22 Burning Emotions

Sion was now resting on her queen sized bed. She turns to a window, which had rays of light shining into her room. Her expression was very solemn, she sighs to herself. "(Issac...Where are you? Even if I found you, it could result in the same incident. But..)" Sion thought to herself, turning over on her bed.

Shadows trailed across her floors, closing the blinds, as Aiden emerged from the darkness. His eyes trailed over to Sion. "Far too bright... Sister, why do you carry such an expression?" He inquired.

Sion looks over to Aiden, her face still void of happiness. "First, would you mind knocking? I understand you know I'm an Esper, but at this minute, I'm likely to hurt anything that startles me... Also, don't worry about it. It's nothing." Sion states, looking away from Aiden.

Aiden stepped closer to his sister, his horns showing through his hair, as he wasn't wearing his usual hat. "You're acting far different than usual."

"Oh fine, you'll keep pestering me if I don't tell you....But.." Sion hesitates, clearing her throat. "...I've...Fallen in love with a human. I know it's distasteful. However this one, I just, feel I need. I've been trying to weigh the rights. and wrongs, but. I keep coming back to the center...I want him." Sion states, sounding shaky in her speech.

Aiden's expression grows bored. " A human?" He quirks a brow. "You of all people? Surely you jest."

Sion shakes her head, "I speak no lies brother...I want him...Issac...I had thoughts of capturing him, and using some early dama suit technology to hold him. At least not trying to turn him into a unit...But...If nothing else will work. Then I at least want him, human or a unit. I need this, brother..." Sion states seriously.

"That one I infected?... I can't say I approve... Sister." Aiden kept his eyes on her.

Sion sighs, looking to Aiden, "You may not approve, but think about this...Kaos is on the verge of collapse with humans, we can't keep hidden if they know we're using them in projects! With Issac, it can not only help me cope with things. But we could -"

Aiden cut her off, grabbing her face and squeezing it slightly. with one hand, as he looked to her. "You overlooked one thing, dear sister. I don't work for Kaos. So do you think I have any reason to concern myself in the matter?"

Sion gasps, pulling herself away from Aiden. " I know that, but...You still want me to be happy, right? Even if it's not for Kaos. This is for me! You can't just toss me away, for some faction based on mythical creatures!" Sion spat to Aiden.

Aiden looked to her with narrowed eyes of boredom. "I never stated such, however, I do not see it wise to mix with those filthy vermin. You know what risks there are breeding with other species." Aiden scoffed.

Sion nods to Aiden's statements, "Of course, I am over the science division that seeks out that information. I know the risks involved. When it's love however, urgh...If I can't ask you to do this. Then I shall do it myself. There's only so much time."

"Humans don't last more than a week once infected. Last you saw this one, it was fresh in his bloodstream. Now, he could be crawling those deserts as a beast of darkness, or possibly dead. Either way, this much time elapsed, he's not the same human any longer. I wouldn't waste your time. Perhaps looking elsewhere to other Necroden would be wise." Aiden pocketed his hands.

Sion clenches her fist. "HE IS NOT DEAD...In fact, he lasted quite a while after the dama. The tests we ran on his information, the time he came in after your encounter.... He is alive Aiden. You've already stated your side of the issue however. So run back to your Zodiac friends, and leave Issac, and any choices I make with humans, between me and myself. I'm glad you're concerned about my safety, but when it comes to people I love. I have to make other choices." Sion states, standing to her feet.

"Maybe you should have chose to side with him then, when he spoke on the matter with you. Humans aren't ones to give too many second chances, I've heard. Do yourself a favor, and forget about him, he's not worth it sister. Anyway, I'll be taking my leave, since I'm obviously not welcome." Aiden looked off.

"...You were listening? Yes, you may excuse yourself. Urgh, listening in on my business." Sion muttered.

"Comes with being your older brother. Just think about what I've said." Aiden spoke, before vanishing off, into twisted directions as he shifted into darkness.

Sion sighs to herself. "(Joining Issac, if only it were that simple....)"

Elsewhere, Barret was still in the infirmary, he was finishing up his device, and holds it up, eyeing it.

"Wonderful! Well, I believe this will come in quite handy. I just need to heal up a little more, and I'll be able to put this to use!" Barret states, placing on a great smile.

From the door, Myde walked inside. She glanced at him briefly, as she drew near. "I'm somewhat surprised that you're still awake."

Barret looks quickly to Myde, nearly dropping his device. "Oh! Heh, you startled me there. Yes, I've been getting my scouter working. It will help greatly when tracing attributes of foes. Especially those daft Necrodens." Barret states proudly.

"You stayed up all night, to work on such a device? You humans sure have strange priorities at times." Myde said, as one ear slanted.

Barret laughs a little, "Well, when humans normally do things like this, other people joke we're night owls, but I just call it being very in tune with my work. Nothing can make me sleep, if my mind is focused on something. You'd be surprised just how long a human can stay awake." Barret explained.

"I see, well, during the time you should have been resting, my companions, and I found a few leads on the missing people. The others are debriefing Xiao on the matter presently." Myde sat down in a chair next to Barret, as she looked to his shoulder.

"Hmm, that's good to know, glad to see we're making some progress. Did you get any rest?' Barret asked to Myde.

Myde undoes the bandages, keeping her eyes on the shoulder. "No."

"Well after you finish patching me up, maybe you should get some sleep. We do need to be one hundred percent. Though, I can't talk too much." Barret says, laughing.

"Missions call, so no time for rest. You however, should get to sleep." Myde tightened the new bandage.

"Sending me to bed Myde?" Barret says, jokingly.

"Indeed." Myde said, standing to her feet.

"Hmm, I can't sleep however, I must be ready for the next mission. I think I'll be fine." Barret states, sitting forward.

"What do you mean 'ready for the next mission'? You've been bed-ridden!" Myde gawked.

"Heh, nonsense, I feel quite alright. In fact with the patch-up there, I think I'm feeling ninety-nine percent better!" Barret states, smiling to Myde. "So don't worry, I'll be fine, okay?"

Myde crossed her arms, "With how things went out there to just get leads, I don't think it's wise for you to be taking up the sword, just yet. Is this normal behavior, or are you just over confident?"

Barret sighs, "Myde, I can't just sit in a bed all my life, we're in war. So, I've rested long enough, I feel I can stand on my feet, and aid you all more. So again, don't worry, alright?"

"I'm starting to question your intelligence." Myde held her temples, "Are humans truly so eager to get more injuries, before they can recover fully, from previous ones?"

Barret sighs, "It's, complicated Myde." Barret states, looking to her, keeping his smile.

"Regardless, get some rest. I've been instructed to head to a certain sector in the woods." Myde stepped off from Barret, with her back turned.

"By yourself? Who's going with you?" Barret asked, to Myde looking to her curiously.

"We're covering more ground by splitting up, until you and Issac have recovered. It's merely a forest, not some blazing desert. Rest assured, I can handle myself just fine on my own, if need be." Myde explained.

Barret stands up from his bed, stumbling to his feet. "Not to be rude, but I feel it better if you had some extra hands, Myde... Issac should be doing fine, and as said before. I need to get back in action."

Myde glanced back. "You're barely able to stand. I would end up having to keep an eye on you in the process. That would be an unnecessary burden. Even so, if I need help, I could always ask Cravic."

"I understand how you feel Myde, but I also don't want you falling under any circumstance out of your hands. Yes, I may be recovering, but that doesn't mean I want to see another friend under Kaos...This is serious, and we should do whatever in our power, when we have the power, to help each other. If I falter, don't worry. I'll watch myself." Barret explained to Myde further. "Besides, Cravic isn't supposed to go out."

"..." Myde sighed, looking off. "Fine. Since you're so insistent, however, if it comes down to it, I'm bringing you back here."

Barret nods, adding in a chuckle, "Right, you got it."

"If you're coming along, I'm heading out now." Myde kept her back turned to him.

"I'll be with you shortly." Barret says, grabbing to some of his stuff. He pulls his shirt over his head.

The two make their way for the door, and reach the entrance of the camp. Approaching them as they stepped out, was Issac and Witchhazel. It would seem that Katinka and Shockz had already gotten inside, before Myde and Barret could encounter them.

Witchhazel floated ahead of Issac, landing to the ground before the two. "Maybe I should have charged you a finder's fee. He wasn't the easiest to locate."

"Oh? You found him, that's good to hear!" Barret stated, becoming excited, "Except, not too sure about the fee, heh...(We are a bit tapped thinking now, since all the chaos that went down.)

Witchhazel held her index finger to her lips. "It was a joke. I would say 'penny for your thought', but no need to purchase something that I already know." She giggled.

"Huh?" Issac gawked slightly. "(What does she mean by that? Was I right about the mind reading?)"

"Wait did you just? Urgh anyways, we should head to this location Myde had spoke about." Barret says, placing a hand to his hip. "As much as I'm dreading what Kaos could be up to, it feels good to be out of bed."

"Location? If you guys are heading out, I'm coming along. No way I'm getting stuck with that creepy Elementar." Issac insisted.

Witchhazel floated, tilting her head as she looked to them. "Even with the DD infection? Well, just be careful not to over exert yourself then."

Myde crossed her arms. "Why do I feel as though I am kitten-sitting?"

"I'd offer to come along to help chauffeur, however it would cost you." Witchhazel smiled.

"I am not paying you." Myde looked to Witchhazel.

"Suit yourself, I got to check up on my shop, to make sure the repairs are coming along. Have fun!" Witchhazel giggled, poofing off.

"(There she goes...)" Issac thought, moping slightly.

"Well, let's head out then. I can't wait to try my scouter!" Barret says, placing it over his left eye.

"Hey, you finally finished that thing?" Issac looked to him in surprise, as the party made their way after Myde.

"I only finished it a short while ago." Barret states proudly, adjusting his scouter a little.

"Cool beans." Issac smirked.

"Will you two quit lollygagging, and keep up." Myde states, from above them in the trees. She had gotten up there, whilst they were conversing.

"Yes,yes...Though try to keep in sight, (I suppose it's good I have this scouter, tracking Myde will be easy.)" Barret thought to himself, snickering.

"I shall try, but cloaking into the natural surroundings might be required." Myde made her way ahead of them.

"She doesn't seem too happy. What did you say to her?" Issac jested, as the two kept after Myde.

"I begged her to let me come on the mission." Barret states happily.

"Don't come off too desperate now." Issac teased, mischievously.

"Desperate? Whatever do you mean, Issac?" Barret questioned.

"Begging implies she didn't want you to come along. So, you might be smothering her. Girl's need space, too." Issac explained.

"Hmm even so, I'm not doing this by just 'wanting' to do this. There's another reason entirely, but I don't think now is the time to get into this." Barret states, adjusting his scouter a little more, he focuses it on Myde. "She has a boyfriend anyway, so stop pushing."

"Right-right. We should keep up. Not sure what the mission is, but guessing it's important to be leaving this early in the morning." Issac replied.

"Yes, Myde hasn't told me too much about things. However, she said she's been ordered to go to a certain location in the woods here." Barret states, walking beside Issac. He zooms in on Myde's tail. "Such elegance." Barret states out loud, unknowingly.

"Gotcha." Issac looked slyly to Barret. "So, I'm somewhat intruding on your 'date' then, eh? What are you looking at though?"

"D-Date!? This is just an outing, I haven't been out of bed in a little while, give me a break Issac... I already stated that she's taken, so knock it off. Also, I'm looking at how Myde gets around in trees. I find it fascinating how agile the Ferlines are, compared to us." Barret explained ,trying to change the subject.

"If you say so." Issac jested, "So, you're basically 'scoping' her out then? Never took you for a pervert."

"Pervert!? There's nothing wrong with admiring how classy a race of people are. I write things down in books Issac, anything I look at, I analyze for 'information', thank you very much." Barret says, crossing his arms.

"Call it what you want. I still find it funny how you thought she was a boy." Issac retorted, slyly.

"S-Shut up. How do you even remember that, you were sleeping?.." Barret mutters.

"Cyndy told me." Issac shrugged slightly.

Myde was ahead of them, and spots a male ferline around red leaves of autumn. He was a lion, with blond and orange hair. His attire was mostly shades of red and orange, with black pants. He had a scarf around his neck, blowing in the breeze. Upon his face was black wide rimmed glasses. His back was turned to Myde, as he was heading the direction they were going.

Myde jumped out of the tree, looking to him. "Cecil." She spoke up calmly.

"Impeccable timing." He smiled to her.

A rustling wasn't too far off behind Myde now, and the boys were right in ear shot. Myde made motion to glance behind her, before turning to Cecil. "You're alright?" She asked.

The ferline addressed as Cecil, glanced there as well, before looking back to her. "Mydeline. Quite a surprise to happen upon you here." He stated.

Myde drew closer, her eyes shifting behind, before looking back to him. "How did you escape Kaos?"

Cecil advanced to her, at a slight distance. His glasses had a lens glare, as he stared over to her with a blank expression. "I merely outwitted them, darling." He replied, right as Barret and Issac emerged from the brush. he had this look on his face, as if he was expecting them.

"Darling? That's quite a term there, you two know each other?" Barret inquired, walking up with Issac beside him.

Myde glanced back to Barret, "Yes, this is-" She spoke up in a more timid tone than before, but was cut short.

"Cecil Romulus, Mydeline's fiance. Whom might you two be?" Cecil looked to them, as he interrupted Myde, with a blank expression, however he seemed threatening for some reason.

"(This guy's her boyfriend? I guess they do work together.)" Issac pondered.

"Fiance, huh?... It's nice to meet you..." Barret says, bowing to Cecil. "(Shoot! Well, there went that dream...She really is taken... urgh...I wonder if this world has anything else to offer for me?)" Barret thought to himself.

"I don't believe I caught a name. Mydeline, I never took you for keeping company of impolite individuals." Cecil looked to Myde.

"..." Myde glanced over to her friends.

Cecil used his hand to make her look to his face. "Do not waste your eyes on these humans, your beauty is mine alone. So perfect and graceful, but open your mouth... ah silence it more befitting to you, darling." He briefly kisses her on the lips.

"..." Myde remains still, looking to Cecil as he desired.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry my name is Barret, and this is Issac. However, in all due respect, I don't think you should treat her in such ways. A woman, such as Myde, should be treated with honor and reverence." Barret states proudly.

"(Ah, that's the ticket! You tell him Barret!)" Issac nodded.

Cecil's glasses glared from the sun, as he looked sharply to Barret. He pushed Myde a bit of distance from him. "I do not take kindly to humans who tell me how to treat my property. The laws of my people are different than yours, so you should kindly keep your opinions to yourself."

"Property!?" Barret spat angrily.

"Precisely. I did say she was my fiance, did I not?" Cecil smirked, slyly.

Barret grips Cecil, by the collar. "I don't care if she's just your girlfriend! You don't get a woman, and automatically claim her to be property! She is not an object!"

Cecil looked to him in amusement, with the glasses reflecting on one lenses. "Such a brute, just like wild savages. If you do not unhand me however, you'll force my hand, ape."

Barret releases Cecil, he then looks to Myde. "Why are you with him, Myde?"

"Don't waste your breath, darling. A savage would not understand class." Cecil spoke up, to Myde.

"..." Myde glanced off, but she didn't appear uneasy about this. She was a bit too calm.

"(That is not 'class', something's not right here.)" Issac got defensive.

Barret shakes his head, "Myde get to our side. I don't think you'll be seeing him anytime soon, you're working with Kaos, aren't you?"

Myde hesitantly does as Barret says, causing Cecil to look unamused to them. "That is quite an accusation. Mydeline, get back here. I don't want you amongst these barbarians." Cecil said, sharply.

"..." Myde kept her distance, almost in a begrudging manner.

"Disobedience. Tsk tsk tsk. Darling, do I have to rough up these apes to keep them away from you. Their ignorance knows no bounds it seems, they are misleading you." Cecil's glasses shine again.

"..." Myde glances to Barret, then to Cecil.

"..." Cecil pushed up his glasses, "Very well. I'll have to look into Lobotomy for you. After all, your physical features are the only ones worth keeping."

"(Okay, this guy is SICK!)" Issac gawked.

"Huh? You're talking about..." Barret engages his power glove, forming a sword. "If you even think of messing with her mind! Myde...Stay back, we'll handle him for you." Barret stated seriously.

"Oh, and lose her warrior pride?" Cecil's glasses flickered.

Myde formed her Sword-staffs, shadows casted over her face as she lowered her head. "..."

Issac looked to Barret, engaging his power glove. "Barret, let's show him just how backwards his ideals are."

"I'm with you, Issac, but.." Barret looks back to Myde. "You don't have to fight this for his sake. He's a monster, but that's why we're here..." Barret states, looking back to Cecil.

"I did say I can handle myself just fine. Even so, you don't know what he's capable of." Myde responded, seeming to be holding something back.

"Hmm, alright. I guess it is good you get some payback on this creep." Barret says, keeping his focus at Cecil.

"This is all very amusing, however, I will be having my property back. Even if it means burning a few of her bridges." Cecil formed a fan based weapon, as he looked sharply to them.

Barret focuses his sight on Cecil not even batting an eye. "..."

Issac forms his sword, looking sharply to Cecil as well. "I bet you get all sorts of dates calling ladies 'your property'. That was sarcasm, if you didn't catch it. It's going to take a bit more than 'burning bridges', right Barret?" Issac scoffed.

"Exactly! We won't allow you to touch Myde again!" Barret states, arching himself, to ready his attack.

"... I believe the two of you talk far too much." Cecil looked unamused, opening the fan.

With a flick of his wrist, a gust blew at them, with trails of fire dancing their way. Issac rushes at Cecil quickly, with Barret following up after, and Myde tailing not far behind. Cecil smirks, and swings his fan, casting a large amount of flames in their path. The wall of fire knocks Issac and Barret backward.

"Whoa !" Barret gasps, holding his arm up to his face blocking the flames.

"More fire?" Issac gawked, Shifting to his whip, as he lashed at the flames.

Myde continue rushing, side stepping from the fire. "Always igniting irritation..."

Myde continues at Cecil, quickly swinging her sword-staffs, though they're deflected by Cecil's flames. Without warning, Issac's whip flies Cecil's direction, which nearly hit him, however flames knock away the energy of the whip. Barret was nearing Cecil as well, and swings his sword quickly. Cecil sways, and kicks Barret forward onto the ground. Cecil still carried a very bored expression.

"Urgh, (He's really quick.)" Barret says, gripping himself off the ground.

"Pathetic monkeys..." Cecil sneered, as red leaves floated around him.

With his fan, a gust was casted, sending the leaves at Barret. However, Issac took up his sword. The leaves rushed passed him, cutting places, before igniting with flames as they spiraled around. Issac tried to cut the leaves, which fizzle off into ashes, when they were hit. The ashes then produce slight ember, that hit the ground exploding. Barret's eyes widen, at the sight of the explosions.

One leaf was nearing him, as Myde quickly grabs Barret to safety. The ember explodes, leaving more rushing flames in the location. Issac took this time to rush back at Cecil, and forms his whip into wings. He flies into the air, and then forms it into a sword falling out of the air at Cecil. Cecil is struck by Issac's attack knocking him backward.

Cecil was holding his side. "Clever maneuver for an ape. However, I will not be so easily outwitted." Cecil stated, showing confidence still.

Issac looked to Cecil. "Some ego."

"Simpleton." Cecil's glasses glared from the sunlight. "No matter."

The places where the explosive ember hit, gusts skyward as the ember reforms into razor sharp leaves, striking all three back to the ground hard. As they struggled from the surprise attack, Cecil drew closer, picking Myde up by her hair. Myde winced in pain, as she was pulled to her feet.

Cecil peered down to the boys. "If you attempt to continue this course of action, it'll be more than a burn heal you'll require." He scoffed, warping off with her, leaving red leaves falling from the air above where he stood.

"MYDE!!!" Barret yelled, standing to his feet. "Dang it...He got her..." Barret looks to Issac, "Are you okay over there?"

Issac rubbed his arm, as he glanced to Barret. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was only taken by surprise." Issac looks ahead. "'Tis best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems... shall we pursue, so thou can rescue thy love?" Issac looked back, with a smirk.

Barret laughs, "Issac, as serious of a moment this is, you really have an odd way of going about it, but yes, we should go rescue Myde."