Chapter Text
Once upon a time there was a distant realm called Outworld, and within this realm, there were many, many… many kingdoms, and in one of these many kingdoms, lived the Bunnag family.
And they were bad people!
They made some shitty things and innocents got hurt because of them. I don't know what exactly these things were, but they were shitty!
But at some point, the evil family came to their senses and realised they were being dickheads and decided to turn their life around.
But not in Outworld.
It seems that by the time they realised they messed up, it was far too late for redemption.
I don't believe in such a thing as “too late for redemption” but I do wonder what exactly has my ancestors done to reach so low that the only solution was to go so far away from who you were that you had nothing but a blank page…
The Bunnag did not escape alone. They were aided by a Goddess, the woman in the veil, the lady of flame.
I'm sure she has a name, but that too was lost in time. All we know is that she granted them safe passage to Earthrealm, where they settled in the city of Chiang Mai, in Thailand.
Now here, away from their past, the Bunnag family could finally start thinking about that much needed redemption.
They wanted to stand by the side of justice, and protect the innocent of their new kingdom!
And they found the way through vigilantism. Hunting down the most dangerous criminals and dismantling evil organisations.
The lady of flame was kind enough to not send them to a whole different realm empty-handed.
She gifted them a pair of swords. Her swords are unlike anything else, they look as if they were made with bits of the sun itself— And given that they were made by an actual Goddess, and that when wielded properly, the katanas can even emulate the sun's heat, they might as well be.
One member per generation gets to learn how to wield these swords, and this person becomes Thailand's vigilante, under the title of Phoenix!
The current Phoenix is Nailin Bunnag. My aunt.
My parents died when I was just a baby and I was put under auntie Nailin's care. And as she didn't have children of her own, she trained me to one day become her successor.
That's right, one day, auntie will retire and I will become the Phoenix. Pretty cool, I know.
But until then, I'm— [Birdwatcher! Pay attention to your job! I need guidance here!]
Yeah, until then, I'm the Birdwatcher, the surveillance expert. The Phoenix's extra eyes and ears.
“I am paying attention, Phoenix. Unlike your target, who completely missed the security camera of the deli he just rushed by. Sending you the location right away.” I tell my aunt, as my fingers dance on the keyboard and I keep a well trained eye on the multiple screens before me.
It is the Birdwatcher's job to look after the Phoenix, to see the things she can't.
A fun fact though, the Birdwatcher doesn't have to be of the Bunnag bloodline. All you gotta be is loyal to the cause and well trained.
Which is good because… I won't be able to be Birdwatcher much longer.
. . . Wha— Don't look at me like that! I ain't dying or anything!
I'm just going on a trip!
A really long one and I can't leave Auntie Nailin without a Birdwatcher. So I trained my own Birdwatcher.
My lifelong best friend Sonya Briggs.
We met in Elementary school, and though we were in the same class, we only actually met when I found her in one of the corridors beating the living crap outta a group of older kids!
They totally had it coming, mind you. They were making fun of her hair. Her thick blond curls.
I've always loathed bullies. Blame the vigilante in me, or the blasian heritage, but whenever I see a bully, there's just no holding me back. So when I saw one of the bullies pulling her away from one of his jerk friends by the hair, I lost it. I threw myself in the middle of that fight and together, Sonya and I drew some serious blood!
Yeah, that fight was messy alright, and it granted us both three whole days of detention and looooooong lectures from grownups.
Was it worthy, you may ask. Oh yeah! No bully has ever dared mess with us again.
And little antisocial me finally made a real, long-term friend.
Better yet, a best friend!
Sonya and I became inseparable .
And as inseparable best friends tend to, we learned everything about each other.
I, for one, learned that Sonya Briggs was born Sonya Blade, in an abusive home in the USA, until she was rescued and adopted by Mr and Mrs Briggs, who moved here to Chiang Mai for a fresh start.
Bullying aside, I think they made the right call. Sonya would've withered away in that house, that I can tell for sure. And I can also tell that… that would have been an immeasurable loss.
But instead she got loving parents, and also a protective older brother. Jackson Briggs, or Jax, as he prefers.
Moving to Thailand was good for the whole family, and that sure includes Jax.
He got to meet Vera, who's unarguably his soulmate (I don't care if you believe in those things. When it comes to these two, it's true).
And he found his dream job! A really weird one, if you ask me, but he did.
See, Jax believes there are “outworldly presences” that need to be investigated.
Is he right? Yes, he is. My family is a solid proof. But base your entire future on it? I'd say it's a leap!
But hey! I'm not here to judge! Because, you know, he's right.
And he knows he's right. Cause I told him.
Well, I told Sonya about my family and our… unique heritage. And with all the growing proximity, eventually Jax found out.
But don't worry, there was no drama, they both swore to keep secret, and to help us in any way they could.
And that's exactly what I'm counting on right now.
I'm counting on them to look after Auntie Nailin while I'm away.
Away in another dimension, another Realm.
In Outworld. Training to become an Umgadi—
“Ok girl, remind me again exactly why you wanna go so bad to fairyland and become a magical girl.” Sonya voices the question that is in everyone's (including yours) minds as she also attentively stares at the multiple screens before Us.
[That's what I also want to know, Birdwatcher Two.] See? Everybody's been wondering lately why is Suchin Bunnag, Birdwatcher, willing to take such a long trip to another realm? Even auntie, who's busy using the Sun Sword to melt down the walls of our target's hideout, and probably going deaf with the guy's hysterical screams, still found time to wonder.
*Sigh* Well, “First of all, Edenians are not fairies and Umgadi are not magical girls.”
“You cannot tell that for sure. Fairies might as well just be misidentified Edenians. Jax's research confirmed that at least 2% of a country's folklore is actually an outworldly creature that crossed to this side.” Sonya shrugged as she spoke all matter-of-factly like.
Ok, I'll give her that, “You might have a point, but that's so not the point!”
“Our ancestors, those who came from Outworld, have been shaping mine— No, our fates since… since forever! And yet, we know practically nothing about them. And every year that passes, we know less. If that's the foundation to everything we built and continue to build, Shouldn't we know what we are standing on, Auntie?”
I look at Sonya, but I direct the question to Auntie, who I know has already returned from her mission and is just standing behind me, hearing every word of my little speech.
“Carefully, Su. You may not like what you'll find out.” She warns, holding both my shoulders as if to protect me.
“Better than keep wondering, don't you think?”
She snorts, not the answer I,was expecting, I must admit, “No. No, not really, I don't. But hey, if that's what you think you need, if that's what will make you a better Phoenix, then I'll support you.”
Ok, if I were a more sensitive person, I'd be crying, but I'm not, so I don't. But I do melt when she brings me closer to a hug.
“I support you too, my magical girl!” Sonya teases, and finds her way into the hug.
“I'm not gonna be a magical girl, though.”
“Yes, you are.” The two of them say in unison. Oof, double betrayal on my last day on Earth!
°.✦.° 🌺⚔️ °.✦.°
Auntie, Sonya and I spent the rest of the night together, they eventually fell asleep, but I'm still restless.
So I went to a nearby rooftop to watch the sunrise, hopeful he will show—
“So, are you really going to fairyland?” Here he is!
“Why does everybody keep calling it that?” I try to convey annoyance, but my fond smile betrays me.
“I wouldn't know.” He snorts, “I'm only repeating what your subconscious is saying.”
Huh, so my subconscious also thinks Outworld is a fairyland. Sonya can never know that.
You're wondering how he knows that, aren't you? And probably also who is the handsome guy anyways.
Well, his name is Kenshi Takahashi. Member of the Yakuza and my boyfriend.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Vigilante kid dating a criminal? Whaaaat?
Calm yourself, it's not like that. Well, not really.
Much like myself, who was born in the vigilantism business, Kenshi was born a Yakuza. His family has worked for them for generations.
But much like my ancestors, Kenshi realised that's not what he wants for himself. Because deep down, Kenshi is a one of the good guys. I could tell that from the moment we met.
He was sent after me, because supposedly I had some intel that could lead the Yakuza to the Phoenix. He was supposed to get this information by any means necessary. But when it came to it, he couldn't do it.
He hesitated for only a moment, and I beat his ass. But I didn't finish him, cause I could see how conflicted he was.
Instead, I told him to just tell me what was eating him up already, and he did.
He told me he didn't want to become a monster in the name of the Yakuza like the rest of his family has. But he also said that he didn't know any other life and feared it was too late for redemption.
I smacked his head so hard I think I reset his telepathy.
(Oh yeah, there's that, he's a telepath. Old family gift it seems, but not everyone has it, of the currently living members, only he and his 12-year-old cousin, Takeda, have it.)
But back to the story. I told him there was no such a thing as “too late for redemption” and that he could use his talents to do good!
He chickened out for the first months, always coming back saying he would “finished what he started” and that he “wouldn't let me have the upper hand” *pfft* as if that was up to him to decide that.
But I think he just needed to blow some steam cause after those ridiculous attempts, he finally asked me out.
He could have taken me somewhere fancier (these Yakuza are filthy rich after all) but at least he took me to my favourite place for pancakes and said I could order as much as I wanted (which I did, mind you).
And it was over pancakes that we properly discussed his redemption.
Nowadays he's something akin to an informant, always tipping us up on any Yakuza operations in Chiang Mai or Thailand in general.
He's a good guy with a great heart, a heart I can proudly say I own.
“That's what you're doing with your telepathy, Takahashi? you're just living in my head?”
“I sure hope so, Bunnag. I know you live in mine.” Oh! Oh, oh, oh, that was so CORNY!
“Sorry that was corny…” He admits, all embarrassed of himself.
“You read my mind.” I tease.
“Oh, you are worse than me!” And teases back.
“Hmm, no, I think mine was better.”
“It so wasn't.”
“You're just jealous.”
“I'm missing you already.”
My shoulders immediately dropped with the confession. *Sigh* yeah, “Me too.”
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and bring him close, “You promise me you won't give up redemption.”
He looks at me straight in the eyes, not daring to avoid contact, not daring even to blink, just so I would be sure of the sincerity of his words, “I won't.”
“Good.” I kissed him, “Otherwise I'll kick your ass.” And kissed again.
°.✦.° 🌺⚔️ °.✦.°
Couple hours later, Lord Liu Kang, the Fire God, took me to the portal that would finally get me to Outworld. To the city of Sun Do, in the kingdom of Edenia, specifically.
It was through Lord Liu Kang what I got this invitation, I figured since he was a God, he would know the Lady of Flame, and I was right, not only he knows her, he, Lady Cetrion (whoever that is) and my Lady of Flame have been good friends for literal eons. So when I told him my story and how important this trip was to me, he agreed to help!
He granted me a pass to Outworld where I would be free to investigate my family's past (because for some reason, the Lady of Flame can't just… tell me or tell him so he can tell me? *Sigh* deities… let's just assume she's too busy for that) under the condition that during my stay I train and serve as one of her warriors, the Umgadi.
Fair enough, I suppose.
Though direct answers were not on the table, the Lady of Flame still had something for me. A blessed Sun Dagger! Basically a pocket version of the Phoenix's Sun Sword!
A Bunnag going to an entirely different realm with just a flaming blade? Ha! I really am following on my ancestors footsteps (though backwards… kinda)
I always wondered how chaotic must've been the transition to one realm to another, and one step into Edenia's crowded streets and I can tell, “overwhelming” doesn't even begin to summarise. Shit.
“OUT OF THE STREET, ROUND EARS!” Shouts the guy who almost ran me over with his carriage.
Lord Liu Kang told me that thanks to the portal's magic I would be able to understand Edenian and they would be able to understand me. But I wonder how accurate those translations are, he sure sounded way too aggressive to only be saying “round ears.”
Either way, I step out of the road and— HOLY SHIT!!
“WATCH YOUR STEP, ROUND EARS!” and I almost got run over again!
Had I not rushed back and hit my back full force on whatever is the woody thing I'm leaning on right now, things would've ended ugly!
“I'M ON THE SIDEWALK, ไอ้เวร!” I shout back cause now I'm in my goddamn right! *Sigh* “So much for fairyland.”
“Carriage drivers on their worst days don't compare to the viciousness of a fairy.” Spoke the creepiest voice I've heard, and looking up I see a creature that surely matches the voice.
My guy is big, blue, has four(?) arms, sharp teeth, glowy yellow eyes and— and is in a sales booth. And that is the woody thing I'm leaning on right now.
“Er… Sorry to bump into your booth, sir.” I fix my posture as I speak. Great first impression, Bunnag, even if it's just for the sales… person?
“Sir? Ha! That's a first!” He pulls another arm from his back and greets me with a handshake, “Kollector is my name!”
“I'm Suchin Bunnag.”
“Suchin Bunnag. First time in our lovely city, Suchin Bunnag?” He asks and I'm quite fascinated with how he seems to be genuinely invested in the answer while four of his six arms expertly fill the shelves. “You must be feeling quite lost.”
Well, “Yeah, I am, actually. Would you give me some directions? I'm looking for the Umgadi.”
“I can do better!” He beams as one of his top arms grabs a folded paper from one of the shelves, “This map was charted by an A'rá cartographer, the best in all Outworld, guided and blessed by Lord Asgaarth himself!”
“Asgaarth? Is he a god?” I inquired, if he knows this Asgaarth, then maybe…
“God of Wing and Patron of Travellers and Wanderers.” He explained. Maybe…
“I'm actually trying to identify a Goddess. She wears a veil, and is probably a fire Goddess or sun Goddess...”
“You search for Lady Delia, the Sun Goddess. The Umgadi exist to serve her.” He identifies her quickly and points at one of his walls that is filled with paintings.
And there she is, the Lady of Flame. Dark skinned, dressed fully in red, adorned in jewelleries that look just like our Sun Sword. Sun made. Made by her. “Lady Delia…” the Sun Goddess…
I thank Kollector for the information while still staring at the painting, finally being able to give a name to the face— well, to the veil…
And then I remembered my search is not nearly close to being done, and I still have a purchase to finish, “Uh, sorry, how much for the map— wait, what am I saying? I can’t purchase anything, I only have Earthrealm money…”
That didn’t seem to be a problem for my guy, “Money is money, Suchin Bunnag.” He shrugs and pulls a long list of Earthly currencies and their converted prices.
Damn… “You're good…” and after some simple math, I can conclude: “This map is way out of my budget.”
“Perhaps there's something you're willing to trade for it.” He suggests and cunningly lays eyes on my belt, “Perhaps a blessed dagger.”
“Not for sale.” I stated firmly, but found an alternative for the trade, from my purse, I took my favourite Gameboy, “But perhaps, this could interest you?”
But Kollector did not seem convinced, “Hmph. I have several of those paperweights already, and I'm not interested in acquiring any other. They don't sell well.” He explained pointing to a basket filled with Gameboys—
Wait, did he just say ‘paperweight’? “These are no paperweights, Kollector. These are Gameboys.”
“A game… boy? You're saying this squared thing… is a game?” He tilted his head.
“Yep.” Hmm, wait, maybe I can… “How about that, I’ll teach you how to use it and you consider the map fully paid.”
He pondered for a moment and: “You've got yourself a deal, Suchin Bunnag!”
We shook hands and I helped him figure out the game, he's a quick study so it didn't take long till I had the map in my hands. Now I just need to find— “Damnit.”
“Something the matter?” Kollector inquires, even though I'm sure this sly bastard knows damn well what's the matter.
“I can't read this.” Suchin Bunnag, you're a dumbass!
“An easy fix!” Kollector assured me, and showed me something that looks like a magnifying glass but much fancier, gold made and adorned with beautiful feathers, “This translator was forged by our very own High Mages, they can translate any written language in Outworld! I can give you a nice discount!”
“Unless your nice discount is ‘free of charge’ we both know I can’t afford it. And before you ask, my blade is still not for sale.”
He was frustrated by the last statement, and I have the feeling he would keep pushing to try to get my blade, so I decided to end things here, “These drawings are really good, I’m sure I can navigate with just them.”
“I wouldn’t be so optimistic, Suchin Bunnag, these streets are tricky.” He tried, but remained unsuccessful, “Well, I’ll keep this stored, for when you come back. Nice doing business with you, Suchin Bunnag.”
“Yeah, likewise. And I’m not coming back.” I say as I’m already on my way out, but I still got to hear him mutter:
“Of course you are.” Yikes! Creepy dude!
°.✦.° 🌺⚔️ °.✦.°
How surprised would you be if I told you I cannot navigate with just the drawings? Damn you, Kollector!
Still not selling my dagger, though! Perhaps someone in this town of rude ass people will be nice enough to point me in the right direction, if I can just… “Uh, excuse me—” Nope. Ran right past me. Second try, “Could you please—” failed again! “Ugh” What’s wrong with these people??
“Excuse me!” I hear someone call, where— There. Short girl in pink and silver attire waving over there, but is she waving at me? “Yes, it’s you! Do you need help?”
Well shit, it is for me. I stepped out of the damned crowd and that alone was a huge relief. I take deep breaths I didn’t even know I was needing. Gosh, I hate crowds. Especially this type of crowd!
I reach the girl and rub the back of my neck as I accept her help with embarrassment. Another great first impression, “I supposed I could use some help.”
“First time in Outworld too, huh? Pretty different from Earthrealm, isn’t it?” The girl inquires casually, but I’m starting to find her way too suspicious, Kollector guessing I’m from out of town is one thing but how—
“How do you know I’m from Earthrealm?” I question her back with narrowed eyes.
“I know my mutuals, and the round ears are a dead giveaway.” She explains in an overwhelming lightheartedness and turns her head to show me her ears, “See, Edenians have them pointy.”
“Oh…” They do?? Yep, one quick glance at the Edenians behind her and I can tell she’s right. Damnit, “I didn’t know that…”
“So it is your first time!” She beams, she was definitely betting on it.
“Yeah…” I admit.
“Cool! It’s my first time too!”
Wait, really? Ain’t no way, she’s way too well put together. Besides, “How… did you know about the ears?”
She gives a look that says I’m overthinking the whole situation, and maybe I am, but we can never know. She probably noticed I won’t back down and decided to give me a proper answer, “Obligatory homework. My family comes here for generations, and now it is my turn!” Oh, wow, she sure is excited about it.
And I suppose, since she was so sincere, the least I can do is give her something from my end, “Well… My family is from here.”
Her eyes widened at that, she was obviously about to ask me to elaborate, so I cut her short before she could even start, “Don’t ask me to elaborate, I don’t know the details. I’m here to find out actually…”
“I see…” She says a bit disappointed, but her smile is still on, damn, imagine being this happy… “Can I help you with that? I’m not an expert, but I’ll help where I can!”
What? She still wants to help? What’s up with this girl? Doesn’t she have shit to do?? “I— I don’t wanna inconvenience you.”
“Don’t be silly! I’d love to help!” Gosh, what is she? A Disney Princess?
She’s really weird, like, really. But heck, I don’t have anyone else I can turn to so… “Er… If you insist?”
“I do!” She nods with excitement and introduces herself with a bow, “I’m Harumi!”
Ok, ‘beautiful spring’ that’s going to be interesting, “I’m Suchin… Suchin Bunnag.”
“Oh, we’re going full names then? Ok, I’m Harumi Shirai. But you can just call me Harumi! All my friends do!”
She feels like a My Little Pony character. “Right. Harumi Shirai . Can you help me read this map?”
Her smile drops (finally) at the use of her full name, and she takes one look at the map before saying “I don’t speak A’rá. You could try to use a translator.”
“The six armed salesman tried to sell me one, but I’m flat broke.”
Aaaaaand Harumi’s smile is back on, “Well, it seems I found my way to help you! I’m gonna buy us that translator!”
She starts moving but I stop her right away, “Ain’t no way I’m letting you spend your money on me.”
“Why would you care? Am I your friend or something?” Oh, she’s sly, I knew there was something behind that smile. “Besides, I never said I would be spending any money.”
Harumi finds her way to Kollector’s booth, and the moment he spots me, he puts on his best shit eating grin. Bastard.
“Back for that translator, Suchin Bunnag?”
“She is.” Harumi answers for me, “And I believe you’ll find this, a fair trade.” She places a small glass bottle with a galaxy looking liquid inside on top of the counter.
For me, it looks like some of those internet DIY decorations, but for Kollector, it was quite the finding. “These are rare, only a Shirai could…”
“Harumi Shirai.” She introduces herself, and that was all Kollector needed to hear.
“You’ve got yourself a deal, Harumi Shirai!”
°.✦.° 🌺⚔️ °.✦.°
“For someone's first time, you're already quite famous, Harumi Shirai.” I point out as we walk through what it seems to be called ‘The Living Forest’.
She shrugs, and though she's not offered with the comment, she doesn't seem particularly pleased.
“I'm not famous for me.” She says, “I told you my family comes here for generations. We trade potions.”
I nodded, even though I don't think I got the last part quite that well, “wait, that thing was a potion? Like, a magic potion?”
She nods with a smile. Hold up, “You make magic potions. Are you— Harumi, are you a sorceress?”
She giggles, “You're so silly, of course I'm not a sorceress!” Of course, that would be— “I'm a witch!” Wait what?
“A witch? A witch-witch? Like… Glinda?” It can't be that the first ‘normal’ person I meet here is a witch.
“That's right, Elphaba!” Holy shit.
“So you—” I can't believe I'm actually asking this, “You have a wand and cast spells and stuff like that?”
She shrugs again, more at ease this time, “I don't have a wand, and don't cast spells. All the magic I can do are my potions.”
“You say this as if it's something ordinary. And what can they do?”
“Heal, mostly.”
“Wow. That's actually impressive.”
“Oh? You think I'm impressive, Suchin Bunnag?” She teases.
But I mean… “Yeah? As a matter of fact, I do.”
And she really is surprised by it, “Look, the most out-of-the-ordinary person I have in my everyday life is a telepathic boyfriend. So yeah, a witch is pretty damn impressive.”
She giggles again, but I can tell the compliments softened her up, “A telepathic boyfriend, huh? Very ordinary!”
“You must've seen weirder stuff.” She is a witch after all.
“Well, you know, once I—”
Whatever Harumi had to say was cut by two women yelling: “Blood Magik must be terminated!”
We turned fast towards the voices, guards up, waiting for our attackers. We were surprised when only one girl in fancy green robes and with two voices came running out of the woods, armed with a bo staff and already swinging for attack!
Fancy girl is tall, at least 1,70 cm, clearly strong and very talented with this staff.
Harumi is probably the shortest warrior I've ever seen, but also the fastest, she flawlessly dodges every single hit, rolls under the girl's legs and unbalances her by hitting her legs, making her fall flat to the ground!
That angers fancy girl, who conjures some sort of weird magic that sends Harumi flying!
“Hey! No one hurts my friend!” I shout as I pull out my dagger. I can think later on what has possessed me to make me call a total stranger my friend, for now, fancy girl and my blade will have a talk.
She swings her staff again, and I realise though I'm faster than her, I'm not as fast as Harumi, and I can't risk having fancy girl pick up my pace, cause one thing I can tell from her swings is that she hits hard !
So I wait for the next swing, and instead of dodging, I place my Sun Dagger on the way and watch as it slits her staff in two!
She looks incredulous at her half-staff and I dare to tease her, “What? Can't fight without your stick?”
She doesn't even look at me before pulling out of nowhere a razored boomerang that almost chopped my face off!
I dodged the incoming attack, but forgot about the return— “ARGH! อึ!” DAMNIT, MY FACE!
I try to— argh! Contain the bleeding… Damnit, the wound was deep, crossing from my ear to my mouth! I think— I think adrenaline is the only thing keeping me from passing out!
Good, cause if I pass out she kills me! And she would have if Harumi hadn't used one of her potions on her and covered her in thick grey smoke!
*Sigh* Good… that will give me some… s-some time to… lay down a… a bit…
“Suchin! Suchin, don't pass out on me, I've got you!” I hear Harumi calling, I feel her pressing my head on her chest and feel… feel some liquid being poured on my injury and suddenly… suddenly there was no pain anymore!
I sit back up and pat my cheek, there's no wound anymore, not even a scar, “Holy shit. Harumi Shirai, you are magical!” She blushes at the compliment and helps me stand up, right on time, fancy girl has already dispersed all the smoke with her magic.
“All Blood Magik wielders must be purged! Edenia must be cleansed!” She growls and shoots with her… Telekinesis, I think?
We rush out of the way and I take the opportunity to attack, throwing my dagger on her back! The cut alone would've hurt like hell, but my Sun Dagger also causes severe burn wounds.
She screams in pain and for a moment her dead white eyes turn human green. Harumi notices that too and when I thought she would take the opportunity to attack, she— she rushes to take my blade from the girl's back? “What are you doing?”
“Blood Magik was banished from Outworld centuries ago!” She explains, I think?
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Her eyes. White eyes indicate corruption or possession.” She elaborates as we avoid the girl's disoriented attacks, “This forest keeps the souls of Outworlders for centuries ! If this girl has some sensitivity in her, then she might’ve been possessed by one of these souls. One that thinks she's still fighting in the Blood Wars!”
And as if I needed more confirmation: “I will not let your corruption spread any further! I, Queen Asizi, will assure my people's safety, even if that's the last thing I do!”
Right, “Ok, and how do we help this girl? Can you… exorcise her?”
She snorts, is that really the time?? “I'm a witch, Suchin, not a priestess. I don't exorcise, I un-possess .” She says matter-of-factly.
Seriously, “Is that really the time?”
She only shrugs, “I need to prepare a potion, can you buy me some time?”
“You got it!” I nod and rush to Not-Asizi, keeping the Queen's focus solemnly on me as Harumi works her magic, a bit of this and that, all out together in a pink gauntlet device she has.
Not-Asizi was starting to recover, but I won't have to worry because Harumi is— “Done! Bring her over!”
I direct the Queen to Harumi and my partner in pink blows a powder on Not-Asizi's face.
The Queen starts coughing and stagger, Harumi tells me to let the potion runs it's course. After a moment, Not-Asizi opens her eyes, they are still white.
“The Blood Wars, I have to… I have to end them…” She sounds much calmer now…
“Queen Asizi.” Harumi gently calls, “Listen to me, the Blood Wars are over. You put an end to the Blood Code and saved Outworld.”
“No. The Blood Magik…”
“There's no Blood Magik anymore. You banished it. Don’t you remember? Your fight is over. You saved Outworld. You can rest now.”
“Rest…” The Queen takes a deep breath, “Yes, that would be nice…” and after a few blinks, the girl's eyes are green again.
Harumi and I rushed to catch her before she collapsed and gently laid her on the grass. “Nice work, friend !” Harumi complimented me with a tease and I playfully rolled my eyes.
My attention then went back to the girl. I really hurt her, I hope Harimi can help her, “Don’t worry.” Harumi assures me, probably already guessing what I was thinking. “This is not my first burn wound. Hold her still for me.”
Harumi applies what I assume to be the same liquid she used on me on the girl’s back and just like it did for me, it heals her immediately, leaving not a single scratch to be found. She also hands me a candy shaped painkiller and dissolves another for the girl, she tells me they will have immediate effect but warns they take like shit. Huh, “So you can make wounds disappear but can’t make a painkiller taste like strawberry?” I scoff.
“I do magic, not miracles.” She protests, “Now eat the damned thing, will you.”
I do as the doctor recommends and— UGH! Yep, tastes like shit! It tastes so bad it even makes our fancy girl wake up trying to spill whatever was in her mouth.
“Blegh! What is this thing??” She sits up desperately. Huh, green eyes wide open,and only one voice complaining. Seems she is successfully un-possessed.
“Please, calm yourself.” Harumi speaks with such a soothing voice even I felt like calming down. And I’m already calm. “Are you feeling ok? Are you in any pain?”
The girl breathes slowly and confirms she is in no pain, so Harumi continues speaking, “Good. I’m Harumi. She is Suchin. Can you tell us your name?”
The girl in fancy robes nods and says, “I’m Jade. My name is Jade.”