Loneliness Won't Ever Leave [6.3]

Just as he was about to give up searching for her, a strange bright red magic beam shot into the sky far away. A burst of energy sent shockwaves to the surrounding area. It was so strong, it caused the mighty Headmaster to get knocked out.

He woke up a few seconds later in a dazed state. He rose to his feet and didn't waste another moment before trying to use his magic to teleport in the direction of the red beam. However, he soon discovered that his magic wasn't working. The Headmaster's face grew serious. If my magic doesn't work, then that would mean a magic relic was activated.

Not wanting to waste another second, he took off running in the direction of the beam. He had no idea why, but his instincts told him the elusive girl had to be involved. If she used the relic, could there have been a backlash?

As he ran, he discovered that many animals and selkies were still knocked out. The energy in the air was so stifling he found himself breathing hard as he ran. He furrowed his brows as he thought to himself. What kind of magic is this? It's not demonic… But I have never felt anything like it either… If that girl accidentally stumbled upon this powerful of a relic… Would she even survive?

At this thought, he rushed over even quicker. It had taken him almost an entire day until he made it to where the beam had originated from. The distance was far and the air was thick. However, he was surprised to realize that the girl wasn't located anywhere nearby. He approached the middle of the field and noticed the magic circle.

He furrowed his brow as he tried to read it. However, the symbol now burned into the grass revealing the ancient tile wasn't legible to him. He recognized some symbols to be archaic runes, but he didn't know what they meant. He estimated that it had to be at least 1000 years old. He would have to find a magician who specialized in ancient runes to figure out what the circle was used for.

For now, he had to figure out what happened to the girl. He didn't know why he was so concerned, but he was determined to find her. He looked around the field and froze in place when he noticed that the grass had been squashed creating a path. It looked like someone dragged a body through it.

He followed the trail until night settled in. He didn't want to stop, but he couldn't find the path in darkness either. He wasn't able to use his magic since the relic was still interfering, so he could only wait until morning. When morning came, he left to search the path once more. He walked for several hours before he finally came to an opening in the trees revealing a small body ahead. He stopped in his tracks and squinted slightly as he surveyed the scene.

The girl was lying against a tree surrounded by flowers and grass blowing gently in the breeze. Her light brown hair swayed delicately in the wind revealing her porcelain skin. On her lap was a strange-looking fox continually looking around in all directions as he remained vigilant. The Headmaster ignored the strange fox and stared silently at the small girl.

She looked so still the Headmaster felt his heart thump in a panic. He couldn't see her breathing and thought she was dead. However, upon looking closer, he could see her chest moving slowly up and down as if she was just in a deep slumber. He approached her slowly causing the fox on her chest to jump up in urgency and hissed at him menacingly. The Headmaster glared at him, trying to shut the fox up, but the fox was surprisingly feisty. Usually, Selkies and animals would shake in his presence, but this one was still fierce and defiant.

The Headmaster found this strange but didn't think too much about it. He spoke in a low voice, "Calm yourself."

The fox didn't calm down and became more upset instead. He seemed to be communicating with the girl via their telepathic connection. However, the girl didn't budge a bit.

The Headmaster turned back to her and was now able to make out more details on her face. Her long eyelashes were tightly closed as her eyes rolled underneath her eyelids as if they were haunted by something in her sleep. Small droplets of water gathered at the corner of her eyes, threatening to roll down her cheek. Her hand clutched something tightly in her palm, turning her knuckles white. Leaning against that tree, she seemed out of reach and free from human emotions. She appeared to be a person wise beyond her years with great sorrow and only loneliness as her companion.

From far away, she gave off the aura of an immortal being…

However, up close she looked as if she was surrounded by ice that trapped her in endless isolation.

The Headmaster felt his frozen heart waver as he watched her.

....._______.....

(Author's note: This part is back to Reika's perspective)

It was a memory from my past life.

I walked down the sidewalk with my purse hanging to my side. I silently rubbed the wound on my abdomen under my clothes. I could feel the bumps from each one of the stitches. My lips twisted as my eyes threatened to water. I heaved a large sigh as I forced myself to bury my emotions.

I muttered to myself, "It's okay Rei. Soon you won't have to worry anymore…"

I closed my eyes and let out an angry huff, "UGH! But seriously!! They blamed me!? How is it my fault!!! I didn't do anything wrong! I..."

My mood shifted again as my head drooped. I let out a sigh, "I guess it was my fault I even believed him in the first place…. And then after… Ngh… Reika… How can you be so stupid?"

I slapped my cheeks trying to cheer myself up. I suddenly remembered my black and brown tabby at home. The same feisty cat that pretended he didn't like me even though it was obvious he did. I nodded quickly, "I just need a few kisses from my little snickerdoodle and I will be alright! Hehe! I'm almost home my precious kitty~"

Just like that, my bad mood lifted and my heart felt a little lighter. The gloomy expression on my face faded slightly and I looked ahead with a slight smile. I approached my door and fished for my keys before pausing. My smile dropped as I turned to stare at that door with a lifeless expression.

My eyes were drawn to the doorknob without pulling away.

I felt empty.

Defeated.

My hand slowly reached out and grabbed the doorknob. However, I didn't have the strength to turn it.

"Don't open it."

My dull eyes turned to the speaker beside me. A woman in her early thirties stood next to me. She had light brown straight hair without a strand out of place. She was wearing old worn-out clothes, but she was still breathtakingly beautiful. Her eyes were the color of ice as she gazed at me. They were eyes I was far too familiar with. Even a single glance overwhelmed me with soul-wrenching guilt.

They were the eyes that would forever haunt me.

She repeated herself, "Don't open it."

"But…"

Her hand gently grasped my shoulder. A wave of frigid ice spread across my skin at her touch. My hand dropped from the doorknob as I glanced down at her delicate hand. Her voice came out pleadingly, "Please… Please don't open it… Some things are better off forgotten."

I let out a forced laugh, "Forgotten?... But how could I forget? That day… The door was already open…"

I turned back to see the door slightly ajar. A sinking feeling settled into my chest as I realized that this moment was the moment that had completely broken me.

I smiled in spite of myself as I spoke to the woman next to me, "This was the day I realized he really wasn't lying…"

"Reika… Just forget… No one is forcing you to remember…"

I ignored her and pushed open the door. The door creaked open slowly revealing a dark room. The far wall was lit up revealing a ghastly message written in dripping red letters. It read:

[Do you regret it yet?]