Hazel woke up from her bed. She hoped everything that happened was just a dream. She hoped Peri was still alive and in his apartment. But, it wasn't a dream. Peri was dead. The witch killed him.
She got dressed and slowly walked to the kitchen. She sees her mom drinking coffee while reading a newspaper. She also saw her father setting the table for breakfast. Hazel sat in her chair. Marcus gave her some toast. Hazel stared blankly at her breakfast. She recalled the time she had spent with Peri yesterday. How Peri looked in his final battle.
"Hazel? If you don't hurry up and eat, you will be late for school." Angela told her.
Hearing her mother, Hazel snapped back to reality. She starts to eat her breakfast. Tears flow down her cheeks as she eats.
Marcus and Angela then noticed something unusual with their daughter. They see Hazel shiver and cry uncontrollably. "What's wrong Hazel? Does it taste bad?" Marcus asked her in concern.
"No, it is good. It's very good..." Hazel cried. She tried to answer, but her tears won't stop flowing. "Dad's cooking tastes amazing... I'm thankful I'm alive..."
On the way to school, Hazel sees Jasmine chatting with Bev. Jasmine is in her usual self, talking lively, making Bev laugh. Hazel fakes a vague smile, paying no attention to the topic on hand. She calls out to Jasmine via Irep's telepathy. "Jasmine, can we talk about what happened yesterday?"
"Sorry, can we talk about it later?" She replied. Despite the gloominess in her mental reply, her voice remains bright as always.
After class, Jasmine and Hazel sit alone at an empty table. Reading from the mood, Irep understandably keeps itself at a distance. "It's like we're in a different world or something. Even though nothing about the school or Bev has changed since yesterday... Now I feel like I'm surrounded by strangers." Hazel sobbed.
Jasmine then grieved. "That's because no one knows about Peri or magical warriors" The coldness in her tone, completely the opposite of the usual Jasmine, makes Hazel flinch back a little. "Our world changed long ago. We should've realized that sooner." Jasmine stares at a distant part of the sky. Hazel doesn't say a word in reply. "What about you, Hazel? Do you still want to become a magical girl?"
Hazel stays silent, having no courage to say what was on her mind. Jasmine understood the response. "Yeah, I can't blame you for that."
"I know it's not fair. I know I'm just being selfish right now... But... I just can't! I just remember how he died! It makes it hard to breathe! I'm so scared! I hate this!" Hazel continues to cry out.
"Peri was really kind. He showed us what it takes to fight..." Jasmine mourned. The two recalled memories of Peri's lessons.
"Hey Irep. What's going to happen to this city? Who will protect everyone from the witches now that Peri is gone?" Jasmine asked.
"Dimmadelphia has been Peri's for a long time. Once the other magical warriors find out he's gone, they will come. I'm sure someone will arrive soon to pick up the hunt." Irep informed them.
"But, all they're going to care about is finding grief seeds. Just like Dev..." Jasmine continued to mourn
"It's true. Most magical warriors fight for their own benefit. I understand you want to be paid for your work. But Peri was a rare breed. You don't have the right to judge their actions. Only magical warriors have that right. They have the same destiny, after all." Irep told the two. "I understand what you're thinking. It's a shame. I can't force you, can I? Goodbye then... I will go on to search for other girls and boys. I apologize for getting you two mixed up in all this. We weren't together for very long, but it was fun. Thank you, Hazel." Irep then walks off on his own.
After school, Hazel goes to Peri's apartment across from hers. She rang the doorbell, but no one answered. She then decides to enter, knowing no one would ever be in the home again. She knew Peri wasn't there.
She saw dishes that had to be clean, and books on the table. The memories come back to her. She places her sketchbook on the coffee table and walks out. She then starts to mourn the loss of Peri, crying in solitude.
She went to sit outside to mourn. She then noticed Dev near her. "You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened. It couldn't be helped. No one can criticize you for what happened. I mean that, Hazel. I won't allow it." Dev told her. "So then, have you accepted my warning?" Hazel nods.
"I keep thinking, if only I listened to you." Hazel told Dev.
"If you had, it wouldn't have changed Peri's fate. I was able to change yours though. So at least I've saved one person." Dev assured her.
"You know Dev, I get the feeling you're a veteran at this too." Hazel concluded.
"Perhaps. I can't deny it." Dev agreed.
"And I guess, you have seen lots of people die horribly..." Hazel asked in concern.
"I have." Dev admitted
"How many..?" Hazel questioned.
"I gave up counting long ago..." Dev lamented.
"And Peri's place... is it just going to stay like that?" Hazel asked him.
"Most likely. He did not have any family or friends to speak of. It will be a very long time until someone notices he's missing." Dev responded.
"Then... no one's going to notice that Peri is dead?" Hazel cried.
"It can't be helped. If you die in a labyrinth, your body stays there. So that means this world, he will be considered a missing person forever. It's a fate all magical warriors can look forward to." Dev explained.
Hazel starts to sob again. "That's awful! He was all alone and he fought to protect everyone! And now you're saying no one will know he is gone?! That's horrible!"
"It's a condition of the contract we make. We are not protectors. We fight for the sake of our wish. If we die and nobody remembers us... I guess that's the only way it is..." Dev told her
"I'll remember him... I'll never forget Peri!" Hazel told him
"I see. Peri is really lucky. He would be happy to hear that. I envy him..." Dev said in envy
"I won't forget you either! I swear I'll never forget how you saved me and Jasmine yesterday! I'm always going to remember you!" Hazel promised. She then hugged him. Dev blushed a little. After a minute, he stepped away from her hug.
"You're too kind... remember this... and take it to heart. Kindness sometimes leads to even greater tragedy." Dev informed her. He then walks away from Hazel.
