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"The thing that attacked you last night is what I learned to be called an Ire," Blake was explaining to Layla as they walked to the front of the school. The school was nearly empty, so the front where many students would usually hang out was currently empty; the perfect place to explain everything in privacy. Layla took in every word. Blake had promised her that she would explain everything so long as they were isolated from others. She had agreed in understanding that others may not understand what they were talking about and may take things the wrong way should they be overheard. Neither girl wanted to make a scene of things, so the privacy was seen as a need to both.
"They are beings that are usually invisible to normal people like Amber," Blake continued, "Which is why I would like it if you would keep this matter to yourself." With a quick nod of confirmation from Layla, Blake went on.
"There are some people who can see them, like me and you," Blake kept going, "However, your case is most likely a special one. For me, seeing Ires is normal since I can fight and kill them."
"How so? Why is it that you think it's normal for you to be able to see those things?" Layla asked in curiosity. From what she understood so far, Blake had been able to deal with them for most of her life. Her knowledge on these Ires was plentiful, and Layla knew right away that it was all due to years of experience on Blake's behalf.
"It's because of what I am," Blake simply replied. Before Layla could voice her confusion, Blake raised her hand to silence her. "I am a rare type of being known as a Knight. I have the power to be able to interact and destroy Ires because it is my main purpose," Blake answered Layla's confusion, "Usually, a Knight like me will have a tattoo like the one you saw hidden under my bandages. They are supposedly paired with another type of being known as Guardians, who can interact with Ires just the same. The only difference is that Guardian's can summon a Knight through the Knight's Song, a method of summoning the Knight, if you will."
"Wait, a song?" Layla interrupted quickly. This time, it was Blake who became confused. "Um, yeah. Weird, I know, but that's how it goes," Blake answered. Layla's face lit up as if she just had a realization, which was something Blake didn't quite expect.

"That Friday night, when I was cornered," Layla started to explain, "I was trying to call for help, but I heard a song instead. I didn't get it at first since it was so strange. It sounded like my voice, but I was so exhausted that I couldn't quite understand what was going on. Before I knew it, I passed out. But I can clearly remember hearing a song before blacking out." Blake couldn't believe what she was hearing. Albeit it would make sense that Layla would hear singing since she was the one being saved, but it still stuck out like a sore thumb in Blake's mind. She might actually be the Guardian, the thought began to consume Blake's mind. The possibility was strong before, but now it was as if they were right in her face. Still, Blake decided to take precautions. Even if it seems very highly possible, she still couldn't bring herself to accept it so soon without a blatant sign that Layla was in fact her Guardian.
"I see," Blake finally replied slowly a few moments later. Layla began looking Blake over during the uncomfortable silence. Blake had turned mute and looked really distracted after what she had just heard, so Layla began to suspect that Blake knew something else.
"Layla, this may seem weird," Blake began nervously. From what Layla could tell from Blake, the question she posed seemed really important. She waited impatiently for Blake to choose her next words.
"Um... How should I put this?" Blake mumbled, finally gathering her thoughts, "Layla, do you happen to have a tattoo on you, by chance? One that no one else can see but you?" Wow, Layla commented blankly in her mind, that was a weird question. Regardless, Layla began to think of all the times she had looked on her body for any sort of marking. Nothing really came to mind, though, so she responded in kind. Blake blinked in surprise. So it really isn't Layla, Blake thought, then who summoned me last night and why?
"Interesting," Blake commented aloud, hands folded over her chest.
"Why did you ask, Blake?" Layla asked curiously, "Does it have to do with the fact that I can see Ires?" Blake nodded.
"You just helped me figure out that you are one of the few regular humans that can actually see them but can't do anything about them," Blake answered, "The only other regular human being that I know saw Ires was my mother."
"Your mom?" Layla repeated, "Wait... 'saw?' What do you mean by 'saw?'" Blake sighed and mentally slapped herself. Of all the things that she let her mind slip from, she had to slip that. Layla began to twirl her thumbs in nervousness. Did I say something bad, she wondered.

"Well, for starters she's no longer with us," Blake explained after gathering herself, "She was killed by Ires when I was young. Wasn't my birth mother, but she took care of me until that point. It was the hardest day of my life." Layla's mouth opened in shock. This was not the type of story she expected to listen to.
"Oh my God Blake I am so sorry! I didn't mean to!" Layla apologized profusely. Blake laughed it off, reassuring her that it was fine.
"You didn't know until now," Blake told Layla calmly, "I know you didn't mean it. Relax." Layla let out a sigh of relief. She had just recently met Blake and she was afraid that she had already offended her savior by mistake.
"The reason why I asked if you have a tattoo is because of the Guardians and Knights that I explained earlier," Blake clarified, "Just like the tattoo you saw on me, Guardians have a tattoo as well. The only difference between the two is that the tattoo for Knights is visible to everyone. The one for Guardians, on the other hand, is visible only to the Guardian and their Knight, if they allow it. That's kind of why I asked."
"Ah okay then," Layla nodded, finally making sense of the entire thing. All the information that she was given today was a lot to take in. Blake understood why; with so much knowledge that isn't told to the general public, of course there'd be a small degree of disbelief. She knew it would take time for anyone to really understand something that sounded so far-fetched.
"Sorry if it's a lot to take in. Take your time," Blake said reassuringly. Layla smiled appreciatively in return. It's nice to know Blake understands me right now, she mentally noted, I may need to thank her later. Layla was about to say something again when she heard a song in the distance. She noticed Blake's ears perk up at the sound. That must be what she meant by a Knight's song, Layla deduced for herself.
"My song," Blake breathed in disbelief, "That's my song, Layla. Sorry for making this short but I have to go to meet her." Before Layla could say another word Blake took off in the direction of the singing. Layla huffed and pouted a bit before running off after her friend, concerned about her safety.

Blake made her way through the school buildings in an almost trace-like state. From Layla's tired and bleary perspective, it looked as if Blake had just been possessed and was running wild. There's no doubt about it; that's my song, Blake cheered mentally. She was smiling through the crazed search throughout the entire school, With Layla being hot on lunatic Blake's trail, Layla knew that at this moment she was probably being the biggest idiot she had ever known. Whatever was making Blake sprint full force throughout the entirety of Cor Fortium High was most likely something of utmost importance to her. Eventually the two girls ended up at the bleachers of the football field to the left of the front of the actual school campus, panting heavily near the top of the steps leading up the the speaker booth.
"They're here," Blake panted, struggling to get her breath back. Layla didn't even bother with a response; her body was too busy trying not to collapse and fall over after running at a speed it wasn't used to. Blake entered the speaker booth to see if anyone was inside. Nothing. Not even a mouse appeared for Blake in the booth. Clicking her tongue in slight frustration, Blake began to think about where her Guardian may be. The singing had long since stopped, so Blake couldn't even get a good indication of whether or not she was close.

"Oh come on!" Blake cried out in frustration, "I was so close to finally meeting her! Why is tracking one person so difficult and finding an extraordinary human being so easy for me?!" Layla looked on with worry. Looks like it really is important for her to find this Guardian, Layla figured, I should probably feel the same, since they played a part in saving me in hindsight. Blake slumped against one of the booth's outer walls, exhausted from her sprint search. She felt like she was so close to finally figuring out who summoned her that night, and with the confirmation that Layla was not her Guardian had already caused her to feel hopeless of ever finding the one who knew her song.
"Let's look around a bit more," Layla said softly, extending a hand to Blake, "They could still be around here. We just need to find them." Blake sighed in resignation, but still got back onto her feet with Layla's help. Together, the two of them searched the nearby vegetation surrounding the speaker booth, both feeling confident about finding someone here. Suddenly, during their search, the song broke the silence once more. Blake smiled ecstatically; it sounded really close to them now! She finally felt that she was about to meet her Guardian! Blake emerged from the vegetation and found someone standing right where they were moments ago. She was of a slender build, dressed in the school's female uniform with her blazer unbuttoned. Her black hair wrapped in a ponytail and her facial expression was that of utter surprise. Blake was feeling the same as well, and when Layla joined the two moments later, even she was surprised at the person they found.

"Blake? Layla?"
"Amber?"