My Sister the Protagonist

Note felt a presence beside him. When he turned though, there was no one there. The distant voice spoke again, its voice fractured and echoing.

 "You don't come alone. That's against the rules."

 Note quirked his brow, "Don't you like collecting groups? That's your whole deal -prove humanities rot- isn't that right."

 "You are well informed. How interesting. I was getting bored."

 "You have my sister. If she's no fun, let her and her friends go and talk with me."

 "That's not how this works. You have to make a deal first."

 Note tried to keep his patience, he'd been wracking his head with how to solve the Well demon's trap. The voice sounded entertained, almost relieved. The kid's stubbornness must have gotten to it. The voice seemed to be talking to someone else as it spoke again.

 "Who is hiding? Why won't you show yourself. This isn't a physical plain. Be known."

 Note felt that presence at his side again. It wasn't unsettling like the voice. There was a sense of … comfort? The blue sky in the water's illusion disappeared. A stary sky and full moon replaced it. A powerful feeling of longing and sorrow briefly became overwhelming. As a pale figure appeared at Note's side. The misery easing back but still lingering. It was weirdly easier to think now. It seemed Note's familiar ghost's influence was overriding the Well demon's pull. Sorrow, it seemed was greater than greed.

 Note could hear the shock in the Well's voice as it spoke.

 "It's you… But how? How could it-"

 The voice cut off, as if hesitating. The pale scholar looked nearly human now, more then they ever had in his dreams. Less monstrous and more like a simple ghost. A handsome scholar, his hair neatly pulled back. A flower tucked behind his ear. His countenance was sharp laced with cool indifference and an upright posture. Perhaps the ghost had taken a liking to him back then because they were so similar?

Note wondered why the Well seemed to know his ghost. Perhaps? Were they from the same time, had they? Could they? Note could use this.

"You want a deal, don't you? I'm not interested. I just want you to let us all go. No need for your poisoned 'gifts', were quite alright. Surely, you're not so unfair as to make me pay for trouble you caused."

The Well didn't seem pleased with Notes demands. The pale scholar beside him frowned. His pointed arrow like brows made his expression quite fierce as he spoke.

"Why don't you try asking for a deal instead. This child might be good enough to help you."

The voice's mirth returned, "Me? What could I want that this mortal can give me?"

The scholar spoke matter of fact, "Freedom."

Note tried not to do a double take. The ghost wanted him to… Free the murderous demon? Whose side are you on exactly Mr. Ghost. The scholar at his side glanced at him, their expression softening as they spoke in his mind.

'Did you not help the ancient serpent? Had it not endless victims? This is no different.'

Note couldn't argue that.

The Well was in disbelief, "Why would a human choose to free me? Humans trapped me here in the first place. I would not be what I am if not for their evil."

His ghost retorted, "He's done it for greater spirit's then you."

The Well was offended, "Who is greater than me- If the human wants out. It must be by payment. Something must be given. Even if it's not offered or asked for."

Both the ghost and Note seemed ready to argue so the voice cut them off.

"I have no control over it. I'm at the mercy of my magic's corruption. Being trapped here without form, has done this to me."

Note felt a faint hope flicker, his ghost had really been onto something. If he made the right deal to break the Well free, it's magic might be fixed in the process.

"Perhaps there's a chance?"

"Perhaps yes. But it might still take your life human. The cost… I've no control over."

The ghost quirked his head, "So any deal may still take a life."

"It might."

The little wavering hope in Note's chest weakened but didn't fade. It was enough. The outcome still wasn't guaranteed but this was better than the original Orion's options. The Well demon seemed in a better mood since the ghost had revealed himself. Note oddly felt the two were holding back. Still the three got to carefully discussing how best to make this deal.

The demon would be generous since none of the kids had yet given into its temptations. Note would still have to be willing to trade their safety with his. To make sure the kids minds weren't trapped in the Well demon's realm forever if they freed it first. He would cast release as apart of the deal. Selling himself in case his magic failed to end the curse, was a necessary precaution.

When he felt he was ready they began. Note felt anxiety tearing apart his chest.

"So, you would trade the safety of your sister Lise and her friends. I will give them my blessing. In exchange you will free me of my binds."

A faint echo whispered, "In exchange you will pay with your life."

Note ignored the fear chilling him, "I agree."

The fog began to swiftly spin around. The pale scholar was gone. The winds were loud as Note summoned his magic to do his will. Casting the release spell once again. Willing his magic to undo stone and water; fear and hate. Give body back to the formless. Change this unfortunate fate.

The sound of water bursting. Wishes spoken from the soul.

 Trade my life for theirs.

 Save them, I want nothing more.

-

 Outside the well, Ravan and Xian looked on in anxiety. The compulsion had faded after awhile. As if the Well demon had been thoroughly distracted. Then they caught the faint movement of Note's hands. As magic swirled and suddenly pulsed out. The barrier he'd set fell.

The small mint ring hanging around Note's neck shattered; its shards fell unnoticed.

The ground faintly shook, the well suddenly cracked before beginning to crumble. Ravan and Xian rushed to move the four sleeping bodies away from the structure. Barley getting them all clear before it totally collapsed, stone and dust everywhere.

 The two only had a moment to breath before the kids began to shift. Their eyes cracking and squinting open one by one as they woke. Note though had yet to stir. His face ashen, lips bloodless. Looking like he'd exerted all his magic again.

 Not wanting to linger around the ruins that were exerting a strong energy. Cursed magic was leaking. As soon as the kids could stand, Xian threw Note on his back and commanded everyone to get moving. Ravan did his best to herd the still half-asleep trio as they went. None spared a glance back at the well's ruins. Shrouded in fog.

-

 They were out of the forest by the time Note stirred. The dark circles under his eyes, the only colour on his face. Lise and Yuka had both cast healing spells on him to even get him to the point of waking. Note looked around dazedly from Xian's back.

 His voice was horse as he weakly looked at Lise, "You're alright?"

 Lise vigorously nodded her head, "Yes! I'm alright. We all are!"

 Yuka anxiously supporting Note from behind leaned around to smile. Anora simply looked on from Lise's side, rare exhaustion on her face. The girl's hands were tightly clamped together. As if afraid to let go.

 Note let out a shaky breath, "That's good."

 Ravan pulled out his water skin, holding it out as he wove between the kids.

 "Note have some water."

 Note was staring ahead blankly. As if he hadn't herd Ravan call him. Yuka from behind patted Note's back to get his attention.

 "You really should drink."

 Note turned his head, letting out an oh sound before taking the water. Ravan's brows furrowed sensing something off.

 "Note are you feeling alright?"

 The question was rather redundant based on how he was looking. But Ravan hadn't asked it for that reason. Note once again didn't blink at Ravan calling on him. Busy sipping the water that had been handed off to him. Yuka was the second to pick up on it. His grey eyes looking to the others and only seeing mirrored worry in Ravan's face.

 Lise had gotten used to her brother's new nickname since joining the Division. She rarely had reason to call her big brother by his name anyway. If he wanted to reinvent himself after all they'd gone through, she would support him. Still, she didn't pick up on his lack of reaction right away. So, when Yuka carefully tapped on his back and spoke. It threw her off guard.

 "Note?"

 Note turned blinking.

 Yuka tried again, "Orion?"

 Note held out the waterskin, "Do… Do you want it back?"

 Ravan grabbed hold of Note's outstretched hand, "Do you not know your name?"

 Xian almost lost his footing.

 Note was quickly set down, the five people all crowded around. He seemed a bit shy to be stared at by so many eyes.

 Xian searched Note's face as he spoke, "What's wrong? Does it hurt?"

 Xian's hands faintly patted Note's head. His usually stoic face was still in tact even as he avoided eye contact and squirmed under the attention. If he wasn't so worn out, he might even have blushed.

 "I'm a bit sore and tired… My head feels a bit fuzzy."

 Lise held her brother's hand, "How about your name?"

 Note blinked, then frowned. As if he expected himself to have an answer but was struggling to summon it.

 "What do you remember?"

 Note squinted, "You… and them. The Division… The mission."

 Ravan couldn't help grabbing hold of Note's arm, "So you know us. But not you?"

 Note nodded, "Of course I know you. It's just… details feel fuzzy. Which is my name, Orion or Note?"

 The three kids eased up a bit. Thinking that their clumsy big brother was simply a bit confused after exhausting himself. Sure, his memory would return intact with rest. Xian and Ravan however felt an unspeakable fear rising; chilling their bones. What if, this wasn't Note? Ravan couldn't contain his worry shaking the arm he held onto tightening his grasp.

"What do you remember about us."

Ravan motioned between himself and Xian frantically. Note looked at them his eyes softened ever so faintly.

"You're my husbands."

A wash of relief. Ravan dove into Note's arms. Xian slumped a bit the tension easing. Then chaos erupted as the three kids beside them all reacted. Xian blinked looking to Ravan.

Both thought, 'Oh right they didn't know about us yet.'

 Anora gave a hearty pat to Xian's back, eyes shining with approval. Lise screamed and grabbed onto Yuka excitedly. Worried about shaking her brother in his frail state. Yuka endured getting tossed around. Wide eyed with shock. Note looked on at the excitement clearly not having the energy to get shy again.

Lise wagged her finger at her brother, "Just you wait until you feel better. I want all the details."

Note apologised, "I'm sorry. I don't remember clearly either. But I know their my heart."

The mood dampened again. Though Note was now awake he obediently got back on Xian's back. Continuing the trek back to the inn. Getting there after nightfall. Xian wasted no time and shifted into a hawk. Flying off to find the nearest message point to let the Division know they'd gotten out. As well as the possible cursed magic leak that would also need to be investigated promptly.

-

 Reign anxious when he received the news, had a nearby Division mage come to teleport them all back. Worried about Note's injuries. Note was no sooner home when he was tucked securely into bed. The young trio were sent away to rest. Having gone days trapped, they needed time to recover too.

 When Lace rushed over, Note was sleeping. Lace had initially been partway through chasing the two hovering partners' away when he got a good look at Note. Stopping in his tracks Lace changed their mind.

 "His… Their just gone. Severed completely."

 Lace's eyes scanned over taking note of the unseen damage. Scaring the wits out of Ravan and Xian. Lace went Note's side, eyes full of sympathy as he patted his shoulder.

 "I'm so sorry. I don't think I can help."

 Xian anxiously rushed to Lace, "What's happened to him?"

 Lace was solemn, "Most of his bond's have been severed. Family, friends, self… All gone."

 Ravan barley controlled his voice, "What does that mean don't be so damn cryptic."

 Lace snorted at the lack of respect but answered, "Note was a traveller correct."

 It wasn't a question or an accusation. It was said as a matter of fact. Neither Xian or Ravan knew how to respond. Lace took their silence as their answer.

 "It's good that you were aware. He'll need you. His past life has been taken from him. Once his bodies recovered enough for his heart to process this. It's likely he'll feel the loss. Maybe all at once, maybe in pieces. It'll have no outlet; it will look a lot like grief."

 Xian gently moved Lace from Note's side. Getting on the bed and wrapping his arms around him. Note didn't stir, leaning into the warmth that surrounded him. Xian closed his eyes and he held onto him tightly.

Ravan sniffled as tears of aggravation began escaping against his will. He couldn't help recalling Note when he'd tried to talk him out of his infatuation for him. He'd had a hard time understanding the mournful way Note processed the world. But Note's words flashed through his mind now, like a dagger twisting in his heart. The self depreciating way he'd spoken as he'd revealed his air of unattachment was a practiced ruse.

'I think in endings and everything ends. So, every moment is precious.'