“Moment to moment it always seems like it's only the start of something new. Some of them bad, some of them good. Things start and things end but at the same time I see no beginning and no finish.”

(«^») Yalina Lotfi Excalibryanna

8E/438Y/12M/40D 8:33 AM

Ksh the sound of my windows breaking filled my ears as I sipped my tea. Although it didn't stop me from finishing my tea. Eyes closed, I set my cup down calmly. “Took you long enough.” I got up and grabbed my sword sitting at my side. “Do you really want to challenge General Yalina Lotfi Excalibryanna of Alexandria?”

I opened my eyes to see ten or so people surrounding Azrael, the dealer, and I. All wearing blacks and purples. All of them looked identical, partly due to the masks they wore. One woman stepped up and spoke, “Our problem isn't with you. Where's Iris?”

“Somewhere. Definitely not here.” I said calmly.

“Tch.” I could see the fear and frustration in his eyes. “You protect such a dishonorable monster?!”

In an instant I rushed over to the women, and stabbed her shoulder straight through, pinning her to the wall. “Watch your tongue, dog.” I sneered at her.

“Gah!” The woman yelped a little.

“Who are you to talk of honor? All of you are pale mirrors of Iris. You wouldn't do as she does not because of honor, but because of cowardice. Honor is nothing but an excuse to you people.”

The girl narrowed her eyes at me. “There's a debt to be paid. I'll be damned if we don't collect.” She pulled my blade out of her body and led the other members out of the house.

Azrael opened one eye and gave me a look. She had stayed in place the entire time, completely ignoring the assault, “What now?”

“I don't think we need to do anything. They'll come back, sure, but with me here they can't do much. This is my home. If they try doing anything to it or the people in it there will be Hell to pay.”

Azrael laughed a little, “Yet you won't join our little adventure.”

“If I did that I might lose my position as General. Best for me to just sit back and let you guys do it yourself. Besides I can't solve all of your problems. Where's the fun in that?”

“The fun is in not worrying about death lurking in every corner.”

“I think that's a bit ironic coming from you of all people.” I gave her a grin.

She laughed a little again, but with a hint of embarrassment, “I know that all too well.” She opened both eyes and stared solemnly into her cup. She sloshed it around a little before talking again, “Sometimes I regret choosing this path, y’know. This life.”

“I think we all do at some point. Although I think Io regretted it the most…”

“Io?”

“My Exurrana. The Matron before Iris and your great-great-grandmother.”

“I've never been told about her. Raisa always talked of Jade, and sometimes of Iris. I don't really know the rest of the family very well…”

“Well, there's Io and I. Io also had a sister named Lori. My father is Shax. Io and I had a lot of children at one point but…”

“But?”

“They,” I paused for a moment, “They ended up all killing each other out of greed for the role of Matron… Iris was the sole survivor…” I poured myself another cup of tea.

“Oh… I… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up…”

I sighed, “It’s fine. It's been a long time since that happened. It doesn't really hurt anymore but it's just… depressing to think about…”

Azrael pulled out a flask and poured some dark brown liquid into her tea, “I think we all know that feeling very well…” Azrael took a large drink of her tea, and continued staring at it with a look of sorrow. There was a long silence before she spoke again, “Do you have any regrets?”

“I used to have many regrets until I realized there was nothing I could do about them. Now only one really lingers.”

“What is it?”

“Not being good enough for Io. I was never able to ease her pain. Her suffering. I've been with her throughout the entirety of her cycle and in the I end I wasn't good enough.” I didn't speak with sorrow. Just in a matter of fact tone. It was something I couldn't undo, so I stopped obsessing over it long ago. I paused for a moment, “You?”

“Me..? I regret a lot of things. Only one of them truly haunts me, though…”

I wanted to ask what it was, but I could tell if I did she'd only brush me off. So I simply sat in silence after saying, “I see…”

(«^») 9:14 AM

After a while I started checking the damage the Darkness Gang did to the house. I inspected every inch, partly out of paranoia. I felt the weight slide off my shoulders when I found nothing but the the windows they broke to get in. No taps, no cameras, no explosives.

As soon as I finished checking the house I went up to the deck on the second floor and took in the view of the city. It was serene, although you might describe it as surreal instead. The prismatic sky danced with dark colors as the sun rose. Softly, slowly, like a man chasing his lover through a field of colorful grass every single day for eternity, but can never catch them. I hung my head as the thought reminded me of Io. My heart felt heavy whenever I thought of her. I felt weak.

I hated the feelings that came whenever I thought about her. But I would never dare to forget her. I would never dare move on.

“She'll come back to me… I know it…”

I was snapped back to reality at the rustle of chains next to me. The dealer girl we had been keeping prisoner was standing there fidgeting, “Yes, child?”

“Anoh, I've been… thinking a lot… this morning one of you said a spell had been cast on me… and that it was probably mind magic…”

“Yes, I remember this.” I spoke to her softly.

“I just… I feel so torn… I know Tael cast a charm spell on me, but even just trying to talk about this is difficult… it feels like I'm betraying myself…”

I gave her a curious look, “I assumed Tael had used a spell like that on you as soon as Aurora said you were under the effects of a gift. I… know Tael personally. Getting strong enough anti-magic is going to be a hassle… Iris is a good craftswoman, but I doubt any of us can use it to cure you…”

“I… I feel like I'm fighting myself over this… I want to be free of Tael’s influence but at the same time I feel like I'm a traitor for it… and it's tearing me to pieces…” The girl started sobbing a little. “I don't know what to do…”

I took a deep breath, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“We'll get the effects lifted, I promise. Just hang in there, okay..?”

The girl nodded. I could feel how much pain she was in. I'd noticed it as soon as I saw her. Being so conflicted between such strong magic and your true values… it must've been a very special kind of Hell…

It made me wonder what new burdens, new horrors, new, twisted, sickening Hells awaited us.

And how we would crush them.