Several days had passed since Aya last controlled Leticia's body.

She hadn’t spoken about it aloud, but deep inside... she missed it.

At first, being just an observer seemed fine—no need to worry about moving, breathing, or posture. But as time passed, Aya realized how unbearable it was. She felt trapped.

What made it worse was that Leticia had spent the past few days reading a book she had found in Martha's sister's shop.

Leticia sat at the table, deeply immersed in reading, while Aya simply... waited.

"This is so frustrating."

She missed it. The feeling of the wind on her face. The warmth of the sun on her skin. The taste of food.

"I can’t even say I want to return to my own body. I don’t have one anymore."

The thought hit harder than she expected.

"Leticia..." — Aya’s voice echoed in Leticia’s mind.

Leticia flinched slightly and closed the book.

— What? — she asked cautiously.

"I’m bored," — Aya said in a whiny tone.

Leticia blinked.

— And what do you suggest? — she replied. — Should I strip and dance for your entertainment?

"Well, if you’re offering..." — Aya teased with a smirk in her tone.

— Don’t even think about it, — Leticia shot back flatly.

"Then let me borrow the body," — Aya said quickly.

— You mean...?

"Yes," — Aya interrupted. — "Let me take control."

Leticia hesitated.

— Are you sure? Last time it... just happened.

"But now we know we can control it," — Aya replied firmly. — "I just want to feel again. Even if it’s just for a little while."

Leticia fell silent, thinking.

"We’ve done nothing but read this book. And when we went outside, I barely got to see the city," — Aya added, sounding genuinely longing.

Leticia sighed, glancing at the closed book.

— Alright. Let’s try.

Aya’s heart leaped. It had been days since she last felt alive, and now she was about to reclaim that sensation.

— But be careful, — Leticia warned.

Leticia stepped outside and moved behind the house, ensuring no one would witness the transformation.

Her dark hair shortened and lightened, turning into Aya’s familiar golden strands.

Aya could feel it—her consciousness slipping back into control. She felt the weight of the body, fingers curling into fists, lungs expanding with steady breaths.

She could move again.

And with a bright smile, Aya headed toward the city.

***

Aya reached the city in just a few minutes. For the first time, she could see everything through her own eyes, not just as an observer. She walked leisurely through the streets, admiring the buildings, watching the crowds, and taking in the bustling markets. The city was vibrant, colorful, and full of life. Vendors shouted as they advertised their goods, merchants bargained loudly, and townsfolk discussed the latest gossip. Aya’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

— Leticia, look! — she exclaimed aloud, pointing at a man across the street.

A vendor behind a stall was grilling skewers, flames dancing from his hands as he cooked the meat with his own fire magic.

"What’s so special about that?" — Leticia asked, confused. — "He’s just cooking."

— Yes, but look how he’s doing it! It’s incredible! — Aya said with genuine amazement.

But the joy of exploration soon faded—Aya suddenly felt it. A gaze. Someone was watching her. Not a casual glance—it was intentional, focused. Aya glanced over her shoulder, trying to act casual. And there they were—a group of strangers. They kept their distance, but it was clear—they were following her.

— Leticia, — Aya whispered, feeling a shiver down her spine. — Someone’s following us.

"Understood," — Leticia’s voice sounded calm. — "Lead them into a dark alley. We’ll scare them off."

Aya gulped but nodded, trusting her partner. She turned into a narrow alley, where the light dimmed, and the crowds thinned. The strangers followed. Aya’s heartbeat quickened.

— Hey there, sweetheart, — one of the men called out, his voice dripping with a mocking tone. — New in town?

Aya didn’t respond, but her hands trembled slightly.

— Don’t be shy, — another man stepped closer. — We just wanted to chat. It’s rare to see someone like you here.

Aya’s breath hitched. Her feet faltered.

— Leticia... — she whispered.

"Stay calm," — Leticia’s voice came through. — "Give me back control."

Aya closed her eyes. And then— The change began. Her golden hair darkened, lengthening into silky black strands. Her sky-blue eyes turned into a deep, blood-red hue. 

The men staggered back. Just a moment ago, there had been an innocent, delicate girl before them. But now—Someone entirely different stood there.

— W-what the hell?! — one of them gasped.

Leticia smiled, cold and elegant. The shadows beneath her feet began to shift—twisting, writhing, like serpents slithering across the ground.

— Do you want something? — she asked softly, her voice carrying a chilling tone of aristocratic arrogance.

The leader of the group tried to stay composed, but his body froze. The shifting shadows seemed to coil around his limbs, tightening with each breath.

Another man reached for his weapon—

— Who... who are you?! — he screamed, pulling out a dagger.

Leticia’s smile widened.

The shadows surged, taking the form of terrifying beasts—monstrous figures with glowing eyes and sharp claws.

— Just a... — She took a step forward. — Your worst nightmare.

The creatures lunged forward, their teeth bared. 

The men didn’t wait. With screams of pure terror, they bolted, shoving each other out of the way as they scrambled to escape. 

Leticia watched them flee. The shadows receded. But something inside her felt... off. A spark. A pulse of magic. But it wasn’t her magic. It was Aya’s. Leticia’s eyes narrowed.

— Let’s switch.

She felt her consciousness withdraw, yielding control. Aya blinked as she regained control, her heart still racing.

"That... was awesome," — she admitted with a wide grin.

"Let’s hope they learned their lesson," — Leticia replied dryly. — "Now, we should get out of here before we draw more attention."

Aya chuckled softly, stepping out of the shadows and back onto the sunlit streets. For now, she was just another girl in the city— But the whispers of shadows still lingered in the alley behind her.