━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapter 11 ━☂

╰┈➤ ❝ [Time is ticking] ❞

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┊     ┊   ┊  ┊     ┊  ˚ ♡     ⋆｡˚ ❀

┊     ┊   ┊  ✫      ┊  ┊        ✧ ˚.

┊      ⊹   ✽  ⋆ ┊ . ˚

☆

Brisk footsteps echoed throughout the forest as shoe prints were being left behind in the mud, telling of the being who once prodded there as they moved rather hastily but sluggishly, their breaths sharp and rapid before the person jumped up, feet hitting the bark of a massive tree before doing it once again to another, landing back on the ground with a 'thud' afterward as a triumphant grin spread across his face. "This is cool. I can last a lot longer than before! Maybe I can even make it-Ah!" Lifting his hands above his head in surprise, the boy's face contorted into shock and fear as Norman stood behind him, a replica of his Sister's smile on his pale face with his mesmerizing blue eyes reproaching the child.

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

"Waah! Sister! Why did Norman catch me?! I thought I was being extra sneaky, and I really thought I could have won!" Drawing the weeping child to her chest (Y/n) caressed her back soothingly, her head planted on top of the little girl's as she only hummed. "Now, now, my dear little sibling—you are still maturing and learning, and Norman is a lot older than you, so of course, he would be more good at this than you. Don't worry, my little sibling will grow quickly too, now won't she? And you'll one day beat Norman fair-and-square, right?" Whispering these words (Y/n) gently let go of the girl as the little girl nodded her head slowly, rubbing the tears that stained her round cheeks whilst giving her Sister a determined grin. "I'll show him who's better!"

"Sister (Y/n)!" Turning her head to the side once she heard the booming call of her title (Y/n) got up from her kneeling position and stared up at the much bigger woman who also carried a broad smile on her lips. "Why, Sister Krone, is something the matter? Do you perhaps need assistance with some of the children?" Tipping her head naively to the side (Y/n) watched as Krone's light-hearted expression turned sour upon receiving the masked taunt that (Y/n) silently strafed her with.

"No, Sister (Y/n)—I have everything under control. I just wanted to ask what you and the children were playing." Inclining her head closer to the shorter female, Krone's sour mood disappeared once she saw the apprehensive glimpses that the incoming two children were shooting at her rather brazenly. Already seeing the children come back from their third round of tag (Y/n) resolved not to pay them any mind as she proceeded on with her conversation. "The children and I have just come back from playing tag. A very cutthroat round, this one was, but entertaining. If you like, you should join—get those popping joints of yours some exercise!" Playfully nudging her sister with her elbow (Y/n) giggled once she saw Krone's smile expand to a very aggressive scale.

"Perhaps I should take you up on your offer, Sister (Y/n). I do yearn to get along with everybody, so what better way than to play tag? The match's time limit will be twenty minutes. I'll be 'It'. Everyone, try to run away from me."

Serenely strolling to the side of the adolescents (Y/n) glanced back over at her fellow colleague, beaming at the fearless woman with lively eyes. "Show us some of your skills, Sister Krone—I wish to learn more about you."

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

"Seven, eight, nine, ten! Now, let me see what that woman's special children can do!" Attempting to do a peculiar dance, Krone spun around in motivation, her arms spread apart far as her face displayed valor. With the mild breeze sweeping past her hair, disheveling it casually, Krone neglected to recognize how the wind felt a little more... concentrated.

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

"So, how will the enemy move?"

Leisurely studying the quickly approaching sister from afar (Y/n) peered down at the youngsters below her for a few seconds before chuckling. "Sister Krone is the type of woman to want one thing more than anything else but still wishes for other things. So, for such a characteristic, why won't she wish to round up the three of you but also catch as many little younglings as possible while she is down there hunting?" Peering up at the relaxed (Y/n) Norman yelled out: "Sister (Y/n), we must go now! Sister Krone is on the move and she's fast, so I believe it's better if you accompany us." Not returning much heed to his words (Y/n) just flung an acorn down at him, her sweet laughter following soon after.

"Go on, I'll be fine on my own. Think of this as a way of learning about your enemy's capabilities before the main battle, so even if you get captured, remember to take in as much information as you can! Though if you somehow beat the little girl, please do fire that acorn at her!" Sweat dropping at her sister's childish antics Norman just groaned and looked away, his concern now on Ray who has suddenly departed from where he stood next to him.

"Ray?!"

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

Sharpened nails glided over the lustrous texture of the unopened pomegranate as it gleamed under the meager light that could ooze through the leaves above, its succulent red color inviting to the eye as a pair of exact colored eyes gawked down at it numbly, mouth closed in a firm line as the polished fruit rolled back and forth against the narrow branch of the tree. Watching the moving fruit with indifference (Y/n) red eyes smoldered under the sheltered tree, her (h/c) hair sprawled over her shoulders as it gushed down her waist, giving her a mystifying aura. Overall, she looked like a goddess of death—ready for the kill, but steadily awaiting her darling prey.

One after another (Y/n) could hear the children getting seized by Krone, and every single time her eyes would narrow in annoyance at the thought that the juveniles were still not qualified. They had to leave soon, and if only a handful of them could go, but yet weren't in an acceptable bodily state...

Colorful red liquid dripped down from her hand and onto the ground. The opened pomegranate squashed under her grasp as dozens of seeds flashed from one side to another, some drilling holes into trees or leaves because of the extreme velocity they were shot at. She didn't crave to consider the outcome for the children she had tended to for so many years—for them to just die wouldn't shatter her heart, but her pride. Lecturing them with just sympathy and goodwill won't carry them far in life, (Y/n) was well conscious of such a fact, yet she didn't wish to pollute their ignorant minds. It was a mental conflict that (Y/n) was presently suffering with on whether she should rightly raise the children for survival or not. On one hand, she didn't prefer to give demons the gratification of knowing that a half-breed bastard was under their grip and in their supervision. She also doesn't want the children to lead the rest of their lives for fear of getting apprehended and devoured by demons. The innocence that the children had was what engrossed her the most, and she didn't want such a perfect and addicting thing to go to misuse... and that is why she had come up with a plan.

"Emma!"

The unforeseen yell of a particular girl's name jerked (Y/n) out of her somber thoughts as she snapped her head to the right, her red eyes shimmering down into her natural (e/c) ones as she skillfully dropped from the tree, settling on her feet as she madly dashed towards where she heard the shout. Those were the children, and they were about to get captured.

After a few seconds of sprinting (Y/n) could see the scene of a racing Emma who was carrying the two children and a delighted Krone. Halting in her footsteps instantly (Y/n) hopped up to the tree, her hair drooping down as she lingered until the appropriate moment to grab the three.

Closer...

Closer...

Just a little more...

... Gotcha!

Placing her hand over Emma's mouth, (Y/n) motioned for the three of them to go muted as they nodded their heads obediently, their eyes enormous as they gawked down at the bewildered Krone with anticipating eyes. Perceiving that the four of them won't have much time until Krone realizes where they are (Y/n) signaled the four with her eyes before bearing all three of them in her arms, close to her chest as she bounced from one tree to another smoothly, her actions forming no sound as she approached her destination: The rock hideaway.

Peeking over her shoulder, (Y/n) no longer could see the fierce sight of Krone, (Y/n) looked back as she concentrated on her brief journey ahead. "Listen, I will drop you off somewhere to keep the three of you safe, okay? This place, no one else knows of, but a few. Learn this path and learn it well, you two—Emma, you're just fine. Tell this place to no one else, understood? If you are ever frightened and wish to see your dear Sister (Y/n), follow the trail of dandelions and we will meet." Passing through a cave and through a bundle of vines, the four of them made it into a narrow opening with only seldom light as dozens of massive, bulging rocks towered over them as they stretched across the small valley in generous amounts.

Setting the children down (Y/n) gave them a slight smile, rubbing their heads delicately before turning around only for the feeling of someone tugging at the hem of her dress to stop her from moving any further. Peeking down at whomever it was (Y/n) smile lightened as she saw it was the little girl. "Sister, will you get caught?" Kneeling down for then the both of them can be eye-to-eye (Y/n) swayed her head 'no'.

"Sister Krone is far too stiff for her to ever catch me, and a little too dim as well. Don't worry about Sister—I will be just fine. Here," Handing over the little girl her watch (Y/n) swiftly rose as she took a few steps back, bracing herself to once again be on the move. "this will show you when the game is over and when you are okay to leave this place. Take good care of it, alright?" Bowing her head in understanding, the little girl watched as her Sister said a last farewell before sprinting away, her form retreating behind the dangling vines as her footsteps can no longer be picked up.

"Hey, can I see that for a second?" Peering up at Emma, the little girl pondered the thought before gradually nodding her head, unwillingly giving Emma the pocket watch as she paid attention to how her expression turned thoughtful. Inspecting the pocket watch with eager eyes, Emma opened it up as the large hand clicked every second. Emma noticed how much her Sister clung to this item, but for her to just hand it over so readily to someone else... made her feel a little... unloved. Peering down at the expecting little girl, Emma gave her a poor smile before delivering it back. The pocket watch was already shut closed as its polished silver color glistened under the rare light.

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

"Six left!"

"How much time is left?"

"Eight minutes and forty seconds!"

(Y/n) once again rested on top of a tree branch, eyes scanning her environment as the coverage that the leaves made for her shielded her from the sunlight. With her lengthy (h/c) hair now secured to a low side-ponytail as it sprawled over her left shoulder. Eyes intense yet calculative (Y/n) crooned a song to herself, her sensitive ears listening in on every breath and sound that was made around her—oh, wait, there seems to be a fast-impending group of three—Norman and Ray... and Krone as well.

'Why...'

"... how marvelous."

As if she was never there (Y/n) figure fled the spot from where she once stood as her image flared once or twice as she ran towards the three. Her eyes brimmed with spirit as she counted down the limited seconds remaining. Ultimately, her eyes met sight with a clearing as she saw Norman rising proudly on top of a rock, his mesmerizing blue eyes glowering down at Krone's figure as Ray dashed to her side, patting her arm as he presented her with the timer. The time was up.

"Time's up."

"Sister Krone, how did you enjoy this round of tag? Would you care for another?" Treading out of the shadows as (Y/n) pleasant face met insight with the other three that prowled around there, Krone saw her cheerful smile, tsking at the sight. "I would very much like that."

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

Shouts erupted throughout the enormous group of children as everyone clapped for the victory of the six, their faces bright and vigorous as (Y/n) ran to them, hugging a few into her arms as she laughed alongside them.

"Norman, Ray, Emma, (Y/n), and..."

Oh?

A bird was caught.

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

"That Sister hasn't done anything since."

"That's probably Mom's order. Mom used to suspect us, but it doesn't seem like that anymore."

"I wouldn't get my hopes up now, my dear siblings. Isabella has always been the fast type."

"What do you think, Ray?"

"What do you think, Norman?"

"Mom did something behind the scenes so she won't have to move herself."

There's a breeze, and the butterfly is spotted.

Opening her pocket watch (Y/n) sighed, her feet moving in front of her as she made her way out of the crowded room, for then she could leave. "I must go now—there's dinner to be served. I don't wish for Isabella to suspect anything. Oh, and Ray—Judas forgot his bag of coins." Striding out of the narrow room (Y/n) peeked around, making sure that there was no one there to watch her leave before she strode away, her footsteps unhearable until she made a turn in the corner, vanishing from sight. 

𑁍┊𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀 ˎˊ˗

⠀ ⠀________

⠀⠀┊ ┊ ┊

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⠀⠀┊ ┊ ✫

⠀⠀┊ ⊹ ⋆

⠀⠀┊. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

⠀⠀✧ ⠀

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ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ!

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