[16.3] The Mighty Warrior Versus the Nefarious Bug

They all followed me as I slowly crept around the house looking around carefully. I rolled on the ground and hid behind walls, all while looking for the bug cautiously.

Cyrus frowned, "...What are you doing?"

I spoke in an accent, "Crikey mate. I am hunting for bugs, I am."

Zephyr scoffed, "What the hell is that voice?"

"I'm Australian."

Cyrus spoke, "You're what?"

"Australian!!"

Cyrus looked at Zephyr, "What's that?"

He shrugged, "How would I know?"

Caldwell nodded, "Ah! I've heard of this! It's tongue condition!"

I groaned in irritation, "Shut up you idiots!!! It's not a tongue condition."

I ignored their looks and started walking cautiously around the house. I made it to the second floor when I noticed the bug sleeping on the windowsill. I pulled the three behind a bookcase and motioned to the bug, "Crickey! Look at that beauty! That there is what we call a golden fly."

Cyrus strained his eyes, "Huh? Where?"

I sighed and pointed, "Right. THERE!"

The three of them narrowed their eyes as they tried to see where I was looking. Cyrus shook his head, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"How can you not see it!? It's bright gold!!"

The three shrugged with confused expressions. I rolled my eyes and prepared my weapons for battle.

They must be blind.

But that's fine because...

I have the element of surprise!

I snuck over silently as the bug continued to sleep. I threw the net down, "I got you now!!!"

"EEK!" The golden bug flew away barely avoiding my net, "LEAVE ME ALONE YOU MONSTER!!"

I didn't give the bug any chance of escape and ran after her, "You won't escape me today!!!"

The three watched as I chased the bug around with confused looks. Caldwell leaned over, "...Do you see a bug?"

Cyrus shook his head slowly, "I don't see a thing…"

Zephyr blinked, "Looks like she's finally gone insane."

I yelled after them, "Don't just stand there!!! Help me!"

Zephyr shook his head, "There's really nothing there."

How can they still not see it!?!?

I shouted, "Fine! Once I catch it, then you'll see!"

I attacked the bug, slowly leading it to a corner. Once it was cornered, the bug looked at me with quivering eyes, "Human!! I-I'm warning you!! If you dare try anything-"

I grinned maliciously, "Oh, but I do dare."

I lunged forward, successfully capturing the bug in the net. Without giving it time to escape again, I slipped my hand in and grabbed it firmly.

*POOF*

Upon coming into contact with my hand, the bug was now visible to the others. Caldwell fainted dramatically while Zephyr let out a squeal that sounded like a wounded animal.

The bug squirmed in my hand crying out, "HUMAN! RELEASE ME OR SUFFER!!"

I held it out, "See? I'm not crazy, it really does talk."

Cyrus shouted, "Wait! Reika that's a-"

Before he could say anything else, the bug shot a bright golden beam of light toward me. Although it was small, I felt as if I had just been pierced by a bullet.

I fell to the ground clutching at the invisible wound in pain.

As my vision faded away, I could see the bug floating above me with a panicked expression. The last thing I could hear was Cryus crying out before flashes of memories appeared in my mind.

It was dark and blurry, but I could feel my hands desperately digging into the cold stiff ground. I could see my small childlike fingers bleeding as they stung from unbearable pain. However, I continued to dig with only the sounds of my sobs that could be heard.

Within a blink of an eye, I was now pulling something out.

My back ached as I dragged a large charred corpse from the hole and along the ground.

...What kind of memory is this?

I pulled the charred corpse into an abandoned building using the cover of night. My body was only a child's, so I could feel myself struggling as a crazed laugh echoed through my throat between sobs.

In a blink of an eye, the charred corpse was laying on the ground in a complicated magical circle made from blood. At the charred corpse's feet was another corpse that looked fresh.

My hands grasped at the plain wooden wand as if it was my lifeline.

I raised the wand as my voice echoed, "I bring a sacrifice. Hear my plea…"

My voice cracked, "Return my mother to me."

My mother?

When have I ever said this?

A bright light erupted in front of me.

I could feel excruciating pain as I was sent flying back.

...Was this the memory of the original owner?

It must have been…

That light must be the backlash they all spoke about when I first arrived.

Urg. Poor kid. That really hurt.

....Actually, it still hurts.

It REALLY hurts!!

I felt the pain gradually start to leave as a wave of comforting coldness crawled across my skin. As if awakened by the icy sensation, my vision returned to the present day. The first thing I saw was the frigid yet panicked expression of the Headmaster. His mouth moved, but I couldn't hear his words.

...Why is he making that kind of face?

Is he… Concerned about me?

Why would he be?

I sat up groggily, rubbing at my aching head. For some reason, I was in a terrible mood.

The Headmaster's voice echoed in my ears, "REIKA!"

I held out my finger, "Sh. I have a headache."

He let out a sigh of relief and pulled away, quickly returning back to his cold look. I looked over and noticed Cyrus holding back tears like a frightened rabbit.

The corners of my lips curved up.

Why is he crying like a little kid?

Caldwell rubbed at his forehead to wipe off his sweat. Zephyr was in his fox form whimpering as if he too was in pain. I slowly picked him up and rubbed his fur.

I spoke to him telepathically: [Why are you crying?]

He looked at me in aggrievement: [You idiot! You messed with a fairy!!! That beam of holy light is particularly dangerous to demons! And because you took damage, I did too!!! It feels like an icicle was stabbed into me and is freezing me from the inside. I don't like it...]

I guess he felt the same way as I did.

I responded telepathically: [Ah, sorry... I will buy you something tasty to make up for it.]

He sniffled with a firm nod: [...I want steak.]

The Headmaster spoke to me, "Are you alright?"

I shrugged it off, "I'm fine."

The Headmaster glared at the bug who was standing on a shelf with drooping wings. Her bottom lip stuck out pitifully, "Master…"

His tone was harsh, "Why did you attack her!?!"

"I-I warned her…"

"And that makes it okay?"

I rubbed my head, "Why are you scolding a bug?"

"I'M NOT A BUG!"

She squealed in such a cute way, I snickered.

This only made her angrier, so she stomped her foot. Her face was bright red, "I'm a fairy, you twit!!!"

I tilted my head, "A fairy?"

Didn't I also run into a group of floating orbs that were supposedly fairies?

As I looked at her closely, she shivered and ran to hide behind the Headmaster.

The Headmaster spoke, "This is Belle."

I smirked, "Belle? As in Tinkerbell?"

"BELLE!" She glared at me, "As in Belle! Dummy!"

I laughed, "Belle dummy? What an odd name."

"URG! IT'S JUST BELLE!"

"Okay… Just Belle."

"AAARGH!"

The Headmaster turned to her, "If you're so angry that she tried to capture you, why did you show yourself?"

"I DIDN'T!" She shrieked, "She could see me even when I was trying to hide my presence!!!"

He frowned, "That's odd…"

I crossed my arms, "How is it odd? Isn't it odder that these three thought I was crazy?"

Before I could get my answer, the Headmaster grabbed my head and forced my eyelids wide open. He looked deep in thought as he moved my head to the side, inspecting it for some kind of abnormality.

I frowned, "Oi. Can I help you?"

He forced open my mouth and pulled out my tongue, "Very odd."

"Mmf mff mm!"

"What was that?" I bit down on his hand which he pulled back reflexively, "Ow!"

I stuck out my tongue, "I said you taste bad! D*mn! What kind of person grabs another person's tongue?!?"

He wiped off his hand with his usual icy expression, "You shouldn't be able to see her without her consent. I had to see if there was a reason why."

"Then you should check my eyes! Not my mouth!!!"

"I did check your eyes."

I smacked my forehead, "That's not the point! It's called personal space!!!"

He ignored my complaints and looked at me carefully, "Are you sure you feel alright?"

I rubbed my fingertips subconsciously as I remembered the stinging pain of digging into the freezing cold ground.

I turned to him with a smile, "I would feel much better if we could have a steak dinner."

Zephyr's head picked up, "I would too!"

The Headmaster nodded, "Very well. We can-"

I pulled Cyrus over, "I also promised he could stay for a homemade dinner."

His expression darkened slightly, "You did?"

Cyrus blushed and averted his eyes, "I-I don't have to stay. I could-"

"Nope! You're staying. I promised a homemade meal so I will deliver." I glanced at the Headmaster, "...You know how to cook, right?"

It's not like steak is hard to make. He should be capable.

His expression darkened, "Yes…"

"Great! Come on!"

I dragged Cyrus off leaving behind the Headmaster and his familiar.