"Won't this adventure be pointless if we can't find the other beings? I mean, we know the other kingdoms hold the Fonts, which hold the Guardians, which hold the dark power keeping every bogged down. So, here's where we get curious, do we have any idea where the hell the last two are? Even then, we still have a small problem with whatever races they may be a part of, as well as their Sin."
'Rin is going off.'
'Just live with it, she will stop soon.'
'Oh no, I quite enjoy listening to her. Her voice is soothing, to be honest. Unlike Mai, who is blunt yet shy. Hehe... I truly wish to take the two of them as my own.'
'Greedy.'
'Says the woman with not one or two, but a cute little harem of beautiful women. Seven, if I recall correctly?'
'Sh-shut up! God, I'm stuttering in my own head.'
The night had finally taken hold, leaving Mina and her party holed up in tents under the canopy of the trees. Xander had his own, while the women took a tent more than twice the size of his. Currently, the group was discussing worries and tactics for their futures, although Rin had finished it off with their biggest worry. The unknown Sins.
"Rin, sit down. You've stood there talking for a while."
Pouting, Rin glared daggers at Xander as she sat. She had been guarded against him this entire time, even though he had helped her return to Mina's side.
"Either way, I'm off to bed. You can all do what you want."
Xander ducked into his tent, though that left everyone slightly concerned as he reacted so harshly towards Rin.
"I'll take first watch. Probably wander a bit to gather information on our surroundings."
Rin was ready to take charge, leaving the rest of the girls to head into the tent. Even Mina slipped inside, only to hear a voice that had been talking more frequently.
'Hey, Mina. I know you've got those seven, plus I'm here trying to take these two... but what exactly are we? I find you warm and inviting, yet not someone I could fall for.'
'Well, we are kinda the same, so maybe sisters? I'm an only child so having a cute little sister would be nice.'
'I'm not cute...'
Mina smiled, noticing that Hysteria didn't deny the little sister bit.
'You're cute. I'm gonna turn it in, so go ahead. I can feel you getting antsy.'
Mina's eyes closed, the silver turning red when they reopened. Her long hair became black, tipped with crimson once more.
"Mina really trusts me. Accepting me did come with the perk of no damage to her soul... he-he. My big sister is the best."
Hysteria smiled happily, though she covered her mouth as she slipped back outside.
"Is something the matter, Lady Mina?"
Rin was nearby, though she was not facing Hysteria.
"Not at all. How'd you know I was out here?"
Rin shook her head.
"Wind. It can't pass through you anymore, though it doesn't act like a normal body would cause. I can just tell."
"And if I told you, that you were still wrong?"
Rin looked up, her eyes popping wide as she stared at Hysteria.
"H-have you taken over?"
Hysteria sighed as she stared at the ground.
"Course you're scared of me. No, I didn't take over, Mina let me out. She's been pretty cool about me doing my own thing."
Rin seemed to be relieved, though she was edging away from Hysteria as she approached.
"Why are you scared?"
"I'm not. You're just the dark part of my Master."
"The dark... the hell? Ugh... I'm not some sort of demon inside her. I'm a part of her soul, not her emotions. We both get happy, angry, sad and we both fall in love... erm."
Hysteria turned away; her face flushed.
'Good going. Told you, you're cute.'
'Hmph. I get it from you then.'
Hysteria spun around, plopping down directly beside Rin. She caught her wrist before she could run off, pulling her back to the patch of the quilt she had been sitting on.
"Hy-Hysteria, what are you-"
"Mina gave me permission to start my own relationships with everyone. I'm uh... jeez. How the hell does she flirt with people so casually?! Umm... uh..."
"Hysteria, are you trying to flirt with me?"
"No! I just thought you were kinda... mumble ya know?"
"Uh-huh. Look, you're a part of my Master. Lady Mina is very sweet and she's been taking care of me for a while. I can't simply go chasing after a part of her that could just vanish. Do you know how painful it'd be to lose you if I ever actually fell for you?"
Hysteria looked directly into Rin's eyes. Her usual aloof and laughing nature was completely gone.
"Then don't die on me either. I may be the greater portion of Greed, but Mina altered what I am. I also altered her, giving her some of my Greed. That still means I'm filled with Greed, but I only want the things I truly find valuable. Thankfully she's asleep, otherwise, I wouldn't say how happy it made me when she said I'm her little sister."
Rin gave Hysteria a confused look.
"I was born from Mina's death. Created when Vex stabbed her and destroyed her core. That meant I only had Mina, no family or friends. I was a dangerous 'Thing' that had invaded Mina's soul. I ate that part, becoming it instead. I was accepted. I'm now a part of Mina's family. I can tell that she cherishes me, even with my haughty nature. But I'm still a girl..."
Hysteria's ears had fallen slightly, her eyes getting wet as she smiled.
"I love Mina. She's an amazing big sister... even if she's a bit of a brat. But I want to fall in love as well. I teased Mai, not because I wanted to, but because I genuinely liked how she looked at me. And you, the way you spoke and the way you fight. Although I was borrowing Mina's sight, I was entranced."
"So much for not knowing how to flirt."
Hysteria suddenly had steam burst from her ears as she looked over at Rin. The Elven girl had bright red cheeks, though she was no longer struggling against Hysteria's grip.
"Look, Hysteria... I can't promise anything between us, but I wouldn't mind-"
Hysteria shoved Rin to the side, clutching her shoulder as she looked into the trees. Blood trickled down her arm from the arrow that had sunk deep.
"Rin, wake everyone up."
Mina's Sword Body appeared in Hysteria's hand, immediately shattering. The arrow fell from her shoulder, though the wound lingered.
"You bastards really had to interrupt me, huh?"
Her angered smile and bright red eyes left a chill in the air.
--
Thank you,
JScott and croix!