A blue light faded in and out all around your room. You turned to your alarm clock and waited until your vision cleared and you were able to see the neon-light numbers reading 3:33 p.m. You swore you’d only take a twenty-minute nap, but it lasted an hour.

Those golden eyes still haunted your thoughts. In the corner of your room, you saw a figure near your closet. When turning on your lamp near your bedside, you laughed sheepishly as you saw your clothes were piled up on your lounge chair, shaped into a figure.

Today, you were lucky enough to have just one class for the day. You hated how late your classes for this quarter were. You packed your laptop and other school essentials, heading out your apartment. You were in your second year of college and completely done with academia. Essays every week, exams bi-weekly; it was enough to drive anyone mad. But with your parents struggling to pay the bills, that was all the motivation you needed to withstand these stressed-filled days.

You finally made it to your college, sighing in relief as you stepped out of the bus.

The professor carried on his lecture while you struggled to remain focused. Out of your entire schedule, Biology was the class you despised the most. Even though you’d taken biology in high school, you could not, for the life of you, remember what vesicles and lysomes were. All your attention seemed to be directed towards the golden-haired man you saw in your dreams. Who was he to you? Why was he so passionate about keeping you safe? Had you met before? 

Class seemed to pass by as you were already near the end of the lecture. The professor finished off by reminding the students that their midterm was coming soon. You realized you’d been behind on your studies. You internally groaned at the thought of binge studying, knowing darn well that it might nearly be impossible. Maybe you’d ask Natsuo for help.

The professor was finally finished with his lecture and you was more than eager to be one of the few that finished packing early and out the door before everyone else.

The sky was no longer as bright as you remembered. It had turned navy blue and the lights from outside the buildings were the only source of light. Even the bus stop you needed to take had one light, illuminating the sole bench that stood there. Though it made you uncomfortable, you knew you had to wait there until the bus arrived. You hoped it wouldn’t run late.

A looming figure, unknown to you was leaning against a tree, watching you. The back of your neck tingled with nervousness. You couldn’t see where, but you knew someone was close by. As if by instinct, you finally found the figure you had sensed across the street. You couldn’t make out his face, but you knew it wasn’t a familiar one. Your breath stood still as you tried acting aloof. You two were the only two people in the surrounding area. The bus stop’s light flickered like the bulb was soon to burst. You thought it best to turn back and make your way back to campus or where there were groups of people. The click of your shoes against the pavement was the only sound that echoed throughout the street. Soon after, you heard the disruptive pattern of someone else walking right behind you. You peered over your shoulder to see the dark figure making his way towards you. Your heart sank and stomach churned in an unpleasant way, and your mind wandered to the darkest possibilities.

The figure suddenly appeared in front of you with a terrifying smirk. “This won’t hurt a bit,” the figure said. You found, soon after, that you were unable to move. It was as if you were tied down by a scaley snake slowly wrapping itself around you. The figure rose his hand towards your forehead and with a single touch, your forehead sizzled as a mark slowly appeared. You cried out in pain as the figure continued to grip you tight, just long enough to finish the brand. A crescent moon was etched onto your forehead. Even the slightest touch sent a twinge of pain through your head, causing your vision to blur.

“Welcome back, Princess.”

Images of the figure flashed through your mind. Deep purple. Scars across the figure’s eyes, arms, and chest. Bright turquoise eyes contrasting the dark hue of the figure’s clothing. Flames so engulfing they burned just by looking at them. They surrounded the figure, swallowing him whole as he smiled behind them. With feeling like the air within you was being taken away, you jolted from your bed. You heaved as you clutched your head. You fumbled over your blankets to reach the nearest mirror. No scar. Was it a dream?

Once again, just like before, through your mirror you saw at the far end of the room, those golden eyes piercing right through you. He gently swayed his way over to you. He flashed his crimson wings that fluttered, each feather bristling slightly. And those honey eyes that were all too familiar were locked on you. He walked too close for comfort, holding your chin in between his thumb and forefinger, only to place a kiss upon your lips. He tasted sweet. Those warm plump lips melted you like butter, causing your knees to tremble. He looked back up at you, sealing a kiss on your invisible scar. He smelled of earth; a mountain spring in the Summer.

“You’ve been granted the kiss of an angel.” The blonde-haired man placed his hand across his chest and bowed. Even the wings that grew from his back lowered themselves. “You’re safe now.”

“W-who are you?”

“Keigo, your guardian angel,” he smiled.

“Guardian angel?”

“I’ve received word that the demons from the underworld have grown restless and begun to rise to Earth in search of you. I’m here to protect you.” Keigo walked around the apartment, curiously touching the objects he could get his hands on. You watched as he admired your figurines.

“Demons? What do demons want with me?”

Keigo turned to her holding a small glass cube in front of one eye. “Well, you’re a princess, of course.”

You choked on your own saliva. “I’m sorry,” you cleared her throat, “did you say princess?”

The gentleman chuckled and nodded. “Yes.” He walked up to you and caressed your face. From up close, you could see the hazel in his golden eyes.

“I-I can’t be a princess.” You followed behind him as he continued to search throughout your apartment. Your phone began to ring and Keigo immediately picked up the object.

“It’s making noise! Who’s Na-tsu-o?” Your eyes widened as you snatched the phone away from him.

‘He’s a guy from one of my classes. We study together.” You answered the phone and walked to the other room. Keigo was left looking around her apartment like a brand-new puppy, jumping all around the room to look at the insignificant things that meant the world to humans. Plants adorned the walls with many ranging from green to burgundy red. On the coffee table in the living room, you had left a stack of papers that caught Keigo’s eye. He sat in front of the table and picked up the papers. It was titled,

The Fall of Icarus

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