Epilogue Part Three: Time Flies
It was really hitting the nail on the head to say it was impossible to keep a secret from Reece. She was always one to butt in on other people's business, and she definitely used her powers a lot. Especially when she was suspicious about something. Or, in this case? She'd had her powers stolen from her for a long time, and was so ecstatic that they were back that she was probably using them more than necessary. Not that she really cared that that was the case. She did nod her agreement with Gilgamesh's statement, seeming thoughtful. "
Yeah Just of a different type." For a moment or two, Reece thought back to Abraham. But she quickly redirected her thoughts to something else, having no desire to reminisce the events that had taken place at the hand of the Dark Incubus.
In truth, the Sybil was rather glad that Gilgamesh made no further commentary on neither her lack of response to his question about revival, nor her advice on being careful.. While the fact that he didn't respond to her comment about insects somewhat amused her. While she hadn't necessarily 'won' their argument/discussion/whatever on the Murder Games, it seemed she at least had him at a loss on one subject.
To be frank, Gilgamesh's next words to little Ryan confused her a good bit. But, she didn't voice this - she just thought it over absently, figuring she'd be able to decipher it later. For now.. It was time to go.
Admittedly, the older sibling out of the two blondes was rather surprised that the King of Heroes didn't get mad when Ryan hugged him - and was even more surprised that he actually patted her on the head. Despite her surprise over this, the Caster couldn't help but smile.
Huh. I suppose there's more to him than I thought. As much as she would've loved to try to figure the man out more, there just wasn't time. She had been about to start towards the portal when Gilgamesh surprised her yet again. This time, with the offering of a gift.
At first, the Sybil was unsure of how to react... But, then, she simply shook her head. "
Your offer is appreciated, but I don't think I can accept. There's no need for such treasuries, back home," she explained. "
Besides.. Friendships aren't about material objects, anyways. Memories and knowledge that you have a bond is the only gift needed." Ah. How sentimental. Even if she was like a walking encyclopedia, she had insight on emotions after all... Or she picked that information up from a definition she read somewhere. Either or. "
..Regardless, good luck in your affairs, Gilgamesh. I look forward to crossing paths with you again."
After exchanging their final goodbyes with Gilgamesh, Reece gave one last smile before slowly moving towards the portal with a deep breath.
Whether goodbyes are a nuisance or not, it's time to go, she reminded herself. So, she looked down to her sister, speaking slowly. "
Alright, I'll go first. Just follow me," she ordered, simply, glad to see little Ryan nod her agreement. With that, the Sybil slowly but proudly walked through the portal.. And sighed in relief. Upon walking through, she found herself back in an all-too-familiar place: Ravenwood Manor. But, as to be expected, the appearance of the place had greatly changed since she'd last been in it's corridors. Now, rather than being decorated in a bright and cheerful manner, everything was dark and dreary.
Ah, wonderful. I guess I really hit the nail on the head when I said our family would be worried.. the light Caster thought, shaking her head.
Meanwhile, Ryan was hesitating on the other side of the portal. She shot one last glance and smile at Gilgamesh, gave a parting wave, and quietly moved through the portal. She joined her sister on the other side, looking around the hall of the Manor in silence. "
...Do you think Lena-Beana did this, Reece?" she asked after a moment, looking at her big sister with expectant blue eyes. But, before Reece had the chance to answer, a loud bark resonated through the hall.. And Ryan found herself tackled to the floor in a flash of black. She landed with a hard 'thud', but no sound of pain or surprise came. In fact, she actually... Giggled.
"
Hi, Boo!" she greeted as the black wolf now pinning her down showered her face with affectionate licks. Despite her earlier sadness, the massive canine that was on top of her managed to bring up the girl's mood slightly.
Before long, the wolf on top of Ryan wasn't the only one flocking to her and Reece. There was the sound of cautious footsteps, and then a wide-eyed and distant looking woman appeared, her jaw dropping when she saw Reece and Ryan. "
B-Barclay..!" she called back towards the direction she'd came from. She looked about ready to faint, actually, after seeing the sisters.. And actually seemed about to do just that. Reece immediately became alarmed, about to rush to the woman's aid, only for a man to come into view to do just that. The woman slumped into his arms, and he seemed incredibly worried by this. "
Delphine! Delphine, dear, what's the matter? Is it th-" before he finished, the man noticed the presence of the two blondes, and he lit right up. "
Reece, Ryan!"
Reece only gave an awkward smile, before moving to help the man with Delphine. "
Hello, father," she responded. He seemed to be about to speak again, but Reece cut him off. "
Before you ask, let's take care of momma. Then we can talk." The man seemed to hesitate a moment before giving a nod. A short while later, the four(or, five, if you counted good ol' Boo Radley) were sitting in the living room, with Delphine conscious and practically crying out of joy and relief. Ryan was on the floor, idly petting Boo Radley before speaking up. "
...Poppa, has Jules come back, yet?" she inquired, hopefully. Much to her dismay, though, the man shook his head in silence. "
..No, she hasn't."
"
..Oh."
The child didn't exactly have much time to mope, though, because soon enough? It was practically a party in the living room, the dark and dreary decorations beginning to morph into happier and brighter ones. Lena and Ethan were quickly informed that Ryan and Reece were back via Kelting, and had rushed back to the Manor when they were told. Macon himself had made a rare appearance, even - and everyone was gathered together again. Ryan and Reece both got more hugs than they probably wanted(well... Reece, anyways), and then lots of questions were asked, so Reece cut to the chase and told the family the tale of what had happened.
That had been two years ago, now.
It had been one hell of a two years, to say the least. A lot had happened... But there was also a lot that
hadn't happened, as well. Neither Reece nor Ryan had seen any of their friends they'd made in the incident with Flamma of the Right, and Ryan still didn't get out as much as she longed to. But, the good news was.. Things were much more peaceful, now. Balance was restored, Abraham was gone, and there weren't any Traitors running around killing people. That was definitely nice.
But, neither of the sisters had forgotten about their time in the Murder Game. In fact, far from it. Reece had been trying to look into the events more, now that she was aware of them, in search of a way to put them to a stop. It was a dream that would be incredibly hard to achieve... But the Light Caster was nothing if not determined. Of course, it was a bit hard to find information on the events - even the Lunae Libri lacked any books revolving around them.
So, when opportunity arose, the Sybil gladly took it - even if that opportunity came in quite the aggravating form.
---
It was a fairly nice day outside, but Ryan hardly noticed that. No, the blonde child that was now twelve years old was instead sitting in the living room of Ravenwood Manor, running her fingers over the blue fabric of her old cape in silence. With having not seen Kinuhata in two years, the cape was the only physical possession she had left from their time together, and as such, she treasured it dearly. It was the same case with the orange flower that she'd received from Ilona before the girl vanished, that she had kept for the entire time despite it having become old and withered.
Perhaps that was what Ryan was thinking about, as she gently felt over the blue fabric in her hands, tracing designs on it with her slender fingers. Her time in the Murder Game, and the friends that she ached so desperately to see again. But, if this was the case or not was unknown, because her train of thought was interrupted by a low, rumbling growl, followed by a loud bark, both coming from Boo Radley. The little blonde turned her head to look in the direction of the wolf to see why he was aggravated, only for her bright blue eyes to land on...
"Ridley!"
Within moments, Ryan was on her feet and dashing towards the figure, practically tackling her. The person staggered, clearly surprised by Ryan's sudden action, but they managed to stay standing. Ryan hugged the older girl tightly, smiling widely despite herself. "
You're alright," the girl murmured through the embrace, feeling so much better after getting those words out. Her sister was alright. All the worrying she'd been doing had been pointless, because Ridley was alright. There was a long silence, as though Ryan's sibling didn't know how to respond, before the Siren finally spoke. "
...No need to act so surprised, Sis," she commented. "
You know I could never leave you too long," she added, and Ryan felt the Siren ruffle her hair playfully. "
What is the deal, anyways? You know your favorite sister can handle herself just fine."
Now, Ryan's smile faded, her expression growing a bit more serious as she reluctantly released Ridley from her embrace. "
Rid... You were gone for over three months. Even Lena and Link didn't know where you were," she explained, quietly. "
Momma and the others were starting to say yo-.." She didn't get the chance to finish.. And, admittedly, she was glad about that. "
Sis, I will not be dying for a long time. Loosen up. I promise I will live to be at least two hundred and fifty, alright?"
That managed to bring Ryan's smile back.
Just about then, the younger of the two noticed something: there was an odd young wolf at Ridley's feet that she'd never seen before. Still smiling, Ryan crouched down, extending a cautious and friendly hand to the animal. "
Aw.. Who's this?" she asked her sister, starting to scratch the canine behind his ears. "
Ahh.. That's Achilles," her Dark sister stated, awkwardly. "
Achilles?" Ryan repeated, smiling faintly. "
Like, Achilles from Greek mythology?" she inquired, climbing back to her feet after petting the wolf a bit more. Ridley nodded in response. "
You got it, Sis. Sounds like you have been spending too much time around Reece the Beas--"
"
I'm right here, you know," Reece interjected with an annoyed tone from where she'd been watching her two sisters, listening in on their conversation. Being nosy was one of the things she did best, after all. Much to her annoyance, Ridley just grinned, opening her arms in a comedic gesture. "
Ah, the Beast speaks! What, no hug for your sister? Or, I guess ex-sister is more accurate, considering you disowned me like the rest of the fam," the Siren quipped. This just made Reece roll her eyes with annoyance, shooting Ridley a pointed glare. "
Oh, bite me," she snapped. "
I missed you, too."
"
Shut up."
Ryan was just watching the exchange with slight disappointment. She didn't care to see her sisters arguing, but before she could pipe up about it, Ridley had covered her ears with her hands. Ryan missed it, but Reece noted that this action was supposed to be mocking. "
Aw, come on. I thought you knew better than to use such horrible language around poor, impressionable little Ryan," Ridley chided, playfully. The words only made Reece's frown deepen, though, and the Sybil wasted no time in getting right up close to her sister.. Before waving a hand over Ridley's face, making her features seem to ripple. Distort, in a way. Ridley blinked in surprise as this happened, dropping her hands away from Ryan's ears to instead swat Reece's hand away.
Reece hardly noticed, though - she was too drawn up in the effect her magic had had on Ridley's appearance.
Instead of Ridley's features briefly seeming comparable to those of Sarafine the Catalyst, as had happened the last time that Reece had used her ability on Ridley, she found herself surprised: Ridley's golden eyes- a trademark of a Dark Caster -turned a vivid shade of violet, making Reece fall silent out of shock.
"
I understand that I am very attractive, Beast, but staring at me like that is a bit rude."
Normally, such a comment would've earned an aggravated response from Reece. Perhaps an insult, or Ridley simply being disregarded by her altogether. But, now, Reece couldn't do a thing. She was so shocked and caught off guard by the unexpected result of her magic that she couldn't even make a jab back at her sister, or even glare at her. No, all the Sybil could do was stare, even as the violet faded back to gold. Soon enough, though, the sound of the door opening seemed to pull Ridley's attention away, and she moved towards said door to investigate with Ryan at her heels, leaving Reece simply standing there, still in shock.
Purple eyes...? Casters don't get purple eyes. Even John, a hybrid, has no such thing. It's always simply green or gold. So why would my abilities reveal that from Ridley..? How is such a thing possible?
The thing was... Reece had seen much, much more than just Ridley's eyes shifting to violet within the period she'd been staring at the Siren for. She also saw something just as interesting, if not more so: her sister had been in a Murder Game. Been a traitor. Developed feelings for a man.
Suffice to say, Reece just developed a whole new interest in her younger sister - But she failed to realize there was something much more interesting lurking in the shadows of the small town known as Gatlin, South Carolina....
~
And that was where things got weird~
