Chapter 3:

My Mission.

xXMagical GirlXx


It took a lot of ink to get my hair back to appearantly it's natural state. Having done so, it contrasted with my skin so much, I felt like the pale Selena Burfret lying in that hospital bed again. My mother's eyes were a lot less warm while doing my hair, no smile in place on her face. Just a flat line of her lips and her thoughts being elsewhere. 

She sent me out after I got some sleep, though it was short like a nap, but restful enough. I guess I'm really here to stay, if this isn't a dream... I met the Head Wizard before there was light to cover the plaza. He stood right over where the woman died, though he had no way of knowing. It still was eerie to me, nonetheless. He looked up at me from his large hat, his posture hunched that he relied on his staff for support. But he smiled again.

"Ah. There we are. Your hair is perfect now, as it should be. But more importantly, your first mission. Are you ready to hear what it is?"

I had nodded, and that was all. He seemed surprised by the lack of my verbal response.

"You don't say much, do you young lady? But maybe that's one talent of yours, listening? I sure hope you're listening."

I nodded again. Talking to him felt weird, so I didn't want to say much, wishing he'd just hurry up and tell me my supposed mission.

"Well, alright. Your first mission is in the demented forest. A young woman, not much older than you passed here yesterday. She was married, and, well, once the night touched the plaza, her husband was overtaken by grief and corrupted into a demented. You are to find him, and recover him."

A demented? The book mentioned they were the most aggressive things here! How am I supposed to do that???

"You must be wondering how you're going to manage that," he asked, and I nodded, cause I don't have a singular clue. "Well, I'm not sure either, but, you apparently have the long lost magic that once established the bond between creatures and humans initially. So maybe you'll be able to bring him back from the demented. Good luck, kid." 

Great, that was so damn helpful, not! He vanished into a red smoke after wishing me good luck... I started walking to the forest, stratergizing on how I'd even put the humanity back into something that will probably want to tear me limb from limb? 

Soon outside the forest, I saw foot steps, ones that were once man before they morphed into... Lizard like feet? That's what they reminded me of, like the familiar of my favorite magical girl! Magical Sparkle Mitsuri Satori! What would she do faced in a situation like this? In strange, new world? Going into a deep, dark, scary forest because it's part of some prophecy? It's only my second day here... and I'm already questing!... The TV shows make it look so easy to do stuff like this. Like it's all fun and games, not like they're actually risking their life. But I guess it makes sense that no one would die from the main cast... after all, who would watch something like that? Talk about an unsatisfying ending!

I soon heard the sound of sobs, and followed it, if its grief that turned that man into a demented, then surely he'd be mourning?... I was unsure what I'd find... But I did stumble across a large... creature... it's voice oddly shrill enough to be human. "Catherine..." It repeated like a broken record. Like it was the only thing he knew. This had to be the man! Though he wasn't much man like anymore... 

I accidentally stepped on a twig, causing a snap. The former man's spine twisted so he could see me, disturbingly staring at me, his eyes far too small and red for his size now. "Catherine..." He growled at me. I put my hands up submissively.

"Hey there, bud, it's ok- I'm not here to hurt you- uh....... How about you tell me about that Catherine? She was clearly special to you." I didn't know what to say. I never knew what to say in these situations. I was pretty shitty at comforting people... but I knew talking it out usually helped, even a little.

He seemed to soften at her name. "Catherine..." He whined, "Catherine?... my love... lost. Catherine." His small eyes grew glossy again. Which I took as a bad sign. If he got too upset, there's no doubt he'd snap me like the twig I stepped on! Or worse...

"Yes, yes, Catherine. Do you have a favorite memory of her?" Internally, I facepalmed. I'm asking a creature, more monster than man about his favorite memory from his dead wife. I was doomed with the stupid questions I keep asking this poor thing.

"... Catherine. We loved to sing. Dance. She... beautiful. Beautiful, graceful as a feather in the wind. Delicate as a snowflake. I... was supposed to protect her." His words seemed to clear as he spoke more about her, fondness creeping in until the end where he seemed remorseful. He looked at himself with hatred in the puddle of his tears, like he resented being alive still and without her. As if he could've done more.

"Hey, hey... what happened wasn't anything you could've prevented. But I'd rather hear about your favorite song with her?... maybe a couple dance moves..." I suggested, but at least he seemed to respond well to those suggestions, as he got up, and started to dance, his voice humming a tune unfamiliar to me. He got more and more into it, as though he was reliving dancing with his cherished wife. Slowly, I approached, as a smile grew on his face, but this one didn't make me feel uneasy. He seemed more human, relaxed. I even danced with him, humming along. 

I asked him more questions, though I asked less and less because he talked more and more about his sweet, beloved Catherine. Just listening as he recounted every little thing he loved about her, habits of hers he could never forget. He still cried here and there, but it wasn't the sorrow he felt before, no, it was different. It was gratefulness that he had his Catherine in his life, that he got to share so much with her.

"She's not gone really, you know?..." I told him. He stared at me curiously. I cleared my throat. "She loved you just as much, that's pretty clear. And with her love, you'll always have quirks you've picked up from her-... that you'll exhibit subconsciously. It... hurts, now, that you no longer get to share that with her-... but to have the opportunity to share that love with her to begin with? That's pretty special. She'll be dancing with you, every time you see something that reminds you of her. Singing along. Smiling at you." I smiled at him. Wow! I said something super profound! I could totally be a good protagonist in a magical girl show!

He seemed to understand, the flames of his sorrowful rage now dulled into a peaceful nostalgia of his late wife. He had pat my head, before walking off with a soft hum. The same tune he hummed when dancing when I asked him to sing a song of theirs.

His wife truly sounded like a beautiful person. I really hope I was able to provide him with a sense of acceptance... I felt super accomplished! That wasn't too bad, for a first mission!

"Hey..." I froze, as a weak, whisperish voice made itself known... crap. If that's another demented, I'm totally screwed! I don't know anything about this one! 

I looked over...

Ali
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