The Coming Darkness

"Are you sure you're alright? That illusion was pretty intense." David wouldn't leave Silver alone. He put his hand up to her forehead, under her bangs, trying to feel for a fever. She became irritated and slapped his hand away. "I'm fine, it wasn't that hard. It barely used any of my stamina," she explained, crossing her arms. She peeked into Enzo's room, hoping he was okay. David leaned over her, looking in as well. "Boy, he's a tough one, isn't he?" Silver looked up at him and glared. He smiled and shrugged. "Yes.. He is." She huffed. She was still kind of impressed with herself that she managed to fool all those people for that long. Even now, she was still keeping up the illusion to prevent normal people from seeing all the destruction. Luckily for her, there were people working to fix that while she was keeping it up. Perhaps that's why David thought something was wrong; she kept spacing out in order to perfect the illusion. David stood there, watching her as she spaced out yet again. "Silver. I think you hit your head or something, or maybe someone is trying to possess you. Either way, something's wrong."

She snapped out of her trance and looked at him, sighing. "David, nothing is wrong.. I'm still.." She paused, seeing as how talking made her illusions faulty. She frowned, leaning against the wall and sliding down it into a criss-cross position. "I'm fine." David looked down at her, sitting next to her. He wondered if this happened often when she used her magic, and he didn't want to leave her defenseless like that. Who knows who would show up and try to kill them next?

Surprisingly, a caramel haired female leaned against the wall of the hotel room, head nodding a bit as she slept. Sasha had kept guard outside the whole night, determined not to let anyone in, glaring at the people who looked at her strangely. She'd gotten so exhausted that in the morning, Sasha had merely nodded straight off to sleep, and was resting against the wall. "Wake up..." she murmured through her dreams, "Damn idiot..."

He was sprawled out on a bed in Eos' room. Last night left him a little tuckered out, and because of his poor sleep schedule, he may end up sleeping in. He looked content aside from his leg hanging off the side and his hair all over the pillow.

Enki came walking down the halls carrying a food basket from the small shop downstairs. It had chocolate, fruit, and other things in it. He quickly shot a worried glance at Sasha, who had fallen asleep outside the room, then went in. "I've got Sky some things." Enki annouced as he entered and placed the basket on the coffee table in the middle of the room.

Kenji did not budge. "Kenji, are you alright?" Kenji looked over to Enki, and nodded. "What happened out there?" He asked. "You all know what happens when you use magic in America...""I-it wasn't his fault.. Some people-" -I know, you don't have to explain it to me..." Kenji looked over to Enzo. "...I just wished you could have been a little more careful."

Marcus wasn't quite sure where he was. All he knew was someone had helped him and that he wasn't dead. Beneath him were soft, clean smelling sheets. And on his forehead there was a cool damp cloth, most likely to negate a fever. Despite not knowing his surroundings, he kept his eyes closed. Where ever he was, he knew he was being looked after. By now though, whatever drugs or magic he was on were wearing off and his whole body ached, especially his right ear and hand. With his free hand, he reached blindly towards the fingers on the right hand. "Thumb..." he started in his mind, "pointer...middle...ring...bandage...uh oh." Because he was semi-conscious during the fight with Brute, he realized he had sustained some pretty major injuries, a loss of finger apparently being one of them. He reached to his ear, noticing a bandage wrapped over it attached to his head. "Yup...I remember that too." From there he patted his face, realizing there were bandages over his eyes and cheeks. Probably from his glasses shattering from the fall. "Ow..." Marcus said to himself, followed by a long painful sigh. Deep down, he was hoping wherever he was, be it back in the hotel or in the hospital, someone would visit him soon.

Jacen sat in his hotel room, staring out of the window and gazing at the NY city skyline. Nothing but a few cuts and bruises on his arms, compared to the others...
What the hell...I should've been able to do more. Now Enzo's laying there in god knows what condition...everyone else is some kind of hurt.
And I'm here with barely a scratch on me. Is this all America has to offer? Trouble even when I'm not looking for it?
He walked over to the bed and wrapped a bandage around his right forearm before sitting on the bed and grabbing his headphones.
Maybe I just need to go by myself...get a chance to see the city for what it really is...if it's anything at all.
He got up and went out of his room, thinking of going to the hotel's lounge and seeing if there's anything to do. It wasn't too good of an idea to be out on the streets right now, illusion or not.
He walked down the hall on the way to the elevator and noticed two other students sitting out in the hallway.
The girl, I remember her...Silver, I believe. Who's the guy she's with...
He walked over and decided to keep things general.
"Hey. How are you two holding up?"

David looked up at the boy approaching and glanced to Silver to see if she knew who he was. He stood up, a bit taller than the other boy, and stared at him, trying to figure out if he had seen him before or not. Silver again was snapped out of her little trance and looked up to see one of Enzo's friends.. Or that's who she thought he was. She stood up and smiled at him. "We're fine, thank you. How about you, uhh.. Jacen, right?... Sorry, I don't think we've been properly introduced.." David leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, glancing between Silver and the stranger who she called Jacen.

"Yep, and I'm fine...a few cuts and a bruise or two. And sorry about that. I haven't had much time to talk to anyone outside of Enzo and Voli...not even a full fledged week and I'm already on a trip to another country." He looked over at the man leaning against the wall and extended his hand.
"Jacen, pleased to meet you."

David looked at his hand then back to Jacen and took it. "David, nice to meet you too." He gave him a nice firm handshake and a smile, making sure he knew that he was tougher than he looked, but didn't really want to cause trouble. David seemed to have that problem a lot; people didn't think he was strong or able to take care of himself since he didn't use magic. Frankly, he got tired of it. Giving others firm handshakes was his way of giving others a warning, though no one had even offered to shake his hand recently. Silver sighed and leaned against the wall next to him, closing her eyes. David looked at her, opening his mouth to speak as she put her finger up to his mouth. "Sh." David huffed and turned back to Jacen. "So you're one of Enzo and Volitaire's friends?"

"That I am...Enzo was an old neighbor of mine a few years ago. I recently...caught up with him when I came to Sorcerers. Volitaire, I had met when I arrived, so far everyone seems nice. Except for that one red-headed guy...has a bit of an air about him, one reminiscent of a douchebag. I was going to try and clear my head down in the hotel lounge...would you two care to join me?"
Jacen patted down his shirt and made sure he had his room key on him.
This David fellow seems to be quite alright. Dad always did say a firm handshake was a sign of respect...

This wasn't the way she imagined her day to go. The night before had been rather hectic, and now she found herself in a hotel room taking care of a man that'd gotten riddled with bullet wounds. The other boy seemed to be better than before but, he was still out cold.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose to stop herself from falling asleep yet again, Kira almost sighed until her attention was caught by Markus moving. Observing him, she raised an eyebrow. "Don't move much, you're still not well.. I stopped the bleeding and took any bullets out, but.. I wasn't able to heal you completely." Passing out wasn't a good experience and she wanted to avoid it.

Standing up, she made her way to the bed. I should tell the others.. That, Silver chick. There were other names she heard but she hadn't been too focused on adding the faces to the names. "Want me to get one of the others?" A familiar voice would do him good.

David grinned. "Sure, why not?" He looked to Silver, elbowing her lightly. Silver sighed, standing up straight and walking towards the elevator to go down to the lobby, keeping her eyes closed. David shrugged and pushed up his glasses, walking after her.

As she fell deeper into sleep, Sasha slowly slid down the wall and onto the floor, her back still leaning against it. She'd exhausted herself worrying about Enzo. Not that she was worried about that idiot or anything. Nope. That wouldn't be possible.

A soft sigh echoed from her lips as she moved a little in her sleep, most likely dreaming about something or another. Definitely not that idiot, though. No way in hell would Sasha ever dream about him.

"Mmn..."

1:30PM

A prestigious figure, wearing sky blue and white colored robes entered the hotel, followed by a troop of presumed 'guards', armed with staffs and other magical weapons. Both the guards of the hotel and the NYPD had to back down from even confronting these people, as they wore globally known colors of the Magic Council. The Council and it's 'soldiers' had free reign over anything they needed. They only recruited the most spiritual and powerful magicians from magic schools, colleges, and even tribes. The captain, wearing the more fancy robe, approached the desk table, where the nervous hotel clerk stood. Their conversation was inaudible, but it was clear what they were after. The Captain nodded, and waved for his guards to wait in the lobby, as he ascended the elevator to the top.

Once he reached the top, he walked out into the hallway, walking past David, Silver, And Jacen on the way. He walked up to the sleeping Russian tiger. "Are you from Team Valor?" He asked, knowing that his calm, mystical voice would wake up someone on 'alert' such as she.

An eerie voice jerked the young girl awake. Sasha's eyes snapped open as she scanned the robed figure in front of her.

Magic council.

Instantly, she was on edge, glaring at the man, assuming a defensive stance, "Yeah, so? The hell do you want?"

Acting all high and mighty like that. Sasha hated the Magic Council people, and it showed. Both her crimson and aquamarine eyes sparked with ferocity.

His head turned slowly to the direction of the unfamiliar voice, "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone was there." He shot a genuine smile, but it cracked a bit from the pain. "I don't know how I can thank you for helping me with my wounds. I was honestly thought I was done for." Marcus listened to the rest she had to say, and nodded. "If you want, you can send in a student or two of mine. To be honest, I'm fine with just your company, as long as I have someone to talk to. I'm Marcus by the way. I'd shake your hand, but, you know..." He rose his bandaged hand up, irking at the pain, but still trying to keep a smile. "You must be exhausted though...you really sound it. Maybe you should rest."

So this IS the Russian tiger.. The Captain sported an innocent smirk as Sasha went defensive. "Don't feel alarmed." He added in a small, light-hearted laugh at the end. "We have some things to discuss concerning your team's involvement with the Gaze."

They knew about the Gaze? and they knew that Team Valor had accidentally been dragged into it? The Magic Council had eyes and ears everywhere, and most could argue it wasn't for the better. He looked over into the room Enzo was in, and saw him laying in his bed, slightly sweating. Nobody knew he was caught in his own nightmare which he could not wake up from. "I would like to speak on this matter with Valor's ears only." He said, walking into the room.

Kenji and Enki had sensed him coming ever since he entered the building. "What information do you have against him now?" Kenji asked, instantly remembering how he and Boone had to convince the Council to release Enzo from their metal cage. The Captain sighed. "Do not fret- it isn't anything against Mr.Ferrari. This is bigger then that. But, before I tell you, you can call me Captain Azure." Enki was over by the bed with Enzo, while Kenji had taken a miniature seat on the table. "I'm here on behalf of.. my own will. As you predicted, the Council would not lift a finger for Enzo."

His calm attitude reminded Sasha of a certain man back at Sorcerers, which annoyed the girl even further. She continued frowning, "And what about that?" asked Sasha, following this 'Captain Azure' into the room, shooting a worried glance towards Enzo before stopping after she'd entered, lingering by Enki.

Well their trip to the states had been ruined exponentially by the trouble that had seen them on that eve. JD had spent the rest of that day making sure that his teacher hadn’t died of bloodloss and his extensive injuries. Of course in the end the poor man had lost his pinky, but in the boy’s perspective that was probably the least problematic finger.
Beyond that they just laid low and tended to their injuries- of which JD had none. So instead he made sure Eos was taken care of and that one girl Kira was alright as well- they weren’t going to receive American medical attention so the two healers had been the ones at it. It made the British boy wonder about the other one- the possible girl with the mowhawk. But he let that thought slide from his mind as he was dithering about in the lounge area- attempting to come up with something special to do for the day.

You see- JD hadn’t spent much time with Silver- or at least not as much as David was apparently getting. There was a nagging need for him to see his girlfriend, and more so to make sure that whenever the next problem broke out- that he would be there for her. Sorcerers apparently was a bad move for someone who wanted stress to be at their minimal- and considering his current condition- things were not looking good.

Kira chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Thank me by not pulling such a stunt again. You guys aren't from around here, are you?" That much was obvious. Most of the group had accents. Few did understand her. While she could speak a bit of japanese, she wasn't going to be fluent any time soon. Her forte was french. "I'm sure they'll want to know you're doing better. Its been a bit more than half a day since you've fallen unconscious."

Moving to the bed, Kira tilted her head. "I can heal you some more later, if you'd like. I Am a bit tired." She admitted. She wanted to sleep, but her body wouldn't allow it. Never been one to sleep in the middle of the day. There were things to do and she still had to call Harley. "Want something to drink? How do you feel?"

"Unlike my superiors, I've taken more time to investigate into your disappearance on Prom Night, and it's shown me the gravity of things. If the actual Council were to know, they'd just sent an army into the Gaze to get slaughtered." Kneji nodded. From the looks of it, the Council seemed like men with no real combat experience, and therefor, didn't know how magic worked. "And your reasoning for being here is to prevent that?" "That, and the possible destruction of our world, yes. More specifically, i'm here to help Team Valor in their efforts to get rid of Darkness."

A silent moment passed. Enzo looked more like he was sleeping, then knocked out. He moved about troubled in his sleep. Enki noticed and turned to him. "Is he waking up?" "He's still out of it, he wouldn't wake if you shook him." Enki frowned, and pulled away from him.


"If you're going to help us, start by telling us who that was that attacked us last night." Kenji said as he turned back to the captain. "They are Endine. I believe you've had an encounter with them on a mission to Castle Aurora?" Kenji looked down as he remembered. It had been while a long time ago, or, felt like it at the least. "Ever since Void's disappearance, they've moved to America, causing riots, robbing banks, the entire 9 yards. What last night was, I'm sure they had caught word of your arrival."

"I see." "We will deal with them, you have more important things to worry about, like Darkness." "How are you going to help us, exactly?" "By giving you the things you need for the job. Information, things like that."

Volitaire walked down the hallway, hair a mess, and yawning quietly. He overheard Kenji and some unfamiliar voices discussing something. It was quiet besides that, he walked to the room and saw a man in official looking garments with Kenji, Enki, and Enzo who was still asleep. He joined the room, a little embarrassed his hair was a mess and did his best to fix it. "Mind if I interrupt? What's going on?"

Sasha had gotten more interested in the robed mans words as he spoke, crossing and uncrossing her arms. Castle Aurora...What is that...?

Volitaire's entrance interrupted her musings, and she gave a curt nod to him as he walked in, "A Magic Council idiot is talking to us," she explained.

"Has it really been that long since I've been out? Well damn, those were some good drugs you put me on!" Marcus chuckled. Emotionally, he was beginning to feel like his normal self. His laid back attitude showing proudly at this point. "But yeah, the school the kids are attending is in Japan. Most of them are from there, except for a few. Myself though, I'm from The Great White North. So integrating into the Japanese culture and language was pretty difficult for me. My native tongues being English and French." He stretched out his body the best he good before adjusting himself so he was sitting up a bit. "A drink would be nice, thank you. I really appreciate your hospitality. I'm sure my students will pop in soon." Fidgeting with a couple of the bandages he looked back up and smiled, "how long do the bandages need to be on over my eyes? I can't imagine the injuries on them being too serious. I'd like to see who helped me out." Another sincere smile crossed his face, he was definitely returning to his normal self.

JD finally left the lounge a bit later after sliding to the gift shop and rummaging up enough cash to purchase something for Silver. He went to look for her afterwards, and honestly didn’t know where to start. “Should have bought the girl a bloody cellphone,” JD remarked as he found himself on the floor where his injured teacher was- or at least he remembered that is where he dropped the man off a couple of days before. “Probably should see if he is okay.”

Slowly he approached the door and rapped a few times on the solid surface. “Hello~ its’ JD here to check on the patient. Bloody saved his life- I should be allowed to annoy him for a few minutes.” That accent of his was thick- even thicker when he spoke English like he was doing now. If anyone was curious where he was from before this moment- they should very much so realize he was British after he spoke.

"Why not sent your best men to deal with it?" Kenji wanted to know as much information as possible before signing Enzo up for this. "We don't possess the rings." The captain replied. "We've tracked the rings for a while, and we've only seen them work at a minimal level, with the exception of the Storm Ring, and possibly the Sun Ring as well. But to stand a chance against Darkness for over a minute, you'll need to have those rings outputting the most flame."

"Umm, yeah.." Enki spoke up from across the room, and it caught the attention of the other two. "Sun's flame is with her dragon right now. I felt it last night." His voice was quiet compared to the captain and Kenji. "And you are..." "Enki, Sky's best friend." Enki looked over at Enzo once more, who had seemed to calm down a little.

After tidying up his hair to the best he could, he listened in on the man in the room. He was a little annoyed that no one answered his question, with his curioisty stirring even more with the official looking man in the room and Kenji questioning him. He heard the man mention the Storm Ring and felt a little disappointed knowing he really hasn't been using all his power with it. With all the power he uses he gets tired quite easily, he thought he'd mention. "I highly doubt you've seen the Storm Ring at ideal level. I haven't truly gotten to use the thing at full power, considering the foes I've fought thus far hasn't matched or surpassed the power, and I wasn't fighting to kill the second time I used it. Also, I get a bit fatigued while using it. Which is why I was looking for Kenji." He rolls his finger and points to Kenji. "For a sort of optimal training regimen with the Ring to really get a hold of it. Tapping into its power is one thing, controlling it and utilizing it's true potential is another."

HOOONNNNKKKK!!!

And suddenly, Eos found herself standing amidst halted city traffic. "Get outta the damn road ya stupid kid!" A man shouted out his window, shaking a fist at her.

But Eos had no clue how she had ended up in the middle of the road, and the moment she heard all the commotion she quickly darted off to the sidewalk. "W-wait... where am I?" She looked around, wide eyed at the scenery around her and unfortunately didn't recognize a single thing. Not a landmark, not a street sign. She had no idea where she was or how she got there.

In fact, the last thing she knew, she was inside The Snake Pit and the club was beginning to scramble into chaos. What had happened since then? And then a sickening feeling befell Eos, as if she had suddenly come down with something. The blonde began to heat up and sweat with a sudden fever, and the world around her became painfully blurry.

I don't... I don't understand...

On their way down, David stopped. "Oh, right! I wanted to check in on Mr. Tormod. He helped me when I got attacked!" David explained with a smile. Silver stared at him. "You mean, you were there when all this started? So it's your fault then." David shook his head and put his hands up in his defense. "No, no. Some dude found me, not my fault." He turned to go back to the room where he thought Marcus might be and started walking. Silver sighed and decided to follow him. She was a bit concerned for him as well. After almost arriving to his room, David paused, seeing JD at the door. Silver stopped too, looking at David to see why he stopped, and then looking to see JD. She smiled, a bit relieved to see him. "Hi, JD!" she called out to him as she walked towards him.

"Oh, they weren't drugs." she stated with a slight smile. They hadn't been able to give him drugs due to the fact that, the kind she Did have did nothing to heal a person. "Just your own body needing rest and help to recover." Leaning down to help him sit, she propped a pillow behind him to aid in making him more comfortable. Taking in the information, Kira tilted her head. "They actually attend school? Normal school or, a special one?" She couldn't imagine the school that'd let them all in. Endanger the students and all.

Taking the bandages off from his eyes at his request, she moved her hand to lightly touch his temple. Concentrating, she urged a few of his worse injuries to heal faster. Mainly the missing ear and his finger, and some other gunshot wounds. Ignoring the oncoming headache, she removed her hand from his skin."Sorry about that.. Is this better for you?" She asked and moved to get a bottle of water for him when the sound of the door being knocked on caught her attention.

"He's awake now~" Opening the door once she reached the short distance, Kira offered a smile and stepped back to let him and the other girl that'd called for JD. "Come on in and annoy all you want."