Chapter 9

"Magical Revelation"

"Wait, stop!" Brietta cried. "Do we really have to fight Kotaru?"

"Of course! And it's a fight to the end, too!" Melia said. Then she turned. "But… why'd you ask?"

"Ah… nothing," Brietta mumbled, her face red. Mirielle stared at her for a moment, and then turned her attention to Kotaru.

"If you want something, reach out and grab it before it slips away forever," Mirielle said calmly.

"Ah…"

"Enough dawdling! It's time to face the true power of Thunder!" roared Kotaru as he began his chant, floating in mid-air. The sky darkened and lightning flashed wildly.

"Let's go girls!" Melia commanded. Immediately, three different magic panels opened, each awash with its own element. Only Brietta stood behind immobilized.

"Brietta?" Berica asked. Brietta shook her head violently.

"Forget about her, then," Melia answered swiftly. "We have a problem here!"

By now, the girls were more experienced with their magic. They were able to create their own spells using English words; they no longer needed to rely on the knowledge of ancient languages to cast spells. It wasn't much, but it was good enough for now.

"…Violetta! Fire arrow!"

"…Bluria! Winter Spikes!"

"…Purplia! Wind Typhoon!"

Fire, water and wind combined in a deadly twister, with water and wind entwining each other, and flaming arrows guiding their path. Kotaru saw it coming and raised a hand. His magic panel opened just in time to tackle their attack. For a few seconds, it was a battle of willpower, as the trio attempted to break through his strengthened shield. It was three minds against one, but eventually he won, as they let the spell fade.

"Damn. Even thought he's dying, he's certainly stronger then when we last fought him!" Melia exclaimed, panting.

"I thought he was weakened?" Berica demanded. "How can he still-?"

"He was weakened. But don't forget, the Tome probably took little or no damage at all," Mirielle noted. "So while he is physically weak, in terms of magic…"

"… He still possesses the same strength as before!" Berica finishes triumphantly.

"Exactly!" Kazer Wind commented. "So we must do our best! Let's go!"

None of the girls seemed to be aware of Brietta's plight. She watched the conflicting flashes of violet, blue and purple blindly. Inside her heart was turmoil. She had never fallen in love with a person at first sight, until now. And that person just had to be their enemy! She felt terrible; it was a mix of feelings that she could describe. She felt hurt, pain, because she loved their enemy; betrayal, because her friends were fighting against her love; fear, for she was afraid that she would have to fight him; uncertainty, because if she confessed, how would he react? Emotions were blocking her mind from functioning properly; she could not think straight. What was she to do? Forsake Kotaru and help her friends, fight openly on his side or simply remain as she was now? What could she do?

Who can give me a good answer to this?! Who?!

Brietta was snapped rudely out of her thoughts when both Melia and Berica were struck by lightning and froze, electrocuted. "Berica, Melia!" Mirielle's faraway voice suddenly became near and woke Brietta fully.

"Brietta, don't just stand there, I'm begging you-" Mirielle's words were cut short when a bolt of lightning knocked her down.

Brietta did not move for a few seconds. Kotaru was laughing softly. She still could not fight him openly, but the sight of her friends – two electrocuted and stunned – and one lying unconscious on the ground – began to clear her muddled thoughts.

No. What was I thinking?! I'm such an idiot! Even if I loved him, I could not have left my friends alone in the heat of battle! I couldn't so that… but… I don't wish to lose him…

She hesitated as Kotaru said, "You're next."

"Kotaru, I…"

He sent bolts of lightning tumbling down on her, and Brietta ducked and dodged. "Kotaru! Won't you listen to what I have to say?! Please!"

The bolts stopped. Kotaru floated, waiting.

"Kotaru, I… I know you don't want to so this, deep down inside. I believe you're a nice guy. You just fell into the possession of something…"

Kotaru reared with laughter. "You're joking! I don't believe you!"

"Listen to me. I know the real you in somewhere inside… Kotaru, I just KNOW the real you wouldn't do this…"

This time, Kotaru's smile faded as he listened silently.

Brietta paused. "I know that we've never had the chance to get acquainted. So I wouldn't know who you really are. But deep down inside, I just feel that someone like you couldn't possibly be so violent. Can you really not remember how you were like before you found the Tome? Try and recall. Kotaru!"

"Uhhh…" Kotaru shook his head vaguely. Images were coming back, images that he had long forgotten. But… how?

Images, so vivid, flashed across his mind. A little boy, hands outstretched, watching the fading shape of two figures, one male and one female. What were those little drops of water that fell on his hand? Tears… pain… tearing at his heart… the loneliness, the loss, he had always been alone. Alone, ever since his parents left him… he had struggled, alone, but… this feeling…

"Kotaru, I… I…" Brietta's voice trailed off. "I…" she just couldn't get the wretched words out. "I… I-love… I love to play the computer! Do you?"

Aacck! What am I saying?

"P-play the computer?" Kotaru repeated dumbly. The Tome of the Thunder Wave began to flash uncontrollably.

"Yeah… honestly, Kotaru, I…" she squeezed her eyes shut. Her face colored. "I LOVE YOU! From the first time we met on the battlefield, I've been… wondering… about my feelings for you…"

Kotaru looked stunned for a moment. Then he smiled cruelly. "Do you think I will be convinced by that? Of course not! Now get out of my way! I have yet to execute my revenge on Mirielle!" He charged a wave of lightning and aimed the beam towards the unconscious girl.

"No! STOP!!" Brietta cried, and flung herself in front of Mirielle. The beam struck her but left Mirielle intact.

Kotaru looked shocked. "Why would you put your life at risk to protect her?"

"Because…" Brietta gritted her teeth and stood up. "Because… she's my friend!" the blackness that threatened to surround her succeeded. Brietta succumbed to the enveloping darkness. Her consciousness slowly began to fade. The forest spun in a myriad of colors.

I've let you down, Mirielle, Berica, Melia… forgive me… I couldn't stand up against him… and now... now…