Forgiving Light

Chapter 15

Mizuki and I train mentally all day until the afternoon. At that time, Kusa finds us in the basement.

"So, this is where you've been all day," he muses.

Keeping my eyes closed so that I can clearly see the internal battle, I respond, "Don't disturb us. This is serious training." In our minds, Mizuki and I battle viciously.

Not vicious enough, though.

"What do you mean 'serious'? You're jus sitting."

"Oh, if only you knew." I push Mizuki back, cornering her. This battle is mine!

Mizuki pushes back with greater force, and she gets out of that corner. I growl and send a strong pulse of energy her way. She quickly blocks it, but her barrier shatters. Awaiting on the other side is a large amount of energy that blasts through.

I'm prepared, though.

I put up my own barrier of darkness. It doesn't shatter. I take it down suddenly and attack ferociously. Mizuki wavers. The battle stops.

I open my eyes. "What the hell was that?" I demand.

"It was a really strong attack," she sighs. "I couldn't defend against it."

"Look, I only trained in my Early Years, and I'm better than you. You were fine. You just needed to have confidence in the fact that you had enough energy. If you didn't, tough."

"What were you doing?" Kusa asks, leaning against the door frame.

"Nothing you would understand," I counter. "Now, let's try this aga-"

"Actually, it's time for lunch," Kusa interrupts. He beckons to Mizuki. "Come on, Kotori."

"Okay," Mizuki says, getting up. She turns to me. "Wanna come?"

"Nah. I need to meditate for a while." I get up and brush past them both.

As I'm leaving, I hear Kusa say, "Kotori, I don't want you to be around him. He's too dangerous."

I stop at the end of the hall, clenching my fists. I guess that's true, but he doesn't have to be discreet about it.

"No, he's not," Mizuki counters. "Dad, please try to understand his feelings. I already told you that he has problems."

"Yes, psychopathic problems."

"He's just dangerous because he doesn't want to show his true feelings." Footsteps walking my way. "Look, if you really get to know him, he isn't bad. Mom knows. Heck, Black Mist has a pet raven."

I look behind me to see Mizuki walking my way. I shoot a glare at the both of them and enter the room, slamming the door shut. I lock the door and reinforce it with some of my ooze. Now, I'll be alone.

"Great, Dad. You've upset him," Mizuki sighs.

I sigh.

Kuro flies in through the window and perches on my shoulder.

"Back from hunting, Kuro?"

"Yessss."

"You went five minutes ago."

"My appetite hassss grown."

I shrug. "Makes sense." I sit at the center of the bed and close my eyes.

I make my breathing steady, and I shut down my motion nerves. Everything goes quiet in me.

Hours later, I sense that it's night. I don't move, though. I don't feel like going out tonight or ever during the day time.

Miza has other plans, though.

"Come on, let's go!" she exclaims, pouncing on me.

I jolt awake. "Not now, Miza," I growl. "Go with Kuro; I don't feel like going tonight."

Kuro gives me a look that says "Are you crazy!?"

"Okay," Miza sighs. "Come on, Kuro."

Kuro reluctantly follows Miza out the window.

I sigh, watching them go. I should corrupt more people. It's very enjoyable.

First targets: Yuki and Kusa.

I sneak into their room like the shadow I am. When I enter their room, I put them both into a deep slumber so that neither of them wakes up. I place my hand on Kusa's forehead and over his heart, and I pump the usual darkness in. When I do that, I move on to Yuki.

Now, the whole household is corrupted. I grin. Now, I should go to Cathy's house and infect them.

Get as much done as possible in one single night.

I fly over to the feline mansion quickly. When I enter, the night shadows provide perfect cover for me.

Sensing the energies, I slink along the walls and enter the parents' room, which is on the second floor. I melt into a puddle to slide under the door. I reform when I make it to the other side.

I float over to the parents. They look like Cathy in so many ways. This takes me back to my Early Years.

Before we were in the middle of our Early Years, Mother and Father died. They were former Light Agents, so it was obviously during battle.

I know this because I would hear snippets from the other inmates when I was awake. We would always pass messages mentally, so everyone would hear everything that was being said without being heard by the Agents.

I guess the Light Forces erased Astral's memories of Mother and Father, thus why he believes that we protect ourselves from the moment we can remember.

I look down at the sleeping figures. I place my hand on the mother's forehead and chest, and I inject darkness in her. I do the same for the father.

Now, for Cathy. Considering Astral hasn't touched her, she should be easy to take.

I dart across the staircase, running passed the moonlight. I reach the door to Cathy's room. The door stands ajar, and I creep inside.

I go up to Cathy and sense her.

Damn. Astral's already gotten to her.

I suppose that since he got my message, he started leaving his mark on some.

Oh, well.

I leave the house as silently as I entered and go back to the house. I enter through the window and flop onto the bed, ready to go into my trance. The only thing keeping me from resting is the fact that I have to be a human tomorrow.

I should erase the fact that Kasai ever existed. I already have what I came for.

In fact, I'll go do it right now.