My head felt like it had been hit by a truck. I tried to open my eyes, but they were closed tight. Even the slightest movement sent waves of pain through my body. Gritting my teeth, I winced; it was as if a metal ball had been lodged in my head, and lifting my neck felt nearly impossible. This was the most excruciating pain I had ever experienced, and I found myself yearning for the end of the world just to escape it.

The agony intensified when I realized I couldn't feel my limbs. I was adrift in a sea of darkness, unable to escape, and fear began to creep in. Am I dying? Is this hell? What did I do to deserve this?

A gentle caress on my head surprised me. The hands were soft, like that of a baby. Someone brushed my hair and massaged my temples, humming a melody that seemed to ease my pain. Euphoria replaced the torment, and it felt as if the sun had risen in the darkness.

"Wha-"

"Shhhh. It's fine," she whispered.

Summoning the strength to open my eyes, I was initially blinded by the sun. Gradually, the brightness subsided, revealing a serene blue sky without a cloud in sight. I never thought the sky could look so beautiful.

"Nyahh, you're very sleepy, darling."

Darling!?

My gaze landed on her – an otherworldly being. My head rested on her lap, and she wore something I hesitated to call a dress, as it revealed a considerable amount of chest. Kimono, that word just popped into my head with all the information it entailed. My face flushed involuntarily.

"Ahhhh! Darling is so cute!" she squealed, causing my head to spin.

"Who-"

"No. No. No. I can't resist! You're so cute I could just eat you up." She smiled, revealing fangs. A primal instinct urged me to run, but the pain anchored me.

"Oh? No, that won't do!" She pulled me close, and my mind went blank.

"Don't worry, Darling, I'll nurse you back. We'll have delicious meals, go to the movies, and build a home where we'll spend all our lives together. Just the two of us, sharing secrets, hopes, dreams. It will be our fairy-tale fantasy."

I couldn't respond; her embrace was too tight. She was soft and smelled so—No!

Gasping for air, I pushed away, my back landing on the ground. But the pain was nothing compared to before.

"Darling?"

I twisted my head for a proper look. She wasn't human; pigtails, ribbons, and fox ears adorned her head, with a bushy tail swaying behind her. Beautiful doe eyes, a heart-shaped face, flawless skin, and golden eyes that watched me curiously.

"Are you alright, Darling?"

That word coming from her mouth felt weird. I don't think my heart can take it.

"Can you um… Not call me that?"

She tilted her head, closed her eyes, then smiled.

"Okay, Master!"

That's even worse!

"Okay, let's stick with Darling for now."

She nodded. I pulled myself up and surveyed the surroundings. We were in the middle of nowhere, in a desert next to a long black road. Canyons loomed in the distance, their red rocks vibrant in the desert sun.

"Do you know where we are?"

"Home!" She said cheerfully.

"What? You live here?"

"Anywhere is home when I'm with you, Darling!"

That is not what I wanted to hear.

"Who are you?"

She perked up, magic and sparkles emanating behind her. An explosion of light, rainbows, and unidentifiable things flew off her. Oh gods, it winked at me.

"I am your reliable Fox Shrine Maiden! Your servant Caster! The world's best goddess and the ultimate wife!" She struck a pose with a peace sign.

Goddess? Ultimate wife?

"Yes, Darling! I am the world's best wife. No one can match me in the realm of marriage! I promise our union will be filled with nothing but joy and love!"

Woah! Woah! Hold on!

"We're married!?"

"Of course we are! Bound together in holy matrimony through a magical bond. How is that not marriage!"

This is going too fast. I'm too young too… Wait, how old am I?

A huge blank spot in my memories caught my attention. I couldn't remember my age or anything else. There was only one thought in my head: Jason Grace.

I don't know what that means. Is it a name? Is it mine or someone else's? I don't even know what is going on. I'm panicking. Hyperventilating, my body shook. Who am I? I have no idea! Why am I in a desert? Who is this crazy lady? Why do I feel so—

Caster enveloped me, and my body stilled. It felt warm, her hug sincere. I could imagine myself sleeping in it for all eternity. My shoulders relaxed, and my breathing returned to normal.

"It's okay, Master. You don't have to figure it all out today. Baby steps. Just take one step at a time."

I closed my eyes and tried to remember. There wasn't much, but I tried saying that name.

"Jason Grace. Jason Grace. Jason Grace." It felt right, familiar. "Jason Grace. Yes… That is my name."

Caster smiled and rubbed her head against mine. She made a lot of noise that caused my heart to skip.

"Caster?... You can let go now."

"Hmmmm. It's a wife's duty to comfort her husband."

Just her calling me husband was making my knees weak.

"Okay, off!" She let go, and I marched uneasily forward. The pain was returning; it never left, but I was just too distracted to care.

"I don't… Ugh. We need to get out of here."

Maybe we could hitchhike, but I don't see anyone. No cars or anything on the horizon. We will probably die of thirst before exhaustion.

"Don't worry, Darling! Your wife has the perfect solution!"

I will never get used to her saying that.

The solution, as it turns out, is me holding on to her for dear life while she holds her floating magic mirror. I bet we look pretty stupid from the ground; on second thought, I don't wanna look at the ground.

"Just hold on, Darling! I promise this is much faster than walking."

It feels like we are moving at a steady six miles per hour. You know, I think in the past I would have laughed at the idea of a magic mirror, or maybe not. I know absolutely nothing about myself; it's like someone wanted to get rid of a select few memories but got lazy and wiped the whole thing. I'm not even sure how I form thoughts, let alone speak. I have no context for any of the things I'm talking about, like the word ribbon. I never heard it before in my life, but when I saw Caster's, that word pops in automatically in my head. I instantly know what it is, but I don't remember how I know it. This is confusing; my headache is getting worse.

"At least your feet aren't tired!"

My arms sure are.

"Oh! I think I see something!"

She pointed ahead, and I almost panicked because she's holding the mirror with one arm. She must be pretty strong if she holds the weight of two people with one hand.

"Darling, right there!"

The word "bus" automatically pops into my head. It was yellow, and I could faintly see words stretched on it. Though I don't know what language it is. I don't even know what language I'm speaking right now.

"Nihongo!" Caster yelled.

So it's Japanese… I know Japanese?

"Are we speaking Japanese right now?"

"Of course," she answers cheerfully.

Huh… So I'm in Japan?

"I don't think so. I don't think I've ever seen a canyon this big in Japan."

I looked downward; it was the largest thing I have ever seen. It stretched for miles to the horizon, so deep with colors so vibrant and beautiful. I bet it would look even more beautiful if I wasn't staring at it miles above the air. I don't know if I was scared of heights in the past, but I am now. Just one slip and splat, I would be nothing but a stain on the rocks.

"Don't worry, Darling. I won't let that happen."

At least I have that… Wait.

"Can you hear my thoughts?"

"Of course I can. A good wife always knows what her husband is thinking. We are so in sync we can finish each other's sentences."

I don't think that is what is happening.

"Caster, can you go faster? The bus is getting away."

"Mikon!" The mirror started shaking, and I hugged her tighter for dear life. "Darling is so clingy."

"Shut up."

The mirror moved at speeds faster than the bus. I closed my eyes; I didn't want to see any of this. Before I knew it, we were on the ground—though calling it the ground would be stretching it a bit. We were on top of the bus while it was still moving.

"Caster!"

"What? Isn't this what Darling wants?"

"Why would I want this!?"

"What did you expect me to do?"

"I don't know? Get its attention or something!? Not ride on top of it. Do you know how dangerous this is?"

Caster didn't respond; she tilted her head, and I could see the imaginary gears move.

"Cas-"

"Ahhh! I know what this is!" She smiled.

Huh?

"It's our first lovers' quarrel!" I resisted the urge to slap my head.

"Don't worry, Darling, this is normal for every couple. I'm sure in the end, our love will prevail against all obstacles!"

"That's not—ugh! No, that's not what this is!"

"But we're both yelling? And aren't you mad?"

"I am… Can we not do this on a moving bus."

"You sound just like a frustrated husband… Or a parent embarrassed of their child. Oh Darling, I'm so excited about our future!"

I will not think about that now. I refuse to think about it. I don't know what age I am, but I know for certain that I'm not ready for kids.

"You will get there, Darling!"

I tried to ignore her before realizing I can't do anything without her help. In fact, with the speed of this bus, why isn't the momentum pushing us off? I looked toward Caster, who playfully twisted her mirror. 'Magic,' she mouthed, and I believed her.

Well, I can't just pop my head under the windows; the panic could probably cause a crash, and none of us want that. So my best bet was to wait until the bus stops. I looked toward the sky; clouds were gathering but I don't think it will rain anytime soon, but this heat is exhausting. Caster bumped me in her embrace.

"Don't worry, Darling. Your wife has it handled." She held a piece of paper, and the word talisman immediately came to my mind.

"[Curse] [Frigid Heaven]"

The area around us began to cool, small fragments of ice gathered around. It's weird; I'm getting used to having her around. Maybe it's the fact that I held on to her for a good ten minutes. We laid on the bus, her arms around my neck; it felt nice. I think I could sleep like this—my head brushed against her chest.

Or maybe not.

"What's wrong, Darling?" She holds me tighter; I have to think of an excuse. My face feels like it's on fire. My eye catches her mirror.

"Hey? Can I look at my reflection?"

She waves her hand, and the mirror floats in front of my face. It looks fancy with eight stones attached to its sides. I hold it in my hands, and the weight of it surprises me. I never thought it could be heavy.

I look great; I have strong features, blonde cropped hair, blue eyes that almost spark. I touched my lip; there was a small scar.

"Darling looks very handsome."

I smiled; maybe I'm a bit vain.

"So this is Jason Grace…" It felt weird saying that, like my name wasn't my own. "I do look nice, don't I?"

"Eh. A solid seven at best." Another voice came from behind, Caster was the first to move. She brought me to her back holding the talismans in her hands. Her mirror floated protectively over me like a shield.

"Ooh, looks like someones possessive."

"What are you doing here, gold-digger!"

She was Caster except she wasn't, she had the same face and fox features, they could have been twins. Except her hair is styled in cones, short and curly. She's also dressed in very weird clothes, a dress with the patterns GG all over, a red top with frilly lace, tall monochrome high heels and big blue sunglasses. She had a blue designer bag that she blatantly displays on her hips, with bright golden letters GG.

"Master! Get away from her! She'll bleed you dry!"

"Huh?"

Who is this?

"Ahhhh. How mean. Daddy she's being mean to me." The girl pouted.

Daddy!?

The other fox side stepped Caster and rubbed against my shoulders.

"You're my master, that means you're my new Daddy. " She rubbed her chest on my arm and Caster screamed.

"Darling no!" Caster grabbed me from her grip and shoved me into her chest. "No Darling! I will keep you faithful!"

I pushed her off me as I gasped for air. I don't know if it's the anger or something else but my face was burning. "What the hell is going on here!?"

"Darling this temptress is trying to trick you!" Caster pointed her fingers accusingly at the other one.

"Temptress!" The Caster lookalike gawked. "If anything you're the impure one." To prove her point she dangled her rings in the sun, the diamonds glittered with rainbows. "One hundred percent pure, unlike you and your trashy clothes, you dollar store hooker."

Caster's mouth gasps then rages. "You're one to talk! Fucking anyone who gives you money! You glorified prostitute!"

"Oh please. You can't even afford me, you broke ass bitch."

"You dirty jezebel!"

"Cheap Shinzô."

"Whore of babylon!"

"Dirt eating pauper."

"Diseased hooker!"

"Cow from the sewers."

"Slag of no virtue!"

"Awful wannabe wife."

Caster gasped, her mouth was so big she could have swallowed her mirror.

"How dare you!" She pounced at her lookalike, they sharpened their claws and teared at each other. Pulling on hair, ripping clothes, slapping faces, they fell to the ground. Twisting and fighting each other all the way. I wanted to intervene but those claws looked really sharp. It ended with the lookalike pinning Caster. She sat on the fox lady, she had only one side untouched, the other side was a mess of hair. She had a smug smile while Caster was scratching the bus, trying to get her off.

"Get your fat ass off me!"

"You can't afford it." She sat cross legged and flipped her hair. She finally notices me.

"How rude of me. Tamamo Gucci, for your pleasure, Master." She flipped her legs and I forced myself to look up. Her voice was seductive and slow. Caster was still yelling under her.

"Tell me. How much do you make?"

"I don't have any money."

Her expression immediately fell. "Oh. Do you have-"

"I don't have a job either."

"Really!?" She stood up frustrated, her hands on her hips. "Of all the-a lazy bum! Why did it have to be you!" She pointed at me, her hands trembling with rage. "After this you're getting a job!"

What the?

"You heard me! I'm not living in squalor! I have expensive tastes!" She flashed her diamonds next to my face. "You see these, their worth more than the net worth of all of Africa"

Caster took this chance to jump her twin, they struggled for a bit before she pinned her to the bus. "Ha! Gotcha ya bitch! Don't worry Darling! I don't care if you don't have a job! I will take care of you forever!"

I don't know why but I feel like my masculinity got attacked.

"Enjoy eating cup noodles for breakfast! You broke-mmmhhh." Caster placed a talisman over her mouth.

"Finally, just you and me Darling!" She beckoned me to come over, I think she wanted to cuddle on top of her doppelganger. This feels like a weird dominance thing.

"That's because it is!" She said cheerfully.

The other one managed to spit out the talisman. "Daddy she's hurting me." She wiggled her shoulders, her eyes crying.

"Don't be fooled Darling! She wants to drink you dry!"

"Alright enough!" I scream, I gestured my hands for both of them to stop. After a few moments of screaming, fighting, and hair pulling I finally got the two to calm down. They both sat on their knees in front of me, their heads to the ground.

"I'm sorry Darling, she just brings out the worst in me." Caster cried.

"You're one to talk, you cheapskate." The other one pouted.

"What did you say!" Caster's voice sounded demonic.

"Enough! Can you…..Uh." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Can you tell me what's going on? Who is this? Why are you doing this?"

The red one stood up, her hand to her heart. "I am Tamamo Gucci, servant Archer. As for why I'm here, its for you."

"Huh?"

"Just like this dollar tree trash." Caster started to grumble. "It seems that you and I are connected. A magical bond that is only between master and servant."

I'm guessing servant means something different than what I'm thinking about.

"Correct. Did she not tell you?" Archer's eyes drifted towards Caster, it was smug.

"Then what are-"

"Hey!" A voice came from the ground. It was only then I noticed the bus stopped moving, we were in a parking lot. A gruff man was on the ground wearing a cap and a whistle on his neck. He had the hairiest pants I ever seen, which isn't much because I have only seen two pairs.

"What are you kids doing up there!" He sounded angry.