Wilting Memories

     Keyara felt waves of sorrowful Ether in the air. She sighed, feeling horrible herself. She recognized Melia's ether waves, plagued with sadness, which was expected. Melia had lost her brother, and her whole empire really, while Keyara had lost Galven, Kallian(who sometimes bothered her but was truly a nice guy), and possibly Zaira. But what truly surprised her was the other waves of sorrow in the air. She could recognize them...but why would the woman, so closed off from Alcamoth, so closed off from everyone, really, feel such sorrow and unhappiness due to the Telethia incident? Everyone was sad, sure, but she was nearly as sad as Melia..why?

     The Ether waves were Willow's.

     Now that she looked at the other black-haired Homs, she did seem upset. Although she nearly appeared her usual emotionless self, her posture was more slumped, her eyes less bright. Her ether waves were incredibly strong, but she seemed to be unaware and quiet. Keyara sighed and watched the group go on as she leaned against a tree. She closed her eyes and ran a hand through her hair, troubled. She was thinking about a lot of things. How do I comfort Melia? Why is Willow so sad? What is going on? she wondered. They'd come back for her, she just needed a rest anyway.

     The wind made Keyara open her eyes. Her surroundings were...different, to say the least. It was nighttime, and it was in Eryth Sea. Keyara heard sounds of people moving, the rustle of people moving through the floating island's grass, the occasional laugh. Turning her head, the Homs saw two people- both women, one was a Homs while the other was High Entia. The High Entia had her silver-hair pulled in a braid, with a fancy dress on, while the Homs looked remarkably like Willow, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, while she was wearing a gray dress and gray gloves with ribbons.

     The two stopped at a strange device floating on the island. Keyara moved closer to hear them but not alert them to her presence. "-their devices were always faulty," the High Entia was stating, looking uncertain. "Willow, I think we should get out of here." Willow!? Keyara thought in awe, staring at the Homs. Willow frowned and nodded. "I guess we should," she agreed. "I don't want anything bad happening to you, Violet." So, Violet is her name, thought Keyara in interest. 

     Her gaze flicked to the device, which was sparking with Ether. "Uh-oh," whispered Keyara. The sparks had a sense of forboding around it, and she knew that if the two didn't leave soon, something bad would happen. Very bad. Violet and Willow started walking and talking to each other, though Keyara couldn't make it out. She was staring at the device. It was clearly some form of High Entia technology, but what? They didn't have things like this today..unless..but no, how could this be the past? It made sense, though, with Willow's different look, the strange technology..

     In her thoughts, the Homs just barely saw the device flash brightly with Ether as Violet stopped. She gasped and turned to the two, but she was too late. Violet was already screaming in utter agony as she glowed and glowed, 'till a bright flash obscured her vision. And then, in her place stood a Telethia with three heads. Willow stared up at it in utter horror as it let out a fearsome roar with each of its heads. "Violet?" Willow asked. When the Telethia answered with nothing more than a growl, Willow slowly backed up, repeating "Violet!?" in a more desperate tone then she had used before.

     Before she could do anything, a male High Entia ran over. A triumphant grin was on his face as he slashed at the Telethia. Ether flashed all over- apparently he could control it quite well- until the male High Entia slammed the Telethia away from him. Stunned, the Telethia's heads slumped slightly as it tried to regain focus. But it hesitated, and it hesitated too long.

     One head. Two heads. Three heads. The High Entia sliced them off in succession.

     Willow had remained silent for most of the fight, but as the Telethia's body swayed and fell with a loud thunk, her voice raised into a cry. "Violet!" she wailed, staring in horror at the Telethia's remains. The male scoffed and picked up the heads, smirking as he left with them. He walked effortlessly through the transporter. Him disappearing made Willow look up in horror and chase after him.

     There was a bright flash and Keyara was back in the present world. Stunned, not only from what she had just seen, but from what this had to do with Willow, she shook her head rapidly. Someone grabbed her arm and she looked up to see Alvis, looking at her, concerned. "Keyara, are you alright?" he questioned. The others had turned back to look as well, except for Willow, who was staring into the distance. Keyara nodded briefly. "Y-yeah. I'm fine, Alvis," she said, steadying herself. He let go of her arm and nodded. "Alright," he said, and walked back to the others.

     Keyara went to follow them as they started walking again. Willow followed behind her, looking upset still. Keyara glanced back at her, and their eyes briefly met, before Willow looked away. But it made Keyara wonder.

     What other secrets was Willow hiding?