Alin kept running, however the dark entity that is chasing her keeps getting closer to her as well. Despite doing her very best to get away from the black lady, the lady can closer the gap easily without even running at all.
'Dang it, is it because of my small body that I can't outrun this ghost?!' Alina thought. She wants to avoid looking back behind, because she didn't want to see the lady's face again. But, her reflexes just keeps kicking in causing her to continuously check on the lady's location.
"Little child ~ let's play ~"
Alina closed her eyes and covered her ears as she keep running. The voice of the lady sounds husky and deep that it scares her even more.
'Just stay quiet please! Everything about you is scary! Oh, wait I can touch myself now...' Tears had started running down to her cheek. She once again open her eyes and look ahead, biting her lips while trying to catch for breaths. She follows the golden strings and the more she runs towards the end of it, the more it glows. Because of it's glow, Alina can now determine if the floor is safe or not, thanks to the golden strings.
"That's not the right way, little child ~ turn around and come back here ~" Alina grits her teeth as she furrowed her brows. Following the golden string that is currently connected to her finger, she kept running. Ignoring the protest of the lady.
'Why is she sing-songing!? It's annoying because her voice is so low!' Alina thought, trying to calm herself. She can feel her heart beating so fast because of the run, and she can also feel like her throat is being blocked by something.
"HAHA,"
Alina flinched when she heard the lady's voice changing into something even more scary. Her voice seems like it's coming from the deepest layer of the earth.
"WHY ARE YOU RUNNING AWAY FROM ME, LITTLE CHILD?"
Alina's tears continuously trace down to her cheeks as she heard the deep, low, and scary voice of the lady that's chasing behind her. Her sobs starting to get loud, and her vision blurry because of the tears that are escaping her eyes.
'I'm scared. I'm scared...please help me...' She thought. Because of her fear and nervousness, she can even hear her own heartbeat now.
"WON'T YOU LISTEN TO ME, LITTLE CHILD!?"
The voice of the lady echoed when her voice raised. Alina covered her ears and kept her eyes peeled open as she follow the golden string.
Her tears won't stop, and her heart won't calm down. She's feeling the fatigue after working very hard to run away from the lady despite the heavy breathes. She gasped for air as she continue running. She made the string her navigation device and her goal was to reach the end of it. Her glowing body starts to slowly glow dim, as if it's going to vanish anytime soon.
The lady behind Alina keeps telling her to turn around. But Alina is determined to chase over the golden string that gives her the feeling of relief. She is now convinced that this lady won't help her escape the place where she is right now, but still believed that this black lady is the last boss.
She realizes that what's waiting for her at the end of this long gold string will help her defeat this lady. That's why her determination to keep running is high.
However, despite her long run in order to escape the black lady, her efforts were shattered.
"WHY WON'T YOU?"
Alina's eyes widens when all of a sudden, the black lady appeared right in front of her. Her dark appearance and the hole on it's face scared Alina. Her heart almost jumped out from her chest as she cover her ears and close her eyes, crouching down on the floor.
"AHHHHHH! HELP ME!"
--
Asher and Abel were both shocked to sense a strange aura enveloping the Princess as they watch over her. Asher looks dismayed, while his brother looks really worried. The family of the Princess are all in distress as they sense the same thing that the Astra felt. Alina's face become even more pale, and her groans are starting to become more loudly, as if she wants to scream. She's clenching on her chest so hard that her clothes is getting crumpled.
"Bad...this is bad, Brother!" Abel called. Asher did not respond and walk towards Alina. His eyes glows as he activated his stella vision.
"What are you going to do, brother?" Abel asked.
However, Asher did not answer him at all and just entered his arm inside the barrier and placed his hand onto Alina's forehead.
"I can use stella vision to put more divine mana to the Princess, but this would affect her body and might get crippled. It is because my mana will force its way within her despite being blocked by the dark magic," Asher spoke, straightforward. Every member of the imperial family were surprised that they can't even respond to Asher right away. Asher sighed and furrowed his brows.
'I didn't want to do this, but I can just heal her after this...' Asher thought.
"And my power is too much for her little body, but in order to--"
"W-we'll do it!" Diellzain yelled. Asher cocked his brow to the kid.
"What are you saying? It's true that your magic won't give her body any side-effects since you don't need to force it in, but releasing too much magic with your allure vision activated will get you exhausted right away," Asher explained. Orpheus closed his eyes and lowered his head, while his first and second son stared at each other, as if they were talking with their eyes.
"Who cares about that? You said that you'll restore mana for us, right?" Orpheus asked. Asher looked at Orpheus who's closing his eyes, the Astra's face full of annoyance. However, it is for a fact that they can also do the same thing as Asher is planning to do. With the barrier transforming their mana into a divine mana, they can just activate their allure vision and their body will be able to release double the power of the mana they've been releasing.
"Tsk. Alright," Asher spoke and pulled his hand away.
Orpheus opened his eyes, and it is now glowing. His three sons did the same, and their Odilia eye designs turned white, with their eyes glowing gold.
"Brother...this is really bad. The Princess' complexion is getting worst. She's starting to turn pale, and her hair..." Asher looked at Alina's hair and was even more alarmed to see its root starting to turn black.
His face darkens as he grin like a villain.
'You're really testing my patience, freak...'
He thought. Knowing that Alina's situation is getting really dangerous as the time passes by. Asher knew that once her hair turns to black completely, her body has already been taken over, and might attack everyone here right away. He knew of this, but refused to tell the imperial family about it. Because he wants them to keep doing what they're currently doing. He refuse to give them a choice whether to continue or not despite the hidden danger. That's because he already knew what the answer is going to be.
And he also didn't want those people to stop, his goal is to save Alina after all. Be it sacrificing her family or any other way.
"What's the purpose of giving more mana to Ali?" Helios asked. Ignoring the fact that Asher's face looks like he was about to destroy a country just now.
Asher took a deep breath and his expression turned cold again.
"There's this dark magic core within the princess. And I can sense her soul within it. I'm pretty sure she was trapped inside, and is having a hard time to escape. This dark magic core spreads black magic around her mana core, and once it successfully covered the mana core with its revolting magic, he'll be able to take over Alina's body," Asher explained. Abel felt amazed by his brother, for being able to explain everything properly for the first time. But he knew it wasn't the right time for that.
"Once we've got enough divine mana within her, I will control it from the outside, and use it to dissolve and disperse anything dark within the Princess' body," Asher was about to activate his stella vision again but, felt Abel's stares. He turns his head up to the man beside him who's giving him annoyed stares.
"Alright...then, tell me how much more do they have to do this," Asher said. Abel nods his head and turns to Alina's direction. He activated his stella vision and saw how much divine mana and dark magic are within the Princess. He can even see the dark core that's trapping the Princess within.
"Just...a bit more, Brother. Please keep releasing magic, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, a bit more..." Abel spoke. Orpheus and his sons nods their heads.
"Can you call Kiernan here as well?" Asher spoke. Kiernan Chilton is currently the High Priest of the Ciera Cathedral, that is located in front of the Temple of Ciera.
"Kier? Alright," Abel closed his eyes and activated telepathy.
'Kier, you there? Come here at the Magic Tower's basement right away,'
Kiernan, on the other side was surprised to hear the voice of the Tower's magician and Astra speaking within his mind. This was never the first time that happened, but he wasn't expecting it. He's even more curious because it is the same time as when he felt something really really dark from their location.
The young man paused his hand from writing a letter he's supposed to send to the temple and put the quill down. He stood up and walk towards his wardrobe. He chose a simple white long sleeve polo and black slacks pants.
After using his magic to wear it, he immediately teleports to the place that Abel mentioned.
And when he arrived, he immediately sense the strong and dark aura within the basement. It causes him to cover his mouth and a few coughs. His coughs caught the attention of the imperial family members and turned their head to him.
"Greetings, to the Imperial Family...there seem to be a problem here," Kiernan spoke, looking at the Princess that's lying down on a bed. She's groaning, and her hair is continuously turning black.
"That's right...someone is trying to take over my daughter body. Astra, what is the purpose of dragging the High Priest here?" Orpheus asked, without even looking at Asher.
"To make sure that the princess' condition is alright after we wake her up," Asher said. The three brothers of Alina felt a bit of relief after hearing his words. That means that it won't be long before Alina wakes up. Based on the tone of voice that Asher used, he's quite sure that the Princess will be saved soon.
"My second son can also do that," Orpheus retorted.
"Well, your second son don't have divine mana. Our Kiernan here have a device given to him that transform his light magic to a divine magic. Although it is not allowed to use it continuously because of its limitations," Asher answered. Kiernan placed his right hand on his chest, and his left hand behind him.
Asher's first choice of saving Alina was to use the device that Kiernan have. However, this device cannot produce divine magic constantly. Because of its limitation, once the divine magic within it ran out, it has to be put aside for a whole day to restore its divine mana.
"I will make sure that the Princess is fine. You can trust me, Your Majesty," Kiernan spoke. Orpheus nods his head.
"I trust the High Priest. You were the one who cured my daughter," Kiernan blinks for a couple of times before turning his head to Asher. Who's the exact person who saved the Princess and only called Kiernan there to watch over Alina. Asher did not react at all about Kiernan getting the credits.
"I'm glad to hear that, Your Majesty," Kiernan smiled, ignoring the words of the Emperor.
"We just didn't want the temple knowing about this," Helios spoke. Kiernan nods his head before he replied.
"Please, be at ease. The situation right now will be buried at the back of my head," Kiernan answered. The imperial family members just stayed quiet as they continue to do what they're doing.
"Just a little more," Asher mumbled.
'Hang it there, Clara,'
--
In a place, where the darkness envelops the whole area. Two entities can be seen in the middle of the dark. One has given up the will to escape, as the other one keeps persuading the young teen to give up. Crashing her tiniest will to keep living.
Unlike earlier, when Alina was running, her body has now changed to the appearance of a young lady with brown hair and black eyes. She wears an unusual clothes that is out of this world. A red and black checkered skirt, long sleeve blouse, with a striped necktie hanging around her neck, and a knee high black socks.
Clara's body has gone back to its original.
She is sitting on the dark floor, with the dark entity hugging her from behind, whispering to her.
"That's right, little child. Outside this dark place, no one is trying to save you," The dark lady spoke. Clara's eyes can be seen, dull and exhausted. The glow on her body starting to become dim, as if it's slowly turning into the same color as the dark lady behind her.
'No way...I trust Asher...I know he's there...' Clara thought as she refuse to close her eyes. She believed that once her eyes has closed, she won't be able to come back anymore.
"The Astra that you trust so much told everyone about your secret..." Clara did not respond and just stared into thin air.
'Asher won't do that...he has no reason to...it won't benefit him...' Clara believed in Asher. Even if it's just Asher she believes in, she knew she's trusting the right person. But she also wants to believe in her new family as well.
"Your family that looks at you dearly are all disappointed after hearing the truth..." Clara gulped as her mouth gape open. She wasn't planning to speak at all. She just wants to catch air, due to the feeling of suffocation.
"The Third Prince, he's looking at you with disgust," Somehow, Clara remembers the way that Diellzain looks at her. It's so gentle despite the nasty attitude that he has. Imagining that he's doing the same thing that the ghost described...she can't think of it at all.
'Diellzain...no. He won't do that...' Clara thought. She was surprised. All the doubts within her are still there, but she can't even imagine Diellzain reacting like that at all.
"Your gentle and soft second brother almost destroyed the whole palace after hearing it. While your first brother and so-called dear 'Daddy', couldn't even look at you now. Your head maid and playmates were all disappointed,"A tear dropped on Clara's right eye.
The very thought of losing those gentle smiles, soft tone of voice, and kind looks hurts her heart that it feels like her chest is tightening. Despite trying her best to maintain a strong mind. She still can't defy the lady's magic to hypnotize her.
"On the other hand, your previous family are waiting for you...hoping for you to wake up from this state called 'comatose'," Clara's eyes widens after hearing the words of the dark lady behind her. She couldn't believe what she just heard.
'How'd she know about me?' Clara thought.
"I told you. The magician had already spread your secret," Her chest throb as the words of the black lady pierced through her heart. The very thought of Asher telling everyone about her secrets makes all her determination to slowly fade away.
'Did he really...'
'No, that'd be waste of effort,'
Remembering Asher's words, she grits her teeth and furrowed her brows.
'Asher won't...he won't...' Clara thought. But it is still a fact that the dark lady knew about the real her. And there's no other source of information about her secret besides Asher. However, with her situation right now, she knew that the lady is just trying to force her to give in to the darkness.
"You're persistent," The lady clicked her tongue. And all of the sudden, her appearance changed to that of a middle-aged woman with black hair and eyes.
"Why do you fight against it, Clara?" Clara flinched as she slowly turn her eyes to the left side. Not completely looking at the woman. She was surprised to see her mother, the one she used to call mother in her previous world.
"Come back to us, my dear daughter," Unlike the mother she knows, the one that yells at her, the one that hits her, slap her, smack her, drag her by the hair, this one is talking to her with a soft and gentle voice. Clara's tears continue to fall down.
"Your siblings and Papa are waiting for you," Hearing those words, she can't help but let out sobs. Her thought of being with her previous family again hurts her more than anything.
She remembers all her encounters in her new world, and her new experiences. Despite saying that she regret being transported in this world. She admits that all the love and affection she received as Alina was something that she will forever treasure. And all the hates and abuse she got from her previous family were something that she will bury at the bottom of her mind and forget about.
"Don't...wanna," Clara mumbled. Her tears continue to fall.
"Come with me, Clara. The people here won't love you the same way we do," Clara grits her teeth.
'You call that love...?' Clara remembers all the abuse she experienced with her previous family and her chest aches even more. Her sobs started to become even more loud as she felt her throat tightening. As if someone's choking her, all because of suffocation.
"That's right...we love you very dearly..." She felt herself slowly being weak. Her eyes that lost its color is starting to turn black. Her eyes felt heavy that she wants to close it and sleep.
'Ziel, Ryna, Ande...Themis...Heli...Aeli...Dae...' Clara thought as her eyes slowly closes.
'Dad...Asher...' The faces of everyone she met in her new world flashes in her mind.
Every happy moments were fleeting. Even the life she had in this world, didn't lasts longer. Despite that, she was happy everyday, even though she felt scared, and doubts won't leave her mind and heart, she knows that those encounters made her happy. She was glad to experienced that kind of things even in just a moment.
Clara smiled.
'Sorry, Asher...I must have let you down...' Clara's eyes slowly shut. Giving up on everything, as she realizes that there's no way out of the dark lady's grasp.
However, just when all hope were crushed...
"That child...she's mine. I'm taking her back," Clara slowly opens up her eyes when she heard a very soft and gentle voice of a woman. Right after she open those eyes again, she can see a small glowing figure approaches their location.
"Who are you? This is my kid. Don't interrupt us!" The dark lady that pretends to be Clara's mother raised her left hand and attacked the woman. But the woman deflected the dark magic without even moving her hands.
"W-what happened?" The dark lady attacked her again, but the same thing happened. The attack was deflected even though she was just walking.
'W-who's that...? Why is she calling me her child...?' Clara thought as she saw the glowing figure.
"She's my daughter. Let her go,"
***