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~ Lilac's POV~ _________________________________________________________________________________________________
"I'm bored!" For the fifteenth time Rose sighed.
We were sitting on the grass, leaning against tree basking in its shade, deep in the forest close to where we encountered the demon last time. Yukio was sitting a little far from us working on his formulas for some assignment. Darius and Octavius were in class, while Orion had a meeting in the city that he had to attend to, while Mason was in his room working on some potions. I could feel the taste of the potion he gave the last time still lingering in my mouth.
"Lila, did you know…"
I was trying hard to pay attention to Rose, but my thoughts were going back to the appearance of the demon the other day.
"Rose." I interrupted her.
She looked up at me with concern. "Yeah, what is it? Are you alright? You seem a bit off today."
"I'm alright, but I was just thinking about why a demon appeared here, in the middle of the forest?"
"Well, they appear just about anywhere. But, since there is a spell barrier around the Campus, they shouldn't have arrived here. I too was surprised when it happened. They usually appear in the Dark Forest. However, there have been quite a few cases of demons sometimes breaking the barrier and entering Campus grounds." She paused and continued. "Is that what's on your mind?"
I nodded.
"Well then, we need to get you out of your thoughts." She got up and dusted off her skirt and cape. "Let's go to the city!" She suggested.
All thoughts of the demon were thrown outside my mind. "The city? You mean Ragnarök?"
She nodded. Pulling my hand in hers she calls out to Yukio. "Yukio baby, let's go to the city."
He floats on a tiny droplet of water and appears next to her within a second. "Not now. It's already evening. What would happen if a monster showed up?" He asked concerned.
That is true.
"Well, you are right!" She looked down sadly.
I don't think I can control my powers well yet either. So, if the incident were to repeat itself, I wouldn't be able to protect myself either.
"Monsters are more active when it gets dark. Also, a curfew was implemented by Law in the city, after the incident. Besides, Lila's mates aren't even here yet." He looked serious about not going into the city.
I blushed at the word 'mates'. I was still not used to the whole concept of soulmates.
But is it that concerning to go alone? It might be. Internally, I did feel conflicted and uncomfortable travelling anywhere without my 'mates'. It was like a magnetic pull that told me to just stay next to them.
Rose's face fell down, along with mine.
"Rose, it's okay. We can just call it a day!" I smiled sadly at her, trying to soothe her. She smiled back at me. "Okay, next time, let's go together." She winked at me.
This girl! She's so funny and weird. I can't believe how close we got to each other within this past week. We were almost inseparable, even the guys whined every time I told them I would be going to Rose's room or hanging out with her. They were like little kids sometimes. Rose also told me that her mates acted the same way. I guess the feeling is mutual in between them.
I watched as the sun set on the horizon, marking dusk.
"It's getting late. We should head back!" Yukio suggested.
We nodded as we used the vortex to teleport back in the academy on the corridor of our floor.
We said our goodbyes and goodnights and soon I found myself walking back to my dorm apartment.
Opening the door, I felt a gust of wind as Darius was on my left, leaning with one hand placed on the wall beside me. "Lila, why did you come so late?" His eyes peeked through my soul. I was getting used to all these serious glowing eyes.
I sighed. However, the whole overprotective thing after the incident and us finding that we were mates was getting on my nerves. They needed to know where I was at any point of the day. If I shut them off through mind link, they would try and reach me in one way or another in person.
"I was with Rose and Yukio." I replied walking into the apartment and plopping myself on the sofa.
He nodded and took a seat next to me. "So, are you adjusting well to life here?" He asked concerned. His red eyes though told me he wanted something else, like he was lost in thought.
I sunk into the sofa, folding my hands in front of me. "Yes, it's going well. Mason has been helping me a lot with my studies and everything…"
"That's not true. You already are a genius in math and science. You just need to practice a little more of magic and learn to control your powers." Mason interrupted entering the hall.
Darius smiled. "That's great! Also, I was wondering if I could…" A knock interrupted our conversation.
"Why now?" Darius face palmed himself and opened the door.
Mason looked at him pitifully, while I looked at him confused. He just shrugged in response.
I decided to ignore it for now as my attention shifted to the door.
"The headmaster requests your and your mates' presence in his office." It was the voice that belonged to the black knight who guided us to the office the first time. However, I couldn't be sure as he still had everything covered up regardless.
Darius nodded and mind linked everyone to go to the office.
I was kind of tired, but seeing everyone's serious face, I decided to go with them as there must be something off. Orion exited his room.
"You are back from the meeting." I concluded.
"Yes. It took quite some time, didn't it?" He asked nervously patting the back of his head.
"It's alright." I spoke.
We followed the knight to the office and opened the door. Mr. Gerald as usual was covered in piles of papers and books.
"We're here!" Octavius announced.
"Ah, just one second." he spoke peeking through the huge pile of papers.
He got up from his chair as he stood in front of us. "There is something you should know about, but wait here until everyone gets here." He spoke.
Everyone? Who else could it be? Rose and her mates?
We nodded and waited. Not even a minute later, Rosie and her three mates arrived. Her three mates included Yukio, who could control or bend water at will, Jace who could use light and Blake who could use air. Yukio was human or an archimage just like Rose, Mason and I, while Jace was a werewolf and Blake was a vampire. Jace and Blake looked similar to each other and were quite tanned, except for their hair and eye colour. Jace had amber eyes and golden yellow hair, while Blake had red eyes and brown hair. They were twins.
Her eyes searched the room and finally landed on mine. She smiled widely. She caught my hand in hers as the entire room grew tense. I guess our mates didn't like it when we touched each other.
Mr. Gerald cleared his throat, snatching our attention towards him. "Please keep your differences aside. I have something more important to discuss with you all." He pushed his spectacles higher on his nose with a finger. His kind silver eyes were replaced with a serious expression that I couldn't decipher. Did something bad happen?
"We have intel that suggests that the seven cardinal sins' demons have resurrected."
A cold air flew through the room leaving everyone speechless and flabbergasted at the same time. I felt Rose's hand tremble in mine. I quickly tightened my hand around hers as she looked at me scared, but smiled slightly assuring me she was alright. I didn't know what they were talking about, but seeing everyone shocked and silent, left an unsettling feeling in my heart.
"What do you mean by that headmaster?" Blake asked.
"It's been almost a millennium since they were last seen in this place." He sighed walking over to the window next to his desk. Gazing outside at the moon, he continued. "The seven cardinal sins which were thought to be extinct or sleeping for a long time have now awakened. Once again, the world will be plunged into chaos."
"Who are these demons?" I asked, slightly knowing the answer but I wanted to confirm my suspicions.
His eyes looked into mine searching for something. "They are Greed, Lust, Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, and Wrath demons. You must have heard of them before." He looked at me seriously.
I swallowed hard. To say I was nervous was an understatement, I was scared. Everyone knows those demons. The seven princes of Hell who were banished to Hell for eternity. I can't believe that those demons are actually alive somewhere in this world. But I thought demons were immortal. Wherever there is good, there is also evil.
Rose squeezed my hand reassuringly as I smiled a little at her.
"The demon that attacked the other day, was a pawn of the Gluttony demon. He was most likely after your powers, Lilac."
The whole room turned quiet as all their heads snapped at me. "After my powers? Energy manipulation?" I asked bewildered looking down at my feet. "Is it that uncommon?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, the last person who was recorded in history to seal all the seven cardinal sins was known to be an energy manipulator herself."
"Her?"
"Yes. However, her mates and her…"
"That's enough headmaster." Mason interrupted roughly. "What happens now?" He asked seriously.
Sighing sadly, he continued, "The Gluttony demon has been spotted in the city of Ragnarök! I want you all to go there and investigate. For now, we cannot be sure if it was really the demon or not. So, I want you to confirm and come back."
We all nodded synchronously.
"It is our duty to protect the lives of this country. For now, I choose only you people. When the rest of them are back, I'll let them lead the investigation." He ordered.
"Order received!" Everyone replied synchronously. I followed them. The headmaster looked at me sadly and smiled.
"Good. You can leave now!"
We all left the office.
Darius and Octavius were conversing with each other seriously, while Orion and Mason were talking with Rose's mates.
I gently tapped Rose's hand. "So, like do we leave now? This late into the night. It's almost 9 PM." I whispered.
She whispered back. "Yes. Since demons are most active and night and thrive in the dark, it would be easier to spot them. But I would have loved to show you around the city instead of showing you demons." I smiled looking at her. She was such a sweet friend.
"Let's gear up and meet in half an hour!" Spoke Blake as we returned back to our own dorm rooms.
I watched as the guys started gearing up swiftly. They went to go get their swords, while I just stood there clueless on what to do. Should I get some food or something?
Mason mind linked me as if hearing my thoughts. "Don't worry Lila. Just dress warmly." I could feel his reassuring smile through the link. I was truly nervous and excited at the same time.
"Okay." I replied back through the link.
Rushing over to my room, I went to put on some stockings underneath the mini skirt that came up to my thigh. This uniform that we wore was apparently a defensive and protective shield casted with spells, that's why they always wore it. It was immune to fire, water, and wind. Even my stockings and bow tie, were endowed with magic. However, they weren't blood proof. I remembered the first time I saw Orion and Darius covered slightly in blood. I got chills remembering the way Darius slayed those monsters that day with blood crawling everywhere. Chills!
Orion knocked on the door entering my room. "Hey Lila. Just checking on you. All good?" He asked concerned.
"Yes. I was just wondering if I should carry something with me?" I asked looking around for something I might need.
He smiled at me. "No, we will take care of everything." He held my hands in his and sat on the edge of my bed as he pulled me to stand in between his legs. Even though he was sitting, he seemed to be slightly taller than me. "Just stay beside Mason. Under no circumstances are you to leave his hand. Do you understand Lila?" His green eyes held a serious emotion.
I nodded in response, gazing into his eyes.
"Use your words, Lila." He urged gently.
"Yes. I will stay next to Mason." My words brought a smile to his face, popping a dimple I didn't notice before.
"Good girl!" He patted my head and hugged me as I hugged him back.
"Time to go!" Octavius announced. I looked at the door as Orion released me. Darius and Mason were by his side in no time.
"I have something to give you." Mason spoke coming closer to me.
I looked at him strangely, tilting my head. "It's not one of those potions of yours, is it?" I recalled the taste of it the last time I drank it.
He laughed. "No. Here you go." He placed a small knife in my hand. It was a beautiful silver knife with a silver sheath on it. "It is blessed with protective and defensive magic. Only use it if necessary." He smiled at me.
I nodded. "Thank you!" I raised my skirt a little and placed it in the band of my stockings on my right thigh. Pulling my skirt down I looked up.
Their eyes were glowing again looking at me. "What's wrong?" I asked.
They cleared their throats and looked everywhere except me. The glow in their eyes receeded. These men are strange sometimes.
"Let's go. Rose must be waiting." I giggled running across from them as I felt a hand pull me back by my waist into a hard chest.
I gasped in surprise. "Baby girl, please don't get to close to anyone except us." Octavius whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my skin.
I looked up at him with a pout. "Or else, we will have to teach you a lesson."
But I wanted to hold Rose's hand, she is my best friend. I made puppy eyes at him that seemed to get me away with anything this past week.
However, he deflected it. He looked away and shook his head warning me not to try it. I sighed in defeat. After putting on our black gloves, which also had some defensive spells, we walked out of the room to reunite with the others.
We arrived in the library where I first arrived on campus. This was usually the spot most people used to travel from and to the campus through the vortex as a safety precaution.
"Are you ready?" Blake asked.
We nodded as I held Mason's hand and Rose held Yukio's. We glanced at each other and smiled.
With that we walked into the portal as Mason carried me in his arms and I closed my eyes, thinking of the impeding struggle we were going to face.