The Hidden World of Nitea [2 | The Other Realms Series]

Chapter Twenty-Three

After a few minutes, the marine maiden's voice had faded into oblivion. The trio found themselves in a dark area. Though they could see each other, there appeared to be no light source. Their environment reminded Eddie of their Portable Practice Rooms.

Walk straight.

"We should walk straight," Eddie said.

"But the voice is telling me to turn right," Stella argued.

"The voice is telling me to turn left," said Jon.

Eddie touched his chin. "I think the voices want us to separate. We have to face the trials on our own."

Worry painted Stella's face. "On our own?"

"We'll be fine," Eddie said, "last time we—actually, more like you two—managed to defeat a shadow back at Old Port Warehouse, and we were just beginners. We're far more experienced now. As long as we follow the voices, we should succeed."

"Alright. So, let's go?" Jon asked.

Eddie nodded his head. "Let's go. I'll see you two on the other side."

The three of them parted ways. Eddie listened to the voice in his head.

Walk straight.

Eddie obeyed. He looked nowhere else but in front of himself. He walked forward. He perceived a bright light at the end of the path. A portal? Where could it lead to? He continued his march. Once he reached the end, the light flared until it enveloped his surroundings. It faded to reveal a place he least expected to be in.

Bois de Boulogne. Eddie looked behind himself. The dark path that he had just passed through had vanished. Did he take a wrong turn? It could not be; the voice instructed him to walk straight, and only that. There should be a reason why he was brought to the park—or a manifestation of it, rather.

"Edmond."

He recognized the voice. He turned around. Standing in front of him was the person he least expected to see.

Aurore. His first love. There she stood, not far from him, as youthful and beautiful as he remembered. Her locks of chestnut brown cascaded from the top of her head and framed her small visage, and her striking cerulean eyes contrasted the carmine of her luscious lips. The bodice of her dress flattered her lithe body, while its skirt flowed from her waist like a waterfall. As stunning as she was, he knew her physical beauty was the least attractive thing about her.

"Aurore."

"Edmond, I miss you," she said.

His skin tingled upon hearing her. He had forgotten how sultry she sounded. "Euh, what are you doing here? I thought you moved to Switzerland."

"I'm just paying a visit. I'm surprised to see you here. It's been so long."

"Indeed, it has."

She sauntered towards him. His mind urged him to back away. She's not Aurore! She's not Aurore! Yet, he paid no heed. He only stood frozen like an ice sculpture as she ambled towards him. Soon, she was only an arm's length from him.

"Since it's just the two of us here, why not you stay awhile?" she asked. "I would love your company."

"I-I have to go," he told her.

"Go where?"

"I-I don't know. I'm not supposed to be here."

She tilted her head and looked at him, doe-eyed. "Can't you stay just for a short while? We haven't sung a duet in a long time."