*Lei*

After having restarted the barrier, we joined up with my sister's group, Ulissis, and Vermeil.

"Those should be the last shadows," Ms. Key said, slashing through a bird-like being.

"Amazing. No wonder you were hired as a teacher here," said Ren, mouth agape.

Ms. Key smiled. "Of course. Though I'm not as amazing as Alto's brother."

"Let's go," Yen yelled as she glanced back at us. "We should return to Wahkan."

Nyima looked down at her phone. "I called my mother. She has started the preparations for the cleansing of the region. Sadly she can't do it alone. Is there any way for us to warp to the islands?"

"Sadly, all of our teachers are busy taking care of the shadows outside," Ms. Key responded. "I can warp you a hundred miles or so south of the border with Mina."

"That works!" Iah responded. "It will at least save us a bit of time. At this point we require as much of it as possible."

"But it'll mean that she won't be able to help us. Teleportation is exhausting," Yuuta pointed out.

"Right, you're still recovering," his brother said, giving him a sad smile.

I narrowed my eyes at Yuuta. Was the one who attacked Nyima and Iah four months ago in this very spot Yuuto?

Iah nodded. "That may be. But making it back to my hometown will be a shortcut."

"What do you mean?" Nyima asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah, the capital is landlocked, how do you expect us to get to Wahkan from there?" I pointed out.

Iah chuckled. "You'll see once we've arrived."

"I can also head over to Xian. Our border with Kyuu Seishin isn't too far from where we should be warping to," Adela said.

"If all is decided then let's head out," Ms. Key announced. Her metallic white wings extended outward as silver rings of metallic prana surrounded us.

"Lady Adela!" yelled Renshu as he and the other exchange-sophomores ran up to us.

"You're late!" Iah yelled, despite that, he still had a playful smile on his face.

Orichalcum directed a glare at the blue haired girl next to her. "It's because she went to search for An."

Ning pouted. "I can't help but worry for him!"

"Last I heard, An and his teammates were in Kyuu Seishin's capital," Ms. Key said as she spread her rings to the other two. 

Kun was with An's group...

Suddenly, my body felt light as it faded into the world around us before reforming anew just as fast.

I looked around. We were in a small farm town in the middle of the mountains.

"This is Nobu's hometown," Ren exclaimed as he glanced at the field of mushrooms around us.

"Where are the others?" Ms. Key asked.

"They were left behind," Yuuta responded.

Renshu shot Yuuta and his friends a dirty look. "You three will be going back to your punishment after this."

"Four," Yuuto corrected. "You see, I am one of them too. In fact, it's Yuuta who is innocent."

"Brother!" Yuuta shouted, frowning.

The older twin lowered his head. "My younger brother was never truly one of us. He believed that we should be open to foreigners." He shook his head. "No, now is not the time to speak of this."

Nyima smiled at Yuuta while nodding. "Right."

Yuuta glanced back at her and smiled back.

"Follow me," Ren said, running on ahead.

As we walked, I glanced over at the Akiyama twins.

So it was Yuuto who attacked us during our first class all those months ago. Yuuta must be like my own siblings.

***

"What was that?" Kun asked, running over to the living room from the kitchen.

I stared at the blue shards in front of the television.

"Uh," I said, backing away. I glanced around, eyes filled with panic.

Yen rushed downstairs. "What was that?" Her eyes widened as soon as she saw the shards on spread throughout the carpet.

"Lei broke mom's favorite vase," Kun responded.

"It was an accident. I didn't mean to break it! I was just looking for the remote control." Tears threatened to spill over.

A warm hand ran through my hair.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine," Kun assured, giving me a big brotherly smile. He squatted and started to pick up the broken shards. His hand recoiled and dropped the shard back down. Crimson blood ran down his left thumb and dyed the green carpet brown.

"I'll go get the band aid," Yen yelled, rushing back upstairs.

Suddenly the door swung open, causing all three of us to freeze. We watched in agony as the door slowly cracked open.

"We're back!" announced Yuzuki as she ran in with her brothers and my parents.

"Eri, you're back!" I yelled, jumping up and down. He had gone off for several days to Zionia to train with a group of knights.

She stared at my redden eyes and then down at the broken vase. "Did you break it?"

"I..."

"It was me," Kun interjected. He lowered his head.

"I'm also responsible," added Yen.

Why were they taking the blame for something that I did?

Mother's usually kind smile faded. She grabbed Kun by the arm and raised his finger.

"Kun."

"I'm sorry Momma, I didn't mean to break it. Yen and I were running and we didn't pay attention. I'll buy you a new one with my allowance."

Mother shook her head. "Forget about the vase." She picked him up and carried him upstairs. "Let's go get that cleaned up. I'll pick up the shards later."

"I'll do it," Eri volunteered.

Mother smiled at him. "Thanks."

"No problem," he said, glancing over at me. His eyes were directed at the shard that was in my hand. Had he figured that it was me?

Kun and Yen got lectured on how one shouldn't run around objects that can fall over and fatally hurt someone.

I meanwhile stayed in my room, staring at the model airplanes dancing in the wind coming in from the open window.

As I closed my eyes, there was knocking on the door. Jumping off of the bed, I rushed over. I had expected it to be Kun and Yen. Instead it was Eri.

"Hey," I said, waving. "Something wrong?"

He crossed his arms and walked in. "Lei. I know that I'm not your big brother or anything but..."

"You are!" I said, spreading my arms out wide. "Even if we don't have the same parents."

He chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Sit down. I'll like to speak to you about something."

I nodded and sat down on the giant turquoise bed that I shared with my siblings.

Eri sat down next to me and smiled. "I don't know how to say this but..."

"It was me!" I shouted. "I am the one who broke the vase, not Kun nor Yen. I just wanted to get the control to watch my favorite anime!"

My big brother laughed. "Well, at least I got you to tell the truth but that's not why I came here for."

"I just wanted to let you know that Yuzuki, Hikaru, and I are moving out."

My eyes widened. No, they were moving? Why? When?

"We're moving to a new home that I bought with my savings. It's not very far from here so you can visit us whenever you want. Well, when your mom gives you permission, of course." His face flushed. "There's someone who I'll like to introduce to all of you when you do."

I tightly grasped the fish shaped necklace that he had given me during the Mahoulympics a few weeks ago.

***

Now that I think about it. Weren't there some people who mentioned something about fighting in the Abyss all those years ago? Those knights Eri trained with... those were...

Suddenly, the sound of screaming knocked me out of my thoughts.

An army of shadows descended from the mountains in between Mina, Xian, and Kyuu Seishin. They were like ants, rushing to devour recently spilled sugar.

"My clan..." Adela said, glancing at the Xianian side which was where the shadows were mostly concentrated it. She closed her eyes and ran up the mountain like a ninja running through the forest. "Ignis Divinitus!" Radiant flames shot out of her hands and into the army, roasting all of the shadows until there were only cores and a few puddles of darkness.

"Amazing," Nyima exclaimed.

"This is the true power of our priestess," Renshu said with a smile. He stepped forward. "The shadow army appears to be decimated."

"Wait, don't forget that they can reform," Adela exclaimed. She slowly opened her eyes. Her red eyes glowed upon seeing the dying flames of the burning forest. "The world will be devoured in Darkness."

"No," Nyima shouted, shaking her head in disbelief. "Stop that this instant!" She stepped in between Adela and the flames. "Listen, we aren't going to allow that future to come true."

Adela lowered her head. "I..."

I summoned my wand and transformed it into its butterfly swords form. "I'll handle any enemies that might reappear. Continue heading north to the capital," I ordered. "I'll make sure that this army doesn't get into our clan."

"Thanks," Adela said, snapping out of it. She ran up to me and gave me a quick hug. "Take care."

It seemed like she was finally getting a handle on her powers.

I nodded. "I will," I responded, letting go of her. I turned around and ran up the red core filled mountain.

"You better!" Nyima yelled, raising a fist at me.

I smiled as I waved goodbye.

As they left, the dark puddles in the burnt mountain began to slowly reform.

I held my twin swords tightly and raised them toward the sky. "Time to clean up." The shadows were already half reformed with their lizard like tails, hands, and feet bubbling back into place. "Don't take too long, guys."

I ran deeper into the mountain, getting the shadows' attention. As they shifted their attention toward me they began to come together. Their bodies merged into a black mass with majestic golden eyes that radiated power.

I had to get them to someplace where I could destroy them at once. Someplace where I would have the advantage. The best terrain for wind spells would be what?

Staring at my hands, the thoughts of storms came to mind. One of the most dangerous wind related weather events on land was the tornado. Those kind of phenomena covered the most area and could do the most damage in flat areas.

Where could I find one like that?

As I neared a meadow, the shadows morphed from their giant blob state to that of a panther. The golden eyes remained, their piercing glare even more dangerous than before.

"Lei?" I heard Wanikiya yell.

I turned right and saw him running toward me. Looking behind me, the shadows were gone.

"Wanikiya, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I decided to help out. I saw a massive wave of shadows a moment ago. Did you finish them off?"

I glanced behind me. "No. Just now they were behind me but perhaps you scared them off."

He touched his chest. "Is this power that frightening?"

I chuckled. "Why are you so concerned? I wish that I had a spirit of my own." Though this body of mine would likely be too weak to have handled one.

"Let me help you hunt them down," Wanikiya said, summoning his wand. He swung it downward and grinned. "If they are scared of me then that should make it easier on us."

"I appreciate it!"

**Solar Note: If anyone is curious about who Eri wanted Lei and the others to meet in the flashback, the answer will be in the 'My Story' arc of Lost to the Ages :).

Chapter Question: What did you think of this chapter?**