Her eyes gingerly opened in a blurry mess. She was back in her room, in the real world. Through the wall of tears, she recognised the blue eyes shining directly ahead of her. "Emily…?" She spoke in a soft whisper. "What…happened?"
"I should be asking you!" Emily frowned worriedly. "You looked like you were having the absolute worst of all nightmares! Are you okay?"
"I…don't know." Getting up, she sat on the bed and wiped her own tears. "But I felt really…really sad."
"Can you tell me what you saw? B-But it's okay if you don't want to!"
"Even if I wanted to…I don't remember anymore what I saw." Viola stared blankly at the wall. "I can only recall the feeling. I was hurt, terrified, in despair, and longing for someone...that's all I can tell you." She involuntarily began tearing up again.
"Hey, hey, hey! It's gonna be fine!" Emily pulled her companion into a comforting hug, and Viola snuggled into her chest. "It was just a bad nightmare. Let's not think too much of it, alright?" She pulled away and gave an assured smile. The other nodded and wiped her tears again.
After a few minutes of Emily attempting to talk about something else and absolutely failing, Viola eventually calmed down and even let out a few soft giggles at Emily's fruitless attempts.
"Hey, Emily," she finally spoke up, lowering her head and nervously fidgeting with her fingers. "I don't feel like…continuing this any longer."
"What?!" Emily raised her voice. "We're ending this friendship already?!"
"What? No! That's not what I meant! I enjoy this bond I have with you, and I would love to remain your friend forever." She chuckled. "Don't worry about that."
"Okay…" She let out a breath of relief. "Then…what is it?"
"I don't want to hunt creepers…anymore."
"Why? If you're tired…we can take a few days off!"
"Well, yes, that's one of the few reasons." She let out a sigh before continuing. "But, I have a feeling that if I go on with this…I will threaten the lives of my loved ones. My parents, and to some extent…you." Her fingers shivered. "What if the creepers suddenly band together and invade my space? My house is in an isolated part of the town, so I wouldn't put it past them to visit me here. And what if, one day, I slip up and fail to defeat a creeper during our hunts? You'd be in danger. And…I don't want to lose someone else again."
"Don't worry, I've already thought about that!" Emily lifted a backpack that was placed on the floor, the enigma she always carried with her, no matter where she went. "If you ever slip up, I've got this as backup!"
"What kind of secret do you hide inside that you refuse to reveal, no matter how many times I ask?" Viola eyed her suspiciously with her arms crossed.
"Oh! Uh…nothing that special!"
"And you're telling me to believe in your backup plan that is 'nothing special'?"
"I mean…special enough! You can trust—"
Within the fraction of a second, the bag disappeared from her hand along with Viola. When Emily turned around, she noticed her on the corner of the room, unzipping the bag. "H-Hey! That's unfair!" Emily rushed to stop her, but it was too late.
"I could've always done this, but it just felt wrong. However, I've run out of pa—"
Viola was too shocked and confused to continue her sentence, when all she found inside the bag were bottles upon bottles of water. She took one out and examined it, hoping it was some special 'creeper killing' liquid. But she was left even further dumbfounded when she discovered that it was just normal tap water.
"Emily…what is this…?"
"Don't browse my things like that!" She immediately took back the bag and the bottle, pouting as she placed it back inside and zipped up her bag.
"So, your plan if I ever slip up against a creeper is…to drown it?" Emily remained silent, rubbing the back of her head and smiling nervously. "Are creepers…afraid of water?"
"No…"
"THEN WHY ARE YOU CARRYING SO MANY BOTTLES OF WATER?!"
"Uh…it's a secret!" She winked. "You'll figure out when the time comes~"
"I…don't see how that's going to help! Nor will I be seeing it, because I quit!"
"B-But we were such a great team!" She whined. "We are this town's heroes, remember?"
"I'm sorry." Viola walked back to her bed and sat on the side. "As much as my mother would always tell me to use my gifts for the good, I also hate doing this while she is oblivious. Sure, I could tell her, but there's no way she'd let me continue if she knew!"
I think they might, though, knowing what I am…
"Also…I just have this dreadful feeling that if this goes on…there will be consequences."
Emily had a look of pity plastered on her face as she sat beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, I understand. I guess I shouldn't be pushing you too hard." She smiled in approval of her partner's choice. "But hey, I will still visit you daily and continue bothering you!" she continued. "That you cannot back out of!"
"I can deal with that." Viola chuckled. "Besides, you've been so secretive about your life. I would love to learn more about you someday."
"I-I told you it's nothing special—"
"Doesn't matter. Your story might as well be the most boring thing I've ever heard, but I'd still want to hear it."
"Was that…a compliment?"
"Because you're my friend now. Which is quite a rare thing to come by in my life." She chuckled. "Seventeen years of living and, before I met you, my friend count was only three. Two of which I've lost contact with, and the third…you already know."
"You know what they say, the fewer the merrier! So cheer up!"
"I don't think that's the right quote, but I sort of agree." Laughter followed among the duo, and a thought ran through Emily's head.
Don't worry, you will soon make a lot more friends…and enemies.
"Listen, Viola," Emily spoke in a serious tone, "I feel guilty hiding this, and I don't wish to keep it in any longer...I want to tell you the truth."
"Like the truth of the bottles?"
Her usual act of positivity suddenly dropped.
"The truth about who I really am."
Viola covered her mouth, her eyes wide agape. "Don't tell me you work with the creepers!"
"What? Ew! Don't lump me in with those disgusting creatures!" Viola let out a breath of relief before looking at her friend with curiosity burning in her eyes. Emily took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
"I am actually a—"
A scream echoed from outside the room, and somewhere in the house, interrupting them. Viola recognised the voice of her mother in peril and rushed out of the room without a word. Emily followed behind, fearing the worst. Viola reached the main living room from where the sound originated and saw Cecelia cornered against the wall with Wright shielding her. And for what threatened them, it was as she had feared all along.
Without a moment to lose, and with the only thought of protecting her loved ones in mind, Viola dashed forward and stood in front of her parents, facing the creeper with a cold glare. She swiftly launched a punch that landed on its chest. Violet light flashed when her fist connected with the creeper's black skin, resulting in a small burst of energy that pierced through and ruptured its heart, creating a large, gaping hole. The creeper turned to dust shortly after.
"Are you okay?!" She turned around, immediately embracing both her parents as soon as the danger was gone.
"W-We're good," Cecelia said, upon pulling away from the hug. "It didn't get to hurt us…thanks to you. But also, what the hell was that? And how did you…?!"
"Mom, remember I talked about a monster in the woods back when…Bonn…" Looks of horror slowly replaced her parents' worried faces. "This is the one."
"Oh my god, you weren't crazy…"
"What?!" Viola took a step back, almost looking hurt. "Surely you didn't think I was crazy, did you?" And when there was no response, she got her answer and pouted. "I-It's fine! I may have lost that day, but I've been winning ever since!"
"You what?!"
"Oops—" muttered Emily in the background.
"Oh! N-Nothing!" She chuckled nervously. "I was just saying that I didn't fail today! I-I must've gotten lucky this time…that's all!"
"Viola." Her mother eyed her suspiciously with her arms crossed. "What are you hiding?"
"No…Nothing!"
"If you're really keen on lying, at least put some effort into it." Cecelia sighed before glaring at the other. "Both of you are bad liars."
"Huh?" Emily gasped. "You knew?!"
"We made sure to go back in town and double-check your identity. That's when we found out. But you seemed genuine, and actually made our daughter happy. So, we played along with your act. I wanted Viola to make more friends, too; we couldn't simply separate you two." Her glare turned back to her daughter. "Would you like to enlighten us on what the two of you were after, behind our backs?" Viola gulped, slightly shivering under her mother's intense gaze. Meanwhile, Wright must've caught something out of the corner of his eye, as he turned away from the scene. But finally, after ten seconds of absolute silence, which felt like forever, the daughter spoke up.
"Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I feel bad hiding it anyway." She took a deep breath before continuing. "So, Emily and I, and it was her idea, have been hunt—"
"I don't mean to interfere but…" Wright gently tapped on Cecelia's shoulder, gaining everyone's attention, as he pointed to the back door towards Viola's right. Near the door was a window through which Wright could see something unusual. Viola turned just in time to—
"WATCH OUT!"
She pushed her parents into the wall, while Emily casually stepped to the side to avoid the incoming large projectile that broke through the door—a long tree log.
"Where did they even get this from?!"
"We're surrounded by trees…Viola."
"Right…of course!" She responded to her mother's comment before running towards the broken door and checking their backyard. There, she saw not one, but two creepers standing side by side, glaring at her. They weren't attacking yet, but they posed a threat and taunted Viola to take action. "Oh, good. 'Cause one wasn't enough—"
"What is even going on?!" Cecelia exclaimed in disbelief as soon as everyone came out. "Viola, who have you angered?!"
"T-They started first! And yes, as I was trying to say earlier, I've been hunting these things for the past couple of days. But not more than one at a time! And frankly, I don't even know if I can do this!"
"I sort of figured that out, yet I'm still in disbelief! Shouldn't we run away then?!"
"No! Not possible! These things are fast, and the town is too far away from us; we won't make it! I…I have to defeat them here!"
"For the record, you're the one who wanted a spot like this—"
"I know, right? Glad I'm not already blaming myself for it for the past two weeks!" She quickly glanced behind to ask, "Emily! Maybe this is where we use that backup of yours? Whatever that is supposed to accomplish?!" The girl thought about it before answering.
I was already going to tell her my secret…so it shouldn't be much of an issue revealing that here. But…she needs to use this opportunity to learn. If she cannot deal with this…she will not survive later on.
"N-No! You got this! Go, Viola, I believe in you!" She cheered despite her voice lacking confidence.
"Just great!" She shouted in annoyance while thinking about how to deal with the situation. She had fought multiple opponents before and was no longer hesitant against creepers. But this time was a bit different. She also had to worry about there being more hidden nearby, while protecting the ones closest to her.
"Please be careful," said Cecelia, worryingly.
"You too. Emily, look after them, please!"
Viola dashed forward, sliding low to kick off a creeper's leg. While it was down, she tried aiming for the heart, but was interrupted by the other. The two went toe to toe, throwing and blocking jabs left, right, and centre. The first creeper regrew its leg before sneaking up behind her. But she was quick to duck under its attack, and it instead hit the second creeper's face. As the second one went flying a few feet away, she immediately turned around and launched an upward punch straight to the first creeper's chin, tearing off its head.
"H-Hey," Wright spoke to Cecelia, "did you know our daughter was this…scary?" Cecelia shook her head and remained silent. She was terrified but also proud of Viola, relieved that she would come out just fine.
I can win this!
With the second creeper still trying to regain its composure some feet behind her, and the headless creeper stunned, she took this chance to target its weak spot and end it. But before her fist could connect, an unknown force struck her left side, sending her flying several feet away.
What the hell?!
"Just what I was afraid of," Emily muttered under her breath, taking a step forward, but stopped. "No, I cannot help…not yet."
A third creeper intervened while the first creeper had already regrown its head by the time Viola got back up. She checked her side, where she felt pulsing pain, and, luckily, her bones were still intact. Bruises had already begun forming, but she turned a blind eye to them.
The second creeper jumped at her, but she leapt away at the last second. Unfortunately, another unknown force landed a blow to her gut, sending her flying to the opposite side of the house. A fourth creeper entered the fray.
"Viola!" Cecelia shouted, trying to run towards her daughter, but Emily stopped her.
"Please, stay here! It's too dangerous!" The blue-haired pleaded. Looking ahead, she saw the four creepers standing between them and Viola. Two of them faced their direction, and the other two faced the violet girl. She thought to herself.
I'm sorry, Viola, but I must let you deal with this yourself. There's no better way for you to learn how to channel that hidden power within you. You have the potential, you won't lose here. I must not interfere. Because if I do…that long road ahead will be far more brutal.
Viola got back up. A metallic taste dominated her mouth as she coughed up blood, and some of it dribbled down her bottom lip and chin. She analysed the situation she was in, and her body shivered. The two creepers glaring at her parents and Emily could attack at any time, and nothing would be there to stop them. Meanwhile, she wouldn't be able to catch up, since the other two creepers would keep her busy. Taking heavy breaths, she faced the enemy. But she could barely clench her fists, and her limbs wouldn't stop shaking.
If only I could learn what that violet light is all about. Is it magic? Is it the result of using my full strength? Whatever it is, it seems to be lethal against these monsters. It started occurring recently, and only appears after fighting a creeper for a while, whenever I land the finishing blow. However, I was able to use it on my first move earlier. Maybe if I focus hard on it…
Viola closed her eyes, burning the image of her glowing fists inside her head. But when she opened them, there was nothing. Next, she tried staring at her fists, imagining the same image, but nothing happened. She glanced back and forth, at the creepers and herself, panting rapidly, and her heart raced the longer it took for her to figure it out.
"I-I need to think of something fast! Those things aren't going to wait for me…but what do I do?! Nothing's work—"
"Focus."
A different image appeared in her eyes. A voice spoke inside her mind. A familiar yet distant memory was enacted before her. And tears welled up as soon as she recognised it.
"Viola, listen to me."
The memory was one of the many she cherished and made with an old companion, her first friend. The figure in front was a girl, standing about her own height, with long, straight silver hair. The face was a blank, as it was not what needed to be focused on. Her words, spoken in her cold yet caring tone, had come to shed light on this dark scene. They had come for Viola's rescue, just like how this person did in the past, in this very memory playing before her.
"Tell me, at this very moment, what is the most important thing to you?"
"To protect those I love," Viola whispered.
"Then focus on it. Keep it close to your heart. Think of nothing else. Feel no other emotion. Close your eyes, blank out the surroundings."
Viola did just as the voice instructed.
"Make sure that when they reopen, that important thing is the only thought in your mind, feeling in your heart, yearning in your soul, and purpose in your present. Focus on that, work your way out from there, and the rest will flow in."
When her eyes reopened, the memory of the girl disappeared, replaced by the current situation. Her hands still didn't emit a violet glow, but that was not what mattered to her. Saving her loved ones was the only priority.
"A gift can become a burden if you can't find use for it."
The two creepers ran towards Viola's parents and Emily, while the other two stayed behind, still focused on her. A tear dropped down her cheek, and before it could touch the ground, Viola was gone in a blur, immediately reappearing before the two creepers locked in on her. Her fist shot out, landing on one's chest. Violet light flashed, following a tiny explosion, and the monster disintegrated before it even realised she had moved. Viola slapped away the other's incoming hand, amputating it, before launching a punch to its chest, too, resulting in another energy burst.
Running faster than the wind at the remaining pair, who were oblivious to what had just transpired, Viola reached just in time to drop low and rip one's leg off. Grabbing the detached piece, she quickly hurled it at the other's head, stunning it in place. Losing balance, the first one began falling forward to the floor, and she swiftly elbowed its spine. Violet light flashed, causing another explosion to finish it off.
The last creeper staggered, and before it could regain its footing, she leapt at it and landed a kick to its side. But, instead of stopping upon contact, her leg carved straight through the creature's torso, like a sharp knife, leaving behind a trail of violet energy. The light faded soon after, and the creeper was chopped in half, severing its heart in the process, and ending it for good.
Landing back on her feet, she looked around, squinting her eyes at every corner. And once she confirmed that there were no other creepers, she finally took a breather. "I did it…" She turned to her loved ones, and each one returned with a proud smile, especially Emily, although her parents still seemed slightly in disbelief and fear. Viola looked up at the blue sky and thought of her silver-haired friend.
"Still looking out for me even when you're not here," she muttered under her breath, chuckling softly. "Thank you, De—"
"It won't matter if you learn to control them, Viola. Curses aren't gifts, they never will be."
"Watch out!" Emily shouted.
"Misfortune we are, and misfortune we'll bring."
A looming dark presence cast its shadow over her, with a smell so horrid and an aura so dense, she froze on the spot. Her heart raced as she slowly turned around, mentally preparing herself for whoever this new uninvited guest was.
"Mistakes we are. Mistakes are all we'll ever be."