24 Dreams Of You And Me

87) The Devil Is On The Loose Tonight

"The devil doesn't come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you've ever wished for."

***

Alyssa opened her eyes when she felt someone in the room. She knew Levi was the only one with the rings and she felt a soothing familiarity.

She didn't know if this was because of her indistinct thoughts but half of her knew Levi was causing her pain and so she wished to hate him but there was this whole new side which was happy around him. Like, she somehow knew he was all she needed to find herself. That he is the one she should be searching for.

She expected to see the person who had invaded most of her thoughts, but she saw the person who she felt equally conflicted about but this was opposite.

The part which hated Levi, called out to this person. The part which wished Levi near, for some reason got scared to see this person.

"Hello, Alyssa." Aradia said and eyed her surroundings. "Don't you regret making this dungeon. Hell, even I feel affected because I'm not wearing the ring."

Alyssa looked away.

"Can say I'm proud of my student. This project of yours.. excellent." The witch sighed in content. "Taught you quite well."

She began unchaining her and as Alyssa fell on the ground, the change of posture made her feel rusted.

"You poor thing." Aradia commented. "Don't worry, they can't harm you anymore. The gates to Earth are still open. You'll heal fast once you're out of here and then you can use them."

She helped her up as she said, "once you do that, you'll be my best, indestructible weapon."

Alyssa was trying hard to breathe and her eyes fell on the ingredients on the table. She cursed Levi for leaving them behind.

Now her conflict started, tell Aradia about it or not?

"I'm not feeling so good here, Alyssa, we should get out before it starts draining me as well."

Alyssa nodded and took her support. She decided to go with her even she wanted to and as a balance, didn't tell her about the bag.

"Come on." Aradia helped her and they walked out of the dungeon.

Once outside, Alyssa breathed a deep breath. Aradia closed her eyes to regain the energy and links she lost while inside the dungeon and influenced by the symbols.

She immediately sensed everything wrong that had happened. Her jaw dropped as she realised the most dangerous one of them all.

She grabbed Alyssa's hand and with determination in her eyes, said, "you didn't win. I still have the girl."

Alyssa was feeling as if she'd die. Nauseous and dizzy. Her coordination felt too slow. She felt out of tune and faded. Her weakness was magnified now because she was moving, something she hadn't done in days.

Aradia teleported them to the Garden and she feared, the roses were gone. Both of them.

Aradia stared at the empty space and Alyssa fell on her knees.

"I should've came for you earlier. You told them there are two, didn't you?"

Alyssa nodded.

"Shouldn't have trusted those soldiers. Even with the ring, they couldn't rescue you."

"I don't.. I don't know w-what to do.." Alyssa stuttered.

"Just focus on healing yourself." Aradia said lovingly. "I need you sharp, Alyssa. You've always been my first priority and now you're safe. I myself came to help you."