The Curse of Once Upon a Time

Chapter XXII: Yin and Yang

There was still one thing that remained unanswered in Serenity's battlefield of the mind. If there was one major thing that being in the Teller dimension had done for Serenity—besides letting her see Atlantis again—it was give her a few answers, like about the Book of Tellers.

She knew that the opportunity to talk to Saige and Atlantis would have been impossible or illegal. Saige had broken probably about a million rules just to talk and interact with her. Her crossover into the Teller dimension wasn't just not allowed, it defied the laws of the universe.

She had tried to pass it off as nothing before when Saige had said it, but starting to think about it, it was bothering her more and more. They had said that the reason that Atlantis had been able to see the symbols in the book was because she was a medium. Without the internet, Serenity couldn't look up what it meant, but she had heard it before.

From what she knew, a medium was somebody that could communicate with the living and the dead. Almost like they were a bridge. They were able to interact in both worlds; living and dead.

It made her start to think about Lani. As far as she knew, Lani had never talked about seeing dead people or spirits or talking to them or whatever mediums were supposed to do. Serenity didn't know if she was right about the definition of what a medium was, but she felt like she understood it enough.

She had been sure for a while that Lani was a medium, but there was itching at the back of her mind. It didn't sound right. What if Lani wasn't a medium? What if there was something else? Was it possible that Lani could have a demon living inside of her too?

You're thinking too much.

Serenity sat up from her bed. After an entire day of spending time with Atlantis, she was tired. She was tired, but she wasn't that tired. She had heard somebody say it. Somebody had been talking. It felt like they were in the room.

"Who are you?" Serenity asked, grabbing her blanket as if it could be used as a defense. "Where are you?"

You mean you don't already know? My, my, my, Serendipity Hero Wioax, you really bring shame to your family without my aid.

Serenity clutched the blanket tighter. What was going on? What was she supposed to do? The room was dark. She couldn't see any shadows. There wasn't much light from the outside. Was she supposed to get Saige?

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

"What? Do what?"

Call for Saige. A Teller really has no business here. They can't do anything either. Face it, Serendipity. They can't help you here. You've been a misfit all of your life. They can try, but even immortal beings can't fix you.

"I swear, if you—"

If I don't what, Serendipity Wioax? What are you going to do to me? You don't even know where I am. You don't know what I am or what I'm capable of.

Whoever or whatever it was, it was right. Serenity didn't know anything about it. She didn't know where it was coming from, she didn't know what was saying it. She didn't know anything about it. If she tried to fight it, she was certain that she would die.

It must have been lying then. Calling for Saige would have been the right thing to do. If anybody knew how to take care of what was going on, it would be Saige. Even if they didn't, they would have a better idea of what was happening than Serenity did.

You're laughable, really. Saige is a Teller. A storyteller. The type of one that tucks you in for bed and sings you to sleep. They're soft and weak. I, my dear Serendipity Hero Wioax, am far more than that.