The Witch and the Zodiac | Kyo

Chapter 4- Realization

Aki bit her lip, staring at the books' cover for a moment before looking up, hearing rapid footsteps approaching from down the hall.

I have to hide! If people see me like this, they'll think I'm a threat!

She stuck the book back into her bag, clutching it close to her as she bit her lip.

But with my legs like this, I can't exactly get up and run to safety.

Exhaling slowly, Aki held out her palm.

Concealment of the morning sea...

A large cloud of fog burst out from her palm, spreading rapidly through the room, down the hall, and filling the entire floor.

Now's my chance!

Allowing herself to levitate off the ground, she moved out of the bathroom, through the fog of confused, shouting people, and into a small closet. She let out a sigh of relief and dispelled her fog, listening as confusion and chaos unfolded on the other side of the door.

I guess I can't blame them for causing such an uproar. Magic doesn't exist here.

She sighed again, heavier this time, and held up the book once more.

I can't believe this is happening... I didn't know my magic was capable of this at all. I wonder if the other Witches knew...

Leafing through the pages absentmindedly, she pressed her lips together.

I've read the series beginning to end dozens of times, since it's my favorite, so I feel like I know all these people already... but I don't belong here. How much will my being here effect their world? I have to find those Ghouls before they grow stronger or multiply.

Aki lowered the book and looked down at herself, blushing deeply.

Oh... Oh my. The Flash wrecked more than just my body and tore up my bag... but my clothes, too. I'm practically naked now.

Looking into her bag again, she moved her things around.

It's not much, but I at least have this. At least it will return some of my dignity.

She slipped the oversized shirt over her head, tugging it down low.

Well, it covers enough, I guess. As long as I don't bend over, at least. It can't be helped that it's a little see-through, though.

She smoothed down the front of the shirt and gently prodded her legs, wincing as pain shot through her swollen limbs.

First things first... I'm in no condition to do a Cleansing. I have to heal myself first. With it being this bad, I'll have to stay somewhere for at least a few weeks. Staying hidden in a storage room isn't ideal. And I'll have to try to do as much investigating while immobilized in order to find the Ghouls, if possible. I can't let anyone get hurt because of my mistake.

Aki leaned back against the door and closed her eyes.

At least magic doesn't exist here. The Ghouls will starve without a source of spiritual energy.

Her eyes shot open and she covered her mouth.

"Oh... no."

Holding up the manga again, her hands trembled slightly as she turned the pages and looked at the different faces.

No magic... except for them. They don't know what to expect, what to look out for, and no clue that they're ideal targets for the Ghouls. If I don't do anything, they'll be devoured in their sleep, and who knows how much damage will happen to the timeline if that happens.

She looked around the closet, only illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the small window, and dragged herself over to a shelf of textbooks, going through them before opening one and turning to the back of the book.

Maps... maps... maps... they've got to be here.

Her lips twitched in a small smile and she brushed her fingers over the map.

A map of the city. This is perfect. Now all I need...

Turning her attention back to her own book, she turned the pages until settling on one and smiling again and looking at the picture of the house. Setting the two books beside one another, she removed the ring from her right forefinger and held it several inches above the map.

"Of these four corners— south, north, west, and east— reveal this location to me."

She closed her eyes, letting out a slow breath and concentrating her energy on the ring. It began to glow a faint yellow as it charged, and, once it was humming faintly, she released it. It zipped over to a spot of the map, spinning as it hovered over the location before dropping to encircle the area, the glowing ended.

"Here?" She tapped her finger inside the circle.

I may not belong to this world, but I'm still a Witch, and it's still my duty to Cleanse the Ghouls and protect people. And that's exactly what I'm going to do.