Chapter Ten

"Stay where you are."A calm yet raspy voice stopped them from entering further into the camp. They halted simultaneously, eyes pinned on a Phantom whom was dragging Iris out of the mansion.

"Let me go!"She screamed. "I'll kill you! I'll kill you! Nobu! Nobu! Help me!"Her eyes landing on Nobu, who was out of breath.

"There's no helping you now,"The Phantom smiled a big Cheshire smile. These were different from the last Phantoms they had fought against. They were much smaller than Satoshi, who was a half Phantom himself.

Satoshi stepped into view, it was as if the Phantoms themselves were entrapped in a trance. The Phantoms dropped their weapons immediately. Lucy turned to face him in disbelief.

"What's happening?"She asked Nobu. Iris didn't waste anytime, she flung herself at Nobu. Holding onto him for dear life.

"They are like me."Satoshi told them, not breaking eye contact with the three Phantoms that stood like statues. Kill yourselves. He commanded. Robotically, almost as if trying to fight Satoshi's trance, they picked up their weapons. Lucy stepped back, her hand quaking beside her. They were half human, like Satoshi. All three raised their weapons, stabbing themselves twice, for each heart. They fell to their knees, red blood cascading down their chest. It felt like everything had turned slow motion, every voice was drowned out as Lucy looked around her. Her mouth dry and her adrenaline gone.

Those had been humans.

"Th-They were humans.."She stammered, her heart pumping wildly.

"Humans?"Satoshi turned to face her in disgust. His features softening at her dazed look, she looked like she was about to puke her guts out. "Those were Phantoms, who wouldn't hesitate to kill us if they could."

Lucy doubled over and wretched over the snow. Satoshi cursed at himself, he wasn't the best when trying to make others feel better.

"I had never seen a half Phantom side with them. I had never seen another half Phantom other than you.."Riley told him with a puzzled look.

"Neither had I. And they were much weaker than I. That's why I was able to control them."Satoshi rubbed his hands on his face.

Nobu rubbed Lucy's back as she kept spilling all the contents of this morning. She coughed and straightened, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I-I'm fine."She breathed.

"I can take you to Oli if you'd like..?"Jace asked hesitantly. "Or not.."He added upong seeing her reaction.

"I'm alright. Thank you."She nodded and plopped onto the snow without another word. She tossed the layout in front of her and took out the pen. "We still don't know if we...killed the Phantom responsible for the other eight deaths. I believe we should split up into two groups. One to care for the camp, and another to stay in the village."

"Aye aye,"Satoshi grumbled humorlessly. "You heard the captain."He frowned at Nobu. "You have a girlfriend."He states before harshly bumping his shoulder and heading toward the mansion. "I'll be staying in the camp!"

"Actually, I was hoping you could come with us to the village!"Lucy shouted. She felt much more safe with Satoshi being there, whether she was comfortable with it or not, he could control Phantoms inferior to him.

"Us?"Nobu repeated.

"Us."She confirmed. "You and I, and now Satoshi."

"Fine."Satoshi muttered as he stepped closer toward Nobu and Lucy. "But we should hurry before it gets morning. Whoever that other Phantom is, if they are still in the village, they have no clue we just killed his fellow Phantoms."

"Let's refrain from using who on them. It makes it much easier.."Lucy cringed, she would rather imagining them as nothing more than savages, than beasts.

"Alright."Satoshi nodded slowly.

"We will take good care of the place, be safe!"Alex shouted and ran into the mansion.

"Be safe!"Riley waved.

"Be safe.."Jace nodded almost grimly. He'd die without ever having a girlfriend he noticed. He had been raised by Nao in this very camp, and not once had he left it. This was all he knew, and all he'd know. He had been overjoyed at Lucy's arrival, it had been she was god sent. He shook his head and chuckled as he followed after Riley. He'd be damned if he died without ever having his first kiss.

"When you come back Lucy, would you like to go on a date with me!?"He shouted, turning to jog backwards. Lucy turned beet red, the color suited her. She was adorable. Jace grinned at her reaction, and the other two guys that stood beside her as they glared at him without even noticing. He laughed and went into the mansion.

Lucy's ears felt like they'd burn off. They would walk by feet to the village, so she began walking. She hadn't been asked out on a date by someone in a long time, and now this cute guy was suddenly asking her..She wanted to gauge her eyes out at not having given him an answer.

That night in the village went without incident. The three stayed in the village for three days, just to make sure things went smoothly. But nothing happened. They assumed they had killed the Phantom. The three stayed in the leaders home, who gave them each a nice warm room to stay in. They didn't talk much being there, only when scouting the streets. And it often had to do with Nobu praising Satoshi for his skills to take out other Phantoms.

They trekked back to the camp, each in their own world. Lucy was thinking about ways to channel her spirits strength without using magic. Nobu was thinking about a new method to get the trainees to train even harder. And Satoshi was thinking about not thinking, but it was hard not to think when Lucy kept glancing at him. Almost cautiously, as if she was ready to attack him at any given moment. But she didn't, instead she frowned at him before looking away.

"Penny for your thoughts?"Satoshi muttered her way. She glanced at him. She opened her mouth to speak, but shut it afterwards.

"No? Alright."He shrugged.

"Actually. I was wondering, why are you the only Phantom on this side?"Lucy asked bluntly. "I mean..those were half Phantoms as well, weaker than you. More human than you. Yet they were on their side."

"Nao found him in the snow fifteen years ago, she didn't have the heart to kill the Phantom baby and brought him here. He's been living with us since then."Nobu answered. "He was raised like one of our own. Like Nao's child as well. You could say he's my brother."

Satoshi glared at him and sighed. "I can't side with creatures I was never amongst to begin with."

"I see."Lucy nodded in thought. "You have never left this camp. But you have."She glanced at Nobu. "Why is that?"

"Oh, what is this? An interrogation?"Satoshi narrowed his eyes at her.

"No."Lucy blushed. "I just want to know..get to know you. That's all."

"I went looking for my mother, I heard of a Phantom escaping past Waas Forest. But none have been able to trespass this village, so it made no sense. Until I found out that in Bosco, the camp back there had been struggling. That's where mom went. There are much more attacks in Bosco. More ruthless Phantoms there."Nobu answered her previous question.

"Why didn't Nao send you there? You guys are strong..I am sure you can keep that part at bay."

"Because we are her children."Nobu shrugged. "I begged her to allow me to go more times than I could count. So instead she left and put me in charge of this camp. So I wouldn't leave. She knows I wouldn't leave this camp unguarded."

"Oh."Lucy was about to ask another question.

"And fire!"She heard Jace shout.

Lucy flinched, startled as bullets echoed loudly. She stepped into the field, where she was able to see Jace, Alex and Riley pacing around the training grounds. Each of their trainees held a rifle and were shooting at tin cans at their count.

"Welcome back! Nobu, Satoshi, Lucy.."Jace gave her a knowing look, a glint flashing in his eyes.