*knock* *knock*, the sound of my fingers rebounds off the sturdy oak-colored door of my parent's chambers. Not so long after I hear a quick reply, not wasting any more time, I enter the room only to find.

As I entered the relatively spacious, unencumbered, and windowless room, I came face to face with an unusual sight. In the left corner of the room, my mother sat on her knees while her hands franticly rummaged the nearby drawers. Itsuki remained silent, for all he knew, the fact that his mother hadn't greeted him yet or even acknowledged his presence declared that she was well aware of the intruders' existence. In turn, this meant that the thing she was searching for was of very high importance. So he simply remained quiet while observing his mother and patiently waited in another corner of the room. Countless seconds passed before my mother jerked up all of a sudden. A jade-colored necklace was laden atop her hand. It flashed a very prominent green. Gently placing the jewel necklace on the bed, mother turned back towards the drawer and opened another compartment.

Her slightly tanned hands reached further inside the drawer and proceeded to rummage around. Whatever it was that she was looking for, it had to be placed deep inside the drawer compartment. Only a few seconds later, she retracted her hands. Four discs were in between her fingers, each the size of a small plate. For the first time since I've entered this room, mother spoke. "Itsuki, thank you for being patient with me. I'm sure you sensed it already. There are enemies in our home." Whispered my mother. While she spoke, she never stopped moving her hands. The four disks were arranged into a plus shape, with a disk at each cardinal direction. A thirty-centimeter gap separated each disk. Simultaneously, She continued her speech.

"I sense ten. Though, there are probably more. You see these disks, they're called Fela's." She motions towards the disks on the floor before continuing. "They suppress the use of mana. However, they're unable to distinguish between friend and foe. Simple things like infusing mana are possible but, complex uses of mana are infeasible." She whispered once more. Her hands reached for the necklace. Then she carefully placed it in the center of the formation of disks. Soon after, my mother closed her eyes and began infusing all too familiar energy into the necklace. There were noticeable differences between her flow of mana when compared to mine. First of all, instead of the tranquil but unpredictable mana that I had, hers was unrelentless, intense, and greedy.

Though, it wasn't evil greed. It just seemed that the mana always had this hunger for more. In a way, it appeared to be controlled, sort of like an indomitable flame. Also, the sheer amount of her mana trumped mine. In terms of control, her mana traveled quicker and more smoothly throughout her body, as well. "Itsuki, I suspect you're father has sensed them too, he's most likely waiting till I release the seal to act. As soon as I release it, you'll feel some slight pain and nausea since it's your first time sensing mana outside of your body." She paused for a short second. "You're father, and I will engage them. I want you to hide in the closet over there." My mother lifted her fingers and pointed towards an antique closet.

It had a decrepit exterior and seemed tight for an average adult. However, for someone of my stature, it was a perfect size. Turning her head towards me so that our eyes were at the same height, she released a heavy sigh and continued with a slightly shaky voice. "...If-If we don't make it back. Stay hidden until you are sure they're gone, then you can find food in the other compartments of the home. From there on, I want you to ration it to last you four-six months. In that time, Kengen should be back to visit. He is the only person you can trust. Remember everything I just told you." Even though she was done speaking, her gaze remained on my face. It was assessing every feature. As if- as if it was the last time. 'Don't look at me like that. You guys will survive, right?' I mentally thought to myself.

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Finally, mother released her gaze. By the end of it, her eyes were already moist, at least more than usual. I could tell that if she continued staring any longer, tears would come out. "Don't worry about your father and me. After all, we're pretty strong, you know." Mother tries to comfort me while exposing a forced smile. "Plus, these guys aren't pros judging by their weak ability to hide their presence. You've got nothing to worry about, trust me." She carries on. I reply with a nod. However, neither of us is buying this excuse. As she finishes her 'reassuring' pep talk, the four Fela's begin to emit a blinding jade light. I quickly cover my eyes, and once I feel that it's safe, reopen them. The initial light has disappeared. Peculiarly, there are crack marks etched across the surface of the Fela's now. "Quick, Itsuki, go hide in the drawer!" My mother urges in a pressing tone.

Not being one to tardy, I instantly react and follow the previous instructions. My mother stands up, and I can see an indomitable determination stirring in her. Similar to her corresponding elemental affinity. A few seconds pass, and the plates are utterly shattered by now. Dust clutters the originally pristine floor. As soon as the disks shattered, my nervous system received an immediate overload of information. It was as if I'd been dumped in a pool of ice-cold water out of nowhere, no that doesn't do the pain justice. It truly felt as if I was trapped in the darkest room in existence, only to have the brightest light in the universe aimed at my eyes. However, this feeling permeated my entire being.

The pain was unbearable, but the headache. There- there were no words to describe it. This was the worst pain I'd ever felt. All I could do was lie in the dusty old cabinet and endure. Unbeknownst to me, while I was suffering the worst pain in existence, my mother had a bright smile on her face, for she could finally use magic once again. Red hot flames erupted from her hands. With a brilliant grin stretching from ear to ear, she marched towards the sturdy oak-colored door. As she arrives, the red hot flames that have been accumulating on the inside of her palms were released in a splendid display of scorching heat. They propelled forward, through the door as if it was air, and straight onto two unsuspecting assailants that were eavesdropping through the door. The two flaming men released screams and grunts. They dropped to the ground and began rolling around, trying to snuff out the flames. Unfortunately there efforts were futile as they died in only a few seconds.

The last individual was stationed down the hall, near the stairs leading down. She was quick to react as she raised her wand and cast an earth bullet. It never reached its target. Itsuki's mother leaned slightly to the left and barely missed the incoming projectile. Before the two females could continue their exchange any longer, an arrow flew out of nowhere and deeply impaled itself into the neck of the female intruder. She motionlessly fell to the ground in a pool of her blood. Konza, Itsuki's father, walked out from the shadows with a bow, a quiver of arrows on his back, and a deadly dagger at his waist. He stood next to his wife. Three down, seven to go. During this entire exchange, Itsuki was still suffering inside the closet, unaware of the intense battle about to take place. His hands shook, sweat poured from every pore on his body, and his breathing was ragged. Konza and Irene stood shoulder to shoulder, a silent message passing between them. NO MATTER WHAT, THEY WOULD PROTECT ITSUKI TO THEIR LAST BREATH!