After covering up the broken window with some cardboard we borrowed from the arts and crafts club, and explaining to Jamie how it had broken—which included sitting through a lecture from him, mostly directed at Becky, about not using our powers in school—we all gathered around the table to start our club meeting.

  I was preparing to bring up everything I’d been meaning to talk about—the loss of my tail and cat ears, and the strange cat that seemed to be peacefully dwelling inside my body—but before I could say a word, Jamie spoke up first.

  “I know this is sudden, but I’m going to be gone for a few days. I’ll be going to Olympus to help with an urgent matter,” Jamie said.

  Everyone looked at him curiously. I must’ve had a confused look on my face because he immediately turned to me and continued, “Right, sorry, you don’t know. Olympus is the realm of the gods, basically where they all live.”

  “That makes sense,” I replied simply, doing my best to push down all the questions swirling in my mind after hearing that explanation.

  Amanda glanced at Brian, worry on her face. “That doesn’t sound very good. It’s not often we’re called there. Is everything okay?”

  “It’s nothing you should be concerned about, and I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to,” Jamie responded with a shrug.

  “That’s not fair,” Aya pouted. “You get to go on a secret mission in Olympus while we’re stuck here.”

  Jamie smiled awkwardly at her comment. “Trust me, it’s not like I don’t want you guys to come. It’s just…never mind.”

  Aya crossed her arms, clearly frustrated. “Whatever.”

  “Can you at least bring me back something cool?” Becky asked eagerly.

  Brian chuckled, thinking she was joking.

  “I’m serious, Jamie,” Becky insisted, her tone pleading. “I couldn’t bring anything back last time we were there. Pleaseeee?”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll try,” Jamie relented, shaking his head with a smile. Turning to the rest of us, he asked, “Is there anything else? I need to get going.”

  “What about my powers? I still have a lot of questions…” I began, but before I could finish, the cat jumped out of my body and onto the table, meowing before curling up and laying down.

  “This cat was in my room when I woke up,” I continued, gesturing to it. “I don’t know what it is, but I think it’s the one that bit me.”

  The group stared at the cat. Amanda reached out and petted it, and the cat clearly enjoyed the attention, moving closer to her.

  “Relax,” Jamie said, his tone reassuring. “The girls will help you figure it out while I’m gone. Also, I want you guys to take care of any demons that pop up, alright?”

  That’s it?

  I tried to suppress my mild annoyance at his response. Aya, Becky, and Amanda all agreed to his request, promising to protect the city while he was gone. I followed suit, making sure to let him know I understood too.

  “Great,” Jamie said, standing up from the table. “I’ll see you all in a few days.”

  “Good luck,” Aya said, offering a small wave.

  “And stay safe,” Amanda added, her concern evident.

  “And don’t forget my souvenir! Oh, and what they said,” Becky chimed in.

  Jamie smiled softly at all of them, then turned to me.

  I was still a bit upset at how he had brushed me off, but it wouldn’t be right to let him go without saying anything. For the most part, he’d been really kind to me.

  “Get back soon,” I said.

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  He nodded and left the club room, leaving the four of us alone.

  “So, what now?” Aya asked, leaning back in her chair with her one good arm behind her head, clearly bored.

  “We could go train,” Becky suggested.

  The cat perked its head up in response, stretched and yawned, then hopped back into my body.

  The rest of us shrugged, considering we had nothing better to do. With that, we headed out.

  ---

  Atop a large building downtown, I sat and gazed at the evening sky, the orange hue of the setting sun coloring the clouds. A calm breeze blew through the air, making the warm weather more bearable.

  Next to me was Becky, munching on a leftover sandwich I had from earlier that morning. In her lap, the cat was curled up, lazily napping as usual.

  Clank. Clank.

  Amanda's staff fell to the ground, bouncing a couple of times before coming to a stop at our feet. It dissipated a moment later.

  In front of us, Amanda was on her knees, breathing heavily as she tried to catch her breath. Aya dissipated her sword and held out her one good arm, which Amanda took gratefully, allowing Aya to help her back to her feet.

  “You did good,” Aya said. “You’ve gotten stronger. Obviously no match for me, but still.”

  “Thanks... You seem even… faster than before,” Amanda replied, still panting a bit.

  “My turn!” Becky exclaimed, hopping to her feet, causing the cat to tumble off her lap. Aya stepped aside and clapped hands with Amanda, signaling that they were tagging out. The cat, clearly annoyed, waddled over to my lap and resumed its nap.

  Amanda came to sit beside me.

  “You did good,” I told her with a soft smile.

  “Thanks,” she replied, returning the smile.

  She then opened her palm face-up. There was a flash of light before a small bottle appeared. She removed the cap and drank it.

  “What’s that?” I asked curiously.

  She finished drinking and responded, “Just an elixir I made. Medicine, to give me back my energy.”

  “That’s awesome,” I replied, impressed.

  “It’s really my strong suit. I’m not the best at fighting, so I like to focus on where my talents lie—healing,” she explained, setting the empty bottle aside.

  “That’s smart. Instead of trying to force something that wasn’t meant to be,” I said.

  She nodded and smiled softly. “Oh, they’re starting.”

  In front of us, Aya and Becky stood a few feet apart. Aya had her good arm held forward, her sword pointed at Becky. Becky had drawn a bow. It didn’t look like an energy construct, more like a physical bow. Both girls nodded at each other, signaling the start of the spar.

  Aya rushed forward at Becky so fast that I couldn’t see her move. Then I realized—I forgot to channel energy into my eyes. Once I did, I could process their movements. Aya was faster than she’d been with Amanda. Maybe she knew Becky was stronger?

  Becky jumped backward, narrowly avoiding the swing that Aya had made as she closed the distance. Midair, Becky drew her bowstring, and a thin, white arrow appeared along the line. She released it, sending the arrow flying toward Aya. But Aya was ready. She swung her sword, cutting the arrow in half. It shattered and dissipated into the air.

  Becky landed on the ground, planting an open palm. Then, in the same smooth motion, she burst forward at Aya, who stood ready, waiting for the next move. As Becky closed in, she swung her bow. Aya met her bow with her sword. The two weapons clashed, sending sparks of energy flying with each strike as they each took turns swinging and blocking.

  After one of Aya’s relentless swings, I expected Becky to block again, but instead, she jumped backward into the air, away from the strike. Aya dashed forward and threw her sword at Becky. Becky barely had time to react, but she managed to deflect the sword, though it sent her off balance. When she landed, she hit the ground with a thud, her body skidding slightly, her bow landing a few feet away.

  Aya didn’t hesitate. She continued charging forward, a new sword manifesting in her hand. She ran toward Becky, her sword raised to strike down at her as Becky scrambled to recover. But just as Aya reached her, she froze.

  Becky, who had appeared to be struggling a moment ago, quickly got to her feet as if she’d never fallen. A grin spread across her face.

  Amanda and I exchanged confused glances before we turned our attention back to the fight. Suddenly, white divine energy rope constructs shot out from her feet, wrapping around her and binding her up completely. Her sword dissipated, and she was stuck.

  I looked down at where the ropes had come from and saw it—a small piece of paper that Aya was now stepping on. But when did that get there? Then it clicked. When Becky landed the first time, she lingered just a little longer than what would be normal, palm flat on the ground. It must have been a trap she had set.

  Aya gritted her teeth in frustration, and Becky turned to pick up her fallen bow, walking over to it with a smirk. Aya, meanwhile, had already reconstructed her sword. This time however, It floated in front of her, carefully cutting through the ropes one by one, autonomously.

  Becky, who had just picked up her bow, turned around to face Aya. But by the time she did, Aya was free. Becky looked stunned, clearly surprised at how fast Aya had gotten out of the trap.

  In a split second, Aya was in front of Becky. I didn’t even see her move, even with my enhanced perception. Aya held her sword to Becky’s throat, a wicked grin playing on her lips.

  “I win,” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.