Colliding Worlds

By Brittany Hughes

A young collector found him, without a shred of memory, at an abandoned kingdom believed to be unfit to support life. Most of the Collectors thought of him as a waste of time, but the strongest of them vouched for his hidden potential. Kept for the leaders lust of power, he was put under the care of Kareu Sangfraid, the older brother of the Collector who had found him. As time went by, a great attachment formed between the brothers and child, and without realizing it, the child affected everyone in unpredictable ways, setting the seeds for an upcoming war that he himself was unaware. The pieces were coming together bit by bit as an old prophecy began to take its course, awaking uproar in Veronia and its unseen twin world, bringing together a group of misfits from different corners of the world that would have never met otherwise. They will have to work together to protect the balance between the twin worlds, but other forces aim to stop them before they can even begin

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468577181

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© 2012 by Brittany Hughes. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/31/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-7720-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-7719-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-7718-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906613

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One Why . . . ?

Chapter Two —Kaeru Sangfraid—

Chapter Three Open Wound

Chapter Four —Hypocritical Feelings—

Chapter Five Friends & Demons

Chapter Six —Last Straw—

Chapter Seven Mysterious Savior

Chapter Eight —Argoth—

Chapter Nine Swift Danger

Chapter Ten —Desperate Escape—

Chapter Eleven Awakening

Chapter Twelve Solace

Chapter Thirteen Afflicted Princess

Chapter Fourteen Risky Plan

Chapter Fifteen Dwindling Morals

Chapter Sixteen Inn

Chapter Seventeen Guilt

Chapter Eighteen Perplexing Entanglement

Chapter Nineteen Distressed Minds

Chapter Twenty Blundering Amity

Chapter Twenty-One Goldvein Family

Chapter Twenty-Two Reaper of Souls

Chapter Twenty-Three Heading Out

Chapter Twenty-Four Endless Stairs

Chapter Twenty-Five Truth Revealed

Chapter Twenty-Six Balance Broken

Chapter Twenty-Seven Child’s Play

Chapter Twenty-Eight Pain & Mercy

Chapter Twenty-Nine Diverging Paths

Chapter Thirty Father

Epilogue

Glossary

About the Author

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Dedications

My Family

Friends

& Everyone else who supports me

As well as Mrs. Stires for editing my awful grammar

And I can’t forget about the reader, you, for giving my book a chance

I love you all, thanks for all your support

Prologue

Alarms rang and flashed. Running as fast as he could down the hall hued with flashes of red was a young man, and on his back was a small panting child that seemed as if they were on the verge of death. Both man and child were dressed in pitch black hooded robes with silver chains dangling off of it, their faces shadowed by their dark hoods.

The only noticeable feature that distinguished them were the identical pair of once pure white, feathery wings now drooping and splattered with crimson red blood protruding from the small child’s back.

Blood trickled down the child’s sickly pale hand and dripped off its delicate fingertips. The child’s breathing was uneven and ever slowing. If this were to continue, it would not be long until its breathing ceased entirely.

The man realized this and quickened his pace.

Hang-on for just a little bit longer, pleaded the man, running as fast as he could down that seemingly endless hallway.

No response. The child could not spare a single precious breath.

Besides . . . the man did not know if the child was conscious or not. Still, he felt the need to talk.

I promise I’ll get you out of here, said the man, trying to reassure himself more than the child barely clinging onto life. Just hang-on a little longer, I’ll get you help once we’re out of here. You’re going to be alright.

Just then, the man heard hurried footsteps following behind him, trying to catch up.

There must have been five, maybe seven, men running after the man and child shouting orders to him, but he just kept moving forward without looking back.

Stop! shouted one of the men as they were closing in.

Shit . . . cursed the man under his breath. Don’t worry; I won’t let them get to you.

Again no response. The child had not even moved.

You’re not authorized to use that weapon! shouted one of the men behind them.

The man ignored the people chasing him and just kept on running. The kid was dying, slipping away as if his life were sand in an hourglass. The child’s life depended on whether they escaped or not.

The man had to make it out of there and FAST. Or else it might be too late . . .

Chapter One

Why . . . ?

It was early in the morning, and mist was thick in the dewy air. Many travelers were walking through the town. Heading out or coming in. A young boy watched as they walked past him with his clear blue eyes, not really taking in anything he saw. He became used to the sight of people from far away towns, and everyone became blended as one.

There never was a time in which a traveler or two were not walking through the town of Alta. Travelers from all over Veronia built the town, bringing together different ideas and customs. Alta was a town built by travelers for travelers. Only a handful of beings called Alta their home.

As the boy half-minded watched the people pass him by, he sat against the wall of a beautiful church made of dim brown stone, and decorated with simply elegant towers. He was dressed in traveling clothes: denim jeans, torn at the knees, with a light blue t-shirt complimented by long-sleeved white turtleneck worn underneath and black leather boots. His long silver hair, slightly dancing in the morning breeze, was pulled back into a ponytail that fell to the bottom of his shoulder blades.

Lying next to him in the dewy, green grass was a fragile, younger boy with shaggy, light purple hair. He was quite small and his skin was pale, but just shy of sickly. His attire was more casual than that of the boy sitting next to him, a light orange shirt with baggy jeans held up by a brown belt and brown leather boots specially made with straps instead of laces.

The smaller boy’s left hand lay gently in the older boy’s warm protective hands. The younger one could peacefully sleep knowing that the older boy was there holding onto his hand; staying by his side. He had full confidence that if anything happened the silver-haired boy would protect him from all and any type of danger.

The older boy could not rest though. His eyes were helplessly fixated on the younger boy’s right wrist wrapped in a white bandage. He continued to look at it deep in thought; his eyes glazed over.

‘I don’t know why . . . ’

Why? That is what the boy wanted to know. What was the cause behind the younger boy’s injuries? There had to be a reason.

‘I don’t remember doing anything.’

He could never forget the events from last night. It was not a serious injury; in fact, it was quite minor compared to what could have happened, but the unknown reason behind the injury bothered him.

Was it his fault? Did he do something to cause the injury?

The boy was lost in thought, oblivious to his surroundings and all else around him. All he was aware of was the small source of warmth he held in his hand.

His troubled mind did not even allow him to notice the beautiful women dressed in the holy garbs of the nuns walking up to him. She was tall and had the face of an angel. Her caramel-colored bangs peeked out from her black headdress on the right side, and her sparking eyes were the color of the sun. Light brown freckles spotted her creamy peach skin from cheekbone to cheekbone, and her light pink lips curved into a small, warm smile. She was as pretty as a spring day, elegant and sweet, even while wearing a simple black robe lined with white.

Hakaru, said the women in a beautifully enchanting voice, bringing the older boy, Hakaru, back to the present.

Cecilia! he shouted, startled.

The present dropped back upon him so abruptly, that he felt as if he had just had a heart attack. He had not realized just how absorbed he was in the events of last night.

Ha-Hakaru . . . said the younger boy as he stirred from his slumper.

Hakaru wanted to slap himself in the head. He had wanted to let the boy sleep longer and he went and woke him for no good reason. It made him feel so stupid.

I’m sorry, Aobex, apologized Hakaru as he looked over the younger boy, Aobex, with concern written all over his face.

It’s alright.

Aobex sat-up cross-legged next to Hakaru; never letting go of his hand. Hakaru looked at him worriedly. He had really wanted him to sleep longer after what had happened last night

Is it morning? asked Aobex, opening his blank, lifeless light purple eyes.

Just about, said Hakaru, looking anywhere but at those eyes. But it’s really misty as you can probably tell.

Aobex just stared blankly into the mist without seeing a thing. All he could see, all he could ever see was a world shrouded in eternal, endless darkness.

What’s Cecilia doing here?

To make up for his lack of sight, Aobex’s other senses are extremely sensitive. By the scent of the world, by the sounds that he hears, and from everyday touches, he can see without seeing. The unseen world is not as far from his grasp as it may seem.

I came to check up on you two, said Cecilia, kneeling in front of the boys as to eye-level with them.

After meeting a person once, even for just a moment, Aobex is never wrong when they are around. Each person has their own unique scent, the scent of their identity.

You two should come inside, continued Cecilia, brushing Aobex’s bangs out of his face. A lot of people are getting sick. You wouldn’t want to get sick and worry Hakaru would you?

A light pink color graced Aobex’s cheeks as heat began to rise to his face. It was obvious that he would not want to worry Hakaru anymore than he does on a regular basis. Well, um-

Alright, alright, you can get away from him now, said Hakaru as he stood up, pulling Aobex up with him and standing in-between Cecilia and him. We’re going to Kathlyn’s.

Aobex disliked anyone getting close to him, so in turn Hakaru disliked it as well. He was delicate and deserved his space. Moreover, to let someone get close to him in his condition would require a great amount of trust. The problem is Aobex does not trust very many people besides Hakaru . . . if any other at all.

Cecilia noticed the flash in Hakaru’s eyes as he created a distance between her and Aobex. This came at of no surprise to her at all though. Hakaru has always been like this since the day the two of them arrived in Alta, if fact, he used to be worse. He is always so overprotective; maybe even a little over possessive of his frail little brother.

She invited us over for breakfast, said Hakaru, keeping the distance between Aobex and Cecilia.

Why don’t you eat here? asked Cecilia, wanting them to stay and eat with her at the church as they always used to do when they first came to Alta. Both Hakaru and Aobex used to be so close to her and the rest of the priestesses, but as the years went by, they have become progressively distant.

We promised, said Aobex softly, his voice barely audible.

Standing next to Hakaru, Aobex looked so much smaller and weaker. He was a good four or five inches shorter, and his pale skin made him look like a ghost compared to Hakaru’s healthy, peach complexion. His tight hold around Hakaru’s hand remained unbroken as if permanent glue held them together, while he did his best to hide his bandaged hand. The last thing they wanted was Cecilia to notice. It would cause her great worry if she knew, and neither boy wanted that.

Alright, just promise me you’ll both be back before nine, said Cecilia, before pulling both boys into a tight, warm, embrace.

Cecilia . . . , groaned Hakaru as he blushed a soft shade of scarlet, his face perfectly leveled with her bosom.

Cecilia tightly pulled both boys up against her. Hakaru was practically sandwiched between the two with Aobex pushed up against his side and back. Cecilia held them together like glue, and in all honesty, Hakaru did not want her to let go. During times like this, she had always made him think of his mother, how she would hold him in her arms. Everything has been so hard lately he wanted to breakdown and cry, but he could not do that. He had Aobex to care for, he had stay strong for him, but still Cecilia’s embrace brought him great comfort.

Hakaru laid his head on her chest, wanting to get lost in that warm embrace, but the tightening of Aobex’s grip on his hand brought him back to the present. Cecilia was squeezing his injured right arm, and the position he found himself in made him feel uncomfortable.

I’m sorry, said Cecilia, releasing the two boys. I just wanted to make sure you both know you have a home here, at this church.

A moment of silence befell them.

Home? Just that one, single word alone changed the entire mood of the conversation. Hakaru stared at Cecilia blankly, but then allowed a small, gentle smile to form on his lips as he felt the small hand in his begin to tremble. Aobex’s grip tightened in attempt to hide the shaking, even though he already knew Hakaru noticed.

I’ll remember that, said Hakaru, rubbing Aobex’s hand with the thumb of his own holding onto his.

Aobex was never good at showing it, but he is often times very emotional. He is depressed or hurt easily, and it pains Hakaru to no end when he is upset. Without Hakaru there for him, he probably could not survive long with his sensitive emotions. Hakaru never even wanted to imagine what would happen if he were alone with them.

Hakaru . . . , said Aobex, softening his grip on his hand. Let’s go.

He impatiently tugged on Hakaru’s hand. He obviously wanted to get going now.

Alright. Bye Cecilia, said Hakaru before walking down the dirt road with Aobex close behind him.

Come back safe, said Cecilia, looking at them one last time with her vibrant golden eyes before disappearing into the chapel.

Hakaru walked down the road in silence with Aobex right behind him, holding firmly onto his hand, obviously bothered by the word ‘home’.

As they neared the town’s river, Hakaru decided it would be best to stop there and console him. Left alone, Aobex’s emotions can easily get the better of him, and take control over him entirely. Hakaru never wanted something like last night to happen ever again, so he had to talk to him; had to release him of his torturous emotions before he hurt.

Why are we here? asked Aobex as Hakaru lead him to the river. I thought we were going to Kathlyn’s.

Hakaru continued to walk in silence until they reached the riverbed. He then turned to look at Aobex face to face. Aobex just stared at him blankly, a confused look on his face. Why did they stop?

Ao, talk to me, said Hakaru, letting go of Aobex’s hand and putting both of them on his small shoulders. Tell me what’s bothering you.

Aobex lowered his head, not wanting Hakaru to see his expression. He never liked it when someone, anyone, confronted his emotions . . . especially Hakaru. If anyone else confronted him, he could simply ignore them, but when it was Hakaru . . .

Ao,

A long silence fell. Aobex hated talking about his emotions; he hated having them. All they do is hurt him and lead him to hurt himself. He just wished he never had them at all.

Please, talk to me, pleaded Hakaru, his grip unintentionally tightning.

Aobex was a very difficult person. He trusts Hakaru completely and can tell him about almost anything but when it came to his emotions, he would rather just keep them deep within himself, never talking about them. Hakaru refused to accept that though.

Come on, Ao, pleaded Hakaru, persistently. I don’t want you to hurt yourself again.

All that could be heard was the soft breeze playing with leaves of the trees lining the river. Both boys fell silence as the memories surfaced.

All Aobex could remember was finishing his shower last night and falling into a deep depression for some unknown reason. Before he knew what was happening he picked up his gathering knife off the sink counter, and then everything was blank, an empty void of nothingness. Next thing he knew he smelled blood, lots of it, and started crying from overpowering fear. He had no clue what was going on or what had happened.

That is when Hakaru broke down the bathroom door and started freaking out about his cut. He cleaned it out and treated it, the whole time asking Aobex why, pleading for the answer, but he could never give him one. How could he when he did not know the reason himself?

I . . . I . . .

Aobex fell silent. He did not know how to put his feelings into words.

Ao . . . ?

Hakaru was used to Aobex’s difficult emotions, but they never ceased to confuse him. Never in his life has he met someone more complicated and unexplainable than him. He wanted to know just what went through his head, but he could never get a clear picture from him.

I-I’m sorry, cried Aobex, leaning on Hakaru’s chest with his arms folded in front of him. I just don’t know.

Hakaru put his arms around Aobex, holding him close. At times like these, it was best to forget everything else and comfort him.

Don’t worry, Ao, said Hakaru, wiping away the tears from his right eye with the back of his hand. Just always remember you’re not alone. I will always be here for you.

Thank you, said Aobex, wiping the tears away from his left eye himself.

No problem, said Hakaru, smiling as he grabbed onto Aobex’s left hand. That’s what big brothers are for.

Hakaru did not know if he would ever understand what went through his little brother’s head, but he knew one thing for sure. Aobex was all he had left, and he was always going to stay by his side; protecting him.

Chapter Two

—Kaeru Sangfraid—

I woke up, staring up at the ceiling. The only source of light was the dim fluorescent square set in the center of the ceiling. I sat-up and looked at the clock on my otherwise bare bedside table.

7:30? I woke-up late again, but I guess that means that lessens the time I have to wait for him to wake up. He’s never up before eight after all.

I stood up and looked at my reflection in a full body mirror set on my bathroom door. My short silvery hair was everywhere, going in every which direction, not that I expected it to be neat in any way. I always have serious bed-head.

Looking away from the mirror, I grabbed the plain black, sleeveless shirt off my desk chair and just as I pulled it over my head, I heard my door swing open and the soft sound of a jingling bell. That could only mean one thing . . .

Kaeru!

I swear Sei has never learned to knock . . . not to mention use an indoor voice. He is always so full of energy that seems to come from nowhere. It’s surprising that the Higher Ups in the Organization keep him around.

You’re up early, I teased Sei, turning to look at him.

Not only was he up, he was ready to go before I was. This was probably the first time since Akira brought him here a few months ago. Normally, Akira or I practically have to drag him out of bed to wake him.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Sei crossed his arms across his chest and looked up at me with his unique dark purplish-pink eyes. Since Sei was so small compared to the rest of us in the organization, all this did was make him look like the stubborn child he is.

You’re just not normally up this early.

As I brushed my hand through my hair, I looked at Sei’s long dark purple hair. It wasn’t just long; it was REALLY long, even if he were a girl. Too keep it out of the way, he always pulls it up in a ponytail that reaches past the end of his spine, and not only was it longer than my much shorter hair, it was always so much neater as well.

Well, Akira has been on a mission since yesterday morning . . .

That’s right . . . Akira hasn’t come back from his mission yet. I’m used to having him sent away on all-night missions, but this was the first time he’s gone on one of those since he found Sei.

Don’t worry, Akira will be back soon, I said before playfully hitting Sei on the back of his head.

Kaeru . . .

Sei looked up at me a little annoyed, but then his expression broke into a wide smile. I wasn’t surprised though, especially since I’ve never seen him genuinely annoyed or angry. Nothing other than cheerfulness seemed to suit him. It also seemed to be the only thing he was capable of, but that isn’t bad thing.

So what do you want to do ’till Akira comes home? I asked as I laid my hand on his head.

Well, since Akira wasn’t home, I was working on using my powers and there’s something I wanna show you!

Sei looked very excited. So excited, it looked as if he could start jumping around the room in anticipation at any moment.

Oh, really? I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms across my chest. Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Akira?

Yeah! shouted Sei, a light blush crossing his cheeks. I’ll show Akira when he gets back.

Teasing Sei never ceased to amuse me. He always seems to get more determined than flustered when teased.

Watch this!

The bell around Sei’s neck sounded as he thrust out his right arm, a light blue glow gathering at his fingertips. As that light grew, the jacket lying on my bed levitated right towards me. I was just about to grab onto it when Sei’s powers backfired on him. Like a magnet, my jacket flew right at him, hitting him in the face.

Come on! shouted Sei, throwing my jacket at me. I was able to do it perfectly last night!

Sei’s face was bright red and he looked away from my jacket as if it was his hated enemy. I couldn’t help, but laugh. His face grew an even brighter shade of red, but now I could tell he was going to take all his frustration out on me.

Kaeru!

Sei didn’t seem to approve of my laughter in the slightest. He looked angrily at me with those unique eyes of his.

I’m sorry, squirt, I said ruffling Sei’s hair after I slipped on my jacket.

Shut-up! shouted Sei, his eyes flashing as he slapped my hand away angrily. I’m not a squirt!

I always got Sei so mad at me. I never went further than teasing him though. He was like a little brother to me, so I couldn’t help but tease him a little.

Right . . . so how’s your training going? I asked as I looked at Sei’s face still tinted with scarlet.

I have been in this organization since the day I was born, so I passed the training stage a long time ago. I’m only a Messenger, so my training wasn’t as long as it is for Collectors in training. Sei, on the other hand, was just thrown into the Collector’s program so he was going to be in the training stage for way longer than I ever was.

Nobody knows where he came from. We don’t even know whom or what he is. Akira went on a mission to the deserted isle, Argoth, to investigate a power surge anomaly when he found him. He was scared and all alone without a single memory or even a name.

Curious of the great power supposedly deep inside Sei’s body, the Organization took him in only for the sake of investigation. Ryu Kami, the best in the Organization, vouched for his hidden potential and gave him a name. He said it meant something like spirit and that it would suit him perfectly. I thought he would take care of the squirt as well, but he dumped that job on me since I was Akira’s older brother.

Sei has been quite the headache and gets into loads trouble with the chief and the Higher-Ups. He likes to run around and burn off the energy that seems to come out of nowhere. The squirts a lot of work, but I don’t think anyone would ever be able to replace him.

You just saw didn’t you?! asked Sei, frustrated.

Nobody can figure out what Sei’s powers are. He shows the abilities of a psychic, but just as we were going to classify him as such, he pulls out some summoning trick. All of a sudden, he summoned a terrifying winged beast during training, but we haven’t been able to get him to do it again since then.

I can’t seem to do it right when someone’s around.

Sei slammed his fist on the door behind him, not even harder than he had punched me when he got mad at me, and it flew right off its hinges and into the hallway. It had crashed into the wall opposite my door and stuck there in a big indentation.

Sei turned to look at it, and we both just stared at the door, completely dumbstruck. Without even asking we both knew we were thinking the same thing: What had just happened?

Um . . . Sei . . .

I didn’t know what to say. Sei, the smallest, frailest person in the organization just punched down my door with a fist that could barely hurt me.

What . . . ?

It was obvious neither of us believed what had just happened. Nobody would ever believe little Sei did this.

Did that just happen?

That wasn’t just the most obvious question in the world, but I was too awestruck to think straight.

I think so . . .

Sei started feeling the air where the door used to be, as if he were searching for an invisible door.

Just then, Akira came walking down the hallway with a cup of something, probably hot chocolate for Sei, and stopped to join us in our awestruck moment.

What happened here? asked Akira, his icy tone making him sound uninterested.

Sei accidentally knocked-

You did this Sei? asked Akira, cutting me off.

It always got on my nerves that Akira never listened to me. Not that he listens to anyone, but still! I’m his older brother for crying out loud. He should learn to listen to more people than just Sei.

I guess I brought this upon myself though . . . Akira has reasons why he doesn’t listen to me. I didn’t listen to him when it truly mattered, so I guess this is what I get for it.

Yeah, but I don’t know how.

Sei looked at his light peach hand and clenched it into a small fist. It was hard to believe such a small thing knocked down a metal door with one punch. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I would have thought it was downright impossible.

All I renember is feeling mad at my lack of control, and then I knocked down the door on accident.

I don’t know if it’s because Akira is the one that found Sei or because Sei is about the only one that looks close to his age, or what, but Sei’s the only one Akira will even attempt to hold a conversation with. He will talk to him about anything and everything as if he were his long lost little brother. It made me feel sort-of jealous that Sei was closer to Akira than I am, but I guess that’s my fault as well.

Is that so . . . mused Akira.

Akira looked down at Sei with his navy blue eyes. Well, his right eye at least, his left eye was covered by his jet-black hair. His hair wasn’t long or anything . . . his bangs were though. They almost completely covered the left side of his face.

What’s that you have there? I asked pointing to the cup Akira had in his hands.

It’s hot chocolate for Sei, said Akira, handing the black cup he had in his hand to him.

As if the squirt needs any sugar, I said as I scratched my head.

Kaeru!

Ka’ru!

I found it funny how Sei and Akira had yelled at me in unison that it was impossible not to laugh a bit. It was amusing how the children in our organization seemed to be on the same brain length. Even though Sei was more hyperactive and energetic and Akira was more cold and reserved, they somehow still thought alike. That could be a reason why those two are the only ones with the forms of children.

Sei looks twelve. Thirteen? As for Akira he looks somewhere in between fourteen and sixteen years old, but I already know he has lived much longer than that. I remember when mom died giving birth to Akira over thirty years ago.

You can never really tell how old anyone really is, especially if they’re a Hybrid or a True Blood. Look at me for example: I’m told I look like I’m in my late teens or early twenties, but in reality I’m over a good hundred years old. Bodies of Hybrids and True Bloods age with the mental state of mind and are never that affected by the passage of time.

No one is sure if Sei is a Hybrid like most of us though. He completely came out of the blue, and his memory loss was a great hindrance in helping us in figure out who he was at all. Since he possesses powers though, we immediately ruled out the possibility of him being a Nanicus. They were race with no powers and whose body ages with time unlike a Hybrid such as Akira, and almost everyone else in the Collectors organization.

Aside from Nanicuses and Hybrids, there are also True Bloods and Änderns living on Veronia, but we knew instantly that he was not of either of those races. True Bloods were the original race of our world, and each and everyone one of them have flame red hair and crimson red eyes. They were the first race that used to rule our world, but now their race is entirely extinct to the best of our knowledge. They were said to be obliterated during the Tragedy of Barough, the True Blood’s old home and capital.

As for Änderns, they are an extremely rare race whose powers aren’t passed through blood. Who becomes an Ändern is something no one can plan or predict, it pops up out of nowhere like a malfunction in the child when it is born. They can transform any part of their body into anything they wish; they could even become other people. Since this race is so rare, not much is known about it, but due to certain circumstances, I know more than most. For example: I know nearly all Änderns are born with silver or white hair.

So what should we do about this door? I asked, rubbing the back of my head. We can’t exactly leave it how it is.

Without a word, Akira looked at the door and it instantly flew back into place and hinged itself. The only thing that looked abnormal were the big dents in the door and the wall across from it.

Let’s not tell them Sei did this, said Akira while evening out the dent in the door with his psychic powers. Can you keep quiet Sei? Ka’ru?

The way he said my name made it sound as if he distrusted or disliked me. He was cold to everyone other than Sei, so it was hard to tell which it was. Whichever it was though I fully deserve it for what I did. There was no way I was ever going to make the same mistake twice.

I would never even think about it. I said angrily.

How could he doubt me? I know what will happen to Sei if they realize just how rare he is. They will want to experiment on him, and that’s something I could never let them do. I wasn’t ever going to let Sei go through that.

You don’t need to sound so offended, said Akira turning to look at me. I’m just making sure-

Don’t worry, Akira, said Sei, cutting him off. I trust Kaeru a lot; he’d never do anything to hurt me.

Silence fell. Sei was always so childish, but this was one of those rare moments where he said something deep. He had said it with such confidence in his voice with no stuttering, no faltering. He really meant what he had said. It was nice to hear him say that he trusted me so much.

Alright, said Akira, a small smile spreading across his face. I trust your judgment.

Trust . . . ? Hearing him say he trusted someone was surprising. He normally has severe trust issues, but he trusts Sei so easily. After I had failed him, I thought he was never going to trust anyone ever again.

So you can trust after all, I teased, fully knowing what trouble I was getting myself into.

Shut-up! It’s better to be safe than sorry! shouted Akira, his small hands curling into fists. I can trust Sei because he-because he hasn’t-

Akira!

I know full well what Akira went through when he was little. He used to be so different, but those experiments changed him into the cold person he is today. I miss how he used to act, but even now he’s still my dear little brother . . . even though he hates me and our real family now. I should have done something to help him, but I didn’t know of the effects the experiments would have on him.

‘Ka’ru! Please don’t let daddy do this!’

I was such an idiot! I should have helped him. He was so scared of the experiments and I did nothing to protect him. I failed to protect Akira, my blood brother, so I have to try my best not to make the same mistake twice. I need to protect Sei at all costs.

I’m sorry, Akira.

I don’t know how many times I’ve said it, but Akira refuses to forgive me for ignoring his plea for help all those years ago. Up to right before he found Sei, Akira could never stay in the same room as me. Sei is slowly mending the broken bonds between us and bringing us back together.

Just shut-up, said Akira, his voice softening. I don’t want to talk about it.

Silence fell upon us. We just stood there across from each other looking at the ground. Neither of us could think of something to say or even look at the other. I had hurt Akira immensely,