AN: Ok, I'm really sorry about not updating last week, but I had so many exams, I couldn't finish this earlier.
I know LWA ended, but I hope you still want to read this story. I'm actually planning another
fanfiction already...well two...
Anyway, thank you all for still reading the story, you guys are awesome.
Enjoy^^
2018
Knocking on Akko's door, Diana waited, impatiently tapping her foot. When she woke up again, a few hours seemed to have passed, as she hadn't seen Professor Ursula in the infirmary, her usual spot vacant. So they must have already transferred her to Croix's quarters.
How could she have let that happen?
She should have never lost her composure like that.
The tech witch had outwitted her. Diana had underestimated her opponent and to make matters worse, she ran...like a child. Probably making her a big hypocrite in Akko's eyes, even breaking down in tears at the very end. But that moment made her realize she couldn't do this alone. Protecting Ursula, stopping Croix, restoring magic. She needed help...
So she made a decision. She would tell Akko everything. First she had to assure her that she was alright, because that girl always worried too much for her own good, and then...they would have to talk about Chariot.
Whatever had happened after the brunette had hugged her, Diana was sure she hadn't imagined it. She really had talked to a teenage version of Chariot, as unbelievable as that sounded.
And that meant...
'My dreams are probably real too!'
It pained her to think about it, but she might also have to tell her about Professor Ursula's real identity. She just couldn't wait any longer. Time was of the essence. Whatever Croix had planned, it was certainly soon to be revealed and they needed to prepare, to be ready for it. Akko needed to know, she needed to be warned. Hopefully she would believe her. She could only guess how she saw Professor Croix after it became apparent that her and Chariot were friends.
'Please believe me!'
Clearing her throat, she knocked even harder on the door. Did it really take that long to open it?
"Ah, Diana?"
Turning her head she saw Lotte Yanson staring at her, a puzzled look on her face. In her hands she was carrying a bag, probably just returning from the city with her bought goods.
"Good evening Lotte", said Diana politely, "I am in search of Akko. Do you know where she might be?"
She gestured to the still closed door.
"I already tried your room, but nobody seems to be there."
Cocking her head to the side Lotte frowned, appearing even more confused.
"That's strange", she said softly, mustering the door intensely, "Sucy and Akko where both in when I left..."
Fishing for her keys she tried to unlock it.
"Let me check."
But before she could turn the key in the keyhole, the door swung open abruptly, almost hitting Diana in the head. When they both recovered from the shock, they stared at the totally nonchalant looking person standing at the doorstep.
"Sucy!", exclaimed Lotte frustrated.
"What?"
Sucy's tone was as monotone as ever, only the annoyed look in her eyes betrayed her current mood.
The blonde peeked inside the room, but couldn't spot the energetic witch anywhere.
'Where are you Akko?'
Lotte huffed irritated.
"Diana was standing at our doorstep and knocked", she said with a sigh, "Didn't you hear her?"
Glancing towards the blonde, Sucy answered bored:
"I heard her. I just didn't want to open the door."
'...what?'
Diana opened her mouth, trying to find the right words to accurately formulate her next question, but she never got to speak. Lotte was apparently as bewildered as her, regarding the mushroom loving witch's behavior and rushed to her friend, a disbelieving look on her face, frowning slightly.
"Why?", she asked concerned, forcing Sucy's attention away from the blonde and back to her.
The Cavendish had an inkling that she shouldn't interrupt Lotte right now. She had never seen the other witch so disturbed before.
"And where is Akko? Weren't you two together?"
"Does that really matter?"
"Of course it does! Diana-"
"Diana, Diana, Diana!", sneered Sucy, finally breaking her faux calm demeanor, sounding increasingly more hostile...and sad?
"You sound like Akko. If it's not Chariot, it's Diana lately."
Trying not to get herself worked up, she turned towards the blonde, frowning, pointing her index finger at her.
"She doesn't need you!", she grumbled, narrowing her eyes even more, "Stay away from her, you confuse her enough as it is!"
'What is going on here?'
"I...confuse her?", repeated Diana slowly, utterly lost, as she crossed her arms and threw a glance at Lotte, who's expression had softened somewhat. A saddened look spread over her face.
"Sucy...", the bookworm breathed out gently, raising her hand towards her friend, as if she wanted to give her a hug.
Slapping the hand away, still fixated on the blonde, Sucy appeared undeterred.
"Yes, so if you could leave now, that would be great."
Whatever had gotten into the lilac haired witch? Diana had no time for this, as much as she wanted to help. Shaking her head, she retorted coolly:
"I can't. Regardless your opinion of me, I have to find Akko."
"Tch", Sucy clicked her tongue snidely, "Always so self righteous. I can't understand what she sees in you. I guess love is blind after all."
'Love?'
Diana froze.
Where did that came from?
Akko didn't love her. Even the thought was ridiculous.
And even if she did, she wouldn't return those feelings...
There was just no way, she would fall for that rambunctious troublemaker, with those sparkling red eyes. The only reason she wanted to help her was because of her status as the chosen one...right?
It didn't have anything to do with the way she always smiled so charmingly, warming her heart and making it flutter. It had nothing to do with Diana cheering the younger witch up, because it pained her to see her upset. Researching the words for her, trying to stop Croix from taking advantage of her. Wanting to protect her, to hold her close, shielding her from danger...
It just wasn't possible...
She didn't like her like that.
To prove her point, Diana pictured hugging Akko. The feeling of her arms around her was still etched into her mind, so warm, that sense of safety...
No!
This wasn't right.
'I...'
So they might be friends now, nothing more!
She wouldn't enjoy doing things with Akko like couples did...for example kissing her.
Flushing slightly, she tried to dismiss the image that appeared in her head, filling her with...giddy excitement?
Wait...that wasn't supposed to happen...
That thought should revolt her...
But...
'It doesn't!'
Diana blinked slowly, as the realization sunk in.
'I like Akko…'
This was probably the worst possible time for her to get in touch with her feelings. She didn't have time for this. It would just complicate things further, but...if the brunette really liked her too...
'Stop!'
First she had to find her. Everything else could wait.
"Where is Akko?", she asked again, keeping her voice even, trying to get control over her own tumultuous feelings.
Sucy shrugged awkwardly.
"What did I say? Totally indifferent, but Akko of course had to defend you-"
"Answer the damn question Sucy!", yelled Lotte suddenly, her hands balled into fists, as tears swam in her eyes.
Wiping them away violently, she added softly:
"...please."
Both Diana and the lilac haired witch stared startled at the shy bookworm. Glancing back and forth between them, the blonde held her breath. She had the feeling that she was intruding. This friendship seemed pretty complicated...
'Is this how friends are supposed to be like?'
She had her little fan club and then there were her teammates, but did they actually care about her?
Or was it just her name they were after?
Avoiding her friend's eyes, Sucy looked to the ground, appearing defeated, her shoulders slumped.
"She is probably running around the campus in search of her great Idol, Chariot", she mumbled, her voice back to the monotonous drawl, "She has this random Idea that she is in danger, because her rod glows red, or something like that..."
Diana frowned slightly, getting lost in her thoughts.
The Claiomh Solais glowed red?
That sounded somewhat familiar...
'Red...'
Red flashes...
Red hair...
Red eyes...
'Chariot!'
Diana's eyes widened in shock. The images from her dreams became suddenly clear, the hazy fog that always addled them lifted. She saw it. Right in front of her inner eye.
Chariot almost died and the rod glowed red before that too.
The Sensorial Overload, the test...
If it somehow was a warning signal for its wielder then...
'Akko is in danger!'
Whirling around, she left the room hastily, speeding up her steps, almost running through the hallway. But where should she go?
She had no Idea where Akko went?
Professor Ursula came to her mind, but that was hardly a possibility.
Wait...
If the rod really glowed exactly the same way as in her dreams, then...
'The Blue Moon Spirit!'
Woodward, recalled Diana her actual name. Wasn't she the reason Chariot almost died in the past?
If she was behind it back then, maybe she was also planning to test Akko too...
Only...
'Akko is not Chariot!'
The brunette wouldn't survive a self sacrificing stunt like the redhead had. Reaching a decision, she headed towards the Blue Moon Abyss. She knew that someone could only enter there on a blue moon, but Woodward had also appeared before Chariot countless times in different places, so it might not even matter in the end. Standing at the entrance she looked around. Just like in her dream, the wind picked up, whirling green leaves around which took the form of one of the Nine Olde Witches...Woodward.
The Blue Moon Spirit mustered her curiously.
"Diana Cavendish", she offered as a greeting, her voice soft and kind of ethereal.
Taking a defiant stand before her, Diana replied coldly:
"Woodward, I presume."
If the old witch was surprised by her open hostility, she didn't show it, instead inquiring in the same gentle tone that could be mistaken for warm and caring:
"Young descendant of Beatrix, why did you come to this place?"
Was she trying to play dumb? Appearing innocent in all this?
Diana wouldn't let her.
'You already did enough!'
"I wanted to talk to you", she stated simply, almost glaring at the old witch.
"Oh?"
Raising her hand to keep her from saying anything, the blonde continued forcefully, putting her hands on her hips:
"I am getting straight to the point, because frankly, I don't particularly like you.
Are you endangering Akko?"
"Young Atsuko, the wielder of the Claiomh Solais…
She is a promising chosen one indeed", replied Woodward vaguely, her tone changing slightly to a soothing, lulling hum.
It made Diana's head spin. She felt awfully tired all of a sudden.
'She is using magic on me!'
But two could play that game. Drawing her wand from her belt she cast a defense spell, creating a transparent barrier between them, shielding her from the older witch's influence.
"That wasn't my question", she retaliated calmly, even if she was seething inwardly, taking a deep breath, "Are you going to hurt her?"
The blue moon spirit seemed impressed by the blonde's skill, but didn't betray anything else.
Mustering her even more intensely, she asked finally:
"Why would I ever do something like that?"
She was trying to provoke her, Diana realized. Trying to throw her off. She had to be more on guard than she initially thought.
Shrugging slightly, she herself tried to appear unfazed, raising her head proudly.
"No need to hide it!", she said coldly.
'Time for the counter attack!'
"You already tried to kill Chariot after all."
Woodward froze in pure shock. Unadulterated fear was radiating off of her, her eyes filled to the brim with guilt. But as soon as she lost control of herself, she got it back, schooling her features, twisting them into a fake, innocent smile.
"I never attempted to harm Chariot!", she defended herself vigorously.
'Now or never!'
"You destroyed a Leyline when she was in midair", the blonde stated with brutal honesty, "what would you call it?"
The blue moon spirit's expression grew unfathomable, her eyes more guarded than before.
"...how do you know this?", she whispered softly, but still loud enough for the Cavendish to hear.
With as much conviction as she could muster up, Diana replied sternly:
"I dreamed about it."
But instead of confusion, or disbelief, she saw a flash of recognition flickering over Woodward's face.
"The link that binds magic itself!", she exclaimed wistfully.
'What?'
"Dreams?"
Inclining her head, the blue moon spirit explained calmly:
"You are gifted, young Cavendish.
You are a witch with a natural sense for magic."
She was what?
That couldn't be the truth. Diana would know if that were the case.
It was true that she excelled at magic, but she wasn't able to use it everywhere. She already tried that when she was just a child. The only time she managed to produce even a spark away from magical sources was...when she visited Japan ten years ago…
But anything after that? Nothing.
"You mean...like Chariot?", she found herself asking, despite it being utterly ridiculous in her eyes.
"No...", the old witch answered, her tone dropping ever so slightly, "Chariot...was blessed from the stars."
She didn't elaborate what she meant by that, but Diana had bigger questions at the moment.
"Even if what you said is the truth", the blonde said with barely concealed disbelief, "that neither explains how I can literately see the past, nor does it abolish you from answering my actual question."
Woodward blinked at that.
"You can't explain it?", she asked mysteriously, "Don't you feel it? The disruption in the Leylines?"
She looked at her own twirling leaves and sighed.
"It began almost twelve years ago and hasn't vanished since. I don't even know where it originated. At first I thought young Croix might have been responsible, but...I was wrong."
Yes, Diana remembered her machine. It helped Chariot escape from the so called 'Void'.
But it only had absorbed spare energy from the sorcerer's stone back then. It couldn't be responsible for disrupting a Leyline least of all more than one.
"So...", the Cavendish pondered loudly, "it wasn't her machine that threw them into chaos."
"It pains me to say it", sounded the older witch's voice, startling the young girl, ripping her from her thoughts, "but yes, Croix was innocent back then."
Croix was everything but innocent, but in that regard she probably was. Which meant it wasn't a mistake to let teenage Chariot get back to her. Speaking of which.
"My connection to Chariot from the past is due to the disruption of the Leylines...did I get that right?", recapped Diana, trying her best not to show how tired she actually was.
She really should have rested more...
'Concentrate Diana!'
"But why does it get stronger with every day that passes? Why does Akko amplify it even more?"
A bewildered look spread over Woodward's face.
"Are you sure it is young Atsuko and not the Claiomh Solais who is strengthening your bond?
Magic is timeless. Maybe the rod is trying to tell you something."
The blonde already had her suspicions about the blue moon spirit, but this confirmed it for her.
Woodward didn't care for Akko. She may not even really like her...although that was still debatable.
Still, if the Claiomh Solais had anything to do with this, she had to ask Akko about it.
Akko...who was in danger!
Anger spiked through her. She was wasting time. The old witch apparently tried to steer her off topic again.
"Yes, maybe it is trying to warn me not to trust you!", she remarked hotly, breaking her cool demeanor.
Woodward raised her hands in a placating way, her voice suddenly warm and soothing again.
"I assure you that-"
"Did you ever confess to Chariot what you did to her?"
This question seemed to throw her off. Staring at the younger girl in panic, she wrung her hands nervously. The gesture looked oddly out of place on her.
"I...don't know how that concerns you", she spoke in a dangerously low tone, sending a shudder down Diana's spine, but she ignored it.
Although Akko was her first priority, she couldn't forget what the blue moon spirit did to Chariot.
Chariot, who got trapped into a coma for who knows long, no older than the brunette and herself. Just wanting to somehow get through school. She only met her once and she already wanted to protect her. So…in a way, this was Diana getting angry on her behalf.
"Chariot loved Croix more than you!
She deemed her, her home."
She chose those words deliberately, aiming to rattle the old witch, who looked at her as if she lost her mind, disdain clearly shining in her eyes.
"This is ridiculous", she refuted irritated, frowning at the Cavendish, "She may have been infatuated with her for a short time, but there is no truer bond than the one between mentor and student."
'...is this the reason?'
No, there was no way...
Was Woodward just jealous?
"Did she know that too?", pressed Diana on, raising her chin defiantly, "Because I never saw or felt her think about you even once, it was always Croix. Afraid to fail her, afraid to lose her, loving her so intensely-"
"This is exactly why I had to break them apart!", interrupted Woodward loudly, almost yelling the words. Finally losing control over her bottled emotions.
"Chariot had to stay focused", she continued harshly, leaves whirling around her, withering away, as soon as they came in contact with her, "I needed her to succeed, she was my..."
She trailed of, her eyes losing their focus, a warped smile spreading over her face.
"My dear sparkling star.
The first chosen one I actually approved of. The one I would guide personally...
My little Chariot."
'What?'
Diana felt sick to her stomach, hearing the older witch talk like that. So obsessive. She thought Croix was bad enough, but she almost seemed harmless compared to Woodward...almost.
For what it was worth the tech witch appeared to genuinely care about Chariot and didn't try to harm her...in the past at least.
She shook her head in disbelief at the scene before her.
"And look how that turned out for her", she muttered tiredly.
'This is pointless.'
She wouldn't be able to get more information out of her. Not that she wanted to anyway. Recalling the last time she provoked someone to get some confirmations, she should count herself lucky. At the very least no one got send into a coma again.
Sighing irritated, Diana pointed her wand towards the blue moon spirit as a warning, narrowing her eyes once more.
"Just...stay away from Akko!", she said forcefully, as she turned around and left, never looking back.
July 2006
Croix was tired. Working on her research was taxing, especially when she had to keep an eye on Chariot, to stop her from jumping right into the next life threatening event. Her wounds may have been healed, but her body was still aching overall. It shouldn't surprise her. Even healing magic had its limits after all…a fact she was very aware of.
But to be honest, what really rattled her was Woodward. Woodward who had almost got her killed just so that she wouldn't get to her girlfriend sooner. Looking back, the blue moon spirit never really liked her to begin with. She felt foolish that she ever considered her a friend, a teacher, someone who would guide them. She always ignored her, only talking to Chariot when they were all together.
'What did I ever do to you?'
Sending a polar bear after her was just something Croix never expected to happen. She could only hope that it hadn't been a family member of Arcas, because she might have defended herself rather harshly.
Throwing a glance over her shoulder she saw Chariot still sprawled over her bed. Since their fight, the redhead was practically glued to her side. Not that that bothered her. At the very least it made monitoring her a lot easier, but that didn't mean she wasn't feeling guilty about it. Seeing the redhead's tear streaked face had hurt her more, than anything Woodward could ever throw at her. She should have never said those things to her, she just...
'I love her so much...'
Chariot was always so reckless. She couldn't lose her again...
She wouldn't!
'Lyonne...'
The word Chariot revived yesterday...
Only it wasn't the right one. As much as she didn't trust Woodward right now, Croix was sure that she didn't give them the wrong word.
'Sybilliadura Lelladybura'
The word that was connected to history...
The actual fifth word.
So did that mean that Chariot skipped one?
Was 'Lyonne' the sixth?
Spinning the chair, the older witch faced the redhead completely.
"Say, Chariot", she asked curiously, "how did you know of the word again? Explain it to me one more time."
The younger witch lifted her head from Croix's pillow and blinked tiredly in her girlfriend's direction.
Yesterday's spell had drained her more, than they both anticipated. In the end Croix had to carry her back to school, because she almost passed out from exhaustion.
"I told you three times already, Croix", whined Chariot sleepily, burying her face back into the pillow.
An amused smile spread over Croix's face. Sleepy Chariot was just too adorable. Getting up from the chair, she walked towards the bed, sitting down on its edge and began to pat the younger witch's head, who immediately hummed in response.
"Can't you tell me just one more time?", whispered Croix softly, running her fingers gently through the short hair.
She loved Chariot's hair, not only was it extremely practical at this length, but also really stylish and smooth.
The younger witch raised her head again, a weary look upon her face, which send a hurtful pang through her girlfriend. But she really needed to know. She had a nagging feeling that this was very important.
The younger witch seemed conflicted, her face scrunched up, pondering her answer.
"You promise?", she asked finally in a small voice, that absolutely broke Croix's heart.
'I did this to her!'
She would need to fix this, but first...
"I promise", she said firmly, a serious expression on her face, pulling her hand back to place it over her heart.
Chariot nodded slightly, before wincing softly, her expression warping into a grimace. The small movement had apparently hurt her.
"Sorry", she mumbled quietly in embarrassment, "but could you maybe sit somewhere else?
I'll sprain my neck if I keep looking at you from this angle."
Raising her eyebrows at that request, Croix chuckled lightly. Taking of her shoes, she pulled her legs up, crawling to the middle of the bed and settled next to Chariot, whose face was now as red as her hair.
"Better?", the older witch asked smugly, winking at her girlfriend, who seemed to stop functioning for a moment, before something flickered through her red eyes, as she bridged the gap between them.
Cuddling into her Chariot nodded again, burying her face in the crook of Croix's neck.
An easy silence enveloped them.
Croix didn't press on. The redhead would talk when she was ready, so they could just enjoy this moment. As if nothing had happened at all...
Chariot's warmth was always comforting to her...
"Blue eyes...", muttered the younger witch, interrupting the quietness.
"Blue eyes?", repeated Croix thoughtfully.
She felt her girlfriend nod against her.
"I saw blue eyes and then I heard a voice, I think a female one.
It only said one word: Lyonne."
The lavender haired witch already knew this. It was her current research topic, but she just needed to confirm it one last time.
A voice out of nowhere…
Blue eyes…
Definitely a person!
'So that's how it is!'
"You said the voice sounded familiar earlier, right?", she asked, her tone still incredibly soft.
An Idea was forming in her mind.
"Yes", mumbled the redhead, already half asleep.
A person Chariot must have encountered before…
A voice out of nowhere…
A connection!
Putting a bit of distance between them, Croix kissed her girlfriend's nose, startling her awake again.
"I know what happened, Chariot", exclaimed the older witch excited, a confident smile on her lips.
Chariot blinked owlishly at her, before the words sunk in and her eyes widened.
"Really? Croix you're amazing!"
Croix grinned brightly at the younger witch.
"First you have to know that there are three different types of witches with your ability."
"You mean my 'natural sense for magic' thing?"
'Yes', answered the older witch slightly irritated, "but don't call it a thing. It is a latent ability you slowly seem to master. Now, don't interrupt me again."
Ignoring the apologetic smile on Chariot's lips, Croix continued enthusiastically:
"Like I said there are three types.
Witches who can connect to every Leyline in the world, no matter how far away they are.
Witches who can connect to individual, magical signatures of every living being on the planet.
And witches who…actually can do both.
The last type is the rarest. It is stated that the only representatives for this type were the Nine Olde Witches themselves."
She paused shortly, locking eyes with the redhead.
"They called them 'blessed from the stars'..."
When Chariot didn't react to that, she raised her hand and began to caress her cheek.
"That's you Chariot", she whispered fondly, gazing at the younger witch with complete adoration, "You are blessed from the stars."
Everything made perfect sense now. The stars in her eyes when they first met. Her connection to little Alcor, her ability to sense other peoples magical signatures and even establishing a link to them. Croix always knew that Chariot was special and now apparently even more than she originally expected.
'So if she can connect to other people through magic, can she gauge their feelings too?'
This new revelation gave her plenty new Ideas for her current project. Maybe her girlfriend could actually help her with this. Analyzing emotional patterns seemed like the next logical step right now, after all the Claiomh Solais reacted based on its wielders feelings...
A disbelieving voice ripped her from her thoughts.
"That can't be true...I don't feel blessed at all..."
Focusing back on Chariot, Croix narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"What do you mean?", she asked bewildered, seeing her distraught face.
Seemingly struggling with herself, the redhead searched for the right words.
"Because it's true, I'm not blessed, I'm cursed and you are the one I hurt the most, just like you said!"
'Goddammit!'
Croix could kick herself. Why did she have to lose it like that yesterday?
Chariot's self esteem already wasn't the best to begin with. She had never wanted to hurt her. She just...
'What about my feel-?'
No!
This wasn't about her, this was about Chariot.
Repressing the surge of resentment that cursed through her, she kissed her girlfriend desperately, shutting her up. It earned her a surprised gasp from the younger witch, rendering her completely speechless.
Breaking the kiss, Croix gazed at her with all the warmth she could muster.
"You are a Blessing, Chariot!", she whispered to her, "Didn't I tell you to stop talking bad about yourself?"
Bumping her nose against the redhead's, she brushed a strand of hair out of her face, an encouraging smile on her lips.
"A believing heart is your magic, right?", she continued in an upbeat tone, "So show me one of those dazzling smiles of yours."
Pulling back slightly, Chariot wiped her eyes, an indication that she were close to cry before, and tried to force a smile. It ended up in a grotesque grimace, her eyes tired and small.
Croix shook her head.
"No, that's not it", she commented, still keeping her voice light and playful, "try again."
The redhead scowled at that. With sheer concentration she pulled the corners of her mouth upwards and...yawned loudly.
Startled they both looked at each other, before Croix burst into laughter, her girlfriend following shortly behind her.
"Exactly like this Chariot", the older witch wheezed out, trying to catch her breath in between, "You should get a stage name."
Chariot stopped laughing at that, staring at the older witch in surprise.
"A stage name?", she exclaimed excited, hugging Croix close to her, "Do you know a good one?"
Returning the hug, the older witch seemed to ponder this for a second, before adopting a serious expression, nodding gravely.
"Sleepy Chariot."
Before she continued to chuckle lightly, earning her an adorable pout from her girlfriend.
'There is the girl I fell in love with.'
"Croix", whined the redhead embarrassed, her ears flushing a bright red, trying to escape the older witch's grasp, turning away from her.
Not softening her hold, Croix kept her close, pressing a gentle kiss to Chariot's exposed neck.
"Do you want to spend the holidays with me?", she felt herself asking all of the sudden.
The words just tumbled out of her mouth, but she found out that she rather liked the Idea. After all they even lived in the same country. There was no need to separate.
Chariot glanced backwards, her gaze full of doubt.
"Do you really mean that?"
Croix nodded her head.
"Of course", she said confidently, flashing the redhead a charming smile, "I just have to work on my projects from time to time, but I would love to have you around."
She couldn't even react, as a red blur wiggled around in her arms and crashed into her, forcing the older witch to roll on her back. If they wouldn't have been on the bed already the older witch was sure, they would have tumbled to the ground.
"I take that as a yes", she stated amused, running her hands through Chariot's hair again, who laid on top of her, grinning sheepishly.
"You bet", the redhead laughed.
A real, carefree laugh that warmed Croix's heart to the bottom.
"But", added Chariot earnestly, peeking into her girlfriends eyes with determination, "you have to let me help you with your projects. This is non negotiable!"
The older witch froze.
Had she heard correctly?
The redhead really wanted to help her?
A loving smile spread over Croix's face.
'You really are a blessing!'
2018
"Did you ever confess to Chariot what you did to her?"
Chariot blinked slowly. Standing in the shadows at the entrance to the blue moon abyss, she stared at the scene before her.
What did she just witness?
She had just wanted to bring this staff to Woodward. She never imagined Diana would be here, talking about...her?
'My past?'
With every word she heard her head began to pound even worse.
The Leyline dying was Croix's fault, right?
Wasn't that what Woodward told her all this time?
She began to shake.
"This is ridiculous, she may have been infatuated with her for a short time, but there is no truer bond than the one between mentor and student."
'Infatuation?!'
Croix was her everything, she loved her...had loved her so much.
How dare Professor Woodward to make it sound like a schoolgirl crush.
Something inside her hummed, resonated with her budding anger. She felt the rod in her hand grow hot.
"This is exactly why I had to break them apart!"
Break them...
'Apart?!'
How…how could she do this to her?
She was furious. What was the blue moon spirit thinking? That had nothing to do with her. It had been between her and Croix. It was their relationship after all.
Breathing became suddenly a lot harder, she felt as if she was being constricted from within.
The humming grew louder.
"My little Chariot."
And just like that, everything clicked into place.
Woodward had lied to her. And that meant...
'Croix was innocent!'
The thought slammed heavily into her, punching her into the stomach, taking her breath away.
The dark staff in her hand began to glow softly in a sinister red tone.
'Croix was innocent!'
Her heart raced in her ribcage. Her whole body ached.
'She was innocent!'
"Just...stay away from Akko!"
Chariot saw Diana turn and walking away in long strides, as if she couldn't stand the blue moon spirit's presence any longer. But it didn't really register with her. Staring at her old mentor... her old friend?, she stepped out of the shadows and towards the old witch, who's expression morphed into one of shock, as soon as she saw the young professor emerge.
"Chariot", she exclaimed in a worried tone, glancing from her face to the rod and back again, "I am glad to see you in good health again. I heard young Croix-"
"Don't speak her name!", interrupted Chariot hotly, gritting her teeth, "Don't you dare!"
"Chariot", tried Woodward again, sending a burst of her soothing magic towards the distraught teacher.
The red glowing grew even stronger. Raising the staff, the younger witch dispelled the spell aimed at her, narrowing her eyes in barely concealed anger.
"You lied to me!", she yelled, pain showing plainly on her face, as she pressed a hand to her heart.
'It hurts so much!'
"I did what I thought was right at the time", the old witch explained softly, an apologetic note to her tone, trying to calm Chariot down.
'What?'
Her ears began to ring...
Was she serious?
"I'm not yours!", Chariot screamed, tears blurring her vision, but seeing the guilty face of her old teacher turning to shock wasn't making her feel better.
'Croix...'
Woodward's face became troubled, her voice toning down to a soothing tone:
"I apologize. It was never my intend to hurt you."
'Hurt me?'
"You almost killed me!"
Gritting her teeth even more, she balled one hand into a fist and tightened the grip on the rod, as she shouted:
"Children died in that 'test'! And you had the audacity to blame it on Croix?
Did you want me to fail that badly?"
"Like I said before", repeated Woodward calmly, "I never wanted you to fail. I wanted you to succeed..."
"Well", drawled the young teacher almost mockingly, "maybe you should have thought about that before you robbed me of my only support system!"
"I-"
"ENOUGH!"
Panting heavily, she heard her pulse hammer in her ears. She needed to calm down...to focus...
Croix, you're injured!
Wait!
No!
That…that simply wasn't possible!
It…couldn't be true!
She had a terrible suspicion...
Locking eyes with the old witch she reached a decision.
"I'm going to ask you something", she said coldly, not breaking their eye contact, "and if you don't tell me the truth you will never see me again!"
Woodward would never see her again regardless what she did now, but she didn't need to know that.
"What do you want to know?", asked the blue moon spirit, her expression unfathomable.
"That time when I unlocked the sixth word, Croix was hurt...", stated Chariot tensely, closing her eyes, hoping against all odds that she was wrong, "Tell me that wasn't your doing!"
It felt like an eternity before Woodward finally answered:
"I...needed time to speak with you...alone...
The bear was just supposed to keep her away to occupy her.
I didn't mean for her to get injured."
Something inside Chariot snapped. Broke apart, just like her relationship with Croix did.
Then...came the anger!
"I don't believe you!"
Everything hurt!
"Chariot", Woodward whispered softly, only to be ignored by the young teacher.
"You...you hurt Croix..."
There was a burning inside her, spreading through her whole body. She could feel her magic building up, connecting her to the rod she carried. Something clicked into place, like a long lost puzzle piece she never knew she lost.
"Chariot!", the old witch's voice sounded alarmed, but again Chariot ignored it.
"You took everything from me!"
She could have been happy if it weren't for Woodward's awful meddling.
The air around her began to crackle with magic, hot and angry, the rod glowing brightly in her hand.
"No, Chariot, this staff-"
Chariot's hair flashed red.
"Noctu...Orfei..."
"Chariot stop!"
A blinding light enveloped the rod.
"Aude..."
"Don't do this!"
'You ruined my life!'
"FRAETOR!"
Magic burst from the staff, transforming it into a distorted version of her once so beautiful Shiny Arc...
But she didn't care about beautiful right now.
She didn't care about making everybody happy with a smile.
The whole world betrayed her.
Her so called fans...
Her teachers...
Her mentor...
She was all alone now...
Gripping the bow forcefully she aimed it at Woodward, who still seemed to talk to her...
Not that she understood what she said…
Her ears were still ringing so loudly...
'I...just want to go home...'
And with that thought...she fired...and her whole vision turned red.