Cold dry blood clings to my clothing, as I stumble my way through the forest. My hand still suffering from burns, as multiple lacerations are scattered across my body and face. The adrenaline that once fueled my actions has long been burned up, and replaced with an aching soreness. My arms, legs, and face are all sore, throbbing from my recent engagement.

Where will I go now?

My first guess was to go back to the school, maybe seeking the nurse, or shutting myself in my room for a few days. But, can I even approach the school in my current outfit? What will my friends, and teachers think? Will they think I'm crazy, or believe me?

Hell, I don't even believe what just happened!

What was supposed to be a simple solitary study session, turned into an absolute nightmare.

But, at least it's over now, at least now I can try to calm myself. I'll feel better once I get far away from those caves.

I just need to keep moving. Don't look back, just keep walking.


"So, Ms. Finnalin, may I inquire as to why you asked me to come to your classroom?"

"Yes, Diana. I called you into my classroom to ask for assistance. You see, I've run short on Saint John's Wort, and I'm too busy grading the recent test to restock. Perhaps, you could journey into the forest, and find some?"

Well, it's certainly better than listening to Hannah and Barbara gossip all day.

"Why of course, Ms. Finnalin. Anything for a great teacher."

She smiles at my compliment.

"Oh Diana, always such a charmer." Finnalin says, handing me an empty bag she pulled out of her desk. "All I need is ten samples of Saint John's Wort. Now, I would offer you extra credit as a reward, but seeing as how you already have an A plus, I find that unnecessary."

"Oh please, being generous is its own reward."

"Whoever you marry is sure to be a lucky man, Diana."

Ms. Finnalin looks back down at her papers.

I spot Akko's test on top, unsurprisingly revealing a D.

What an unfortunate girl she is.

"Well, I best be off." I say, turning around to leave.

"Wait Diana, did you notice anything strange last night?" She asks.

I stare at her, confused.

"What do you mean strange?" I ask.

"Well, it's the weirdest thing. I heard a dog whining and thunder. Why, it wasn't even raining."

Well, thunder and rain isn't the most uncommon thing in England, but thunder without rain?

Hmm, didn't Theodore have a lightning spell that he's quite fond of?

That still doesn't explain the dog noise.

"Diana, are you okay?" She asks, concerned by my lack of response.

I give a fake smile, accompanied by a chuckle.

"Oh yes, Ms. Finnalin. I'm quite alright. Well, I'll let you get back to your grading. When you see me again, I'll have ten Saint John's Worts." I say, walking out of the room.

"Thank you again, and please do shut the door on your way out." She requests.

I oblige, slowly closing the door, the last thing I hear from her being,

"Such a good student."


I trip on a stick, landing hard on the forest floor.

"Theodore, you clumsy fool." I mutter to myself.

I get back on my feet, wincing as my scorched hand makes contact with earth.

I continue to hobble my way through the forest.

I've made up my mind.

If I can make my way to the tower where Volare teaches her classes, I can hide there until nightfall. Then, I can quietly make my way to my room, and clean myself up.

My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven't eaten since I met Bruno.

Oh Bruno, such a foul fate he met. However, his act of valor kept me alive, and thus put an end to Mendacius's plot.

Speaking of Mendacius, I wonder what became of him. What happens when a god dies, or can they even die? From a Christian perspective, when Jesus died he rose from the dead. But, this isn't the Bible. This is real life, full of magic and monster.

I can't shake off the feeling that he's still somewhere out there.

I continue to walk towards Luna Nova, hoping to whatever gods are left that I don't get spotted.


I eye my bag, which I have filled with Saint John's Wort, as to Ms. Finnalin's request. Looking inside, I count eight, leaving only two to fill my quota.

I kneel back down, and pick the final two from the bush.

Slinging the bag over my shoulder, I let out a happy sigh.

With all the stress of keeping classroom appearances, I forgot the beauty of nature.

The crisp leaves of fall crunch under my feet, as a cool breeze brushes against my face. Perhaps I'll take a little walk to fully enjoy the autumn weather.

I begin my stroll, walking by countless numbers of trees, each one looking more unique than the last. I look down admiring the assorted colors of the leaves.

Suddenly, a shadow stretches out towards me, catching my gaze. I look up, wondering who or what it is. It's definitely a person, someone who is walking with a slight stumble. Perhaps a fellow student, or maybe even someone from the city. But that still doesn't explain the limp.

Since the person was limping, I soon catch up.

With the person in closer view, I'm able to see the figure better, a figure clad in a torn and bloodied Luna Nova school uniform.

Hmm, a Luna Nova student, sounds of thunder, and dog whines. None of this is adding up. I doubt Theodore was attacked by dogs last night, and this was the result.

No I need answers, I need clarity.

I clear my throat, showing whoever it was that they are not alone. The mystery student turns around, revealing their identity.

You know when people say that you can be so surprised that you can't even scream? They were right.

Before me is a bloodied Theodore, with several cuts on his face, and bags underneath his bloodshot eyes, making him look more like a mangled ghoul, than the person I know.

He stares at me with unfocused eyes for several seconds, ended only when his brown eyes begin to well up with tears.

Without warning, he sprints towards me, and hugs me.

His silent tears turn into weeping, as he buries his head in my shoulder.

I am completely caught off guard by his actions.

Theodore, the person who shed not one tear, or let out a single whimper during the whole dragon fiasco, is now shuddering and trembling in my arms.

This is a situation that I have not prepared for.

"Um, there there. It's alright." I say slightly nervous, patting his head.

He continues to weep, turning my stiff collar soft with tears.

"Okay, okay. Let's sit down." I say, leading him to a nearby log.

As we sit, I look myself over.

Thankfully, none of the blood smeared on me, it being to dry. However, my shirt is wrinkled and wet.

I gaze my eyes back to him.

He holds his knees, so tightly that his knuckles turn white. While staring at the ground, an occasional tear drips from his face, followed by short and silent breaths.

My eyes flicker at his attire.

"You're covered in blood." I comment.

"D-don't worry…most of it i-isn't mine." He quietly says.

"Well then, whose is it?" I ask softly, as to not startle him.

He shrinks down, his whole body quivering. I press the issue.

"Theodore, please tell me who it is. I can't help you, if you don't tell me what happened."

After a few moments of silence, save for my nervously beating heart, and an occasional sniffle from Theodore, he whispers out

"W-well, the day after the slumber party w-we had with Akko, I went into the forest to p-practice my magic. I was approached by a dog named B-Bruno."

He takes a deep breath before continuing.

"He…he told me that he was sent by…Mendacius."

The Roman god of deception and lies? But, why on Earth would he want Theodore?

"Bruno brought me to a place in Wales, The Big Caves. Then I met M-Mendacius, he told me that I killed one of his followers, a Cyclops in the labyrinth. He would forgive me, if I brought him John Diehl, a man whose ancestors trapped the god in stone. So, I went to his house, and after a while of discussing, John agreed to go to The Big Caves."

The more Theodore talks, the more he loses his stutter. It seems as though reflecting on the past makes him better able to accept it.

"And just like that, John gave himself up…to save a stranger?"

"Yeah…just like that."

It grows quiet again, perhaps as a moment of silence to John, before he continues his story.

"Mendacius wanted revenge on John, so he possessed him, and made me an offer. If I joined him, he would make me powerful. He would restore my family, he would make me immortal. But the more I listened, the more I became aware of his true self. He wanted to control the world, and would kill anyone who stood in his way. I refused, so he threatened me, he threatened to kill my family, my friends…"

His voice trails off, as the memory becomes too painful for him. He conceals his face in his hand, I note that it's covered in burn marks.

"Theodore, it's fine. You don't have to continue." I try to reassure him.

"No, no. I need to vent." He says.

He wipes his eyes with his sleeve, all the while I'm trying to process this information.

To think, while I was studying and enjoying my break, Theodore was going through absolute Hell. But, what did he mean by restoring his family?

After I ask him this, he gives a little sigh.

"Ah, that's right, I never told you. Do you remember when we first met, and you asked what I was doing here?"

"Yes, you gave me a vague answer, and left it at that."

"What I did not tell you is that my family used to rule over ancient Rome. Once their reign fell, their prestige followed. During The Burning Times, my family stopped the practice of magic, to avoid anyone from dying. I came here to learn magic, and hopefully start our recovery back to greatness."

After that, silence envelops us, save for the natural sounds of the forest. Now it all makes sense. Mendacius saw who Theodore was, what he wanted, and how dearly he wanted it. He knew how to use it to his advantage. He manipulated Theodore, promising him that he would restore the Sempronia family.

But, I suppose killing people was below Theodore.

Although I never had the opportunity to meet these two, for saving someone that I've come to know, I thank them.

"It sounds like they were both good people." I comment, referring to his two companions.

"John was a kind hearted old man. He and Bruno were both honorable men."

Were?

"What happened to them? John and Bruno?"

His eyes water a bit, before he croaks out,

"They died…saving my life."

He said it so full of guilt, as if he blames himself for their deaths. The weight of guilt sits heavy on him.

Even if my shame can't compare to his own, I can relate.

"Look Theodore, I understand what you're-"

"How could you possibly understand?!" He yells, his sudden anger catching me off guard.

He continues his rant, his voice rising with every word.

"You, you're perfect. The star student, the prized pupil. Everyone is jealous of you. Everyone wants to be you. So, how could you, the one can count all the mistakes she's made in her life on one hand, possibly understand?!"

"Because, I've made a mistake too. A big mistake that ate at me, and destroyed my self respect. But, I got over it, and you can too!"

"What? You got a 29 out of 30 on your alchemy test?" He mocks.

"No, I-I was the one who released the dragon!" I blurt out.

This silences him.

He stares at me, with his mouth open, in utter disbelief.

"I've never told anyone that." I confess. "I was afraid, afraid of what others might think of me. For so long I bottled it up. I…I guess I thought that if I kept it a secret, no one would know. But I knew, and I was reminded of it every day I saw Akko. How she was the one who saved everyone, and how I was just left in the corner, with nothing but my own regrets. I-"

He drifts his gaze to me, now bearing a mix of anger and empathy.

"N-no, Diana...you're wrong...you saved me. Not once, but twice that day. You saved me when the dragon was about to crush me, and you saved me from the collapsing ceiling. Everyone else might believe that Akko's victory overshadows what you did, but I don't."

"No, I…" I feel a tear slide down my cheek. "…Oh you fool, now look at what you made me do. I-I put everyone's lives at risk...all because I wanted to find a rare treasure. I'm...I'm worthless-"

I'm interrupted, as he suddenly wraps his arms around me in a hug.

"No, you're not." He whispers. "Diana, you are so very smart, and so very admirable. You don't take guff from anyone, and are always there to defend and comfort those who need a shoulder to cry on, and today is just such an example." He gently says, while rubbing my back in comfort.

"Oh Theodore, why are you comforting me?" I ask. "You're the one who almost died, the one covered in blood."

He hugs me a little tighter, and says,

"I feel like we could both use some comfort."

I feel my eyes begin to water. Not with sadness, but sheer happiness. We continue to hug, none of us saying a word. An ode of silence to your toughened friendship. A friendship which has been tried, a newly formed friendship which has been tested, and a newly formed friendship which has persevered.


I lay on my bed, wearing fresh clothes. My blood covered uniform lays on the floor, my hair still wet from my recent shower.

This has been quite a day. Yes, quite a day, indeed.

I snatch my wand from my nightstand, and point it at my destroyed uniform.

The blood stained clothing ignites on fire, as it slowly turns into a pile of ash. I levitate it into the trash can, getting rid of any signs of today's engagement.

Although I do trust Diana, I still would like it to be a well kept secret.

Even though she helped me a great deal today, I still can't get what happened out of my mind. What happened before, what happened during, and what was said after.


Exhausted, I drop my dagger.

Sweat pours from my face, as does blood out of what was once the body of John Diehl, and what was once occupied by Mendacius.

I gasp for breath, as I stare at the scene below me.

John Diehl's dead body, mangled, ripped apart, with multiple holes throughout his body.

I did just as I promised I'd do to myself, face smashed and body beaten and mutilated.

Whether it's my handiwork or the threat now eliminated, I feel a wave of satisfaction rush over me.

I breathe heavily, noticing that a few breaths seem out of place.

Before I start to breath, I already hear an exhale.

Confused, I stop and listen, and sure enough, ragged breathing can be heard coming from…Bruno!

I rush towards him, kneeling over him, as I take in the scene.

He's lying on his back, battered and badly injured, with a few bones popping out of his fur. His breaths are quick and full of pain, occasionally letting out a yelp.

In comfort, I grab his paw, and give it a little squeeze, before saying,

"It's going to be fine, Bruno. I have a friend who can make a potion that'll fix you up like nothing."

"I-I won't survive the trip." He mutters, each word full of agony.

"Alright." I say, grabbing at my shirt. "Maybe, I could make a bandage out of-"

"Ted!" He chokes out.

I stare at him, as he stares back. Teeth gritted, he shakes his head weakly.

"No!" I cry out in defeat.

I can already feel my eyes start to water. Bruno places his paw on my cheek, much like a human would do.

"L-listen…" He grunts out. "…The reason for my resurrection isn't as black and white as it seems. Y-you see…I-I have a daughter, she goes to your school, Luna Nova, and…and I just missed her so much. I just wanted to see her…one last time."

"Okay, Bruno. Tell me who it is, and I'll tell her what you did, how you saved me, and the world." I say softly.

"H-her…he name is…L-Lo…Lot…"

And just like that, he passes away in my arms.

Tears shine brightly, as they stream down my face, as I mourn my fallen friend.

I've never known anyone who's died, before.

Sure, I've been to family funerals, but nothing like this.

After a few minutes of silence, I give him a quick burial in a shallow, unmarked grave next to The Big Caves.

As I do the same for John Diehl, I can't help but feel a wave of guilt now replacing my satisfaction.

What I wanted was to try and preserve him, hopefully finding a way to bring him back.

But in my anger and adrenaline, I destroyed much of him.

No living soul could've survived such a thing.

A bit disgusted by my actions, I take one final look at the mounds of dirt that contain the two people who sacrificed themselves…for me.

"C'è nessun addio, basta vedere più tardi." I say, before beginning my walk.

Not to anywhere in particular, just not here.


Yes, what was said after was very interesting.

So, the dog has a daughter? Who goes to my school, and her name starts with an L, and O, and a T.

Before drifting off to a well deserved sleep, I eye my calendar hanging on my wall.

Hmm, in three days it's going to be Halloween, or what us magic users call Samhain. The night when the veil between the living and the spirit world is at its thinnest, allowing for easy communication with the dead.

Oh yes, a day like that will be valuable to me, and to Bruno's final request.