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It was dark. The darkness that once devoured him, slowly eating him up as he wandered amongst others to do what he thought was helpful. The optimistic and loud noises slowly went out of his reach, away from him. The novelist had forgotten, that those who are close to him..are gone. He was there, standing in the dark as he watches the memories replaying. He saw them, laughing, teasing, crying, hugging, playing. "Luxiem.." He uttered, pressing his palm against the none existence wall that separated him from the memories. His palm was now a fist, trying to hold his unshed tears. "Ikey!", " Oi Ike!", "Pog! It's Ike!!", "Ey Ike!", one by one, the members called out his name. His eyes widened, his members, were in front of him, waving and calling out for him. Ike saw his younger self running up to them with a bright smile, unlike his older self. With a smile, Ike turned around and walked away from the memory core but stopped as he heard, "You can be anyone you want. Don’t be afraid and live your life. The world is full of hope." He didn't dare to turn his head. Upon realizing how he missed them, he promised himself that the stories of Luxiem will continue to live on in his novels. "Let's go, Ike. To find the hope in the dark!" The never-ending tale of Luxiem.. begins now.
This world is huge as the dreams themselves continue to expand. Craving for the warmth he once felt in Luxiem, the novelist stared at his book, containing his memories with Luxiem. He clenched his fist, visibly shaking. What is he supposed to do? How can he save them? Will this disaster that was cast upon them stop? Right at the instant, he felt something against his head, and turning his head, he saw a small fluffy ball with a white feather attached to their heads. Quilldren, his beloved babies.
He slightly smiled, as Quilldrens surrounded him and nuzzled. He knew he was not alone and for that, he was thankful. "So, everyone is here, to help me?" He asked. Quilldrens started to jump and goes onto his desk, looking at the book and tapping the book. Those on Ike's shoulders try to tackle him a little upon realizing that Ike was slightly tensed up. Ike chuckles, his laughter, was gone the moment he lost Luxiem but now, if there's a way to bring that angelic laughter back, then Quilldren wouldn't mind sacrificing themselves for this man, who brought happiness and joy into Quilldrens life.
Ike looked up to his beloved children and pats a few of them. It was wonderful, to be able to laugh like this again. Ike was expecting Quilldrens to drag him to bed but all he saw was them circling the book. Of course, in confusion, Ike tilted his head to see but suddenly he was blinded by the light that came from the book. It took him a while to open his eyes and to even recognize where he is. Ike looked down to his desk, just to see an empty desk. No book or Quilldren, just his old stuff in the past. He takes a look around till he heard noises of people screaming outside his room. Ike ran out to check the noises as he thought the noises seemed familiar. Ike gasped when he arrived at the living room. The once quiet living room filled with screaming of those people he had missed and loved. The sight of them hurts him. Is this a dream? Am I dreaming? But fortunately, it was real. The sound of a hard slap caught the attention of those in the living room, causing the room to be filled with dead silence.
Shu was the first to walk up to Ike and put his hand onto Ike's shoulder, "Hey, are you alright? Why are you crying?" asked Shu as Ike looked at him with difficulty to understand the situation he was in right now.
Cry? Mysta creeps out from behind Shu and wipes Ike's cheek with a finger, "Ike-cheal?" Mysta called. Ike blinks then shook his head, feeling the unstoppable tears flowing off his eyes. Hah, he's truly back to the past. What a cliche...whatever he once read in the novel now came through. Is it because of the wish he swore to the day he lost them or the sacrifice made by Quilldrens? "Aww, is our Ikey Wikey is crying? Did something happen?" ah yes, as always, the voice coming from that one specific demon. He hates to admit it but he missed his deep yet comforting voice. The world is so cruel to them. In silence, Ike had endured Vox's death. The memory of losing him is still fresh within him. While Ike was once again lost in thoughts, the others stared at each other. Luca popped up behind Mysta then tackles him, causing Mysta to burst into laughter. Ike slightly flinched, coming back to his senses, and stared at the two men. Shu and Vox sighed as Ike chuckles, wiping his remaining tears away. Who cares about the future now? This is an opportunity for Ike to change the fate of Luxiem. This time, he'll create a new future together with his boys! The long journey awaited them.
After everyone calmed down, Luca, Shu, and Mysta had to leave for groceries. Luca's craving for his pringles and leaving him with Mysta wouldn't be a great idea. Due to Vox needing to stay and cook, Shu volunteered to go with the others upon realizing how pale Ike was when he walked into the living room, hoping that Vox could reassure Ike while he and the others are away
Usual Ike would help Vox when it comes to cooking since he was the 'dad' of Luxiem but seeing how weirdly Ike acted, Vox decided that they should order food instead. When he came back to the living room, he saw Ike, laying down on the couch which surprised the demon. Regardless of what he doing, Vox get a pack of ice, bringing it to the novelist that was currently resting. "Ike.." He called with a lower tone, in case he had been slumbering. With an eye open to see, he saw Vox with a pack of ice and wondered what that is for. "Goodness, you're pale! What'd happen to you?" Clicking his tongue, he sat down on the floor, facing Ike's face as he gently moved the pack of ice closer, putting it on his reddened cheek. The novelist shivered as he slightly moves his head, hearing the chain of his glasses clanking. After a few minutes, Ike started to open his mouth and speak, which is good since the man had been silent for a while now.
"Vox.." To Vox's surprise, he was hearing him calling for his name as his very first word after stepping into the living room. "Is it truly possible to go back in time?" He raised a question. Vox was dumbfounded. A novelist, asking him a question about..time travel? "It's not impossible but the price is truly expensive.." said the demon hesitantly. He couldn't tell him the price of time travel but he trusts Ike won't ask any further about the topic and Ike didn't seek more information. Ike wasn't stupid. He knew..he was aware that the price for his time travel was because of Quilldren. He was hoping that he was wrong but oh, he felt bad. He was guilty of using his Quilldren lives to come back. How could he possibly- no, he just can't seem to get over it. 'I lost my children over my selfishness? Why? Why must it go this way?' Ike though, unaware of Vox calling out for him.
Ike snapped out and stared at Vox as Vox then sighed, "Jeez, are you really alright? You keep on dozing off. What were you thinking in that big brain of yours? A whole new chapter?" He let out. Ike quickly sat up and shook his head, "Gosh, must have been a nightmare...", " Nightmare? Ike, if that were to be a nightmare, you wouldn't be thinking so hard about it and let it go like you usually do. Tell me, is this something connecting to the 'going back to the past?' question?" Vox asked with a stern expression wore on his face.
The black-haired with red strips demon knew of Ike dodging style and course, with a little bit of bait and stuff, it'd be easier to make him talk but again, to his surprise, Ike stared at him with quite the scary glare and Vox gulped. Did he dig something he shouldn't? Ike then looked away and sighed, "Unfortunately, I can't truly give you the answer. Maybe, once I'd untangled this matter then I shall reveal it to you including others. Also, thank you for cooling my cheek." Ike remembered this day clearly. He fought with Vox over certain stuff which resulted in him being sequestered away from Luxiem. Of course, he kept himself busy with his novels instead of trying to fix his relationship. Upon hearing Ike, a smile crave onto his face, feeling glad that he did help the man. Although there are a lot of questions within Vox's mind, it'd be better off away for a while.
"Let's go and make something before everyone comes back!" Ike declared, standing up and walking to the kitchen. "C'mon Vox, you can't possibly let me do everything without your assistance!" said him loudly. Vox heard him and laughed, "Big boy, you need to figure out how to cook on your own", " Haha! Funny!" the kitchen once again became lively as the parents of Luxiem continue to make food for their younger siblings/children.
The sound of the front door was heard by Vox and Ike. Fortunately for the parents, they're done and have served the food. Mysta was the first to arrive and almost tripped over when Luca unexpectedly creeps behind him, as the back of his head bumped onto Luca's enormous chest. Vox raised his eyebrow, "Boys, what are you doing? Get your ass here for dinner!" called the demon as the novelist laughs. At last, everything went back as it is before. His home, his family, now back to him. Ike watches everyone at the dinner table and smiles gently. "Woah! Vox, did you do something?? Look at Ike.." Shu whispered to Vox. Vox simply thought how rare is it to see Ike smiles especially after quite the situation earlier. A rare sight indeed. That novelist who once lose his bright smile, now smiling brighter than ever. As the moon now had risen from its slumber, the boys were getting ready to eat. They talked and talked, as the time slowly passed.
After dinner and showering, Ike sat on his soft and warm bed till he heard the sound of knocking. Mysta peeks in and beams, "Ike, Ike! Let's have a sleepover in the living room! We're about to watch some movies." He said with an exciting tone. Ike simply nodded, picking up his pillows till he saw a plush of Quilldren. 'Ah, let's take you with me' he thought as he picked up Quilldren's plush and goes to the living room. As always, Mysta would be on at the middle but somehow he offered his place and exchanged with Ike. They watched the movie together and fell asleep side by side. This wasn't so bad and Ike hoped that this moment will never be taken away from him, ever again.