Fairytale Defenders: Book One

Two Mirrors

   Mana was alone in a dressing room while watching the current live of her friends. There was a soft smile on her face, but it didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes shine with sadness while watching Rose sing her heart out. 'Rose, how can you do something like this? How can you perform while being sad?' Mana slowly reaches out toward the screen before slowly lowering it. "I wish I could be like you.." She whispered.

Meanwhile, Rose pants a bit while quickly running off stage. Her hands shake after noticing the darkness slowly crawling up her right hand and forearm. 'Damn it! It's getting worse... I can't use my magic anymore if this keeps happening. The risk of the others getting hurt isn't something I want to handle yet.' There was a shake from her as she quickly took a pill before swiftly heading to her dressing room. A soft smile formed noticing Mana watching the next performance. Rose gave her a pat on the head after making sure her hand was hidden. "Enjoying the show? Looks like my cousin is going to have the fans' attention for a bit."

"Mhm! H-Hibiki is really good! I-I can see why-y people like her-r." Mana stated. Her eyes shined with mixed emotions while watching Hibiki do her Making Drama. "I-I wish I was like-e her." This caused Rose to stop moving for a split second. Sadness shone in her eyes while she quickly reapplied her makeup. Rose chuckled. "Oh, trust me. You're not the only one that wants to be like her. Hibiki has a lot of fans, but sometimes they can be too much." A soft chuckle escapes her before standing up. "If you can excuse me, I have somewhere to be." Mana tilts her head, watching Rose quickly leave the room.

Rose let out a sigh, hearing the door close behind her. She took another pill then sighed. The sound of someone making a clicking noise caught her attention. She glared at Flare leaning against the wall near her dressing room. "I have no idea what you overheard, but you better not spill anything about it to Inuy. He's already overprotective as it is." She said, starting to walk away from him.

"I wasn't going to say anything. But if you must know what I thought..." Flare grinned, standing up and facing the opposite direction. "You and Mana share the same ideal. Both of you want the same thing but know that it's impossible. You two are trying to be someone that you're not. Trying to be the one idol that everyone admires and praises. But then again, you know a lot about that."

Rose stopped walking when hearing those words. Something bubbled inside of her as she let out a small chuckle. "I have no idea what you are referring to. Nothing like that has ever happened to me. You got the wrong person for that." Flare stared at her before chuckling. "Besides, it's better than what you're doing. Why are you always hiding in the shadows? No one likes hiding in the shadows." Both of them walk away from each other. However, Flare gave her one last glance before throwing her something. "Good luck with the next fairytale. You're going to need it." Rose shakes her head when something sticks to her back.

Meanwhile, Lucien coughs while dusting off several books. "I can't believe that we have to clean! Why did Rose make us do this?!" He groaned. There was a squeak as Inuy whacked him with a duster. Inuy stated. "I know no one likes cleaning, but it has to be done. Books don't clean themselves. ...Though I wish they did. It would make a lot of things easier."

Lucien sighed. His eyes landed on a thin leather book. There was a spark of wonder when gently touching the spin. Open me. I want to see the two mirrors. He jumped back in shock. Lucien quickly looked around before taking a deep breath. 'There is no way that book is trying to talk to me.' However, something formed in the back of his mind. It was single thought of pure curiosity.

Without even thinking, Lucien reached for the book and opened it. A strong wind came out of it. A small tornado formed while he tried to close the book. You can not stop me! I shall find the two mirrors! Nothing can stop me now!! A figure jumps out of the book as the tornado grows. "INUY! I NEED HELP! I CAN'T CLOSE THE BOOK!!" Lucien yelled. However, his voice was lost from the howling of the wind. The figure chuckles softly before making their way more profound in the library.