Hilliya rolled in her bed, burying her face into the pillow. She couldn’t sleep. Her mind was still racing. Did she play right into the snakeling hands?

No. Auraiiya-Sama decided they are not enemies. For now, at least.

There is no way she could sleep like that. It has been 6 days since Kaybol left to meet the Yuuns. Hilliya didn’t know what was up, but it was clear something was off lately. Kaybol doing his visit early, asking her to keep eye on Zutenko. Then Ayalinn did that potion that almost made Zutenko into a hybrid pet, less than a day after. Then Zutenko himself started to act strange. Or… Odd. Auraiiya-Sama surely used that word a lot. Especially when it revolved around Zutenko and his…

Power bursts.

She paused for a moment, wondering when she managed to become so paranoid.

I need a distraction.

 She got up, rubbing her eyes. She pushed gently one of her many plushies – a large stuffed bunny – and made her way outside.

Hilliya contemplated what to do exactly, before settling on eating some leftovers. She looked around, noticing the slightly opened door of Zutenko’s room. She activated her invisibility spell, reciting it under her breath. She didn’t want to wake anyone up just because she had a lonely mouth.

She started to make her way to the kitchen, looking around as she did. Then, she felt something.

#

Zu gulped, staring straight at Hilliya. Her gaze seemed unfocused, but her head was definitely in his direction. Her eyes darted rapidly. It was the same as Ta'ala did, when Zu activated his circle for the first time. He tried to walk away slowly, but the floating runes distracted him. They were around his stepsister, pulsing with a mix of green and metallic white. Swirling around her body slowly yet steadily, making a shield around Hilliya.

Then, Hilliya launched towards him.
Zu rolled aside quickly, just to avoid her knife manifesting out of thin air. Out of stress, he tried to pour more Magyo into his circle. Instead, his circle glitched. It was only for a brief second. He panicked even more, and made a run for it.

He couldn’t hear Hilliya attacking again.

She landed on his back, tackling the boy to the floor. She was heavier than he expected. The surprise tackle was enough to dissipate his circle, not to mention the falling. Zu grunted as he felt cold wind blowing over him, and heard Hilliya sigh.

“Are you out of your mind? I could’ve killed you!” she scolded, getting off Zu’s back.

The boy looked at the soft assassin. The runes that covered her body in another layer were gone. Instead, they both were in a small dome made of the same aura.

Zu stood up slowly. Then, a question popped into his mind.

“How could you see me?”  He asked, curious.

 Hilliya frowned at that. “Do you really think I would attack you if I did? I couldn’t! I noticed something tried to divert my attention. I noticed where my eyes refused to look. If you hadn’t dodged-”

She then paused in confusion.

“Wait…” she muttered, before glaring at Zu again. “How did you dodge my attack? How did you see me beyond my cloaking spell?”

Zu blinked, trying to keep an excuse.

“I… I think my circle might let me see through other invisibility stuff.” He said lamely. It wasn’t untrue per say, but he was pretty sure it had more to do with his rune-seeing ability.

Hilliya's glare intensified as she narrowed her eyes. “You got your circle awakened??” she growled, and Zu knew instantly he messed up.

“When?” she demanded to know.

Zu gulped nervously, raising his hands in a surrendering gesture:

“Literally a few days ago, when you were on that social thingy!” He explained, knowing there was no point to lying on that one.

“Who helped you?” she asked coldly, “why didn’t you tell any of us?”

Zu shot up in frustration. He really didn’t want that argument in the middle of the night. However, he wasn’t going to get scolded for this decision. Not now.

“Because I can’t rely on you all forever!” he replied, his voice rising. “It was less than a week ago that I was completely defenseless! Absolutely worthless when she decided to throw me into a big pot of magic egg-fruit soup!”

Hilliya looked at him again, her expression changed. It looked like pity – no, guilt. The same guild she had every time he put on his…

… Mask.

Zu looked down to his hands. His fists were clenched, but in his left palm he gripped something. A thick, red string. Dangling from that, the mask was there.

Zu took the mask with his other hand. He didn’t remember taking the mask with him. He was pretty sure he left it on the other side of his bed.

“Zutenko?” Hilliya spoke, her voice hesitant.

Zu finally looked up. Hilliya seemed disturbed. Like she was… scared.

Oh, Nyx… did I get too aggressive?

He shook his head. “I'm sorry. I got too frustrated.”

Hilliya took his hand gently, releasing one hand from the mask.

“it’s alright.” She said in a calm voice, contradicting her eyes. “How about we’ll get to the kitchen together, share a midnight snack?”

#

Hilliya stomped through the corridor, fuming in frustration..

That can’t be real, can it? there is not such way her mistress would prioritize that.. that… thing over her precious brother.

It has been a week and a half since her Kiadra found that Vastoari boy in the winter garden. Since then, she dedicated her full attention to him. He did not speak, never made eye contact. He was an ungrateful little thing – too picky with his food.

Her focus should be on Kaybol-Chan. She thought bitterly. Kaybol-Chan is the one you dedicated your life and power for, so why…

He must be something wrong. He must be a mistake. There is no chance that boy is not a threat.

I must rid ourselves from that threat, she realized, and Auraiiya-Sama is out of commission.

Later that night, she sneaked into the guest room. That was where the boy was located “for the time being”.

Well, not for long.

Hilliya activated her cloaking spell. She couldn’t risk waking up anyone; Auraiiya-Sama won’t be happy if she knew. Kaybol-Chan wouldn’t either – he’s too soft to know he’s being manipulated by that boy.

She opened the door. The boy was there, on the fancy sofa. He was asleep, covered in one of Auraiiya-Sama’s coats. His short brown hair with the small locks fell on his face. His brown eyes were closed in sleep. Hilliya removed her hairpin – a large needle. One efficient stab, and it’s over. She got closer, before attacking. With a swift move, she lunged with the pin, targeting the boy’s throat.

She then felt someone grabbing her wrist. The boy was awake, his eyes glowing in cold silver.

… Silver? What?

His eyes pierced through her with that cold gaze, as if he could see beyond her cloaking. But that wouldn’t be impossible.

“I knew it!” Hilliya exclaimed, still with the cloaking spell on. “You are just putting on an act! But you won’t fool me!”

She attacked again, this time summoning her knives. His cold expression didn’t change, eyes skill blank and silver. He then dodged the first attack, then the other. His body moved unnaturally, as if he was pulled away from each attack rather than moving on his own. She continued to aim for his throat. The boy was smaller than herself, but not small enough to become a difficult target. It shouldn’t be hard.

Then, she saw the expression of the boy begin to change. First fear, then pain. Then something appeared in his hand. A mask – a white beastly mask of a fox with red markings.

Then the silver flames erupted. And all hell broke loose as the boy put his mask on. He roared through the mask, like a savage beast. The eye holes of the mask were blazing with the same raw Magyo – silver, strange spiral fire. The flames hit her, like brute force, the feel of burn with no actual burn, as if the fire itself was solid force in motion.

When she woke up, bruised just as much as the boy, she was scolded by her mistress.

“You have no idea in what pain that boy is in.” Auraiiya said to her. “It is not a power in his control.”

“You care about him than you care about Kaybol-Chan – your actual cub!” Hilliya protested.

 Auraiiya shook her head. “I cannot tell you much, Hilliya. However, I can assure you my loyalties did not change.”

Hilliya was not convinced.

“I understand your worries, my dear cub.” Auraiiya continued, stroking the girl’s head “I really do. Yet, I cannot let this boy’s pain go unnoticed. I wish to help him. I wish for him to be my cub as well.”

“He will hate me..” Hilliya mumbled. “I tried to get rid of him. I can’t–”

“Hush now, dear.” Her mistress cut her off. “The boy does not remember anything of your… attempt. It is a working theory, but I presume such raw Magyo is too much for him to comprehend.”

#

Hilliya contemplated that idea while the two made their way into the kitchen. She witnessed Zutenko’s first power burst. She had seen the first time his mask appeared. She was responsible for both, and for ruining any chance of having good relations with him as a brother. She had shown none of it to the boy, now much taller than herself.

“Do you want me to make you hot cocoa?” She asked cheerfully.

Zutenko shook his head, still grasping his mask. “I don’t want to bother you..” he muttered.

“Don’t worry, I'm making tea for myself.” She smiled back at him, perfectly hiding her growing worry. He didn’t protest further, so Hilliya took it as a “yes”.

She filled the kettle, putting it on the fire and activating the runes safety mechanism. Doing so, Zu followed her actions, his eyes focused on the kettle.

“Are you alright?” she asked the boy, who quickly turned his gaze away from the fire.

“y-yeah…” he mumbled. “Just.. Got curious about runes lately…”

“Really?” Hilliya smiled teasingly. “I never took you for a researcher~”

Zutenko frowned in response to that. “I'm not a researcher. I'm just curious.” He muttered again.

“Well, either way,” Hilliya smiled, putting her hands on the table. “I am pretty good with runes. I can help – Auraiiya-Sama taught me herself~”

She then paused to think. “Actually, why not to turn to Auraiiya-Sama to teach you Magyo? Why turn too… Who unlocked your circle again?”

“Ta'ala-San.” Zutenko said, then raised his head sharply. He then took a deep breath, before continuing: “I just… I don’t want Auraiiya-Sama to worry.”

Hilliya was not sure what to do. She didn’t want to pressure her brother, but on the other hand…

If it has anything to do with his power bursts… no, that’s impossible. He shouldn’t remember these. But what if…

“You know, I am not actually a Vastoari.” She began instead. “I'm the last descendant of the Priestlings – a group of Magyotically modified Vastoaris dedicated to worship Nyxians.”

That seemed to distract Zutenko. Or at least, part of it.

“The… Last?” her brother asked, as she opened a jar of cookies, handing him the jar after taking a pair.

“They are gone,” She said calmly. “for the last dozen thousand years or so. The few that left were enslaved to extinction.” Unbothered by the shaken Zutenko, She took a bite from one of the cookies. The chocolate filled her mouth with sweetness.

“I myself were born enslaved, third generation.” She continued after swallowing her bite. “Auraiiya-Sama freed me. She said it’s improper for a Priestling to serve Vastoaris.”

The boy looked at her in a mix of disturbance and confusion. Hilliya smiled and swallowed another bite from her cookie.

“Point is – had I refused external help, I’d have died there. Enslaved, nameless, scarred. The Hilliya you know wouldn’t exist.” She smiled at him, licking the crumbs and chocolate stains off her lips. “I think that… Sometimes, you really should put your trust in others.”

Her brother was not impressed. He frowned at her, rolling his eyes.

“That example doesn’t work at all.” He said, with more confidence than he had for any other claim. That realization made Hilliya almost get chocked on her cookie.

“An- Anyway, my point still stands.” She rubbed her temples furiously, looking at Zu dead in the eye. “Keeping everything for yourself is never good. It too often makes you do stupid decisions.”

I should know. She added to herself, thinking on that night again.

Zutenko seemed hesitant, and deep in thought.

“Something is happening to me.” He eventually said. “It scares me. A lot. And I got a feeling is dangerous.”

Dear Nyx… he remembers.

But the boy wasn’t done.

“I am not sure what to do with that, but I got you all into enough worries already. I need to figure out that thing on my own, not be a burden.” He paused for a moment, before shoving an entire cookie into his mouth and started chewing.

Hilliya hesitated for a moment, before putting her other cookie down on the table.

“Zutenko-Chan,” She started, but then paused. She then sighed. “you are not a burden. I understand you want to figure this on your own but… Please, just remember you got us. Right here, ready to help.”

Zutenko thought for a moment, before raising his head again and nodding.

“So,” Hilliya said with a much lighter tone, “an invisibility circle? Pretty useful, if you ask me.”

Zutenko scoffed at that. “Not really, if you caught me so easily.” He said dubiously. “It’s not really an invisibility thing, either.”

“Yes, more of a ‘do not see me’. I did notice.” She smirked.

The boy lowered his head, putting it on the table.

“Absolutely the Zutenko luck.” He murmured. “I managed to get an actual magic ability, and it immediately became useless.”

Hilliya wanted to reply, but the Hiiiiissss!!!!! of water boiling over distracted her.

She stood up, turning to the shelves and removing two cups.

“Don’t rule that one out just yet, little brother.” She said. Her back was still at his direction, but she could practically feel his frustrated eye-rolling.

“I am an assassin, remember?” Hilliya continued, while mixing powders and leaves to create hot cocoa and tea in two mugs. “I am trained to feel everything, and everyone. Most Vastoaris or Nyxians are training to recognize effects of Magyo, yes. But only on the body or mind; Focusing of blocking location pr presence… Is very obscure as a skill.”

Hilliya turned back, looking at her brother. He didn’t seem very convinced. She handed him the mug with the hot cocoa.

“Besides, you just started. I don’t expect you to become master of any Magyo field, not even with your own circle. At least not that soon.” She smiled.

Zutenko’s expression shifted. He looked confused.

“It’s an attention-evading circle.” He said, “What’s there to master?”

Hilliya had to hold back from laughing.

“You can always improve your ability, Zutenko-Chan~” she smirked, going to the runic heating again. She jumped, manifesting her own circle under her feet. The circle rose, Hilliya standing on top. she reached up and grabbed a frying pan from a higher shelf.

“Or use it in other ways –” the assassin added with a smirk. “My dear brother, did you know? You can use your circle as a physical platform~”

The shocked expression on her brother’s face was precious.