Kota stayed silent as he stared into the mirror as Aria crossed the threshold of the surface. He felt his heartbeat increase as he took a stride back from her while staring at her out stretch hand. He reached out his hand to grab Aria's, but he stopped right before her gloved hand as he focused on his own hand, shaking. Kota turned and saw the inside of the emporium and took another step back before looking into her gold eyes.
"Why are you here?"
"You watched me die, and that is the only question to think to ask? You do not know who these people you are fighting actually are," questioned Aria as she moved closer, holding her hand out slightly closer to his.
Taking in a deep breath, he focused his mind as he closed his grip into a fist as he shook his head. Aria stepped all the way out of the mirror and stood in front of him. "I know this is not real," he said as he brought his arm to his waist before adding, "You said it yourself, I watched you die."
"You watched me die. That is correct," said Aria as she paused, moving her hand to her side before turning around, glancing at herself in the mirror. "You were more powerless than I could have imagined. I wished you could have saved the kingdoms instead of bringing further into chaos."
Kota quickly took a step forward. "I am saving the Kingdoms! We are working on a plan to stop this damned war before the king and Cordelia cause more bloodshed. I was holding on to you, that you were still alive to help."
He watched as she stayed focused on herself before she laughed. Kota walked closer to the counter to his left. He saw her move her hand through her silver hair and smirked. "Is something I said funny to you?" Kota asked as he pounded his fist on the counter, making her stop before turning her attention in the mirror to him.
"You could not even save me. How in the hell do you plan to stop a King? You are not a caller and those around will do the heavy lifting as normal," questioned Aria as she turned around, gesturing her hands out wide. "I know you, you are the one being carried by others."
A sharp pain entered his mind as he stumbled to his left, reaching for the counter while gripping his head. Falling forward but still able to gain his balance, he stopped as an unfamiliar smell permeated the air. Removing his right hand from his head, he felt his hand dampen as he saw the crimson of blood on his fingertips. Kota quickly covered his face with his left hand as the smell of blood occupied the air. "You have the resolve to take out an enemy, but what about a friend? The King and Cordelia will do anything to complete their task. You do not have the stomach to face me, even in death," said Aria as she walked to face his sight as darkness surrounded the two of them.
Kota kept his eyes down as he felt the rage inside of him built. "I am not weak. You are just inside my head. I do not have to listen to you."
He concentrated on the wood in front of the counter as the blood on his right hand dripped onto the floor below. Focusing on the small puddle that had been created, he kept his focus off her until she stepped into the small puddle as he stared now at the bottom of her red dress. "I did not pause that curse of yours to be fixated on the past. You are too weak to even look into my eyes," said Aria before he reached out in anger to push her out of the way.
His hand touched her shoulder, only for her to twist his left wrist to the side. He felt no pain, but as he moved his eyes up, she yanked him forward before ramming her left elbow into his stomach. Falling to his knees, he gasped for air as he brought both of his arms to cover his gut. "If I wasn't real, then how could I have done that?" asked Aria as he watched her reposition her feet in front of him. "Look me in the eye!"
Trying to regain his breath, he lifted his head before she knelt in front of him, grabbing his chin. He met her gaze as Kota saw her eyes were a different color before he focused on her mouth as she cracked a smile. She tilted her head slightly before staring into his gaze. "The blood of your friends will be on your hands, Prince. You can do nothing to stop their plans."
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A Spark Against the Shadows (Book Two) Fully Released
Fantasía**Full Book Posted** After the events of Asana Prison, Kota and his group have learned of the Mysterious Woman's plan with Damira and Mara. The group seeks to stop the coming storm, but they cannot fight on multiple fronts. The two Winters know what...
