Chapter 1: Professor Ellis

...PRELUDE:...

*Do you believe in Fate and Prophecy?*

*Fate**?

I never wanted to believe in such thing.

I used to think that we all make our own fate.

There shouldn't be anything destined to be.*

*Prophecy**?

I thought it was simply some kind of tools to be used.

We could all use it to our benefits

But I was wrong.

It turns out my whole being was to prove that fate does exist

And prophecy is something that we'll have to bear serious consequences if we choose to rely on it.

For me… my fate...

Was to fight my own darkness!

And in this endless struggling journey,

I made a pray to the Lord that I wouldn't have to be alone!*

...__________________________________________________________________________________________...

...CHAPTER 1: Professor Ellis...

Abraham University.

It's a private academic institution known for its highly-sought after degree programs and ludicrously expensive tuition fees.

In autumn, everything looked dewy and magical. The University massive campus was adorned by a majestic red color of maple trees and the dreamy golden sunlight.

"Oh, it's that time of the year already?" A man in his late 40s raised his eye at the calendar lying on his office desk. It showed 31st July.

He's the dean of Abraham University.

"I'd appreciate it if you grant me a month's leave this year, too, Sir." The young girl gave a respectful bow.

She was dressed in a formal purple suit, with milky brown hair neatly tied up into a bun.

"Don't be too formal, Professor Ellis." He laughed. "We already agreed on this every year, haven't we?"

"Thank you so much, Sir." She smiled gracefully.

That's right. This young girl, Clandestia Ellis, is in fact, a promising professor at Abraham University.

Not only she's one of the world first-rate professor that exceled in her field of psychology but also an outstanding researcher and an international board-certified doctor. One couldn't tell from her look because she's got that carefree and playful air around her. She earned her Psych Doctorate at the age of 14 and became one of the youngest professors in the world. For 3 years working here, she's become an irreplaceable asset of this university.

He wouldn't want to lose such a young and incredible talent so he allowed her to take a month's leave every year for her personal business. It's already been years that she's here so he's quite aware of what her leave is reserved for.

"Send my wishes to your cousin, ok?" He smiled.

"Yes, Sir. She'd be very happy." She laughed.

"She must be." He chuckled. "Having a good cousin sister like you who's willing to take a month leave every year just to celebrate her birthday."

"Haha. I'd be sure to remind her so." She said cheerfully.

"But you're kinda worrying me, my dear." He laughed.

"Why is that, Sir?" She tilted her head.

"You seem to forget that you're only 17." He stated matter-of- factly. "Shouldn't you spend more time for yourself like… going on trip with your friends or getting a boyfriend or something?"

"Oh, don't worry, Sir." She winked playfully. "My cousin has a dozen of suitor candidates waiting for me."

With that, they both broke out laughing. Professor Dan might be Clandestia's superior and the dean of this university but he acted like a father figure to her so this kind of banter is nothing new between them.

"Well, have fun selecting, then." He chuckled.

"I will, Sir. Take care."

With that, she turned on her heels and left the dean's office.

An incoming call got her attention. She pulled out her hand phone and immediately beamed at the caller ID.

"Yes, cousin?" She smiled, hearing the excitement on the other line.

"I'm on my way, Neon." She chuckled. "Of course, see you soon, missy!"

—————————————————————————————————————————————-

16 hours later.

At the Nostrade estate…

In a chamber filled with transitional-styled furniture pieces….

A girl in her late teens was sleeping restlessly on the big king-size bed.

Her long flight had efficiently worn her out.

Initially she only wanted to take a short nap but somehow it turned into an unnecessary long slumber.

Her long milky brown hair cascaded on the white bed sheet, shining like waves of silk.

On a day in September, the weather should only be cool and soothing but the girl was breaking out in cold sweat. Her slender figure curled up into a ball as she unconsciously tried to hug herself.

Her eyes tightly shut but her brows was knitted together. Her whole body trembled like she was fighting some kind of pain.

In her dream land…

She saw a pair of eyes.

A bright shade of scarlet.

Eyes that looked full of rage and sadness.

Whose eyes are those?

But she had no time to wonder as she was suddenly drifted to a white blank space.

There were voices calling her.

Clandestia… Clandes…Tia…

"What are you?" She quivered.

"You knew who we are!" She heard whispers mixing with faint eerie laughter. "You .are. our. possession!"

An indescribable pain sunk in. Her knees went weak. They're the "grim reapers".

How could they still exist?

She thought they're gone for good after what happened 4 years ago.

How did they come back?

"You're lying." Her lips trembled. "You evils, get out of my mind!"

"Hahahaha." Their inhuman laughter got closer and clearer. "You are us. We are you!"

"No!" She screamed. "Leave! Go away!"

She sprung up in bed with her eyes wide open. Her heart was beating a million miles an hour.

"Huff…Huff…" She gasped for air like a pathetic fish stuck on a shore. Her deep purple eyes misted by tears.

She frantically scanned her surroundings.

White bed sheets, pastel violet walls and faint lavender aroma filled the air. Sunlight was seeping through the windows.

This is her room at the Nostrade mansion.

She hugged her chest, trying hard to calm herself down. Tears were flowing out of her eyes uncontrollably.

The nightmare ended but it's still awfully vivid in her mind.

What was that? It can't be a regular bad dream.

Realization struck her hard. It's a prophecy from the "grim reapers".

Her curse is coming back!

…

Suddenly, there was a wooden rapping-like noise outside her door

"Lady Clandestia." She heard a woman's voice.

It must be one of the Nostrade's maid.

"Yes, come in." She dried her tears and composed herself.

The maid promptly walked in and bowed at her.

"Lady Neon invited you over to her room, Lady Clandestia."

"Alright, tell her I'm coming over." Clandestia sighed. She guess her rest must wait for a while. Her cousin is already missing her. But a quick shower's still needed though.

After she changed into a comfortable light blue dress, she followed the maid to Neon's chamber which was only a few minutes' walk from hers.

Clandestia arrived at a pink room. Everything was pink, even the bed sheet.

It's so Neon-like.

"Tia!" Neon jumped on her feet in excitement.

Clandestia already expected it but as Neon threw herself on her, she almost lost her balance.

"Hey, easy, little missy!" She wriggled her way out of Neon's suffocating embrace. "I know you miss me much but are you trying to murder me now?"

When Neon finally let go of her, she was gasping for breath. "Neon, do something about your way of greetings! I don't wanna die so young. I haven't even had my first boyfriend yet."

"Alright, I'm sorry." Neon pouted. "But you can get a boyfriend anytime. What was that beautiful face for anyway?!"

Their little banters made all the maids in the room smile.

It's quite refreshing for them to see Lady Clandestia here at the Nostrade mansion every year. The girl really know how to make people feel at ease. Even their spoiled and fussy little Miss Neon was livelier with Lady Clandestia around.

From what they know, Clandestia's father was Sir Light Nostrade's little brother. Unwilling to continue the Nostrade clan's business, he got himself disowned to marry an ordinary woman with no connection the underground world and took her surname. Clandestia followed her mother's surname, too. After Clandestia's parents died years ago, Sir Light has taken custody of his niece.

Right at that moment, a husky male voice from outside caught their attention.

"Boss, the new bodyguards are here. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes, let them in, Dalzollene." Neon said, dragging Clandestia to sit beside her and wait for the new bodyguards to make their entrance.

At Neon's permission, four people walked into the room and promptly introduce themselves.

Clandestia eyes fell on them.

There was one tall and sexy woman with red hair called Baise. One hairy bulky guy named Basho who looked like 1970s cowboys you see in movies. Another one was Melody- a short woman with buck teeth and bald head but strangely, she gave off a very comforting vibe.

The last one was a guy seemed to be around her age with medium blond hair who goes by the name Kurapika. From the sound of his exotic name, Clandestia made a quick guess that he was some kind of ethnic from the East. He wore blue tribal clothes that accentuate his light skin.

The moment his sharp, dark black eyes met hers, her eyes widened in revelation.

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