Alethia took a step back, a smirk playing on her lips. "Yeah, okay. So you're in my dream. What does that prove?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
Chris smiled, his expression serene. "All in good time, Alethia," he replied. "Please, have a seat and let me explain the plan the Gods have laid out for you."
Letting out a sigh, Alethia sat down on the soft grass. "Fine," she conceded, her tone tinged with annoyance. "Explain to me my so-called 'Destiny'," she said, air quoting the word.
Chris stood tall, his eyes scanning the magnificent glade around them. "This place," he began, gesturing with his arm to encompass their surroundings, "is a training ground for the Chosen and the Marked. Mostly, it's the Chosen who come here. And you, Alethia, are the most powerful Chosen. You are the chosen leader, the Daughter of the Stars. It is your duty to find the other seven Chosen and unite them. When the four unions are formed, all those who are Marked and Chosen will awaken. Your role is to safeguard the veil and ultimately, vanquish the God of Chaos."
Looking up at Chris, Alethia absentmindedly played with a blade of grass. "Chosen? Marked? God of Chaos?" she questioned, shaking her head in disbelief. "Awakened? What are you talking about?"
Chris knelt down before her, his voice filled with conviction. "The Chosen are individuals selected by the Gods to come together and combat the encroaching darkness. They possess not only formidable physical prowess but also extraordinary mental abilities beyond those of ordinary humans. They are crucial in aiding you to protect the veil so that when the time comes, you can bring the God of Chaos to his knees. The Marked, on the other hand, have a smaller role to play. They are usually skilled warriors or trusted allies in other realms. They are your potential allies or high-ranking officers," he explained, pausing to let his words sink in. "As for awakening, it's difficult to put into words. The way you live in other realms is vastly different. When you witness it, you will be astounded. You'll possess the ability to fight and wield magic, powers that surpass your wildest imagination."
Alethia couldn't help but laugh. "Me? Fight? Use magic?" she scoffed. "Chris, you're delusional. There's no such thing as magic."
Chris's gaze turned stern, the smile in his eyes fading momentarily. "Magic, Alethia, is all around you. You just cannot perceive or feel it yet. But you will. When you awaken, you will be able to fight in your true form and wield magic. You'll be able to defend yourself, stay safe, and be prepared for when everyone awakens."
Shaking her head, Alethia glanced at her wristwatch. "This is a fascinating story, Chris, but you have fifteen minutes before your time is up, and you still haven't provided any proof."
Chris nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Close your eyes and give me your hand, Alethia."
Sighing, she closed her eyes and extended her hand to him. "Are you stalling? What exactly are you planning to do?"
Gently placing his hands on either side of her head, Chris muttered under his breath. A soft white light emanated from his hands, enveloping Alethia. She felt a warm sensation coursing through her body as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Then, without warning, Chris took out a small knife from his pocket and made a shallow cut on her forearm, causing her to recoil.
"What the hell are you doing?" she exclaimed, staring at her bleeding arm in shock.
Chris sighed, regret etched on his face. "I apologize, but this is the only way to prove to you that this is real."
(Back in Alethia's bedroom)
Alethia stood up in her room as the timer went off, her gaze falling on her bleeding arm.
"That bastard cut you. I can't believe him. I'm going to kill him, rules be damned."
Glancing towards the window, she noticed a man leaning against the wall. He had long, black, almost curly hair, dark blue eyes, and pointed ears. "Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my room?" she demanded, her voice laced with hostility as she quickly moved towards the door.
The man looked at her with confusion. "You... you can see me?" he murmured, running his fingers through his hair. "But how is this possible?"
Glaring at him as if he had lost his mind, Alethia retorted, "Of course I can see you. I'm not blind. Now get the hell out of my house before I call the cops. Consider this your last warning."
A smile tugged at the corners of the man's lips as he muttered to himself, seemingly disregarding her threats. "This is wonderful. It's been so long. I wonder if this means you've finally been awakened," he mused, before refocusing his attention on her. "Don't you remember me? It's me, Galen. I'm your older brother in the other realm. I used to watch over you and play with you when you were little. It was my duty to aid and guide you where others couldn't."
Alethia settled onto her bed once more, her mind flooded with memories triggered by Galen's words. The nostalgia of a particular moment enveloped her, as Galen, with his long, almost curly black hair and dark blue eyes, sat down beside her five-year-old self.
"Put that book away, Alethia, and get some rest," Galen advised, his smile gentle.
Pouting, she looked up at him, her bright green eyes shimmering. "But Galen, it's just getting good," she whispered.
Galen's grin widened, though a hint of sadness flickered in his eyes. "It may be getting good, but you need your sleep."
Huffing, she carefully concealed the flashlight under her mattress. "Galen, why can no one else see you and Phraan?"
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he began tucking her in. "You see, Alethia, you are special. When you grow older, you will have a significant role to play. That's why you can see us. But for now, don't worry about such trivial matters. Just get some sleep."
Suddenly, a realization struck her. "Oh, shit, Chris!" She hurriedly made her way to the spare room, unlocking the door. Chris sat on the bed, smiling at her. Shaking her head, she turned away, heading toward the bathroom. She grabbed a cloth, ran it under water, and gently wiped the cut on her arm. "This looks like it might need stitches."
Chris entered the kitchen, silencing the still-running timer. "Don't worry, Galen. I will heal her."
Galen glared at him. "Why did you have to cut her? Surely there was another way."
Chris shook his head. "I will heal her, but you know as well as I do that blood holds a power unlike any other. We've tried other methods to awaken her in the past, but they always failed. Yet when we make her bleed, it seems to resonate with her. Remember the first time? It took me nearly two years to convince her I wasn't some deranged lunatic. I had no other choice, Galen."
"I have witnessed her journey through each realm. This time has been especially difficult for her. When she turned eight, she could no longer see Phraan or me. But we remained by her side, watching her cry herself to sleep when her father moved away. We listened to her tears for months on end, as he stopped responding to her letters. We could do nothing to ease her pain, nothing to protect her during school plays, report cards, or the constant moving from house to house. We stayed because we knew she was special, our sister. In the other realms, she was shielded and cared for. But here, she has no one to keep her safe." Galen ran his fingers through his hair, his face etched with sadness. "Why did you awaken her so early this time?"
Chris took a seat. "This is the final cycle. She needs to be prepared. The God of Chaos will likely attempt to manipulate her once more, to bring her to his side. If he succeeds, all realms will be doomed. She hasn't fully awakened yet; she won't possess the power for major magic. But she will regain her sight."
"And does she know about the God of Chaos?" Galen inquired.
Chris tensed. "She is aware of the prophecy, that one day she is destined to vanquish him."
Entering the kitchen, Alethia held a cloth against her cut, gasping softly as she stumbled, clutching her head.
Chris looked up. "Tell me, Alethia, what do you see? It's like watching a television show in the back of your mind, but through your own eyes, correct?"
Sinking into a chair, she held her head. "I'm sitting at a vanity table, brushing out my hair."
Galen leaned against the counter. "She truly is awakening."
Chris smiled. "She can now perceive the other realms. I will soon teach her how to fully immerse herself there and how to cope with seeing both realms simultaneously."
Alethia glanced between the two of them. "I would appreciate some answers. Firstly, why did you cut me? Secondly, why are you glowing? You're white and blue, while Galen only glows white," she nodded toward Galen.
Chris smiled. "It's called an aura. Mine is white and blue, signifying that I serve the Elders. Galen's is white, representing goodness and purity."
Alethia nodded. "And the cut on my arm?"
Chris shrugged. "Well, you needed proof. What better evidence than blood? It's a mark from the other realm that appeared on your physical body. It has always been enough proof for you, and if it wasn't, you would have kicked me out by now."
Alethia took a sip of her drink. "So what if it was? What is it you supposedly need to teach me?"
Chris smiled. "It means you have much to learn and people to find—others like you, chosen ones. As for what I need to teach you, there is plenty. We'll start with realm hopping soon, and then move on to magic and combat."
Alethia let out a weary sigh, her mind struggling to comprehend the strangeness that had unfolded before her. "This is all so unfathomable," she murmured.
Chris chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Fear not, Alethia. Allow me to offer you further evidence." He motioned for her to extend her arm, the wound still fresh and bleeding. "Hold steady, my dear."
Alethia complied, her thoughts swirling with worry about how she would explain this injury to her grandmother. The weight of impending consequences loomed over her. But she trusted Chris, even if she couldn't quite grasp the extraordinary nature of their newfound reality. Chris gently clasped her arm, his touch radiating an otherworldly warmth. With his free hand, he pressed against the wound, and in an instant, a brilliant white light enveloped her arm. The pain that had once plagued her receded, replaced by a soothing calm. When the light dissipated, Alethia's eyes widened in astonishment. The cut had vanished as if it had never been.
"How... how is this possible?" she stammered, her gaze fixed on her unblemished skin.
Chris and Galen shared a hearty laugh. "We have healed you, Alethia," Chris explained, his voice tinged with a hint of magic. "Through the power of sorcery, I mended your wound." Alethia's amazement grew, her curiosity piqued. "Well, now you have my undivided attention. Tell me, what must I do to partake in this extraordinary world?"
Chris flashed a knowing smile, reclining in his chair with an air of wisdom. "Your first lesson is about to commence," he declared, his words carrying the promise of a thrilling journey ahead.
