Chapter Twelve
Everything's gonna be alright. Everything's gonna be okay. It's gonna be a good life.
~*~
Lily explained that her connection met a man that knows the whereabouts of 'Lyma'. The man have asked for them to meet in person rather than relaying the information to a third party. Lily have initially thought to go there herself before saying anything but the spur of the moment made her spill the beans. Still she insisted to go there instead but curiosity beats Lyma's cautiousness and decides that she should meet the man herself. Lyma also thought that it would be best since she is the person involve.
"Your Highness. It is unsafe for you to go there on your own." Lily said worriedly as she handed Lyma the black robe. Lyma reached for it and covers herself.
After knotting the robe, she turn towards Lily. "It will be fine, Lily. Besides, I need you to cover for me." Then she placed both hands on the maid's shoulders. "I need to go."
"Yes, Your Highness." Lily can no longer complain and just submitted. For years that Lily served the princess she already knew that once the princess decides on something it would be hard to stop her. "Please be safe." And all she can do is support her and wish for her safety.
"I'll be back before dawn breaks." Lyma reassured her and went towards one of the room's window. She opened it and instantly cold wind rush through making her shiver. 'Hmm. Tonight I'll know everything.' Then grabbed the windowsill and jump out.
Lily yelp in surprise and immediately grab on the windowsill to look out. She scanned the grounds to check if Lyma landed safely. But much t surprise there's no trace of the person who jump down from the second floor of the palace. It made her anxious but she stilled her heart and tried to chant 'She's safe. Be safe' repeatedly inside her mind.
On the other hand, after Lyma jump down she straightaway ran along the palace's shadows and avoided the patrolling knights. It was easy for her to do this for Lily informed her of the knight's schedule beforehand and their routes.
'Now the tricky part.' She thought as she cross the bushes separating the Smaragd Palace and the Main Palace Garden. It was easy for Lyma to cross the Main Palace Garden for it has bushes that she can hide to avoid the knights. But it's not the case for the Opalus Palace. Even though no one is currently occupying the Opalus Palace since the king did not marry again after the queen died the palace is still being well attended and knights are patrolling the area. And she have to cross from the bush between the Main Palace Garden and the Opalus Palace all the way to the Fortalitia's walls without any help of bushes or anything that can cover her.
Lyma dashed from one dimly-lit area to another for five minutes before she reached the walls. Little trickle of sweats have formed on her forehead and she wiped it using the back of her hands. Then she quickly went inside the thick bushes near the walls. Just like the bushes she had in the Smaragd Palace, the bushes here can also be used as a hiding space.
Truthfully, Lyma wouldn't be confident to do this feat without the help of Pandora's memories. It was given that Pandora grew up being fully guarded because of her status. And she was not permitted to go outside the palace without at least five guards trailing her. So sometimes, she would sneak out the Fortalitia and enjoy the outside world. And during this escapades, Pandora created the 'perfect' escape route and that includes digging and creating a hole I the walls. The hole connects to the same thick bushes outside.
After she successfully went out the wall she patted herself and adjusted her robe. Then she walked swiftly towards the rows of building to the deepest part of the capital where the dramshops, gin mill and auberge are located.
'Wist.' Lyma chanted inside her head as she read through rows of establishments. But she did not find the placard for the place she is looking for. She already circled the area three times. Each time making sure she did not miss a thing. It's getting deeper into the night and Lyma is starting to worry that she would miss the informant. Then a person wearing a black robe pass in front of Lyma and went to one of the small alleys. Quickly, she followed the person through the dark and lightless path with only the source of light is at the end of the alleyway. And when she reached the end of the alleyway she saw a small sign with a poorly written word, 'Wist'.
'Woah! I never thought it would be harder to find this place than to get out of the Fortalitia.' She thought and smiled mockingly. 'The palace needs to reassess its security.'
The small building looks ordinary compared to the ones Lyma saw at front. It is so conventional that a regular person would not even look once when passing. From the outside, you can hear voices that are just loud enough for one to think that people are inside.
'Alright. Let's go.' Then she pushed the door open. The interior matched the exterior of the place. The floor area is small inside with just eight to ten tables and the bar. And there are only a couple of people inside so she instantly saw the man Lily mentioned. He was wearing a grey robe with the hood down exposing his short black hair. He's sitting on one of the bar stools.
'Grey robe and black hair. I only need to confirm one thing.' And it's the code the informant gave Lily.
"Mirror on the wall." Lyma whispered as she sat beside the man. "Ardent spirits." She told the bartender while she removed her robe.
"Mirror reflects light." The man said then sipped from his glass. "And shows darkness."
"Let's get to the point. I want to know about Lyma." Lyma slightly cringe as she say those words. Talking about yourself as if you are a different person brings a different kind of discomfort. "Who is she?" Just then the bartender passes Lyma's drink. "Thanks."
The man laughed right after Lyma asked that question which made her look towards his direction. She's now doubting more than ever if this was a right decision. "You're a funny one soul A20210217 or should I say…Lyma Anesidora Dalton."
'What?!' Then pain shot through Lyma's head. Thankfully it's just a passing shot of pain and it did not linger. Still Lyma has her right hand press on her head. 'That name…is that…'
"If you want to know more…" He extended his hand towards her direction. "Hold unto me." His silver eyes reflecting the lights around them making it sparkle.
Lyma did not reach for his hand instead she grabbed her glass and sipped from it. "I won't be staying for long. I just need the information."
The man laughed again withdrawing his hand.
'His voice was loud but the patrons doesn't seem to mind it or doesn't seem to hear him.' Lyma wondered.
"VIP clients are really interesting. And you're the most interesting one A20210217. You tend to give us a hard time. And with the new update coming, I believe your case should be the priority." And he babble.
'What is he saying?' Lyma can see the man talking because of his lips moving but she cannot hear anything. No sound is reaching her ears. 'Is there something wrong with me?' Then Lyma remembered the first time she fainted, it started because of the intense ringing of her ears.
"Oh! I forgot." As if he just remembered something after seeing Lyma's distress look he touched her forehead using his forefinger. "There you go."
After his finger leave her forehead, something seemed to unlock inside Lyma's head. "What did you do?"
"I just removed the filter. Nothing serious so don't worry."
'Filter?' His assurance did not really assured Lyma. The feeling of doubt is increasing inside her. "Are you making fun of me?" She's already feeling frustrated.
"Chill! You'll die…Oops! I forgot you're already dead. My bad."
If her emotions are displaying on her face Lyma is sure that she look murderous right now. The man she was expecting to give her information is just babbling about things she cannot understand. And his playful attitude does not redeem himself in her eyes. 'I don't think this guy will be of use.'
Lyma was about to stand when his hand grabbed her and instantly they were transported to a different place. She got startled at first when the view in front of her changed from inside a pub to a dimly-lit room that she was very familiar with.
"D*rn! I almost forgot about the unprocessed soul's temperament." He complained as he scratch the side of his head. "You okay?"
Lyma is still in the middle of processing what just happened to her. 'How did I got back inside my room in an instant? Is it magic?' She looked around and try to spot a flaw that will prove she is not in her room that is meters away from the pub where she should currently at. But everything is the same.
"Hmm…This won't be easy." He commented as he observe her movements. He leaned back on the wall near him and crossed his arms.
After settling with the fact that she is indeed now inside her room, she turned towards the man who is responsible for the current situation. "Who are you?"
"Me? Fine. Let's get you comfortable first." He looked over Lyma's shoulders. "Please do take a seat first, Your highness. The bed would be more comfortable than you standing up."
Lyma wanted to protest but she stopped herself. She needed answers. So she followed what the man told her to do. She sat on the edge of her facing him. "Now what?"
"Now I explain. Geez! This is the least thing I like while cleaning." He raised his right hand and snap his fingers. Right after a huge mirror appeared in front of Lyma as if separating the two.
Lyma saw her reflection and did not notice anything noteworthy so she asked. "What does this supposed to mean?"
"Well, as you can see in the reflection. That is currently how you look. You are Pandora, right now. But Lyma Anesidora Dalton looks like this…" He snapped his fingers again and the image in the mirror shifted.
'That…' Long wavy hair, apple-shaped lips, fair skin and unmatched eye colors. Tears started to stream from her eyes. "That's me?"
"Yes and no."
"What do you mean?" Lyma is still staring at mage in the mirror. Touching her face, her hair, herself.
"Yes that's how you look. And no that's not how you look in this world. Here's the thing, you're no longer Lyma Anesidora Dalton but Pandora Cygni Ytopia. Get it?"
"Huh?" Lyma wiped her tears and moved her upper body to the side so she can see the man talking behind the mirror. "What does that mean?"
"Simple! Lyma Anesidora Dalton is already dead. D. E. A. D. Dead! And you're in the process of being reincarnated. But don't get confused, this world is not your reincarnation yet." The he sigh heavily. "You died of heart attack at the age of twenty. And because you've been a good being in your past life and garnered a lot of wishes you got upgraded to VIP treatment and was granted this world for your transitory phase rather than waiting in line like regular souls."
Lyma raised her hand as if to stop him from saying more. "So you're saying I'm dead and is about to be reincarnated? And this world is supposed to be my waiting room?"
"Bingo!"
"Are you crazy?!" Lyma stood up exasperated. "I'm not buying this!"
"But it's the truth. Want to see proof?" He walked towards Lyma and extended his arm touching her forehead with his forefinger just like hat he did a while back. Instantly, Lyma was thrown into an dark abyss. As Lyma fall, scenes of her past life flashed in front of her in small screens. "Remember your tragic life?" Out of nowhere she can his voice. "That's how you lived. And this is how you died." Then a big screen flashed in front of her showing her last moments. Her reaching for the door and suddenly clutching her chest.
Lyma felt wretched seeing the scene in front of her unfold. She started to cry again. 'That's…' She felt sorry for herself. Living all by herself and die all by herself. Somehow Lyma felt a sense of Deja vu as if she already have the same situation where she pitied dying self.
The next scene showed her inside a white room. And after entering the big mirror the next scene flashed. The same scene she can remember, it's her waking up under the Ginko Tree. After that everything went back to normal. She was back to her room, standing in front of him no mirror separating them.
"So?"
She stared blankly at him. 'I'm dead. I'm already dead…but…I'm going to be reincarnated.' Then her eyes refocused she look straight at him. "You said I'll be reincarnated, right?" He nodded. "This world is the waiting room." Again he nodded. "So what should I do here then?"
"Doing what you should be doing in a waiting room, waiting!"
"What?"
"Baby girl, this YOUR waiting room. You call all the shots." He turned towards one of the windows. The moon is shining brightly in contrast to the dark sky. Then he looked back and continued. "I don't have much time now. I already gave you a huge favor by showing you your past life. Where in fact all I needed to do is to have you decide on letting go of your past self and have your drink this." He snapped his fingers and a small bottled water appeared beside him. "So let me finish my work here, okay?" He handed the bottle to Lyma. "So, are you ready to let go?"
"What…What if I don't want to?"
"Then your soul will be damage. And a damaged soul is not fit for a reincarnation. You will then be thrown back to the void." He said in a matter of fact voice. "And if you're a strong damaged soul you can go back to your past life's world and become a wandering ghoul. Then eventually other cleaners will capture you and throw you to the void. Same ending. So I strongly advise you to let go. You'll have a good life. All VIP clients are guaranteed to have a good life as their next life."
Lyma clenched her hand that is holding the bottle. Even is her life can be called tragic, she knew she was happy at some point. And letting go of everything is hard. But she knew that she should do what's best for her. In all the years that she lived alone that is her motto. 'Just do what's best.' She twisted the cap of the bottled water. "I'm letting go." Her chest is heavy. She felt her heart aching. Tears are streaming from her eyes again. Then she drank the contents of the small bottled water. And slowly her eyelids become heavy. Soon after she collapsed on the floor.
"Good choice, client. It will always be better to let go." He scooped Lyma's body and placed her on her bed. He flick his fingers and a full length mirror appeared in front of him. "Now let's start cleaning. Open configuration and modifier options."
'System Notification: Configuration and modifier options. Access denied. State identification and password.'
"Diwa. Thou shall not forgotten thy pain."
'System Notification: Analyzing identification and password. Identification analyzed. Tier 2 Access. Welcome back, Psyche Diwa! Opening configuration and modifier options. Options successfully launched. You are accessing a pre-reincarnation world for VIP Client Soul A20210217. Opening menu. Menu successfully opened.'
"Run Soul Status."
System Notification: Running Soul Status. Soul Status report.
Soul: A20210217.
Grade: VIP Client Soul.
Cycle: Second Soul Cycle.
Position: Transitory Phase [Pre-Reincarnation World]
Essence: 86%
Soul Damage: 14% [Cause unidentified]
"That's a huge amount! She hasn't been in this world for that long and her soul already have this much damage? If I arrived later I could only imagine the essence to be in critical. Run Transition Phase Report."
'System Notification: Transition Phase Report. Transitory Memory Package. Installed [Force Installation. Error 10101]. Pre-Reincarnation World Data Modification in progress. System Security Scan (Attempt 1). Successful. Diagnosis Report: Pre-Reincarnation World version 1 found. Removal successful. Post Memory Residues found. Removal failed.'
"Huh. So it's the system's automated functions that caused the damage. Guess that update is timely. Command configuration: Save Pre-Reincarnation World Data. Download Saved Pre-Reincarnation World Data. Reset Pre-Reincarnation World."
'System Notification: Command accepted. Saving Pre-Reincarnation World Data. Data successfully saved. Downloading saved Pre-Reincarnation World Data. Download successful. Resetting Pre-Reincarnation World. Reset in sequence. Please wait… Pre-Reincarnation World reset successful.'
"Command system modifier: Run System Security Scan on saved Pre-Reincarnation World Data."
'System Notification: Command accepted. Running System Security Scan. System Security Scan complete Checking Diagnosis: Post Memory Residues found.'
"Residues. It seems this soul is a tough one even though it's only its second soul cycle. Command configuration: Remove Post Memory Residues."
'System Notification: Command accepted. Removing Post Memory Residues…Removal successful.'
"Command configuration: Install downloaded saved Pre-Reincarnation World Data."
'System Notification: Command accepted. Installing saved Pre-Reincarnation World Data. Saved Pre-Reincarnation World Data. Installation successful. Launching Pre-Reincarnation World. Pre-Reincarnation World. Launched successful. Pre-Reincarnation World Data Modification in progress.'
"Hmm… I think you need to be compensated for the inconvenience. How about I give your heart a push?"
He extended his arm up font, over Pandora's body.
"Love that make us alive." He chanted. And suddenly light emitted from his palm and shower Pandora's body with glittering light. "Grant this body's heart a drive. Seek for its other half. To rest in comfort in His behalf."
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Author's Note:
Wist is a word for 'know'. Latin word is wis.