Flame ...

lies. it was all lies.

The Heavenly Principles themselves said that they would release Valerie if Lady Charemiene agreed that she could stay in Unstable.

But now look where she is.

She hadn't checked the time or how long she's been walking in this path, maybe time wasn't even moving. It was a simple, grey concrete path, surrunded by grass and flowers, a sunny blue sky above her. The only problem being that she was completely alone. No Artemis, no Teri, none of the animals. They were all gone.

Valerie had been hanging on to the slim chance that The Heavenly Principles would release her. But she's since realized that she was naive, that hoping that the celestials would release her was simply foolish.

She was brought here to rot.

To eternally walk this path. The path that seemed to stretch forever.

It was a simple walkway, seemingly. A walk that seemed less than ten minutes and she'd arrive at the house at the end—her house, where she resided with her beloveds.

But every step she took? It seemed to bring her nowhere. She made one step forward, and the house would move one step back.

She could see them, Flame, Wemmbu, and Aster, playing in the yard, Flame teaching Aster how to hold a sword. It was bittersweet, being so close, yet so far from them.

She looked around again, white picket fences on the field, other houses seemingly next to theirs, just as far—maybe even further—than her home. In front of the picket fences, there were small bushes of flowers. They were colorful, with similar colors to hers, flames, and wemmbus. They bloomed as she passed them, then wilting when she left.

She continued to walk along the path for hours—maybe even days, months, who knows how time worked here—with the flowers coming and going as she passed, fleeting like her presence.

The cycle had been repeating for how long, as she finally started to feel exhaustion in her legs. She stopped, her legs starting to shake as her knees nearly buckled. She collapsed onto the hard concrete right then and there, causing her head to bruise and blood to slowly pool around there. She lay there, on the ground, staring up at the sunny blue sky with blank eyes.

As she started to lose conciousness, she started to see small ghost-like versions of Asterion, holding a mace of Wemmbu, while being chased by Flame and Wemmbu themselves. They ran around Valerie's head, seemingly in a loop of chase.

She nearly cried at the sight. It was all too pure, all too domestic, and it hurt. Hurt everthing inside of her.

A singular tear rolled down her cheek as she finally lost conciousness.

She remained like that for hours, the bright sun of the fake sky beating down on her. The blood surrounding her head had miraculously stopped, and it had started to dry up.

When she finally regained conciousness, the pain in her head was gone, and the hallucinations of her beloveds were also missing. She sat up on her elbows, looking around. The flower bushes were all wilted, and there were storm clouds approaching in the sky.

She was scared. What had happened while she was gone?

She got up and started running. Running and running and running. She didn't even notice that she was actually making progress towards the house, she just had to get to the house.

She practically bursted inside, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Whatever was out there, she was safe from, for now.

She walked around the house, taking in the interior design. It was practically her house, just unable to find anyone. Then she heard it.

Giggles. Aster's giggles.

Valerie hadn't known how long it's been since she actually heard them. Were they here? Was she actually back home?

She walked into the other room, seeinf Flame play with Aster and the dogs. He seemed... Tired. Almost exhausted. His blindfold was off and the spark in his eyes was gone. Val noticed how he tried to put on a smile for Aster, trying his best to cheer her up.

And where was Wemmbu? She hadn't seen him anywhere.

But she didn't want to leave Flame just yet. She finally got into his view, trying to wave at him. She was finally home, right? No response. Not even a glance. Then, she sat infront of him, smiling as she waited for him to notice. Yet again, nothing. She was growing more and more frustrated. She cupped his face—atleast, tried to, as her hannd pahsed right through him.

"No... No, no, no! This can't be! He–he's right here! I... How?!" She cried, though nobody could hear her words. She tried and failed over and over again to hold Flame or Aster, her hands phasing through them everytime.

She dragged herself to the bedroom, curling up into the bed and crying. It smelt like Flame and Wemmbu, how they often slept here while she was gone or taking care of Aster. She curled even tighter, clutching the blanket close.

She could faintly hear Flame and Aster approaching the bedroom, Flame carrying a tired Aster in his arms. She watched as Flame gently placed Aster onto the bed, tucking her under the blanket.

Aster was right next to her, sleeping peacefully. It hurt even more with how close yet so far she was.

Valerie watched as Aster slowly drifted off, a small smile curling on her lips. She pushed a stray lock of hair away from her forehead, and it actually worked.

Aster jolted awake at the touch, sitting up on the bed.

"Mommy...? Is that you?" Her sleepy voice asked, facing Val. Flame watched from the door, leaning on the frame. He couldn't help but smile.

"Mommy isn't there, dear. I think you should sleep, it's getting to you." He walked over to the bedside again, tucking in Aster once more.

"No! Mommy is right here! I see her right in front of me!" She pointed at Val, or, where she could see her. To Flame, there was nothing.

"Really, now? What's she saying?" He teased ruffling Aster's hair. Aster huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Tell daddy mommy says hi, dear." Val told Aster, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She watched as Aster's eyes lit up, and she sprang up to hug Flame.

"Daddy! Daddy! Mommy says I should tell you she says hi! She kissed me on the cheek!" She bounced, jumping up and down on the matress.

"Love, I think you're just tired." He said flatly, picking up Aster in his arms and carrying her.

"No! Don't take me away from mommy! She's right there!" Aster protested, trying to grasp for Val as Flame carried her away. Val chuckled as she got off the bed, wiping the tears that were falling earlier. She followed Flame, keeping Aster quiet.

"Come on, love, Val isn't here." Flame reminded Aster, patting her back as he carried her in one arm.

"Please! Daddy, please, put me down! I want to hug mommy!" Asterion tried to free herself from Flame's grip, ultimately succeeding and running to hug Val's leg. Val sinply smiled, and tried to pick her up, but stopped herself.

"Go listen to daddy, my love. You should sleep." She whispered to Aster, squating down to her height. Aster listened as she ran back to Flame and asked to be carried.

As Flame picked her up, Val tried to hug them both. She froze when she could actually hold Flame. Flame stood still as well, unable to tell who or what was holding him.

"Yay! Mommy and daddy are hugging again!" Aster chirped, shifting in Flame's arms to face Val.

"Wait, you're saying mommy is right here, Aster?" He asked, kissing the top of Aster's head. Aster nodded her head frantically, a big smile plastered on her face.

When Val pulled back, Flame felt as if there was nothing, the sudden warmth around him now gone.

When Val turned around, she found The Heavenly Principles behind her. And it seemed that only she coukd see them, as Aster and Flame didn't notice anything.

"Solstice, we're sorry for sending you here. We're here to return you back home. Lady Charemiene already agreed to your plan. We simply expect you to keep your words, okay?" They explained, snapping their fingers as they were suddenly outside the house, instead being in the front yard.

"We really hope this doesn't occur again, okay?" She sighed, turning around and dissappearing into stardust once again.

Valerie was back home. After how long? She didn't know, but she knew she must go back and hug Flame and Wemmbu.

She rushed inside the house, lunging straight at Flame and pulling him into a hug, her wings wrapping around him and Aster.

"Love... I'm back home, love... I... I missed you so much." She struggled to hold back her tears as she buried her face in Flame's shoulder, hugging him tight.

He was shocked from the hug, but so incredibly happy. He shifted aster to one arm, and used the other to wrap around val, burying his face into the crook of her neck. He breathed in, as if trying to remember her scent all over again. it had been so, so long since he had gotten to hold her. He felt tears prick his eyes, and he tried not to feel bad about the blood stain on the carpet or how his hands were still tainted red. Thankfully he had gotten rid of the animal on the floor, though...

lies. it was all lies.

The Heavenly Principles themselves said that they would release Valerie if Lady Charemiene agreed that she could stay in Unstable.

But now look where she is.

She hadn't checked the time or how long she's been walking in this path, maybe time wasn't even moving. It was a simple, grey concrete path, surrunded by grass and flowers, a sunny blue sky above her. The only problem being that she was completely alone. No Artemis, no Teri, none of the animals. They were all gone.

Valerie had been hanging on to the slim chance that The Heavenly Principles would release her. But she's since realized that she was naive, that hoping that the celestials would release her was simply foolish.

She was brought here to rot.

To eternally walk this path. The path that seemed to stretch forever.

It was a simple walkway, seemingly. A walk that seemed less than ten minutes and she'd arrive at the house at the end—her house, where she resided with her beloveds.

But every step she took? It seemed to bring her nowhere. She made one step forward, and the house would move one step back.

She could see them, Flame, Wemmbu, and Aster, playing in the yard, Flame teaching Aster how to hold a sword. It was bittersweet, being so close, yet so far from them.

She looked around again, white picket fences on the field, other houses seemingly next to theirs, just as far—maybe even further—than her home. In front of the picket fences, there were small bushes of flowers. They were colorful, with similar colors to hers, flames, and wemmbus. They bloomed as she passed them, then wilting when she left.

She continued to walk along the path for hours—maybe even days, months, who knows how time worked here—with the flowers coming and going as she passed, fleeting like her presence.

The cycle had been repeating for how long, as she finally started to feel exhaustion in her legs. She stopped, her legs starting to shake as her knees nearly buckled. She collapsed onto the hard concrete right then and there, causing her head to bruise and blood to slowly pool around there. She lay there, on the ground, staring up at the sunny blue sky with blank eyes.

As she started to lose conciousness, she started to see small ghost-like versions of Asterion, holding a mace of Wemmbu, while being chased by Flame and Wemmbu themselves. They ran around Valerie's head, seemingly in a loop of chase.

She nearly cried at the sight. It was all too pure, all too domestic, and it hurt. Hurt everthing inside of her.

A singular tear rolled down her cheek as she finally lost conciousness.

She remained like that for hours, the bright sun of the fake sky beating down on her. The blood surrounding her head had miraculously stopped, and it had started to dry up.

When she finally regained conciousness, the pain in her head was gone, and the hallucinations of her beloveds were also missing. She sat up on her elbows, looking around. The flower bushes were all wilted, and there were storm clouds approaching in the sky.

She was scared. What had happened while she was gone?

She got up and started running. Running and running and running. She didn't even notice that she was actually making progress towards the house, she just had to get to the house.

She practically bursted inside, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Whatever was out there, she was safe from, for now.

She walked around the house, taking in the interior design. It was practically her house, just unable to find anyone. Then she heard it.

Giggles. Aster's giggles.

Valerie hadn't known how long it's been since she actually heard them. Were they here? Was she actually back home?

She walked into the other room, seeinf Flame play with Aster and the dogs. He seemed... Tired. Almost exhausted. His blindfold was off and the spark in his eyes was gone. Val noticed how he tried to put on a smile for Aster, trying his best to cheer her up.

And where was Wemmbu? She hadn't seen him anywhere.

But she didn't want to leave Flame just yet. She finally got into his view, trying to wave at him. She was finally home, right? No response. Not even a glance. Then, she sat infront of him, smiling as she waited for him to notice. Yet again, nothing. She was growing more and more frustrated. She cupped his face—atleast, tried to, as her hannd pahsed right through him.

"No... No, no, no! This can't be! He–he's right here! I... How?!" She cried, though nobody could hear her words. She tried and failed over and over again to hold Flame or Aster, her hands phasing through them everytime.

She dragged herself to the bedroom, curling up into the bed and crying. It smelt like Flame and Wemmbu, how they often slept here while she was gone or taking care of Aster. She curled even tighter, clutching the blanket close.

She could faintly hear Flame and Aster approaching the bedroom, Flame carrying a tired Aster in his arms. She watched as Flame gently placed Aster onto the bed, tucking her under the blanket.

Aster was right next to her, sleeping peacefully. It hurt even more with how close yet so far she was.

Valerie watched as Aster slowly drifted off, a small smile curling on her lips. She pushed a stray lock of hair away from her forehead, and it actually worked.

Aster jolted awake at the touch, sitting up on the bed.

"Mommy...? Is that you?" Her sleepy voice asked, facing Val. Flame watched from the door, leaning on the frame. He couldn't help but smile.

"Mommy isn't there, dear. I think you should sleep, it's getting to you." He walked over to the bedside again, tucking in Aster once more.

"No! Mommy is right here! I see her right in front of me!" She pointed at Val, or, where she could see her. To Flame, there was nothing.

"Really, now? What's she saying?" He teased ruffling Aster's hair. Aster huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Tell daddy mommy says hi, dear." Val told Aster, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She watched as Aster's eyes lit up, and she sprang up to hug Flame.

"Daddy! Daddy! Mommy says I should tell you she says hi! She kissed me on the cheek!" She bounced, jumping up and down on the matress.

"Love, I think you're just tired." He said flatly, picking up Aster in his arms and carrying her.

"No! Don't take me away from mommy! She's right there!" Aster protested, trying to grasp for Val as Flame carried her away. Val chuckled as she got off the bed, wiping the tears that were falling earlier. She followed Flame, keeping Aster quiet.

"Come on, love, Val isn't here." Flame reminded Aster, patting her back as he carried her in one arm.

"Please! Daddy, please, put me down! I want to hug mommy!" Asterion tried to free herself from Flame's grip, ultimately succeeding and running to hug Val's leg. Val sinply smiled, and tried to pick her up, but stopped herself.

"Go listen to daddy, my love. You should sleep." She whispered to Aster, squating down to her height. Aster listened as she ran back to Flame and asked to be carried.

As Flame picked her up, Val tried to hug them both. She froze when she could actually hold Flame. Flame stood still as well, unable to tell who or what was holding him.

"Yay! Mommy and daddy are hugging again!" Aster chirped, shifting in Flame's arms to face Val.

"Wait, you're saying mommy is right here, Aster?" He asked, kissing the top of Aster's head. Aster nodded her head frantically, a big smile plastered on her face.

When Val pulled back, Flame felt as if there was nothing, the sudden warmth around him now gone.

When Val turned around, she found The Heavenly Principles behind her. And it seemed that only she coukd see them, as Aster and Flame didn't notice anything.

"Solstice, we're sorry for sending you here. We're here to return you back home. Lady Charemiene already agreed to your plan. We simply expect you to keep your words, okay?" They explained, snapping their fingers as they were suddenly outside the house, instead being in the front yard.

"We really hope this doesn't occur again, okay?" She sighed, turning around and dissappearing into stardust once again.

Valerie was back home. After how long? She didn't know, but she knew she must go back and hug Flame and Wemmbu.

She rushed inside the house, lunging straight at Flame and pulling him into a hug, her wings wrapping around him and Aster.

"Love... I'm back home, love... I... I missed you so much." She struggled to hold back her tears as she buried her face in Flame's shoulder, hugging him tight.

He was shocked from the hug, but so incredibly happy. He shifted aster to one arm, and used the other to wrap around val, burying his face into the crook of her neck. He breathed in, as if trying to remember her scent all over again. it had been so, so long since he had gotten to hold her. He felt tears prick his eyes, and he tried not to feel bad about the blood stain on the carpet or how his hands were still tainted red. Thankfully he had gotten rid of the animal on the floor, though...

lies. it was all lies.

The Heavenly Principles themselves said that they would release Valerie if Lady Charemiene agreed that she could stay in Unstable.

But now look where she is.

She hadn't checked the time or how long she's been walking in this path, maybe time wasn't even moving. It was a simple, grey concrete path, surrunded by grass and flowers, a sunny blue sky above her. The only problem being that she was completely alone. No Artemis, no Teri, none of the animals. They were all gone.

Valerie had been hanging on to the slim chance that The Heavenly Principles would release her. But she's since realized that she was naive, that hoping that the celestials would release her was simply foolish.

She was brought here to rot.

To eternally walk this path. The path that seemed to stretch forever.

It was a simple walkway, seemingly. A walk that seemed less than ten minutes and she'd arrive at the house at the end—her house, where she resided with her beloveds.

But every step she took? It seemed to bring her nowhere. She made one step forward, and the house would move one step back.

She could see them, Flame, Wemmbu, and Aster, playing in the yard, Flame teaching Aster how to hold a sword. It was bittersweet, being so close, yet so far from them.

She looked around again, white picket fences on the field, other houses seemingly next to theirs, just as far—maybe even further—than her home. In front of the picket fences, there were small bushes of flowers. They were colorful, with similar colors to hers, flames, and wemmbus. They bloomed as she passed them, then wilting when she left.

She continued to walk along the path for hours—maybe even days, months, who knows how time worked here—with the flowers coming and going as she passed, fleeting like her presence.

The cycle had been repeating for how long, as she finally started to feel exhaustion in her legs. She stopped, her legs starting to shake as her knees nearly buckled. She collapsed onto the hard concrete right then and there, causing her head to bruise and blood to slowly pool around there. She lay there, on the ground, staring up at the sunny blue sky with blank eyes.

As she started to lose conciousness, she started to see small ghost-like versions of Asterion, holding a mace of Wemmbu, while being chased by Flame and Wemmbu themselves. They ran around Valerie's head, seemingly in a loop of chase.

She nearly cried at the sight. It was all too pure, all too domestic, and it hurt. Hurt everthing inside of her.

A singular tear rolled down her cheek as she finally lost conciousness.

She remained like that for hours, the bright sun of the fake sky beating down on her. The blood surrounding her head had miraculously stopped, and it had started to dry up.

When she finally regained conciousness, the pain in her head was gone, and the hallucinations of her beloveds were also missing. She sat up on her elbows, looking around. The flower bushes were all wilted, and there were storm clouds approaching in the sky.

She was scared. What had happened while she was gone?

She got up and started running. Running and running and running. She didn't even notice that she was actually making progress towards the house, she just had to get to the house.

She practically bursted inside, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Whatever was out there, she was safe from, for now.

She walked around the house, taking in the interior design. It was practically her house, just unable to find anyone. Then she heard it.

Giggles. Aster's giggles.

Valerie hadn't known how long it's been since she actually heard them. Were they here? Was she actually back home?

She walked into the other room, seeinf Flame play with Aster and the dogs. He seemed... Tired. Almost exhausted. His blindfold was off and the spark in his eyes was gone. Val noticed how he tried to put on a smile for Aster, trying his best to cheer her up.

And where was Wemmbu? She hadn't seen him anywhere.

But she didn't want to leave Flame just yet. She finally got into his view, trying to wave at him. She was finally home, right? No response. Not even a glance. Then, she sat infront of him, smiling as she waited for him to notice. Yet again, nothing. She was growing more and more frustrated. She cupped his face—atleast, tried to, as her hannd pahsed right through him.

"No... No, no, no! This can't be! He–he's right here! I... How?!" She cried, though nobody could hear her words. She tried and failed over and over again to hold Flame or Aster, her hands phasing through them everytime.

She dragged herself to the bedroom, curling up into the bed and crying. It smelt like Flame and Wemmbu, how they often slept here while she was gone or taking care of Aster. She curled even tighter, clutching the blanket close.

She could faintly hear Flame and Aster approaching the bedroom, Flame carrying a tired Aster in his arms. She watched as Flame gently placed Aster onto the bed, tucking her under the blanket.

Aster was right next to her, sleeping peacefully. It hurt even more with how close yet so far she was.

Valerie watched as Aster slowly drifted off, a small smile curling on her lips. She pushed a stray lock of hair away from her forehead, and it actually worked.

Aster jolted awake at the touch, sitting up on the bed.

"Mommy...? Is that you?" Her sleepy voice asked, facing Val. Flame watched from the door, leaning on the frame. He couldn't help but smile.

"Mommy isn't there, dear. I think you should sleep, it's getting to you." He walked over to the bedside again, tucking in Aster once more.

"No! Mommy is right here! I see her right in front of me!" She pointed at Val, or, where she could see her. To Flame, there was nothing.

"Really, now? What's she saying?" He teased ruffling Aster's hair. Aster huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Tell daddy mommy says hi, dear." Val told Aster, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She watched as Aster's eyes lit up, and she sprang up to hug Flame.

"Daddy! Daddy! Mommy says I should tell you she says hi! She kissed me on the cheek!" She bounced, jumping up and down on the matress.

"Love, I think you're just tired." He said flatly, picking up Aster in his arms and carrying her.

"No! Don't take me away from mommy! She's right there!" Aster protested, trying to grasp for Val as Flame carried her away. Val chuckled as she got off the bed, wiping the tears that were falling earlier. She followed Flame, keeping Aster quiet.

"Come on, love, Val isn't here." Flame reminded Aster, patting her back as he carried her in one arm.

"Please! Daddy, please, put me down! I want to hug mommy!" Asterion tried to free herself from Flame's grip, ultimately succeeding and running to hug Val's leg. Val sinply smiled, and tried to pick her up, but stopped herself.

"Go listen to daddy, my love. You should sleep." She whispered to Aster, squating down to her height. Aster listened as she ran back to Flame and asked to be carried.

As Flame picked her up, Val tried to hug them both. She froze when she could actually hold Flame. Flame stood still as well, unable to tell who or what was holding him.

"Yay! Mommy and daddy are hugging again!" Aster chirped, shifting in Flame's arms to face Val.

"Wait, you're saying mommy is right here, Aster?" He asked, kissing the top of Aster's head. Aster nodded her head frantically, a big smile plastered on her face.

When Val pulled back, Flame felt as if there was nothing, the sudden warmth around him now gone.

When Val turned around, she found The Heavenly Principles behind her. And it seemed that only she coukd see them, as Aster and Flame didn't notice anything.

"Solstice, we're sorry for sending you here. We're here to return you back home. Lady Charemiene already agreed to your plan. We simply expect you to keep your words, okay?" They explained, snapping their fingers as they were suddenly outside the house, instead being in the front yard.

"We really hope this doesn't occur again, okay?" She sighed, turning around and dissappearing into stardust once again.

Valerie was back home. After how long? She didn't know, but she knew she must go back and hug Flame and Wemmbu.

She rushed inside the house, lunging straight at Flame and pulling him into a hug, her wings wrapping around him and Aster.

"Love... I'm back home, love... I... I missed you so much." She struggled to hold back her tears as she buried her face in Flame's shoulder, hugging him tight.

He was shocked from the hug, but so incredibly happy. He shifted aster to one arm, and used the other to wrap around val, burying his face into the crook of her neck. He breathed in, as if trying to remember her scent all over again. it had been so, so long since he had gotten to hold her. He felt tears prick his eyes, and he tried not to feel bad about the blood stain on the carpet or how his hands were still tainted red. Thankfully he had gotten rid of the animal on the floor, though...

lies. it was all lies.

The Heavenly Principles themselves said that they would release Valerie if Lady Charemiene agreed that she could stay in Unstable.

But now look where she is.

She hadn't checked the time or how long she's been walking in this path, maybe time wasn't even moving. It was a simple, grey concrete path, surrunded by grass and flowers, a sunny blue sky above her. The only problem being that she was completely alone. No Artemis, no Teri, none of the animals. They were all gone.

Valerie had been hanging on to the slim chance that The Heavenly Principles would release her. But she's since realized that she was naive, that hoping that the celestials would release her was simply foolish.

She was brought here to rot.

To eternally walk this path. The path that seemed to stretch forever.

It was a simple walkway, seemingly. A walk that seemed less than ten minutes and she'd arrive at the house at the end—her house, where she resided with her beloveds.

But every step she took? It seemed to bring her nowhere. She made one step forward, and the house would move one step back.

She could see them, Flame, Wemmbu, and Aster, playing in the yard, Flame teaching Aster how to hold a sword. It was bittersweet, being so close, yet so far from them.

She looked around again, white picket fences on the field, other houses seemingly next to theirs, just as far—maybe even further—than her home. In front of the picket fences, there were small bushes of flowers. They were colorful, with similar colors to hers, flames, and wemmbus. They bloomed as she passed them, then wilting when she left.

She continued to walk along the path for hours—maybe even days, months, who knows how time worked here—with the flowers coming and going as she passed, fleeting like her presence.

The cycle had been repeating for how long, as she finally started to feel exhaustion in her legs. She stopped, her legs starting to shake as her knees nearly buckled. She collapsed onto the hard concrete right then and there, causing her head to bruise and blood to slowly pool around there. She lay there, on the ground, staring up at the sunny blue sky with blank eyes.

As she started to lose conciousness, she started to see small ghost-like versions of Asterion, holding a mace of Wemmbu, while being chased by Flame and Wemmbu themselves. They ran around Valerie's head, seemingly in a loop of chase.

She nearly cried at the sight. It was all too pure, all too domestic, and it hurt. Hurt everthing inside of her.

A singular tear rolled down her cheek as she finally lost conciousness.

She remained like that for hours, the bright sun of the fake sky beating down on her. The blood surrounding her head had miraculously stopped, and it had started to dry up.

When she finally regained conciousness, the pain in her head was gone, and the hallucinations of her beloveds were also missing. She sat up on her elbows, looking around. The flower bushes were all wilted, and there were storm clouds approaching in the sky.

She was scared. What had happened while she was gone?

She got up and started running. Running and running and running. She didn't even notice that she was actually making progress towards the house, she just had to get to the house.

She practically bursted inside, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Whatever was out there, she was safe from, for now.

She walked around the house, taking in the interior design. It was practically her house, just unable to find anyone. Then she heard it.

Giggles. Aster's giggles.

Valerie hadn't known how long it's been since she actually heard them. Were they here? Was she actually back home?

She walked into the other room, seeinf Flame play with Aster and the dogs. He seemed... Tired. Almost exhausted. His blindfold was off and the spark in his eyes was gone. Val noticed how he tried to put on a smile for Aster, trying his best to cheer her up.

And where was Wemmbu? She hadn't seen him anywhere.

But she didn't want to leave Flame just yet. She finally got into his view, trying to wave at him. She was finally home, right? No response. Not even a glance. Then, she sat infront of him, smiling as she waited for him to notice. Yet again, nothing. She was growing more and more frustrated. She cupped his face—atleast, tried to, as her hannd pahsed right through him.

"No... No, no, no! This can't be! He–he's right here! I... How?!" She cried, though nobody could hear her words. She tried and failed over and over again to hold Flame or Aster, her hands phasing through them everytime.

She dragged herself to the bedroom, curling up into the bed and crying. It smelt like Flame and Wemmbu, how they often slept here while she was gone or taking care of Aster. She curled even tighter, clutching the blanket close.

She could faintly hear Flame and Aster approaching the bedroom, Flame carrying a tired Aster in his arms. She watched as Flame gently placed Aster onto the bed, tucking her under the blanket.

Aster was right next to her, sleeping peacefully. It hurt even more with how close yet so far she was.

Valerie watched as Aster slowly drifted off, a small smile curling on her lips. She pushed a stray lock of hair away from her forehead, and it actually worked.

Aster jolted awake at the touch, sitting up on the bed.

"Mommy...? Is that you?" Her sleepy voice asked, facing Val. Flame watched from the door, leaning on the frame. He couldn't help but smile.

"Mommy isn't there, dear. I think you should sleep, it's getting to you." He walked over to the bedside again, tucking in Aster once more.

"No! Mommy is right here! I see her right in front of me!" She pointed at Val, or, where she could see her. To Flame, there was nothing.

"Really, now? What's she saying?" He teased ruffling Aster's hair. Aster huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Tell daddy mommy says hi, dear." Val told Aster, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She watched as Aster's eyes lit up, and she sprang up to hug Flame.

"Daddy! Daddy! Mommy says I should tell you she says hi! She kissed me on the cheek!" She bounced, jumping up and down on the matress.

"Love, I think you're just tired." He said flatly, picking up Aster in his arms and carrying her.

"No! Don't take me away from mommy! She's right there!" Aster protested, trying to grasp for Val as Flame carried her away. Val chuckled as she got off the bed, wiping the tears that were falling earlier. She followed Flame, keeping Aster quiet.

"Come on, love, Val isn't here." Flame reminded Aster, patting her back as he carried her in one arm.

"Please! Daddy, please, put me down! I want to hug mommy!" Asterion tried to free herself from Flame's grip, ultimately succeeding and running to hug Val's leg. Val sinply smiled, and tried to pick her up, but stopped herself.

"Go listen to daddy, my love. You should sleep." She whispered to Aster, squating down to her height. Aster listened as she ran back to Flame and asked to be carried.

As Flame picked her up, Val tried to hug them both. She froze when she could actually hold Flame. Flame stood still as well, unable to tell who or what was holding him.

"Yay! Mommy and daddy are hugging again!" Aster chirped, shifting in Flame's arms to face Val.

"Wait, you're saying mommy is right here, Aster?" He asked, kissing the top of Aster's head. Aster nodded her head frantically, a big smile plastered on her face.

When Val pulled back, Flame felt as if there was nothing, the sudden warmth around him now gone.

When Val turned around, she found The Heavenly Principles behind her. And it seemed that only she coukd see them, as Aster and Flame didn't notice anything.

"Solstice, we're sorry for sending you here. We're here to return you back home. Lady Charemiene already agreed to your plan. We simply expect you to keep your words, okay?" They explained, snapping their fingers as they were suddenly outside the house, instead being in the front yard.

"We really hope this doesn't occur again, okay?" She sighed, turning around and dissappearing into stardust once again.

Valerie was back home. After how long? She didn't know, but she knew she must go back and hug Flame and Wemmbu.

She rushed inside the house, lunging straight at Flame and pulling him into a hug, her wings wrapping around him and Aster.

"Love... I'm back home, love... I... I missed you so much." She struggled to hold back her tears as she buried her face in Flame's shoulder, hugging him tight.

He was shocked from the hug, but so incredibly happy. He shifted aster to one arm, and used the other to wrap around val, burying his face into the crook of her neck. He breathed in, as if trying to remember her scent all over again. it had been so, so long since he had gotten to hold her. He felt tears prick his eyes, and he tried not to feel bad about the blood stain on the carpet or how his hands were still tainted red. Thankfully he had gotten rid of the animal on the floor, though...

he trudged through the forest where their—flames, his and val’s—base is, wood crunching—

metal. rust. blood.

the scent hits him, hard, fast the nearer he gets to the base and it makes him want to puke out his organs from anxiety.

the door slams open with too much force, the handle crunching at his grip, shaking as he sucks in a sharp breath, the scent of rotting flesh filling the air.

the dog’s carcass laid on the floor, flies buzzing and the scent of flesh in the beating sun cooking it dry, hard, wretched.

a giggle chirps through the scented room, aster playing around in flame’s lap kicking happily as she plays around with blocks, hitting them together repeatedly, the paint peeling off as flame—his flame, handsome, strong, warrior flame.

his hands pressed against the frame of what seems like the ‘TV’ that anon was talking about— eyes basically pressed into the screen where valerie seems to be in.

“…flame?” he whispers, voice cracking, eyes wide in horror

he sputters, taking a sharp step backwards as his eyes flick between the dead animal and his lover.

“…are you,” he tilts his head jerkily, “yknow, okay?”

he takes a step closer, carefully moving the dead animal’s body with his foot, scanning the tiger hybrid’s face with his eyes, each tired blink, signs of days without sleep—replaced with stress, each low flick of his tail, it was all heart shattering.

this was not his flame—not the strong warrior he knows and loves.

but it was flame none the less.

he takes multiple steps closer, practically rushing into his arms, wrapping himself around the other tightly.

“…you’re okay.”

he trudged through the forest where their—flames, his and val’s—base is, wood crunching—

metal. rust. blood.

the scent hits him, hard, fast the nearer he gets to the base and it makes him want to puke out his organs from anxiety.

the door slams open with too much force, the handle crunching at his grip, shaking as he sucks in a sharp breath, the scent of rotting flesh filling the air.

the dog’s carcass laid on the floor, flies buzzing and the scent of flesh in the beating sun cooking it dry, hard, wretched.

a giggle chirps through the scented room, aster playing around in flame’s lap kicking happily as she plays around with blocks, hitting them together repeatedly, the paint peeling off as flame—his flame, handsome, strong, warrior flame.

his hands pressed against the frame of what seems like the ‘TV’ that anon was talking about— eyes basically pressed into the screen where valerie seems to be in.

“…flame?” he whispers, voice cracking, eyes wide in horror

Though, as she searched through the room one last time, she noticed a vintage, hanheld camcorder underneath the pillow. She turned it on, and it seemed to already have full battery.

She paid no attention to it as she continued to keep her things, placing the letters, bird food, quill and ink set, and the camcorder inside her inventory. As she placed the camcorder, she noticed a sticky note attached, saying, "you'll need this :)" in handwriting that did not resemble Showtime's.

As Valerie finally collected herself to leave the cell, with high hopes to see Wemmbu, Flame, and Asterion again, she headed out.

She expected the hallway where she once followed Showtime, the one with unending twists and ends, only to be met with... A dark, empty hallway with flickering flourencent lights above?

Valerie pulled out her camcorder, turning on the flash to see properly, looking around cautiously as she took the first step forward.

She didn't know where to go first, so she chose right.

"Nothing seems out of the ordinary much... Maybe after this turn it would lead to that spiral staircase." She muttered to herself, turning the corner only to be met with a long, straight hallway with the lights falling out the roof and casting weary, faint glows across the floors.

"Whatever leads me to my beloveds." She reassured herself, walking through the hallway with light steps, checking behind her every other while to see if anything was following her.

The dove stayed loyal on her shoulder, cooing softly.

As the pair reached the end of the hallway, they were met with another turn?

and they followed that, only to be led back to the cell.

"Okay, so left it is, birdie." She scratched the head of the dove before continuing, recording the rest of the trip.

The entire time, the battery didn't drop, which seemed odd. Since, all the hallways were often long, and she recorded them all through, in slow, cautious steps.

As she took an approach to the left side, the dove on her shoulder woke and started to ruffle it's feathers, cooing loud as if it were scared.

"Oh, so not there, darling." She fed the dove a seed before going to the left, noticing how the bird fell back into slumber.

The hallway seemed to be a different one, luckily, as there was now... Puddles and... Water dripping from the open holes in the roof. There were few that were still flickering, but there were much more lights.

the camera turns around, and the walls seem to be covered in blood as well, with puddles of remaining blood on the floor.

As they were about to turn left, a sound could be heard from the very hallway they were facing.

A lamb came running into her arms, with a wolf with multiple human eyes across it's face chasing it. Val quickly carried the lamb into her arms, scaring off the "wolf" with her large wings.

"Oh, you poor thing, you're covered in blood. You're really like Aster, always jummping in puddles and whatnot, maybe you deserve the name." She muttered to nobody but herself, a small smile creeping up her face.

Teri and Artemis finally make it down, with Teri licking Val's face over and over.

Footsteps could be heard in the background.

"Oh! Well, we have a new visitor!" the voice, out of camera view, spoke, their tone cheery and old as they tried gently nudging Val awake.

The setting in the background seems to be a library, an endless loop of shelves and desks.

Val takes a sip of tea, nodding her head as she's seemingly with the lady from earlier. The fall from earlier seemed to have set the camera on mute, as she speaks, but no words can be heard.

The mic seems to be fixed, as a low growl can be heard from the tiger, which wants to eat the lamb.

"Enough, already. I know you must want to hurt Teri due to your nature, but I saw you two playing earlier." She scolded the tiger, pointing an accusatory finger at it as it drops it's head.

Val makes a cautious step forward, as well as the animals.

The faint light of the camera shows that the floor is ridden with landmines, most fake with some being real.

Valerie floats on by as the tiger remains walking by her side. The hallway starts to distort and warp, as the walls start to shift and flip, a distant meowing could be heard.

Her expression in the mirror is monotone, as she stares at herself, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

She straightened up, the wings furled around her face again as she stood up, the purple cat jumping into her arms.

The tiger had the macaw in its mouth, the bird long dead. It noticed Val moving, and perked it's head to her, stopping its gnawing on the bird. She didn't know how long the bird had been dead, lost in her trance to notice.

The animals feast on the dead body of the entity, most likely killed by Valerie. She's walking around, searching for anything that may be of interest.

"Solstice? I've long since abandoned that name. It's Valerie." She corrected, straightening her posture as she tried to collect herself.

"Oh? Is it now? That isn't the name I remember giving you." The Heavenly Principles asked, tilting their head slightly. They took a step closer towards Val, watching her as she tried to keep her composure.

flames tail flickered nervously, but instead of watching val on the tv he turned to the dog on the floor, grimacing. he supposed he had to clean that up now... he gently scooped the animal in his arms and walked outside. he dug a hole there and buried the dog there. no one would know about it if he could help it.

Asterion comes waddling in, nearly tripping over the carpet as she makes her way to Flame. She crawls into his lap, ignoring the dead animal beside her and the telivison screen showing her distressed mother.

She wrapped her little arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Dada, dada! I missed you... It bwas sooo lonely bwithout you or mummy..." She whines, sitting down and crossing her arms, a small pout forming on her face.

Asterion comes waddling in, nearly tripping over the carpet as she makes her way to Flame. She crawls into his lap, ignoring the dead animal beside her and the telivison screen showing her distressed mother.

She wrapped her little arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Dada, dada! I missed you... It bwas sooo lonely bwithout you or mummy..." She whines, sitting down and crossing her arms, a small pout forming on her face.

Asterion comes waddling in, nearly tripping over the carpet as she makes her way to Flame. She crawls into his lap, ignoring the dead animal beside her and the telivison screen showing her distressed mother.

She wrapped her little arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Dada, dada! I missed you... It bwas sooo lonely bwithout you or mummy..." She whines, sitting down and crossing her arms, a small pout forming on her face.