Two days had passed and Irina had grown even deeper circles under her eyes, dark enough to make even her coworkers raise an eyebrow. She'd arrive at work later than usual with disheveled hair and forgotten accessories, a glove there, a chain there, and an entire petticoat, even though the weather was getting colder and colder each day that went by. Just yesterday, she had forgotten her beloved green brooch, earning her more than a few puzzled glances. The only reason they hadn't immediately reported her strange behavior, was the warm, unwavering smile plastered on her face.
"'morning Rozanne," she greeted as she passed the front desk.
"Ah..." The receptionist looked her up and down, immediately noticing today's missing item. "Good Morning Irina... You're wearing your hair down today?"
The mage's hand shot to the top of her head instantly. Instead of the familiar ponytail, her fingers found loose strands of hair. Oops. "Oh. I was in a hurry I must have forgotten." She laughed softly, "but now that I notice, it is quite annoying not having my hair up."
Rozanne replied with sympathy. "I'd lend you mine, but I don't have any spare with me today, sorry!"
"Don't worry." She waved her off smiling. "I'll go and ask the others, maybe Royale has one. Or I could try Orianna..."
The two chatted for a while, with Rozanne's unease melting away quickly.
Just as Irina prepared to head to the lounge, Leonard strolled in through the main door. His eyes quickly landing on Irina's unusual form. "Huh. So it's hair this time around."
Irina faked an exasperated tone. "Would you believe me if I said I was going for a new style—"
"No." He replied flatly.
She shaked her head in resignation, "Well, unless you have a way to fix it, I'll go and ask the girls for a ribbon."
Leonard smiled lazily, reaching into his pocket as he passed. Without stopping, he dropped something light on top of her head. "You can give it back tomorrow. Try not to lose it," he said over his shoulder, heading towards Dunn's office.
Rozanne's eyes sparkled. "It's such a pretty color!"
Irina, confused, grabbed the item on her head. She held it in front of her, realizing it was a ruby-red ribbon. She brushed her fingers over the material briefly, feeling its softness and realizing it was silk. This... feels much more expensive than mine. "Forget returning it, I might just keep it for myself."
Wait, she thought, a flicker of surprise crossing her mind. Wasn't he worn this a couple of times already? Does he just carry it around? His hair isn't even that long.
Leonard, now halfway into the office, poked his head out again. "You keep that, and I'll fill your head with glitter. Don't think I've forgotten that day, I still haven't gotten my revenge." With that, he shut the door and started talking about who knows what with the Captain.
Irinashook her head and excused herself, heading to the bathroom to make herself at least presentable. She tied her hair neatly into her usual ponytail, adjusted her belt and jacket, and straightened her skirt, only to realize she had forgotten her petticoat again. Ah. So that's why I was cold on the way here!
By the time she reached the lounge, the Nighthawks on standby greeted her casually. She refused their invitation to play some poker with them and instead found a quiet corner, pulled out a thick book, and began making notes. It was a Bible, but not one dedicated to the Evernight Goddess. Instead, the white and gold cover bore the symbol of the Eternal Blazing Sun.
Irina ignored the questioning glances from the others, immersing herself in her task. This might actually work... if I shift this here, and rewrite this... move those runes there and change the symbols... maybe with a catalyst the chances will increase?
Her brows furrowed and her hand froze in midair. But what catalyst, I don't have any item belonging to the Sun domain... what if... no, let's start again from the beginning. She scribbled over her notes and began anew.
Or... Her eyes light up imperceptibly. It doesn't have to be from the Sun if I modify this whole side, I can just—Yes! This might actually work!
She dove back into her work, the pen gliding smoothly across the page. Perfecting magic circles was a meticulous, exhausting work. As a Forgotten Mage, her new Sequence allowed her to create spells through intricate designs, written keywords, and precise sequences. The process demanded not just vast knowledge but also absolute accuracy. A single mistake, no matter how small, could render a circle completely useless—or worse, disastrous.
Hours passed before she leaned back, exhaustion tugging at her shoulders. Her gaze flicked to her coworkers. I could risk it now, just to test it... No, maybe wait until tomorrow. But what if there's a mistake I missed?
Unable to resist, she slumped on the couch, carefully writing 'Alexandria' without staining the page with ink. Irina closed her eyes and arrived in the library. The place looked as messy as she left it last night. She leaped over multiple piles to reach her favorite black couch, retrieving her notes from the previous night.
She materialized a scroll with the circle she finished in the lounge and analyzed it quickly. With a twirl, her foot drew a glowing ring on the ground. It immediately rose at waist level and intricate patterns with ancient runes appeared on it. The white light grew brighter, pulsing with raw power. Just as it was about to reach its peak, Irina canceled it. The light died out, leaving her with a quiet, bitter sigh. A failure. Why is it that everything I create outside of the library ends up being a flop?
She ungracefully sat on the ground, closer to the various tomes. Some of them floated as a ring appeared beneath them, opening them to the various pages she needed, depicting any type of power belonging to the Sun domain. Not having to worry about her coworkers, she materialized the rings instead of writing them down on paper. Her memory had been enhanced once more, allowing her to remember the few ones she had created with perfect details.
Sometime later, Irina realized she might have spent too long in the library. Hopefully, they didn't try to enter my non-existent dreams...
Sheran her hand over the glass-like ground, focusing on redirecting her spirituality there. The black mass beneath the transparent surface surged upward like smoke, fluid yet insubstantial. The dark liquid-fog-like material condensed into a sphere. A light tap on its surface caused an image to ripple within.
She studied the scene carefully, not finding anything amiss. Her body was still slumped on the sofa, while the other Nighthawks were still absorbed in a poker game. She looked a bit more but nothing seemed out of place. Better not risk it.
Wrapping up her newly finished ring, she left the library in an even worse mess than before.
Irina opened her eyes to Frye's exasperated cry, "Seven soli? Again?!" Royale's triumphant smile spoke volumes. She stood up quietly, leaving her annotated book on the sofa as she slipped out of the lounge and headed to the bathroom.
Sitting on the toilet, she heard strange movements in the hallway. At first, she got curious, but she soon dismissed it and focused on the ring in front of her again. Let's see... a protection spell, two attacks based on the sun domain, one that accelerates and one that decelerates, one that makes items float, and lastly one that sharpens objects. She nodded with satisfaction. I still need one that enhances my physical strength and one that makes me teleport. I have the rest of the day and this whole night to do it—plenty of time!
With a smile plastered on her otherwise pale face, she tried to return to the lounge, only to falter once outside.
Dunn stood in the hallway, his serious expression familiar. Irina opened her mouth to greet him, his grim demeanor not deterring her in the slightest. He suspects me. I don't care. Her resolve burned hotter. Tomorrow, I will save this man.
Then she saw it.
Her eyes trailed down his arms, where he held a silver, bone-like urn box. Her blood ran cold, her body freezing mid-step. No... why? Her eyes widened as recognition struck her like a hammer. It's too early.
The door to the lounge was open and out walked Royale, her voice steady but low. "Captain, what are the orders?"
Irina's thoughts spiraled, not understanding where her mistake was. Where did I go wrong? Dunn never touched the Antigonus notebook—he never even flipped through it—so why... why is he holding Saint Selena's Ashes?
She became acutely aware of a voice coming from the reception area. Leonard, tense, speaking with a woman Irina couldn't see. It's her... isn't she? Her head turned in their direction, only for her spiritual perception to scream at her to run away.
All of the previous glee had all but faded away, she stared at the simple wall, separating her from the imminent fight. Her chest tightened. It's too early, her mind screamed. It was supposed to be tomorrow! Why is she already here?! Irina had tried once again to be prepared, she had a foolproof plan against both enemies, she just missed a couple more rings and she could do it, she could save Dunn. She had it. I was so close, so close! I just needed a couple more hours, why?!
Pain bloomed in her head, I was this close to it. Her hands trembled, clutching her hair, yanking at the strands as if to drag herself back to reality. I can't do one single thing right. I keep failing, constantly! The notebook, Old Neil, Kenley, and now Dunn. Panic rose in her throat and a heavy blanket seemed to envelop her mind, blocking all sound. Irina's entire body shook, her legs giving out beneath her. She caught her footing at the last second, squatting low with her head bent down.
Then, something snapped.
As if a level had been switched, her entire demeanor changed instantly. A chilling smile spread across her face, her eyes wide, unfocused, catching black patches and strange flickering colors. A raspy laugh tore from her throat, echoing in the hallway, unsettling the others. "You know what?"
It doesn't MATTER! Her thoughts spiraled, why did I never realize it?! No matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to plan things accordingly! I was never able to!
Someone called her name, "Irina—" butt heir voice was a distant echo, swallowed by the chaos in her mind.
She hugged her head, her nails digging into her scalp. Her vision swam with black spots and flickers of color. And yet, she felt as if a revelation had descended from the Gods themselves. I'm not the main character, I'm not Klein. I can't plan ahead! Nothing I ever did worked! NEVER! EVER!
Her ears rang as the weight of her failures pressed down on her. NO NO... Why was I even trying?! Her smile stretched even wider, I was bound to fail! From the very beginning!
But I care.
The thought cut through the fog like a blade. Her hands dropped, and she grabbed her pocket mirror from the hidden pocket. Opening it, she stared at her reflection. But I admit it. A pale complexion, heavy dark circles under her exhausted eyes, messy hair, sunken cheekbones... That was a reflection that greatly resembled her previous one, yet felt extremely different all the same. I care about those characters. Both realities existed. Her previous one as a secretary, as well as this cursed one, and she now lived in the latter, after all, how else could she explain everything not going according to plan if not it being real? Even if they were once fictional. Just like I exist, so do they; unless neither of us does, but then, why do we suffer so much?
With a sharp snap, she closed the mirror. The thoughts in her mind stilled, her focus sharpening. I'm Irina. Sequence 6 of the Equilibrium Pathway, Forgotten Mage. She reminded herself. I might not be ready, but I'll still fight with all I have!
A heavy, oppressing energy, thick with malice emanated from the reception, spreading in the whole building.
I'm not prepared huh? She raised her head, her eyes narrowing as she faced the direction of the coming fight. I don't have all the rings ready? A manic grin twisted her lips.
Who cares?! Planning has never worked for me anyway.
Her voice was low but brimming with reckless determination. "Fuck it, we ball!"