Okay, let me just clear up... This is the first time I've adopted a story. It's actually the first time, and it's not a redo of the original "War Of The Worlds" fanfict by Marsdog. And yes... I have his permission. I'm really continuing it from there, but I'm designating my chapters as the second arc, and his, the first.

In the first Arc of War Of The Worlds, the world of Witches was shaken to experience the arrival of a technologically advanced human faction. In a world they escaped from, they're designated as ATLAS. They were supposed to have ended in New Baghdad in January 2061, but used Project Magic to escape their enemies from the free world. And worse for the Strike Witches, the main protagonists from their world, ATLAS had landed and invaded Romagna for themselves. The 501st had to fall back to station themselves in Sicily. From then on, the witches had experienced things new, and completely different, and for the first time, a major setback from the new all-human faction who kills witches. Since then, everyone was adjusting, but ATLAS kept moving.

What next of the forces of the free world, and SENTINEL? Will they be able to find a way to track ATLAS? And would the witches be able to fight back effectively against ATLAS?

The Second Arc, starts now.

Arc 2: Adapt to Blood and Sweat

"Magic Origin"

Rex Hayes POV

I thought we were doing the right thing for ATLAS. I'm stationed as the security chief of the hidden division of ATLAS called MOiRe or Magic Origin. This has been operating under ATLAS for quite a few years now and of course, it's off the books.

My time in Siberia wasn't at all fruitful, but at least the pay sustains me for the least. I work there as the station security chief and nothing else. But it doesn't mean I don't get behind a desk. I assigned someone to do the paperwork, meaning I also patrol the lab for the best. The only thing that keeps me quite entertained is when Charles Magnus, the main research engineer for the magic projects that have been conducted, was doing experiments by himself.

Recently, I was befriended by Magnus thanks to the successes of his experiments, and the fact that I caught him at a bad time doing his own research. Thing is, ATLAS was able to catch on, and everything was beginning to be a disadvantage, even for the good doctor himself. I don't know if I'd had the emotion to be on his side the whole time. I'm a mercenary, now acting as a security chief. Well... It seems my dreams of being rich was finally over. ATLAS owns me. And the bastards are just heartless to realize it.

Then... Things began to change.

3 hours after what ATLAS had done in New Baghdad, Charles himself was working in his office after he was infuriated. He never knew that his own research could be used against the free world. Worse... Something else was discovered, as a trans-dimensional portal was opened for ATLAS from New Baghdad. He began doing things on his own ever since this happened. He was NOT happy.

Next thing I knew, there was an explosion in his office. I rushed to get there, but it was too late. The room was a mess. Papers burned. Metals have melted under the fire, and the good doctor's body was burning while lifeless. Safety crews already put out the fire and I immediately started to investigate the cause of it, and I knew it was not possible, but rarely is. Based on the explosion, it wasn't just ONE explosion, but two, both made from SEMTEX charges. And even HE didn't see it coming. Something was up. Someone wanted Magnus dead...

Neutral POV...

Rex Hayes's quarters...

Rex was wearing his comms headset while in full gear to coordinate security around the lab. The culprits responsible could be around and this was indeed no accident. That time, he was alone and was too focused on this that he didn't even notice someone tap his shoulder. As he spoke through his headset and was tapped on his shoulder again, he was vigilant and pinned the person who was disturbing him with her back against the wall. Rex then winced at the sight of the woman wearing an ATLAS fatigue uniform. She had black hair, with hair formed around the other in twirls to make a single ponytail, and she seems to be European in her nature of appearance. "Josie?" Rex then stepped back, regretting what he had done as he released her. "Damn it, not now. You know what happened to Magnus?"

"I've heard," Josie replies with a British accent. "Hayes, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were too into investigating this, but you can't just skip to conclusions. I mean... No one would dare to plant hidden SEMTEX charges in his room unless they were on the inside."

"That's the problem. Look... I'm just getting them away from both the main lab, and the place where the explosion happened. And since you're here..."

"I know." Josie said this before lifting her hand as a blue glow and some electric current was visible. "I'm Charles' favourite subject, and he assigned me to be trained. 2 years. It took two years for me to actually like him. He has good intentions. He just didn't show it the first time we met."

"What do you think of him now while he's dead?"

"He didn't deserve it. He was doing this in the name of science."

"Yeah, but your magic isn't science, Josie. Who would have thought you had it?" Rex glared at her. "That's why you're his favourite and his number one subject, and guest as it turned out."

"Are we going to talk about the situation now, or about me? I understand you have a problem, but we need to help each out here. Know what I think? Someone was too desperate to erase traces of ATLAS." Josie eventually lets the blue glow fade.

"You're kidding," Rex comments in disbelief.

"Put someone in power, and you don't know what they'll do. Irons is that kind of person, and it all started when he lost his son. Remember that my mother knew his personality, and all he looked for was progress, no matter who or what he'd step on just to get to it. Believe it or not, he is a force to be reckoned with. With what happened in New Baghdad, there's no doubt they stole something from Magnus himself. I might not be sure of the man, but I'm sure now. Magnus wasn't killed by accident, and I'm sure it's related to Irons wiping Charles out of the picture. Don't you think that?" She glared back at him, who seemed to be more than surprised.

"You're really saying it," he muttered.

"I'm saying it because it's the truth enough for me. I hope it's truth enough for you. I'll do what I can so Charles gets justice."

"That's out of the question, Josie."

"Then are you ready to face ATLAS and your death for it without a fight? I've made my decision." Josie then begins to walk out of his quarters. "It's time you made yours." And she was distant enough as she was seen walking down the corridor.

Rex sighs as he knew the situation could change at any second. He then decides getting another status update. "Siphon 6-2, are you at the garage? What's your SITREP?"

"Sir, we just cleared up the garage, and no one left through here."

"What about any traces of equipment used?"

"None, sir. We came up empty."

Josie Franz's POV...

There's no sense in waiting for everything to come down on me as I've made my mind. Right now, I'm heading over to Charles Magnus' main laboratory as I know I needed to. It's time I find out what they're after, and what they're doing to rub us all out for. I'm not about to be killed, or questioned without my free will. They removed it the time I was already a guinea pig. But the man never deserved death.

Two full-geared men with assault rifles were guarding the entrance to the main laboratory. I approached them and they aimed their weapons at me quickly just before I sprinted, used my magic, and disappeared, before appearing behind them thanks to my speed. I fatally twisted the neck of the first before removing his survival knife off his vest, before letting him go, then kicked the other active grunt just before throwing the same knife to his head, killing him. Yes. I don't care whether I'm a loose subject now.

Rex Hayes' POV...

"Damn it..." I was muttering that while I ran the corridor upon corridors carrying my assault rifle with me. "All Siphon callsigns, head over to the main lab, RIGHT NOW!" But as I waited for a response as I sprinted, static ran through the comms. This isn't the ordinary kind of static. Someone or something was jamming me. Whatever's going down, it's happening right at this moment. 'And I got a feeling this is all happening too fast.'

Neutral POV...

Station Main Laboratory...

A bald white-coat scientist in his forties has his hand handcuffed to a dummy console, while seeing another white-coat man typing furiously. A flash drive was plugged in to the console he was standing in front of, while the scientist as a prisoner kept begging the other to release him.

"Damn it, Mark! What the hell is ATLAS going to do with the rest of the research?! You know they used it for means of desperation and it's purely untested!"

"That's why we're continuing the research without your help from now on, Dr. Nizio. Boyd, I'd love to chat, but now is not the time. We're pulling out, since Sentinel forces are on our tail. It's only a matter of time this facility would get discovered as well."

"YOU WILL ALL PAY FOR THIS! Magnus would never have allowed this! You... You people DID IT!"

"Oh, shut up, Dr. Nizio."

"You're barking the wrong tree with that tone." Josie's voice spooked Mark before he equipped his pistol and stopped typing, just before he aimed it towards the imprisoned Dr. Nizio. "Mark, I think you've really been giving me that bad impression."

Mark himself was nervous that the woman was holding a survival knife and his hand shook because of it. "Don't even come closer, or he dies. Subject One, you're not even supposed to be here."

"He gave me the right to be treated as a guest."

"THE DOCTOR WAS NEVER RATIONAL THE WHOLE TIME WITH YOU!" Mark then saw Josie disappear thanks to her speed and his eyes widened as he heard a slashing sound. His brain stopped. His head started to part as he started to bleed.

Josie then lowered her bloodied knife as Mark's head was cut into half and fell dead to the floor. "You were always a prick to begin with. Farewell." And she heard Dr. Nizio's voice screaming in fear of what's happening. She then walked towards the imprisoned scientist and knelt on one knee near him. "Calm down, Dr. Nizio."

"S-s-subject... One... You... You're a killer...!"

"SHUT UP!" Josie then tightly grabs the scientist's collar and pulled his face closer to her as she glared at him. "Magnus knows a lot about me, and was sympathetic of my condition. You haven't seen it all, Dr. Nizio, but it's true. I was trained in combat because he knows after his research has progressed, this would happen. You've heard of the New Baghdad incident. I expected you did something, but instead, you let a man of Irons' hand hold you prisoner here. It's neither yours or my fault. The man we thought you know betrayed you."

"B-but... Why...?!"

"JOSIE!" Rex has his assault rifle aimed straight at Josie, now looking at him as she stood up. "Goddamn it, Josie! You know what you did...?!"

"Rex... Until now, you doubt me."

"What in the hell are you doing...?!"

"...getting the truth out, Rex. This dead man over here decided to retrieve the research in full without getting Nizio's approval. Mark was a man under Irons the whole time, so I made sure to dispose of him quickly."

"Josie, you know there's no turning back from this, right?!"

"I'm well aware." Josie then zipped until she was in front of Rex. In surprise, Rex stepped back and Josie kept her composure before she spoke up. "Rex... Can't you see? There are shadows working against our favour. I don't want to be consumed by it, and neither do you. Charles Magnus died in vain and we have to live to tell the tale, as well as Dr. Nizio for that matter. Did you happen to lose contact with everyone? It's a sign they're keeping you in the dark."

Rex was surprised to hear of this, but kept his weapon trailed onto her. But it quickly changed when a radio transmission came from the nearby from the entrance as he heard: "All Siphon callsigns, former-designation Siphon Alpha has been marked as a threat. Teams, move in to secure or neutralize targets ASAP."

And he was convinced. Something was definitely wrong, and he eventually lowered his assault rifle. He then looked at the Weapon ID, which said, 'Access Denied.' "Shit... They locked me out." He then threw his assault rifle aside. "Son of a bitch... It's all going to hell."

"That's why we need to move." Josie zipped back to Nizio before swinging her survival knife and cutting his handcuffs off the dummy console. He then reached a hand for the freed scientist. "Dr. Nizio, we've got to go."

And Boyd reached Josie's hand, grasping it before he stood up. "Thank you. But..."

"I know." Josie then saw the monitors of the different consoles start to receive static, just before she zipped onto the last active console that the flash-drive was plugged in and removed it from it. "We'll need to make use of the drive's contents to do something about this." She then threw the flash-drive and Rex caught it before putting it in his vest pocket. "Rex... Can I trust you?"

Rex nodded. "Look, we gotta go." He then equipped his ATLAS 45 semi-automatic pistol. "It's gonna crawl with rogue guys I thought I knew."

"Um..." Boyd said in hesitation, but continued. "There's an automatic weapons reserve near the desk if you need it. Charles usually keeps himself something for defensive purposes."

The reserve cabinet was opened and Rex found Boyd wasn't kidding as he saw two MP11 Submachine guns. He grabs one and takes magazines as well as Josie who does the same.

"Josie... Think you can keep them distracted?" Rex asked this as he was done obtaining mags for his MP11.

"You need to get Nizio to safety, huh? You're some hero. Fine. Expect a lot of bodies to pile up, but be ready when an opening is made. I can take many of them on." She smirked before she glowed blue on her body. "Just don't expect I'll come after everyone. We should meet at the garage. We're leaving."

"Sure we are. Right, Doc?" Rex asked, seeing Boyd already beside him.

"Mr. Hayes, I would like to depend on you if that's the case. The last thing I need is an injury," Dr. Nizio said.

"I don't wanna give you a reason for you to have one. Josie... Lead the way out." Rex prepped himself just as Josie led the way out of the laboratory.

And as Josie expected with a smile, ATLAS soldiers are coming from opposite directions, already firing at the group. "This is interesting. Rex... Take the other direction. I assume that's where you're going?"

"GO!" Rex orders it before Josie and himself faced different directions, counter-attacking two separate squads. Josie went one way while she sprinted and held her MP11 and a survival knife separately. 'She's crazy, but a knockout nonetheless.' He thought of it while returning fire until there was only one that he shot last. "Doc, stay behind me and move while I move!" Rex then moves forward, running past the bodies of ATLAS soldiers he thought he knew well.

Boyd knew following Rex was the only way he could live. He suddenly stopped as Rex ordered him too, and bullets came their way, just as the security chief was returning fire. "Where are we going?!"

"There's a service hatch we can use! Stay the fuck calm! Okay?!" Rex kept his finger on the trigger as bullets left his SMG and hit the opposing side's men. He was constantly in cover as he was fired upon, while Boyd was in cover the whole time to avoid being hit. Meanwhile, Rex was advancing as he was shooting at the last man, making holes to the head and the chest before falling dead to the ground. "Doc... Let's go!" And Boyd ran to Rex before they both ran for it again...

Josie sprints while running on the wall before disappearing, then appearing behind another group of men as she held a man prisoner with her knife to his neck, while firing her MP11 at the others who didn't know. She took out the rest before stabbing the man she imprisoned until he died. She smirks at her handiwork, confirming she killed 27 soldiers already. And noticing there was a blue glow around her body, her magic was being used. 'Magic that can only increase my physical abilities is something, but I know there's something hidden. Charles... In your name, I'll find out what more needs to be unlocked from me. I want to be stronger, as you taught me to freely be.' She then sprinted forward without using her magic, heading towards the same direction Rex and Boyd went to...

Underground garage...

Boyd was looking from behind a car just a small amount of guard detail. That time, Rex was observing the primary gate, described as a door that can open vertically and can only be done when done behind the guard switch. "Just a few guys. Nothing to it," Rex whispered. "Doc… Stay here. It's best we avoid a fight down here. The rest just went towards the lab and they don't know we're here. If they do, it'll be too late."

"I've been seeing too much blood now, Mr. Hayes."

"Just shut it and follow my lead. Stay." Rex orders this and eventually started to move while crouched. He moved in between military SUV's while trying to catch a few separated patrols. There was a time that a man patrolling by himself was grabbed by Rex, covering his neck, pulling out of view before his neck was fatally twisted to be killed. He made sure of this, and did this two times.

There was a bit of radio chatter that men are starting to move back to the garage. Rex decides to hurry up, and he started it off with equipping his own survival knife, and stabbing someone's nape from behind, killing the soldier, just before he stood up and started to advance towards the soldiers near the guard shack. Bullets came back to him, but were hitting his human shield while he fired back, until to the last man in the garage. "Alright…" He mutters this before throwing his dead human shield aside, not caring as the soldier is dead on the ground.

He sprints to the guard shack and hits the button for the main gate. Eventually, it started to open up, and he runs out back to Boyd, before busting the window of a civilian vehicle there. That vehicle in particular is not in line with the standard 2060's vehicles. He was able to hotwire the car before it started up. "Doc… get in!" And he sees Boyd Nizio boarding the car, just before a vent door dropped from the side of the garage as Josie jumped down from the ceiling vents. "JOSIE, COME ON!"

Josie sprints before a door was opened for her and got in. "HIT THE GAS!" She then sees Rex accelerate suddenly. Soldiers stormed from the side entrance before they fired at the car, but it was too late. Rex was already past the primary gate and going uphill. Another door opens as it led to an almost dark road just near an abandoned warehouse. "I wonder why this car was easy to jack."

"It's simple. It's Dr. Nizio's car." Rex then looked at the back section, seeing Boyd breathe and tried to calm down. "Okay back there, Doc?"

"I am fine, thank you. But… We can't get far if we're in here. They'll probably track us when we're still here. They know my car." As Boyd explained, Rex eventually gets the car onto the main road, with many lanes acting as a highway. "Soon enough, we might need to leave it, unfortunately."

Rex shouts as he was surprised there were military SUV's behind him. "Shit! We got company! Josie, if you got any more ammo."

"Don't need to tell me twice, Rex." Josie smirks and bashes the glass window as it broke before she grabbed her MP11 and she partly exposes herself before aiming. She pulls the trigger, and the first shot rings…

Rex Hayes' POV…

Subject One is known to be quite the feisty one at first, but Doc Magnus treats her like she's his daughter. Josie's quite the problem at first when she participated at this. She's probably the only one who's got magic at this world, and became a hamster. Doc Magnus however lessened the painful procedures done to her, and she liked it more. See… Josie's mother was the one who decided her own daughter to participate, since she can't support her, and even herself. Right now, Subject One, ATLAS-codenamed for Josie Franz is 27 years old, and she calls herself a witch since she can exhibit powers at an instant. She believed she had this when she was 16, at a past she still needed to understand, even by herself.

See… she doesn't have a past. She came from one which she doesn't know, and something already told me she's very different from the rest. I wanna think otherwise.

Neutral POV…

2027 hours…

Lockpicking was heard just before the door was opened to a dark room. Josie and Rex get in with guns drawn just before she let her eyes glow yellow and started to clear the whole room in the darkness. She looked in the bathroom as well, and was making sure every inch wasn't bugged at all. "Clear," was what she said just before the lights were turned on. The hotel room they needed to stay in didn't have any bugs at all, it seems. And Rex closed the door behind them.

Josie sighed, knowing for once, she can breathe easy. "Goodness, that was quite a chase."

"Wanna tell me why you're such a happy killer?" This, Rex inquired.

"I'm actually glad ATLAS has turned evil. I'm glad they began to show their true colors. I knew something was already wrong since they were rising in power, including Jonathan himself. I wish I'd see him, though. If that world he went to was very nostalgic to me, I'd find and kill him easy."

"Charging head-first isn't the wisest in the plan, Subject One. I mean… Josie." Boyd spoke of this as an advice for her. "I mean… I've known ATLAS began to change objectives not to do things for the United States Government anymore, but to do something against every country responsible for waging wars, which includes the U.S. itself. That was a mistake he should not have done."

"What's worse is…" Josie continued Boyd's statement. "Jonathan took this to the next level and began to move the research to another dimension, and to one that has magic, possibly. It's the next best thing right now. So I'd probably make friends there."

"Excuse me…?" Rex said this in surprise to Josie's plan. "Nobody's going there to do anything. Not yet. Look… Escaping New Baghdad is his first move. If his next move is invading the world that had less tech than what ATLAS has, it's a good one. But once he has made ground, there's no stopping. Josie, that's another world you're talking about. How much time will it take for us to actually make friends there? Irons brought more tech with him that they could advance much quickly than the armies of the free world combined."

"Are you sure about that?" Josie smirks while asking. "Everyone hated him. So we might as well join in and see what we can do to help."

"So what's your first step?"

"Give up. Let the United States handle their care."

"Sentinel…? You think they'd allow us to even get near a portal machine or the whatnot?"

"Or maybe we could build one," Boyd suggested. "There's a good chance that with America's current technology and leftovers from ATLAS, we can do something. But… We have to wait. If ATLAS is indeed being hunted, then that meant securing the resources needed for another Project Magic. Problem is… they're looking at the safety of the men and women who would try it. I don't think it would be easy, and it violates the laws they stood for."

"Exactly," Josie replies. "But it's worth a shot. Right? Though, we can't be too sure yet. We're deep in Siberia. And probably, communications would be tracked before we would even be secured by their army. I say, we keep moving on foot, until we find an opportunity to get off the country. No cars."

"I agree. They'll track us. So… No communication at all?"

"…only until we at least get in contact with someone who jams audio receptors, like phones, for example. It's the only way. ATLAS has a strong hold in Siberia. I've known this since Charles shares a little to me about it."

Boyd sighs at this, knowing they'll have quite the journey ahead of them. "I want to get some sleep. I'm sorry, but I'm very tired."

"Rest easy, Doc," Rex advises to Boyd just before the scientist removes his lab coat… "I may as well find something to wear before…"

"Don't bother." Josie then walked to the door. "I'll find something out there."

"You sure, Josie?"

"You think I'm a completely isolated labrat? I'm sure you heard I went out with the good Doctor months ago before all this happened. I'm fine. Besides… I have no use for the money I got right now except for food and water. But we also need clothes."

"Where'd you get the money?"

"I got some from Charles. Now stay here. We're gonna need clothes. Don't worry about me." And Josie winked as she opened the door and left the room, closing it behind her afterwards.

Rex Hayes' POV…

Question now is… What exactly is gonna happen to us? Sure we'll have to be under the radar, but shouldn't Sentinel have known that Siberia is another place ATLAS is hiding in? At this time, we can't tell yet. Unless we get their help, we can't expect anything soft to land on us. No, I don't think even Sentinel will land on us pretty easily as well. They're pretty much pissed off of ATLAS challenging the world to a war.

I have a feeling what Jonathan did was just the beginning and meant to do something with Project Magic. But what are they there for? If it's a full invasion, then they might just succeed. That's what I'm scared of…

Neutral POV…

Hotel roof… 2203 hours…

Josie was already in her civilian clothing. And that time, she was looking at the night sky. There were some clouds while there were only a few stars visible in the night. It didn't compare to the brighter lights shown through buildings while people looking like ants still walked out late night thinking it's not dangerous. She put her arms on the railings as she sighed, thinking of what it's like to be down there… being normal.

The woman smiled as she heard footsteps from behind with her great sense of hearing. "I suppose you might have found it strange I called you here."

"It depends on the reason, Josie," said Rex who was wearing civilian clothing and eventually joined Josie. "I understand we got a lot of things to do starting tomorrow, so we may as well get rest. Doc's sleeping in and we gotta be ready for the next day." He advised this to Josie, but he saw she was thinking of something. "Josie, how long have you been out to Siberia?"

"Long enough. Two times in random days of every month, I get to visit different sights. Some are the same, though. He doesn't show me much places to see unless he ventures more. He treated the country as his own home. His research was everything. That meant I was everything to him too. That's why he's just trying."

"And now he's gone, Josie. I never knew you'd be so calm."

"It's because he told me, and I quote: 'If you begin to be calm, you can think better.' Speed is everything to me, though. Sometimes, I forget his advice. My power… Speed, and being an elemental witch since I can control elements. Electricity was only a face that I can show since I can control fire, its combustion, and how it's being used, and what other form I can use with fire."

"Lightning."

"Yup. But it's through redirection of energy, to be converted to lightning."

"That's not magic."

"Partly, it's true. There's science to it too. I trained hard and I got to that point in understanding. Science and sorcery might be two different things, but there's a way the two can be bent for each other. Things just don't mix in modern times because only few people get to see things this way. Charles was a man who saw things differently, and I followed on his ideals than just listening."

"And how's this gonna help? With the situation we got, I mean."

Josie then looked at Rex while he looked back at her. "Rex… I know you feel bent up and not secure around me. For once, think that I'm still human. We both are. So for pete's sake… stop doubting me while we're level-headed. Okay? It makes me feel like I'm the one who's wrong. Honestly, I don't know who's wrong between us."

"Don't say that. You opened my eyes on this. There's a reason we left MOiRe. No… We're the ones left who can pass the research Magnus has to the right hands. Irons didn't want this to get out. But we're gonna make sure the research is given to someone we can trust… IF we can find someone. If not, then this is the government's problem."

"Pass it to the worthy kind, or the kind that makes the fixed society, huh?"

"Whatever the choice, it's something to take off our load. Alright? I didn't want to be part of a military company that dared on the world. That's one reason I escaped with you. I'm sure you want to live a normal life."

"Stop right there." Josie said this while glaring at him. "Whatever life I live, it's not for you to say. It'll be up to the time I know if it will happen." And while she was glaring, she was somehow waiting for a response from Rex. It seemed he was listening, and so she continued. "Thank you, Rex. You've been a close friend to Charles. But I'm not your concern. I can take of myself if you're wondering. But… I could think I owe you something after this is over." And her glare slowly turned into an innocent look on him.

"You don't owe me anything. So don't start."

"Nonsense." Josie started to smile. "I never gave you the same level of respect as I've given to Charles… being like a father to me. I want us to start over. I'm already out of containment. I might be Subject One to your eyes, but I'm certainly willing to try being different from now on. I want us, to trust each other, like I trust you. What would you do with the flash-drive, which contains everything we're going to pass to another great mind?"

"I'd give it to the great mind himself. He'd know what to do with it."

"See? No doubt from you, Rex."

"Still… You don't owe me anything, alright?" After Rex said this, Josie made a soft punch to his chest that wasn't painful as she laughed.

"Ehehehe… For once, you've gotta try taking credit. Maybe you're not up for it now, but loosen up."

"Um…"

"Live it. Okay? Now… I want us to get some sleep. Care to join me?" And as she smiled at him, she started walking to the roof door, sparing him one last glance before she left him there.

Rex felt himself blush a little, but shook his head to snap out of me and started walking to the door. 'I don't wanna lose focus, damn it.' And he eventually left the roof area.

Josie's POV…

Normally, I don't dream. While I was always in my room, they found a way that I could have nothing to dream about. Rather harsh, but it's the way they do things. It was only this time I'm able to dream again, but it's unlike any other. Before I got into the program from ATLAS, I was dreaming of someone's baby being taken away into some sort of portal. It was happening again. The same dream that I thought I forgot was actually being seen again…

"Keep her safe…" A voice was heard, and it seemed to be a woman. This time, her voice was clear. And I feel so… soothed by it, like I always longed to hear the voice.

"You know I will. Count on it," replied an old female teen of sorts who I thought was the baby's caretaker. It was still blurry, but I can see they were in a house together. But as the caretaker left the same house, some sort of red beam had ravaged and sliced through the house before it was instantly caught on fire. An explosion even rang loud as the baby cried. I was in the eyes of the baby, and I was feeling her sorrow as she lost her mother in the fire as she thought. Then… the baby was brought in the portal together with the caretaker.

Wait… The caretaker's face… She's…

But before I could complete my own thought, I opened my eyes and sat up from my bed. I noticed the time just in the dim light as the clock was seen… It's only 4:43 AM, a time in the morning too early. I saw Dr. Nizio snoring on the couch, while Rex was lying on a mat on the bed. That dream I had… wasn't a dream. I know it because it was too familiar. It felt too real to be just a dream. Now I feel I'm being poked by something in my mind, just to snap out of it.

Next thing I knew, I was wetting my face over the sink while in the bathroom, leaving the water running. I was over-thinking, was I? Perhaps not. Perhaps the only one who would explain this, is another who has magic in her system. I'm about to find out there's more to my magic, though. It's because after I wiped my face with a bath towel, and I looked at myself in surprise: I had… animal ears. At first, I didn't believe they were real ears. That changed when I attempted to touch them with my own bare hands. As the skin of my hands came in contact with the ears, I felt like it was part of me, and it was furry and… No… It can't be true. I have the ears… of a wolf.

And to top it all off, I felt something right above my 'behind.' There was no mistake as I looked further, there was a tail. It was a wolf's tail, and it was really sticking out. I looked at myself and discovered my magic is one with my tail and ears. Is this what a witch really is? If so, I don't understand it. There's possibly no one in the world, even a witch for that matter, to have these features like I do.

I didn't feel afraid. I felt… curious. What am I?

TO BE CONTINUED...