3 Killer Clown

It is now morning, Milla woke up just as the sun rise. After stretching herself out of sleep, Milla got dressed in her school uniform while the spirit of wind fixed her hair back to the ponytail. The Lord of Spirits then goes out of her room to see Jude coming out of the guest room in his uniform.

"Well, good morning, Jude." Milla greeted. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah, thanks for letting me stay." Jude thanked her.

"It's the least I could do for you sticking around as my partner for five years." Milla said as they goes through the hallway. "First we make breakfast before I go and wake Yuya up, he starts quite late in the morning and Father always leave before that."

"Wow, you really know what happens in the beginning of the day." Jude said amazed.

"It's been the same routine for three years, Father doesn't even want to see him and yet Yuya and I visits him at the school he's working at." Milla explained as they get down to the first floor.

"Does he work as a professor?" Jude asked. "Because every time we have sport days together with Enright, he's always with Chenskyra. They're pretty good at sports but somehow they come in second and we first."

"No, he's actually the headmaster of Chenskyra and that's why he wanted me to go there." Milla explained further.

"Oh, now I understand. I still remember he was yelling at you for you getting into the academy." Jude said as they get to the kitchen and sits down by the kitchen bench. "The teachers had to drag him away from you and make sure he wasn't going anywhere near you."

"Well, Tales of Academy want us to be safe and protect us from those that want to use our gifts for their selfish reasons, that's why they're handpicking their students and keep the true reason about it a secret." Milla said with a smile as she began cooking and preparing breakfast.

After a few minutes, they got everything done and Jude began to eat as he was going to the hospital for a whole day shift to take care of patients and most importantly, Yuto's body. Milla got to Yuya's room and knocked on his door. Inside, Yuya was still in bed sleeping as the sun shines into the room from the windows.

"Yuya, you better wake up if you want breakfast before going to school." Milla said through the door before going back to the kitchen.

Yuya groans before sitting up and stretches his arms before rubs his eyes of sleep. He looks around his room to look at the clock but finds something else, Yuto sleeping next to him. Yuya screamed as he was blushing and the teens downstairs heard a loud bang from his room.

"And now it begins." Milla said trying not to laugh and Jude looks confused.

"What exactly?" Jude asked.

"It's nothing, I'll go and check on him." Milla replied as she walks away.

Meanwhile Yuya was standing on his bed glaring at Yuto, who was knocked into the wall. He was scratching his head because of a hard hit from a baseball bat Yuya somehow had beside the bed. The crimson eyed boy was still blushing as Yuto glares at him as well.

"Why did you do that?!" Yuto exclaimed annoyed.

"I would like to ask you the same question, why were you in my bed?!" Yuya yelled angry and embarrassed.

"Are you boys okay?" Milla asked as she comes in and closes the door behind her before chuckling. "You two are almost like brothers, except the other is almost dead." The blush on Yuya became more red.

"Milla!" Yuya exclaimed embarrassed as the Four Great Spirits appeared.

"My Lord, you don't need to make him more embarrassed than he already is." Undine giggled.

"It's enough that he tried to kiss me yesterday." Yuya muttered as he sits back down which Sylph heard.

"Oh~, someone almost got his first kiss~" Sylph teased as he gets behind the human boy, who yelped.

"Come on, Four. We need to get back to Jude. Efreet, take Yuto so Yuya can be alone for a change." Milla said as Efreet once again grabs Yuto before leaving the embarrassed boy alone.

Milla comes out of Yuya's room to see a worried Jude by the stairs. Yuto, who had been set free, begins to study him.

"Is he okay?" Jude asked.

"Yeah, he just bumped his head in something." Milla lied. Jude felt something behind him but didn't see Yuto and Milla crossed her arms while having a finger on her chin. "So you can feel a spirit's presence."

"What?" Jude asked as she had muttered the part.

"It's nothing, let's go downstairs." Milla said as she got down the stairs.

"Sometimes you're very weird, Milla." Jude said to himself. "But that's just who you are. A girl so wise, it's hard to believe you can understand the spiritual and supernatural events." He follows her down to the kitchen. After a while Yuya comes down with an annoyed expression.

"Did you really have to say that?!" Yuya asked still embarrassed and lays his head on the counter.

"I'm sorry but I couldn't help it." Milla apologized and Yuya noticed Jude sitting beside him.

"I don't think we have personally met." Jude said and holds out his hand. "I'm Jude Mathis, a classmate of Milla's and her partner." Yuya took his hand and shook it.

"I'm Sakaki Yuya, Milla's little brother." The crimson eyed boy introduces himself. Jude looks at the clock and stands up.

"I better get going to the hospital." Jude said and Milla stands up as well.

"I better get going myself, see you later." Milla said and they both left.

----

It was cloudy in the sky and everyone was happy except Yuya. He was still angry as he walks the path to Enright, his eyes staring sharply ahead. Beside him was Yuto floating with a huge, red bump on his head. The Four Great Spirits had followed Milla to her school as they can't leave her as she's their vessel. A small sigh escaped from Yuto's mouth. He glanced at Yuya with his arms crossed.

"He---" Yuto began but was cut off by Yuya.

"Don't talk to me." Yuya said and Yuto groans in frustration.

"What is it that I have done wrong to you last night?! I just hugged you, that's all!" Yuto asked irritated.

At once, Yuya quickly glared sharply towards Yuto's gray eyes while the spirit was silent, waiting for his answer.

"Just hugged me?! Do you always do that to everyone when they're asleep?!!" He yelled.

"Well yeah! I always hug my friends whenever they have problems. My hugs can calm them down especially if they have nightmares." Yuto explained.

"Do you hug boys as well?" Yuya asked.

"Errr...no." Yuto replied.

"Then, don't you dare hug or sleep next to me again!" Yuya yelled.

"If that's the case, where will I be sleeping tonight?" Yuto asked.

"I don't care. You're a spirit, you can sleep wherever you want." Yuya replied casually which made Yuto angry.

"What?! For your information, I became like this in the first place because of you!!!" Yuto yelled.

Before Yuya could reply back, someone tackled him from behind.

"Good morning, Yuya!" Gongenzaka greeted happily while Yuzu came to them from behind.

"Good morning, Gongenzaka! You too, Yuzu.��� Yuya greeted with a happy smile.

A great smile appeared on Yuzu's face and she wished Yuya good morning as well. They talked with each other happily and walked together along the way. On that time, Yuto was floating in lying position over their heads with a bored expression.

"Why does he have that fake smile on his face again?" Yuto asked himself. "I want to see those real smiles just like last night when he was with Milla and when he was sleeping…Besides, why does we always fight with each other? Is it because of my attitude?" He let out an exasperated sigh.

Unknown to him, Yuya heard every word he said. A feeling of guilt came through his mind and slowly thought through about his real attitude towards Yuto yesterday and this morning.

'Maybe I should open up to him a bit…' Yuya thought.

---

At the hospital, Jude was at a computer writing a report but his mind was on what Milla had said. Under the five years they have been partners, she never talked about her family except Yuya, not even about her biological family. Every time they were together, he felt a strange aura and energy from around her. It felt like she was connected to nature and life itself, Milla was just a mystery. She would disappear for awhile and come back with bruises and small wounds around her body.

"...For many years, Maxwell and the wielders of an ability called Secrecy Eyes have fought against each other for the honor of being the protector of Otherworld but since Secrecy Eyes was beginning to die out, the title was brought to Maxwell. He was holding peace and purified the many dark beings of the Otherworld but fell in love with a normal human and they brought a girl into the world. The woman died of birth and Maxwell was very old that he couldn't take care of their newborn child."

'Why did she know so much about...Wait!' Jude types in Maxwell on the Web search and click into a page with the legend. 'I already know about the legend. Let's see.'

He scrolls down the search page and finds something interesting. A small newspaper article about someone with the name Maxwell.

'Here we have discovered a man that is believed to be the legendary Maxwell, the Lord of Spirits. He was a sick old man but was very wise and many people thought he might be a wizard. At a BB, was a birth certificate of him and his wife had a daughter but she died from birth together with her mother.

We've been asking questions of him being Maxwell but all this old man told was "You can't see what you don't believe, there's people who didn't choose to see the unseen. The secret of these things are beyond a pair of crimson eyes. As red as crimson blood can see a place no one can hear or feel in the world that live with us." Stay put for more.'

Jude sits back and thinks about the article. It was entirely different from what the mysterious girl he's been hanging out with for years had said. Just the first time they met was very mysterious and weird.

"Crimson eyes? Hm, where have I seen such eye color before?" Jude asked himself and tries to remember. Then he remembered Yuya's appearance and his eyes opens with realization. "Yuya has such eyes, that color is very rare for someone to have. There's something Milla isn't telling me." Jude looks down at the pendant Milla gave to him that morning with determined eyes.

Unknown by Jude, a blue sprite was watching him but he looks out the window and he doesn't see it. The sprite flew away throughout the city and into the Tales of Academy but goes through a hidden door and into a shrine like room where Milla was sitting in the middle of a strange circle, meditating.

She was wearing different clothes than she usually wears, it was quite revealing and seemed to be quite flexible. The sprite float next to her and the sound of a small bell was heard.

"So he is already searching for answers." Milla said calmly and hushed. The bell sound was heard again. "Just let him be, I wanted to get him to search for answers. I've been keeping this secret for far too long now."

The sprite flew right in front of her and the bell sound was going quicker before noticing the smile on Milla's face.

"I think he has potential to help us fight against these enemies we're dealing with." The Lord of Spirits said while fully closing her eyes.

---

At Enright, Yuya and Gongenzaka was standing outside the school together with Yuto floating above their heads.

"Gongenzaka! Yuya!"

The two turns and sees Yuzu running forwards them.

"You're late, Yuzu." Gongenzaka said while Yuya just smiled and shook his head.

"I'm so sorry for making you guys wait." She replied with a sheepish smile.

On that time, the school bell let out its last call for the day and everyone scattered around the school area. Earlier, Yuzu had something to do in the principal office and that's why she let them wait for awhile.

"Hey, guys. I have real mystery news to tell!" Yuzu said happily while they were walking along the road.

Yuto immediately raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Real mystery news?" Yuto questioned.

"What is it this time?" Yuya asked his pink haired friend, like this had happened before.

"Well, do you know about the small forest that is at the border of our town?" Yuzu asked.

Gongenzaka and Yuya nodded their heads at the same time. Yuto, on the other hand, move from floating over their heads to stand between the male humans.

"I heard that there is a paradise circus in there. If we're lost, we will meet a happy clown and he will make us happy in his paradise circus!" Yuzu explained excited and Yuto got tensed.

"C-clown?!" Yuto exclaimed as he became more pale than he already is and Yuya chuckles silently.

"Are you scared of clowns, Mr. Eggplant?" Yuya whispered while staring into Yuto's eyes.

"I'm not scared, okay?! I j-just hate clowns!! Clowns have white faces with big red noses a-and sharp teeth in their mouths!!" Yuto continues to blab on and on about clowns but Yuya ignores him completely.

"Don't tell me you want to go there…" Gongenzaka muttered under his breath.

A happy grin appeared on Yuzu's face and shouted with great spirit ablaze. "Late this evening, we will go to the small forest in searching for our amazing paradise!!!"

Gongenzaka smack his forehead lightly and Yuya shook his head. Meanwhile, Yuto turned cold and steel as stone.

"Yuzu, you know how my sister gets when I'm out late at night." Yuya said serious.

"I know, okay! But this is also an opportunity to find out who Maxwell is." Yuzu said matter-of-factly. "And you know how long I've been trying to find out who he is, this place might be the next spot he'll appear."

"And I've told you a million times you'll never find out, he's just an urban legend." Yuya said annoyed. "Milla made sure to me that I should stay inside at night, who knows what dangers lies in the shadows and you know what I'm scared of."

"Come on! This will be a big scope for my blog and I want your help with it, your big sister is like a medium and you know much information on legends and myths all around the world." Yuzu said and points at him. "You're my source for that information and my partner in these cases, so you come with me if you like it or not!" Yuya grunted in annoyance.

"Okay! I give up, I'll try to sneak out of the house without her knowing but it's going to be difficult." Yuya gave up and Yuzu jumped in happiness.

On that evening, Yuya opened his window and looked at the door to his room before jumping out of the window, landing on a branch before jumping off it to grab it before landing on the ground. Yuya gasped in relief before standing up.

"You know, sneaking out of the house when the Lord of Spirits is almost back is one of the dumbest ideas ever." Yuto said as he floats in front of the human.

"I know but I couldn't say no to her. It was my fault to begin with that made Yuzu make that blog." Yuya said hushed. "Just don't tell Milla about this."

"I won't." Yuto said and the crimson eyed boy sighed in relief. "But I'll be coming with you, if you don't want to be caught I suggest you better hurry."

"Right!" Yuya agreed and takes out a flashlight before the two rushed away.

At the front of the house, a car parked itself on the driveway and three of the doors opened and out came Milla, a man with white hair and some of his bangs was in black, Jude and a little girl with chestnut colored hair in two low pigtails.

"Thanks for the ride, Ludger." Milla thanked the man.

"That's the least I could do, after all you give me something to work on." Ludger said. "It's nice of you to invite us for dinner."

"Yeah, your cooking is good but not as good as Ludger's." The little girl said as they goes inside.

"Elle, you can you go up get Yuya, he's probably in his room." Milla asked and the girl nodded before running up the stairs.

"Elle must really be getting used to living with you." Jude said and Ludger placed a hand behind his neck while the other was on his hip.

"I did accidentally kill her dad in self defense, that's the price I have to pay." Ludger explained. Elle hurried to the stairs with a confused look.

"Uh, Milla. Yuya isn't in his room." She said and makes the older people confused.

"He's usually there when I get home, I hope he isn't outside." Milla said worried.

"Why's that?" Jude asked.

"Most accidents and crimes happens at night and Yuya tends to get himself in trouble." Milla explained.

"I hope he's careful." Ludger said.

'I hope so too. Mostly because what scares him the most.' Milla thought. 'Yuya, don't get yourself captured by the Dark beings.'

Yuzu, Gongenzaka, Yuya and Yuto was walking through the small forest with their flashlights on. They were crossing small springs, walking by the path and climbed up some small hills. However, they haven't found anything that could lead them to the paradise circus. The sky had become even darker and cloudy, it made Yuya more worried. Why?

Because the dark beings and dead spirits are increasing in number and strength, lurking in the shadows. Staring at every action they make.

Tragic memories begins to surface in Yuya's mind and he quickly shakes it off. Yuto, who was floating behind him, saw what he did and float to Yuya's side quickly.

"Yuya, you look paler than before, are you okay?" Yuto asked and the human didn't answer. "Is it because of the dark beings is increasing in number right now?"

"Yeah, but I'm fine…" Yuya murmured softly.

"Okay then." Yuto said simply.

"Hey...can I ask you something?" Yuya asked.

"Ask away." Yuto said.

"Why are you following us when you're afraid of clowns?" Yuya asked. "You could wander around town or visit your family."

"Well, because I promised you-"

All of a sudden, long, thorny green roots came in rapid speed and curls tightly around Yuya's leg. A shocked expression appeared on both of them. The roots briskly pulls Yuya down, dropping the flashlight in the process, forwards a huge hole of darkness that appeared out of nowhere.

"Yuya!!!" Yuto exclaimed.

Instantly, Yuto moved hastily to Yuya and grabbed his hand. Yuya was surprised with Yuto's sudden actions. However, before Yuya could say anything, they enter the huge hole of darkness and disappeared. The flashlight was still on the ground.

On the other side, Yuya was laying unconscious in pool of red water. His fingers twitched and Yuya sits up while scratching his head.

"Ow, my head…" Yuya mumbled before standing up. He looks around his surroundings and his eyes widen in shock.

In front of him wasn't the small forest anymore. It was a huge circus with a merry go around, haunted house and so on. However, the place looked creepier and scarier rather than on a normal circus. The place was all red in color and the ground was a pool of blood. Every playing machine had a creepy clown on it and there were several human faces on every corner of the circus.

"This is…" Yuya said realization.

"At last, you woke up from your unconscious state."

When Yuya heard that voice, he turned around and saw Yuto standing on the ground with his arms crossed. Apparently, Yuto had woken up before him.

"Looks like we're in Otherworld." Yuya said.

"Otherworld?" Yuto questioned.

"Milla told me that there's different domains and areas that is created through the mana a spirit or dark being gives out." Yuya explained. "There's a few cases that those domains can be seen normally by those with the Sight while originally you need to use a portal to get to those domains to avoid destruction or let humans think they just disappeared."

"So we're in something's domain?" Yuto asked and Yuya nodded. "But who is it?"

"This place...could it be----" Yuya was cut off by an unfamiliar voice.

"This is soo great!!! I have two wonderful visitors tonight!!!" A rough voice was heard in front of the two boys.

There in the middle of the circus, was a red face clown with big, black nose and red, crescent eyes stared directly at them. The clown smiles showing sharp, yellow teeth in his mouth. His clothes was half white and half black in color with a crimson hat on his head.

Yuya backed away slightly while Yuto remained calm but clenched his teeth and hands.

"Today, we have a handsome spirit and a person that wields the Secrecy eyes!!! This is soo exciting!!!!" He shouted happily.

The two was taken back over that he mentioned Yuya's secret ability. This clown was definitely someone from the dark side.

"Now then, let's play together~. Until I get those wonderful eyes!!! Then, I will kill you guys silently and painfully with my awesome weapon~." The clown laughed wickedly and licked his lips as he takes out a big, black chainsaw and swings it rapidly. A maniac grin was plastered on the clown's face and his crescent eyes became smaller and sharper.

"When I saw this circus and maniac clown, I realized something…" Yuto said. Yuya glanced at him, who stands beside him, with curiosity. "This is not a happy clown with a paradise circus! This is a killer clown with a hell circus, dammit!!!" Yuya face palmed for his slow realization.

It had begun to rain outside and Milla looks out the window with worry and her arms crossed, her phone was in her hand and had changed clothes. She was wearing a long sleeve dark pink turtleneck sweater, a light pink skirt with a dark purple ribbon around it, black stockings and brown knee high leather boots. Jude walks over to her and places a hand on her shoulder.

"Still no answer?" Jude asked and Milla was about to answer when she felt something and became tensed before shaking her head.

"I've been too worried to do it." The ruby eyed girl replied.

"Let's just hope he'll call you soon." Jude comfort her.

"You don't know him as well as me, Yuya is out there and I have a feeling that something will happen to him." Milla said serious as she mumbled, "Yuya has entered the Otherworld, I hope it isn't someone from the dark side of demons."

Back at the small forest, time passed quickly but somehow the rain hadn't come there yet and the two people that came there was searching for their lost friend. It had been three hours, but to no avail. They couldn't find their friend at all, it was like he disappeared from this world without a trace.

"Yuzu…" Gongenzaka said.

"Don't you dare tell us to go home. I won't leave this place until we found Yuya." Yuzu replied sternly.

An owl was heard in a tree nearby. They quickly took a look at the owl and shuddered a little whether it was because of the humid air or the owl.

"But Yuzu…our parents will be worried if we don't return home." Gongenzaka whispered.

"Then, how about Yuya?" Yuzu asked.

"Yuya…" Gongenzaka repeated.

"His mom is dead and his dad doesn't care about him at all. The only person in his family that truly care about him is Milla, she has friends all over the city even in the police. Their dad will be excited that his real son is gone and probably don't want to help search for him, am I right?" Yuzu asked and Gongenzaka thought about it. "That's why I asked you, who will find Yuya if we leave and Milla doesn't notice?"

A deep silence happened between them except the sound of nature. After a few seconds, Gongenzaka lot a sigh and shook his head.

"Maybe you're right. How can I leave my childhood friend just like that?! Don't worry, Yuzu. I will help you search for Yuya!!!" He yelled in high spirit.

A smile appeared on Yuzu and she continued their searching operation.

"Speaking of which, Yuzu...do you think Yuya is okay being alone in this dark forest?" Gongenzaka asked.

"We can just hope that someone is with him right now…" Yuzu murmured.

-

In Otherworld.

"What is this?!!" Yuto shouted.

Yuya and Yuto was running around the circus to find an exit and escape from the clown from before. Yuya hadn't noticed his phone had been ringing under that time. However instead of an exit, they found an old, huge mansion.

The killer clown was following from behind in fast pace and because of that, Yuya had no choice but to enter the mansion.

Inside the mansion was even scarier than the circus. The floor was covered with crimson blood and there was multiple red claw marks on the walls. A long hallway was in front of the boys, many pictures of the killer clown with different poses was hanging on the walls. Beside them was a room full with children bodies that was ripped apart and many organs with blood was laying on a wooden table.

And that's why Yuto was cursing while Yuya remained silent.

"I can't stay in this place…" Yuto said in disgust.

"Me neither. But we don't have a choice because the crazy killer clown will come in any second and if we don't move forward, we'll definitely get ourselves killed." Yuya replied.

Without any second thoughts, Yuya slowly walks through the long hallway. Yuto quickly followed by floating beside him. They cautiously looks around for their own safety. Unknown to them, all of the pictures of the killer clown moved slightly when they passed by. Some of them have a movement in their crimson eyes while others walked near the frame with their mouths opened, showing their sharp yellow teeth.

When Yuya and Yuto was almost near the end of the hallway, all of the killer clowns that was in the pictures suddenly goes out of their frames and surprised the boys at the same time.

The killer clowns laughed like crazy and their heads twirl around like they didn't have any bones in their necks. Some of the clowns was chatting using their until blood came out from their mouths while others have their red eyes wide and moving their eyeballs like a madman.

Yuya becomes terrified and backed away while Yuto went pale instantly with his spiritual body trembling with fear. The clowns didn't stop with their actions until a huge blackout came.

On that time, silence came around them as well with any movement. Before Yuya could say anything, Yuto was screaming in terror.

"I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE!!!!!" Yuto screamed.

Without waiting for Yuya, Yuto left the spot by floating ahead in fast pace. Yuya was surprised and holds his head in fear. He was alone, in this dark mansion. Yuya shuddered in fear, he glanced slowly around in that dark place and slowly walked up ahead.

"You'll be fine, Yuya…it will be alright…" He mumbled to himself.

All of the sudden, Yuya heard a fast movement from behind. He stopped abruptly and slowly turned around, but nothing out of the ordinary. Shaking his head, Yuya turns back and his crimson eyes went wide in shock.

The killer clown was right in front of him with his eyes moving like crazy and his mouth was open, showing his sharp yellow teeth. In his hand, the huge chainsaw was blazing to life.

"I found you, Secrecy Eyes~" He giggled wickedly.

In the meantime, Yuto was still floating up ahead and found a door that could lead them out of the mansion. Yuto was happy with what he had found and quickly turned around.

"Yuya, we can get out from here!" Yuto said in happiness but didn't get an answer. Yuto became confused as he looks around his surroundings. "Yuya?"

Suddenly, a terrified scream echoes through the mansion with the sound of a chainsaw right after.

"No...it can't be?!" Yuto said in realization.

Without any second thoughts, Yuto ran back the path where he passed through in fast speed. Memories from when he was alive and was in school came rushing into his mind.

_Flashback_

Yuto was sitting by his desk and packs his stuff in his bag but hears something that picked his interest. It was a girl and a boy from his class talking about Yuya.

"Hey, don't you know? The son to our headmaster, Yuya, is afraid of dark places especially if it doesn't have any lights and he's alone." The girl said as Yuto walks by them but hides himself by the doorway.

"How do you know?" THe boy asked.

"I saw him shiver in fright when he was going back to the entrance after visiting his dad when our school had the blackout two days ago." The girl replied before Yuto fully walked away.

_Flashback Ends_

"This is all my fault!!! If I didn't leave him by accident!!!" Yuto said as he stopped running and clutched his fists as he feels guilty. "I'm sorry, Yuya...I'm sorry, Milla…"

----

Minutes later at Yuya's house, Milla was sitting on the couch still worried as her phone was on the living room table. Elle was sitting next to her, Ludger and Jude was standing as they wait for a call from Yuya. The phone suddenly vibrates to life and Milla picks it up before answering.

"Yuya, where are you?" Milla said. "You know you shouldn't be out at night."

"Milla…" Yuya whispered on the other side, sounding terrified.

"Yuya! Yuya, what's wrong?!" Milla exclaimed as she stands up.

"Sis...you have to help me��" Yuya begged hushed and terrified. "I don't know how much time I have before he comes back…!"

"Are you alone?" The ruby eyed girl questioned.

"Me, Yuzu and Gongenzaka is in the small forest right outside town for Yuzu's blog but a killer clown caught me and Yuto…!" Yuya explained. "Yuto got terrified and left me, I've-! I think he's coming!"

"Yuya? Yuya?!" Milla said but it was too late, Yuya had ended the call. "Jude, you stay here with Elle. Me and Ludger go and search for Yuya and his friends."

"Right!" Jude said.

"I know the location, come on!" Milla ordered and she puts on a raincoat, takes two umbrellas before they go out.

-

At the same time, Yuto was searching through the mansion to try to find Yuya. He was worried that something had happened to him.

'Yuya…' Yuto thought as he walks instead of floating.

After several minutes, Yuto arrived where he last saw Yuya with him. He looks around but ha couldn't see the crazy clown or Yuya at all. Yuto scratched his head in confusion, he got to one spot to another but to no avail and Yuto sighed.

'Maybe it was just my imagination.' Yuto thought.

He slowly turned around and want to go back the way he got through but heard something that was dropping like paint.

Yuto stopped instantly in his tracks as he heard the sound. Yuto closed his eyes and tries to focus on where the sound comes from and heard it again.

In that instant, Yuto quickly opened his eyes and turned to the side. There was an old, wooden door that was hidden perfectly behind some long, thick boards.

'The sound come from inside that room…' Yuto said in his head.

Without hesitation, he slowly walked to the door. Yuto slowly moved several boards and slowly opened the door. It creaks as he opens it which made Yuto flinch but he enters the room anyway.

When he could see the room fully, Yuto became terrified. There was nothing in the room except a wooden cupboard and a small bed but the thing that made Yuto terrified is the wall next to the bed.

Someone had been writing some words with bright, red paint on that wall. The words was in big letters and the red ink from the words dripped on the floor.

"HEHEHEHE~

YOU GUYS LOVE ME? I LOVEEE YOU GUYS TOO!!!

YOU GUYS CRY AT MY LAUGHS!!

YOU GUYS WANT TO RUN AWAY FROM ME…

THAT'S WHY I TEAR YOU GUYS SKULLS OF AND MAKE YOU GUYS A MODEL IN MY CIRCUS~

SO YOU GUYS CAN BE WITH ME!!!!

FOR ETERNITY!!!!

HEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEE~"

"Don't tell me the human faces that we saw in the circus...were…" Yuto couldn't continue his sentence as it made him sick and uneasy.

He slowly closed the door as quiet as possible and goes to the middle of the room. The sound had come from the words, maybe the clown must have painted it the day before or something.

"Yu-Yuto? Is that you?" A familiar but scared voice of Yuya said.

At once, Yuto turned to the side and saw Yuya sat on the floor beside the wooden cupboard. Yuto hurried to him and a feeling of guilt washed over Yuto when he saw Yuya's condition.

His tomato colored hair was a mess and his goggles was over his eyes. Yuya's jacket wasn't on his shoulders anymore and a big slash wound was on his left shoulder and it looked fresh. His pants was ripped at the leg the roots had grabbed him and small cuts covered the skin underneath. His clothes was a mess as well and judging by how he sounded and how he sat like, Yuya was really exhausted.

"Yuya, are you okay?" Yuto asked as he got down and Yuya takes of his goggles before placing them back on his head. "I'm so sorry for leaving you alone…"

"No, it's okay. I'm fine." Yuya replied and Yuto wasn't sure if he was telling the truth.

When Yuto saw Yuya trembling with fearful eyes, he let out a sigh. Yuto takes of his cape that still hung on his shoulders and puts it on Yuya's gently, to not make his wound worse. Yuya looks at him in surprise while Yuto remained calm. After the gray eyed spirit properly puts his cape on Yuya's body, he moves himself to sit next to him on the floor.

"Why did you give me your cape?" Yuya asked confused. "I'm not cold."

"You're not cold but you're scared and hurt so…you need something to cover and support your body." Yuto explained and glanced serious at the abnormal boy. "Don't lie to me, Yuya. I know you're not fine."

Yuya immediately became silent. He holds Yuto's cape in a gentle gesture and slowly placed his tired head on Yuto's shoulder. Yuto, on the other hand, was the one surprised now for the crimson eyed boy's actions but accepted it.

"After you left me, I met the killer clown. He frightened me by surprise from behind. By using his chainsaw, he took aim for my eyes because he wants them to get to our world. I was lucky to avoid all of his attacks but one time, I accidentally slipped on the floor." Yuya explained, remembering what had happened to him. "Luckily, I moved out of the way before his chainsaw reached my eyes. However, my jacket was stuck when his chainsaw hit the floor, hurting my shoulder in the process. I took off the jacket of my shoulders and ran away.

"The killer clown still didn't give up and tried to attack again, suddenly we heard some cries from outside the mansion…

"He said that people want his company and that's why he left me alone. When I heard the cries…I felt even more terrified... and at that time, I found this hidden room, so I stayed here...and called Milla…" Yuya finished his story.

"Cries? They want his company?" Yuto asked and Yuya frowned in confusion. He lifted his head to look at Yuto's face.

"Maybe, because I also heard sniffles and sobs in those cries." Yuya answered.

Yuto nodded in understanding but his mind was still thinking through about those mysterious cries.

"Hey, Yuto." Yuya said.

"Yeah." Yuto answered.

"I want to know your answer to the question I asked in the forest." Yuya explained.

"Question?" Yuto asked before remembering.

"Why are you following us when you're afraid of clowns? You could wander around town or visit your family."

"Well, because I promised you-"

"Oh." Yuto said.

Yuya tilts his head with his eyebrows raised and silence passed through before Yuto answered.

"I followed you because...I have promised Milla after I kind of spied on her." Yuto explained. "She made a deal with me that I would stay by your side until she finds a way for me to get back to my body."

"You promised Milla that?" Yuya asked. "When?"

"Last night, promised her and you when you were asleep. You didn't want your mom to leave you. That's why I whispered these words so you could calm down." Yuto said and stared directly into Yuya's crimson eyes with Yuto smiling slightly. "I'm right here...always…"

A warm and soft feeling came through Yuya's heart when he heard those words. Simple but gave a meaning to his heart.

"But...why? Didn't you hate me?" Yuya asked.

"I didn't hate you, stupid tomato! I just hate your fake smiles and lied to everyone except for your own sister." Yuto explained. "If you smile for real, I'm sure everyone will love it rather than your fake ones."

"Why do you want to see my true smile?"

"Well...because your true smile will definitely bring me and the people that really cares about you happy…"

Yuya was speechless with Yuto's words. Usually, everyone will accept his fake smiles and never can detect his true smile. But Yuto saw through his facade easily even though they just get to know each other.

Before Yuya could say anything, suddenly, the wooden door has been opened roughly from outside. They quickly stands and look towards the door.

"Yyyyeeaahh!!! I found you guys and I will take those secrecy eyes for sure!!!!" The crazy clown let out a huge laugh and instantly jumped in fast speed with his big chainsaw towards them.

Yuto and Yuya hastily jumped to the side when the clown wants to strike. Suddenly, the clown's face turn to the side where Yuto was standing and attacks him.

A surprised expression crossed on Yuto's face but he manage to evade the sudden attack at the last minute. However, the clown still strike his attack towards Yuto non-stop.

"Yuto!!!" Yuya shouted in panic.

"Forget about me, I'll be fine!! You should go outside and make people happy!!!" Yuto shouted.

"Make people happy?!" Yuya exclaimed.

"Yeah! Apparently, the cries that you heard were the people he killed before he killed himself!! You need to make them happy so they can free themselves and then, this clown's spirit will definitely disappear because he doesn't have any visitors in his circus!!!!"

"Bu-but I can't make people happy without faking it!!" Yuya yelled.

"Don't fake yourself, just be yourself!!! Believe in yourself and…" Yuto said with a small smile. "I believe in you and Milla believes in you, too."

Yuya was surprise with Yuto's words. In an instant, Yuto kick hard on the clown's chainsaw from his grip. Chainsaw was fell to the floor abruptly and before he can took it back, Yuto briskly grab it and throw it out of the room through the broken window. The clown is blazing with anger with what had Yuto done towards his chainsaw. Yuto quickly looked at Yuya and shouted using his loud voice.

"Go now, Yuya!!!!!" Yuto shouted.

Without waiting any second more, Yuya left the room and Yuto faced with the angry clown alone. A small smirk appeared on his face.

"I WILL KILL YOU FIRST, YOU B**** GUY!!!!!" The clown yelled in anger.

"I was scared of you, crazy clown. But one thing that makes me strong in facing this fear, is because I want to protect him." Yuto said determined. "Sakaki Yuya!!!"

---

When Yuya arrived at the circus, his mind was blank and didn't know what to do in making the people's spirits happy. It's true that his fake smiles made everyone smile and happy...but that was all lies.

'I can't make people real happy…' Yuya thought before putting on his goggles and looked at the ground. 'I just can't…'

"Well...because your true smile will definitely bring me and the people that really cares about you happy…"

'Yuto…'

"Don't fake yourself, just be yourself!!! Believe in yourself and...I believe in you. Milla believes in you, too."

He slowly hang Yuto's cape on his shoulders and clutch it softly.

"I'm right here...always…"

"Yeah...Yuto and Milla will always be by my side...I'm not alone anymore..." Yuya murmured and thinks back a few years when he and Milla was in his room after Yuya got attack by a dark being.

_Flashback: 2 years ago_

Yuya and Milla was sitting on Yuya's bed, the crimson eyed boy had a bandage on his cheek and looked down on the floor while the four great spirits took care of the injuries Milla had on her body.

"I'm sorry, Milla…" Yuya said with guilt and Milla placed a hand on his shoulder.

"There's no need to be sorry." Milla said, trying to make him calm. ���It's my mission to protect you."

"But you got hurt because I couldn't channel my mana as well as you." Yuya cried as tears ran down his cheeks. "How can you be so strong, sis? How?" The Lord of Spirits held Yuya's cheeks and dries away the tears gently.

"You and all of our friends are my strength, I want to protect you even if it takes my life." Milla explained with a smile. "I know you'll be by my side even if you're gone and that's what makes the strength I need to keep going forward. Soon, you'll find something or someone that will give you the strength to fight."

_Flashback Ends_

Yuya gazed to his front and putting back his goggles on his head. He walks to the middle of the circus and takes out a duel disk and his cards from his deck pockets. His crimson eyes soften when he touched the duel disk and the cards.

"I'm sorry for not using you guys for so long...I hope you guys can forgive and help me, especially you...Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon....." Yuya said in forgiveness.

The dragon card let out a small happy cry and slowly all other cards give the same reply as well. Tears fell from his crimson eyes when he heard their answers.

"Thank you, everyone..." Yuya whispers while placing the cards close to his chest.

Yuya wiped his tears away and stared determinedly towards the bloody circus. Without waiting any second more, Yuya wears his duel disk on his arm and shouted happily with a bright, true smile on his face.

'For myself, my friends...For Milla and Yuto....'

"Ladies and gentleman!!!!" Yuya said with an excited and happy energy.

Meanwhile, Milla and Ludger arrived at the small forest as the rain had come there now as well. They took out the umbrellas as they began to search for the missing people.

"Is this really the location Yuya, Yuzu and Gongenzaka are at?" Ludger asked.

"Yuya said it was the small forest by the borders and I can feel someone's domain here, this is the right place." Milla said as a sprite came forth and lights up the way for them. "Yuya! Yuto!"

"Yuzu! Gongenzaka!" Ludger called out as they walked.

In the meantime, the clown was becoming even scarier and crazier than ever. He really wants to kill Yuto once and for all. Yuto tries his best in avoiding the crazy attacks but he's getting tired. Before, the clown grab the wooden cupboard easily and throw it towards Yuto. However, Yuto managed to evade the blow.

"If I had received that blow, I would definitely be dead right now." Yuto mumbled in surprise.

"DIE YOU STUPID SPIRIT!!!!!" The clown shouted in anger and throw a long plank towards Yuto.

Eventually, Yuto jump to the side and stands beside the bed. Yuto wanted to run to the other side, but suddenly, someone grabbed his leg from under the bed and roughly pull him down to the floor.

A scream of pain escaped from Yuto's mouth and before he can do anything, the clown jump and choked him as the clown takes him up in the air.

-

At the hospital, Yuto's heart monitor, suddenly shows a high rapid movement and he is having it hard to breathe despite that oxygen always enters his mouth from a machine.

"Doctor, something is wrong with my son!! Please, help him!!!!!" Yuto's mother shouted with tears in her eyes.

The doctor and some nurses tries to slow down the heart movement and tries to treat the patient but it becomes even worse by every second that passed by.

"Yuto...don't leave your mom and dad...please..." His mother sobs and cries sadly.

-

At that time, Yuto was struggling against the clown's strong grip on his neck. With his choker on his neck, it becomes even tighter and harder for him to breathe.

"DIE!!! DIE!!!!! DIE!!!!! HEHEHEHE!!!! DIEE YOU STUPID!!!!!!" The clown laugh wickedly and he tightened his grip on Yuto's neck even more. Yuto started to blurred out and his hands slowly limp to his side.

'Yuya…' Yuto thought.

Suddenly, the crazy clown scream in pain and holding his head simultaneously. In that instant, Yuto is freed from the clown's death grip and he chokes for air as he lands on the ground

"NOOO!!! IT CAN'T BE!!!! MY CIRCUS, MY BEAUTIFUL WORLD!!!!!!" The clown cries in agony and started to disappear. "NNOOO!!!!!!"

At once, the crazy clown and the place change into twinkling lights and flying to the air. The small forest came and Yuto let out a sighed of relief as the rain falls on him.

-

At the hospital.

"Mrs. Asaki, your son is in a good condition right now, but we need to keep an eye on him for a while." The nurse bowed slightly in front of Yuto's mother and left.

Yuto's mother slowly walked into the room and looked at her son. On the bed, Yuto was sleeping soundly with the oxygen mask on his mouth. The calm beeping sound of the heart monitor was been heard in the room.

"I'm really glad Yuto, that you're okay....Don't make me worried again, alright?" She whispers and stroke Yuto's hair gently.

-

At the small forest, Yuto sits up from his position and look around his surroundings.

"We came back to the small forest, huh?" Yuto said in relief.

"Yuto!!!!!!" The familiar voice, makes Yuto turn around and immediately, Yuya hugs him tightly. Yuto was surprise, but he slowly hugged Yuya back. On that time, he heard Yuya's sobs and that made Yuto worried.

"Yuya?" Yuto asked.

"Don't do that ever again!! Y-you scared me, you know that!!!!" Yuya shouted and crying harder.

"I'm sorry…" Yuto stroke Yuya's hair softly with a warm smile. "But you managed to make the people's spirits happy by showing your true smile and happiness, right? I knew you could do it, Yuya…"

Yuya backed away slightly while holding his shoulder and stared at Yuto with a soft smile graced on his lips while Yuto astonished with the smile.

"If it wasn't for you and Milla, I think would never smile like this ever again...thank you..." He whispers. "Also here, your cape. I have found mine but I think I should buy a new one. Anyway, thanks again..."

Yuto slowly accept his cape and before he could say anything, on the spur moment, they heard something.

"Yuya!" The voice of Milla called out and the boys picked it up.

"Looks like she's been looking for us." Yuto said and Yuya suddenly falls on him. "Yuya, what's wrong?" He sees that Yuya's cheeks were red and his clothes were drenched from the rain.

Milla and Ludger arrived and see Yuya on the ground. Milla hurried to the two boys and hugged them both but checked on Yuya's condition by placing a hand on his forehead.

"He's burning up and soaking wet, and the wound is infected." Milla said and looks at Ludger. "We need to get him to Jude, find the other two." Ludger nodded and ran away.

"I'll tell you everything that happened once we get back to your house." Yuto told her and the sister nodded.

"Gnome." Milla ordered and the great spirit of earth got down for Milla to get Yuya on him before walking to the car.

After several minutes later, they walked carefully on the muddy path of the small forest, so they didn't lost in that forest as they reached the car. Milla got him inside as Ludger came with Yuzu and Gongenzaka, who were soaking wet as well. When the two saw their friend, Yuya was tackled into a hug by Yuzu and Gongenzaka. They cried in happiness while Yuya sweat dropped as he had woken up and Yuto floating above them with a blank expression.

"Your smile is sparkling and beautiful than before, Yuya. Did something interesting happened?" Yuzu asked curiously as she see his condition.

"Well...nothing happened. But...." Yuya replies and look above them. "I'm really glad for knowing you."

Yuzu and Gongenzaka look towards each other with eyebrows raise in confusion. They stared above them but they didn't see any extraordinary there. But the truth is, Yuya is staring directly towards Yuto's grey eyes and said those words, Milla smiled as she saw the two and somehow Ludger could see him as well. Yuto who heard this, blushed slightly but he smiles afterwards.

"Hey, Yuya…" Yuto said.

"Hmm?" Yuya hummed tired.

"Let's become best partners, alright?" Yuya close his eyes and mumbled.

"Fine, I guess." Yuto let out a small chuckle while Yuya smiles softly.

"You boys should take that once we get these three home so they can get warm." Undine said and Yuto nodded.

"Well, you guys shouldn't be here at night." Milla said serious. "What if you got lost in here? Your parents would be very worried about you."

"Sorry, Milla. We didn't find anything either way." Yuzu apologized as they got inside the car. Yuto sat in the trunk as he didn't have a vessel like the Four.

"We'll go by your houses to leave you off ourselves, just a tip. Don't wander out in the woods or in haunted places without a grown-up at night." Ludger suggested as he stops and turns to them. "There's been far too many accidents that had happen under that time."

"Understood, Detective Kresnik!" The two saluted and got out of the car. Yuto had taken off his choker and massage his throat after the clown's very hard gripp. Milla couldn't see what he was doing through the mirror as Yuto puts the choker back on.

Once they got back, Ludger carried Yuya on his back as they get inside and they placed him in his bed as Milla took of his clothes while Jude, with the help of Elle, prepared a medicine with the herbs Jude had in his bag. Milla tried to make sure he was sitting up all the time but it was getting harder as the fever made him quite tired, so she took the time to take out the splinters from his back.

"You were really brave back there." Milla said as she takes out another splinter and drops it in a metal bowl that was carried by two fairies. "Being able to purify a whole domain takes a lot of strength and courage to do it."

"It was because of you and Yuto." Yuya replied tired as he holds a pillow in his arms and flinched every time she took one out.

"You were able to channel your mana, you had real trouble to do it for years." Milla said as she takes out the last splinter and the fairies flew away. "I'm very proud of you, but you still need to be careful when you walk out at night."

"I know…" Yuya mumbled.

"I'm going to use a healing spell, okay. I don't have the knowledge to heal your wound yet but these scratches I can." The Lord of Spirits explained and Yuya nodded.

Milla holds out her hands in front of her and green light comes out and zipped the small holes in his body. Yuya didn't mind the small pain as the biggest problem was his shoulder, they had hastily bandaged it up to avoid even more infections and as well his leg. After a few seconds, Milla stopped and gently stroked her hand on Yuya's back.

"There we go, it's done." She muttered as Jude and Elle came in.

"Hey, Yuya!" Elle greeted and sits on the other side of Yuya.

"Hey, Elle. I'm sorry I couldn't play with you." Yuya apologized with a smile.

"No worries, Yuya." Elle replied. "It much more fun to take care of someone that's sick." Jude comes to them and takes the bandages around Yuya's shoulder, the area around it was red and irritated.

"It's really infected and deep, we need to get it examined by a doctor." Jude said and Yuya looked away but Milla was having a mischievous grin on her face.

"Don't worry, Jude will heal you up in no time!" Elle exclaimed excited which made Yuya confused.

"Jude, I think is about time Yuya get to know the truth about our school." Milla suggested.

"Okay, then it's nothing to worry about when I'm finished with it." Jude said. "But it's going to hurt quite a bit since it's deep." Milla nodded and took Yuya's hand.

Jude did the same as Milla but the green glow was stronger and Yuya was yelling in pain as he pinches Milla's hand for comfort. Once it stopped, Yuya collapsed in Milla's arms and was sweating a little as well breathing heavily before noticing the wound on his shoulder was completely gone. The crimson eyed boy was amazed over the black haired student's abilities and just stares at him.

"Our school is a place for children with special and supernatural powers, they teach us how to control and embrace them." Milla explained. "Jude have the ability to heal any injury, wound or sickness but he has also the ability to channel mana through his body when he practice martial arts." She giggled as Jude blushed.

"I tend to do that when I'm too focused." He said a little embarrassed. "You better rest up, the pain won't disappear until morning and your fever won't go down if you're not resting."

"I'll go get you some food, Ludger have been cooking while we took care of you." Elle said and stands up as did Milla.

"I'm just going to check on something, can you do the rest on your own?" The Lord of Spirits asked and Jude nodded.

"Don't worry. Once he gets something to eat, I'll get him to bed so he could rest." Jude said as if he was a real doctor. "I've prepared a smelling medicine that you need to light in here for the fever to go down, I've also put in some painkillers in it so it would be easier for Yuya to sleep."

"You think through everything." Milla proclaimed as the girls walked out of the room.

Elle got down the stairs as Milla walked to her own room, where Yuto was waiting and massaging his neck. The ruby eyed girl looked very concerned about it and goes to him.

"Did something happen?" Milla asked and Yuto stopped immediately.

"It's nothing." He replied, not taking eye contact.

"Let me see it." Milla said serious and took his wrist. "Or else, it may appear on your body." The serious look in her eyes made Yuto to obey her order and showed her the red marks on his neck. "No wonder you couldn't breathe at hospital. Undine."

The great spirit of water appeared and healed his neck from the red marks before Yuto puts his choker back on, which he had taken off.

"What did you mean 'it may appear on my body'?" Yuto asked confused. Milla sighed and sits down on her bed before laying on her back.

"You're not the first one to be a spirit with a living body. I have met another one." Milla explained and Yuto was surprised.

"Can I meet that spirit? I want to know how it's like." Yuto said but the girl was quiet.

"I'm afraid you can't, he's been long dead now." She said and Yuto looked down in despair. "He was attacked by a dark being two days after he became one, I was too late. His arm was cut off and got sent back to his body but what we didn't know was that the arm that was cut off had happened to his body as well and he died of blood loss."

"So, if I get hurt or injured like this it will affect my real body?" Yuto questions uncertain about the answer.

"Yes." Milla answered and Yuto clinched his fist. "Jude had gotten a call from the hospital that you suddenly couldn't breathe, even when you had an oxygen mask on your mouth. They thought it had something to do with the mask had stopped working."

"I almost died, I actually almost died for real…" Yuto trembled and Milla dragged him onto the bed.

"Remember our promises, if you stay on Yuya's side when I'm not so I will find a way for you to go back to the living." Milla repeated as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "If you do what you believe in and follow your heart, that way you know what you need to do."

"How do you know what it means? Your life is what people dream of, I've heard that you're one of the most popular girl at the academy. You're amazing at tennis and swordplay. Heck, you're even Maxwell, the Lord of Spirits."

"But my family isn't perfect, I was adopted into this family by Yuya's mother before he was even born and behind that mask you see on our father at school is just fake. He favors me as if Yuya doesn't exist and blames everything that happened to mother on him, this happens only once he's out of sight from normal people."

Yuto looked down in guilt over the truth that had been under his nose for all this time about their principal.

"I-I didn't know…" He gasped out.

"Yeah, it's hard to take in but everyone in this world hides something dark from others even me and Yuya that could destroy our lives if someone finds out."

"Why are you telling me this and being so kind? You didn't even know me until yesterday."

"Like you said, I'm the Lord of Spirits and is my duty to take care of new spirits until they can take care of themselves. But you're special and need protection as well training you to defend yourself. Me and Ludger will teach you both how to fight and channel mana."

"Teach me how to channel my mana? I'm just a normal human, nothing like you and Yuya. I know I'm a spirit right now but I can't do it."

"Stay here for a few weeks to be comfortable then we go to your family to get a few things until you get your body back, how about it?"

There was silence inside the room, Milla waited for the young spirit to answer with patience. In five years time, she hadn't experienced a boy like Yuto in her life that wanted to find out how it felt like to be a spirit that is stuck in a limbo between life and death. All she could do was to prepare him against their enemies and protect Yuya when she wasn't around.

Suddenly, Yuto hugs her and Milla was surprised over it before doing it herself. The boy cried as they stayed like that.

"Thank you...for everything…" He whispered.

"Of course, you're welcome into our family whenever you like." Milla said softly.

The moon shines brightly through the windows and the Four Great Spirits looks at the new bond that had been created for Maxwell.

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