Emilia slowly sat up, stretching her arms as she yawned. It had been several days after her meeting with Asta and Yuno. She was already looking forward to seeing them again, especially Yuno. She couldn't shake her thoughts about him for some reason—his calm demeanor, golden eyes, tousled jet-black hair, and potent wind magic had left a lasting impression. She was eager to know him better and hoped for another chance at their next meeting.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Emilia glanced out the window. "Yuck, such ugly weather today," she remarked, seeing the gloomy clouds overhead.
After completing her morning routine, she headed downstairs. Katherine was at the counter, pensively examining the green gem.
"Morning, Mom," Emilia greeted as she joined her. What's on your mind? Are you finally thinking about selling the gemstone?"
Katherine nodded, "Yup, it seems no one's coming to claim it, so I figured I'd get it appraised before going to my collector. He's currently in the capitol on business, so while he's away, I want to get an idea of its value so I can haggle better," she explained, then added with a smile, "I made breakfast, by the way. It's on the kitchen table."
Just then, the shop bell rang, heralding the arrival of Pete and William.
"Mornin', Emilia!" William chirped, happily waving. His father followed with greetings for both ladies.
"Hey, you guys. I'm going to eat breakfast, then I'll join you," Emilia said before heading to the kitchen.
A stack of pot potato pancakes awaited her, with syrup ready on the side. With her stomach growling, Emilia quickly drenched the pancakes in syrup and devoured them.
After washing her dishes, she returned to the front just in time to see Katherine preparing to leave. "The appraiser lives in Sosshi village, so it'll take me about an hour to get there and back. In the meantime, Emilia's in charge until I get back," she says to Pete before making a swift exit.
Pete looked slightly disheartened at the decision. Emilia noticed this and gave him a reassuring smile. "It's just because I've got more experience with the shop."
"Right, I figured as much," Pete said, rubbing the back of his neck. He then gave her a thumbs-up and grinned. "Alright, boss lady, show me how it's done!"
The morning rush at the shop began as villagers streamed in to stock up on pot potatoes, a hot item in the store. Strategically, the potatoes were placed at the back of the store, compelling customers to navigate through other aisles first. Many grabbed additional items off the shelves as they made their way to the potatoes. By the time the crowd thinned, the supply of pot potatoes had been completely depleted
"Sorry, everyone, we're out of pot potatoes for today!" Emilia announced to the remaining customers, who left with disappointed murmurs.
Pete looks at the empty boxes on the display shelf. "So what should we do about the pot potatoes now that we're out? Do we have to wait to get more?" Pete asks, eyeing the empty boxes on the display shelf.
"No. We don't have to wait. If we run out, we can simply get more from Mr. Potsdam. I'll head out real quick to grab some. I won't be long," she says, stepping out from behind the counter and heading toward the door.
"Can I come with you? I can help you carry them!" William offers eagerly.
"I'll manage; I'll just use my magic to carry them back," Emilia responds gently.
William's face drops slightly, a hint of disappointment showing. "Oh, okay then," he murmurs.
Seeing his reaction, Emilia quickly adds, "But, you know, I wouldn't mind the company if you want to come along," she says, her smile warming.
His mood brightens, "Yeah! Maybe you could show me how to use my magic to levitate stuff!" William suggests as he hurries to join her.
"Just be careful, you two. Damian and his friends could be lurking anywhere, just waiting for an excuse to get us in trouble," Pete cautions.
Emilia dismissed the worry with a wave, "He's probably busy at the farm now, so he won't be around to bother us. Even with his earth magic, he's not exactly quick. But don't worry, I'll keep an eye out."
Pete nods, his expression settling, "Right. I'll try to hold down the fort while you guys are out."
Walking down the dirt road, Emilia and William remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings for any sign of Damian. Fortunately, he was nowhere to be seen. As they approached the farm, they spotted Mr. Potsdam busily tending to young seedlings. Emilia called out to catch his attention.
"Excuse me, Mr. Potsdam!" she shouted, waving her hand.
He looked up and spotted them. Wiping his hands on his dirt-stained overalls, he walked over with a welcoming smile. "It's been a while, you two! How have you been?"
"We're okay, but it'd be nicer if we had more freedom around the village. Ever since Damian attacked us, we've had to stay at least 50 feet away from him to avoid getting in trouble with Garrick," Emilia explained, her voice tinged with frustration.
William's expression darkened at the memory.
"That boy's a menace," Mr. Potsdam grumbled. "If he were my son, he wouldn't sit straight for a week after the stunt he pulled. I'd have sent him to the military school down in Beldon. They'd whip him into shape in no time. No nonsense tolerated there."
"He really needs someone to knock some sense into him. His dad just swallows every lie he feeds him." Emilia remarks in an annoyed tone.
With a hint of anxiety, William asked, "Is he here today?"
Mr. Potsdam's expression hardened. "Yes, but I've assigned him to work on the far edges of the farm to keep him out of trouble. I've been keeping a close eye on him—and his friends. They won't dare cause any problems with me watching." He looked towards the far end of the farm where, in the distance, Emilia could see Damian and his friends diligently working. Turning back, he asked, "Anyway, what brings you two here today?"
"We ran out of pot potatoes, so we're here to restock," Emilia explains.
Mr. Potsdam nods, giving the girl a big smile. "No problem. Let's head over to the shed, and I'll get you loaded up," he says, leading the way with a brisk step.
They follow him to a large shed at the back of the farm, where he swings open the doors to reveal rows of neatly stacked baskets full of pot potatoes. He hauls out four hefty baskets and sets them on the ground before them.
"Here you go! This should keep you stocked up for a while," he chirps.
Emilia smiles. "Yeah, that'll do just fine. Thanks!"
"It's my pleasure. Just make sure to get my cut to me by tomorrow, same as usual," Mr Potsdam reminds her, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
Emilia nods. "We'll have it to you before sunset, like always."
"Great! Now, I'd better get back to the fields. Can't leave them unattended for too long, especially with that certain someone and his goons around. Have a good rest of your day." He says, turning and waving as he walks back to the plot of land.
Emilia glanced at the baskets scattered with pot potatoes. "Okay, I'll take two, and you handle the other two. Try using your clouds to lift them," she instructed as she made her baskets hover with a soft blue glow.
"R-Right!" William nodded, though his tone remained uncertain as he concentrated, summoning his clouds around the baskets. With a cautious lift of his hands, the baskets rose slightly but quickly tumbled through the wispy clouds, spilling pot potatoes onto the dirt path.
"Dang it! I knew that was gonna happen..." William grumbled in frustration.
Emilia quickly helped gather the fallen pot potatoes, placing them back into the baskets. She looked up at William with an encouraging smile. "You almost had it. Try condensing your clouds more; they seem a bit too thin. That might give them more strength to hold the baskets up," she suggested, stepping back to give him space to try again.
"Okay, I'll give it another shot," William said, nodding determinedly as Emilia watched.
His brow furrowed as he attempted to gather more clouds. He inhaled deeply, his hands trembling as he focused all his mental energy. This time, the clouds thickened, swirling tightly around the baskets. Slowly, he lifted his hands, and the baskets rose steadier than before.
"There you go! You're doing it!" Emilia exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.
William's face lit up with pride. "I did it, Emilia! Look, they're not falling!" His voice was filled with excitement as he managed to maintain the lift.
"I knew you could do it! Now, let's head back to the shop. Hopefully, Pete's not being overwhelmed right now." Emilia says, starting forward with her baskets floating behind her.
William quickly nods and follows, his own baskets levitating slowly following.
As they walk back, Emilia glances upward, noticing the gathering clouds. "Looks like it's going to rain soon. I hope Mom gets back before it starts—she forgot her raincoat. I'd hate for her to get sick."
"I'm sure she'll be back soon; she's real quick on her broom," William responds, trying to sound reassuring.
Approaching the store, they notice a white-hooded figure alongside a large man, both looking at something just out of view.
"W-Who are they?" William asks nervously, his voice barely a whisper.
"No idea. Stay out here. I'll check. Maybe they're just customers?" Emilia suggests, her tone uncertain as she steps towards the door.
As the door opened, the bell above jingled, immediately drawing the attention of the figures inside. The largest turned to face the entrance, revealing his distinct and intimidating features. This man was imposingly muscular with a wild mane of long, blonde hair that framed a stern face marked by sharp, beast-like teeth and odd facial tattoos. However, the most noticeable thing she noticed was his blood-soaked hand.
"What do we have here?" he says, his voice husky.
"Perhaps his children? Poor things will be so heartbroken..." the lavender-haired woman comments with mock sadness.
She sidesteps, revealing the eviscerated body of Pete behind him, blood and entrails spattered across the floor and counter.
Emilia's eyes brimmed with terror. "P-Pete?" Panic surged through her mind as tears began to spill down her cheeks. The baskets she was carrying clattered to the ground, scattering potatoes across the floor as jagged beams of light materialized above her.
"YOU BASTARDS!!!!!" Her anguished scream reverberated through the air, drawing the attention of William and startled passersby.
"Emilia!? What's wrong!?" Williams fearfully called out as he ran inside, seeing her unleash her projectiles at the hooded figures. However, the large man swiped them aside before the projectiles could reach them, smashing her magic effortlessly with his blood-soaked hand.
"Light magic, huh? How interesting. Perhaps you can provide more amusement than that fool did," the menacing figure hummed, glancing toward Pete's lifeless body. "We came all the way out to this trash heap for nothing. I might as well have a little fun while I'm here."
"D-DAD!!" William screamed, rushing towards Pete's bloodied form.
Before he could get far, the lavender-haired woman intercepted him, her arms encircling him. "Awww, don't be sad. You'll see him again soon. He's in heaven waiting for you."
"LET ME GO!!" William struggled violently in her grasp.
Summoning more magic, Emilia yelled, "GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM NOW!!"
The woman smirked, pulling a bread knife from a nearby shelf. "Now, why don't you slit your throat so you can go and see your papa again?" She held the knife to William with a chillingly sweet smile, her lavender grimoire floating beside her.
"Go on, give your friend a big smile while you do it. Show her how excited you are to see your Papa again," she cooed maliciously.
William's eyes become glazed over with a slight purple sheen, and he takes the knife and nods to her. He then turns, meets Emilia's gaze, and gives a broad smile, "I'm gonna go see Dad!" before taking the knife to his neck.
"WILLIAM! DON'T!!" Emilia's voice broke as she dashed forward.
However, the boy didn't hesitate as he slashed his throat wide open. Blood gushed out, and he fell to the floor, gurgling and hacking up more blood before the light from his eyes slowly faded, leaving behind a deathly stare into the void.
Emilia fell to her knees, a torrent of tears streaming down her face.
The large man's laughter echoed through the store, "Perfect! Let the despair consume you as I tear you apart!" he roared with manic glee.
Emilia's eyes blazed with fury, her pain morphing into a cold, vengeful wrath. Above her, jagged shards of cold light formed, their misty aura spilling onto the floor, swirling with ominous intent.
"DIE!!!!" She screamed as she unleashed her magic. But as before, the hulking brute dismissed them effortlessly with a swipe of his blood-stained hand.
With a twisted grin, he charged, his body glowing with a deep orange mana. He kicked her in the stomach, his laughter pealing as Emilia was hurled through the store's entrance, crashing into one of the onlookers who'd gathered around the shop. Both were sent tumbling into the wall of a nearby building.
Dazed, Emilia struggled to regain her senses, her vision blurred. As she tried to sit up, a sharp pain lanced through her stomach and ribs, making her wince. "It hurts so bad... He must've broken something," she thought. Yet her pain was momentarily forgotten when she turned to see who she had landed on.
"Mr. Anderson!" she gasped in horror. Frantically, she shook him, his body limply resisting her desperate attempts. "Mr. Anderson! Please, wake up!" Her voice cracked,
Despite her frantic calls, there was no response. Emilia's heart sank as she saw blood trailing from Mr. Anderson's nostrils and a disturbing angle to his neck. "No..." she whispered in despair.
"Oh my god! Emilia, are you alright!?" a villager shouted, prompting her to turn instinctively. Several others rushed to the scene, their faces stricken with worry. But before she could respond, a brutal slash ripped through them. Their bodies exploded into a grotesque shower of blood and entrails that drenched her.
Shocked, Emilia froze, her eyes widening in terror at seeing the large man grinning malevolently at her. His hand, glowing with a sinister orange aura, was poised to strike.
"The terror in your eyes—it's delightful! Cherish that fear, for it's the last thing you'll feel as I send you to Hell!" He bellowed, his voice echoing with dark amusement. But just as he was about to bring his hand down, an ice spike hurtled towards him, forcing him to leap aside and down the road, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"I know this magic! Mom!!" Emilia thought in relief as she painfully stood and stumbled her way to the destroyed wall. Her eyes widened upon seeing Katherine zooming down on her broom, her icy blue grimoire floating by her side.
She raised her hand and sent dozens of long ice spears hurtling toward the bestial man, who effortlessly dodged and shattered them. Katherine landed just in front of the gaping hole in the wall, her gaze flickering to Emilia, widening in worry.
"Emilia!? Are you alright!?" She cried out anxiously, scanning the blood-soaked girl.
"The blood... it's not mine," Emilia stammered, her gaze fixed on the twisted forms lying close by. Her words faltered as the weight of her emotions began to crush her. Tears cascaded down Emilia's cheeks as she gasped between sobs, "P-Pete and William... they're... they're gone too." Her voice shattered, lost in her overwhelming grief. "I-I couldn't do anything to stop it!"
Katherine's expression twisted with grief, but she remained composed, soothing her daughter. "Shhh, it's okay. Everything will be okay." She wiped away Emilia's tears. "Listen, you need to go to Garrick and tell him what's happening, okay? He'll be able to call for help." She instructed calmly, glaring back at the awaiting man, who stared on in glee.
"I don't think so," the large man interrupted, his voice oozing malice as he stepped forward. "She's not going anywhere. I want her to watch every moment as I tear you apart."
"You won't be able to stop her! Go, Emilia!" Katherine yells, chanting, "Glacial Bind!" A sigil flashes into existence, instantly encasing the menacing figure in a thick layer of ice.
Seizing the moment, Emilia darts past the ice-bound adversary, who begins to crack and shatter his frosty prison. But before she can get too far, several villagers block her path, their eyes glazed with a sinister lavender hue.
"No..." Emilia mutters in horror.
"Sorry, but Master made it perfectly clear that he'd prefer you to watch your mother's demise. So be a dear and sit still. Just try to enjoy the show, okay?" The chilling female voice floats down from above. Looking up, Emilia spots the lavender-haired woman perched nonchalantly on her broom, a cruel smile playing on her lips.
The man shattered the icy confines and surged toward Katherine with animalistic ferocity. Katherine responded by conjuring a series of massive ice columns to block his path. However, he smashed through them as if they were mere glass.
"WATCH OUT MOM!!" Emilia screamed, unable to tear her eyes away from the fight.
At the last moment, as the man reached for Katherine with a clawed hand aimed at her throat, she nimbly sidestepped. Without missing a beat, Katherine encircled him with a barrage of Jagged ice spears, poised to strike.
Yet, he stood calmly within the icy trap, his grin widening menacingly. "Impressive," he taunted, his voice dripping with a blend of amusement and challenge. "You're quite agile for someone who doesn't look the part. It seems you have some experience after all."
"Why are you doing this? What did you come to our village for!?" She demanded, her voice strained.
"We were sent for a certain magic stone rumored to be here. Unfortunately, you disgusting, greedy humans pawned it off already. So, since we've come all this way for nothing, I might as well entertain myself by plunging this pathetic village into despair," he explained, his sinister grin never faltering.
Katherine's eyes widened in realization, and she quickly reached into her pocket, retrieving the green gemstone. "Is this what you're after?" she asked, holding the stone out in her hand.
"Ah, that's precisely the magic stone we need. Remove your filthy human touch from it," he commanded sharply.
She tossed it towards him, and he caught it effortlessly. "There, you have what you came for. Now leave us alone!"
The man examined the gem closely, a sinister satisfaction in his voice. "One step closer to our ultimate salvation... and our sweet revenge." Pocketing the gem, he continued, his laughter chilling, "But why leave so soon? The fun has just begun. I think I'll linger a while longer just to see you all drown deeper in the depths of suffering."
Katherine's expression shifted to one of stark terror at this. She then saw Emilia standing frozen, witnessing the chaos. "Emilia, run! Find Garrick now! Don't worry about me!" she cried out, conjuring a barrage of ice spears at the lavender-haired woman.
She effortlessly dodged the icy onslaught, chuckling dismissively at Katherine's efforts. Her gaze then locked onto Emilia. "Stay right where you are, sweetie," she cooed menacingly. She then looked to the villagers blocking the path. "Make sure she doesn't escape."
Emilia's mind raced for a solution. "I can't hurt them, but I need to get through! Mom's counting on me!" Determined, she dashed forward.
The villagers unleashed their magic—fiery blasts, slicing winds, and torrents of water aimed to stop her. She maneuvered around them, feeling a gust graze her shoulder painfully, but she pushed on, sliding beneath their legs and racing onwards. She forced herself not to look back as the battle continued, focusing only on the path ahead.
As Emilia sprinted toward the center of town, she noticed the people ahead who began to notice the commotion near the shop. Among them were Damian and his friends, who looked over in surprise as she approached.
"Emilia!?" Damian exclaimed, his surprise evident but tinged with a note of disdain. "What the hell happened to you? You're covered in blood!"
The crowd's murmurs grew as they took in her gruesome appearance, eyes widening in horror and confusion. The distant clashes of the ongoing battle reached their ears, heightening the tension and fear among everyone present.
"Listen! The village is under attack! My mom is fighting them right now, but she needs help, and Garrick's the only one who can call the Magic Knights, so I need to find him! Do you know where he is?" she yells, the strain evident in her voice as she fights against the pain of her wounds.
Damian recoiled in disbelief. "We're under attack?" His voice hardened as he mulled over the possibilities, "Father has paid off everyone who's tried to threaten us. How could this happen?" His gaze snapped back to Emilia, accusatory and cold. "It's that Pete's fault! He must have done something to draw them here! Father should've thrown him out when he had the chance!"
Emilia struck him in the face, furious and overwhelmed, sending Damian sprawling to the ground. "It's not Pete's fault, you bastard!" she screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. "Pete's... he's... he's dead. They killed him and William. And more." Her words faltered as her expression twisted in pain. "They came for a stone sold to us. My mom handed it over, but they weren't okay with just that—they started killing everyone! We have to hurry! Now, where's Garrick!?"
Damian, hissing through clenched teeth, struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his lip. "So it's your bitch of a mom's fault, huh? Damn you both for bringing this to our village!" He growls. "Father's at home. I'll tell him what's happening AND who's at fault! Now go be useful and tell the others so they can get to safety!" he commands Emilia. "Come on, you two! We need to hurry. As the future village elder, It's my job to keep the village safe!" He yells to his friends as he gets into a sprint
"Right!" They nodded in agreement, quickly chasing after Damian as he dashed down the road.
A mischievous voice floated down from above as they disappeared into the distance. "There you are! Come along; you're missing the show! Your mother's putting up quite the fight. Don't you want to see how it ends?" the lavender-haired lady taunted, hovering on her broom with a twisted smile.
Emilia glanced around, her heart sinking as she saw the panic-stricken faces of the villagers. She knew all too well that any one of them could be used against her.
"Hmm, I have an idea. I think I'll toy with you a bit before we return. Your Mother's rather skilled, so I think she'll last," the woman mused aloud, her lavender grimoire levitating beside her. With a casual wave, she unleashed a swift bolt of bright purple magic directly at Emilia.
Emilia's eyes widened in terror as she made a desperate leap to the side. But it was too late—the bolt of magic struck her arm, sending a chilling numbness spreading throughout her body.
Tumbling to the ground, her body slumped. "I- I can't move... What's happening to me?" she thought frantically.
"Perfect!" the woman clapped gleefully. "Now then, I want you to kill all these troublesome villagers. Make sure no one survives," she commanded with a sinister smile.
Against her will, Emilia's body began turning towards the frightened villagers, her hands involuntarily rising. "NO!! I'VE GOT TO FIGHT IT!!" she screamed inwardly, fighting with all her might against the spell's compulsion.
Her magic responded, conjuring several balls of cold, blue light that hovered overhead. "COME ON EMILIA, YOU CAN BREAK THIS SPELL!! FIGHT IT WITH ALL YOU'VE GOT!!" she urged herself, desperation mounting.
The orbs then transformed, sharpening into lethal shards of cold light, a chilling mist emanating from each one. "I- I CAN'T! — I CAN'T!! I'M SORRY!! PLEASE RUN EVERYONE!!" Her hand, moving against her will, released the deadly projectiles.
The sharpened shards flew with terrifying precision, piercing through the fleeing villagers. Despite her internal struggle, Emilia's spell was relentless. Villagers who tried to beg for mercy met the same grim fate, their pleas ignored by Emilia's stonewall gaze, her expression blank and distant as she struck them down.
Just then, a series of loud explosions echoed from the direction of Pottsdam's farm.
"Ah, so they've finally decided to show up," the woman with lavender hair muttered, casting a brief glance toward the distant uproar. She turned back to Emilia and elegantly stepped off her broom. "You've managed well with the villagers," she commented, observing the fallen bodies scattered across the dirt road, their blood trailing along the path. "Now, let's go see how your mother is doing, shall we?" Her voice remained disturbingly nonchalant as she gestured for Emilia to follow.
Mechanically, Emilia walked beside her, the woman's hand clasping hers with an eerie warmth.
Suddenly, a shocked voice cut through the quiet. "What the hell!? Emilia!?" Damian emerged into view, his eyes wide as he and his group, along with Garrick, stumbled upon the gruesome scene.
"W- What have you done...? You-! You MONSTER!!" Garrick yelled in horror.
"Emilia, why? How could you do this?" Damian's voice trembled with confusion and anger. His gaze then shifted to the Lavender-haired woman, whose smile only broadened chillingly. "It's you... you're controlling her, aren't you?" he accused.
Without missing a beat, the woman simply nodded to Emilia. "Darling, would you mind disposing of these nuisances?"
Slowly, Emilia raised her hands, her magic coalescing into more lethal shards of cold light.
Damian reacted instantly, his earth magic swirling up to try and restrain her. But it was too late—her attack was already launched. He barely dodged, feeling a sharp pain hit his shoulder and leg, while Garrick and the rest weren't so lucky. They were impaled, their lives extinguished in an instant.
"NOOO!!!" Damian wailed, crawling beside the bodies of his friends and Father. His hands, slick with their blood, trembled as he struggled to comprehend the sight.
Above him, a shadow loomed; Emilia stood there, her hands raised as cold, sharp shards of light formed around her, mist pooling ominously at her feet. Overcome with grief and rage, Damian screamed up at her, "YOU MONSTER!!" He thrust his hand toward her, straining to summon his earth magic.
But before he could lock her in place, a shard of light flashed through the air, severing his arm with brutal precision. "AAAAAAH!!!" Damian fell back, his body wracked with pain.
Through his tears and the blood that matted his face, he raised his remaining arm in a futile attempt to protect himself. "P-Please... D-Don't," he stammered, voice choked with fear.
Emilia's expression was distant in the grip of the spell, her eyes cold and unseeing as she sent another shard into him, silencing him forever.
The lavender-haired woman walked over, her broom at her side. "Well done, Emilia! You're being such a good little helper! Let's make our way back before we miss anything good!" She lifted the broom into the air, picking Emilia up and placing her on. They then swiftly ascend into the air, zooming back toward the storefront.
The scene was of utter destruction. Most of the buildings in the area bore the scars of battle, though notably, Katherine's Ice creations were limited to the streets, safely away from the villagers' homes. Ahead, Katherine stood resolutely despite numerous gashes and evident exhaustion, her grimoire aglow with power. Facing her was the large man, untouched and grinning with a menacing confidence.
"Just in time for the climax," the lavender-haired woman remarked as they hovered over the two. "However, I have a more... thrilling conclusion in mind."
She lowered her broom beside the hulking figure, who glanced at her with irritation. "What is it now?" he growled, his attention flitting back to Katherine. "I was just about to conclude this tiresome charade. She's far too frail to be any real sport."
Upon seeing her daughter among them, Katherine's fierce demeanor turned to one of stark terror. "EMILIA!!" she cried out desperately, though Emilia remained unresponsive, her gaze fixed elsewhere. Katherine's eyes blazed with fury as she turned to the lavender-haired woman, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY DAUGHTER!?!"
The woman chuckled with glee, playfully patting Emilia on the head, "She's been quite the delightful little puppet." Her tone was mockingly sweet as she continued, "Her magic has proven most effective in cleansing this pitiful village of its filth."
"W-What?" Katherine's eyes widened in horror as the realization sank in. "You... you didn't!"
The lavender-haired lady's smile broadened as she affectionately patted Emilia's head. "Oh, but I did. She's been quite the diligent little executioner. I might just keep her..." she teased, glancing back at Katherine while stroking Emilia's hair.
Katherine's fury erupted. "YOU BITCH!! I SWEAR YOU'LL PAY FOR EVERY LIFE YOU FORCED HER TO TAKE!!!" Her grimoire flared up, radiating a chilling aura as she prepared to cast her next spell.
Turning to the beastly man, the woman suggested slyly, "Imagine the despair, having the mother battle her own daughter. Wouldn't that be deliciously tragic, Master?"
The man chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Great Idea. It's been ages since I've witnessed a good matricide." He glanced at Emilia. "Go on, girl, make it entertaining." He stepped aside to give Emilia room.
"Emilia, my dear, would you mind killing that woman for us?" the lavender-haired woman requested, her voice soft and motherly, as if she were asking something trivial.
Obediently, Emilia nodded, her hands mechanically raising to summon jagged shards of cold light.
"Emilia, don't listen to her! Remember who you are!" Katherine implored, her voice breaking with emotion. "You are stronger than her spell!"
Emilia resisted the spell's pull with all her might, clinging to her mother's encouraging words. She was strong; she could fight it. Yet, the memory of those she had killed before, the times she had failed to resist, gnawed at her resolve. This recollection weakened her resistance, and helplessly, she watched as her hand dropped, sending the shards flying toward Katherine.
Luckily, she had just enough energy to dodge, feeling the cold bite of one shard as it grazed her cheek. Gritting her teeth, she quickly countered with a barrage of smaller, faster ice shards aimed directly at the lavender-haired sorceress.
To her horror, Emilia instinctively moved to intercept the icy barrage, forcing Katherine to halt her spell abruptly. Teeth clenched in frustration and fear, she fixed a steely gaze on the manipulative witch controlling her daughter.
"I'm afraid if you want to get to me, you'll have to go through your daughter first," the lavender-haired lady taunted, a smirk forming.
"You coward! Using a child as a shield! Have you no shame!?" Katherine yelled.
"Say whatever you want; your words do not affect me. I'm far too busy enjoying the show," the woman replied, her smile widening sadistically.
Under the spell's command, Emilia summoned more shards and sent them hurtling towards Katherine. She narrowly avoided most but got clipped by one, wincing as blood began to seep from her side. Noticing a momentary lapse in Emilia's attack, Katherine quickly conjured a spell, encasing her daughter in a block of ice to halt her movements.
"That won't do at all," the lavender-haired lady said, weaving through the airborne shards of ice with agile grace. Flipping through her grimoire, she announced, "Let's make this a fair fight, shall we?"
Suddenly, Emilia's aura flared wildly, her mana surging to an overwhelming intensity that strained her body and the surrounding air. Freed by the explosive increase in power, she shattered the icy prison with a violent burst.
Emilia raised her hand, summoning a swarm of jagged light shards, each vibrating with amplified power. With a swift, decisive gesture, she released the deadly volley towards her mother. Katherine, caught off guard by the sudden escalation in her daughter's magical force, only managed a partial evasion. Several shards embedded themselves in her arm and leg, causing sharp pains as she crumpled to the ground.
"Very good, my dear," a pink-haired woman cooed, her voice almost nurturing as she observed the scene unfold with perverse delight. "Now, finish it, Emilia. Demonstrate your true power."
Emilia nodded, her actions slow and robotic as she moved closer to Katherine, who attempted to rise only to stagger and fall again. Emilia extended her hand and conjured one final, chillingly bright light shard, its eerie glow casting deep shadows on the ground.
"E-Emilia. Please... Resist her influence. You must fight it!" Katherine pleaded, her hand reaching out feebly.
Internally, Emilia's voice screamed in agony, "I'M SORRY, MOM, BUT I CAN'T—IT'S TOO STRONG! PLEASE, GET UP AND RUN!!" Yet externally, she remained disturbingly composed, her face expressionless as she propelled the shard directly into her mother's chest.
Katherine's eyes widened with shock, a gasp slipping out as blood frothed at her lips. She mustered a feeble smile towards Emilia, extending her hand as if to caress her daughter one last time. "I love you, Emilia," she whispered just before her hand dropped limply to her side, her body stilling as a dark pool of blood spread around her.
"Wonderfully done, Emilia!" the lavender-haired woman exclaimed cheerily. "Now for the best part." Her smile widened maliciously as she declared, "I release you," instantly clearing the haze from Emilia's eyes.
Regaining her senses, Emilia found herself kneeling beside her mother, whose life was fading fast. "Mom?" she whispered, her voice breaking as the realization of her actions hit her.
The beastial man roared with laughter, his voice thick with sadistic pleasure. "PERFECT!! ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!! WITNESS THE DEPTHS OF YOUR DESPAIR, CHILD!! YOU'VE BECOME THE VERY ARCHITECT OF YOUR OWN AGONY!! WHAT SWEETER DISPAIR COULD THERE BE THAN TO KILL WHAT YOU CHERISH THE MOST!!" His laughter filled the air, echoing ominously around them.
More explosions reverberated in the distance as flames began growing, sending a thick plume of black smoke skyward.
Explosions in the distance caught the man's attention.
"Ahhh, what a wonderful symphony of agony!" Vetto bellowed, reveling in the destruction. His sinister grin widened as he taunted Emilia, "Do you hear that, girl? That's the sound of your village, your friends, succumbing to destruction—some of which by your own hand!"
Beside him, the lavender-haired woman hovered on her broom, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Master Vetto, may I keep her?" she asked, her gaze fixated on Emilia. "She's proven to be a delightful puppet—so strong and yet so breakable. And isn't she just the most adorable thing in her suffering?"
Vetto's laughter was like thunder, echoing the chaos around them. "Keep her if it pleases you," he barked dismissively, his eyes scanning the horizon for more havoc to revel in. "I've little interest in broken toys, but perhaps you'll find some amusement in her yet."
The ground beneath their feet turned inky black as the portal opened, slowly pulling them downward.
"What is this interruption?" Vetto demanded sharply, irritation lining his voice.
A hooded figure emerged from the swirling darkness of the portal, bowing respectfully. "Forgive the intrusion. Our leader demands your immediate return. The Magic Knights are approaching faster than anticipated, and we need to evacuate before their arrival."
The man snorted dismissively, his confidence unshaken. "Magic Knights? Hardly a threat. Besides, what of the girl? She's seen too much, she needs to be dealt with."
"She'll be another casualty of the mercenaries he hired to obliterate this village. It's time we left," the hooded figure stated coolly.
"Aww, but I wanted to keep her! She was so fun to torment!" the lavender-haired woman lamented, her voice tinged with regret. "She really livened things up!" She sighed, resigning herself but still visibly annoyed. "Sorry about this, but it looks like I won't be taking you with me after all." She gave Emilia a bittersweet smile. "Thanks for the entertainment, truly. Farewell, Emilia." With that, the woman disappeared into the darkening void.
As the bestial man was swallowed up by the portal, he wore a wicked grin, his sharp teeth glinting with the growing flames in the distance. "What a shame that I couldn't end you myself, but know that death will come for you regardless. The mercenaries will hunt you down like the scared little rabbit you are," he sneered, his voice thick with malice. "And when they find you, I can only hope they make it last—draw it out so you can savor the fear, just as you made your victims suffer."
With that final taunt, the portal swallowed them whole, leaving Emilia standing alone amidst the chaos. The distant sounds of destruction were the only company in the eerie silence that followed.
Emilia looked back at her mother. The vibrant light that once filled her eyes had now extinguished, leaving only a hollow, vacant stare.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered, her voice trembling as the first raindrops began to fall, each one hitting the ground with a soft, almost mournful sound.
"I'm so sorry..." she repeated, her words barely audible as her voice cracked under the weight of her grief. The rain grew heavier, drowning out the distant screams and filling the air with a steady, relentless rhythm.
Emilia crawled toward her Mother, the sticky warmth of blood soaking into her clothes as she gathered her mother's body into her trembling arms.
"M-Mom..." she stammered, tears blurring her vision. "Mom, I... I'm sorry." The words tumbled out, again and again, each one more desperate than the last, as if saying it enough times could somehow undo the horror of what she'd done. Her voice grew louder, more raw. She screamed, her cries melding with the storm as she buried her face in her mother's chest, her small frame shaking with each sob.
After a while, Emilia's tears dried up, and her sobs reduced to silent shudders. The distant sounds of screams and explosions faded, leaving only the relentless rain drumming against the earth.
She looked down at her mother's lifeless body, then at her own hands, stained with blood. The weight of her actions settled in, suffocating her like a heavy shroud. "Mom, William, Pete, Damia, The others... I... I used my magic to kill them," she whispered, the realization crashing over her like a tidal wave. "Oh god..."
The smell of iron clogged her nostrils, and a wave of nausea rose within her. The bile climbed up her throat, and before she knew it, she was hunched over, retching violently beside her Mother's lifeless body.
"What do we have here?" a voice sneered from above.
Slowly, Emilia raised her head, her tear-streaked face meeting the sight of a group of men on brooms hovering ominously above her.
"Looks like we missed one, boys!" the group leader called out, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "We can't have that! They paid us good money to make sure nobody leaves here alive!" The others nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with cruel intent.
He lifted his orange grimoire, and a large, swirling fireball started to take shape in his palm. The intense heat emanating from it caused the surrounding raindrops to evaporate before they could even touch the ground.
Emilia stared at the impending danger, her body frozen in place. There was no will to fight, no instinct to survive. Instead, a deep, numbing calmness settled over her.
"This is it," she thought, her mind retreating into itself, far away from the horrors around her. "My turn to die. At least I'll be with everyone again in heaven." A faint, sorrowful smile touched her lips as her eyes fluttered closed, ready to embrace the end.
"You want to die, huh? No worries, I'll be happy to help you with that!" the man spat, his voice laced with cruel satisfaction. He threw his hand out, unleashing the blazing fireball and sending it hurtling toward her with terrifying speed.
Emilia didn't move. She welcomed it. "I'm coming, everyone..."
But just as the searing flames were about to claim her, a strand of pink thread shot through the air, wrapping tightly around her. The force of it yanked her out of the fireball's path, and the inferno crashed into the ground where she had been, exploding in a burst of flames and heat.
Emilia was suddenly yanked into the arms of the pink-haired woman, who was perched on her broom.
"Got her!" the woman called out to two other men hovering nearby on their own brooms.
"Right, I'll take it from here." replied a lanky man with brown hair as his blue grimoire floated open beside him.
As the smoke from the fireball cleared, the man who had tried to kill Emilia stared up in shock.
"Shit! It's the Magic Knights!" the man shouted, his bravado quickly turning to fear. But as he squinted, trying to make out the symbols on their capes, a twisted grin spread across his face. "Wait a sec, it's just the Black Bulls! Nothing to worry about, boys! They're the bottom of the barrel when it comes to knight squads—just a bunch of low-class nobodies!" he sneered, rallying the others behind him as they readied themselves to attack.
"Mirror Magic - Reflect Refrain," the shaggy brown-haired man calmly intoned, his voice steady as several mirrors of varying shapes and sizes materialized around the group. Each mirror glowed with an ethereal light before unleashing a concentrated ray that ricocheted off every surface. The bandits barely had time to react. Their screams filled the air as the light struck them, their bodies crumpling to the ground, brooms and grimoires falling uselessly beside them.
"Nice work, you two," a large, black-haired man remarked, exhaling a plume of smoke from his cigarette.
Emilia looked up from the pink-haired woman's chest, her eyes hollow and devoid of life. "Why'd you save me? I wanted to die."
The words hung in the air, leaving the magic knights stunned.
"You... You wanted to die?" the pink-haired woman repeated, her voice trembling as she tried to process the weight of the girl's words.
"I want to see Mom and everyone again... in heaven. I need to apologize to them for what I've done."
The woman's eyes widened slightly before she pulled Emilia into a warm, comforting embrace. "No! Don't say that! You need to live and be strong—for them!"
"Listen to her, kid," the black-haired man added, exhaling a cloud of cigarette smoke. "Fight through the pain and live for your friends and family. They'd want that."
"But why? I'm the one who killed them," Emilia whispered, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes once more.
Both were taken aback.
"What are you talking about? How is any of this your fault?" the pink-haired woman asked, her voice gentle but laced with urgency.
"I... I was too weak... couldn't stop... I-I didn't... I didn't fight hard enough," Emilia stammered, her voice trembling. The memories were too much, too vivid. She could still see the terror on the faces of those she had killed, their desperate cries for mercy echoing in her mind.
The large man flew closer to them, his expression serious. "Woah, take a breath. Slow down and tell us what happened. You said you killed them. What do you mean by that?"
"I... I tried... I tried to stop, but... her magic... too strong. I-I couldn't... I... s-she made me... made me k-kill them," Emilia's voice broke as the fragmented words spilled out, her body shaking with sobs.
"Control Magic..." the man muttered, realization settling in.
The pink-haired woman clenched her fists, her face hardening. "To make a child do such a thing... those monsters!" she hissed, her voice filled with rage.
"Kid," The man started, his tone serious but not unkind, "life's gonna throw a lot of crap at you. It's unfair, brutal, and it doesn't give a damn about how you feel. But here's the thing—you're still here. You're alive. But now you've got a choice."
The man flicked the ash from his cigarette, his gaze never wavering from the girl. "You can let this break you. You can let the pain, the guilt, the anger eat you alive, or... you can use that power inside you to get stronger. Strong enough that no one can ever control you again. Strong enough to protect the people you care about."
Emilia listened, her body slumping against the pink-haired woman's comforting presence. Each word from the man struck a chord within her, echoing amidst the storm of emotions churning inside. At this moment, Emilia was overwhelmed, drained both physically and emotionally. Exhaustion gripped her, but she dared not close her eyes for more than a moment; the haunting faces of those she had slain invaded her thoughts, compelling her to stay awake.
The large man turned to the shaggy brown-haired man. "You think the nuns at that church where your sister's staying would take her in?"
"They should," the man replied casually. "The old hag's pretty good about taking in strays."
"Good," Yami nodded. He addressed the pink-haired woman. "Take her there. Explain everything to Mother Theresa; she'll know how to help the kid."
The woman nodded, grasping the broomstick tighter. "Hang on, kid," she said gently to Emilia as they prepared to take off.
Emilia cast one last glance back at her village as the broom lifted higher into the air. The only home she had ever known lay in ruins, its familiar contours blurred and distorted by smoke and destruction. She couldn't shake the feeling that if only she hadn't accepted that cursed gemstone, none of this would have happened. In her heart, she blamed herself for the ruin that had befallen her village, a burden she felt destined to carry into the uncertain future that awaited her.