In shadow and light: waltz of souls

Several days had passed since Aya last took control of Leticia's body.

She hadn't said it out loud, but…she missed it.

At first, she thought it might be a relief—being just an observer. No need to worry about how to move, how to breathe, or how to hold her posture. But over time, she realized just how unbearable it was. She felt trapped.

Leticia sat at a table, reading a book, while Aya simply…waited.

This is so frustrating.

She couldn't move, couldn't pick anything up. Her fingers no longer felt the texture of paper, no longer sensed warmth or coldness.

She felt lonely. She missed the wind on her face. She missed the warmth across her skin when she sat in the sun. She missed the taste of food. I can't even say I want my body back, because I have no body anymore. This realization hit harder than she had expected.

"Leticia…" she spoke up.

Leticia gave a slight start and closed her book.

"What is it?"

"I want to feel something again."

Leticia blinked.

"You mean…?"

"Yes," Aya interrupted. "Give me control."

Leticia hesitated.

"Are you sure? Last time… it happened without warning."

"But now we know we can control it," Aya said firmly. "I just want to feel—even if just for a little while."

Leticia paused a few more seconds, then nodded.

"All right. Let's try."

Aya waited impatiently for that moment. It had been days since she last directed Leticia's body, and she missed that feeling. Today, she finally had the chance again.

"Okay, you can take over," Leticia agreed at last. "But be careful."

Leticia quietly left the house and slipped behind it, so no one would see her transformation. Aya sensed her consciousness flowing into control of the body. Her fingers clenched into fists, her breathing steadied. She could move again; she felt alive again.

Aya headed into the city, looking around with curiosity. Until now, she'd seen the city only through Leticia's eyes, but now she could explore it herself. She strolled along the streets at a leisurely pace, taking in the buildings, the people, the bustling markets. Everything was so bright and colorful, so full of life. Merchants shouted for customers, and people bustled about, discussing the latest news.

Before long, she realized someone was following her. It was a different sort of gaze than she'd felt before—something new. Glancing discreetly over her shoulder, she saw several strangers keeping their distance, but clearly on her trail.

Leticia, she called silently, someone's following us.

I see them, Leticia replied. We should scare them off. Turn down that dark alley.

Aya swallowed hard but did as advised. She turned into a narrow, dimly lit lane, away from the crowds. The strangers followed her, until one of them finally called out.

"Hey, gorgeous, new in town?" a man said with a smirk.

Aya tensed, but tried not to show it.

"We're just curious," another said, stepping closer. "It's not every day we see such an unusual beauty."

Aya felt her heart pound faster, her fingers trembling slightly.

"What, too good to talk to us?" a third man sneered. "We only wanted a little conversation."

Leticia… Aya called out in her mind, feeling fear lock her joints.

Easy, Leticia replied. Give me control.

Aya felt Leticia's consciousness pushing hers aside. Her short golden hair began to darken, and her sky-blue eyes abruptly shifted to a deep crimson, like blood.

The men froze, stunned by what they saw. Moments ago, they'd been facing a timid, defenseless girl—but now there was someone else entirely.

"W-what the…?" one of them stammered.

Leticia stepped forward, a slight smirk curling her lips. Shadows at her feet began to writhe like living things, twisting into shapes that resembled snakes or slender, grasping hands.

One of the men took a step back, but he still wasn't ready to run. He wanted to show his strength, but his body refused to obey. Fear gripped his limbs, making each breath a struggle. Another of them scanned for an escape route, his fingers trembling as he reached for a weapon.

"Was there something you needed?" Leticia asked, her voice soft but with a chilling note of madness, undercut by an aristocratic sort of haughtiness.

"W-who are you?!" one of them yelled.

Leticia's smirk deepened, letting the shadows tighten around the strangers like a predator about to strike.

"Oh, just passing through," she said casually.

"M-mage!" one of the men shouted. "Damn!"

That was all it took. They froze for a split second, horror twisting their features. Then, as if on cue, they bolted out of the alley, nearly knocking each other over in their haste.

Leticia relaxed her shoulders as the shadows receded. Their whispers faded, merging with the alley's darkness. She felt her consciousness retreat, allowing Aya to come forward again.

Aya resumed control, still somewhat breathless from what had just happened.

"That was…awesome," she admitted.

"Let's hope they learned their lesson," Leticia replied. "Now we'd better leave before we attract any more attention."

With a soft laugh, Aya nodded and hurried out onto the sunlit city street again, glad she'd had the chance to see the world from a new perspective.

But Leticia felt something just then.

"This…"