Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 217: The Evening Mist

Nadine Delacroix always found solace in the dead of night. She grew anxious around her friends and comrades and knew by nightfall she could find peace of mind.

"It looks like you're running away again." Said Jean.

Nadine glanced at the spirit and rolled her eyes. "Non, je ne suis pas."

"I'm not running away from anything." Nadine stared from on high, watching over the vibrant city like an angel staring down from the heavens.

"Then why aren't you with the other neo heroes?" Jean asked.

"Parce que." Nadine motioned her hands. Truthfully she didn't have much of a valid answer. Mary ordered everyone to remain underground and only to scour the city to scout. "I enjoy being alone."

"You aren't ever alone." Jean reminded her. Due to the Delacroix curse, when they die, their soul is forever linked to their descendants. They act as familiars capable of being summoned at will to assist the summoner in any way they choose.

"That's not true. I'm alone now aren't I?" Nadine scoffed.

"Not really." Jean swirled around her like a dense mist. "I'm here, and so are the others."

"Oh shut up." Nadine barked. "Do I need to remind you that you're dead?"

Jean cursed under his breath. He could see Nadine grinning sourly as if his dissatisfaction brought her satisfaction.

Despite being her ancestor, sometimes Jean hated Nadine. He hated that the Delacroix curse tied directly into their ancestry manipulation. If it were up to him, Jean would rather permanently crossover to the afterlife instead of being constantly called upon like a familiar.

"No, you don't. You already remind that every day." Jean replied bitterly.

Nadine slyly smiled. "Well, I thought you'd forget otherwise."

"Besides, it's much easier for me to communicate with all of you when no one else is around," Nadine said lightly. "When people are around, it's difficult to focus. I can't connect to the world of spirits as easily."

"Have you tried meditating?" Jean suggested.

"Bien sûr! Of course, I have. I wouldn't choose solitude unless if I had exhausted every other option." Nadine exhaled and sighed. "I can't meditate, though, unless I'm alone. In the hideout, there are too many distractions. I can feel the reiki of everyone around me. It makes it hard to focus on myself and release my spirit. Also, that salamander chatte is too loud for her own good."

"Things would be much easier if Rene, Suzu, and Sarah were still around." Nadine admitted.

"Rene? Is that the boy you had me attack ages ago?" Jean asked.

"Oui." Nadine reminisced. Her duel with Ren felt like it was ages ago. She could still feel the excitement from back then and the pain from the beat down Suzume gave her soon after.

"That boy is special." Said Jean. "I hear murmurings about him in the world of spirits. Many of those who have passed on are anticipating his awakening. They say once the gate is opened, the barriers between both realms will shatter, and the world will be born anew."

"The barriers between realms will shatter?" Nadine raised a brow. "What do you mean by that."

"The lines between life and death will blur. What is dead won't be dead, and what is alive will be no longer alive."

"Strange." Nadine whispered. "Is there any way to stop it."

"No. The gods already foresaw the destruction of this realm and the next. What comes after is inevitable. It'd be easier for all of you to prepare for it instead of subverting it."