I've been studying light for a while now so I've gotten pretty good at controlling it. I still stumble and don't know everything but better than I was before. Though that's not why I started studying.

     After the prophecy I had so many questions and it seemed all of them were linked with light magic.

     Who sent the vision to Tristan of the prophecy playing out? And how? How was he, or she, even able to see the future? An oracle?

     Who sent the vision of Masai to me? I'm pretty sure it wasn't my own magic. But who would want me to kill Masai?

     And the biggest question of all. My memories. I'm sure they've been tampered with. I haven't gained any since the prophecy. It seems certain moments trigger it. And that's when I remember them.

     Oh, one more thing. My... I don't even know what they are at this point. Visions? Glimpses of the past? But it also ties into the future...

     I've already have had two of them. One, of the man, the Akumu. And then my necklace. My voice was something I had said in the past but it related to the future.

     I don't think this "power" has something to do with light magic. But if not that... Then what?

***

     I smirked before pulling the dagger away from Hio's throat. Guess that battle wasn't so bad after all.

     My clone, now transformed as Hio's father, disappeared and my hair turned back to brown and blue along with my eyes. My tail and ears vanished as well.

     I turned to face the audience. Everyone stared at me quietly, mainly in shock and something else I could nesseccarily describe. Everyone was still except for Koro who had started clapping.

    My body tensed as I saw everyone's eye drilling into me. I finally realized how many people are in the crowd. And all had just watch me use magic, a secret I've tried to keep for years.

     I smiled weakly. What have I just done?

     "Guards! Take Hio to a cell. I'll deal with him later," Masai called.

     Two guards walked up to Hio and grabbed him. Hio didn't struggle. Instead he just stared at the place where my clone had just been moments before.

     The guards wrapped some kind of glowing rope around Hio's wrist. If I'd have to guess I would say it stripped you of magic. Pretty nifty if you think about it.

     I watched as the two guards walked Hio away. Then my gaze fell onto Masai who stared back at me.

     "I..." I started but Masai cut me off.

     "You did exactly what you were supposed to. You followed the rules of the battle. You did nothing wrong," Masai said.

     I smiled weakly when I remembered the whole kingdom was here. Guess I can't keep it a secret anymore.

     I turned to face the audience and took a deep breath. "I may be mortal. But that does not make me weak. I may be mortal but I still possess magic. I'm different from any other mortal you will meet because unlike them, I have demon blood," I declared.

     Whispers scattered through the crowd, making me nervous. What will they think of me?

     "Which is why..." Masai started, making the whole crowd go silent. "I'm putting her in charge of all training units."

     My eyes widened as Masai walked up to me and gripped my hand. Me? In charge of all training units?

     "You'd be perfect, Kai. You've trained Koro enough times and you're so strong. The younger ones should start training soon and you do so well with this kind of stuff," Masai said just so that I could hear.

     I smiled shyly. I would be in charge of the training units. Something I'm great at. For once.

     The whole crowd started cheering. Though a few still looked weary, including a few guards. But hey, what did I expect?

     I turned to face Masai with a smile. "When do I start?" I asked.

     "Whenever you like," Masai said softly.

     "Tomorrow?"

     "Perfect."

     "Thank you," I said, leaning in a kissing Masai's cheek. Immediately the crowd went wild.

     I turned to the crowd and bowed. "It's been a pleasure to meet you all." I looked back at Masai before turning away and entering back through the doors that led into the castle.

     As soon as the door shut I let out a sigh of relief. That went... Well. I guess.

     Soon after me, the doors opened once again as Masai slipped into the castle, a smile plastered on his face.

     "You were great!" He said happily.

     I raised an eyebrow. "Great? I was a disaster! Now everyone knows who I am and what I can do and..." I started panicking as the events of what had just happened flashed in my mind.

     "Hey, you were absolutely amazing. And I'm sorry about Hio's behavior. We're lucky you are the Tokubetsu or else you would have gotten killed. But..." Masai continued on but I had stopped listening.

     Masai says 'Hio' as if it was just him who had doubts. But I saw there reactions. Maybe some house wives or children couldn't sense me being mortal but so many others did. And they were weary about it.

     "Kai? Are you ok?" Masai asked.

     "What?" I said, snapping out of my thoughts.

     Masai frowned. "Are you ok?"

     I nodded quickly. "Oh ya. Just excited for tomorrow. I'll be in my room!" I said with a fake smile.

     Before Masai could say anything I disappeared into the shadows, rematerializing back in my room.

     My mind still lingered on the thought of being mortal. Hio wasn't the only one who had doubts. Even after the fight.

     I sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands. Many strands of hair covered my face, my tiara slowly slipping off my head.

     I had thought that I would fit in here but guess I was wrong about that. I just... I just need some time alone. And out of the demon realm.

     My body dispersed once more in the shadows. The trip within the shadows was slower than my previous one but still fast.

     When I took form again I was right outside my old house. Though, technically I still own it. But I haven't been here for months.

     Big surprise, it was raining. I never realized how cold it was here. I had to constantly flow hot magic through me to keep me warm.

     My hair, eyes, tail, and ears changed back to it's more mortal state of brown and blue and my clothes had changed as well to my black hoodie and jeans.

     I looked at my small house. The last time I was here was right before I went after Masai.

     A harsh wind suddenly kicked up, nearly blowing off my hood. I shivered within my hoodie, wondering how I used to live with these cold winter's.

     I looked up at the house again. There was no snow on it, as there was no snow on the ground. We hardly got snow here. Only rain. Even when it got freezing.

     I turned away from the house and looked at the dark forest that surrounded it. In the rain, the forest looked as mysterious as ever.

     The water was so cold it steamed so a hazy mist wrapped around the trees. And through the dim lighting only the first few lines of trees were actually visible to the eye.

     To any other person just the sight of the forest would scare them of but instead it pulled me in. Maybe it was the memories or just my dark magic controlling me but I didn't care. I figured I knew the woods good enough to know it wasn't dangerous. Usually.

     I started walking into the forest. The mist like cloudy steam wrapped around my wrists and ankles like fog in a swamp. The thick haze made the damp ground hard to see.

     While it was still cold, the forest was protected from harsh winds thanks to the thick trees.

     I wandered around for a bit. I was surprised by how much of the forest I recognized. I always seemed to know where I was. Which was good, I guess. Though I could always teleport away if I did get lost.

     The walk was relaxing and started to calm some of my nerves but my mind was still busy with thoughts of the ceremony.

     I didn't belong in the human realm because I had magic. I didn't belong in the shadow really for multiple reasons really, including not actually being evil, a shadow crafter, and having more than just dark magic. And apparently, I don't belong in the demon realm either because I was mortal.

     I sighed. My pace slowed from my quickened walk. Before long I reached a large clearing within the forest that I didn't recognize. I stopped, looking around.

     It was the first area I didn't recognize and I swear it wasn't here before. The Misty steam seemed to be thinner here, more of a haze than anything. The clearing was perfectly rounded and in the center was a cut down tree stump.

     Slowly, I walked up to the tree stump, running my fingers gently around the rim of the tree. The cut looked fresh but that couldn't be because it was a perfect cut any no one was around. Though, to get such a cut would be nearly impossible. So what could have done it?

     A voice I recognized firmly rang in my ears. It had haunted me the first time I heard it but this time it wasn't repeating in my head.

     The voice was Ira's. The old Ira, the first time we had met. But something felt different. It sounded like Ira but at the same time... Not really. But still, the voice set me on edge. And what it said did even more do.

     "I knew you wouldn't fall for that trick. You're too smart. Wouldn't you agree, Kai?"