(Our Realm)
Alethia entered the house, tossing her bag aside and kicking off her shoes. With a glass of milk in hand, she made her way to the kitchen, where her grandmother was sifting through the mail. "How was school today?" her grandmother inquired.
Sitting down at the table with a sigh, Alethia replied, "It was an exhausting day, Nana. Thank the gods it's finally Friday."
Her grandmother chuckled. "Well, I'll be going out with Dorothy again tonight. So, if you plan on going anywhere, remember to bring your keys."
Alethia nodded. "Got it, Nana."
Just as she was rinsing her cup at the sink, the phone began to ring. "Nana, could you get that?" Alethia called out.
"Hello? Hold on a moment, Alethia. It's for you," her grandmother responded. Alethia grabbed the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Alethia."
"Chris? Where have you been? Everyone has been worried sick. It's been over a week since anyone heard from you."
Chris let out a sigh on the other end. "I'm fine, Alethia. Don't worry about me. Look, I need you to meet me at our spot. Can you do that?"
Alethia furrowed her brow. "Sure, but the meeting isn't scheduled for another hour."
"No, I need to see you now. The meeting's canceled tonight. Can you make it?"
"Um, okay. I can be there in twenty minutes."
"Good. And bring your backpack, please."
"Okay, see you in twenty." Alethia hung up the phone, emptied her schoolwork from her bag, and prepared to carry it on their walk without straining her back. "See you later, Nana. Have a great time with Dorothy tonight. Tell her I said hi."
"Alright, Alethia. Take care." Alethia set off down the street, following the path that led to the waterfall. Seventeen minutes later, she reached the rock path that led to the ledge where she and Chris often sat and spoke in solitude.
Chris sat on the ledge with his eyes closed. "Thank you for coming, Alethia. Please, have a seat."
Alethia sat down beside him, gazing out at the waterfall and smiling at the serene view. "I've always loved this view."
Chris turned to her. "I'm sorry, Alethia, for what happened with Slade last week." Placing her hand on his knee, Alethia reassured him, "Chris, it's alright. We made it out alive. I don't blame you, so please stop blaming yourself."
Chris sighed, leaning back against the rock. "You don't understand, Alethia. Slade is going to come after you now. He won't stop until he either has you working for him or has taken your life. And there's nothing I can do to stop him."
Alethia shook her head. "Everyone knows what's going on, and we're all willing to fight him when the time comes."
Chris winced. "That's what I wanted to prevent."
Alethia sighed. "Chris, what do you want me to say? That I blame you? That it was all your fault?"
Chris shook his head. "No, of course not."
Alethia squeezed his hand. "Good, because if that were the case, it wouldn't be true."
Chris managed a meek smile. "You've always known how to make me smile." Alethia shrugged. "That's what family's for. I'm the annoying little sister, and you're the big brother who gets on my nerves."
Chris gazed out at the water, lost in thought. Alethia sat beside him, listening to the soothing sound of the waterfall crashing against the rocks below. Chris turned to her, his expression serious. "Look, Alethia, I have to go away for a while. I won't be able to continue your training. I'm sorry."
Alethia looked at him, shocked. "What do you mean you have to go away? Are you moving or something?"
Chris shook his head slowly. "No, you wouldn't understand. But listen to me, Alethia. This is crucial. You have to carry on with your training and find the other chosen ones. You can't give up. This is your duty, and no matter how difficult things may seem, even if it feels like the entire world is against you, you must keep going."
Alethia nodded slowly. "Alright, Chris."
"You have to promise me that you'll never, ever give up, no matter what, Alethia. Promise me that you'll always fight."
Alethia brushed her hair away from her eyes. "Alright, Chris. I promise I'll never give up." "Remember, you're the Chosen Daughter of the Stars, Alethia. It's your destiny to find the other chosen ones and lead them to victory against the impending darkness. You can't run from it."
"I understand, Chris." Chris smiled softly and handed her a bag. "These are all your books, cards, and candles. Don't forget to focus on both your mental and physical training. They're equally important." He stood up. "Now, you should head home, Alethia. Get your homework done and grab something to eat. I pulled you away before you could do anything."
Alethia stood up, placing her bag of belongings into her backpack. She walked along the ledge to the path, waiting for Chris. He joined her and stopped, embracing her tightly. "
Take care of yourself, Alethia. Never forget who you are or what I've said."
Alethia embraced him, her voice filled with love and concern. "Take care of Chris, my dear. Remember, I love you. Never forget that."
Chris nodded, his gaze fixed on the scenery before him. "In a little while, Alethia. I want to savor the beauty one last time before I depart."
Alethia proceeded along the path, but stopped abruptly upon hearing voices of distress behind her. Confusion filled her as she hurried back to investigate. "What is happening?"
Up ahead, a path emerged, leading to the top of a waterfall. Signs warning against diving adorned the area. Alethia pushed through the overgrown trees, discovering herself in someone's backyard. A commotion drew her attention, and she approached cautiously. At the edge of the waterfall stood two individuals—one, a stranger, calmly attempting to coax Chris away from the perilous edge.
"Son, this isn't the way," the stranger pleaded. "Step back, and let's talk. Let's get you the help you need."
“Chris?”
"Alethia?" Chris turned, tears streaming down his face. "Go home."
The stranger extended his arm, preventing Alethia from getting too close. "Stay back, miss."
Alethia struggled against his grip, desperation in her voice. "Let me go! Chris, what are you doing? Please, don't do this. We can find another way, together."
Chris turned away, his resolve unwavering. "I'm sorry, Alethia. This is the only way. I told you, you wouldn't understand."
Tears cascaded down Alethia's cheeks as she fought against the stranger's hold. "Chris, no! There's always another way. Slade isn't worth your life. We'll figure it out, just like we always do. Not like this, Chris. Please, don't leave me."
Closing his eyes, Chris whispered, "Slade isn't worth my life, Alethia. But you are. I'm sorry, please forgive me." With that, he stepped off the edge and vanished.
Alethia wrenched herself free from the stranger's grasp and rushed to the precipice. "Chris! No, please come back... don't leave me." She sank to her knees, tears flowing freely.
The stranger approached her, his arms enveloping her shoulders in a comforting embrace. "Come inside, miss. Let's call the authorities."
He led her into his house, settling her on the couch before dialing the police. Alethia remained in a daze, tears continuing to fall. The one person who had been there for her when she needed a friend the most was gone, and it was because of her.
