HOPE THAT WE'LL GET OUT OF THIS OKAY (1)

That was nice.

I'm glad that Asahi and Fueko care about me-- Mizuki too, even if she didn't show up. Probably just needed to sleep early for work, or something. ...I-I feel bad that all of them were so worried about me, but I'll just try to make it up however best I can, I think.

I hit the ground, waving goodbye to Asahi as she walks off to presumably head home-- given how late it is. Jeez. I'm... a-actually pretty tired. Better head back home and get to bed. I'm sure Fueko's probably-

...

My body stops for a moment as I'm left alone with my thoughts once more. I walk backwards for a moment, giving myself the ability to have a full glimpse of my old home. My entire life, prior to being taken in by my friends.

It feels weird, in a way. I'd come here, in part feeling like it was my one remaining place of comfort-- my old, nostalgic reprieve from the troubles suffocating me at present. Yet now, having been reminded of those who genuinely care about me, it feels so... different. So... distant. Like ill-fitting clothes from my youth. I've still got a soft spot for it, even if most of my good memories have been overwritten with trauma and pain, but it feels more... past, to me.

I don't think I want to return here any time soon, honestly.

I'd rather not keep trying to fit into my old clothes.

I sit there, staring at the house for a few more minutes, as if to resolve myself to this decision, before setting off for the apartments. Thankfully, it's late enough at night that I don't feel the need to worry too much about being seen, but I'd still rather play it safe-- especially with how late I've been out. At least with being an Anxi now, people are more likely to run away with fear than throw stones at me like when I was presenting as a witch, so I guess that's some kind of benefit to-

CRRAAAASSHHHH

I jolt, hearing the clattering of trash cans in the distance. That... doesn't sound like a cat knocking something over. The screams that follow right after seem to confirm as much.

Instinctively, I press my hand to my heart-- only for nothing to happen. Right-- our transformations were always just cosmetic. And... well, my body as it stands actually already resembles my costume, in a way. So, with that out of the way, I flick my fingers to summon my hammer. It... while already wasn't too heavy for me, feels a bit lighter to hold. I guess it's because I'm taller as an Anxi, and all that. I shudder to think if I even need it at this point-- if I'm even stronger like this.

Well, I mean. I guess I never really needed it. But still.

Holding it in my hands, I break into a sprint-- rushing for the alley I'd heard the screams from.

...As expected, Anxi. Just some beast doggos. Two... no, three. And... s-some small kid? Probably a teenager, maybe they were trying to sneak out of home, or something. They're cowering, back to the wall, having been cornered. I need to be quick.

I channel my witch magic, concentrating on the beasts in front of me. Arcane sigils form around them, more and more as I alter their gravity-- if I can't close the distance with them, I'll have to force them to close the distance with me...!

The dogs howl and bark, attention and aggression both turning over as I pull them in with one hand-- l-like a shitty dog owner being too tight with a leash, I guess. With the other hand, however...

SLAAAAAAAAAM

I throw as much of my weight as I can into a one-handed swing, throwing all three of the beasts into the wall with one massive splat-- congealing all of their slimy forms into one. Disgusting! But, I've gotten all of them.

...!!

W-wait, they're... still up. Shit. And... their bodies are reforming together, like a crass, disfigured cerberus.

"S-stay back... it's focused on me!!" I shout out to the kid, who responds with a meek nod.

The Anxi cerberus attempts to tackle me-- which I block by throwing my knee up into the middle head. Need to increase the distance...

Forcing it back with my magic, I ready my hammer once again. With my added strength, I'm able to throw it over my head at a faster rate, meaning-

CRAAAAAAAAASHHSHHHSHSHSH

The ground shakes violently, a massive crater forming in front of me as I reduce the cerberus' heads to nothing more than a fine, technicolor paste. That's... that's bound to fuck up the foundation of the nearby buildings, isn't it?

Ah-- I-I wonder if this'll be enough to make sure they don't come back? Their heads are splatter, but they're kinda still connected to their bodies in a way. ...I don't have anything sharp, do I?

...

......

"L-look away, please. I need to make sure they don't come back and u-uh.... it's gonna be a bit gross."

"M-mmm."

Dismissing my hammer, I crouch down, closing my eyes in resignation before... d-digging in. Using my sharpened, misaligned teeth, I begin tearing the Anxi apart, limb from limb, head from neck. It's... disgusting. It legitimately tastes like rotten, stale sweat and vomit, it's really fucking disgusting. But the primal feeling of using my fangs to eviscerate my successful hunt... I-I can't lie and say that it doesn't feel incredibly satisfying.

Once I've gotten my fill, I brush my face with my hand (for what little good that'll do for me) and approach the kid slowly. I-I still keep a bit of a distance, not wanting to be imposing with my increased stature, but still wanting to be as reassuring as I can.

"You're safe now. Run along home." I speak as soft as my body lets me, trying to form as un-creepy of a smile as I can.

"Y-yes, s-s-sir...! Thank you s-s-so much, sir!!" ...I'm not going to bother correcting them. They move to run out of the hallway, but once they get closer, they stop to examine me.

"A-are you... a witch?"

"I am."

"And an... Anxi?"

"Yeah."

"That's... so cool...! T-thank you again, sir!!"

"H-hey...!" I raise a hand, trying to get them to stop.

"Y-y-yeah...?"

"I-it should go without saying, but s-stay away from any Anxi you see. Even if you think it's me. I'm... an exception to the rule-- an unlucky witch."

"Mmm! Got it!" The kid nods, stars in their eyes as they scamper off.

Well, aside from the misgendering, I guess that was nice. Time to make it back to the apartments-

...?

I stop again, realizing something that gives me a bit of unease.

I'd...

...

....eaten more of that Anxi than I'd realized.