She sighed, looking down at her son. "I'm sorry, honey... we couldn't get the fruit you like"
They walked as heavy silence filled in
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.
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Normally, her little boy would have been chattering away, pointing at things, laughing at nothing. But tonight... nothing
And it wasn't just tonight. For three days now, he had been quieter, always in a daze. As if... someone or something was scaring him... but she wasn't too sure
Buying his favorite fruit had been her small plan to cheer him up, to bring him back to the lively boy she knew. But now, that hope had slipped away
All of a sudden, he yanked his hand from hers and ran off
"Wait-! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" she shouted, running after him
It was already dark, the streets lit only by scattered lamps, making it hard to see where he went. Her breath quickened when she spotted him heading straight toward a narrow, shadowy alley
She hurried after him. "What's gotten into you?! Just wait until your father comes home, we're going to talk about this behavior of yours-"
Her voice faltered
He was gone
She froze, eyes darting through the darkness. "Wait... where is he?! He was just here!" Her voice cracked, her heart started picking up speed in panic
She searched the alley, calling his name again and again, but the night seemed to swallow her words
Tears blurred her vision. Her hands trembled slightly as her breathing quickened
"Where... are you...?" She calls out one last time as a sob escaped her lips as a harsh breeze brushed behind her
Making her feel chills go down her spine when she heard a inhuman faint snicker. She felt her blood run cold
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.
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In the center of the city
There was a grand ball going on which is held by the Guillebeaux household as they are celebrating their only daughter's 7th birthday
The atmosphere was warm and cheerful
Children running around while the nobles were talking to each other
But Dahlia seemed to not be in the mood to join the party
She gazed out the window as wind brushes against her cheeks
Purple eyes that gazing up at the moon
Long light pink hair which is tied in a ponytail
And soft features that complimented her looks
Her full name is Dahlia Guillebeaux
She's wearing a beautiful white dress with pink flowers on it as decoration
She closed her eyes
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.
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"... Can I please see you? Cause..."
Dahlia hesitated but soon build up enough courage as she speaks again through telepathy
"It's my 7th birthday. And I want to see you as my birthday present... so will you fulfill my wish?" She finally asked
Silence filled in
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.
.
A deep yet soothing voice was heard, which she usually hears it when she was born
It was her guardian
"No" It said plainly and being emotionless as usual
Dahlia let out an long breath, in disappointment. Tho, she expected this. Her guardian always protects her and all... but there's just one problem. Her guardian refuses to make an appearance of itself
Plus... it is emotionless and speaks when necessary
Not too talkative
"Fine... but... will you not give me any other birthday presents?" She asked again having an disappointed look
"... I will... but you will get my gift around 12 o'clock, my sapphire" It said again
It usually calls Dahlia "Sapphire" cause sapphires are it's favorite
Dahlia frowned but didn't question anything cause even tho she's an 7 year old
She was very mature unlike other noble girls
She knew when to back off and when to ask for things that were necessary
She nodded
"Ok... I will get going then... I will talk to you at bedtime... take care" She said, as she looks back at the party, feeling that someone is approaching her
She noticed it's Jhony. An boy who is 10 and her only brother. His full name is Jhony Guillebeaux.
He has the same hair color as her hair, except his eyes were adorned with emerald color
"Happy birthday, lil sis" He said smiling mischievously
Dahlia knew that smile as she became wary
"What your up to now?" She asked
"Nothing~" Jhony said with his sly smile
He hands her, his present for her
"Open it" He said, keeping his smile
Dahlia furrowed her eyebrows as she reluctantly accepts it
She opened the gift after fidgeting with the ribbon for a while
When the gift was opened, an clown toy popped up. It scared Dahlia a lot as she screamed, dropping the gift
The many nobles that were watching this, snickered. Finding this amusing and entertaining
They knew that Dahlia and Jhony always had "Siblings rivalry"
"YOU REALLY HAD TO DO THIS!!!!" She yelled out at Jhony. She pouted
Jhony laughed, "At least I didn't try spiking your juice with chili like you did last time" He said as he poked her forehead, lightly
He only did this cause when it was his birthday earlier, Dahlia spiked his juice with chili. Making him have sore mouth on his birthday
There, Jhony pledged to take revenge on her
"... I was just having fun!" She retorts as she crossed her arms over her chest
Her cheeks puffed up. "Is this your present? I thought... I would get a proper gift from my own brother" She said again as she glared at him. Being melodramatic
"Oh, ok. Fine fine, princess. I have an "proper gift" for my only lil sis" He chuckled softly as he takes the clown toy box from the floor
He closed the box again as he reopened it
Dahlia backed away following her instinct. But instead of the clown toy, jumping out. It had a beautiful headpiece. It was made of emerald mana gems
"A artifact that will protect you, if you are in danger. This will be your birthday present" He said smiling
Many nobles were in awe seeing the beautiful headpiece. It suited Dahlia well
Her parents- Duke Guillebeaux and Duchess Guillebeaux were watching, clearly happy seeing Jhony giving her this gift
"You could've given me this instead of the fright!" Dahlia mumbled as she was still mad
Jhony only chuckled, "It's called "payback", lil sis" He said
Dahlia didn't said anything and continued on with the party
But... she noticed something weird in the party...
The atmosphere felt heavy as everyone was silently whispering something to each other which she couldn't make out
It made her feel uneasy
Until
"Did your guardian give you any presents, yet?" A noble girl suddenly approached Dahlia. Snapping her out from her thoughts
She looked over. The girl was the same age as Dahlia. And also her childhood friend
Lily Memozino
Daughter of the Duke Memozino's family
These two households have long terms being friends
Lily also knew that Dahlia has an guardian cause, she told her
Dahlia sighed deeply, "Not really... he said that he will give me my present on... 12 o'clock" She said
"Damn... good luck waiting" She said, understanding Dahlia's feelings
"What are you two discussing?" A noble boy asked as he approached the two. He was also an friend of Dahlia tho he is younger then her and Lily by just 1 year age gap
His name is Xinhua Hunts
Son of the Count Hunts family
"Nothing, you red head" Lily said as she huffed
"I am not an red head! YOU BLONDIE!!!" Xinhua also huffed
"How dare you-"
"That''s enough!" Lily was about to yell at Xinhua but was cut off by another noble boy, who's older then all of them. Clearly in 1 year
It was Lily's older brother
James Memozino
"But- brother! He called me an blondie!" Lily tried to reason herself
"But you started it by calling him a red head" James said sternly. "Apologize"
Lily groaned as she looked at Xinhua
"I am sorry..." She said begrudgingly.
"Its alright and anyway, what you two been talking about?" Xinhua asked again, curiously.
"It's nothing" Lily said flatly and looked at Dahlia
"It's girl's stuff" Dahlia and Lily said in unison. Earning Xinhua's groaning but earned an laugh from James
"If it's girl's stuffs, we boys can't do anything" James pat's Xinhua's back, smiling
"Hey... uhm... have you guys noticed something?" Dahlia finally asked as she can't take the uneasiness anymore
"Hmm? What?" James asked back to Dahlia confused. Along with Xinhua and Lily
"I noticed many are whispering stuffs to each other... Do any of you have any ideas on what it is?" Dahlia asked again
James froze up slightly
"Wait... you don't know about the "news"?" He asked, surprised
Dahlia and Xinhua were both confused
"What news?" Xinhua asked
Lily frowned slightly at the two
"Wait- do you two really don't know about children being kidnapped?" Lily asked making Dahlia and Xinhua shocked
"Wait- kidnapped!! Why!?" Xinhua asked again
James sighed deeply, "Well, yes... many children... basically around our ages have been kidnapped in the alleyways. Many investigation were done... but..."
He paused, hesitating to speak up more...
"But there was no traces found" Jhony spoke up
Making James, Xinhua, Dahlia and Lily to turn to him, surprised
"Many reports state that the children seemed to be lured—almost hypnotized—by someone or something, drawn toward the dark alley"
He soon takes out the newspaper near the table as he gestured everyone to look
"Total of 15 children has gone missing. Whether they were out alone running errands, wandering nearby, or even accompanied by a guardian, they vanished without a trace" Jhony explained with an serious expression
He looks back at Dahlia
"It's also the reason why I gave Dahlia that protection artifact" He explained again after pausing for a moment before he started fixing the headpiece on her head
"Oh no... then... what about the children?! What happened to them?!" Xinhua asked, clearly scared
James spoke up this time, in a quiet tone. "They were never found. Missing... as if they were never there to even exist..."
Heavy silence fell in as Xinhua and Dahlia were taking in the information
Soon Lily broke the silence, "Which is why... everyone's told to just stay inside the house! And never roam alone on streets!"
"Yes, that is the best option for you two" Jhony said but he soon turned to Xinhua
"Especially you, Xinhua. No sneaking away to get midnight snacks from downtown!" He warned
Xinhua groaned, "Fine..." He mumbled
While the others were talking about how many children got kidnapped etc etc
Suddenly... out of no where
Xinhua felt a cold chill go through his spine
As if someone just blew on his neck with their cold breath
He felt dread crept in, "Wait... what was that...?" he thought internally. He was frozen in place, as if paralyzed on spot
He didn't dare turn around cause his instincts were screaming at him to not to... as if warning him that if he did...
He will deeply regret it
.
.
.
But suddenly Xinhua felt his heart skip a beat as he heard whispers from behind him, "Come~"
He immediately turned around after finding just the slightest courage to look, trying to find the source of those whispers...
But none was found, except... something was luring him in the garden
"Wait... what were those voices...? And that feeling..." Xinhua thought internally as he contemplated
He bit his lower lip and finally decided on something
"Hey... I will be back in a while guys" He said to everyone, as he ran off
"Huh? What is with him?" Lily asked as she crosses her arms over her chest, annoyed
"It's nothing. Probably he just got a bad stomach or~ maybe a little lady caught his eyes~" Jhony joked as James laughed at it, he soon lightly punches his shoulder
"Leave that little man be" James chuckled as both Lily and Dahlia rolled their eyes at the back and forth between their brothers
Meanwhile with Xinhua
He looked around in the garden, "Excuse me? Is anyone there" he asked aloud tho his voice trembled slightly
He hoped internally that no one answers as he stayed quiet, clearly waiting
His heart was beating a lot faster, making him clench his chest to calm his nerves
Silence
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Xinhua shook his head as he tried laughing it off to calm himself, "Hah! I am so stupid! I thought someone whispered to me!..."
"I should probably return back now... my parents might kill me if I don't return back" He internally thought as he got shivers in getting scolded
He turned around and left
But unbeknownst to him
A shadowy like figure was following him from behind
Who remained unseen to him
For now...
Nighttime, 12 o'clock
Dahlia has just been bathed by her maids and dressed in her night dress
Her long pink hair, combed
She was sitting in her bedroom alone, looking up the sky where the moon is shining
The gentle cold breeze, brushing against her cheeks making her hair and dress to sway gently
She was waiting
Until, her wait was over
"Had fun on your birthday party?" Her guardian again spoke, in her mind
"Yeah... and now is your turn, in giving me an gift!" Dahlia said as she was determined to see what her guardian has in store for her
"Alright, my sapphire..." He said again
Suddenly an beautiful blue light appeared in front of her
Dahlia was mesmerized by it as usual. Her guardian usually gives her tasty fruits that were never found on mortal realm
It always tasted divine. She also expected to get another species of fruits
But, to her surprise
It was a sapphire gem
"What's this..?" Dahlia asked as she observed the gem. It was beautiful
"An sapphire gem..." He began
"I made it with my powers. It has strong spells engraved on it. You can borrow my powers by just squeezing the gem gently" He finally explained but paused briefly
"And don't use it carelessly. Use it only when necessary—it will awaken your magical energy prematurely, and the backlash could trigger mana fever"He warned
Dahlia sighed deeply. "If I can have a fever... then why give this, that will cause harm to me?!" she asked
She felt heart picking up speed in potentially getting sick just by using his powers
"For your protection... I can't always be with you, nor intervene in the mortal realm to shield you. You can tap into my powers without the gem" He paused for an while again
"But doing so would tear your small body apart, leading to a brutal death from not being able to handle my powers well. So, to avoid that risk, I've given you this gem— it'll only cause a normal fever for 1 day" He said quietly
Silence filled in as Dahlia was shocked. She processed the information
"I could've given you this sooner but... your body wasn't developed enough. When you become an adult, you won't need that gem anymore. You will be able to handle the small fraction of my power" He said again
Dread crept in as she imagined on what the scenario would be with her body suddenly go stiff
Silence again filled in
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.
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"Remember... I am here to only protect you... not cause you harm... my sapphire..." He continued
Dahlia relaxed hearing him saying this... but...
"... I know that... I am sorry for doubting you..." Dahlia said as she was feeling guilty
"It's alright, your still a child so..." He paused
"It's getting late, you should sleep now, sapphire. Otherwise your health will go bad. So sleep, sweet dreams" He said before his voice vanished like always
Leaving Dahlia in silence
"... Sweet dreams to you too..." Dahlia murmured as she smiled. She stared at the gem that her guardian gave her
She soon laid on bed as she held the gem closely as she fell into the deep and peaceful slumber