Was that the other voice I was hearing all this time? In my fire and in my head? The animal, the one who growled for me when I was angry? The one who whimpered in my heart when I was sad? My smile slowly fades and instead, I... I want to cry. She was there, right? She was there, all this time, and I... I never realized there was so much more hidden inside me. I keep staring at the magnificent creature and, for the very first time, my heart suddenly feels complete.
"W-who... How?"
"It's our wolf," says the other Mara proudly. "I guess she was waiting too..."
"Waiting?" I ask, turning to her. "W-waiting for what?"
"For you, silly! She couldn't be born either, so... she was a good girl and waited with me all this time. With her and Clarissa, I wasn't too lonely, you know! But I think she didn't like Mom, so... she wasn't showing herself often... Now, she's gotten all better, thanks to you!"
I'm speechless. Is it because of... Nephera's dark aura? Was that why our wolf couldn't show herself? I take a few deep breaths, still shocked. I turn back to her, who's still waiting for me. I know she knows... and she was waiting for us. For me. Moon Goddess, that even explains why the voices were quieter when Liam was around... because that called her out. My wolf, his mate. That part of me who was... werewolf. Moon Goddess, this is real. I have a wolf. I... I do not know how this is possible, but... it's really my wolf. I can feel it in my core, as if she was both facing me and inside me. I guess it's the case, in a way? I need to take a deep breath to hold back my tears. I face her, still shook.
I'm not alone. I never was. I just... looked for the answer outside, when they were all inside. I slowly open my arms, and the wolf cautiously approaches. She feels so strong and big... she's powerful. I can feel her warmth. It's intense, but not to the point I'd get... burned. She's just there with me, standing tall and strong. She comes to me, and I can caress her. It's a strange feeling. I know she's in my mind, and this couldn't possibly be real, but I swear, I can feel the softness of her fur under my fingers, how far they dive in there.
I feel like I'm about to cry, and on the verge of bursting with happiness. It's crazy. I shouldn't have the mind to feel happy right now, but I swear, seeing my wolf here is just... amazing. She comes and rubs her head against my chest, and our warmth melts together. She slowly disappears, but I can feel her inside me. It's like... a stronger, bigger fire. I stand back up, filled with new confidence.
I light my fire.
This time, it's a real fire. So unruly, undisciplined, yet it's mine. A raging, savage fire, ready to heat up and burn. I smile uncontrollably. Yes, yes, now that's a real fire, and I can do whatever I want with it! I feel it burning, both in my hands and in my chest. My wolf growls, ready for action too. She's with me, she's sharing her strength with me, fueling that fire with her own power. Moon Goddess, even the scars on my body are slowly disappearing, retreating as if they were scared of the new strength in me. I've never felt so powerful!
"You're doing it!" says Mara, excited.
I think so too. I can feel my own heart beating wild with excitement. I grow the flames in my hands, bigger and bigger, until it feels like I'm ready to take the whole world down.
"What… the…?"
I turn around. In a new mirror, the Dark Mara, or Nephera's spirit, whatever this is, is facing me, and I recognize our apartment's bathroom. I smile and throw one of my enormous fires at her. She steps back, looking really scared this time. I get ready, and throw another one at her.
This time, a crack appears in the mirror. Her eyes grow wide in horror, but I smile and approach her.
"Get ready," I whisper to her. "Once I get out of here, it's game on."
I'm feeling so powerful right now; I'm more confident than ever and ready to take that bitch on. The only thing stopping me is that damn glass between us! She glances at the crack and the fear slowly disappears from her eyes. Instead, she puts on a smirk, and caresses the crack in the mirror. It slowly starts disappearing, leaving the glass as good as new. She smiles at my baffled expression, and like I had done before, grabs one of Kelsi's crayons to draw some witchcraft symbols on the mirror.
As I read them, I understand. That damn bitch is putting a reinforcing spell on the damn mirror! I try sending more of those new gigantic flames I have control over now, but this time, it doesn't flinch. There isn't even a single crack... Damn it.
"You're not out yet," she chuckles. "You'd better stay here and get a good look, because I'm going to burn this whole city down!"
What did she say? What the fucking hell is she going to do?! She smiles again, and leaves the room. Damn it, damn it, damn it!
I knew she didn’t have her Water Magic or my Fire Magic, but I forgot she could use basic witchcraft and runes. She might not be as powerful as she could be, but that doesn't mean she's powerless either. Shit, this is really some trouble coming right up our alley. ...And I am fucking trapped here!
"Are you mad?"
I turn around to the little Mara, who looks worried. I shake my head.
"Yes, a bit, but not at you. Don't worry. I'm just worried about what your mother is capable of doing."
Mara tears up, as if she is about to cry.
"B-but it's not really Mommy... I promise... Mommy is nice..."
I sigh and walk up to her.
"Don't worry, I... we will stop her, okay?" I try to comfort her. "We will stop her before your mommy does anything bad."
"You promise?"
I chuckle a bit nervously. The little Mara is so adorably cute, I can't handle it sometimes. I get how Clarissa was probably feeling all this time. Using her? Hell no. If anything, I think Mara gave her a reason to fight against her disease a bit longer. She is... just an innocent bundle of hope and joy, and it's contagious. No matter how frustrated I am, I can't stay upset when she is looking at me like that with those big blue eyes of hers.
