Divided

Attack

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has been reading and voting! 

Caterina's POV

I turn to Queen Celeste, who's still absorbed in a thick book. The grand library of the castle surrounds us, its towering shelves filled with countless volumes. The air is rich with the scent of aged paper, and sunlight filters through the high windows, casting soft, colorful patterns across the stone floor.

"Umm... Celeste?" I say her name, my voice quiet yet steady, a ripple in the otherwise peaceful stillness.

She looks up at me, her brown eyes filled with a warmth that seems to reach into the depths of my soul. Slowly, she sets the book aside, her fingers lingering on the cover for a moment before she focuses entirely on me. The air around us feels charged now, as if she's giving me her full attention, making the moment feel weightier than usual.

"Yes, dear?" Her voice is soft, patient, as if she's been waiting for me to speak.

I hesitate, uncertainty fluttering in my chest. How do I even begin? My fingers curl around the edges of my dress as I try to gather my thoughts. "There's something I've been thinking about," I begin, my voice faltering but growing stronger as I continue. "Ever since the moment I met you... you look... very familiar. Like someone from my world."

Celeste's lips curl into a gentle, almost knowing smile. A soft, melodic laugh escapes her—quiet, like a whisper of understanding. It's warm and reassuring.

"It seems you've met my doppelganger, Caterina," she says, the words rolling off her tongue with ease. A subtle sparkle lights her eyes, as though she's aware of the weight of what she's saying.

Her gaze doesn't leave mine as she continues, her voice laced with a quiet, amused undertone. "In fact, there have been four women who've looked exactly like me in your world." She lets the statement linger in the air, her eyes soft but steady, patient, waiting for me to absorb it. "We exist in somewhat parallel worlds," she adds, as if the idea is both entirely natural and deeply familiar to her.

I blink, the words tumbling in my mind, each piece of information trying to lock into place. Parallel worlds? My head spins for a moment as I struggle to understand the full meaning of her words.

She watches me closely, her gaze never wavering, before speaking again. This time, her tone shifts, deepening, the warmth fading just slightly as something more serious settles in. "I used to visit often and meet with my doppelgangers for many centuries... but then humans began searching for the exact location of our world. They believed there was something they needed to obtain."

A chill sweeps through me, a shiver running down my spine. I'm transported back to the conversation I had with Xander, his cryptic words suddenly rushing to the surface of my thoughts.

The orb...

"Xander mentioned an orb," I say, my voice quieter now, a knot forming in my stomach as I meet her gaze.

Celeste looks down, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, she lifts her head to meet my eyes again, her gaze more intense, more focused. "Only a supernatural being can use that orb to open a portal between our worlds."

The realization crashes into me like a tidal wave, everything Xander had told me about falling into place.

Just as I open my mouth to speak, the heavy wooden door of the library creaks open, cutting me off.

"Celeste!" A voice rings out, vibrant and filled with energy. Ajia bursts into the room, her footsteps quick and light, and before anyone can react, she dashes straight toward Celeste, throwing her arms around her in an exuberant hug.