Arius still found himself falling in the darkness, unable to determine where he was heading or which way he was falling. He couldn't see anything around him, but at least he could hear things. However, all he heard was the voice of his council leader and his own. Nothing else was there, not even the sound of his heart beating. But he was dead, wasn't he? Then of course his heart wouldn't beat. If he truly was dead though, then just what kind of state was he in now?
"Arius, have you figured it out yet?" the council leader, Jaron, asked him.
"N-no," he answered, his voice still trembling, echoing in the empty distance. "I d-don't remember…how to b-break it. Last t-time it just…happened." There has to be someway to get outta here. Technically I'm not dead, just sealed. It's only magic.
"I never knew…you were so weak," said Jaron, a smil
Arius' whole body suddenly went stiff, and Jaida instantly knew why. Only one thing would cause him to freeze up like that. Lucius was nearby. He had to be. After all, he had a planet to destroy, and he probably wanted to start here. It didn't take a lot of searching to spot him. He wasn't even that far away. He was, however, pretty high up. He looked so small, his white wings being the main giveaway to his location. "He's here," stated Arius as he began to get to his hands and knees. Jaida was quickly at his side, helping him get to his feet. For now he was accepting it, probably knowing that he didn't have the balance or the stamina to get up on his own…but that would change soon. After realizing what Lucius was going to probably do, Arius managed to rediscover some of his strength. He spread his wings, stretching them just a bit. "What are you gonna do?" Jaida asked out of curiosity, but her v
Arius stopped worrying for a moment and glanced down at his companion. She looked so content when she was sleeping. She seemed to be rather comfortable right where she was, so Arius didn't plan on moving her anytime soon. He couldn't forget that she had been exhausted after coming home from the hospital, and what with the situation with Lucius, she hadn't gotten the time to sleep. She needed her rest. Besides, he didn't seem to mind much.She's so warm…it kinda feels good…holding her like this. He shook his head rigorously, wanting to squash that thought before it could escalate.What am I thinking? She's human. She's a worthless, good for nothing, insignificant, helpless…beautiful, compassionate, and amazing human being. Damn it…I just can't insult her anymore. This is so confusing. What am I supposed to do? "Arius?" he heard Jaida ask, her voice muffled by his clo
"Are you insane?" she asked her father. "I can't marry him!" Her voice was trembling just a bit as she said this. She watched as Arius quickly got up and ran to the kitchen in dire need of water…or an escape. He probably didn't want to be a part of this conversation."Well why not?" her father asked. "He's perfect for you. He's strong, dedicated, and he voluntarily caries your things. What more could you ask for?""I can't marry him!" she repeated rather loudly."Why?" he asked her, wanting an honest answer. Jaida only bit her lip, trying to find a reason that she could actually give her father. What do I do now? I can't tell him the truth. "Well dad, the reason I can't be with Arius is because he technically doesn't exist on this planet! He's on a mission to save the Earth, he won't be around for that long, and oh…did I mention he's not even human?" Think Jaida! There has to be a way out of this."Well he's…he's just," she stuttered, trying to think of something. What am I supposed to
"If you're worried," began Nero, "you shouldn't be. As long as you escort her, no one'll dare lay a finger on her. Everything'll be just fine, but I need you to ask Jai if she's up to this. The council leader would like her response immediately. He needs to know if she's willing to or not.""And if she isn't?" "Then that's okay. He'll understand. After all, there's no denying the dangers of a human visiting our planet. The decision is hers to make, so I'd like you to ask her, okay?""Fine," Arius sighed, running a nervous hand through his hair. "I'll go ask." He turned around to leave, but the next remark Nero made had him frozen to the stop. "Um…" the Deslyan began, watching his friend start leaving. "That may prove difficult since she isn't home." "What
"Arius," she said with a smile. "You startled me. What are you doing here?" Her smile fell when she saw that he was breathing a bit hard. He looked almost relieved, as if a huge weight had just been lifted. "Arius?" she questioned, wondering why he wasn't responding. Instead of saying anything, he took a few quick steps towards her. She was about to back up on impulse, but before she could even move, she was caught up in his arms. He pulled her against him, holding her a bit tightly against his chest as his wings came around to embrace her as well. At such a close range, she could feel his chest moving with each inhale. He seemed tired, as if he had just flown from her city and back within a few hours. She wasn't sure what could make him so tired, but maybe it wasn't a physical exhaustion. Maybe there was something else. "Stupid girl," he told her softly, "coming out here alone…making me worry."
The rest of the week went by far too quickly. It was already Saturday, and Arius and Jaida were preparing for their return journey. They had already packed what they wanted to take with. All that was left was for them to catch the train. Arius didn't want to have to fly them back over, since it was such a long distance. Luckily, Mr. Carlson had been able to afford two first class train tickets for them. He was happy to make the arrangements.They were currently at the train station, waiting for the train to come. They weren't going to miss it this time. Mr. Carlson was making sure of it. He was there with them, waiting to see them off on their long journey home. The train ride would take until mid afternoon tomorrow. They'd have to go through the night, so Mr. Carlson had made sure that they'd be accommodated for."Well," he began. "I guess this is it." The train was just pulling up into the station. "Have fun at school, and tell your mom I say hi.""I will," responded Jaida with a smi
Jaida didn't argue this time, so Arius just closed his eyes and slouched in his chair, trying to get to sleep. He heard her moving around, but her footsteps didn't seem to be getting any further away. Eventually they stopped altogether, and he thought that maybe she really had left him there alone. He relaxed a bit and tried to fall asleep, but he suddenly felt a pressure against his shoulder. He opened his eyes and glanced over, seeing Jaida sitting next to him."What are you doing?" he asked curiously. His body suddenly froze up when she leaned into him a bit."If you're not coming with me," she began, "then I'm staying with you. It's cold out here, and you shouldn't have to be alone." She just closed her eyes and smiled as she moved closer. "Besides, you're comfortable. I hope you don't mind me staying here." "N-not really," he managed to
The day progressed somewhat normally. Everyone was talking about their Christmas break, the presents they got, and the places they went. Jaida spent most of her time answering questions. Apparently a lot of the school knew about her trip to the hospital, and everyone had about five million questions to ask her about it. For her, it was a little hard telling the story. After all, she had to leave Arius out of it since no one knew that he had gone with her. She was praying that she had told the same story to everyone who had asked. There didn't need to be contradictions in such an altered event.School came to a pretty quick and easy end, and the students were happy not to have too much homework. After all, it was their first day back from their break. Everyone was just getting back into the school spirit. It wasn't right to rush straight into the learning process just yet. Even though they didn't have any homework, Jaida and Arius wer