The Witch and the Nemeses

I lowered my eyes to the ground.

I won’t lie… the scenery was breathtaking.

Moonlit forests, lakes shimmering like mirrors, and fairies fluttering through the air.

No doubt about it.

It’s official: I’m in another world.

“Hey, you!”

I jumped. The witch’s clear voice pulled me back to reality.

“Huh? What? Can you repeat that?”

She let out a small sigh, her long hair flowing in the wind.

“I asked… your name.”

… Wait a second.

She literally kidnapped me on her broom, dragged me through the sky at a suicidal speed, and only now she decides to ask my name?

This girl is weird. Very weird.

“Uhm… do I really have to say it now?”

She turned her head toward me, a mischievous smile on her lips.

“Do you want me to drop you off the broom?”

… Okay. She’s blunt.

And I really don’t want to end up as a pancake on the ground.

“… Akira. Akira Morisaki.”

“Hm. Akira Morisaki. That’s clearly not a name from here… Anyway, you can call me Ignis Harusae.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Alright then, Ignis. But… tell me. What exactly is a Nemesis?”

She burst out laughing.

“Ah, right, you know nothing. Fine, I’ll be nice and explain. Nemeses are humanoid creatures born from fear. They’re ranked according to their danger level. The strongest ones can even mimic the voices or the appearance of your loved ones. That’s all you need to know for now.”

…

Not reassuring. Not reassuring at all.

“Uhm… and what about that humanoid creature charging straight at us?”

“Bingo!”

In front of us, about fifteen twisted silhouettes emerged from the forest. Fifteen Nemeses, rushing right at us.

“… You can handle this on your own, right? Because I haven’t exactly figured out that ‘magic energy’ thing you mentioned.”

Ignis chuckled softly.

“No worries. I got this.”

She calmly removed her witch’s hat and tossed it into the air. In an instant, blades of light appeared, swirling around us.

Zwoosh!

Fifteen heads rolled almost simultaneously, before the bodies dissolved into the air.

The hat floated back down to its owner as if guided by an invisible hand. Ignis placed it back on her head with a satisfied smile.

…

Note to self: never steal her hat.

“There, we’re almost there.”

“Alright…”

I lowered my gaze back to the forest.

A beautiful world. Mysterious.

But above all… dangerous. Unpredictable.

And for me, the adventure was only just beginning.