Sense of Assertion and Hope

Swoosh

“Purgare.”

With a wave from Lila, Haruto emits a blue light to clean up any fallen items and snacks after the disturbing event. All items and snacks are picked up and properly organized to how they once were.

“Guys, we have to talk to Azrael. The Hope Protectors need to investigate.” Lila comments.

“I’ve never seen anything like that. That voice, it sounded like a woman in trouble.” Mia adds while doing a breathing exercise.

“Okay, let’s go. This is way too big for the four of us to handle.” Taro says.

Haruto’s eyes shine, proud of Lila’s determination.

The group of four exit Lila’s room, with some students just casually talking in the corridor. Some fairies fly around while a halfling Hope Protector is at the end of the hall.

“I don’t think anyone saw or heard what happened in Lila’s room at all.” Taro mentions while looking at numerous unfazed students.

“Let’s just get to Azrael. He’s the only one besides Merlin that can help.” Lila says.

Strolling by some elves and dryads, a tall female elf stops in front of Mia.

“Watch it you damn tainted soul!” Mia stands frozen in fear of the pink haired elf eclipsing her.

Taro and the others immediately see this and jolt back to Mia.

“Honestly, why do us elves have to suffer from your existence?”

The spiteful comment has Mia’s eyes trembling, until Taro stands in front of her.

“What the hell is your problem!? For a pretty girl, you have a rotten soul to talk like that.”

Taken aback, the mocker turns furious with her fists forming.

“I have a rotten soul?! How about your girlfriend there that has the cursed bad luck mark?!”

Mia strokes her hair covering her left eye.

“How about you're wrong and she is a blessing in my life?!”

Mia’s eyes widened.

“How am I wrong?! Elven culture tells us how that mark she has under her eye means she’s bad luck.” Lila and Haruto angrily gaze towards the elf ridiculer.

“Well, maybe it’s wrong because she has been bringing us joy. You should look in the mirror, and you’ll know what a tainted bad luck soul is.” Taro snaps back.

“Excuse me?!” The female mocker pulls out her wand and aims it at Taro.

Taro immediately has his hands at the ready, with an index finger pointing at her.

“Oh no you don’t!” A fairy Hope Protector immediately snatches the female elf’s wand.

The entire group has grey mist surrounding them, with an elf Hope Protector standing behind Taro and Mia.

“Give me my wand back!” The female aggressor yells at the fairy.

“No, this is confiscated and we have some questions regarding the actions you were about to commit. Jun, take her in for questioning.”

Jun points his wands towards the female elf. With no words, a blinding white light makes her disappear.

“There, she won’t be an issue for long. Most likely disciplinary action will be forced upon her. Great work Jurina.” Jun smiles toward her.

“Are you three alright? Who knows what despair she could have had at her disposal.” Jurina says as she struggles to hold the wand she snatched up.

“Yeah, we’re okay.” Mia says softly.

“Wait, I’ve seen you two before. You’re the Kitsune and Elf girl we talked to earlier.” Jurina floats around the two and sees their heads closely.

“You two are still full of hope, good. Young lady, you should be thankful you have a boyfriend to be at your side.” Jurina says in Mia’s ear.

“I don’t know how many times I have to say this, we’re just friends.” Mia says to the fairy.

“Okay, okay, but still, it’s very sweet to have someone like him. Like how my Jun is.”

Jurina flies towards Jun’s hair and pats him.

“Like Mia said, we’re just friends.” Taro adds.

“I know, it’s still sweet you have friends that will look out for each other…” Jurina stops talking upon noticing Lila’s wand, especially the eyes on it.

Fwoosh

She instantly flies towards Lila and her wand, randomly dashing to different areas in her head and wand. Lila holds Haruto closely as he keeps his eyes straight the best he can.

“You have an unbelievable amount of hope. Wait, how come it gets more powerful the moment I get to your wand?” Jurina stares at Haruto’s eyes, her pores feeling a sense of comfort and warmth.

She lays her hand on Haruto, immediately sensing something that not only comforts her hand but her mind and all senses. Jurina flies back to Jun, confusing everyone there.

“What’s wrong, Jurina?”

“Nothing. You three, carry on please.” Jurina says as her eyes stare off.

Lila, Taro and Mia, walk away as Haruto looks to see the fairy going to Jun’s ear.

“Jun, that girl’s wand is not normal.” She whispers quietly.

“What did you sense from that girl?”

“It wasn’t just the girl, her wand felt like the most powerful source of energy in history. It’s like being at home and standing near a Pillar of Hope.”

Jun’s eyes widened.

“How can a student be that powerful? Especially if she's concentrating every ounce of hope in her.”

Jurina waves her arms.

“No Jun, it felt like her wand was a separate entity that's warm and welcoming. We need to talk to Azrael now.” Jurina sharply says.

The trio finds a blank wall as Lila points her wand to release some hope. A blue doorway opens up, Lila and Haruto enter first, with Taro and Mia entering next. They appear in Azrael’s office, seeing him wave his wand with grades being handed out or files being separated for disciplinary actions. Files fly around and land appropriately as Azrael sees the group approaching him.

“It’s you three, or should I say four.” Azrael gets up and stands in front of Lila.

“Give me your wand please.” Azrael opens up his hand.

Hesitant, Lila hands over Haruto to Azrael.

“Young lady, do you know how lucky Merlin caught you to have a hope enhancer first? Gods help you if one of the Hope Protectors or even an Overseer saw you with him.”

Azrael looks towards Haruto’s eyes.

“You can move your eyes, young man. Merlin told me everything and there’s no need to hide it anymore.” Haruto blinks regularly again, as Azrael hands him over back to Lila.

“Merlin instructed me to make sure you are all safe and don’t cause any trouble while he’s gone. Tell me, why are you here?”

Mia walks up to Azrael.

“Sir, we all have seen something terrifying in Lila’s room. Everything was shaking and the walls kept releasing blue energy.”

Azrael becomes bewildered by the explanation, leaning forward even more.

“That shouldn’t even be possible.”

“It gets worse sir; we heard a woman’s voice telling us we’re all in danger and some liquid told us Despair is Winning.” Taro says while approaching Azrael.

“Sir, please, this needs to be investigated now.” Lila softly rubs Haruto right by his eyes.

Azrael sits as he covers his mouth shaking his head.

“Okay, I’m going to investigate the room with some Hope Protectors. I don’t want any of you talking about this to anyone else, got it?”

The group all nod with Haruto wiggling in agreement.

“Good, now I want you all to continue your classes or just wait somewhere else in the building until I call you all again for…”

Azrael stops speaking as everyone looks back to see a pathway opening, with a fairy and elf emerging through.

“Azrael, we need to talk to you about…”

Jun and Jurina immediately stop in their tracks as they see the group.

“Perfect timing, I need you two to come investigate with me. These three are just reporting something that needs our eyes. Remember you three, either classes or wait idly somewhere in the building.”

Azrael drags the two Hope Protectors back through the pathway. Lila, Haruto, Taro and Mia follow as well. With a mystery mounting, the four can only wait to see if their hope can carry them through.