Fairy Tail: Next Generation - Volume IV

Chapter 16: Infection

It was then when Marigold realized something very critical to the situation, that she had just angered someone who held a certain power over her.

Perhaps power isn't the right word, as presence fit her position much better. However, it was that presence that gave her the power of Marigold. That constant and persistent presence that Marigold could never escape. That voice, beating in her head, crying out again and again as if it were this endless echo.

At least, for Marigold's sake, the echo got tired and bored every now and then.

You did that on purpose. She would proclaim. This is MY body! You can't do this!

"Doe." 

You're trying to steal my body, aren't you?!

"Hey, are you listening?" 

You can't have it! This is my body! This isn't fair! I have a life in my world! You can't take my body and use it for yourself!

"Doe!"

Finally, Marigold lifted her head, turning to Liddan to realize his arm was on her shoulder. Looking into his eyes, she could see his concern mixed with simple fear. He didn't understand what had just happened, and now Marigold was beginning to realize she wasn't sure how to explain it.

"Hey, you okay? You just kinda fizzled out for a second--" he realized that even though Marigold was staring right at him, she wasn't really looking at him. "Hey, are you in there--" 

Suddenly, she turned away, her arms grabbing onto the edge of the pool and pushing her up out of the water. 

She kicked her leg over the side, taking deep and unsteady breaths as she began walking from the pool, away from Liddan without a word.

He'd have to be a fool not to realize that Marigold was clearly hurt. Why? He couldn't tell, but he couldn't just sit there either. In just a few moments, Liddan too was awkwardly pushing himself out of the pool, struggling to keep up with Marigold as he found himself making what sounded like desperate cries for Marigold to wait for him.

"Doe--wait!" he grunted under his breath as his false arm chafed against the concrete, making a discomforting sound as the metal met stone. Nonetheless, he continued out of the water, stumbling with his first steps on the solid ground, chasing after the suddenly frantic girl he'd just been sleuthing with moments before.

"Hey!" he called a final time before reaching Marigold, grabbing onto her arm with a certain dexterity, like he'd done it before. "Doe, listen to me," he spun her around, his other arm snaking up to Marigold's shoulder to have a full foundation over her stance. He looked into her eye, this time making sure she saw him. "Hey, hey," he voice softened suddenly as he caught sight of her frantic expression, suddenly falling into a nurturing position, "what just happened there? You really freaked me out, okay?" 

Her breathing was still heavy, almost to the point where Marigold couldn't speak. She shut her eyes, hoping with a true sincerity that the voice would in time silence itself, however, it remained persistent and she soon found herself deafened by its presence, finding it almost impossible to focus on anything but her.

"Come on," Liddan said, nonetheless, "let's dry off." 

Without any answers, Liddan walked away with Marigold, looking back with wonder at what was in the water that had left her so stupefied. 

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