Chapter 3. Who are You

Time is a scarcity. It is unpredictable and unforgiving. We think we can control the flow of time but we get swept up in its current instead.

The stars stretch infinitely, a soft, silvery glow reflecting off the landscape. The pair stand before an abandoned factory. The blonde-haired girl is busy catching her breath after their long walk from the city.

“ Why don’t we have a car, Hirano? Pointing her finger at her brother, “ Your appearance isn’t too young so you can easily convince the DMV that you are eligible.”

Hirano gives off a disgusted look, “ Don’t you ever learn to mind yourself, Kawata, a couple centuries should have taught you something by now.”

Kawata stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry at him, causing Hirano to whip spit off his face in disgust. Glaring with cold intent, he quickly marches over to knock sharply at the door.

“ Lilith, open the door,” Hirano shouted at the top of his lungs, his frustration palpable, “ I know you are in there, I see your stupid ravens watching over us.”

Two ravens- one white and one black are perched on the rooftop ledge staring at Hirano and Kawata,. The black raven rudely squawks.

“ Caw. What’s the password Hirano., Answer the password or no entry”

“ Password? There is no password,” Hirano mutters, knocking more aggressively, “ It’s freezing out here Lilith.

“ She enjoys making you suffer,” Kawata teases, “ You were awfully mean to that warden girl for no reason.”

“ It’s because one she bumped into us, like a total klutz, and two, you know how I feel about those wardens, they caused nothing but trouble for us” Hirano mutters to himself, “ It felt better when we ruled." A sweat droplet slowly crawled down his face.

“ That was like over 6000 years ago, you should-” Kawata quipped before a tense silence took over them. Suddenly out of nowhere, the temperature dropped. Chills and sensations cover the duo, a suffocating feeling slowly creeping on them, freezing them in place.

Kawata's eyes shot out in happiness, and a huge smile appeared on her face, “ Oh. That must be Lilith.” Hirano rolls his eyes, unamused by the whole scenario, “ Did she really have to drop the temperature that badly around us? What was even the point?”

“ I only did that so you both could stop arguing and shouting all over the place,” Lilith softly says, suddenly appearing between Hirano and Kawata. They both jump out in fear, unaware of when or how she appeared between them.

Lilith’s ravens slowly perched themselves on her shoulders, and she slowly floated herself to the door, allowing Kawata to enter the building, but not quickly stopping Hirano.

“ Apologize for yelling at my ravens,” Lilith quietly says, her long grunge black hair covering her face.

Hirano just stares at Lilith, bewildered as to why she is not letting him in, but after a couple seconds, he just rolls his eyes and gives a half-baked apology.

Lilith gives a small smile, but Hirano can’t see it through her long black hair, “ Good enough Hirano. Come inside.”

Hirano gives a sigh, showing a bit of attitude towards Lilith as he walks past her. The interior of the abandoned factory is framed like a regular home with rooms, couches, a TV, and a kitchen. Kawata scurries over to the bean bag chair, a dark mist engulfs her, switching from her female form to that of a young male. The air shimmered brightly as the transformation took place.

“ Oh it feels so much better being home,” Kawata exclaims to himself, “ Lilith, you should hear what Hirano did today.”

“ Oh, what did Hirano do this time?” Lilith questions, as she floats over to hang a plate of oranges to the two. Hirano quickly puts his hand over Kawata’s mouth before he can say more.

“ A girl bumped into me, that's all,” Hirano disclosed, his grip squeezing on Kawata’s mouth, causing him to squirm around.

“ Oh really?” doubting Hirano’s story, “ How was your mission today?”

“ The same as always Lilith. Nothing,” bluntly answering, “ The wardens know how to hide their talismans well.”

“ You predict that there is one here?”

“ The city is massive, Lilith. We’ve barely scratched the surface,” Hirano snapped.

Kawata yanks Hirano’s hands off his mouth, “ Hirano didn’t mention she was a warden- and he pushed her in front of her friends.”

Lilith put her hands on her face, heavily exhaling, cold air leaving her mouth. “ Hirano, how do you think your father would react when he hears about what you did?” She quickly floats over to pinch Hirano’s ear.

“ Ow. Lilith let go,” Hirano says, wincing from the pain, “ It wasn’t that serious anyway she just ran off with her gang of misfits.”

“ That’s not the problem, Hirano,” Lilith says angrily, but her tone is the same as she normally speaks. You disobeyed your father's rule not to interact with any wardens or cause any harm to humans at all.”

Hirano scowled, pushing Lilith’s hand away from his ear, “ Why should we care whether humans or wardens to be specific are harmed or not? How does that benefit us at all? What happens to them doesn’t affect me in the slightest.”

Kawata tilts his head forward towards Hirano giving him a no-nonsense attitude look at him. Hirano stands there waiting for Lilith’s response, towering over her, being only a couple inches taller.

“ It’s just what father prefers, and as the maternal figure, you’ll respect that,” Lilith warns, her voice quiet but commanding. Slowly floating over to pinch Hirano’s cheek, the way a mother scolds her child.

“ Ow. Enough with the pinching already." Exclaiming loudly, Hirano pushed Lilith’s hand away from his cheek, “ That’s why ‘father’ is weak Lilith. He has accepted defeat, and is willing to bow his head over to the wardens, like a little dog.”

“ He would eviscerate you if he heard that Hirano,” Kawata jeered, not even looking in Hirano’s direction, “ We don’t even interact with them, why are you so pressed?”

“ I’m angry at what they represent,” Scowling towards Kawata, “ Humans are worthless beings, the wardens may call themselves peacekeepers protecting the people from the Elusives but they are just fools who pretend they are doing something greater than themselves.”

“ They make good food though. They’ve been improving their cooking skills over the past thousands of years,” Kawata quipped, paying attention on his phone, “ The men and women are pretty tho, I don’t see why you are so upset.”

“ Kawata. Hirano is currently not in the mood for your quips and jokes right now,” Lilith says, trying to calm the situation down. Slowly turning her head towards Hirano, “ You should take a breather, Hirano, I read online that-”

“ I don’t need to take a breather, Lilith,” Hirano says, his voice calmer, but annoyed.

“ You clearly do, Hirano. “ Kawata jeered.

Hirano’s eyes glow a golden-yellow aura, his hand radiating in a whirlwind of spiritual energy, “ I think someone has got to teach you when to be quiet.”

“ Ah. You want a sibling fight,” Kawata remarks, his eyes glowing a hot-pink, reddish aura, ‘ You should have said so from the beginning. I was getting tired of hearing your reminiscence of the past.”

Not again, Lilith thinks to herself, unamused with the whole situation. Quickly raising her hands, she brought the temperature down for Kawata and Hirano as they were about to clash. The chills quickly consumed them, goosebumps appearing on their skin.

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“ That’s enough you two,” Lilith whispered, her voice commanding and distorted, “ I have already finished cleaning this place up. I don’t need you two to ruin my hard work.” her words cutting through the freezing air.

“ Okay. We’ll stop,” Hirano reluctantly says, his voice tightening up due to the intense sensations. Lilith quickly lowered her hand, stopping the chills from affecting the two. Hirano quickly pats himself down, while Kawata still lies on the ground, foam drooling out his mouth.

“ Now you two hug it out and apologize,” Lilith quietly orders, commanding and booming, pointing at Hirano. He silently groans to himself, rubbing his face with his hands, before picking up Kawata and embracing him in an awkward hug.

“ Sorry about… infuriating you…. Big bro,” Kawata awkwardly mutters, his voice uncertain.

Hirano’s throat felt like it was going to close in on himself, but he managed to push past it. Fidgeting his arms, Kawata’s voice falters as he mutters, “ Sorry… for the teasing…”

“ Yeah. You too. Sorry for my angry outburst towards you.” The words felt stuck in the back of Hirano’s throat but at least Lilith had forced them to put that moment behind them.

Slowly floating to the two, her pale, torn, white dress hovered off the ground. Lilith exhales to herself, her icy breath visible to the two, “ It’s best you two go to your rooms for the night, you’ll be busy tomorrow.”

Kawata quickly transforms himself back into his more feminine form before slowly walking with Hirano, turning their back towards their rooms. Hirano jeers at Kawata, “ Wake up early. We’ll be traveling far.”

“ Oh how great,” Kawata sarcastically says.

“ You little-”

Lilith turns her head, unnaturally so, clearly irritated from their banter. Another chill sensation swept the two, as they walked faster to their own separate rooms.

“ Those two are a handful,” she says to herself quietly.

As the siblings settled into their respective routines, the rising sun slowly continued its ascent, marking the beginning of a school day for Kiara. She sits in her classroom, where free time has overtaken her class, all the students are doing their respective tasks- working on homework, talking with their friends, or just sleeping.

As Kiara is busy discussing their favorite band members with her friend group, she overhears a conversation that sparks her intrigue. Slowly turning her head to the back of the classroom, she sees two boys discussing what they saw on the news.

“ Have you seen the increase in missing people lately?” one of the boys asked.

“ Yeah. I wonder what is going on.” the other replied.

Thank god I got Noah to safety before that happened, Kiara thought, her mind racing. But why the sudden increase in disappearances?

A sudden tap on her shoulder brought Kiara back to reality, pulling her out of her thoughts. Instantly wincing in surprise,“ Don’t scare me like that guys,” Kiara exclaimed, a little flustered as she turned to face her friends.

“ Sorry about that,” Nina apologized, “ Are you okay?” her voice filled with concern.

“ Oh no.” waving her hands around, shaking off the unease, “ I just got distracted that’s all,” Kiara’s eyes still darted to the back of the room, the conversation still lingering in her mind.

Maybe I should investigate it, Kiara thought to herself, but instantly slapped her cheeks with her hands, trying to shake off the impulse, No. I have to think about my choices from now on. Still, what's really going on?

“ Oh. You say you are going on a trip somewhere this weekend right? Her friend Chloe said, “ Where are you going?”

“ Uhhh. Massachusetts,” Kiara said, quickly coming up with a lie, “ Yep. Massachusetts.”

“ Massachusetts? That’s pretty far you know that Kiara,” Nina replied, with skepticism in her voice, “ Are you going by car or plane?”

“ Car. Definitely car,” Kiara’s palms sweat, her fingers twitching from anxiety, her breathing becoming heavier by the second.

“ That’s almost a two-day Kiara,” Chloe rebutted, “ Are you going to be in the state for like a couple hours before you have to head back home?”

“ Yeah. Quick trip,” responding quickly, her voice tightening around her jaw. Kiara hoped this conversation would end quickly. Chloe and Nina just shrug their shoulders, skepticism in their eyes, but they ultimately buy into her story, while Kiara forces a smile.

Oh my god, that was so awkward, Kiara’s mind raced. Still, I wonder what the temple is going to be like… is it going to be as bad as Grandpa described it? Or worse?”

As Kiara continues their conversation with their favorite band members with her friends, Edward is sitting in his study room, slouched over on his chair. His eyes were tired from exhaustion. He throws pieces of paper on a board hung up in his room.

Edward’s study room is covered in loose paper and documents. Pictures and cameras are scattered everywhere. No sense of tidiness and cleanliness in sight. His mind is uneasy.

“ Another loose end,” mumbling to himself, “ Why is there a sudden increase in disappearances?” rummaging through his messy desk for answers.

Could it be… he thinks to himself, “ No. It is very unlikely. This is different,” faltering on his words. Doubt crept into his mind, clouding his judgment. Those words from many years ago returned to him, Continue chasing loose ends for the rest of your life.

Edward's gaze wandered over the place, contemplating that comment. Slowly getting up from his chair, placing a picture on his bulletin board, “ You’ll regret those words one day, those loose ends will soon come to an end.”

Hirano and Kawata walk in the busy streets of the city. The civilians quickly ignored them and walked past their presence. Kawata's baggy street clothes contrast with Hirano’s sleek black trench coat.

Kawata quickly moves ahead when he spots a pretty girl in front of him. Hirano stops in his tracks, preparing for the inevitable, as he watches Kawata ask the girl for her number. The girl gives a dirty look and slaps him in the face. She quickly runs off in the opposite direction, leaving Kawata heartbroken.

“ You, proud of yourself, kid,” Hirano says sarcastically, chuckling to himself.

“ It’s a different story when I transform into a girl okay. All the men couldn’t resist me,” Kawata says, sneering at Hirano, “ Why are we even in this area again? We’ve already scouted it like a thousand times.”

Hirano walks forward with Kawata slowly pursuing him. He points his finger at the large forests that neighbor the city, the Crimson Pineglade National Park.

“ That’s where we need to go.”

“ Why? The park is over four hundred thousand miles.”

“ Then we should get to searching,” Hirano rebuked, continuing his path to the national park, “ We have a whole month ahead of us, so let’s get going.” Kawata groans to himself before continuing his path.

“ Why are we even going there in the first place?” Kawata says, a look of puzzlement across his face.

“ Wardens have a restricted zone there, meant to train younglings and recruits.”

“ So what. Are you gonna get your revenge on younglings?” Kawata sarcastically jokes to himself.

“ No. There are many A-rank Elusives in that area, a higher amount than usual,” Hirano eyes dart around the city tops, “ Why do you think that?”

“ Maybe it’s because of our presence and our vast amounts of spiritual energy, I don’t know.”

“ That may be true, but there can be another reason as well,” Hirano stops his path, his eyes still gazing into the forest, “ There is a talisman there.”

“ Why would the wardens place a talisman so close to where they train and where civilians live close to? Kawata tilts his head quizzically, before stopping for a moment.

“ They most likely thought it was easier to surveil it during their training.” Hirano cracks his fingers, “ It doesn’t matter to me anyway. Their carelessness is amusing.” a sly grin appeared on his face.

“ Who do you think the person inside the talisman is?” Kawata nudges Hirano on his side.

Hirano rubbed his side in the area Kawata nudged him, “ Can you stop doing that? I’m getting sore because of you?” slapping the back of Kawata’s head.

“ All I care about is we free one of our own,” Hirano says, his voice thick with conviction and clinicality.

“ Father is going to be happy at least.” Kawata exclaimed to himself.

“ Yeah. I bet he does,” rolling his eyes, Hirano pushes Kawata to keep on moving. The two slowly make their way to the national park. Unknown to the two, a person standing in the crowd watches them from a distance.

“ The Crimson Pineglade National Park huh,” the man softly mutters to himself before continuing his path in the opposite direction, “ Thank you for the tip.” a faint smile showing on his face, before slowly blending into the busy streets, unnoticed by the siblings.