The Heroine [COMPLETED]

9. New Realities

"What do you mean?"
🦇
"I know it's hard to believe, but Alexandra, you must accept this as your fate. You can activate the keys."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Wait."
"For what?" At this point, Alexandra felt as if she was about to have a heart attack.
"For the right time to unravel our plan."

"When!?" It was still unbelievable to Alexandra.
"When it's time." Felix replied, but even he was uncertain.

SITTING BY THE WINDOWPANE, THE CLOUDS SEEMED TO ZOOM PAST ALEXANDRA. NOR WAS SHE IN THE MOOD TO ENJOY THEM. NOW, SHE HAS SUMMONED A NEW BURDEN.

Alexandra learned that she, not Josefina Lancaster was the real master of the keys. And it must be kept secret, until time comes. In one night, the entire kingdom has become her enemy. She must keep her identity a secret.

"What are you thinking about?" Alexandra didn't want to talk to him, or anyone at that point. So she ignored him, like she would to anyone when she wasn't in a good mood. Brett gave up talking to her after three more attempts, and resorted to sleeping while he still had the chance to.

They arrived at Arga Lorraine in the middle of the night, since their departure was delayed. Alexandra only felt bad for the pilot, and for herself. Brett was drooling on his bed, and mumbling in his sweet dreams. "Sophia....mmmm.... your smile... is so sweet." Alexandra gave a look of pure disgust and made a mental note that she needed to tell Sophia to beware of Brett.

THE MOMENT ALEXANDRA WALKED INTO HER DORM, SHE SENSED THAT SOMETHING WAS OFF. July was huddled in one corner of her bed, little whimpering occasionally coming out of her mouth. In that light, she did not look like a sixteen year old who have outperformed millions of other talented same aged individuals to make it here, but kids who were lost. Alexandra walked towards her, her heels clicking gently. July's head shot up alarmingly. Then, her expression softened when she saw it was Alexandra. "Alex...I'm scared!" July managed to choke out. She ran and hugged her, her hands grasping her tightly. Alexandra soothed her back gently, and pursed her lips.

"Where is Lillian and Sophia?" Alexandra asked, but she already knew half the answer. July's face went pale without a drop of blood. She hugged Alexandra tighter. Her entire body was trembling with fear.

"They're... they're...dead." If Alexandra was shocked, she did not show it. Her face remained expressionless, but with a gentle edge. Her body is still against the midnight wind blowing into the room. The windows are never closed. She finally understood why Jerry had warned her. The human heart is scary. "They lost." July continued.

"Lost what?"
"The day you weren't here, Master Kent ordered everyone to a sword battle, and everyone was to compete in duels. Half the people, of course will lose. Lillian and Sophia lost. They were supposed to leave this morning, but... but... they died... right here. In this room. They started to cough out blood, and a black shadow... murdered them."

"What black shadow?" Alexandra pressured. July shakes her head.
"I don't know... I fell unconscious after Lillian and Sophia coughed out blood and vaporized. When I woke up, I was just so scared. Then you came back." Alexandra's eyebrows furrow together in frustration. Could it be....

"Did you notice anything about the shadow? Anything at all?" July shivered.
"I... noticed...it had very very dark eyes. It was so creepy." Alexandra's expression was indecipherable. July released herself from Alexandra, and slowly collected herself back into a normal state.

"Alex, can you sleep with me tonight?" Alexandra nods.
"Wait, did you win the duel?" Alexandra asks without any preamble. July's face freezes for a moment before nodding uneasily.
"Um... yea. It... was tough." July mumbles, and turns her head around to face the wall.
"Who was your opponent?" Alexandra's question dangled in the air for a entire minute before July quietly answered,
"Sophia."

That night was a silent one. Quiet thoughts floated in their minds, as all different emotions bubbled. Some people were definitely secretly excited, that now, their competitors decreased by half, and that they survived the first test. Others, like July were probably saddened by a quieter dorm. "Alex? Are you asleep?" July cautiously called. On the mist of the night, her voice was clear with sound.

"Yea." July peeks over, and Alexandra's eyes were wide open, and staring at the ceiling above her.
"I'm glad you weren't here." Silence.
"I probably would've won anyways." Alexandra replied after a long pause.
"Yea, I won't doubt that. But your opponent would've been Lillian." Another long pause before Alexandra's voice rang up again.
"They pitted everyone in the same dorm against each other?"
"Yea..." Then, Alexandra seemed to have thought of something important.
"July, do you know anyone else who might've died from the black shadow?" July thought for a moment.
"I heard screams from other dorms. I think so. There's been a rumor about a shadow that kills students, specifically students who... lost."

"I don't believe in the rumors. There's definitely a reason for killing these students."
"What reason?"
"Arga Lorraine wouldn't care about students who are kicked out... especially at this early stage, so even if they die, Arga Lorraine wouldn't do much..." A dreaded silence lingered in the air.
"Alex.... in the next duel, are we next?" Alexandra doesn't reply. They both knew the answer. Arga Lorraine, it was a game of survival.