Borders and Abnormalities ((SLOW UPDATES))

Chapter 3: Origin:

Alyssa cautiously approached her front door, her heart going a hundred miles per minute.

Her face paled, imagining her aunt's furious face, and she gulped, wiping her sweaty palms on her dress.

'Focus, Alyssa, gosh, it's not as if the world is ending, right?' sweat trickled down her face and she became as white as a sheet. 'RIGHT?'

Just as she raised her hand to knock, the door flew open and she jumped back, almost wilting on the spot.

"Alessinda, how nice of you to finally arrive. I assume that it's not yet noon?" Alyssa glanced at her aunt, a shiver going down her spine. Aunt Emerald wore a steely smile on her face, her words dripping with sarcasm.

'Scary,' she thought as she lifted up her hand in a weak wave.

'Hey, Aunt Emerald, I must say, what a lovey weather we are having today, is that a new dress? It suits you purrfectly. Oh, would you look at the time?" Alyssa glanced at her...'wrist watch' and ducked under her aunt's her arm and up the first few steps to her room all in one breath.

"Not so fast, Alyssa, you almost gave me a heart attack! What were you thinking, losing track of time. Where were you?" A feeling of guilt weighed on Alyssa as her aunt rambled on.

'Gosh, I didn't mean to make her worry,' Alyssa chewed her lip nervously, 'Wait, why do I even care? It's not like she actually cares. Oh shoot, she she's staring. Quick think fast.'

"Hey, auntie, I was wondering, could you tell me about mom?"

'No, NO, Alyssa, why? Great, now you've set her off.'

Emerald froze and stared at Alyssa, fear flashing through her eyes before her gaze became steely.

"No, Alessinda, what did I tell you about speaking about her in this house? Do I have to remind you what happens?" she growled out. Maybe, it was just her imagination, but Alyssa swore she saw her aunt's eyes flash yellow.

Alyssa could not explain it, but the way her body felt as though it had a mind of its own when she looked into her aunt's eyes was not normal.

'What? Why did...what IS she hiding?'

Pushing down her fear and concentrating on the task at hand, Alyssa took a deep breath, and sent her own piercing glare, unaware of the way her eyes flashed gold for her moment.

Gasping, Emerald flinched and backed away, suspicion filling her eyes. 'No, she couldn't...she didn't...I promised her...This child will not unlock it...I will not allow it!'

"No, Emerald, I will not stop asking! You're not even my real aunt. No wonder you always hit me for asking about mom. Is it because she was an aberrant? Is th-"Alyssa cut herself off, all color draining from her face.

"Aberrants..."breathed out Emerald. 'How much does Alyssa know? I knew it. I should have just left her with you, Terra.' Emerald cursed her friend.

Alyssa watched as her aunt approached her and placed a warm hand on her cheek, her presence everything but comforting.

Her breath hitched as she smiled, trying to intimidate Alyssa.

"Alyssa, what are you talking about? Your mother is dead, period. I will not tolerate any misbehavior in this house, am I understood?" Emerald said, the sickly sweet smile painting her face growing wider.

Alyssa shuddered, knowing what exactly happened if she dared to talk back. The glare her aunt bore into her spoke volumes of her malicious intent. Slowly, she backed away, almost tripping over her feet. The staircase seemed to be miles away but when she finally made it, she did not waste time scrambling up the stairs in a bid to get away from Emerald.

***

Fear filled her and she shook, placing a hand over her fast-paced heart. Their earlier conversation forgotten, Alyssa stared wide-eyed at the hallway wall, recalling the argument.

"What..." she breathed out shakily as she slid down the wall, willing her racing heart to calm down.

Her cheeks steadily grew warm and her surroundings were cast in shadows.

The glowing orb was back but... brighter.

Alyssa drew it close to her chest and stared at the mesmerizing colors, unaware of her golden eyes glowing.

The numerous colors swirled in the orb and she held her breath, watching as the dancing greens and graceful gold merged together.

'Is this what Lydia was talking about? The Royal Orb? It's beautiful.'

'I feel...warm. This feeling...it's drawing me in. I can't...'

Suddenly, Alyssa thrust the orb to her chest and stared as it dissolves into multicolored sparks. All worries about her aunt forgotten, she flailed wildly, trying to grasp for something that just wasn't there.

With a pop and a gasp, her fuzzy head cleared and she panted, feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted.

'Aunt...no, Emerald is an aberrant, origin of the Proteus clan. She's not my... aunt? Well, duh. Ugh, my head hurts...'

Her chest tightened and black dots filled her vision. As the last of Alyssa's consciousness faded, the soft patter of footsteps was heard and Emerald stared down at Alyssa.

"Oh, Alessinda, now you've gone and unlocked your powers. Alyssa Larzeni, aberrant, origin of the Mnemosy and Hyperion, you will not ruin my hard work."

With a flick of her hand, Emerald's form changed into one of a noble, her height increasing and her body becoming more shapely.

"Time to visit, my dear aunt. I have news."

With that, she disappeared, leaving Alyssa in the hallway.