*Huff* *Huff*

I have to get back to Rein and tell her everything.

Thankfully, I was able to leave the head witch's room without her noticing.

I rushed back to Rein's room and stopped at the door.

“How am I even supposed to tell her? She'll freak out if I just talk out of the blue!”

“Aah, I don't have time for internal conflict. This is more important.”

I went in and saw Rein inside. She already finished taking a bath.

“Mimi, you're back. Where have you been? I was worried, I told you not to go anywhere. I hope no one saw you. I wanted to look for you but I'm not allowed to leave my room around this time.”

I was sweating, I don't even know how to start, and I don't even know what to say.

“By the way Mimi, I brought you some food. It's the only food I found in the kitchen, I

hope you'll like it, not only the food but also this place. You're my first friend so I hope we'll get along.”

“Aah, I can't take this anymore.”

“M-my name isn't Mimi, it’s Ina,” I muttered.

I was getting myself ready. I was pretty sure she'll freak out but I was wrong, she looked so fascinated.

“Y-you can talk? This whole time?”

“Yeah, I'm sorry if it's so sudden, I was planning on hiding it a little longer but an emergency came up.”

“Does that mean, the whole time, you can understand me?”

“Yeah, I'm sorry I lied to you. Not only about my name but also my identity, but enough of that. I have something important to tell you so please listen to me carefully.”

“Oh my Gosh! This is the coolest thing that ever happened to me.”

Rein's excitement cannot be contained.

“Rein focus, listen to what I'm about to say.”

She suddenly held me and hugged me like a stuffed toy.

“Aah, maybe I'll just let her enjoy this moment for a little longer.”

“A-are you satisfied now Rein?”

*Nod* *Nod*

“Sorry about that. Oh, what is it that you wanted to tell me? I’ll listen,” she said after sitting on a chair.

“Listen, Rein, I'll be direct. Get out of this place immediately. The head witch, your mother is planning something bad.”

“W-what do you mean?”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“The thing is, I came here to learn about magic and myself but when I learned that the witches here cannot use magic, I was kind of disappointed, but I didn't give up. I still tried looking for a way to make it work, that's how I met you. I saw you reading a book about magic, I wanted to ask you for help but I was afraid I'd freak you out so instead, I followed you to the warehouse and there I saw the head witch using magic to hurt people.”

“After witnessing that, I knew something was off so I investigated. Why would the head witch lie about being cursed? What's with this upcoming event? That's when everything finally came together. Rein, the upcoming event isn't about lifting the curse, it's about the head witch taking over your body. I don't know how she'll do it but she looks serious and determined about it.”

“I know it's sudden, and that I lied to you about my identity but I want you to trust me on this one. Please get away from here, I'll help you out. I also have friends who can help you.”

After explaining and trying to convince her, I was shocked by her reaction. She was smiling and crying.

“Don't worry, you don't have to explain anymore. I already knew,” She replied.

Her voice felt so heavy and sad. It’s like she’s been waiting all her life for the day to come.

“W-what do you mean you already know? For how long?”

“I have known since I was six. I overheard my mother, no the head witch talking about it. On my thirteenth birthday, she'll cast forbidden magic. A magic that allows the caster to take over someone else’s body. That day, she'll be me and I'll lose myself forever.”

I was shocked by the revelation and angry at the same time.

“If you knew then why were you hiding it? Why didn't you run away?

“Even if I run away, she'll eventually find me. All I could do was pretend, all I have to do was act like a good daughter and she won't find out that I already know everything. I was hopeless at that time. What can I even do? I was only six. Knowing that the mother I always loved only needed my body was traumatizing.”

“Aah, what is this feeling? Anger, Sadness. My heart aches whenever I hear her talk.”

*Sob* *Sob*

“Do you know how painful it is? knowing when you'll lose your life. For many years I lived knowing when I'll die. I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry for help, but I know no one will come, I know no one will respond. That's why I'm very happy right now, that someone finally knows about it. That my voice has finally been heard.”

“I see now. She's been hiding this pain, this fear for so long. The burden on her heart must've been so heavy after knowing that her only purpose in life is to be someone else.”

“Rein, you don't have to feel that way anymore. Come with us, let's run away together. I won't let you be alone anymore.”

“Thanks for the offer but I can't. If I run away then who knows what she'll do to all the witches in this Isle. All of them are scared just like me, the head witch took all their wands, and even if they're armed, they can't fight back because they all know how powerful the head witch is.”

“She promised them that they'll be free once she takes over my body. I've decided to accept my fate for their sake. I don't want you to get involved in this so please just forget everything and go on your own.”

“Are you serious right now?!? Just when someone finally came to offer you help. Until when are you gonna pretend? It’s okay to show you're vulnerable! It's okay to show that you're weak! You don't have to handle everything alone anymore. This time someone will listen, and someone will share your own pain. Remember that your life is your own, don't let anyone dictate what your ending is,” I said t show her my resolve of helping her out of this situation.

“Rein, right here, right now. I want to see the real you. Tell me what is it that you want. I won't leave you alone until I hear your real thoughts,” I added.

“Is it really okay? To say what I'm really feeling deep inside? Then I…”

“I want to learn magic and help people with it. I want to go to places I've never been. I want to eat foods I've never eaten before. I want to smile and laugh with my friends. I, I don't wanna lose myself.”

“Please, save me. I don't wanna die.”

*Sob* *Sob*

“That’s more like it!” I said while smiling genuinely.

Rein was crying like a baby. I'm so happy that she finally had the resolve to be honest with herself. She's been scared this whole time but finally, she was able to say what she really wanted. Her pain was resonating within me. I can feel all of her emotions. She waited and waited for someone to finally see her tears. She didn't give up and neither will I.

“You're not alone anymore. You did well holding on for this long. Rein, I'll do something about it, I promise. For now, I want you to pretend one more time. I'll be back to save you.”

“Then I'll be waiting for you. Thank you, Mimi. No, thank you, Ms. Ina.”

Rein smiled brimming with hope. I'll make sure that she'll smile like that every day. I'll save her no matter what. I'll remove the shackles that have been holding her for too long.

I left her room to tell Fae and Komraad about everything that just happened and will happen.

...

“I see. So That's what's been happening this whole time. I should've kicked the head witch's butt from the beginning! Grrr!”

Komraad was angry. He does sympathize with others, that's what I like about him.

“Oh no, that's so sad Ms. Ina. We have to do something,” Fae cannot contain her feelings that she even started crying.

“Don't worry, I already have a plan. We'll save her and the other witches from the head witch no matter what.”

“So, here's the plan.”

“I'll find a way to stop the ritual. Then after that, I'm sure we'll have to fight the head witch. I don't know if we'll win but we still have to try.”

“Fae, your job is to make sure that the crowd would be able to evacuate smoothly once the fight has started.”

“We'll be needing help to protect the people. komraad I think I know where the head witch is hiding all the wands she took from the witches. I want you to go take it when she leaves her room. If the witches have their wands, then they might be able to help fight back.”

“Huh? We don't need them. We're powerful enough to defeat the head witch.”

“Komraad, the head witch is powerful and can think for herself. We cannot afford to make any mistake or someone's life might perish. The witches can help protect the people while we defeat the head witch.”

“Fine! I can't wait to kick her ass!”

“Okay then, let's take a rest. We'll do our plan on the day of the event. Wait for us Rein, we'll save you and this Isle together.”