The twins and Xander were running towards the place they had heard the scream. Three blood wing demons were hurtling down on a small bundle, which lay un-moving. Something was obviously protecting it, however, as when each demon dove down to attack it, a sharp jolt of electricity fired at the offending demon. Xander slashed through one of the demons, and the remaining two flew down to see what was going on. Kyree and Ethan managed to destroy them, and Xander gave them a smile.

It was Ethan who was advancing on the bundle first, when it moved. He jumped back with a yell and Kyree hurried beside him. The bundle, which was a large cloak, was moving and a gentle sob was coming from underneath it. Xander wandered closer, leaning down onto one knee, his sword drawn behind him. As he lifted the cloak a scream escaped what was a small girl huddled under the cloak. Her eyes wide, she took one look up at Xander and flung herself at him, gripping around his neck.

“Keep them away! They’re going to get me!” She squealed against him. Xander almost fell back slightly, and the twins stared at the pair. She leant back slightly after a few moments, looking down at Xander with a gasp. She scrambled up to her feet and bowed lowly. Kyree walked over, kneeling to speak to the girl.

“Are you okay?” She asked quietly. The younger girl turned to look at her and shook her head slowly, letting her head fall, she began to cry quietly. Kyree looked up at Xander, who flushed a light red. She leant over and curled her arms around the girl who must have been about seven or eight, rubbing her back gently as the little girl’s arms slid around her neck.

Ethan joined them, watching Xander as he rose to his feet. They two boys looked over to the girl again, and Kyree leant back slightly, brushing some hair out from the girl’s face. Ethan smirked, wondering if Kyree knew how much she looked like a mother.

“Can you tell us what you’re doing out here?” She questioned gently. Her eyes full of compassion as the younger girl nodded slowly, still wiping the tears from her cheeks. Xander had sheathed his sword and folded his arms somewhat reserved. The young girl’s eyes tried their best to stay away from the oldest of the group, and instead she stared hard at Kyree.

“They sent me away… They said the demons attacked them because of me…” She sniffled softly, and let her head fall and she stared at the floor. Xander, who thought he understood, was shaking his head slowly and knelt down beside Kyree, watching as the little girl flinched.

“I’m Xander, and this is Kyree and Ethan. What’s your name?” He asked quietly. The girl looked up at Xander, her eyes had widened dramatically and Ethan raised an eyebrow wondering why all the drama.

“I… I’m sorry for jumping at you like that! I’m so sorry Sir.” She attempted to bow, but hit heads with Kyree instead, who gave a yelp before rubbing both their heads sympathetically…

“It’s okay…” Xander started, trying his best to console the girl who was shaking her head madly now. “Forget about it. You were scared. We just want to know what your name is…” He stopped a while, before smiling at the little girl, and slipping a finger under her chin. “I’m not that scary am I?” He frowned slightly as Ethan snorted, but Ethan’s interjection had made the girl giggle.

“Oh… Well, I’m Sophia.” She stated plainly, looking up at Ethan still. They all nodded and Xander lifted a hand out to Kyree to stand as the girl passed them both to stand in front of Ethan. “You’re Ethan? That’s such a pretty name. I didn’t see you there at first.” She stood with her hands behind her back as she spoke, but after addressing him, she curtseyed rather cutely. Ethan felt his cheeks redden.

“Yeah. I’m Ethan. It’s ah… a pleasure to meet you too, Sophia.” He tried his best to retain a natural look, but Sophia’s eyes were full of something he’d never witnessed before. “Uh…” Sophia giggled, as Ethan hesitated and shook her head slowly. She turned on her heel and looked up at Kyree.

“Your brother is shy. I’m sure he’ll get used to me soon.” She stated. Kyree stared at her blankly, wondering what on earth had triggered the sudden change in her twin, who looked very pale indeed.

A few hundred metres from Onellei, Alisha had settled back against Shion, and he had his arms round her in a satisfying hold as they sailed through the sky towards a large palace. Alisha’s eyes saddened the minute she set eyes on it, and feeling her sorrow Shion sighed heavily, leaning in to kiss Alisha’s cheek. Demons had swarmed around the palace, obviously suffering from the same problems as she had encountered. It was as the couple neared that Alisha became even more ill. It seemed the palace was not the demon’s target.

They had stopped swooping down onto the palace and one of the larger demons was heading straight for Fieara. Shion sighed heavily, re-arranging himself slightly. He was met with no fight though, as Fieara started firing heavy orbs of fire at the demons. Alisha let a gently sigh escape her and she fell back against Shion again. Fieara had cleared all of the demons out before they had reached the palace, and as quick as they could they’d made their way to the front door of the palace. The door opened before they got there, and the man she was greeted by surprised Alisha.

“Daniel! What are you doing back in Onellei!?” She cried, Daniel shook his head a moment, and pulled her inside, smiling at Shion as he entered after his wife and closed the door shut, before leaning against it.

“I could ask you the same, Alisha.” He said lowly, his eyes looked sad, something that she hadn’t seen for a long time. After the dark days they had grown up knowing she expected never to have to see the grim look in those brilliant eyes.

“Shion and I planned to gather the Governors of Aetherspace, we think we know the route of this problem.” Alisha began, looking outside through the glass of the doorframe. There were no demons in sight, and Fieara had safely left the area altogether. She would be resting now, knowing that there was to be quite a fight ahead of them. Alisha hand draped over her stomach, and both Daniel and Shion looked at her rather worriedly.

“So anyway, Daniel.” Shion started, wanting to keep Alisha’s little secret to themselves for a little while longer. If they could hold out just until the Governor’s met. He wasn’t sure why he didn’t want them to know, but deep down there was a reason. “I suppose you know of the attacks? We’re here to locate the Governor’s, what are you here for?” His question was blunt, and very to the point. He’d always been this way towards Daniel, and he accepted that it was just the way Shion was. Alisha knew differently, Shion didn’t like to let many people in, especially if they were capable of safeguarding the only thing Shion wanted to safeguard himself.

“You won’t believe how much of a coincidence it was. I was actually passing through, and I heard the townsfolk’s yells. Well, I had no idea what was going on to be honest. Then I saw all the demons surrounding the palace, and well… I came to investigate…” He trailed as he finished. Shion noticed that Daniel’s eyes kept lowering to Alisha’s stomach, but quickly composing himself he stared up at her again. Alisha was too lost in thought to notice. “You don’t think… the demons knew you were coming, Alisha?” Daniel asked her, and she frowned slightly, wondering why he would think that would be the reason for all the demons…

Alisha blushed furiously. “Why in Physeospace would they want to attack somewhere in advance that I was headed?” she asked hastily. Daniel raised an eyebrow, and looked down at her stomach, Alisha noticed this time and covered herself up quickly, as if she were hiding something.

“You’re a little fatter than you were last time I saw you.” Daniel replied with a grin, Alisha stared at him; shocked and in turn forgot that Shion was stood behind her. Not for long though.

“Daniel.” He growled, stepping to the side of Alisha. His hands were clenched either side of him, and his eyes… his eyes were weird. They suddenly dropped their harsh tones and he turned, looking defeated to stare at Alisha’s feet. “Is it really that obvious?” He asked, unsure of himself. Why hadn’t he noticed that Alisha was getting a bump, if her brother noticed?

“Well, I guess I’ve been working out.” Alisha chipped in, much to the astonishment of the other two men in her presence. Daniel raised an eyebrow, and even worse, Shion started laughing. Loudly. Daniel broke into a grin as his brother in law started howling with laughter. Alisha’s eyes showed the kind of hurt only a brother could administer.

“It’s pretty obvious you’re expecting, Alie. Working out. Really.” His eyes showed a little compassion, and he reached out a hand to rest on Alisha’s shoulder. Shion was busy composing himself, and watched the siblings curiously, a wide smile still on his lips. “Alisha, you know… if it’s…” The colour in Shion’s face leaked as if someone had just pulled out a plug in his neck.

“Alisha! Why hadn’t I realised. They’re… Not because you’re expecting a BABY. It’s because… Oh My God. We need to get back to Unaveile. Right Now!” He had gotten himself all in a panic, because he hadn’t noticed the mass of demons gathering outside, and promptly opened the door. Three voices yelled in panic, and as Alisha slumped to the floor, both Daniel and Shion leaped into action and struggled with what must have been at least 10 demons to close the door.

“Shion, you blithering Idiot. Use your head.” Daniel growled, as together they shoved themselves against the door with a great force that resulted in a screech from one of the demons outside, and the door closed firmly behind them. Shion forgot about Daniel’s insult, and skidded to his knees in front of Alisha, gathering her up in his arms quickly.

“Babe… Babe… It’s okay, it’s okay.” He almost cooed in her ear. Glad to feel that she had responded by slipping her arms back tightly over his shoulders, her lips pressing against his neck. Daniel suddenly felt uneasy behind them. The truth was; he’d never witnessed such a show of love before. Well, that wasn’t to say he hadn’t been in love, or seen people together. It was just, the two of them… Something seemed to shine between them. He soon turned to look at them stunned as Alisha began to talk.

“Whenever they get near, I feel weak. It’s like… It’s like… I-I want to… end it.” She stammered hastily, burying her lips against Shion’s neck once more before a hearty sob escaped her. “Those demons make me want to kill them. To end their tiny lives. It’s twins, Shion… It’s twin and… and… Kyree and Ethan aren’t the next duo…” She hiccupped, which only made Shion’s grip around her tighten. He was speechless. Why hadn’t he figured that out? The demons had flown at Kyree and Ethan, but only because they got in the way of their mother.

“We have to stay here… Where are the twins?” Daniel’s voice hung in the air, and when neither his sister, or the man she loved replied he realised what Alisha was going through. He bit his lip, and may as well have been talking to himself as he declared he was going to make himself something to eat and hurried himself off to the kitchens. Shion and Alisha knelt on the cold marble floor of the entrance hall, very much alone in their thoughts, and their minds. When such emotions ran high, it seemed their whole beings merged into one, strong body.

Alisha was the first to move, even though she found it hard to lean back away from Shion when his embrace was so inviting. Their eyes met, and without a word they conversed.

‘You don’t hate me, for feeling like that?’ She stared at him, and slowly he shook his head, eyes gazing into hers.

‘Never.’