Everlasting (ch11)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGHER-PLEDGING PATRONS!

All right getting right back into it from where we left off! I know it won't be as intense as watching it in the show, but I tried to make it just as entertaining while reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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												Chapter 11. Failure And Acceptance

Diana helps her hoist herself up and onto the broom. Akko gets situated as quickly as possible, wrapping her arms around Diana's stomach and locking her hands in place. Her heart is doing backflips in her chest with how excited she is.

But Diana is stiff and determined as she wills the broom to prepare for flight.

The Shiny Volley doesn't lift off like other brooms. It tilts itself back, angling its bristles at the floor and aiming them straight upward not unlike a rocket ship.

And with speed to match.

"Tia Freyre!"

With Diana's command, they blast off into the air at breakneck speed, nothing left behind but the echoes of Akko's shrieks.

They shoot through the magical gate that had opened for them and follow a beeline trajectory upward, straight to the top of the spindly tree trunk. Diana pulls herself upward, adjusting her weight and Akko's along with it.

In only seconds, they are bursting through the surface waters of the Cavendish estate.

They soar high into the night sky, where the moon and stars give off an eerie purple light across the entire property. The wind is whipping at them so harshly Akko can barely open her eyes. She angles her face slightly away from Diana's back, clearing her vision of wispy white hair as she cracks her eyes open one at a time.

Diana has docked their speed for a second, arcing high into the sky in order to alter her angle. Now, she takes aim for the unicorn statue several dozen miles away and below.

Akko manages to glance up at the moon, squinting to see the planet beyond. With a small gasp, she calls out to her companion.

"Yes! Diana, this means we made it in time! Uweh-"

In a split second the air flies from her lungs as Diana lets them plummet as fast as gravity will allow, the wind all but tearing their cheeks. Akko shrieks, her voice made choppy by the flitting air as she clings onto her girlfriend for dear life. She can feel a pulse pounding hard all throughout her body, but she can't tell if it's hers or Diana's. Probably some erratic combination of both.

Diana pulls them up at the last second, pelting forward across the water, straight for the statue. She strains to make herself nearly parallel to the broom handle, reducing the amount of air that can push against her. Akko is clinging to her back with all her might, eyes squeezed shut as they slice through the air, water splashing at their ankles. Diana has faith Akko can hold tight.

She doesn't tear her eyes away from the green glow of the statue's horn, hardly even flinching as the wind and water whip past her face.

She witnesses the very instant when the eclipse occurs, bright light suddenly flooding out from the unicorn's horn. The water all around them begins to fall away, then rise high into surrounding walls, revealing the pillars of the shrine.

Diana speeds onward. Now that the eclipse has begun, her time is already running out. The seconds are passing, the air is deafening, her heart is pounding-

Suddenly, three figures appear before her on broomsticks, clearly set to block her path. Her aunt and cousins leer at her from a distance.

"We won't let you go-"

"any further than this!"

Simultaneously, they lift their wands and slash them down.

"Aeguil!"

Out of thin air, three massive red-eyed snakes form, shooting forward like bolts of lighting bound straight for them. Akko peels open one eye just for a second to see the massive jaws opening wide all around them. She shrieks again, crushing herself to Diana's back, hugging her ribs fiercely.

But Diana doesn't waver.

All at once, she assesses the angles of the snakes and where they will be exactly one second from now. She propels their harrowing broomride a split second quicker, timing it perfectly.

Another incredible burst of speed sends them shooting through the path of the snakes' jaws just a hair's breadth before they slam shut.

Diana doesn't even cast her relatives a second glance as they reach the pillars and begin to descend onto the shrine's platform.

Only now can Akko finally open her eyes, streaked with tears from the flight. She's still shaking, and she can feel Diana's heart slamming hard up against her forearms.

But as the hiss of the air melts into a quieter descent, the rushing of the water replaces it. Akko loosens her hold on Diana as they float down for their landing, her eyes wide in awe.

"Is this the ritual shrine?"

But before she or Diana can breathe another word, a furious shout booms from behind them.

"I said we wouldn't let you go!"

Just as they land, Akko turns back to see Diana's relatives on their heels.

But before she can react, a barrier suddenly repels the three of them – a barrier that wasn't raised against Diana or herself. The three women tumble off their brooms and fall helplessly onto the platform.

Diana's feet have barely touched the ground before she's already hurrying toward them. There isn't even time for Akko to ask what she's doing.

/Is she really gonna try to help them?/

Akko tears off after her, clearing the roots beneath her feet before skidding to a halt.

Diana is petrified in front of her, staring up to where earthen limbs are stretching out from her relatives' bodies, hardened tree bark crystalizing over their flesh. Their moans of agony rise up like the cries of ghosts as their bodies are contorted, bending into the form of the wood.

Akko swallows hard and takes a step back.

"Is this... the horrific calamity that befalls those who disturb the ritual...?"

The roots of the tree continue to climb all around the three women, spreading across every inch of their skin. Their voices tremble in cries for help.

"Diana..."

"S-Save us...!"

"Save us... Diana!"

Diana's heart seizes in her throat, and her breath stops as she stares in horror.

/Aunt... Meryl, Maryl.../

She knows they're running out of time-

Just a few feet away, Akko grimaces at the sight before her, but only for a second. The moonlight reflected on the water all around them is beginning to shift, rising up around the rim like an hourglass. And it's rising rapidly.

"Could that be... the remaining time? We have to hurry, Diana!" Akko lunges forward to grab Diana's hand. But her girlfriend doesn't budge. Akko gives a tug to her wrist. "Diana? Hey, Diana!"

But Diana's eyes are no longer fixated on the shrine. They are only on her aunt and cousins.

Akko's about to call for her again when Diana turns her head back.

Her eyes are fierce. As fierce as Akko had seen them earlier when Diana had been talking about her mother and ancestors.

Her eyes are fierce, but her smile is soft.

With a gentle pull, Diana frees her wrist from Akko's grasp.

And Akko lets go.

/I'm... such an idiot.../

Diana forgot all about the ritual the second someone else got put in danger. Even if that someone was her deceptive, greedy aunt or her selfish cousins.

Diana's heart is purer than anyone else's. She'd rather help them than complete the ritual.

Part of Akko is frustrated beyond words. But the other part is moved almost to the point of tears.

She watches as Diana draws her wand, gripping it firmly with both hands. Her shoulders rise and fall as she draws in a deep breath.

"Ennor Fiendennor!"

Akko watches in awe as the stiff tree-like structures are peeled away in a wave of light, freeing Diana's relatives. The three of them slump to the ground, unconscious but alive.

Diana breathes a sigh of relief.

But it is short-lived.

An instant later, she's gasping almost painfully. She whirls around to check on the waters surrounding her. The light has already reached the brim.

Diana chokes softly as she watches the last of it disappear.

The eclipse is over.

Her heart comes screeching to a halt, then begins to fill her body with a dull ache.

It hurts. More than anything...

The light has vanished from around them, leaving them in darkness. Her knees begin to shake and a shudder runs through her body. Diana dips her head in acceptance of her defeat.

/I simply... was not adequate.../

It's almost as though she's known this from the very start.

Even so, she is endlessly grateful to Akko for allowing her to get this far. She needs to thank her...

When Diana next opens her eyes, she finds a faint light in the darkness. Akko is still unmoving, staring heartbroken up at the sky. The light isn't coming from her.

Without breathing, Diana takes a step back and turns to the tree at the center of the shrine.

There, wreathed in green and golden light, stands the figure of a woman.

Her long, decorative robes fall all the way down to the floor, and her luscious wavy hair matches in length. A familiar witch's hat sits upon her head. Her smile is kind and her eyes are full of affection.

Stunned to be standing in her presence, Diana breathes her name.

"Lady Beatrix...?"

Suddenly, the painful beats of her heart don't ache as much. Something warm and soft washes over her just from looking into her ancestor's caring eyes.

The lights dance around her divine form, swirling and flitting like fireflies of magic.

Wonderstruck, Diana watches as Lady Beatrix's image begins to fade, evaporating into the air as the light fades.

She's gone as quickly as she'd come.

A sense of heavy melancholy settles over Diana.

But there's still that calming feel in her veins, filling her with a sense of kinder tranquility. The emotions all combat each other until it leaves her shaking.

Nearby, Akko finally draws her eyes away from the moon and stars above to look back at her.

"Diana..."

Akko can't see her eyes. Waves of streaked alabaster hair are screening Diana's face, hiding her expression from view.

But Akko knows. Diana's shoulders aren't even trembling but Akko knows she is crying.

"Diana..."

Akko puts the Shiny Rod back into her sash and takes a wobbling step forward. She opens both arms wide and reaches for her, pulling Diana in close.

"I'm so sorry..."

She lets Diana hide in her shoulder, lets her muffle her shuddering breath, thin and breaking with small hiccups. Akko squeezes her back, huddling close against her beneath her cloak.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Gradually, Akko moves her hands up from the small of Diana's back to loop them around her shoulders, cradling the back of her head ever so gently. She strokes through her hair with soft, tender motions, brushing her wet cheek against Diana's damper one.

She feels Diana's hands clutching at her sides, fumbling to maintain purchase. Her breath is clipped and feeble as she weeps as privately as possible.

When she finally finds her voice, it is barely a whisper.

"I... I tried..."

And it breaks Akko's heart. She sobs too, holding tighter to Diana than before, keeping her steady.

"You did..." she affirms. "You tried, Diana. You tried with all your heart! And that's... that's enough... I'm... I'm so proud of you, Diana..."

Lifting her face, she brushes a kiss across Diana's cheek.

Even though Akko had truly wanted to stop Diana from performing the ritual initially, now she is deeply regretful for that. Now that she understands Diana's dream and how hard she's been striving toward it all her life...

Akko bites her lip and sobs bitterly.

"It's not fair... I'm sorry, Diana..."

And although Diana can still feel the ache in her heart, it isn't nearly as powerful as she'd thought it might be. She can't simply forget the image of her foremother Beatrix, the quiet, tranquil look in her eyes.

In a way, it had almost felt like... like acceptance.

Though Diana had not officially completed the ritual, some part of her feels she is worthy enough to try again during the next eclipse.

With that possibility in mind, Diana heaves a long sigh and gets ahold of herself.

"Akko... let us go back."

The Shiny Volley is lying where they'd dropped it earlier in their landing. Diana guides Akko to it by the hand and they take up their prior positions. Her aunt and cousins have their own brooms to fly back on once they come to. For now Diana lets them be, confident they will wake soon.

As soon as Akko is in position behind her, Diana feels the girl's arms around her stomach once again. The embrace is tight, but it lacks the bruising pressure from earlier. Akko buries her face in Diana's cloak, still crying to herself.

With one last look to the shrine, Diana takes off quietly into the night. She doesn't lift her gaze all the while, and neither girl speaks a single word.

By the time they arrive at the estate, all of the servants as well as Andrew are on the grounds of the property awaiting her return. Diana lands, and with her heart heavy with guilt, confesses her inability to perform the ritual.

Akko is the one to explain why she'd run out of time.

"She was saving her aunt!" she explains. "And her cousins! That's why Diana ran out of time! Because she saved them..." Akko sniffles and wipes her eyes again, keeping a firm hold on Diana's hand. The white-haired witch lowers her head to the people before her.

"You all have my deepest apologies. I am aware you were all depending on me to-"

"Young Lady!"

With a gasp, Diana looks up to find her maid rushing toward her.

"Anna?"

The woman reaches her in a fluster, trying to stay composed herself.

"Thank goodness you are all right. It matters not if you completed the ritual. All that matters is that you are safe from Madam Daryl's traps."

Diana lets her gaze fall to the moonlit grass.

"I am all right. However, I failed to-"

"Nonsense!" With a passionate cry, Anna rests her hands on her mistress' shoulders, coaxing Diana to raise her head. "Young Lady, we are all aware you did everything within your power. It is because of Madam Daryl's tricks that you were thwarted. Even so, you still saved her rather than completing the ritual." A wobbly smile spreads across the older woman's face. "I can assure you that none of us could be more proud to call you our family head."

Diana's heart throbs.

"But... I am not-"

"Perhaps not this year," Anna goes on. "But surely in time."

Diana is feeling heat behind her eyes again as she looks around the yard at all of these familiar faces, the people who had raised her when her parents no longer could. She doesn't want to cry in front of them. She wants to be strong if she is to lead them one day.

But although her tears are not visible, they are somewhat audible.

"Everyone... you have my deepest thanks..."

Every last one of them bows their heads. They'll never accept anyone else.

With all else said and done, Anna ushers her mistress back inside to get some rest. Akko is still holding firmly to Diana's hand as she follows, mumbling a farewell to Andrew as she passes.

As Diana and herself are led back inside, the mansion has a different feeling to it now that it did before. Rather, Akko recognizes it's she herself emitting that aura.

It's the feeling you get after something you've been anxiously anticipating is over. Everything looks a little duller, sounds a little quieter. Her senses are draining as quickly as the energy in her body, but she uses the last of her strength to hold tightly to Diana's hand.

All the walk back, her girlfriend doesn't lift her head. Akko knows Diana is lost in her own thoughts. She's about to speak up, just to say something, when Anna beats her to it.

"Miss?" She turns to look Akko directly in the eyes. "I do hope you understand I will be providing you with a secure room to spend the rest of night in."

Akko's jaw drops, and she closes it with a pout.

"Fine..." /I don't care how secure it is! I'll find a way to get back to Diana!/

But before she can begin to start plotting ways to escape, Anna brings them to a halt outside of a very familiar room.

"Miss," she says to Akko. "Please keep quiet for the rest of the night and prepare to depart in the morning."

It's Diana's room.

Anna opens the door and allows them in with a small smile on her lips. Akko sighs in relief and flashes her a grateful look. Anna must know as well as she does that Diana can't bear being alone tonight.

As the three of them walk inside, Anna begins preparing two sets of sleepwear for the girls, while Akko helps Diana remove her cloak.

Diana only speaks to thank her maid for the clean clothes, then disappears into her bathroom to change.

When Akko finds herself alone with the older woman once again, she stiffens as Anna grunts for her attention.

"I trust you understand this is not the time for funny business, Miss. The Young Lady truly needs someone she can lean on."

"I know that," Akko pouts. "And of course no funny business! I'm not a hooligan, you know! I'm gonna take care of her as best I can..."

Anna must be able to sense the truth in her words, because she stops teasing her.

"And for that, I am most grateful. You are permitted to do what I cannot. You are able to assist her when I inevitably cannot be present. Therefore, you must do everything you can for her in my stead."

"I will," Akko swears. "But I'll do it for myself, too."

Anna nods in approval at her for the first time.

As soon as the bathroom doors open and Diana emerges in her blue nightgown, Akko takes her turn to change. She all but wrestles her way out of her dirty clothes and into the cleaner ones in under thirty seconds just so she can be with Diana again a second sooner.

By the time she reenters the main room, Diana is dismissing her maid for the night.

"You have my thanks, Anna. For everything. Goodnight."

Anna dips her head.

"Goodnight, Young Lady. Should you require anything at all, please do no hesitate to call."

"Thank you."

Just before Anna leaves, Akko catches her eye and sends her a silent message:

/Don't worry! I'll take care of her!/

Anna nods one last time. Only then does she exit and close the doors behind her.

As soon as Akko and Diana find themselves alone once again, Diana turns away toward her bed, extinguishing all of the lights in the room until the only thing left to see by is clear moonlight. She sits herself on the edge of the bed facing the window and looks up.

The silver moonlight paints her skin in an ivory glow, her alabaster hair highlighted with stardust, her blue robes ruffled like the feathers of doves.

An angel. She's truly an angel.

Akko almost feels timid in approaching her now, as though touching or talking to her might cause her to vanish. But she makes her way over to the bed and quietly sits herself beside her.

Akko doesn't know how much Diana is ready to handle just yet. Therefore, she resorts to the bare minimum of resting her hand over hers. Diana's fingers twitch slightly at the contact, but she soon turns her palm upward so she may thread her fingers with Akko's.

It hasn't even been a full minute since Anna left them, but when Akko looks up to her girlfriend's face, she finds fresh tears dripping down. It makes her start to cry as well.

"Diana..." Her voice slips into the silent air as a whisper, a plea. "Diana, don't... don't cry-"

But no sooner than she makes the request, Akko herself breaks down anew. She ducks her face into Diana's shoulder and loops her arms around her, softly but firmly.

"I'm sorry it turned out this way... I'm sorry..."

For a long moment, the only sounds in the room are of Akko's stifled whimpers. But it isn't long before she feels an arm being draped around her back.

"As am I," Diana murmurs. "I am... sorry for worrying you, Akko. It was never my intention."

"That... doesn't matter," Akko sighs. "You... Your dream-"

"Was perhaps postponed for the time being," Diana murmurs. "Perhaps I was still too early."

Her words elicit a rush of nostalgia in Akko. It's just like what she'd heard from Professor Ursula at the Fountain of Polaris.

She and Diana haven't lost their dreams. They just need to keep striving towards them and grow a little more before they can reach them.

Now that Akko understands this, she lifts her head and finds Diana smiling up at the moon. And it isn't a forced or a pained smile. Akko can tell right away it's a real one. She can't help but smile, too.

They dry each other's tears and draw their legs up onto the bed. Leaning forward, their noses brush.

They kiss beneath the silver moonlight, softly and quietly.

With the tears at a standstill now, they pull the blankets down and get settled underneath.

Akko waits for a moment, wanting Diana to rest however is most comfortable for herself first. Only then does Akko sidle close and curl up beside her.

Diana wraps her arms around Akko's shoulders, brushing her palms and fingertips along her cheek, jawline, and neck.

In turn, Akko hugs her waist once again, pressing close to her stomach. She knows she probably made Diana sore on that insane broomride, so now Akko tries to assuage some of the pain away by kneading her fingers gently into her sides and back.

Diana places an appreciative kiss on her forehead.

All her life she's slept alone in this bed. Even on nights when she'd been especially desperate for company, for comfort. Right after her parents passed, Diana had suffered awful nightmares and didn't sleep well for months.

It's almost as though having Akko with her now is like the universe's way of compensating for all those night she'd spent crying alone.

This is one of the first few times they've slept beside one another since the commencement of their relationship. After all, there were only so many opportunities to sneak into the other's dorms when their teammates were elsewhere for the night.

And during those times, neither Akko nor Diana truly slept soundly, for there was always that constant possibility that they could be found out. And they could never enjoy it fully, because one of them would have to be up and out before sunrise. There was always a rush or a risk.

But not tonight.

Despite the hectic events that had transpired, Akko wants to enjoy this as much as she can, and she wants Diana to enjoy it as well. As much as she possibly can after everything that's happened.

Presently, she looks up from her spot cuddled into Diana's chest, seeking her face. Her eyes are still open, staring blankly out the window, glazed over from thoughts and memories.

When Akko lays her ear against her chest, she can hear Diana's heart still beating quickly, as though she's experiencing everything from tonight all over again. Akko rubs her palms up and down her girlfriend's back with care.

"Diana...?"

The only response is a shaky breath on her end.

Akko squeezes her a little tighter and speaks a little more loudly.

"Diana?"

With a gasp Diana snaps out of her trance. Easing herself back a few inches, she looks down at her girlfriend.

"My apologies. Is there something you need, Akko? I can-"

"I need you to calm down," Akko says firmly. "And get some rest, Diana."

Her words allow Diana to realize just how worked up she's allowed herself to get again. For Atsuko Kagari to be asking someone else to calm down...

Diana's chest deflates with another long sigh.

"I'm sorry..."

Akko's too surprised to reply right away. She's only ever heard Diana speak so informally a few times before. Only when she's truly upset, truly tired, and truly being honest.

Akko pulls herself closer, covering every inch of Diana's body with her own.

"It's okay. You don't have to apologize, Diana. That's... the last thing you have to do right now." She nuzzles into the side of her neck, planting soft, tiny kisses across her skin. "You need to take it easy. Rest, Diana. You can think about everything in the morning. But for now..." She blinks up at her with imploring eyes.

Diana exhales again as she meets her fiery chestnut gaze. She knows Akko is right.

Diana cradles her close and kisses the top of her head.

"Akko-"

"Shush," Akko mumbles. "No more talking. I'm not gonna sleep until you do."

Diana sighs again. She has plenty more she wants to say to Akko, but she supposes most of it can wait until morning.

But there is one thing that can only be said now.

"Goodnight."

With this, Diana closes her eyes.

Akko allows the comment, shifting herself just a little to kiss Diana's lips one more time.

"Night, Diana."

She returns to her prior spot, cuddling warmly into her collar, wrapped in the blankets and in Diana's embrace.

Likewise, Akko hugs her close as well and keeps to her vow not to fall asleep yet. She keeps her eyes open, looking at the splashes of moonlight painted on the wall.

She can't help but pout just a little bit. Part of her is still upset Diana wasn't able to fulfill her dream.

/She could have! She would have been able to if her Aunt hadn't interfered! It's not fair!/

But her anger doesn't last long. In spite of it all, Diana had seemed rather accepting of the outcome, so Akko can't allow herself to get mad about it. She lets out a sigh as well.

/Well... at least this way, I'm bringing her back to school. No matter what. If she can't live her dream of being family head yet, then she can keep living her dream of becoming an even more amazing witch than she already is!/

Once Akko has made all of these decisions in her mind, she realizes Diana's pulse and breathing have slowed down a great deal. Just to be sure, Akko whispers for her.

"Diana?"

But there is no response whatsoever. For Diana to not reply to her can only mean she is indeed asleep.

Akko has to relish it for a few moments.

Of the few nights they've gotten to spend together in the past when they could fall asleep together, Diana had never been the first to go. Akko always ended up falling asleep first. She never got to enjoy the feeling of giving her partner that privilege, of allowing Diana to fall asleep feeling safe and protected.

Akko nestles into her shoulder and takes a long moment to appreciate it all: Diana's porcelain skin, her cascading white hair, her ivory nightgown, her steady breathing, her tranquil heartbeat.

Everything about her is so soft in this moment, so peaceful. There's nothing for her to worry about, nothing for her to think about, nothing for her to be upset about.

Akko wishes Diana could be this at-ease all the time when she's awake too.

/I'll do my best to help her whenever I can. No matter what./

With this silent vow she yawns, unable to keep her eyes open any longer.

Akko curls herself snugly in Diana's arms, leaving the hectic night behind them, and leaving everything else for tomorrow.

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A/N: I'm still upset the show never let us see Akko and Diana return to the estate after Diana failed to complete the ritual. Can you imagine what we missed? Akko and Diana quietly, slowly flying back, Diana won't even lift her head, all the while Akko's trying to think of something to say. It would've made for such a good scene in the anime...

So I did my own version and added 10 pounds of fluff.