When she first heard the news of the attack coming for the capital, her stomach sank. The relentless attacks on the Sun Kingdom were constant. It seemed everyday there was new reports popping up across the lands. If there was a time to reveal her powers, it was now. When her country and community needed her most.

Sara took a deep breath as she set the news scroll down on the rickety wooden table in her kitchen. Her roommate Muriel was just finishing up her bath, unaware of the threat to come to her father in the capital. He was the right hand man to the Kingdoms war general. Her family had been serving this role for generations, it was their highest honor. Sara knew that she had to protect her friend and their legacy.

Muriel exited their washroom with dripping hair, humming a sweet tune she learned as a child in the garden. Muriel was one of the sweetest people she had ever met, too innocent and precious for the world she was born into. Sara on the other hand grew up quiet the opposite of her best friend. A life of struggle, famine, homelessness. She spent most of her childhood on her own, flitting from one village to the next. She had no inkiling who her parents were. But the moment she met Muriel in the village library, she finally new what it was to have a family. A chosen family.

Although Muriel was oblivious to the powerful shaman living under her roof, Sara had to come clean now. Otherwise her father could be in danger. She took another deep breath and walked over to Muriel, giving her a gentle smile. “Hey I need to talk to you about something.” Her voice tentative as she stood at the edge of Muriel’s room. Muriel laid her brush down and turned to Sara, the sweetest smile of trust on her face. “Don’t tell me you have to leave for a few weeks again, it’s so quiet and creepy here without you.” Muriel sat on her bed, lacing up her boots with a silly smile.

Sara smiled sadly, knowing her betrayal and secret will be one of the hardest heartbreaks Muriel has ever went through. The use of magic was forbidden in the kingdom, chalked up to lore and myth as the generations passed. The bloodlines of magic slowly dying out or keeping hidden. Sara folded her hands together and shook her head, “I actually have a job in the capital this time…and as much as I hate to say this to you Muriel, I haven’t been honest with you about my job.” Sara bit her lip as she finished talking, watching Muriel’s face change to one of confusion. “What do you mean?” She questioned, pausing her lacing.

“This is not easy for me to tell you. And I can explain more when I get back. But I don’t have the time. There is a planned attack for the capital tonight….the Smoke Clan has made it inland and are headed straight to the war general. I know I told you I do odd jobs here and there with that drunk fellow from the market….but he’s actually my teacher. And he’s not drunk, he only acts it. I’ve been studying magic the last few months. I was born with it.” Sara kept her voice slow and gentle, knowing what she’s saying could put her and her best friend in danger with the law. Muriel’s face stayed confused, her brows knitting closer together as her bottom lip trembled. She knew this would be her reaction. And seeing the fear and sadness on her best friends face felt like a punch to the gut.

“What do you mean you’ve been studying magic. You have magic? How long? What are we going to do? You could get in so much trouble. I could get in so much trouble! My dad will kill me!” Muriel stood up frantically, pacing back and forth and she ran her shaking hands through the wet curly hair around her face. Sara watched her before she spoke again, letting the initial shock wear off.

“I have always had magic. I kept it hidden for obvious reasons. But, the more injustice and pain and death I see, the more i realize I can’t let people suffer when I have the ability to save them…And that’s what I’ve been doing…Have you heard of The Sun Witch?” Sara asked gently, her demeanor staying strong and gentle. She knew Muriel was deeply afraid, any dramatic emotion from herself may send Muriel into a panic.

Muriel sat back down, eyes wide as she stared at her best friend. Realization and shock dawning on her. “Yes…how could I not. She has been the only one saving villages from their attacks…” Muriel trailed off, knowing what Sara was about to say but needing to hear her say it.

“I am the Sun Witch. And I know you have a lot of questions. I will answer them when I can. But right now, an army of dark magic welders are headed to kill the general…and your father. I have to go. Me and Jung are going to ensure that doesn’t happen. We’ve been planning for this. It’s only a matter of time before they attacked our capital. And we knew the war general would be the top of the agenda.” Sara explained, sitting in the chair next to Muriel’s bed. Muriel listened intently, her shock and fear plainly on her face. “I cannot believe this. This whole time I’ve been living with the Sun Witch…the war is real…I thought it was over exaggerating villagers looking for gossip…”She trailed off, wrapping her arms around her torso as the news set in. Her eyes welled up with tears as she stared at the floor, her innocent mind battling to accept the truth.

Sara grabbed her knee with a firm squeeze, offering her a gentle smile. “I’m sorry I hid this from you. I’m sorry I had to lie. I didn’t know what to do. I was trying to figure it out on my own and when I got good enough, I had to do something. I was afraid to tell you Muriel. You don’t need to be wrapped up in this kind of thing. You are too good. But your father is in danger, I could not lie to you any longer. I have to leave now, if I want to make it in time.” Sara stood up, watching Muriel tersely. Muriel stood and let out a small cry as she flung into Sara’s arms, giving her the tightest hug. Much to Sara’s surprise she mumbled in her ear “It’s okay. You have lives to save. Go kick their asses.” She leaned back from the hug, giving Sara the brightest smile. Sara stared shocked for a moment before breaking out into a relieved grin, happy her best friend accepted her.