"Alice, Get up."
I felt my heart rise into my throat as my eyes shot open, a burning sensation in my chest passing as the grogginess settled. I tried to lubricate my dry mouth with saliva, but only failed. I was lying in that same room again, a rustic stone room filled with a single white bed. Out through the large window adjacent to me I could see what seemed to be a medieval-like town, stone structures and taverns bustling with drunk patrons as the night crowd began to flock into the city square.
I looked around the room, unlike my last dream I was not accompanied by a strange man. Come to think of it, I didn't remember ever drifting off to sleep at all, everything was so hazy. I willed myself to stand, my knees knocking together as I used the head of the small bed as a makeshift cane.
"Welcome back."
The voice of the man from before suddenly rang in my head like an ear splitting scream, knocking me off balance and making me drop to the floor in anguish. I felt a smooth hand grab me from behind and hoist me upwards, the familiar scent of the figure from my previous vision wafting over me like the smell of freshly baked bread.
He gave me a firm pat on the back before plopping down on the bed, his regal disposition fading as he yawned, "It's a pleasure to see you again."
"What do you want with me? I'm about to pull off an incredibly important job, I'll finally be able to-"
"Be respected?" The old man cut me off, his tired eyes piercing through mine like blades. "Why is it that you're so desperate for admiration, Alice?"
"I-I don't understand." I replied.
"Don't be coy with me child, I see how you look at them, I see how you look at Cornelius. You're a coward, but wish to be so much more."
I tried to respond, but it felt like my throat was plugged with cotton, only letting out a coarse squeak.
"You're weak. Your traumatic experiences in life haven't strengthened you, they've only harmed."
I felt my fist begin to ball.
"I hope you realize I'm telling you these things because I want you to be safe. The last thing I want is harm to come to you."
"Why is that then?" I replied, I felt a single warm teardrop slowly drip down my cheek. "If I'm so weak, so useless, why am I so precious to you? I don't even know your real name."
"Oh Alice," The man's voice went from judgemental to sympathetic in a matter of seconds, "I am saying these things because you're different."
"How so?"
"A great warrior doesn't necessarily need offensive proficiencies, those who are smart with their actions often prevail over those that don't. You're unique Alice. Your skillset so diverse that even the toughest of enemies would pale in comparison if you were to only channel your offensive tendencies through your mind and not your fists."
"What am I then?"
"A descendant of many powerful magic users. You are an Okinji, Alice Okinji."
Five glasses of orange juice was not a great way to wake up, but I was so fatigued from the transformation spells I used earlier, that I practically needed them to stay awake. I had woken up only to be greeted with darkness, the sun had fully set and the moon was in the sky like a large luminous lamp. I hadn't known how long I slept, but the vision I had experienced felt like it was burned into my mind by a hot iron.
A soft glow from a single lamp set a tense mood as I stepped into the main foyer, Ray, Rico, Julian, the whole group, were all huddled over a figure I couldn't make out.
"What's going on?" I yawned, not bothering to find a chair to sit on and opting for the hardwood floor.
"Look who's finally awake," Julian stood to greet me like I was an old acquaintance, his eyes looked oddly bloodshot and strained. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm… decent." I replied, "You're being awfully nice to me."
"We need you to use some magic again."
"Oh. I figured."
"Come, you need to see this."
Julian led me over to the group who was huddled over what appeared to be an unconscious Corra, a dark brown blanket had been thrown over her slender frame as she breathed softly.
"What happened?"
"You should know." Ray said sternly, his eyes still locked on Corra, "You were there, weren't you Alice?"
"I beg your pardon?" I questioned, clearly Ray had misheard something, but judging by my foggy memory I couldn't recall a thing.
"We can settle this later," Julian intervened. "Right now we need to focus on the task at hand, Corra has been cursed."
I felt my heart sink. Most curses are extremely deadly and almost impossible to treat, I didn't know if I was ready for a spell to that caliber.
"Thankfully it's not too serious," Julian continued, "We could let the curse run its course and she'd be fine, but that could take days. Considering the banquet is in less than two hours, that's not an option we can choose."
"And that's where it comes to me." I replied.
"Indeed. You think you can handle this?"
"I don't know, I've never dealt with curse magic before."
"I suggest you learn fast then, we're running out of time."
I sighed, closing my eyes as I felt my body begin to tingle. I thought back to my training in healing, all the knowledge and spells that Cornelius had told and shared with me. In this moment everyone was counting on me, and I needed to follow through. I felt my hands begin to glow with heat as I placed them on Corra's stomach, but when I opened my eyes nothing had changed. She still sat there... motionless.
I tried again but nothing changed, through all my efforts I still couldn't wake her. As I sat there staring at her lifeless body, the words that the strange man in the dream told me rang through my head.
if you were to only channel your offensive tendencies through your mind and not your fists
I once again closed my eyes, but instead of the tingling sensation flowing directly into my hands, I let it move through every nook and cranny of my entire body. The warmth of the spell seemingly stretched to the soles of my feet and the tips of my finger as I let the spell emanate off my body in waves. Slowly just as soon as it had started, I felt the energy leave me as I put my hands back at my side.
"Woah." Rico gawked.
"What?" I asked, opening my eyes.
"Y-Your hair."
I glanced to my side, watching as my long blonde hair slowly faded back from a strange electric blue.
"You were glowing!" Rico beamed.
"You did good," Ray rasped. "I'm impressed."
"Oh come on now, you actually have to mean a compliment for once Ray."
I whirled to see Corra sitting, her eyes were slowly opening as she rubbed her scalp. Rico went to give her a hug, but she shoved him aside, getting to her feet. She didn't seem tired or hurt at all, and yet so did I. Something about that spell I cast refuelled my energy.
Julian clapped me on the back, "Good to have you back, Alice."
"I hate to break the heartfelt reunion," Ray interrupted, his raspy tone cut through the air like stone being grated, "But we have just above one hour to get to the banquet." He looked at me, his crimson eyes shone in the moonlight like ominous lanterns, "You up for some more transformation spells?"
I cracked my knuckles, and for the first time, I felt confident.
"Hell yeah I am."