A Strange Tale (multiverse fanfiction) (On Hold)

Chapter 18: A world-shattering Truth

"This is just a dream, this is just a dream," I whispered to myself. Rachel and I had been separated, tied to chairs and placed in different rooms. I was utterly terrified, and cold. My dress may have been pretty, but certainly not good when you've been taken captive.

How on earth were we kidnapped so easily in the first place? I shook my head. I could not focus on that. All I hoped was that Merlin would find me soon...Merlin, Geralt, Derek, Arthur, heck even Dean would be such a sight to see. I stared at the door, but no one came in. No one that I wanted anyways.

I heard footsteps and swallowed. I was a whimpering, pathetic mess. I could not convince myself now that I was in a coma. The pain from my wrists, the cold and stench struck me hard. If this was a dream, it was damn realistic. 

The door opened, and I cringed. It was him. 

Valentine.

"Sorry for the theatrics," Valentine walked towards me, and I wanted to scream. I stared at him in silence and he walked behind me. Suddenly relief flooded my wrists. Did he just release me!?

I stood up and ran straight to the door. But obviously, to my dismay...it was locked.

"Let me go...please," I begged him. He shook his head.

"I'm afraid I can't do that...you're too valuable..."

"Me? But I..."

"Are in fact the said chosen one...I could recognize you from a mile away...just like that old librarian described you..." Valentine leaned on the chair. He was powerful, he was dangerous and my knees grew weak.

"You shouldn't be afraid of me, Sandy...it's Sandy? Right? I mean you no harm..."

"If I am the chosen one...why'd you go for Rachel?"

"A distraction...a trick, it's something you learn when fighting against powerful enemies..." Valentine explained. "You are the one I wanted all along..."

"Please...I'm not special. I'm normal...I want to be normal...I don't want to be here..." I whispered.

"But you want to be with them? Those supposed, guardians...those self-named heroes...am I right?" Valentine asked. He put his hands behind his back.

I gave a slow nod. "They're not evil."

Valentine gave a slight laugh. "How sure are you of that?"

"Very sure..." I said, with a bit more of a firm tone.

"Really...so they didn't take you against your will? They asked for your full permission before taking you anywhere?"

My thoughts went to the escape attempt. "No..."

"Ah..interesting, and tell me, Sandy," Valentine took a seat. "Have they told you the reason why you are here? Have they been completely honest to you?"

"No..." I answered again.

"So they took you against your will, didn't tell you exactly why...and then...what? Dressed you up, gave you a fancy ball and then...do you know what happens next in their plan?"

I shook my head, staring at the man sitting comfortably in front of me. "You're still a monster..." I said.

"Really? And the witcher? The werewolf? They aren't sparkly creatures either...they are the monsters people should fear...not me," Valentine stood up, and I pressed my back hard against the door.

"They are the villains, Sandy...they summoned you here...they brought you to Amorgania...in order to get to you first..."

"No," I shook my head. I couldn't believe it, but it did make sense. It made scary sense. They were there to greet us first in our arrival. It could have meant that they brought us here. 

"And the chosen one...is simply termed or a coined term for someone who is immune to a dark form of magic called mortem... magic so powerful it sucks the very living soul out of you...if you even touch it..." Valentine took a step closer.

"Stay away from me..." I threatened. My heart pounded in my chest. He only smiled. 

"This kind of magic was used in a cave to protect a weapon...a sword so powerful, it could kill armies with a single blow...and they want to use you to get it. Problem is...even if you are immune...mortem, the magic...can still kill you..."

I took a deep ragged breath as Valentine said the next few words.

"Their quest is to get you to retrieve the weapon, Sandy...even if it costs you your life..."

                                                                                 ***

I sat in the corner of the room for what seemed like hours. I hugged myself tightly in the shock. What Valentine had said, rocked me to my core. Everything he said, made perfect sense. Yet I couldn't believe that these five guardians only protected me...and Rachel, knowing that I or her might die anyhow to retrieve a stupid sword. 

I burst out into tears. How could I be so stupid? Of course, they were treating me and Rachel so special...because they were pampering us right before our deaths. I swallowed hard, clenching my aching wrists. One thing was certain, one stupid, stupid ball was not going to make me risk my life for a stupid sword. I thought stupid a lot because things should just stay as they always did. They never should have brought us here. I should have been at camp, patching up girls who scraped their knees, and chance-takers who cut their arms. I should not be here. I never actually wanted to be here.

I did not want a fantasy adventure. I liked the normality. Consistency. It gave me assurance. I  once craved for adventure.

Then my parents died, and everything changed. My world became dark, and routine became my escape. It was a way for me to keep going. A way to move on. When things stayed the same, I knew that the people I cared about would always be there. 

"Sandy, me and my warlocks have a way to protect you...keep you safe, and return you home...where you belong...you can go back to your normal life if you wish it. I give you my word," Valentine spoke to me as I had crumbled down. "I'll give you some time to think about it."

Valentine left the room, and I sat there, shaking...sobbing.

I pushed my head against the wall. I was sorely tempted to take Valentine on his offer. I am not a hero. I certainly am not a warrior. I want things to go back to normal.

If there is one thing I now craved, more than anything...was to go home.