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I learned something funny today.

Guess what it is?

…Life sucks!

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“The day which we fear as our last, is but the birthday of eternity.”

-Seneca (Roman philosopher)

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Chapter Five: The Angel’s Broken Wish

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A book.

That’s all Kaiya had been after, all Kaiya had wanted.

So simple…so easy….

So why, oh why, did she feel like slamming someone’s head against the wall instead?!

“Is this one it?”

Oh.

Right.

Him.

“No.” Kaiya muttered tersely.

“What about this one then?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“…Yes.”

“Are you positive.”

“…Yessss.”

“Are you super duper positively-?”

“Oh shut up already!” Kaiya hissed as she pulled the book out of Neithan’s hands. “This is a library for gods sake! It’s supposed to be quiet!”

“O-Ow!” Neithan let out a small squeak as the back of Kaiya’s hand met his head in a powerful swipe. “D-Did you really have to hit me?!”

“Oh don’t be such a baby,” Kaiya snapped. “Now be quiet or Ms. Gonzales is gonna kick us out-again.”

“And just what the hell does that have to do with hitting me!?” Neithan whined. “You just enjoy being mean, don’t you!?”

Kaiya laughed.

As strange as it was to admit, she was happy.

More so than she had ever been in the last four years.

Being with Neithan was just so comforting…so right. He was someone she could trust, someone she wasn’t afraid to give her thoughts to. She could tell by the way he moved, by the way he spoke…so much like her brother it almost tore her heart in two.

Neithan scowled as he caught the sudden glimmer in her eyes. “Hey…what’s wrong?” He whispered softly. “Don’t cry.”

The teen smiled, her cheeks flushed a deep red. “N-Nothing’s wrong. A-And I’m not crying. I…I was just…I was just thinking about a few things is all.”

“Like your birthday right?”

“W-Wha? How did you-?”

“Know?” Neithan smiled. “Sorry, not important. But that put aside…Kaiya, what you’re doing to yourself isn’t healthy. Hell, its border line dangerous even!”

“E-Excuse me!?”

Neithan scowled at her naivety. “I understand that you like to be strong Kaiya but…dammit, you really piss me of sometimes!”

“W-What?! Why?!”

“Because…you never cry!”

“…!?”

Neithan’s voice took on a gentler tone. “I mean…if you’re sad, then just be sad dammit. Don’t be afraid to show it! There’s nothing wrong with letting your heart bleed, even once!” His grimace turned into a smile. “And it’s definitely okay to miss him as well. The loss you went through isn’t something that can be so easily forgotten Kaiya. But…I don’t think he would’ve liked to see you like this either…your brother, I mean. I think he would’ve rather seen you smiling and laughing, enjoying the life he, unfortunately, could not have.”

Kaiya’s eyes widened. “W-What…what are you saying?”

“Oh come on!” Neithan groaned. “Don’t be so dense!”

“Whaa?! I’m not-!”

“Fine, whatever! Just answer me one question and one question only Kaiya.” Neithan cut in sharply. “Do you …do you really think your brother would’ve liked watching you mope around like this? Do you think he would’ve liked knowing that he was the one causing you so much pain?”

Kaiya let out a bitter smile as those words sunk in deep. “No….” She whispered weakly. “No…he wouldn’t….”

“Then why are you still crying?”

Kaiya let out a small growl as Alec flounced his way into the room, a small smile gracing his lips.

“Well if it isn’t the prodigal son.” Neithan sang out dully. “…Where have you been Alec?”

“Around.” The teen replied cryptically. “This place…is actually pretty interesting once you give it a chance.”

“I see….” Neithan’s smile brightened. “That’s good…I suppose.”

Kaiya bristled at the words. Good?! Him?! Puh-Lease!!

Ever since his first day at school, and their little talk on the grounds, it was almost as if Kaiya didn’t even exist to him anymore. As if his world had no space for such a meek, and meaningless little girl like her.

And for some reason that hurt…knowing he didn’t like her…knowing that she wasn’t important enough to reach his world.

“…Jerk.” She hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

“Hmm? What was that?” Alec smiled. “Oh dear, did you say something Mrs. Class President?”

“Why of course not.” Kaiya replied sweetly. “And will you please cut it out with that whole Mrs. Class President crap already? It’s really starting to annoy.”

“And so is your boyfriend.”

“B-Boyfriend?!” Kaiya yelped. “W-What boyfriend?!”

“Why…Mr. Class President of course.” Alec replied briskly.

Neithan groaned. “I think he means Kai.”

“K-Kai!? Are you kidding me?!” Kaiya snapped. “H-He’s not my boyfriend!”

“Then you should try telling him that.” Alec muttered tersely as he stalked back towards the mahogany doors. “He seems a little…dense. Now if you’ll excuse us…Neithan and I need to go; it seems that we’re about to miss out on the beginning of a very interesting game.”

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“You’re crossing the line Neithan.”

His friend smiled in response, tone bright and cheerful. “Am I now?”

Alec almost growled.

Perkiness he could handle. Fake perkiness on the other hand…well, that was a different matter entirely. Especially when it came from someone like Neithan. “I know I told you that it was alright to miss her Neithan but…don’t you think you’re getting a little too attached? I mean, once we’re done with this hunt we’re going back to Wraith. You wont get to see her for a very, very, long time.”

“I know that Alec.” Neithan laughed at his friend’s gloomy tone. “But you see, that’s exactly why I’m trying to enjoy all the time I do have with her.”

“But wont that just hurt more in the end?”

“Of course.”

“Then why do it!?”

Neithan smiled. “Because I can.”

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She was standing right within the nexus of the garden, hands strewn above her head in a delicate arch; a squall of beautiful, cerise-colored petals swarmed around her in an elegant waltz, their delicious scent tainting the once crisp, clean, air.

She was singing too, her voice low and soft, as the worlds flowed past her lips; a deep, haunting, melody.

“Wha…?”

She couldn’t have been any older than thirteen, Kaiya was sure of it; and yet…her face held such a beauty beyond its years, it was almost too painful to believe.

She was so small too; her body a slender form with so much grace and elegance, it was like watching a swan dance its way across the lake.

Her hair was a beautiful, luscious, gold-like a veil of perfect silk-magnolia skin shimmering against its radiance. Moonstone eyes flickered through the open skies with a practiced disdain, peach lips moving in dead silence. “…Are you ready?”

“Huh?” Kaiya brow furrowed at the words. “E-Excuse me?”

The girl smiled; such a sweet and innocent thing. “The games are about to start Kaiya…are you ready to take your place as Queen?” She whispered gently.

“…I-I’m sorry but…I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Kaiya replied sweetly. “I-I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

“…Then just open your eyes and count to three…for then you’ll start and play with me.” The girl laughed at her own words, cheeks flushed a playful red.

“Who…who are you?” Kaiya demanded softly. “And…what are you doing here?!”

A shadow spread over the child’s eyes as she mulled over her next words carefully. “They say I’m an angel who stole the shape of this girl. They say I’m an angel whose eyes had been given new sight….” A small, tentative, smile formed across her lips. “I go by the name of Seiya. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you…Lady Kaiya.”

“L-Lady? What are you talking about? H-How do you know my name!?”

“When the heart awakens, I will hear its call.” Seiya sang out in response. “And through its song, our end will fall.”

A small tremor forced its way down Kaiya’s spine as the girl’s words sunk deep into her mind. “Y-You’re insane.”

“You’d like to believe that wouldn’t you?” The girl laughed. “Then you could just pretend that my words were nothing more than rambling of a lunatic. But I’m sorry to disappoint…for I am as sane as the sanest person you’ll ever meet in this world.”

Kaiya stepped back quickly, feet ready to flee. “I don’t have to listen to you. I don’t-”

“Oh, but you really should.” Seiya cut in flawlessly. “Because I have all the answers you’ve ever wanted Kaiya. And not just that….” Her smiled took on a wicked sneer. “I know where your brother is.”

Kaiya froze. “My brother….” She spat out coldly. “…is dead.”

“Are you really so sure?”

“I was there dammit!”

“Just because you were there doesn’t mean you know what really happened though.” Seiya countered teasingly. “Your brother’s very much alive, and closer than you think.”

“Shut up!”

Seiya laughed as she gave another quick, flawless, twirl. “You’re so funny Kaiya.” She whispered gently. “I mean…why wont you believe me Kaiya? We’ve waited such a long time for you to show, and now…I’m very disappointed. Maybe I should just kill you know and save us the trouble.” She smiled, eyes glowing a dim red. “What do you think?”

Kaiya stumbled back in surprise. “W-What are you!?”

“You’re executioner.”

The words sent a chill down her spine.

“Enough.”

Seiya scowled at the sudden intrusion. “Oh geez…what are you doing here?” She demanded bitingly.

“Don’t act stupid Seiya. My patience with you is already wearing thin.”

Kaiya couldn’t help but stare as their newest companion took the stage.

He was tall, with a lean, wiry from-an athlete for sure, and sixteen at the most. His hair was a delicate blonde, almost white, with streaks of silver shooting through the milky stands. His skin was a molten gold, smooth and flustering beneath the biting sun. His eyes were the deepest crimson she had ever seen-smooth and rich like a flood of wine.

“Temper, temper now….” Seiya sang as she gave a quick twirl around the boy lightly. “What’s wrong Fay?”

He followed her steps warily, body tense, as if preparing for a chase. “Dammit Seiya, how many time do I have to tell you!? I am not your babysitter!” He snapped. “Never was, and never will be. Especially now. If you want to look for a new toy, that’s fine, but…” His eyes shifted towards Kaiya slowly. “…do it on your own time, not mine.”

Toy? Kaiya cringed at the cruel choice of words. When the hell did I become a toy? Who…who are these people?

A deep frown curved the boy’s lips as his eyes bore into her like flames, scorching right through skin and bone.

“Who and what we are Kaiya, is none of your concern.” He whispered coolly.

“But I didn’t-”

“You didn’t have to say anything.” Fay interjected sharply. “Sometimes, eyes are far more revealing that actual words Kaiya.”

“E-Eyes?”

“Yup!” Seiya beamed. “And you know what Kaiya?! Your eyes are special! And that’s because your eyes have see it all!”

“Don’t be stupid.” Kaiya snapped in response. “Eyes are just eyes. There’s nothing special about them.”

“…Only someone who’s never truly understood herself, nor her heart would say something as naïve as that.” Fay taunted wickedly. “Tell me now…is that how it is with you Kaiya?”

A soft hiss sped past her lips in surprise. The way he was staring at her…that flickering smile tugging at his lips…the way his head was tilted back; it was almost as if he’d just realized something important, as if he’d just realized who she was.

“You should leave.”

“Wha-?” Kaiya’s eyes widened at the stony command. “I’m not going anywhere-!”

“We don’t want you in this state!” Fay growled. “You’re useless to us this way! Can’t you understand that!? After all…what good is angel without her wings?”

Seiya laughed. “There’s no need to be so cruel Fay.”

“I just don’t like weakness Kaiya, and I definitely don’t like deception. So until you learn how to release that pain you hold inside, you’ll never break away from this world.” He smiled. “I’ll give you one week and one week only. After that…you’re fair game.”

“Excuse me!? I’m not some sort of animal!” Kaiya snapped. “You cant talk to me like that! And…what the hell do you mean by, “you’re useless to us this way”?! I don’t even know you!”

He sneered. “Forgive me Kaiya, but I cannot afford you the answers you seek. If you truly wish to get mad at someone…then take it up with destiny she’s the one that bore you this accursed fate.”

Seiya nodded perkily. “And just so you know…destiny isn’t very nice.”

And with that said they were gone.