"Maka~" Kid circles around her, holding that ax he's so skilled with. Maka is tied up with rope. She knows this is a nightmare. It started with her like this. She won't give in. She won't.
"Fuck you demon! Fuck you Medusa!" Maka screams. She tries to get out of her binds but she knows it's no use. These nightmares go the same every time. Kid says horrible things. He tortures her. And then he kills her. Sometimes the Mayor joins in but it seems the demon knows that what hurts her the most is thinking that Kid would treat her like this.
She just has to remember. This is a nightmare. It's not real. It won't become real-
"Why are you cursing someone else? I'm the one that's about to end you." Kid starts to throw liquid on her. She can smell its gas. "Your mouth is free. Why don't you do a spell to protect yourself? Are you just going to let me kill you?"
"You aren't him." Maka grinds her teeth. "I...Even if I'm a witch...I'm not like them-"
"You are like them. A witch can't be anything other than a witch-"
"My mother was a witch but she wasn't like that-"
"You saw that journal. She wanted to kill all men. She wanted the world to burn. You'll be the same-"
"My mother changed. She wanted me to be like her. I won't...I won't fall! Kid...The real one will have my back."
Kid's face crunches up. Those eyes seem snake like. He throws a match at her. Then he watches as she screams in agony, burning alive. It hurts so much. Her insides are becoming liquid. It becomes so hot but in the end...she's almost freezing. Then she's dead.
When the darkness clears she's in that familiar forest. It's Medusa. She's staring at her with contempt.
"This is ridiculous Maka. I am trying to open your eyes to the real threat that is Kid. You say you don't believe these visions and yet right now you're hiding away from the witch hunter-"
"I'm not hiding. I'm...just buying my time. I wouldn't want Kid to find out before I tell him. I want to be the one to tell him-"
"You can't tell him! He. Will. Kill. You. He is a bigger threat to you than the demon at this point. He has been trained since birth that all witches deserve to die. What makes you think that because it's you he'll change his mind-"
"I trust him. I'll tell him everything-"
"I'll humor you. Lets say Kid doesn't kill you. I know that you can't believe that his father won't. He will strike you down without batting an eye."
She knows it's true. Kid is one thing but the Mayor would absolutely kill her.
"You know his father will kill you yet you still want to risk telling Kid-"
"I'l...I'll tell Kid alone. I'll...bring him somewhere that I can run if I need to. If Kid decides he wants to kill me...I won't fight him. I'll just run away. Then you can come to me and I can finally kill you."
"Killing me isn't your goal."
"I think it is."
"...Kami was close to me. You are her only daughter. I don't want you to die by the hands of witch hunters. Kami wouldn't-"
"My mother was the one who told me to rely on Kid and the mayor. Even though they are witch hunters my mother still trusted them to take care of me-"
"Kami was naive to think that the seal wouldn't be broken."
"Look I don't want to be here anymore. Why do you always trap me here to talk to you? I don't need your advice. I'm going to tell him. It's going to be fine."
"...At least remember these two spells. You should be able to use them even at your level without rebounding. Barrier and once the barrier is up you can shatter. It will pierce through your enemies flesh, especially if they're close-"
"Stop it. Stop trying to turn me into a witch-"
"You already are dear. You mind as well take the benefits. You are a weak witch and you are weak as a witch hunter. You need all the help you can get." Medusa takes a step closer. Maka takes a step back. "...As a witch you are attracted to men that you can use. Witch spawn especially. Witch spawn are more likely to give you a girl. You attached yourself to that witch hunter but you still have Crona to play with. He still cries about you. Begging for forgiveness. You could torture him. Rip him apart. Make his life a living hell. You can't hide it. Just the thought makes you excited."
She bites her lip, drawing blood. She won't grin. She won't let it show. She wants to hurt him. She wants to see him cry. "I...want nothing to do with him. He killed my mother. And it seems he killed Spirit too."
"Spirit got in the way. He didn't want you see that book so bad that he tried to oppose me. Crona couldn't let that man hurt his mother. He acted in self defense." She's smirking.
"Yeah I could tell with all the missing limbs."
"You should forgive him. He's losing his mind. Since he's lost you he's been nothing but my puppet. You gave him hope only to rip it from him. You are cruel Maka-"
"He destroyed it himself. He killed my mother! If I see him I'll kill him just like I'll kill you-"
"Now Maka what if Crona didn't know he was poisoning your mother at the time?"
"...You keep messing with me. The only reason you're trying to get me to think of him is to tear me away from Kid-"
"You need to get away from him. You can't be yourself with him. He is a man of order. You are a woman of chaos. You can't deny that any longer."
"...My mother told me once when I was young...that I am me and Kid is Kid. I'm sure Kid will see me as me and not just as a witch. No matter how many nightmares you give me, it won't change my mind. I'm going to tell him."
"Foolish." Medusa glares at her. "But maybe the despair you'll feel will be enough to awaken your true power as a witch. I hope it hurts. I hope it breaks you. So then I can build you back up-"
"Fuck you!" Maka rushes her but the dream collapses. It all fades away.
Maka jumps up in bed. She's sweating. She grabs the bucket that she's been keeping by her bed to vomit into. She lets out the little bit that's in her stomach. It's been like this for the past three days. Medusa and the demon are tag teaming her, trying to break her. Every time she sleeps she has these terrible nightmares of Kid killing her. Then she has to sit there and Talk to Medusa as she tries to reason with her.
"Disgusting." The demon chuckles.
"Fuck off." Maka flips him off. He's somewhere around here. He does leave. She isn't afraid of him. If anything in this situation it's just pissing her off.
"Lady Maka are you alright?" A servant is sitting in the corner. She's looking at her, trying to hide her fear. It's not Cassie. After seeing Spirit's body hung up like that she's taking a couple days of leave. Not that Maka can blame her.
She's been trying to process the news of her being a witch that she hasn't had time to process Spirit's death. Medusa told her he was trying to hide the book. He probably didn't want her to know. Her mother didn't want her to be a witch. It's all in vain now. She can't go back.
She hated Spirit but seeing his body mutilated like that...and the fact it was done by Crona...It fills her with rage. If anyone was going to kill Spirit It should have been her. Yet she knew her mother loved him. Crona took away her mother and he took away the man her mother loved...despite everything.
"I'm fine." Maka wipes her mouth, not looking at this servant. She's been stuck with Maka these three days.
When Kid found her on her knees before the corpse of her father, he rushed her. He covered her eyes and pulled her out of the house. His kindness made it hurt more. She was so scared the whole time and it made her feel worse.
The mayor handled all the details with her father's death. He talked to the police...apparently one of them is a part of his organization. They ruled her father's death a suicide and buried the body discreetly next to her mother's.
She knows this because Kid gives her updates everyday. Through the door. She can't see him. She's scared to see him. Her worse fear is that he'll find out before she has the chance to tell him herself.
When Kid took her home after seeing her father's body like that...She told him that she needed time away. Time away to herself. She told him that she still needed him but she needed...time.
Kid didn't fight her. He's always so accommodating to her wishes. She's spent the last three days just in this room. Kid brings her meals that he leave at the door for the servant to get. And he comes to talk to her every day. She can tell by his voice that he longs for her.
He probably just thinks she's grieving Spirit's death. For anyone it would be traumatic to see their father like that but...really she's just using it as an excuse to buy time. She can't keep this up much longer. Sooner or later Kid will want to get her out of the room. He is always worried about her health.
She has to do it. She has to tell him. She has to do it.
"Lady Maka are you ready for food?" The servant asks.
"...No I'm going to shower." Maka gets up, hoping the hot water will make her feel better. She hates seeing the servant look at her like she's crazy. Not that she can blame her. As she's cursing out thin air in front of her, that servant looks like she's about to piss her pants.
Maka sighs getting into the shower. She washes herself. It hasn't been long since she last had Kid in here but she misses having his reassurance.
Suddenly she feels a presence. She just ignores it. She huffs in frustration. "Dumb stupid demon. Make like a tree and fuck off."
"Who are you calling a demon?" Maka blinks. That voice sounds different. Come to think of it, this presence feels different. She tenses when the curtain is pulled. Of course she doesn't see anyone but she can feel them. "You no tit having bitch!"
"That's uncalled for." Maka turns off the water. The voice is male. It's not the demon. She wondered briefly if it's Spirit haunting her before the ghost made that last remark. She's found that it's best not to respond with fear so she steps her naked body right where she feels the presence. It backs up. "Who are you?"
"Ha so you can hear me?" When she walks past him she feels a cold grip on her arm. "Don't walk away from me cunt! I'm going to torment the hell out of you. You're such a lying bitch. You talked all big about never leaving Crona, filling his head with all this shit-"
Maka rips her arm from this ghost. "I don't know who you are." She tries to live the bathroom but she's surprised when the presence is able to push her. She loses her footing and falls on the floor.
"Like hell you don't! My. Name. is. Ragnarok. You forgot it again you bitch-"
"You are?" It clicks together for her. Ragnarok was never a personality. It was ghost that was possessing Crona. An evil ghost. "What are you doing here? Don't you have Crona to possess-"
"I've been looking for you. I couldn't go too far away from Crona but now we are just close enough. Medusa finally let me know where you were. Of course you're here, being a slut-"
"Weren't you the one who wanted me to leave Crona alone? I gave you what you wanted." Maka gets up. She glares at this ghost. Or at least where she thinks he is at.
"That was before you gave him all that shit. Now he's all fucked up in the head. Even more than he was like damn! I have to listen to his constant crying about it. You-"
"I hope he cries more. You can tell him that. Oh you can also tell him that I've been fucking Kid and he's great in bed-"
"Dirty whore." He snarls. She feels his hands on her again, this time he pushes her with enough force that she knocks open the bathroom door and falls on her bedroom floor, still naked.
"Fuck! For a ghost you're a pain in the ass-"
"Lady Maka?" That servant is shaking. She looks like she's about to cry.
"Oh don't worry about it. It's just an annoying ghost-"
Ragnarok picks up a vase and throws it at her. She rolls to dodge it but that's enough for the servant. She runs out of the room screaming.
"Oh look what you did." Maka gets herself up. "At least let me get dressed-"
"Nah seeing you fumble around like a naked pig is befitting a slut like you." He sounds pissed.
"You mad?" Maka feels a smirk coming to her lips. "Seriously what was the point of you coming here by yourself? You think I'm scared of you? You're nothing but a ghost. I've had this demon breathing down my neck."
"How the hell do you know what I am?" He throws something else at her. She moves out of the way.
"If you were a demon this would hurt." She grabs the cross necklace off of her dresser. She touches the chain, knowing the cross would burn her. It feels hot to the touch as it is. She can feel the presence back up.
"Get that the fuck away from me."
"Oh? Does it hurt?" Maka tilts her head. She feels like she was right though. This isn't like the demon she has come in contact with. "I hope it does. Tell me. Were you laughing at me as you poisoned my mother and then saw me fawning over Crona?"
"..." He growls but doesn't say anything.
"What about when you ripped my father apart?-"
"Your father cried like a bitch." He hisses when Maka takes a step closer towards him. "He was screaming for you till his last breath."
"Now that's just sad." Maka takes another step forward. " He was a gross man but my mother loved him. You took everything from my mother and you're working for Medusa. The one trying to kill me-"
"If she was trying to kill you she'd just come out and do it. You're such a dumb bitch. Trying to play witch hunter. You know that bitch Crona he...He wanted me to come here. To try to talk you into coming with us. Like hell I'd even ask-"
"Like hell I would even go. If I ever see Crona...I'll hurt him. I'll kill him."
"I'd like to see you try bitch. I can't wait to see you fucking die. I'll make sure to be there. I'll have front row seats."
"Yeah yeah. Go back to Crona, little ghost."
"You who calling-" She thrusts the cross towards him. She hears a sizzle and a grunt of pain. He curses her but she can feel that he's fading away.
Medusa sent Ragnarok for what reason? Did she really think that having him here would make her want to go back to Crona? To go to her?
Maka gets dressed, just as she hears a knock at the door.
"Maka are you alright?" Kid sounds out of breath. "The servant came out running to get us from training. She said something was happening with a ghost? Is it the demon? Maka you shouldn't be alone-"
Hearing his voice. She wants to hug him. She is tired of being tormented by her dreams, the demon, and Medusa. Now she can add Ragnarok to the list. They're trying to make her lose it.
"Kid can you come in? Just you?" She doesn't know if someone else is with him. Kid comes in quickly, shutting the door. She must look pale because Kid rushes towards her. He pulls her into a hug. All that fear she was feeling falls away. She doesn't look different to him.
"...It wasn't the demon who attacked. This time It was Ragnarok. It's not Crona's personality, it's a ghost."
"What?" Kid starts looking around. His eyes widen when he sees the charms they put in the room are all gone. "Who took the charms?"
"I didn't even notice...not sure." Kid tightens his grip on her. "...He confirmed that Crona killed my father." Kid starts to shake. "Kid-"
"How dare he try to harm you more? Hasn't he done enough?" Kid grinds his teeth. She's surprised seeing that rage in his eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop it. Ragnarok shouldn't have been able to come in here. I should have realized the charms were gone-"
"You haven't been in here for three days. That's my fault. All of it is."
"Maka you've been grieving. It's not-"
"Kid we need to talk." Maka grabs his hands, looking into his eyes. Kid looks nervous. He swallows thickly.
"...Have I done something?" She blinks at him looking fearful.
"Why would you think that?"
"Well...saying we need to talk...are you about to end our relationship?"
"What? No! Hell no. I just need to talk to you about something important. I need you." She needs him to know that.
"I need you too." Kid sighs in relief. " What is it that you need to talk about-"
"I need us to be alone. Completely alone." Maka thinks for a moment. "...Kid I want you to take me to the forest. We should bring our weapons just in case-"
"Is it a witch? We should have father-"
"NO! No...Just us Kid. I know it's crazy but please trust me. If a witch shows...I know it's something we can handle by ourselves." Maka is pleading with him. Kid stares at her with wide eyes. She can tell he's struggling. "Please." She begs.
"...Okay. I'll figure something out. The forest. Our weapons. Without father." He seems to think. "...Tonight when Father is asleep we can sneak out. It will have to be pretty late. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes. I know this sounds crazy to you Kid but I..." she wants a chance to run if she needs to. She wants a chance for them to talk without anyone getting in the way...and she wants Kid to have his weapon so if he decides he wants to kill her...he has the choice to do so. She wants her weapon so she has a chance to defend herself. She would never kill him. Since she's become a witch hunter she's wanted to be on equal footing with Kid.
Despite him not knowing she's a witch, she wants them to be on equal footing here too.
"It's really important. It's...It's the real reason I've locked myself away from you. I need to tell you. I want to go back to being close again."
"Me too." Kid says softly. "I've missed you." He holds her again. They just stand like that for who knows how long before he pulls away. "Do you still want me to step out?"
"...Yes for now."
"Okay. I'll come get you when the cost is clear. I'll try to get our weapons ready so we don't' have to fiddle with the shed and make too much noise. Leave it to me Maka." He gives her a soft kiss before he leaves. Another Servant comes in. she sits on the bed, her heart is hammering so fast.
She ends up vomiting again into the bucket. She's so nervous. She hates it. She wants to tell him now but she wants to get away from the Mayor.
She has to hope. She has to hope it will be fine.
"Idiot." The demon sneers.
She ignores him. She'll ignore everything Medusa has told her. She will do this. She has to.
She needs Kid and she hopes that Kid truly needs her too.
"Are you sure you're not cold Maka?" Kid is holding her hand as they walk through the forest. His ax in the other and her Scythe in hers. She decided to wear what she normally does when they go on hunts. It is cold but she can't worry about that now.
"I'm fine." Maka gives him a smile. Kid returns it but she can tell he's nervous. He doesn't understand why they're here, alone, with their weapons. He's been glancing around. On high alert. He's ready for a fight if it's needed.
They make it to a clearing in the trees. Maka turns toward Kid and kisses him. She kisses him, hoping that her feelings get through to him. She kisses him deeply, not know if this is the last time she's going to get to do it.
Kid is surprised by her desperate kiss but he kisses her back. After a moment they pull away. He touches her cheek. "I love you Maka." He says with that look of adoration.
It's now or never.
Maka moves away from him. Kid follows her. When she stops, he stops. She turns towards him. She takes a deep breath. "...It's time Kid. I need to tell you the truth."
"What is it Maka?" Kid frowns. "To have me come out all this way to talk to me-"
"You're the only one that needs to hear this...for right now." Maka is so nervous. She feels like she needs to vomit all over again. She holds it in. She came here for a reason. Kid trusted her enough that he came out here alone with her. She can't deal with this torture anymore. She needs to know...if he will accept her or if he will truly kill her.
"Kid I'm a witch." She blurts it out, all her muscles tensing in defiance. Kid looks at her with wide eyes. His eyebrows furrow, giving her a nervous laugh.
"Maka that isn't a good joke-"
"It's not a joke. Do you think I'd make you come out here for some shitty joke?" Kid closes his mouth. "Kid I'm a witch. A true witch-"
"I don't know what the demon is telling you Maka but that's impossible. I would have sensed it long ago if you were-"
"When I found Spirit's body...I found my mother's journal. It talked about a time where she was a witch and she hung out with Medusa. My mother was a witch. I am a witch. My mother...she put a seal on me to try to stop me from turning into one but Medusa broke it. Even if she didn't the curse has been chipping away at the seal. I might not look like it but I am a witch. I...I can even use magic."
Kid is just staring at her. His face is pale but she can tell he's in denial.
"It could all be lies Maka. The demon-"
"I know you don't want to believe it. I don't' either! My whole life...I never knew. I...I just wanted to tell you. I wasn't hiding it from you. I didn't know. I didn't know till now. Kid I might be a witch but I-"
Maka hears a sound. She's heard it enough to know what it is. She won't be able to move in time-
"Barrier!" Maka's body moves on instinct. Magic flows out of her and makes a green barrier around her body...stopping the ax from piercing her face. Kid gasps at seeing it. There's no denying it now. He's so pale. Maka can't look at him anymore. She has bigger problems.
"Oh Maka, Maka." The Mayor comes out of the forest. He isn't smiling. Those golden eyes are staring at her. They are on fire. It's the worse scenario.
"F-Father." Kid looks over at him. It's all he can say though. He's in shock.
"Now use the other spell! Kill Kid! You see that he won't take your side! He'll let his father kill you-"
Maka lets the barrier fall, the ax falling with it. She grips her Scythe, locking eyes with the Mayor.
"Kid get away from her. She's a witch. I'll deal with her Son. You don't have to look." The mayor reassures Kid, taking a step forward. Kid doesn't move away from her. "Kid she brought you out here to kill you-"
"Like hell I did!" Maka snaps. "I wanted to tell him. I wanted him to know that I-"
"You wanted to tell him you were a witch? Alone in the woods in the middle of the night with your weapon? You expect me to believe that was your only intention? Taking my son away from me so you could kill him off while he's in shock-"
"I'd never do that to Kid! I only brought my weapon for my protection. Just in case something like this would happen. Kid has his weapons too! I took him away from you because I knew you would act like this! Even if I had sat you both in the living room and told you that way, you wouldn't hesitate in cutting me to pieces-"
"And why would Kid be different? If you weren't trying to kill him, are you trying to say you were trying to lure him to your side?" He's getting more pissed off.
"I wasn't trying to lure him anywhere I-" Maka jumps back when the Mayor starts taking quick steps forward. Seriously she's fucked if the Mayor starts coming after her. He stops, staring her down.
"You...I had so much hope for you. You made my son so happy but it was all a lie. You just want to break his heart. That's all you witches like to do. I can't believe I didn't see it. I should have killed you long before this. I won't let you hurt him anymore." She sees that flash of pain. Maka gets where his hatred comes from. She gets it but...she can't die here. This isn't how she wanted it to go.
Maka can't look to Kid. She doesn't want him to fight his own father. She doubts he would but still. Maka didn't want to tear them a part. That isn't what she was trying to do. She just wanted... to still be a part of them despite what she is.
"Just because I'm a witch doesn't mean I don't care for him!-"
"Lies!" He snarls and then he's coming at her full force. Maka starts running but it's clear that even though she's fast, the Mayor is much faster.
"Shit!' Maka turns on her heel and parries his ax that was about to sink into her flesh. She's glad she picked the scythe. She's able to keep him away from her, blocking his attacks but if this goes on for much longer it's over.
"Use magic-"
"Maka I taught you everything you know. You are weak." He hits her scythe so hard that it moves out of the way from protecting her body. He kicks her right in the stomach. It sends her flying into the floor. Knocking the breath right out of her. "Why are you still using that scythe? Where's your magic witch? Or are you that weak that all you can do is make a barrier?"
Maka holds her gut, wheezing. She starts to force her body to get up but freezes when the blade of the ax is pressed against her neck. She and the Mayor have a stare down.
"I treated you like my own and this is how-"
"I'm grateful to you. You're the reason I've been able to take matters into my own hands. My mother...She trusted you. I don't hate you. I don't want to hurt you-"
"Like you could hurt me." The mayor's eyes are changing. He tightens his grip on his ax. "Enough. Before you poison my mind-" He lifts up his ax.
"Father!" Kid comes running towards them. Hearing his son he freezes. He turns his gaze away from her to look at his son.
In that moment. In that instant, vines shoot out. It catches both Kid and the Mayor off guard as it wraps them up, binding them. The Mayor is forced to drop his ax and so is Kid. The vines cover their mouths, making it unable for them to talk. They struggle with their binds but it's no use.
Maka doesn't understand. She was about to die. What is this? She whips her head over when she hears laughing.
A woman appears before them. Her hair and eyes a dark green. She's very attractive. Like a model. This is a powerful witch. Stronger than any witch she's seen so far.
"Thank you deary. These two were so focused on you that they didn't notice little old me closing in." the witch chuckles. "Your prize is you get to live another day. Go on. I'll take care of these witch hunters."
"What are you going to do?" Maka forces herself up, staring down this witch.
"What do you think dear? I'm going to kill them and rip out their hearts! These two have been killing our kind for years. The power I'll get from their hearts will be amazing." She crackles. "And no dear you can't have any. A lowly witch like you isn't worthy. It's all mine. Now get out of here-" The witch blinks when Maka steps in front of the Mayor and Kid, gripping her scythe. She glares down at the witch, as if her body is enough to shield them.
"This is madness Maka. You can't win against her. This is your chance to run. Kid would have let his father kill you. The mayor wants to kill you. There's no reason for this. In order to save them you'll have to kill that witch to get rid of the vines. It's impossible in your state-" Medusa is trying to get her to run. Her body is telling her to run but she won't.
She points her scythe at this witch, a smirk working it's way on her lips. "I think you're mistaken. I'm a witch hunter. You won't be having anyone's heart. I'm looking for the witch that cursed me. How do I know it's not you?" Maka is hyping herself up. She's going to have to be smart and fast.
"A witch hunter?! My dear are you mad? Did these witch hunters not try to kill you? I saved your life and you dare raise a weapon to me you filth-"
"Stay out of my business will you? That was between us." Maka rushes towards the witch, hoping she can catch her off guard. Vines come up, blocking her blade. She jumps back before running around the witch in a circle. No matter where she tries to hit her, the vines are faster. The witch is laughing at her.
"Why are you trying to act like you're a hunter? You are the weakest hunter I've seen. Do you know any magic? This is pitiful!" The witch seems amused. "You've been cursed? Well if you stop this nonsense I can help you. I've always wanted a little apprentice. You have the spunk-"
Maka moves faster than she's been. The witch is distracted talking down to her. She's able to finally cut her but it's only a slice on the arm.
"You bitch!" She makes a blade of green, She's trying to pierce her with it.
"Barrier." Maka protects herself and it catches the attack...but her barrier is starting to crack from the pressure.
The witch is crackling. "This is it?-"
"Shatter!" Maka screams. The witch is pelted with shards of glass. It's not enough to kill her but she's wounded her. She's making progress.
"You knew that spell?!" The witch backs up, her eyes blood shot. She pulls out the shards of glass from her stomach, healing herself. "You...You could have killed that young witch hunter! He was right there when you made your barrier! Yet you didn't! What is wrong with you?! You are...an abomination."
It's true. She could have killed Kid during that moment. She would never.
"You truly are protecting these witch hunters? Do you feel no shame for what they've done to our kind!" She sends a vine toward the Mayor. Maka moves quick enough she's able to block it before it goes through his face. She grinds her teeth. Her body is being pushed back into the Mayor. He's pretty still.
Kid is trying to say something to her. It's muffled by the vines. Maka still can't look at him. She's too scared at what she'll see. For all she knows he could be cursing her.
"Again you're mistaken. I've killed our kind just as they have. I enjoyed it too. I loved ripping apart those witches and making them suffer. I'll love doing it to you too." Maka laughs, feeling that giddiness over take her. When the witch pulls back the vine, Maka rushes her. She swings her blade but it's once again blocked.
"You! You have killed our kind as a witch hunter? You-"
"I cut off their hands and heads! Set them on fire too! That's your fate-"
"No. It is yours." The witch's eyes get dark. "...These witch hunters have done something. They can't live. If they can turn more witches like you-" she sends vines towards Kid. She won't make it in time. Maka finds her body moving as fast as she can. She jumps in front of Kid in the last second. She's able to hit the vine with her scythe to knock it off coarse but she wasn't' fast enough.
It slices into her stomach. The tip of it being extremely sharp.
Maka gasps, feeling her blood pool out of her. She falls to her knees, the pain creeping up on her. Kid is screaming now. He's fighting against his vines but it's no use. She still can't look at him.
"I...I won't let you...harm him."
"Oh? Shouldn't you be worrying about yourself?"
Maka grits her teeth as vines come out, wrapping around both of her wrists and one around her neck. She lifts her up in the air.
"I'll give you a death befitting you. A witch hunter death. I'm going to tear your hands and your head off. I'll make sure to do it slowly."She crackles.
Medusa says something to her. It's a warning but Maka can't help it.
She starts full on laughing.
"You dumb bitch!" Maka crackles.
"What are you-"
"Blaze." Maka says and immediately the vines on her arms and neck catch on fire. The fire spreads all the way to the witch. She screams, the vines letting go of her. Just as the fire had started, Maka cried out from feeling such intense pain from her left hand.
She lands on the ground ,clutching her hand, seeing how it's black. A rebound. Maka forces herself up from the pain, grabbing her scythe. Before the witch can put out the fire she rushes her.
She slices off her hands.
"You bitch-" Then she slices off her head.
Maka takes deep breathes, holding her stomach, watching this witch burn. She takes a step forward only to fall onto her face. Her body has given out. She can't even crawl away. She can hear the Vines starting to come off of Kid and the Mayor.
Soon they will be on her. All Maka can do is wait to feel the steel in her flesh. She hopes that they at least won't make her suffer. That the Mayor has some heart-
She's taken in familiar arms. They turn her over on her back. Kid is putting pressure on her stomach.
"I'm sorry Maka. I'm so sorry." That voice. So soft. So broken. Maka can finally look at Kid. His face is a wreck. Tears streaming down his cheeks, redden from his emotions.
Seeing him like this...Maka can't help to smile. "Heh...a witch hunter crying over a witch?-"
"I'm crying over you Maka!" He sobs. "I'll help you. You'll be okay."
She trembles, hearing him say that. Before she cries, she lets out a weak laugh. "I'm sorry Kid...I fucked up." And then she loses to the darkness.
"D-Don't leave me!" Feeling her go limp in his arms causes him to panic. He lets out a sigh when he feels her pulse. It's there. She just passed out. He can't tell how bad the wound to her stomach is. All he can do is put pressure and hope it slows the bleeding down. Seeing how pale her face is...Kid can't stop his tears. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He shouldn't have hesitated. He should have protected her. "Father she needs medical attention!" Kid looks over at the Mayor. He tenses when he sees that he's holding his ax again. "Father...?"
"Kid let her go. I'll give her a quick death-"
"No! Father it's Maka!-"
"She is a witch! You know what has to be done-"
"Don't take another step closer." Kid keeps holding pressure with one hand. He grabs his ax with the other, holding it out in warning. If his father is surprised he doesn't show it. "...All my life I've hunted witches. I followed your teachings. You told me witches are cruel creatures that can not love. You told me that they only care for themselves and only want the world to burn. That is what you told me a witch is."
"And I've told you the truth-"
"And yet Maka is not like that! She does not fit what you told me witches are! Maka...she fought for us! She saved our lives-"
"Only to gain our favor-"
"Why would she need our favor?! We were as good as dead! That witch was offering Maka an apprentice ship! She d didn't need us! Yet she blocked that attack that was going to kill you and she protected me from the vines. She's like this because she fought for our sake. That is not what you told me witches are. Maka...she is still Maka!-"
"This is what she wanted! She wanted you to turn against me. She knew if she fought for you that you would-"
"Father please! Maka is bleeding out as we speak. There would be no reason to have my favor! Not when she had a witch that would help her. She didn't need us. Yet she stood by our side...She protected me even though I betrayed her. I should have protected her from you. But my teachings...I was frozen. I won't freeze any more. I won't let you kill her."
"You are going to fight me? You know you're not strong enough to defeat me."
"Yes. I know you are stronger then me but I promise you. I'll fight with everything I have. And if you kill Maka...know I will be following after her."
"Kid you don't mean that-"
"I will kill myself. I'll do it any way I can. I'll bite off my own tongue if I have to. You can try to stop me but our lives will be wasted with you trying to stop me from ending my life. I need her." Kid stares down his father. He must see that he's serious. The mayor grinds his teeth. He's never seen that expression on his face before.
"What are you suggesting Kid?"
"We are taking Maka back with us. She will get medical attention-"
"As she is she can't go to the hospital. Witch hunters that work there would make sure she dies-"
"We will give her the medical attention she needs."
"I will not help her-"
"You don't have to. I'll do it. You've taught me enough."
"So you're going to help heal this witch...then what Kid? This is...This is madness-"
Kid picks up Maka, cradling her body against his. She's so light. He wonders if she's been eating properly these past three days. Thinking about it, makes that lump reappear in his throat. Maka knew this whole time. She was alone in her room, probably terrified of seeing him. She was suffering more then he could have known.
Yet she still trusted to tell him.
"We're going." Kid carries her back to the car. His father following behind slowly.
Kid can't get Maka's expressions out of his head...while she stood there cold. The way she kissed him last before telling him the truth. She even had him bring his weapon. So that he would feel safe. He couldn't imagine what was going through her head but she still had the courage to tell him. She didn't run from him.
And yet all he could do was stare at her. All he could do was watch as her and his father fought.
He told her he loved her. He does and yet in that moment he was truly weak. He should have known from the start. No witch would have let him bring a weapon. No witch would have looked at him like that...
Not the witches he's been taught about.
"You'll be okay." Kid keeps holding pressure in the car. His father drives. He doesn't say anything. The air has never been so tense between them. Kid will fight him. He meant it.
"Kid-" The mayor opens his mouth.
"Stop. Drive faster. Please."
The Mayor closes his mouth. He steps on the gas.
Once they make it home, Kid rushes into the house with Maka. The servants move out of the way in concern only to look at him in confusion when they see her black hand. He wants to cover her from them but he can't.
"Lady Maka!" Cassie comes towards him. She must have come back from leave. "What can I do?" she's the only one trying to help.
"Gather our medical supplies. I need to stitch her. Meet us up in our room." Kid carries Maka up the stairs. He can hear the other servants muttering things to father. He won't listen to it. It just makes him angry.
He lays Maka on the bed. He takes off her shirt carefully so he can get a better look at the wound. There's too much blood. He needs to clean it up so he can see what he's working with.
"Here master Kid." Cassie comes into the room. She's carrying a case. She places it on the bed and opens it up for him. She hands him some gloves to put on before handing him saline and some gauze.
Kid gets to work cleaning up the wound and clearing the blood so he can get a look at the wound. He lets out air he was holding in when he sees the wound isn't as deep as he thought. It looks like the vine went through the subcutaneous layer but not through her muscle.
"This is fine. It will heal." He tells Maka. He knows she can't hear him. Yet he feels like he has to. "I'm going to stitch you up. I'll do it quick." Cassie gets the needle ready for him.
Kid takes a deep breath. He's stitched up his father. He has stitched up himself. It's just so much harder when it's Maka. He hates that she's gotten hurt enough she needs them. Carefully he stitches up her wound, peeking at Maka's face to make sure she hasn't woken up.
She hasn't. Her face twists in pain but she doesn't wake up.
Once he's done, Cassie helps sit Maka up so he can wrap her stomach up with gauze. She lays Maka back down gently when he's done.
"Now...Her hand." Kid takes off his bloody gloves so he can gently pick up her arm. He looks at her skin. Black. As if she was burn badly. "You had a rebound...you pushed yourself too hard Maka." Kid has seen this many times. It always meant good for him. Once a witch rebounded, the hunt was a success. He's watched many witches go through a rebound. Sometimes it's so bad they die right there without them doing anything. They scream in agony. Kid never thought about it as bad.
But seeing her with her flesh burned like this...He knows that she pushed herself way past what she was capable of just to save him and his father, he feels like he could be sick.
"What can I do about this?" Kid asks. He notices his hand is trembling that's holding her arm. All he knows is how to kill witches. He knows their weakness. He wasn't taught how to help. Why would he have been? Kid never knew there would come a time that he would want to know how to heal a witch. Most of the time witches can heal themselves but...Maka might be too weak to do it. She really is the weakest witch Kid has ever seen.
"Maybe some ointment master Kid." Cassie breaks him out of his thoughts. His eyes widen when she hands him the container.
"A-Ah yes. Maybe this will soothe it." He applies the ointment on her hand gently before wrapping it up with gauze. He gives her hand a light kiss. He places her hand down by her side.
"Poor girl. Lady Maka has been through a lot."
"...You are not bothered by her being a witch?"
"Oh no. I never felt in danger around her. I will have you know I've been around a bit of witches because of your father. He's a stubborn man but he cares about you more than his life. He can't see a witch as anymore than a threat to you."
"..." Kid strokes Maka's cheek. "...Thank you Cassie. You may leave. I'll call your phone if I need anything. Thank you for helping me."
"Of course Master Kid. Please take care of her." Cassie bows before she leaves the room. Once she's gone Kid makes sure to lock the door.
He can't let his father anywhere near Maka.
"I'm going to get you more comfortable Maka." Kid says, getting out one of her bigger shirts she likes to wear to bed. He undresses her carefully. Seeing every bruise and cut makes him sink into himself. He gets a warm rag, wiping her clean of any dirt from the fight before dressing her in that bigger shirt and some underwear.
Maka groans in pain. Her wounds must hurt.
"I promise. I won't leave you. I'll do everything I can for you." Kid kneels next to her on the bed, holding her unharmed hand. "You're going to be okay."
Seeing her wince, Kid feels like he's only saying these things to reassure himself. He wants to cry but he holds it in.
He won't let her down again.
"Drinking? In this early of the morning?" Cassie catches the Mayor in the mansion's personal bar. It's only ten in the morning but it seems this isn't his first drink.
"Hard to do much else when my Son is alone with a witch, nursing her back to health." The mayor mumbles. "I...I need to do something-"
"What is there to do? Your son is in love with Maka-"
"She is a witch!" The mayor snaps, hitting his fist on the table.
"Yes. Even still Kid loves her. You won't be able to change his mind. Why do you hate her so much? Kid told me Maka saved your life. Saved his too."
"I don't hate her. It's not personal-"
"Yes it is." Cassie sighs. "My master if I may...I've been with you since your witch hunting started. I know you are worried that...your son will fall prey to a witch as you did but you must see that you and his situation are different."
"How? How is it different-"
"Maka confessed she was witch. Before a baby even came into the picture. Kid knows she's a witch. Maka knows he's a witch hunter. Maka isn't trying to trick him. Kid despite all his training, believes in her. It's very different to what the late lady did to you."
"..." The Mayor takes another sip. It smells like whiskey. "So what? It doesn't change the fact she's a witch-"
"I understand that but your son sees her as Maka. The more you try to fight him the more you two will be pulled apart."
"It's all her fault-"
"It doesn't have to be. If you just accept-"
"Accept a witch? Should I just pretend I don't know? That I'm caring and feeding a witch? The head of witch hunters, deciding you know what? This witch is fine. It's idiotic."
"Are you just worried about your reputation? I know you're not that shallow."
"...I can't trust her with Kid. I can't. She's up to something." The Mayor grinds his teeth. "...Deciding that she's fine to live...that opens up a whole other can of worms. Because if she's okay to keep alive-"
"Are you worried that you're wrong? That all these killings...are unmoral. Seeing a witch protect you...I'm sure it shook you up. Don't get it wrong. You have saved many lives by ending those of witches. You could never think they had any good in them after what they've done but...Maka is different. She hasn't killed anyone."
"Not yet." The Mayor's voice is losing it's bite. "...I wish it wasn't her but she has to die."
"Master-"
"Leave me."
Cassie bows her head and leaves the room. She glances back at the Mayor. His shoulders have slumped as he drinks alone. She can't help to think while she leaves...
What a sad, lonely man.
"I'll watch her master Kid. Do not worry." Cassie smiles at the young master. He must not notice the bags under his eyes or how his hair is mess. He's been keeping up to make sure Maka is safe. It's been two days and Maka hasn't woken up. Her wounds seem to be going in the right direction. Kid is the one who changes her bandages. He washes her up and tries to wake her so she can eat. He hasn't had any luck. It's eating away at him.
"Thank you. I'm going to make her favorite...maybe that will get her to stir." Kid feels like his own smile is forced as he walks out of the room. She locks the door when he leaves. He makes his way out of the room. This is the first time he's left. He had Cassie bring his things so he could bathe and she brings him meals.
He heads into the kitchen, sighing in relief when he doesn't see his father. He turns on the stove getting his ingredients ready. Simple grilled cheese. Maka loves it so much though.
A wave of sorrow hits him. This will work. Maka will wake up. She's healing...she's okay. He plates the grilled cheese only to freeze. His father is standing In the doorway, watching him. Kid doesn't know what he wants to say. He feels like there isn't' anything so he starts walking pass him.
"How is she doing?" He asks.
"...She still hasn't woken up."
"Maybe she won't."
Kid bites his lip. He starts to walk again but his father calls for him.
"Try theses." The Mayor hands him a bag full of chocolate chip cookies. "...I made them last night. She liked when I made these for her."
"...I'll be taking a bite out of them to rule out poison."
"They aren't poisoned. I wouldn't want to kill her that way. She needs a true witch death-"
"Father!" Kid can't contain his anger. "Do not say that again-"
"I loved your mother with all my heart. She was a witch. She only wanted to use me. She wanted to kill us. It killed me inside having to kill her but I did it to protect you. I won't let a witch take you away-"
"Maka is not my mother! Maka isn't trying to take me anywhere! You're the one who is' pushing her away. I'll tell you this now that if she leaves I'm going with her-"
"I'll rip her apart before that happens!-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" his father is taken aback by his son's loud voice. Kid glares at him. He throws the cookies that the Mayor had given him on the floor before stomping down. They crumble under his foot. "...I don't want her to eat anything made by you. You talk like that about her and then make her cookies. Maka is the woman I love. Witch or not. I won't listen to you talk about killing her." Kid turns his back and walks up the stairs not sparing his father a second glance. He has to get the food to Maka still hot. She wouldn't like it cold.
"Cassie it's me."
"Master Kid are you alright? I heard you shouting."
"Father and I aren't on the best of terms." He walks into the room so he can be by Maka's side. Kid pushes down his anger. He gives her a smile. "Maka I made your favorite. Please wake up." He touches her cheek. She isn't stirring. "...Cassie you may go."
"Of course." She's gone.
"I hope you aren't having bad dreams." He places the plate on the night stand next to her head. He strokes her hair. He wants to see her eyes. He wants to see her smile. He wants to hear her laugh.
Kid wishes that he has magic. Then he could heal Maka. Maybe if he was born a girl...He could do more for her.
He is powerless.
"If I have any magic in me..." He is half witch. He leans in, and wishes with all his heart that somehow his kiss would wake her up. That maybe he has a bit of magic in him too. Something that would connect them even more.
"Wake up, Maka." He pleads.
"Ohh! I want to be a witch so bad!" A young Maka jumps up and down. Her mother starts to choke on her toast.
"W-What?!"
"Mom I saw this movie the other day. It was a story about a witch and it was so cool. She could fly on a broom and make potions. She made her own mail service helping people with her power."
"...Helping people?" Kami tilts her head. She smiles to herself. "A witch using her power to help people...I can see why you would want to be a witch."
"Yeah! If you have magic you can do anything! I could even make a potion that would make daddy talk less!"
"What was that?" Spirit suddenly comes from the other room. He started listening in at the mention of witches. He picks her up and spins her. "What a mean thing to say about daddy!"
"But it's true." Maka giggles. She struggles when Spirit starts kissing her on the cheek. "Daddy! Geez I'm not a kid."
"You'll always be my baby." Spirit puts her down.
"Nope." Maka looks over at her mother who is smiling gently, watching them. "Don't you think I'd be a good witch?"
"Yes. Good, kind witch. One who uses her power to help others. If there is such a witch...I'm sure it could be you."
"Yeah! And I'll use my magic to also beat up the bad guys! I'll be so strong that I'll be able to protect you and daddy."
"I'm the one who's going to be protecting you." Spirit can't help himself and he picks her up again. "Enough about this talk about witches. You will always be my baby. My normal baby girl."
"Blah." Maka sticks out her tongue. She feels warm when Kami gets up to warp her arms around her. Spirit wrapping his arms around the both of them.
"A witch...is usually born from hate and madness. That is what is taught to all witches at a young age." Her mother whispers to her. "But what if a witch awakens with affection in their heart?"
Spirit tightens his grip around them, not hearing what she said.
"Aw now I've got both of my babies." He grins at Kami.
"Gross!" Maka huffs.
They laugh. Feeling her parents chests hitting against her in their laughter. She feels safe. She feels lo-
They fade away from her. Now Maka is standing alone. No longer a child. When they appear again...they are dead.
Her mother in rotting in her grave and Spirit hanging by his neck. They stares at her with glossy eyes.
"Medusa." Maka calls for her. Wanting to get out of this room. Soon it fades and she's standing in front of Medusa.
"Have you decided to come to me?"
"No. you were wrong. Even if I die, Kid saw me for me. You lost."
"I didn't lose anything. The Mayor is going to kill you. There is no stopping it." Medusa takes a step forward. She smirks. "My doors are open...even if you bring your little witch hunter toy. Though I can't guarantee that Crona won't try to kill him."
"I won't-"
"Just think about it. You can't stay with the mayor. You can keep Kid. Come to me and I'll train you. I'll make you into a strong witch. I'll open up the possibilities for you."
"I'm doing fine with my witch hunting skills-"
"No. You beat that witch because you used magic. You would have died other wise."
"..."
"Right now you've had a rebound. You need to be able to heal yourself. I can teach you what you need to help heal the burn faster. I can teach you healing spells. Just come to me."
"I don't need your help."
"Oh really?" Medusa chuckles. "You'll come around. You do need me. You just are too prideful to admit it. Who knows...I may even have a way to break your curse."
"...I want to wake up."
"Then wake up dear. I'm not stopping you."
"I can't get out of these dreams." Maka tries to will herself to wake up but she can't.
"I'll help if you come to me-"
"no."
'Then stay here." She shrugs her shoulders and fades away.
Maka wills herself to wake up. She doesn't think she's dead. She has to wake up. She's been hearing Kid's voice. He's calling for her. She wants to see him.
She wonders if he left her on the ground. She wonders if she'll wake up alone-
She feels warmth surround her. In that moment she's finally able to escape the dream. She finally wakes up.
The first thing Maka is aware of is the pain. The second thing she's aware of is the smell of food. She groans, forcing her eyes open. It's too bright. She can't see.
"Maka?!" That voice. Her eyes finally focus. Those golden eyes are looking down at her. Her body tenses up even though she doesn't want it to. He grabs her to hold her still. "It's me Maka! I won't hurt you. I'd never hurt you."
"Kid..." She lets out a shaky breath, her body starting to relax. She takes in the bags under his eyes. She touches his cheek. He grabs her hand, his eyes getting watery.
"It's me." He repeats. Maka tries to sit up. Pain shoots up her arm when she tried to use her left hand. "Careful! Here let me help." He helps her sit up. Maka looks down at her stomach. She pulls up her shirt. She's covered in gauze. She looks at her left hand. It's also bandaged up. "You're healing Maka. It may take a bit of time." Kid squeezes her other hand. "...Do you know any healing magic?"
"No." Maka swallows. She looks into Kid's eyes again. He's looking at her the same as he always has. With so much concern. "...I...I really am a witch."
"I know." He squeezes her hand again. "I don't care. You are you Maka. I love you."
"...Kid." She takes a deep breath. Her heart is fluttering. "What about your father?"
"...He isn't taking it well but I won't let him hurt you Maka. I will fight him if I have to-"
"I don't want you fighting your father. Damn it I didn't want to drag you two apart. I just..." Maka holds her head in her hands. "Maybe you should have left me in that forest Kid-"
"No! I'm not leaving you!"
"But your father-"
"I don't care what father says. I am not leaving you."
"...Once I'm okay to walk I should leave. Kid your father is-"
"I need you." Kid says with such conviction that Maka stops talking. "If you want to leave...then I'm coming with you. I'll throw witch hunting away."
"I don't want that. I...I just want it to be how it's been. I enjoy being a witch hunter. Maybe it's because I'm a witch but killing those witches always left me feeling great. I enjoy killing. I could use the excuse that they're witches, that they may have cursed my mother but when it came down to it, I just enjoyed ripping them apart. Even though I'm a witch myself. I want to go on hunts with you and your father. I want to enjoy dinner with everyone. I want you by my side all the time"
"Maka..."
"I don't want to tear you and your father apart. I..I need you too Kid. I swear if I didn't have you I'd gone mad long ago. I'd probably be a pretty strong witch."
"...For now we'll stay in here while I care for you. I don't want father to see you. I'll...I'll try to talk to him." Kid rubs her hand. "How many spells do you know?"
"Just the three that I used. That fire one was too advanced for me."
"Yes. You must be careful. Rebounding is dangerous. How did you learn those spells?"
"...Medusa."
"What?!"
"Shes' been in my head. She visits me in my dreams. I can't get rid of her. She wants me to be her apprentice or some shit. She's refusing to teach me more unless I go to her."
"It's too dangerous to get involved with her. As far as we know she's the one who cursed you." Kid shakes his head. "I doubt that she would let me be with you either-"
"She said I could bring you but I don't trust her. She may try to hurt you. She's a strong witch. A lot stronger than me."
"Yes...If only there was another way for you to learn spells. I'm sorry. I'm not well educated on how witches learn spells. This part of it is all new to me." Kid thinks to himself. "Maybe...we have many books that we took from Witches. It's in father's library. Maybe I could find you a spell book of some kind."
"Its' worth a shot but...Do you think it's smart making me a stronger witch?"
"I'm on your side. Having more spells means you'll be able to protect yourself better."
"I could just train more in witch hunting-"
"But right now you're hurt and witch hunting can't help you. Your magic can."
"..." Maka can't help to chuckle. "You know I've had many nightmares of you killing me. You find out I'm a witch and you kill me in horrible ways. You said so many horrible things."
"I could never kill you. I was in shock when you told me but if father never showed up...You would have never been in danger. I could never harm you."
"I know. Medusa was making me live through it to push you away. And I tried. I pushed you away twice. I was scared despite the fact I knew you wouldn't do those things to me. I was scared. Even now I can feel my body reacting to you." Maka touches his face again. "But here you are, talking about getting me a spell book...what have I done to you Kid?"
"I've always been like this. You...have always been what mattered most. I know how you feel. My instincts tell me to get away from you. I know you won't hurt me and I won't hurt you." Kid leans in slowly. He pauses for a moment before he kisses her.
It's such a soft kiss but it releases all her fears.
When he pulls away, Kid looks much brighter. "Here I made you some grilled cheese-"
"Oh hell yeah thank you Kid." Maka grabs the plate and starts digging in. Kid stares at her with wide eyes, seeing her absolutely destroy the food he made her...He can't help it.
He starts laughing. And he can't stop laughing when Maka looks at him like he's crazy, with crumbs all over her face. He laughs so hard it brings tears to his eyes.
It's her. It's Maka. The same Maka.
He's so happy that all he can do is laugh.
Thank you AKimiB! It's always fun seeing your reviews. This story is easy to write because I kind of have an outline of it since when I was writing forever insane. I just have to make sure I don't forget something from the first story haha.