Here There be Witches

Untitled Part 19

As soon as Anara woke up they could tell that they were in a mood. It wasn't an unusual mood, it had happened before, but it wasn't common either.

He wanted to be the villain.

They were the child of a crazed scientist-the most powerful meister the academy had ever produced and perhaps the most feared witch on the entire continent. They wanted to have a terrifying soul wavelength that would make anyone who saw it run for the hills and they wanted darkness to follow in their wake and curl delicately around it's master's heels. He wanted to be more cruel and sadistic than anyone could even imagine and leave the memory of their horrific actions seared into everyone's minds for the rest of their lives--and not just people, no, they wanted to carve their mark into history. They wanted to go back to Medusa as an eager, dutiful child and then drive a blade into her back and start their own dark legacy dressed sharply and intimidatingly fashionable and see the horror on Kid's face when he realized he fell in love with the bad guy.

They needed to see the beautiful crimson splatter of blood. Needed to watch it arcing through the air in a graceful dance.

No. What they needed was to satisfy this feeling before they arrived at school and sensed it in their soul.

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Two days of classes left before the exam. Stein had the agenda up on the board this morning, which was strange. He wasn't exactly known for being organized. "You're late." Combat training first thing. Yes this was perfect!

"Sorry...I'm not used to the distance from the manor." In an instant, Kid's face switched to mortification and even Liz and Patty had an "oh shit" look. Anara could practically hear their thoughts. What's wrong with us!? We should have made sure they were up and ready in time! We should have told them how long it would take to get here! We should have given them a ride! That had been a bullshit lie of course, they had been here plenty early.

"Well, don't bother sitting down, we're going outside. I know you all can read so I won't bother telling you. Hurry up, we don't have all day." He ushered them out the door but grabbed Anara's shoulder as they passed. "I see that look--you aren't ready yet, you are not participating in this!"

No. No this couldn't happen, they had to fight. They had to get that giddy, sadistic feeling again of seeing someone crumpled on the ground and this time it was their turn to make that happen! Anara tapped back into that angsty feeling from the hospital ward. "Dad please--I'm fine, I feel great even!" That much was true at least. Despite sleeping in an unfamiliar house he felt better then yesterday by far. He loved that he could just do this little deception though. Summon any emotion and even channel it into his soul.

"No we aren't doing this again-"

"Dad! You don't understand--I can't keep feeling weak like this! I need to start training again as soon as possible, I need to know I can keep up with everyone and not be the stupid, weakling who got hurt and left my friends to die like last time!" They forced a sob into their voice, but just enough for it to be heard and sound accidental. "Please..."

They stared at each other for a moment before Stein groaned, dropping his head back and pulling at his face with his hand. "Fine. But you are going to be so careful today, got it?! I will bench you." Anara rushed out of the classroom after the other students, self loathing facade dropping.

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Dr. Stein had paired the witch up with some of the most pathetic students in class. The pair was failing miserably at hiding their hesitance to attack the higher ranked student-are they even trying? It fueled her excitement like shoveling an entire bag of coal into the fire. This wouldn't last long but the fear they could see in their faces and sense in their souls practically made Anara's mouth water.