SCARLETTE'S POINT OF VIEW
Tears were still streaming down my face as I took a shower. I took off my bloody clothes as I sobbed. When I pressed my eyes closed to feel the water throughout my body, what happened earlier flashed in my mind again. It had been an hour since that happened.
'Did that really happen?' I asked myself many times. I even slapped and pinched myself. 'It really happened. Demons . . . swordsman . . . I thought those creatures were just created by our imagination but, no. They are real.'
I stared at my right hand when I remembered how fast I used the sword professionally. Every move was very swift. I also did not tremble while I was killing those monsters. There was no fear, not even a bit.
After I took a shower and wore my newly-washed jogging pants and shirt, I slowly walked to my room. I lay down on my bed and tried to sleep but, minutes passed, and I was still awake. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw what happened earlier again and again.
I sat down and turned on the lampshade on my bedside table. I noticed the picture frame beside it when light filled the whole room. It was a picture wherein Dad was standing in front of our gate while carrying me when I was still a kid. He was wearing a black suit while me, a red dress with red shoes.
I took it and held it on my lap. I stared at Dad's smiling face as I smiled bitterly. 'Dad, were you connected to them? Why did not you tell me? Dad, I am so confused. I feel lost. Clear my mind . . . please.'
ASHER'S POINT OF VIEW
I sat down on the sofa while looking at the mess in front of me. "Damn it," I muttered as I closed my eyes but I sensed Aunt Wart's presence appeared in front of me so I just blinked.
She was still wearing her blue long-sleeved shirt and white fitted pants. She flipped her waist-length, wavy hair as she glared at me. "Why did not you alter her memory?" she asked. She knew what happened. I gave her a lazy look. "Aunt, I cannot do that. You know that. I cannot alter a god's or demigod's mind," I reasoned out. She sighed. "Oh, right. I forgot. My bad."
"What shall we do now? Does Aunt Er already know about this?" She nodded in response. "Of course, she already knew so, she ordered me to come back here and to tell you that you are going to tell her the truth as soon as possible." And, she also sat down beside me.
"She just killed, Aunt. If I tell her the truth right now, she might lose her senses. Killing demons is already too much for her to take." I flinched when I accidentally touched my injured thigh. "I did not tell you that you must tell her right now, Asher, but you must tell her soon for her to keep herself safe from demons and mostly, from Durlen." She tapped my left shoulder with her right hand. "My niece is now thirsty for answers. Let her drink or else, she might get dry and die." I was hesitant but I agreed, "Yes, I will tell her tomorrow."
SCARLETTE'S POINT OF VIEW
I frowned when I saw myself in the rectangular mirror inside the comfort room – black eyebags plus swollen eyes—what a face. I was not able to sleep because I was so afraid to close my eyes.
I sighed before I opened the faucet and washed my face with both hands. After taking a bath and getting prepared, I left.
I suddenly stopped when I noticed Asher standing in front of the gate. He was looking at me seriously. He seemed fine, without any sign of injuries. I was curious about that but I chose not to get curious more. I also looked at him with the same gaze before I decided to open the gate and finally left.
I felt him follow me. He even called my name but I did not bother to face him. 'Crap! Do not tell me what you know right now! I am still not ready for it!' I ran as fast as I could. I heard him still shouting my name so I covered my ears using my palms. 'Run! Do not stop! Keep running!'
"Scarle―"
"Please!" I stopped and faced him. He also stopped running, a few distances away from me. "Not now!" I begged. "But―" He tried to move closer but I shouted. "Do not tell me what you know right―"
I gasped as my eyes widened when a ring of fire all of sudden, lighted up around me. 'How did this appear here?' I looked at Asher, silently asking for an explanation. "You made it, Scarlette. You can control, make, and destroy fire or heat."
"Did not you set this up for me because you already know that I would run away from you?" I asked. He frowned. "Of course, not. Did you see me throw a lighter, matchstick, or whatever that could lighten up a fire?"
"No." Still, I did not believe him. "You might have done this through a hidden mechanism. You claimed yourself to be a science genius in your previous school." He denied my reasoning, "I would not do a trick like that to you, Partner. Now, if you still do not believe me, you have to calm yourself and the fire will be gone. If it works, you have to believe me."
My suspicions did not disappear. However, I breathed deeply to calm myself just like what he said. When I finally calmed down, the fire slowly faded until it disappeared without marks left.
"See? You can control fire," Asher stated seriously. "B-but how?" I asked, still confused. "You are a demigod like me, Scarlette." My mouth gaped open because of that. "H-huh? A-are you already out of your mind?" He rolled his eyes, annoyed by my untrusting gaze on him. "Coming from the one who killed demons at midnight who also happened to be the daughter of the late swordsman."
I pressed my eyes closed as I let out a heavy sigh. "Uh, this is so weird, too far from reality," I muttered. He walked towards me, still wearing his serious face. "I will tell you everything that you want to know. Just trust me." I simply nodded.
"And you have to accept your fate." After hearing the last sentence that came out of his mouth, I could feel my eyes fire up as I met his gray eyes. "Do I have other choices than accepting my real fate?" I asked. He fell silent. I smirked out of annoyance. Not annoyance to him but annoyance to my fate. Now, my simple life was ruined. "None," I answered my own question. "Do not worry. I am going to accept it. It was my fate after all."