Switch Perspective: Nao]Prisha wastes no time going straight for me. Fine! I won’t back away from a fight anymore!Prisha: “Tallow take care of those two, I’ll help when I down this one! Shouldn’t take long.”Tallow: “Wait he’s-”*Hit*Tallow: “Tch.”Vale: “What a great boon, let us take advantage Cassidy.”The big guy starts to turn towards Tallow. I try to stop him but I’m too busy dodging Prisha’s first slash.Prisha: “No you don’t, I won’t let you gang up on Tallow.”Idiot, I was trying to save him! Whatever, this is fine too. I summon a gust of wind pushing Prisha back. I take another glance at Tallow, he is holding his own. But that won’t last long. Prisha: “Where are you looking!”!!*Slash* *Slash* *Slash*I instinctively dodged out of the way of flying swords. So she can remotely control those blades? I use wind to change the direction ever so slightly. Cassidy: “Ugh.”Yeah, right into the back of the giant. I turn invisible and-Prisha: “No you don’t!”*Slash* *Slash*Da
[Perspective Switch: Nao]What happened, was I knocked out again? Why can’t I stay awake for once? Nao: “Tch.”My head…and my body. I feel sore all ove-!Where is everyone!? Did I win!? Is everyone safe?Arc: “Yes, calm down.”Arc? So…I did succeed in keeping them safe. Thank goodness. But…why is my memory of what happened fogy?Arc: “You did get hit on the head. Try to forget about it and enjoy your victory.”Yeah…my victory. That’s all that matters. I feel my face and notice that my mask is gone. For some reason, its absence churns my stomach. As if something important is lost…forgotten. Mat: “Dude, you’re awake!”!I look to the door and notice Mat entering.Nao: “Mat, you’re here!”Mat: “Yeah, safe and sound. The whole family is here.”Nao: “That’s amazing.”I breathe a sigh of relief.Mat: “…”?Nao: “What’s wrong Mat?” Mat: “Nao are you…okay?”Nao: “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”Mat: “Because…the way you killed those people…”Nao: “That wasn’t me. It was Astral.”Mat: “Aren’t they
[Perspective Shift: Evelyn]Evelyn: “Hurry up Vale.”Vale: “Just because I can clone myself doesn’t mean I have super strength. This sword is heavy and it’s hard enough without having to stay clear of the handle.”Evelyn: “You wouldn’t be in this situation if you took care of Astral properly.”Vale: “You weren’t there!”Evelyn: “?”Vale: “That…wasn’t human. I refuse to fight that thing again.” Heh, pathetic. Evelyn: “I hope the new girl is more useful than you.”Vale: “Yeah and maybe she won’t be a sadist. We can only hope.”Keep joking Vale, one of these days master is going to throw you away and when he does I’ll-*Gentle Piano Music*Vale: “Does that mean we’re almost there yet?”Evelyn: “Yes, are you still nearsighted?”Vale: “Yeah but I’m sure it will get better.”I ignore the boy and lead the way to the room where master is. I’m still blown away that he can afford such a place underground. I definitely made the right choice joining him. *Door Open*Evelyn: “We’re back master.
Focus Alyson. It doesn’t matter whether either of them are failures or not. It doesn’t matter if I deserve my present. I…have to defend it!Rose: “Stage Open, Act-.”I shoot mana bullets at that wand before she can summon those wolves.Alyson: “{Ignite} {Scatter}”The bullets split into 5 bullets and burst into red flames.Rose: “!”*Shoot*Now’s my chance! While she’s busy dodging those bullets.I focus and draw a magic circle in front of me. The sigil for Target and electricity.Alyson: “Target…Lilly Colt.”The magic circle shines and instantly Lilly’s body is electrocuted.Rose: “Gah!”Rose: “Do…you…think that will be...enough!”Rose: “Stage Open, Act 5!”Wolves burst forth and change at me. But I’m ready.Sigil for water while aiming my mana bullet at it. When the mana bullet passes through the water sigil, it’s embedded with the water element.Alyson: “{Scatter}”The mana bullet splits into the 5 and hits the wolves. This time, they disappear into a puff of smoke. I run up to L
… … Astral: “Please say something so I can stop.” Deanna: “O-Oh, okay. A-Are you that guy solving small crimes in the town?” Astral: “Yeaaah…small…” Alyson: “Why are you here and what do you want?” He points to the source of the cold. Alyson: “…Why?” Astral: “Because it’s dangerous and I don’t want it to fall to the wrong hands.” Deanna: “Anton’s Family?” Astral: “Exactly, or more specifically the organization his family runs. I actually finally found out its name from a loose-lipped goon. They call themselves Dawn. Interesting name for people who hide in the darkness.” I still don’t entirely trust this guy but…I can feel my feet freezing over. Alyson: “Fine, take it.” Astral: “Thanks Alyson.” …Did I tell him my name. I shake my head, everyone probably knows my name at this point. We move out of the way so Astral can rip the floorboards off to reveal a glowing blue orb. Deanna: “Why is that here and what even is it?” Astral: “My friend’s best guess is that these mag
[Perspective Shift: Nao]……I open my eyes, ready for a new exciting day. But…something is wrong. I…can’t move?What’s happening?Arc: “It seems like you're paralyzed. It happened hours ago but the effects still linger slightly.”Arc’s right. I can still somewhat move my fingers and toes. But how did this happen? Did someone-*Door Open*Alyson: “Good morning Nao.”Nao: “Alyson, thank goodness, someone paralyzed me! Is everyone alright?”Alyson: “Yes they’re fine.”Nao: “Good but…who-”Alyson: “I did.”Nao: “!?”Nao: “What?”Alyson: “Remember that knife you gave me, I…used it on you.”Nao: “…Why?”Alyson: “Because I don’t want you to continue on the path you’re walking, especially after…”Nao: “After what?”Alyson: “…Nothing. I just don’t want you getting hurt anymore. I’ll handle it from now.”Nao: “You’re not strong enough!”Alyson: “…Since you can’t stop me from helping anymore, I can show you.”Alyson’s body glowed blue while she held her up. My eyes nearly fall out of their sock
Calm down, this can help us in the long run. Yes, if only they understood magic better. They fear what they don’t understand.My eyes dart across all the unfamiliar faces and hope none of them work for Hiroshi. This is too important to fail.If I can just play my cards right, I can turn this in our favor.Mat tries to move past me toward Nao’s room but I grab his shoulder. I shake my head to show him that it’s not necessary anymore. Oh well, at least I have another person to help me convince these people.The film crew is already sitting up, ready to get this started. I go to the couch and look into the camera. “And here we are with what appears to be Alyson Redfern. Along with what I can assume are her friends.”Alyson: “Yes. We were watching the news when we saw the house being filmed. I have to say, you got us by surprise.”“Not enough it would seem. There aren’t any cauldrons or voodoo dolls anywhere.”Alyson: “That’s…not how magic works.”“Oh? Then it’s a good thing we did this
[Perspective Shift: Nao]Sever: “My employer knew you would be too impulsive to stay still after your home is invaded. Clearly, you want to end this quickly but we have other plans.”Nao: “Tch, you’ll regret healing me. I’m much stronger and wiser than before. Now that I can move, I’ll be sure to kill you this time.”Sever: “You’re not the only one that’s grown. Even If you somehow kill me, I’ll make sure to delay you long enough to shut down that shield of yours.”Nao: “What?!”Sever: “Yeah, afterward we’ll make a bigger bloodbath than what happened with Astral.”Nao: “…Fine.”I bite my lip and stuff the pain coursing through my body. It’s not as bad as I expected but it will never be pleasant to shapeshift.This is where all my practice pays, I transform into a form that will inspire fear and horror. Nothing too crazy but enough to force a reaction. My body breaks apart and reforms into a form resembling a werewolf. But the form is more…grotesque than normal. I grow pure black fur