Despite my injuries, we had managed to practice a few times for the scheduled concert. This would have been our biggest yet. It was a massive number of tickets because we had an outdoor space booked for this. The others had booked it before I even joined the band because it needed to be scheduled so far in advance. The timing was perfect with our recent record release. Not so perfect with my injuries. I wasn’t going to let the others down, though, and I was ready to push through the pain.
In the end, though, theconcert didn’t happen.
Remember how I mentioned I thought there might be some bad energy with our plan to pick up the magical item we needed on the way to the concert? Well fuck was that ever an understatement. We arrived at the shop and picked up the magical stone Malam told us about. Not sure what we’ll do with it if we can’t get Malam to work with us again, but for now, in the absence of anything else to do, we’re following the plan.
Honestly, I’m not convinced it’s anything other than a rock with a hole in it. We might not have even purchased it once we saw the damn thing, but Lent, ever the force of chaos, paid for it before we could stop him. He’s in some hot water now with the other guys, which is honestly kind of refreshing.
I also bought my own knife for blood magic. We normally disinfect the one we have between uses, of course, but I just thought it might be nice to have my own. Chaosta helped me pick it out. It’s sitting on my desk as I write this.
Back on topic, though. We finished up at the shop and left, but as we approached the street, there was a whole crowd of people. The others seemed to think they were fans who were following us. However, I noticed that Chaosta was acting oddly and had drawn her sword, so I knew something was up. As the otherguys were trying to be diplomatic, I asked her what was going on, and she told me they were angels.
I’m still not sure which of them were angels. There were at least thirty people standing there. No way were they all angels. I have no idea how she can see them when we can’t, but no wonder no one has seen an angel in centuries. They look just like normal people.
Chaosta was standing there, poised for violence, holding her sword, and they were all staring at her. I told the guys what she’d said, and we were all in shock for a second. Then, surprisingly, Lent pulled us together and made a plan. As we were calling rain as a distraction, she was suddenly at the center of a sword fight in the middle of the street. Thank the dark gods she handled them while we tried to get ourselves figured out.
There is coven protocol for something like this, so I tossed Reem the knife I’d just bought, and he started working on his blood runes. Everything was going so fast that I let him cut my arm, and he cut too deep. I ended up needing stitches. I can hardly blame him, though. We were all thrown off in the moment. Something, I guess, we need to practice as a group, although it’s not as though weather magic is meant for combat. We do need to be able to keep our heads about us, though. Who knows what might happen after we trigger the storm. If the government decides to send guards after us, being able to use weather magic in combat might be needed.
I would have started off using the combat magic I’m more familiar with, but as I said, there’s coven protocol.Also, while they technically know what I’m capable of, they’ve never seen me use magic in combat. I initially wasn’t sure if this was the time to do so. Also, like I said, Lent had a plan.
Speaking of that, once we got the rain started, we couldn’t see that far. I could barely see Chaosta’s silhouette fighting through the downpour. The others were calling lightning. I finally made a decision to use combat magic because I couldn’t leave her out there alone to fight. I was watching her and wasn’t going to strike until I knew I wouldn't hit her. Then she incapacitated one, and the others began to flee.
I went to release the spell to mop things up, and suddenly I was on the ground and she was on top of me. I still don’t know why. Thankfully, I was able to pull the spell back in time. This is why training for quick instincts is so important.
The rain was still pouring down around us. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, maybe the pain, or shock, or the blood loss from the fresh wound in my hand. Whatever it was, all I could think of for a minute was brushing the wet tendril of hair off her cheek, and all I could see were the raindrops running over her lips.
Fuck, I can’t do this to her. I need to be stronger than this.
I tried to tell her I was looking out for her and wanted to help, but I couldn’t find the fucking words. Then she pushed away from me suddenly as though Iwas burning her, and she walked right into an argument with Reem.
He kicked her out of the mansion. Speaking of team decisions, I’m not sure what gave him the right to do that to her. We all tried to talk to him while we got cleaned up, and then as we took the carriages back home. At first, he refused to speak with us. Then, when he finally did, none of us could get him to change his mind. He’s just too protective of us and the band. I’m not on speaking terms with him at the moment.
Of course, we ended up canceling the concert. We would have arrived too late, and it’s not as though we could’ve made it through a set after that. Especially me with the freshly injured ribs and new wound on my hand. It was a blow to all of us, but Reem, in particular, is beside himself about it.
Yet another piece of advice for my future self: getting a deep cut stitched up while in a moving carriage, while everyone glares at each other, isn’t ideal. Of course, it’s not like I listened to my own damned advice last time.
DIO’S JOURNAL - ENTRY 2
Annum:5615
Entry 2 - remissio
I finally filled up my previous journal, so I started a new one. Hopefully, these entries will be less exciting.
Physically, I continue to feel better, even though it has been slower than I’d like. While I’ve been healing, I’ve continued to miss boxing. If ever there was a time for me to be able to manage my emotions with that physicality and the pain of some fresh bruises, it would be now. Especially because boxing is really the only outlet I have anymore.
Beyond the physical healing I’ve been doing, there has been some other healing work. Over the past month, I’ve slowly come to a conclusion I believe I’d been holding back for a while.
I think my feelings for Chaostaare more than physical attraction. Of course, that still doesn’t mean I can allow myself to have her.
Fuck that hurts. I’m working on accepting it, though. Also, just because I can’t be with her that way doesn’t mean I can’t make sure she’s safe.
I’ve been spending some time trying to track her down. All of this was easier somehow when she was around, and at least I could keep an eye on her. Now she’s gone, my imagination has been unkind. It’s been too easy to imagine her getting hurt or killed. Of course, my mind is also torturing me with thoughts of her with someone else.
I’ve had plenty of time to think about where she might have gone. My guess is that Malam brought her to the demon stronghold. While I realize the danger in locating such a well-guarded secret and trying to break in, I can’t help myself. I need to see her so I can convince myself she’s safe.
Somehow, though, knowing why I’ve been in mental agony makes it easier not to lash out. I’ve even mended things with Reem. While the relationship is still strained, I can understand caring about something like he cares about the band.
As I’ve been recovering, we’ve been getting back to rehearsing. We have also managed to find a large venue where we can hold a rescheduled concert later this year. Although it’s not as large as the outdoor space we had booked, at least we will be able to honor many of thetickets our fans had for that concert. We also sent a free record to everyone whose tickets we won’t be able to honor. Some people are upset, but not many, so overall, that seems to be resolved and settled.
