I groaned, pushing myself up from the bed as I tried to blink the sleep from my eyes. The nightmare lingered, its hold over me refusing to relinquish. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and I felt a gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach.

Everything felt fuzzy, and it took a few moments for me to get my bearings. The room was pitch black, but I could see the vague outlines of shelves and cabinets lining the walls. The air was heavy with the antiseptic scent of disinfectant, and I could make out a soft humming sound emanating from a machine nearby.

'Where... where am I?'

My thoughts were sluggish, and I could barely string two coherent thoughts together.

I stumbled off the bed, clutching at my temples as the world started to spin. My bare feet padded softly against the warm carpet, and I vaguely noted a bandage over the back of my left hand, indicating I'd had an IV inserted at some point.

I fumbled around in pitch-black darkness, searching for a light switch. The room was unnervingly quiet, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickling with unease.

I nearly tripped over the gown I was wearing, a hospital gown that did little to shield me from the chill in the air. The world continued to spin, and I felt like I was being pulled in a dozen different directions.

I noticed a crack of faint white light coming from the left side of the room, and I followed it like a moth to a flame. As I drew closer, I saw the outline of a set of curtains behind a bamboo screen of some kind.

I pulled them aside, revealing a small window that overlooked a dimly lit courtyard. The sun wasn't up yet, and the sky was still a deep shade of purple. I was clearly still on St. Antonia Island, but where exactly I was, I couldn't tell.

A sharp wave of vertigo overtook me, and I had to steady myself against the wall, my knees wobbling as I struggled to stay upright. I heaved, feeling the dryness of my tongue.

My lips were parched, and my throat was raw and scratchy. How long had I been unconscious?

I blinked as I suddenly noticed a glass of water on a table next to the window, its surface glistening with condensation. Had that been there the entire time?

"Oh thank goodness..." I muttered I took a long drink, draining it in one gulp.

"You are welcome."

I continued to stare out at the city, lost in thought as I set the glass back down on the table. The water helped, but I could feel the pounding in my head intensifying as if I had a hangover. It was like my brain was trying to escape from my skull, and the only way to stop it was to rip it out myself.

Wait.

I froze, my eyes widening as I realized someone else was in the room with me. I whirled around, my heart pounding in my chest at the source of the voice.

"Wha—"

My eyes adjusted to the dim twilight, and I saw a small, slight figure standing next to me by the windowsill. She was dressed in the school uniform, with a green beret perched atop her head. Her face was hidden in shadow, but I could see a lock of blonde hair peeking out from the shadows.

She poured another glass of water, and I took it gratefully, draining it in one gulp.

"Dior...?" I croaked. "Is that you?"

She nodded, her face still hidden in shadow. "Yes. This one has been here keeping watch over you."

"I can't see you that well," I whispered. "Can you turn on a light or something?"

"Dior advises you stay away from bright lights for today. The aftereffects of being ejected from a proxy drone are not pleasant."

Her voice was soft and low, with a hint of a lisp and faint accent I was quickly becoming familiar with. She had a tendency to speak in odd, almost formal terms, purely in third person, but it was charming in its own way.

She handed me another glass of water, and I drained it in one gulp. "How long have you been here? And where is this place? It looks like a secret dormitory or something."

"Indeed. Official dormitories are not kept — and students who live on the island rent from the luxury villas and apartments. This is a secret dormitory used by the Robotics Club, and you are safe here."

She pointed to a small table beside the bed, where a plate of food was laid out. "Eat. You must regain your strength."

I stared down at the plate, feeling my stomach churning. The last thing I wanted to do was eat, but I knew she was right. I hadn't had anything since before shooting my consciousness down to help with the Chaos Event, and my body was starting to protest.

I nibbled on a piece of toast, forcing myself to take slow bites as I tried to ignore the nausea threatening to overwhelm me. It was dry and tasteless, and I couldn't help but think it was intentional.

I finished the water, handing the glass back to Dior, who placed it on the table. She didn't seem to want to come any closer, which made me more than curious.

"So... secret dorms?" I said, changing the subject. "Is this where you live?"

"No. This one resides with.... friends in the outskirts of the city. It is easier to conceal oneself there."

"Conceal yourself? Why would you need to do that?" I asked, surprised.

"There are those who would seek retribution on Dior. It is better to remain hidden away where possible."

Her voice was cold and emotionless, as if she was stating facts rather than feelings. But I could sense a deep sadness behind her words, a sadness that tugged at my heartstrings.

I nodded, pushing aside my plate as I stood up. I felt unsteady, but the vertigo seemed to be dissipating.

"All Magical Girls are provided a luxury home on-campus during their studies within the Babylon network, as well as access to one of four secret dormitories. St. Antonia's Academy is a staging site for Magical Girls and our regional activities."

She glanced up at me, her green eyes glinting intelligently in the dim light. "The lumina of a Magical Girl attracts horde leaders during major attacks, and the most powerful girls in our age group are offered scholarships at this academy. Therefore, on-campus dormitories are not kept for the student base for fear of compromising their identities and opening the possibility of direct chaos beast attacks. "

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I leaned against the windowsill. "How long was I unconscious anyway?"

She shrugged. "About eleven hours. The aftereffects of being forcibly ejected from a proxy drone are known to be severe and can take days to fully recover."

"I see. So, how did you know where to find me? And this dorm is for the Robotics Club?"

"Infiltrating a student club is... how does one say, child's play for this one. When she was discovered, they did not complain. Dior was concerned for Ikki after his abrupt decapitation."

I smiled, feeling a warmth blossoming in my chest. She was blunt and straightforward, but she was a real softie inside. "Thank you, Dior. I really appreciate you looking out for me."

She nodded, her face still hidden in shadow. "This one is glad you are okay."

I sighed, staring out at the skyline, lost in thought. The sun was rising, its rays slowly creeping up the horizon, turning the sky from purple to pink to orange. =

For a moment, I let myself forget the past few hours, and I found myself looking out across the sea, wondering what lay beyond the city limits.

Smoke rose over the buildings, and I could see the faint traces of activity in the distance. The city was visibly on high alert after the attacks — the faint sound of distant sirens echoed in the air, and I could make out the silhouettes of helicopters whirring overhead.

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It was haunting and heartbreaking at the same time.

"Will we ever be free of these monsters, I wonder?" I said quietly, more to myself than to Dior.

She didn't respond at first, but I could feel her presence open up slightly beside me.

"This one doesn't know," she finally replied. "But Dior and those like her will continue to fight against them until the end of time. It is their duty, and their calling."

"Is that why you became a Magical Girl?" I asked, curious.

"Perhaps." Her tone was a little terse, and I knew not to push the issue further.

She looked down at her small hands, and I saw her face twitch ever so slightly in sadness.

"Borrowed time..." Dior whispered, echoing the words she spoke when she had been critically injured.

She seemed to collapse in on herself, her posture shrinking as she let out a small sigh.

She was strong and brave and fierce, but there was something else behind those words. Something that spoke of a deeper, darker truth that made my skin crawl.

It was a truth that haunted her, that shadowed her every step, and that she could never escape from.

A truth that threatened to consume her from the inside out.

She reached up, adjusting her green beret, and I saw a flicker of silver and gold symbols stitched onto its front.

I reached up to touch her shoulder, only to pull back as she flinched away.

"Are you okay?" I asked, alarmed.

She took a step back, her eyes narrowing. "It is this one who should be asking. How do you feel?"

Her voice was sharp, and I knew I was prying into something she wasn't ready to share.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I feel... sore and achy. A bit nauseous, but I'll manage. You, on the other hand..."

She froze, her hands trembling slightly as she crossed her arms over her chest. "This one is fine. Fine as a rose."

"You don't have to hide things from me, you know. I may not understand, but I can listen and try to be there for you."

She stared at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

Then, with a quiet whisper, she said, "Dior would like that very much. But... not now."

She turned away, her hand resting lightly over the front of her hip.

"No. Not now," she repeated, her voice croaked hoarsely.

I didn't know what to say, so I stood there in silence, my hand resting lightly on the cold window glass. She slowly shrunk into the shadows, her footsteps soft against the carpet as she paused, standing in the shadows.

"So, how about that lunch? I uh, still need to figure out my work-study and employment situation but we should make it a thing," I finally ventured, changing the subject.

She turned back to me, her face still hidden in the shadows. "Dior would like that," she said softly. "Do not worry, money means little to this one save for a full belly. She will handle all arrangements."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, and I could feel the barest hint of a smile in her words.

"Okay, sounds good. And... thanks for everything, Dior."

She nodded, adjusting her beret slightly as she turned to the doorway. "This one promised. She will always have your back, so long as you show her the same decency and kindness."

She reached out a small hand, gesturing for me to follow with a smile. "Now, come. This one will show you where your belongings are."

I blinked in surprise, a bit stunned by the sudden change in her demeanor. But I didn't question it.

I turned around to open up the windows and quickly followed after her.

My head was still pounding, and my legs were wobbly, but I could feel a flicker of strength returning to my limbs.

As I trailed after her, I couldn't help but wonder what made her tick, what lay beneath that stoic exterior. She was like a puzzle with missing pieces, a riddle I couldn't solve.

But deep down, I knew there was something there. Something that needed to be spoken, but wasn't quite ready to reveal itself.

Not yet.

Not here.

I sighed, resigning myself to the fact that I probably wouldn't get the full story anytime soon.

It was better to just be grateful for her kindness and friendship, and to leave it at that.

After all, what were friends for if not to lift you up when you needed it most?

At that moment, I had to admit that I was lucky to have her in my corner. How did that even happen?

She led me to the small dorm room I had been in before, where my backpack was carefully arranged on a small table by the bed I'd somehow missed. My phone was plugged into the wall, charging, and my blazer and slacks were folded neatly on a chair nearby.

"Your belongings are intact as promised," she said, gesturing at the table. "Spacing is limited, but a member of the Robotics Club who have aided with operations during a Chaos Event will be able to access this dormitory whenever you need to stay for late evenings.

I glanced around, noting the room was clean and tidy. It was larger than I expected, with a bed, a desk and chair, and even a small bookshelf crammed with thick technical books. I even recognized books from my Earth on circuit boards and quantum computing.

"Wow, this is really nice," I said, impressed. "I'm a member of the team now, aren't I? Is there paperwork or anything I need to sign?"

She shook her head, adjusting her beret again. "No, your membership will be assumed after the fight yesterday. It is a unique situation."

I couldn't tell if she was joking or not, but the twinkle in her eye made me think she was secretly amused.

I leaned over to pick up my phone, hesitating as I unlocked it. To my surprise, there were nearly a dozen texts from the music girl in my history class - Natasha.

From: Natasha

Are you okay? The Robotics Club is helping out with logistics right?

From: Natasha

I'm hunkering down at the shelter downtown. Stay on the island!

From: Natasha

Crazy night. Gonna lose service here for a few hours probably.

From: Natasha

Reports are crazy. Mag 2 events everywhere. You're okay, right?

From: Natasha

Get back to me when you can.

From: Natasha

Are you alive?!?!?!

I winced, realizing Natasha had been texting me for hours before she finally stopped. We'd only known each other for a few days, but she seemed genuinely worried about my well-being. She seemed like she was a bit isolated and lonely, and I did promise her I'd text her after the club meeting.

I definitely had a lot to catch up on after my weird intermission in a batshit terrifying nightmare zone. She was probably asleep by now, but I figured I should at least reply to let her know I was alive and okay.

I sent her a quick text.

From: Ikki

Hey! Sorry for the radio silence, I passed out at a terminal from exhaustion and I woke up at the secret dorm in the club. So many attacks going on out there. Call me in the morning, okay?

To my surprise, her response was almost instantaneous.

From: Natasha

Oh gosh, I'm so glad to hear from you! You gave me a scare! I'm exhausted and just got home from the shelter, but I'll call you tomorrow. Thanks for getting back to me.

I couldn't help but smile at her texts. She seemed genuinely concerned about me, which was a nice surprise.

"You seem troubled. Is something wrong?" Dior asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"No, everything's fine. Just checking in with a friend," I replied, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

She eyed me for a moment, her expression neutral. Then, she shrugged, turning back to the doorway.

"Well, there is food in the kitchen if you are hungry. This one does not know how long you will be staying, so help yourself. Dior will be taking a power nap if you need her. Just shout."

I raised an eyebrow, watching her collapse on the sofa next to me, practically half-mummified in a blanket in the blink of an eye. I grinned at her fondly — her quirky antics and personality had really grown on me in just a couple of days.

I turned back to the window, watching as the sun slowly climbed higher in the sky.

It was a warm, bright day, and I felt a faint breeze stirring from the sea. A flock of birds wheeled through the air, casting shadows on the cobblestone streets below.

"Natasha huh? Seems like a strange girl if you ask me," Rai-chan said, stirring in my head as she chimed in unexpectedly.

"Maybe. But she seems friendly and genuine. I feel kinda bad I left her hanging there. And I guess getting the chance to make friends with someone like that doesn't come around all that often," I replied.

She chuckled, a slightly mischievous inflection in her tone. "Ain't that the truth."

She didn't say anything else, but I could sense a vague sense of jealousy emanating from her.

I didn't know what to make of it.

Rai-chan was... well, an AI, or something. I hadn't really had a chance to properly sit down and talk with her yet, and now didn't seem like the best time.

She fell silent after that, and I returned to staring out the window.

The sounds of the city filled the air around me, and I was suddenly aware of the chaos and noise and vibrancy of life that surrounded me here on Terra.

A far cry from my peaceful life with my family back home.

I closed my eyes, thinking of the relative simplicity and ease that surrounded me then.

It was hard to believe that this was my reality now.

I wondered how my Dad and my sister were doing back home.

The similarities between the Authority of Desolation and whatever magic those slavers had used was way too big of a coincidence for comfort. Getting paperwork and time to cross back over the portal would be time-consuming and costly, and I couldn't help but feel a faint prickling of worry in the back of my mind.

Maybe it was time to look into that process as well...

I sighed, pushing away the thought for the time being.

The world had become more complicated than ever, and I had a feeling that I was only scratching the surface of what lay beneath.

And here I was, caught in the middle of it all.

As I looked out over the city, I couldn't help but wonder where exactly this trajectory was going to lead me.

Everything had changed in such a short amount of time. And I wasn't sure if I was ready for the new world that had opened up before me.

But whatever was coming, I was going to face it head-on.

It was time to embrace the possibilities, and it was time to keep moving forward.

And hey, who knew?

Maybe we'd get lucky, and I'd find a way to make things work both here and back at home.

Little did I know, the future was not so far away, and it held its own set of horrors in store.

But that was a story for another day.

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End of Volume 1