Otherworldly Victoria

"Power"

I let go of my knees and stood up straight. I'm shaking uncontrollably. I can feel my tears forming. Victor turned to me and glared.

"Stop being a coward Victoria! Crying leads to nothing. Cry for help? Don't even think about it. What if this is the real world? You can't survive whining!" He shouted angrily.

I'm still shaking, still confused on what to do. Victor lowered his barrier. "We can't stay like this. We have to fight." He walked forward to the direction where Ashley went.

I followed him and tried to not shake. Charlotte and Gavin remained calm, but clutched their arm. How are they so calm?!

"Scout!" Victor shouted. I assume it's his magic. How are they so good with magic?! I'm not strong enough! I'm so weak! What the hell?

"Over there!" Victor pointed towards a direction. Charlotte ran towards it, "Freeze!" She casted her magic. Thankfully, we weren't affected by it.

I just stood there watching them find our opponents. "Victoria! Help us out here!" Charlotte yelled, rummaging through the trees and shrubs.

"I-I.. I can't! I can't do magic like you!" I trembled. I don't know how to use it.. I don't know how.. I'm supposed to be perfect.. I'm—

"Vick! behind you!" I hear Victor shout—before I could look behind, I felt something punched me from behind.

"Tori!!" Charlotte ran towards my direction. I quickly moved away and looked behind. Charlotte pointed her finger at the opponent, "Freeze!" They froze.

It's not Ashley I see, it's another girl. She has a dagger in her hand. I looked down at my stomach and saw a wound. It dawned on me that I've been stabbed.

I quickly retreated and fell on my back. My hands are shaking, I pressed my wound and it stings! "Agh!" I grunted. It hurts so bad..

I saw Charlotte standing infront of the girl. She lifted her hands, water magic forming around it. She clenched her fist and the water turned into sharp, crystal ice.

Charlotte hesitated. She froze for a second. "Do it Charlotte!" Gavin shouted. Charlotte started trembling. She threw all the crystals to the girl. Bleeding everywhere.

Charlotte fell to her knees. Covering her face. I got up quickly and walked towards her. "We have no choice—C'mon.." I say to her. This isn't real right? This wouldn't be real. This is just a simulation.

Charlotte got up, our group gathered around. "Victor, what's the plan dude? We eliminated one, where are the others?" Gavin said to Victor. Victor didn't answer.

"Victor, we have to move.. We need to win this. Otherwise we'll be screwed." Charlotte added.
I have a better plan in mind. It's easier.
"Guys, why don't we just surrender?" I say to them. They all looked at me.
"That's so brilliant Vick—NOT." Charlotte glared at me.

"That plan would make us look bad infront of everyone. I don't want to build a reputation of being a coward." Victor scoffed and crossed his arms.

Gavin didn't say anything, but seems to agree with Victor.

You know what, I'm done. I'm done being a crybaby. I saw the girl die. We basically murdered her. I'll just—try and make it work!

I looked at my group. Then I started walking towards somewhere. I didn't care where I'm headed. I wanted to test something, see if it works.

I positioned my hands infront of me, my palm facing the trees. I think about what mother said to me. 'Use it wisely, it's dangerous.'

She taught me one magic spell. Just one. Even though my wound is stinging, I stood straight, I thought of the spell mother taught me.

I closed my eyes, "Rage Oblivion." I feel the pressure of the magic, concentrating in my hand. A loud blast was heard. I heard ringing noises.

I opened my eyes, the entire forest I'm facing is completely destroyed. I saw this before, I was playing in a playground, mother was there.

We were both alone at that time. So she decided to teach me that spell. I don't know what's the point of teaching seven year-old me a powerful spell—I sure was traumatized when I destroyed that playground.

It came in handy this time, to a silly little test. "V-Victoria..?" I heard Charlotte behind me. I put down my hands and face them. "Ahehe—I didn't mean for that to happen.." I rubbed the back of my hand. It was true, I didn't really know what to expect.

Victor furrowed his brows, "You had this enormous magic all this time, you hid it away? You simply ran and cried?! You wasted your power! You don't understand how powerful it is!" He shouted at me pointing fingers.

I didn't know it would work, I'm scared of it. I don't like hurting others. It's not something that I can get used to.. "I-I.. I just tried it! I didn't know it would work!" My eyes are filled with tears again. I thought I wouldn't cry this time.. But here I am again.

I tried to approach Victor, but he put his hands between us, "Don't. Even. Try." He glared at me. I looked at Gavin and Charlotte, they turn their heads away from me.

I cried even more. I did it.. I gave them what they wanted.. And they don't even acknowledge me? What did I do wrong?

I saw them walking away and started talking to each other. I just stood there crying, watching them walk away.

They suddenly stopped. Victor turned his head to me, "You. Use your power with mine." He said to me, frowning with his brows furrowed.

I wiped my tears and followed them. I looked behind the forest I destroyed, nothing was left.. Except for fire and smoke.

Charlotte turned to me, "Y-You were amazing Vick! That was so cool.." She smiled, I knew it was a forced one.
"Thanks.." I just looked down and we continued walking.

"Do you think you killed someone in that blast?" Gavin asked. I hugged myself. "I hope not.." I frowned.

"Nonsense. This is the only way to do it." Victor added, not facing me. Why are they so calm about this?!

This is insane! Teenagers are supposed to be just hanging out. Talk about stupid things, but no, they try and kill each other? "Guys.. How can you all be so calm about this?! We're killing each other for freak sake! This doesn't faze you?!" I yelled at them.

Victor turned to me with his emotionless eyes, "Because we've done it before."