The breeze of the outside came blowing in through the small crack in the bedroom window, as Edward sat, motionless on the bed. The room was heavily decorated. Seeming to have once belonged to Barron's parents. The carpet and wallpaper seemed to match with that of a female's touch. Surely his mother had the choice of the carpet and wallpaper along the wall. Which as Edward stared at a big chunk of it, he was forced to remember his own mother. Her beautiful smile, matching with those big beautiful eyes. The baby blue, he swore the light filling his world, Nation Valley, had to have come from her. She was the only good thing he had left. The tainted image of his family, was truly the only thing he had left to remember them of. The memories in the past no longer mattered. Nothing no longer mattered to him. A knock on the door had been enough to pull him from his daze, as he brought his attention from the wall to the door in front of him. The bed was in the right angle, proceeding from the middle of the room, as he glared at the doorway, his orange eyes softening as he saw Barron. a concerned expression planted on his face. And seeming to be carrying something draped over his arms. Something matching a lime. Light green, and fluffy from the view of it.
''Are you feeling, Edward?'' He asked, as he proceed to close the door after having entered. He laid the fluffy green thing right in Edwards lap, as he shook a bit. Startled by the touch of it, as it landed right in his lap. He stared at it for a moment, reaching and holding it up in front of him. Taking in the full sight of it, he concluded what it was.
''A cloak? Where'd you get this?'' He asked staring over at Barron, who seemed to be admiring something from out the cloudy, fogged up bedroom window. The warmth from the inside was different from the outside air. The outside air was cool, and chilling. Certainly nothing Edward had to keep himself warm during the difference in weather. He'd traveled to Earth in nothing but a royal cloak, which from the state of it, was far from useful anymore. Stained with blood, and rips in the fabric, he was surprised it'd had even made it as far as it did.
''I noticed the one you've been wearing, has gotten pretty beat up? Thought you could use a new one, a more fluffy one, then your slick one.'' He replied, a smile on his face. Edward brought his eyes back to the cloak, which caused a smile to come onto his face, as he was quick to unpin the gold pin that kept the two openings shut, as the black cloak fell from his shoulders. Landing behind him, as it ran down his back for a second. He got up from the bed, rising slowly, as his muscles ached, causing him bits of pain, settled and ignored by his might, and his fear Barron would notice and ask about it. He pinned the silver pin, locking the two openings together, as he turned to stare at Barron. Barron's eyes ran up and down Edward's body, admiring the cloak in all its glory, as he held up a thumbs up.
''That looks so good on you!'' He shouted happily. ''Although, you may want to wash up your chest, you have a lot of blood on you, from the recent days.'' He whispered. Edward stared at his chest, taking in the sight of the large amounts of dried blood, that stained his bare, pale chest. He frowned, running his fingers along one specific spot, the blood staining now his fingers, as he brought them in front of his face.
''This won't do at all.'' He mumbled.
''I can bring you a cloth or something? If you'd like to wash up a little bit.'' Barron suggested. Edward nodded, as he continued to try and remove as much of the blood as he could with his fingers, but gave up slowly, after Barron had left the room for the second time. Things weren't going so well, which the method he'd chosen. Water seemed like the better choice.
Barron returned a few seconds later. In his hands were two different kinds of cloths. One slicky, and blue, the other half wet, half dry, that was the color pink. He handed Edward the blue one, to which he took thankfully, and began wiping the blood away. He held the long ends of the cloak up, as to not get any of it stained, as the blood seemed to be gone, a little more wiping remaining and he'd be good again. As he took his eyes away from what he was doing for a moment, he found Barron. Standing in the corner of the room, the pink cloth doing its best to remove the black blood, and odd substance that had stained his body aside from just the blood.
''Need some help with that?'' He asked.
''Oh, sure?'' Barron replied as he handed the pink cloth to Edward, who grabbed it slowly, holding it with one hand, as he proceeded to wipe the substance away from the patches of skin he could make out. Although, it seemed to be bit of a challenge, as Barron's damaged wings were in the way.
''What do you plan to do with these now?'' Edward asked.
''You mean what am I going to do with my wings?'' Barron reprashed. ''I'm not sure, I can't use them to fly anymore, considering the blast completely destroyed them, and the pain is to awful to comprend, if I want to try and put them away, so I guess, for now, there just stuck.'' He replied.
''If you can't use them anymore, maybe Ren could cut them off for you? You wouldn't have to be forced to look at them anymore? Only if you'd be up for that? Or I could burn them for you? It'd be the easiest, considering they'd just turn to ash after a few minuets.'' Edward offered, his motion taking the substance away.
''I thought about that, but I don't think I'd be ready for that just yet. I appericate you offering, Edward. But for now, I'll just keep them.'' He replied.
''Alright, Barron. I respect your wishes.'' He replied. Once he was done with his back, he moved to the front of him, their eyes meeting, as Edward placed the cloth with caution on his chest, proceeding to start wiping away and cleaning the wounds. As the blood disappeared in seconds, staining into the pink cloth, and changing the color to a deep, dark, shade of black, Edward noticed something. Something deep, and covered in what seemed to be some sort of white powder. The powder was covering a large part of Barron's body. Located in the corner, just above where his heart was. Barron shared his expression of curiosity. Edward who put the cloth down on the bed next to them, lightly rubbed the area with the powder, as the white showed up on his fingers. He frowned, as he quickly rubbed it, with a little more force. The white on Edward's palm covered his entire palm, as the powder seemed to have been removed from what ever it'd been there to hide.
''That's a large birth mark.'' Edward commented on, as he stared at the thing that was underneath the white powder. A very damaged and dry looking birthmark. It wasn't shaped like anything, just looked more like some sort of burn mark.
''Where'd you get this?''
''I've had it since I was young. I don't know how it became, just that one day it showed up. Ren told me the day he saw it, that it would be better to cover it, considering it could've made me stand out, once we got to Earth. It was to protect me.'' Barron whispered.
''Are you okay covering it up? I mean, how do you feel regarding it?''
''I feel fine, I've gotten used to it. There's nothing really behind it. It doesn't mean anything, its just what I think, a wound I got when I was young.''
Edward rose his brow at the sight of the odd looking wound/birthmark, as he sighed, deeply. Proceeding to remove the side of the green cloak that covered the side of his chest. Barron was confused at first as to what he was doing, but once he saw what was there, he gasped. Edward who'd just rubbed his fingers up and down, the middle of his chest, just below his lungs, the same white powder found his fingers. He stared at Barron with a odd expression, as he held his two fingers up in the air, Barron taking in the sight of them, almost immediately.
As the powder was rubbed away, the same shape and pattern of Barron's wound/birthmark, showed up on Edward. The spot in which it showed, was certainly in a different place, but the appearance of it, couldn't have been any closer together.
''How'd you get that?'' Barron repeated Edward's question, as Edward and him, never dropped the sight of one another.
''The same as you. I was told by my parents, I was wounded when I was very young. They never told me anything more regarding the matter. The minuet I told Aaron I'd help him, by coming to Earth with him, I knew I'd have to hide this. So, I used white powder to conceal the spot.... I never thought anything of it, till now.'' He whispered.
''Do you think they mean anything? Maybe there's a further meaning behind them, none of us have ever thought about?!'' Barron snapped. Edward shook his head in a soft, slow, motion, as he proceeded to pin the cloak together again, Barron's sight of the wound being covered, as Barron frowned. Something had to come from those two specific wounds? There had to be a connection, Barron was sure of himself, there was more to be explained.
''We should look into this, don't you think? Edward, you declined my first theory regarding your brother, please don't stand there, and decline this one too.'' Barron breathed.
''I like that your interested in finding the truth behind things, Barron? But I see no connection between anything regarding anything in your theories? So, I see no reason to do anything further than to decline them.'' He breathed. ''I'm sorry.''
''You can't be serious! You can't be seriously telling me you don't believe anything, I'm telling you! Edward, come on!'' Barron barked, his face flowing with anger, as he approached Edward. The two of them practically touching, as Edward took in Barron's breath.
''Is everything okay in here?'' A voice right on time, seemed to rid of some of the anger, and sudden tension in the room, as both of them turned to the doorway. Ren, was standing there. His cool, collected, expression placing a little concern into Barron's stomach, as be backed up from Edward.
''Everything's fine, Ren.'' He whispered dropping his gaze, as he motioned himself around Edward. Approaching the doorway, and siding past Ren, who ignored him the second to stare at him. No, he more interested in staring at Edward. His cool, eyes, ran up and down Edward's body, as he was able to see the small bit of white powder that remained on his palm, and fingers. He was able to conclude the mess that had taken place in seconds, and frowned. Anger washing over him, as he crossed his arms, tightly placing them upon his chest.
''Whatever you doing, is upsetting Barron. I advise your stop it, right now.'' Ren ordered.
''Sure, of course.'' Edward whispered back. Ren dropped his gaze from the warm one, as he headed out, disappearing past the wall, as the door remained open. Edward, who stayed behind, couldn't help but rethink some things, as he took in the sight of the white powder. Barron didn't seem to off now.
***
As the dawn became a reality, and settled into the sky, Edward still concealed on sitting alone. He was still in the bedroom. The comfort underneath him from the tons and tons of white sheets, and covers, made him feel a little more relaxed, as the soft, fluff, of the green cloak he'd been gifted, did its job, and sent warmth to his shoulders. Sure, he still wasn't exactly dressed for the weather outside, but if worse came to worse, he could always use his powers to transform him into his full form. Although with the full form, he'd lose everything. Every bit of clothing he possessed, was embarrassment truly worth more than being warm? Either way, he'd seen no reason in doing so. So, as he let go of that tiny thought, he brought himself down from how he was sitting. Now, laying with his back on the bed. The many pillows acting as replacement for the stacked up covers underneath him, as he brought one underneath hm. Making sure it was properly placed, as to remove the stiffness he felt.
You refused to listen to anything Barron tells you? How come the information, seems beneath us? He asked himself. The sound of his own voice acting as peacekeeper in the back of his mind now, had certainly done a good job at pushing itself to the front of his mind. I see no reason to think any further of any of this. He replied to himself. Barron's theories are exactly what they are. Theories. I see no reason to cast blame on my father, any further. It would seem there's enough to act upon, then connection him to a deeper part in these stupid birthmarks..
Who said your father had something to do with those birthmarks? Barron never mentioned that part? Are you telling me, your starting to think your father's behind this? His inner self posed a question.
Edward suddenly felt the heat inside him increase, as his eyes became still. Seeming as though he'd dozed right off. The conversation inside his own head, growing more interested, as his inner self, seemed to pose a threat. Or better most, he seemed to be furthering as a threat towards himself.
''Edward? Do you have a minuet?'' As Barron's voice came storming into his mind, he pulled himself up from where he laid, and blinked a few times. Returning to reality, as he knew there was more time to fight with himself later, he didn't need to feel distracted by thoughts he was the only one who seemed to care less of.
''Sure, what's up?'' He replied.
''I owe you a huge apology. Your right about everything, their theories, nothing more. I should stop trying to read into them, as if they even matter. About the story about your brother, its your choice if you wish to do anything about it, and if you don't, I shouldn't push you. As for the birthmarks, it might just be they mean nothing. Maybe we were just really clumsy when we were young.'' He moved into a small awkward laugh as he paused to hear Edwards reponse.
''I accept your apology, Barron. As for everything else, I will refrain from telling you my true option, as to not get you fired up again.'' Edward whispered.
''I guess I deserve that. But I understand why you might feel like doing that.'' Barron breathed. ''I didn't mean to make our friendship awkward, and tight.... But I'm telling you this to your face, before I drop it, alright?''
''Sure, go for it.'' Edward mumbled.
''I don't give up on any of what I told you. I still choose to believe in everything, that everything has a deeper meaning... You can shame me as much as you wish, but I was thinking more about it, your father might be our best shot to get some answers. Plus, you still need to talk to him, about the hybrid thing, Miyazaki, told us all about.''
''I know. Tell me, has Ren found her yet? She disappeared from the sight the moment we were all taken, right? Has he found any traces of her yet?''
''No, its like she just vanished. Ren thinks she's out there, hiding, that she'll return to him, once things have calmed down a little. I'm truly hoping he's right. She's to young to be on her own out there. My worst fear is that she'll be captured, if we don't find her.'' Barron blinked.
''Surely that won't happen. What do you brothers think about everything? Do they think we're finally safe?''
''Oh absolutely not. Ren and Bright are convinced now that we've been found out, our cover is blown for good. We'll never be able to set foot outside without police recognizing our faces! Bright thinks we should try to contact Demon Nation, have them take us back.. Lift our banishment.''
''Is that truly a good idea? We can't just leave things how they are here, because of us, all mythical creatures who were banished here, are at risk of being captured, and tortured! We can't leave it like this.'' Edward snapped, the thought of not being able to help everyone suddenly popping into his mind.
''You mean because of your friend, Aaron! Its because of him, he were found out. Us it is your fault as well. Had you not offered to help Aaron the first time, the alley wouldn't have been put under surveillance. The yellow tape, and the monitoring was because of the battle you two had. And in the end, you got send back to Nation Valley, unaware that you'd commited so much damage to that one area, how the hell did you think no one would notice?!'' Barron barked angrily.
''I was wounded and powerless, Barron. I'd just lost my friend to the enemy species.... I didn't have time to think. My mother opened the portal and saved my butt, any closer, and I might not have been able to take down both Aaron and Alec. In the end, before he passed, Aaron saved me. He took down Alec, and allowed me the time I needed to take Alec to prison, at Nation Valley. I didn't have the strength to bring back Aaron along with me, so I had to leave him in that alley.''
''And let me finish the rest for you, then you came back, on a mission to find out what happened to him, and you learned later he'd turned into a blood sucking monster? Am I correct about that?'' Barron finished.
''Yes, he turned into a monster, a monster who'd been adding up the people he killed on list. My guess, he killed the person who first showed him kindness.''
''The person who showed him kindness? You think he/she gave him some of their powers, in order to heal him?'' Barron asked.
''No, I think they gave him a chunk of their power so when the time came, he'd be able to stop his boyfriend, Alec, who was revealed to be a vampire, after my betrayal. He'd been able to get the jump on him. Able to take a chunk out of his neck, just as Aaron had been able to keep me trapped by having ice surround my limbs. At the time, Aaron had been having trouble using his powers. He didn't know why.... until I told him the truth. The truth behind everything. From the beginning, I wanted his cold power, in order to turn me into a full hybrid. I had the fire, I only needed the ice to be completed. His boyfriend was never in danger like he thought. He'd never been banished to Earth, I took him before my father could send him off, and left him on Mars. All that time, Aaron thought Alec was on Earth, he thought I volunteered to help him, but I only wanted to take his power.''
''Edward.....'' Barron whispered, shocked to what he was hearing. ''I know you told this story before, but the second time, for some reason, is so much worse...''
''Its because I didn't tell you everything. I didn't realize it at first, not till now. But I didn't just ruin Aaron's life that day, I ruined Alec's as well.. For that, there's no going back.'' He breathed.
''If your asking me, Edward? I don't think you ruined Alec's life. I honestly think, he was going to betray Aaron, anyways. Whether or not you triggered it to happen early or not. If he felt he needed to hide what he truly was from the one he loved, then Aaron and Alec should never have become a thing. Right from the start, I think somewhere, Aaron knew something was wrong.... and you were able to open his eyes, which was his reason for setting you free.''
''Doesn't matter now, he's stuck as a evil being. And I have no way to fix that.'' Edward replied, a sad expression on his face, as Barron felt himself shattering. He truly wished there was something he could do.
''You truly are pathetic aren't you, Edward? Still the leftover remains of a cry baby, mortal! I guess, Dad, was wrong when he thought he removed all your mortal empathy.... ''
''Alice?! What're you doing here?!'' Edward jumped up from where he was on the bed, quickly, and without thought, he pushed himself in front of Barron the minuet he sensed danger. As he violently pushed Barron down, the icy cold chill of a block of ice, connected with his body. The chilling cold temperature, mixing with the tiny bit of warmth he had, coding his skin, the frost bite he suddenly felt turned his body off in seconds. In seconds he was down. Frozen to the touch like a freezer popsicle. His skin had froze, in minuets, resembling nothing but a shinning blue hue, as the light blue light of a portal shinned, shinning and exploding the room, as every single person inside was blinded. Barron tried to fight and get away from his attacker, but as his grip was suddenly grabbed, he was tugged inside. Edward, even though he was frozen, was able to send a little bit of flames to his arms, as he was forced to be brought along...inside the light of the portal that mean't it was his time.
The time to see his father.
Was nigh.