Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Gifted Moon Academy ❯ Starlight ( Chapter 36 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Seeing, or rather hearing, his silence hurt her. He didn't even want to walk with her. Why not? She was a freak after all, and had yelled at him rather than welcoming him home. She turned and walked back to her room, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes once more.
"Cecil, explain things to me, and fast. What was that transformation thing?" she said, trying to distract herself.
"Mistress Rinsi is a fulfillment of a legend where Cecil comes from." Cecil said. "In this legend, there is a Princess who will come and join our worlds. She's the only one who can, and she's the only one who can successfully cast the Starlight spell. She is the only daughter between a man and woman descendant of the Starlight lineage. Cecil was chosen to watch this lineage partly because of those who would try and fail, but mostly to find this Princess. Cecil is the strongest where Cecil comes from, and is the only one who can protect this Princess. But it is up to the Princess whether or not she joins the worlds and brings a utopia to her world."
Rinsi found this all quite unbelievable. She was not royalty by any means, even though the rest of it made sense in an oddly twisted way. The question was, should she - could she - accept her fate as this fulfillment of a legend? Or would she reject it and live out her life as normally as she could? It was her choice after all. Deep down inside, she knew there was far too much pain in this world, and that's why there were so many suicides every year. She wanted to make all that pain go away, and now that she learned she could do it, she was hesitant. She knew the spell wouldn't just kill her, it would devour her very soul, leaving her no afterlife. Would Tahtsu be happy if she did that? She wanted to believe he would be sad she was gone, but given what she had done and how he reacted, she wondered if he might actually be happy.
After a few minutes of thinking, Rinsi stood silently and left her room. She had made her decision, and only Cecil knew what her decision was. First of all, though, she needed to check on Nakya and make sure she was okay. Cecil told her everything that had happened to her, why, and where she was, and she was quite upset with her friend. As she barged into the nurses office, she walked up to the sleeping Nakya, quite cross with her.
"Nakya, I know you can hear me, so wake up now!" she practically demanded, "We need to talk."
Deciding that Nakya wasn't going to wake up any time soon, Rinsi sighed to herself gloomily and let her shoulders slump.
"Fine. Come find me when you wake up. We still need to talk." she said.
Rinsi left the nurses office still feeling quite gloomy. There was so much drama that it was beginning to effect her in ways she didn't want to be affected. It was even becoming apparent to those around her. She could tell that they could see through her forced on smiles as if they were nothing more than cellophane. And why not? After nearly dying trying to save a student who had fallen out of a window because of her, finding her friend choking her other friend, being mentally raped, Tahtsu's coldness towards her, finding out she's some sort of fulfillment of a legend, and finding out her friend tried to kill herself, it would be difficult for anyone to hide that with a smile. She began to wonder if she should even try any more, since people saw right through them anyway, and her happy, cheerful attitude was not helping anyone.
However, she didn't know what else to be. Since she was a teenager she had smiled and laughed no matter how much pain she was really in, merely for the point of putting others at ease. She didn't know what else to do any more.
After realizing she had been too deep in thought, and frowning quite a bit, Rinsi snapped to attention and forced on yet another smile trying to convince anyone she came across that she was fine. The last thing she wanted was to cause more drama.
Nakya stirred in her sleep. Waking up, she found she was alone. So he was gone, for good. Taking a deep breath, she motioned the nurses over and they quickly took out the iv. Standing up, her legs were still a bit shaky, but she made her way into the hall. Wandering around, she found Rinsi, and walked up to her. Stifling a yawn, she spoke softly.
"You wanted to see me, Rinsi?"
Her voice showed she was in no mood for a lecture, or anything of the sort. She crossed her arms and waited patiently for her answer.
Rinsi stared at her friend, eyes full of anger and sorrow, and certainly not smiling. She knew she wasn't up for a lecture, but she was going to get one anyway.
"What the hell got into your head to make you think it was okay to try and kill yourself?!" she practically screamed, "Do you know how much you worried everyone? Do you know how much pain you almost put everyone through? Were you even thinking of your friends when you did that? Or were you so wrapped up in your own little world that you forgot everyone, including me! God, Nakya, how could you do that to your friends?!"
Rinsi really felt like crying now. As if it wasn't enough that she had been mentally raped - so to speak - and in her own terror yelled at Tahtsu and caused him to be cold towards her, now her friend from the year before had tried to take her own life and almost left her behind. The tears beat away at the confines of her eyelids, and she fought them back the best she could, but in the long run lost the battle as they spilled from their prisons and rolled down her cheeks.
"Don't you think everyone here has been through enough drama? Why do you want to cause more? What's going on in your head? Why didn't you come and talk to me?"
Nakya listened to Rinsi, rolling her eyes once she started yelling. She waited patiently until she was done before speaking softly, though her anger was still evident in her voice.
"You think I wanted to cause all this drama, Rinsi? Well, god damn, you figured me out. It was my life long goal to put everyone through all of this. As for talking to you, I've hardly seen you at all this year. You're busy with your class and whatever that stupid phys ed teacher's name is. I certainly didn't want to bring any drama into your life. You think I don't know that you think you're better than me? That you've always thought that? I'm not bloody stupid!"
Her eyes flashed full of anger and pain at Rinsi. She didn't care what the woman thought anymore. She had held her tongue on that subject for far too long.
"Is that what you think?" Rinsi said, fighting back more tears, "That I think you're below me for some reason? You actually thought that? I thought you knew me better than that. Hell, we were roommates for a year and you seriously thought that? I guess I gave a bit too much credit. Just so you know, I never thought of anyone as being lower than me in any way. I have no clue why you deluded yourself into thinking otherwise, or why you seem to be so wrapped up with what is going on in your head that you totally miss what your friends have to think or say about it, but it had better change, or nothing for you will ever change. What I see happening this year is a repetition of last year's drama, and I see it happening because no one has changed at all. Now, tell me this - why did you try to kill yourself? I may be busy, but I'm never too busy to listen to a friend who has problems. It was you who did not come to me. If you had come to me about whatever is going on, no matter how busy I am I would have set it aside and done what I could to help. You think I wouldn't? If you seriously think I wouldn't do that, then why do you think I kept Ichio from choking you to death?"
Nakya felt her eyes rolling once more.
"Because my father was right!" she nearly screamed at Rinsi.
She had been able to see her mother again, but her father still had not come back for her like he had promised. She obviously wasn't good enough for him, so why would she be good enough for anyone else? Listening to Rinsi's words, she smirked slightly when Rinsi brought up Ichio.
"You shouldn't have. Then everything would be fine now." she practically spat at her old roommate.
She didn't bother answering any of her other questions, she would just get another lecture from Rinsi. That much she knew. Growing tired of the conversation, she turned and began walking away from her.
"I don't know what your bastard father said to you," Rinsi said, her voice thick with tears, "But he's only right if you let him be. I'll tell you right now, I saved you because you are my friend, and though you think we'd be better off, and though you are a mind reader, there's some things you are only assuming. Whether or not you believe it, if you had died, I would have been distraught. More so than right now. There's so much pain in this world...."
Rinsi turned on her heel and made her way towards the nearest exit. She had a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it in. Without her coat or gloves - barely with her purse and car keys - Rinsi drove to the nearest town where she could get some things together. She hated leaving loose ends behind, so she wasn't going to make the mistake of doing so. After several hours of shopping around, she managed to get mostly everything done. All that was left was to make sure the deliveries came in an orderly manner.
When she arrived back at the school, she was pleased to find the Florists van parked in the lot, with workers scurrying about, hauling with them various bouquets and fruit baskets she had ordered for her friends. She remembered well what the orders were: A bouquet of lilies for Nakya, a basket of fruit for Ki'iro, a giant teddy bear for Tahtsu, a very large perfume and bath set for Yumi, a fruit basket for Ichio, and coupons for free weapon repair and cleaning at the nearby weapon shop for York, each with a card that had a different message on it.

For Nakya:
My Dearest Friend,
I am sorry about our argument. I was so scared. Please do not think ill of me. Please, do not think you are better off not in this world, because this world is going to change. Be happy.
Rinsi

For Ki'iro:
Ki'iro,
Please do not hurt Nakya any more. She loves you very much, and even if you don't think you're good enough for her, to her you are. Please understand and make her happy. Don't make her cry any more. This world is going to change, and I want everyone in it to be happy, including you my friend.
Rinsi

For Yumi:
Yumi,
Don't think badly of anyone here, and that includes you and Ichio. I know there are things you regret, but don't let this school and your friends be what you regret. Please, leave Ichio alone. He is our friend, just as you are our friend. I am sorry for what you've been through, but everything will change soon. Just be happy, okay?
Rinsi

For Ichio:
Ichio,
Don't hurt Yumi or Nakya any more please, and don't think ill of me. You're stronger than you know, and I don't just mean your strength. Perhaps you cannot be the one to make them happy, but there is someone else in the world you can make happy, and be happy with. You must be patient and vigilant to find them.
Rinsi

For York and Repede:
York and Repede,
I am sorry I did not get to say this face to face, but thank you for saving me. Had you not stepped in when you did, I could have had a heart attack and died right there. I did not mean to seem ungrateful by telling you to leave. I was just terrified out of my wits at the time. However, without you stepping in, it could have been far worse, and I thank you for stepping in when you did. I know now you're not such a bad guy. You just have a hard time communicating, right?
Rinsi

And for Tahtsu:
My Dearest Love,
Don't be sad. I know that is easier said than done, but please don't be sad. Don't think badly of me. I am sorry I yelled at you and damaged our relationship together. I love you very much, and I really am glad you came back. But I think the damage I've done is too great. You should find someone who will make you happy, and not yell at you. I really do love you, and as such I want you to be happy. Farewell, my love.
Rinsi XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Once she realized she had spaced off, Rinsi snapped back to the real world, and made her way back to her room. She didn't want any confrontations, any yelling or people telling her that she was being self-righteous, or anything of the sort. She didn't want anyone to see her, so she locked herself in her room.

When night time finally fell, and Rinsi was sure everyone was fast asleep, she stepped out of her room, leaving the door slightly ajar. She knew that, once this was all over with, she wouldn't need anything in there anyway, so whoever wanted it could have it, though she doubted anyone would take anything. Quietly, she made her way down the halls, with the lantern on her staff glowing just enough so that she could see where she was going. She just hoped everyone would eventually forgive her, and the thought that she would never see them again, and that they might hate her, made her heart feel heavy in her chest.
Once Rinsi made it to the roof of the school, she looked up into the sky, gazing at the full moon. The cold wind brushed against her bare arms and nearly bare chest, causing her to shiver. She hadn't worn her coat, mostly because she knew she wouldn't need it, but party because the fashion-sense in her told her that covering the bright yellow dress she had come to wear and love so much should not be covered. She knew wearing such a revealing and free-flowing dress was not a good idea for this weather, but she wanted to wear it again because she loved it so much. In fact, it had been her mother's.
Rinsi pulled the violin from it's case - which she had been carrying in her free hand - and lifted it to her chin. Drawing the bow across the strings, she began to play Celestial Wind once more. After all, to do what was needed to be done, she needed to talk to Cecil. Once the song finished, a rather sleepy looking Cecil popped up, rubbing it's cute little eyes.
"Why is Princess Rinsi waking Cecil?"
"Cecil, tell me how to complete the Starlight spell."
Cecil was instantly awake.
"No! Princess Rinsi shouldn't do that!"
"Why not?"
"Everyone will be sad."
"I know. I don't want to make them sad, but in the long run it's for the best. Compared to the eternity of joy that they will know after wards, one final bout of sadness is nothing. Besides, everyone from your world wants this too, right?"
"Well, yes, but Cecil doesn't!"
"You'll get over it."
"But Rinsi is the last Starlight! Who will Cecil protect?"
"Tahtsu. Now quit being stubborn and tell me."
"But..." Cecil argued.
"No buts!" Rinsi said firmly, "Tell me."
Now looking like the proverbial dog in the dog house, Cecil shrugged it's shoulders in resignation.
"When Rinsi dances...She must transform. Rinsi is the only one who can. And when Rinsi dances, she must put her soul into it. That is the price she pays for this spell."
Rinsi's gaze softened into a sad smile.
"Thank you, my dear friend. Now, will you tell me how to transform?"
"Rinsi...Rinsi must think of the person she loves most and what she wants for their future."
Cecil now looked like it was about to cry. Wrapping her arms around it in a warm hug, she whispered in Cecil's ear.
"Thank you. I will rid the world of it's suffering and replace it with happiness and peace."

After that, Rinsi took a couple steps back, brought up her staff, and began to dance. As she danced, she thought of Tahtsu, and how he could be happy with another person. While the thought itself was saddening a bit, she knew it would be for the best if he could be happy. As she thought this and as she danced, she glowed with an intense light that illuminated the whole of the school grounds. The light itself seemed to take form around her, forming a beautiful flowing gown that disguised her own, complete with silk gloves and a pair of the most magnificent angelic wings. The moon on her staff and the star on her forehead glowed brightly and as she danced she began to hover off from the roof beneath her.
As Rinsi danced she was filled with the purest joy she had ever felt. Even the first time she accidentally cast this spell was nothing compared to now. She knew it was only the effects of the dance spell, but at least it had eased the pain and heaviness in her heart. She didn't like the depression that had taken over her mind, and she was glad that now, even if it was only for a short time, it would be gone.
As the dancing and spinning continued, she began to glow even brighter. The glowing was far brighter than even her transformation, and was still growing. She was afraid a bit that it would wake everyone, but she knew in the long run it wouldn't matter. No one could stop her now. She was floating to far above the school for anyone to reach her. Unless they had a helicopter that is, and even then all she had to do was dance away, even though now the exhaustion began to set in. She knew the exhaustion was because she was putting everything into this - energy, even her soul and body - but she wasn't about to stop. The dance was so much fun to perform, and it filled her with so much happiness, even as she channeled everything into her staff, which was evident by the lantern glowing as much as she did.
Her eyelids were impossibly heavy now, and she didn't think she'd be able to take another step, or even just lift a finger. However, she forced herself to do so as the dance came to an end and she lifted her staff high above her head, and uttered the last words she'd ever say.
"STARLIGHT!"
Suddenly, an explosion of light, twice as bright as the brightest day, emanated from the lantern on her staff. All the light that surrounded her, materialized into a heavenly gown and wings, seemed to channel to the staff, further fueling the explosion. At the same time, portals all over the world opened up, and out of them flew billions of creatures just like Cecil, each one attaching themselves to a single person. Man, woman, child, demon, or person with special abilities, it didn't matter. Each one would get their own summons, and each one would be filled with a boundless joy and peace, and a form of godliness that would show them that all the sins of the past were wrong to do, and that each one should be fixed. Each summons was the same shape and size, but with different colors and patters, and each with a different ability. The only one without a summons would be Tahtsu, as Rinsi had already given Cecil to him.
As the light died down, Rinsi was all that was left. Green eyes closed, never to open again, as her body fell back to the roof of the school with a mild THUD! Cecil floated down next to her, it's eyes watery as if it was about to cry. Cecil landed on Rinsi's stomach and cuddled up on her, curling into a little ball.