The Siren's Melancholy (FI- OPEN)

[ParamountKeymaster]

DAMN IT VAN!

Again the fight for dominance resumed, but much more fiercely than ever. They rolled on the ground in agony, punched and kicked their body, and perhaps most unnerving of all, Van and Ray were yelling at one another as control constantly switched between them.

"Are you out of your freaking mind?!" Ray shouted, glaring to the left. "We could die at any moment and you're not willing to take action?!"

"I am willing, Ray!" Van snapped back, scowling to the right. "I'm aware of the situation, but the more you seek to fight against it, the worse the fight will become!"

"You think it could get any worse, Van?! We're surrounded by monsters and demons and s***! If you're not gonna fight them off-!"

"I WILL fight them if the need arises! We can't go attacking every little thing that we come across! Not everything on this island poses a threat!"

"How do you know that?! The longer we let our guard down, the easier it'll be for something to jump out and kill us! Now's not the time to be too trusting!"

"Fair enough, seeing as how I can't trust YOU to uphold your promises! I know you can fight, Ray! We all can! What you lack is the capacity to know WHEN to fight!!"

"AAAAAAAUUUGGGHHHH!!" Patrick suddenly forced himself to sit up and grab his pounding head. "STOP IT! STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!" He fell back again when Ray overpowered him.

"I know when to fight! Now! With everything poised and aimed to kill us! What about Darien?! Or Toby?! Just because they're our friends doesn't mean they'll hold back so long as they're under this curse's control!"

"That's not the point I'm trying to make! We have to defend ourselves, yes, but that's no excuse to try to destroy all perceived threats! That makes us no better than the monsters you so viciously seek to destroy!"

"BEEEEEEEEEETH!!"

[DMis]

"One song coming up!" she shouted back hearing her name.
She took a breath before starting to sing once again and fired the blood drops at Melancholic.

[ParamountKeymaster]

The music did its part to calm the three down if ever so slightly. Patrick was of course the one most affected by it, and since he was the one putting up the weakest fight, very little changed as he went into his trance. Van and Ray had at least ceased their physical brawl, but they were still groaning in distress as they mentally pushed against one another.

Melancholic had been watching this struggle with mild boredom. The blood striking him snapped him back to attention and he quickly raised a hand, seemingly in preparation for attack.

Shadows writhed around Patrick's body before rising up and forcefully entering his body through his mouth and nose. He choked and convulsed for a while, then he finally passed out, upon which the darkness promptly exited.

[DMis]

"Hey! Leave him alone!" she screamed sending another volley of the blood droplets at him- this time crystalized.

The dragon being went over to Patrick's body. She chose to stand over it protectively.

[ParamountKeymaster]

"Calm yourselves!" Melancholic snapped, blocking the blood crystals with his shadows. "I merely tranquilized him. In due time, he'll awake unscathed. I suggest you take advantage of his unconscious state and move him elsewhere."

[DMis]

"And for what reason should we trust you?" asked the dragon being as Beth went over to Patrick's body.

She was thinking of how to carry him out.

[ParamountKeymaster]

"My current objective is to protect this land and nothing more. Even if such was not the case, my feud is not with this boy, but his friend. I have no desire to waste my time and energy on someone who will likely prove unable to protect himself against even the simplest of foes."

The Præt'nos faced away from them. "For these reasons only I'll grant you mercy. Though I will advise caution: My colleagues may not display such kindness. Nor will Mr. Rooke's friend should they come across one another."

[DMis]

Beth nodded. "Though I don't think I can trust you I'll let this slide this once but if you and your colleges mess up my new home. Skaia so help me you will have an enraged Mini-God on your trail," she hissed getting up. "Dracorum mind lifting up Patrick and following me out?"

"How do you know who I am?" the dragon hissed.

"I'll tell you later," Beth answered quickly.

[ParamountKeymaster]

Melancholic said nothing as he silently coasted deeper into the cemetery. He only kept to his inner thoughts. Fools... Such a shame that their efforts will be for naught once Ten'dom rises.

Patrick's face was tranquil, the symbol of a deep, peaceful sleep as the two carried him away.

[DMis]

- a little bit later-

Dracorum set Patrick's body down and propped it against the gates to the cemetery. She turned to the Siren. "Okay spill."

"Ever heard of the Meta?" Beth replied calmly. "It's also known as the fourth wall and I'm going to shatter yours in a few minutes."

"What do you mean by that?" Dracorum asked.

"Chrystine Bennet. You have met your maker," Beth answered.

[ParamountKeymaster]

"Ngh..." Patrick twitched slightly, slowly pulling himself out of his unconscious state.

[DMis]

Dracorum gave the siren a broken look that was a mix of 'what the heck?' and 'are you for real on that?'.

Beth nodded. "Yep no joke about it," she replied before looking over to Patrick. She gave a smile.

[ParamountKeymaster]

He slowly straightened up and opened his eyes, blinking a few times while his eyes adjusted. His irises were the shade of pea green that they were when Van was in control, and the slightly accented voice he spoke with further confirmed it was him.

"Oh... Beth. I-I'm... dreadfully sorry for what just happened..."

[DMis]

"I'm guessing the third facet is a reckless firecracker?" she replied as Dracorum paced.

Said dragon girl didn't know what to believe anymore.
"So then what do I call you?"

"Beth or Mom if you wish," Beth answered.

[ParamountKeymaster]

"In a sense, yes..." Van sighed. He tried to stand up, only to give up when he found he didn't have the energy for it. "Most of the time, though, Ray is just rude and lazy. I'm not sure where this sudden lust for dominance and bloodshed is coming from."

He looked away in shame. "Perhaps this curse is affecting us more than we first suspected..."