Lazuli Shelter (3)

Samantha is clearly being driven to tears by the horrible thoughts in her mind as her mother looks at him laying on the bed still shaking and wincing in pain as she remarks, "Don't worry sweetie, I doubt he's a demon he doesn't have horns or a malicious mana. His eyes are green like a sea of trees, not red or white like the demons of the past. See the black is gone from his fingers and isn't staying stuck on his fingertips, which is a tell tell sign that the devil has officially taken host."

Samantha looks at him trying not to break down, but also feeling a bit relieved after what her mom said. "Sammy, you have a strong and caring heart and I love that about you, but don't worry everything will be okay. I will go to the library and study up on some things and see if I can figure some stuff out. You stay here and keep an eye on him, don't let him suffer alone. No one deserves that."

Samantha nods at her mother's request as she grabs Asher's hand trying to transfer some of her own power to him, and when she does he stops wincing in pain and his breathing finally starts to settle down. Mrs. Lazuli takes one last look at them and says to herself, 'Just who the hell is this kid, first the bright green eyes and then the black substance crawling up his arms. If he is a demon or a dark mage he is unlike anything I have ever seen, and what is up with that magic power and those forest like eyes of his. Just what are you, Asher?'

Mrs. Lazuli checks in on the kids and reassures them he's okay and just resting in Samantha's room, and starts to get them settled into bed before she makes her way down to her library. She pulls down 3 books from the shelves: Demonic Almanac, Elven Chronicles, and Natural Mana (Aether) and lays them on the desk and starts to study them. Hours have passed by as the children are asleep, Mrs. Lazuli is still doing her research, and Samantha is hugging Asher's arm as she finally passed out after funneling too much power. A few more hours pass by slowly as everyone in the house is asleep, but the sun is shining in from Samantha's window slowly startling Asher from his sleep.

He slowly struggles to pick up his head when he realizes Samantha is asleep with her beautiful raven colored hair covering her face slightly still holding onto his arm as his face turns a deep red. He takes a long breath and slowly wiggles his arm out and gets off the bed quietly so as to not wake up Samantha. He looks at his left wrist and notices a dark blue ribbon wrapped around it with the name Lazuli Shelter on it as he looks at Samantha and smiles. He pulls the blanket off the bed and covers her with it as he smiles and notices a watch next to the pillow he was laying on. He notices that there is writing on the back of the timepiece as sorrow and happiness fill his heart while he makes his way towards the kitchen.

Mrs. Lazuli was starting to stir as well when she made her way to the kitchen and saw him sitting at the table fidgeting with the watch. Asher is startled by her as he asks, "Hi, I was wondering if you could fill me in on what happened last night? The only thing I could remember is all of us enjoying the meal and next thing I know I'm in Samantha's room."

Lazuli looks at Asher and gives him a soft smile as she starts to make herself some hot tea, "Well to be honest I have no idea what happened to you, but I think all the magic that was built up inside of you tried to get out all at once. Your eyes turned a bright green, your skin started to be engulfed in this pitch black substance. It was both utterly amazing and scary as well so we took you to Emma's room when you passed out."

Asher looks at his hands with dread plastered all over his face, and they start shaking as he sees his fingertips starting to turn black before his eyes. He blinks quickly and they are back to normal as he looks at her with worry in his voice as he drops to his knees, "Is anyone hurt? Please tell me I didn't hurt anyone."

Samantha's mother looks at him with sadness in her eyes, but smiles softly at his selflessness, "Really? The first thing that ran through your mind was did you hurt anyone. Not about yourself or anything? Why is that your first thought? You hardly know us?"

Asher looks up at her and responds, "I didn't want to hurt those who are important to the two of you. She saved my life. I didn't want her to think it's a mistake to help others. You each gave me safety, food, clothes, and a loving environment, so I would never hurt any of you."

Mrs. Lazuli laughs as she takes a sip of her tea, "You really are one weird kid. Trying to protect a couple strangers over worrying about your own life."

Samantha stumbles in with a smile across her face and gives Asher a big hug as she tells him, "Hey don't worry, everyone is safe Ash. Don't worry about us, but next time you decide to stroll through town try not to pass out again. The kids are going to be sad if you aren't able to play next time."

She lets go and gives him a soft smile as she brushes the hair out of her face and walks over to her mom. Asher looks at them with a very serious face and asks, "Do either of you know what that military will do with someone like me, you know a threat?"

Samantha looks at Mrs. Lazuli as she grabs a book from behind her. "They hunted and killed every last elf and angel just because they considered them a threat. Those peacemaking species have been extinguished off the face of the planet because of fear, so I would estimate that the same fate could befall you if they catch you. Wherever you came from, if you had parents or were just living there, I am sure the military killed every single one just to find you. I am sorry…"

Asher looks at her with tears streaming down his face as he gets up and sits at the table he was just at and runs his hands up his face and grips his hair lightly in frustration. "I have no memories of them or wherever I came from and that makes me angry. I understand why I can't stay any longer, so thank you for last night. Family is important, you helped me understand that and even if you said I can stay another night I would decline. I hope even with last night's debacle that the offer for me to come over every now and then is still on the table?"

Mrs. Lazuli looks at him with a smirk and says, "Yes, but never 2 times in the same week or consecutive weeks they need to be spotty visits. I don't want it to become a pattern that leads back to me and my family."

Asher stands up and gives a slight bow as he makes his way to the front door and he raises his hand in goodbye, "Thank you for everything truly, till the next time Lazuli's."

He starts to make his way out the door as the two Lazuli's smile and wave at him through the window as the mother asks, "Was I the only one who noticed the good luck charm ribbon wrapped around his wrist? It doesn't seem like he even noticed it, but do you have anything you want to say?"

Samantha smiles softly as she heads to the table and sits down, "Well I knew he was leaving and wanted to make sure he has luck out there. I just didn't want him to feel all alone out there, and that he always has a place here."

Mrs. Lazuli responds, "Oh do you have a crush on him or something?"

Samantha laughs at her mother with her face a little red and responds, "No, nothing like that. You know I would never do something like that to Colin. He may be annoying at times but he is still my boyfriend."

The two drink some tea and eat a little snack before they make their ways upstairs to wake up the little kids, "Oh yeah, because of the whole debacle you never got to eat your birthday cake. I left it in the fridge and I was thinking maybe later we can eat it. Happy late birthday sweetie, I just know life is about to get crazy and no one else but you can handle it."

She smiles at her mother's words as she nods softly and heads towards the stairs, "Thanks I really think this is going to be the year I develop the control over my power just like dad did when he was my age. Also you know how much I love cake so yes when I get home from school we can eat it."

She smiles a smile that reminds her mom of her husband and she leaves and goes to wake up the other kids thinking to herself, 'Everyday the resemblance keeps getting stronger Hal, and it makes me hope for a better tomorrow. We also met the strangest kid. I can't wait to see what he does later on, you would've loved him.'

Asher is walking past the Oak tree as he takes out his watch from his pocket and reads it again, "Dylan, become the pillar for a better tomorrow, Love Mom & Dad.' I have no idea what this even means, but I will try my best to live by that ideal. I will become a pillar to those who need it the most."

He scratches out Dylan and begins to scratch above that the name Asher with a smile on his face. "I guess I will head out to the north and see where that leads me, but the next time I find myself here again will be when I have complete control. I don't want another accident and actually hurt someone this time. I will get strong enough to protect anyone from the might and fear of the military."

Asher keeps walking and makes it to the sign and says, "Just you wait Royal Oak, Asher will be back as soon as possible."