[Xeleria]

It had been nearly a week since we had arrived in the realm of magic. However, Kuroshi said that Setsuko and co. hadn't arrived until earlier today. Apparently, whatever they used to travel through space had also caused them to travel through time.

So instead of waiting for them, we went ahead to the capital where he had expected them to go. Though things didn't go so smoothly. At least for me...

"Hideo," Eiichi said, shaking his head at me. "You're going to hurt the little girl."

"I don't care, she spilled her soda on my cape and thinks that she can get away with it! I won't let this injustice stand!" I barked as I launched another round of bullets.

"You jerk," blue haired man said as he moved the water around him and his daughter.

"Help me out here," I shouted as water tendrils grasped my weapon.

"Papa, show them your true power," the little girl said, grinning.

Eiichi sighed as he unstrapped his spear from his back. "Why must I fix your messes?"

"Because we're companions! We have to stick with each other."

"Is that so?" I heard Setsuko ask, causing us to lower our weapons.

Eiichi smiled at her. "Ah, Setty! We finally found you!"

"Don't call me that! You aren't my friend," she said.

I gasped as I saw that she carried Rosalba in her arms.

"What's going on here?" Hyosetsu asked as he made his way to us. Along with him were Tetsuya and Serrano. Their eyes widened as soon as they saw Rosa.

"Rosa!" the three yelled in unison.

"My sister collapsed. I need to take her to a place she can get some rest. But it seems that I need to help you clear something up first."

Tetsuya sighed. "I think that we should let these two morons figure this out." He grinned mischievously.

She smiled back. "Sounds like a plan!"

Serrano nodded. "I agree too."

"Ditto!" Hyosetsu said, nodding as well.

Eiichi grumbled. "Since when have you folks all agreed with each other?"

"Let's get out of here while we still can, Nyima," the man told the girl.

"Right, Papa!" Nyima said, following him out.

"Hey!" I shouted. I picked up my weapon and shot at them.

The bullet bounced back, nearly hitting me in the arm.

"That's enough," Tetsuya said, holding his shield in front of the father-daughter pair.

The father smiled. "Ahh, so you aren't on their side?" he asked.

Tetsuya shrugged. "Technically I'm supposed to be but not for this."

I glared at the shield-wielding hero. "Stupid pleb. You'll regret this."

Hyosetsu pushed the gun down. "Tell us what's going on. What did these two do to you?"

"I spilled soda on the snob's cape," the little girl responded. "He came out of nowhere!"

"Then he started a fight with my little girl which caused me to punch the guy," her father finished for her.

"How pitiful," Hyosetsu said, sighing. His icy blue eyes dug into mine. "The peasant might be more worthy of the title of 'Knight' than you."

I slapped his hand and directed my gun at him. "I'm not afraid of you!"

Eiichi smiled as he turned to look at the peasant. "Seems that we got a little civil war brewing. How about we finally have that rematch I promised back in that abysmal palace?"

The peasant raised his broken shield and smirked. "I've been waiting to settle this!"

"Stop!" Setsuko yelled. She transformed her golden bracelet into its mace form and spun it around all of us guys.

We backed away all while Serrano chuckled.

"Be careful, you don't want to get on Setty's bad side," Serrano said. He rubbed his cheek. "I was reminded of that earlier."

The peasant winced and lowered his shield. "As was I."

"You're crazy," Eiichi said, staring Setsuko down. He flinched when she turned her eyes on him. "I mean..." He lowered his spear and sighed. "Fine..."

Hyosetsu lowered his sword too. While I kept mine up and pointed it directly at Setsuko.

In a burst of speed, Serrano appeared in front of the princess. "What are you doing?" he snapped, glaring at me.

Tetsuya whistled. "Surprised you can move that fast in your condition."

Serrano scoffed. "This is nothing."

I narrowed my eyes at the blue-haired peasant. "I'm not afraid to hurt you! After all, why should I listen to you and your girlfriend when you couldn't even save my sister and brother from being taken away?" I yelled. "It's your fault that they aren't here!"

Serrano and Setsuko lowered their heads.

"Aqua Angelus," the man who had punched me chanted. Water in the shape of an angel manifested out of thin air and shielded Serrano and the princesses. "Turning against your own allies? You're even worse than I thought."

I glared at the man and stomped the ground angrily. The more I looked at the guy, the more I noticed how similar to Serrano he was. Not only due to their hair and eyes, but their aura too.

I turned my back to them. "Hmph! I'm outta here! Call me once you find a way to return back home!"

"That guy needs help," Eiichi said, sighing as he strapped his lance back on his back.

I tried not to wince at his words.

***

I walked as far from the others as possible until I arrived at a dark and empty corner of the hallway. Sitting down, I covered my head with my knees and arm. Hot tears stained my cheeks.

Everyone is jumping to conclusions... I am just... tired... I can't... deal with this... not knowing what's going on with my family.

"Your little brother and sister will soon die," a voice called out. My entire body grew numb as if covered in ice as gray tails curled around me. "Either by my hands or by the harshness of Abyssia. You'll never see them again, I assure you, little one."

I turned around and shot my gun, but the bullet hit the wall I had been leaning on all this time. Had my time in the abyss hurt my psyche? It was as if that ice fox friend of Etsuo and Roa had been standing behind me.

I lowered my head. I should've stayed back in the abyss and helped Kuroshi's aides save my siblings. They're the ones who really matter.

"Are you alright?" someone asked. Looking up, I saw a pair of dark skinned teens. The one who had spoken was a blue haired boy.

"Why are you sleeping here?" asked the boy's companion, a girl around my age with snow white-hair.

"There are better places to rest than here," the boy said, holding out his hand to me.

I wiped my tears on my sleeve, afraid that others would notice that I had been crying. "I know, I'm just reflecting on some things is all."

"Ah, your cape is stained," the girl commented. "You should wash it out cold water since it's silk."

I pouted and turned away. "I know that." I accepted the boy's hand and pushed myself off of the ground. "Do you know where I can wash it?"

The girl nodded. "If you want I can wash it for you by hand."

I looked down at her plain white cotton dress and held back a snicker. The girl obviously had never worn silk but yet she seemed to know a thing or two about silk.

"Alright," I responded. "If you do a good job then I'll reward you."

The girl snickered. "No need, you seem upset about the stain so..."

"I am not!" I protested, my face turning bright red.

"Ah, a Tsun, reminds me of Koukyuu," the boy said, nodding his head as he smiled stupidly.

My eyes widened. "You know Princess Koukyuu?" I asked.

The young man chuckled. "Yeah, she's our friend."

"Speak for yourself," the white-haired girl said as she turned away from him.

He sighed. "Come on, don't be that way, Sonata."

I scratched my forehead. "I didn't know that Koukyuu had a peasant for a friend."

"Who's a peasant?" asked another white haired girl. Unlike the other girl, this one was dressed in fine silks and had expensive looking ruby and gold jewelry.

"Hey, long time no see!" I said, waving.

Koukyuu frowned. "Were you checking me out just now?" she asked, stepping away.

I averted my gaze as I felt my face heat up. I had just been admiring her clothes, but in a way, it could be seen as me gawking at her figure. "No, I was not! Though you are very pretty."

Koukyuu glared at me with those golden eyes of hers. "Sorry kid but I don't like younger guys."

My hands curled into fists. "I am not a kid! I'm eighteen! At least call me by my name! I'm not a stranger!"

"Ah, so you're older than us," the boy said, failing to hide his smile. "By the way, the name is Zydeco Opus!"

I pouted. Why did people always think that I was a kid?

"I'm not interested in who you are. Let's just get my cape cleaned so that I can return to where my..." No, those guys weren't my friends. Not even Eiichi could be considered one... Hmm, what was a friend anyways?

"Alright, follow me!" Sonata yelled cheerfully.

I smiled. Though watching Sonata run on ahead with the cape in tow also made my heart sink. Watching her, I felt as if I were with Kiara.

Kiara, are you and Dan alright in that dark, bottomless world?

*Character Section*

Sonata Key- Sex: Female Age: 17 Nationality: Sefa (Xeleria) Title(s): Mistress of Sound

Zydeco Opus- Sex: Male Age: 17 Nationality: Sefa (Xeleria) Title(s): Hero of Nine Petal Academy, The Strongest of Nine Petal Academy, the Pride of Sefa.

Nyima Taiyang- Sex: Female Age: 6 Nationality: Wahkan (Xeleria)

Ohanzee Yahto (Nyima's dad)- Sex: Male Age: Mid Twenties

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed the chapter :3. Thoughts on Hideo's little break down this chapter? Think that he'll save his siblings before they'll meet their demise as 'Satoru' claimed.? Also, what do you think is going on with Tetsuya, Rosalba, and Hideo that they are seeing and hearing Satoru?**