Chance Encounter…Or Is it?
Anna bolted down the street, weaving between the foot traffic even as Bastet yelled at her in her head. Shaking her head, the girl nearly responded when she felt something start tugging at her. Concern furrowing her brow, she asked mentally,
Bastet? What’s going on? Do you feel that? She heard the Egyptian feline goddess say something in response, but Anna didn’t quite think about what she was doing when she jumped over the low bushes that led to the park. The thorns in the bushes caught on the blue jeans and her long sleeved hoodie, slowing her down in her retreat for a brief second.
A shriek clawed its way free, she only had a single second to take another of air before the portal that had mysteriously opened up in the ground and swallowed her whole. A few minutes after the portal had devoured, Anna was spit out into a different park.
Anna pushed herself up, wincing a little as her palms started to sting. Sitting down on her butt, she stared at the scrapes on her hands even as her head ached dully. Wincing again, the sixteen-year-old glanced around as Bastet pestered mentally, Anna are you okay? Do you have any idea what just happened?
She fought the urge to flinch, and it took her a moment to answer. “Yeah, I’m fine. I think it might have been a side of that effect of that Reaper that Tyler’s been chasing.”
The one that was capable of killing Cronus?
Anna heard the unease in Bastet’s voice, and she couldn’t blame the Egyptian goddess. While Cronus had nothing to do with them, anything that was capable of killing one of the Titans was something to be nervous about. Nodding her head uneasily, she glanced down at her hands for a moment longer before she got back on her feet. She looked around, trying to figure out where she was; because even though the park looked like the one she jumped into it wasn’t the right one.
“What the--? How’d you get here?”
The voice drew her attention to a boy with dark hair and eerily pale skin. Tensing, she watched him for several minutes as she noticed the familiar death aura around him. “What’s your connection to death?” Anna blurted, her eyes widening to reveal her shock and she caught his own surprise at her knowledge. This in turn lead to her lightly tanned, from her time in the sun, gaining a pink tint that colored her cheeks.
“May I ask how you knew?” The boy asked, his eyes darkening to show his dark mood. His black jeans fit him a little loosely, and Anna could just see a bit of his dark blue shirt underneath the worn dark leather jacket that he wore. This in turn made his pale skin stand out more than it probably should have, Anna’s eyes found the silver skull ring on his finger before her eyes darted back up to his eyes which hid behind black bangs, making his skin seem even paler. Anna was conscious of the cold aura he radiated and the fact he had a blade at his side, but it was the vibe he gave off that saddened her; because she could tell with a glance that he was about her age, even though he was half a head taller than her.
Shrugging, Anna tugged at one of the pink stands of hair; half of her hair was pink while the other half was this strange blue-purple mix. She glanced at the boy and explained coolly, suddenly feeling defensive, “I’m used to people around me having that type of vibe. My brother’s best friend has the same type of vibe, and one of his classmates is also the same.”
She watched the boy nod, and with a neutral expression he answered, “My dad’s in charge of the Underworld, his name’s Hades. My name’s Nico di Angelo by the way.” She could tell that he wanted her to return the introduction, and maybe give a better explanation of how she knew things.
“Anna Sol, and my two friends play hosts to other death gods. One of them being Hades,” Anna admitted.
Despite his better judgement, Anna saw the way his face turned up in a smile and she saw the way his muscles suddenly tense. Turning to look to the right at the sudden sensation, she listened as an Italian word slipped from Nico’s lips, and next thing she knew he’d grabbed her wrist tight. She felt the rushing sensation as her world went black; opening her mouth to scream Anna closed her eyes tight to try and justify it being dark.
She heard another Italian phrase slip free, she cracked open an eye to see that it was still dark but something seemed off. Or at least judging by the shocked look on Nico’s face it was wrong. Before she had a chance to ask though, she watched the way that the world around her returned to be colored just before she slammed into the ground. Yelping in surprise, she saw the way Nico seemed just as shocked as her; only for his surprise to be replaced by a neutral expression.
Apparently the strangeness was just bound to continue, a girl with long dark hair walked into view, which contrasted with her pale skin. Anna got the impression looking at her that the girl wasn’t exactly the friendliest of people. A quick glance in Nico’s direction and her suspicion was confirmed when she saw the way that Nico was glaring at the girl.
Anna didn’t feel the way around this new girl that she felt around Nico or any of the other hosts she’d encountered; but there was something odd about this girl. Trying to figure it out, she squeaked slightly as Nico snapped, “You don’t have a soul. Do you care to explain that?”
She watched the violet eyes the girl had, she seemed indifferent about the questions; and her pale mouth was drawn into a frown staining the beauty the girl possessed. The girl dusted off her silver and purple skirt of her one piece outfit, something that Anna found a little peculiar since there was no dirt on it. Glancing at the girl’s feet, Anna saw the black tights the other girl wore to cover her legs along with the black heeled boots. Glancing in Nico’s direction, Anna raised her hand to have him settle down as she took a step toward the new girl. “My name’s Anna Sol, this is Nico di Angelo. I’m sorry about his straightforwardness. What’s your name?”
The girl leveled her with a cold stare, and Anna tried not to fidget under it. She banished the feeling that she had Aiden and Tyler was watching her, or even her older brother Seth watching her with a disapproving look. She held the girl’s stare, before finally the girl answered, “Homura Akemi.” Anna watched the way that Homura reached her hand up to touch her dark hair, almost as if she did it out of habit, this lead to Anna seeing a red ribbon the girl wore.
It was Anna could tell that was more information than the girl wanted to give, but it wasn’t a big concern. Putting her hands on her hips, Anna smiled warmly at the other girl to try and ease Homura’s agitation. “Well, it’s nice to meet you Homura, and while I want to keep talking I think we should get moving. It feels as if there’s something lurking around the corner, and I’m not sure about you two but I’d much rather not deal with it.”
It seemed as if that was enough to break the tension between her two dark haired companies. Turning on her heel, she kept her head down and walked away from the park. Her pale blue eyes darting from one side to the other, her two toned hair covering her view just enough to block anyone from realizing what she was thinking. She felt Nico slip up next to her on her left, and Homura was on her right; all three of them keeping their eyes to the ground.
After they retreated a few blocks, she heard one set of footsteps slow until they stopped. Pausing in her own stride, she turned to look to see that Homura had chosen to stop, Nico on the other hand had retreated ahead a few steps before he stopped. Anna threw a quick glance over her shoulder show Anna that Nico was hanging out by the wall, his back against the wall so no one could sneak up on him and attack him without his awareness.
Nico’s eyes flashed with a look that she didn’t quite catch, but she knew that if Aiden or Tyler had been here they would have. Her muscles tensing, Anna felt Bastet finally stir in the back of her mind, analyzing the situation and capturing both Nico and Homura attention. “Are you the child of a goddess?” Nico demanded.
“Are you a wraith that is just good at illusions?” Homura snapped.
Either way though, Anna felt their accusing eyes on her even as they both took a step back from her; uncertainty briefly crossing their faces as they both drew their weapons. Anna felt her frustration flare, raising both her hands in a nonthreatening gesture she angled her body just enough so that both of her companies could see her. “Look, I’m not a witch and I’m not a child of any deity. Instead, I’m playing host to one, she’s the Egyptian goddess Bastet. Either one of you aware of Egyptian mythology?”
She watched as both of them softened a tiny degree, only for them both to harden back up again. Raking her fingers through her hair, Anna screamed a wordless scream at their stupidity. Whipping around to glare at Nico full on, she wordlessly beckoned Homura to stand in front of her too; right next to Nico. Anna switched her stare from one to the other, quivering with barely suppressed rage as she watched. Taking a shaky breath to try and calm herself; Anna felt some of the hot fury roll away with each breath. She wouldn’t lose control, not now because of them. She wouldn’t jeopardize her chance to go on that school fieldtrip overseas because of these two uncaring assholes.
“Would you like to make a contract to become a magical girl?”
The childish voice reached her ears, drawing Anna’s attention away from the two in front of her; but she didn’t miss the flash of rage and fear that passed through Homura’s violet eyes. Seeing the white cat thing, she crouched down so she was at eye level and looked at it. “Huh? What do you mean?”
“If you want to become a magical girl, you just need to make a contract with me and I’ll grant you a wish.”
Anna’s eyes shined with confusion, and she was about to reach out and touch it when a strangled shriek came from behind her and she felt hands yank her backwards. “You leave her alone Kyubey!” Homura hissed; her voice surprisingly raw given how she’d been acting earlier.
Glancing over her shoulder at the dark haired girl, Anna opened her mouth to protest when Nico stepped in front of her; shielding the cat-like thing from her view. Seeing the tension in his shoulders, Anna frowned a bit as Nico growled, “You’ll leave these girls alone as long as they’re with them, and you won’t be taking anyone else’s souls.”
Anna felt as if a bucket of ice cold what had been dumped on her, chilling her to her bones as she looked at Nico’s brown aviator jacket. Before she could ask what he meant, she felt Homura’s grip tighten on her shoulders and continue to edge her farther away from the cat thing. Sensing the malicious, depressing energy from before, Anna scrambled to her feet and latched onto Homura’s arm. Nico as well seemed to have sensed the same energy that Anna had, and Kyubey didn’t seem to have any issue with the strange presence.
“I think I can get you home without you making a contract, but it’ll require a bit of careful planning.” Homura whispered, clearly trying to prevent Anna from doing what Kyubey wanted.
Glancing at her, Anna nodded slowly, not quite sure why she was trusting Homura. “Could you get Nico home too?” She whispered back, and even though there was a bit of hesitation, Homura answered that she could possibly get them both back.
Bracing herself as the area around her twisted and collapsed in on itself, Anna heard cackling laughter that sounded as if nails were being dragged down a chalk board. She called up a bo staff, looking around her as it continued twisting into odd shapes she heard Homura make a comment about a Wraith. It is coming Anna, it’s going to rush you three from behind and to the right. Bastet whispered through her mind, turning Anna’s eyes catlike and a paler blue than they usually were.
Instinctively dancing to the left, she watched as Homura jumped away and focused her pistol on it. A look in Nico’s direction told her that the demigod was also no stranger to battle, she saw him call up wave after wave of the undead and walls of earth. She watched Homura shoot at the creature, even as she tried to keep her distance. Casting a buffing spell to help out with her teammates’ defenses, Anna glanced at the Wraith. Locking eyes with it again, Anna cocked her head to the side; apparently it wasn’t used to people like it doing things for good.
A barked command from Nico drew her attention, and even a quick order from Homura reached her; but Anna quickly returned her attention to the Wraith. She could wait a few moments, it seemed as if it was about to charge.
Bastet, could you make it where they can hear what I’m thinking? Anna asked innocently, she wasn’t combative; that’s something those two could clearly see.
Of course little one, what’s wrong? Bastet murmured soothing, and it reminded Anna of the times her mother would comfort her after she’d had a nightmare.
Just do it Bastet, I don’t have much time judging by the witch’s face. Anna ordered, ignoring the pang of homesickness, Anna turned on her heel and ran away from everyone that was there. It only took a few minutes before she heard the witch slithering after her, her suspicion proving to be correct as it gave chase.
She heard the startled exclamation that Homura and Nico gave voice to, and a hint of a smile danced across her face.
Listen you two, I need you both to charge up one of your most powerful attacks, I’ll distract this thing long enough for you two to do that and then I’ll bring it back around. She explained quickly, a bit of the exhaustion she was feeling from maintaining this link creeped into her thoughts.
Are you freaking crazy!? You’re basically committing suicide you idiot! Homura practically snapped in her mind, something that Anna wouldn’t have figured on beside on the neutral expression on the other girl’s face.
Pezzo di merda! I really hate to agree with her, but Homura’s got a point you silly chit. Nico scolded mentally, his own disapproval to this idea being so heavy that Anna could practically taste it in the air.
Anna didn’t bother shooting off a response; instead she just increased her pace. Anna smiled weakly as despite their protests both of the more combative members did as she’d asked, quickly calling up as much energy as they could to get her out of there. Dodging around one pillar after another, Anna ducked around a corner and leaned against a wall as the Wraith went barreling past her. Taking the chance to catch her breath, Anna felt the anxiety and fury that the other two had been trying to keep hidden from her all this time.
“Okay, make sure to treat the both of them after this is over with.” Anna whispered to herself, pushing herself away from the wall, she walked back in the direction that she was pretty sure that the other two were in.
She kept her senses on alert for the witch, and after a couple of wrong turns plus who knows how long it took on just getting from where she’d been at to where her friends were. (The inside of the pyramid looked the same to her, but Bastet assured her that she knew where she was going) Anna stepped around the corner and saw Nico and Homura there, exhaustion crashing into her like a ton of lead bricks, Anna nearly crumbled when her brain registered that they were okay.
Unfortunately though, the sound of skin against stones drew her attention to behind her and she almost turned to look when Nico barked, “Down!”
Falling to her knees with her hands over her head, Anna watched as a wall of shadows, earth and who knows what else went rocketing past; avoiding her and colliding with the witch behind her. A howl of rage escaping her, Anna felt her body shift from human to feline as she spun to face the Wraith. Pouncing on it, she lunged for its neck and bit down hard, the coppery taste of blood was mixed with the salty, overwhelming taste of despair and anger. She raked her claws against it, tearing grey skin from muscle and bone. She heard the two dark haired combatants behind her shouting for her to stop, and Anna knew that she should, but there was the overwhelming desire to kill this monster.
“Anna, stop!”
“The Wraith is dead, stop it.”
Nico’s initial command pierced through her mind; along Homura’s matter of fact words draw her back to reality. Taking a step back, she shifted back to home and looked at the torn and broken body before her. Tears filling her eyes, Anna collapsed to the ground, her hand flying to her mouth to keep Anna from letting something out; be it a keening cry or to keep her from puking, Anna didn’t know.
She felt Nico’s arms wrap around her from behind, hugging her close as he stared at the corpse that remained of the witch. Anna appreciated that no one tried to reassure her, she knew that she had done it, that she had turned the witch into a mangled corpse. Staring at it with blank eyes, she faintly heard Homura ask, “Why is it that it hasn’t disappeared yet? Why is it that it didn’t produce a Grief Seed?”
Looking at her with blurry eyes, Anna almost asked what Homura meant when she heard a faint cracking sound; almost like ice spider webbing out before it fully cracked. Turning to look at the witch’s body, she listened as Nico asked, “Is that normal Homura?”
Before their resident expert could answer though, the witch exploded, sending Nico and Anna flying. She felt Nico’s arms tighten around her, and she felt the familiar presence of darkness slide over her, opening her mouth to scream, Anna choked a bit as something slid into her mouth and down her throat. Choking, Anna closed her mouth and eyes, allowing the darkness to swallow her and Nico.
She opened her eyes after what felt to be just a few seconds. Looking up at the sky, she saw Seth leaned over her to see if she was okay. Sitting up gingerly, she did a quick inventory to make sure everything was alright before she answered her brother, “Yeah, I’m fine. I guess I just fell asleep in the park, that’s all.”
She didn’t believe it, something felt wrong from her trip to wherever. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Seth, or else she feared she’d lose it. Standing up, she leaned against her brother and allowed him to help her walk home, trying to ignore the slight ache in her body from her journey.
Yet if everything was fine, why did she feel so negative?
Spoiler