Chapter 42 - Part 42

Kristen returned to her room, feeling exhausted after the day's events. As she entered, she was startled to find Sophia, the girl she had saved from human land, standing near the window. Sophia jumped when Kristen placed a comforting hand on her shoulder."Sorry, I didn't see you there," Sophia said, her voice filled with unease.Kristen looked concerned and asked, "Is everything okay?"Sophia let out a sigh and replied, "I shouldn't be here. You should have left me there.""But I couldn't just leave you behind," Kristen insisted. "You risked your life to save mine, even though we didn't know each other. You stood up against your people to protect me. How could I abandon you? They would have killed you.""I suppose so," Sophia mumbled, still feeling conflicted. Kristen's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Why did you take that risk for me? Why put yourself in danger?" Sophia paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I don't know," she finally replied. "It just felt like the right thing to do. Besides, I can sense your magic, and I felt a connection with you."Kristen, curious about Sophia's remark, replied, "Tell me more about yourself." She went on to the coffee table, pouring herself a cup and offering one to Sophia, who sat opposite her with a stiff smile."Well," Sophia began,I am from the vampire land. I belong to a clan that was left behind after the war. We did not want to do anything with the vampires, so we lived far away from the castle. A few weeks before, we were summoned to the castle, and the King wanted us to find the location of this place. I did not want any part in it, but I had no choice."How did you shapeshift? Is that your ability?" I asked her with genuine curiosity.Sophia's face scrunched up as she replied, "No, my powers come from the land, and they only bring destruction. I had to conceal my abilities to survive. My grandma forbade me from practising them." She said, her mouth set in a hard line.I placed her hand over Sophia's, offering a comforting gesture, and gently squeezed it. "You are incredibly brave to stand up against them. Nobody can harm you here; I will protect you. You are not alone in this," I reassured her with a smile.Sophia's eyes welled up with tears as she spoke, "The prince will kill my friends and grandmother. He has become ruthless and shows no mercy." Her body trembled with fear at the mere thought of him."Sophia, you have nothing to fear. Do you realize where you are? This is the Fork's land, and you are under the queen's protection. The people here are kind and treat each other like family. Trust me when I say you are safe here, and we will find a way to protect your family."I noticed the fear in Sophia's eyes slowly subside, replaced by a glimmer of hope. Kristen's words seemed to offer the comfort and security that Sophia desperately needed in this unfamiliar place. Sophia's smile faded as she voiced concern for her friends. "Thank you," she replied, "but I can't help but be worried about them." They're innocent, and they never wanted any part in this fight."Kristen nodded, her eyes soft. "I know what you're saying. Not too long ago, I was living a peaceful human life, where exams and classes were my biggest worries. Then, I was abducted by William and brought to the vampire land. I had no idea who I truly was. Edmond is evil, and I know they want me for a reason. I'm aware that witches are forced to side with Edmond, and I'll do everything in my power to save them. You have nothing to worry about; I will help them."Sophia felt a glimmer of hope in her heart as she listened to Kristen's words and saw the determination in her eyes. Kristen's presence brought peace of mind and strength, and Sophia knew that she was not alone in this daunting situation."Get some rest," I said to her. She nodded.There was a knock on the door, and we both turned our heads towards the intruder. A smile crept up on my lips when I saw Stanley.My heart fluttered nervously inside my chest. His deep blue eyes were locked on mine, as he came to a stop in front of us.Sophia's expression changed subtly as Stanley turned his inquisitive attention to her. Her eyes seemed to light up with admiration, and a soft smile appeared on her lips as she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Kristen couldn't help but feel jealous as she witnessed Sophia's obvious crush on Stanley.Sophia's heart fluttered with each moment she stole glances at Stanley. The way he carried himself, the warmth of his smile, and the genuine kindness in his eyes all made her feel a rush of emotions she couldn't quite describe. When their eyes met, it was like her heart skipped a beat, leaving her feeling both excited and shy."Hello," she at some point managed to say, her cheeks flushed with a faint blush. "I'm Sophia." Stanley's genuine smile widened. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sophia," he said warmly.As the conversation continued, Kristen couldn't shake the sense of jealousy creeping in. Sophia's eyes seemed to linger on Stanley, which made her uncomfortable. She tried her best to mask her emotions, but the slight tension in her posture betrayed her feelings."It's getting late," Stanley said gently to Sophia. "You should get some rest." He then turned to one of the maids and asked her to show Sophia to the guest room.Sophia smiled nervously as she looked up at Stanley, her eyes beaming with appreciation. "Thank you," she said quietly before giving him a nervous goodbye. "Good night." Kristen couldn't help but worry about the surprising wave of jealousy she felt as Sophia left to rest in the guest room. She tried to rationalize her emotions, reminding herself that Stanley was just being kind. However, witnessing how easily Sophia charmed him with her innocence and timidity made her feel uneasy.Stanley's playful smile was evident as he looked at Kristen, and he couldn't resist teasing her. "What's with the look on your face?" he asked, pretending not to notice her jealousy while casually placing his hands behind his back."It's nothing," Kristen replied, attempting to mask her feelings with a forced smile, but her unease was apparent. She turned away from him, hoping he wouldn't notice her inner turmoil.But Stanley was too perceptive to let it go. He caught her hand and pulled her gently towards him, causing her to stumble and fall into his chest, letting out a gasp. "Is that the jealous look?" he teased, knowing he had caught her off guard."Let go," Kristen insisted, avoiding eye contact, but Stanley's firm hold on her remained.Unwilling to let her escape her feelings, he gently lifted her chin with his finger, making her meet his gaze. As their eyes locked, Kristen felt the insecurity she had experienced moments ago melt away, replaced by the warmth of Stanley's affection."I cannot stand when someone looks at you like that," she confessed, finally accepting her jealous emotions.Stanley's lips curled into a smile as he brought her face closer to his, softly kissing her lips. "Being handsome is not my fault," he teased lightly, but his tone softened when he continued, "But my eyes and heart are only for you, my beautiful Kristen. That will never change. No one can have my heart but you."As he pulled her into a tight hug, Kristen felt a sense of comfort and reassurance. She knew that, despite any teasing or playful remarks, Stanley's love for her was unwavering. In his arms, she found a sense of belonging and knew that she held a special place in his heart, just as he did in hers. Their love was a bond that no one could break, and Kristen cherished the moments like this when their emotions spoke louder than words.There was a small smile on Stanley's lips. "Let's go." He said softly as his large body loomed over mine. "Where?" I asked curiously and pushed my chocolate brown hair behind my ears and my eyes were practically glowing with happiness."You'll see." He said with a dimpled smile. He reached my hands and entwine his long fingers with mine. I gaped down at them. He gently tugged on my hand and led me down the hall.My heart thumped louder in my chest. I could only walk quickly beside him as he led me down the large set of marble stairs. I frowned at the dark stone wall we were walking towards but didn't bother asking as he reached up and pulled the canister of one of the torches down. I watched in amazement as a panel in the wall slid to the side. It looked like a secret tunnel.Stanley gave me a reassuring smile and pulled me into the dark passage. The tunnel was cold and narrow. "Where are we going?" I asked after a few minutes of walking in complete silence."A sacred place.""Really?" I looked at him expectantly for more details but he just grinned, his blue eyes amused at my curiosity."It is a place where the witches pray to the goddess on eclipse when their powers are limited. It is believed that the goddess will ascend from heaven to bless the chosen one." He said with a hint of excitement in his tone."Chosen one?" I asked furrowing my brows in confusion."The goddess will appear only when she finds a person who is worthy to carry her powers and bless them with whatever request they have. The gathering happens on every eclipse which is today." He said calmly in an even tone.It wasn't long after we stepped out of the passage and entered a beautiful snowy garden. There were beautiful waterfalls with a small lake and the entire place was covered in green plants and beautiful flowers. It was magnificent."I have never seen a place like this before, it looks like heaven," I spoke loudly my voice turning to fog in the freezing air. Snow and ice clung to the bare branches of the forest trees, as light flakes fell from the sky. We stayed standing there a minute more before more people appeared from the other side of the lake dressed in cloaks. I clutched his hand gently and followed him to the group gathered ahead. I had trouble walking in the snow. I stumbled in every step I took and Stanley looked at me amusingly. I never saw you being clumsy. He said as I brushed the snow from my dress and cloak."It's hard to walk in the snow," I said and my cheeks flushed red."You are so beautiful when you're flustered." I could only gape up at him as he suddenly bent down and picked me off the floor. He carried me easily like I weighed nothing. I giggled at the sudden gesture. "I can do this all day." He said and laughed.I enjoyed being in his arms as it was so comfy but the walk was short after he put me down in front of other witches. I gazed at the others around us. Some chuckled looking at us and others saw us in awe. I just smiled at them awkwardly. From the look of it, all these people looked very powerful. I could practically feel their powers radiating around me.They all bowed at us with respect. I smiled and returned the gesture. Stanley just nodded at them and shot me an approving smile as his eyes glanced down at mine."We are glad to have you here, Miss," the woman said happily as she drew her cloak back to reveal her face. Her gorgeous emerald eyes captivated me the most, even though she appeared to be almost my age. As I glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the statue they mentioned, the girl seemed to understand my curiosity and smiled gently. "We don't have a statue of our goddess," she stated with a sad expression. "She has yet to reveal herself to us in person. Only the Queen has had the honour of meeting her face-to-face, and it seems our goddess prefers not to have a statue.Her words left me curious and fascinated by the mysterious goddess they worshipped. Even without a physical sign of their deity, it was obvious that their faith and devotion were strong. The absence of sculpture did not reduce their devotion but rather added an air of mystique to their beliefs, making me feel even more drawn to their sacred rituals."I see," I said unsure about how to respond.They knelt around the small lake, joined hands, and started chanting in a foreign tongue, sending their prayers to the goddess they worshipped. The atmosphere in this sacred place felt special and filled with a sense of fascination. My eyes were fixed on the calm pool, and a mysterious allure drew me closer. It was as if the water was also calling out to me, reaching out to some buried connection within me.The lure of the pool was strong, and I found myself slowly drawn toward it. Each movement I made felt guided by an unseen power as if the very essence of the place was guiding me to come closer. The air seemed charged with ancient energy, and I could sense an intense presence enveloping the surroundings. The chanting voices became softer as I approached the water, and a profound silence filled the place. The water's surface shimmered with an otherworldly glow, and it felt as though the water held secrets of the cosmos waiting to be unveiled. My heart quickened with a mixture of curiosity and admiration as I stood by the edge, captivated by the enigmatic pond's beauty and power. At that moment, I felt a connection to something greater than myself, as if the pool held a link to a forgotten realm, and I was on the verge of discovering a long-lost truth. The experience was both thrilling and frightening reminding me of the profound mysteries that lay beyond the ordinary world.The allure of the pool was irresistible, and I found myself drawn to the other side, Stanley's voice fading into the background as my feet moved on its own. Kneeling opposite the others, my hands seemed to move of their own accord, reaching out to touch the glistening water. As my fingers made contact with the icy surface, a jolt of energy shot through my body, yet I remained strangely unaffected. The chanting around me had stopped, and all eyes were on my movements. I was confused and uncertain of what I was doing when I heard a quiet giggle from the depths of the water. A wave of relief came over me, and I smiled, as if in reaction to the unseen presence inside."Come in," the beautiful and melodious voice from within the water said. I stepped into the water without hesitation, trusting the voice. The murmurs of the others and Stanley's hurried approach reached my ears, but I was already immersed in the middle of the pond.The chill of the water wrapped around my skin, but I felt strangely unfazed by it. As the other witches expressed their confusion, the atmosphere sang with intrigue and disbelief. "How did she manage to do that?" "What is going on?" they pondered aloud. My gaze remained fixed on the water's surface, fascinated by its mystical allure. Suddenly, the water began to swirl around me in a mesmerizing dance, and my eyes glazed over, lost in a trance-like state. My head dropped back, but an unseen power held me in place, and I submitted to the magical currents that encircled me. I felt an immediate connection to something great and strong. The pool seemed to hold secrets and knowledge beyond my understanding, and I became a vessel for its enchantment. As mysterious energies surrounded me, I found myself floating, my consciousness buried in the unfathomable depths of the pool."It's nice to meet you, Kristen." The angelic voice spoke."Who are you?" I asked bewitched by the voice."You can call me Arora." The girl spoke softly in a magical voice."Hi," I said and smiled like a fool. She chuckled."I know you have questions for me. Ask." She said. Even though I couldn't see her I can feel her warm smile.I wanted to ask her so many questions. I knew she was the goddess that the Witches were praying to and they said no one other than the Queen saw her but why did she choose to speak to me? Why? I thought."Because you are special." She answered my thoughts. "You can read my thoughts?" I asked the obvious stupid question. She just smiled."Why me?" I asked her."You are the light and hope to your people. There is a reason why you were blessed with the powers." She spoke softly."What should I do? How should I help save my people and the humans against the vampires." I asked."Trust your powers. You are much stronger than you think." She said and I sighed."Everyone tells me that I am powerful but I do not know about it fully and sometimes I lose control. When I don't how or when to use my powers how can I help others? Please help me." I said.There was a moment of silence before the water started to become more hotter and started to boil around me. People around us gasped and took several steps far from the pond. Stanley was screaming my name and asking me to get out of the water but I just stood there still unaffected by the sudden rise in temperature.The water in front of me took a form of a girl. At first, it was just a layout of water but then the water turned into a girl who looked a year or two older than me. Her skin looked like porcelain, her eyes matched mine with beautiful lips and she did look like a real goddess in a white dress which matched her vibrant hair. Her face looked familiar but I couldn't see her. I bowed my head and greeted her with proper respect."There is no need for that." She said and smiled. "You look familiar," I said furrowing my brows in confusion.She just gave me an amusing look and asked "How many times have you seen your mirror?" She asked. The question didn't make sense. "Only when I dry my hair," I answered her stupidly and she laughed."The next time you see it you will know." was her reply which I didn't understand."Now to answer your question. You must trust your instincts. There is no rule book when it comes to magic. It's your gift you must figure it out." She said and I slumped my shoulder like a frustrated child. Her answers were not of much help to me. She chucked looking at my expression."Worry not. The next time you use your powers you will know how to control them just follow your instincts and use them wisely." She said."Can I ask you something?" I asked her hesitantly. She nodded."People said my parents died protecting me, even though I have their memories from my childhood I want to know what happened," I asked her earnestly."Witches are the only supernatural beings gifted with the powers to bring peace to other races. One who understands and puts the powers to good cause they are sent to heaven and gets the blessing of being rebirth but one who misuse the powers for destruction will fall into the abyss of darkness. " I frowned at the look that passed over her beautiful bright eyes. I couldn't read her expression."Your parents are blessed and they brought nothing but happiness to the humans and lived their life protecting others. You are just like them helping others without giving a second thought. Your soul is pure." She said and tucked my hair behind my ear. A warm sensation passed into my body. I felt relieved knowing that my parents didn't fall into the darkness. The emptiness I had inside my heart and the earning for my parents was washed away by her simple touch.A lone tear escaped my eyes. I was in peace and my mood suddenly lifted when she spoke."You can ask for one blessing in this lifetime, and I will grant it to you." "Think twice before asking," the goddess said, her words wise and careful.My breath caught in my throat, realizing the importance of the moment. The goddess was offering me a wish, a single desire to be fulfilled. The options flooded my mind, each option seems to more tempting than the last. Should I ask to see my parents? Or should I ask for eternity for both Stanley and myself? But I realized it would be two wishes, and she had said she would only grant one.I was lost in my thoughts, carefully weighing the options. Did I need more powers? I considered, but I already possessed abilities beyond imagination. As I pondered, a sense of clarity washed over me. I looked deep within myself and found an abundance of love, happiness, and strength. I took a deep breath and spoke my heart out to the goddess. "I think I have everything," I said truthfully. "I have love, happiness, and the power to save others." "I don't think I need anything more than your blessings."The goddess looked at me with wide eyes and chuckled a sound that echoed throughout the sacred space. She looked like she was expecting that response from me."Your heart is pure, dear child," she said softly and lovingly. "To recognize all that is within is a true blessing itself.""After all the things you had in your little mind, I thought you will ask for immortality or wish to obtain greater powers." She said trying to contain her laughter which made me laugh with her lightly."You are the goddess and I know you will protect us. I have my powers. I just hope to use it right." She looked at me proudly and hugged me. I hugged her back.

"I never thought I would get a chance to see you. I am really happy."