Midnight

Chapter 5

A/N:  I am so sorry about this super late update, but here it is!

Zephyr

Before leaving, I took a quick glance in the mirror. It had taken an hour, but I had completed what resembled a suit. My original suit had been blue and white with an elaborate cape.  While the cape was nice to look at, it had the potential to be a pain. Imagine soaring across the clouds, with nothing but the calming breeze to accompany you..and then splat!  Your cape just got tangled with an airplane. It's not the best feeling in the world.

My new suit...I wasn't quite sure how to feel about it.

Scarlet red and Obsidian black were paired together, complimenting each other nicely. A black arrow was in the center, with decals of red and black scattered across the spandex suit. I had a black mask, which went around my eyes.

Truthfully, I didn't really know how to feel about any of this. Everything I believed in, everything I worked for...I was about to go against all of it.

Is that right?

I didn't realize I had been holding my breath until a shaky gasp escaped my throat. I held my head for a few seconds, pressing my palms against my temples.

I could still back down, I could try to find another way. Thousands of thoughts flooded my head, giving me ideas and escape routes.

But, I had to do this. It wasn't about what I wanted.

It's about what has to be done.

It was midnight. It is said that midnight represents the beginning of a new day, a transition from one stage to the next. It was neither day nor night, nor light nor dark.

I pulled my sleeve up to my elbows, shuddering at the sight. The word Ignis had still been visible on my skin. Red, and bright.

Quickly, I pulled down my sleeve at once.

I sighed heavily. I shouldn't have failed in the first place. If only I had taken Ignis down in the beginning, if only I had been able to save everyone...then maybe...

"Oi, I hope you're not getting cold feet now." A voice disturbed my thoughts.

The door opened by itself swiftly, and Vertigo stood with his arms crossed in the hallway. He was wearing his black and purple suit, with his mask that covered his entire face. "It's not too late to change your mind."

I shook my head, blinking rapidly so the tears wouldn't fall.

"I'm not changing my mind." I heard myself say firmly.

Vertigo chuckled. "Who are you trying to convince sweetheart? Me or yourself?"

I walked out of the room, shut the door behind me, and walked in front of Vertigo. Underneath that menacing mask of his was nothing but an amused college student.

"Dorin, can we just get out of here now?" I snapped.

"Jeez darling, are you really so eager?" He asked with his smug tone. "Once you take this step, there's no going back."

"I know."

I rolled my eyes at him, who did nothing more but chuckle at my annoyance. The two of us left the house, and stood under the night sky. Above was a large moon, glimmering in the sky like a large pearl. Beside it was tiny jewel-like stars, illuminating a sea of darkness. Mountainous skyscrapers seemed to shine past the horizon itself. A motorcycle emerged from the garage and rolled itself on to the road. Vertigo levitated himself and started the engine.

"Well, do you want to just stand there...or do you want to get going?" Vertigo asked me.

"I'm supposed to sit with you on that thing?" I asked with disbelief.