[37.10] Back to Reality, OPE- There Goes Sanity

My eyes fluttered open as a sharp pain sprang across my forehead.

I looked over in a daze and realized I was laying in the arms of Cyrus. I mumbled, "Goldilocks… My head hurts…"

Cyrus pulled me into his embrace protectively. He glared at Rose and Moni who stood beside her, "You're going to pay for hurting her."

Moni glanced at Rose as if bored, "Don't get caught."

He turned into a shadow and flew out of the room.

Rose clicked her tongue, "What a nice older brother."

She went to run out of the room, but was stopped by Astra who jumped on her back, "I'm hitching a ride!"

Rose shouted, "Why would I give you a ride?! You just interfered with Moni's plan! Don't you realize how mad he is going to be?!"

Astra shouted back, "He was hurting our family!"

Rose let out a sigh, "Aren't you afraid of getting kicked out? Moni won't take care of you if you keep interfering."

Even though Rose complained, she still carried Astra on her back as she rushed out of the room.

Cyrus shouted after them, "Wait! Stop right there!"

Zephyr panted as he stared at their retreating figures before collapsing to his knees. He was covered head to toe in bruises and scratches.

I reached out my hand to Zephyr weakly, "Z-Zephyr…"

Who hurt my friend?!

Who hurt Zephyr!?

Ah.

That's right.

It was his older brother!

I will kill him!

As soon as I recover, I will track him down and kill him!

I will make them regret hurting him.

Hazel rushed to his side and supported Zephyr as he heaved heavily. He mumbled, "I… I will be fine… I just need… To sleep…"

Hazel cried out, "Please don't go to sleep! Stay awake!"

I looked at Cyrus in a panic, "We should find Felix to heal him."

Hazel shouted, "NO!"

We flinched from her scream and looked at her in surprise.

She bit her lip and let out a sigh, "I-I mean… What makes you think he will help?"

I spoke in a mumble, "Because he always helps."

"But how can we find him? I doubt he's at home and-"

Cyrus stood up as he supported me, "I'm going after Rose and Moni. Hazel, you take Reika and Zephyr to Felix."

I held my forehead, "I can go with you to find Rose and Moni. I'm not hurt… I have a headache, but I'm perfectly capable of using magic."

And I have this overwhelming bloodlust.

But why am I so angry?

Is it because of what I saw?

Is it because they hurt Zephyr?

Is it because I know what Moni said was true?

I looked at Cyrus with hateful eyes, "Are you just like him?"

Cyrus looked at me in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Snap out of it Reika!

This isn't like you!

I shook my head with a groan, "No… Just ignore me. Now let's catch those bastards and make them pay for hurting Zephyr."

Cyrus gave a firm nod. We both ran out of the room to follow Rose. Hazel followed after us carrying Zephyr. We arrived at the stage just in time to see Rose and Astra heading to the main doors.

I shouted, "No you don't!"

I pointed my wand and shot a blast of ice, covering the door.

Rose slid to a stop and clicked her tongue, "Crap crap crap crap!"

Cyrus and I rushed over to them. We both slowed in our steps.

Cyrus looked at her with a stern expression, "We won't hurt you. We just want answers."

Rose turned to face us, "Please don't make me do this."

Cyrus continued, "We can protect you from Moni. You don't have to be afraid."

"Afraid?" She let out a laugh, "I'm not afraid of him. I just hate using my magic. It makes me feel dirty."

I raised an eyebrow, "Your magic?"

She took in a deep breath and blew out a puff of pink smoke which covered Cyrus, Hazel, Zephyr, and me.

I waved my hand to disperse the smoke, "Seriously!? Stop smoking!"

Hazel and Cyrus collapsed to their knees as the pink smoke was absorbed by their body.

I panicked once I saw Cyrus on his knees, clutching at his chest as if he was in pain. I grabbed his shoulder, "What's wrong?!"

Hazel's body shook as she held Zephyr.

Zephyr looked up at her in confusion, "...Hazel?"

Crazed eyes met his, "Who… Who is this Hazel?!"

He blinked in confusion, "H-Huh?"

She gripped him tighter, "Is she your girlfriend!? Is this another girl you are trying to seduce!? Who is this b*tch!?"

Zephyr was even more confused, "What are you talking about??? It's you!"

She gripped him tight, "Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine."

He winced, "Hazel… You're hurting me…"

Hazel's body twitched and her hands slowly opened, releasing him. She stared at him in a panic, "Oh! I-I didn't mean to-"

Zephyr forced on a smile, "I know you didn't… But-"

She pulled him into a hug and spoke so quickly, he couldn't understand her, "IpromiseIwon'teverhurtyouagain. Justpleasedon'tleaveme. Pleasedon'tdisappearagain. Ineedyou. Ican'tlivewithoutyou. Ican'tlivewithoutyoubymyside. Ineedyou. Pleaseforgiveme. Pleasedon'tleaveme. Please-"

"Oi! Hazel! Shut up for a second, won't you!?"

She couldn't and could only hug him tighter as she continued to string out unintelligible sentences.

Rose widened her eyes, "Oh, wow! She really can be affected by our magic now. I thought that was just a fluke."

Astra yawned, "Don't forget the agreement brother made with her."

"Ugh. Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let's get out of here while we can." Rose broke apart the ice in a swift kick then turned to us with a smirk, "So long, you crazy mortals! Have fun with your filthy desires!"

Zephyr shouted to me, "Reikaaaa! Help me get this crazy woman away from me!!!"

I looked between Zephyr and Rose conflicted as to what I should do.

Should I chase after Rose?

Should I get Hazel to snap out of it?

Ugh.

It's clear I need to help Zephyr.

Hazel is acting like she's going to eat him alive.

I went to stand up, but Cyrus grabbed my hand.

I looked at him in a panic, "Are you okay?!"

His gaze turned up slowly.

My breath caught in my throat as I recognized a pink haze that swirled through his dazzling blue eyes. He called out to me pitifully, "Reika… Don't leave me."

"H-Hah?! What!?"

He gently held my hand and held it to his lips. I watched as he stared deep into my eyes and kissed my hand. His eyes burned with desire as they didn't stray from mine.

I was so shocked I walked backward, but he kept holding my hand and following me in a strange daze.

My back hit a wall, giving me no more room to escape.

His lips curled into an irresistible smile. "Reika."

A chill crawled up my spine.

I…

I don't think I've ever heard Cyrus say my name like that before.