The Cursed Iris

Learning the Truth Pt.2

The space finally disappeared, and Ayame's eyes fluttered open. When they did, she shot up, "Magic and fairies!" she yelled, and hit someone on the forehead.

"Son of a..." they said.

Ayame rubbed her head, and she looked around. "Everyone is here."

The atmosphere seemed tense, and Ayame statement scared everyone.

"Ayame, that must've been some dream you had?" Akane asked her in a motherly tone.

"Was it a dream?"

Atsuko agreed. "It had to be."

Ayame thought about it, and she realized it was not. So, she did something that no one ever expected her to do, "Stop lying to me," she stated with a determined look in her eyes.

Everyone was surprised, but Shiro chuckled. "So, the little iris has thorns. Ayame, you know we've been lying to you for years now."

"Well, of course I know that."

"But let me finish. We did this for your own good, but I personally think you're ready for this. Our families are a part of a magic guild."

"Magic guild? Those are a thing? Like a legit thing?" Ayame asked confused.

"Yes, they are," Natsumi interjected. "And it was the guild who wanted us to hide the truth from you. They're going to be mad when they find out that you know, but I'd rather not listen to those losers."

Ayame's mind started racing, but Natsumi continued. "As Shiro said, we did this to protect you, but we can't send you off not knowing anything."

"She wouldn't be alone though..." Atsuko replied as if she were annoyed.

"Yeah, yeah, I don't have too much faith in you, but I have faith in Ayame."

Atsuko seemed to have growled at her.

"We don't have time for either of you to be fighting," their parents replied.

Atsuko and Natsumi both shrunk and Ayame stared at them.

"So, what exactly did you all want to protect me from?"

They all looked at each other, and a wave of silence passed over the room.

Atsuko sighed, "Well alright then. Time for her bestie to step in," she said rubbing her head. She walked up to Ayame and stared right into her eyes. "Kikyo, it's time."

"Kikyo? Didn't my other half mention that name?"

"It's about time you called me," another voice said from Ayame's mouth. Usually when Kikyo takes over, Ayame faints but not this time. Kikyo seemed to have taken over Ayame's left side because it had Kikyo's features. It surprised their parents, and Kikyo/Ayame looked towards them. "What's your issue?" Kikyo's voice asked.

"Interesting, so the spirit is able to control half of Ayame as well?" Hiro asked.

"Well, yeah. Atsu wanted me to do this for Ayame. Besides, I won't be in this body for much longer."

Ayame got confused, but she remembered. "Atsuko is going to take you in, isn't she?"

"Yeah, and I've got to say this, Ayame you have a ton of potential with this. I hope you make the right choice in this situation. Everyone is counting on us."

"Everyone is counting on us?"

Ayame stared at all of them and Akane twiddled with her hair, "Sweetie listen, our family has a huge responsibility to the three realms. Here's the truth of the matter," she stated as she put her hands on Ayame's shoulder reassuring her.