A Musician's Tale

Chapter 8: Dad!?

-Ingrid’s pov-

It wasn’t hard to provoke Kyle. It never has been. Once he was near me he immediately used his trumpet to stop me.

As I knew that it was coming I already started the counter on my flute. “Such impatience,” I said after countering his attack.

“Tch, it’s just you, old lady,” I sigh. He always throws comments like that thinking everyone is as easily agitated as he is.

“... You haven’t changed a bit you’re still a brat,” I said cooly. I remember when he was still small and cute. Nothing like he is now.

“What was that!?” He shouted. “Why you chose this life is a mystery to me. But I will give you a choice. If you back out now and come work for Jade. It’ll be better for you.” I started playing Mozart’s flute concerto no. 2 calmly on my flute.

He didn’t say anything for a while. Then he looked at me with a smug look. “Nah, I’m good. And it’s time that you’ve been put in your place, old lady.” He said playing a foul note on his trumpet.

While I played my flute I was immune to every attack he threw. When he got irritated enough he got closer little by little. As long as I stayed focused on my music nothing except physical attacks could touch me.

But Kyle did something unexpected… And surprisingly smart. He tried to retreat. But since barriers are my specialty he couldn’t escape. He tried to use his trumpet to escape but it didn’t work.

So he tried the last thing he knew was the least likely, and the only, way he could get out. He tried to make me lose focus.

“Ugh, you’re just too stubborn.” He tried rushing towards me kicking from above. I easily dodged by ducking.

He glanced behind him briefly then tried to punch my stomach. I gracefully twirled to my right, then ducked as he tried to kick me again. After one uppercut, one ax kick, and an attempt to trip me, he was the one who lost focus.

His movements were getting a lot faster but his eyes were being blinded by bloodlust. This is the one thing a protector must remember. Never lose focus.

He wasn’t checking behind him anymore. He was now positioned behind a tree branch. I played one wrong note on my flute and Kyle was blown back as he was impaled by the tree branch.

“Argh!” He started to relax. Then he fainted on the spot. “May we not meet again.” Every bone in his body was shattered. He wouldn’t die but he wouldn’t be able to live either.

-3rd person pov-

Ingrid had met Marie in a small clearing with three strategically placed trees. “Marie, I didn’t expect you to beat me here.” Said Ingrid calmly leaning behind the tree on the lower left.

“No mercy. Right?” Said Marie smiling cheerily hiding behind her tree on the lower right.

“How is Natalie?” Asked Ingrid calmly. 

“She won’t be able to hear us. Or use the piano but other than that she looks like she’s been fine after all these years. She has not been a very good girl though.” Said Marie.

“And Kyle? Is he still a stubborn donkey?” Laughed Marie. Ingrid hummed in response.

“Oh, dear here they come~” Said Marie excitedly hiding behind the tree.

Jade came running in first dragging Melodious and Skyler. Jade Pushed Skyler to Marie, and Melodious to Ingrid.

Jade ran to the tree in the center and hid. “Now, Skyler, when I say so, whistle canon in d minor, yes?” Asked Marie as Skyler nodded.

“When I say so whistle canon in d minor.” Said Ingrid strictly to Melodious as Melodious nodded crouching down, silently observing. “Smart child,” Said Ingrid kindly.

-Catherine’s pov- 

Kalis followed me silently as I ran through this hedge maze. Jade told me to run to a small clearing near the bed of bluebells.

I look over the bed of bluebells and see the shine of a mirror near a small clearing. I run there going straight to the tree in the center.

As I reached the tree Jade pulled me behind the tree and went to take a peek of Kalis.

‘What is she thinking?’ I thought to myself. I hear Kalis approach. I look at Jade one more time wondering about what she had in mind. 

Ingrid gestured for melodious to start and she did. The visible trail of music surprised Kalis as Ingrid took a small peek. 

"Cannon…" He called approaching Ingrid's direction. 

That's when Marie gave Skyler the ok sign and he echoed Melodious as marie took a peak as well. 

"What?" Kalis exclaimed confused.

Jade told me to start and I did as she made me step out. 

I shook my head quickly as she headed out herself. 

“Cannon I--. Cannon, please tell me what happened to you.” He said desperately as he asked Jade. 

I was impulsive and answered clearly. "You happened to her," 

"Jade…. Who's with you? They're gifts are too similar to hers…" He asked with clenched fists. 

"Her life doesn't concern you anymore. She's dead because of you, and this time I'll finish you off myself," I said pushing jade and pouncing at Kalis. 

-Jade’s pov-

“You cold-blooded snake! Cannon and her whole family is dead because of you! Now it’s your turn.” I sighed I got up and signaled for Ingrid and Marie to help Cannon. 

"Stay here," said Marie and Ingrid to the boys as they nodded in agreement. 

"Catherine, stop!" Called Marie as Ingrid activated the trap they had set up for Kalis. 

A net that Custodia had made out of his magic that nullified gifts. 

Ingrid and Marie had just cued Skyler and Melodious to whistle louder.

 Kalis looked around confused and had a hard time handling the volume. 

I accompanied the melody with my guitar, Ingrid with her flute, and Marie with her harp.

His eyes started to close slowly. Then he got on his knees and completely passed out. But Cannon wouldn't let him go so easily.

She kept on whistling louder and louder to the point it started to affect the people around her. “You can stop now, Catherine,” I said facing her. But she didn’t stop. 

"I want to see his eardrums burst… Just like what happened that day!" She said quietly as she screeched and I covered my ears. 

I look to the kids instinctively and saw that Marie and Ingrid were covering their ears on their knees struggling with the pain. 

“Oh, dear, sorry for this, Catherine,” I swung my guitar and bonked her hard on the head.

The kids came out panicked. “Was there really a need to hit her so hard?!” Skyler screamed at, me.

“First of all, young man, do not scream at me or I will hit you. Second of all, yes, yes it was necessary. Did you see what it did to Ingrid and Marie?" Both Marie and Ingrid's ears had small amounts of blood coming out of them. 

"Ha… I was not expecting you to find out in such a grand way. But, I didn’t expect you two to find out at all.” I pointed my guitar at the both of them playfully.

“Welp, I guess I’m carrying her this time...” I said picking up Catherine.

“Come on, guys, let’s get out of here before your dad wakes up,” Skyler and Melodious stop in the middle of their tracks and looked at me like I had a horse for a head-- No wait then they’d laugh, then I guess I had a sheep for a head? Nah, they looked at me like I was crazy.

“I guess Catherine has a lot of explaining to do.” I said walking away leaving the two boys who rushed to me when they finished processing everything Marie and Ingrid following suit.