away.

Clicking my teeth, I recite the same words since I became an SP, "Zephyr Andrealphus! You are under arrest for conspiracy against the government and the moral it has instilled in the people! I want you to come with me and receive judgement from the aeolipyle gods!" I adjusted my grip and held my pistol with both hands. "If you're lucky, you'll have a chance to receive penance for your crimes."

"And what crimes am I paying for exactly? I just said I was leaving."

"I just told you." I glare at him. "You're under arrest for conspiracy. You know that leaving means death. They reason these rules exist is to prevent any idiot for inspiring others to make the same suicide attempt."

"Aren't you hearing yourself? You know that if these people remain trapped in this giant bird cage, they're as good as dead! You know that supplies are running out, the population is at the point of overflowing. I don't give a damn about these people, but if you think my departure becomes a catalyst of rebellion, then so be it! At least something good will come out of it."

My mouth forms a tight line as I steady my aim. "Back away from the aircraft Zephyr, I'm not repeating myself."

"You mentioned about the people's moral yet you don't realize just how brainwashed you people are," he scoffs, completely ignoring my warnings. "At least I was able to give someone like you a head start."

When he spun around, I barely caught sight of it as the blade of his dagger glistened in the afternoon sun's light. Unable to dodge, all I could do is jerk my head away as it flew past me. In the process, it painfully sliced through a portion of my outer ear. We stare at one another with mirrored shcoked looks before I drop my arm and clutch my ear. Shutting my eyes, I howl in pain as a sharp throbbing sensation radiates on around my ear. I felt some blood slip between my fingers, but I refuse to pull it away to check how much blood I'm losing. I've been inflicted with several forms of pain, but it's not a sensation you can every get used to.

"Shit! I didn't mean- You weren't supposed to-"

I no longer wanted to listen to his excuses. Filled with rage, I threw my arm up and began to fire. I'm not going to act like a civil police anymore, Zephyr lost the chance to end things peacefully when he took the initiative in attack. I fired several without an ounce of hesitation. Most of them ricocheted off the metal surface of the plane, but Zephyr remained unnerved even after one hits him on the shoulder. Seeing him reach for something from behind, I dove behind the closest column and waited for his next move.

I stuck my gun out and blindly shot several times. Pulling back, I waited until I heard the sound of clanging metal. Confused, I was about to take a peak until a dagger comes flying across my field of vision. It both knocked out the pistol from my hand and cut off some locks of my black hair. When I attempted to reach for it, another dagger curves and knocks it away.

"Sorry!" I could barely hear his voice as it was masked by the aircraft's roar engine. "But this is the last time you're gonna see Zephyr!" I got up to my feet and move around before a blast of wind strikes my body, forcing me to lift my arm to shield my face. From what I could make out, his wild red-orange hair danced with the wind as, behind his oversized goggles, his eyes purely focused on the sky ahead. "If by some miracle I do return, you'll have to call me Noise!"

Recalling my spare pistol, I took it out from my back pocket and aimed. At the last second, I realized that live rounds were still inside, but it was too late, my finger had already pulled the trigger. To my relief, his plane jolted back, causing it to miss. But it did hit something else, the engine. I didn't even have the chance to even call out his name as it was already running across the room. I helplessly reach out my arm as it began to lift off, moving completely out of my reach. Running towards the edge, I watch as it drops downwards then, by some miracle, began to raise itself above the city.

For a moment, I had almost forgotten about the bullet hole I made on the engine. I was in a daze. I wasn't upset anymore, I only felt a surge of pride as I watch the plane fly above the city. It was only when I saw a trail of smoke I began to panic.

"ZEPHYR!"

The plane slams against the walls of the cage and successfully bursts its way out. However, combined with the sudden brute trauma to the body and the possible damage I inflicted internally, I could only pray it for another miracle for him to make it.

But he didn't.

To my horror, and for whoever was watching from below, it exploded a minute after leaving a hole in the cage. I drop to my knees and watched as various parts of it began to fall. When I caught sight of his goggles, I dropped my gun, went on all fours and wailed in agony. I don't recall how long I had been there. The world simply disappeared, and so did my body. All I felt was remorse and shame. If it were raining today, I'm certain my tears would blend in.

From what I could recall, I was found by my subordinates, who escorted me out of the building and back to HQ. Everything was a blur, and by the time I could comprehend my surroundings, I was told by my superior I was given a temporary discharge from my duties for a week. Instead of receiving condolences, I was praised for my heroic actions, I had proven to the public why they should never attempt the same mistake as Zephyr. I wanted to shout, scream at them to take back the things they were saying about him. Then I realized something. Around a few hours ago, I viewed him the same way, a thoughtless idiot that was willing to risk his life to achieve his false form of freedom. I'm no better than them. I didn't approach him as his friend; I approached him as a cold hearted officer.

For the next few days, I drowned myself in sex, drugs, and any concocted alcoholic beverage I could get my hands on.

I wasted away just like my dad. At that point in my life, I don't even know if my dad would be proud or disappointed in me. Even after I was free to return to work, it was obvious even to them that I wasn't ready. I don't think I'll ever be. On the day I was sober, I climbed up the wall and visited the portion of the cage that still had a hole in it. No one has bothered fixing it up. The engineers feared that they lack the 'resources' and re-breathers to fix it up. I think that was just their excuse to remain as far from the cage as possible.

We were told radiation is still present on the outside, and the air is toxic because of that. The cage simply filters the air so we can breath. But standing in front of it, staring at the outside world for the first time, I knew that it was false. The only reason I'm even allowed out here is because of my badge, and that told me many things. The people I work with knew, if not, why else would an officer such as myself be given a pass at getting a closer look at the cage. Especially one, such as myself, without a re-breather.

"This world... The people that resides in it... Is just filled with lies..."

In contrast to the dull greyness which covers the city; the world outside was colorful and vibrant. I've heard of green grass, but I never knew they could come in a different color. Orange. Just starting at it reminded me of him, the one that deserved to see this. I'm not even sure how much of the outside world he saw before he died.

"You sure you should be wasting you life away life this?" A hallucination of my kid self appeared next to me. He gazes up at me curiously. "He risked everything to get to this point. He wanted you to live a free life."

"I doubt it..." I scoffed. "You heard the way he was talking. He hates us. He waited for someone willing to trapped themselves in their own feelings of revenge. He should have left. If he was more than capable before he met me, he should have done so. He'd be alive and outside, not dead and in ashes."

"Zephyr didn't want to leave without you," my younger self argued. "He said so himself! The only reason he decided to leave was because of what you said!"

Ticked off, I growled, "I only said that because it was true. I needed to do get my revenge, he was just going to get hurt if he hanged around me. He was free to do whatever the hell he wanted."

"You never told him he was a nuisance," my kid self pointed out with a sly grin.

"Yeah, I... Never did," I slowly said as the realization dawned on me.

"He always knew, that Zephyr, that you never meant to hurt him. He's used to your blunt honesty, but it's the way you said it that inflicted some pain. Though, he never hated you. He knew, just like your time with building the plane, you'll put all your effort in arresting and killing Dad's killers. You always dedicated your time and effort on one thing at a time."

"But... That was two years ago,. Why didn't he-"

Then it hit me.

"He wanted me to focus on something else," I said as the realization dawned on me. "He wanted me to put an effort into living. He just had to give me a head start."

I look to my side and found the hallucination had disappeared.

Rather, in its place were his goggles. Hesitant at first, I crouch and slowly reached for them. Tentatively picking it up, I lift it and stared straight at my reflection, or more specifically, my eyes. It's the first I've bother looking at myself on any reflective surface in a long time. Dark bags were under my eyes, my face deathly pale due to the lack of proper sunlight. My cheeks bones were even starting to show from not eating anything properly. My once saturated orange-red eyes now appeared red, almost void of emotion. For a split second, I thought I saw a reflection of Zephyr in my place, staring back at me with the same sad eyes.

"I'll live my life... That's the only effort I'll ever put into," I declare as I stood up, tightly clutching onto the goggles. "I'm never going to try too hard in doing anything ever again. Every time I do, someone suffers for it." I turn to completely face the opening.

"First my dad, who I could have protected if I hadn't put all my time and effort in making that plane. Then you, Zephyr, who I should have left with rather than putting an effort in finding my dad's killers as a policeman. Never again. The only thing I'll do is live, even if that means I have to be a lazy ass. I'll do whatever it takes to live on."

My life in this city no longer matters. If I want to live, I have to get out of here. That's what Zephyr wanted, and I'll do it. Taking several steps back, I glance over at the city one last time before shifting my attention to the world outside. With a deep breath through my nostrils, I huffed a breath as I made a dash for it. If I'm to die, then so be it. He died on the outside, so why not me?

I nearly tripped at the start due to my lack of leg training in a while, but I was able to gain and maintain the momentum. Once the ledge was near, I lift myself off the ground and made my leap of faith out of the cage. I was immediately blinded by the sun's light, so when my eyes readjusted, I found the grass quickly approaching me. Panicking, I raise my arms to protect my face and curled my legs to curl myself into a ball. The collision was painful upon impact, but the grassed see enough to act as a cushion. Gravity continued to pull my body as I found myself rolling away from my initial landing point. When I finally stopped rolling, I was on my back, my limbs sprawled on the ground and aching.

"Ow...." was all I could utter.

That was a definite leap of faith. A painful one, but luckily I survived that. Just as I was about to sit up, I heard some crunching sounds. Footsteps?

I recalled Zephyr's words, "I told you..." I tilt my head and found myself staring at a small group of people, teens not much older than I. "I have people waiting for me on the outside."

In the back was a girl with medium tanned skin and dark drown hair tied in a hight pony tail, wearing only a short t-shirt, Jean pants and leather boots. Beside her was a boy much taller than me, with pale skin and pale blue hair (also tied in a ponytail). He wore some sort of uniform, much lighter than my former police attire. Around his hips was a broadsword belt with a sword hanging from his hips.

Not too far in front of them was little boy. His hair, just as surprising as sword boy, was white but with some purple streaks. Most of his attire consists of purple and appeared a bit outlandish and, slightly, gothic. A little inappropriate for someone his age. On his arm was an arm warmer, covering most it. Wrapped around his arm was a long, silver chain. The next was some sort of dog. A really big dog, one that needs a hair cut. Standing next to it was a girl with... Animal ears and a tail?

I had to shake my head several times to comprehend what I was seeing. Concerned, she leans forwards with one hand on her knees and the other holding back her long dark brown hair. I could only confirm it was real when one tilt to the side, further expressing her emotions. They all, aside from the dog, had one thing in common. Yellow eyes.

'Are these the people Zephyr was talking about...?' I wondered as I stare at them.

I only tore my eyes away from them when a figure approaches and stands in front of me, providing me some shade from the sun. It was another boy, but unlike the others, I was unable to see his face as he wore a strange looking fox mask. Although I couldn't see his eyes, I could tell he was staring down at me. He wore a black short sleeved hoodie, a grey shirt with a weird red print on the chest, cargo pants, and combat boots. He just stares at me. This causes me to uncomfortably shift. As if realizing I sensed his eyes, he steps forward and extends a hand.

I refuse to take it and continued to apprehensively glare at him.

"Are you the new Noise?" the fox girl spoke up.

"If by some miracle I do return, you'll have to call me Noise!"

"We were told to meet him here. He didn't tell us what he looks like, but he said look for a part of him that almost blends well with the field."

I let out a small gasp. His hair. That's what he was referring to. So he was telling the truth, he isn't like me. That explains that thing he did when I ran towards him.

"So... Are you?" The fox girl tilts her head.

The only part of me that has a similar color to the grass are my eyes. I hesitated, but before I could answer, the boy with the fox mask mask something out from his bag and takes out a notebook and a pen. After writing a bit, he croached a free feet my head and held his notebook over my face.

'Do you want to see the world he wanted to show you?'

I held my breath. Did he know? Did he know that he's dead and that I'm not him? I never answered the his question, but a part of me wanted to say 'yes'. Noting my stunned silence, he turns the notebook back to him, turns the page and writes something else. When finished, he holds it up again

'Forget your old life and join me. I'll show you the things he wanted you to see.'

For second, I felt a strange feeling burning in my chest. It wasn't painful. It felt pleasant. Without thinking, I reached out to him. Somehow, I knew he was smiling behind his mask as he gently takes my hand and helps pull me to my feet. Because I used so much energy early, my legs gave out after taking my first step. The masked boy catches me in a heartbeat.

"Hehehe! Geez Sound, you're acting oddly charming today," the fox girl giggles.

My eyes widen at the familiar name.

"Sound...?" I weakly utter.

The little boy cocks a brow and questions, "Your pen pal, remember? He's been keeping an eye on you for years. Don't tell me this fox freak forgot to mention how he looks."

"No, I..." I trail off, unable to think of a proper excuse.

The boy with the blue hair interjects, "Xavier, enough. I'm certain he's tired after working tirelessly in making his escape. He's certainly not worse for wear."

The boy, Xavier, frowns and glares to the side, muttering what I can assume was an apology. Sound, while making sure I kept leaning against his body for support, writes in his notebook then holds it to the others. I can only guess he's mute since he hasn't said a word since we met. But why the mask? Rather than looking into it too much, I just gave up trying to understand him altogether. It already feels like I'm in a circus just being with them.

The others nod and enter what I think is a portal. I've only read them in fantasy stories, but I never thought I'd see one in reality. Especially one that appears like a door despite its crystal-like appearance. Slipping his arm down so his hand held mine, he backs away to provide me some space. I almost fell over, but the firm grip of his hand was enough to act as my support. I suddenly felt conscious of my appearance and turn my heard away, feeling a slight warmth in my cheeks. Tugging my hand, I felt myself being escorted by him as the others wait for us.

"So, what are your names?" I ask as we began to make our leave.

"My name's Ayane!" the fox girl chirps. "The kid is Xavier, the overly tanned girl is Rei, the girly boy is Perseus, the wolf here is Ulric, and the boy holding your hand is my twin, Sound!"

"I'm not overly tanned!"

"Ayane, if you address me in such a manner again, I will not hesitate but to deliver you a Knight's dishonorable form of execution." He looks my way and promptly adds, "You may call me 'Percy'. My real name tends to tie people's tongues if mentioned in conversation too often."

"You know that's not necessarily calming him down..." I jumped back when I heard the dog talk. How and WHY can it talk?

Sound secretly hands a note to me. I take it and it read:

'When we get to Avarus, you're allowed to change your appearance as much as you please. We can't exactly change your face without deforming it. It's just a suggestion you but... what would you like?'

I thought about it for a moment then touched my hair.

"It's nothing major but..."

(A/N: if anyone knows the name of the original artist for this, please tell me so I can credit them! Or at least remove in case I learn they do not want their art republished!)