Inner Turmoil

Two months had passed, Niall's mercenary group racking up small bouts of fame and minor monetary gains as they hunted tough beasts and vagrants. Most of this was made possible by Nora, practically forbidding Niall from joining in. Even now, he was waiting at the campsite as the other three stepped along the plains to hunt down feral fiends.

"Say, Nora, why do we keep leaving Leen... err... Niall behind?"

Nora had a dark look on her face as the sun fell behind the horizon.

"I just don't like their way."

Her reply was quiet as Kyra stared at the muscular beauty. Nora noticed her gaze and blushed.

"W-what? Is it so wrong to protect someone?"

Kyra's head tilted to the side.

"Protect? Huh... give him the chance and Niall would protect any of us."

Nora nodded to herself, ignoring Kyra's comment.

"W-well, Kyra. I uh... I like the faith you have in him. I also like how strong and reliable you are-"

She was cut off by the strange look in Kyra's eyes.

"I can't... return those feelings, Nora."

Nora smiled as tears filled the corners of her eyes.

"Is it because of them?"

Kyra could only nod a little as she looked away from Nora. The latter grew alarmingly annoyed as she spat her words at the ground.

"Why?! Can't you just leave that weak, pathetic, shadow playing noble?! They... they're nothing but a manipulative bit-"

Nora found her words cut off as Kyra's face came into view. Previously looking down, she was now pulled in close to the demented looking Kyra. From behind, sharp claws seemed to trace her spine. Fear burst from every inch of her body as she realized her mistake.

"Nora, be a good girl and shut you mouth. I will not and can not harm you. If she had left you as another bystander, your life would be forfeit right now."

Lyla huffed from behind Nora, her breath reaching she terrified girl's neck. Kyra smiled sweetly as she continued.

"I absolutely adore Leen. She is what sits at the very center of my heart, to the point I need to calm myself down and trick my own mind and body that I see her as my own little sister."

The hearts in Kyra's eyes left Nora silent.

"I miss the time we spent together before the accident, but I just need to try and reconnect with her! That seem right, Lyla?"

The fox poked her head around Nora's shoulder.

"I never minded sharing her! I'm excited that people love my master!"

Nora trembled as she began to beg for forgiveness, but Kyra sealed her mouth.

"She likes you as well, otherwise you would be dead. I have no idea if she likes you romantically or not, but anyone she cherishes shall be safe and protected. However, I will put down punishment for those that mistreat her trust or talk about her behind her back."

Nora nodded slowly.

"B-but, aren't they w-weaker than-"

Kyra's heart eyes reappeared.

"She is incredible. Her power is beyond your dreams!"

"But they keep playing in the shadows!"

As she yelled this, Kyra gave her a sharp look.

"The shadows were never her original goal. She was left with this choice because of her enemies. I thought you knew exactly who they were."

Nora shook her head slightly.

"I-I was only told very minor details, then everyone spoke in code! I was so damn lost!"

Kyra leaned close to her ear. Her voice was low, almost a growl.

"If you betray us, I will personally kill you. The enemy is Orion, as well as the Church of Alvol backing him. I will do everything in my power to help her destroy those bast-"

Her words were cut off as a massive explosion rocked an area nearby. All three looked toward the flame spiraling into the sky, dread clutching their hearts.

"No! Not again!"

-

Moment earlier, Niall sat alone in the camp. He sat cross legged, his head in his hair.

["Why so glum?"]

"Why do you think?"

["Eh. Just talk to her. It will hurt more if you push it back."]

Niall sighed.

"I know. I just miss it. Everything from before. Even the silly teasing and stuff like that. I love her, but I feel like I need to pull away now. She might want to find someone else."

His depressed voice left him in silence until some chattering caught his attention.

["So this is why you went out of your way to set camp here."]

"Yea. They're all waiting in their stomping ground, while I'm at the spawning ground. I needed to cut loose, same as any other thirteen year old girl!"

["You will be fourteen soon. And right now, you are standing as Niall. Anyone could hear you say that and be confused."]

Niall rolled his eyes as he watched the small impish beasts begin to crowd around the small tent he had set up.

["So what abilities does Niall get?"]

With a smirk on his face, Niall began to demonstrate. Flames twirled in one hand while wind spiraled in the other. At his feet, the very shadows pulsed with anticipation.

["Oh dear."]

The ground trembled as they elements fused and erupted into a massive blast of wind and fire. The creatures were blinded before being swallowed by the immaculate firepower stored within the tiny frame left standing within the mess. Dropping to his backside, Niall huffed out a deep breath.

["You are nowhere near a Mana Burn. Why so tired?"]

Laying back, Niall threw up his fist.

"Mentally, I'm exhausted! Holding back to let the experienced ones fight just sucked, so I had to let loose! Haha!"

His laughter filled the destroyed space as a few lights surrounded him. They vanished a moment later.

["Aura Traps? You need a nap?"]

Niall nodded, his head comfortable on the ground.

"That relieved a lot of tension. I. Am. Exhausted!"

Laying out, Niall had his eyes barely open as he spoke.

"How are you still talking to me anyways? What happened to needing holy objects?"

The small screen was left blank for a bit before Hika responded.

["That... even I am not sure. Did I turn you or something around you into a holy object?"]

Niall laughed to himself as his eyes began to shut.

"Come to think of it, I not only destroyed this area, but the bandits should be close by."

---

Thank you,

Anna Haig!