EP.168|Stupid Argyles

“Why love someone you can’t be with?” That’s what my father told me everytime I brought up Antoine. It irked me every time because he didn't know what love is.” Cosmina growled.

“No wonder you wanted to leave, I would want to leave if my father threw my mom away like she was trash.” Hunter agreed. “It was impossible to be in that castle for 18 years.” Cosmina sighed.

“And he wouldn't let you out till you agreed to giving up the shards?” Jasper asked, she nodded sadly.

“I thought about it for a second, but something inside my head told me what Araden was doing wasn’t right.” Cosmina rubbed her fingers aimlessly around the shards.

“If it were me, I’d punch Araden straight in the face!” Eddie began punching the air, making Cosmina laugh slightly. “And he’d kill you too.” Maleficent commented, Eddie looked at her with a deadpanned emotion.

“What is that supposed to mean?!” Eddie yelled. “That Araden isn't the demon to go down in one punch,” Maleficent traced over the long scar on her left aim that went from her wrist to her elbow “believe me.”

I wonder what happened… Evie pondered to herself. “Regardless of his arrogance,” Maleficent snapped herself out of her deep thought “you all saw the power he had, remember what happened on your way to the Demonic Islands.”

The VKs shivered, they got their butts kicked back there, none of them could match up to Araden “there was that one moment with Ben though.” Carlos said, looking up at the sky.

“What do you mean?” Hunter questioned. “When Ben and Araden clashed fist I could feel Ben’s power increase drastically,” Carlos shook a bit “something about Ben in that moment scared the crap out of me, he looked like a whole different person for a couple seconds.”

“Carlos you’re not making sense.” Jasper sighed, shaking his head. “I swear! I know what I saw!” Carlos stated, his voice going up, “Ben wasn’t Ben, his hair was white and he had this weird black mark over his eye. He has this weird white and black aura around him, am I really the only one who sense this?”

“Well, I felt something was off a little bit with Ben, but I didn't see all that.” Hunter said. “I don't know if it was because of me being an animalistic or the fact I can sense people magi auras-”
Maleficent stopped in her tracks “you can sense Magi Auras.” Maleficent interrupted, a shock expression on her face.

“Yeah,” Carlos nodded, “is that a bad thing?”

Maleficent shook her head “no, it’s a really good and rare thing, can any of the other VKs do that?” the VKs shook their heads “I think Carlos is the only one.” Evie guessed.

“Okay why is Maleficent so shocked?” Cosmina asked, “anybody can sense a person’s aura, it’s like the first thing you see.”

“Not Magi Auras, they’re different from regular auras,” Maleficent began, she looked at Carlos “Carlos, what my physical aura?”

Carlos stared at Maleficent “it’s red, almost an orange color.” “alright, I saw that straight away when I met you.” Cosmina noted.

“If you let me finish,” Maleficent glared at her, Cosmina gulped in fear “Carlos, what’s my Magi Aura?”

Carlos stared at her again, this time, it was more intensively “it’s purple with some black and white in it.”

“What does that mean?” Eddie asked. “Well the purple is for her demonic magi, the black measures how much darkness is in her and the white measures the light. Normally there’s one trampling over the other, but with Ben it was a complete balance.”
“Is that good?” Evie questioned.

“From what I read in books, it’s really rare. Nobody has a complete balance. But not only that, Ben’s magi color was changing so many times it was hard for me to even tell he was an animalistic anymore.” Carlos continued.

“So wait, Ben had a complete balance and his magi color was changing.” Jasper summarized. “Pretty much, that’s why it scared me, the magi color would be so high that it trumped over his darkness and light levels.” Carlos shivered.

“That hasn't happened to us, right?” Hunter gulped.

“Well, there were times when your magi will skyrocket, like when Freddie used Kagechikara, or when Jasper used Flame Emperor Mode: Electric Flame mode, or when I used Animalia, or when Operetta used the Rising Gliecher. Or Zeref when he used Storm Release: Dragon Circus.”

All those moves...do they not know those moves...are sinful. Cosmina shook. “They don't.” Maleficent said, “mind not telling them?”

“Why? Those attacks can literally kill them.” Cosmina warned her. “It’s a long story honey, but believe me, even with those attacks, they’ll be okay.” Maleficent assured her.

“But they can die. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t tell them?” Cosmina smirked.

“You really wanna know the story don't you?” Maleficent sighed. “Yes I do.” Cosmina nodded.

Maleficent rolled her eyes, whispering in Cosmina’s ear. The princess gasped loudly “WHAT?!” she yelled, getting the VK’s attention.

“You okay, Cosmina?” Evie asked, Cosmina couldn't speak, words barely coming out of her mouth. “You...don't...know?” Cosmina shuddered. “Know what?” Hunter continued to ask.

Cosmina looked up at Maleficent with an expression that read: can I please tell them?!

Maleficent shook her head, Cosmina sighed “never mind, it’s nothing.”

The VKs just shrugged it off and kept walking into Carlos heard the sound of rustling in the tears and bushes, he put his hand in front of Hunter, making him stop abruptly.

Carlos sniffed the air, Cosmina and Eddie had a deadpanned look on their faces, “what’s up with dog boy?”

“The air,” he replied vaguely “it smells different.” Carlos was on edge, looking around him for any potential danger. “You don't smell that, Hunter?” Carlos said, Hunter sniffed the air, it was tainted with the smallest hint of charcoal.

“How the hell did you pick up on that?” Hunter asked “I can barely smell it.”

“I’ve had a good sense of smell and great hearing ever since I was a little kid, but ever since that mini fight with Araden on the way to the Demonic Islands, my senses have skyrocketed.” Carlos then stopped, growling when the smell grew larger.

“Okay, now I smell it.” Hunter nose crinkled from the repulsive smell. “Who the hell is burning food?” Eddie chuckled, trying to lighten the silent mood.

“It’s not food, it’s not even a person,” Carlos then recognized the smell, “they’re here too,” Carlos murmured but the VKs heard him. “What’s here?” Evie asked, Cosmina could see the crystal magi forming in Evie’s hand.

She looked down at her crystals to see they were glowing faintly. Crystal Magi? Could that be why she wants the shards? I thought it was for Mal? Cosmina thought back to what Maleficent told her moments ago. Evie...she’s...but she hasn't even unlocked Queen Rage!

“It doesn't matter,” Maleficent whispered, “Evie’s not the type to give up, none of the VKs are, that’s why they chose them.”

“My gods and goddesses...as if they didn't have enough riding on them.” Cosmina mumbled to herself.

Her attention then focused back on Carlos, who was now in his wolf form, he sniffed the ground, this entire forest was lined with beautiful japanese cherry blossoms, they were supposed to ward of evil.

Another growl could be heard from the bushes, Carlos quickly turned around, digging his claws into the dirt as he firmly stood his ground. The mysterious sound came out of the bushes to reveal an argyle animalistic.

“I fucking knew it, knew he put argyle animalstics here, ever since the Demonic Islands, they’ve been lurking in the shadows.” Carlos said as the two animalistics circled each other.

“And their barely coming out now?” Evie asked, Carlos nodded “Yep, for the past couple of weeks, they've only been shooting nasty comments at me and Ben since only we can hear them,” Carlos snarled “and now I’m pissed off.”

“Jasper,” Carlos said, getting Jasper’s attention “whatever happens, don't stop running, get to the border alright?” Carlos said sternly.

“What do you mean? We’re getting to the border together, remember.” Jasper reminded him, Carlos sighed, shaking his head “we might not, there are other argyles on their way here, I can smell them.”

“Then isn't it the best idea for you to come with us.” Jasper said, Carlos chuckled and smiled back at him, “it’s okay Jasper, I’m a strong Dog Boy.”

Jasper felt like his heartstrings were tugged on, he always saw Carlos as his little brother, all of the VK’s did (even though he’s older than Hunter and Ben) “and you will be, once you come with us.”

“I’m not the same little kid you had to protect from evil, I’ve grown, and so have you,” Carlos began fighting with the argyle, Carlos was slammed into the trees, “but I'll be okay, now you just need to trust me and don't stop running.”

Carlos transformed into an eagle, swooping down on the argyle, but just passing right through him. Carlos saw the evil smirk on his face “I’m getting real tired of these fuckers” Carlos mentally cursed.

“Me too.” Alvarez agreed, “we need a new plan, physical attacks don't work on these guys! You might have to use Animalia.” 

“No way Alvarez, I don't even know how to tap into that.” Carlos said, trying his best to find any other way to beat argyles. Each attack just flew through him, it was like he was punching air, dark thick air.

He was fighting a losing battle, he hadn't felt this weak since Mimosa Island, being chained up for weeks in that horrible cell made Carlos feel like he was never going to get out.

He felt like he was never going to see the people he loved again, his family, the VKs, CJ, he couldn't bear it anymore.

“Jasper, the smell of charcoal is getter stronger, there’s more coming, you need to run, just leave me here.” Carlos said, Jasper clenched his fist.

“You expect me to leave you here?! We may not be related by blood but we VKs are a family!” Jasper fired a lava ball at the argyle, causing it to disintegrate “and family doesn't let family get left behind!”

“Jasper…” Carlos muttered, watching as his best friend extended his hand to Carlos “get up, Carlos.”

Carlos grasped his hand, “you really have a death wish if your not running.”

“Carlos,” Evie slung her arm over her shoulder “we’re VKs, when do we ever run away from a good fight?”

“I guess your right,” Carlos laughed, his emotions then turning serious, “but I’m warning you now, these argyles are no joke, they’re strong as hell, even for me.”

“We’ll be fine, Dog Boy, all you have to do is fight right alongside us.” Hunter smiled, ruffling Carlos' hair.

“I know Maleficent and Eddie will be able to hold their own, but are you gonna be okay Princess?” Evie asked, Cosmina spinned her dagger in her hand, covering it in a red smoke.

“Don't worry about me Dog Boy, I'll be okay, I have my weapons. Plus, something tells me you have somebody way more important to you to worry about.” Cosmina winked at him.

Carlos nodded “you're right,” CJ smiling face appeared in his mind “the smell of charcoal is getting stronger, there's a huge wave on their way here so you better get ready for a tough fight.”

“Tough fights are what I'm known for.” Maleficent smiled devilishly. “Okay then…” Eddie said as she scooted away from Maleficent.

“She scares me.” Eddie whispered to Evie, who just chuckled and replied “she scares all of us, it's her thing.”

Maleficent quickly turned around, her senses reacting quick enough to attack 3 argyles with her magic from her staff.

“They're here.” Maleficent glared at the hoard of argyles, “now,” her staff began glowing, pointing it to the argyles “I will show no mercy.”

“Take the princess and get to the border.” Maleficent ordered. “No way, we’re fighting with you.” Jasper stated, standing beside Maleficent. She scoffed and hit him with her staff where the sun don't shine.

“I don't need a man to stay behind and protect me like I’m a damsel in distress,” she sighed deeply “but if someone must stay with me, I want Eddie to stay.” Maleficent pulled Eddie back by her shirt collar, hysterical tears flowing from Eddie’s eyes.

Well, this is where I die. Eddie internally sobbed, mouthing the words “help me!”

“You’ll be fine, Eddie, Maleficent’s got your back.” Evie winked, running off with Cosmina and the VKs.

“Those are the ones who are supposed to save us from Araden?” Eddie scoffed, pulling out her scythes “please, I’ll be surprised if they pull of getting Cosmina over the border.”

“Don't sell the VKs short, they know their way around stealth missions, especially Evie, don't worry about them.” Maleficent assured her.

Her wings sprouted from her back, like a dark angel, her eyes turning a bright green “now,” her voice was laced with a malicious tone “who wants to burn first?”