Chapter Text
The days seemed to melt together. All Cereza could find herself doing was practicing her skills and crying. Out of eyesight of her mother, of course. She would be damned if she put her through any more pain. She promised to be strong. Gazing out the window, she sighed. Cereza could never tell the time other than the position of the burning sun outside her tiny window, her mind simply focused on doing something to keep from losing it again. She fired her tattered, beat up gun aimlessly at the wall before crouching down to the ground. She let out another deep sigh and admired the umbra watch she had donned around her neck that her mother gifted her many years ago. It felt heavy in her hands. It was a constant reminder that her existence was a betrayal to her kind.
“Dinner was terrible tonight.” Cereza jumped, readying herself to attack whoever had intruded her room. “Calm down, it’s just me.” Jeanne. Cereza lowered her weapons and felt her body ease up. Jeanne had a plate in her hand with some greens and potatoes that looked rather unappetizing. She shut the poorly made door behind her and approached her friend.
Since Cereza’s mother was imprisoned, Cereza spent hardly any time in her own room. It was cold and dark, it didn’t feel like a place you would want to call home, but it was all she had. She was prohibited from learning any magic or skills until she was 13, meaning she had a significant disadvantage from the other young witches in her clan. She learned anyways, gathering as much knowledge and practice as she could, even forming a contract with Madama Butterfly. Cereza had more freedom as she got older such as being allowed to practice magic or joining group meals, but she shied away from the other witches. They never accepted her as she would always be the outcast. Nobody accepted her, except for one witch.
“I couldn’t get any meat or wine this time. I know that’s Rosa’s favorite.” Jeanne frowned, handing Cereza the plate. “I wish you would eat some though.” Jeanne sat down on Cereza’s uncomfortable bed and watched her place the plate in her drawer, saving it for later.
“It’s enough. She understands. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you for all that you’ve done for me and Mummy.” Cereza said seriously to the heiress. “And anyway, I don’t need to eat.”
“Drop the formality.” Jeanne laughed and waved her hand dismissively. “I’m in no higher position than you.”
“You and I both know that’s not true.” Cereza wasn’t laughing. “You’re gonna be the leader of the clan in a few days and I will always be the outsider. I probably won’t ever be able to speak to you again.”
Jeanne’s face dropped as she stood and walked towards Cereza, “Don’t say that.”
“You know it’s true.”
“What have I told you ever since we were children?” Jeanne asked, her arms crossed over her chest. Cereza didn’t answer. “The second I’m in charge, I will free you and your Mummy.”
“The elders will never allow it. It was just a silly idea we had as kids. I will always be on the outside.” Cereza was getting louder and growing more annoyed. She just wished Jeanne would understand.
“I don’t give a shit what the elders say, Cereza. You are an umbra witch. You’re better than all of the others and they still disregard you as a part of us. It’s unfair, you didn’t ask to be born.” Jeanne fumed, causing Cereza to soften as she reached out a hand to hold the witch’s face. Jeanne stopped and placed her hand over Cereza’s, noticing her expression. “Can we go to the clocktower? While we still can?” She requested softly. Cereza nodded with a soft smile upon her face.
“Let me give Mummy her food, then we can go.”
Cereza gave Jeanne a quick kiss and grabbed the plate before quickly heading to the cell where her mother was held. She had to be quick, to be sure she didn’t get caught. They never fed Rosa enough. As a young child, Cereza has to eat what was given to her mother, which was barely enough for one person. As she got older and was given the privilege to eat with the other witches, they lessened her portions and gave her barely anything. Cereza would try to sneak food away from the dining hall but was scolded for it several times. Cereza was sure Rosa would starve with the lack of food they were giving her and Jeanne started the tradition of bringing the scraps for Cereza and her mother. She didn’t think it was fair that they were exiled. One day she will change that.
She promised Cereza.
-
“You’ll never be the leader of the clan if you can’t even beat me.” Cereza joked, wiping a bead of sweat off of her forehead. Jeanne was seated on the roof, panting from an intense fight.
“Whatever.” Jeanne smiled slightly. “That was just a practice round.”
Cereza hummed amusingly and walked towards the edge of the clocktower. She gazed into the distance of the valleys, letting thoughts overcome her mind.
“Things are going to be so different,” Cereza spoke into the wind. “Once you’re in charge we can no longer be friends, right?”
Jeanne watched Cereza. She wasn’t sure.
“I’ve told you time and time again. They could never pry me away from you when we were children. You think they’ll go against their leader?” Jeanne smirked lightheartedly. She couldn’t hurt her Cereza.
“Yes,” Cereza said plainly, not facing Jeanne. “The elders believe my existence will be the destruction of our clan. I’m a disgrace to the Umbra, and that’s all I’ll ever be.”
Jeanne stood, feeling anger boil up inside of her, “Stop saying that. It doesn’t matter what they think. You are an Umbra. You are the strongest witch I know. Even stronger than me.”
Cereza was quiet. She trained her eyes on the horizon, wondering if eternity meant living in solitude forever. She felt her hand drift up to her umbran watch once again and felt it’s weight in her hand. She thought about her mother again, locked in a cage for treason. She thought about the way the other young witches would call her names and push her in the dining hall as a child. How Jeanne was the only one who would stand up for her. How she was scolded for it. The only thing Cereza had was her magic, her mother, and Jeanne.
“I think you’ll be an amazing leader.” Cereza finally spoke and turned to Jeanne with a genuine smile on her face. Jeanne’s features softened and she walked towards the other witch. It was as if they could read each other’s minds, for as soon as Jeanne was close, Cereza folded herself into Jeanne’s arms. She lied her head on Jeanne’s shoulder and wrapped her arms around her. She knew Cereza was fragile.
“I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. And Rosa too.” Jeanne spoke into Cereza’s hair.
“Have you decided who you will face yet?” Cereza asked. The question would seem vague to anyone else, but Jeanne knew exactly what she was talking about. She knew the answer as well but refused to say.
“No. I haven’t.” She pulled away reluctantly and mimicked Cereza’s prior position. She watched a group of young witches playing in the courtyard before bedtime and smiled slightly. “I haven’t thought about it much at all.”
“You’re kidding.” Cereza laughed, “This is the biggest day of your life.”
Jeanne turned to face Cereza once more, “I’m serious. There’s no point in dwelling on it. They’ve been preparing me for this my entire life.” She shrugged, “I’m more than ready for it, no matter who I face.” Jeanne knew that was a lie. She knew who she had to pick, and she wasn’t sure how she would do. Her and Cereza have battled more that they could count but the winner was almost unanimously Cereza. Especially recently. Jeanne knew she was special. But she also knew she needed to choose the strongest witch to earn her spot as the leader.
“Have things felt off to you lately?” Cereza asked.
“Yes,” Jeanne answered almost immediately. “I thought I was the only one. Maybe it was nerves or something but I’m glad you feel the same. Something big will happen soon.”
“You don’t think-”
“No.” Jeanne interrupted, but she sounded unsure of herself. The atmosphere went tense and neither said anything for a moment. “They haven’t touched us yet. Why start now?”
Cereza nodded, “Right. I just worry about it. At least the left eye will be safe in your hands. I trust you to get us through anything.” Jeanne almost flinched at those words. ‘The left eye.’ She was to inherit it. But why did it feel wrong? All Jeanne could think in the back of her mind for the past few weeks has been that Cereza was meant to inherit it. Just because Jeanne was an heir, doesn’t mean the throne is automatically hers.
Cereza would be a great leader. If she defeats her in the coming days, Jeanne would never be upset. Cereza was her only competition. If she truly is stronger, she deserves the left eye. Jeanne could only let fate take its course, and watch what would happen.
Jeanne decided she didn’t want to speak on it anymore and grabbed Cereza’s hand. Cereza understood by only glancing in her eyes before heading back to Cereza’s tiny room. As cold and cramped as it was, they knew that no one would dare enter it. Jeanne’s room seemed to have servants coming in and out, and the elders checking in every so often. Cereza hated it there.
-
“Hello, Cheshire.” Jeanne greeted the patchy doll on Cereza’s bed as she sat down.
“And how is Charles doing?” Cereza joked to the witch as she removed her traditional umbran uniform.
“I think he misses his best friend,” Jeanne said solemnly, yet with a smile.
“You know how I feel about your room.”
“Yes, but I hate that it’s like we’re sneaking around. We aren’t doing anything wrong.” Jeanne picked up the doll and examined it aimlessly.
Cereza crossed the room and wound up straddled in Jeanne’s lap, her hands trailing up to take her platinum hair out of its twin buns. “I think the elders would disagree.” She said, running her hands through Jeanne’s long hair. “Now we should get some sleep. We need to continue practicing for your big duel. Maybe we can decide who you should face.”
“I don’t want to talk about any of that. I want to spend time with my Cereza.” Jeanne pulled the witch closer to her so there were no gaps between them. “I’m tired of all of this talk.” She placed her hands around the nape of Cereza’s neck and pulled her in for a chaste kiss. Cereza gave in for a moment but pulled away after a few seconds. Jeanne’s eyes fluttered open at the lack of contact. She felt Cereza’s hands cup her face as she looked into her eyes.
“Have I ever told you how much I love you?” She asked in almost a whisper. Jeanne chuckled and shook her head.
“All the time.” She spoke, equally as soft. “But it gets better every time I hear it.” Cereza pecked her once more before standing and making her way to the other side of the rather tiny bed. Jeanne followed her with her eyes, confused as to why she seemed to be avoiding her. She crawled in the bed and gestured for Jeanne to follow. She did.
“You should sleep. You know you get cranky when you don’t get enough.” Cereza giggled and kissed Jeanne’s forehead. Jeanne loved to say that she protected Cereza, and even if it was true, Cereza would always be there for Jeanne and take care of her. Their bond was something that anyone would dream of. Jeanne’s biggest fear was losing Cereza.
With their limbs tangled together, they drifted off to sleep. Jeanne dreamt of a great battle. She had to sacrifice Cereza. She was alone. Meanwhile, Cereza dreamt of a life where she was included. She and her mother were no longer considered outcasts. They were free.
Jeanne woke up in a cold sweat, tears brimming her eyes while Cereza wanted nothing more than to continue dreaming.
-
Jeanne jolted up from the bed, another nightmare ruining her sleep. Cereza rolled over groggily and raised her head to ask Jeanne if it happened again. Jeanne nodded as Cereza lifted herself to wrap her arms around the witch. Jeanne tried to fix her breathing as she shut her eyes trying to make the thoughts go away.
The past week, her head has been filled with nightmares and bad omens. Something bad was going to happen. Something big. Something beyond her control. And all she could do was sit here and wait for it to happen. She was ready to protect Cereza no matter the cost, but she was still worried.
“Today is the day, huh?” Cereza muttered, her voice rasp from just waking up. It was indeed the day.
Jeanne sighed and turned her attention towards the rising sun. “I guess so.”
“Our days of sneaking around will be no more.” Cereza chuckled, but there was a certain sadness in her eyes.
“Hey-” Jeanne started but was interrupted by a swift kiss from Cereza. When she pulled away, Jeanne found herself chasing after her lips, but the witch was gone.
“Come on, it’s a big day. No point in lying around right?” Cereza had bounded towards the small window and grinned brightly at the heiress lying in her bed. She took the sight in, just in case it would be the last time she would see it.
“It’s not until tonight. I don’t know why you insist on getting up so early.” Jeanne complained, placing a pillow over her face to block out the light. “Let’s stay in bed a little longer.” She mumbled from under the pillow.
“I want to stay here more than you could even imagine, Jeanne.”
“So why don’t we? I’m prepared for tonight. If I am meant to be the leader, it will all fall into place.” Jeanne removed the pillows and opened her arms. Cereza smiled sweetly and walked back to the bed, surprising the witch by jumping into her arms and rolling on top of her.
“Okay, your highness.” Cereza purred on top of Jeanne and leaned down for a long kiss.
They held each other the whole morning.
-
Jeanne wasn’t nervous. She has fought Cereza countless times, this time would just matter. Jeanne could never rid of the idea that Cereza possessed the left eye. It made sense. The challenges she’s overcome along with her immense power would explain the rightful ownership of it. The burning suspicion only grew fiercer the more they battled. She would push herself as hard as she could, but the result would be what it was meant to be. She had always been told she was to be the leader when she was old enough, but she wanted what was best for the clan. There was no jealousy in her body whatsoever. The true leader of the clan will prevail today, no matter what.
“Then allow me to face the outcast.” The room went silent. Jeanne was not only testing herself with this challenge, but she was also challenging Cereza to prove her strength to the clan. After a moment of silence, murmurs broke out among the witches. Cereza only stared with wide eyes, shocked at Jeanne’s sudden actions.
“ No! It is forbidden! The child is of impure blood. Challenging her would be a violation of our tenets of faith!” Jeanne heard the elder behind her going on about why she can’t. She rolled her eyes out of habit, there was no such tenet.
“It would not be the first time we have faced each other.” She admitted and the witches watching gasped at the words. The elder stared in disbelief at what was unfolding before her. Cereza’s expression switched from being confused to slightly amused. Just like her. Jeanne loosened up, knowing Cereza wouldn’t hold back or be frightened. It’d be just like before. “Will you face me in this hallowed arena?”
Cereza stepped forward, pondering it as if it was a simple request of her. “Well if I must, but I pray you've got a little something for me in return. You know. I‘m very fond of stuffed animals.” She finally stated, as cheeky as she always was around others. Jeanne couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s confidence, shining through. It was finally time.
-
Jeanne was on the ground panting when she heard the room go completely still again. She was defeated. Cereza stood over her, a shocked expression was plastered on her face. No one was quite sure what this meant. The outsider was the leader? Did she possess the left eye now? Cereza dropped her guns, and looked around nervously, trying to save face but failing in the process. She didn’t expect to win. No one expected her to win. They all hated her. Except for Jeanne. Cereza turned back to Jeanne who was still on the ground, afraid to move. Jeanne nodded in response to Cereza’s pleading eyes. She was sure now of her previous thoughts. Cereza was gifted with the power of the left eye.
“This must be a mistake.” The elder shook her head, dumbfounded at the events. The room burst out into hushed whispers and murmurs. Cereza felt like the room was spinning.
The elder stepped forward to say something but was suddenly halted by what felt like an earthquake beneath her feet. Some witches screamed at the sudden rumbling and others ran towards the windows, looking out. Out of nowhere, a choir of angels burst through the ceiling, sending the room into chaos. Younger witches were instructed to run, while others fought the angels head-on. They were in the lowest sphere, so they weren’t so much of a pain, but everyone knew what was coming. This attack was a declaration of war.
As exhausted as Jeanne was, she jumped into battle immediately, attacking the angels with skill and ease. The angels seemed endless, but at least these were manageable. She took out a few before noticing Cereza was frozen in shock. “Cereza, you have to fight.” She shouted over the chaos. Cereza blinked into attention and her eyes widened at the true realization of the situation.
“Mummy.” She managed, in a panicked voice. “She can’t fight. The robes of banishment.” She was shouting over the loud noise. Her mother was stuck powerless in a cage.
“They will free her so she can fight. You have to help, Cereza.” Jeanne shot an angel square in between its eyes and turned to the witch who had yet to move from her position. “You have to fight.” Cereza straightened up and nodded, turning to an angel nearby and sending it flying with a wicked weave.
After a while, the little guys started to dissipate and the witches quickly took toll of the damage done to the structure. No one was dead. Some were injured. An elder proclaimed that the leader of the clan would be decided when things calm down. Jeanne argued that it wasn’t fair and that Cereza had one, so she was the leader. There was a fire roaring outside, and the witches had barely any time to make such decisions and put the clan in the hands of the outcast. Before a conclusion could be made, Fortitudo made his presence known, sending the witches into more chaos. The angel was going on about how the witches were to face their end, and Cereza feared it was true.
Nonetheless, she fought.
-
The battle went on for days. One fight after another, exhausting the witches day after day. Much of the clan was lost, the clocktower had been destroyed. Vigrid was in ruins. And Cereza had yet to see her mother.
One evening, Cereza was resting with Jeanne. Cereza was informed that her mother was indeed free to aid in the war. As relieved as Cereza was, she wished she could see her. Hold her once more. The two couldn’t keep count of how many angels they’ve killed. They were exhausted, the war taking a toll on their strength.
“Do you think she’s okay?” Cereza asked quietly. There was a lull in attacks and the two were urged to rest. They even treated Cereza with respect, shocking her and causing her to almost not believe it.
“I’ve heard stories about Rosa. I think she’s doing alright.” Jeanne comforted the other. It was crazy how fast things changed. Jeanne was a child in the midst of the Clan Wars and wasn’t affected strongly by them. Now, they were on the losing side. They were losing hundreds of witches every day. “Besides, the best you can do for her is fight. Protect the clan.”
As if on cue, they heard a large crash outside. Another Audito was destroying their grounds and causing havoc. Jeanne sighed and gave a look to Cereza signaling her that it was time to go again. They had barely any time to rest, and that time was used mainly worrying about what was going to happen. The two quickly took into action and made their way to attack the ginormous angel. Many more lives were lost before the angel was sent falling into the earth through a portal to Inferno.
The pair decided to make their way to the main building that was still intact to meet with the elders- if they were even still alive. Running into the building was a tragedy. Bodies lined the floor, causing Jeanne to gasp. The main elder’s body was mauled in the center of the room. She took a deep breath and entered further in the room, the sight of so many of her sisters dead making her dizzy. Suddenly she saw a sight that made her want to vomit. She clenched her eyes shut, hoping it was just a hallucination. That this wasn’t actually happening. Just like in her nightmares.
“No.” She heard Cereza behind her. She ran in front of her and Jeanne could only watch helplessly. “Mummy,” Cereza cracked out, her voice broken.
Rosa was still breathing, but she was on her last leg of her life. She wouldn’t make it very long, her body was badly beaten. Jeanne didn’t dare say a word. Cereza was bawling on the ground, holding her mother in her arms. Her tears fell on Rosa’s face while Rosa struggled to even breathe. A collection of cries came from Cereza, some of them undecipherable as she tried to somehow keep her mother alive. Then out of nowhere, through the tears, Cereza began to sing.
“Fly Me to the moon,” She started, her voice soft and shaky. “And let me play among the stars,” Rosa felt tears sting her face, mixing with the blood that was there before. She couldn’t go on much longer. “Let me see what spring is like- on-” Cereza couldn’t continue. With her last little bit of life in her body, Rosa lifted the lipstick that was gifted to her from her love- Cereza’s father- and placed it in Cereza’s hand. With that, Rosa’s body went limp as the life left her eyes. Cereza lost it, heaving over her mother’s corpse, holding it as if there was a chance that she would come back.
Jeanne turned away, unable to watch the scene before her and was shocked to find another large Audito floating over towards them. The hole in the roof was large enough to where the entire room glowed orange and red, the flames towering outside. She gasped in surprise at the advancement of the Audito and turned to shake Cereza out of her trance. “Cereza, we have to go, they’re coming!” She cried out, the angel was getting closer with what seemed like an army. They had to go.
“Just leave me. Just go, Jeanne.” Cereza was quiet. She sounded empty. Jeanne didn’t want to use her back up plan. She needed Cereza to fight. They had to protect the pride of the Umbra together.
“Cereza, please!” She pleaded, flames rising. The angel had cast a shadow over them and requested the left eye. Jeanne took a deep breath, “The left eye will never fall into the hands of another.” She pulled out a dagger, laced with magic and turned to the witch, who was uninterested in what was going on. She had given up. She didn’t see a point. It wasn’t until she felt a piercing pain in her heart when she looked up and saw her best friend, her lover, the only thing she had left piercing her in the heart. “I’m sorry.” Her ears were ringing and she couldn’t hear any longer, she could only read Jeanne’s lips. Her vision became fuzzy and she could no longer form any cohesive words or thoughts.
Then the world went black.