"Want is a feeling of desire... to possess—to own but one can say that it's fragile— it cannot last just like a candle watching the flames' dance, bound to halt and die".

VIN almost staggered.  He could feel his breath hitched,  his stomach churned—hot;  almost like there's molten lava bubbling inside of him.  Green ethereal eyes met him and he never thought that he could feel the feeling of a bird catching a worm as its prey,  that surge of passion he longed craved given to him by a matter of seconds.  He wants to grasp something,  to satisfy that something to win it over,  to feel that feeling of desire being sated. 

He felt his feet slowly making their way to Aegir's direction.  He wanted to stop himself but is miserably failing.  His heartbeat drummed.  He wanted to just beg Aegir for something,  he doesn't know what but he just wants to... have his attention.

He couldn't couldn't comprehend what's happening and he knew it's wrong. 

Aegir closed his eyes,  in an instant Vin felt as if the raging fire he felt died. He stopped walking and blinked repeatedly.  Although he felt like he was splashed by a bucket of water with ice.  And as if he saw something that he is eager to have but soon the excitement died down or he got a change of heart.  Something like he wanted but knew he didn't need. 

"What was that? " It's all the words he can say.  His hands were sweaty and shaking a little. 

He knew creatures like them have sort of "abilities" but never did he encounter someone whose abilities' like this one. 

Silence makes its home in the room.  Green eyes showed its true color—that filled with sadness.  Anthony on the other hand felt his throat like being squeezed,  unable to speak nor gulp his saliva.  He witnessed how Vin changed in an instant the moment Aegir spoke.  It's like his tone filled with sort of charm or hypnosis that Vin's face a while ago is full of conviction but has been reduced that of submission. 

He knew Aegir was charming in his own ways,  he admits. But he never expected that it could be this way and he's surprised that he isn't affected just how Vin was.  Maybe because he's been used to being with Aegir and his charm is normal for him?

He doesn't know yet he wants to. 

But why are Aegir's eyes full of sadness? He never fathoms that not everyone is truly happy just with their charms and beauty.  As someone who worked hard to be just a little charming to gain attention,  he somewhat doesn't understand.  If Aegir can easily win over anyone with his skills, why does he choose to be with him? Someone as opposite as him—no charisma nor fame. 

He looked at Aegir,  eyes somewhat questioning.  And as if Aegir got the questions formed from his mind,  he spoked,  "In this world,  anyone can like you but it's rare to find those who truly love you.  Anyone can say they'll be with you but words are not but empty bottles without the drive to actually fill it. " As if Aegir remembered something,  he glanced upward,  lips formed into a frown. 

Anthony may not understand where he's coming from but he's familiar with the pain being bottled for too long and the sadness that was being forced to hide to be strong. 

"Aegir, " Anthony called him.  Aegir glanced at him and sadly smiled.  "I just want to find a master that'll truly love me not because of this... " Aegir's voice cracked.  "I spent my days before other animals and humans taking interest in me.  Wanting me,  chasing me.  But I know again and again that they just want to own me,  they don't mean it... I hate this... " tears started to form from Aegir's eyes. 

Aegir smiled again.  "I don't want to use this power anymore because it just makes me feel empty but for you... for you who truly made me feel that I am not just a possession or an eye candy... if this means to save you,  maybe... maybe it's okay, I can do it... " Aegir tried to sound happy but his tears betrayed him—flowing freely. 

Anthony wants to stop Aegir.  To comfort him and give him a warm hug but he couldn't.  He hates himself for being this cowardly.  He doesn't know what's stopping him... perhaps he doesn't know how to comfort anyone or perhaps he wants Aegir to save him, he wants to know the feeling...but it feels so wrong.  He doesn't know what to do. 

"Lead me to where the creature is, " Aegir asked Vin again who just nodded.  He walked,  leading the way to the hallway. "It's in the basement, " he added and Aegir didn't reply.

Anthony finds himself following them.  Vin fished a key with a triangular head from his pockets and used it to open the door.  A medium-sized room full of boxes welcomed them, some were filled with rolled out papers and some tools.  There's also a canvas covered with a yellow towel on the side as if the artist decided to abandon it.  In the middle of the room,  there's a chair made of wood.  In the chair,  there's a creature sitting on it—hands tied and eyes shut. The creature's skin looked dry as if it didn't have any blood flowing from its body, its lips cracked and colored black. If not for its slow breathing, they will think that it's a corpse.  

Anthony looked at Aegir as he walked towards a creature who was unmoving on a chair. "What are you gonna do? " he asked Aegir who in turn stared at him and smiled, a trace of sadness in his eyes.

"Something I should have done before you got shot to protect you. " Aegir smiled again, turning around to face the creature.

"I hate this but it turns out this will be useful for my master, " Aegir whispered.

He placed his hand on the creature's chin and stared at its blank eyes. It didn't take long for the creature to start sweating, it trashed on the chair on which it was tied. It panted and shouted, voice raspy as if it just only released its voice now after a long time. Anthony and Vin are just staring at the scene before them, dazed. While Aegir placed his hands on the creature's shoulders, it stopped trashing, but looked tense. Its face started to show color—faint red as if it blushed.

Aegir looked at the creature's eyes. "Tell me what you know, " his voice soft as if lulling a child.

The creature's mouth opened. "M-Master ordered... create havoc... harvest souls... awake, " the creature spoke,  voice cracked and as if it sounded like a zombie speaking. 

Aegir's forehead creased as he felt a pressure on his head.  Yet he still tried to remain in eye contact with the creature whose eyes still remain hollow and dead. 

The creature exhaled.  "Too long... Too long... creatures... them... remained in the dark... the guardian chose... despicable... creatures... now... forced... to live in secrecy.  The nymphs... betrayed... All... Kill... Kill... " As the minutes passed,  Aegir felt the pressure increase,  his face hot. 

Aegir knows what it means.  Centuries ago,  in order to remain in peace with all the races; the protectors agreed to a pact to make magical creatures hide their abilities to live with humans.  Not all creatures—specifically the cat race were happy about it and started to rebel. Their reasons was they were persecuted by the guardian of the humans once and now they're free, they don't want to adjust again.   They planned to overthrow the protectors in secret,  they even manipulated the daughter of one of the protectors to work with them,  one toyed her heart and offered love—brainwashing her.  Many had died until one nymph discovered the extent of their plans and exposed them.  To that day onwards,  the daughter of that protector;  to teach cat-people a lesson,  bestowed a blessing and a curse to the race—to live with nine lives and each death will eat their souls little by little until their soul will cease to exist.  Their powers are also controlled to the extent that too much can cause death as well. 

And he is risking his life now. 

Anthony on the other hand rushed on Aegir's side,  supporting him from the back because he almost seemed to faint any minute from now. 

"Stop this,  Aegir. " Anthony's voice is mixed with concern and anger.  He doesn't want to see Aegir like this nor does he sacrifice his life for his sake. 

Vin also rushed to their side and agreed on what Anthony had said, "This is enough,  Aegir.  We already have an idea,  please stop.  " Vin clasped Aegir's hands as worry painted his face. 

"Aegir,  you know the odds.  You should stop! " Vin shouted.  Vin waved his fingers and a G-clef started to appear.

"Music end: Encore, " he chanted.  A warm yellow light emitted from his body then encased Aegir like a barrier. 

Aegir felt his body calmed down,  his muscles relaxed.  He shook his head.  "No..."

Aegir tried to stand up and reached his hand that was able to pass through the barrier to the creature.  "No,  almost... " Aegir felt his nose bleed. 

The creature's face started to look distorted,  its eyes rolled as it shook violently on the chair,  its mouth spitting saliva in bubbles.  Its voice started to change as it spoke. 

"All those who bear witness to the killings should all die and be with the souls that they had witnessed when we reaped them... This is all for the moon... In the blood of our enemy... we will howl... Free, " the creature laughed and trashed more violently. 

"When the moon paints blood,  humans are no more.  A powerful one will emerge that'll trample those puny protectors.  We will not be hidden anymore,  no more pain, " it added and it started laughing. 

Aegir felt his knees weakening,  black dots started to appear in his sight until complete darkness welcomed him,  at the same time,  the barrier broke until it became specks of light.

"Aegir! " Anthony's voice echoed in the room. He was quick to catch Aegir and hugged his body. 

Rage flowed in Anthony's heart.  Rage for himself to be that cowardly—for not stopping Aegir when he could.  For the first time,  Anthony found his throat able to create a loud sound—a sound full of regrets and rage as he shed tears—cradling the unconscious Aegir on his arms. 

"Wake up,  Aegir.  Come on.  I'll cook your favorite tuna,  please, " Anthony begged Aegir,  gently shaking him.  His tears fell uncontrollably,  his lips quivering.  "Please... Don't leave me... " his voice muffled.

Like a broken record,  their memories together played on Anthony's mind.

That one creature that he didn't need to beg to give him attention... That one creature who stayed. 

Now he understands why Aegir is sad even though he can have everyone by his charm,  something genuine worth more than fake. 

"Again... Again... I did nothing. I am sorry,  I am not worthy to be the master you'll be proud of.  I am not worthy... " Anthony mumbled, still crying. 

Vin just stared at the scene before him.  The sadness is overwhelming.  He feels a little pang of jealousy to have such a bond but what amuse him more is Anthony... a human... a human who is now emitting something that a human shouldn't—a big shadow in his back, almost dancing a sad hymn. 

Anthony gently laid Aegir on the cold floor,  he stood up,  his eyes bloodshot red.  Veins started to pop from his hands as he crumpled it in fury.  "You... " Disdain laced on his voice,  placing his piercing glance at the creature.

The creature stared at them,  eyes still lifeless but mouth with a plastered grin.  "I see you... I see you! Revere enqui!" It laughed maniacally.  Its body started to be charred black,  as if it's sand—it started crumbling,  its ashes joined the wind until none was there. 

Finally an update.  Been a while.  It's finally Christmas break from school so I might be able to write another chapter soon. 

Vocabulary:

Revere enqui - I'll find you.