5 Mana's Choice

Mana growls while people glance at her. A group of girls whispers to each other after Mana's face turns red. She quickly hides in a nearby alleyway. Her hands grasp the cape. Mana growls after looking away.

     'I can not believe that this is happening. It's embarrassing...' Mana dwelled.

     She exhaled and failed to notice someone approaching her. A delicate hand taps her shoulder. Mana yelps. She gets into a fighting stance. Her defenses lower after realizing who tapped her shoulder. Mana sneers while letting out a breath of relief.

     "S-Snow-kun, don't seek up on-n me lik-ke that... I-I was afr-raid it w-was going to be someon-ne dangerous." Mana spoke.

     Snow snicker. "Sorry, Mana-chan..."

     His eyes widen. Mana looks away when Snow shows worry, grief, and understand in his eyes. The sound of vehicles and people talking filled the air. Snow could feel the air become heavy and thick around them. He nods and places a hand on Mana's right shoulder. Mana flinches at the touch. His eyes soften after feeling the flinch.

     Snow mutters. "I thought she didn't suppose it down until she had a child or.... Mana, you must a choice about how you want to handle all of this."

     "Right... H-How do I kno-ow that this is so-omething that-t I want to d-do? I-I can n-not decide on m-my dream." Mana expresses with fear in her voice. "Everything-g is happening t-too quickly..."

     Snow answers. "You take it one step at a time. Now, come with me. I have some cooking to get done. You can stay for dinner and chat afterward."

     Mana shakes her head. It was clear that Snow was giving some pity for everything. Snow expire. He strolls ahead while forming several ninja hand signals. Mana blinks as the cape suddenly becomes concealed. She trailed behind him with an astonished expression while fingering the invisible cloak. Snow grins. A gleam arises in his eyes when making sure that Mana was following him.

     About three hours later, Mana sips hot chocolate from a dragon mug. She glimpse around. The room that she was currently in was an effortless layout. There was a twin-sized bed covered with sky blue bedsheets and various plush pillows. Several bookshelves filled with thick covers and small random objects. Mana knew that Snow was cramming hard based on the way the desk in the corner was piled high with logs and paperwork. She jumps after hearing powerful chuckles. A soft hand pats the top of her head. A flicker of curiosity shine in her eyes after Snow placing a puppy paw mug on the desk.

     Snow spoke softly. "This is my research on Rosie and Inuy powers. They wanted someone to record their powers... Mana, I know that you are new to all of this, but I understand how you feel. They do this to everyone."

     "W-What do you-u mean?" Mana says. "Inuy-y and R-Rosie shouldn't be doing something-g like-e tha-at!"

     A subdued violet glow surrounds her as anger details her face. Snow exhales while noticing all of this. Her words were the only thing that he could endure. Snow knew that Mana was still in denial. However, he did comprehend what Mana was experiencing. Inuy did something identical to right now. A wave of courage rush over him. He heads to a bookshelf. Mana squints when Snow snatches a worn-out notebook. She glares at him as he passes it to her.

     Snow state. "Read log 464. It will explain what I know about them keeping secrets from us."

     Doubt form in his eyes after Mana took the notebook. She sets it down in front of her. There was something that she wanted to say. However, the words refuse to come out. Mana breathes out. She inspects the notebook. Snow looks away at the same time Mana's eyes expand.

     "You... You were-e just li-ike me..." Mana mutters.

     Snow replies. "Yes. I have been through this before... Mana, no one is forcing you to decide on becoming a Fairytale Defender. However, choices need to be made."

     Mana bites her bottom lip. She slides the notebook back to him. Snow glances at her while grabbing the notebook.. Mana fingers the base of her neck. The gentle texture of the invisible cape caused her head to be filled with thoughts. However, there was one thought that she could not stop thinking about it.

     "Show me... Show me t-the power th-hat was give-en to yo-ou." Mana says.

     Her arms begin to quake. Snow nods while standing up. After noticing that nothing was around, Mana watches Snow wave his hands in a circular motion. A massive gleam of magic shines after Snow displays a glowing snowball.

     Snow state. "Rosie gave me the power to control ice and snow. You can have a power similar to this."

     Mana whispers. "I-I see... Do-o I have tim-me t-to think a-about it?"

     Snow nods while guiding the notebook to her. Nothing was said when she took it. A set of descending footsteps was the only thing that Snow heard. Something formed on the edge of his eyes. Snow did not know why, but a single tear fall from his left eye.

     Several days later, Mana sat on a park bench. The tree branches start to sway in the sudden breeze. Her eyes brim of wonder and mystery observe them for a few minutes. A sigh escapes from her lips while taking out the notebook. There was something that Snow was not telling her. However, she could not place her finger on it.

     'What secret is he keeping from me? I know that I'm new to all of this...' Mana thought to herself. A tiny spark of magic shine in her eyes. 'Maybe it is because I have not made my choice yet. How can I be sure about all of this?'

     Suddenly, the notebook open by itself. Mana yelps and throws it to the other end of the bench. It flips until stopping in the center. Birds chirp as Mana blinks. Her eyes narrow in suspicion. Something inside of her was telling her to look in the book. Mana slowly reaches out but stops an inch away from the margin. Her eyes were drawn to something to the center of each page. She brings the book closer to her and clears her throat.

     "I-I have been noticing-g something s-strange about R lately. S-She has been-n whispering in h-her sleep." Mana whispers. Her head tilts to the left before continuing. "It-t was h-hard to hear th-he first tw-wo nights, b-but the words bec-came clear-r the third night... M-Mana, I am sorry. Y-You should liv-ve on-n without th-he weight on the F-Fairytale D-Defenders on you. Others have been-n in y-your position before. A-A handful ha-ad agree to it... "

     She bites her bottom lip. Many thoughts raced through her mind. There was no way that Rosie or Snow could have known this ahead of time... Right?

     Her eyes glazed over after hearing, her heart thump against her chest. An image of Rosie giving her a V sign. Something splashes on the pages. Mana touches her cheeks and blinks after feeling water on her cheeks.

     "I-I am cryin-ng... What-t am I-I going to d-do..." Mana mumble.

     A familiar voice respond. "Listen to your heart. It always now what to do."

     Mana peers up. She wipes away the tear after Snow sits beside her. Either of them said a single word. A soothing hand grasps her shoulder. Mana glances at Snow expressing fear and regret. Snow stares in her eyes. His expression begins to shift as he seizes his head. Mana opens her mouth. Her blank expression changes worry after Snow shakes his head. After a minute, he glances up with a sloppy smile.

     Snow whispers. "I'm alright... This happens when my energy gets low."

     "I-I see... S-Snow, ar-re you not tellin-ng me something?" Mana spoke.

     A spark of magic spread inside of her as Snow glance away. He takes out a travel size book. It was marron red with a silver goose on the cover. Mana blinks. Her hands grasp it tightly. Two hands contain her own as Mana peer into a pair of dark forest green eyes. Both of them shut their eyes at the same time a blinding light submerge them.

     The next day in Pripara, Rosie tips her head in confusion. Mana bears the travel size book. Her hands quiver as her eyes display woe.

     "I... I-I want to b-be an F-Fairytale D-Defender. Please mak-ke me on-ne!!" Mana says.

     Her hands tremble in fear. All she could hear were soft giggles. Something grabs her chin. Mana blushes red after noticing how close Rosie was to her. A smile forms on her face. Rosie releases Mana and backs away.

     Rosie answer. "Are you sure? Having the responsibilities of a Fairytale Defender is never easy. There will be any trails and challenges along the way. It will push you beyond the limits."

     Mana nods. Rosie grins and snaps her fingers. Something flutter out Manas' chest. A dark violet light swirls around Mana while roaring with laughter. Rosie lets her jaw lower a bit when noticing something different about her. Violet waves deposit through the air after Mana grazes the ground. Both girls smile at each other. They made their way back to the central part of Pripara.

     Meanwhile, near a lake surrounded by a forest, an elderly man shivers. His glassy silver eyes gaze to the sky. Several clouds turn violet just as chuckles fill the air. His chuckles become laughter as the sun begins to set. A figure stands in the shadows when watching the elderly man laughs. The character shakes their head before becoming one with the shadows.

     The elderly man states. "You may have a new ally, but I shall win at the end."

     His laughter echoes at the same time everything fades into a single bed. A teenage boy with short silver hair snores loudly. Something pushes his hair back behind his ear.

     "You are different from the others..." A deep yet soft voice whispers. "I know that you have a high power inside of you. Lucien, please find that power and use it to save my daughter."

     Lucien turns over in sleep. A small grin forms on his face after laughter fills the air. The night sky becomes lighter when a shimmering shadow exits the room.