HETAR

Tears were still streaming down on my face as I took a shower. I took off my b.l.o.o.d.y clothes as I sobbed. When I pressed my eyes closed to feel the water throughout my body, what happened earlier flashed in my mind again. It's been an hour since that happened.

Did that really happen? I asked that to myself many times. I even slapped and pinched myself.

It really happened.

Demons... swordsman... I thought, those creatures were just created by our imagination but, no. They're real.

I stared at my right hand when I remembered how fast I used the sword professionally. Every move, it's very swift. I also didn't get trembled while I was killing those monsters.

After I took a shower and wore my newly-washed jogging pants and s.h.i.+rt, I slowly walked to my room. I lied down on my bed and tried to sleep but, after few minutes, I was still awake.

c.r.a.p! Every time that I closed my eyes, I saw what happened earlier again and again.

I just sat down and turned on the lamp shade on my bed-side table. I noticed the picture frame beside it when light filled the whole room. It's a picture wherein Dad was standing in front of our gate while carrying me when I was still a kid. He was wearing a black suit while me, a red dress with red shoes.

I took it and held on my lap. I stared at my Dad's smiling face as I smiled bitterly.

Dad, were you connected to them? Why didn't you tell me? Dad, I'm so confused. Clear my mind... please...

ASHER'S POINT OF VIEW

I just sat down on the sofa while looking at the mess in front of me.

"Tsk. d.a.m.n it," I muttered as I closed my eyes but, I sensed Aunt Wart's presence appeared in front of me so I just blinked.

She's still wearing her blue, long sleeves and jeans. She flipped her waist-length, wavy hair as she glared at me.

"Why didn't you altered her memory?" she asked. Probably, she knew what happened.

I gave her a lazy look. "Aunt, I can't. You know that. I

She sighed. "Oh... right. I forgot. Sorry."

"What shall we do now? Does Aunt Er already know about this?"

She nodded in response. "Of course, she already knew so, she ordered me to come back here and to tell you that you're going to tell her the truth as soon as possible." And, she sat down beside me.

"She just killed, Aunt. If I tell her the truth right now, that's too much to take for her." I flinched when I accidentally touched my injured thigh.

"I didn't tell you that you must tell her right now, Asher, but you must tell her soon for her to keep herself safe from demons and mostly, from Durlen." She tapped my left shoulder with her right hand. "My niece is already thirsty for answers. Let her drink or else, death will come."

"Yes, I'll tell her tomorrow."

~*~

SCARLETTE'S POINT OF VIEW

I frowned when I saw myself in the rectangular mirror inside the comfort room.

Black eyebags plus, swollen eyes... what a face. Yeah, I didn't sleep because I couldn't. I was so afraid to close my eyes.

d.a.m.n! I just killed brutally!

I sighed before I opened the faucet and washed my face with my both hands. After taking a bath and got prepared, I left but, I suddenly stopped when I noticed Asher who's standing in front of the gate. He's looking at me seriously. I also looked at him with the same gaze before I decided to open the gate and finally left.

I felt him followed me. He even called my name but I didn't bother to face him.

c.r.a.p! Don't tell me what you know right now! I am still not ready for it!

I ran as fast as I could. I heard him still shouting my name so I covered my ears using my palms.

"Scarlette!"

Run!

"Scarlette!"

Don't stop!

"Scarlette!"

Keep running!

"Scarle―"

"Please!" I stopped and faced him. He also stopped running, few meters away from me. "Not now!" I begged.

"But―" He tried to move closer that's why I shouted.

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW RIGHT―" I gasped as my eyes widened because of the ring of fire that all of sudden, lighted up around me. How did this appear here?

"You made it, Scarlette. You can control, make, and destroy fire or heat." I looked at Asher because of what he said.

My forehead creased. "Didn't you set this up for me because you already know that I would run away from you?" I asked.

He frowned. "Of course, not. Tsk. Did you saw me throw a lighter, matchstick, or whatever that could lighten up a fire?"

"No."

"Now, if you still don't believe me... you have to calm yourself and the fire will be gone. If it worked, you have to believe me."

I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself just like what he said. When I finally calmed down, the fire slowly faded until it disappeared without marks left.

"See? You can control fire," Asher uttered seriously.

"B-but how?" I asked, still confused.

"You're a demiG.o.d like me, Scarlette."

My mouth gaped open because of that. "H-huh? are you already out of your mind?"

He frowned. "Coming from the one who killed demons at midnight who also happened to be the daughter of the late swordsman. Tsk."

Ugh! I'm very confused!

I pressed my eyes closed and let out a heavy sigh. "Uh, this is so weird," I muttered.

He walked towards me, still wearing his serious face. "I'll tell you everything that you want to know. Just trust me."

I simply nodded.

"And you have to accept your fate."

After hearing what the last sentence that came out from his mouth, I could feel my eyes fired up as I met his gray eyes. "Do I have other choices than accepting my real fate?" I asked.

He fell silent.

I smirked out of annoyance. Not annoyance to him but annoyance to my fate. Now, my simple life was ruined.

"None," I answered to my own question. "Don't worry. I'm going to accept it. That's my fate after all."