"You ready?"

"Yeah."

The green open area of Paladin's Academy is filled with students doing their own thing. Some come out to relax and enjoy the fresh air, while others play in the grass and dirt. In this lovely afternoon, Dreadnought and Matter are helping each other master their powers. He pulls out the small pistol and takes a deep breath before firing the gun.

*click*

Dreadnought transforms into a demon. His black wings fluttered in the wind. Matter watches on as she takes out her phone and begins a timer.

"Alright," Matter shouts, "your goal is to stay in that form for one minute. Remember, you control your abilities, not the other way around!"

"Got it," Dreadnought replies as he starts concentrating. He steadies his breathing as he hovers in the air. Every time he transformed, he felt as if he was slowly losing control of his own body. Like something else starts to take over. He focuses on feeling the wind around him. As it helps calm him down.

Thirty seconds have passed. Matter continues to observe as she notices something happening. Dreadnought is gritting his teeth. His arms start growing bigger, ripping through his sleeves. His hands have grown claws while his legs have morphed into hooves. His face starts stretching as his mouth contorts into a snout.

"Dreadnought? Dreadnought!" She screams. She grabs her autoinjector as she prepares to jump. Dreadnought begins chanting in Latin. His eyes turn blood red. Matter dives into the ground and leaps high into the air, grabbing his wings and stabbing him in the neck. The two fall down and land on the grass as Dreadnought returns to normal.

"Did it happen again?" He asks.

"Yeah. You went thirty seconds without going berserk." She remarks.

"Sorry for troubling you with all this," he says, helping her up.

"It's fine. I was free anyways," she smiles.

"I am just glad that no one got hurt," he smiles back.

The two sit down by a nearby tree as Dreadnought drinks water. Matter yawns as she rests her head on his shoulder. He rubs his eyes while leaning his head on the tree.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Hello, brother. Fancy seeing you here. It's been a while."

Dreadnought looks around. The warm rays of the sun hit his skin. The sand dust tickled his feet. The cool air coming from the sea. In front of him is a frail boy, his skin pale and his eyes barely open.

"Jacob."

"It's a shame we can only talk like this. I wish I could see you in person."

"Me too," Quinn responds. Lowering his face.

"Have you seen our elder brothers? It's been months since they came home."

"They have been detained in the local precinct."

"Mind telling me which station?"

"No."

"Cold as always, brother. But that's why father loved you the most." Jacob shrugged as he ran into the water. Quinn follows him, swimming to where Jacob is currently floating.

"This is nice. I've always wanted to go to a place like this."

"One day, I am going to take you, and all our siblings, to the best beach ever."

"A hopeful dream, brother. Alas, this may be the final time we talk to each other."

Jacob washes up to the shore as he sits down on the sand. He gazes at the sunset with tears streaming down his eyes.

"Jacob, what is going on?"

"I came to you today not to haunt you, nor to convince you to come home. I simply wanted to say goodbye."

Quinn's eyes swell up as he approaches his dwindling brother.

"My body has built up an immunity to the dosage our parents usually administer. I have been deemed a failure and have been scheduled to die."

"Brother," Quinn holds Jacob's hand as Jacob smiles back at him.

"Quinn. While some of us hold resentment for your escape, I truly wish you the best life. May you experience the best parts of being alive. And one day, I hope you rescue our siblings from torment."

"Then give me something to work with!" Quinn screams, "any clue that can help me find you!"

Jacob hugs his brother. "I'm afraid I cannot do that. I am truly sorry." He stands up and starts walking away. Quinn tries to follow, but an invisible barrier stops him.

"In another life, I wish we were one big happy family." Jacob waves to his brother as he walks into the light. Quinn clutches his chest as he collapses to the ground. He gasps for air as he wakes up back in Paladin's Academy. Matter is sleeping beside him, now lying down on the grass.

He wipes the tears from his eyes as he stares at the sunset. A small white feather falls from the leaves, landing on his palm. He holds it gently as he closes his eyes.

"Goodbye, Jacob."

Dreadnought stands up and looks behind him. He notices his wings are resting behind him. He touches his forehead and realizes he has been in his demon form the whole time. He smiles to himself as he places the feather inside his pocket. With one jump, he flies into the air, soaring past the clouds themselves. He passes a few flying white doves as he glides in the orange sky. He looks at the setting sun as he remembers a conversation he had with his late brother,

"Quinn, have you ever wondered what lies beyond these walls?"

"No?"

"Father always talked about outside world. He tells me about this big lightbulb in the sky. He calls it a Divine Light that guides people to do good."

"What that mean?"

"I do not know, brother. But one day, I wish to see this light for myself. And hopefully, you and all our siblings will watch it with me."