(Our Realm)
Alethia stood with perfect poise, her feet planted firmly apart, and her breath steady. She closed her eyes, attuning herself to the world around her, listening to the rustle of the wind through the trees, the cheerful chirping of birds, and the soft thud of Chris's footsteps behind her. As his arm swung down to strike, she swiftly brought up her left arm to block, simultaneously ducking and swinging her practice sword towards his knees.
Her arm successfully blocked his attack, while her practice sword struck his knees with a force that made them buckle, causing him to collapse to the ground with a resounding thud. Opening her eyes, she gazed down at Chris sprawled on his back, looking up at the sky. A gentle smile graced her lips as she spoke, "Is that enough for today, or would you care for more?"
Chris laughed, rubbing his back as he sat up. "Well done, that was excellent. You improve with each passing day."
Alethia's smile widened as she extended her hand to help him up. "I've had a skilled teacher, after all."
He grinned, glancing at his watch. "What time are you meeting the girls to prepare for the dance?"
"Around five, but I'd like to take a quick shower before they arrive at my place."
Chris nodded, rising to his feet. "Then we should make our way. It's almost four-thirty."
Alethia gathered her belongings, slinging her bag over her shoulder, and they set off down the path. As they walked, Chris turned to her, stopping in his tracks. He looked at her intently and spoke earnestly, "I didn't want to interfere in your social life, but I feel compelled to warn you. Russell is a dangerous individual, Alethia. You know who he is in the other realm."
Alethia crossed her arms, coming to a halt. "I'm tired of hearing this, Chris. First my brother, now you. I am capable of making my own decisions. Yes, I am aware of who Russell is in the other realm. But here, in this world, he has done nothing to wrong or cause me any concern. I genuinely like him, and I am willing to give him a chance."
Chris sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Just promise me you'll be cautious. He is a Demon afterall, and he is pretty powerful. Your father believes you aren't ready to face Kakaron in battle. Don't let your guard down."
Shaking her head, Alethia resumed walking up her driveway. "Thank you for your concern, but I know what I'm doing. I'll see you at the dance. Now, I need to shower." Chris watched her retreat into her house. "I'll see you later."
Once inside, Alethia locked the door behind her and made her way directly to her room. As she entered, she found Phrann and Galen seated on her bed. She spoke before they could utter a word, her tone resolute, "I don't want to hear any more about Russell being an evil demon. This is just a high school dance. Nothing will happen to me. I'll be perfectly safe."
She retrieved her dress from the closet, hanging it on the back of the bathroom door before undressing. Stepping into the shower, she adjusted the water temperature and felt the soothing sensation of the water cascading over her skin as she began to wash.
After cleansing herself, she emerged from the shower, towel in hand, and began to dry off. Her mind raced, contemplating everything. They were all convinced that Russell was trying to use her maybe even kill her so she couldn’t face Kakaron. Russell had also revealed that her family had erased her memories multiple times. What secrets were they hiding? Why did they deem it necessary to make her forget every life?
Letting out a soft sigh, Alethia wrapped the towel around herself, her mind clouded with a sense of unease. She couldn't quite grasp the memories that were eluding her, leaving her unsettled. As she dried her hair with the hair dryer, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. Once her hair was dry, she ran a brush through it and swiftly put on her undergarments and dress, just as a knock on the door interrupted her.
"Just a minute!" Alethia called out, grabbing her clothes and tossing them into the hamper as she made her way to the front door. Opening it, she was greeted by the smiles of Jen, Sara, and Corie, each holding garment bags containing their outfits for the dance.
"Took you long enough," Jen chuckled, stepping inside. "You look wonderful, and I have an idea for your hair."
Alethia smirked, allowing them to enter before shutting the door. "Sorry, I was getting dressed when you knocked," she explained, leading them into the living room. "We have about an hour until we meet the guys at the school. There's a spare room, a bathroom, and my room for you all to change in." They nodded and dispersed into separate rooms.
A few minutes later, Corie emerged from Alethia's room, her cheeks flushed. She was wearing a different outfit from what they had bought during their shopping spree. "Corie... you look amazing," Alethia complimented, standing up.
Corie blushed and brushed her hair back, wearing an ankle-length black dress with a little black buttoned sweater covering her shoulders.
"Are you sure? Jen said I needed to dress more fancy; this is a formal dance," Corie nervously questioned, glancing down at herself.
Alethia laughed. "Trust me, you look gorgeous. I'm glad you chose that dress."
Jen emerged shortly after. "Okay, Alethia, get your butt in your room and sit. Let's get your hair done. Russell won't be able to take his eyes off you by the end of the night."
Alethia shook her head, entering her room and taking a seat at her mirror. "Just keep it simple and natural, and don't go overboard with the makeup."
Jen nodded. "Simple makeup to enhance your natural beauty and nothing too extravagant with the hair, got it?" Twenty minutes later, Jen finished, but before Alethia could catch a glimpse of herself, she heard Galen's voice from the bed.
"Wow, she styled your hair just like she did on the night of your coming-of-age party. Kakaron is bound to recognize it, if he shows up tonight."
Confusion filled Alethia's face, mirrored by Jen's. What did Galen mean by Kakaron not being at that party? Her head throbbed, and a sudden memory tried to force its way to the surface, causing her to wince.
Jen gently squeezed her shoulder, while Sara walked in, concern etched on her face.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a minor headache. It's already passed," Alethia reassured, her mind momentarily distracted.
Sara nodded, and Jen quickly changed the subject. "So, what do you think of your hair?"
Alethia smiled, catching her reflection in the mirror. "I love it, thanks."
Thirty minutes later, with ten minutes to spare, they were all ready to leave. They headed out to Jen's car and made their way to the school for the dance. Upon arrival, Jen parked the car, and they all stepped out.
David and Zepher were waiting for them outside, with David taking Jen's hand and complimenting her appearance. Zepher wrapped his arm around Sara's shoulder, glancing at Alethia and remarking, "Yeah, you all look stunning."
They entered the school, and Alethia couldn't help but glance over her shoulder, searching for Russell.
Corie nudged her, offering reassurance. "I'm sure he's just running late."
Alethia smiled, her confidence unwavering. "I'm not worried."
Corie smiled wrapping her arm around Alethia's. "Oh, I know you're not worried. You never worry about anything."
They shared a laugh, but Alethia's steps faltered as she spotted Russell standing off to the side near the gym.
Corie noticed her pause and quickly let go of her arm. "I'll meet you inside," she said, hurrying into the gym.
Alethia's face lit up with a radiant smile as Russell gracefully sauntered towards her, clad in a dark blue dress shirt and black pants. His eyes beamed with adoration as he spoke, "You look absolutely stunning, my dear. Although, in my eyes, you are always a vision of beauty."
Unable to suppress her blush, Alethia replied softly, "Thank you, you look quite handsome yourself."
Russell nonchalantly shrugged, producing a black rose from behind his back and presenting it to her. "I overheard your conversation with Corie the other day about the scarcity of black roses during this time of year, with everyone clamoring for pink and red for Valentine's Day."
Alethia's smile widened as she accepted the rose, her laughter echoing through the air. "Wherever did you find this?" she inquired playfully.
A mischievous smirk played on Russell's lips as he replied, "That is a secret I shall keep, for now."
Leaning in, Alethia gently kissed his cheek and whispered, "It's absolutely lovely, thank you."
With a tender squeeze of her hand, Russell led her into the bustling gymnasium. The room was alive with the rhythm of music, tables arranged along the walls to create ample space in the center for dancing. Students twirled and sang along, reveling in the joyous atmosphere. In secluded corners, couples sought stolen moments of intimacy, shielded from prying eyes.
As they entered the gym, the music shifted from lively to romantic, prompting couples to flock to the dance floor. David whisked Jen away, and Alethia couldn't help but notice Zepher doing the same with Sara. Looking up at Russell, she blushed once more as he affectionately squeezed her hand. "Care to dance?" he offered.
A smile tugging at her lips, Alethia nodded. "I'd love to," she replied, allowing him to guide her towards the enchanting dance floor. She stole a quick glance at Corie, who flashed an encouraging smile and motioned for her to go ahead. Observing the couples swaying together, Alethia felt the warmth in her cheeks intensify. Russell pulled her close, his hands gently resting on her hips as she placed hers on his shoulders.
As the music flowed through them, Alethia nestled her head against his chest, finding solace in their synchronized movements. When the song finally drew to a close, Russell released her with a tender smile, prompting her to step back. "That was delightful. Shall we get a drink and join the others?" he suggested.
Grinning, Alethia nodded in agreement. "Sounds perfect."
Hand in hand, they made their way towards Corie, who now stood at a nearby table. The remainder of the evening was a whirlwind of laughter and dancing as they all reveled in each other's company. As the night wore on and the dance slowly came to an end, Russell led Alethia back onto the dance floor for one last, slow dance.
Holding her tightly, they swayed to the gentle melody, the room seemingly hushed as they stood within their own enchanted bubble. Suddenly, Alethia felt a throbbing in her head, attributing it to the incessant noise of the past few hours. As the song reached its conclusion, Russell did not release her; instead, he leaned in closer, his lips meeting hers. Overwhelmed with warmth and affection, Alethia closed her eyes, savoring the moment. However, a wave of dizziness washed over her, threatening to steal her balance.
Falling helplessly, Alethia heard Russell urgently calling her name, his hands guiding her descent. And then, everything faded to black.
She stood before the mirror, clad in a sleek black dress jacket, a crisp white blouse, and a flowing black skirt. Her luscious hair cascaded down her back, tied back in a tousled bun, with her bangs framing her face. The passing years had bestowed upon her a mature grace, and as she slipped into a pair of elegant black heels, she made her way to the bathroom to apply her makeup.
Suddenly, a loud thump echoed from downstairs, causing her to glance out of the bathroom door.
"MOMMY!" a little girl's voice cried out.
"DAD!" a little boy hollered.
With a surge of concern, Alethia hurried down the stairs. "Payton, Joey?" she called out, but there was no sign of her children in the house. As she reached out for one of her scimitars leaning against the wall, a figure materialized behind her.
"Well, well, Alethia," a familiar voice drawled.
Turning around, she found herself face to face with the long-haired man she had recently encountered in the other realm, the same man who had been locked in combat with Zepher in Shudon. "Yuber, where are my children?" she demanded, her voice laced with determination.
He chuckled darkly. "They are safe, for the time being. If you wish to see them again, you must agree to my terms." In a swift motion, he closed the distance between them, causing her scimitar to clatter to the ground. His body pressed against hers, pinning her to the wall, as his hand caressed her cheek.
"To retrieve your children, Alethia, both you and Zepher shall meet me in the Other realm within twenty-four hours. I will return the children safely to Zepher, who can take them to Ryos. But you, my dear, will accompany me. You will surrender yourself to me, becoming mine for all eternity. Your power is remarkable, unmatched by anyone but myself," he sneered.
"Your power and beauty make you irresistible. You will be mine." He brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, nipping at her chin, before stepping back.
"Should you refuse to submit, your husband and children will meet a gruesome demise before your very eyes," he threatened, snapping his fingers.
A wound materialized on Alethia's stomach, a deep gash that began to bleed profusely, causing her to collapse to her knees. Tears streamed down her cheeks as a voice called out her name in the distance.
"Alethia, wake up, Please wake up." Russell pleaded, his voice filled with urgency.
As she reluctantly opened her eyes, Alethia found herself lying on her back, cradled in Russell's lap, while concerned onlookers encircled her. A sharp pang coursed through her side as she gingerly sat up, her hand instinctively clutching the source of her pain.
The principal, discreetly concealing his phone under his palm, inquired with genuine concern, "Are you alright? Should I call an ambulance?"
Summoning a faint smile, Alethia reassured him, "I am okay, I think I just need some water."
The principal nodded, returning to the phone, cancelling the impending call.
Russell and Chris, who had mysteriously appeared at the dance, came to her aid, supporting her as she rose to her feet.
In a hushed tone, Alethia leaned towards Chris, whispering into his ear, "We need to talk."
Chris nodded in silent agreement.
