The Systems Prince (DISCONTINUED)

[2.4]

"Sai?" Cyrus calls out to the empty space.

[Yes, host?]

"No... call me Ethan, please."

[Yes, Ethan?]

Cyrus's lips raise slightly at the sound of that familiar name. It sounds so foreign to his ears; but that name is the only thing that reminds him of his original world. Where he lived solely as Ethan Kline and no one else. Where he didn't have to follow a plot or respond to a name that didn't belong to him. But he wasn't happy in that life. And the lives he'll come to live won't end happily ever after either. At the end of the road, at the end of his fifth world, will he finally get his happy ending? But surviving all these worlds, surviving all this pain and suffering - was he truly able to do it? Could he survive until the end? He didn't know how tiring all of this would be, and he was only on his second world. Would he have to remember everything when it was all over? Would he have to live with the memories of all of his past worlds when he is reborn?

It gave him such a headache, "No... it's nothing, Sai. Just promise not to leave me all alone, okay?"

[Sai must accompany Host throughout all worlds.]

"You must, huh?" Cyrus scoffs, the ghost of a smile prying at his lips, "I'll take it."

Cyrus takes a deep breath, his nerves finally having calmed. He finally takes notice of his surroundings. Goosebumps race across his skin, leaving his hair on edge. Cyrus frowns when he notices where the cool draft is coming from - the window. But he was sure that was closed earlier. He stands to his feet and cautiously moves towards the open window. Wiping away any stray tears from his eyes and regaining his composure. Stopping in front of the window, he first looks down at the field below. Lance has gone. And the memories of that almost kiss come rushing back; his eyes start to burn and his chest tightens; but he forces himself to look away, studying the woods surrounding the house.

Not seeing anything, he is about to shut the window when his eyes lock onto a figure standing on the outskirts of the dark woods. A chill runs down his spine; he recognizes that figure. It's that same hooded figure he saw when he first awoke in this body. But what are they doing here? Have they followed him? They knew to lead him to Lance, what else do they know? Maybe something about Cyrus?

Cyrus jolts back to attention when the figure suddenly turns and walks into the surrounding trees. They clearly knew Cyrus saw them - almost as if they were waiting for Cyrus to notice them. And now they want him to... follow them?

Cyrus doesn't hesitate to hop out of the window and into the cold night, his bare feet landing firmly onto the lush grass. Cyrus swallows the lump in his throat before he races towards where he last saw the figure, into the deep, dark and unknown woods.

-

"Lanny, I know you're my alpha and everything - and I mean no offense - but don't you think you're being a little dramatic?" Rudy puts his ear against the door, waiting for a response. He frowns when he doesn't receive an answer.

He might of overheard what had happened last night, how his Alpha's mate ran away from him. Rudy understood that must've hurt, being rejected like that, but still, the Lanny he knew was being way too dramatic. Lance had barricaded himself in his room and locked the windows, and you could hear the occasional sniffle coming from inside. This was a new side to Lance, a side Rudy had never seen. His Alpha was strong; but now he was acting like a baby who's had his candy taken away. He never knew his Alpha could be so... pitiful. And after the news Cyrus ran away he refused to leave his room or talk to anyone - believing his precious mate had rejected him.

Rudy sighs, leaning his head against the door, "C'mon, Lan. I'm sure he just needed some space to think things over. He'll come back."

Silence from inside. Maybe I should get Carolyn, maybe she'll talk some sense into him. Rudy, about to step away from the door, freezes in place. Then again, she is taking over all of the Alpha's responsibilities. I don't think she'd like it if I interrupted her. A chill runs down Rudy's spine when he imagines the fierce glare on Carolyn's face. But nothing he's saying is getting through to Lance, it's like he's talking to a brick wall. He's been trying for at least a half an hour now but has only gotten the occasional sniffle.