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Mahou powers didn’t last forever. It wasn’t known why, but no mahou had ever kept her powers past 18 years old. Once they were around that age, it was only a matter of time until they went to sleep one night and woke up as a normal girl again. Their colorful hair and eyes would fade back to normal and their sigils would vanish without a trace.
In a single night, everything would change. They’d look different. The dynamics they’d have with their team, often their closest friends, would dramatically shift. Their business contracts would usually come to a conclusion. They’d no longer be showing up on the news, and their fame would usually begin to fade, the attention and adoration of fans slowly slipping away. It was no lie to say a major part of their identity would disappear. For most girls, it was devastating.
For Ariana Blecher, all she could feel was a profound sense of relief.
She’d done her duty, served the city, finished high school, and built up savings for herself and her family. The entire time, she had been terrified one night she wouldn’t return home after monster hours. It wasn’t really death that scared her though, it was the tragedy it would be for her family.
Her parents would be devastated at the loss of their child. They supported her choices, but in private she knew how worried they were. How helpless they felt, unable to protect their child from the dangers of each night. She’d seen the parents of a girl who didn’t make it to 17. How sadness clinged to them, years after the fact.
But that was nothing on what it would do to her little sibling, who looked up to her with eyes full of wonder and innocence. It hurt to imagine what Ariana’s death would do to them. They said it was selfless, what magical girls did, protecting the city each night. But Ariana couldn’t help but think how selfish she was, putting her entire family at risk.
But now it was over. She had done it, survived to become a retired mahou. Her family was safe. And the best part was that it would stay safe, for now at least. The only real risk left was that Claire, her younger cousin, could get the The Dream. But that wouldn’t be for a few years at least, and it was pretty unlikely. Was it perhaps selfish that Ariana hoped she wouldn’t?
Her family had paid the emotional tax of dealing with a mahou child. The relief she had seen in their eyes the day she had come down for breakfast with brown hair instead of silver had said it all. Of course, they were supportive, asking if she was alright. Many mahous fell into something of a slump after losing their powers.
But not Ariana. She was just glad her family could relax. No longer would they be going to sleep worried their child wouldn’t be there when they woke up. Nor would they be staying up until two in morning, desperate to make sure their child had made it home. No, the days of dealing with a mahou child were done, and Ariana was happy.
A few months later, she sobbed when the universe proved her wrong.
BONUS:
Ariana wandered out of the forest of gleaming silver pillars, into...somewhere else. A white void with a reflective floor. There, a distance ahead of her, was a strange woman in a dress. Her hair, clothing, and skin all a strange goldish white.
There was something familiar about her. “You’re-” Ariana started, before cutting herself off. It was on the tip of her tongue. She knew this girl, she was sure.
“Hm?” The woman turned to her. Somehow, Ariana couldn’t quite see her face. Like she was trying to recall a memory of what someone looked like and failing. Yet that didn’t bother Ariana, somehow. The woman’s voice was gentle and relaxing. “Oh, it’s you.”
“The Dream.” Ariana’s eyes widened, and she finally remembered. “I...when I got my powers.”
“Yes. I’m glad you remember.” The woman in white smiled at her. “You’ve done well, haven’t you?”
Ariana gulped. “Y-yeah. Is...is this it? Am I losing my powers?” Out of the corner of her eyes, Ariana spotted gleaming shapes made of silver growing out from the ground. Triangular and hexagonal prisms poking through the reflective floor.
“No.” The woman denied casually. “But it won’t be long.”
More metal shapes started to grow all around, faster. “W-wait! I don’t know if you’re the Founder or whoever, but please!” Ariana called out frantically. “I know it’s selfish, but my cousin Claire! Please...don’t give her the dream! I just…” Ariana’s voice died, feeling guilty about what she was asking. “Our families...I don’t want them to have to worry anymore...”
The woman in white said nothing for a moment, gazing at her blankly as the metal shapes kept sprouting, separating her and the woman like a fence. Larger shapes sprouted too, huge hexagonal pillars, slowly blocking out the light. For a moment, Ariana was terrified that this was a confirmation that Claire would definitely get The Dream.
Finally though, she seemed to consider it, her fingers rubbing her chin. A small smile formed on her face. “Alright child. I can promise you that.”
Relief filled Ariana. “Thank you…” She said tearfully, as the metal finally blocked out the white sky above her, and her vision faded.
The woman in white looked on as Ariana vanished, the world of dreams returning to how it was. She had grown used to being here, the loneliness and quiet. But occasionally, a sadness ran through her. Sometimes she still wished she could return to the real world. Sometimes, she wished the girls could remember her.
It was so sad. Ariana didn’t even realize she had a younger sister. She would soon. And it was utterly tragic that Ariana wouldn’t remember this conversation either. It almost brought tears to the woman’s eyes, knowing Ariana would never realize just how hard she just got pranked.