“Welcome back, Ms. Hirigaya, Ms. Caswell. Like the previous year, your cabin will be B-24.” said a young, red haired woman. She was posted at the bottom of the stairs that allowed access to the top deck of the ship. Her jade eyes sparkled in the sun of the morning, and she gave them both a gleeful smile while checking them into the registry. “I assume you remember the way, but if not, the signs will guide you and any staff will be more than happy to help.” she added gleefully.

“Thank you.” Anita said, grabbing Fera’s hand and making for the first step.

Fera stumbled after her, only regaining her balance after Anita stopped tugging her arm. A confused glance caused Anita to apologize and blush faintly before slowing to Fera’s pace. She could tell her partner was excited, and as she admitted earlier, a tad nervous. The truth was, Fera felt the same. Olirian had become a second home to her, or really, her only home. Still, despite all of the good memories, despite all of the progress she made in just one year being away from her grandmother, there were still some things that kept her up at night. Unfortunately, these things did, to a minimum extent, stain her image of the academy. The thoughts of Kiko and what happened also made her feel somewhat fearful about returning now that she was actually in the process of doing so. In just the short time frame of waking up that morning to her climbing these steps, it was as if this anxiety washed over her like a wave, like a curtain was being lifted and she was being awoken from a long pleasant dream to see that actually, she was in a nightmare. The odd, invasive emotions that struck her as she arrived moments earlier began returning, and this time, they were even harder to swallow down.

There was a newborn sense of paranoia that was swiftly taking hold as memories of the last year began forming clear, intrusive images in her mind. What if there was another incident? What if Kiko was not alone? What if more people died? These questions spun in her head over and over since leaving the school, sometimes taking up most of her nights as she tried to assure herself that the ordeal was over, and that there was nothing to be concerned about. That is, until Mana’s warning returned to the forefront of all of it. At the time, it was a warning she had stupidly brushed off. Perhaps, she wanted to pretend it was never said, and that it wasn’t real. The closer she got to the school, however, the more fear her words birthed. Something to do with her father, a dangerous group he’d worked with in the past, apparently, and somebody feared they might come after Ferain at any given time. Whether that threat was still real, or if it was ever real was unknown to her, but it was impossible to shake off the possibility of it still looming in the shadows.

As she ascended the stairs with Anita just a step in front of her, the unbidden sense of oncoming danger crept its way into her heart. It was the same unease that followed her around for the latter half of the previous year, and she didn’t like it one bit. The pair quickly reached the top deck, and upon observing her surroundings, she saw loads of faces, some new, some familiar, though most of them were strangers to her either way. There was a decent number above deck, and she knew a fair amount of students were already getting situated below. Per usual, the polished and stained flooring was in pristine condition, looking as if it had been recently cleaned to perfection. It was almost to the point where her boots squeaked on the surface, almost like a court inside the school gym.

Ready to be free of her luggage before doing anything else, she began heading for the stairs that would lead to the lower levels. Anita didn’t protest, and both girls soon found themselves back in the place they first met exactly one year ago. Fera had to take a second after entering, just to collect herself a bit. Gingerly, she set her bag down in the entryway of the practically single-roomed abode, and took in the sight, as well as the memories that were rushing back to her. Only a year, yet it felt like such a long time ago now, almost like an entire life had gone by before returning to this place. Of course, she had been here only a month before, when leaving the school, but it held a new weight this time that it simply didn’t have then. Probably because of that one year gap, and most likely because of the events of what happened at the start of it.

“Almost feels like fate, huh?” said Anita.

“A little.” Ferain agreed. “What do you think would have happened if we didn’t meet here last year?” she then questioned.

“I don’t even want to think about it.” Anita stated. “I’m much too happy with how it all turned out in the end.”

“Even with… you know… everything?” asked Ferain, looking gloomily over at her partner.

Anita didn’t even hesitate when she gave a bright, cheery “Yep!” in response. “And I wouldn't trade it for anything.” she quickly added, before reaching down to start undoing the laces of her boots. “How about you?”

“There might be a few things I’d change, but meeting you would definitely not be one of them.” Fera answered, looking around the tiny interior.

There were technically four rooms in total within this little section they’d been given. Two bedrooms, a miniature bathroom, and a living area that consisted of the living room, a kitchen, and a small square table to sit at for meals, which might be considered a dining room if one was generous enough. In the end, their cabin wasn’t the largest, but it was still more than comfy enough for Fera’s liking.

“I’m gonna take a quick shower since we’re already here.” Anita said, setting her own bag down on the couch and undoing the ponytail she styled her hair in that morning. “Want to join me?”

“Not right now. I think I’m going to go for a little walk around. We skipped breakfast and my stomach won’t shut up, so I might get a quick bite to eat.”

“I was hoping we could get food together, but if you want to be alone, so be it.” Anita said, heading slowly towards the bathroom door.

Leaving her bag in the entryway, she turned back to the door and closed it upon leaving. Just like her first day aboard the ship, the halls were crowded with people both new and old, all showing off various aspects of their abilities. Just down the hall from her door, she saw a few people watching a young girl as she made two animals made of water dance around in the air. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and overall having a good time. It forced a smile on her face while watching it for a minute. Her left hand subconsciously reached for her right forearm as thin strands of electricity crackled around it.

Slowly, she raised her right hand and stared down at her bandaged palm, flexing her fingers carefully so as to not overdo it. With each opening of her fingers, webs of blue and white power filled the gaps between each digit. A pop struck her ears, causing her to jump as her eyes widened and her gaze shot up towards the groups in the corridor. Fera let out a quiet sigh when she realized that it was just the girl’s watery creations bursting. After another flex of her fingers, her powers died out and she turned away from the laughing crowd. Fera spent another hour in solitude, wandering the ship and watching the joy that everyone else seemed to be reveling in. Eventually, Anita found her in the cafeteria, and they were together until it was time for bed. The ship set sail, leaving the mainland once again for the island known as Olirian, where the academy it was named after resided.

Fera decided on her own bed for the night. Anita gave her an odd look at first when she decided this, but that was to be expected. They were a couple now, and had shared a bed for the last month, but there was something gnawing at her, something that made her want some time to herself. Was it fear? She wondered about that as she lay there, staring up at her ceiling for the better part of two or so hours. If it was fear, she couldn’t tell what she was exactly afraid of. There was also the fact that the duration of the break was spent with a growing desire to return, but now that she was doing so, she felt… wrong. With these questions, among others, racing relentlessly in her mind, it was hard to finally fall asleep, but given time, she managed it. Unfortunately, her dreams were not the most comforting place most nights, this one being no exception.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Ferain found herself in a building, partially destroyed, as a breeze blew in from a gaping hole she created. She was on her knees, her trembling hands were held out in front of her, and coating them was a viscous layer of crimson fluids and some squishy sort of organic matter. Further examination revealed that it was not only her hands that were stained in this way. She was covered in the slimy grime of blood and gore. Her clothing was soaked in it, sagging from the weight. Her hair was matted, burned, and reeking of death. Her skin was sticky and painted red. She wanted to breathe, but every ounce of air was stuck in her throat, blocked by the scream and vomit she was trying her hardest to hold back. Beneath her, a crater resided, one that was formed from a relentless, mindless assault she unleashed out of anger and fear. Within the crater was what was left of a young man.

From behind her, she heard his voice, Kiko’s lazy tones that used to be so familiar to her. “This is all you’re good for, Prodigy. You shouldn’t be so disgusted with yourself, it’s what we’re made to do.”

“I didn’t want this.” she said in response, still staring down at her stained hands, which only seemed to grow heavier as more blood seemed to bubble from her skin. “I didn’t want to do this.”

“You’re lying to yourself.” Kiko said, stuffing his hands in his pockets while walking up beside her. “You wanted to kill me, admit it. I threatened your precious Anny, and that sent you over the deep end. Why is that hard for you to accept?” He leaned down so that his mouth was right next to her right ear. “It was what I would’ve done. If only you had succeeded. You know I’ll be back. You failed, and now, I’ll be able to kill everyone you hold dear.”

“Shut up!” Fera screamed, turning and swinging at him. Blood slashed out like a blade, splashing against the walls and floors as her hand only met air.

“I am no hero. I’m a monster.” her own voice said to her, from somewhere in the shadows of the room.

Fera turned again and saw herself standing there. She wore the burned dress from that night, her skin red and bubbling as pure energy coursed around it, like a shield that was so transparent, it could only be witnessed every so many seconds at any given moment. It was like a fishing line with how if the lighting was just right, it was practically invisible. Her hair was on fire and slowly turning to ash that rained down around her bare feet. Even her glowing eyes seemed to be melting in place as the gold was washed from the iris, signaling blindness creeping in. The nightmarish copy lunged forward, causing Ferain to flinch from the sight. She covered her eyes with her arms, trying to protect her face. An impact never came, and instead, she was met with a quiet, constant sound that made her think of a vent pushing air through it inside a house.

“You’re a monster.” This time, a man spoke, not Kiko. In fact, Kiko’s voice was more familiar to her at this point. She turned to see her father standing there, a gun firmly held in his hand and its barrel pointing directly at her. “You’re broken. You’ve always been broken and you always will be.” he said softly, his finger pressing against the trigger more and more with each word spoken.

Fera’s eyes narrowed, and without thinking, her body moved. The gun went off, an explosion filled the air, and there was a choking breath that somehow cut through it. Metal clattered against the tiled floor of her old kitchen as the gun slid away. There was a thud as her father’s body hit the ground, and she sat over him, her bloodied, electrified hands raised high over her head.

“I’m not!” she screamed. “I’m not! I didn’t do it!” She brought one hand down and felt bone break and flesh melt. “It was you! All of it was your fault!” came another painful howl as she swung again. Blood smeared across the floor, smoking as lightning swam within it. “You killed her! You did this to me!”

Like with Kiko, Ferain brought both hands down. The floor cracked, shattered even, and there was only paste left in the middle, right where her father’s head would have been. Multi-colored strands of lightning coursed around her limbs and body. Reds, whites, blues, and soon, blacks joined in as well. Everything around her was smoking, the ground, her clothes, the entire kitchen it seemed like. Beneath her, nothing remained of her father but red and black.

“Fera?” asked a woman now. Fera winced at the sound of it, but she slowly turned to see her mother, standing straight as ever in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Mom?” she asked, and in a flash, the blink of an eye, her voice was younger. Her body shrunk and her hair had lengthened. She was five years old again, but her hands were still as red and gory as they were previously. That aspect, unfortunately, did not change. Nor did the rest of the scene.

“Fera? What…” choked her mother.

Fera looked at the charred, bloody mess beneath her before looking up at the woman who birthed her, who sacrificed herself for her. “I… I didn’t mean to. I… I…”

Ferain held up her tiny hand, reaching for the only person to show her love at such an age, at such a time, and there was a blinding blue flash of light. The world went white, then it turned to black, and then, there was a ceiling above her. Her eyes opened, her heart was beating against her ribs like a prisoner desperately trying to escape their cage, and her chest was heaving relentlessly as she took in hasty, shallow breaths. A loud hum filled her body from head to toe, and all around her snapped blue and white sparks, singing her sheets. When she realized that this time, she might actually be in reality, her eyes cautiously darted around, praying that no more ghosts would show up to haunt her.

The lack of any nightmarish entities wasn’t enough proof, not this time. Just to be sure, she held her left hand over her face, thanking whatever god existed that it was clean. Covered in sweat, maybe, but clean. She closed her eyes as her head fell back into the pillow, her powers fading away, leaving her in complete darkness.

“I’m sorry.” she mumbled, draping her left arm over her eyes.

Slowly, her breathing steadied, her heart calmed, her memories of the dream faded. Leaving her bed behind, she got dressed in her common clothing of skirt, tights, and long-sleeved shirt, before pulling a black hoodie on over it all. With the hood flipped up, her hands stuffed in the pockets, she left the room in search of breakfast, and perhaps, a shoulder to lean on. Anita was thankfully awake and already making food, but when Fera saw the smile on her face, she decided against ruining the mood. Instead, she thought it better to play along for the time being, to act like nothing happened, to pretend this was the first time, and that it wouldn't happen again. These were lies, she knew that. This wasn’t the first time she would lie, and it wouldn’t be the last, she suspected. But… Anita didn’t need to be burdened with this. Fera alone was enough of a burden on her partner, she didn’t want to add more baggage to a relationship that was as good as it ever was, and probably better.

“Morning.” she said quietly.

Anita, who was dancing in the kitchen as she hummed a new tune that Fera never heard before, spun and grabbed Fera’s hand in response. “Morning!” she sang cheerfully.

“What are you making?” Fera asked.

“Toast.” Anita replied, spinning again and pointing at the toaster on the granite countertop. “It’ll be ready in a sec so just be patient.”

“Will do.” Fera said, taking a seat in the dining space.

For the rest of the trip, she smiled, laughed, and kept up the act. At times, she would forget, but it was never for a long duration. Even running into Maple and Victor on the second day didn’t do enough to cheer her up this time. On the final night, as if to solidify this hold these memories had on her, she saw Kiko again, but with the face she’d smashed in that night. The way it was smeared and disfigured. The smell of it as it melted and dripped from the bone beneath. She woke up sick on the final morning, struggled through breakfast, and trudged up to the top deck when Olirian was on the horizon.

As they came into the harbor, Anita gripped her hand tight but did not look into her eyes. Instead, she focused ahead, and Fera remained silent.

“We’ll talk about it, okay?” Anita said softly.

“We will.” Fera mumbled, gripping her girlfriend’s hand all the tighter. “Soon enough… we will.”