Huff Huff
"I have to get back to Rein and tell her everything," I muttered, my heart still racing from the eavesdropping and my escape.
I rushed back to Rein's room and paused at the door.
How am I even supposed to tell her? She'll freak out if I just talk out of the blue!
Aah, I don't have time for internal conflict. This is more important!
I slipped inside and saw Rein. She had already finished her bath and was combing her long green hair in front of the desk mirror.
"Mimi, you're back. Where have you been? I was worried. I told you not to go anywhere. I hope no one saw you. I wanted to look for you, but I'm not allowed to leave my room around this time," Rein said, turning to me with a slight frown of concern.
I was sweating. I didn't even know how to start, or what to say.
"By the way, Mimi, I brought you some food. It's the only food I found in the kitchen. I hope you'll like it, not only the food but also this place. You're my first friend, so I hope we'll get along," she added, offering me a genuine, shy smile.
Aah, I can't take this anymore!
"M-my name isn't Mimi, it's Ina," I muttered, forcing the words out.
I braced myself. I was pretty sure she'd scream or run, but I was wrong. She looked utterly fascinated.
"Y-you can talk? This whole time?" She asked, her orange eyes widening, curiosity instantly overriding fear.
"Y-yeah, I'm sorry if it's so sudden. I was planning on hiding it a little longer, but an emergency came up," I confessed.
"Does that mean, the whole time, you could understand me?" Rein asked, her excitement piqued.
"That's right. I'm sorry I lied to you. Not only about my name, but also my identity, but enough of that. I have something important to tell you, so please listen to me carefully."
Rein could not contain her excitement anymore, and her eyes started sparkling with joy. "Oh my Gosh! This is the most amazing thing ever! A talking cat!"
"R-Rein, focus! Listen to what I'm about to say. It's very important," I insisted, jumping slightly to grab her attention.
Instead of responding, she suddenly held me and hugged me gently like a precious stuffed toy.
Aah, maybe I'll just let her enjoy this moment for a little longer.
"A-are you satisfied now, Rein?" I asked, slightly breathless from the hug.
Nod Nod
"Sorry about that. Oh, what is it that you wanted to tell me? I'll listen," she said, finally sitting back down on the chair, ready to hear me out.
"Listen, Rein, I'll be direct to the point. You have to get out of this place immediately. The Head Witch, your mother, is planning something very bad," I revealed, my voice tight with urgency.
"W-what do you mean?" Rein asked, a flicker of worry finally crossing her face.
I hesitated to tell her everything I'd learned at first, after all, it was about her own mother, but I soon realized that she deserved to learn the truth. Her life was at stake, and that was what truly mattered.
I took a big gulp and responded with firm resolve.
"The thing is, I came here to learn about magic and myself, but when I learned that the witches here cannot use magic, I was disappointed. But I didn't give up. I still tried looking for a way, and that's when I met you. I saw you reading a book about magic. I wanted to ask you for help, but I was afraid I'd freak you out, so instead, I followed you to the warehouse, and there I saw the Head Witch using magic to hurt people."
"After witnessing that, I knew something was off, so I investigated. Why would the Head Witch lie about being cursed? What's with this upcoming event? That's when everything finally came together. Rein, the upcoming event isn't about lifting the curse, it's about the Head Witch taking over your body. I don't know how she'll do it, but she looks serious and determined about it."
"I know it's sudden, and that I lied to you about my identity, but I want you to trust me on this one. Please get away from here. I'll help you out. I also have friends who can help you," I explained everything as quickly and clearly as possible.
After explaining and trying to convince her, I was shocked by her reaction. She was smiling and crying at the same time.
She then wiped the tears on her face and responded in a calm, mournful tone. "Don't worry, you don't have to explain anymore. I already knew."
Her voice felt heavy and sad, as if she had been waiting all her life for this day to come.
"W-what do you mean you already know? For how long?" I asked, reeling from the twist.
"I have known the truth since I was six. I overheard my mother... no, I overheard the Head Witch talking about it. On my thirteenth birthday, she'll use a forbidden curse technique, a dark magic that allows the caster to take over someone else's body. That day, she'll be me, and I'll lose myself forever," Rein revealed, the terrible weight of her knowledge finally surfacing.
I was shocked by the revelation and angry at the same time. It made my heart so heavy learning that she had known her fate since the beginning.
"If you knew then, why were you hiding it? Why didn't you run away?" I asked with a heavy heart.
"Even if I run away, she'll chase after me forever. She'll never let me go. All I could do was pretend. All I had to do was act like a good daughter, and she wouldn't find out that I already know everything. It was hopeless. What could I even do? I was only six. Knowing that the mother I always loved only needed my body broke my heart," she answered, tears now tracing clean paths through her pale makeup.
Aah, what is this feeling? Anger, Sadness. My heart aches whenever I hear her talk.
Sob Sob
"Do you know how painful it is? Knowing when you'll lose your life? For many years, I lived knowing when I'd die. I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry for help, but I knew no one would come. I knew no one would respond. That's why I'm very happy right now, that someone finally knows about it. You don't know how thankful I am that my voice has finally been heard."
I see now. She's been hiding this pain, this fear, for so long. The burden on her heart must have been so heavy after knowing that her only purpose in life is to be someone else.
"Rein, you don't have to feel that way anymore. Come with us, let's run away together. I won't let you be alone anymore," I offered with a genuine, heartfelt meow.
"Thanks for the offer, but I can't. If I run away, then who knows what she'll do to all the witches in this village? All of them are scared just like me. The Head Witch took all their magic staff, and even if they're armed, they can't fight back because they all know how powerful the Head Witch is," Rein explained, looking toward the window. "She promised them that they'll be free once she takes over my body. I've decided to accept my fate for their sake. I don't want you to get involved in this, so please just forget everything and go on your own," she added, her resolve disturbingly firm.
It made me angry knowing that a kid like her had to carry all the burden, but at the same time, it also made me sad that she had already accepted her fate.
"Are you serious right now?!? Just when someone finally came to offer you help? Until when are you going to pretend? It's okay to show you're vulnerable! It's okay to show that you're weak! You don't have to handle everything alone anymore. This time, someone will listen, and someone will share your pain. Remember that your life is your own. Don't let anyone dictate what your ending is," I insisted, channeling all my power into my voice.
"Rein, right here, right now. I want to see the real you. Tell me what it is that you want. I won't leave you alone until I hear your real thoughts," I demanded with full determination.
It took a long moment of silence, but finally, her real feelings came out. She finally stopped pretending and became honest with herself. "Is it really okay? To say what I'm really feeling deep inside? Then I…"
Her voice broke, then swelled with all the dreams she had suppressed.
"I want to learn all the magic in the world, and I want to help people with it. I want to go to places I've never been. I want to eat foods I've never eaten before. I want to smile and laugh with my friends. I… I don't want to lose myself."
"Please, save me. I don't wanna die."
Sob Sob
"Don't worry, I won't ever let that happen!" I declared while smiling genuinely, relief washing over me.
Rein was crying like a baby, releasing seven years of bottled-up terror and sadness. I was so happy that she finally had the resolve to be honest with herself. Her pain was resonating within me. She waited and waited for someone to finally see her tears. She didn't lose hope, and neither would I.
"You're not alone anymore. You did well holding on for this long. Rein, I'll do something about it, I promise. For now, I want you to pretend one more time. I'll be back to save you," I promised.
She then wiped her tears, her eyes still red but now filled with a genuine spark. "Then I'll be waiting for you. Thank you, Mimi. No, thank you, Ms. Ina."
Rein smiled, brimming with hope. I promised myself I'd make sure she smiled like that every day. I would save her no matter what. I would remove the shackles that had been holding her for too long.
I left her room right away to find Fae and Komraad and tell them about everything that had just happened and everything we had to do.
I found Fae and Komraad back in our Inn room and explained everything that unfolded.
"I see. So that's what's been happening this whole time. I should've kicked the Head Witch's butt from the beginning! Grrr!" Komraad roared, slamming his fist onto the bed in anger.
"W-we have to do something," Fae said, her eyes welling up with tears as she sympathized with Rein's story.
"Don't worry, I already have a plan. We'll save her and the other witches from the Head Witch no matter what," I revealed, speaking clearly and decisively.
"So, here's the plan…"
"I'll find a way to stop the ritual itself. Then after that, I'm sure we'll have to fight the Head Witch. I don't know if we'll win, but we still have to try."
"Fae, your job is to make sure that the crowd would be able to evacuate smoothly once the fight starts. We need a safe exit strategy for the tourists."
"We'll be needing help to protect the people. Komraad, I think I know where the Head Witch is hiding all the magic staff she took from the witches. I want you to go to her room when she leaves and try to retrieve it. If the witches have their magic staff, then they might be able to help fight back or at least help protect the crowd," I instructed.
"Huh? We don't need them. We're powerful enough to defeat the Head Witch!" Komraad grumbled, eager for a solo fight.
"Komraad, the Head Witch is powerful and can think for herself. We cannot afford to make any mistakes, or someone's life might perish. The witches can help protect the crowd while we defeat the Head Witch. It's a distraction and a safety measure," I said firmly.
"Fine! I can't wait to kick her ass!" Komraad said with firm resolve, finally accepting the mission.
"Okay then, let's take a rest. We'll execute our plan on the day of the event."
Wait for us, Rein. We'll save you and the witches together.