To Be One

Chapter 4: Stop the Rain

Chapter 4: Stop The Rain

The sound of running coming from Janine and Edward to a narrow street to the park is battling against their heartbeat, together with the heavy rain and extreme disturbance, Edward's grip is still tight. They turned left and Janine felt his speed increasing, ignoring that she couldn't keep up with him. She can't stop feeling uncomfortable because of his movements.

"Edward?" Janine decided to speak but then he just kept on running.

"There is no time for me to explain everything, we need to hurry," She just looked at his back, he didn't even bother to look at her, he was just running. They turned right and passed down the alley of food stalls. For every turn they made, Janine kept on noticing the same thing, there were no people around.

"Stop!" He turned around and was catching his breath. Janine was doing the same thing but a lot of things in her mind are really not helping.

"I told you I don't have the time to explain everything," Janine looked up to him, his height is much taller than hers, a six footer but that is not a hindrance for her to look at him in his ores.

"But what is that everything? Are you expecting me to stay in silence? Yes I talk less than other people but this?" She pointed at the g*n he gave her. "Do you really think I'll stay quiet? Why do you have things like this? What is happening? I am not so sure about you now, are you hiding something from me?" She asked those questions without giving any period to it. A lightning flashed in the dark sky as the rain still fell. That is when she saw his frustrated yet handsome face.

"Are you hiding something? Do I need to be afraid of you? Answer me," her voice cracked. Right now, all she think is that she have doubts about him.

She was so nervous.

"Just follow me please," Edward's about to take her hand, but she forcibly took it against his and she gave him a look.

"Just one answer, all I need is a single answer from you," he turned away acting so frustrated, holding his nose bridge up to his forehead.

"Janine!" His voice was loud and his brows furrowed and the raging sound of thunder made her shut up. Janine was surprised because of his actions. He let out a deep sigh, and she just looked away and became even more frustrated.

He tried to calm down. "I'm sorry. Can you please? Just trust me this time!" He pleaded. She can see how serious he is as his brown hair drenched in rain, and reflected it in his turquoise orbs.

"But why should it be at this point? Using this g*n?!" Janine's not really fond of shouting but the situation right, it's making her do it so. She really don't want to argue with him but in this case, simple answers and words cannot fix this.

"Wait! Edward!" Again, Edward held her hand without her permission.

"I don't have much time to argue with you, our friends are in danger and I need to be there, there is no use if I will tell you the reason, you will not believe me after all. It is much better if you will see it with your own two eyes."

'Our friends?' Janine thought.

He is still pulling her, forcing her to run with him. She didn't stop from protesting but it was futile so she just let him. At the end, she gave up and was following his lead.

"I don't really know what you're up to, but I'm trusting you this time," she said in a low tone voice.

'The moment earlier I saw his frustrated face when I felt so scared. I do not know but I can see the fear in his eyes. He is good at hiding his emotion but what happened earlier made me see a different side of him. That was the first time I saw him in that mask. A mask where only the saddest and afraid people wear. I wanna ask for more about everything he's muttering cause I'm worried sick but for now I'll push aside this thought and trust him.'

They continued to run, this time the route they're heading is familiar, the passed the small cafe where they used to spend their free time after school, they're almost near.

"After this," Edward looked at his back. His grip is getting tighter and she can feel it shaking."After everything, will you promise me that you will never leave me?" Janine was caught off guard, she suddenly felt a heavy feeling in my chest.

"Why are you saying this? Why are you acting so weird?" She waited for a few moments before he answered...

"Just wait and you will see... Everything," he muttered those words with his saddened eyes. Janine so unsure of what is happening, but just like what she said earlier, she will trust him on this.

'I will trust him.'

They made their final turn and the park welcomed them along with the thick fog, as the rain continued. They're trying to do the impossible by observing everything around them but the fog hides all of the things that can be seen. She noticed Edward's movement became quiet. They stopped walking until they reached a shelter near the playground area. He held het on her shoulders and gave her a stern look.

"Stay here. Don't follow me and hold onto this," he pulled out the g*n from his coat's pocket. Janine was hesitant to hold it. It's cold and dangerous.

"If you're in danger, don't think twice and use it immediately," she nodded at him. He rushed in some direction, she was just following his sight until it disappeared in the fog.

*****

The heavy feeling that Jade has been carrying was never fading. She was still scared of blonde guy, but what bothers her also is the confession they just said.

Even though the fog was so thick she noticed that Yujin disappeared. She felt something odd.

'He's safe right? I just have to believe in that.'

She looked at Pearl and started to think. She know she's scared, and but she need to find Yujin as well. She just can't lay down there and do nothing!

In these trying times, the thought of Yujin disappearing forever scares her.

"I don't have the time to waste!" Jade stood up, making her realize the mud on her knees.

'I'm sorry Pearl but I need to do this. I'll go back to you after I find Yujin.'

She made her move slowly and quietly so that she wouldn't be noticed and when she had enough distance she tried to run. Even with the fog, at least she's familiar with the place, she thought that Yujin couldn't be far away, she just know it.

The heavy rain made the soil soft and it made her stumble and lose her balance, tasting the mud, but that wouldn't made her waver. She stood up and tried to run again, this time she was calling for his name.

"Yujin! Yujin!" Jade's voice broke for how loud she was doing it, there's still no answer. She tried to move into places until she lost her sense of direction, the fog was too thick and she became helpless. Still, no one answered her except the roar of thunder.

"Where are you? Please answer me," she stopped when she noticed a silhouette near her, that must be him! Even though she’s scared and not sure, she tried to reach the figure.

"Yujin!" He turned to me and was really surprised.

"Jade, what are you doing here?!" His reaction can't be painted. To finally be able to be with him, she never felt this relief in like forever.

"I thought you disappeared, I just came to look for you, are you okay?" she never thought what I would feel if he was in danger.

"Jade..." he whispered with his soft voice, then he felt something and looked in a direction, averted to the figure near them.

'Who is that?' Jade looked at him and the immense cautiousness in his amber-red eyes is bothering her. She never see him like this, he's always loud and impatient, but now he's so different.

They’re still staring at it, and it's walking towards them. A man appeared, she was expecting the blonde guy but it’s a different person, with his moss-green hair and pale skin, his body that is a little bit smaller, and the same armor they saw earlier. He'd be really attractive if it wasn't for those lilac eyes of his which seemed filled with hatred.

"You know that my answer is no," Yujin said out of nowhere, he was just staring at the guy in front of them, sensing that he is one of those guys who would like to take Yujin back. The guy doesn't have an answer and no expression as well. He raised his hand and was still looking at them, he's planning to do something!

He stood there and without a blink of an eye, he was able to punch Yujin on his face. Jade’s eyes widened as she saw him hitting Yujin, his speed is something that a human eye cannot see. He punched Yujin again in his face twice and then on his ribs hard, making him hit the muddy ground gasping.

"Yujin!" Jade screamed in horror. He was about to stand up but even before he could do it, the man slugged him hard on the jaw, making him roll around the mud again. He spit out some blood but again before he could even react, the man randomly struck him everywhere, his legs, his chest, arms, and even his stomach. He even kicked him with a final blow.

"Please! Stop it!" The tears from Jade’s eyes are coming out. She can't bear to see him like this, him being bruised and battered all over.

The man stopped from attacking and looked at how pitiful Yujin was, who could barely stand. "Daniel is right, you've become weaker." The man said, Jade’s knees are shaking and can't move!

"Are you really willing to sacrifice your life? Come with us and no one will be hurt."

Even with all the damage he received, Yujin managed to smirk.

‘Why? How can you still do this? You don't need to risk your life for me.’ Jade asked in her mind as she held both of her hands in fear.

"F-for what?" Yujin answered, breathing heavily. "I'm sorry Jinyoung, but I'll choose to stay here and protect her even if my life is on the line!"

Jade couldn’t utter anything. She didn't know tears were already dripping from her eyes.

"Yujin," she whispered.

The man kneeled in front of him. "There are things that we couldn't reach as much as we want to, and that includes you! We cannot disobey the rules of our own and because of that you will be punished!" The anger and the hatred can be felt in his deep voice. Yujin is struggling to stand up but with all the fatal blows he received, he just couldn't.

"But not now," he warned. Suddenly the fog thickened until Jade could see nothing.

"We will see each other again," was the only word she heard from the man. Jade just ignored it and immediately looked for Yujin.

"Yujin?! Yujin?! Where are you?!" she shouted and continued to search, as she stumbled on something while walking. She immediately looked at what it was. Shewas shocked when she noticed that it was him.

"Yujin!" she shouted, he was now lying on the grass and struggling with the pain, he was now holding his cheek and Jade saw that it was bruised, her tears were dripping as she carefully lay him on her lap, supporting his head.

"I-I'm sorry," he stuttered, with his apologetic eyes. "I'm weak."

Jade shook her head. "You don't have to be sorry, okay? Everything is alright," she wiped off the tears on her face and smiled at him.

"You are not weak, you have only been true to your feelings and you have faced your fears strongly."

The rain gradually subsided until the thick mist had become thin. He had no answer and that's when she decided to help him get up.

*****

The heavy rain continued as Pearl’s whole body was trembling not because of the cold, but because of fear. Fear that it is getting worse because of what is happening, the fog is getting thinner, it is better, the clearer it will be for her eyes to see what is happening.

"We need to help them-" Pearl stopped speaking then turned to where she believed Jade was. ‘She is no longer here, where is she?’

"Jade?!" She shouted her name but no one answered. She held both her hands and secretly wished that all that was happening to them is not true, the attempt to kill Noctis by the blonde haired man Daniel who's claiming that they're from another world, Yujin and Jade disappearing. She hope this is just a nightmare.

She asked for those things as the fog kept getting thinner, she was surprised by what she saw. The man holding the sword is now approaching Noctis, Noctis is sitting on the grass while his hand is on his right arm bearing the wound.

"D-Daniel stop, you are not like this," Noctis seems to be having a hard time with his situation.

Pearl no longer knew what to do, to see the person she loved in danger was more than she could ever imagine.

Daniel was approaching Noctis, and Pearl resisted the nervousness and fear that had previously ruled over her, she slowly forced her nervous body to move. She know by the time he gets closer, his sword will end the life of the person she love. Tears were dripping down on her face, she was running to where they were but she was still so far away from him.

"Noctis!" She shouted while running, she ran faster, even though she was soaking wet in the rain it seemed like she just ignored all that because she just focused her full attention on the man she love. The tip of the sword was about to strike him but before he could approach, a man stopped it.

Pearl stopped running and was stunned by what she saw.

Edward, he took Daniel's attack. She could hardly believe it.

“What is he doing here?! Wait, he defended the sword?!” She asked herself in disbelief.

His face showed severe pain from being stabbed in his arm, Pearl saw that blood came out, Daniel was surprised, he slightly moved backwards and they measured their gaze. Pearl took that opportunity to run towards Noctis. The nervousness she had been feeling before intensified when she saw that he was unconscious.

"Noctis! Noctis! Wake up!" The tone of her voice was loud because of the fear she was feeling. She repeatedly called his name but he did not answer. Tears flowed even more on her face at the same time as blood came out from his arm. She held his hand. The pain and sadness she feel is pouring out, it is not possible! He cannot be dead!

She was at the peak of despair and was still holding his cold hand when it suddenly moved. She immediately looked at his face and saw he was slightly awake.

"You're alive!"

"Pearl..." Noctis’ voice cracked as she held him tight.

"Don't worry, he would not be easily killed by that kind of wound," Edward suddenly said. Pear immediately looked at him then looked at Daniel who was in front of them, still no emotion on his face.

Noctis and Edward were injured and Daniel, she know they are still in a dangerous situation because of his presence. It is not all over yet.

She looked at Noctis and he just stared intently at the man in front of them. She heard footsteps and was surprised when she saw Janine running towards them.

"Why are you here?! Didn't I tell you to just hide?" Edward growled. Pearlwas surprised by what he did, she never seen Edward angry and screaming.

"Did you just think I'll just hide after seeing all of this?" Janine answered.

Daniel laughed mockingly. "This is getting interesting another Fallen appeared, Edward you look well, Hasn't been years?"

"Where is Yujin?" Edward asked.

"Instead of thinking of someone, why not try to think for your own self? Look at you, wounded and surrounded by useless Earthlings who couldn't even do a thing."

Pearl was insulted to accept said but Daniel is right, Janine and her can do nothing, they will only be a burden in case something bad happens to the four of them. She can feel the intense tension from the two men in front of them, it looks like Noctis wants to act but he has no strength left.

"Don't force yourself," she whispered. "I can't bear to see you like this anymore!"

"T-This is not about you, I-I need to do s-something," his words pierced through Pearl’s heart, it felt very painful. It was a hammer that shattered her heart of glass. She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip.

"Still, the wounds you sustained were severe," she restrained him trying to get up as he failed. He is too weak. The two men made no movement, as if they were measuring the strength in their gaze until the man grinned.

"You're lucky. The next time we meet, you can expect something even worse," Daniel said threateningly. He suddenly turned around and seemed to be leaving. He was slowly moving away from us when Noctis suddenly shouted.

"DANIEL!!!"

That scream, it's full of emotions, pain, hatred, and longing. Time seemed to slow down when Daniel turned to him, Pearl saw the pain in Noctis' eyes when he just looked at him coldly by the man he called.

The fog thickened again until they could no longer see him.

"D-Daniel..." Was the last thing Noctis said and he completely lost his consciousness.

Edward fell down and Janine managed to catch him, they were in so much pain. Pearl saw Jade and Yujin approaching to them with bruises on their faces. Gradually the rain stopped and the fog almost disappeared.

"Yujin! Jade!" Pearl called them. “Glad you were safe!”

"Pearl, J-Janine? What happened to you?! "Jade was worried.

"Jade..." she spoke without having an idea how to explain everything.

Then the light from the sun hit her eyes, making her notice that everything went back to normal, the land is dry as if the rain never happened.

“We're back?” she asked, looking around.

"D-Do you need help?" A random woman came to them with horror in her eyes along all of the confused and worried stares of the people around.

"P-Please call an ambulance!" Pearl cried. She didn't know what was going on, everything was so chaotic and so many questions are now circulating her my mind as fear and apprehension surrounds them.

‘I have to call Glory. She needs to know all this.’