nothing ever lasts forever.

Chapter Ten

I watched the sun start setting from my dorm window. It's time. I thought sincerely, turning away and leaving my room. I dashed down the stairs and burst through the door, determined to end this tonight. I could be running towards those prophetic dreams I've had, or I could be running to a new destiny all together. 

As the moon rose to its highest point, I found myself standing in a clearing and peering up in awe at the moon's radiance. 

"So you like to watch the moon too, huh?" A calm female voice asked softly. I flinched, and whipped around to see a woman standing. My breath hitched in my throat, and I didn't dare to breathe, as if she'd attack me for just merely existing. "Let me guess, you're going to ask who I am?" She chuckled, slowly walking towards me. I stumbled backward. The woman froze in place. I met her eyes, and I realized that she was the woman from the memory I experienced a few days ago. Her different colored eyes expressed genuine concern for me, which meant she didn't mean to scare me. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," She admitted. All I could do was stare at her, even when I tried to speak, the lump in my throat prevented me from doing so. "Fuckin' hell Cirrus, look what you did." A newer, deeper male voice commented. My eyes darted around the clearing frantically, searching for where the male voice came from. 

There.

I pinpointed a pair of emerald green eyes that were raised significantly above the wom- Cirrus. I saw the tall man's figure approach us. He perched an arm on Cirrus's shoulder and lightly leaned on her. "You would've done worse, Mountain. Are you even aware of how tall you are?" She joked, having to crane her neck just to look him in the eyes. "Hush, you probably weren't supposed to reveal either of our names." Mountain replied, narrowing his green eyes. "Copia didn't say anything about keeping our names private," Cirrus stated in a matter of factly voice. Mountain threw up his hands defeatedly, shaking his head subtly. "What?" She expressed, voice raising a bit. "Nothing, just continue talking to the human girl," He grumbled. 

"Aaaannnways! I'm Cirrus, and this tall bastard is Mountain," Cirrus introduced, smiling up at her tall friend fondly. "This is so exciting!!" She squealed, excitedly stomping her feet in place and flapping her hands wildly. "You're the first human I've seen outside of the mhnnnh-" Her words were muffled by Mountain placing a hand over her mouth. "Aether would be so pissed with you right now." He mumbled, removing his hand when he was 100% sure Cirrus had stopped saying things I couldn't know. She sent an icy glare in Mountain's direction, and turned back to me. 

I swallowed harshly, trying to muster up the strength to ask my burning questions. "Who was the red eyed one in my dream?" I asked, crossing my fingers and hoping I'd get some real answers. "Red eyed? Mmmm," Cirrus hummed, thinking. "most likely Dew, but it could've been-"

"Alpha or Ifrit." Mountain finished her sentence, eyes narrowed in thought. "But then again why would Alpha or Ifrit visit your dream?" She asked, moreso talking to herself now. "Whoever it was, he was very rude to me. Called me a dumbass," I mumbled, still kind of hurt that he called me a dumbass without even knowing me. While yes, I am a dumbass, it's very rude to just assume without getting to know me first. 

"And what was that weird gemstone necklace?" 

Cirrus looked up at Mountain expectantly, as if asking if she could answer. All he gave in response was a firm and solemn shake of his masked head. She sighed, shifting her gaze back to me. "Sorry, can't tell you that yet," She said. "you should go back soon, cause I know you humans need a lot of sleep." Cirrus smiled, putting a hand on her hip. "Can I see you guys tomorrow?"

"We might not be here, but you'll probably meet our other friends!" She said, linking arms with Mountain and turning to leave. I waved bye, and started to skulk back to the school. 

  

{~}

The moon didn't show up tonight, leaving the night dark as ever. That didn't deter me, though. I was going to stop at nothing to find answers. If they wanted to stop me, they'd have to kill me. 

I sauntered back to the clearing from last night, and leaned on a nearby tree, awaiting the creatures' arrival. 

Something in the distance caught my attention. Glowing red orbs, coming closer. The same red orbs from that dream. I couldn't see the body that matched his eyes, but I could see the way he moved. He prowled and stalked, like a predator approaching prey. And in this scenario, I am the prey. "Dew?" I called out. He emitted a low growl, and in an instant he was sprinting straight for me. 

Another creature toppled into Dew, both of them landing hard on the ground just at my feet. "Dew! Quit this shit!" A new voice commanded. The tone of the voice was reminiscent of a dad scolding a son. Various growls and snarls came from the two creatures struggling against one another. "Mountain!" The new male strained, and I recognized that he was sitting atop Dew and wrestling with him. Mountain seemingly appeared from nowhere and grabbed Dew's small shoulders.  

Mountain held Dew's arms, and despite him struggling, he couldn't get out of Mountain's grasp. Dew was only just about as tall as Mountain's shoulders, and the strength difference was clear. "Where is Rain?" 

Mountain shrugged as best as he could, still refraining Dew. The new man turned to me, and the first thing I noticed about him was how his mystic purple eyes softened as he began to make friendly conversation with me. "So sorry about the rudeness of my companion. I'm Aether, and the tiny thrashing one is Dew. You've already met Mountain, I've been told?" He introduced, and I nodded at his question. 

I remembered a small interaction from last night.

"Aether would be so pissed with you right now." Mountain had mumbled as he took his hand off from Cirrus's mouth. Was Aether their leader or something? Their dad possibly? But no, how could Aether be their leader? I remember Cirrus mentioning another name? 

"Really need Rain to get here soon," Mountain mumbled lowly, accidentally digging his claws into Dew's shoulders, earning a pained yelp from the tiny thrashing one. Wait. Wait. CLAWS? I WAS RIGHT! I KNEW THAT SOMETHING HUMANOID MADE THOSE INDENTS IN THAT TREE!

"Watch it with the claws, nature boy!" Dew hissed in pain. A new figure, who I presumed was Rain, stepped up beside Mountain and Dew. His deep blue eyes briefly met mine, before locking with Dew's striking fiery scarlet eyes. He placed a soft hand on Dew's shoulder, and minutes later he stopped struggling. He had completely calmed down, and was trying to regain his breath. 

Aether breathed a silent, but barely noticeable sigh of relief at the sight of Dew calmed down. "That's Rain, if you hadn't already guessed." He pointed at the blue eyed man who stood only an inch taller than Dew. 

"So, what did you and Cirrus and Mountain talk about last night?" Aether questioned.