Saki
Manna smiled as she slowly made her way towards me in an almost casual stroll. I glared daggers back. “How did you even get here?!” I asked, my voice cracking slightly. Memories of me hitting each hill causing me to tense even more.
“Aww little fox. Did you think I was gone? Vanquished because your owner swung a sword at me a few times? They were just playful banter.”
I summoned a dozen illusions and had them all run at her, casting void balls. She vanished from where she had been standing and I tried to dodge. I was too slow and she appeared next to me, grabbing me by the throat. I noticed she didn’t squeeze at all. I remembered what the Matriarch had told me. Manna can’t kill or harm on purpose.
I wasn’t in any pain, but it was clear her claws were around my neck and she was holding me carefully. Like one would hold a vase or glass.
I spit in her face and smiled weakly. “Go on, do it Manna, ruin your own oath you worthless void of a creature!” My words were hollow, but I had to try right?
Her laughter echoed through the hall as she simply absorbed the spit… which was kind of gross?
“Taunting? Really? The grand schemer herself brought down childish taunts?” Manna said, her voice full of humour.
I smiled weakly down at her. “What can I say, I had to try?” Even as I spoke I fired a void sphere at her from behind. She sidestepped it easily and dispersed it before it reached the wall. First Anna, now Manna. Can everyone just disperse my magic spheres but me?!
“This is almost sad, I truly expected more of you. But then again, you are but a pet. I shouldn’t have expected more from a lying trickster. I wonder if that's why Tama is even friends with you. Because she feels bad for the weak little fox.”
My nine tails all lashed at her with full force. She didn’t even dodge and my earthen spikes shattered on her seemingly impenetrable skin. I coated them in void energy and she threw me. I tried to scream but it was so fast. However before I hit anything. She was suddenly holding me again. She tossed me into the air and caught me with her other hand.
“Oh how I love this game. Maybe this is why Tama likes you. So much fun to play with.”
She gently tossed me and I hit the ground hard, rolling a few dozen feet. I felt my leg snap the wrong way and held back the cry of pain. I turned weakly to face her. I would not show weakness to this witch!
“Wow.. is.. Is that all you have? Throwing me around like a puppet and talking about things you know nothing about? Can’t say I am surprised Manna, I expected more from the great green dragon. But at the end of the day. All you are is a childish bully who isn’t getting her way!” I snapped at her with a vicious smile.
Manna’s smile faded and her eyes glowed for a moment as she spoke, her voice filled with rage. “Mind your tongue worm.”
“Why? You told so much about others. Yet, you don’t wanna hear about yourself? Is it because you don’t like what you hear? That you are a failure? That you are a bully? That you have to play sick mind games and hurt people because you can’t do anything right?”
As I spoke I saw Manna’s breathing begin to quicken and her teeth clench. “You have no idea the lengths I have gone to for my chosen. You are a pest! I will give anything for her to become what she must be! You speak of being a bully. I am doing what is right. You are a child playing God and much like you like to point out. Failing! I was going to offer you a deal. To cure these people in return for your help. But now I see that was never an option. You are a child!”
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With that, she grew out her wings and flapped hard, throwing me against the wall and causing something in my chest to break. I coughed up blood and looked up. But she was gone. “Serves.. Serves.. You… right…” I barely managed to get out before everything went black.
“I should have just dropped her”
The voice spoke and echoed through my mind. My vision cleared and I was standing in a ravine. It looked familiar.
“Mistress Tama is in a hurry!” I heard Tristy say. A moment later I heard a thud and looked up just in time to see Tristy hit the wall and fall. Landing on the edge of the crevice. My eyes went wide.
What was going on?! I tried to move.. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t myself. I was looking up from.. From the darkness. I watched myself as she jumped and grabbed Tristy. I watched her flail and try to get away. I watched as I made the sacrifice once again. Tristy slowly floated up with the float stone attached to her. I saw the peace in my eyes as I came closer. I felt the body I inhabited move. I was the dragon?!
I tried to pull away to stop. But it was meaningless. But wait, Tama was here. She showed up to save me right?
As the jaws clamped around my body and ate me I realised Tama wasn’t coming.
I awoke with a scream and sat up. Instantly regretting the immense pain that came from trying. “Nya! Tama is so happy you are okay, Saki. Tama found you in the big red room with the big chair hurting!”
I stared at her for a moment before asking. “Tama.. where were you?” I kept my voice calm and steady. It was just a dream..
Deep down I knew the dream wasn't what had got me. It was her. I know she was a manipulative liar. But her words cut and a very specific word ate at me. . She had called me Tama's pet. It was ridiculous. It was silly. Me and Tama were best friends. There was no way she saw me that way.. right?
“Nya! Tama went to deliver the super secret thingy Sensei gave her to deliver. She finished and then found fries! Once Tama was done with her fries. She got more and then came to the big castle! They said you were in here waiting for Tama. So Tama came quickly.” She said cheerfully as her tail wagged back and forth.
“I..see… Tama, do.. Do you see me as a pet?” I asked sheepishly. It was insane to even ask but…
“Like Jiggle?” Tama asked, perplexed.
I smiled at that. “Yea, like Jiggle.” I answered.
Tama seemed to think for a long moment and I felt my heart sink. Then she spoke. “Tama doesn't really see you the same as Jiggle. You are Saki. Saki is my best friend and she knows everything! Well.. not everything but everything important!” She said happily.
“And.. What if I couldn't help you anymore? What if I didn't want to be your Royal Advisor?” I asked, a little ashamed.
Tama frowned at that and I felt my heartbeat quicken. After a moment she shook her head and asked “Can Tama not be a princess too? We can go on quests together and fight monsters instead!”
I don’t know why, but that made me laugh so hard. I fell back and hit my head on the wall, but I kept laughing. “You know Tama, I think even as queen we will go on many adventures.” I said weakly.
Tama frowned at that. “So Saki doesn’t have to be Royal advisor, but Tama has to be queen! No fair!” She said in a pouty tone and stomped her foot.
Shaking my head, I smiled at her with a giggle. “It was just a question Tama, I am happy to be your royal advisor.” I stood up and tackled her in a hug. “Do you have any idea how important you are to me Tama?” I asked sincerely.
“Tama hopes she is as important to Saki as Saki is to her!” Tama said seriously.
I held her close for a moment until a voice caused my ears to perk up. “This is your primary royal advisor, your majesty?” The voice was calm, if a bit annoyed. It sounded like someone had been talking to me. Both in tone and words.
I let go of tama, who had tightened her grip slightly when the masculine voice had spoken. She really hated the words ‘your majesty’ apparently. I knew she wasn’t a fan of royalty, but that seemed excessive even for her. Which could only mean one thing.
I gently moved Tama to the side and gently caressed her ear. She purred gently and leaned into me, closing her eyes and whispering “Fries..” I rolled my eyes as I smiled at the man in front of us.
