Chapter 8

"Now that we have your measurements Jane, let's find you some nice underwear!" My twin says, her violet eyes shining brightly, making me shrink back a little.

Even Eliza's eyes are bright with anticipation. That dangerous feeling is even more intense now. I don't even have time to say anything before both girls leave the changing room in a flash. When the curtains flapped open for a second, I catch the pitying gaze the Miss employee send my way.

Ah. I'm not the only one having a bad feeling about this uh?

They came back less than two minutes later, arms full. My eyes widen at that. Did they take the whole shop and bring it here?

"Hehehe, there's so many things that would suit you! Try this first !" Anna smile widely, showing what she have in her hand.

It's a simple white underwear with a bra and panties, a little pink bow on the front of each. I narrow my eyes at her. It's suspicious. With how excited she was just before, I'm surprise with how simple and 'safe' it is.

I take it in my hands and stare at the two girls. That stand-off last a few second before I lift an eyebrow. They both tilt their head with a mock innocence.

"So? You plan to stay here while I change?" I ask, my tone flat.

"What's the problem? We're all girls. And you may need help with the bras." Eliza state matter-of-factely.

"Eliza. I wore bras before. Out now! Both of you!" I counter with a deadpan face, pushing them on their back out of the changing room.

They both giggle mischievously after whining with a 'Aahw'.

Seriously. Let me have a little private moment will you?

I shake my head, exasperated, and work toward trying out the underwears she gave me.

It fit perfectly. And it's so so so comfortable. Yes. Three times 'so', that's how much it's great.

Looking at the mirror in the changing room, I can't help but nod my head.

"So how is it?" My twin's voice ring behind me as she peek her head through the curtains.

I jolt and turn, my face burning, glaring at her. My ears are flat on my head and my tail is swishing anxiously behind me.

"Anna! Don't scare me like that! Jeez." I pout at her while she's giving me a amused grin. "It's great. Give me a few like that and it'll be fine"

This time it's Eliza's head that poke through the curtain, just under my sister's.

"No no, you need other types as well! Here take this one!"

She show me another pair of underwear. And my face just burst red.

This time it's... barely a few pieces of string and fabric tied together. Be it the bra or the bottom.

"No-" I start to refuse, but she doesn't listen to me and just hanged it in the room. I stare at it for second and decidedly ignored it. Not minding at all, she gives me another set. This time it's way better, a little like the first one but in black with a white bow.

After those few tries, I get swept by a whirlwind of various type of set, avoiding most of the sexy ones.

Almost an hour later I'm out of the changing room, dressed again in my hoodie and sweatpants. I have a bag where I kept what I liked the most. But I refused to show them and pushed them out of the shop before paying for everything.

Of course I asked if I could wear one set before paying. And it feels so much better than just a simple chest wrap and boxers.

"C'mon Jane! Show us what you brought!"

While we walk towards another part of the mall, the two girls keep pestering me to show them. But there's no way I'll do that.

Eliza bend a little until her lips are near my ears and whispers in them.

"If you tell me, I'll show you mine when we go back" Her tone is calm, like she didn't just propose something outrageous.

My eyes widen, my face burning and my ears are sent in a twitching frenzy when I feel her breath on it.

"R-reserve that f-for your lover ! Is it that fun to tease me?!" I whisper back, my voice trembling and indignant.

She doesn't answer but just nod seriously, making me half hide my face with my free hand. She smiles and straighten herself.

I sigh in relief when we finally reach another shop, this time full of women's clothes.

My eyes shine at the displays and my tail is swaying happily behind me.

I can finally shop here without shame!

I'm giddy. If it was before I would need to order clothes online. But now it's not needed anymore.

I don't wait for Anna and Eliza, I just run straight in with a wide smile. They look at each other, smiling softly, before following me in.

I'm a bit dizzy by the array of nice clothes in front of me, but it doesn't dampen my excitement. I go from rack to rack, looking at various pieces of clothing.

After a little while I have almost ten different clothes in my hands. Skirts, pants, blouses or simple shirts. Cardigan and turtlenecks.

I rush toward one changing room, eager to try out what I got.

"You'll show us right?" Anna's voice ring outside of the curtains.

"Of course! Just wait here! But still, don't forget to get some clothes too Sis!" I answer with cheer in my voice.

I decide to start with an outfit I know I will love wearing.

First is an oversized taupe-brown sweater slipping lossely on my shoulders, baring them and creating a wide neckline that showed my collarbone.

The sleeves are long and reached until they cover almost my whole hand.

After that is a high-waisted black leather skirt well cinched at my waist with a small and thin black belt closed by a silver buckle. That skirt reach just before my knees.

Under it is suspender straps that connect to sheer black stockings.

On my feet are black heeled ankle boots. The heels aren't too high though. I'm not used to that.

That outfit screams cozy and maybe a little gothic. But I love it.

I decide to show that one to the two girls waiting outside eagerly. I push the curtains aside and stand in front of them with a smile.

"Tadaa! So how is it?" I ask them, taking a pose with my hand as a victory sign.

All I hear is a gasp coming from Anna. They are both staring at me, eyes wide open, their gaze roaming up and down my body. I'm pretty satisfied by that reaction. Serves them right to always tease me whenever they want! I'm just a little concerned by Anna's reaction. Her eyes are flickering from their usual violent and her vampiric red.

"This... Jane, are you trying to seduce girls?" Eliza ask, since my twin seems to have lost her capacity for talking.

I tilt my head to the side, making my ears do the same. Anna takes a step forward, her breathing a little heavy and her eyes flickering between the colours even faster, but Eliza hurriedly grab her arm to stop her from going further ahead. I look at my sister while frowning in concern.

"Are you alright Anna?" I ask, trying to take a step forward. But Eliza stops me before I can.

"She'll be fine. Why don't you... Try another outfit now? This one is great but you have other ideas right?" Eliza answer with a strained smile.

I'm not convinced by the white-haired words but I still nod, sending a last concerned look at my dear twin before disappearing behind the curtains of the changing room.

"... lost control ...! ... don't want ...a scene in public... do you?!"

I can hear Eliza's whispering something to Anna, but most of the words are muted by the curtains. I'm confused but they aren't alone so nothing should happen to them. With a sigh I start to rummage through the pieces I took, I want to show them at least one more special outfit before buying a bunch of casual clothes.

This time it's a white one piece gown going all the way to my ankles, lavender patterns flowing in front. The bodice is snug around my chest with some lavender patterns on the side. The sleeves are detached, going all the way to my wrists with ruffled cuffs. A dark purple belt cinches my waist, closed by small heart shaped silver buckle.

Since my shoulders are bare, I complement the dress with a pale pink cropped jacket that I let lose without putting my arms in the sleeves.

I once again get out of the changing room and this time the reaction isn't too exaggerated. They still stare hard though. I shake my head with a giggle and go back behind the curtains.

A few minutes later we are all paying for our choices. But we have to wait a bit for the shop to modify the clothes. We need to be able to fit our additional body parts after all. They told us it would take one hour top, so we decide to wait in a café not too far in the mall.

We sit down near a big window. Since that shop is right against the edge of the mall, the window has a view toward the outside. Precisely beyond the city walls.

I can see something shimmering above those walls. It's the 'Dome'. It's the protection humanity created to make cities and important locations safe. Beyond that? Wilderness. Devastated lands.

When those dungeons and monsters started appearing thousands of years ago, humanity was on the back foot. They lost land after land, retreating years after years. The awakening didn't exist at that time. Well, not as complete as now. People aged eighteen and more still got new powers, race, magic or proficiencies. It's actually only because of them that we have a partial peace. At least in cities.

They created everything we know about magic and fantastical things. But they never managed to stop dungeons from appearing, monsters from being born.

Nobody really know why those started to pop-up everywhere.

I wonder. If one day someone could end all that... Will we accept it? Will humanity accept going back to before those powers?

Probably not. At least not everyone. There will always be someone drunk on power. Imagine not being able to control the 'weak'? It would be impossible for them.

"..Ne. Jane? Are you alright?" My sister's voice rang in my ears, tone laced with concern.

It make me break out of my revery, tearing my gaze of the Outside. I look at her and see her frowning, anxious. I just smile before taking a sip of my tea.

"I'm fine. I'm just impatient to start the Academy. I want to be strong to protect you both." I answer, still smiling. My voice is gentle et full of the determination I feel.

They both smile and Anna put her hand on my head. I eye her warily but she just stroke my hair, taking care of avoiding my ears.

"Stop saying that, you don't need to protect me. We'll protect each other." She answers me with a fond smile.

"There's no need to worry about me either Jane. But... We may have trouble forming a party to dive into dungeons... I didn't tell you both, I always missed the opportunity, but I may be attending Euclydia Academy... I got an invitation." Eliza add to the side, but the end of her sentence is tinged with sadness.

My twin and me exchange a look for a second and we smile broadly.

"That's great! Congratulations Eliza! But you don't have to worry about that!"I say with a mischievous smile on my lips.

"Uh? Why?" She answer, confusion written all over her face.

"Because we got invited too silly. That receptionist we told you about? She got seduced by Jane so she gave us invitations to take the entrance exam" Anna says with a giggle.

"Hey! Don't give wrong information Anna! Aaah.. We do indeed have invitations. But that's because apparently there's only one of my race in the whole wide world. So they want... To kinda keep an eye on me I guess. Well, they asked for reports on the characteristics of my race. And she promised to let me be free, just enjoying the Academy." I answer Eliza while sighing, pinching my silly twin's cheek as she giggle.

"That's... That's wonderful." Eliza sighs of relief, even her voice show how worried she was about not seing us that long. "I thought I would have to party with people I don't know."

"You would have been fine anyway! You are always so calm and approachable Eliza! Even when we were younger. I don't think I would have been able to talk to you if you didn't come first." I smile at her, stretching my hand to take hers.

She smile softly at me and I feel my heart skip a tiny little beat.

Gods she's beautiful.

The rest of the wait passes quickly, filled with laughter. After getting our clothes we decide it's time to go back home. We were putting everything in the car when a sudden explosion made itself known in the distance.

Ears straight on my head, I hear a little 'crack'. So small I'm almost sure I heard wrong.

Then a sound like glass breaking overwhelmed the air. On instinct I look up and see it. It's the Dome. It's cracking, huge tears runs through the whole magic construct.

Less than a second later it finally gives out and shatter entirely.

My eyes widen.

What is happening?! How? It's supposed to be unbreakable. That's the first thing we learn at school!

But apparently nothing is unbreakable. We have the proof right in front of our eyes.

At first nobody react around us. And I almost think it's an illusion. Maybe I'm tired and hallucinating?

But the next instant cries ring out from everywhere. The moment I hear those cries my weapons are in my hands. I see in the corner of my eyes that Anna and Eliza did the same. Eliza's weapon is a bit weird. It's a simple blue orb floating above her right shoulder. If I remember correctly she said it's a 'foci'. I have no idea what that is though.

We barely had time to summon them when a black wolf the size of two humans jump toward us.

It's stopped by a blue shimmering barrier, but it won't stop it for very long. I can already see cracks on it and Eliza's face is strained.

A weirdly shaped ice spike crashed into the wolf's left front leg, screwing it all the way through. It let out a pained whimper, jumping back slightly. But I don't let it go away. Lightning gathering around my legs, I push hard on the floor and send myself toward the monster with my Katana in my right hand and my dagger in my left in a reverse grip.

I pass right besides it and carve a bloody gash on its side. It cries again, louder this time. By pure instinct I throw my dagger high up above the wolf.

"Anna! Try to stop him for two seconds! Eliza! When you see the opportunity, make a barrier under my feet." I cry toward the two girls.

Not even a second after the last sound escape my lips I'm right where my dagger end-up. Just at the moment it starts to drop toward the ground. I'm upside down high above the wolf.

I grip my Katana in reverse, lightning cloaking the whole blade, and I feel something hard right under my feet. It's Eliza's barrier.

I use it as a platform and push against it hard, adding even more momentum to my fall.

It's like a lightning bolt fell from the sky. My Katana and even my whole body go right through the wolf, snapping his spine in two. Even going as far as cutting it totally. Just before hitting the ground, thanks to its body slowing me a little, I throw my dagger again and this time I actively try to do the same as earlier.

I reappear where it landed, rolling a bit further.

Well, seems like the momentum doesn't totally goes away. It worked at least.

I get up while Anna and Eliza run to me. I look around us and see that we weren't the only ones attacked. Various kind of monsters are running amok.

"How? How did those monsters invade the city?! It shouldn't be possible!" Anna screams, panicking.

"I don't know! But we have to help! At least until the army comes to repel those!" I answer, urgency tainting my voice.

Eliza nod. I turn toward a random direction from where I can hear cries and dash. If we don't help, lot of people will die. In our city almost eighty percent of the residents are non-fighters. Yes the awakening does strengthen the body. But if you don't get a linked with a weapon or at least something combat-oriented, you are screwed. If people band together they could repel small monsters.

But a wolf like what we just killed? No way. It would just be a massacre. So it's kind of a 'duty' to help as someone that have skills for that.

After less than two minutes of running we stumble upon a group of people blocked by a dozen of little men with green skin, tattered loin cloth and wielding various rusty weapons. Gobelins. Hateful little creatures. Those little shit captures women to make them breeding mothers to proliferate.

Those are the enemies of all women in the world. But they also just like slaughtering whatever they find, as long as they outnumber it. It's said a horde of gobelins once razed to the ground a city and claimed that territory for themselves.

Sadly it seems we are late. I can see corpses in that group of peoples. Frowning, I gather lightning in my legs and burst forward, reaching the Gobelins from behind. Without waiting for any reaction, I swing my Katana and behead one of them. At the same time my dagger stab into the heart of another from behind.

I have time to kill another two before the rest of them turn around to face me. They are making weird high-pitched noises that are hurting my ears, making them flatten on my head. Can't they shut up?

I wait a bit, wary of any movement from the green midgets, when I hear Anna and Eliza catching up. I motion the right with my tail and it seems like the message got through since a wave of frost washed on that side of the Gobelins. I immediately throw my dagger toward one of them, blinking just in front. I grab it back and spin once to add momentum to the horizontal slash I deliver. Two more heads fly out of their neck.

A dull sound ring on my left. One gobelin tried to slash at me with his rusty sword but a shimmering barrier stopped it. I don't look at Eliza to thank her, I just throw myself back in.

The instincts and knowledge I acquired after the ceremony are working wonder against those half-man. They are, after all, only good at overwhelming with numbers. Our teamwork is pretty good and we don't take a long time to kill most of them. Except one. Its running away. I look at the two girls and they nod. We three start to chase it. It doesn't take long to catch up just as it turn at the corner of an alley. I immediately kill it with a stab to the heart. But when I lift my eyes I'm stunned.

In front of us is an arc made of stones. On the interior of that construct is a weird blue whirlwind of... Something. It seems either liquid or gas.

It's a dungeon. In the city.

"What the fuck is dungeon doing here?!" Anna screams in shock.

"I don't know sis. But it's obviously not good." I answer, brow furrowed.

Over in the distance I can hear order barked, synchronized steps and sounds of fighting. Seems like the army is finally here. I turn toward the two girls.

"I say, we wait here in case something comes out of there. I can hear the army around, but they'll be busy with cleaning up the monsters in the city." I propose.

Eliza put a hand on her chin, contemplating my suggestion. Anna's wings are fluttering anxiously while she's looking around in case a monster ambush us. After a little moment of thinking Eliza finally nods.

"It should be for the best. We may be a bit stronger than the average people. But we aren't all powerful. Stay guard here should be a good idea." She answers with a smile.

I smile too and gesture toward the floor before plopping myself down. I'm tired of running and using my magic and stamina.

"Let's rest a bit then. But stay on your guards."

My twin approaches and sit immediately on my lap. I freeze slightly, surprised by the action, and I'm soon engulfed by a crushing hug, our chests pressing together. She's trembling a bit.

Right, it's also her first time fighting. Must have still frightened her.

I let her hug me and start to stroke her hair with my right hand while she buries her head in my neck. A few seconds later Eliza comes sit besides me and grab my free arm, hugging it tightly. She's not trembling or anything. At least not from her body. But her breathing is heavy and her eyes are restless. I look at her and smile encouragingly. I take her hand in mine without breaking free from her arm holding and caress the back of her hand with my thumb.

"It's alright, we'll have to get used to that no?"

They both nod slightly.

Suddenly the entrance to the dungeon starts to tremble and a suction force gush forth, enveloping us. It forcefully drag us toward it. We don't even have time to react before we're forced to enter that portal, getting sent to whatever is behind it.