LISTERIA ACADEMY - DETENTION BLOCK
The detention block was a secluded section of the academy.
The halls had an air of abandonment, like a delinquent school.
Graffiti painted the walls, students wore torn uniforms, girls with extra short skirts, and makeup. Bisky fitted right in.
Habiki often leaves classes early to hang out with her here.
She was out of place, but she didn't mind; no one dared approach her with Bisky by her side.
"This place always smells funny," Habiki said.
"Hahaha, it stinks of cigarette smokes mixed in bubble gum and decaying piss, that's what it smells like"
"Thank you for that...urgh, irritating description." Habiki covered her nose to impede the stinging smell as they passed through the toilet corridor.
"Hahahaha, you're so cute!" Bisky laughed, unaffected by it. She's used to by now.
"Anyways, how long is left in your sanction?"
"Eh...probably by the time we get to year 2 or something"
"No...that's...too long." Habiki was distraught, but Bisky suddenly wrapped her arm around her neck.
"Heh! Don't worry about that! let's use this time to have some fuuuun!!"
"Haha, I know your idea of fun. So, which poor kid are we pranking today? Or wait! Are we finally going to hit the girls' dorm with a huge makeover? I've been dying to paint over those walls in like forever!"
Habiki was already indoctrinated into Bisky's delinquent ways.
She's been spending too much time with her. The only thing missing was the makeup.
"Heh, I think it's about time you graduated from those basic schemacs."
"Oooo, interesting, what do you have in mind?"
"Come on, I'll take you to the spot."
Bisky dragged Habiki through a secret spot behind the detention block they used to get outside the school.
"Pfft, it's pretty amazing how the administration hasn't found this hole yet," Habiki commented.
"One thing about administrations, Habi, is they're always made of incompetent people."
"Hah, the irony, right? hahaha"
They laughed along, leaving the premises and heading into town.
Listeria - Road to Kingdom Town
"So, where are we going, Bi?" Habiki asked.
"That hill over there," she pointed to a small hill a fair hike from the main grassland road.
"A hill? ummm...that doesn't sound too fun..." Habiki complained.
"Hahaha, that's not where the fun is, silly."
Bisky skipped ahead, jubilant about what they were about to do as she explained.
"Every so often, a merchant takes this road to the town. Via a caravan, he carries a bunch of relics and artifacts from across the world to sell in the merchant's district of Listeria."
"I have reasons to believe today is one of those days we can score a date with them," she grinned.
"You...you don't mean-"
"Yup, it's about time we get ourselves some fancy jewellery. Hehehe, what better gift for your graduation, eh! I can't wait!!!"
Bisky smiled happily.
However, Habiki hesitated.
Pranking, graffiti on walls, the occasional hassling of their seniors, she could handle those.
But stealing, no. She wasn't brought up that way, and it got her second-guessing.
Bisky noticed her reluctance.
"Habi...you're...haha, you're not getting cold feet on me, are you?" she asked a little concerned.
"Huh? N-no, I'm not. Haha, sorry if I worried you."
"Hmmmmmm...we can like pull the plug and all that uno. Will make me sad though"
Habiki was scared, but she would never allow herself to make Bisky sad, not now.
"No! Let's go through with it!" she insisted and caught up with her.
"Heh, now we're talking. Come on!"
Bisky held her hand as they ran to the hill.
Taking a seat next to each other by the edge of the hill, they waited for their target.
"We're here. What's the plan?" Habiki asked
"For now, we wait. Once we spot the caravan, I'll grab their attention. You will sneak into their stash, grab whatever your hands can carry, and run on my signal."
"Okay...that sounds easy enough. But how exactly will you draw their attention?"
"Hmhm, I have my ways," Bisky chuckled, legs swinging off the cliff.
"You're really weird, Bisky, you know that?" said Habiki.
"Haha, not as weird as you. The student who got into Listeria Academy without mastering a single magic - now that's something. Tell me, what's your story, Habi? would be a good way to pass the time if nothing else."
Habiki looked down.
"Are you sure...my story is pretty...messed up"
"Ohoho, believe me, I know all about messed-up stories," she laughed. "Come on, spill it."
Habiki stood quiet for a moment, and then exhaled before telling Bisky a summary of the events that led her to the academy.
"I come from a small noble house. When I was young, my...powers suddenly went out of control. It destroyed our home... and my sister's life was lost in the process."
Bisky, previously beaming with excitement, was now hit with a dose of sadness.
Her expression got moody as she tried to relate to Habiki's situation and her story.
"Ever since then. My memories of her - once pure, once precious - became nightmares that haunted me."
"After the incident, everyone in my house, my domain, was terrified of me. They call me names, they call me a witch. 'Her powers must have come from sacrificing her sister,' they said. Needless to say, I lost everything."
"That's when my parents used their connections to lock me in this...this place. The pretext is to have me 'control' my powers. But I know my power. It's a curse, that's what it is. A curse that ruined my life!"
Habiki said, frowning as she stared at her trembling hands.
"No one can help me!! I...I just wanted a release Bi. I...I wanted to feel needed again, like my sister used to. That's all I wanted!!"
"..." Bisky listened on, silently
"That's why, when you started talking to me, I felt this weird comfort. I don't know how to explain it, but I felt like...I have my sister again."
She covered her eyes, embarrassed as light tears were building up. "I'm sorry, after everything you've done to make me strong, here I am, being weak again."
"You don't have to be, Habi. You've had it rough."
Habiki sobbed silently.
"I guess we've both had it rough," Bisky said softly.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Habiki asked softly with a sniff.
"I'm going to share with you a secret. I am not a human. I am a demi from the Allura Kingdom."
"Huh? But...you look, your features all look-"
"Human? It's a skill from my race. We can modify our bodies."
"You see, I am a descendant of the major demon, Lilieth. Part succubus and part human. To put it plainly, I am a...vixen."
Bisky smiled and looked to the yellow skies as dusk approached.
"My father, human and a chronic gambler, earned his fortunes in the past through the trade. But like all vanity, they're lost in time."
"Eventually, he gambled his own life and lost it to a bet."
"Oh no...what did you guys do?" Habiki asked.
"Hahaha, you're going to laugh at this. So, when payday was due, his bright idea was to sell off his own children! Isn't that hilarious!" Bisky casually said.
"What? Are you serious!"
"Eh, it's more common than you think. You see, our race is like, pretty good in bed and all, with our lusty bodies and charm. Pleasure and fortune usually go hand in hand if you catch my drift."
Bisky was putting on a brave front, trying not to appear bothered.
But deep down, she hated every second of it.
Meanwhile, Habiki couldn't believe her own ears.
"My mother was against it of course, tried to protect us. But then, my father silenced her. Said she was in the way."
"At first, my big sis was willing to go through with it for my sake. But after the deed, she snapped. She told me she'd kill him. Go figure... I didn't stop her."
Bisky's eyes narrowed and glowed faintly.
"I joined her. We killed every last one of them when the day arrived. The bastard and his traders, all of them. Hah, you should've seen my sister that day."
"People think I'm weird, think I'm bad? wait till you meet her."
Habiki remained stunned; her story was messed up, but Bisky's was even more so to her.
Bisky saw she was scaring Habiki and smiled. "I guess you must be terrified of me right now, Habi...terrified of this...demon I am."
"Bisky..." Habiki called out softly.
"But you know, I should say this now. We're the same. Like you, I needed someone...someone who will watch over me...this broken doll I've become."
Bisky turned to Habiki, staring straight into her eyes.
"I found someone in you, Habi, a companion. For a moment I thought, maybe, just maybe together, we can both overcome the traumas that have held us back all this time."
"So there, that is my story. Do you still think I am worthy of being your sister?" Bisky said, her vision fixed, voice steady, fiercely determined.
Habiki closed her eyes and then gently laid her hands on Bisky's.
"We both have our haunted pasts. We are both broken, just like you said. What better than to stick with each other."
Habiki smiled softly at Bisky's surprise.
"Heh...a witch and a vixen, huh? What could go wrong?" Bisky responded with a charming grin.
<><><>
Back in the Sage Training Hall.
Bisky's eyes glowed fiercely.
"To think that day, is when it all started to go wrong for us. I should never have taken you there, I should never have given you that golden earring!"
Bisky yelled out in agony.
Habiki watched as her chains vibrated and her gothic doll wavered under the pressure.
"WE USED TO BE ONE HABIKI!!! UNTIL THAT WOMAN CAME BETWEEN US!!!"
The floors quaked.
Bisky was exerting so much pressure that the dome couldn't contain it all as heavy winds blew to where Naki and the others watched.
"Aaahhh!" Louise and Maya screamed as they tried to remain steady and keep their feet on the ground.
"Tsk." Naki frowned as he watched them. "(What the hell is that power)"
His devil sigil was rapidly beeping, enjoying the hatred coming off Bisky.
"I WILL TAKE YOU BACK FROM HER GRASP, EVEN IF I HAVE TO USE FORCE!"
Habiki concentrated, ensuring she's not caught off guard.
She knew Bisky was serious, and she's seen how dangerous she can be.
A single move will send her flying, like she did the boy who accused her.
She could find herself in the infirmary, like the girls who assaulted her in the past.
She knew Bisky was not to be underestimated and was prepared to meet her with her full might.