A friendly magician

Yuma just extinguished the eastern city with Baa.

While walking through piles of corpses, she notices something moving.

One of them must still be alive.
He doesn't try to hide. He clearly looks at her and climbs out of the pile.
Yuma just watches until he gets up.

He is bleeding a lot. Without help, he will probably die soon anyway.
But Yuma is surprised. If he just stayed hidden, he would at least have had a chance to survive this. She wouldn't have noticed him.
Maybe he's just stupid, but she still admires his courage.

Why?

She thinks about killing him. But she hesitates.
A guy like him seems interesting to her.

Why did you do this?

Thanks. I wouldn't have noticed you. I really almost missed you. So I guess, it's time to finish it.

Wait! Just tell me...

Don't worry, it won't hurt. You won't feel anything.

He falls to the ground.

Baa?

He was just too weak. Baa didn't do this.

But Yuma starts to feel compassion for him.

After a while he wakes up. He seems confused.

Why? Did you heal me? Why?

You still wanted to know, didn't you?

He starts to cry.

Everyone is dead! You killed everyone I know. And now you're bringing me back to life to make me suffer even more?

Don't worry. Your friends and family didn't have to suffer.
I'm not a magician like you. I don't let people suffer for days.

So you already experienced something like this?

Everyone was killed. My parents weren't even witches. But the magicians killed them anyway.

He tries to calm down. Despite her actions, he feels kind of sad for her.

I see.

Magicians hate witches. And just because we're living in the same place as witches, they hated us, too.

Oh, so it's revenge?

I want to kill every magician in the world.

So you'll kill me, too?

Yeah, but if you can help me, I might let you live.

Just until I'm not helpful to you anymore? I saw what you did to them.

...

It's fine, you don't have to answer.

Yuma isn't sure, what to say. He must already know.

You're just a young girl who doesn't know any better.
Not everyone is like these, but how could you know?

He gives her a hug.

But...

I know. They are all dead. My family, my friends.

Yuma really starts to feel regret.

And you're not mad at me?

I am. I just...

He has to fight to hold back his tears.

It isn't really your fault. So I'll forgive you.

Yuma knows it is her fault.

You... you forgive me? You really forgive me?

Yeah.

Yuma can't believe it.

That's the only way I might be able to stop you from doing more harm, isn't it?

Yuma gets mad.

So you just want to save your fellow magicians.

No, it's already too late for that.
I'd really like to help you.
My fellow magicians are already dead. I don't really care for anyone anymore.
I thought, maybe... we could even become friends?

You... would want to be my friend?

Yeah, if you want us to be friends...

No, you just want me to spare your life.
You're not going to be my friend.
You'll just wait for the right moment to kill me.

Hm... if you think so...

You're just scared. You think, I'd kill you if you aren't my friend!

Wouldn't you?

Yuma hesitates.

Feel free to leave. I won't kill you, I promise.

Are you testing me? If I stay anyway, I can be your friend, but if I leave, you just kill me, right?

No, just leave. I don't want you close to me anymore.

I'm not going anywhere!

You're just scared. You think, I'd kill you if I find out, you're not really my friend.

Yeah, that's what you're testing. Your test just doesn't work. But to be honest, I don't think you would kill me. You didn't kill me yet, you even helped me.
If you wanted to kill me, you would have killed me already.
So why didn't you?

I was really hoping you'd be my friend, but...

Okay, if you really want me to leave, I'll do you this favor.
I trust you not to kill me. And if you do... whatever. You already killed anyone I know after all.

He starts to walk away.

Don't leave! I'm sorry.

The boy stops and turns back to her.

You'll really stay with me?
After all I've done?

Yeah, I'd prefer to stay with you. I can't just start a new life after all of this...

Yuma smiles. She's happy. She never had a friend before.
All her efforts have finally paid off.

Would you like to go to my place. Is it still intact?

Baa!

Sounds like it's not destroyed.

They start walking to his place.

By the way, this is my demon. I normally call him Baa.

That name is fitting. So you are a witch in the end.

Yuma nods.

And can you also heal or revive everyone? At least my family and friends maybe?

Not if they're already dead.

He gets sad again.

Am I right, Baa?

Everyone dead! No heal!

Oh, you're very talkative today.

The boy can't hold back his tears anymore and strats sobbing.

They should reach his place soon.