Chapter 21

All of a sudden, a vision displayed through my eyes. It was my last day back home, my lonely home. I was running and a truck hit me. I fell down on to the ground. A few people came near me to check. Ambulances rushed everywhere.

I felt my breath starting to hitch. I felt my adrenaline rushing and entering the panic mode I encountered back in several situations. Even so, I convinced myself to unwaver. Just because I died, I can't let that memory control me. I won't let anything but myself control me. Screw the rest!

The vision vanished along with my strong resolution. That's right! Shoo shoo! It was the darkness. It was testing me. It was checking if I had the guts to obtain it. Okay, force, if this is how you wanna play, let's play.

As if the darkness heard me, I was unleashed into another vision. This was unfamiliar. A huge door stood across from me. I turned around knowing that I could move my body. A girl of about 8 years old sat near the window sill. The window was huge and old. The evening rays of the setting sun shone in the window's crystal figurines in contrasting colors of orange, purple and light blue mixed with a pinch of black.

The girl turned her head around to face the door. It was the smaller version of Rose. The Original Rose! She sighed at the door.

"I guess they forgot this year too." She said to the void. Huh?! Who are 'they' and 'What did they forget?' The last part sprang out of my mouth suddenly.

"My birthday." She told looking directly at me. I just realized but this child has cute eyelashes with a chubby face that makes you want to hug it tight and never let go.

"Happy Birthday to you!" I sang to make her feel better. Then, she smiled at me.

"Thank you.", She answered politely, "Have you ever felt like the world will gobble you up if you let down your guard?"

"Of course, I have. It's been like that my whole life." I sat down next to her and answered honestly relating to my previous life.

"I know I shouldn't be selfish but I don't want a huge party or expensive gifts. One wish is enough. But, I guess even that is a luxury to me. My life is a hot mess."

"You must have gone through a lot." I told her, with genuine empathy.

"Nah, I got my basic needs supplied, learnt to wield a sword, and even got engaged to the Crown Prince who apparently has a crush on his secretary! Why aren't I leaving here?" She told me in an almost whisper with a tear-jerked face.

"What do you want to do?" I asked her.

"I-I don't know! I believed in a stupid hope that I would get affection from Lewis but that was my idiocrasy. I don't want you to go down the same path. But, I'm glad that you decided against it. Take the right decision. Take the right decision, Blair!" The vision swept away in a monochromic color. A light flashed in my eyes and the little girl disappeared.

The whole environment turned pitch-black. A white light eloped the darkness and transmuted into two solid white eyes, with no pupils, in a huge form. It was almost as ten times as an elephant. I felt like I was being watched.

My cross-legged posture helped me balance myself against the white-eye face. I remembered that the carved smile from the bush back at the estate was a replica of the now gigantic one, in front of me. It was a little creepy. Nevertheless, I stared into them.

"You can talk to me." A voice replied. I guessed it was coming from those white eyes.

"Oh okay, so what am I doing here?"

"Only you know, kid."

"Are you the 'darkness'?" I asked in a more or less considerate way.

"Okay, I guess, you got it. Call me Erebus. I was trying to get in touch with you but you always resisted me. Made me feel a little empty."

"Aren't you empty to begin with?"

"Yes, I am, I guess. But..."

"The empty places have the most treasures. I know. I'm glad I could meet you." I bowed my head at the eyes. I heard a sniffle from somewhere.

"W-what?! A-are you crying?" I asked a little taken aback. Was darkness a tsundere?

"No, I'm so happy. All you need to know is that you passed my test. Now, I feel ashamed to even test you. Also, you should get back. It's almost close to midnight."

"Thank you for accepting me." I told politely even though my mind screamed 'This fast!?' .

"It's my pleasure!" A white smile formed under the white eyes. It was hauntingly, reassuring.

In minutes, I was back at the lake in my sitting posture.

My body was back to normal but there was something I couldn't put my nose on. I felt seriously energized and stronger. I got up and stretched my arms. It must be the darkness flowing through me. I guess Medi was right. There is no such thing as the dark being evil.

"Now, that energy is 'dark energy'. You accepted it! Congratulations!" Medi wished me jumping up and down on the water surface, in the most unimaginable way.

"Guess I should get back. Thank you! Do you always come here?" I asked her with a pleasant smile.

"Oh, if you want to visit me, all you need to do is call my name. Now, shoo! You should get back faster. You took like two hours!" She told me. That much time? Wow, I guess I should start sprinting.

"Ohhh, and one more thing. I'm sorry, but it would be better if you keep your dark attribute a secret. Humans don't like the dark and you could be belittled. I'm sorry!" She told me with a sad face.

"No worries. You can't help the myths humans make up to entertain themselves." I told her with a grin, ignoring the bad feeling coming from my gut that enveloped my stomach.

I waved at Medi and left. I felt a shadow following me and I looked up at the sky and once again, the Erebus appeared and grinned. I felt reassured.

One week later...

I was getting ready to get to the ceremony of Alvin being titled as the Archduke of the empire. The whole duchy was getting ready. I wore a blue dress with pink paper roses hung to it. The dress looked amazing and most importantly, it was comfortable. There was no lace that made my skin itch. It made me feel even better.

Throughout the week, I tried practicing with my new found unrestricted power. I even interlaced it with my new bought dagger. The dark energy was awesome. I didn't have to stand to grab a book either. But, I knew in hindsight that I shouldn't mess too much with it.

My mum and I were in the same room waiting for Robert and our father to enter. In most cases, this situation would be vice-versa.

They came rushing in to the room. Robert had his tie knotted in the wrong way and Father's shirt had been scrunched. I looked at Mum while trying to hold a laugh. She had a resisting face and I started to laugh hard. She joined me.

We got on a carriage and the twins started to fight about something. I leaned out the window and nestled my head in a comfortable space. A shoulder-tap made me jump out in shock. Did I really fell asleep on the carriage?

"You took quite a nice nap, Rose." Mum exclaimed, kindly.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I guess, I was exhausted." I told her with a yawn. She giggled at that.

"I think we arrived, let's head out!" Richard said. We all got out of the carriage.

The ancient archduke's castle which was desolate for a certain number of years had been revived once again. It looked majestic against the countless number of lamps that glowed bright around it. It had a certain mesmerizing aura to it.

We entered the ballroom. My eyes immediately went to the buffet of delicious foods. I think my mouth was watering. I quickly slapped my hand over it. You can't let your greedy tendencies run free in this room, yet. Hold it in!

Someone tapped on my shoulder. I turned around abruptly, surprised by the sudden movement behind me.

"Aiming the food?"

Hi,

-So the white eyes that I mentioned above is similar to the picture I shared here.

-Also, What do you think about Rose's new encounter. Leave your thoughts in the comment section. I hope you enjoyed reading!