After another day of handwork for Angela and Sarah who have decided to call it quits at Herold's art shop. Sarah and Angela were outside, sitting on a bench, eating a sandwich Angela had made but wanted to share with. They munched, watched the sun beginning to set behind the horizon of the town, there was something Angela wanted to ask Sarah.

“Hey, goth girl.”

Sarah paused before taking another bite.

“Yeah?”

Angela took one more bite before speaking, and grinned.

“You ever questioned your own existence?”

Wh-what did she just—say? Sarah thought as she let out a soft gasp.

Why did Angela ask such a personal and difficult question? How can Sarah respond to it properly without bringing herself up into the equation. Sarah carefully set the sandwich down on her lap, and patted her skirt. She looked down, and shook her head. Angela on the other hand kept eating as she stared at the sky beginning to transition to orange.

“I-I don’t really know what to say.”

Angela ate her last bite, and wiped her mouth with a napkin that was on her lap.

“Well, you should because, the thing is, Ms. Supernatural—”

She reached into her backpack that was on her right-side and took out a novel. Taking the novel out, Sarah could see the picture in front and saw a girl that looked just like her, but with red hair and a man that wore a detective outfit and had long hair.

“—your story is very similar to what I’m currently reading. You see, the girl on the front page of this manga has been caged all her life and never! Has she been told how she was brought into this world? Throughout all her life, she’s only told that she was rescued by her creepy master who at times puts his grimey fingers on her. In this world, the upper and lower class are divided by levels, for example, they live in what we assume should be normality, but in their reality, there’s another city, a whole different world built above the ‘poverty cities’ where all the rich live.”

“Uh huh, and this all relates to me… how?”

“Did you not hear my synopsis?! The girl, also known as the red danger, was raised to be a fighting machine! Fought to make money and a fearsome reputation in an underground fighting regime. Never has she been given a chance to think until she met—him!”

She pointed at the detective who wore a rad outfit and had a handgun posed as well. His facial features were similar to Jack’s and his eyes were empty just like his.

“This man here, he rescued her from her entrapment and opened her eyes to what the real world is. At first, their relationship was weird, like a dog and owner type of thing since she barely knew how to communicate or read. But as the stories progressed, their feelings for each other have grown, and finally being given a chance to think; she’s at long last asking who and what she is and best of all, what’s her purpose in life.”

Everything Angela had intel felt at home for Sarah. It made her rewind her memories from the earliest one she had. She thought and thought and found a memory of a time she could recall when she blinked her way into a flash of white. Once the light had faded, being blinded by a clear blue sky, she got her first scent of nature, and the first feeling of life. She could remember blinking a couple of times, and felt her first set of teardrops creeping out the edges of her eyes. As she panned downward, she saw the first face, and it was her mothers who appeared at joy and hugged her. Her first touch, and shared warmth. She could remember raising her tiny hands up to her face and getting to reflex her first muscles.

Her mother cried as she held her.

“You’re… you’re…”

Sarah took in her first giant breath of air, and let it out with a subtle sigh as her mother kept crying. She turned her attention to someone sitting at a distance, near a lakeside. Upon further glance, she saw the first glimpse of her father, and from the sideview of his face, she saw pure defeat. She blinked again, and slowly got out of her mothers grasp, and tried walking for the first time. She couldn’t and fell on her face. She couldn’t understand why when she felt old enough to do so. She raised her head off the grass, and reached her hand out to her father, but her mother grabbed it, and got in her line of view. With the twisted thin smile on her face, she could remember the first words she was able to hear.

“How does it feel… to have a mind of your own?”

She brought her gaze up to her standing mother who looked down at her. She tilted her head and kneeled down to her.

“Look at you, a quick learner and already knowing what to do as a young girl who see’s her pathetic father in distress.”

She patted her head, and leaned closer to her face.

“From now on, I shall call you… Sarah. And from here on out, you will no longer be the lifeless doll that came out of me…”

Her smile grew bigger and more vile.

“You are now the daughter I sought after and long have dreamt of birthing, welcome—to your newfound… life!”

Hearing those words echo into her mind made her flutter her eyelashes, worrying Angela as she stared off into space with a distressed look on her face.

“Sarah, you okay weirdo? Or did I say too much?”

Sarah gasped again, and another memory flashed before her eyes. It was the time of her reading for the first time, the black textbook her mother held so dearly. She could recall as if it were yesterday. It was a bright sunny day, she was sitting on her mothers lap, and read the texts only her mother could translate. Every description, every statement correlated to a goal of ultimate happiness. The balance of nature, being one with the universe, evolving beyond the fourth dimension and becoming omnipresent. None of it made sense to Sarah, but to her mother, it made it seem as if she had already experienced such magnificence.

Sarah’s eyes sparkled, and she spoke her first word.

“Ma-Mana?”

Samantha giggled and patted her head.

“Indeed, my little blossom of life. With learning magic and beyond that, being mana, you could evolve further than that and element the powers of nature and further!”

She demonstrated by pointing the tips of her fingers to the sky. She shot a bolt of lightning and it struck the sky, creating a hole in it.

“Of course, you can’t do that now, but once maturity reaches you, and with this chant… here—”

She pointed into the book and Sarah saw the chant; a long but understanding one about guardians and the flow of nature.

“—the day you awaken your dormant powers, you’ll soon find out as time progresses what truly makes you more special than I—my adoring seed of life.”

Sarah’s eyes sparkled as she tried to read the words in her thoughts. Seeing her daughter read and figure out the text langauge made her astounded.

“Yes, yes, Sarah. Read, read until you can take it all in, bask in your own prosperity and freedom.”

She put her hand on Sarah’s head, and rubbed it. Sarah giggled as she continued reading.

“That’s what now separates us, my—”

“Sarah! Hey, you’re freaking me out here, goth girl.”

Sarah blinked erratically and noticed her mouth drooling. She wiped it dry and shook her head. Angela scooted closer to her.

“Alright, again, you dozed off. What’s going on in that complex mind of yours, goth girl?”

Sarah was about to reply when she felt someone’s mana just a foot away, which got her attention. She saw Mandy standing, and her face expressing seriousness.

“You’re finally reading your mothers mind, it seems.” Mandy said.

Sarah squinted her eyes and her breathing became erratic.

“wh-What are you talking about?” she asked.

Angela pouted. “Great, it’s the weird blonde chick again, pueh.”

Mandy groaned and twitched an eye.

“Weird, am I?” she muttered.

Sarah got off the bench, and quickly controlled her breathing.

“What do you mean by what you’re saying, Mandy.”

Mandy stepped forward, and pulled out a necklace tucked inside her trench coat pocket.

“Perhaps seeing this might trigger more.”

Sarah walked closer to see the pendant and again, another flash came.

She saw herself grabbing the pendant off a desk, and clutching it. Her gaze shifted to a scared Mandy who was sitting in the back of a class room. She approached her and threw the necklace at her head, which cut her forehead.

“A lousy Esper wishes to become a part of us? You don’t deserve to wear such a precious metal, you belong in the ground burried ten feet below. Just the sight of seeing your squirmed cowardly nature has my blood boiling again.”

She grew closer and closer, and as Mandy covered the cut on her forehead, she grabbed her hand, and put one of her fingertips against it. She smeared it, and Mandy tried her best to not react to the pain. She rubbed it, and stuck her nail in it. Mandy yelped, but she covered her mouth and muffled her soft cries. She edged into her face, and slowly put the crimson drenched finger into her mouth. After sucking it dry, she let off her mouth, and stiffly placed the wet fingertip against her quivering lips.

“I absolutely adore your pathetic nature. It drives me crazy as to how vulnerable and innocent you look. Yet, it stirs the hate I love to inflict torment and pain onto weak fools such as yourself, Mandy.”

Mandy couldn’t defend herself after her last attempt went futile. She had no choice but to endure the torment and deal with the emotional trauma. She grabbed her chin, and she went in for a kiss, to which her eyes exploded. She quickly let off, and Mandy felt her soul leaving her body.

“That’s for the kiss you stole from me when you and Leon were alone.”

She bumped heads with her, and giggled in a childish manner.

“Oh, Mandy, you stupid, stupid little whore. This will all stop if you just leave him alone.”

Mandy silently cried and looked into the soul of the devil torturing her everyday life.

“With the light you fear that comes out of the fingertips that embark my connection… I hope to one day eliminate you from this life by doing so.”

She eased off, walked backwards, and waved goodbye to Mandy as she covered her mouth and collapsed her head to the desk. Mandy wept and she waved to Mandy with a thin smile on her face.

“See you later, Mandy.”

Sarah’s eyes were sunken and drenched. She covered her mouth and could taste the iron from that flashback. It almost made her throw up but Angela quickly helped out by rubbing her back. She gave Mandy a frown and pointed angrily at her.

“Creepy blonde lady! Stop making my friend cry!” she exclaimed.

Mandy tucked the necklace back into her pocket and also frowned.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. She just had to get a clearer picture to what's to come.”

Sarah coughed and wiped her mouth, gazing back to Mandy, but with a saddened face.

“I-I don’t want to see anymore… for now.”

Mandy nodded. “Okay.”

“Other than what you showed me, what else brings you here, Mandy?” Sarah asked.

Angela stayed on guard, furrowed her brows and clung into Sarah’s arm, which made her feel better. The comfort of Jack’s sister tamed her mixed emotions and also confirmed even further just how much their friendship has grown. It made her blush with joy.

Mandy grinned. “I thought I’d just stop by and check up on you.”

Sarah sighed. “And the status of my dad too, right?”

Mandy grunted. Sarah rolled her eyes but understood since they’re a couple. Angela’s eyebrows were raised, but more so of being nosy and wondered what happened between her parents.

“Wait, status on your dad? I thought he was dead.” Angela said with a suspicious yet curious tone.

The two reacted quickly and Angela could read their secret right through them. She raised a brow and had a smug half grin while they forced smiles and awkwardly scratched either the back of their heads or cheeks. Mandy suddenly grew serious and had her attention on somebody. The two other girls wondered who she was staring deeply at or is it them that she’s glaring at?

“Well well, isn’t this surprising?” Herold said.

They both turned around and Angela smacked his stomach.

“Don’t spook me like that, Mr. Herold!”

He chuckled. “Sorry. Who might you be, missy?”

Mandy’s eyebrow twitched, and so did his.

“Mandy, and you’re Herold Sh—I mean, just Herold, correct?”

He grinned, “yes, just Herold.”

Sarah knew something’s weird with their interaction. She wanted to ask why, but Herold clapped his hands together, which made them jump.

“How about I—invite you all to a nice send off dinner. Would you care to join us too, Ms. Mandy?”

Mandy quickly obliged and looked at the other two girls. With her silent stare, they could tell she was more than up for a free meal with how her eyes were sparkling. Seeing Mandy like that made Angela point and laugh at her. Sarah on the other hand still felt oddly suspicious of their interaction. She remained chill and nonchalant in the meantime.

The four walked their way to a nice known chain restaurant. With the two girls seated, and Mandy and Mr. Herold, currently not present, Sarah was beginning to grow more curious about them. Angela’s attention was glued to the menu, not bothered in the slightest, Sarah got up and looked around the place to see where they might’ve headed off to if they actually knew each other.

“Angela, I’ll be back, I gotta go to the restroom.”

Angela waved her hand above the menu, and shooed Sarah away, which made her twitch an eye. Sarah walked off and went to go look for them. She made her way to the bathroom and saw nobody but regular folks, then to the corner of the place and found nothing. She spotted a door open, which happened to be the maintenance door that led to the outside building. She glanced around and tip-toed her way outside and just from the corner of her eye, she saw them talking. She sneaked up to the dark corner and peaked into their conversation.

“You wanna tell me what on earth you’re doing here?” Mandy asked.

Herold shook his head and raised his hands.

“I can’t really tell you, Mandy.”

“Hmph, you’re the same as always. So secretive yet out spoken. Although, I do find it strange that you’d be here amongst all the chaos that’s happened. Especially with those cultist freaks being here, I’m starting to grow my own suspicion towards you.”

Mandy gripped her chin, then snapped her fingers.

“Wait, I’m sure I saw you the night those idiots dared attack my Leon.”

Herold put his hands up, and raised his brows.

“Woah woah, you’re sadly mistaken. I’m not involved with them, and your Leon?! I thought he was stuck with Samantha?”

Mandy grew a smile and coughed.

“Ye-Yeah, that wasn’t until he broke himself free of her evil doings and now, we’re actually a thing.”

Herold swallowed and grabbed the collar of his shirt.

“That’s wicked. Either way, I don’t suppose you know where she might be, do you?”

Mandy coughed again, but this time, she went up to a trash can and vomited into it.

“Jesus woman! What’s gotten into you!”

Mandy gagged and summoned a towel, wiping her mouth. She reached into her pocket and grabbed some gum to chew on it.

“So-Sorry, just been getting really nauseated as of lately. And my stomach, it’s killing me.”

“A-Are you sick or something?”

Mandy smiled, and shook her head.

“No. This is a good kind of vomiting.”

Herold reacted in disgust.

“You still bother me after all these years.”

“Whatever, but to answer your question, I don’t. I’m still looking for her and Leon's whereabouts. Yet something tells me she might have him back in her possesion.”

Herold leaned against the wall, tucking his hands into his own trench coat pockets.

“That would be pretty wicked as well.”

“Uh, who taught you to say such a delinquent word?”

Herold chuckled. “My little apprentice, Angela.”

“Oh…” Mandy frowned, “you mean the rude sassy emo sibling belonging to her strange brother?”

“Yup, he too is also an intriguing individual.”

He heard something tip over and crash at the corner of the alley. He quickly walked up to it and peaked around, and saw Sarah running back into the restaurant. He panicked and grew nervous, starting to sweat while Mandy came up beside him.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

Herold stuttered his words and clutched his head.

“Fuck, fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck, fuck!”

“What?! What the hells got you all spooked?”

“My cover’s blown, blown!”

Mandy wondered what he was talking about until it hit her too.

“Sarah!”

She ran back into the restaurant and saw their table vacant.

“Damn it.”

She hurried out of the restaurant. As she ran to where they might’ve ran off to, she already saw Herold down the sidewalk, catching up to them.

“Damn he’s quick.”

Sarah and Angela were just stopped by a crosswalk sign when Herold managed to catch up.

“Hey, why’d you run off—?”

Sarah turned to him, and put Angela behind her.

“Don’t come any closer, Herold or whatever your real name is.”

“Huh, wha-what’s going on?!” Angela said while peeking from behind her.

Mandy finally caught up and stood beside him. She remained nonchalant and calm.

“Sarah, you overheard us, didn’t you?”

Sarah furrowed her brows. “I heard quite enough to know that he’s up to no good. I already know your intentions, Mandy, but I’m still upset at the fact you already know him.”

“You have every right to! And I can explain, please.” Herold begged.

He stepped up and took a deep breath.

“What did you hear that made you run away with Angela?”

Sarah balled a fist, and shut her eyes.

“My mother came up, and your awareness of the events took prior.”

“Alright, alright, I do know your mother. But not for the reason you're expecting. I am looking for her, but not for what you think or this dumb blonde’s reasoning is.”

Angela giggled while Mandy growled at Herold.

“I’m here as a researcher. And all I want to do is ask a couple of questions to her about—”

“Again with this…”

“No, I’m-I’m serious, I actually conduct these types in—”

Mandy stepped up and elbow bumped him.

“Trust me, this nerd here loves nature and our societies more than normality. He’s been this way since the academy.”

“Academy?” Sarah asked.

“Ooo, so much has been revealed to my young teenage mind. If it weren’t for you goth girl, I would’ve reacted differently to all this, hehe!”

Herold chuckled at Angela’s statement while Sarah remained on edge.

“What is this academy that you speak of?”

“It’s a long story, but I can say is that I was there to learn about Esper's and Witches.” Herold said.

Mandy tapped her fingers together with a still face.

“And… that’s where I met your father too.”

“My dad went there as well? What was it called?”

Herold rubbed the back of his head and waved his hand.

“We-We can’t say. We’re not allowed to reveal this place. Unless…”

“You have a co-sign to get you permitted into the forbidden academy.” Mandy said.

“Huh, I forgot about that.” Herold replied.

Sarah crossed her arms and Angela creeped out from behind, putting her arms behind her back. Angela walked forward and put herself in the middle.

“Whatever you guys got going on, I can easily tell that goth girl wants nothing more than to punch someone in the face.”

She looked over her shoulder to Sarah who seemed surprised by what Angela’s saying.

“Right?” Angela said with a cute smile.

Sarah’s emotions, her mind, of all the events that have taken place, her training, her meditation, she wanted to test just how far she’s come. She nodded with a straight face, put her arms to the sides, and stood next to Angela. Her eyes were set on Mandy who also could read Sarah’s body movements. Mandy raised a brow and gave Sarah a side eye while Herold could sense the tension building between them.

“Woah woah, what are you guys trying to prove here, ladies?”

Herold quickly jumped in-between, gently trying to push Angela away, but she stood her ground. She looked afraid yet curious as to what the two are capable of. She looked at Mandy, and jolted her head at her.

“Blonde girl…” Angela asked.

Mandy kept her eyes on Sarah who’s hair began to flutter.

“Yeah, mid 2000’s emo girl?”

“Uh! As if!”

Angela clapped her hands together and controlled her mild shaking, taking a deep breath.

“I’d like to see if you’re supernatural, just like my adorable goth friend.”

Mandy’s eyes exploded but she was more than satisfied in hearing her request.

“Huh, if I may ask, how did you become aware of the supernatural besides her? Or was it, just her.”

Angela brought her head down for a moment.

“I-I think I know more than her because I sometimes dream of scenarios that feel so real, like ones involved with her and Jack.”

Sarah listened closely and the other two did as well.

“Crazy, vivid, lucid dreams that are too insane to describe… or sometimes, horrible at best.”

Angela brought her eyes to her legs, and rubbed them.

“These dreams would continue and it would end up with me being paralyzed and being cruel to everyone else.”

Sarah’s eyes quaked and she knew exactly what Angela was describing.

“There were times I dreamt of Jack being horribly tortured by evil doers just to protect me. And I sometimes found myself crying in my sleep, why is that?”

Mandy could see Angela’s eyes swell. Herold felt the hurt in her voice and wondered exactly what she was describing, but seeing Sarah’s expressions, there was more truth to her dreams than what she’s telling.

“It feels like altered memories every time I dream. And it’s been this way for months. It wasn’t like this before, to be exact, it began the day Jack woke up screaming from a nightmare and I didn’t get to see him for a week afterwards.”

Angela clutched her chest and took a pause before speaking.

“Then, towards the end of that week, when he saw me, it was as if he were seeing an alternate version of me. The way he was carefully approaching me, gasping repeatedly, I knew something was off.”

Sarah could remember that day and how it ended. The two had a short conversation towards the end of the day over the phone. Sarah wished she could tell Angela that this was an altered reality, but she didn’t have the courage to do so.

“Today, just once, could you all show me what the real world is actually like? You know, the one you all actually live in and I fantasize about?”

She brought her head up and glanced at the three. Herold grinned and went up to Angela, placing his hand on her tiny shoulder.

“They can, but I can’t unfortunately. They’re more supernatural than lil ol me. The best I could do, my dear apprentice, is teleport.”

Angela giggled and glanced at the two girls who were ready to throw it down.

“Show me, you two weirdos.”

Mandy smirked and placed her hand on her hip.

“Hmph, at your current state you wouldn’t be able to, but—”

Mandy went up to Angela, and covered her eyes. Angela felt heat and hissed at the small burning sensation. After another second, she let off, and backed away.

“There, you should be able to watch our sparring session. Just once though, so don’t get too ahead of yourself.”

Angela’s eyes twinkled and she stepped to the side with Herold and waited for the two to do something.

Sarah chuckled briefly before speaking.

“It won’t be the same as last time, Mandy.”

Mandy grew serious, and abruptly put her hands on the ground.

“I know…”

Sarah gasped and Mandy flashed the ground in white. Everyone covered, averted their gaze. Their eardrums picked up the sound of glass shattering. Once the flash had died down, Herold saw that they were in Mandy’s dimension: A world covered with clear blue skies yet they were in a barren wasteland. Not a single sign of grass or vegetation in sight, just miles and miles of dirt. Angela fangirled and pumped her arms and seeing her this thrilled made Herold grin.

“It’s like watching an actual Shonen battle beginning to unfold, how neato!” Angela said.

Mandy stood straight and Sarah got into a surprising pose that Angela picked up right away.

“Oh? She’s taking after my brother alright.”

Mandy swirled her hands in front, and took the stance of a jujitsu pose, which Sarah picked up from her father.

“Let's see how much she's grown with hand to hand combat.” Mandy muttered.

Sarah took a deep breath and with every ounce of confused emotion, she vanished out of thin air. Mandy looked around and stayed in stance. Herold’s head moved to something moving, but Angela couldn’t pick up until a small explosion almost sent her flying to which Herold grabbed her arm.

“Ahh, what was that?!”

Sarah was mid air, while Mandy had her arm raised. Angela saw their forearms collided. Sarah ground her teeth while Mandy remained calm. She threw a sidekick, Mandy quickly caught it and threw her to the ground. Sarah bumped, but jumped up, quickly giving her another kick. Mandy blocked every kick and punch Sarah threw, but with each one blocked, she felt that they were growing heavier with each collision. Mandy furrowed her brows and stabbed the ground, kicking the earth into the air, launching Sarah away. Her eyes glowed and she put her fingers in front of her face.

“Mana bestowed in me, manifest and surge my foe into a chamber of crystals, Mana, I invoke thee.”

Sarah twirled and felt something bump behind her. She rubbed her back, but found herself trapped in a crystal sphere. Her eyes exploded once she saw that each dent began to illuminate. Angela’s eyes were so wide she couldn’t resist but scream with joy, punching the air and intimidating what they were doing.

Herold tapped her shoulder to get her attention.

“Who are you rooting for?”

Angela grabbed her chin, and snapped her fingers.

“The goth girl, of course.”

Herold laughed and also couldn’t believe he was seeing Sarah in action.

“She sure does take after Leon if she truly happens to be his daughter and not a copy.” he muttered.

Sarah was zapped in the chamber repeatedly and Mandy watched as she was being fried. Sarah grew tired and let out a roar. A flash of red exploded out where she was entrapped, blinding and succumbing the world in crimson. The crystal shards shot everywhere, and Sarah’s mana had heated up the place. Angela couldn’t believe it, she was seeing Sarah’s light for the first time.

“It’s like she harnesses the power of earth’s core…” she said.

Herold’s eyes quivered as her aura was showcased to him for the first time.

“It feels exactly like Leon’s… but I also can sense the past.”

Mandy also brought out her light that tried consuming the world but Sarah’s light fought back. Half the world was succumbed by Mandy’s aura of purity while the other was Sarah’s fiery might. The two glared then began to power up, shaking the dimension. They powered up until they felt even and the two sprung at each other, colliding fists which created a shatter between them. Now, they found themselves outside of reality and in a world consumed by odd colours and swirls. With their fists lunged forward, neither budging, they looked around in awe.

“Where are we?” Sarah asked.

Mandy’s eyes shook, and she let out a gasp.

“I-I have no clue…”

Sarah lowered her fist, and glanced some more.

“Should we stop?”

Mandy giggled and hearing the blonde woman's laughter made Sarah feel surprised.

“Perhaps, maybe next time we can fight in a world that could handle our might. What do you think?”

Sarah grinned and let out a relieved breath.

“Sounds good to me. Regardless, I’m still going to beat you, Mandy.”

Mandy mimicked Sarah’s mouth movements with her hand.

“Blah blah, whatever you say.”

She smiled and put her hand out to Sarah.

“Let's shake on it, and call it a tie.”

Sarah sighed and shook her hand, but a quick flashback came in, putting her in another state of pause. Mandy quickly let go and Sarah quickly came back to her senses. Sarah wiped her forehead and the two giggled, and Mandy snapped her fingers. Herold and Angela could see them again. She quickly ran up to Sarah, and grabbed her hands. Sarah could see the excitement in Angela’s eyes which made her feel fuzzy.

“Even though that was brief that was the greatest moment in my entire life! So awesome!”

Sarah smiled and Herold approached them with caution. Mandy yawned and again, the surge of vomiting came back to taunt her. She fought it and almost beat it, but again, threw up. The rest watched and wondered if she was really sick.

Herold gave her a blank stare and smacked his lips.

“Are you sure you don’t need a doctor Ms. Mandy?”

Mandy threw her hand in their direction and coughed some more.

“I’m-I’m fine, don’t mind me.”

Angela went up to Mandy and rubbed her back.

“Hey, you wouldn’t be—”

Angela whispered into Mandy’s ear. Mandy turned to her, and her gentle smile told her the truth.

“Oh! That explains your symptoms. Sorry, kinda weird of me for asking, just curious cause I had a homeschool teacher have the same and the result was what I said.”

Mandy wiped her mouth another towel and patted Angela’s shoulder.

“Keep it between us despite our rivalry.”

Angela gave her a thumbs up and raised her hand in the air.

“Mr. Herold! I wish to go home but in your way now, Mr. teleporter!”

Herold shook his head and teleported next to Angela which made her jump. He put his hand out and she looked away, pouting. But quickly smiled and grabbed his hand. Herold nodded to Mandy and gave her a wink and the two vanished. Mandy and Sarah were left alone in her dimension.

“So, what now, goth girl?” Mandy asked.

Sarah crossed her arms and tapped the ground.

“I don’t know, maybe finish the day off with that dinner? Or something else, perhaps.”

Mandy agreed and touched the ground, transporting them back into reality where they now stood in the middle of the street. Yet something was off. Sarah noticed that everything was quiet, just the sound of wind and some rattling signs turned their heads for a moment. Mandy glanced around and saw not a single person in sight, which caused her to raise a brow for concern. Sarah didn’t like the feel of this and garnered closer to Mandy, standing by her side. The two kept looking around, and wondered why on earth it’s so eerie.

“You got us back to the real world, right?” Sarah asked.

Mandy nodded. “Of course. I wouldn’t do anything so cliched like this if I wanted to enact my revenge.”

Sarah’s lips were half opened as her eyes shook with worry. Mandy paced around them and saw no lights on either inside of shops. Then, they heard a sudden crash and saw something flying at them. The two jumped out of the way, and a SUV had crash landed where they stood. They hurried to the vehicle and saw deceased people inside, more notably, a whole family. This angered Sarah and Mandy, but Sarah felt just as furious and sad for the family.

“Who did this? What’s going on?” she growled.

Mandy felt a couple of people coming their way and she turned her attention to the street. Just down the road, she saw three people standing and saw them marching forward. Mandy readied herself and pulled out her mana powered shotgun from beneath her trench coat, cocking it which echoed against the empty buildings. Sarah also got prepared but Mandy put her arm in her way, preventing her from getting any closer.

“Mandy!”

“No, I promised your father.”

The three shapes grew closer and soon, they saw who they were, and one man stood out amongst the rest. The cloaked man but this time he had his hood down that exposed his familiar bald head with markings on them. Seeing him again made Sarah knit her brows and clench a fist.

“Great, it’s him again…”

Mandy squinted her eyes and saw the bald weirdly marked man holding something behind him.

“What's he want now? A rematch?”

The three were now presenting themselves enough for them to stare down each other's presence.

“Huh, didn’t expect to find the likes of you here, girl.” he said to Sarah.

He raised one hand, and pointed at Mandy afterwards.

“You, blonde one, where’s your stupid sorcerer of a friend? I want to demonstrate to her my new, foundly possession.”

Mandy aimed the shotgun in his direction.

“Fat chance, you cultist freak!”

“Ohohoho? Could you perhaps be of more amusement to me than her? If you wish to take her place.”

Mandy put her finger on the trigger.

“If you’re implying that I’m stronger than her, then yes! I am, dozens of times.”

He raised his brows and laughed.

“Wonderful! That means I get to test my new might against the likes of you, fool!”

Sarah stepped forward, “what do you want with me?! And what have you done to the people around here?”

He sunk his gaze and bowed his head, letting out a villainous cackle.

“I sucked their souls dry. Every person in this city will soon fall victim to my presence.”

Sarah growled but Mandy remained calm. Something fought behind him and he quickly tamed whatever it was with just a sudden movement of his arm.

“What’s behind you?!” Mandy shouted.

He tilted his head, looked over his shoulder and glinted back their way.

“A surprise.”

“Surprise?” Sarah said.

He floated off the ground and the two could see someone's legs dangling from behind him. They grew nervous about what he was about to reveal. He slowly brought out someone from behind, and forward, and the person in his clutch, battered, bloody was…

“Jack!” Sarah shouted.

Jack could hardly move, and he only managed to open an eye. Once he saw Sarah, he let out a broken chuckle.

“I wouldn’t ta-talk… so-so he beat me, but I still-still kept my mo-mouth shut.... so much for that.” he said.

Sarah grew more angry and felt on the verge to leap for his help until Mandy stepped in front of her.

“Please, I have to save him!”

“We’ll get him. For now, I’ll deal with these three, understood?”

The bald man laughed and threw Jack below his feet. He lay there, broken and groaning with pain.

“If you can get past my two little minions, then, by all means, he’s yours. But not before I beat the living piss out of him again, heh, heh.”

Mandy grinned, “we’ll see about that, freak.”

He frowned and shot his finger in their direction, and the two other cloaked people put themselves in a marathon runner position.

“Eliminate the blonde and get the girl!”

The two launched themselves at Mandy, and Mandy’s eyes glowed blue, preparing herself for the attack of a returning foe.