Aira reached for the crystal and a brilliant light flashed before her eyes.
Suddenly, Aira and Ruby found themselves standing in a vast field of dandelions. The sight was breathtaking, and the real-life dandelions were even more stunning than they had imagined.
"Aira!" exclaimed Aira, surprised.
"Is she your doppelganger?" Ruby chimed in, her hand resting on her chin.
"No, she's the real Aira. She's my soul," the apparition explained.
"You guessed it right, Rose" Aira's soul confirmed, clad in a white dress amidst the field of dandelions.
"Can you explain?" Asked Aira.
"I will explain everything to you," Aira's soul promised, and Aira nodded, her full attention on her soul.
"This is a novel, but it's meant for the people who read it. We are characters, but we have feelings too. Not everything can go according to a novel. It's time for us characters to change it," Aira's soul declared with ambition gleaming in her eyes.
"Do you remember the name of the author?" Aira's soul inquired.
"No, it said anonymous," Aira replied.
"You're right. Our mother wrote this story. This novel was intended to bring your soul to my body," Aira's soul revealed.
"What do you mean by 'our mother'?" Aira questioned.
"Our mother, Selina Karol, was a talented mage. She had size manipulation magic but it was not that effective. She married our father, Damian Alberst. He magic was to control metal.
One day, when our mother gave birth to the two of us, a dragon appeared and it led to the destruction of the city.
However, Saint Marriane sacrificed her life to protect the city from the dragon.
Afterwards, our mother was blamed, and I was cursed with dark magic. People don't know about our mother and I was hated for my black magic ," Aira's soul recounted.
"So, this is why people hated you," Ruby added, nodding in understanding.
"Yes. Moreover, you were never abandoned, Rose. When she tried to escape with our father and us, I was left behind for reasons unknown.
The penalty for leaving the world was severe, and our mother and father lost their lives after mother published the novel. However, your life was spared, and I was adopted by my wealthy uncle, Davon Karol, as you already learned in the story," Aira's soul continued.
"But mother didn't do anything wrong, so why...?" Aira's voice trailed off, a mix of confusion and anguish in her tone.
"The people were manipulated by the demon Raid, whom they were unaware of. In reality, our mother and Saint Marriane were best friends, so I'm certain that Saint Marriane wouldn't have blamed our mother. If she thinks this way, she will connect with you at any time. Not only her, but the other four saints and saintesses. Water was the magic of Marriane," Aira's soul explained.
"So, we have to defeat Raid, correct?" Aira posited.
"Actually, no. Raid has already been vanquished by Saint Marriane. She placed a spell on him that subjected him to eternal agony, and he perished," Aira's soul clarified.
"Then what is our purpose?" Aira inquired.
"Our purpose is to overcome the soul of his daughter," Aira's soul disclosed.
"What do you mean? Who is she," Ruby interjected.
"I don't know you have to find it." Aira's soul asserted.
"Also, Why was you character shown like that then" asked Ruby.
"It's because, that's how it really was. I tried to find clad but things never go in the right way and people misunderstood me" said Aira's soul.
"Every novel has a hidden story, and I was created to change it. Allow me to explain. The daughter of Raid, you can call her shade (puppet) is being controlled by a soul created by him. She, too, was adopted and manipulated by the soul created by Raid.
There is a sword that can pierce one's soul and bring her original soul back. She may one day destroy the entire world by connecting our world to demon realm," Aira's soul elaborated.
"So, we not only have to save the world, but also her. But why me?" Aira wondered aloud.
"It's because I had dark magic, and you have elemental magic and divinity. I couldn't do it, so your soul was brought here," Aira's soul disclosed.
"Does this mean I was killed for this purpose?" Aira asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Didn't not ask Mr. Lixon about this?" Aira's soul queried.
"How do you know?" Aira inquired.
"Well, he is our Uncle, Davon Karol, our mother's brother. We can talk once in a month." Aira's soul revealed, showing Aira the mirror that Mr. Lixon had given her.
Aira and Ruby were in shock. "Aira, it's time for me to go. I will contact you when needed. I promise," Aira's soul said.
Once again, a bright light shone, and they found themselves back in the room.
"I can't believe Mr. Lixon is actually Uncle Davon," Aira murmured, breaking the silence. Ruby hopped closer, her ears twitching in concern.
"It explains why he was so interested in you, Aira," Ruby replied softly, her eyes fixed on Aira's troubled expression.
Aira nodded slowly, her thoughts racing. "But why keep it a secret? And why bring me into this... destiny?" Aira wondered aloud, more to herself than to Ruby.
"Perhaps Uncle Davon wanted to protect you, keep you safe from whatever dangers lie ahead," Ruby suggested, her voice gentle and comforting.
"Maybe," Aira whispered, her gaze shifting to the mirror on her table. She turned it over, inspecting the intricate carvings along its edges. Memories flashed through her mind — of original Aira's childhood, of her magic lessons, and now, of the startling revelations about her family and her purpose in this unfolding saga.
"Rose, if you are alive," Aira began. "Do you think I can do this? Save the world and...Shade?"
Ruby hopped closer, nuzzling against Aira's leg. "I believe in you, Aira. You've already shown incredible strength and courage. And now, with your soul's guidance, I'm sure you'll find a way."
Aira smiled faintly, a mix of determination and uncertainty in her eyes. "Thank you, Ruby."
"Ahh...don't praise me. With your sister and me, you can do anything. Let's inspect the mirror" said Ruby proudly.
Aira clutched the mirror, its smooth surface a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. But still can't find anythingthroughit abymore. Maybe it was the memory stored in it. It also looked old.
Mr. Lixon, her supposed benefactor, was actually Davon Karol, her uncle. The revelation was a heavy blow, but it paled in comparison to the truth about her very existence.
She wasn't just Aira, a girl with a mysterious past and a connection to the fictional world of the novel. She was the embodiment of a soul split in two, destined to fight a battle against the legacy of a demon she never knew.
"Shade is being controlled," Aira murmured, the weight of their mission settling on her shoulders.
Ruby, ever perceptive, nudged her hand with her furry head. "We'll save her, Aira. Together."
Aira offered a weak smile, her heart heavy with doubt. "But how? We don't even know where to begin."
The room seemed to shimmer, and a faint scent of lavender filled the air. A translucent figure materialized before them, her form shimmering like moonlight on water.
"Aira," the apparition spoke, her voice a gentle melody. "It is I, Saint Marriane."