She managed to come to an abrupt stop when she had sword half way as her way of fazing her adversaries into thinking she's deliver a punishing slash to the neck. She never had any intentions of trying to show any compassion for her fighting style, rather in training or on personal missions that could easily jeopardize her life on every aspect. Lola has a different relationship with Hiba HInura than any of the others that she’s raised throughout her time and wouldn’t fail to find the Hinura warrior an interesting person from the first day she met her.
That’s enough training for today, Hiba thought strongly. She began to mop her face with the medium-sized towel she brought with her for when she was finished with her two hour training segment. But I don’t think that it’s going to be enough for me to help fight the Bloodlust Revelations in the near future.
Hiba went over towards the shower and expected nothing more than a hot shower running across her skin. She entered the shower as the water turned on automatically and was placed on the right temperature for Hiba to relax in without moving a single muscle.
Hiba began to have thoughts on what Lola did to her on one of the days Diamond had her baby. I wish she were still here. Hiba was glancing up at the wall that was behind the fossil that was shooting out the water and clearly saw the image of her and Rouge when they were at the first Intoxicated Festival two years before Crystal was even a thought.
But I hope that she’s doing alright, Hiba thought with frustrations and how she could only hope to be assigned to a mission to where she can relocate Rouge and bring her back to the group; after fifteen years.
***
Crystal remained in her room, preparing to get dressed for the ceremony tonight and how she could hardly wait to see Lola there. It only amused her that she became one of the graduates, but it wasn’t surprising to her that she’s be one of Lola favorite agents, even though Lola doesn’t like to favoritism any of her agents on a daily basis, no matter what their conditions are or what they’ve done.
She had finally come out of the shower and coiled the towel around her mid-sections. The shower had stopped running as she continued to walk over towards her room as she looked over towards her bed and saw the Diary Book was standing before.
Lola had always told me a few tales about what had happened to Diamond Aruba when I was six years old, but she had always kept that part of the story out of it, Crystal thought as she began to dry her body off with the towel and letting it slip out of her hands once she had dried herself off.
She came and witnessed her Diary on the mattress; Crystal then realized that Lola left it there before the teenager went into the shower a half hour earlier. The two of them had discussed what it's really for, not only to keep Crystal's secrets inside, but also contain her memory of the book because of the amount of erudition Lola's given her.
Lola told me that a legendary beast of my family lives within each of our Bloodline's generation, Crystal thought gingerly as she went over toward the dress Lola picked out for her. Are these artificial creatures or mythicals? I've never heard of these creatures in any of the tales that woman's been telling me about. Maybe she's hiding something that I must not know.
She soon grabbed her creamy-white panties and slid them on. Followed by the traditional gray-like dress that was located on very far right end of the closet. Once all was taken care of, she soon trailed over toward the mirrored-dresser
If there was some way that I can convince Lola to do so-- No, no, no. I can't do that. It'll probably just make her mad or so and there was never a time that she's ever been mad at me, Crystal thought with fear. Suddenly, at the skip of a beat, she calmed herself and peered herself through the mirror. The color of her hair was white and there was no chance in heaven Lola could resist this particular appearance. I feel ethically obligated to try and wait for the right moment to do so.
Within minutes, the Core General knocked onto the door. Crystal quickly pounced from outside her mind and came back to reality.
"Crystal, open the door. I just want to spoil myself by looking at you before you came to the office," admitted Lola as she heard from the other side of the door Crystal's permission to insinuate into the room.
***
Chapter 5 - Pages One Through Five
Black and Lisa had removed himself from the crime scene of the massacre where the police vehicles had taken off. He didn't bother to stay long enough to catch up with his other associate; and he never intended to waste any more time, seeming how fifteen years of planning to abduct Crystal would come to fruition. Most of the times, while he's been absent, he wanted the young Aruba to enjoy the life she's had thus far before anything happened to her.
Black simultaneously flew onto the top of a random hotel building, glancing down at the citizens, various vehicles honking at one another and city lights being arranged for the jets to fly by the night sky tonight. His long hoodie covered his skeletal skull, as he could hear himself breathing vaguely.
Black thought to himself, standing strongly on both his legs and releasing an unbelievable amount of energy from his throat towards the top of his cranium. Marscilla. Marscilla can you hear me?
Marscilla Erisa, another member of Bloodlust Revelation, who’s located at the Pavilion Empire; gathering a couple of weapons she could use for future battles. She couldn't catch her comrade's call on the first try, but came the second time. The more the Erisa member felt some of the stream bursting into her head, the more it agitated her.
What dammit? I fucking hear you. What is it? Marscilla snapped in her mind. I'm in the middle of doing something.
I know that. Now, shut up and listen to what I have plan for you, Black replied as he sat on one of his knees, and resting one of his arms on the bent knee cap. It's about Crystal and I need you to do me this particular favor next month.
OK, so what is it? Marscilla asked, feeling tensed and ironically irritated.
I need you to kidnap her and bring to the Leserado. Black uttered, simultaneously surprising Marscilla on every aspect. She didn't suspect for him to give out that order so soon; not to mention she hasn't completed her task.
Black, I think it's a bit irrelevant for the time being, Marscilla stated, opening another door that lead to the Gun Department and saw there were no other extra blades or swords for her to detect. And plus, what if Lola were to come along and foil our plans right off the bat? She might have gotten a lot stronger from the day we attacked her.
Black took it into consideration and knew that there had to be more suggestions to how he could get his vile hands on Crystal without ever happening to run into the Intoxian General without fail.
That's not going to be easy, since you put it that way. But you meet me at the rooftop of Ishurin's Library in a few hours. I'll see what I can think of until you meet me there. No more or less, Black utterly suggested.
Thank you, Marscilla replied intentionally. Now, I'll meet you up there in a few hours. What are you going to be doing until then?
Like I told you, I'll be awaiting your arrival and doing some planning, Black repeated casually. But bear this in mind, just because we've captured Crystal, or if we capture her, don’t mean that we'll be sure if she's even managed to gain full control of her power. I'm sure that every not every child can control something they possess, even if they're mature.
Marscilla debated rather to agree with his assessment or not. She took her time to continuing looking through endless drawers as she resumed with her assignment. It didn't take much out of her before Black could hear a response; but before she could reply, Black closed down his connection with her as he began to make process towards the building.
At least she understands that. Now, I wonder if-- Black stopped contemplating his plot when he saw an unexpected figure soaring through the sky with sparkling flames bursting from behind her body, I'll worry about that later. There's no need for me to be distracted
***
Crystal had finally placed on her ceremony attire, an ocean blue dress.
Two elbow gloves with a rose placed in her hair. She added a tad of lipstick that Lola offered to her before she walked out of the room and added a bit of perfume on different parts of the body. She looked at herself in the mirror, feeling timid about the way she'd look around millions of soldiers that have come to show some love and support to her as a "New Intoxia Warrior". It only fazed her if she were to speak over the microphone and out towards where her voice can be heard over the intercom.
Why is it so complicating for me to just be a normal Aruba instead of being what Lola claimed me to be - An Angel of the Aruba clan? I don't know anything about what it's like to be an Angel, Crystal thought, pressuring her right palm against her left arm and quivered for a few moments. Her eyes were closed and she couldn't help but struggle what words she vowed to quote for tonight's celebration for not only her success, but for Alex, Hitachi and Sonya's as well. And for all these years, Lola still hasn't informed me about why I'm the "Flower of the Intoxian Army." Maybe she's trying desperately to give me the life that I wouldn't have if she weren't around? What about Hitachi? How come she doesn't show him the love that she shows me? I understand that's her biological son, but the least she could do is not pity me on every aspect.
Crystal didn't know what to expect, her lack of understanding about Lola's personality drives her through the wall sometimes, if not all the time. Considering all the resentment she's had from Sonya back at the Academy when they were seven had suddenly came back to haunt her. She didn't want to go to drift away in her slumber and think about the events of what happened on her seventh birthday; which was one of the worst ones she's had.
I don't know, if I kept on contemplating about how I'm going to ask Lola about those thoughts I had... I just don't know. Maybe I'm feeling a bit too naive for now. She had finally calmed herself into taking a few deep breaths. It would only hurt Lola more than her if she were to be noticed by Lola and how well the Mizuka General can sense what's going on in the youngster's mind. Well, it's only a matter of time before I'm announced as an 'Intoxia Warrior.' I've worked so hard and too long to back down now. I always remembered these exact words Lola used to tell me when I first started.
It's been foreshadow that Crystal had strong predictions that she'd be one the Intoxicated Academy's best students, and by doing so, she thanked Lola for all the time she took to raise not only her, but guide her decisions. The teenage Aruba felt mentally ill when she didn't have any friends around the time she's been a student of the world’s largest and successful education business. Not to mention it only cost her more pain that she felt as if Lola didn't care for her personality because she was always shy; and it's rare that the Mizuka General cared for those who were mortally quiet and shy or just quiet and not very social with others.
Several minutes later, Crystal had no other choice but to swallow her fear for the event because regardless if she'd wanted to or not, she would have to introduce herself to the army and give out a bit of information about she and what she loved to do in general.
"Crystal, you ready?" Lola's voice came from behind the door, enforcing Crystal to bounce a bit from being timid.
"Uh, ye- yeah. I'm ready," Crystal replied, stammering and felt her hands shaking, vaguely. She felt mortified by her appearance, but when the General entered the room, she was amused o see that it stunned Lola.
"Alright, I'm coming in." Lola entered the room as the door took its' time to open automatically. Once entering, Lola's saw one figure standing before her; who stood in a prom position. A strong glance of endearment had eased Crystal's nervous attitude. "Crystal. I-- I--"
Lola was lost for words; she couldn't help but feel the blood boiling with excitement. She happily walked towards Crystal, bending down on both her knees and took her hand. Her hand went behind Crystal's gray hair as she extended a kiss to the forehead. It's something that not a lot of mothers or mother-figures would do for a child on a daily basis; but when it comes to circumstances, such as a celebration, it's a different story from Lola's point of view. She legitimately tied her thoughts to how she wanted to react without giving Crystal too much love without thinking of her son and how he and his father's charm resembled each other, as to no avail.
"This takes me back to the time to I was getting married," Lola spoke, but quickly caked her hand over her mouth.
"You were married?" Crystal asked, giggling as she gawked, endlessly at the Mizuka General.
"Um, for a short time. Yeah." Lola said, fearing that Crystal would ask 'What happened?' "Look, forget I said any of that, OK?"
"Oh, OK. You scare me sometimes, you know that?" Crystal asked, hearing laughter come from the scarlet-haired Mizuka. "But, how long will it before the ceremony?"
"Not for another few hours. Not for a few hours. It's pretty exciting for you, huh?" Lola grinned as she gingerly leaned her forehead towards Crystal, rubbing both sides of her cheek and pressing both lips against the bridge of her nose. "I'm proud of you for making it this far. You even said these words to me and that's what made me trust your skills as a future Warrior - Who cares if it looks hopeless If I'm still breathing, I'd have enough time to find a solution to my problems."
"Yeah, I did say that, huh?" Crystal said, anticipating Lola's reactions. "Well, I guess I have a bit of time to read some more 'History of the Diary Symbols'."
"I like that you’re thinking. I never told you that I read that entire book in just two days, fourteen hours, and sixteen minutes, did I?"
"Wait, you've been reading it? How come you never told me about that? You're not even an Aruba?" Crystal sarcastically spoke, not whining to the point where Lola would become agitated.
"Well, just because I'm not an Aruba, doesn't mean I can't learn anything about your family. And between you and I, your mother had read this book to me a hundred times when I was your age and nothing even happened," Lola replied patting Crystal's shoulder. "And plus, I actually knew where the Diary Symbols are."
"Where, where are they?" Crystal asked, suspiciously feeling the suspense building in her body.
Lola glared heavily, desperately electing to have Crystal on the edge of her seat. She replied in a flattering, embracing tone, "They're embedded somewhere within your body. And if you wish to know more about how you got them I'll start all the way from the beginning."
Crystal's tongue was still, thrilled by the accent Lola's voice had and she struggled to utter any words, let alone seek the right terms to use in her next question. Her body had moved a few feet until the back of her legs connected with the edge of the bed. Lola approached her, realizing that she looked traumatized. The blood in her body became still, as if she had recent blood clothe.
"Crystal, come here," Lola ordered gingerly. "I'm going to read you a few pages of this book, and if it makes you understand to the point to where you don't want to stop reading it, then you can have it all to yourself. I know that you loved the first copy I gave you from eight years ago, but that's in the past now."
Crystal sighed, not wanting to think about what occurred on her seventh birthday. She remembered the humiliation and embarrassment she had to go through during her time at the Academy.
"Lola, can we read the book? I usually don't think of certain things unless it's relevant," Crystal pleaded, grabbing the book and extending it towards the Mizuka General. "Is that OK with you?"
"Precisely," Lola answered as she adjusted the book to open. She flipped to the first page and felt Crystal's intentions of what she wanted to predict; but because this won the award of "Stories of the Icons," it was going to be very complicating for the young Aruba to anticipate what will occur. "Alright. Each year, a mythical creature will be recognized and accepted by millions around the globe of Mother Intoxia, herself. The will of children that evolves into the mythical creatures that swims through their very blood."
The theories Crystal's always been having about Lola's relationship with her had been attached to her mind for over the last seven years and why the General rarely to never grew ange
r upon the paled-skin child.
***
Chapter 6 - Hiba's Debt Of Gratitude
Exiting the training room, Hiba grabbed a glass of water before leaving for the day. She hadn't forgotten about the Ceremony taken place as she decided to take a shower and get dressed.
The hallway felt light again as she began taking the remaining steps, walking over towards a local elevator that'd take her up to the floor her bed room is - Floor nine ninty-five.
Hope Lola has more missions for me after today; I really want to get back into servicing my many talents some more, Hiba thought casually. It wouldn't give her any satisfaction to lie down and relax for a few days. Apparently she recently returned from a previous mission that involved the Bloodlust Revelation group, but as far as Lola's concerns, Hiba was forced to take a breather and be on a hiatus, utterly realizing that she had to give the new four agents of the army a chance to prove their worthy of being "warriors."
Hiba slowly entered the elevator, looking over at the schedule that was glued above the buttons that give any passengers access to any floor of the Intoxicated Facility Building. She sighed before contemplating of what she wanted to think about other than the being a warrior and one of the saviors of Intoxicated planet.
Intoxia Warriors - Mizuka Blood (Book One) Page 4