Episode 3

..."Struggle"...

Latona's POV

"Latona, you are slowly getting consumed by fear and darkness." Master Pierre said.

His eyes were wide like it's his first time seeing this occasion.

"M-Master Pierre. Am I going to be okay?" I asked him.

He didn't respond and gazed away.

"What's going on here!?" The Ceres-girl stepped into the lobby with some students.

The officer, Master Ryū made sure that they kept their distance from me.

I felt scared of myself, they are treating me like a monster. All of them, staring.

I can't help it and ran outside the academy.

I cried, annoyed of myself. Avoiding every conflicts, and powerless at any situation.

After running, I found myself standing at the edge of a cliff. I looked down the waves of the ocean.

I had the sudden urge to jump.

"Maybe, I should end it all."

"I am tired."

I looked at the waves, I can hear them whispering in my ears.

"Jump... Latona..."

"End your pain.."

Tears flow down my cheeks, I closed my eyes.

I remembered all of the times I spent with me and my mother.

And that moment when I jumped in the river to avoid the monster chasing me.

I'm at that same moment, now to escape the monster inside me.

"I'm sorry mother."

"There's no hope."

I bend my knees and jumped.

Almost leaped off..

...

...

..

Someone grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the edge.

I turned back to see him.

"J-Jupiter..?" I said looking in his eyes.

He glared at me.

...[][][]...

"What are you doing, Latona." He said with an annoyed expression.

We were walking down the busy streets of the Azure Society.

"Did you really think to end your life?"

"I-I'm sorry. I wasn't really thinking about it." I looked down ashamed of my actions.

"Why does he worry about me, we only just met today."

"Stay at my place tonight, then tomorrow we'll see what Master Pierre can do about this 'condition' of yours."

"He was called at the Azure Temple and asked me to take care of you for now."

"Can Master Pierre really help me ? He didn't know what to do earlier."

I nodded at his words and blushed gazing away from him.

We arrived at his humble place which is nearby the busy streets.

Inside, caught me by surprise. IT WAS REALLY MESSY! There were clothes everywhere and undone dishes.

"I apologize, about this place. I don't have the time to do cleaning." He said embarrassed, with his hand at the back of his head.

"I-it's fine." I giggled quietly.

"Latona!?" He looked closely at my face, his eyes squinted.

"Y-Yes?" I frowned in confusion.

"It's my first time to see you smile." He smiled and laughed softly.

I smiled at him until I remembered something.

"Jupiter, do you think my mother is still alive?" I asked out of the blue.

He had a worried expression.

"Out of pure instinct, I think she's out there doing something to reunite with you."

I gave him a soft smile with a light hug.

"Anyways, Latona. You must get your rest."

I nodded.

Later, we decided to eat and talked about his adventures throughout Celestia.

I am fascinated by how much he has to go through.

"Actually, I was visiting Ceres here then go to the Capital to visit you." He said to me.

"Visit me?" I asked him.

"After, I have established the Light Magic around Celestia Academies. It is my plan to visit a descendant or two." He took a sip from his cup.

We finished eating together then I helped him clean up his place.

He pointed me where I'm going to sleep and a place to clean myself.

After a few minutes I have finished taking a bath. I approached the mirror and stared at it.

I look terrible! There was a scar on my cheek and my light blonde hair was cut unevenly.

Staring deep in my own eyes, flashbacks of all the chaos played in my mind.

"Hngh!" My heart beat fast, and I stepped away from the mirror.

Someone kept knocking at the door and managed to open it by force. I saw people in black robes rushing inside the bathroom.

They raised their scythe and swung it onto my neck.

...

...

....

Did they...?

..

..

A faint voice called my name.

"La....to....na"

"Lato.....na!"

H-Huh?

"Latona! Are you okay!?"

I saw Jupiter, holding both of my shoulders slightly shaking my body.

I wailed and hugged him. Tears falling down my eyes.

"Help me Jupiter!"

"Am I really this frail?"

Jupiter helped me get up and lended a towel to dry and wrap myself.

I dressed up in his room. He waited until I let him go in.

Sitting on his bed, I tried not to look him in the eyes.

"What happened there Latona?" He held my hand.

I want to cry but I tried to hold it in.

"It keeps flashing in my head.." I muttered softly.

He moved closer to me and rubbed my back.

"I keep remembering what happened in Light Celestia" I didn't notice tears dripping down my thighs.

"And Master Pierre... told me that I am slowly consumed by fear and darkness..." I wiped my tears with my palm.

"Tomorrow, we're going to do something about this okay?"

"I'll sleep with you in case you get any nightmares." He said snuggling close to me.

Why does he help me so much?

I placed my head on his shoulder and leaned my body on him.

Feeling relieved, I fell asleep.

The following sunny day we decided to go outside together. I noticed people are looking at us, some are murmuring.

"Jupiter, why do these people keep looking at us?" I tried to look him in the eyes with his tall frame.

He responded with a soft laugh.

"He looks cute!"

"You will know the answer soon, but for now let's get you fixed up." He added.

He brought me to a salon where they fixed my hair by cutting it evenly.

"Now it's way shorter!"

Jupiter smiled at my new look.

"I think he likes it !"

After that he brought me to a temple with a huge staircase leading to it's main building.

"What's with this temple? It uses a lot of stairs!"

"This is the Temple of Azure, the one I told you before. It is where the Council of Azure Masters gather." He said, gazing at the big temple.

I stared at it in awe.

"I believe Master Pierre is here today. We should wait for him to go out, since important meetings are exclusively held here."

I nodded at him and waited at his side at the bottom of the temple.

After a few minutes, a girl wearing armor walked down the stairs of the temple. Jupiter looked at her, his eyes wide.

"Does he know her ?"

"Oh no, she noticed us with that mean look."

She approached us with a confident manner.

"Juno? What are you doing here?" Jupiter said, still surprised.

"What are you doing with another girl?" She said pointing at me.

I felt confused watching them.

"Is she already with Jupiter?"

"Come on now Juno, now's not the time." Jupiter held her arms trying to push her away from me.

Instead she pushed him aside and approached me.

My heart throbbed fast. She has this violent aura.

"Stay away from Jupiter before I do something about you fool!"

She pointed at me so aggressively.

Jupiter is still trying to hold her back.

I had two choices to fight or to retreat.

Then, I remember all the times Jupiter saved me and the way he calms me down.

I chose to fight for him.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.

"Who do you think you are? Miss Warrior? You do not have the right to point at me like that nor force me to distance my self from this man!"

I said with all my heart. Jupiter looked surprised.

"Ohhh, look who's talking.. You're a fool who doesn't know anything, so it's better if you shut your filthy mouth!" She stepped forward and slapped my cheek so hard I can feel the burn.

I didn't falter, and fought back pushing her away from me. I tried to slap her but Jupiter swiftly grabbed my arm.

"Huh? Why did he stop me?"

"Enough, both of you!" He said while pulling Juno away from me.

"Jupiter?"

I felt so betrayed. I felt my heart shatter into pieces.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***