She halted.
"You know my name. How?" Callisto mutterd from over her shoulder.
"Yeah, how does that work?" Eldrid whispered. I shrugged my shoulders and gave a chuckle.
"I have no clue," I replied honestly.
A long pause.
"Well, that's a stupid reason," Elle breathed. I had to admit that knowing this creature's name "just because" was farfetched, but that was the only explanation I could give her. She let my response sink in for a moment as the night's animals began to sing once more. After a moment, she stood on her hind legs, making her stand at least double our height. Slowly her body morphed back into that of a woman.
"You are here to capture me and deliver me to the village, are you not?" she questioned, now back to her original self. I paused. That was my job, wasn't it? At the same time, I needed to know more. Callisto was not malicious in the least. If anything, she was terrified.
"It's true that we're supposed to take you back with us," I began, "but I'm not so sure that's right."
"I was just coming to tell you about them," Akio added, the dog patiently sitting at his side. "I think they might have to ability to help us." Callisto looked between all of us, but rested her gaze on me and my fire.
"You might be right, Akio. Their hearts seem genuine. Let us all go to my den, it is not too far away," she spoke. She being walking before we could even get our bearings, making us all have to jog to catch up. The dog seemed to be the only one that could easily catch up to her long strides.
I began to think about the feeling this woman gave me. It felt so familiar, as if memories of her were buried deep within my mind. She felt to me as if she did not belong in this world, but had been here long enough to be comfortable with it. Is that how I knew her? Did I know her from back home? Maybe this was all a coincidence. After all, this was not by far the weirdest thing to happen.
"I knew your team was different," I heard Akio speak to Vanya. She was back to normal now and wide awake. I glanced back and watched her grin for a brief moment. She placed her hand on Akio's shoulder in a close and friendly way.
"I have been in your shoes, feeling as though I am a traitor. What you are doing is right, do not let others sway you. We will help in whatever way we possess," she told him. I turned back around before she could see my glance. Vanya, a traitor? I found that hard to believe, but at the same time, how much did I really know about her?
Eldrid flew to my shoulder as we approached the den, entering as Callisto gestured us to. A den was literally all it was; a rock overhang covered us, a few thin blankets scattered around a small fire. I put my own fire out as we were told to sit. Callisto sat at the head of the group, now showing a commanding yet motherly presence.
"I suppose I shall start as to what I am and how I am tied to the village," she started. Vanya, Eldrid, and I all fell silent and still, knowing that each detail would be an important one. The dog rested his head on Akio's lap and sighed as if he had heard the story a hundred times.
"As you now know, I am Callisto. I am not originally from this world, but an alternate one that very few know of. Judging from the essence you two women give off, though, I feel like you might be from the same place as I. While you all are new here, I came to this place over a thousand years beforehand. I am very close to what wizards here call 'Celestial Spirits'. In fact, I was one of legend back in your world, one that is still spoken about in today's time. While my figure is still in the stars there, I am able to walk in physical form here. This is why I chose to make the journey so many years ago; the lack of physicality in the sky grows tiresome. When I came here, I appeared at the very center of the Village of the Stars. The people saw me appear out of thin air. Thinking I was to be received as an omen, my form changed into that of a bear, as was my same ability back home. However, their reaction was the exact opposite. The people received me as a deity. They said I was a gift from the stars, vowing to me that knowing my presence was among them would be enough to keep them from turmoil. From that moment on, they did not have a leader. I stayed in the village for several days before speaking of my desires to live deep within the forest. They accepted my wishes with open arms. While I did return to the village every so often, I made my home in this den. Only those seeking wisdom have been able to find this place. And, up until about two and a half months ago, very few people questioned the village's happenings.
"Around this time, I went to the village to find it in turmoil. I stood at the edge of the village, out of sight, and witnessed two men making an uproar. These two men claimed that I was not doing enough. They said that if the village wanted true power, they were to find me and cut my body down for a sacrifice. Only then would they never have to worry, for all other tribes would tremble before the village that was able to slay their own god. Many people fell under their influence, as if by a spell. Others, however, came to me for wisdom. When I told them the truth, they decided they would rather flee than take part in my slaughter. Akio is the only person to stay, claiming to be my protector if the situation turns dire. Those two men are now the tribe's leaders. Where we have had good relations with other villages in the past, they have been recently all but cast away. It is a thirst for power that is driving all of these people mad."
A hush fell over us as Callisto ceased to speak, her story finished. My head was spinning, taking in so much information at once.
I now remembered my mother reading to me the story of Callisto, illustrating her as a mother figure. I remembered thinking for weeks on end that my own mother was Callisto, but those thoughts vanished soon enough. The story she told us about arriving at the village seemed true enough. A village overthrow was hardly a new ideal, but after so many years of peace? You would think that at least something bad would have to happen in the first place in order to spark a revolution of sorts. That's how it had always happened in the books and movies, right?
Wait. This all started two and a half months ago.
Vanya and I looked at each other simultaneously, realizing that same fact. I noticed her face had lost all of its color in the dim firelight. At first, she didn't want to believe that we were the cause of all of the destruction in the Frost Tribe. Now she couldn't deny that we had done something terribly wrong. She looked down at the ground, eyes wide in guilt. I looked back at Callisto and Akio, who were both looking back at me. The dog was now asleep, oblivious to the importance of our gathering.
"Tell me, Akio, had you ever noticed your two tribe leaders before they decided to take control?" I asked. He looked up in thought before coming to a conclusion.
"I cannot say I had. That does not speak much, however. I am not one to be a 'people person'," he replied.
"Who would be a good person to ask about that, then?" I retorted.
"The town's elders would most likely be the best," Callisto spoke. A glimmer of excitement appeared in her brown eyes. "What are you thinking?"
"You said that the village seemed to be taken over by something like a spell," I explained. "That might be exactly what has happened."
"Even if this is so, we are not able to get into the village until we have captured Callisto and brought her back," Vanya retorted. I cast a mischievous look at her, making her give me a cautious one back. "What are you thinking?"
"They say that Callisto, one they look to as a god, will give them power," I started. "But what if they have a God Slayer?" Eldrid let out a surprised squawk, Vanya sitting up a little straighter and squirming in her seat. The dog woke up at Eldrid's noise, ears perked. "Hear me out. Akio turns me in to the chiefs, saying that I slayed Callisto and that I admitted what kind of wizard I am. They'll be upset for a moment, sure, but then they'll realize how much more prestige killing the killer will give them. With every tribe that I have read about or visited, a sacrificing takes time to prepare for. So, if this is the case here, Vanya and Eldrid will have time to go to the elders and ask questions. If these people were born and raised in the village, then we will just have to assume your typical overthrow and get Callisto as far away from here as possible. If they're not, we'll fix whatever spell has been placed. When you two get the information, send Eldrid to me to give a signal and we'll go from there."
"What about you?! This is more stupid than the job itself!" Elle screeched out, flapping her wings in protest. Akio's companion jumped up and barked, wagging his tail. At least he supported my idea. I patted Eldrid's head and smiled, making her calm down slightly.
"I've gotten out of spots tighter than this one. I'll be fine."
The room became silent. Eldrid bundled herself up out of what was clearly fear for me. Vanya still sat rigid, almost emotionless except for her eyes which looked to be in deep thought. Even though she had not known me for long, Callisto wore the look of a worried mother. Akio strongly resembled Vanya's reaction, except his eyes appeared full of hope. The dog was still up wagging his tail in delight. At least I could see two hopefuls in the room, that made my job a whole lot easier.
"I see no other option," Vanya finally spoke to the surprise of everyone. "I will say, Juniper, you are quite reckless." I flashed Vanya a smile, which she quickly turned away from. I could tell that she was worried about what we had done to this world, as well as what I was potentially subjecting myself to.
"It seems as though the tribal girl is right," Callisto sighed. "In that case, Akio, explain to Vanya and Eldrid where to go. Work out a plan. I assume the ceremony will be in the center of town, and that is really all June needs to know. I must speak with her outside."
Akio nodded as Callisto rose. Instinctually, I, as well as Akio's dog, stood with her and followed the nymph to the den's entrance. I had to admit, I could see why the village people looked up to her. She radiated an air of motherly affection and wisdom. At this moment, though, I felt as though I was about to receive another parental trait; lecturing. I could feel myself tensing up as if it was second nature. I heard Callisto chuckle at my change in stance as the dog sat at her feet.
"You know I am about to comment on your recklessness with this plan of yours," she spoke in a soothing yet gravelly voice. For some reason, I couldn't make myself speak confidently in front of the mythical being. My stomach knotted more and more, chills running down my spine. All I could give her was a nod. "Well, you are right. I do believe this is the most reckless thing that has been done for me. On the other hand, I would do this same task if it meant saving people that I held dear. You have never known these people, though. Why do you risk your life so carelessly?" I took a deep breath and sighed before responding.
"For one, I care about people. I've always been like that. There is no sense in being hateful in this world or any other," I began. I took a moment and thought of what I needed to say next.
"And the other reason?"
"I think I may be the cause of your trouble… And I will not leave you and your people like this," I finished. I looked up at the night sky as we stood in silence. This was one thing that felt no different here than it did at home. Billions of bright orbs dancing in the sky, telling the stories that raised me. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Callisto looking at me, concerned, before looking up to the sky herself.
"Though you are their motif, you are not the cause," she spoke wisely. Her words jarred me, and I looked to her in confusion.
"How do you—"
"The stars can gather a lot of information if it is desired," she explained, still gazing at her old home. "When this began with the Village of the Stars, I went to seek information. We have our ways. I found a disturbance, a very small one, much like the one that occurred when I came to this world. I believe that was when you all came. It was a ripple, as I like to call it. Something that causes little to no trouble. That did not agitate my heart or mind. However, it was not long after that a shattering occurred. A shattering is a disturbance that has potential to shake the land to its core. This malevolence is what caused the trouble happening now."
My heart dropped at her words. Even though she said I was not the cause, the ease that one statement gave me did not amount to the discomfort that set with me now. I tried not to show my worry, but apparently I couldn't hide it well.
"At this point, it has only been troubling creatures. All except one man," she started up once more. I felt my hair standing on end. It couldn't be Oberon. "This man is who I believe is causing the trouble now. I can tell that he is not very powerful himself, but his magic has a way of convincing people. He also has a way with time." Time? If anything, Oberon was not one to specialize in time. I didn't even think he owned a watch. It hit me then how concerned the chiefs were on having us complete this job by the same hour the following day. Everything in general seemed rushed about the village.
"I do believe that you are being careless with yourself for reasons other than what you say, though I do trust they are valid, as well," Callisto changed the topic before I could question her about the man. She looked at me then, knowing resting in her eyes. "Tell me, do you not believe that your extermination would bring an end to the trouble that has been caused?" I felt my body grow cold and had to look away.
"I'm not trying to kill myself for any reason," I quickly responded.
"Ah, yes, but it lingers in your mind. Fulfill their goals for them and they shall disappear. I know that you will not end your life here, but you are pushing yourself to the brink. You may not even know your own will at this moment, but it will come apparent. You must stay away from that temptation, Juniper, because this act of what you see as liberation is just incentive for these people to move to another victim. Defeat your demons, do not indulge them."
After those words, she did not wait for my response. She sauntered back into the den, leaving me out in the dark. Just before I was going to call out to her, I clamped my mouth shut. Instead, I looked at the dog, who was now looking at me. His brown eyes cut through the darkness as his tail quivered slightly. I smiled and moved my gaze from him to the stars above. I had to admit, the thought had crossed my mind to give these people what they truly wanted. They had caused so much chaos to most everyone close to me, and all I wanted was for the destruction to end. I had to look at the other side, though. Now Oberon seemed to have interest in Erza. I had known the wizard personally for a very short time, but I knew that she was family. If anything, I couldn't let them harm her. The only way to do that was to cut them down for good.
As I came to terms with that I had to do, another thought came to mind. I looked back at Callisto as she sat with the others. She was talking to Akio, who looked to be relaying the course of action to her.
How in the world did she know my name?
I looked back up at the stars and watched as a few of them twinkled brighter than the others for a moment. The anklet I wore grew cold, but only for an instant. I let out a small laugh and rolled my eyes.
"Thanks for the lecture, Leo," I muttered to the sky before returning to the others.
The morning came before we knew it. Sleep didn't come my way, but I didn't mind. It made me feel safer being able to watch over the others as they rested. Vanya was agitated when she woke, griping about how I should have woken her to take a shift. I let the nagging roll off my back; I knew she was just worried about how the day would go. While Eldrid seemed slightly nervous, she was more back to her old self as opposed to her agitation the night before. Callisto showed very little emotion in her bear form, but I could see concern in her eyes. In contrast, Akio seemed eager to get the plan started.
Within the hour, I had formed shackles around my wrists and ankles for Akio to bring me to the chiefs. Obviously they were simple for me to get out of, but so far no one else in the village knew that. Eldrid and Vanya were to sneak into the most secluded side of the village, where they would avoid any warriors until they arrived at the Elder Hut. From there, they would get information as quickly as possible so that Eldrid could relay it back to me. Vanya, Eldrid, and I parted ways with very few words. Once they were out of sight, I gave Akio the go-ahead to take me where I needed to go.
But as we started off, I felt a cold nose nudge my hand.
I looked down and saw Callisto, still in her animal form. Akio had instructed his companion to keep the bear safe, and he had barked in agreement. Now, Callisto let out a soft grunt as I stroked her between the ears.
"I won't be reckless," I whispered.
With those words, she pulled away gently from my hand. With a nod of her bulky head, she turned and left our presence with the dog; almost disappearing in an instant.
"Come, Forged Slayer. We shall speak as we walk. Time passes swiftly this way," Akio smiled genuinely.
"Sounds fine to me," I replied, walking behind him in small strides.
Silence.
"Why care so much for our village?" he spoke in a low voice. I caught a glimpse of his face.
Now he was concerned.
"There's a famous man in mine and Callisto's home world. A truly inspiring man, an actor. One of the first of his kind, actually. His name was Charlie Chaplin. There's something he said that seems to apply to so many situations I've been in."
"What did this man say?" Akio interrupted in anticipation.
"'I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone - if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man - white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness - not by each other's misery… The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed… We think too much and feel too little'."
A long pause came as my words hung heavily in the air. For a moment, I thought as though I had misspoken. Maybe I had offended him. Were actors satanic here? I could feel a pit form in my stomach, feeling as if I had done something wrong. This never happened to me; I barely even knew this guy, and I was scared of offending him?
"Profound," Akio finally sighed, putting a stop to my whirlwind of thoughts. "He speaks truth, though. Our community used to be full of kindness before leaders, but now… It seems to be drowning in hatred."
After a moment, we began to make small talk. What's your family like? What's the most dangerous thing you've done? Favorite color? What about food?
Honestly, I preferred the option of offending the man earlier than the torture of obligated speak.
Just as I was about to break the news to Akio that I didn't really have a preferred hunting technique, he clamped his hand over my mouth. I snapped a look over at him as he mouthed the word "listen". I did as he instructed, and sure enough I heard the voices of two males along with rustling in the nearby brush. Akio and I looked at each other, took a deep breath, and nodded before he took his hand from my mouth.
"Let me go!" I shrieked, attempting to jerk my wrists from Akio's hold. He had to struggle to keep his grip on the ties that bound me. The nearby rustling halted for a moment before they hurriedly came towards us. Two large men came from the brush, eyes on fire and filled with hate. These two were much larger than Akio, and that alone sent chills down my spine.
"Do not just stand there, Soldiers! I found this woman hunting the beast for her own gain, I must take her back to the chiefs!" Akio shouted at the two men. They looked between each other before nodding. They rushed forward and each grabbed ahold of a chain; one that was bound to my wrists and one to my neck. Akio was shoved out of the way as they took control of me.
"Akio, I feel as though you must be joking. How can this puny wizard use this mission to aid her in any way?" the one that held my neck chain spoke. His eyes darted to me as he spoke insults. I instantly heated up the chain he held and watched a sudden look of pain cross his face. He reached with his other hand to strike me across the cheek, only to be met with my ducking and spitting in his face.
"I'm a God Slayer, you idiot," I snarled. Veins appeared in his forehead as his anger grew.
"Ikari, control yourself. It is apparent that Akio speaks truth," the other man spoke. "Come, wench. You shall meet with the chiefs over this." As we walked forward, the one whose name was now Ikari jerked the chain with all of his might.
Little did he know that his display was more amusing than painful, though I did act as if the latter were true.
The short walk we had left to the village was quiet. I would occasionally try to jerk my wrists away, only to be met with a harder tug forward. The other man that currently had no name to me seemed much calmer than Ikari did. He was all business. The only time he did speak was to ask Akio what he was doing in the forest when he was not on patrol. Akio simply said that he had a bad feeling about me and left it at that. He was met with no resistance, only a "well done".
When we arrived at the town, we were met first with resistance. More people were walking about, but very few. No one knew who I was, so a blanket of confusion covered every villager. We cut between huts and people were shoved aside as we came through. I looked back at the fallen people on the ground and saw the faces of those who were used to tyranny.
It was when a small girl came up that I momentarily broke my act. The small child, maybe around eight years old, wore a simple dress, her red hair in pigtails. For the first time since we had arrived in this village, I saw someone whose eyes were not clouded upon seeing them. I smiled at her as we approached and she stopped in her tracks. At first, she was just confused as everyone else was. Then, in an instant, a big smile spread across her freckled face. I had to look down to stop my girlish giggle.
Ikari's harsh voice then made its presence known in the joyful air we had created.
"Get out of here, you brat! Can you not see that this woman is a prisoner?! You are lucky that you are so young, otherwise we would take you, as well!" his voice boomed. I looked up just in time to see him grab the girl's shoulder and throw her to the ground. Akio instantly looked over at me, a panicked look on his face.
He knew what was coming.
Like a toothpick, the shackle that bound my wrists snapped when I flexed them. Before the soldiers knew what was happening, I made the chain Ikari held so short that he could barely grip it. His hooked nose almost met mine, his angry eyes looking into my hazel ones. In a flash, I grabbed his throat and threw him to the ground at a strength so hard that the surface gave way. I watched as the air in his lungs was forced out of his body and was somewhat pleased. I looked over at the little girl who was still on the ground, her face now dirty from the earth she had landed upon. Her mouth was gaping wide, but her eyes beamed with excitement.
"Are you alright?" I grinned. She was mid-nod before her eyes focused behind me. Keeping my eyes on her small frame, I balled my free hand into a fist, cloaking it in fire. I thrust it backwards as hard as I could and felt my flames barely lick bare skin. I glanced back and saw the all-business soldier who had stopped on a dime at the sight of my power. Akio remained standing in awe in the same place as I left him.
"Are you to execute us in front of a child that you desire to avenge?" the man spoke, his expression emotionless. I forced my flames outward, making him step away from me.
"If I catch any of you doing such harm to a child again, your life will be the last of your worries," I spat back. The man opened his mouth once more to speak, but a far different voice came forth.
"Chikanori, resist the urge to speak," a familiar and masculine voice spoke.
I looked behind the newly named soldier and saw two more men. One masculine and strong, one wiry and frail. Upon seeing them, I released Ikari and lowered my fist from Chikanori's throat.
"How convenient for you to show up," I mumbled at the chiefs. Chief Gen wrung his hands in an uncontrollable fashion while his brother Haji crossed his bulging arms and stood straighter.
"Akio, what is the meaning of this?" Chief Haji snapped. Akio jumped, shocked by his leader's harshness and attention.
"I-I caught her hunting the beast for herself! She is a slayer of gods!" he stuttered. Gen stopped playing with his hands and Haji's arms fell to his side. They both looked straight at me in a way that made my whole body feel numb. Something was wrong, more so than I had thought before.
"Akio, bring her to our hut. We must find reason in this unfortunate display," Haji spoke flatly. He and his brother then turned around simultaneously and walked in the direction of their home. Akio and I looked at each other, confused, before following.
As we moved out of earshot from the other two troops, I heard Ikari's gasping for air.
My stomach turned as soon as I entered. The inside of the hut was nothing compared to the Frost Tribe's leader's. A fire resided in the space's center, a wall of mud and clay stagnant in the middle of the room. I assumed that behind that wall was where the chief's rested since there was no sign of comfort present otherwise in the damp room. The fire did not reach the walls of the room, making it seem endless. The chiefs both stood, as still as the wall they held their back to, as we entered. In this moment, they seemed to be one unfeeling entity.
"I do not like this," Akio whispered, looking about the room. I could tell that he was trying to find some sort of comfort in this place, but the only source he could find was the open doorway behind us.
"Ah, Akio, we do not prefer you, either," Chief Gen called from his position. The flames lit up his face and made it almost seem hollow. How could the weak man have heard Akio's quiet voice; I had barely made out the words, myself.
"W-what do you mean?" Akio stammered. The chiefs began to walk in opposite directions around the fire, emotionless eyes continuing to rest on us.
"Tell us, Akio, how is Callisto?" Haji questioned, his voice low.
My heart dropped. How could they have known? I looked over at Akio, his strong figure suddenly so small. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. The central fire's flames caught the corner of my eye as the two walked closely beside it. Stretching my arms out wide, I urged the fire to expand. Instantly, heat and light consumed the room. The chiefs were immersed in fire where they stopped in their tracks.
But only for a moment.
I saw their heads turn towards each other before returning forward and walking once again.
"June, the walls..," Akio barely spoke.
I looked to where he indicated with a shaky finger.
Streaks and splatters of blood.
Raising my hands upwards, I willed chains out of the ground to latch around the still-moving figures. As soon as the metal met skin, my body felt hot. I looked over at Akio, his finger still pointing at the tainted walls.
"Akio, you have to run. Find Vanya, now," I told him in a calm voice. He looked at me with resistant eyes, but nodded anyway. I felt the wind off of his body as he fled my side.
Before I even had a moment to think, I heard a gasp behind me. I quickly turned and watched Akio's body fall to the ground just mere feet from the exit. A visage stood crouched above a gash in Akio's chest as it oozed a red liquid. Even through my chains breaking on the chiefs, an act that would usually cause some sort of hurt, I felt numb.
"A-Akio?" I asked the air, as I walked towards him. As my mind grasped the reality of the situation, my legs felt less like lead and more like feathers. "Akio!"
Ignoring the figure that stood in front of me, I fell to my knees beside the man that had only wanted to help his people. His eyes were frightened and clouded, his skin soaking with perspiration. My hands rested on his wound, trying their best to apply pressure. There was no way I could heal this man, especially without Xavier and without having anything to do with his injury. A burn, I could fix… But not something like this. I felt my whole body begin to quake, but all Akio did was smile as he tried to breathe.
"Save the Village of the Stars," he gasped. I found one of his hands and clutched it as hard as I could.
"You're crazy if you think I am going to do this job without you!" I blurted out in a harsher tone than I actually meant. He only chuckled and gave my hand a light squeeze.
"Nonsense. I must go join the stars in the sky now. I have done what I can for Callisto, may she guide me home and you to your victory." His voice was shaky and soft now. My eyes grew wide as I watched him breathe one last breath.
He was gone.
All I could hear now was my heart beating out of my chest. My ears rung, but not out of using my powers too much. They rung in a hatred and an anger that I could not control. I didn't even have to look; I knew my hazel eyes were now crimson. One word broke the sounds in my head.
"Mir-ir-age, mir-ir-age!" I heard a faint, sing-song voice from outside call out. Mir-ir-age? What did that mean?
Before I could figure it out, I felt hands grab each of my arms with an unworldly strength and pull me to my feet. My whole body felt a numbing heat. I looked to the people whose hands held me only to find two men that vaguely resembled Chief Gen and Haji, their bodies burned beyond repair. Their faces held no pain; rather, they held a lack of feeling at all.
"Ah, yes, another young man gives his loyalty to a mythological mutt. Pity," I heard a new, clear voice ring.
Only, this voice was not new to me.
The visage that had hung over Akio's body now walked over to the nearest wall, running his bloody hands down it. I saw now that I was closer that this man was almost the opposite of the villagers. His skin was lightly tanned, his brown hair combed perfectly. Despite the fact that the fire's light was not blinding, he wore wire sunglasses that took up most of his face. He wore a black vest with matching dress pants and shoes. Underneath the vest he wore a plain, white, oxford shirt. He was quite literally the picture of class, but it wasn't until the fire glinted on a chain that hung from his vest pocket that I remembered his name.
"It's Benjamin now. I felt as though it fit about as much in this world as you do," he turned around, flashing me a white smile.
"W-what are you doing here? H-how did you know it was me?" I stuttered. He chuckled as he waved one of his still-bloody hands. The two men released me and stepped back before I could finish them off.
"Now, June Bug, you know you've missed your childhood friend! If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have embarked on your journey into self-discovery. How long has it been?" he continued to smile, taking off his sunglasses to reveal light blue eyes. The eyes of someone who I had known and loved when I was still a normal girl, but also the eyes of someone I never wanted to see again. "And besides," he continued, "who else could your old friend Oberon send into this world that would be able to recognize you by your aura alone?"
I felt my heart stop. So the dream wasn't just a dream. They were not all here yet, but they would soon enough if I didn't stop Ben.
""Mir-ir-age, mir-ir-age!" I heard once again from outside. I saw a panicked look show in Ben's eyes for a split second before he was back to his collected self. Why was he nervous?
Then it hit me. The fact that the chiefs were so robotic. They had survived the flames and broken through my chains. When they touched me, I felt a ghostly heat.
These men were not men, but a mirage.
Was this Ben's power here? Or was he a mirage, too? If my abilities could not touch them, then what could?
"Ah, seems as though we have been found out," Benjamin sighed. "I'm sure the city is being evacuated now. What a pity, I was having fun being a puppeteer. Regardless, I could still take down the messenger. Gen, Haji, go take care of whatever pest is outside, will you? June and I have some catching up to do."
I turned around and saw the two nod in sync. They each held out one hand into the air. I heard Ben chuckle and saw him wave his hand out of the corner of my eye. With that one gesture, weapons appeared in each of the mirage's hands. Gen was given a bow and a pack of arrows, Haji a whip that seemed to extend for ages. Once again they nodded and made their way for the exit. Without a second thought, I formed chains around their ankles once again. They both turned to me and cocked their heads to the side in confusion as Ben cackled.
"Oh, June, have you not learned? These are not your normal mirages," he spoke between laughter. "They are personifications of different parts of me! They cannot be contained or destroyed unless you are able to destroy the part of me that they reside in or make me take them away, which is very unlikely. These two can cause as much destruction as I want them to, but never feel an ounce of pain. Isn't it just lovely?" As he finished his words, the two casually lifted their feet and broke the chains that bound them to the earth. There was literally nothing I could do to make these beings go away on their own.
But Ben was the one controlling them. I had wanted to hurt him for some time. Mine as well take advantage of that.
I willed the fire that still billowed behind me to move forward. Ben let out another triumphant laugh as the flames came forward, but abruptly stopped when he saw it wrapping itself around his feet. He gave me an angry look as I smirked back at him. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the mirages flicker ever so slightly.
"What do you think you are doing, Juniper?" Ben crooned as the heat began to seep through his shoes. He began to shift from foot to foot in attempts to lessen the sensation.
"Giving you what you deserve, old friend," I retorted, beginning to walk towards him. I ran my finger across his wrist and made a burning piece of metal form and chain him to the earth. He let out a heavy grunt followed by labored breathing. Again, I could see a shift in the mirages. They stood frozen as if they had no idea what to do. Ben flashed a painful glare their way.
"Don't just stand there, get her!" he hissed at his creations. The two slowly turned their heads toward me and nodded. Gen swiftly took out an arrow and set his bow. I held up my arm and formed a large, metal shield before he could release his weapon.
Seconds later, I heard it whiz by my head, making a sharp sensation hit me right in the stomach.
I couldn't understand. How was that even possible? How could an arrow pierce through metal?
Before I could search for an answer, I felt the sharp, snapping sensation of a whip as it wrapped around my ankle. I looked up for a split second and saw Haji flash me a crazed grin. I hovered my hand above my ankle and forced an intense flame to burn through the whip. Before I could get through, I was flung into the wall that separated the hut in two. My body broke the wall and it crumbled around me as I lied on the ground. Barely comprehending what I was doing, I began to burn the whip once more. Again, I was hurled back to the other side of the room back where I had been and was thrown to the earth so hard that I broke through. It was then that the tightness of the whip was released from my now aching ankle. Shakily, I propped myself up on my arms just in time to see Gen grab another arrow. I looked over at Benjamin and watched as he began to laugh. If he wasn't a wizard, I would have already successfully burnt him to the ground.
Then it hit me.
I willed the chain to pull Ben in front of me. As I pulled myself up to stand behind him, I formed a blade in my hand and placed it at the base of his chin. I could feel the tenseness in Ben's body as I threatened to cut his throat wide open.
"Call them off," I whispered in his ear.
"You and I both know you do not have the will to kill. That's all me," he sneered back. I pressed the knife closer to his throat, making him jump slightly. The creations flickered. I saw Ben's hand move to his pocket where he pulled out the silver chain.
On the end of the chain was a pocket watch.
I felt myself freeze up. He brought it to where he could see and pressed the small button on its side. The covering of the watch opened to reveal many winding gears. In the middle of these twisting and turning mechanisms rested a dark blue glowing orb. In an instant, I remembered what this was used for.
"My, my, Juniper, would you look at the time?" he crooned. "I do believe it is time for me to go."
The gears started to spin faster and faster, the orb growing brighter. I willed the metal gears to contract and break, but the one nonmetal part of the watch kept me from being able to control the rest of it. The metal cuff and chain that held Ben to the ground shook and then broke into pieces. The mirages began to flicker slightly before they vanished into thin air. Even the walls inside which we stood began to fade and disappear. I couldn't let him go. Oberon couldn't find out. I had to buy some time.
And then, it was over.
All at once, the hut was gone, as were Ben's creations. The dirt and earth that had been below us was now wild grass. Above was a blue sky and bright sunshine. A crisp breeze blew through the air. Not one soul was in the small village now, and somehow, it was more full of life now than it had been when we had first arrived. I looked over and saw Akio lying peacefully in the grass. Was it his soul that gave new life to this land?
Or was it the life I had just taken from Ben?