Ophelia’s head raised from the dirt. She couldn’t believe what her eyes saw before her. Not one, but two mythical beasts. Standing before each other. A once thought extinct dragon saved her from being crushed by the Demon Wolf Pan.

She had a chance. She used what little strength she had left to grab the white gem. She held it tight, and wouldn’t let go a second time.

“Who dares protect these vile creatures?!” Pan roared, returning to his feet and observing the dragon that now held their ground between him and his prey. A moment of surprise passes over him, temporarily washing away the rage he felt.

“Queen Calamity?… No, a tiny imitation.” The size was clearly in favor of the wolf. The dragon sat nearly at half the size of its form. A pale replica, the replica however, was able to speak.

“Protector of the Highlands!” The dragon voiced, his words coming into form in the minds of those around him. Just like it did with the wolf. “You are right to be enraged. Someone has brought harm to your forest, but these three humans are not at fault! I ask you to stop this slaughter.”

The wolf’s fangs were bared once more. His anger resurfaced at the dragon’s words.

“What are you to protect the lives of these foolish men?! Men who encroach on our lands with their endless greed!”

Ophelia didn’t understand the nature of this battle, why this dragon sought to protect her. It mattered little to her, for this gave her the time she needed. The cleric clutched the white gem to her chest. She needed only to speak the words and she could save them.

Don’t bother, girl. You cannot save your friends.

A voice came to her mind, not the voices of the beasts, a woman’s voice. A taunting, cocksure, disembodied voice. It spoke to Ophelia and Ophelia alone, and it made the words she wanted to speak lump up in her throat. The white gem in her hands had changed with it. A crackling purple energy growing in its pure core.

You desire to save them?

“..Yes”

Do you desire their survival? Do you desire to go back to your dear sibling?

“Yes-!”

I can grant you your desire.

Give me to him.

He will save them.

Give me your desire.

She wanted nothing more than that. To go back to the inn with Deacon and Lily, to hug her sister tight. To be safe and sound. The thoughts of her wishes, her wants, her desires. All of them amplified the erratic, dark magic that dwelled within the Saint’s Gem.

Ophelia’s eyes began to change in color as well, taking a dark shade of purple.

“You are blinded by your fury, Pan!” The dragon pleaded. “These humans are fools to try and hunt you, but they are no arsonists. They did not seek to cause these lands harm. While you give them unjust punishment, the true culprit continues to burn your homeland!”

“Lies! All of it!” Pan’s crazed fury would not be calmed by mere words. “Man has continued to destroy our lands for their own selfish desires. The homes of thousands of our denizens brought to the ground to make a road of steel and thunder! They are all complicit, every single one! Who are you to defend them? Who are you to believe them right!?“

The dragon raised his head, a low growl from deep within his chest billowing out.

“My name is Ruin, son of the Dragon Queen Calamity. You were a servant of my Mother’s throne, Guardian of the Highlands. Will you serve her successor?”

___

When we saw the smokestack from Pan’s hidden grotto. Both Kane and I knew trouble was afoot. There should have been no one but the Dandelions out this far into the Highlands.

“They wouldn’t have done that, would they?”

“I would not put it behind any man to use such tactics to draw out their foe.” Kane replied, watching alongside me. Except there was a clear narrow look to his eyes, he wasn’t looking at the smokestack, he was searching.

And he found what he was looking for.

“No, it was not the adventurers. There has indeed been foul play.” The Vampyr didn’t say how he knew this, but it was clear to me. His eyes could see the magick energy around him. No doubt, he found an irregularity.

“Pan has already reached the adventurers, while an onlooker watches.”

It was at that moment, BOOM! A shot from a rifle echoed into the air. There was no time to waste.

“You seek to save the humans, My King?” Kane spoke to me just as I was about to make my move.

“Yes, I do. Will you protest against it?”

I already knew how Kane felt. If it was his choice, the humans could be left to die. The risk of them surviving and learning of my existence. If the human world were to truly learn that there is still a living dragon, there was no telling what would happen with me. The last dragon was a ruler they came to fear, and they cut her down to free themselves of her rule. Five hundred years may have passed, but has the fear passed as well?

I should be listening to Kane, but then I think of that scene I watched from the window at the inn. The young, skinny girl smiling brightly at her sister. The way she comforted her despite the despair Ophelia felt. How she just wanted to give her a normal, happy life, and was willing to risk it all to achieve it.

She cannot die, not here, not today.

“I will not.”

I smiled, even if Kane didn’t agree with the path I wished to take. He was willing to follow me down it.

“However, I must advise you, Lord Ruin. Pan is not one to see reason when consumed with his rage. There are only two ways to calm his fury.”

“What must I do?”

“Pan is a temperamental beast, but a disciplined servant. It is possible he will hold back his rage when commanded by his king. That will require you to play the part. Is this a path you wish to walk?”

He knew I never was one to give outright commands. Even with the stonescales, I always was one to ask. I could have demanded they stop their worshipping of me directly. However, I asked Granite to request it in my stead. Kane hasn’t pushed for me to act like a king since the Burrow. He allowed me to make my own choices, and act as I wished to. This is what I wished for.

“If I must. What other way is there, if this path fails?” I believed I already knew the answer, but I needed to hear it from Kane.

“Then you must bring him to his heel by force. The power of your hoard will be brought to the test.”

Now, here I stood. Before a colossal wolf twice my size, with Ophelia Horne behind me. I may be a small, hatchling dragon, but I am still a dragon. A dragon king, and I shall act like it. I brought out my chest, head held high. Small wings spread, anything to increase my size, to show my presence.

It only made the Demon Wolf laugh in my face. His uproarious laughter echoing into the cloudy sky. When he had finished his amusement, his yellow eyes narrowed at me.

“The son of her majesty? You appear to be her cheap, miniscule imitation. I would have expected more than an infant after half a Millenium. Move aside and allow me to finish my retribution!”

That hurt a bit.

“You will not obey, Pan?”

“Obey? Obey?!“ The wolf snarled. “I obeyed the Queen with the promise of my land being protected. That my home would be safe from the destruction men wrought. She was strong enough to keep that promise. I will never obey a child that could not fulfill the same deal. I will not, now stand aside!”

Pan bared his teeth and snapped his jaws. This would be the last time he gave me the chance to leave.

“…I need to prove myself capable then?”

I would be alone, Kane had decided to track down the culprit of the fire. Much like the Burrow, I was on my own, and unlike the spider, Pan would not wait for me to succumb. I had to stand strong, act like the ruler. Just like Kane said, I had to be the image of the king to stop him…

..But could I truly face an ancient, mythical beast such as Pan? I could feel his towering presence over me, hundreds of years of combat prowess. I had to be a king, but before Pan, I felt more like a child than I ever had before. A fool playing make believe.

“…You wish to test me, hatchling?”

“I wish to prove myself to you, to prove I am capable of being your ruler.”

The teeth he bared closed, a very different look came over the great wolf. A serious gaze that focused on me even as Pan stepped back.

“Only the Dragon Queen herself, and the Heads of the Hydra Court could bring me to heel, little lordling. Do you truly believe you are as capable as them?”

I didn’t.

“I make no such claim. I will do what I must to see no more unjust retribution take place this day.”

This was foolish, but if I could hold my ground, withstand his fury. Perhaps he could exhaust his rage before I fall. If I could get him to see reason before he beats me, then I could save them. I just needed to last that long…

“Very well, if you believe yourself capable, then I shall not hold back, Lordling”

From where the horned canine stood, a split began to form. Two grey pelts of fur diverged from one. Walking out to create not one, but two great wolves. The Guardian of the Highlands had created his perfect copy, and now both stood before me, ready for battle. Each with the same ferocity in their gaze as the original.

My spirit had faltered, there was no way I could win this, even with instinct. I just had to hold on long enough…find a way. If I could last, Kane could come to my aid. How long would that take? I wasn’t sure, but I could survive long enough to find out.

My body tensed, heart pounding in my chest. I took a deep breath to calm myself, focused deep within my mind. I thought of the desperation I once felt, of the flames I burned in the burrow. The need to survive, to overcome the odds. I thought of the void I lost myself in, just before I breathed my first flames.

I fell into that void, and my eyes began to glow.

___

The two beasts would not wait a moment longer, the first of the duo charging forward with a paw to slam the dragon to the ground. Pan was the fastest of any beast in the Highlands, but he wasn’t faster than the Mother Spider. Ruin had just enough agility to overcome him. Sidestepping the slam and raking his claws across the Demon Wolf’s side.

Ruin’s assault would not last long, however, as the second wolf came to support the first. Snapping his jaws the moment Ruin’s neck appeared from behind the initial beast. He had only a moment to react, his neck mere centimeters from Pan’s sharp fangs. The dragon ducked below, dashing between the legs of the second and emerging out the other side to quickly turning to face the duo again.

Ruin was a fast creature, his smaller size giving him just enough to keep up with Pan’s ferocity. With two Pans, their coordination would prove greater than his speed. If Ruin wanted to survive, he had to keep them from working together. The two Pans did not charge separately this time, both coming from different angles to pin the dragon. To counter the assault, Ruin held his breath, and released a ball of flames into the first wolf’s head. He charged forward towards the stunned beast. The hot fire blinded his vision and gave him the chance he needed to escape their coordinated strike.

The cat and mouse game continued on, Pan would try to bring Ruin into his jaws, only for the dragon to slip away before he could clamp down. In return, Ruin could only scratch the wolf in return. A hit and run strategy that kept the dragon alive, but barely made a dent in the two giant creatures. The best he could hope for was to last long enough to calm him. Even that seemed fruitless, the two beasts' fury only growing.

“You believe your cowardly tactics can win? A coward’s trickery will not bring you victory, little lordling!” The two wolves spoke in unison.

As if to stamp out any belief that he could win. One of the Pans jumped into the air, and two Pans landed. Now, Ruin had to contend with three of the Guardians. He was barely scraping by unscatched with two. With three, the chances he gets away from their next strike would be impossible.

“Dragon!” A voice called from behind the dragon, breaking the tension. It was Ophelia, her eyes now sporting a dark purple hue. Her expression was blank, lifeless towards the creature that protected her. In her hands, she held The Saint’s Gem. Its core now completely lost to the void of purple that had taken it.

“Take-…the gem!” Ophelia’s voice was strained, hoarse, forced to speak the words she shouted out. As if she was a puppet on strings. The cleric’s arms reached out with the purple and white gem. Holding it towards the dragon. “Use my power…!”

So deep within his instinct, Ruin did not think beyond the words she spoke. His claws reached out, and took the Saint’s Gem from Ophelia’s grasp.

Oh, your desire-!

You wish to save them so badly?

Give me your desire, Dragon King.

And we will do such terrible things together.

The clearing was awash with a sudden bright light. The three Pans were forced to avert their gaze. The dragon became a white silhouette in the blinding glow. A purple heart growing in that silhouette’s chest. When the light began to fade away, what stood in the place of Ruin was no hatchling dragon.

What did stand in his place was a dragon that stood at the height of the Demon Wolf. Newly formed horns point outward from the new dragon’s head. Patches of silver scales across his shoulders, wings and spine. The vast size of his silver wings blocked out vision behind his form. Amber eyes glowing brighter than they ever had before. The most striking feature that stood out from this new, large form? The dark purple gem that rested upon his chest.

Ruin had evolved into a Young Dragon.

“What is the meaning of this?” One of the Pan’s spoke. The three had circled the dragon, but none of them dared step forward. Their opponent had changed dramatically, and he did not know what to expect.

Ophelia’s purple glow had passed, left on her knees with her energy drained. She had just enough to stay conscious, to see the large draconic figure that stood over her now. Once she heard that voice in her head, it was like something took over her. Commanded her to act, something powerful, hungry and dark. That something was now on the dragon’s chest. Just what was inside the Saint’s Gem?

Speak the words, and your desires will be made manifest.

The dragon then spoke.

“Mend.”

The gem reacted to his command. A holy light shining from its dark center. The light bursted out across the clearing, touching every creature within and basking them in its warm glow. From the Pans, to Ophelia, to Lily and Deacon. All had their wounds begin to close, no longer did they bleed.

The center Pan stepped forward, staring down this new form of Ruin eye to eye.

“What trickery did you use to change your form, lordling?

“There is no trickery, Pan.” A voice spoke from behind one of the three Pans. “A dragon's growth is tied to the value of their hoard. Though even this is beyond my expectations.”

“Kane.” The two other Pans turned to face the Vampyr. A mysterious figure in a pearl white cloak and blank mask held by the throat in his hand. Struggling to be released

“It has been a long time, Pan.” Kane brought his free hand to his chest to give a courteous bow towards his old friend. The masked stranger forced to bow her head in his grip.

“This is where you have been then? Watching over this little lordling? Was this all your plan?”

“Afraid not. This was my King’s own choice.” The attendant replied.

“So you accept him as your lord?”

“I do, and have pledged my life to his service.”

This sudden change in circumstance has calmed the Guardian’s rage. No longer focused on the humans he first came here for. The only conscious one left was using what strength they had left to check on their companions. There were more pressing issues to face for Pan.

“…You always were undying in your loyalty. But I have not finished my test with him. Will you stand in my way?”

“I will not, I have taken care of the forest fire for you. As well as bringing you the culprit.” His hands raised the strangled stranger up, the mysterious person left completely at his whim.

“A white wraith?… I see.” The dragon spoke the truth, Pan could see that clearly now. His rage blinded his judgement. “I shall deal with it after.”

“Of course, please continue.”

The three Pans once again faced Ruin. Those glowing eyes stayed trained on the center Pan, never wavering in their focus. He had not made a single action since casting the spell. He waited patiently, and now was the final confrontation.

It was over in an instant.

At one moment, all three of the Pans were charging forward. Ready to tear the dragon into the pieces.

The next moment, the dragon spoke.

“Whirlwind.”

The effect was instantaneous, a huge gust of wind originating from Ruin burst out. Knocking all three of the wolves into the air, but the center one was the one chosen for execution. The dragon leaping into the air above the airborne canine, and with a single paw slamming the beast into the ground. Forcing all of his weight onto the neck of that Pan. Until…

Crack-!

The center Pan’s struggle against the claws that pinned it was short lived. The Demon Wolf’s neck snapped in two. All while the other two Pans were recovering from their falls.

“Shall we continue?”

It was a simple question from Ruin, or was it a threat? His tone was different, harsh. A deeper rumble to his voice than he had before. His paw lifted from the lifeless Pan, and he faced the two that remained. Did the young dragon know that killing one of them wouldn’t kill the others?

The two Pans walked towards each other, their forms merging together to one. He walked towards Ruin, head leveled low. Before the dragon, the wolf brought his head to the ground, flank in the air. His sign of submission.

“I submit to you, Lord Ruin.”

____

The adrenaline still ran high, but I regained my own senses. The glow of my eyes faded, and a rush of thoughts came through my mind. First, and most importantly. The corpse that laid below me.

I thought I would feel more about this. Everything I have killed so far have been animals, creatures without human intelligence. I did not like when I had to kill one for no reason. This death was senseless.

But yet I feel nothing.

“Are you alright, Pan? I should have held back, I am sorry.”

“…No need, as long as one of my forms still breathes, I live on.”

He stayed as he was, head held low. At my new height, Pan did not look as threatening as he did when he towered above me. I had always been the same height as Kane, but even now, looking at him, he was just as small as any other man now. This new form, this body I now had. It was like looking at the world from a brand new perspective.

“I see.. Pan, I ask that you stop this attack on the humans.”

“..You ask?”

Right.

“I command it.”

The wolf came back up to his full height. Eye to eye. The wolf nodded his head.

“I shall follow your command, Lord Ruin.”

Kane then stepped forward, the mysterious stranger still struggling to get away from the Vampyr.

“Do not be discouraged, Pan. You still have retribution to enact.”

Both Pan and I’s gaze focused on the unknown white figure. A white wraith, that is what he called them. The true cause behind the fire that burned in this forest. Their completely hidden features left me wondering what lies beneath the mask.

“She will not tell us why she did so, but I believe the reason is clear.” The attendant’s eyes were pointed towards me, but not towards my head. He looked at my chest. To the gem that was embedded into it.

“I am afraid you will not be returning with your gem in hand.” Kane said to the hooded woman. In her desperation, she tried to punch and kick at Kane. Each strike is as ineffective as an assault from a toddler. “Our friend here will, however, get you home safely.”

Pan had bared his fangs again. The Vampyr held up the stranger, until he winded back and tossed her towards the wolf.

“No! Nonon-!” Her cries were cut short by Pan’s jaws snapping her body. The white wraith’s body dissipates into the air.

“Do not return, pale banshee.”

Kane, finally rid of the interloper, turned back to me. Bringing himself to one knee and lowering his head.

“My King, I had expected growth from you after this event. However, this was beyond expectation.”

“Who was that?”

“A seeker of the artifact that now rests upon your chest.”

The Saint’s Gem.

“We may discuss it further in time, Lord Ruin. A more pressing matter now faces us.”

He was right, Pan has been calmed, the culprit removed. Now, only one problem remains. A single human girl still had seen me. I put myself at risk saving them not just by facing Pan, but by revealing myself to a human. Ophelia Horne was left on her knees beside the still breathing form of Deacon, watching us carefully. The magick I cast had stopped the man from bleeding out, but his leg was lost.

The voice told me how…that voice…

It was odd, how seeing the damage done to the Dandelions leader didn’t make me feel anything at all. Asking Pan to apologize for mauling her companions would be insulting. The Highlands Guardian only listened if I commanded him, anyhow.

“Leave us, Pan.”

The wolf bowed his head, the fury and rage that had not long ago sought to bring me low had been completely lost.

“If you have a need for me, call out my name, and I shall answer.”

Ophelia watched Pan walk past her and Deacon, eyes locked on the Demon Wolf’s every movement. The beast made no move towards her, but she did not stop watching even as his large form disappeared into the forest.

My single step forward shook the ground underneath, and grabbed the cleric’s attention. Her gaze shot upward to the dragon that now faced her. What was she thinking at this moment? I could only guess.

Ophelia shakily brought herself back up to her feet. Her tiny form was a speck in front of me. I had to curl my long neck to even look at the human. I was no longer the small dragon I once was.

All because of that voice…

The woman then bowed her head.

“Thank you, sir Dragon… I-“ Ophelia was quickly cut off by the attendant at my side. His commanding gaze helped give tremendous weight to the words he spoke.

“You will address the Lord properly, human.” He commanded.

“…I-I’m sorry, your…your majesty.”

Kane had made his point. When Granite or the stonescales failed to address me properly, he had never before reprimanded them for it. His disdain for humans was as clear as it ever was speaking to this one. I wonder if there would ever be a day he could speak to a human at an even level.

“It is alright, please, continue.”

Her gaze stayed glued to the ground, with Kane’s presence and my mere existence, I wouldn’t dare risk raising my head in her shoes. I had never considered how terrifying I could be to people, until now.

“…If it wasn’t for you, my companions would be dead. I would be dead. I am in your debt.”

“What is your name?”

“Ophelia.”

I knew her name, but if I were to show that I already knew about her. It could lead to further trouble, I had to maneuver this conversation carefully.

“Ophelia.” I said. “This aid I have given you has come with a price. Your…”

The Saint’s Gem, that is what I wished to say. If I had the choice, I would have given the gem back to her. But I had no idea how to get it off my chest! So I had to take it, but what risk do I take by keeping it? There was already a mysterious figure hunting it, and now I would take it from someone that sought its power as well. What should I do?!

“…Your gem, I wish to know why you had an item such as this in your possession.”

Deflect the attention, try to learn more, maybe I could get through this just fine. I could frame it in a way that painted me unaware of what the gem truly was, and allow her to reveal it to me.

“The gem?” Ophelia hesitated to answer. “It…I wished to use it to improve my healing power. It was all for my benefit.”

No mention of her sister, she wanted to keep her true intentions hidden.

“How did you come into possession of it?”

“I…” There was a moment, clear for even I to see, where she thought of lying. The slightest tilt of her head towards my attendant was enough to stop the girl from damning herself.

“I stole it.”

That was the key I needed! Hopefully this will work. Play the part, Ruin. Make the right decision, and everything will turn out alright.

“A thief, with a magical artifact from the Church of the Saint? You have made quite the enemy, Miss Ophelia.”

Kane was, thankfully, in tune with my intent.

“Indeed.” I said. “Perhaps then, a deal can be struck between us.”

Ophelia had finally raised her head.

“A deal?”

“Correct. In return for saving your life, and keeping your crimes secret. I shall have this gem, and you will not tell a soul what has transpired here today. My existence, my attendant’s identity, everything you know will be kept a secret from now until your death. Is this a deal you will accept?”

There was a chance that Ophelia would refuse. That she would demand the gem back, but at this moment I didn’t know how to remove it from my new body. It sat there on my chest, fused with the scales that surrounded it. I could tear it off, but what would happen to me after it’s removed? There were too many questions to answer before the idea of returning this gem to her could be thought of.

That was one advantage to being the size I am now, how could a small human like Ophelia deny my request?

“…I accept, the jewel failed to help me in my magick. Its power refused to listen to my command. It would be of better use for you to have it than I, your majesty.”

“That is gladdening to hear. You will now return home. Remember your promise this day, Ophelia. To ensure you do, ‘Hellsing’ shall be keeping watch of you.”

Kane lowered his head in response, and spoke one word to Ophelia.

“Rest.”

The command sapped what little energy Ophelia had left, her sharp eyes hiding away to a deep slumber.

“Thank you, Kane.”

“It is only my duty, My King. I shall return them to their town.”

“Are you not unhappy? I am keeping someone alive that could reveal us later on. Not only that, but I also placed the task of watching over the human onto you.”

“Lord Ruin.” Kane replied. “Was it not yourself that requested to be able to choose how you wish to live? It need not matter if I agree with the choice you have made or not, it is your choice to make.”

“Even if I impose upon you?”

“This is no imposition, this is an order from my King. There is no order you can make that I do not wholeheartedly support.”

This was his own way of allowing me to choose. I’m reminded once again that no matter what comes next, I will always have his faithful hand at my side. Something I will be eternally grateful for as I move forward. All this event has done is make me question the world even more, about my body, the people of the world, its history, and my very nature.

All in due time.

___

Gripped in the former master’s hand. She was sent straight into the jaws of the wolf. The massive teeth clamped down and destroyed her instantly.

Far away from the Gaul Highlands, in the capital of the Nald Empire, in the sacred Church of the Saint. There was a woman waking from a nightmare. Her blood curdling scream echoing through the ancient halls. Siel, the real Siel, had returned.

In a large, open chamber of the Church, there were lines of men and women in white robes. Hoods sat over their heads, and each one of the men and women sat crossed legged on the cold stone floor. All their eyes shut. Each of them under their own trance, their minds projected outside their physical form. Except for Siel, who was forcefully sent back to reality. Despite her cry out the moment she awoke, not a single person in the chamber flinched to her horrified scream.

Maskless in the physical form, her soft features were left in shock after the event she experienced. The feeling of the wolf’s fangs still tingling across her skin.

The Oracle must learn what she had seen, immediately.

___

“Ophie? Ophie?”

Ophelia was awakening from her own slumber, the ceiling of her inn room filling her view as her eyes began to open. A gentle nudging against her shoulder stirring her awake.

Soft eyes, dazzling green eyes, small frame. It was her younger sister, Melody.

“How did I…?” Ophelia did not remember going to sleep at the inn. She didn’t remember coming back here after…

“Oh! You’re awake! You were brought here by a big guy named Hellsing.”

That man, Hellsing.

The Demon Wolf, Pan.

The Dragon King, Ruin.

What happened to Deacon, to Lily, it all happened. Ophelia got up from the bed she was tucked into, her satchel hanging off the bed post. She grabbed it, and reached inside.

The Saint’s Gem was gone.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, sister. Could you tell me what happened? You’ve been asleep for a whole day!”

If it all happened, then Ophelia had a promise she must keep.

“…We, ah. We had a rough hunt, did you see Deacon or Lily?”

“I didn’t see them, but Sir Hellsing said he helped them back too. He told me everyone should be okay.”

The dots in her head connected, and a wave of dread passed through her mind. Hellsing, the man who fed a woman to the Demon Wolf, met her sister. The pale man who was supposed to be watching her now knew Melody. An image in her head appeared, of Hellsing holding her sister by the throat, of tossing her to the wolves, all while the dragon watches.

She couldn’t let those creatures have a reason to harm her.

“That’s good to hear Mell… I’m sorry, we failed the hunt and didn’t get anything.”

Melody tilted her head in response.

“You failed? Then, what’s all this money for?”

On the nightstand next to her bed, a sack of gold sat. “The old guy from the guild came over too and ‘passed on your share’ he said.”

She remembered now, during the battle between Ruin and Pan, a single Pan was slain. If this gold was here, does this mean that the body of the dead Pan was brought in by Hellsing too? Why would he give the money for it to her?

…It didn’t matter if Hellsing left it out of good will, or if he was trying to buy her out. She wouldn’t tell a soul. Just as they agreed. Ophelia reached out and hugged her sister tight. Much to her surprise.

”Wh- hey! Sis! What’s wrong?”

”Nothing, nothing at all.” Ophelia said through teary eyes. ”I promise I won’t scare you like that again.”

”…Okay? Okay. I’ll keep you to that.”

Melody hugged her sister back, and squeezed.