*** Disclaimer: This excerpt was taken from the game in order to better understand the fanfic's development. It may be altered due to the timeline in the fanfic.***
Sarah Anderson and Diana, School.
"So, History. History, History, History. Such a silly thing, isn't it? I mean, what do we care about the past? We're in the present!"
The rest of the class, including Naomi and Suzu, hesitantly nodded in agreement, unsure about this new 'teacher' but willing to listen to more of what she had to say.
"The present is so full of wonderful things! While the labors of the past are the reasons we have many things, it is our chance and privilege to utilize what has been given to us." Her charm was almost infectious; the class was practically starting to eat out of her hand. I looked around to see classmates grinning and agreeing with Diana. Was she... using her mind-altering powers to manipulate them?
I pressed my lips together and gulped down. There was no other choice otherwise listening forward and remain silent.
"What's even funnier, about human beings..."
Could she not talk about 'us' like we weren't humans, to begin with?! God dammit!
"... is that some of the bits of «history» we hear is either made up or completly biased to one side! It's like a story you read as a child." Diana made a short pause. "You hear of the princess and the prince and they live happily ever after, but what about the family she left behind? What of her friends?"
Once again, the students listened and agreed intently to her words. I could tell, however, that these words were all targeted at me.
"The original story of the Little Mermaid. A perfect example of a biased opinion. Here we have a girl who thinks she can be with this prince, but this prince has to marry a princess. What would happen if the mermaid had her way? What makes the mermaid so important that the princess has to suffer the consequences? Does the whole kingdom have to suffer just because she thinks she can be part of his world? Of his heart?"
"What is the point of all of this... Miss Diana?" I got up from my chair and asked, trying to mask the annoyance in my voice. The rest of the class turned their heads to me. Naomi and Suzu looked at me with equally surprised looks. I kept my eyes on Diana. I was alone now. A loan shark, isolated and far-far away from my prince charming, not having a slight chance to ever be with him again... maybe, I never had the chance but still, I was more than happy when he was mine and when I was his... N-Not the point right now, Sarah! The point was, why all of this now? Why tormenting me further? To press deeper into the open wound? In the end, Diana, got what she always wanted, in a very twisted way tho but, she got it. What was she up to? Wait... wait just a sec... what if... what if she didn't know yet of what happened last night?
Diana stared at me before smiling and turning her body to fully face me. "My point is that: the story only tells about the romance, obviously one-sided 'love', between the mermaid and the prince, we don't see the problems of the kingdom the prince rules! While we are all fixated with this love story, we ignore the fact the kingdom would fall apart without the marriage between the princess and the prince. Did that answer your question, deary~?" She kept her eyes on me as she spoke.
"Then, why had the mermaid be the one to suffer?" I yelled; she knew how to pull my strings very well.
Once again, the class looked at me. Some of the students that surrounded me mumbled surprised and shocked at my confrontation with our so-called substitute 'teacher'.
Diana chuckled and looked at me with a smile. "Because, silly girl, it was never her place to be beside the prince. Thank God, she discovered that on time and threw herself into the ocean, disappearing into sea foam."
Surprised gasps echoed; some of the students didn't know the 'real' ending.
"That's full of crap!" I slammed my hands on the desk with all my might and glared at Diana.
Diana raised an eyebrow surprised at my sudden explosion.
"People don't choose who they fall in love with! And neither has anyone have the right to say they can't be with whomever they grew to love! Everybody deserves to be loved! All she wanted was love! A-All I wanted was... love..." I cried out, almost in tears, whispering those last words from my sentence more to myself than to her or my fellow classmates.
All classroom fell into silence. Diana almost grew an angry face at me. "Interesting. So you're saying that the princess should be given no mind?"
I shook my head negatively. "O-Of course she deserves to be paid attention but, the story is about the mermaid and the prince who has fallen in love with each other, willing to make sacrifices to be with one n'another. And she should have gotten the prince! That's a story worth telling. "
"Even at the risk of everything, the kingdom, falling apart?" Diana asked.
"Even if the world fell apart, duty doesn't overrule love, ever..." I simply said. "... you can't be that blind, Diana."
More murmurs rose. They were under her spell so, to them, I was too informal.
Diana's eyes widened in surprise at my observation. "Wha--?"
I leaned in. "Please Diana... If you ever have been loved or loved, stop this already..."
Diana stared in shock at me for a few minutes. After snapped out of her trance she looked to the clock in the wall, reading it quickly. She leaned against the blackboard and managed to form a smile. I became worried that she wasn't willing to listen to me. "You know what? I think there's enough 'history' for one day. Everyone, go ahead and head home. Take the week off" She said.
The students suddenly began to chat happily or in confusion about the situation. Many thought it was a dream come true. Others knew better. Like me. Before anyone could protest, however, Diana pressed a finger to her lips and counted down with her fingers in the air: one, two, three.
The speakers of the classroom gently awoke. Giving us an announcement we would never believe. "Attention students: due to an emergency faculty meeting, we will be closing School for the remnant of the day and this entire week. Please leave the school quickly and quietly and have a good rest of the week."
She used her powers on them. Again, it was not a surprise.
Diana smiled before gesturing to the door. "Have a nice week off. School will resume next week~"
Many of the students filed out, chatting to each other about exciting things to do during that week. Suzu was beyond happy and Naomi a bit hesitant. Before I could grab my belongings and exit the classroom right behind my friends, Diana stopped me. "Excuse me, have a minute missy?"
"Sarah?" Naomi called out, her forehead slightly frowned, as she noticed I had remained behind.
Suzu stopped middle track and looked back with a 'hurry expression' written all over her face. "Come on guys! I want to go to the arcade, make the most out of our free week!"
I waved my hand at them towards the door. "You can go ahead. Just wait for me near the school entrance. I'll be there in a sec."
"Already there~!" Suzu said and, quickly, she strolled out the door.
Naomi sighed. "Okay. As you wish, Sarah. We'll be there waiting for you. But, please, don't take too long."
I flashed her my signature smile, "Pinky swear!"
Naomi smiled back before running off. I watched her go, eyes glued to her back, as she turned left after exiting the classroom, following Suzu suit as much as her legs could possibly catch up.
Diana cleared her throat what, instantly, caught my attention. I turned my wheels to face her. She was sitting on top of the desk, the one in front of mine, with her legs and arms crossed."So, I'm all ears. Spit it out, girl."
"First of all..." I began. "... why are you here, Diana? What are you thinking?"
"What? Do I not make a good teacher? I figure you should have a little lesson so I took matters into my own hands." She replied with a chuckle.
"Why are you torturing me still, Diana!? The boys aren't around anymore, so let me be! They're back to their lives. I've lost everything I had and have only gain loneliness. Haven't I suffered enough? Have you no compassion for a fellow woman?" I grabbed both my arms and squeezed them tight against my complexion. "I just want to disappear into sea foam, like the little mermaid..." I whispered, barely audible.
"What? Come again?" Diana locked eyes with me, she wasn't expecting that information, at all.
I averted my gaze, hiding my features from her. My sight was clouded with tears of sadness and pain. "Y-Yes... it was exactly what you heard. They are not around anymore. They're... gone. Back to their realm..."
"What...?" Diana growled through clenched teeth. "I'm just gonna ask this once... How... did... that... happen? WHEN?! Tell me, human girl! Now!" She was seriously pissed.
I shrugged myself, sticking my head into the carapace as a fearful tortoise, at each one of her words. "Last night..." I said hesitantly. "Irene planned the whole thing... well... she had a little help from the Demon Lord..."
"The Demon Lord?!" Diana jolted up in a panic as she realized what that meant. "For the seven realms! M-My family! My subjects! I-I have to get back, immediately! I need to protect my kingdom! If he has her by his side already then he--" She walked from one side to the other in the room, with her head a thousand miles per hour. "No-no-no-no-no! I have to leave! But-But how am I going to do that?! I'll need a ridiculous amount of energy to go back to and--!"
"I can help with that! Let me give you my energy!" I found myself suggesting. I couldn't believe what came out of my mouth. What the hell went over me all of the sudden?!
Diana stopped, spun around, and stared at me in surprise. "What?"
I couldn't help myself. This was my chance to revert the situation and I wouldn't let it pass over me just like that. "Use my energy to get back to your realm and protect your kingdom. I have what you need!"
"Why? Why are you... helping me?" She asked both shocked and confused.
"Cuz, you are the only one who can take me there. You're my only chance! The only chance I have to bring Erik back to his senses and break that fricking binding spell!" I put the cards on the table and explained my intentions. What did I have to lose? Nothing.
"Binding spell?" Diana echoed, not understanding how I would have knowledge of such an ancient ritual. "It's impossible to break it. It's... it's for all eternity!"
"But I have to try, Diana! I won't just cross my arms and feel miserable for the rest of my life!" I snapped. "Take me with you! Please! I beg you!"
"I can't do that, human--"
That woman was indeed stubborn. So, I said the only thing I remembered. "I demand it as a deal, succubus!" I knew exactly what the 'right' words were for a situation like this one. Reading all those fantasies/mythological books paid off after all.
Diana straightened herself up, staring at me in disbelief.
I couldn't almost recognize my own voice. "For redemption, help me and I'll help you too. It's a win-win situation."
Diana stared. I couldn't tell what was going on in her mind. What was her thoughts about my offer? As she closed her eyes and smiled, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. She was considering it! "What are wings meant for if you don't have the courage to jump off the cliff and fly?" She then held out her hand to me, "Come then. Help me open the portal and I'll take you with me."
"Wait? N-Now? R-Right now?! Won't anyone see us?! Won't that be dangerous if they find out your true nature?!" I asked in a murmur-tone.
Diana chuckled satisfied with my consideration for her inhuman nature being kept a 'secret'. "The school-grounds are already empty. Everyone went home, even the remaining teachers. No one's here and no one's going to see a thing. Now, come."
I nodded and, trustingly, placed my hand in Diana's. "Sorry girls. I've something I must do." I whispered while looking at the door.
"Thank you, Sarah. You don't know how much this means to me."
It was the first time she called me by my name instead of by 'silly girl" or 'human girl' or 'deary'. It made me smile. Deep down, she was a kind, generous person with genuine feelings; she just had trouble showing them. That was all.
"So. How do you want this to play off?" Diana asked.
I frowned my eyebrows. What did she mean by that?
Diana, capturing the confusion in my expression, explained. "The most effective and quickly way to get energy from you is through a kiss. Do you want me to glamour myself as 'Erik'?"
Covertly my lips quirked upwards in a grateful smile."That is very thoughtful of you, Diana." I thanked her."I'd very much like that..." What was I even saying at that point?
"Then, close your eyes for a brief second...." She said. "... only open them when I tell you, okay?"
I nodded and slowly closed my eyes. I braced herself, expecting to feel some sort of rush of energy, like I did when Erik touched me. But, that didn't came right away.
"If you weren't in school right now, which place you would rather be?" Diana asked.
"In my grandfather's yard," I replied, still with my eyes closed, undoubtedly imagining it in my mind; it was a very clear image.
"Why that specific place?"
I didn't need to think about why I would choose that place over any. The answer was very much present in my mind. "Beyond its angelical beauty and rich colors, the reason why is because that place holds a dear spot in my heart. It was there where I've been loved and where I started to love."
"That is a wonderful reason." Diana made a brief pause before resuming her guidance. "You will count to three and, at the end of the countdown, you will open your eyes. Okay?"
I nodded and took a deep breath. "One...Two..." I took a deep breath before resuming the countdown."Three..." As I finally opened my eyes, I gasped at the sight. I wasn't in school-grounds anymore, I was at... "My grandfather's yard..." I muttered surprised. The sweet rain-washed air drifted in and out of my nostrils.
"Sarah." 'Erik' looked down at me and ran a hand over my cheek.
As I looked at the man in front of me, tears streamed down my face. I knew that was not real, but still, it was him who was in front of me and that made all the feelings I've been repressing come to the surface. I nuzzled into 'his' hand and closed my eyes again. 'He' gently lowered 'his' hand to my waist, staring down at me as I reopened my eyes.
'He' lift a hand under my chin and ran 'his' thumb over my lips. I could feel little shots of energy zipping under my skin into my chin where he held me.
I let out a painful sigh as I held the tears inside my lacrimal channels. "I-I missed you..."
'He' leaned in; I felt a warm fuzzy feeling grow inside my chest.
I stopped 'him', giving a slight push back over 'his' chest. "S-Say you love me, Erik..." I pleaded. "Say I'm the only one for you..." I pleaded again. It might have sound dumb for me to ask that knowing that 'he' wasn't really who 'he' was impersonating but, my heart, felt the need to hear those so famous three words, 'i love you', even if it weren't from 'his' mouth.
The silence that followed, was like a poison to me, shallowing me deep within its darkness and stillness.
"I love you." 'He' finally said.
A joyous smile appeared on my face. I closed my eyes and waited for 'his' lips to touch mine. The sky started to melt into darkness as we kissed each other. After a while, I began to feel dizzy, seeing my surroundings start to spin almost widely. Weak in the knees, I gripped onto 'Erik's' shirt-collar to gain some sense of control of my body but, to no avail. My mind almost instantly faded to black before I could tighten my grip and hold it a bit longer.
"Revertar ad tenebras. Dilata locum patere portas." As those last words left 'his' mouth, I felt a cold rush of energy brushing over my shin, as if I've fallen into water.