Opening his eyes, Niall could see a grand design over his head. The bed he was laying on was soft and much larger than any he had ever owned.
'I definitely don't have the money to afford this. What kind of hospital is this?'
Niall sat up, rubbing his face. He was exhausted, but otherwise not in any pain.
"Did the kni-"
The small voice of a young girl caused him to close his mouth. He stared down at his hands, then his body. Looking around, he saw a full body mirror standing in the corner. Quickly crawling towards it, he sat at the edge of the bed with his eyes on a beautiful little girl with bright blue eyes and raven black hair.
"She is our daughter, we should never hide the truth from her."
A muffled voice was audible from outside of the moonlit room. Masculine and male, something that sent a strange shiver through Niall's body.
"Dear, her magic could scare her more than what she did to that... that bastard!"
A feminine voice came through, sounding more frustrated than angry. She seemed to be directly next to the door, her voice catching in her throat as she peeked into the room. Her beautiful blue eyes were locked onto Niall, giving him the sense that he should run... for only a moment.
"Mama..."
The same little voice leaked out, tears flowing from Niall's eyes. New feelings he wasn't aware of rushed over him. Fear, relief and confusion.
'Wait a second... that lady, she seems to be my mother. This body... the way they look. This room..'
His eyes spun wildly before he realized who he believed he had become.
'I've been in this room. During Her route, you meet her parents and visit her when she is sick. Am I...'
A soft groan came from his mouth as he clenched his head in his hands. A pair of arms were wrapped around him, a soft voice making him look up.
"It's okay sweetie. You're experiencing a Mana Burn. It will pass."
'A Mana Burn? Yes, it would seem like that's all this is to her, to my mother. But how could I forget who I am? These sets of memories are both mine, neither feels foreign. I am Aveline Synclair, but I have the memories of Niall... a past life? That played my life?'
Aveline stopped herself as a migraine began to set in. She didn't need an existential crisis on top of her current issues.
'If my memories as Niall are correct...'
Aveline looked up to see her father in the doorway. His face seemed to relax, but Aveline could feel a cold dread settle over her.
'Androphobia... no, no. Calm down, Aveline. Papa didn't do anything wrong. It was Isaac, only Isaac. According to Niall's memories and Hero's Chronicle... I developed the fear of men when dealing with Isaac's attack. A lot of the future is blank for me, especially because that Aveline didn't tell Niall her entire life story.'
Steeling her resolve, Aveline reached for her father. Although she was feeling weak, her hand stayed up until he grabbed it. Tears fell to his chin as he stroked Aveline's head.
"You did good, babygirl. The bad guy is locked away. He can't hurt you."
Aveline touched her neck with her free hand, a small line could be traced with her fingers.
'This... it becomes a scar. It's actually kinda hot... wait, wait... I'm still a child. Did his memories alter me so much?'
Aveline looked around, her head becoming a bit clearer.
"What happened? What did I do?"
She knew a little, but having her parents confirm the story would make her feel better. Her mother simply kissed her forehead before giving her a proud smile.
"You used magic for the first time. You did great."
Aveline blinked as if she was surprised. Doing her best to act, she looked at her hands and herself in the mirror. Her father could only stifle a laugh.
"Magic will not change your body so drastically. You just expelled magic energy, you didn't take in something."
Nilly gave Thorin a pointed look.
"She's excited! You know how we were when our abilities were first able to be used!"
Aveline looked down, between her parents.
"W-what happened t-to Isaac?"
She couldn't help herself. She was still scared and scarred by the ex-guild member.
"And Kyra!?"
Her eyes were suddenly reignited, worry setting in for her new friend.
'For Niall, Kyra was a slave. I don't want her to suffer...'
Thorin rubbed his neck.
"Little one, we aren't sure who she's truly loyal to. She's dangerous."
Aveline couldn't believe what she was hearing. Slipping out of her mother's grasp, she stood on Thorin's thighs. Her face was merely an inch from his as she glared at him.
"She was trying to save me! I'm not going to ignore my friend when she did no wrong!"
Nilly and Thorin stared at each other, eyes wide, as their daughter took her stand. Nilly grabbed her from behind, pulling Aveline down into her lap.
"Sweetie, we just want is best for you, as all parents wish for their children. Are you sure you want someone like Kyra around you?"
Aveline nodded furiously, bringing on a wave of nausea.
"Hoo... I forgot I got Mana Burn."
Her parents laughed softly as they helped her lay back in bed. Thorin went to the doorway, motioning outside.
"You heard her. You have no reason to leave now, right?"
Aveline's eyes went wide as Kyra stepped into the doorway, wearing a leather tunic and shorts. Her arms and legs were covered with a cloak, but she still held a strange beauty as she stood in the moonlight.
"Lady Aveline, why would you want someone like me to stay here? To stay with you?"
'Knowing that she is fourteen, she should only just be coming into her own self. She will grow... and I don't want her to leave.'
Aveline gave a bright smile.
"Do I need a reason to keep my friends in my lithe?"
Her face quickly became pink as she covered her mouth. Three voices quickly became laughter as Aveline hid under her blanket.
'Why?! Why would I bite my tongue now of all times?! Please... just knock me out again.'