Chapter 2

The next blink brought her in front of the mirror. She was holding a brush to her teeth. Odaria must have been getting ready as Saranie could hear Litalsse yell at her.

"We're gonna be late if you don't hurry up Odaria!"

Saranie just brushed her teeth and then spit out what she could. Taking some water to get the rest out before looking back in the mirror. Odaria's hair was in a mess, so she took it upon herself to do it for her.

Even if their hair colors were different, their blue eyes were the same. Taking the brush, she cleaned it up nice and straight. Letting it fall down her back and wave through the air.

Making sure she didn't miss anything, Saranie walked out of the bathroom to meet Litalsse walking over.

"Saranie right? You did a good job. Just grab the bag with the red notebook and meet me at the door." Litalsse pushed past her and started fixing herself up.

Listening to her orders, she grabbed the bag.

---

Falling down, Saranie landed into a chair. Looking around it was the classroom, but none of the students were present. Quickly opening the notebook, she looked at the classroom part.

[In the morning I got papers ready and checked over for the assignments that day. Look for a pile that says 'assignments' and just look them over and make sure there are twenty-four copies each set. If there isn't just write a note for me and I'll take care of it on the next switch.]

Once she saw that, she looked for the pile 'assignments' and looked through them. There were twenty four. It took her a while to verify it and mark them as ready, so she was expecting to switch any moment now.

---

A loud bell rang in Saranie's ears and the students started leaving the classroom. One of the things mentioned on the side of the schedule was the time. Looking at the clock in the room, which she never really noticed until Odaria had written about it, it was time for lunch.

There were detailed instructions of where to get her food. Following the hallways with the red notebook, she found the place where she almost choked to death. Grabbed the prepared lunch in the 'fridge' and ate while looking through the notebook. After all the information, there was a start to a conversation.

[Hi Saranie. So you really can do magic? That is so cool. I have a lot of questions about that, but you said you were in the military. That must have been tough and I'm sorry to hear about that. I know that it is much tougher than the movies or tv shows make it out to be. If you ever want to talk about, just write it here or talk to Litalsse. I've shown her what you wrote, but if you don't want to tell her, just make a note.]

Saranie wrote back.

[I'd prefer not to talk about it. It's good you are curious about mana as your body, or when I'm in control, is capable of magic. I'll try to write when I can later. You are a kind woman. I wanted to say I'm sorry for this. I don't-]

---

The next switch was troubling. She found herself sitting down, but in a much more private place. Saranie was a bit embarrassed to be in this situation. Much more when it wasn't her body.

---

Thankfully that one ended finding herself back at home. Although right now she was quickly looking for the red notebook. She was sitting on the couch and it was nowhere in sight.

She looked under and in many different things, eventually finding it in the bag that Odaria carried with her next to the entrance to the house on the floor.

"A tracking spell will eliminate that."

For something that needed a long duration, she casted the spell with her lifeforce. This will mark it and let her know where it is.

Also noting the strange efficiency when using her lifeforce that gave a rainbow like energy. It smelled like springtime. Quite strange. If she ever got time, then she would need to test it out.

[… really know how this happened, but guessing our souls become bonded is an idea. One I have no idea how to prove or do anything about.]

The rest of the time, she went over more of the notebook attempting to commit what she could to memory. There were a lot of mentions to things she didn't know what they were.

---

"… back. They didn't have any oranges, so we can get them next time. Thank you again for letting me stay at your house."

It was a bit later. Although to make the most of it she went straight into questions.

"Odaria mentioned clocks. I saw the ones at the school and they were similar to ones I've seen. I don't see any like those here." She jumped right into it. Her words came out sounding weird, but Litalsse understood.

"I'll get her to wear a watch. Anyway see this, it's a clock too, just digital."

"Digital?"

"Where you were from you didn't have any electricity did you?"

"Had lightning and spells that act in a similar way, if that was what you meant."

"We were afraid of that. I'll get some books from school so you can take a look for more detailed information. For now I'll just let Odaria write down what she can."

"Okay." Saranie's next job was to look through Odaria's purse so she could learn where certain items were. Like house keys for example and money. "Could you explain how money works?"

"You didn't have money where you were from?"

"We had copper, silver and gold coins. None of this paper stuff. How much would you need for a night at an inn or a loaf of bread?"

"Well-"

---

The whole time, during the night here, Saranie spent looking through the notebook. At the later pages it detailed money and how it worked. From the descriptions, it sounded like she needed a lot just to buy a loaf of bread. There was a note that for now, Litalsse would be handling most of that anyway.

[I just wanted to ask what it is like for. Litalsse mentioned that it was like a fuzzy memory or something when I'm in control. I don't have that, I just jump, blink, to the next moment. It's strange how I'm not tired. Even when I'm awake at night like now.]

---

She was still on the couch, sunlight just barely creeping through the windows.

[It's been getting clear every time. Although I'm a long way from actually getting a clear picture. The last time I heard the word WATCH, it just stuck out randomly. When I mentioned it to Litalsse, she had said she talked about it with you. I'll try talking if I can. Everything is just so fuzzy during those times you are in control.]

Having Odaria point out that weird haze, Saranie tried to clear it up. Casting a heal spell on her mind. It didn't work, so she moved to just breathing and focusing on her thoughts. It was starting to work. She made a note that breathing and focusing worked and Odaria should try it.

---

Walking in the hallway in school, she had no idea where she was. Everything looked the same. It didn't help that there were some eyes looking at her standing in the hallways. She just decided to go straight, but she came up on an intersection quickly.

She picked out the notebook in the open, looking through it for directions. There was nothing there, so she scrambled in some notes for a map. If anything Litalsse might be able to help her.

Saranie went looking for her.

---

She never found Litalsse and now found herself standing in the middle of the children. There was another book in her hands, but she was prepared this time. With a slight pause from the switch, she followed where her thumb was on the page.

"… allowing them to push the invaders out. Verilx's plan relied heavily on the fact the Pacheanie would take those supply caravans and attempt to gain entry into the fort. But for them to sell their trap to the Pacheanie, the soldiers she sent in those caravans would have to lose their lives for this plan to work."

Saranie paused there. It was a sudden pause as it brought up a painful memory from the past. There was a mission where she was sent with six others to sneak in a fort and open the gates. This took place early in her career where she was still new to battles. All the training couldn't really prepare her for a real battle. No matter how she trained or efficient she was, something always went wrong.

Someone she had met, was on the mission. Sedrav was young like her. He believed in this war more than her, due to his family being killed two months earlier. But he had horrible nightmares. They tortured him at night. His cries and wails haunted those who slept near him. Saranie could still hear them sometimes when she lost someone close to her.

As they cut the chains to the gate, his arm got stuck and he was dragged along. She wasn't there personally to see it all happen, but she was the one to cut his arm off. Those around her, herself included, could use healing spells to a degree. Though Sedrav was their main healer.

His screams brought the guard and the gate signified the start of the battle. Debris and spells hit their position hard. As they moved to their exit, arrows pelted them. All their healing couldn't stop arrows or spells from destroying her team.

Falling off the side, she barely caught herself on the walls to slow her fall. Only one other stayed alive with her. Sedrav. He had barely kept himself alive with his training. But it didn't matter as his body was beyond broken on the ground and barely conscious. Saranie cradled him, before ending his life peacefully.

She limped over to where a squad would be waiting for her team.

The thing was, she knew the risks. Although what they were fighting for, she doubted, after watching Sedrav die, she swore to take down all the kingdoms involved.

"Ms. Odaria are you alright?" A couple of the students were asking this question towards her.

Saranie caught her reflection in the mirror. Hate and tears. When she moved her hand to wipe her… Odaria's face, she found a little blood coming out of her hands.

"I'm fine." She took it upon herself to ask a question instead of continuing to read. "What reason would those soldiers give their lives? They knew they would be killed, so why would they give up so easily?"

---

She found herself at Odaria's home. It was still daylight out and the clock said it was just before two in the afternoon. Why wasn't she at school?

Looking for the notebook, she found her right hand had a bandage over it.

[I'm not sure what to say here. If you don't wish to write or talk about it, I understand. Litalsse had taken over for me, so don't worry about that.]

[It was my fault for letting my emotions get the better of me. I healed your hand and I'm sorry about all of that.]

Saranie didn't feel like doing anything else for that switch. Just huddling under a blanket.

---

When Saranie came to, her head became fuzzy. The world around her felt like it was churning in strange directions. Her sense of touch was left alone. Letting her feel Litalsse's hand on her shoulder. She was muffled, but Saranie could understand what she was saying.

"What's wrong?" Litalsse was starting to panic.

"I'm alright. It's Saranie by the way."

Based on how everything was, it looks like they were eating dinner. A full plate of meat and vegetables. Saranie couldn't believe her luck and started tasting everything in front of her.

"Whoa slow down. What was that?" Litalsse was still worried.

"What? I was just a little dizzy, is all. This stuff is amazing!" Even if her head was still fuzzy, this food was beyond amazing. In the back of her mind, she knew there was something to do, but couldn't remember it.

"Alright… Well you can thank Odaria. She made everything in front of you."

Next time she was going to be writing a big thank you to her.

---

[It's alright. There's a lot that happened to you. I want to thank you for fixing up my hand. It was starting to itch like crazy.]

Saranie read Odaria's reply. It was night time again. On the same couch in front of the TV.

[I want to thank you for dinner. It was a grand meal, fit for royalty. You have no idea what it meant to me being able to eat all of that. I know I ate really fast, so I used a spell to help with digestion.]

Even if the spell would wear off in a minute, it should have done enough in that time so she wouldn't be having terrible things happen next time she had to go.

She spent the rest of the time thinking about how her being in someone else's body would affect them. Clearly her emotions could have impacted Odaria's position in the school. If Saranie lashed out at the students, she could already see a terrible outcome.

---

[If I find a way to separate us, I will take it right away. I don't want to ruin your life. Afterall I'm just the invader and this is your body. Once I can think clearer, I plan on testing out my new lifeforce and seeing if I get rid of myself with no harm to you.]

It did hurt to write something like that. She was after all not looking for a way home, but to end her life instead. Sure the world around her offered many amazing and wonderful things, but it wasn't hers. Not her home, friends, acquaintances or even her body.

She just lied back down and closed her eyes waiting for the next moment she would appear.

---

"… think she meant it that way." Litalsse must have been in mid conversation with Odaria on their way to school that morning.

Saranie noticed the bandage was still on her hand even though it was fine and healed. She guessed it was due to how public that injury was and since magic didn't exist.

"Sorry about your conversation with Odaria. I just switched in."

Litalsse seemed to pause for a moment before walking back with Saranie.

"Did you hear what we… Odaria showed me what you wrote last night. What did you mean about 'getting rid of yourself'?" Litalsse asked her. That pause in the middle of what she said was more of a sigh than anything else.

"I meant what I meant. I was meant to die that day and yet I'm here. Switching from moment to moment in your friend's life. From all the hard work in the notebook and how she seemed to go crazy at the thought of me taking over her body, she's a sweet woman. Her life doesn't need to be ruined because I'm here."

"Odaria is a wonderful friend, but she did freak out over you. She thought she was going crazy. It isn't to say that in the last couple weeks she's gotten to understand whatever is happening a bit better. Ever since-"

---

Their conversation ended there before it could go on further. Now she was in class and the students were hard at work. Saranie felt the mark from the notebook, found it, then opened it up.

[Saranie, please don't do anything rash without talking to us. I want to be clear with you. When I first started having these strange things happen to me, I was scared. I didn't know what was going on, let alone the reason for it. Once Litalsse saw you use magic, well I calmed down a bit. That being due to what I thought it might be before. But with magic, that meant you weren't me. Not the crazy mind me. So I treaded softly when dealing with you. I wanted to be nice and at least make sure you weren't some evil alien or wizard as Litalsse said. Until yesterday, when I could feel your pain when I switched with you, I knew you were just like any other person. Things happened to you, terrible things, and you were thrown in the same situation. Both of this is happening to us, but we can work together, with Litalsse too, and find out what's going on.]

She could understand that now. In the notebook some of the notes weren't being written out of care, but treading carefully around an unknown threat. Saranie thought Odaria was trying to be understanding with her note, but instead was afraid of treating her like she was dumb. Afraid for her life.

Due to how fuzzy her thoughts were, she couldn't see it then. Now it made sense. Although Odaria was quick to accept this and wanted to protect Saranie now, she couldn't in good conscience let this happen any longer. Once she was out of school, it would be time to work on it. She could only hope she remembered.

---

As Saranie switched again, she was standing in the doorway. Looking around the other teachers were cleaning up and heading her way. She quickly opened the door and walked out.

Quickly reaching for her notebook, she found the notebook. Looking it over, she found the map and followed it towards the classroom.

With no one to talk to or time to read in the notebook, Saranie wandered the halls. There were a few children that passed by her, none talking to her or mentioning anything different. It made Saranie feel nice knowing that she wasn't attracting attention.

Eventually she passed the school library on her left. Based on the notes and that Saranie was soon going to switch, she took a quick peek into the library. Shelves and shelves of books placed around the room. It made her think of how the students sat.

There were a few students in there and two teachers. Actually one of them had to be the librarian from what Saranie guessed. He looked to be an older man sitting there in the chair behind some counted reading a book.

The students and teacher group were doing some projects. That was all she could make out before Odaria took over.

---

The next moment she heard a bunch of conversations around her. Looking around at the big building she was in. On the ground floor, she could see two more levels above her. People walked past holding bags and chatting with each other.

This new place had a lot of glass. That was easily seen right away. Around where the walls should be, were shops. From clothing, to accessories, games or something similar, music and even food.

"This is the mall Saranie. Odaria needed to get out of the house. With how things had been going, I thought you both needed to get out. Fresh air and all that."

Litalsse was already holding Saranie's hand. It let her follow along quietly. She was at a loss for words. The city she grew up in had a market. It was just along the road and the center of town. Nothing as big as this existed.

Even if she wanted to visit a market in the other cities, by the time she arrived it was all destroyed by then.

"I was thinking that you might want to try on clo-"

---

Saranie sighed as she found herself at home sitting in front of the TV. Litalsse was next to her with her head lying down. She must have fallen asleep with Odaria.

Odaria must have been really tired, because Saranie was too. She could barely keep her eyes open. So she just lied back down, falling asleep.

One thing she did notice was the watch around her left wrist. It would come in handy for the future.