"Alice, wake up."
I was surrounded by flames and smoke, the smell of charred wood was filling my lungs as I sat up abruptly in a small white bed. Before me stood a man, his broad smile overshadowing the crinkle around his deep chocolate brown eyes. While the man looked tired and informal, he still had an air of regality around him, one only a human of high status and power could resonate.
"Do you know where you are?" The figure knelt down so he was level next to me, he smelt of bark and fresh pine.
"N-No." I stuttered, still groggy.
"Well..." The man lost focus for a moment, staring into the flames around us before turning back to me and continuing, "...I suppose I should let you know what you are Alice"
"I… don't understand." The worst tasted sour as they left my mouth, "Who are you?"
The man's smile got even brighter, "I, Alice, am your creator."
Creator? What is that supposed to mean?
"My... My father died when I was but a mere child!" I felt a small flame begin to ignite within me, warming my body from the tips of my fingers to the soles of my feet, "You're a liar!"
The man seemed shocked, his smile turning to a slight frown, "They… They didn't tell you?"
"What are you talking about?"
The man plopped next to me on the bed, placing his hand on my shoulder. I tensed as soon as his palm touched my body, "You're special Alice. There will be people who will try to exploit your abilities, I believe there already is."
"My abilities? Who?" I was getting anxious now, this guy couldn't give a straight answer to save his life.
"My my, all the questions!" A malicious gleam shone in the man's eyes, "Perhaps I shouldn't tell you, the time isn't right."
I felt the flame inside me grow larger, it's heat amplifying as well.
"Would you just prefer me to leave you alone? I'm sure you're used to that." The man's eyes seemed to cut straight through mine as the words stung like the stinger of a bee.
The flame was large now, I could feel it's fire lap out in and out of my body as the heat came and left like waves of pain. Even though every part of my body hurt, I enjoyed feeling this strange heat course through my arms and legs.
"You can open your eyes now Alice. I've done all I can."
My eyes fluttered open, we were in a different place now, encased in an outstretch of pure darkness. The bedroom was gone.
"Where are we?" I felt the heat disappear as I came to my senses. "What happened?"
The figure smiled again, "I brought you to another plane of existence, another universe."
"W-Why?"
"Because," his eyes narrowed, "The other one we were on was reduced to dust. You destroyed it."
I felt my chest grow tight as he uttered those cursed words. Even though I had no reason to believe anything this man said, in my heart I knew it was to be true.
The man turned and began to walk away, his frame slowly dissolving as he stepped into darkness. "Ray Mejia, you must be wary around him. If he were to get out of control not even you could stop him. But don't fear, he will act as your counterbalance, that's why I created you after all."
Before he could disappear I ran to catch him, "T-That heat, what was it?"
The man turned, his hazelnut eyes now stormy and grey, "That, is your true power Alice."
He disappeared and I was left alone to weep in the darkness.
I jolted awake, the smell of fresh pine and spices gracing my nose as I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead. Normally, I would find these smells pleasing, but in this case they reminded me of the man I had met in the dream. I knew it wasn't real, but it still felt so.
I lifted the white cotton sheets and blankets off of my body as I swung my legs off the side of the bed, my knees wobbling like jelly as my bare feet hit the hardwood flooring. Were we at the hotel? It was too dark to tell from where I was in the room, not a single ray of sunlight had entered the room. I tried to stand, but was only met with my legs giving way under the weight of my body, and falling to the floor with a crash. I tried to grab onto something as I tumbled to the ground but accidentally pried a bookshelf off of the wall, leaving it to fall on top of me as I laid on the ground helpless. Perfect.
"Alice? You're awake!" Jack had entered the room, carrying a tray that was stocked with medicine and wet towels. Or at least I thought it was Jack, he was… human.
"Yeah, I guess so. Where am I? Where are the others?" I struggled to let myself loose from underneath the bookshelf, but was unsuccessful. Jack just simply moseyed over and flipped it upright with a single pull of his biceps.
"We've made our way to Zleigh, thanks to your spell of course." He lit a cigar and helped me upright, steadying my balance as I struggled to remain upright. "You're not 'lookin too hot."
"Gee, whatever gave you that idea. Where are the others?"
Jack led me into the man room, a massive window that surveyed the city now staring me down like an intimidating beast, "They're out to get the identification card that we require to get into the banquet."
"I see," I slumped into the big fluffy chair in the corner of the room, "Do you have anything to drink? I'm parched. Casting really takes the energy out of you."
Jack nodded, pulling a warm orange juice from his coat pocket. "I'm prepared this time. Here, I heard these help to restore your strength."
I gleefully grabbed the bottle, chugging it in a matter of seconds. "Thanks, I appreciate it." I felt happy for a moment, but then the shaking and sweating returned soon after.
"Is something wrong?" Jack must of notest how miserable I still was.
"Yeah, it's just." The image of the man from my dream flashed in my mind for a moment again, "I had the strangest dream, it felt so real."
"And… what happened in this dream?"
"It... "The words in my mouth seemed to fall out awkwardly, "Do you think I'm dangerous?"
Jack let out a belly laugh, then followed up with a firm pat to the back, "Oh Alice! You shouldn't worry about such trivial things. You're a fighter, and that's what matters. Just look how you've helped us today!"
"I suppose so, I guess I'm just tired."
"Indeed. Maybe you should get some more well deserved rest. We're going to need all the help we can get for tonight. I wouldn't want you to miss it."
"About that, I'm not sure if I'll be able to recover in time."
"Don't worry about it," He grabbed my hand gingerly, hoisting me upright and carrying me back to the dark bedroom, "You're gonna need all the strength you can get. Try to be more optimistic."
"Thanks Jack."
The bed felt nice and cool as he set me down, and in an instant I had drifted off to sleep. This peaceful rest didn't last long however, as I was soon awakened by a familiar voice.
"Alice, get up. We have something to discuss."
My eyes flashed open and I found myself still in my bed, but this time something was different. There was a figure standing in front of me, one I recognised to be the man from Grustenburg, Greyson Okinji.
Grey pulled on the cuff of his silk suit, "I assume you have several questions." His voice had the same raspy drone it always had.
I tried to move, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't. I was stuck, "What are you doing here? Once I get my strength back I'll tear every muscle from your body you murderer!"
"Oh hush!" Greyson moved forward, putting his fingers to my lips as I screamed, but nobody came to my aid, "I did simply what I had to. Triggering Ray can be very challenging, even for a man of my standards." His eyes begin to flash and then trail with an ominous dark smoke. I felt my heart skip a beat.
"W-Why have you come here?" I questioned, my chest still pounding.
"Well, the vision should have happened by now, correct?"
"Vision?" And then it hit me, the dream I had just hours ago, somehow Greyson knew.
"Don't play dumb with me girl. I know just what you are, and tricks like that just simply won't work."
"What… am I?"
Greyson chuckled, "You really don't know do you? You must be pulling my leg!" His chuckle grew to a booming evil laugh.
I felt my cheeks flush, "I'm telling you! I don't know what you're talking about!"
Grey took off his yellow scarf and spun it in the air like a toy before putting it around his neck again, "I was there when you were created Alice, and I must say… it's a very difficult thing to describe."
"Well if you can't tell me what I am, then why have you come here?"
"Because," Greyson's dark eyes suddenly narrowed, "You are Alice Okinji, my sister."