The sun gleamed brightly, high above the sky joyfully filling the afternoon sky with warm rays of light. The happy and sunny disposition of the day was juxtaposed to the large heavy cloud of sorrow that hung over the heads of the black clothed masses. Unlike the misty eyes of the hundreds of attendees there was not a single cloud in the sky, not a sing raindrop fell. It was warm outside and yet I felt so cold…The only rain that came, came from the tears of the attendants a lot of whom where middle school witches…apparently Aguri liked to volunteer a lot at their school and had even taught a few lessons there which the girls enjoyed, it seemed fitting albeit a bit cruel to have the all the students come over to pay respects to their beloved deceased mentor.

As the casket was slowly descended down into the open grave Manami could no longer keep up her strong façade. Her lips quivered and she covered her mouth to keep her cries suppressed but her tears fell down freely against her control. She started to cry.

I held her gently in my arms as her body shook and heaved in despair as she painfully fought back the sadness and tried to regain her composure. I felt a lump form in the back of my throat making it hard to speak but I no longer shed any tears. I couldn't cry anymore. I wasn't sad anymore…I was….

...

...Enraged!

Manami liked Koro she looked up to him. She saw him as family just as Aguri saw him as family! But that monster didn't care about them! I hated him.

I hated him. I hated him….

….

Hate him.

Hate him. Hate him. Hate him.

HATE HIM! HATE HIM!

HATE HIM! HATE! HATE!

HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM!

HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE!

How dare he hurt my sister?! How dare he make Manami cry!? I swear…I swear on my sister's grave that I well get my revenge on that octopus bastard!

Even...

If it's

the last thing

I do..!

Grey clouds filled the sky. They seemed endless in their vastness growing darker as they approached the horizon in the distance. Rain was approaching. One could already hear the numerous pitter patters of cold raindrops hit the pavement floor. It was raining… Softly rumbling thunder rolled over the clouds masking the sound of approaching footsteps.

"A-akari….I…I made dinner…so i-if you're hungry you know…It's there…" Manami whispered quietly.

Her quiet voice echoed softly within the desolate cold living room.

"I'll be right there." I responded as I watched the rain hit the glass window.

"Um…okay…"

Slowly Manami made her way to leave before stopping.

"I-If…if you want to talk about it…I can lend an ear."

"Another time…" I responded in a monotone tone.

I never realized talking could drain my energy so quickly...I made no moves to get up...

"A-Akari…"

I hummed in response…

"H-how…um…How did she…"

I sighed. I didn't feel like talking. Wasn't it obvious? But…I guess it's not fair to leave Manami in the dark. All she knows is that I found Aguri dead…she didn't know that the yellow demon killed her…I briefly wondered if Manami was better off not knowing what actually happened. She was so close to him and Aguri… Telling her what happened….it could break her….

"I don't…Please I just…need….I just need some time alone…"

With that the conversation was over and Manami didn't have enough willpower to start another.

It's been a week since Aguri's death and still the air was heavy; weighed down by negative emotions….Manami didn't know how to comfort her friend…for the time being she's decided to just support Akari in any way she could while at the same time trying to not be overbearing in anyway. It was obvious that Akari just needed some space.

What a way to end of the summer….Akari thought bitterly as she closed her green suitcase.

In order to make it on time for the summoning ritual and all the preparations that came with it they would have to leave tomorrow early in the morning…Akari let out sigh as she fell back on her bed…

Manami was currently downstairs making instant curry…. Akari looked up at the ceiling with a scowl as a thought dawned upon her.

The bonding ritual…she had almost forgotten…

Silently cursing Akari quickly rushed over to the small desk at the other side of the small room and flung open the drawer looking for paper and pencils…Her summoning chant! It was meant for a demon!

Fuck it's too late to make a new one now! Not to mention I've already have all the ingredients that were specifically chosen to help me get a demon….I don't have time to redo it all!

"AUGG!" She pressed her palms against her eyes as she tied to push out all her frustrating thoughts to the back of her head….

"Rio said that I just have to direct it to a certain audience right!" She cried out loud trying to find some ray of hope in the never ending black storm that was now her life.

"If I just don't think about getting a demon familiar then maybe I won't get one." She reasoned.

"Yeah….yeah that could work…" God she hated this!

"A-Akari…t-the curry's gonna get cold…" Manami called out in her soft voice.

Once Manami mentioned food Akari's stomach decided to grumble alerting both girls of its hunger. Akai flushed slightly in embarrassment…..she hadn't had any food just small snacks and maybe a grape or two. But, her body needed more than that it needed a meal.

"T-thanks Manami I'll be right down!" Akari responded sheepishly.

With a smile and a nod Manami went downstairs to wait for her so they could eat together.

Once Manami closed the door Akari let out a soft sigh….She had forgotten to eat again…honestly if it weren't for Manami's constant reminders and cooking Akari probably would have gone the whole day without eating. All this time while she was laying around in her own sorrow and despair Manami had been taking care of her….She's sure Manami isn't feeling any better than she is but at the very least Manami was making an effort….Manami was too good for her….

"Yosh!" Akari exclaimed with fiery determination.

As of today no more feeling sorry or sad! I'm gonna become a better friend to Manami and get my revenge on Koro!

As soon as she finished her thought her stomach started grumbling again. Akari flushed as she instinctively hunched over trying to lessen the grumbling noise.

"But first I should go eat…" With that said she made her way downstairs with a forced extra spring in her step and a plastered smile as her mind raced over the millions of ways she could kill and cook an octopus.

"Okuda, Akari!"

The two aforementioned girls stopped their walking and turned around to the source of the voice. In the distance they could see Rio running up to them.

"Oh Rio! Hey!" Akari said with her usual cheerfulness.

"D-don't hey me! I was so worried!" Rio screeched before her voice level dropped down to a whisper "I…heard about what happened…."

Akari instantly stiffened. She was still smiling but her eyebrows began to furrow…

"I…just wanted to give you my regards…." Rio said as she placed a warm hand on her friend's shoulders.

There was a brief moment of silence. A shadow formed on Akari's face as she looked down at the ground with heavy eyes but just like when a cloud briefly covers the sun this moment of relapsed sadness was brief.

"Thanks Rio you're a good friend." Akari said as she placed her hand over Rio's giving it a slight push to signify that she appreciated the thought but she didn't need comfort.

"Call me whenever you need anything okay?" Rio persisted.

"I will, I will…" Akari replied nonchalantly with a thankful smile.

"R-Rio how was your vacation…?" Manami softly asked.

"Hmm? Oh! It was great! I wish you could have seen it, there where so many things to see! I could have shown you the world!" Rio cried as she practically pounced on top of Okuda giving her a firm hug.

Manami flushed at the sudden contact but lightly patted Rio's back to signify that the gesture was appreciated.

"Hey Rio you're gonna suffocate her!" Akari cried out with a pout as she took hold of Manami's wrist and pulled her away from the bear trap that was Rio.

"What! No fair you had Manami all to yourself this whole summer! Let me have this!" Rio rebutted as she took a hold of Okuda's other wrist.

Akari lightly pulled on Manami's wrist and when she did Rio would just pull the opposite way. Pretty soon they were playing tug of war with Okuda's limbs….and poor Okuda didn't know what to do in that situation expect suffer through it. Luckily she was saved by the speaking tubes.

"Attention all returning witches please head to your homeroom class to receive proper instructions from your homeroom teachers! The bonding ritual will begin shortly."

"Well I guess this is it huh?" Rio said with a tight smile.

"Good luck Rio, don't go burning down the school with your familiar." Akari joked.

Rio just laughed sarcastically before heading towards her homeroom but not before wishing the two witches luck on their bonding ritual.

"Umm…Akari!" Manami cried out as soon as Akari made her way to leave.

"Yes?" Akari asked with a cheerful smile.

That smile did nothing to combat Manami's nerves….

"I…I just wanted to say y-you'll do fine and that…whatever happens….I-I I meant it! I meant what I said about staying with you and supporting you….so…so if t-there's anything y-you want to say or t-talk about I'm here…I'm right here…" Manami rambled; her voice sincere and determined despite the stammers.

The fake cheerful smile Akari was sporting slowly diluted down into a sincere smile. The beating of her heart resonated loudly within her chest pumping warm blood up to her cheeks as the small sincere smile she had seemed to grow at the same rate her giddiness did. Only Manami could make her feel these things…This is why they are best friends because no matter what happens Akari knows she can count on Manami for anything.

Akari slowly made her way over to Manami and without warning flung her arms around Manami's shoulders and held her tightly in her arms. Manami was too good for her. She really was and her heart grew heavy knowing that she could never tell Manami what actually happened to her sister….but even so she wants Manami to be with her and see her revenge through to the very end…such a selfish wish….but a wish none the less….After the Bonding ritual Akari internally swears.. After the Bonding Ritual I'll tell her everything.

"…Manami….there is something I want to tell you…but…just wait…Okay? Wait until the end of the Bonding Ritual…." Akari whispered as she hid her face from Manami's gaze.

There was a brief moment of silence…But Manami gently raised her arms and returned Akari's earlier gesture.

"…Okay…" She said quietly.

They just stood like that for a few more moments relishing in the warmth and comfort…before finally parting ways.

"Good luck."

Manami made her way to her homeroom and took her seat. Her shoulders where tensed and she stood erect in her chair as her heart tried to hammer its way out of her chest. The violent beating of her heart was merging with the anxiety producing ticking of the clock right above the classroom wall. She was waiting for her name to be called….

"Okuda, Manami."

"H-here!"

"It's time. Come along now."

"O-okay."

She got up from her desk and made her way to the front of the classroom but not before Iris almost tripped her on her way out. But she hardly registered that act of hostility because her mind was currently focused on something else entirely.

She slid open the classroom door and stepped outside immediately greeted by two other teachers who were wearing the ceremonial maroon robes and witching hats.

"This way please."

Manami followed them her movements robotic and stiff as if she was on autopilot. They made their way down the large hallway and down the tall spiral staircase the lead to the underbelly of the school before arriving at a small black wooden door.

"Whenever you're ready."

Manami nodded in response swallowing a nervous wad of saliva…Breath….Inhaling then exhaling Manami's determination steeled over. This was it. Once she stepped in she wouldn't be allowed to step out until the Bonding Ritual was over. Swiftly so as not to lose this spark of confidence she opened the door and stepped inside the dark room.

The obsidian room was small and confiding probably no bigger than a small restroom. The light from the burning candles illuminated the darkness if only ever so slightly. The room was barren of any distractions, it was like a void. The only thing present besides the burning candles was the summoning circle in the middle of the room, meticulously painted on the ground with graceful strokes of eerie blue ink that seemed to pulsate a light blue glow in the dark room.

The vast darkness of the walls made it seem eternal as if you were in a spacious endless black plane of existence and yet with the candles' light the slight sight of the corners of the wall made everything seem cramped and gave off a sense of claustrophobia. Endless and seemingly vast but small and trapped; the room seemed to embody the young witch's feelings very well. Manami tentatively placed a hand over her bosom and took in a deep gulp of air before letting it out trying to steady her rapid heartbeat. This was it. The summoning ritual. The biggest event and test that will ever present itself in her young witch life. It was absolutely nerve racking. She can only hope that Akari and Rio are in a better emotional state than she is. Though Akari probably isn't any better off than she is… not like she could blame her, after all she did lose her sister...She doubts anyone would be able to focus properly after such events unfurled...she knew she certainly wouldn't be able to find it in herself to think of anything else...She truly hopes Akari will be okay...now's not the time to worry about that I have to focus she reminded herself as she slowly made her way to the edge of the summoning circle.

Her right hand unconsciously fiddled with her opal necklace as if the stone had some ancient calming abilities. Slowly almost methodically the young witch kneeled down before the circle and from the hidden pocket inside her witch's rope she pulled out a small bag that contained all that was vital for the ritual to continue. She laid everything out separating the objects into five different groups and then organizing them by size. She was being meticulous not because she was stalling but because she just wanted everything to be perfect… or so she told herself. She took a deep breath and her eyes fluttered shut as she concentrated on nothing. She could feel the walls disperse as she was swallowed by a lukewarm void. Her magic flowed and twirled around her like purple ribbons before coiling itself into a glowing orb in the center of her palm. One down five to go.

Before she knew it there were five purple glowing orbs floating overhead. The last one would have to be the biggest. But before she did that she had to infuse the other orbs with their respective elements and place them in their assigned positions around the circle's pentagram. She took the closest orb to her and then took an object from the water group. First was a splash of mercury, which was the most important as it was required. After that she placed the rest of the objects she collected that would represent the element of water. A small pearl, a small lapislázuli stone, and a pale pink scallop shell. She watched as all the materials she placed in the orb floated silently in the middle before disintegrating and changing the orbs color from light purple to a light blue. That was one orb done. She lightly pushed the orb so that it aligned under the alchemic symbol for water.

Next was Air. For air the required basic object was once again mercury but it only required three droplets compared the generous splash used for the water elements. After she added the droplets she then added a bat's wing, a tuff of lemongrass and a cedar twig. After the objects dissolved the orb turned pale grey and was placed under the alchemic symbol of air. Okay so far so good three more elements to go. Let's do earth next.

For earth salt was required any salt would do; she chose black lava salt. She also put in a lump of coal and a jasper stone. The purple orb soon turned brown. Fire was next. Sulfur was required. After sulfur she threw in a scorpion's leg, a handful of sunflower petals, an amber stone, a fire agate, and a volcanic rock. The orb suddenly violently shifted from purple to a bright red. The next and last element was ether. It was really hard to find things that represented ether so she didn't have many. First clear quartz was required then she placed in angel aura quartz and a moonstone. The orb soon turned into a blinding white color. After placing the orbs in their assigned position Okuda slowly arose to her feet.

It was time for the final orb to be placed in the center of the summoning circle. She would have to gather up most of her magic into the orb as she chanted her summoning spell. She took a deep breath and unhooked her necklace. She silently gazed at the brilliant opal and held it close to her chest as if she were in prayer. Inhaling a grateful amount of air she willed her nerves to calm themselves. It was time.

Allow me to destroy my weakness in exchange for strength

It matters not whether it's bliss or pain I gain.

For I wish to be stronger

To protect and defend, so lend me thy power.

Swallow any doubt let your bloodlust cry out

Unlike the rest I'll do my best and I won't ever lose.

Let the light and shadows dance and merge until they're grey

Let's soar above our fate and pave the way

If you heed my words, then bind yourself to me and become my familiar!

The pendant flew up from her palms and was encircled by purple magic like ribbons as they swirled around the vessel before essentially bubbling it and flying towards the center floating high overhead the rest of the orbs. Then a large white light…

hehehe hope you like the cliffhanger! but real talk i'm having trouble with the story if you guys can give me some ideas in the comments that would really help my creative juices flowing but anyway thnx for sticking with me and your comments I really do appreciate you guys.