What started as a ferocious roar quickly turned into a frightened scream, increasingly more human sounding as the seconds passed. The neck that Zaria had her arm wrapped around shrank, the body losing mass and taking on the familiar shape of long arms and legs clad in an eye catching pink running suit. Fur disappeared like a dream upon waking, no sign that it was ever there.
When very human teeth bit into Zaria's hand with a feral scream, she let go of the neck and used her right hand to punch down against the back of the woman's head. She forgot the stun gun still wrapped in her hand and swore as her fingers were crushed against it with the punch. Her hand free, she stood up and pressed the little pink box down against the woman's neck and pressed the button again. When she was sure the weakened woman had passed out, she let go, stepping back, keeping her eyes on the still form to make sure that it didn't move.
Voices approached, shouting and calling both to Zaria and the unconscious woman in front of her. Speaker Andrews dropped to the ground next to her, pulling his daughter into his arms and glaring up at Zaria. "What did you do to her? Where is her magic?"
Zaria did not get the chance to answer. The female speaker led the rest of the group forward, frowning down at the Lykos speaker. "I suspect that the ability that you were warned about is responsible. You and Mina chose to continue despite being warned, do not attempt to declare foul." She turned to Zaria next. "Was it the weapon you used, or something else? You have no magic."
"I have no magic, no," Zaria agreed, shivering as Gu Cheng draped her coat over her shoulders. "I do, however, eat magic."
"Ah. And your little electric box had a far stronger effect than any of us thought it would. I suspect that is because of your mate's assistance? He is not Lykos at all, is he?"
"As I said before, I am not Lykos. But yes, I did support my mate as the rules allowed me to do. I did not directly attack the challenger."
"This is true." An unfamiliar voice spoke from somewhere at the back of the group. The short, round speaker stepped forward, ignoring them for the moment. He looked down at Speaker Andrews, who was glaring at Zaria. "You were both warned, the situation was explained clearly, and you chose to support your daughter rather than try to help her see reason. You are lucky that she is alive. This challenge should have never happened."
"Her magic has been stolen! I demand -" The voice cut off as pressure so powerful that Zaria felt herself fighting to stay upright filled the clearing. For just a second, she thought she could see the rotund man shimmer, something massive and terrifying waiting to come out.
As quickly as it started, the pressure was gone, and the pleasant man was back, his hands clasped over his belly. "Sometimes when the pack hunts, the prey fights back. You can't blame the prey if one of you gets injured. She is alive. Be glad. She will need your support, not your hatred."
The two guest speakers turned as one to Zaria and Gu Cheng. "You have won the challenge and can not be challenged again." They spoke the official ruling in tandem. Then the woman continued. "However, your abilities will not be a secret anymore. Word will get out, and others will be scared of two people who can manipulate magic in ways that have never been imagined. I am sorry, we can't let you stay in populated areas for the safety of all peoples."
"Now, wait a minute," Speaker Vlachos stepped in, his pleasant expression twisting with his distress. "They have done nothing wrong -"
"It's alright, Speaker Vlachos," Zaria spoke up with a smile. "I think I, for one, would feel more comfortable if I was in somewhere not so crowded. Although I would still love to have indoor plumbing. And toilet paper..."
Zaria watched as Mina was carried away by her father, guilt heavy in her heart. As much as she wanted to tell herself it was all self-defense and she had no choice, she knew that there had been one. She could have run and avoided the challenge. Only, she couldn't have. It would have affected her friends, and she couldn't take their happiness away.
While the speakers debated over the best way to keep Zaria and Gu Cheng away from anyone with magic, the two in question slowly walked to the edge of the clearing. The cuts on her shoulder were not deep, but they burned, and Zaria hissed as Gu Cheng shook her arm when he held hand.
"Are you hurt?" His words were warm, and the worry on his face made something flutter in her chest.
"She got me on the shoulder when I went under her. I don't think it is more than a scratch, though."
Gu Cheng muttered under his breath as he moved the coat off of the shoulder affected to take a look. "Why didn't you tell me when I covered you up?"
"It wasn't that important, Gu Cheng. And I was figuring you wouldn't want me to take off my shirt out here so it could be treated." She chuckled at the low growl that was his reply.
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Parts of the shirt were stuck in the wounds. Zaria whimpered as he tried to rip the holes larger to see better, pulling the fabric out as he did so.
"These are not that small. They might need stitches, but right now, it is such a mess that I can't really see."
Zaria blinked up at him playfully. "So you want me to take my shirt off right here? Mr Gu!"
She squealed when he leaned forward suddenly and nipped the side of her neck with his teeth. Her eyes were so wide she was worried that they would get stuck as she stared at him, while he smiled slightly and went back to his attempt to open the holes in the shoulder of the shirt more.
"I have some medical supplies in the car if they are needed." Speaker Vlachos walked up to them, waving casually to the other speakers as they passed on their way to their cars.
Before Gu Cheng could speak up, Zaria agreed. "If it is bad, I will let you take me to the doctor, Gu Cheng, but I don't think it is that bad." She then turned her attention back to the speaker as her coat was moved back over her shivering shoulders. "So what is the situation? Where are we going to go?"
The three walked together up the trail, Gu Cheng intentionally going slowly so that Zaria could take it easy. Adrien explained that there was a house a few hours away intended for solitary punishments, but it was a nice building with all the amenities and would be comfortable. Apparently, being away from the thick agglomerate of One's in the city was seen as enough of a punishment, and spartan surroundings were not needed. There were only two bedrooms there, though. Adrien's voice was sad as he tried not to ask if everyone would want to go with them.
"We'll ask everyone what they want to do when we get back to the apartment. Do we need to be under guard?" Zaria frowned as she thought about saying goodbye already. It may have been less than two months since she first met Rika, Yamada, and Yamashito, but she felt like she had known them for half of her life.
"Under guard? Goodness no, you aren't criminals!" Adrien managed to look completely scandalized.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like we don't trust you or think badly of you. I understand that my ability in particular is worrisome, and I want everyone to be comfortable." She tried to smile to comfort him, and it appeared to work because he was smiling again by the time they reached the car.
The rest of their group was waiting anxiously back at the apartment. Zaria sent a short message to Rika on the way there, but she hated trying to send long messages with the small screen and rudimentary lightup keyboard. When the apartment door opened, Gu Cheng was pushed out of the way and three sets of arms wrapped around Zaria in a brightly colored group hug. A knot formed in her throat at the idea of saying goodbye to any of them.
The discussion about who would be leaving and who would be staying was anticlimactic. For days, the decisions had been being made. The only thing that changed was how soon they would need to act on their answers.
"I am so glad that I met you, and I can not thank you enough for saving me from my world. But I would like to stay here, as would Yamada." Rika blushed as she looked down at her hands. "I know that the Ones are influencing our emotions, but we are both really happy here, and have found someone that we could see ourselves spending the rest of our lives with."
It was not a suprise to Zaria or Gu Cheng, who could clearly see how much happier they were when they were around their significant others. The surprise came from Yamashita.
"I want to go with you, all the way back to your home if you would have me. This world is nice enough, but it doesn't feel right. Going with you does."
"That would mean that when we leave for the cabin, or whatever it is, tomorrow, you would have to say goodbye then and come with us."
He quickly agreed and the rest of the evening was spent throwing a going away party in the little apartment with the neon curtains.
When the party was over, and everyone helped to clean up, one by one they wandered into their rooms to get ready for bed. The three that would be leaving the next morning took one last, long shower in case the facilities were more basic, and then packed up their belongings before turning in for the night. There was not enough room in Adrien's vehicle to take them all, so they said their goodbyes at the apartment and promised to send messages until it was time to leave for the next world.
The house in the middle of the woods was a nice little cabin, and the three remaining world jumpers had no trouble spending their remaining days there. The remaining days ended up being less than a week, as their luck would have it. They were all surprised until they really thought about it. With the pendant not around Zaria's neck, it was able to soak up the surrounding magic that filled their current world. They all chose not to think about whether or not Ones were being soaked up as well.
"Well, are we ready?" Zaria looked first at Yamashita, then at Gu Cheng. Each had their backpacks strapped to their back, full with basic food stocks and supplies replenished,as well as several of their new outfits tightly packed inside. Zaria once again wore her short sword at her hip, and Gu Cheng was in full fatigues and kit once more. There was no way to tell if they were going to end up somewhere better or worse. All they could do was hope.
Messages were sent out when the pendant turned red, wishing their new friends and their old the best of luck and a happy life. None of them wanted anyone coming by to say one last goodbye. The tears were shed, the sadness was swept away, they were ready to move on.
"So just like last time, we hold hands tightly, and stick together when we get to the other side. Yamashita, you know how to use my stungun, but remember to think before you use it. If it is raining or you are soaked it could go badly for you." Zaria looked at Gu Cheng, wanting to say something to him as well but unsure of what words she would be willing to let out in front of another. Things were going well between them now that they were in a place with fewer Ones, and they were in a good place. She wanted to let him know how she felt, in case things went badly on the other side. But she could tell him later. As long as they were together, they were going to be alright. There was time.
Yamashita gripped Zaria's hand, and Zaria held Gu Cheng's. The tall, cold, immensely handsome man smiled at her and pressed the pendant into his chest. There was a flash of bright red light, and when it faded, the room was empty, its occupants gone for good.