SPIRIT- The House of Hope

Six

Darrien

I was sitting alone in my room.
"She doesn't get it. She doesn't understand..." I said to myself.

And she never will... oh for the love of Spirit! One of the many things I realised is that I've been fighting this curse subconsciously. I don't think about I just do. I only need to think about it if it's pushing for control.
I'd love to say the curse disappeared after I defeated it and Jarin...but I can't. It still talks to me sometimes. Mainly when I'm upset but it never has the strength to take over...in fact in the last year it tried once. ONCE! I guess even dark magic gives up eventually...yeah right, it was just waiting.

Anyway, it was going to try again I almost felt like laughing I mean I had pretty good control now.
you know Ani will only – I cut it off with a small 'Shut up. I don't want to listen'. There was a knock on the door and in walked Ani.
"What do you want?"
"Look...Serena, wanted me to talk to you. She said that it was better I hear it from you" Serena wants me to tell her? After everything that she just said? I guess...Serena has her reasons...
"What exactly does she want me to tell you?" Ani shrugged.
"I can only assume it's to do with what exactly happens with this Curse"
"Simple. You have it because you're born with it and over time it starts to take over. Makes you do a lot of things you highly regret" I looked away "and if it takes over completely then...well I think you met someone in that situation Ani" she looked at me. Then walked up to my bed she glanced at it "go on" she sat next to me.

"Tell me more"
"What more is there to tell?"
"Serena said...you suffered, what did she mean? If it takes over how are you even aware that it's happening?"
"Well it tends to be accompanied by intense pain oh yeah and the glowing eyes might be a hint to anyone watching" I reply sarcastically.
"No, I mean if it controls you how do you know what happens?"
"Originally I couldn't remember. But as the curse got stronger so did I. I started to snap out of it before the curse wanted me to...I think be aware what's happening really depends..."
"on what?"
"The first time it really 'controlled' me I didn't even know that I had it. So I was basically unaware that anything had happened the only thing I could remember is...I destroyed my home. I had no memory of what happened"
"I see"
"I seemed to be pretty much in control after I found out because I was actively fighting it" I looked down and moved the black rope bracelet around my wrist, a gift from Serena for my 16th, she made it herself "there was a time when...I almost gave up"

I really couldn't do anything to stop it...why should I bother anyway? I'll always be an enemy in Taro's eyes so where am I supposed to go if I win?

It's all just...pointless...

"I started to feel useless like it was pointless for me to do anything. I can't say I almost gave up I can say I did" I started to cry a little much to Ani's shock I couldn't help it now I had started talking and I couldn't stop, I began to reveal the big secret...the thing I kept hidden even from my brother and Serena... "I felt...so worthless...so weak" I stumbled choking on my words "it was getting stronger...and stronger. I felt it consuming me but the worst part is...I didn't care! I was sick of suffering! I just wanted it over and done with but-"
Ani stared at me and stood up to get to a bag that hung of her shoulder.
"Here" she held out a handkerchief, it was bright blue and had gold edges she smiled "a gift from Lady Spirit" I took it and dried my eyes.
"But I heard Serena" I continued "she cried out to me. Put her own life in danger to give me a message...I was stronger than this curse. I wasn't pointless and I was most definitely not weak. It would be a very different story if she hadn't been there. I would have been completely consumed by the curse because I didn't know how strong I was or how important I was to her"
"It sounds like...forgive me if I still don't 100% trust you" she sighed "I will still be on guard but I will offer an apology for my actions towards you earlier"
"Keep it. I don't need pity. Look you're right to be on guard Ani. I would actually prefer you are, I do have much better control now it hasn't taken over in a long time but that doesn't mean it's gone stay on your guard in case it finds the strength to take over again" she nodded and walked to the door and was about to leave then stopped and blushed.
"I forgot my manners. Thank you Darrien Ross for allowing me to take residence in your personal quarters. You will forever have my gratitude" she said bowing. I just stared at her, I had never seen such a weird thank you.

"Uh...no worries?" she frowned.
"You clearly were not taught what I was"
"Huh?"
"I say 'Thank you Darrien Ross for allowing me to take residence in your personal quarters. You will forever have my gratitude' and then you say 'Thank you for coming Ani and the gratitude is mine to give' were you not taught that?!"
"I was never taught that. It's not common place in our time Ani" I sighed "look, I'm tired could you uh...please leave me be?"
"Yes of course." She closed the door.

I wonder if I'll ever be trusted by people...

Cairo

I walked down the hallway trying to find Ani. Something about her was really interesting. I just happened past Darrien's door and she was there closing it.

"Hi Ani!" I smiled she turned and bumped into me. I fell back.
"Oh my! I apologise Cairo, I should have been watching where I was going!" I looked up.
"Nah, it's fine, I fall over all the time" I stood slowly "so did you talk to him?"
"Yes, but I can't be sure if what he said was true...he broke down into tears but..."
"Isn't that enough?"
"pardon?"
"Darrien is really strong, he went through a lot to rescue me. He and Serena put their lives at risk but he held on. If my big brother broke down in front of you then he's being honest"

"Cairo you can't understand what I have been through and seen"
"You're wrong" I said firmly "our mother died in that fire and I watched a lot of others get hurt. I almost died by the hands of an evil Alkanine name Jarin he was from the Zaross army"
"Z-Zaross army?" Ani stared shocked "what are you talking about? The kingdom of Zaross is peaceful. We pride ourselves on our good relationship and zero discrimination policies. The kind royal family are always doing their best to insure peace" I looked away sadly.
"I guess Zaross has changed. Now it's ruled by Humans we don't know how it happened but at some point between your time and ours they became obsessed with exterminating all the Alkanines. They've attacked villages and major cities, they even attacked here in Serna a few times. The defences have improved though, according to Serena, there haven't been any attacks for almost the whole time me and Darrien have stayed here"

"I see...tell me more"
"How much more?"
"Serena didn't tell me very much, is it possible you can catch me up on what I have missed"
"There's so much I don't know it all...but I have some history books you can skim through"
"Do you go to a school?"
"Yeah! Obviously, I'm only 10 you know, Serena is still home-schooled by her mum but Darrien and I go to a small school nearby it's term break though"
"Term Break?"
"There are terms or quarters of each year and right after Serena's birthday the third break starts" I explained she nodded accepting my answer but she also seemed confused.
"Could it be to do with him?" she mumbled
"With who?"
"N-no one Cairo it's fine. But I would like to see those books"
"Okay sure! Come on my room is this way!"

We ran off to my room but my eyes stayed glued on Ani.
What did she want to hide?
What exactly happened to make her this secretive?

I hope I find out soon.

So...yeah...I haven't updated much.

But don't blame me! BLAME MY STUPID SCHOOL'S RULES!!!
Due to some new laptop rules and the current blocking Wattpad has for school hours updates will be kind of slow. I'll try to keep up as much as possible though!

I hope you enjoy this!

Love Evie!