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On a cloudless afternoon, a group of six came together in a forest. A few teased and mocked each other, while some scoffed upon the thought of their fallen ally. When a moment of calm fell upon them, they reflected on the previous nights and came to the same conclusion:
“Perhaps a tremendous, unanticipated disturbance is all they need to push them into the arms of forbidden magic.”
——————
There was nothing in sight but burning trees and homes, accompanied by ashes flying gently through the air. The tall grass field had been burned to nothing but gray straws long before the conflict had come to its sudden end.
It had only ended because of that girl. The one that was always so bright and desperate to help.
No matter how hard she clenched them, Agott’s hands shook uncontrollably. She scolded herself over and over for it, among the other disasters she felt awfully involved in tonight. In her ears, the screams of bystanders asking for the witches' aid clashed with the calls of her fellow witches asking for supplies as they fought off that corrupted magic. Their atelier helped where they could, but Agott didn’t know if it was enough to make up for the blood that had already been spilled.
She turned to the left, but she wasn’t met with a drop of comfort. How could she expect it when there were those who needed it just as much as her? Richeh was only able to bury her face in the body of a distraught brushbuddy. Tetia hugged her arms tight, looking for a hug from someone who would never return it again.
“I’ll go!” The golden-haired girl screamed. Her voice was raw and held nothing but despair. She wore the same look from the day her warmth and blood was taken away from her, when those eyes lost the sparkle it was meant to carry. Her lips quivered as if she were discovering how helpless she was even with her magic all over again.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Why wouldn't they, when she was just a child with a thirst for knowledge? If she knew this was the tragedy that waited for her at the end of that joy, maybe she never would’ve given magic a second glance.
“Please,” her voice shook. “Just no more.”
There was only one capable adult left in Agott's eyes. The others had been caught in the crossfire near the populated area of the city, and she only scoffed at the idea of the Knights Moralis being of any help. Those close-minded, incompetent fools couldn’t be anything but a hindrance.
Olruggio’s chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. He fought frantically to catch up, but there simply wasn’t enough time. By the time he reached the field, he could only catch the unconscious Qifrey that was now leaning by his side. The golden girl had already slipped from their fingers.
That wasn’t to say he became careless. Agott knew it in the way he stepped in front of them wordlessly, stretching out his free arm to serve as the one barrier separating them from the darkness ahead. He paid just as much attention to the remaining children because he knew the loss of another pillar of their atelier would only make everything come crashing down.
And who knew if they could rebuild it again?
The fear from the students was nearly palpable. Their teachers were much better at keeping it together, though the paleness of their skin was much harder to hide. It stemmed from both the violence and the fact they knew they were losing one of their own—permanently this time. There was no saving grace, no sounds of triumph in the midst of the forest’s dreadful silence.
So as Agott watched the brimmed cap with an eye put his hand on Coco’s shoulder, it finally felt as if her fear overflowed, transforming into something completely different. Her heart seized for a moment. It was a pain worse than any rejection she had ever faced.
Agott rushed forward. She pushed Olruggio’s hand aside, ignoring his small gasp.
The thought of seeing her fellow students and teachers in pain was already enough for her stomach to boil. But now there was the future to think of, one where they couldn’t eat together, draw their spells, or watch Agott’s magic under the night sky. The sound of laughter in their home would quiet when Agott had just learned to cherish it as its own beautiful melody.
With that girl, she had finally learned to give. She didn’t want to disappoint her or go back to the person she once was. But she couldn’t let go of the world she had now. If taking it back was the only way to save her, she would let her selfishness take over again tenfold.
“Coco!” She cried, desperately hoping the wind would carry her voice to the girl that was only getting farther and farther away. “No matter what they tell you, don’t listen to them, and don't dare give up your dreams. I promise I’ll save you.”
“Agott,” Richeh called quietly from behind.
But the girl couldn’t hear. Agott was simply left with nothing but her thoughts and desire to bring Coco back. She took a step forward, put her hand on her chest, and made a declaration that was nothing but the unquestionable truth in her eyes.
“Because your magic is the most wonderful of them all!”
As her words echoed into the distance, the silence was finally filled by a gentle gust of wind. It rushed past everyone’s ears, as if agreeing with Agott’s words when Coco couldn’t. There everyone stood, silently watching Coco fade into the distance without looking back.
Then the tears finally began to fall.
Agott brought her ink-stained hands to her face, not caring for the mess it’d create. They’d been fighting for so long only to lose everything in the end, and Agott had always hated it when there were no results to show for her work.
She didn’t notice Olruggio’s hand falling back to his side, nor the way he adjusted Qifrey in his hold. She didn’t notice the light steps that approached her, either, until two pairs of hands wrapped her in a warm embrace.
Many tears were shared between the girls that night, as their hearts ached for the one that completed them.
——————
Coco yelped the moment Agott’s voice reached her. She listened carefully to decipher the words, her heart slowly filling with joy. She felt warm, content, and it was almost enough to forget the decision she made. Somewhere in her mind, she convinced herself this was just a nightmare. She’d wake up very soon, and when she did, she would hug her teachers and friends again. Then they’d all take their seats at the table so they could laugh about her silly dream over breakfast.
The man next to her moved his hand from her shoulder to the back of her head. He forced her head to face forward again.
“She speaks some truth,” Iguin said. He hummed before his lips twisted into a wide grin that Coco could see under his cap. “Your magic can be wonderful. It is far from its full potential, but don’t be discouraged. That is why we’re here to help you.”
Coco glanced downwards but kept moving. Agott stopped speaking. The emptiness in her chest returned. All she could listen to was the sound of her boots crushing gravel and dead grass.
“My child of hope, are you ready to restore this broken world?”
“...Right.”