Hair and Power

“I’m….telling you….that….you can’t…just….barge…in there!” Inago struggled to hold Roan back as he climbed up the grand staircase to Mistress Camellia’s room.

“Get out…of….my…way!” Roan pushed with everything in him but eventually stopped midway up the staircase. His breathing was labored.

“Why are you trying to to stop me?” Roan leaned forward with his hands on his knees.

Inago took a step to the side and leaned against the railing also to catch his breath. “Because…you don’t know…”

Before he could finish, Roan took off up the stairs again. He was a full step ahead of Inago this time. They reached the top and bolted to the door at the end of the hall where Mistress Camellia lay on her sofa surrounded by hair.

Roan grabbed the door lever and pushed. Inago shouted behind him, “Wait!” As the door swung open, Roan was met by the image of Mistress Camellia laying on her sofa except instead of being covered by her usual white duvet she was loosely draped in a white towel while the elderly maid that was her attendant was gently giving her a sponge bath.

Roan’s eyes couldn’t help but wonder over her body and bust as she lay there. His eyes met with hers and immediately she shrieked. “What are you doing here!?” She struggled to cover herself with the towel.

Inago turned around; his face was bright red. “I…I tried to stop him. I swear!” He managed to stammer out.

The maid scrambled to throw any extra towels she had over the mistress’ bare skin. “Get out!” Mistress Camellia cried out again.

Roan looked down and gulped before looking up at her and speaking.

“You’re trapped in here. You’re a slave as well aren't you?” The entire room fell still and silent under the weight of Roan’s words. No one dared move except Roan as he slowly stepped forward.

“It was obvious when we first met that you were essentially tied down to that sofa by your hair. I noticed the bags under you eyes. You probably can’t sleep well in that position. It must be painful.”

Camellia shifted as she lay there trying to turn away from Roan, “Stop, don’t come any closer. Wait…” her voice trailed as Roan walked back behind the sofa as he had done hundreds of times by then.

“This can’t wait. I finally know what has to be done. And when I do it, you own me some answers. Are you ready?” Roan looked her square in the eyes. He could feel his own blood surging with intent, his face was flush, and his hands trembled.

Camellia silently nodded. Her body trembled and her breathing was ragged. When Roan grabbed a handful at the root of her hair, she let out a whimper and a few tears began to trickle out of her eyes.

“Stop! Don’t hurt her!” Inago called out and began to walk forward when Camellia held up a hand.

“It’s fine, Inago. It’s fine.” She looked up at Roan and whispered, “Please, go ahead.”

He nodded then moved his hands into the nullification position around as much of her hair as he could grab. After taking a deep breath, he tensed his hand and began the casting.

Earlier when cutting one lock of hair, he imagined peeling an union. This time, he imagined diving into a deep dark abyss to reach the bottom. Every centimeter down the pressure on his body built up. A faint aura began to glow around his body.

Soon enough he was outright glowing as magic poured from his hands onto Mistress Camellia’s hair. His hand ached, his head ached, and he began to feel drained. The end of his magic reserve was quickly approaching. Yet even so, he pushed on.

Bolts of static shock began to spark in different parts of the room. His mental image of diving into deep deep water was crystallizing and he could sense the bottom of the abyss nearing.

Camellia began to cry out and little pricks of static electricity flared off all over her body. She writhed but Roan never let go over her hair.

Just as he was about to finally reach the bottom of the abyss in his mind he felt his reserve run out. He had no magic power left. However, there was something else. A gnawing. A faint thread of snow white hair appeared before him in his mind’s eye.

Grab it. Take hold. Do it now!

He didn’t know why those thoughts came to him but just as he grasped the white lock of hair he immediately felt flush with power. The abyss around his mind rushed away and in its place was a vast void where he could move freely. He quickly reached the bottom and knew the nullification of Camellia’s hair was complete.

Roan raised the knife in his hand and cut. One strand of hair after another fell to the ground. After five quick swipes, Mistress Camellia was free.

Roan ended the casting but the power still surged through him. He saw that the room was glowing an eerie white hue that emanated from him.

His own hair had turned white and he looked down to see magical energy flowing from his hands. Sparks of light crackled all over the room.

“Roan! You need to let go now! I’m free! Let go of the power before it consumes you!” Camellia screamed from her sofa. It was at this point Roan noticed he was floating in the air about two meters above the others.

“Let go? Of this? This power? This amazing, thrilling power? Are you insane woman?” Roan spoke but didn’t recognize his voice or his words as his own. Was this really him?

“Roan! If you don’t release this power you’re going to die! I understand it feels good. You have to trust me. This power is a lie! It’s not what you think it is! LET GO!” Inago shouted about the rushing wind that had enveloped the room. “You can’t free Tada if you’re DEAD!”

A pang of pain ran through Roan’s body at Tada’s name being mentioned. He’s right! I have to stay alive and free my friend. I have to let go….but how?

In his mind, he could feel his grasp on the white hair still. So, he tried the only thing he could think of. He screamed out loud.

“Are you watching? Are you there? Is this what you want? For me to die? I can’t bring you your comb if I’m dead. Command me! Command me to release this power!”

The others looked on with terror in their eyes. After a few seconds, Roan heard the familiar voice in his mind:

“Let go and live. I command it!”

Roan’s vision blurred, he felt the power leave him just as quickly as it came. He could have sworn that he felt a familiar and warm embrace before he plummeted to the ground and to unconsciousness.