SCARLET 2: ALICE (Emerald Series)

28

CLYDE

"Professor Thelessa!" I called out to her. Sumakay siya sa chariot na sinakyan namin kanina. "Saan ka pupunta?"

"Babalik na tayo," she said. Her face is full of determination.

"I don't understand!" I shouted. "Una, pinigilan mo siyang patayin 'yong baliw na 'yon. Pangalawa, you made her go to them. Ngayon, you want to go back as if...as if nothing happened? Hindi ko naiintindihan!"

"Clyde, sakay."

We've been moving a good thirty seconds before she finally spoke. "All of these...all of these were supposed to happen. I've seen it. I've seen it all two years ago."

I went silent, listening intently on what she's trying to say. "I saw in a vision that someone will use the ring. I saw that the ring will wreak havoc once again. But then I saw Alice stopping it from happening. I knew in my vision two years ago that Scarlet is Alice. I knew that I needed to save Scarlet for Alice to be born. So, I saved her from the black hole. I took care of her. I made sure that she'll get to this point. I made sure she'll see the ring."

"We only had to let go of the ring kasi harmful ito sa kanya," I said in realization.

"I initially wanted her to marry King Vincent. I saw the evil building inside of him. I just know that he will try to use the ring. I figured that if Alice marries him, it'll be much easier for the vision to come true," she continued. "Hindi ko inasahan ang mga nangyari. She ran away with Seth and met you. The moment you told everyone that you will marry her, I saw it. I saw that you were the one she's supposed to marry. I meant it when I said that you two are fated to be together from the start. If she hadn't met you, she wouldn't remember who she really is. You brought her here. You helped the heavens bring her to this moment."

I looked outside the chariot. We're now crossing the sea, papunta sa East. "What happens now according to the vision?"

"She will have to wait for King Vincent to use the ring and unleash the spirit inside it. Then she will destroy the spirit and the ring itself. That's what the vision showed."

"And then?"

"And then we wait for her to come back."

I wanted to calm down, now that I know that I know Thelessa is still in control of what's happening. But there's still a question crossing my mind. "I still don't understand why we have to leave her. I should've stayed and went with her."

Thelessa looked outside. "She needs to do this alone. She needs to finish this alone."

ALICE

Why would Thelessa do this to me? Why would she give me away?

Is it because she found out who I am? Is it because I'm Scarlet?

I went with King Vincent peacefully. They didn't even have to drag me because I willingly came with them.

Pinasakay nila ako sa carriage that travelled towards the Dark Forest. King Vincent told me that he wants me to see something. The carriage stopped and when I stepped outside, I saw it. So, this is what he wanted me to see. The old Dark Castle.

I followed him inside. The place is completely destroyed and since the war and explosion happened two years ago, nature took over the place. Plants crawled into the walls and the floors are now covered by wild mushrooms.

This is where they died. Jude, Star and Sky. It gives me pleasure na nabubulok na ang lugar na 'to.

"I'm planning to restore the place."

"Bakit?" I snapped.

"I want my army here. And also..." He took out a long, glass tube from his pocket. "I want this."

May laman na itim na likido ang tube. Wait...Is that...?

"Yes. Dark Elixir. Alam na alam mo dapat kung ano ito. This runs in your blood." Binuksan niya ito at tuluyang ininom. He took out another one and drank it. And another one. And then another one. He took ten vials of Dark Elixir. He is insane. Hindi niya ba alam na nakakalason ito for those that are not from the Dark Side?

His body shook. He kneeled while holding his head. I can see dark veins forming on his skin. Inangat niya ang kamay na suot ang itim na singsing. He screamed and the ring glowed red. Napaatras ako.

A dark shadow came out of the ring and towered over us. His eyes are glowing red. This is the vision that I saw. Perhaps Thelessa knew this will happen. Perhaps she wants me to end this.

The trees around us started to wither. The floor started to break. King Vincent continued to scream. The demonic shadow grew bigger and bigger. If I don't stop it now, I won't be able to stop it later.

I closed my eyed and gathered all the energy inside me. I just really wanted this to end. I want my home back. I want Seth back. I want to live peacefully with Clyde. A lot has been taken away from me already. I want my life back.

I feel myself levitating. The wind circled us, forming a tornado around us. I slowly lifted my hands and aimed it at him. His eyes looked at me.

"You think you can defy me?" the shadow growled. "I've been around for thousands of years already."

I smirked. "Watch me."

I closed my fists. I heard the breaking of King Vincent's bones. With every break, the shadow gets smaller and smaller, until I couldn't hear King Vincent's cries anymore.

"Insolence!" The shadow shouted. "You will never get rid of me!"

The shadow shrunk back into the ring.