Reincarnated As The Villainess's Best Friend

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice betraying the concern gnawing at my chest.

Lucy rose to her feet, her eyes narrowing. Her left arm hung loosely from her shoulder, and when she stood, she leaned more to her right side.

"Where is it?" she asked, raising her chin up. The castle was right behind us, but the Wyvern was headed back to the city.

Upon sighting the creature, Lucy dropped to her right knee and slammed her right palm on the earth.

"Dark Affinity: Verspertilio Invoco."

No matter how many times I heard it, the sound of a Dark Affinity spell always sent chills down my spine.

Just like before, a thick black mist appeared from Lucy's hand, seeping into the earth below us.

At that moment, the earth began to rumble, the sound reverberating all around us. The ground cracked open, unleashing two massive Hellspires, their bat-like wings glinting in the sunlight.

I couldn't tell which looked more terrifying, the Wyvern or the Hellspires, but I fought the urge to blast both monsters out of the sky.

The Hellspires shot into the air, heading straight for the Wyvern, as if they already knew what the mission was. I only hoped they also knew not to kill it.

As soon as it caught wind of the Hellspires, the Wyvern turned around, choosing to face them head-on. It unleashed a piercing shriek, which was quickly followed by a long column of fire.

The Hellspires, reacting quickly, went below the blaze. With their long sharp claws, they sliced at the underside of the Wyvern. Their claws failed to penetrate the natural armor of the Wyvern, but it did peel off a few scales, which was enough to send the creature into a panic.

It rose even higher, reaching as high as the clouds above. When it noticed the Hellspires on its tail, it flung its tail around violently. It managed to strike one of the Hellspires, but both remained in hot pursuit.

Finally, one of the Hellspires caught up to the Wyvern and sank its claws straight into the most vulnerable part of the Wyvern: its wings. The creature let out a loud shriek and tried to shake off the Hellspire, but it was no use. The Hellspire held on fast, slowing down the larger Wyvern.

Soon, the second Hellspire caught up, and, sinking its claws into the other wing, put a complete halt to the Wyvern's ascent.

All three descended from the skies, the clouds parting to give them way. The Wyvern pinned between the two Hellspires, trashed it's tailed about , desperate to free itself.

The Trio descended our way, coming to a full stop right in front of Lucy.

Just like that, the battle of the beasts came to an end.

Brief as it was, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and almost found myself supporting the Wyvern.

But anyway, it was finally time for the second part of Lucy's plan.

Stepping up to her feet, Lucy marched towards the Wyvern, determined to end this. I moved to a spot behind Lucy, to properly witness whatever she does next.

As she walked over to the Wyvern, the monster let out one final breath of fire. Lucy flinched.

"Wind Vacuum!"

A sharp gust blew forward from my hands, piercing through the fireball and slapping the monster. The creature let out one final wail, then lowered its head.

Lucy stepped up to the creature and placed a hand on its neck. Right afterward, she closed her eyes. For a moment, all was still.

I assumed...

The ground quaked again, shattering my line of thought. It shook and vibrated in powerful tremors, the same way it would when Lucy was summoning another creature.

The Earth split open, revealing another major crack. But this time, nothing came out.

I was wondering if her spell was botched, when Lucy stepped back from the Wyvern, limping to the new crack, then she placed her hand on the edge of the new crack.

"Dark Affinity: Redi Domum"

A black mist emerged from the hole, stretching out like a rope. It wrapped itself around the Wyvern and pulled it back into the hole. Within seconds, the three creatures vanished within, and the earth beside it sealed shut.

Wow. Lucy's plan actually worked.

Spent, she rose to her feet once again, staggering towards me. Her hair was soaked in sweat, and her hands trempled with every move. She was one spell away from keeling over. But, for the first time in what seemed like forever, I saw something pretty rare.

Lucy was... smiling.

"I told you it'd work," she said, her breath quick.

"I never doubted you," I lied.

From the beginning, I hardly understood what Lucy wanted to do, but I was glad I put my faith in her.

"Let's go," she said.

"One last thing..."

I turned to the rest of the city. Half of it was still in flames, which were rapidly spreading all over to the untouched sides. When half the city was made of wood, one wrong flame was all it took to raze it all down.

Citizens were running amok, trying to save whatever they could from the fires before they were ruined forever. Children cried in the streets, unable to find their parents.

I had to help them.

I lifted my head up. The skies were mostly clear, except for a few stray clouds strolling over the horizon.

A few pathetic clouds were hardly enough to fulfil my plan, but Spring was almost at its end, and a few weeks from now, it would be Autumn.

I needed more clouds. A lot more.

I turned my head to the West. The ocean was somewhere in that direction.

I had one try. If I botched this, Greehold gets a flood instead. No pressure.

Raising one hand in the same direction, I breathed a spell.

"Weather Affinity: Atmospheric Manipulation."

A powerful gale blew from the West and with it, large grey clouds appeared in the sky, blocking out the sun from view. Within the clouds, a low rumble of thunder could be heard.

Good enough. One more.

I brought my palms, together. Then, I closed my eyes.

"Weather Affinity: Evening Rain."

A drop fell on the back of my palm, then two, then the rain fell in earnest. Not a storm, but a calm drizzle, washing over the entire city.

The fires disappeared, their raging flames now replaced with smoke, but even those faded as well, leaving behind a small cloud of mist which rose into the air.

The smell of ash in the air was replaced with the scent of petrichor, and the cries of the people turned to joyful whimpers and songs of hope.

I sighed. It was over.

"Alright," I said. "Let's return to the castle."

When I failed to hear a reply, I quickly spun around.

Lucy was sprawled out on the floor. Unconscious.

My stomach dropped. She'd pushed herself past her limit. Again.