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Drew offered to place Layla's new gear into a special capsule for her convenience, allowing her to pop open the cap to don everything. Graciously taking the offer, all three girls finally returned to their homes. At the dorm, Layla tested out the capsule to see how to activate and reset everything in a flash as Amber tested out each piece of equipment for use of Layla's newly-activated aura. Meanwhile, Blake returned to her home in the apartment complex, mixed emotions raging through her. On one hand, she was grateful for Drew's help as well as happy for Layla that she was now able to fend for herself with the help she received from Drew. On the other hand, however, she couldn't help but to feel suspicious about Drew and Sebastian and everything in general. How come Drew could not use his own creations for himself, and how on Earth did he go about taming Sebastian. She didn't doubt that he could see or sense Ires due to that same relationship with the sentient Ire, but it still boggled her mind of how it was possible. The second thing that she couldn't wrap her head around was the fact that he was capable of creating the equipment that he gave to Layla. "Everything is seemingly too convenient for us," she muttered aloud, flopping onto her bed in frustration of sorting out her thoughts. She forced herself to sleep, trying her best to dispel her thoughts.

School proceeded as normal for them for the next few days. Layla managed to get a hold of Drew's contact information in case she needed repairs to her equipment, to which the man happily obliged. Sebastian no longer hounded them for anything to their relief, but the one thing still missing from their daily lives was the fact that Daniel was still missing. Rumors had begun to spread about his disappearance having to do with the fact that his entire family was killed in a single night.
"They say that the police haven't found the killer, so that person may still be at large. There are even rumors that Daniel didn't make it, but they can't claim anything without finding his body," Amber was saying to Blake and Layla during lunch at their spot in front of the school. Blake looked troubled at the news. She had been meaning to ask Daniel about it on the day that it happened, but she was busy with Sebastian and Drew. To add to that, she couldn't reach him through his cellphone either. With this kind of incident, everything was making sense. She only hoped that he wasn't doing anything reckless in the meantime.
"No use in being worried, I guess," Layla said calmly, turning to Amber, "Do you think you can look into that? At least to see if there are any clues to where Daniel may have gone?"
"Sure thing. I was actually thinking the same thing," Amber replied. Blake smiled at the prospect. She wanted to help find him, at least to try and understand what was going on. The fact that Daniel hid something like this from her seemed unlike him at all; she had been close friends with his family as well. Blake couldn't help but to shed a lone tear for the loss of Daniel's parents, one that didn't go unnoticed by the observant Layla.
"Blake, is something wrong?" she asked tentatively. Blake shook her head, reassuring her that it wasn't anything big. Layla sighed and didn't bother to question further. She already understood without asking anyway. Amber took note of the silence and flashed a quick and quirky smile in Blake's direction. Blake saw it, tried not to smile, and ended up laughing since Amber's smile looked contorted into something a clown would take inspiration from. That was enough for her to push away those thoughts for the time being.

The rest of the day continued on for them that way without too many problems save for the announcement of midterm exams. Their class groaned at the aspect of testing, but this came as a surprise for the girls. The amount of time they spent going through everything that happened so far only took up about one semester worth of school. So many things had happened that time flew right past them. And now with the case of Daniel's parents and his disappearance, it seemed as though things would soon become surreal. Layla took note of Blake after school one day and nudged at Amber to do the same. Blake looked absolutely haggard, as if she had not slept in days. It looked very clear that she was stressing over the recent events.
"Blake, you doing alright?" Layla asked hesitantly, approaching the Knight's desk. She looked up expressionless, but still managed to flash a kind smile. Even when she was suffering so much, she still wanted to reassure her friends that everything was fine.
"I'll manage somehow," Blake replied in honesty. She was aware that if she were to say some sort of excuse that neither Amber nor Layla would buy it. Then again, they would probably be much more worried if she tried something like that anyway, she surmised. "Anyway, what do you guys think about all of this? I mean with Daniel's recent stuff, anyway?"
"Why are you asking us? You're his best friend, so I thought you knew," Amber asked, confused. Layla also nodded her head in confusion on the matter as well. Blake gave a heavy sigh.
"That's the thing: I had no idea about any of it," Blake answered them, "I think it's because of the Ire incidents lately that I haven't had much time to really look into that." Ever since the day that they had met with Drew, there had been multiple cases of Ire incidents occurring throughout the city. Blake usually made it to the scene first after being informed and excused by the power of Maria and Ryne, with Layla and Amber as reinforcements after Maria and Ryne made excuses for them to accompany her. Even on a day like today, there was another Ire incident that took to the local news after the mall was targeted by Ires for the umpteenth time in the middle of morning classes.
"You're right," Layla hummed in thought, "I never really noticed."
"Right? It make time slip by so quickly," Blake continued, "Maybe that's why I feel sorta guilty over not knowing about something as serious as this with Daniel. I noticed that he seemed down a few days ago, but I was so irritated by Sebastian during that time that I didn't really mind it all too much." She stood from her desk and stretched her limbs in an attempt to wake up from her sleep state. The three girls had fought Ires for the entire morning to make everything up in the afternoon during their lunch break, so they were all looking forward to a bit of rest after school. They headed towards the dorms and into Amber and Layla's room to relax since it was so close by. Amber flopped onto the couch with a heave and sighed contently as Layla and Blake set their bags on the dinner table.
"Come on, Amber, be more ladylike, will you," Layla sighed in annoyance, eyeing Amber's slightly upturned skirt. Blake abruptly turned her head away from the couch, face burning up at the prospect. Amber looked over nonchalantly and sighed, fixing herself and sitting upright. She also took the time to notice Blake's little reaction to Layla's words, a smirk forming on her face.
"What's this? Our school's legendary Girl Crush is blushing?" she sneered, pointing fingers at Blake's flustered face. Blake kept her head turned away from Amber, embarrassed to reply. Layla giggled as she watched their interaction.
"Well, how gentlemanly of you, Blake," Layla said softly, goading Blake. That was where Amber stopped holding herself back, guffawing as her normally reserved best friend teased Blake so thoroughly. Blake, on the other hand, immediately turned to face the two of them, red-faced and stuttering as she attempted to speak in defense to herself to no avail. The other two laughed in response, watching their knightly friend react in such a manner.
"Still, it's cool that you respect privacy like that," Amber finally stopped her onslaught of teasing for Blake to stop the blood from rising to her cheeks before becoming lightheaded. Layla giggled a bit more before nodding in agreement. Blake took in a shaky breath to steady herself.
"I-It's just how I am," Blake finally managed to defend herself, "I didn't want to learn to be a perv like Ryne is, and Maria was usually working so hard as a Guardian as well as dealing with Ryne on a daily basis. I became like this after helping with these kinds of things for Maria." Blake clutched her right arm tightly, remembering the tattoo that lay underneath pristine white bandages with a sour look on her face. Amber and Layla exchanged nervous looks at the sudden change of mood, but didn't know how to ask her about it. They took it as her remembering something she would rather not say and left it at that.

Daniel relaxed in his secluded room, flicking his aura around. The grey light danced along his fingertips and left a frozen trail in his wake. A lone cockroach that found its way into the room turned into solid ice after coming close to the grey aura, becoming an ice statue within seconds. A quiet knocking just outside his new room caught Daniel's attention.
"Who is it?" the boy asked dismissively. If it was Sebastian again with his tricks he was going to freeze the Ire for two weeks this time.
"I'm sure you understand who this is," a gruff male voice replied. Daniel raised an eyebrow over recognizing the voice. He smiled and rose from his seat.
"Well now, I supposed that you've accomplished what you needed to do?" Daniel asked.
"Of course. I am not one to disappoint," the voice replied simply, "I just have a few more steps and everything will be ready for you. I Just need to create one last masterpiece if you would allow me the time."
"By all means," Daniel hummed in satisfaction, "We aren't in a rush to do this anyway, so take as much time as you need to. I want this to be perfect after all. No failures allowed, understand?"
"Yessir," the voice affirmed, "Then, if you'll excuse me..." Daniel could hear the footsteps fading as the man behind the voice walked away from his room. Daniel stretched his arms before walking towards the only window in his room, observing the clear blue sky beyond it. He gave a content sigh as he leaned towards the window.
"Everything is now falling into place," Daniel muttered to himself, "Soon, I'll-"
"Master, I am here to report," Sebastian popped out from behind him. Out of pure reaction, Daniel turned and raised his hand towards Sebastian, his eyes glowing grey. Within a matter of moments, Sebastian found itself encased almost completely in ice save for its facial features, cackling nervously at the sudden capture. Daniel kept his gaze at the Ire, glowering as he spoke, "How many time do I have to tell you about popping in and out of my room like this Sebastian? Need I go through your 'taming phase' once more?" Sebastian's face turned from nervous to downright frightened at the aspect, recalling certain events that occurred prior to becoming sentient. Daniel smiled in satisfaction at scaring the Ire that he unfroze it with a snap of his fingers. The Ire composed itself quickly after being freed.
"My apologies, Master. I will see to it that I learn from these mistakes," Sebastian sounded quickly, "However, there is a certain matter in which requests your attention." Daniel's curiosity piqued, sitting back down at his chair as he awaited for Sebastian to report.

"Well then, speak," Daniel commanded, hunched forwards towards Sebastian.
"Well, Master," Sebastian cleared his throat, swallowing nervously, "Melody wishes to speak with you. She's broken free from prison."