The House of Morpheus

Chapter 4: The Brother's Arrival

“What?”

Cole blinked and then his eyes rolled upwards, his knees buckling and his face hitting the floor.

“Did he...faint?” Rune leaned forward, struggling to make out the form on the floor.

Midnight laughed, relaxed. “No...though it would be funny if he fainted because of that. It seems that Axel got bored and stunned him with a dart.”

Rune frowned, the angle of that shot was almost impossible as if the dart had turned corners to hit Cole in the back, maybe that’s why Axel was called The Perfect Shooter.

Midnight pulled off a string of beads that were wrapped around his neck and threw them into the shadows.

A pale hand caught them and a person emerged from the shadows.

The man was tall and handsome, his eyes a dark blue and his black hair short.

“Brother - what a pleasure to see you.” Midnight lied, smiling brightly.

The man stared, not saying anything as he removed a hidden camera from the necklace that Midnight had thrown at him.

“The others will arrive soon to arrest him, you should leave while you can...Midnight.” The brother put the camera and necklace into his pocket, moving to the limp body of Cole.

“Brother?” Rune whispered.

Midnight turned to face him with his usual smile, “Sadly.” 

Angel moved to the back door of the club, opening it causally and entering with the others.

“Midnight. How’s...Shiro?” The brother suddenly asked, causing everyone to freeze.

Angel and Snake had already gone through, leaving X, Rune and Midnight behind.

X charged forward, grabbing Midnight and Rune by the arm and dragging them towards the door.

He turned back to the man and snarled. “None of your f**king business, you f**king b***ard. Rot in hell.”

They all fell through the door, letting it close behind them with a sharp snap.

Rune looked around confused, what was with the tension between them? Did they not like each other?

X grabbed Midnight by the shoulder. “Hey man, calm down, alright?”

Midnight shook X off and smiled, showing more teeth than was necessary. “I’m fine.” He lied and then flicked his gaze over to Rune. “I'll be fine.”

Midnight left, most likely heading towards his room.

Shiro approached with a tray of juice. “Ah - Midnight, are you thirsty…?” 

Midnight brushed past Shiro, not sparing him a glance as he moved on.

“What’s wrong with him?” Shiro asked, handing the tray to Angel, who helped hand out the glasses.

X whispered what happened to Snake and Angel.

Shiro stepped forward, looking confused as everybody made up excuses and literally fled.

Shiro turned to Rune and raised an eyebrow, daring him to leave as well.

Rune swallowed and gave up, offering up the information that Shiro wanted.

“Well, we met...I think...Midnight’s brother. And he asked how you were doing.” Rune finally pushed out, feeling exhausted.

Shiro gasped, his eyes twitching as he fell into a seat, looking shocked. 

“Um, Shiro-san, how do you know the brother?” Rune settled into a seat across from him, curious.

Shiro smiled weakly, his face pale. “You know that I am a spirit, hai? Well, I can morph into any gender.”

Shiro morphed as a demonstration, his clothes changing to be more feminine and his chest expanding as his muscles sunk in. 

A female version of Shiro stared back at Rune. “When I was younger, I walked around a lot in this form and that’s how I met Lucas Waterlily - Midnight’s younger brother. I didn’t really like Lucas, he was too mean and strict, appearances really mattered to him and he often hit me if I did something he disliked.”

Shiro stared at her small hands and smiled. “But one day, he took me here - to this very building - to introduce me to his older brother and his fiancé.”

Rune leaned forward. “Midnight had a fiancé?”

Shiro nodded. “Hai. A beautiful woman, their parents were horribly proud when they made the match. But when we met it was like the red string of fate pushed us together.”

Rune nodded, in Japanese culture the red string of fate bonded lovers together in a form that was unbreakable even after death.

“Well, skip forward a bit and we got together. Nobody was thrilled and Midnight’s ex-fiancé attacked me, which is why I became bound to this place. It’s not a good tale.”

Shiro suddenly stood up and started heading towards a door. “If you see him again, keep Midnight away from him at all costs. Lucas hates Midnight, probably because in his view, Midnight has powers, is allowed freedom from their strict parents and he has me, too.”

Shiro threw a smile over her shoulder and left, her hair trailing behind her as she disappeared through a door.

Rune smiled back and stood up, only to fall back as the ground started to shake and holes started to form in the ceiling.

X and Moon fell down first, Moon cocooned in X’s arms, he landed carefully on his feet, moving safely to the side as the next couple fell through.

Axel and Angel landed on their faces, Angel complaining loudly as her brother helped her up.

Snake fell last, hitting the floor with a loud thud.

“What on Earth - ?” Rune rushed forward to help Snake up.

The door that Shiro had exited out of, slammed open and Shiro stepped forward (now in his male form), he dragged Midnight behind him and pushed him forward with an angry smile.

“Wonderful for all of you to come to me.” Shiro smiled wildly, his eye twitching.

Midnight swallowed from his position on the floor, moving slowly to his feet.

“Now, we got a call from Inspector Dream. There’s been a car accident on Fourth. All of you should go.” Shiro made a shushing motion with his hand.

Midnight, now on his feet, hesitated. “For a simple accident? I...don’t think so.”

Shiro dropped his fake smile and glared. “You...don’t think so? Does it look like I care? Leave Moon and Rune here as well. And I doubt it’s a simple accident or your skills wouldn’t be needed.”

Midnight sighed and gave in with a nod.

Everybody got ready to leave and Rune was pulled aside by Midnight.

“Look after them, I'll be right back.” He smiled brightly and headed off.

Rune nodded, waving slightly as they left.

________________________________________________________

Midnight sighed, already wishing to be back.

X hit his shoulder. “Relax man, we’ll be back before you know it.”

Angel pointed forward. “Ah look, there’s Inspector Dream.”

Inspector Malcolm Dream looked up at the mention of his name and smiled, moving closer.

His cheeks colored slightly as he took in Angel, evidently, he had a crush on her.

“Ms Davis, how are you? It’s a pleasure to see you.” He rushed forward to shake her hand.

She smiled back. “I’m fine, thank you. Why don’t you tell us what happened here?”

Malcolm nodded, his expression becoming colder. “Well, the driver claims he tried to overtake the broken bus and a woman stepped into the middle of the road. He swerved and hit a group of teenagers standing by the light.”

Midnight looked up. “All died,” he stated firmly.

Malcolm shook his head, looking confused. “No, only three died, the other two have been taken to the hospital. Nobody knows who or where the woman is and the driver is in that police car, he’s unhurt.”

A police inspector ran up to them at that moment, huffing as he gulped down air. “Sir, a report just came in, the two teenagers that were taken to the hospital are dead.”

Malcolm blinked, turning in shock to face Midnight, who ignored his curious gaze.

“What did the woman look like?” Angel asked as Midnight wandered away.

A woman was sobbing in the corner and Midnight approached her. “Are you feeling alright?” He whispered, leaning to sit down with her.

She shook her head, gasping back choking sobs. “No...my boyfriend is dead.”

Midnight sighed. “I’m sorry.”

She looked up at him. “You know, he always cheated on me but I really loved him. I should never have left him, I really love him.”

She began to bawl louder and Midnight smiled.

“Well, forgiveness is a key, it opens doors that anger locks.” He tapped her hand and pointed to the crowd that had gathered behind the police tape.

The young woman gasped, standing up on shaky knees. “That...that’s my boyfriend. He...he’s alive. Oh my god!”

She started moving forward but then froze, looking down at her clothes. A large bloodstain was smeared on the front of her dress.

The realization hit her and her smile fell away as her knees buckled. 

“Ha...haha. It’s me that’s dead.” She laughed, tears falling down her face.

Midnight sighed, standing up. “I’m sorry...be happy.”

The girl looked up at him and smiled through her tears, her body dissolving into a white mist as she faded.

Midnight visited the other dead souls and let them move on. He stopped by a group of officers that were laughing at him for talking to himself.

“The dead no longer have a voice to use, the dead can not speak or hear but they can still see. Just now, they see more than they ever knew was possible.” Midnight brushed past them, anger clenching his jaw.

“She had long red hair, it looked like moving fire - like it was dancing in her back. Her eyes were like gems, rubies - they were a deep red that shone like purple. I’m telling you she was that beautiful. Her dress was green and blue, she literally looked like a rich mistress.”

Midnight’s head spun fast to the voice that he had heard, stomping over to the driver in his hurried haste.

“A woman with hair like fire and eyes like rubies?” He blurted out.

X, Snake, Angel, Axel, Malcolm and the driver stared at him.

Malcolm nodded, hesitant. “Yes, that’s the description the driver gave us. Why?”

Midnight took in a deep breath, the gears in his head whirling at a shocking speed. 

“It’s a decoy. We have to get home - now.” Midnight spat out, rushing to the closest door - which was a door to a house.

“What are you doing?” Malcolm followed, looking confused.

Midnight tugged at the door but it refused to open.

“Knock Midnight, people’s doors aren’t just unlocked.” Malcolm looked astonished and confused.

Midnight kicked the door and gasped. “It’s not f**king working. That f**king b**tard’s got him.”

Angel blinked, understanding by the swear words. Midnight was quite old fashioned and hardly ever swore.

“Relax, I’ll get a taxi.” She reached for her phone but Midnight shook his head.

“No, it'll be too late by then.” 

Midnight took in a deep breath and let it out, focusing on the inspector. “What you see here, you can’t ever tell anyone about it.”

Malcolm nodded, looking stiff. What was Midnight going to show him?

Midnight drew in a breath and raised his hands, closing his eyes as he focused. Dark shadows began to swirl around him with whip-like emotions.

Midnight gasped, his eyes opening to show absolute black as the shadows wrapped around his crew.

Black lines crept around his face, his skin paling even with the makeup.

Then a clap sounded, Malcolm, ducked, his eyes closing as a large gust of wind swept past him with incredible speed.

When Malcolm opened his eyes again, he stared in disbelief at the spots where Midnight and his crew had been standing.

How had they left? 

_________________________________________________

Rune smiled at Moon, they were playing cards. Fortune cards to be specific.

“You’ll die soon,” Moon told him with a straight face.

Rune froze. “Um...really?”

Moon nodded solemnly and then smiled. “But you’ll be brought back to life.”

Shiro laughed from his spot on the other side of the kitchen. They were all sitting in the big kitchen, waiting for the lasagna to finish cooking.

“Moon likes to exaggerate.” Shiro nodded, crunching a mint in his mouth.

Rune nodded but still felt hesitant, her words didn’t feel like a joke.

Shiro looked up startled, the plate in his hand breaking as it hit the floor, loudly.

Moon gasped and touched her neck, pulling out a dart as her eyes rolled back and she fell into Rune’s arms.

Rune turned to the door where people started to enter, they were all dressed in black.

“Midnight’s brother!” Rune gasped at the familiar face.

Lucas Water-Lily smiled, completely relaxed. “Hello, did you miss me?” He turned his gaze to Shiro, running his eyes over him.

Shiro glared right back. “No, what are you doing here? And what have you done to Moon?”

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Well, that’s too bad. Moon’s asleep, she’ll wake up in a couple of hours.”

Shiro looked over at Rune and Rune nodded, confirming that Lucas was telling the truth.

“Well, let’s get to this before my dear brother gets back.” Lucas moved closer, stepping out of the way for a woman.

A beautiful woman. Her skin was pale like diamonds, her hair the colour of fire and her eyes like rubies.

“Shiro.” She sneered, and Rune flinched, her aura was full of hate and lies, the complete opposite of Midnight.

“What do you want?” Rune asked, moving closer to Shiro with Moon in his arms, her small body light as a feather.

“Come with me and marry me. I want your power,” Lucas said, deadly serious.

Shiro shook his head, words fading from his mind.

The woman laughed. “It’s not a choice. Midnight’s mine and if you don’t agree, I’ll burn this place to the ground.” 

Shiro swallowed and looked down, his hands shaking.

Rune stepped forward, pushing Moon into Shiro’s arms as he took a defensive stance. He had promised to protect Shiro and would do so until the end, Moon’s words ringing in his ears about his death.

“Shiro loves Midnight and Midnight loves Shiro. You can do whatever you want but you can’t take him away.” Ren outstretched his arms and glared at Lucas.

Lucas laughed. “Did you hear that, Celine?”

The woman - Celine - laughed too. “Well, you heard them. We’ll drag you out when this building is just dust and ash.”

The men rushed out and so did Celine and Lucas. Lucas stopped to throw a comment over his shoulder. “Well, if they're still alive, that is.”

They left, laughing like hyenas.

Shiro gasped, his knees buckling. “You need to leave, Rune. They’ve already started burning the building. Take Moon and go.”

Rune shook his head, refusing. “I promised Midnight I wouldn’t leave you alone. He’ll be here soon, I know it. Please just wait it out.”

Shiro shook his head, tears leaking from his eyes. “I can’t, I’m sorry but I’m really afraid. Her power is strong and it’s spreading everywhere.”

Rune shook his head again, refusing to budge. “I won’t leave you, I’m here. Everything will be fine.”

Shiro stood up on shaky legs, pushing Moon into Rune’s arms. “Take Moon and get out. Please, just go. You have to protect Moon.”

The building shook, chunks of the ceiling falling down as smoke started to fill the room. 

“Go, please,” Shiro begged, holding onto Ren’s arm, tears falling freely from his eyes.

Ren nodded and headed to the door that Shiro opened, it led outside. He pushed the sleeping form of Moon through it and slammed the door shut.

Shiro sucked in a breath, surprised. “What? Why would you do that?”

“I promised.” Rune just stared at Shiro.

The fire had spread in, the room rapidly filling with smoke. Rune and Shiro huddled against the fridge on the far wall, both feeling scared as they watched the magic fire creep in.

“Thank you...for being here with me,” Shiro whispered as Rune fell into his lap, barely breathing.

Rune had inhaled most of the smoke in the room and his lungs were burnt quite badly, but his heart was struggling to beat, to keep on living.

“Where are you, Midnight?”

______________________________________________________

Midnight and the others landed on the grass next to the building, Midnight’s eyes still black.

“That’s Moon!” X called out, rushing to the side of a limp Moon, who had begun to wake up.

The building in front of them was on fire, magical fire.

“Celine.” Midnight bit out, anger filling his veins.

He breathed in and lifted up his hands again, sending large gusts of wind to blow out the fire.

Celine looked up and gasped. “Lucas, that...that’s Midnight.”

Lucas turned around and was punched in the stomach by X, falling down. Celine was captured by Angel and Axel handled the other hired goons by using his gun.

“You’re not strong enough to stop my fire, Midnight. But if you agree to marry me, I’ll stop it.” Celine shouted out, serious.

Midnight smiled, showing inhuman teeth, looking less human as time went on and more like a demon. He clapped his hands and the fire stopped, the ground shaking as the building moved for him to enter. 

A little while later, he emerged from the building holding a passed out white bird and a badly burnt body.

“Take them away.” Midnight ordered, looking in disgust at Celine and Lucas. 

He put Shiro on the ground carefully as Moon approached him. 

“Rune’s dead?” She asked, pulling on Midnight's sleeve.

Midnight nodded. “I’ll contact his brother, he was a good kid.”

Moon shook her head. “No, bring him back to life.”

Midnight raised an eyebrow, more like himself now that he had saved Shiro. “It doesn’t work like that Moon. He’s dead, bringing back the dead has horrible consequences.”

Moon shook her head again. “He mustn't die, Midnight. 

Midnight rolled his eyes but nodded, pressing a hand onto Rune’s chest. Using his powers, he literally breathed life into Rune.

Rune gasped as his heart started, beating fast as it raced blood around his body, healing only the most dangerous wounds.

Midnight’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed, seizing as blood spurted out from his eyes, nose and ears.

Angel rushed to him, injecting him with a blue liquid in the throat.

“Contact The Doctor, we’re moving to The Arch.”

Angel’s orders were the last words that Midnight heard, before falling into a deep sleep.