Disclaimer: I do not own Grand Chase. Need I say more?

A/N: Yes. I know I still haven't finished B.U (Bermesiah University). I coudn't resist~ This story is dedicated to Utsuro by the way. It's because of Utsie-chan that I became inspired to write ArmeXLass stories. More power to one of the best ArmeXLass fanfiction writers (Utsuro). And, before I forget, this story is also dedicated to the other hard-working LassXArme writers!

~ Behind Every Mask ~

Rating: T

Genre: Angst; Mystery; Romance; Adventure

Summary: #5. She was found lying in front of the school – beaten, bleeding, and on the verge of dying. Behind every mask is something we sometimes do not want to see and know. Sometimes, learning about them will only put us in peril. ArmeXLass. Others included.

Extra Info:

"Character speaking"

Thoughts

"Pets speaking"

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Drip. Drop. Drip.

Red colored water... blood.

It was everywhere – on the floor, walls, furniture, and even on their clothes. Two bodies lay lifeless on the ground in front of them. One male, the other, female...

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Tears rolled down pale white cheeks as a girl bearing violet locks held a younger boy near her. Mommy... Daddy... Why aren't you moving? She thought, although deep inside, she knew the reason.

A sob escaped from the boy in her arms. He was shaking uncontrollably. Mommy, daddy... You're making little brother cry... so please, wake up...

"Onee-chan... Are m-momma and p-p-papa... o-okay?" The small, croaking voice of her younger brother asked. "I... don't know..." She replied, not knowing how to answer.

An eerie silence passed by. After a while, it was replaced by another question,

"They're... d-dead... aren't they?" She wasn't surprised when her younger brother said this as a statement rather than a question. The three-year-old was, after all, too smart for his age.

As a response to the earlier statement, she merely nodded. Seeing this gesture made by his sister, the boy sighed. He broke the hug while hesitantly stepping forward.

The purple-haired boy shivered when the blood soaked his bare feet; gagging when the aweful stench of the corpses reached his nose. "What are we going to do now, Armana-nee-chan?"

The aforementioned female turned her attention to the boy standing in the pool of blood. Her amethyst eyes immediately narrowed when it met another pair of the same colored eyes staring at her in amusement.

"How many times have I told you not to call me by my real name?" Armana scoffed, ignoring the question. Natsu rolled his eyes, "Will you just answer me?"

Armana fought the urge to snap at her younger brother so she just told him another, "I don't know..."

"Geez... Sometimes, I wonder if you really are older than me... or if we really are related..." Natsu shook his head diapprovingly. Armana puffed her cheeks out of annoyance.

But before she could make a witty comeback, the sound of the door slamming interrupted her. Two pairs of violet eyes widened.

No... It can't be... The killers came back for us!

The younger of the two immediately ran to his nee-chan's side; fear visible on his ghostly white face. Not long after that, they heard the sound of creeking stairs.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

Both huddled at the fathest corner of the room – away from the door.

Creak... Cre-

Th creaking came to a stop. Relief washed over the two for a while before they heard sounds again. This time, it was the doorknob twisting and turning.

Armana could feel Natsu tense and cower beside her, so she went in front of him. As an older sister... I should protect my younger brother even if I, myself, is in danger of dying in his stead...

Even though the siblings were young, both knew how to fight – whether it is by the use of magic, archery, or melee.

Click!

A presence was felt on the other side of the door. Armana's eyes widened. She didn't care if she knew how to fight – the enemy's too hard to handle and she knew it'll end pretty badly. Like what happened to mommy and daddy... And besides, I can't leave little brother all alone...

The lavender-haired female nudged Natsu, showing him somekind of card with a picture of a cat.

Natsu realized where his sister was going at. He took an identical card out and chanted a spell, "Invectus Vos." A bright light emanated from the two cards. When the light faded, two felines emerged.

"Nyaa~" A cat in a christmas stalking mewed as it rubbed its fur on Natsu's leg. "Nice to see you too, Nyami." He gave a small, frightened smile as he picked the cat up in his arms.

"What's the matter, master?" This time, it was Armana's cat. It was a light pink in color and it had a small ribbon with a bell in the middle, tied around its neck.

Armana said nothing, only staring at the door with a panicked look. Her cat, as well as Natsu and Nyami, followed her gaze.

There was a mop of silver hair poking out of the space the half-opened door provided. No...

Both cats glanced at their masters, then at each other. A moment later, Nyami jumped out of Natsu's arms, making a somewhat fighting stance. Luna (Armana's cat) followed suite.

Nyami and Luna were about to lunge at the door when a familiar voice was heard, "Armana... Natsu... Are you in here?"

"Uncle Theon!" They heard him sigh in relief.

Theon went inside the room, "Thank goodness you two are-" His sentence was cut when he saw the pool of blood and dead bodies. "What happened in here?"

"There were two killers saying something about momma and papa working for a guy named 'TNTS' so momma and papa needed to be killed... or something in the lines of that..." Armana stated, flinching when she thought of the bloody murder scene.

"The killers also looked about our ages... and they were wearing somekind of uniform..." Natsu added.

"Is that so?"

"Mmhm..."

Silence enveloped them.

"Can both of you help me with burrying your parents?" Theon asked after a good three minutes. Armana and Natsu nooded, dispelling the spell so that Nyami and Luna could go and rest in their respective cards.

Theon helped lift the mother, slowly walking down the stairs and out of the door. He set her down on the ground before digging up a hole and putting her genlty in. "May you rest in peace Marie..."

They did the same with the father, Kira...

"How's about making a prayer so that your parents can go to Heaven safely?" Theon asked them when he finished the burial. Armana gave a small smile,

"Our father in Heaven, Holy be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us..."

"Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil... Amen..." Natsu finished.

"Father, we ask through your intercession, that Marie Izumi as well as her husband, Kira Izumi rest in Heaven safely and soundly alongside you. Father, may you keep their children away from the corruption, betrayal, and hatred the world we live in is giving now..."

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Who knew this was the start of a new life... Full of lies...

A/N: I guess some of you will ask what happened next... Well, this is only a preview of the prologue. I cut it just incase. I'll post the full version of it once I finish Bermesiah University's 1st and 2nd arc.

Edit: I decided to just leave it this way~ It'll be a lot more fun~

Anyway, review please!