Everlasting (ch10)

EARLY RELEASE FOR HIGHER-PLEDGING PATRONS! THANK YOU!

Another rather long chapter, but again the only places that would be appropriate to cut it off are too early on or too late and would make the next chapter too short or long. So this one is just longer haha.

Most of this chapter is just the canon dialogue and events, but there are a few lines and scenes I threw in that I think you'll enjoy~

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

----------

											   	Chapter 10. Sharing Secrets

Akko needs more time.

More time to think of a plan to help Diana somehow.

But all she gets is a few moments alone to change clothes, and the next thing she knows, Diana is already set on her path to complete the Cavendish ritual. She'd even gone so far as to leave without telling Akko, in hopes that she wouldn't try to interfere.

But by a stroke of luck, Akko had caught a glimpse of her white robes fluttering at the end of the hallway and hurried to follow her.

"Diana!"

Andrew is already following her too, but Diana pays him no mind either. Akko calls for her several more times, her voice echoing around the stone archways of the underground tunnel. But Diana doesn't respond or look back at all, not until Akko has to quite literally run up to her and shout in her ear.

"Hey, hold on! Just wait, Diana! I said I couldn't accept this! Please talk to me! Are you really okay with making a decision just like that? Won't you regret it?" She extends her hand and rests it over Diana's.

But the white-haired witch does not even open her eyes. She replies with her usual air of indifference, only this time, Akko can sense something else too. Uncertainty.

"As I have already said, this is of no concern to you. The matter is settled."

"W-What do you mean it's of no concern to me?" Akko blurts. "Diana, you're my-!" She just barely manages to stop herself, remembering the other people here. "You're someone I really care about, you know!"

She knows Anna is aware of their relationship, and Andrew has an inkling, but Akko feels it's only best to censor herself anyway. Despite that, she knows Diana understands.

And yet, she continues onward, without so much as looking back.

Akko won't give up so easily.

"But-"

She feels a light tap on her shoulder and looks up to find Andrew silently asking for a turn to speak to Diana.

"You are right in that Kagari Atsuko is an outsider-"

Akko growls, about to turn on him before he goes on.

"Despite that, she traveled a long distance simply to speak with you. Can you not at least hear her out?"

Akko gives a sharp nod, then opens her mouth, intending to add onto his comments.

But Diana beats her to it.

"There is no time for that."

Once again, Diana continues on ahead without looking back. Akko hurries after her, her heart in her throat. She knows with each passing second she's losing more and more of her chances to change Diana's mind. Her tone rises up in desperation.

"Diana! Think it through! Isn't there anything you've left undone at Luna Nova?"

There is a beat of silence. Akko watches the white materials of Diana's robe sway as she walks, and then suddenly she pauses. Akko's heart lifts, praying she'll turn back-

"No even one."

Diana's answer is firm and clear. There is no stopping her.

She walks onward, and leaves Akko behind.

Of course, it pains Diana greatly to treat her this way. But her resolve is unflagging and unshakable. She cannot feel anything other than her own fierce desire to see this through.

At long last, the doors are in sight. She follows Anna's candlelight to reach them. With a spell, Diana coaxes the doors open, then turns to her loyal maid.

"Please take care of things until I complete the ritual."

"Of course, Young Lady."

Diana offers a small smile and dips her head in gratitude. She can already hear Akko's footsteps running down the staircase after her.

Diana moves swiftly to slip herself through the doors and defiantly closes them behind herself. She can still hear one last cry of her name on the air before all is silent.

Diana is still for only a moment in order to collect herself. She cannot allow her mind to wander back to thoughts of Akko or to Luna Nova. Though she is certain her determination to become the next Cavendish family head is solid, she refuses to let even a bit of that resolve crumble away. She's going to need every ounce of it.

But she knows she has precious little time for this. She can sense the moon's position and judge it by the light leaking down. She draws in a deep breath and continues forward, resisting the urge to finally look back.

It isn't long before she finds herself at an impasse. The pathway she must follow is missing a significant portion. But she's prepared herself. She has thought this through, although perhaps not in the exact ways Akko had hoped for.

Diana crouches down and one by one extracts the magical stones from her sash, arranging them in a circle around herself. It is only appropriate that she use a secret art passed down through the Cavendish family in order to aid her in completing their sacred ritual.

"Loperial Ral!"

As soon as the vines have manifested and wound around each other to create a sturdy enough path to bridge the gap, Diana advances. She barely spares a second to test the strength of the vines before crossing, keeping her balance steady and her eyes set ahead.

She's just reached the other side when she hears something.

It takes her a second to register what it is, scales slipping over the vines-

It's a second too long.

With a vicious hiss, the snake lunges before Diana can even breathe a word of a spell to counter it. A second serpent appears from behind her, striking at the same time. It shoots its coils around Diana in a split second, the hard scales digging in where they touch her bare skin, the taut muscle constricting first around her legs, then her waist and shoulders.

"Th-These snakes... they're my aunt's-"

Another hiss sounds from above her as the serpent tightens its grasp. Diana can barely manage half a breath before darkness consumes her.

----------

Akko won't stop sighing as she leans over onto the stone balcony, gazing distractedly out at the manor. Her mind replays fractions of what Anna had told her when she'd turned them away.

/Gem of Venus... Venusian eclipse... Ugh, who cares about all that? Something's definitely up! Diana can't just leave Luna Nova behind like this! What's she gonna do for the rest of her life if she's stuck here? What about... What about us...?/

"Thinking about Diana?" Andrew's voice cuts off her thoughts. Akko snorts and doesn't even turn to look at him as he goes on. "Why do you want to take her back with you? Is it just because you have an interest in her?"

"Of course not!" Akko rounds on him right away, a vehemence in her voice. "You think that's all I care about? That's only part of the reas-" She quickly slaps both hands to her mouth when she realizes what she's revealed. Andrew shrugs.

"So my assumption was correct. You do have feelings for her.

"I-I never said-"

"Don't worry. I have no plans to expose you two. But even so, is there another reason you want to bring her back? Despite how you've been accusing her, Diana isn't the type of person to act on a whim or without reason. This choice of hers must have come after thorough deliberation."

"I know that..." Akko mutters. "I know she's that type of person. That she's probably been thinking about this for weeks before she left, but..."

"Plus," he continues. "Her stubbornness won't allow her to go back on her word. Isn't there only one reasonable option? You have to respect her feelings."

"That's not it!" Akko's tone rises a peg as the churning in her stomach enhances. "Everything you said was right, Andrew. But I still can't accept it! Something's wrong with Diana just quitting school!"

"Isn't that just your own selfish desires speaking?"

Akko clenches her fists and ducks her head, teeth grit.

"Maybe it is... But I can tell Diana doesn't want to quit school. Even if she won't talk to anyone about it... Not even me... After all, we were-" Again, she stops herself, then changes the course of her words.

"Didn't you say it yourself? Diana would never abandon something halfway through. There's no way she came to Luna Nova without wanting to graduate. So why would she just go and drop out?

"Sure, Diana could do everything from the start, and maybe there wasn't anything left for her to learn. But Diana wouldn't have come to Luna Nova if she didn't have a reason! She was researching the Words and Grand Triskelion... There must be at least one thing she wanted to accomplish! Something important to her!"

She's been mulling it over in her head all this time, so it's all too easy for her to blurt it out now, almost all in one breath.

This is much bigger than hers and Diana's relationship. Of course, Akko believes Diana is pained at the prospect of leaving her behind with Luna Nova, but Akko knows there's so much more to it than that. She just can't comprehend what.

As the echo of her desperate voice fades, Andrew speaks up once more.

"You said she could do everything from the start? I'm not surprised you would think that. But there was a time when Diana became completely unable to use magic."

For a second, Akko's sure she'd misheard him.

"...Eh?" /Th-There's no way. Not Diana-/

"It was back when we were children," he explains. "I'm not so sure of the details myself. All the adults were talking about how Diana might never use magic again."

It's almost beyond Akko's comprehension, that Luna Nova's top student had once been unable to wield magic.

"But now she's-"

"Right. She never gave up. She forewent playing with the children her age. All her time was wholeheartedly devoted to the practice of magic. Not even I know what lit such a passion in her."

It takes Akko a moment to absorb this information. She turns back to the balcony, allowing the wind to brush through her bangs and ensure her this is reality.

"I never would've guessed..."

/She never told me any of this... We barely get to be alone together, but when we are, all I do is talk about myself.../

"You were right about one thing," Andrew goes on. "There must've been something she wanted to accomplish. Though once she completes the ritual, she'll be the Cavendish family head. It's a road she alone can take, and she's elected to do so."

"That doesn't mean she has to-"

"Wait, Meryl! Come back!"

Akko cuts herself off and turns at the sound of two irksomely familiar voices.

"Are you sure about this? Mama told us to wait in our room."

"But she's going up against Diana, Maryl. I'm worried about her being alone."

"Well so am I..."

"Crap!" Akko can tell they're just around the corner. There's only one way for her and Andrew to go. They share a swift glance and come to the silent agreement.

Simultaneously, they each hop up onto the stone railing and lower themselves down to a small ledge below. Akko would've transformed them both into lizards or something like that if she'd had the time. But for now, she simply sucks in her gut and presses herself full against the rock wall as she listens to Diana's cousins.

"I hate that girl. She's not the slightest bit lovable. She's always been like that, even as a child. If someone had to do it, I would've."

"There's no way you could beat Diana, Meryl."

"I know that!"

For a second, there's silence.

/D-Did they leave...?/

But then a chorus of matching voices.

"Mama!"

/Crap! This lady again!/

"Goodness, didn't I tell you two to wait in your room?"

"I couldn't stand being cooped up in there!"

"So how did it go?"

"Hmph. It took me hardly any effort, of course."

"Wow, Mama!"

"But Mama, don't forget what Diana's like."

"Yeah, she should still be able to break through lesser magic."

/Break through?/ Akko thinks. /Wh-What's that supposed to-/

"Don't you worry," Daryl continues with that same egotistical tone. "Nobody can escape the grip of my snakes. Forget about performing the ritual – Diana will run out of time before she even reaches the shrine. I'm already anxious to see the look on her arrogant little face come tomorrow morning."

This time, Akko and Andrew both let out a small gasp.

But Akko's shock instantly melts into fury. She feels it boiling hot in her stomach, beside something equally as passionate.

Fear.

/Diana.../

Now that she knows Diana is in danger, she can't afford to waste anymore time.

Akko doesn't even wait for the three women to leave the balcony. She hurriedly begins sliding herself along the ledge until she can drop down. She takes off running, not even bothering to check if Andrew is coming or not.

/Why, that sneaky old hag! I should've known she'd try to pull something like this! I have to get to Diana before it's too late!/

She's only vaguely aware of Andrew's footfalls behind her as she races back down through the very same corridors she'd been sent back through. She dashes as quickly as her legs can carry her, flying down the small staircase and running as hard as she can until the massive doors are in sight.

Seated beside them on a diligent vigil is Anna, who is taken aback by Akko's sudden arrival. She hastily stands to meet her.

"Miss... Wh-Why did you return this late at night?"

"Please! Diana's in trouble! You need to let me in!" Akko's ready to barge her way in even without permission if she has to.

"What? What ridiculous-"

"It's the truth." Andrew reaches them, his voice much more level-headed than Akko's, but still tight with concern.

"L-Lord Andrew?" Anna looks back and forth between the two of them.

"We overhead Daryl speaking with her daughters. She did something to prevent Diana from performing the ritual."

Anna's eyes widen.

"Madam Daryl did?"

Akko can tell Anna is taking them seriously now. She knows Anna won't stand for anything putting Diana in danger, so she jumps back into the conversation in hopes of swaying the older woman.

"She said Diana wouldn't even be able to reach the shrine. It's just past this door, isn't it? You have to let me through!"

But despite Akko's desperation, Anna shakes her head.

"I cannot. It is our custom that only members of the House of Cavendish may pass."

Akko grits her teeth. /Geez! Are even the servants of this family this stubborn?!/

"This isn't the time for that stuff!" she cries. "Something bad might be happening to Diana as we speak!"

Andrew backs her up.

"This is an emergency. If they really stopped Diana, it'll soon be too late!"

Akko keeps her eyes trained on the older woman. Anna is clearly conflicted now, weighing the consequences between breaking Cavendish custom or acting to help her mistress.

"H-However, it is said that a horrific calamity will befall those who disturb the ritual..."

Akko holds her gaze.

She doesn't blink. She doesn't breathe.

She's actually a little relieved.

If a horrific calamity is all she has to worry about...

That's nothing compared to how worried she is about Diana.

She doesn't waste another second.

Her shoes pound against the stone underfoot as she makes a dash for the doors, ramming her shoulder into them full-force. With a grunt, she pushes herself with all her might.

Since she doesn't know the spell Diana originally used to open the doors, this is the only way Akko knows to do things. She pushes and shoves with everything she has, every shred of strength, allowing her fears to fuel her muscles.

"C-Come on! Opennn!"

Another thud alerts her to Andrew joining in beside her.

"I'll help!"

Together they push, with all their might until they surge through. The doors creak and moan as they open just a fraction, but Akko refuses to waste more time in forcing them any further. She slides herself through the gap and starts running, only to turn back when she realizes Andrew is following her. She straightens her back and holds up her hand to stop him.

"You wait here, Andrew."

"But-"

"I'm a witch too, you know. I'm strong against calamities. I promise to bring Diana back."

And there's something else, something she says with her eyes rather than her voice.

She needs to do this alone. She needs to be with Diana.

She's grateful he understands that. With a smile, he steps back.

"Got it-"

"I've changed my mind!" Anna frets. "The customs-"

But Akko's sick of hearing about customs. She turns on her heel and tears off into the darkened tunnels.

"Customs are made to be broken!"

With this declaration echoing behind her, Akko races down the path Diana had taken.

It's fairly dark, but there's just a bit of light to see by.

Luckily, she manages to spot the broken bridge before she skids right off the edge. She can tell the makeshift portion is made of vines, likely created by Diana.

Gulping, Akko tests its strength with the tip of her shoe, making sure it can handle at least that much weight. When it holds, she pulls out her wand.

"Metamorphie Faciesse!"

The familiar rush of the spell takes over her body, morphing her into a form she's more than used to by this point. She scurries across the vine in her new body, panting softly, keeping her eyes peeled for any signs of-

"...Eh?"

The vine beneath her paws is shifting, swaying. A deafening hissing sound splits the air, making her ears ache.

A massive snake raises its head, blood-red eyes set on her, fangs as long as her body, dripping.

"Kyaaaaaa!"

Akko skids to a halt on its scales and retreats, but the snake's body wobbles beneath hers, sending her skidding, slipping, falling. She grips onto the tip of its tail just as she's going over the edge, and it yanks her up-

-right toward its open jaws.

"Yaaaah!"

Flailing in midair, Akko manages to kick its mouth shut and use it as a stepping stone. It's then she sees the rest of its body, coiled up high, constricting something.

"Over there... Diana!"

She can just barely make out Diana's face from beneath the scales. She's unconscious, entirely helpless in her aunt's trap.

A fresh wave of defiance and determination swell up and over Akko.

With a grunt, she dodges another of the snake's strikes, then another, and another. All three lurking serpents reveal themselves, taking turns trying to swallow her whole. If she's bitten while in this form, the venom will kill her instantly.

So Akko changes forms into something a little bigger.

First a bird to fly above their vicious heads.

Then something a little bigger than that.

For once, it's a good thing she can't fly as an elephant. She drops her entire weight down onto the head of the snake holding Diana, making the bridge all but rattle.

"How's that?!"

Akko watches as its coils go slack one by one. Diana slumps limply out of its grasp and falls, concealed by her hair and cloak.

"Diana!" Akko shrieks. "Are you okay?!"

She's so worried about her that she allows herself to get distracted. The other two snakes strike, sinking their fangs into her ear and nose respectively.

"Ow ow ow!" Akko cries out, feeling the sharp sting of the fangs puncturing her skin, then the acidic burn as they start pumping in their venom. Even still, she fights. "You call that poison? It's got nothing on Sucy's!"

Once more, she changes forms, until a sturdy turtle shell takes the brunt of the bites instead. But not a second later, Akko finds one of the snakes swaying back and forth right in front of her face, jaws parted wide. Shrieking and wailing, Akko pulls her head in as far back as it can go.

"Iiiiyaaaaahh!"

And then a fierce green light blocks the snake from reaching her, searing it until it retreats. The others quickly follow suit.

Akko's vision blurs and falters, but she knows there's only one person who possibly could have saved her.

/Thank goodness she's okay.../

Now Diana can go to the shrine and perform the ritual...

Akko's world fades to black as she falls to the ground. She loses her grasp on her spell, and her body reverts back to its proper form.


Meanwhile, Diana catches her breath for a second, her hands still trembling, her body and head still aching. But the sight of Akko lying there motionless sends such a terrible jolt of fear through her heart she can't possibly be still any longer.

"Akko!" Pushing herself up, she races to her side and drops to her knees, laying a hand on her back. "Akko... Akko!"

Carefully, Diana slips her arms underneath her and turns Akko over, holding her in her lap. She's lost consciousness already, and her pallor is dyed a sickening purplish color from the venom.

Diana gently passes her hand over Akko's forehead, clearing away her bangs and some of the sweat. Thankfully she's still breathing, but Diana knows she requires immediate treatment. She dips down to press her lips to Akko's brow, then gathers her into her arms and stands.

Diana heads for the secret hospital hidden nearby, choosing it over the path to the shrine without a second thought.

Akko's weight is limp in her arms. She's unnervingly quiet and still, two things Atsuko Kagari never is.

Diana hurries onward until she reaches her destination.

With great care, Diana lies Akko down onto one of the stone slabs. She looks so weak now, where only a few minutes prior she'd been bouncing all over the place.

Diana swallows back the fear. She can't allow it to consume her. Right now she needs to think and act with a clear mind and a level head. For Akko's sake.

Turning, she faces the many tables and shelves filled with various items. Bottles of liquid and serums, jars of medicinal plants, and small boxes containing various magical items such as stones, seeds, or soils.

All of the potions and items stored here are ones she's studied many, many times. She knows exactly which ones to fetch, exactly how many leaves to use, exactly how many drops of which potion.

In only a minute, she's created a soft paste of sorts, which she dabs onto a leaf, then carries over to Akko in her hand. She sits herself on the edge of the stone table and begins to paint her index finger with it, then traces it across Akko's cheeks, nose, and forehead.

The paste is absorbed into the skin and releases a healing serum into the bloodstream. Diana is certain to cover the worst of Akko's bite wounds, including the one on her right ear. She uses every last bit of the paste, spreading the last of it across Akko's nose before it disappears into her skin.

Little by little, the discoloration fades, and her pallor regains its usual, healthy color.

Just to be certain, Diana presses her index and middle finger against the inside of Akko's wrist to measure her pulse; thankfully, it's at a proper pace.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Diana leans down over her reckless girlfriend and kisses her lips softly.

"You fool. Why did you come...?"

For a moment, she rests her forehead against Akko's, closing her eyes.

Diana knows there is no longer sufficient time left for her to be able to reach the shrine. She sees no point in lamenting over it more than she has to.

Instead, she savors Akko's presence, her heart put at ease to know she will be all right.

After a moment, Diana pulls away and sits herself up, but remains by Akko's side, waiting for her to wake. Quietly, she keeps vigil, stroking her fingers through Akko's hair, brushing the backs of her nails lightly along down her cheeks. She leans forward to kiss her again, resting her hand on Akko's collar to monitor the slight rise and fall of her chest as she breathes.

"What did I ever do to deserve you...?"

Closing her eyes, she bumps her nose to Akko's. She stays there for a moment, until a tiny moan bubbles up from her girlfriend's chest. Akko's eyes flutter open, a breath fanning out over Diana's lips.

"Diana...?"

Easing herself back a little to give her some space, Diana offers a tiny smile.

"I see there are simply no limits to your absurdity," she sighs. "How are you feeling?"

Akko pushes herself up, and Diana keeps a supporting arm around her back.

"I-I'm okay... And sorry. I was trying to save you..."

"I understand," she murmurs. Once more, she rests her forehead against Akko's. "Honestly, every time I feel as though I've grown accustomed to you... you continue to astonish me in unexpected ways."

Her voice is soft, reminiscent. Akko's never heard her sound this way before. But as her memories of where she is now come back to her, she can't hold herself back from blurting out loud.

"D-Diana! What about the ritual?"

At this, Diana's smile fades. Her chest deflates with another sigh.

"Even if I left for the shrine now, the Venusian eclipse would be long over."

Akko feels the dismay grip her stomach like the jaws of those snakes.

"W-What? No, it can't be... Why didn't you leave me behind? Isn't this the whole reason you're here? So why?!"

Diana hushes her by placing her hand on top of Akko's and squeezing gently.

"Akko. You know perfectly well why I could not simply leave you there as you were." Once more, she turns her face slightly, allowing their cheeks to brush together. "I could not possibly have left you to deal with your injuries. Besides, were you not attempting to persuade me not to perform the ritual?"

Akko chews on her bottom lip.

"I mean I was, but..." Her voice begins to crack, heavy with remorse. "Sorry. This is all my fault..."

Diana shakes her head, drawing Akko a little bit closer.

"You hold no responsibility in this matter. I was simply not adequate." Her gaze falls into her lap, as though she is ashamed of herself. Akko shakes her head, feeling the threat of tears.

"No... Diana, d-don't say that..."

The brunette lifts her arms and wraps them gently around Diana's sides. She's careful not to squeeze too tightly, because she can still see the red imprints of scales on her arms.

Diana slowly returns the embrace, pulling her cloak around Akko in the process. Akko presses close, huddling up to her. She lets out another sigh, and feels Diana do the same.

For a moment, neither of them speak.

Akko closes her eyes. Even though she had wanted to stop Diana from performing the ritual, she still can't help but feel upset and angry about the way things have turned out. She can feel Diana's heart beating slowly but heavily, weighed down by her shortcomings. Akko whimpers against her shoulder and dares to tighten her embrace just a little.

After a moment, she eases herself back, opting to change the topic of conversation.

"Hey, Diana? Where are we anyway?"

Diana maintains a loose embrace around her girlfriend, but her gaze lifts to travel across their surroundings.

"This room was once used as a secret hospital. It began in the Middle Ages and lasted through the previous war." Her eyes glaze over slightly, as though reminiscing on memories that were never hers to begin with. "Whenever wars occurred within the vicinity, my ancestors would treat the wounded with their magic. Without discrimination between citizen and soldier, nor discriminating between ally or foe."

"Even their enemies?" Akko parrots. Diana dips her chin in affirmation.

"No matter who they were. Because there were some who did not agree with us, we created this hidden location."

Akko can barely fathom what she's hearing, trying to imagine what it must have been like for Diana's ancestors to have gone to such extents during times of war.

"It's all so much..."

Another moment of silence passes. Diana inclines her head and gets to her feet, helping to support Akko as well.

"Come with me."

Keeping ahold of Akko's hand, she turns and begins leading the way down a quiet corridor, using the light of her wand for guidance.

Diana takes her into a spacious room, circular in shape, its perimeter lined with bookshelves. Water drips down into pools and puddles, and vines hang from the moss-covered walls, covering the ceiling where a dim natural light seeps through.

The vines connect at the top of a massive pillar which stands at the center, giving off the overall appearance of a large, protective tree. The trunk is intricately carved with a sculpture of a familiar-looking witch...

Akko stares in wonder at her surroundings. There's a quaintness to this place. It almost feels sacred. It certainly feels like no one else other than those of Cavendish blood should be here.

"What is this...?"

Diana releases her hand and continues forward, while Akko follows more slowly.

"All 1,500 years of the history of the Cavendish line," she explains. "These books represent the culmination of my predecessors' research about countless forms of healing magic. Unfortunately, many of them have become obsolete with the advance of the medical sciences."

Akko's eyes wander about the infinite books scattered about the place, many of which are withered by water and time. Her eyes travel back to the pillar at the center and the carving of the witch standing placidly over them.

"Isn't she... one of the Nine Olde Witches?"

Diana nods.

"The Cavendish foremother, Beatrix the Witch. Her magic saved the lives of innumerable people. She also created our founding motto, "Affection." We live in a time of peace, and this place has not been used in years. My mother Bernadette worked hard to ensure it would remain this way."

Akko blinks and turns to her. Even though they've been together for several months now, Akko realizes she barely knows anything about Diana. She's only learned so much about her since arriving at the estate.

"Your mother...?"

She remembers what Anna had told her earlier night. Akko knows it is a highly sensitive topic for Diana.

Even now, Diana can't bring herself to look her in the eye as she speaks so fondly of her.

"She had a weak constitution, and after years of pushing herself, she passed away all too soon." She pauses, drawing in a reserved, quiet breath. "I am truly proud of what my mother and ancestors did, and of the Cavendish name. That is why..."

Her voice tapers off, and her hands clench tightly at her dress. Akko watches her shoulders hunch, then begin to tremble along with her voice.

"I wanted to protect it... to preserve this home..."

Diana closes her eyes, fighting the tears back.

She's failed.

She's failed her ancestors and her mother.

And that hurts her like nothing else ever could-

"Eh-?"

Suddenly, Akko slaps her hands onto the backs of Diana's, holding them hard.

Diana jolts a little and opens her eyes, somewhat surprised. But she can't help but be taken aback by Akko's extreme expression, tears welling up in her eyes and spilling down her puffy red cheeks.

"Don't give up!" she cries. "You can still protect this house!"

Diana fears if she looks at Akko any longer she might lose her composure and break down as well. She looks away, taking a timid step back.

"It is already over. There is no chance of making it now-"

"You can't say that until you go! Until you try! There must be a way!" Akko blurts. Her grip on Diana's hands tightens with every word, and she advances the step Diana had retreated, pushing herself closer in her heartfelt earnestness.

But even Akko can tell she's startled her at this point, so she adjusts her tone, softening her voice a little but never allowing it to lose the passion she feels burning in her chest.

"Even after all this time, I had no idea you had such a heartfelt dream. It's amazing! That's a wonderful dream, Diana! You can't just give up on a dream that's so important to you! Protect what's precious to you!"

Her eyes are twinkling, absolutely shining even in this place where hardly any light leaks through. Her cheeks are flushed pink and her smile is from ear to ear.

Diana has never felt such unbridled excitement and passion wafting off of her before. There's always some degree of those things coming from Akko, but never this much.

Diana's heart flutters, embarrassed that she's allowing herself to fall for Akko all over again.

"Akko..."

She can't help but take another small step back. She's been trying all this time to grow accustomed to Akko's mannerisms, but evidently the things Diana's learned in her highly different upbringing still conflict with how she wants to react.

There's a beat of silence once again, and she doesn't know what to say, what to do, what to feel. Her heart is still pounding, and Akko's hands are warm atop hers.

The brunette doesn't relinquish her smile even for a second. She steps close again. While her cheeks are flushed from passion, Diana's are pink for a different reason.

She'd never really known exactly when it was she'd fallen in love with Akko. In fact, it probably hadn't been a particular or exclusive instance. It had been a gradual process, something that happened over time and through multiple encounters.

The display of these feelings may have manifested themselves in a particular unforgettable practice kiss in the library one evening...

But the building-up of emotions had been slow, meticulous, so surreptitious that even Diana had failed to detect it until it had already pulled her in without any intent to let go.

She loses herself in Akko's eyes again now, just like she had that first night in the library, when their lips had timidly bumped together in an experiment that had later become a surefire result.

Diana's hands tremble beneath Akko's. Not out of fear or uncertainty anymore, but out of sheer emotion. Akko's passion leaks into the atmosphere, transferring to Diana, sharing its energy and willpower with her.

Akko squeezes her girlfriend's hands once again.

"And then come back to school too!"

"Eh...?"

"You can do both! Become the head and attend school! That's the best option!"

She says it with such confidence, such ease. Diana has never been so confident in herself; at least not in quite the same way Akko has such intense faith in her now.

"N-No, it would be impossible to-"

"You can do it!" Akko blurts. While this ordeal may be causing Diana's emotions to conflict, it's only fueling Akko's passion.

With a bounce of excitement, Akko bumps their noses together and then their lips, giving her the quickest, yet sweetest kiss.

"If anyone can do it, it's you! Believe in yourself and your heart!"

Diana's hands have been limp in her grip until now. Slowly, she turns her palms up, holding lightly to Akko's wrists.

"Believe in... my heart..."

She can feel heat rising up in her cheeks again until it's pooling behind her eyes. Diana has always been the one to give orders and advice. It's nice to listen for once, to accept someone else's proposal.

With a small gasp she pulls Akko in a step, then releases her hands only to drape her arms across her back.

"Akko... thank you..."

With a soft giggle, Akko happily returns the embrace.

"You're amazing, Diana. You can do this. We'll figure something out. Together." Akko brushes their cheeks together, kissing Diana's temple.

Their moment lasts just long enough for them to relish each other's warmth.

But it isn't long before their attention is drawn to a peculiar light.

It's a sudden brightness in the stationary dimness of the room, glowing green and gold and blue. As the two witches part, they realize it is coming from Akko's hip.

"The staff..." she mumbles. "Is a Word nearby...?"

One second, Diana is just as baffled as Akko is. But the next, everything clicks for her.

"'When traditional and modern powers mingle, the gate to an unseen world will open...' It is a saying that has been passed down throughout the generations. My mother taught it to me when I was very young. Now it is all beginning to make sense..." She tapers off only for a second, her eyes glazing over with memories.

Akko swallows.

"Is that the Fifth Word? The one related to history?"

The white-haired witch nods.

"Akko, recite it! Sybilladura Lelladybura."

Akko meets her gaze, her eyes blazing with a subtle determination. This is her silent signal that she's prepared.

Diana calls out the first word of the spell for her to repeat.

"Sybilladulla..."

"Sybilladulla..."

"Lelladebura."

"Lelladebura!"

The staff begins to surge with light and magical energy as Akko lifts it high above her head. The light shoots forth in a display of color, rising higher and higher into the air, the gems of the rod itself giving a physical form to something that wasn't there before.

Diana can feel her heart in her throat, bewildered and awestruck by this dazzling display of raw magic. She's cast a thousand spells before, and she's witnessed even more cast by others. But she's never seen something quite as magical as this.

It reminds her of her childhood, of that warm summer evening when she'd been bouncing in her seat with Carter watching over her, her eyes glued to the sparkling stage as the audience cheered all around her...

"Oh yeaaaah!" Akko's excited shout pulls Diana back into reality. Her eyes are wide, reflecting all of the lights swirling around the room now, with one massive broom at the center. "It's Chariot's broom, the Shiny Volley!"

Diana recognizes it as well. She'd watched Chariot ride this broom many times, though not in the traditional sense. She'd tended to stand while riding, surfing the air with ease, elegance, and excitement.

Now, that very same broom lowers itself and levitates before her. Akko's voice reverberates nearby.

"Take it, Diana!"

Diana is in awe as she stares. Above them, the ceiling has begun to glow fervently green with light, though she can't see what's beyond it.

"Traditional and modern powers... and a gate to the unknown..."

And her heart is soaring. There's a feeling bubbling up from her stomach, rising into her chest and fanning out until it's spread across her face in a heartfelt smile.

Akko's never seen a more beautiful sight in all her life.

Filled with a sense of enthrallment, Diana mounts the Shiny Volley, curling her legs beneath herself and getting a firm grip. Akko is squealing supportively behind her, her eagerness palpable as it spills into the air. Finally, she can help Diana live her dream-

"Akko."

Blinking, the brunette snaps out of her reverie to find Diana turned to her, her hand extended in an unmistakable invitation, and a radiant smile on her lips.

"Let us go together!"

Without hesitation, Akko reaches out and grabs her hand.

"Okay!"

-----------

A/N: I'll forever be a bit salty that Trigger didn't let us see Diana carrying Akko to safety after she passed out...

I'm sorry I had to cut it off right in the middle of the big climax (though we all know what happens), but there were only two possible places to cut it off, and it was either here, or somewhere else which would've made this chapter like 2k words and the next one 8k. So I split it so they were a bit more balanced word-wise.

Either way, next chapter is still action-packed and has a big original scene of mine as well~