elapt1c/ElapticAI-512 · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 149M
That s Claire began, but she stopped.
Lana didn t seem to understand our affection for our daughters. Perhaps it was something that could only be understood once one became a parent themselves.
Well, whatever. Let s finish this. You two want to save these children, right? Lana asked.
Of course, I answered.
Yes, Claire said.
A cruel smile rose to Lana s face. Then, Ms. Rae kill Ms. Claire.
What? I asked.
Didn t you hear me? I said kill Ms. Claire. Do that, and I ll free these children. Chop-chop now.
Lana, quit being stupid and let the children go, I said.
I don t really like repeating myself Perhaps I should cut off a nose to help you understand? Lana wore the same easygoing smile she always did as she said those disquieting words. She moved the knife closer to May s face, making the girl stiffen.
Well? What ll it be? she said, pushing me to make a decision as she flaunted the knife.
I had to kill Claire to save May and Aleah. If I didn t kill Claire, I couldn t save May and Aleah. Claire or my children.
An impossible choice.
The worst-case scenario I had envisioned shortly after the pope s attempted assassination had come to life.
My answer?
I refuse.
What?
I said I refuse, Lana.
A resounding no.
H-hah! Figures your lover s life would be more precious! Of course! That s all children amount to for parents!
You re wrong, Lana. We re saving the twins, no matter what. But sacrificing ourselves isn t the way.
There will be no negotiations until our children s safety is guaranteed, Claire said.
We stood our ground, following Dole s teaching. The first thing we had to do was ensure that Lana wasn t the one in control.
I had long racked my brain about this impossible choice and concluded the best option was neither of the two options presented, but a third: To be greedy and protect both Claire and my children. Who said I had only two choices in the first place?
Dissatisfied with our answer, Lana s expression became villainous. Oh, really? she asked threateningly. I guess you don t care if I
If you so much as scratch the twins, I ll turn you to ash right where you stand, Claire interrupted coldly.
Ngh.
Of course, we didn t want our daughters to be hurt, but we could at least hold Lana in check by threatening her life. I couldn t be sure, but I suspected she hadn t realized our trump card was already on site. We d had the upper hand in this negotiation from the start.
Well, I don t really value my life, so whatever! Lana said. If it s for Papa s sake, I don t
By Papa, do you mean Salas? I asked.
That s right! Papa said if I dispose of you, he ll love me and me alone!
Lana
She smiled, but something about it felt hollow. Even her gaze, full of joy, was somehow empty and vacant.
Mama Rae, Mama Claire, please help Lana, May said.
She has something bad in her, Aleah said.
The twins showed concern for Lana even after what she d done to them. They believed she wasn t herself and that the nice girl who occasionally played with them was the real Lana.
Of course we will, dears, Claire said.
Leave it to us, I said.
Shut up! Lana suddenly shrieked. She had been acting strange for a while now. I was worried she might hurt the twins in her agitation; perhaps it would be best to tread lightly from here on out.
I m I m fine As long as I have Papa As as long as I obey Papa s voice Lana mumbled. She appeared to be under Salas s hypnosis as well. Papa, tell me what do I do?
In an instant, her face went expressionless, and she spoke in a flat, toneless voice that was not quite her own. Kill one of the twins. They will reconsider things then.
Okay, Papa! With a look of glee, Lana gripped her knife and swung down at May s neck. Claire and I sprang forward immediately.
Just when I thought we wouldn t make it, our trump card played itself.
Agh, what is this?! Lana exclaimed.
Something soft and translucent intercepted her knife before it could reach May s neck. It was Ralaire, who had been hiding in May s pouch up until that moment. She was always by the twins side, both as a bodyguard and to neutralize the curse in their blood.
Absolute Zero! I cast the fastest spell I knew at the knife in Lana s hand.
Ngh?! The entirety of the knife and her hand froze.
Now without a usable weapon, Lana fell into panic. Claire and I took the opening to continue our onslaught.
Flame!
Uplift!
Claire made an opening in the already half-crumbled ceiling, which I then lifted May and Aleah through. The spell I used was one of my own creation, far faster to cast than the spell I d based it off of.
Wh-what? Lana was bewildered.
Claire took advantage of Lana s bewilderment to close in and put Lana s frozen hand into an armlock on the ground. Surrender yourself.
Ngh Let me go!
Rae, use the Tears of the Moon!
Right. O moonlight, drive out the evil dwelling in this body! A soft light began to shine on Lana, but
Let me go! Papa! Papa! Lana was unaffected and continued to thrash underneath Claire.
Mama Rae, it s the headband! May said from above.
Lana said she got it from her father, Aleah explained.
No! Don t! Lana began to thrash even more furiously at the mention of the headband. Was it a magical tool? You can t take this from me! It s the only thing Papa s ever given me!
Lana, Claire said, I sympathize with your plight. But it is time you were freed from Salas s binding. Do it, Rae.
With Claire s hands occupied with restraining Lana, I removed the headband in her stead.
No! Stop it The moment I removed the headband, Lana s eyes rolled back as she lost consciousness likely the effects of being freed from the magical tool s power. Her thrashing came to a stop as well.
Whew I suppose that s it, then? Claire asked.
It would seem so.
Lana was neutralized, and May and Aleah were both safe. So why did I feel such a sense of unease? Would that schemer really be satisfied with such a simple plan?
Mama Rae, there s something in the sky, May said.
A lot of scary black things are flying this way, Aleah said.
I felt a chill run down my spine. May, Aleah, get dow
Before I could finish, a torrent of dark beams struck the abandoned house.

***

Ngh.
I returned to my senses to find my surroundings changed. The half-crumbled house had been fully destroyed, a crater carved into the earth where it had stood.
The moment my mind registered that we had been attacked, I began looking around and calling for my family. May?! Aleah?! Miss Claire?!
I m here, Rae.
Miss Claire! Thank goodness.
More importantly, where are May and Aleah?
Having been caught off guard, I hadn t had time to put up defensive magic. It was a miracle we d come out unscathed.
We re okay! I heard May s lively voice from above the pillar I d made with Uplift.
May and Ralaire protected me! Aleah said. As I peered, I saw a magic barrier was spread above them, created by May and Ralaire. I later learned that the magical tool sealing May s magic had been destroyed by a piece of rubble when I cast Uplift.
I let out a sigh of relief knowing that the twins were safe.
I ll let you down now, I said, lowering the pillar until it was level with the earth.
The twins ran up to us.
Are you two okay?! Any injuries?! Claire worriedly asked.
We re okay, but
Mother, more of those black lights are coming!
I looked in the direction Aleah pointed to see black beams fast approaching. I hurriedly put up a barrier with my earth magic.
Just then, a figure creeped out from the safety of my barrier.
Lana! What are you doing? Get behind the barrier! I yelled.
I can t I betrayed everyone she muttered, the color drained from her face.
That wasn t your fault! You were being controlled!
Even so Life s not worth living if Papa s abandoned me.
So that was how it was. The barrage of black beams were targeting not only us but Lana as well. Salas intended to kill us all, her included. She was despairing, having realized she d lost the only thing she clung to.
Just let me die.
No! Maintaining the barrier with one hand, I pulled Lana back with my other. It was difficult, on account of my exhaustion and her heavier body, but I managed to pull her back just as what I presumed was demon magic impacted the barrier.
It s a longer barrage this time!
Just let me die, Ms. Rae
I refuse! I stopped Lana as she tried to leave the safety of the barrier again.

That s Claire began, but she stopped.

Lana didn t seem to understand our affection for our daughters. Perhaps it was something that could only be understood once one became a parent themselves.

Well, whatever. Let s finish this. You two want to save these children, right? Lana asked.

Of course, I answered.

Yes, Claire said.

A cruel smile rose to Lana s face. Then, Ms. Rae kill Ms. Claire.

What? I asked.

Didn t you hear me? I said kill Ms. Claire. Do that, and I ll free these children. Chop-chop now.

Lana, quit being stupid and let the children go, I said.

I don t really like repeating myself Perhaps I should cut off a nose to help you understand? Lana wore the same easygoing smile she always did as she said those disquieting words. She moved the knife closer to May s face, making the girl stiffen.

Well? What ll it be? she said, pushing me to make a decision as she flaunted the knife.

I had to kill Claire to save May and Aleah. If I didn t kill Claire, I couldn t save May and Aleah. Claire or my children.

An impossible choice.

The worst-case scenario I had envisioned shortly after the pope s attempted assassination had come to life.

My answer?

I refuse.

What?

I said I refuse, Lana.

A resounding no.

H-hah! Figures your lover s life would be more precious! Of course! That s all children amount to for parents!

You re wrong, Lana. We re saving the twins, no matter what. But sacrificing ourselves isn t the way.

There will be no negotiations until our children s safety is guaranteed, Claire said.

We stood our ground, following Dole s teaching. The first thing we had to do was ensure that Lana wasn t the one in control.

I had long racked my brain about this impossible choice and concluded the best option was neither of the two options presented, but a third: To be greedy and protect both Claire and my children. Who said I had only two choices in the first place?

Dissatisfied with our answer, Lana s expression became villainous. Oh, really? she asked threateningly. I guess you don t care if I

If you so much as scratch the twins, I ll turn you to ash right where you stand, Claire interrupted coldly.

Ngh.

Of course, we didn t want our daughters to be hurt, but we could at least hold Lana in check by threatening her life. I couldn t be sure, but I suspected she hadn t realized our trump card was already on site. We d had the upper hand in this negotiation from the start.

Well, I don t really value my life, so whatever! Lana said. If it s for Papa s sake, I don t

By Papa, do you mean Salas? I asked.

That s right! Papa said if I dispose of you, he ll love me and me alone!

Lana

She smiled, but something about it felt hollow. Even her gaze, full of joy, was somehow empty and vacant.

Mama Rae, Mama Claire, please help Lana, May said.

She has something bad in her, Aleah said.

The twins showed concern for Lana even after what she d done to them. They believed she wasn t herself and that the nice girl who occasionally played with them was the real Lana.

Of course we will, dears, Claire said.

Leave it to us, I said.

Shut up! Lana suddenly shrieked. She had been acting strange for a while now. I was worried she might hurt the twins in her agitation; perhaps it would be best to tread lightly from here on out.

I m I m fine As long as I have Papa As as long as I obey Papa s voice Lana mumbled. She appeared to be under Salas s hypnosis as well. Papa, tell me what do I do?

In an instant, her face went expressionless, and she spoke in a flat, toneless voice that was not quite her own. Kill one of the twins. They will reconsider things then.

Okay, Papa! With a look of glee, Lana gripped her knife and swung down at May s neck. Claire and I sprang forward immediately.

Just when I thought we wouldn t make it, our trump card played itself.

Agh, what is this?! Lana exclaimed.

Something soft and translucent intercepted her knife before it could reach May s neck. It was Ralaire, who had been hiding in May s pouch up until that moment. She was always by the twins side, both as a bodyguard and to neutralize the curse in their blood.

Absolute Zero! I cast the fastest spell I knew at the knife in Lana s hand.

Ngh?! The entirety of the knife and her hand froze.

Now without a usable weapon, Lana fell into panic. Claire and I took the opening to continue our onslaught.

Flame!

Uplift!

Claire made an opening in the already half-crumbled ceiling, which I then lifted May and Aleah through. The spell I used was one of my own creation, far faster to cast than the spell I d based it off of.

Wh-what? Lana was bewildered.

Claire took advantage of Lana s bewilderment to close in and put Lana s frozen hand into an armlock on the ground. Surrender yourself.

Ngh Let me go!

Rae, use the Tears of the Moon!

Right. O moonlight, drive out the evil dwelling in this body! A soft light began to shine on Lana, but

Let me go! Papa! Papa! Lana was unaffected and continued to thrash underneath Claire.

Mama Rae, it s the headband! May said from above.

Lana said she got it from her father, Aleah explained.

No! Don t! Lana began to thrash even more furiously at the mention of the headband. Was it a magical tool? You can t take this from me! It s the only thing Papa s ever given me!

Lana, Claire said, I sympathize with your plight. But it is time you were freed from Salas s binding. Do it, Rae.

With Claire s hands occupied with restraining Lana, I removed the headband in her stead.

No! Stop it The moment I removed the headband, Lana s eyes rolled back as she lost consciousness likely the effects of being freed from the magical tool s power. Her thrashing came to a stop as well.

Whew I suppose that s it, then? Claire asked.

It would seem so.

Lana was neutralized, and May and Aleah were both safe. So why did I feel such a sense of unease? Would that schemer really be satisfied with such a simple plan?

Mama Rae, there s something in the sky, May said.

A lot of scary black things are flying this way, Aleah said.

I felt a chill run down my spine. May, Aleah, get dow

Before I could finish, a torrent of dark beams struck the abandoned house.

***

Ngh.

I returned to my senses to find my surroundings changed. The half-crumbled house had been fully destroyed, a crater carved into the earth where it had stood.

The moment my mind registered that we had been attacked, I began looking around and calling for my family. May?! Aleah?! Miss Claire?!

I m here, Rae.

Miss Claire! Thank goodness.

More importantly, where are May and Aleah?

Having been caught off guard, I hadn t had time to put up defensive magic. It was a miracle we d come out unscathed.

We re okay! I heard May s lively voice from above the pillar I d made with Uplift.

May and Ralaire protected me! Aleah said. As I peered, I saw a magic barrier was spread above them, created by May and Ralaire. I later learned that the magical tool sealing May s magic had been destroyed by a piece of rubble when I cast Uplift.

I let out a sigh of relief knowing that the twins were safe.

I ll let you down now, I said, lowering the pillar until it was level with the earth.

The twins ran up to us.

Are you two okay?! Any injuries?! Claire worriedly asked.

We re okay, but

Mother, more of those black lights are coming!

I looked in the direction Aleah pointed to see black beams fast approaching. I hurriedly put up a barrier with my earth magic.

Just then, a figure creeped out from the safety of my barrier.

Lana! What are you doing? Get behind the barrier! I yelled.

I can t I betrayed everyone she muttered, the color drained from her face.

That wasn t your fault! You were being controlled!

Even so Life s not worth living if Papa s abandoned me.

So that was how it was. The barrage of black beams were targeting not only us but Lana as well. Salas intended to kill us all, her included. She was despairing, having realized she d lost the only thing she clung to.

Just let me die.

No! Maintaining the barrier with one hand, I pulled Lana back with my other. It was difficult, on account of my exhaustion and her heavier body, but I managed to pull her back just as what I presumed was demon magic impacted the barrier.

It s a longer barrage this time!

Just let me die, Ms. Rae

I refuse! I stopped Lana as she tried to leave the safety of the barrier again.