Chapter 21: Not so happy reunion.
Akko had been thinking hard. So hard in fact, that her head had started hurting. Not about school, or exams, or all the assignments she should be working on, mind you. Unfortunately for her grades, that wasn't what had been on her mind lately. No. What had her so preoccupied was what Ursula-sensei had told her the night prior. About Croix. About how just a tiny stupid object had shaken the foundations of their relationship so deeply.
And honestly? She couldn't wait to hear the rest of the story! Because, really from what she'd heard so far it sounded like the two had been very close. The best of friends. She could even dare say their relationship, as described till this point, was cute. And yet she knew. She knew how their story would end. The two got separated ten years ago, festering resentment for each other and finally antagonizing the other once they were reunited. Which was just sad. And she didn't like it. She needed to know if they continued being friends even after the Claiomh Solais. She hoped the real reason they started hating each other was a lot bigger and more dramatic than that.
And she also needed to know if they had truly made up now. If they were friends again.
"Akko?" Akko was startled out of her contemplations when a beautiful voice called to her. She turned around and saw the Cavendish heiress herself, hovering in her broom just a few paces away. Right. She was in the middle of her weekly flying lessons. She shouldn't get distracted.
"Sorry." She squeaked, embarrassed for having been caught not paying attention.
"You seem troubled. Is there something bothering you?" She asked with concern. Damn. Why did she have to be so perceptive?
"It's nothing, really." Akko assured her. "Just… something silly."
"It's clearly not silly for you." Diana insisted, flying closer to her and regarding her intently.
"Well, yeah, but I mean… it's not super important either." When the blonde just kept looking at her, clearly keen on making her speak, she sighed and decided to tell her the truth. "I was just thinking about Ursula-sensei and Croix." She confessed, earning a raised eyebrow from her friend. "I mean, they were so close. They were best friends! But they fought and became enemies and… I don't know. I just don't want something like that to happen to me because my friends are a very important part of my life." She sighed. "Like, I know you guys aren't like Croix and, although I'm similar to Chariot, I'm not her. Still, I can't help thinking about it, you know?"
"So, you're worried that you could fight with one of your friends over something, and that this would end up breaking up your friendship?" Diana inquired, hoping she'd understood correctly.
"Yeah…" Akko trailed off, frowning as she looked into the distance. To the setting sun beyond the horizon. "As I said, it's silly, but… it's not impossible either, right? Especially between you and me."
"Pardon?" Diana startled. That was definitely not something she'd expected to hear.
"What I mean is… we're just too different! It would be easier for a fight to occur between us than, say, between me and Lotte." Akko tried to explain, sensing she was starting to upset her friend. Which was really not her intention at all.
"I… guess I can see your point." Diana admitted with a thoughtful expression. "I come from a prestigious line of witches while you have no magical backgrounds. I'm the best student at class while you're still struggling to catch up with everyone else." Akko winced a little at those statements, being reminded of a time when she was at odds with the girls from the blue team, who tended to belittle her and underestimate her. However, Diana noticed and quickly continued, smiling at her. "I'm responsible, calm and collected, while you're a walking disaster." She chuckled. "And yet I'm just some random girl who helped the famous Akko Kagari save the world and revive magic."
"Diana…" Akko was about to protest about that last statement, but Diana quickly cut her off.
"We're very different indeed. No one could deny that." She paused, staring for a long moment at Akko's right hand before taking it on her own, which caused the cheeks of both girls to burst in flames. "But I guess that's what makes our friendship so strong, right? It would be very boring to only have friends that resemble ourselves."
Akko pondered on her words for a moment. What would life be like if she was only friends with several other Akkos? She would probably be in trouble all the time. She wouldn't have quiet and relaxing moments of contemplation, like this one.
And although hers and Diana's personalities were the most contrasting, she could see what each of her friends brought into her life. Sucy was weird and malicious, but always said what was on her mind, which inspired her to be more honest. Lotte was often the tamer one of the trio, reminding them to take time to relax and study. Amanda was a rebellious delinquent, and usually the only one who went along with her antics without hesitation. Constanze reminded her that aside from magic there were other wonderful things, like modern technology and innovation. Jasminka always gave a happy, relaxed aura that managed to calm her down even when she was the most anxious about something or other.
And Diana? Where could she even start with Diana? She complemented her in every way possible. When she was exited, the other girl was collected. When she was impulsive, Diana reigned her in with her rational thinking. When she was keen on doing something she shouldn't, Diana usually convinced her otherwise. But what was best was that it also worked the other way around! She influenced Diana as much as she influenced her.
"You know?" Diana spoke after a while, a shy smile gracing her already beautiful features and making her look even more breathtaking. "Ever since you went to my home, intruding in my life like you knew what's best for me…" She chuckled. "Well, ever since, I guess I realized I needed someone like you in my life. And I experienced some sort of connection, like…" She trailed off, unsure of how to finish that phrase.
"Like we're two hearts that beat as one." Akko completed it for her, intertwining their fingers and pulling her even closer, smiling adoringly at her friend. She didn't know what compelled her to do that, honestly, but she knew Diana wouldn't mind. And indeed, the girl's smile only grew wider in response.
"That's right. Two believing hearts."
"Ursula-sensei!" Akko exclaimed as she barged into her teacher's headquarters like usual. The redhead was sitting at her desk, apparently grading some assignments, and jumped upon hearing Akko's entrance. But at least she'd goten used to that enough to not fly right out of her skin anymore.
"Oh, Akko." She smiled as the girl went to sit next to her. "I thought you were supposed to have flying lessons with Diana today."
"I was with her." She answered, beaming. "But I kept getting distracted!"
"Distracted?" The professor's interest peaked at this. Could it be possible that her student was finally starting to recognize her obvious attraction towards the blonde girl?
"Please sensei, will you tell me a story today? I need to know what happened once Croix came back! Did you two reconcile? She did help you find the words, right? Please tell me you two continued being friends!"
"That's what was distracting you?" Ursula couldn't help sounding a little disappointed. But then again, she supposed she had been just as dense as Akko back when she was a student… Or even more so.
"Yes!" The girl admitted. "I've been thinking about it the whole day! If you don't tell me what happened between you and Croix I think I might explode." She made exaggerated gestures with her hands to illustrate her point, which made the older woman giggle and smile fondly at her.
"We wouldn't want that, would we?"
"So you'll tell me?!"
"Yes, make yourself comfortable. I'll prepare us some tea."
I've been practicing with the shiny rod all of Samhain break. And I'm getting pretty good at it! I can not only use it for casting illusion magic now, but also metamorphosis, levitation, telekinesis, transformation and even strengthening (granted, I didn't dare using that spell for more than five seconds at a time). What's even better though, is that it has greatly improved my magic skills and I can now cast spells with more precision and make them greater and more spectacular! I'm even thinking about going to town soon and show my new tricks off to the kids at the park.
But anyways. None of that matters right now. Right now there's only one person I want to impress. Because today Croix will come back! Finally! I won't be alone anymore!
I await patiently next to the Leyline portal, craning my neck in order to try and see if one of the arriving witches is my friend. First, however, I see Amelia and I greet her politely. Then I see the twins, who insist I join them in Enid's room to catch up, but I decline saying I'm waiting for Croix… which earns me two exasperated sighs and some mean comments about Croix being a boring nerd, which I quickly deny. Still, they end up leaving with frowns on their faces.
I'll make it up to them later. For now, I just want Croix to arrive!
Soon enough, I see my friend enter though the portal, flying on her broom with her usual grace and composure. I wave, of course, hoping for her to notice me, but her eyes seem to be glued to the horizon as she descends towards the broom closet. I am in the middle of the field though, so I have to run all the way across it in order to be there when my friend lands. Once she's gotten off her broom and placed it neatly next to the others, she turns around only to be tackled by the biggest hug of her life. She's barely able to stay standing, honestly, so I have to reign in my enthusiasm just a little.
"Croix!" I pretty much scream on her ear.
"A-ah… Chariot. Hi." She answers awkwardly, trying to push me away. But I don't let go. I've waited way too long for this. "Uh… can you please…?"
"No."
"But…"
"Nope! I missed you too much, you dummy." I cut her off, squeezing her harder.
"So… you're not… mad?" She asks hesitantly.
"You are stupid and I hate you, if that's what you're asking." I answer with a somewhat angry tone of voice. But then I breathe in and try to calm down, after all, starting a fight with Croix right now won't do us any good. "But… I missed you, and if you're willing to put all that business in the past, so am I."
"I see…" She trails off, her tone contemplative. "I missed you too." She finally admits. At her answer, I only end up squeezing her more, despite her still very much trying to push me away. "But I might still use a spell on you if you don't let go of me right now." She then grumbles.
"Right, right." With one last squeeze I finally let go of her and step away just enough to flash her my biggest smile. "Come on! I'll accompany you to your room!"
With that said, I take one of her bags from the ground and start skipping happily towards the main building, with Croix following close behind in a much stiffer and tempered manner. She's also… quiet. More than usual that is, and her eyes are fixed on the ground, like something's troubling her.
Well, that just won't do! So, in an attempt to cheer her up, I decide to initiate conversation.
"Hey, Croix." I call, and wait until she addresses me with a small hum to continue. "How was your break? Did anything exciting?"
"Nothing special." She shrugs, disinterested. "I mostly spent the whole time locked inside my room playing videogames while Mellea yelled at me for being a lazy fuck."
Lazy? Croix lazy? But she must be the least lazy person I know! Granted, playing videogames all day doesn't sound very productive, but she was on break! And she seems sad about what happened, considering how she's almost inadvertently pursing her lips. I guess this Mellea must be somewhat important for her then.
"Who's Mellea?" I find myself asking. Croix literally stops dead in her tracks upon hearing my question, but after a moment of hesitation she shakes her head and continues on, likely trying to pretend that she wasn't startled by my inquiry. Of course, this only heightens my curiosity.
"She's… a-ah… well, she's…" She stutters a little and then opens her mouth a couple of times like a gaping fish. Then, she frowns and looks to the ground once more, tensing her jaw as she answers. "She's my… my mom. I guess." I don't miss the grimace she makes as she says 'mom'. Like it tastes bad on her mouth.
"You… guess?" I raise an eyebrow.
"I-I… well… she's not really… we're not…" She pauses, gulping nervously and closing her eyes, stopping once more. I, of course, stop too, waiting for her response. "I'm adopted." She finally reveals, opening her eyes and looking at the ground with a deep frown.
It takes me a few seconds to realize the implications of what she just said.
"So… you're an orphan?" My eyes widen. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Why does it matter to you?" She asks defensively, finally looking up to me.
"Well, in case you forgot, I am an orphan too! And we've had that in common this whole time, and…"
"No, we don't." She cuts me off, snarling. "If you think our situations are anywhere similar, then you're dead wrong."
"B-but… but we…"
"You were raised by your aunt, weren't you? You had a home, someone who loved you, a house all for yourself… that isn't anywhere near comparable to living at the orphanage, being rejected by family after family until I was eight!" She's yelling now, getting too agitated about the subject. Tears have also started to appear on her eyes, so… this must be a more delicate subject than I anticipated. Gosh, I already regret asking. "And then I suddenly had to learn everything from a culture I wasn't anywhere near familiar with just because my new mother was a witch."
"Croix…" I reach out to grab her hand in a comforting gesture, but she quickly pulls away, glaring at me.
"It's just not fair. You get everything. You're from a magic family while I was only adopted into one. You have all the power and I don't. You've got the Claiomh Solais, and I only get to be your sidekick." She continues on with that bitter tone that makes me want to either hug her or run away. I still haven't decided. "It's not fair." She repeats. "You didn't even want it. And yet it chose you… why? Because you are from a witching family and I'm not? That's bullshit!"
Oh no. So we're talking about the rod again? I was hoping to avoid that conversation at least for today. But look, it hasn't even been ten minutes since she arrived and we're already fighting because of it. And Croix… gosh, she looks so distressed! I need to do something.
"Croix." I start, taking her hand. She tries to pull away of course, but I hold on tightly. "Croix, I… I don't know why this thing chose me, but I'm certain it wasn't because of my lineage."
"Right." She scoffs. "So two witches show up at the Arcturus tower, one is a first year who can barely cast a spell but is a descendant from one of the Nine Olde Witches. The other is the best student of her generation but has no blood ties to any magic family. And it chooses you? It's too much of a coincidence if you ask me."
"… You've given it a lot of thought, haven't you?"
"I haven't been able to concentrate on anything else." She confesses, her strangled voice absolutely filled with rage and distress. Oh, I need to do something! I hate seeing her anything but happy.
"Look, all I know is that I made some sort of connection with the rod. It's somehow tied to my emotions. To my heart. And now that I know that I'm even able to make spells!" I smile, hoping to transmit some of my enthusiasm to her. "In our relationship I've always been the heart, while you've been the brain. So maybe that's why it chose me."
"Are you insinuating that I have no heart?" She snarls.
"No!" I quickly correct. "What I mean is that you always think things thoroughly before making any decision. You're more intellectually-driven. While I… I mainly listen to my heart and let my emotions control me." I keep explaining. "I just don't think you would be able to use it, even if you were chosen."
As soon as those words left my mouth, I knew it was a mistake. Sure, they may be true, considering what I know now about the rod, but I probably shouldn't have said it out loud. Not to Croix at least.
"Oh, so now you're the Claiomh Solais expert?" She says with a bitter mocking tone. I actually swallow at this.
"Well, I wouldn't say expert, but I did spend all break reading and practicing and…"
"Oh, how sweet. You spent a whole week reading! My, surely you know more than me even though I spent months investigating!"
"You know that's not what I meant." I weakly protest.
"Sure." She grumbles. "You know what? I can't even look at you right now. I thought I was ready, but I guess I'm not." Croix then proceeds to rudely yank away the bag I was holding in my hand. And she briskly walks away, hunched in a disheartened posture, without so much as turning around to look at me once more.
Ugh. This didn't go anywhere near like I planned. I mean, yeah, Croix is an emotional mess, but I doubt it's just because of the rod… although that probably still plays a big part on it. But she also appeared very defensive while talking about being adopted, so that must be a touchy subject for her. I wonder if she has told anyone else.
I wish I could do something to help her. To… I don't know, rekindle our friendship. To make her smile once more. But she said she can't even stand to look at me right now, so… what can I do?
I'm starting to feel sad myself. Maybe practicing some illusion magic could help me though… although I couldn't even show Croix how good I've gotten with the Claiomh Solais.
But that doesn't mean I can't still show off my skills to someone who can appreciate them. After all, I've been dying to make an spectacle in town ever since I mastered control over this golden stick; taste its power, see what it can do.
Yes, that'll make me feel better for sure! And maybe then I can try talking to Croix once more. Once things have calmed down a bit.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" I exclaim from my spot next to a fountain in the park. I earn a few curious glances, especially from passing children, but no one actually stops to see me. Still, I don't let that dishearten me and keep trying. "Are you ready to enter a world of magic?!" I exclaim more loudly this time, getting out the shiny rod for emphasis and starting to wave it around, producing a few luminous sparkles of illusion magic.
This time a few people do stop; mainly parents with their children who are now watching me with fascination. Perfect.
"Be prepared, because the greatest show of your lives is about to begin!"
And, over the next half an hour or so, I proceed to show off all my tricks to my growing little audience. Varying from illusion magic of all types (always the fan favorite) to metamorphosis magic (not gonna lie, kids actually got scared when I turned into a lion), and even a bit of elemental magic to make the fountain's waters dance with me. It was honestly an amazing experience! Especially when compared to the minute I used to last with my normal wand. And, sure, the Claiomh Solais is harder to use, but I think I'm already getting the gist of it.
What's best is that I earned so many cheers and smiles! It was amazing seeing all those happy little faces beaming at me with admiration and amusement. Guess my dream is already coming true, huh? I'm already spreading happiness using the power of magic, and let me tell you, that's the most wonderful sensation in the world!
I almost forgot entirely about my fight with Croix. Almost.
Just as I'm readying myself for my closing act, I suddenly spot someone partially hidding behind a tree not so far from here. A figure wearing the familiar dark blue uniform of Luna Nova. Someone with distinctive lilac hair.
"Thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen!" I say, quickly wrapping up my act. "I hope you had fun today and that you'll come and see me next time I'm in town." And with little more than an apologetic smile, I quickly make my retreat, running towards my friend even as clapping and cheering can still be heard. But I don't pay them any mind, because my friend is now already trying to run away.
"Croix! Croix, wait!" I shout as I'm forced to run in in order to catch up with her. "Croix!" Finally, she stops, but doesn't turn around to address me. "Croix, I…"
"So you weren't lying." She says shakily. "You can actually use the rod of seven stars."
"A-ah… yeah. You saw me?" I don't know why, but I feel a bit sheepish about the fact.
"You mean I saw how you used a sacred power to put up an ostentatious display of flashy magic?" She asks bitterly.
"Sacred?" I scoff. "Since when is there sacred magic? Magic is just magic! And I only used the rod because my wand is useless as soon as we leave the school."
"Look." She turns around, finally looking at me. She looks tired and her eyes are red. Has she been crying? "I didn't come here to fight. But I don't think you should be using the Claiomh Solais for that; you have a responsibility to the world of magic, and you should therefore take your quest seriously."
"I am taking it seriously." I protest. "That's why I practiced until I was able to use it, I swear."
"Hmf. Whatever." She grumbles. "As I said, I didn't come here to fight." Then, my friend takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I came here to apologize. I know I'm a mess right now and I've been taking it all out on you, and I'm sorry for that."
"It's okay, Croix. I forgive you." I answer without a moment's hesitation. Finally, she opens her eyes and looks at me, slightly taken aback by my answer.
"The truth is, Chariot, that I can't even look at you- I can't look at that rod without feeling like I was robbed." Her eyes deviate to the shiny object still in my hand, and a deep frown settles in her face. An expression of anger and resentment overtaking her usually beautiful features.
So, I do the only logical thing. I drop the thing to the ground.
"Wha-…" Croix's protest is cut short when I throw my arms around her waist and pull her in tightly.
"You're my friend. My best friend, at that." I whisper in her ear, putting all my emotions into my voice, hoping to communicate to her all that I feel. "Croix, I don't want a stupid golden stick to get between us. I just want to find the words and get over it." I pause, suddenly feeling my mouth too dry. "I'm only taking on this quest for you. I only learned to use the rod because I know how important this is to you." I squeeze her even harder, trying to convey all my emotions in that one simple act. "But if it hurts you so much just by seeing it, then we can just throw the thing in the deepest, darkest pit we can find and forget about it all."
I feel Croix's body start shaking with sobs, and for a moment I fear I ended up upsetting her more with my words. But then I feel her arms wrapping around me too, pulling me even closer somehow.
"I don't deserve you. I really, really don't."
"Love isn't about deserving, silly." I say playfully. "I'm giving it to you, whether you like it or not, simply because you're my friend and also the most amazing person I've ever known." It's almost scary how easily those words come to my mouth, even though they are very sincere and heartfelt. But I guess I'm sensing Croix needs some serious reassurance right now, and so I shouldn't be holding anything back.
"Chariot… you never cease to amaze me."
A/N: Well, a little bit of angst is needed every once in a while, right? Plus, now we know a bit more about Croix, so I hope you liked this chapter! And if so, let me know what you think with a review/favorite/follow. Also, if you like this story, you may be interested in reading my newest one (Also Diakko and Charoix), The War of Witches, and I would really appreciate it if you gave it a chance.
Anyways, thanks for reading, and see you in two weeks! :)
Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.
