The afternoon chill has struck Detroit. Birmingham is busy as usual as it’s Saturday. The streets are flooded with the rushing lunch hour, and swarms of tourists have flocked the town. Due to the supernatural occurrences and what had happened yesterday have attracted people from all over the country and even parts of the world. More military personnel have arrived and are looking for the two responsible for yesterday's disaster. Meanwhile, back in his shop, Herold was cleaning the place after a successful launch day. Today’s busy as usual, and Angela happened to be there along with Sarah who were helping him with cleaning and attending to people.

He’s well aware of the presence that spooked the other two Espers yesterday and saw first hand what happened from a distance. He was so awe struck he almost fainted. Seeing a familiar face such as Mandy getting overcome by someone that looks like their prophet made him smile. Right now, he’s enjoying this experience, but he’s beginning to grow a bond with Angela since she reminded him of his niece back at home where he’s from. Seeing her so enthusiastic about art, her intelligence, it’s all reminiscent of his adorable niece. Even Angela herself likes him in a teacher’s pet sense.

“Mr. Herold, we’re running out of paint. Where can I get some more?” she asked.

He waved his hand, “no no, I’ll get it. You keep these people busy. I’ll be right back.”

She gave him a thumbs up, and attended to an elderly woman who immediately drooled over her cuteness. He walked to the back, and went to the storage area. Once inside, the door closed abruptly, and Ravana slithered out of the shadow.

“Hey hey, how’s the new place going, Shaman?”

He sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Honestly, you couldn’t have appeared at a different time?”

“Oh?”

Ravana lightly gripped his chin, and walked in front of him.

“Need I remind you that you’re still on duty, Shaman.” he said in an annoyed tone.

“I got it I got it. You can count on me, remember?”

Ravana grinned, “of course I can, but give me a second.”

Ravana walked around, and went out the storage, and spotted Sarah helping a couple.

“Look at her, she’s perfect.”

Shaman also glanced, and saw how helpful and gentle of a person she is.

“I know. Hard to believe that she might be her. The last I remember Samantha was her being a quiet, blunt, cruel woman.”

Ravana smiled, and leaned against the door frame.

“Who knows? Maybe it is Samantha disguising herself after the turmoil she did to our reality. Either or, I don’t care who she might be. Fake or real, she’s perfect the way she is.”

“Say, who do prefer. This supposed copy, or the real deal?”

Ravana can remember a time when he would watch Samantha cruely make fun of men who tried asking her out. She would belittle their manhood, their personality, but most of all, insult their existence. There were even rumours of her killing some that don’t meet her standards. One day, he decided to take that chance and ask her out. He approached her, well suited, and introduced himself before asking her out on a date. She gave him a cold stare with a grin that was thin yet as cold as her expression. She didn’t answer, but instead her gaze diverted over his shoulder to a tall shy man that happened to approach their area. She glanced back at Ravana, then to the other, and ultimately walked off. His group of friends wondered if he was a choice since she didn’t reject him. So, he happened to take it as a maybe, and waited for his chance to ask again.

Seeing Sarah’s sweet smile, her adoring chuckling, her crimson eyes glistening from the sun shining beside them made him almost run after her. He contained himself, and kept watching.

“I think I prefer this one. She just seems—different in a good way.”

“What? The great Ravana is fawning over someone with a not so cruel heart? I thought you embellished chaos and love fire in a woman’s heart.”

“I do, I still do, but seeing a side like this from someone believed to be a destroyer of worlds really makes you think otherwise. In a sense, maybe she might change my mind about bringing this world to its knees.”

Shaman crossed his arms. “That wouldn’t be so bad. But I know you very well, and you want to see the world burn just as much as anyone.”

His eyes grew a glint, and his smile thinned out.

“I’m not so sure about that, my friend.”

Angela happened to appear from the corner, and saw Ravana.

“Oh, didn’t mean to bother you two. Is he a business aquentinance of some sort, Mr. Herold?”

Ravana panned to Angela and gasped.

“Who’s she?!”

“Oh, this is my part timer, Angela Samr.”

Angela waved. “Hey.”

Ravana couldn’t believe his eyes and also liked her appearance as well.

“She’s adorable.”

“Hey… not cool dude. I’m like fourteen. I’m not some child.” she replied.

Ravana’s eyes furrowed, a thin smile appeared and he leaned down to look into Angela’s blue eyes.

“Who might you be? Young one.”

Angela didn’t like how he was staring at him, and took a step back.

“His part time worker as he said. W…hy?”

He can feel a dark presence inside her soul. It was extremely faint, but there was something trying to trail out. It intrigued him so much he couldn’t resist and grab her hand. She jumped a bit, and gave him a disgusted look.

“You’re a very interesting individuel, I must say. Your appearance alone, not speaking of what you wear, but how you look: It’s something straight out of reality, fiction. Only someone of your caliber could exist by illustration, not reality, yet you’re real. What’s your name?”

Angela put her hand out, and took a deep breath.

“First of, creepy, second you sound like something out of a fairytale in the way you speak, thirdly, I don’t care how hot you look, you still don’t get a pass touching me, lastly, please let me go before I get my big bro on you, sir—”

“Randy, call me Randy.”

“Right, Randy, could you please let go of my hand before I show you my not so cute side, would you?”

Ravana obliged, and chuckled. “You’re such a sassy young woman, aren’t you?”

“Hmph, sassy or not, doesn’t matter. Regardless of attraction, I don’t care how many women allow you to grab them, but not me. I’m not only strong minded, willed, but I’m tough as nails despite my appearance.”

“Of course, I can tell. Normally I would never allow anyone to speak to me so vulgarly and with such a rude tone, but with you, I’ll allow it.”

Angela raised a brow, drawing sweat from what he said.

“Uh… what usually happens if someone talks to you in the way I did?”

Ravana shut his eyes, stood back straight, and his smile thinned out more. He opened his eyelids, and Angela could see a terrifying look in his glinted eyes. Twisted, and diabolical is all she could describe from the way he was gazing at her.

“You really don’t want to find out, sweetheart.”

Shaman clapped his hands, and put an end to their conversation.

“Okay, I think you should get back to work, Angela. I have to give my friend here a final word before he takes his leave.”

Angela took some steps backwards as she was keen on his stare. She squinted her eyes at him, and turned around, leaving to go help someone else. Shaman dragged Ravana away from public view, and took several breaths to calm himself.

“Damn it, Ravana. You’ll blow our cover.”

He chuckled. “Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t help myself but instill some fear into her. Eventually, it’ll bite her in the butt.”

“Okay, anywho, I think—”

“Mr. Herold?” Sarah asked.

The two turned their heads to the soft voice that called for Shaman. To their right, Sarah stood with a confused face. She had one arm raised to her chest, and wondered who the strange pale man was. She saw his crimson eyes, which made her grow some interest. Ravana couldn’t believe his gaze and he almost collapsed down to his knees. It was as if an Angel came down from heaven, and granted him the woman of his dreams. He approached Sarah, and gave her a genuine smile.

“And who is this, Herold?” Ravana asked.

Shaman swallowed, and played along with his act.

“Another part time worker. She just started today to watch little Angela.”

Ravana can’t help but bring his eyes to her exposed legs, her slim smooth arms, her raven hair, and to stare at her same unique eyes as his. He can feel his face grow hot, but he’s so good at hiding his actual personality, outside, to them, it only appeared that he was standing with a normal smile. Sarah digged his unique outfit choice, but can’t help and wonder if she’s seen it before.

His outfit, it’s like if you combined steampunk with business attire… where have I seen this before? She wondered.

Ravana nodded. “Please to meet you. I’m Randy, a business associate of Mr. Herold.

“Oh, so like an investor?”

“You can say that,” he replied.

Sarah grabbed her chin. “But I find that strange.”

“Mm, why?”

She pointed at Herold, “didn’t you say you opened this place out of willingness? Not for any sort of money venture or affiliation of investors?”

Shaman gasped, and forced a chuckle.

“I am I am! He’s actually the property owner. That is what he meant by investor, haha!”

Sarah squinted her eyes, and dropped her finger.

“Huh? It sure looks like it. Either way, it’s still a little contradictory towards what you said to Jack and I.”

Ravana went up to Sarah, and put his arm on her shoulder.

“No need to worry, I’m just checking up on him. He’s a real close friend. Herold, your little worker here sure as hell is intelligent—and beautiful.”

Sarah tilted her head. “Th-Thanks?”

This guy’s weird. Not only is appearance unique, but his whole demour, there's something ominous about him. I’m not sure if it’s his red eyes that express hollowness, and lack of empathy, but he gives off this strange aura of anger and lust. Sarah thought.

Sarah gently grabbed his wrist, “why are you hiding your actual personality, Mr. Randy?”

Ravana’s eyes blinked once, and his mouth stayed open. Her warmth that touched his cold wrist reminded him more of times that Abyzou would do the same to get favours out of him. Sarah gently pulled his hand off, and let go while he stayed in a quiet state of shock. Ravana held his eyes shut for a moment, and after opening his eyelids, his twisted thin glint returned in them.

She’s even more perfect than I imagined. He thought.

“How did you know that I was showing another face?” he asked.

She crossed her arms, and mildly tilted her head again.

“Because for some reason, it feels—this is a little weird to say, but reminiscent. Yeah, it’s like I’ve—seen your face before?”

Sarah scrunched her face in confusion, looking off to the side.

Why does he look familiar when I haven’t met him? What’s… going on? She thought.

Ravana bent down, getting close towards her face. Sarah looked into the same crimson eyes as her, and it gave her a slight migraine. She grabbed her head, and took a step to the side. Ravana was captivated by her stare. To his eyes, she looked so innocent, confused, yet perfect.

“You alright?” he asked.

Sarah blinked rapidly, and rolled her eyes.

“I-I think so. Dang it, why’s this been happening to me.”

Ravana smirked, and walked past her, and paused.

“I’ll be taking my leave now. I’ll be seeing you soon.”

He mildly turned his head to show the edge of his face, but Sarah was too busy wrapping her head around the growing headache.

“Very soon, Abyzou.” he murmured.

He walked away, leaving Shaman alone with Sarah. He let out a sigh, and went out for a minute, and quickly returned with some pills. He handed them to Sarah, and she grabbed them. She tapped two out the bottle onto her palm, and swallowed them.

“Mm, thanks. That’ll kick in at any moment.”

“Yeah, can’t beat these puppies.” he said while wiggling the bottle.

She chuckled and walked away back to the people who needed help. Shaman couldn't help but let out another breath, the nerves in his body were tense and he was afraid that he would do something to expose their plan.

“If he really wanted her in his grasp, he could’ve done it on the spot. But he chose not to. Is it because he wants things to play out the way he insists? Or is there something else preventing him from further advancing his plan?”

Shaman watched as Sarah was beating her headache, and returned a bright smile as she helped his customers. This made him grin, and lean against the frame of his backroom doorway.

“Is she really Abyzou? Or in fact a copy. Regardless, whatever the answer, Sarah is a great gal.”

Shaman looked down, and slowly crossed his arms.

“Hmph, I’m starting to regret partaking in this scheme. But I can’t help it, it’s just the type of man that I am.”

I can be stingy, crazy sounding, but in the end, I want nothing more than to recreate this world into a peaceful nature wonderland. Shaman thought.

He took his gaze to the ceiling. “Yet Ravana claims that only Abyzou can do so. Once she cleanses the world, it’s told that she was about to rewrite our very reality in her vision, a vision of a nature induced fairytale.”

Angela came back, and saw her boss in a deep thinking process.

“Mr. Herold, whatcha thinking about?”

He snapped out of his deep thinking, and brought his eyes to Angela.

“Eh it’s nothing. Don’t worry about what I’m thinking lil Ms. Angela.”

Angela smiled. “I don’t know about that Mr. If it has to do with your friend then I too would be concerned about someone that creepy.”

Shaman laughed and patted Angela.

“Stop, he ain’t too bad once you get to know him. Just has a short temper and obsession problem.”

Angela raised a brow, and tapped her chin.

“He sounds like someone I know. A certain rich girl who can’t take a hint.”

“Jeez, you’re sassy alright.”

The two laughed and someone came to Angela for some help. She attended to them and walked away to help the person in need. Shaman watched and frowned.

“Yeah… Ravana was right.”

He raised his palm, and stared at it.

“I’m too easily won with kindness. But, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

He deeply sighed, and dropped his hand.

“This is going to be a long play, and I hope I don’t come out as the main villain.”

***

Just across town, Leon and Samantha had just arrived at a nice park. With the early signs of fall coming, to Samantha, this was whether that didn’t bother her in the slightest as opposed to everyone else who were beginning to wear jackets, hoodies, and long pants. She on the other hand wore her nice sundress because of the nice sunny sky, white fluffy clouds, and clear blueness. Leon had his hands tucked in his pockets, and for once, he had a grin on his face: He was happy that they were splitting up and he was set free. Samantha had a grin as well, but there was a smidge of sadness behind it: She on the other hand was upset that they were splitting up. They walked to a nice plain grass view of the other side of town on a small hill to begin preparations for their picnic. They settled, magically popped in thing's from behind a nearby tree to not be seen using magic to get a large umbrella, a large gothic mat, and a basket. Once everything was set and nicely put out, the two sat beside the umbrella with the large pole dividing them.

Leon sat crisscrossed, and watched more people walk into the park with bright smiles on their faces, and eager to share new memories with families, friends, or acquittances. Samantha also cherished these views, and hoped to one day recreate the same with her family. Yet, sadly, that wasn’t going to be reality anymore. It’ll be a dream stuck behind her sick head until she can get rid of what stands in her way.

“It’s—a nice day, isn’t it, Leon?” she said.

He nodded, and kept watching as a family began to prepare a similar picnic as there's. They laid out their foundation and their two kids fought each other.

She cleared her throat, “Looks like others are joining in the nice scenery, huh, Leon?” she said.

He watched as the oldest child, a boy, put his sister in a headlock and they fell to the ground, giggling. Then, another family approached them, greeted them and they were friends with them. More children appeared, playing, joining as Leon watched in enjoyment. They began to play with a throwball, and the boys clearly outmatched the girls. But their determination kept them going to beat them, and their ball had landed in front of Leon’s knees.

“Sorry, mister!” they shouted.

Leon reached, and grabbed the ball. He got up, came out beneath the umbrellas' shadow to reveal his tall nature to them. His pale skin, shiny blonde hair along with his casual outfit made him stand out. The kids all gathered around, and were jaw dropped. The oldest approached Leon, and looked more awe inspired.

“Are you an NBA player?! You look similar to one of my favourite players!” he said.

Leon’s dull, empty blue eyes made the young teen nervous, but he shook his head, and gave him the ball.

“No, I’m just a regular guy like your dad.” he said in his deep dead tone.

“You should consider it since you’re so tall!”

“Yeah!” the kids said in unison.

Leon chuckled, and patted the young teens head.

“I’m good where I'm at, kid. But you should consider being an NFL player since you’re so good at chucking that ball.”

He smiled and all of them ran backwards with him. Leon waved to the parents who were worried at first but returned with waves too. Samantha couldn’t help but smile watching Leon be so kind to the next generation. It gave her another settlement of guilt, which made her bow her head in shame.

The sense of guilt, again, has struck me like an arrow piercing my heart. Could this be—?

Samantha’s mouth opened, and it trickled a gasp.

“Love…?”

She rose her head, and saw Leon basking in the sunlight, his head aimed at the sky with his eyes closed.

I’ve never seen him this calm since his confession towards me. She thought.

She brought her hand out, and reached out to him.

What… have I—?

She crushed her eyelids shut, and shook her head. She reeled her arm back, and held it against her chest.

“What am I going to tell Sarah?” she mumbled.

Leon had just sat back, and let out a breath. She turned to her left, and saw him reaching for the basket. He opened it, and pulled out a favourite of his, a soda made in his home town back in Germany. This made him gasp, and turn to Samantha, and she smiled for him. He shut his mouth, and looked away, opening the can, and taking a sip.

“I, uh, went through the trouble of visiting your favourite local shop and bought some.”

Leon drank more, and cracked his neck.

“You did this overnight?” he asked, coldy.

She also reached for one can. “Yeah, I did. I gave them a nice pay too to support them. Oh, I also got other things, but…”

She tried opening the can, but couldn’t. Leon heard her struggling and she groaned, turning red. Leon rolled his eyes, and put his hand out.

“Would you, really?” she asked.

He didn’t answer, and she carefully put the can in his clutch, but not without skin contact. Feeling the tips of her fingers touching his palm sent chills up his arm, and almost made him freak out. He remained calm and told himself that after this picnic, he was off and out of the house to join Mandy in her hotel. He opened the can, it hissed, and he handed it back to her.

“Weak…” he unexpectedly muttered.

She heard his voice, and it made her turn her head all sassy like.

“Huh? What’d you say?” she asked, growing half a grin.

He barely noticed that he blurred that out between his lips. A grimace grew across his face, and he looked away.

“Nothing.” he replied, clearing his throat.

She grabbed the can, and took a chug before answering.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I think if my ears heard correctly, I do believe you had just called me—weak.”

He moaned, and drank the remaining amount of soda.

“Who are you calling weak, you soft vanilla cake.”

He twitched and quickly turned to her.

“Alright, I did, you’re weak, weak! Can’t even open a damn can.”

“Oh, alright. Says the guy who can’t stomach lil o spinach.”

“Hey, that stuffs nasty when it's mushed up, alright. The comparison isn’t the same.”

Samantha set the can down. She twisted her body towards Leon, and put her arms out forward on the ground. Leon still had his gaze diverted, but she found it amusing, and gave Leon a furrowed brow sassy type stare.

“But it is! Because you call me weak for not opening a can, so I call you weak for not stomaching spinach.”

Leon rolled his eyes, and put his arms back to his sides.

“Whatever you say, you’re still weak.”

“Hehe, hohoho, you too, dummy.”

“Du-Dummy?” he muttered.

He panned to Samantha, and saw her sarcastic, sassy nature. Her side eye made him frown, but shrugged.

“Call me dummy again, and you’ll feel the wrath of my fist.”

“Call me weak again, and you’ll feel the wrath of my…”

She turned away, abruptly turned back, and her hair flung in the process.

“Of my sass, Leon!”

The two stopped, and blinked. Then they both let out a chuckle, but Leon was quick to stop, and frowned again. He panned back to the families, and let out a deep sigh.

“No, I’m not going to let you trick me into staying.”

She also frowned, and her eyes furrowed in sadness.

“Like I said before, there’s nothing that’ll change my mind. It’s too late, and the damage has been done.”

He lowered his head, and gripped the mat.

“Yeah, nothing…” he murmured.

Samantha also panned to the families, and watched in silence. She moaned, and reached into the basket, pulling out a sandwich, sliced in two. She unwrapped the paper around it, and pulled it apart. She took a bite out of one, and handed the other to Leon. He could smell it, and it made his stomach rumble. He grabbed it, but mistakenly grabbed her hand as well. He freaked out for a moment, but feeling her soft hand, and sharing the little warmth she was producing gave him a sudden flashback.

It was of a time when the two were outside of the academy, sitting on the edge of a building, watching the skyline lights, and the city in a gorgeous setting. With cars honking out in the distance, people yelling across the street, occasional gunfire going off in the distance with police sirens echoing, the two were enjoying the view regardless of all the noise around them. Leon had his arms rested on the ledge while Samantha was sitting on it with her legs crossed, hanging off it. Both were seeing the stars and one that Witches' enjoyed seeing.

“There, right there, Leon!” Samantha said, excited, and jabbing her finger at the sky.

Leon brought his gaze to the nightsky, covered in a sea of stars. He tried scanning, seeing which one she was pointing at. He hovered his hand over his eyes, and squinted.

“I can’t see what you’re pointing at, Samantha.”

“Uh! Do I have to stand and point it out for you?!”

Leon grunted in response, and gave her a jab to the shoulder. She replied by hissing, and rubbing her arm.

“Did you have to punch me in the shoulder? Rude!”

“Dang, didn’t know you were so weak.”

“Huh?! Weak! Ooo, I’ll show you weak, dummy!”

“Oh, so you can be more sassy than usual?” he said, letting out a chuckle.

She pouted, and repeatedly slammed her fists against his right shoulder. It only insulated his statement, and again, calling her weak. Leon grabbed one of her wrists, and turned to her, tilting his head with a grin.

“See, exactly as I said, weak.”

Samantha puffed her cheeks out further, but giggled afterwards.

“Whatever, you’re still a dummy for not seeing the star that Witches like.”

“Then what is it, spill it out lady.”

“And you call me sassy?”

She looked to the sky again, and pointed at an orange star that stood out of the rest.

“Betelgeuse, that’s the star they seem to praise and hope to blow up sooner rather than later.”

Leon scanned harder, but finally saw the orange dim dot.

“Why’s that? What’s the death of a star have to do with Witch culture?”

Samantha giggled again, “you wouldn’t understand since you’re an Esper. But, from what the sacred texts say, the star represents one of the ideologies of strength, knowledge, and the surge of knowing the universe. The first Witch, he specifically chose that star because once it goes supernova, it’ll grant Witches' manna like they never experienced before.”

Leon grabbed his chin, and rubbed it.

“That sounds stupid. Plus, how did he know it’ll grant them some super powers?”

Samantha shrugged, and shut her eyes.

“Beats me. Even I find that story in the texts stupid. I even tried going back in time to find his foolish butt, and I saw that he was crazy.”

“You… you went back in time? How?”

“Oops, I said too much.”

Leon blinked rapidly, but shook it off. He went back to stare at Betelgeuse, and thought about it.

“I wonder what would happen. Sadly, you folks will never find out since it won’t explode for another couple thousand years. Or it’s already dead, since light travels so fast it takes a while for the explosion’s light to reach us.”

Samantha stood up, and smiled.

“You’re probably right. It most likely met its demise given the limitations of reality’s laws…”

She knit her brows, and put her hand up to the sky with a thin smile.

“... unless you can defy such laws and do things like this.”

Her hair fluttered, and her eyes glowed.

“By the power bestowed within me, I, Abyzou,” she murmured. “Shall move the stars aside, granting me a view of the great star for my fallen sisters to witness, I seek thee.” she said.

The center of her palm glowed white, and she clenched it. Light gleamed through the gaps of her closed hand. Feeling the heat of the light grow, she was ready. She moved her right arm to the left, and Leon could see the sea of stars being moved, like a black curtain being pulled off to the side, which made his jaw drop. She then carefully opened her hand, and moved it back in center. Again, she clenched it, and moved her arm to the right to clear the rest aside. She had finished moving all stars to the side, and only one remained in the center, alone, and shining brighter. Never has Leon bearwtinessed such a powerful phenomena. It even made him doubt his own abilities given this was the second time he’s seen her powers in action.

“There we are.” she said as her hair settled down.

Leon couldn’t believe his eyes, and slowly brought his breathless expression to Samantha. She had that thin smile on her face that would describe someone who lacked empathy and awareness. She turned to Leon, who appeared baffled.

“Pretty cool, right?” she said in a cute tone.

Leon wiped his face, and scratched his cheek.

“Pretty gnarly if you ask me. Jeez, I had no idea you were that powerful.”

Samantha giggled. “Please, you’re flattering me!”

She swirled her hand, and snapped her fingers. A bright twinkle appeared in the sky, and Leon wondered what star was shining.

“I can do more than just spells, Leon.” she said while again, waving her hand, and snapping her fingers.

An array of stars twinkled in the sky, and displayed a grand phenomenon of twinkling giants, showcasing a christmas light show to the world.

Leon scrunched his face, and his eyes quivered.

“Did… you just?”

Samantha lowered her hands, and twirled, dancing as the night sky changed, and she put her right arm out, dancing like a ballerina. This time, the stars grew brighter, and the structure of galaxies had appeared, enough to be seen by the human eye. Samantha put her hands out to the sides, and swirled her arms in front, guiding the galaxies towards each other, and some even collided, creating the most devastating collisions in the universe known to science. To everyone else, it was the most awe inspiring thing they’ve ever witnessed that got the opportunity to see. To Leon, he was terrified and never knew that she could manipulate space and time with the palm of her hands.

“Now, allow my fallen sisters to grant me the grip strength, the guardians of the grand sky, permit me to use light’s enemy to suck the remaining hopes of our universe into darkness: Mana, fill me.”

The way she said that chant, spell spooked Leon further. She sounded cold as ice, dead as life, yet innocent like a girl. Something in between the thousands of galaxie dots swirled, bending the light that they were creating, and eventually, as Samantha slowly put her hands close to each other near her chest, they were being sucked in by a black hole with gargantuan proportions. They bent inward, swirled, and eventually faded out of existence to leave Betelgeuse alone, again.

“Time for the final act.” she said.

Her hair levitated, and her eyes glowed platinum, and in between her closing fingers, a sphere of what appeared to be the galaxies, stars that were displayed in the night sky were now in her hands. To Leon, it appeared as if she were holding another universe in her clutch, and it made him step away. Despite feeling conflicted, he couldn’t help but be amazed too. The edge of her lips mildly opened, showing her ground teeth, expressing her joy. She carefully put her arms forward, and the sphere went out into the air, gently. She held her arms carefully as the ball slowly came off the tips of her snow white fingers. She gently blew at the sphere, and it zoomed out into the night sky. It went towards the center of the night sky, and exploded into the most beautiful explosion. Nebulas were showcased, auroras swarmed the night sky as everything was being put back in place. She put her hands down, and shut her eyes, thus concluding the night show, and bringing everything back to the way it was before.

She stretched and felt relieved. “How was that for being weak? H-o-n-e-y!”

Leon’s left eye swelled, and a tear slipped out.

“That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. But also, the most frightening experience as well.”

Samantha jumped from the ledge, and went up to Leon.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Leon.”

He appeared concerned, and moaned. She put her hand against his chest, feeling his beating heart trying to escape his chest.

“Is it okay to be?” he said.

Samantha rubbed his chest, gently, and softly blinked.

“Of course it is, darling. But it should be I, a tiny young woman who should fear her strong man yet feel safe in his masculine arms when danger creeps to bring me harm.”

He grinned, and tilted his head.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right, but you’re making me doubt my powers seeing you break our third dimension just now.”

“Please, you’re Leon Bolverkr, the destroyer! You can do anything, you’re gifted, the most out of any esper or mana user that isn’t an Exorcist!”

She pointed to the sky again, and directed her finger at a bright star.

“See that star? See if you could blow it up.”

“Huh? You want me to blow up a star in another part of the universe?!”

“Yeah!”

He had his doubts, and expressed a grimace.

“What if it’s across the universe? Too far for any of my blasts to reach?”

Samantha smacked his arm, giving him some motivation to give it a go.

“Leon, I know you can. Yes, we don’t know much about our known universe. We are aware that it’s infinite, but eventually, you’ll meet darkness.”

“What, what if there’s life that might get destroyed?”

“What? Like aliens? I mean, we’re still not sure if we’re the only living things in this universe, but I say, for this instance, let's still keep it a theory.”

Leon still wasn’t sure, and his doubts expressed itself with a huge frown.

“What if it’s already dead and we’re just seeing the aftermath?”

Samantha pouted, and put her hands on her hips.

“You can do it! I believe in you, honey!”

Hearing her pep talk mustered some courage, and brought his gaze to the sky again. She again pointed, and he squinted his eyes. Before he could do anything, she summoned a barrier around them to not affect reality and be seen. Leon took a deep breath, and slowly, his mana began to build up in one of his palms. He took more deep breaths, and shut his eyes. Samantha stood back to watch, and can’t help but feel excited. Leon’s hair moved, and his aura began to emerge around him, but faintly. To Samantha’s eyes it was always a sight to behold given its colour.

“Just his colour makes me quiver. It’s like looking at tame purple lava, how magnificent.”

He took aim with his ignited palm. A blast began to form, sucking in light from around them, and forming into an electrical sphere with out of control currents. Samantha let out an open mouth smile as it grew more intense, and shook the ground.

“Not even my cute barrier that puts us out of reality can contain his awesome mana!” she said.

Leon opened his eyes, and closed his hand, pulling it back, and punching it straight forward. A stream of purple electrical fire shot out of his fist, and thinned out as it faded into the vast emptiness of space. Leon dropped his hand, and at first grinned with disappointment, but then, the sky had erupted with his own nebulous explosion. This made him gasp, but feel proud yet terrified of his own power. Samantha was more than pleased to see this, and she wanted to see more than what had been displayed.

“I can sense you not only destroyed that star, but its entire system along with another. Good job, destroyer.”

Leon watched as the night sky was filled with numerous explosions of different lights.

“I never imagined that people like us could do such devastation to our reality…”

He balled his fists, and remembered the times he wiped out continents and tried destroying their own sun when he went berserk one last time.

“I thought when I lost my mind the best I could do was destroy what’s around me. But to destroy a star and its entire solar system?”

Leon raised one of his fists, and placed it against his forehead.

“It’s unthinkable, and unimaginable.”

He turned back to Samantha who still had her twisted thin smile.

“Samantha, people like us, like those Exorcists, shouldn’t exist.”

“But we do? There’s no helping in what's come true? What’s with this sudden saying, Leon?”

Leon’s feelings were convoluted. He didn’t know what else to say but thought as to why they exist. From what he’s read, people like Witches, Espers, Sorcerer, Exorcists, and anything supernatural have only existed under a thousand years. He wondered how this all happened and what made it a reality. To Samantha, she didn’t care about what should or shouldn’t be real, she just wanted to showcase more of his power, and see it in one more action.

“Leon, sweety, let's divert away from such trivial thoughts and let me see more of your powers.”

She pointed two of her fingers, and snapped them, and brought forth an enlargement of a galaxy to be shown like a twinkling star. This made Leon’s eyes tremble, and felt more conflicted about showing more.

“What do you want me to do next? Samantha?” he asked in a shaky tone.

She lowered her hand, and gave him a cute side-eye.

“Can you potentially wipe out that galaxy?”

Her tone, and demeanor sent chills up his spine. It was so playful, innocent, yet wicked. Her stance, the way her side eyes locked onto him made it seem as if she were playing him for something deeper. He can tell she was eager to see, but something about the look in her eyes made it more devious. Without another thought and choice in mind, Leon prepared himself for another attack to please the love of his life.

“Could we teleport to an empty field so I won’t scare the public.”

Samantha giggled, “of course, but I think it’s already too late for that since the police are investigating the area. See!”

She hunched over the ledge, and saw a brigade of policemen and women searching the area. Quickly, he knew it had to be him since his little attack did break the barrier. He gulped, and shook his head. Seeing him this worried about something so miniscule made her giggle more. She snapped her fingers again, and the two were now in an empty grassland. Leon looked around the vast darkness around them, and the stars in the sky being their only source of light. With the spiral galaxy still in view with his eyes, he aimed his pupils at it, and began for another attack.

“Stand back,” Leon said in a serious tone.

She obliged and gained some distance between them. With her arms behind her back, she watched as the once tall shy guy that hardly talked to anyone began to show more of who he was to the girl he claimed as his now lover. Leon balled his fists again, and took many deep breaths to control himself from losing control. He knew if he used too much mana, he'd lose control, and let it overcome his mind, leading to him becoming the monster everyone feared.

His shut eyelids wiggled, repeatedly squinted as he knit his brows, trying to concentrate the best that he could to show more of his mana to Samantha.

Don’t lose control, don’t lose control, Leon. He thought.

He slightly raised his clenched fists to his sides, and slowly opened his eyes. Samantha hunched over, tilting her head as to what he’s trying to do. Then, in a quick blink, Leon exploded out his aura that dented the earth beneath his feet. Now inside his own crater, that stretched a mile wide, where Samantha stood was the only piece of earth that survived. She could now see a glance to his power, his aura that flowed around him like a thick transparent layer of magma made of purple with red sparkles around it. He ground his teeth with steam creeping out the gaps of his teeth as he focused his total concentration on the galaxy that was his target. His aura grew more wide, and flowed rapidly. He slowly raised his left arm to his left cheek, carefully spreading out his legs. He had the back of his left hand near his cheek, he jammed his right arm, putting his right hand in-between his cheek and left hand.

With the two hands making contact, his stance balanced, mana began to build in the centre of his left palm. Gently, he grabbed his left hand with his right, and opened his eyes, grounding his teeth. Samantha again had an open mouth smile that seemed childish yet sadistic. Seeing his mana build up, the centre of his left palm gathering the energy inside him gave her butterflies. Leon took even deeper breaths as his mana began to grow more, and more. His aura grew taller by the second. Eventually, it reached the sky, and his aura could be seen outside of this world. The brightness, the intensity sent shockwaves around the world, and the earth itself was being affected. Its magnetic sphere was being messed with, and once Leon gathered enough mana, his aura collapsed onto him, rapidly flickered to his hands, and Leon shot his hands out forward.

“Huh?” Samantha’s smile turned upside down, and she appeared confused.

Leon stood there with his arms shot forward to the sky. At first, she didn’t know whether to be annoyed or angry, but suddenly, he yelled, and the mana exploded out of his palms. A ginormous purple beam shot out into space, flashing the entire area into a screen of purple and red. The force he created pushed him backwards. He had to raise his leg off the ground to control it. Samantha’s clothes fluttered violently as the enormous attack dented, carved the area around them as it kept going. The area flickered uncontrollably from its intensity, and for a minute, put a hole through the earth's magnetic field. With the earth now in danger, solarwinds welcoming itself into the atmosphere, Samantha had to do something or else everyone would die. She rose her arms to the sky, and she created her own barrier around the globe.

“Unbelievable…” she muttered.

Northern lights scattered across the sky, and Leon’s attack slowly thinned out and eventually lost steam. He put his foot back into place, and dropped on all fours. He’s sweating, squinting an eye, he could feel his power trying to overcome his mind. He grabbed his head, and groaned, fighting the urge of madness trying to overtake his mind. Samantha quickly hurried to Leon, seeing if she could do something to tame his mana. She got down to her knees, and placed her delicate hands on his head. Feeling her touch tamed the berserk nature inside, and allowed him to catch his breath.

“You okay, Leon?” she asked.

Leon opened his mouth, but the two heard a faint explosion, and panned to the sky. They saw the galaxy displaying an array of colours and particles. It lasted only a minute until it had been completely vaporised out of existence. Seeing it succumb to darkness made Samantha smile again. She was proud of Leon and couldn’t contain her joy. She leaped onto him, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and praising his attack. Leon on the other hand felt more afraid of himself, and shed another tear. Without saying another word, he gently pushed Samantha off and got back on his feet. His face, hidden with a shadow of guilt from the bangs of his hair, Leon couldn’t stand to see the night sky any longer. He dropped his head in shame, and Samantha wondered why he grew upset.

“What’s the matter? Why the long scary face, Leon?”

She grabbed his arm, and Leon’s body began shaking.

“Why?” he softly said, “why me?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Why’d you choose me, Samantha.”

She pulled his arm, and giggled.

“I’m confused as to what you mean by that, honey.”

Leon clenched a fist, and tensed his body.

“Out of every man in the world, you chose the most dangerous… Why, Samantha?”

Samantha wiggled her lips, and let go. She lightly tapped her chin, and crossed an arm.

“Hm, I do wonder, why?”

She brought out an adoring smile, and grabbed his clenched hand.

“Why did I choose the shyest, handsomess, yet most dangerous man alive?”

Leon lightly gasped, and turned to Samantha, seeing her gorgeous eyes glistening at him.

“Because, Leon, out of every man that ever tried winning my heart over, and convincing me to be their property, you were the only one who paid no attention to what my body offers, but what my heart offers.”

She rubbed his hand, and eased his tense nerves.

“You are right, people like us shouldn’t exist. But what better than to share the same burden with someone familiar.”

She slowly put her arms around the back of his neck, and stared into his eyes.

“Besides, no man could ever win me over, even if they casted the most powerful spell, I’ll never be won over. Yet you, Leon Bolverkr, are the only one to have. That says a lot.”

Leon sighed, but expressed a mild grin.

“You make it sound like you’re the ultimate prize this world has to offer.”

Her pupils turned upwards, and she smiled some more.

“But, aren’t I? I mean, I could ask you the same thing. Why did you choose such a dangerous woman like me?”

Leon subtle his grin, and his eyes softened.

“You want the truth?”

She bobbed her head, and giggled.

“Uh, yeah, I want the truth.”

Leon softly smacked his gum before answering.

“At first, when I heard the rumours of you, I thought they were true: you being a quiet, yet cruel girl. Your stare alone resented anyone, and you saw everyone else as nothing more than objects.”

Her smile turned upside down, and her face grew still.

“Your voice alone, when you spoke, sounded cold yet arousing. You have a soft mature voice that would trick any man into thinking you were into them. Yet to other women, you sounded too innocent, cute and made them jealous. I’ll be honest, from a distance, it appeared to be true, until one day you confronted me.”

Leon wrapped his hands around her waist, and his grin faded.

“Our first interaction will forever be cemented in my mind. In just three sentences, I got to know who you really are, dismissing the rumours.”

Her eyes glistened, and shaked.

“As I got to know you, further down the line, I’ve learned that you’re not only an intelligent person, caring, funny, but…”

He brought his hands lower down her waist line, and crept close to her face.

“...You were lost, and finding something to fill in the hole in your life. And I happened to fill in the gap.

Samantha dragged one hand from behind his neck, and rested it on his cheek.

“Samantha, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world… and I want nothing more than to possibly create a family with you, one day.”

Hearing him say he wanted to create a family with her broke her into a state of happiness and satisfaction. Samantha shed a tear, and edged into Leon’s lips, kissing him. The two locked lips, and she grabbed his face as the galaxy he had destroyed, slowly emerged back into existence.

Leon shook his head, and saw the family in front of them beginning to pack. He groaned and glanced to his right, seeing his hand and Samantha’s locked together. He couldn’t help and fight his emotions, but another tear slipped out. Samantha couldn’t see since she was looking forward, also reminiscing about something. Although, in the faint sunlight shining on her face, he did see a twinkle coming out of her eye, and slipping down her cheek. She lowered her head, and he felt her hand shaking all of a sudden.

“Is this… really goodbye, Leon?” she asked in a shaky tone.

Leon gently let go, and wiped his eyes, standing up.

“Yeah, it is. And I won’t change my mind.”

Samantha pulled back her hand, and clutched it. She had a faint grin as she fought her emotions as well.

“I thought so.” she said.

She glanced at Leon’s side, and could see his red eyes. She wiped her eyes, and sighed.

“Just be sure to continue looking after our daughter.”

He didn’t say anything, and took a step forward.

“And I’ll do my part too, to also take care of Sarah because you’re right… I should’ve taken care of this entire fiasco in my own hands.”

She also stood up, and turned to Leon, putting her hand out.

“You, along with everyone else will know the truth as to why this is all occurring.”

Leon turned his head to where her hand was out, his mouth mildly opening.

“Very soon, you have my word, Leon.”

Leon started putting his hand out towards her to shake it until his phone rang. He quickly reached into his pocket, and answered the phone. Samantha dropped her hand, and frowned. His conversation on the phone was quick, and once he had hung up, he glanced at Samantha one last time, giving her a genuine smile.

“I hope that this isn’t some act you're putting up, Samantha. But if it isn’t, then, thank you… for not taking my life and making me a free man again.”

Samantha nodded, and waved at him.

He walked sideways, and raised his hand.

“Goodluck to you, and all your future endeavours.”

Leon turned the other way, and walked away. Samantha watched as the man she had tortured emotionally for almost two decades turned his back to her. Seeing him walk, and with each blink he grew more distant struck her heart with the most pain since the day she almost lost Sarah.

“No…” she mumbled while covering her mouth.

She shut her eyes, and tears crept through the dams.

“Don’t go…”

Once she had opened them again, he was gone. She couldn’t help but softly whimper, and feel absolutely terrible about this whole situation. She snapped her fingers, poofing away the picnic, and pursuing after Leon to where he was heading. She power walked in his direction to find where she might stalk him from. After an intense session of strutting, she found him near a parked red sedan. He leaned against it, and looked to be waiting for someone. She crept behind some thick bushes and trees to hide herself. She wondered who he was waiting for? Leon’s face appeared disgruntled but all that sadness vanished when she saw a short bleached blonde woman approaching him. He immediately hugged her, and his face screamed happiness and freedom.

“Who’s… this?”

She then went for a kiss, and the two locked lips. Samantha’s eyes grew big, she gasped, and a sharp glint appeared in them.

“No…”

She grabbed the bush, and pushed some of the small branches off to the side to get a better sight as to who this woman is kissing her now ex-husband. When they let go, with the woman grabbing his right arm, fully turnt to give insight as to who she is, Samantha grit her teeth.

“Ma-Man…dy…” she growled.

Mandy held his hand, and frolocked around him as she dragged his arm. He looked so happy and excited that for the first time in her life, she felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. Samantha repeatedly shook her head, watching them be friendly.

“No, no no no no no no no no no… No! No! No! N…o!”

Samantha panted, her breathing intensified as she watched Mandy rub her hands all over Leon’s body. Once their reunion was over, they quickly got into the red car. Never has she felt this much envy since her original goal, and the old spark of the very Sin engraved in her body began to emerge.

“Damn you damn you damn you damn you damn… Mandy, Mandy—MANDY! MANDY!”

They were already driving away as she was hissing, snarling, starting to clutch her head. The car faded out in the distance, and Samantha began to hyperventilate.

“You’re dead you’re dead, dead dead dead dead dead… dead! DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD DEAD—DEAAAAAAAAD!”

Her scream bounced from every direction, shattering anything made of glass in the entire area. Her hair flickered black and red, and her eyes too flickered violet and crimson. Pedestrians nearby were dropped dead by the nasty scream, their ears bled along with their eyes. The area grew grim, the sky swarmed with clouds of black, and appeared bloody.

“I’m covetous, anxious, attentive, intolerant of this! Apprehensive, my grudge towards her is spiteful! You backbiting, blue-eyed monster full of ill content!”

Samantha transported herself into her own dimension, one that defined her resentment towards Mandy. A destroyed universe with orange nebulas and black holes swallowing stars, suns destroyed, and behind her, a large swirling vortex slowly emerged, sucking the light starting to create around her.

“My malice, bitterness shall fuel me into smiting her… I will not stand and watch as she takes away the one thing holding my family together!”

The vortex behind her sucked half her body in, half her body began to be spaghettified. She let out a putrid scream that shattered her own world, letting the outside world know of her—envy.

“MANDY!”

The swirling black, red vortex sucked her in, and exploded. Her own world had fallen victim to the vortex as well, leaving it alone to swirl. As darkness welcomed this flickered vortex to thrive, eventually, something emerged out of it. A pale glowing chalk arm came out, reaching out, and out of the vortex came along a malicious cackle. It’s off putting rhythmic laughter bounced in the chamber of nothing. Another arm came out, and as well as glowing red pupils that gleamed of malice. Her laughter continued until it transitioned to one last scream filled with resentment and guilt. Abyzou, had been reborn.