The Changing Persona

Crystal and Marina continued their walk towards the dormitory after the last lecture of the day. Flare floated alongside her, providing a comforting presence. However, their journey was interrupted when a group of demon students approached them.

Crystal's eyes narrowed as she recognized the familiar face of the demon who had taunted her on her first day and audaciously asked for a dance at the Love's Day Masquerade.

He stood before her, oozing confidence, with his minions positioned behind him, their eyes fixed on Crystal. Marina, sensing the tension, nervously shifted her gaze between the demon and Crystal, uncertain of what would unfold.

Crystal let out an exasperated sigh, her annoyance evident. She wasn't in the mood to deal with trouble today. Nevertheless, she maintained her composure and met the demon's gaze, her expression showing a mix of indifference and resolve.

The demon smirked as he approached Crystal and Marina, his minions following closely behind. He looked at Crystal with a smug tone and said, "Ah, whom do we behold in our presence? None other than Crystal, the epitome of excellence among the esteemed ladies of the academy."

Crystal rolled her eyes, unimpressed by his attempt at flattery. "Don't mess with me. I don't have time to spare with a demon like you."

She took Marina's hand, intending to walk away and change their direction. However, the demon stopped them by reaching his arm forward. His smug expression remained as he retorted, "What do you mean by a demon like me? I assure you, I surpass your kind in every conceivable manner, a thousandfold."

Fire flickered in her eyes as Crystal's glare intensified, her anger bubbling beneath the surface. She couldn't control her frustration any longer.

The demon chuckled, finding amusement in Crystal's fiery demeanor. "I find pleasure in the demonic glare reflected in your eyes, as if they mirror the blazing intensity of my own fiery skin," he provocatively jeered.

Crystal's patience wore thin, her anger pushing her limits. She struggled to contain the rage that coursed through her veins, especially after returning from the Fae Palace, she had found herself occasionally wanting to destroy everything in her path. She knew she had to avoid situations that could trigger her anger, including interactions with Ambrose as she knew she would not act civil with anger dancing over her head if she tried to get information out of him.

"Any faerie is better than a piece of trash like you." She spat not being able to control her anger any further.

The demon sneered, his words dripping with malice. "Are you absolutely certain of this? For if your so-called crown prince is indeed the Cursed One, your entire kind will soon be reduced to smoldering ashes."

The surrounding demons snickered, finding the situation amusing. But Crystal could no longer hold it in. Anger surged within her, overwhelming her senses as if someone else was taking control of her head. Her eyes blazed with fury as she locked her gaze on the smirking demon.

In an instant, Crystal's hand shot forward, gripping the demon's neck tightly. Gasps of shock filled the air as Marina and the demon's minions watched in disbelief. It was unheard of for a faerie, who lacked the element of fire as their basic ability, to touch a demon without getting burned if they did not allow it.

Yet Crystal stood there, defying all expectations. She held the demon aloft, his feet barely touching the ground. His attempts to free himself from her grasp proved futile, as he tapped her hand in desperation, struggling for breath.

Crystal's voice trembled with suppressed rage as she delivered her warning, her words filled with a cold determination. "You can utter all the nonsense you want, but never dare to speak ill of His Highness. He is not someone you filthy creatures can even fathom."

With a forceful flick of her wrist, Crystal released her grip on the demon. He soared through the air, landing with a thud a few feet away from her. His minions rushed to his aid, helping him up as he coughed harshly, still reeling from the encounter.

Crystal stood tall, her chest rising and falling with each breath.

Flare, swiftly settled on her head, its gentle flames providing a soothing presence to Crystal. And her racing heart gradually calmed down, and she became aware of the gravity of her actions. A mixture of confusion and remorse washed over her, fueling her urge to escape from the scene.

Swallowing hard, Crystal turned on her heel, her steps hastened by the weight of her actions. Marina, sensing her friend's distress, quickly caught up with her, concern etched on her face. Without exchanging words, they hurriedly retreated from the gathering, putting distance between themselves and the demons.

...

Marina, concerned for her friend, couldn't help but voice her worries when they finally reached their dorm room. She looked at Crystal, her eyes filled with genuine concern, and asked, "I cannot help but observe, Crystal, that you seem to be experiencing an unsettling shift in your persona. Your behavior deviates from the norm, and it truly worries me."

Flare, hovering nearby, chimed in with its flickering flames. "I concur with Marina's observation. It is evident that as you delve deeper into your abilities, a profound transformation has occurred within your emotional landscape. It is a phenomenon unparalleled in my experience," it conveyed, its ethereal voice echoing in Crystal's mind. Flare, having guided numerous Aether faeries throughout history, recognized that Crystal was unique and faced challenges that others had not.

Sighing heavily, Crystal took a seat on her bed, her hands clasping her hair roots in frustration. She couldn't deny the truth in Marina's and Flare's words. "Marina, Flare, I don't know what is happening to me," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and desperation. "I keep getting angry, I keep doing things I don't want to do, and saying things I don't mean."

Though Marina couldn't perceive Flare's presence or hear its words, she understood that they might have said the same thing.

Marina walked up to Crystal, sitting beside her and gently gripping her shoulder in a sympathetic gesture. "I cannot ascertain the exact cause, yet it appears that your mind is burdened with numerous thoughts, leading you to seek answers in an erroneous path," she expressed, her voice infused with genuine concern. "Perhaps it would be beneficial for you to engage in a conversation with Aurora, the figure that frequents your dreams."

Crystal let out a sigh of frustration, the weight of her thoughts and uncertainties growing heavier within her. "She isn't appearing in my dreams anymore," she confessed, her voice tinged with disappointment and confusion. "Everything was going so smoothly, and now I'm so lost."

As Crystal rubbed her forehead in an attempt to alleviate the throbbing, Flare flickered and settled on her head, its fiery presence providing a comforting warmth. "You have the capability to summon Aurora in your dreams on your own," Flare suggested, its ethereal voice resonating in Crystal's mind. Crystal furrowed her eyebrows, looking up at Flare, and Marina followed her gaze, equally intrigued.

"I can do that?" Crystal asked, her eyes widening with surprise and hope. Flare swirled with vibrant energy, changing its position from Crystal's head to hovering in front of her. Marina, captivated by the ethereal presence, followed their gaze to the seemingly empty space before them.

"Indeed! Given that Aurora has initiated contact with you in your dreams previously, you possess the capacity to establish reverse contact with her," Flare elucidated. "However, it is essential to note that reverse contact can only be established if the said entity is still in existence."

Crystal's eyes widened in shock, a shiver running down her spine. "What do you mean? Can someone who is dead also appear in my dreams?" The thought sent a chill through her, and Marina couldn't help but feel a similar sensation, goosebumps covering her skin, even though she couldn't fully comprehend the nature of their conversation.

Flare's flickering flames seemed to intensify for a moment before settling down, conveying a sense of solemnity. "In certain circumstances, the spirits of the departed can manifest in dreams, offering guidance or closure," Flare explained. "But it requires a special connection or unfinished business between the dreamer and the deceased. It is a rare occurrence that requires great powers from the deceased, and not to be taken lightly."