Aurelia

Chapter 1

Patricia's POV

"I wonder what's taking the Captain so long?" Lucas mused out loud after moving his chest piece.

Both Lucas and James had been playing for hours now, lounging in our private common room while waiting for the Captain's return from the Council Meeting.

"It's strange for him to leave you behind, Patricia. He usually takes you with him."

I shrugged, "Maybe it's a private matter."

"Private or not he always has you by his side." Samantha said with furrowed brows as she looked up from her book.

She's right, it's unusual for Zavian to leave me behind, ever since I joined the group I have always accompanied him wherever he goes, whether it's a deadly mission or a private one, I always did my job as his right hand properly.

"There's something serious about this, with the sudden Council meeting and leaving you behind. That's something he won't usually do unless it's a serious matter. The only time I remembered he didn't let you accompany him is when the surprise attack at the Xarex Empire." Samantha further on theorized.

James nodded on his seat, "I agree, I'm still salty about the surprise attack mission though, he could've handled that mission easily with us by his side. But the asshole went on a private mission, tsk."

"That's Captain's way of telling that he can handle things on his own without us by his side. He's hella strong, even with us there, I don't think we can do heavy damage anyways." Lucas chuckled in reply.

The thick old wooden doors suddenly opened, halting their conversation. On the doorway, stood Zavian, the Captain of the Lunar Eclipse. His jet black curly hair laid on top of his head in a devilishly handsome manner, his silver eyes firm and strong as they stared head on.

"Captain, how did the meeting go?"

It was Samantha who greeted him, sitting straighter on her chair while pushing her glasses back up her nose.

With a clenched jaw, he looked at each and one of us in the eye, "Prepare yourselves we're going on a mission."

Standing on attention we quickly moved inside our private chambers, not a moment later, we're already dressed properly when going out on a mission. Everyone is alert and focused.

"Apparently, there's an underground laboratory hidden on earth, it's something their Government had successfully hidden under our noses all this time. What's worse is that there are two siblings there who possess Elemental Magic and they have been treated as objects to experiment on for years." Zavian said through clenched teeth.

A gasp of horror came out from me, people like us intend not to get captured by scientists because of their cruelty and thirst to understand our Element. I couldn't even imagine the torment they had to go through for those years that they were inside that laboratory.

"Where to, Captain?" James questioned as he prepared to open his portal.

"No need for that, the Council has taken care of everything." He took an envelope from his pocket, "We are to stand in for the Council, we will go there as representatives to check the laboratory out and their newest technology that's when we'll take the two out of that hell."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Samantha, once we're there, gather all the information you can get that we can use against us, and also get the two prisoners' backgrounds." Zavian began with Samantha.

"Yes, Captain."

He turned his determined silver eyes on me, "We two will talk with their Head, just like the normal. While Lucas and James pretend to be one of the nurses to hopefully smooth things out more."

"Did I make myself clear?"

We salute as we respond, "Yes, Sir!"

He nodded, satisfied. He took a plain rock out of his pocket and held it in front of us. It wasn't long before it started glowing and we can feel the tingling sensations on our bodies.

When I opened my eyes, we stood on a mountain, the tall trees surrounding us. There's a small house in front of us, if my guess is right, this is the entrance to their underground laboratory.

"Prepare yourselves." Captain said as the door opened two men in lab gowns stood in front of us.

"Welcome, our precious guests. You're the representatives of the Lilura Council right?" One of them greeted with a wide grin.

Zavian sharply nodded his head in response. I cleared my throat and stepped forward, "This is Captain Zavian Silver of the Lunar Eclipse. I am Patricia Rivera, the second in command of the Lunar Eclipse. We're sent by the Council to see the newest invention of technology that you have in store for us."

"Ah, yes! Yes, of course. The new inventions that we made for Doctor Daelyn. Please come this way." He led us towards the house, James, Samantha and Lucas himself came unnoticed by the scientist because of his illusion.

We went inside, it looked like a normal home, passerby wouldn't expect that a hidden underground lab would be in here. We went into the hidden elevator of this small house, something you wouldn't even be shocked to know about since this place is run by Scientists.

"Would the two of you like to see around the lab for a while or get on with the new inventions?" The same guy from before asked nervously.

"Yes, I'm quite in the mood to stroll around for a while inside this... marvelous laboratory of yours. I wonder what kind of experiments you make here, Doctor.."

"Doctor Theo, Captain Zavian." The doctor finished for him, since they didn't properly introduce themselves. Looks like years of staying here makes you forget your manners.

"Ah, yes, yes. We'd love to show the both of you around." Doctor Theo once again continued nervously, it was obvious that they're hiding something. He then leaned in towards his companion, "Everything's alright with Code A13W20 and Code A08W04?" He murmured under his breath that didn't go unnoticed by us.

The elevator door opened and we were led into a room that's supposed to be for visitors. Zavian sat down with grace, crossing his arms on his chest and so as his legs. I sat beside him silently.

"I'll go get Head Doctor Drul." Dr. Theo nodded in response. We were silent as we watched him go through a different door. The rest of our team following behind him still unnoticed.

"So," Zavian drew in a bored tone. "What have you invented that won't waste our time coming here?"

"Ahh, yes, yes. We've managed to create a few inventions that have something to do with ice. It's a great technology that we created really, took us a lot of time to create." Dr. Theo boasted with pride.

I tensed on my seat as I felt Zavian's growing anger. "Really now?" His voice went deeper and harsher, Doctor Theo could feel the tension in the air as the aura around Zavian changed. 

I cleared my throat to ease the tension, "Perhaps you should serve us something? I didn't know that the long years of science had affected the brain to forget proper manners." I casually said as I looked around the room.

"Ah, yes! My apologies, I'll be back right away." Dr. Theo immediately left the room, pleased that he got away from Captain even for a moment.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

After making sure that Doctor Theo had left the room and there was nothing that could eavesdrop on us, he unclenched his jaw.

"The reason why I didn't bring you today was because the meeting is confidential. Remember when the Zaveri Manor got burned down and that the body of King Zacharias and Queen Alisandra has been found dead? At the same time the Princess and Prince have gone missing because Viradale was too late to send out their warriors?"

My brows knitted together, "Yes, what about it?"

"Twelve years ago, they went missing. The two siblings that were taken here have been around for twelve years. It's not that hard to put two and two together isn't it?"

I can feel the anger rising on my body that I had to take deep breaths and clench my fists together. "Don't tell me they're the missing Zaveri? If they ever did something inhumane to them I swear I won't leave this place unscratched." I forced out to greet teeth.

Zavian nodded in response, "Yes, it was bad enough that they were able to hide it under our noses but the fact that they've been experimenting those two for years are unforgivable even if it comes out that they weren't the ones who we think they are."

Our conversation came to a halt when the door opened once again and came to Dr. Theo with a tray in his hand. He served our tea silently with a forced smile on his face. Not a moment later, a man who looked like he's in his mid fifty came into the room with a crazed look in his eye.

"Sorry about the delay, I had important things that needed to be checked before coming here. I am Doctor Drul, pleased to meet you."

He handed his hand out to shake, Zavian looked at it for a moment with disdain in his silver eyes before shaking his hands with him. "Captain Zavian Silver of the Lunar Eclipse." He's cold and flat tone went unnoticed by Doctor Drul.

He then turned his eyes towards me that sent shivers down my spine, the way he looked at me like I was some kind of new specimen for him to inspect made the hairs on the end of my head stand. 

With a forced smile, I introduced myself. "Patricia Rivera, Second in Command of the Lunar Eclipse."

Like Zavian, he shook his hands with mine, "Interesting.."

Suddenly, there's a loud crash from somewhere on this underground laboratory that immediately made Zavian and I stand on alert.

"What's going on?" Doctor Theo looked worried as he nervously stood.

"Something must have gone wrong with one of the things in the laboratory. Please wait for a while as I check the error." Doctor Drul announced he was already walking towards the door.

"Wait," He stopped on his step when Zavian's cold and harsh voice pierced through the air. "My Second in Command and myself will accompany you. We're sent by the Council to look how things are progressing under this hidden laboratory. Whether you like it or not, we have the rights to look at the labs without any delay and objections."

Doctor Drul's eyebrow twitched twice before forcing a smile on his face, "Is that so? This way then."

We followed Doctor Drul out of that room and into the hallway where the ruckus seemed to grow louder by the second, the drop of temperature on the area is likely to be noted. The cold became worse the second we wandered towards the end of the hallway, to the point where we could see our breaths through the air.

We saw the metal doors at the end of the hallway, it looked like it had been frozen with the cold smoke of ice coming from beneath and the walls were literally frosted.

My brows furrowed when I saw Doctor Drul's shoulder shake before he muttered in his breath with pure delight, "Wonderful.."

"Step aside..."

Doctor Drul quickly followed, Zavian went forward, he kicked the metal doors that burst open immediately with ease. Harsh snow welcomed us the moment the doors were open, for some strange reason, a blizzard was present inside the laboratory.

"Ahh! Such a wonderful scene before me! I've been waiting to see this for years!" Doctor Drul said with glee as he went inside. Both Captain and I followed quickly and that's when we saw the true horror the laboratory held.

All the apparatus and things they use inside the lab are scattered everywhere, the whole room covered in ice and snow due to the blizzard above our heads. Majority of the scientist lay dead on the ground, their whole body frozen it almost looked like they're sculptures made of ice. Some of the scientists that's able to survive from the harsh blizzard barely hang on with their lives as the cold immediately eat them up. There where various of glass room that held nurses and scientist that manage to escape into safety, the glass room they where in seemed unaffected by the blizzard and ice. One of the glass room held a boy with his arms held by two nurses with one of them had a knife through his neck threateningly. The boy have such fine features, with his right eye the perfect shade of ocean blue while his left eye is literally a golden clock that if you looked closely, the arms of the clock are actually moving. A red streak from crying blood also adorned his pale cheek.

On the other side of the room came a feminine pained scream from someone. Her screams hurt to the ears not because of the loud sound but from the agony and sorrow that comes with it, her scream spoke volumes that no one will ever understand. A mixture of hurt, pain, betrayal, and agony.

My heart broke at the sight in front of me, she's locked into a steel chair, trashing madly trying to get out from her restraints that already caused her skin to bruise, her screams rang out through the whole laboratory. As her screams grew louder, the harsher the blizzard became it was almost unbearable, the temperature was also quickly dropping down.

That girl with messy raven hair that's helplessly locked into the chair with the palest of skin and fragile body is the one who's causing all this cold.

They're the captives of this sick hell.

---

Aurelia's POV

I couldn't help but scream from the pain that I'm feeling, there was something about this glass room that they locked me in. I tried breaking free from my restraints, trashing madly to get away from that steel chair that makes me feel like I'm being stabbed by thousands of knives.

With half lidded eyes, I could see the snow storm all around me, it's the exact same thing that I did years ago that made us captives in this nightmare. The only difference however, is that back then, the cold didn't hurt me, but now it feels like I'm also being attacked by the coldness.

"Help..." I managed to croak out the words despite the pain.

Across the room, inside another glass room I could see Axel being held on both arms with a knife on his neck. Tears swelled up in my eyes, I'm always so useless. I couldn't even save nor help my little brother.

"Finally, the moment I've been waiting for!" My midnight eyes focused on the man in front of me, Dr. Drul stood in front of me wearing a body suit that's unaffected by the ice all around us.

"Who knew that only a little bit of pain from your brother can trigger such powers? Now that I know your weakness, there's no escaping now." He literally purred with that same crazed look in his eyes.

"Please... Don't hurt him. I... I'll agree to what you want, just don't... Don't hurt him!" I couldn't help but sob.

I've already long accepted my fate here in this underground laboratory, I'll never be able to see the outside again, I'll die here as their guinea pig.

"We can't have that can we? Just like you, Code A08W04 has many more to show us, according to our research about his clock eye, his powers have something to do with... Time. Do you know how many centuries we've been researching in order to manipulate time? Now that we have it in our hands why would we give it up?" With a cruel smirk on his face he gripped my jaw with force making me wince. "I don't have to agree with any of your conditions, because whether you like it or not... We will continue the experiments on the both of you."

"Not on my watch." A deep husky voice from someone foreign suddenly rang out behind Dr. Drul.

Before I could even blink, Dr. Drul was already flying across the room because he was hit with such force. I could only stare in disbelief as the glass wall broke from the strong impact of his body.

"Don't worry, I made sure my kick isn't as strong to actually kill him."

I let out a shaky breath as I slowly raised my gaze to see who was in front of me. He wore strange grey clothes that's unusual to my eyes, I've only seen white lab gowns all through my life. He has jet black curly hair and a strong jaw. His silver eyes met mine, it feels like the whole room had stalled because of his intense eyes that I've never seen before.

He's different from the people I always see in the labs. Surprisingly, he looked good, the only good thing I've ever seen since forever. Strangely enough, someone as good looking as him doesn't suit to be here on the underground.

Feeling the shift of the atmosphere, he looked around for a minute before returning his silver eyes on mine. "You've finally calmed down."

I didn't understand what he meant until I noticed that the blizzard was no longer to be seen anywhere. Instead, there's a small snow falling everywhere softly.

I immediately flinched away when he moved towards me, his brow slightly furrowed at my actions. He removed my restraints with ease, surprising me. Why would he let me free? Or are they actually taking me away to a new laboratory to experiment on since the whole place had been destroyed? Is he going to use me for his own gains?

"Relax, I won't hurt you." My body froze at his words. He's looking straight into my eyes. What is he talking about? He won't hurt me? Lies. I've long since known not to trust anyone. I won't fall for such sugar coated words.

"Captain! I've successfully taken the boy, he's unharmed and well. He just passed out from exhaustion, apparently he's weak." The man who's called as Captain moved to the side. That's when I saw Axel in the arms of a woman who's also dressed on grey clothes similar to the person called Captain.

"A... Axel.." I croaked as I tried to stand with shaky legs, but immediately fell on the ground.

The woman with brown straight hair that stopped at her waist with strange purple eyes looked at me worriedly. "Are you alright? Don't worry he's safe. You're safe. We'll get you out of here."

My heart warmed at her words, she's asking if I'm alright. It's been years since someone asked me how I am. There's a twinge of hope inside of me that's hoping that her words are true.

For just this once, I hope that she's not lying like the others. Please... I beg you.. get us out of here...

As if hearing my thoughts, she smiled at me, the first genuine smile I've ever seen besides Axel. I'm used to their cruel smirks and taunting smiles that it's unusual for my eyes. "We're here to help you and your brother. No one deserves such cruelty."

Another girl approached beside her who looked younger than the rest. She had black wavy hair with bangs, she also wore glasses and the same grey outfit like the rest of them. "Captain, I've gathered all the information on Code A13W20 and Code A08W04 and so as the other data on the lab."

Gathered information on Code A13W20 and Code A08W04? Those are our codes! What are they planning to do? Are they going to transfer us to another hell much worse than here? If so I'll make sure that Axel escapes from here even if I have to die.

The person they call Captain nodded his head, "Good. Make sure everything's settled. Burn this place down, we will guarantee that no one will suffer the same faith again. Patricia, you know what to do. Tell Lucas to send an illusion to the Government that a failed experiment happened that caused a great explosion that destroyed this whole place down. Inform James to ready our transportation. We will return to Viradale at once to get these two taken care of."

The both of them nodded, "Yes, Captain."

"Samantha, take care of that boy while I settle her down." The girl named Samantha carried Axel on her back with ease while the one named Patricia went towards me.

"Don't worry, you can finally rest now." Before I could flinch away from her touch, the world around me had gone dark and I could feel myself falling but before I could lose my consciousness, I felt strong hands that catched me from my fall.

---

Patricia's POV

The mission was a success, we managed to get the two of them out of that hell. Luckily, we were able to get them easily, the distraction from earlier was enough for us to have things under our control. Without a doubt, Zavian burned that place down to ash until nothing came out of it. Of course, the Government was furious with the report, but they couldn't really do anything against us. After all, it was one of our people that they held captive there when it was against our law, one wrong move and the alliance with the humans could've gone downhill.

Healing her bruised form as best as I could, I can't help but pity them. Years of being forced to stay on that hell must've been a nightmare. The things they forcefully did to them are enough to lose my appetite.

After making sure she's alright and that she won't feel any pain when she wakes up I silently left the room we had for her.

"How are they?" James asked as I walked down the stairs.

"They're fine for now, I don't know what will happen if they wake up so we better prepare ourselves. Their mental state isn't stable at the moment."

"Of course, who wouldn't after becoming those sick bastards guinea pig?" He scoffed at the thought of those Scientists.

"Yes, especially Dr. Drul, he's kinda off." Lucas further on commented. "By the way Captain, what happened to him?"

All eyes went towards Zavian who's standing over the window with a far look in his eyes, "He's held as a prisoner, he committed a grave sin against our kind. What he did is far beyond injustice."

"Suites him right." James said with a snort.

"Samantha, what have you gathered in their lab?" Zavian questioned from his spot on the window.

I sat beside James on the couch while Lucas leaned on the table not far away from us, wiping his beloved Divine Weapon's blade.

Samantha cleared her throat before speaking. "Code A13W20 means Aurelia Winter, date of birth on February thirteen. She was taken in by a woman who sold the both of them to the auction house where her Element was first known. Apparently, something happened on the auction that triggered her to use her hidden Element, she too didn't know such a thing existed inside her. After that, authorities took hold of her and arrested her for her supposed 'crimes' of murdering everyone in that room when it was simply self defense. She wasn't given a proper trial of some sort because of her innocence; she didn't know how things worked around her thus, the Government took advantage of this. Thinking that the two siblings were a way for them to somehow win against us if things went downhill, they tried to learn of their supposed Element. However, only a little progress has been made through the years because of Miss Winter's refusal to use her Element."

Pushing her glasses back at her nose she continued on, "Code A08W04, Axel Winter, date of birth: April eight. He was still a year old when they were brought to the auction house. All the responsibilities fell on his sister's shoulders. The Government didn't know if Mister Winter also possessed the same Element as her sister yet they decided to bring him to the laboratory along with his sister until signs of his Element arose. It was a simple sign that made the Scientists realize that he wasn't different from his sister, his left eye started to painfully change through the years and the scientists made close inspection to it until it became the golden clock eye it is now. Their research concludes that his Element has something to do with time despite not seeing it themselves. His lack of progress with his Element made them focus on her sister more since she's clearly capable of using it. It was also Dr. Drul that started this whole research team for the siblings."

James growled, "Those fuckers!"

I nodded, "This is a severe offense that they had done, I don't bet the Council will let this pass just easily."

"I agree," Zavian's cool voice rang out strongly through the room. "The Council will take immediate action for this, the Government will pay deeply. They might be eliminated if the results are positive."

"What results?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Tests if Aurelia Winter and Axel Winter are the missing Zaveri." Samantha commented nonchalantly.

"No way!" The three of us exclaimed at the same time.

"The missing Royalties?" Lucas asked while his jaw dropped slightly.

"Yes, but this case must remain confidential at all costs. No one is to know what they really are. Things are only starting to get better for them, if news came out that they're alive..." Zavian trailed off already knowing what he meant.

Gulping the slump on my throat, the idea of everyone finding out is indeed a bad one. I don't think those two can handle those things yet.

"Now that you mention it, their last names are Winter and the girl also possesses the Ice Element. We all know the only person that could possibly have those."

"Yes, Queen Alisandra Winter. The Winter Family, the only Water Element users that can turn their water into ice. The blessing of the Water Goddess."

"If their last names are Winter, wouldn't people start to put two and two together if they see her use her Ice Element?" James questioned with furrowed brows.

"Yes, that indeed is quite a problem. But the Council has already thought of a solution to that problem. Whatever it is, it's still unknown." Zavian finally removed his gaze from the window, looking at each and one of us.

"But one thing is certain, they're to study under Viradale Academy."

---

Aurelia's POV

I slowly opened my eyes, the first thing I notice is the unfamiliar room I'm in. It's large and different from the usual room I'm locked up in back in the lab. That prison was plain and simple with white walls and a single bed, that place doesn't hold any interest of some sort. While this room I'm in, it has so many unusual things.

The wall is a light shade of cream, with actual furnitures everywhere. The center of the room has the bed where I'm currently laying, there were also two bedside tables on either side of the bed with two lampshades. On the left side of the room, there's a set of couches, a coffee table and the walls are filled with book shelves. While on the left side held two doors, a vanity table and a big glass doors which the sunlight passes through.

"You're finally awake." That same deep voice of a man from before caught my attention. That's when I noticed him leaning on the wall beside the glass doors with his arms crossed at his chest.

Pushing myself to sit I asked, "Where am I? Where's my brother, Axel? How is he? Where is he?"

"Calm down, you're currently at Viradale. Your brother's in the next room outside. He's perfectly well, although he's still resting." Came his nonchalant response.

I breathe out a sigh of relief for once.

"Why are we here?"

"Because the both of you are now my responsibilities. We saved you. I helped you. You two will stay here at Viradale Academy and would be given free and proper education like you should've gotten years ago."

My gaze fell on my hands that's resting on my lap, "Why?"

"Why, you ask?" He questioned with one brow rising.

"Why did you save us? Why did you help me?"

"Simple," he said with an amuse look in his eyes as he pushed himself off the wall. "It's our job to save our people."

I looked up at him confused, "Your people?"

He nodded, "We're no different from you, Aurelia. Just like you and your brother, we hold the same power the Government is so fascinated with?"

My eyebrows rise in shock, "Same with us? Then... You're no different from the monster they think we are..."

He chuckled, "We're no monsters, Aurelia. We're different. Gifted by the Gods and Goddesses themselves. It's not our fault that they're born... ordinary."

Removing my gaze away from his silver eyes, I look down on my lap once more. "Then what are we, exactly?"

"People like us are called Enchanted. We live in a world called Vlatka Lilura, we Enchanted don't belong to the human world because of our differences. It's really quite unfortunate that the both of you ended up in that world. Our Elements are too great for them to understand."

"Elements?"

"Yes, the power you possess. It's called Elemental Magic here on Lilura. You have the Element of Ice. While your brother has the Element of Time."

"Element... So that's what this curse is called."

The corner of his lips twitched, "Curse?"

"Yes, a curse!" I suddenly burst out laughing, shocking him for a moment before it returned to his collected reaction. "Someone like you who didn't suffer the same faith as me wouldn't understand."

He remained silent as he watched me under his silver gaze. I must've looked crazy in his eyes, laughing wildly until it turned down.

Before I knew it, my shoulders were already shaking, tears rolling freely down my cheeks. "I just want to be free..." I choked back a sob.

My form stilled when I felt smooth gentle fingers held my chin, raising my head to meet his silvery gaze.

"What do you want?" He murmured in his strong and deep voice.

There was something about his eyes that made me submit to him, made me tell what I actually want. His silver gaze makes me calm my nerves for the slightest. With tears still rolling down my cheeks, with a broken whisper I said what my heart had been longing to do for years.

"I want to see the world outside..."

He nodded before gently releasing my chin, he reached down to grab both of my hands that's clenching the sheets.

"Come, I'll show you the world outside of these walls." He smiled as he pulled me up to my feet. He looks really good when he's smiling, I can see the dimples on his cheek clearly, unlike when he's talking where it can barely be seen.

This man in front of me, who I only know of as 'Captain' since that's what they call him. I know in my mind that I shouldn't trust him. Humans lie without a second thought. But are we still even human? Can I really call myself that when I'm clearly different from them? He said that we're called Enchanted. People who were blessed with Elemental Magic. My mind keeps telling me not to trust this man, and I know I won't. But there's a part of me, that's willingly trusting him for a slightest bit and I'm determined to not let that trust grow, I will crush it before it has a chance.

"Close your eyes..." I felt his warm breath on my ear, my hands clenching on his own, my head flinching away immediately. Of course I didn't do as he says, I didn't trust him one bit.

But I'm glad I didn't.

My eyes grew wide when I saw tendrils of darkness with a tinge of purple encircled around the both of us, the darkness swallowing the both of us in an instant. My breath hitched on my throat when I couldn't see anything but darkness for a minute. Is this actually it? Another betrayal I had to go through? Another pain? Where will this lead me this time? If so, I'm glad that I'm alone to suffer this. I don't want Axel to experience the same pain ever again. If I'm going to die today, my only regret is that I wasn't able to see--

My thoughts stopped twirling inside my mind the moment the cocoon made of darkness slowly retracted away. The scene in front of me made me take a step backwards.

All around me, fresh green grass that covered all the ground, trees that are taller than me, the leaves dancing with the wind that keeps on blowing my raven hair away. We were on top of a hill, where I could clearly see everything. Houses all over the ground not far away from this hill, there's a lot of them. From this distance the people looked like ants on how far away we are from them. The sky is a mixed color of orange, yellow and red.

I didn't notice the tear that rolled down my cheek. "So this is what the outside looked like... It's so vibrant... It's far more than my imaginations could ever think."

"I'm glad you like it." He stood beside me, "It isn't right to get your freedom taken away from you. So, from now on, under my command as the Captain of the Lunar Eclipse. You, Aurelia Winter, are now free."

For the first time I looked at him clearly, he's really different from the rest. He doesn't have any attention to harming us. He's looking straight into my eyes as if to get his point across, that I'm actually free.

Free to do whatever I want, free from pain, free from the suffering, free from everything that's been keeping me locked up.

I can't keep up with his silver eyes anymore so I looked away, his eyes held so many promising words that I couldn't name.

"T-Thank you..."

A moment of silence passed between us before he spoke again.

"The sun that's going down over the horizon, it's called a sunset. It only happens at the end of every day. It's the only time of the day where everything would be covered with it's golden rays." He said while pointing towards the sun that's already setting over the horizon.

"A sunset... It's beautiful."

"Indeed, it is wonderful."

Our eyes met, his silver gaze connecting with my midnight ones.

"Thank you, for getting us out of there. Thank you for showing me the world."

He smiled once again, that smile that made me feel something strange inside of me. "This is only a glimpse of the world, Aurelia. There's still so many more for you to see. I can show all of that to you, but only if you agree to stay at Viradale. You have the choice to choose, you're free to do whatever you please."

"Viradale... What is that?" I c****d my head to the side.

"It's a school, Viradale Academy. It's where Enchanted people like us go to study. Viradale helps us to know more about our Element and to control it properly. They also give proper education."

"A school huh? That would be nice. I've never been to one."

"You can stay, you know. Viradale isn't that bad, you can study there as much as you want and you can know more about your Element. Viradale can be your home too like how it is also my home."

"A home..." I recalled having one before. My home that got burned. I don't know if I'd like to have one. What if my home gets burned once again?

"Elements aren't a curse, it's a gift that enables us to protect those special to us, Aurelia."

"How can you say that?" I scoffed at the thought. To me, this power isn't near a gift nor a blessing. It's a curse that led me to where we are.

"Elements aren't just some power. If used properly, it can save those special to us. Just like how you saved your brother countless times. Just like you, I also use my Element for others. In fact, my Element brought us here to this wonderful scene."

Pursing my lips I didn't respond. I don't know what to think of with that response.

He sighed when he noticed I had no plans of responding. "We should probably head back." He turned, already walking away.

"W-Wait!" I grabbed the back of his coat gently, he seemed surprised at my actions. When he turned around, I didn't meet his eyes. "C-Can we stay a little bit l-longer?"

When I finally raised my eyes to look at him, I found his silver eyes already looking at me softly. That small smile appearing on his face once again.

"Alright."

---

Patricia's POV

"Oh, you're already awake." I quickly looked up from the file I've been reading. Samantha's leaning over the bed where Axel Winter's sleeping peacefully.

Pushing himself to sit with one of his hands covering his left eye, he looked around the room confused. "Where am I?"

I set the file down on the coffee table, approaching him with a gentle smile. "You're at Viradale, Axel. Don't worry everything's alright now. Both you and your sister can finally be free."

"Aurelia, where is she?" He looked around in panic, searching for his sister.

Samantha put her hand on his shoulder to calm him, "She's in the room next door, still sleeping."

"Are you alright? Is your left eye in pain?" He still had his hand over his eye.

As if only realizing what he's doing, he let his hand fall on his lap, "Y-Yes, I'm fine."

He looked up towards me, his eyes widening a bit, making me see his golden clock eye clearly. It's really fascinating to look at. "I remember you, you're the one who helped me."

I chuckled, "Indeed I am."

"Y-You saved us didn't you?"

"Not just her, it's us." Across the room, James interjected with an aloof grin on his face.

Axel blushed lightly, "My apologies. I really want to thank all of you for saving us. I'm in your debt."

"It's no problem, it's our job after all." James replied, his cheeky grin still present in his face.

"The person who deserves your thanks more than us is Captain. He's the one who arranged the mission and made it possible after all." Samantha pushed her glasses back up her nose.

"I see, I'm truly grateful. If not for any of you... My sister..." Axel's shoulder shook lightly as he tried not to cry. "She would've still continued to suffer. I don't want to see her in pain anymore."

"Axel, do you know what happened years ago before you two were brought into the lab?" I know that their wounds are still fresh, but we need to gather as much information as possible for the both of them, that's the only way we can help with their situation.

He shook his head, "No, ever since I've been a toddler we've always been in the laboratory. Aurelia and I grew up with the same white walls everyday, same lab gowns, apparatus, injections, and the same painful experiments everyday."

"What are these experiments, Axel?"

"It's when they try to do things with our body, it's always painful when they do that. They would get into our minds, or try searching for the source of these strange powers that we have. Although I don't often get to have those experiments, they would always do research about my left eye. Their attention wasn't divided equally, they would focus a lot more on my sister because I lack any signs that could progress their research." He clenched his fist, a tear rolling down his cheek. "I always hated myself for that, because of my lack of progress, Aurelia had to suffer."

"I can still remember when they would drag her inside one of those glass rooms and forcefully do things to her body. They tried many things, even going as far to torture my sister. But she's always so stubborn, she never uses her powers unless I'm in danger. It was her weakness that we desperately tried to hide. Everyday, I could see the dead look in her eyes, as if she's fed up with life and just barely hanging on. That's why I'm truly grateful for each and everyone of you. I hope that someday, the warmth in her eyes will finally return."

I moved closer towards Axel, pulling him towards me on a comforting hug. The corner of my eyes was already wet, such pain that they had to suffer through and it aches my heart. He sobbed on my shoulder, returning my warm embrace.

James and Samantha are also looking down on the ground, I know they can feel Axel's pain through his cries.

How unfortunate that they still have a long way ahead of them, still full of suffering.

But this time, as the Second in Command of the Lunar Eclipse, we will make sure to be with them through every step of the way.

---

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