There Is Light

Chapter Eleven

__Mephiles' leg muscles had grown a bit sore from standing by the door all night. After someone tried to get into Elise's room, he had been on full alert for nothing. He didn't like that he was doing this, but he knew Athena would throw a fit if he let anything happen to Elise. He was wondering who was trying to get in and why. The only thing he knew was that he would have to tell Athena.
__Mephiles suddenly fell backward and hit his quills on the floor very hard. He grunted and opened his eyes to see Elise looking down at him in shock.
__"Mephiles? What are you doing?"
__Mephiles stood up and rubbed his quills as he faced her. "Keeping guard. What else?" He then realized he was standing in her bedroom and backed up so he wasn't.
__Elise's expression didn't change as she walked out of her bedroom. "Whatever satisfies you."
__Mephiles followed Elise over to the bathroom. He learned days ago why she went to the bathroom with two other women, but he found it odd. Why does a princess need help in the morning? He leaned on the wall after Elise went into the bathroom.
__"Morning, Mephiles," Agatha greeted as she walked over. She had been coming to talk with him every morning when Elise went into the bathroom. "How are you this morning?"
__"Been better," Mephiles muttered and ignored the pain in his quills. He then looked up at Agatha. "Do you know where Athena is?"
__Agatha nodded before she gave him this skeptical look. "Has something happened? Just tell me and I'll go over and tell her."
__Mephiles shook his head. "I have to speak problems with Athena first," He then pointed at his lock. "She doesn't want me talking to anyone about them until she's sure about something."
__Agatha rolled her eyes and started walking away. "I'll bring her here in a second."
__Mephiles watched her leave and come back later with Athena. She exchanged some words with Athena before she left them alone. Athena had looked at Mephiles and walked over to him.
__"What's wrong?" She asked bitterly.
__Mephiles narrowed his eyes at her and crossed his arms. "Act more annoyed when the princess is in trouble why don't ya?" He said sarcastically.
__"What do you mean she's in trouble!?" Athena suddenly looked worried.
__"Someone was trying to get into her room last night," Mephiles explained. "He barely opened the door when he ran away."
__Athena stood there, bewildered. When a patrolling guard walked by she went over to him. "You! Tell every guard to watch for anyone suspicious! Someone tried to get into her room last night!"
__"Yes, ma'am!" The guard quickly retreated, breaking into a sprint as he disappeared down the hallway.
__Athena suddenly got really close to Mephiles. "Don't let anything happen to her. If this person does come back I'm expecting you to attack if it comes to it."
__"How!?" Mephiles exclaimed while glaring at her. "I don't have my powers to do anything!"
__"Don't you know basic fighting techniques?" Athena sneered. "Quit acting like a child and do as I say!" She then stormed off past Mephiles and down the hallway.
__Mephiles forced himself to calm down. This is just great! Basic fighting techniques!? I'm the mind of Solaris, not the body! He growled and watched the bathroom door.

__Elise had encouraged Mephiles to go to the garden to witness Solar's hatching. Her cacoon was right in front of the pond. Elise was sitting close to Mephiles as he sat in front of the cacoon. She looked rather happy even after finding out someone was trying to break into her room.
__Mephiles was staring at the black and teel cacoon with no interest. He already knew what was going to happen and didn't understand why Elise was making a big deal about it. Mephiles was growing bored. He had been watching this cacoon for more than ten minutes. He finally sighed and looked at Elise. "Can't we come back later so you can do your royal things?"
__Elise shook her head. "After someone tries to break into the castle, civilians are not to enter," She explained. "So today is like my day off."
__Mephiles brought his knees to his chest and sighed. He continued to stare at the cacoon for another three minutes, now getting restless. Is she even alive?
__Suddenly, the cacoon shook. The sound of cracking came off from it until a bright light shined through it, making both Elise and Mephiles look away from it. After the light dimmed, Mephiles looked and saw Solar. She now looked more like Mephiles. She had three spikes that curved upwards, bat-like wings, a devil tail and a spiky teel ball floating over her head. She had teel stripes on her spikes, ears, arms, feet, chest, and tail. Her wings were green and when she opened her's eyes they were green with white irises.
__Mephiles just stared at her, amazed by her transformation. So this is what these chao are capable of. He shook his head and flattened his ears.
__Solar had sneezed, revealing tiny fangs. She flexed her wings before she saw Mephiles and flew over. She couldn't keep steady, though, as she wasn't used to her new wings. She managed to sit herself down in front of Mephiles and smiled. "Chow! Chow! Chow!"
__"She's so precious!" Elise whispered loudly.
__Mephiles carefully picked up Solar and held her up at eye level. "I guess I'm bringing you with us to this festival then?"
__"Choo!" Solar kicked her short legs in excitement and her little devil tail was swinging back and forth.
__Elise scooted closer to Mephiles and looked at Solar. "I bet the people will see you in a different perspective with Solar by your side."
__"Don't care," Mephiles said in annoyance. He then stood up and held Solar like a baby.
__"I suppose it's about time we head back." Elise stood up and lead Mephiles back into the castle.
__While walking around, people were staring at Mephiles while he held Solar in his arms. He didn't mind it at all. He made himself focus on making sure Elise stayed safe.
__"The festival is tomorrow," Elise began as she looked down at Mephiles. "We should at least get you a bow tie."
__Mephiles looked up at Elise. "What's that?"
__Elise made a huge grin and broke eye contact with Mephiles. "Just a little something to make everyone look up at you as a...strong person."
__"I guess that's fine," Mephiles said in confusion. Why is she making that face? "Do you even want to go to that festival after someone broke in?"
__"Everything's fine," Elise reassured. "It's not the first time."
__After some time, they were in this office where Elise read and signed papers. Elise had sat down at her desk and turned on the desk lamp. She then pulled out a pen and started going through some of the papers.
__Mephiles had sat down on the chair in the corner, still holding Solar. She had fallen asleep in his arms. I said I can't get attached to anything, yet here I am, holding this chao like my own child. He sighed and looked out the nearest window. I can't keep focusing on Solar, though. Not when Iblis is closer to being found each day. He then looked back down at Solar and felt his heart ache. But why? Why did Athena go through all that trouble to bring me here just because I wanted Solaris? Why is she allowing me to stand by the princess when she has a whole army of guards? Why did she save my life?