Can you love me

Inevitable moment

Trying to keep people away doesn't mean they will actually stay away from you. And if they are your mission partner, then it gets even more difficult. Our final test for this level was my fear in the virtual ground.

I didn't want anyone to know what my weakness so I begged Luca to allow me to do this round alone. I haven't told anyone about my worsening condition or the veins in my body turning greenish. I could barely eat or sleep.

Before the dreaded test was school's annual party. Party might include a field trip but now the things were dangerous, a dance or some kind of game competition might be decided. I hated gatherings like this and now with my worse condition I was totally going to avoid it. I was literally hiding in the armoury in order to avoid anyone who can pull me along.

No one knew my hiding spot in there. I used to do it a lot when I was young and felt like crying. There was this wooden trunk large enough for a human to get in filled with shields from archaic age I guess. I sat there and went into deep thought about what will happen to me. I was exactly 20 days away from my nineteen birthday.

I could always run away alone but then again there will be no one to keep me in the lines. I heard the door open suddenly and even controlled my breathing.

And I don't know when I fell asleep in that little corner of mine.

I could hear a lullaby, soothing and really beautiful. I saw a woman carrying a baby in her lap and I could recognise the woman. And now that Jayden's mom was not a ghoul she looked beautiful. But the baby in her lap was not Jayden. I knew this because suddenly the peaceful environment broke and some creatures walked in.

Leading them was a man cloaked in green robes. I couldn't see the face but I could feel the bad energy from him. Jayden's mom seemed terrified and she held the baby really close. Her hands build a fire around her protecting her from creatures but the one in green cloak just moved his fingers and fire was gone.

Nothing happened for a moment but then Jayden' s mom gasped in shock as someone else walked in the room. He was chained and bloody, he was none other than Jayden.

***

I woke up with a sharp pain in my elbow which was due to the shield's weight over it. I gasped for air myself and realised that my cheeks were wet. I saw the time on my mobile and realised I have been here for almost five hours. In next hour was my test.

I got up and hurried back to the room to freshen up. I can't walk in the exam room like this.

Not surprising, both Jayden and Kasper were waiting for me.

"I am doing this test alone," I informed them with as much coldness as possible.

"No, you are not," Kasper said.

"Why?" Jayden asked.

"Because this will earn me three times the point." I lied.

"We have to go in with you." Kasper insisted.

"Why? It's not like I will die in there. And even if I did it will be good in long run." I said dryly.

Both of them looked annoyed at this.

I can't be around them or else I might break down. Their concern was heart touching even for someone aloof like me.

"Or are you too interested in seeing her weakness." Blade joined in for some reason.

"I think you three know my weakness already so if anyone feels like chopping my head off I will be obliged." I gave them a saccharine smile earning a frown from all three.

I saw Celine walking in and her eyes rested on Jayden, so I just walked away before I did something stupid.

I entered the test area alone and avoided looking at those three. As soon as the test started I was in a palace , large but not beautiful. It was made of emerald green glass and there was something in the air that made it difficult for me to breathe.

There were two gargoyles around. This was not my weakness, this was just something to kick start my fighting senses. Killing Gargoyles are easy once you can injure their wings and they can't fly high in an enclosed space. As soon as I was done with killing off Gargoyles, the scenario shifted as expected.

I was back in the village from where I picked up Celine, the one affected by the Plague. It is green and lush, filled with life. Children were playing around and there were no effects of the plague. I waited for something to happen, for some monster to arrive but nothing happened and I stood under a tree waiting for almost half an hour.

I saw two men walking towards the tree I was sitting under now. They carried some flowers in their hand but when they came closer they saw me. The flowers dropped from their hand and eye widened in fear. I got up in hurry to let them know everything was fine and there was nothing to fear.

But as soon as I got closer they screamed in fear and ran off. I was not sure what was happening and looked back to see the monster they were scared off. And then I realised on seeing the dead tree that was alive few minutes ago that these people were scared of me.

I was the monster for them. I looked at my greener veins and saw my blood red eyes in reflected in my blade. My fear was as I expected was me.

***

As I moved around the place for almost an hour everything died. I was the plague, my power killing anyone and everyone. This was my fear, I should have known. And even though I knew that people dying here with my presence were not real but just a scenario , it ached my heart.

I cried feeling helpless. How was I supposed to finish this round? How was I supposed to end the suffering of people around me and defeat this monster?

Doing well in there, Frozen? I knew that voice too well. He was talking to me even in this test.

I ignored not to answer and proving him right how I needed to hear a voice of support.

The injuries in this were real so if I drove a sword through would it matter. It was worth a try, I was not actually interested too much in living anyway. As I lifted my sword, another sword clanged with mine and Jayden appeared in front of me. Hilt of dagger hit the bag of my hand flying from somewhere and noticed Kasper walk in as well.

Suddenly the grasses started growing, it was green again, filled with life again and I noticed the healer grandson, Blade helping me here. He was picking up , clearing up the mess I made. The virtual test ended before I could even realise. Trusting people close to me was the way I defeated my monster. And I was sure. One of them was my true love.

***

"Annalise I know you are here, come out," Kasper called out.

"She might not be here." Blade was with him.

"She is here," Jayden added with a confidence that surprised.

I was hiding again in my spot. It was the night for the stupid annual party and there was no way in hell I was going.

"Are you sure?" Blade asked.

"Pretty sure. Frozen , I can hear your thoughts." He was lying, I knew but it worked since he did the mind talking thing.

"What the hell do you three want?" I asked stepping out of the box as everyone looked baffled at my hiding spot.

"Come to the party," Kasper said in a grave tone.

"You all know I shouldn't. I couldn't shake hands or dance with anyone." I pleaded.

"Not for that reason, someone is here to meet you," Blade said.

"Who?" Now I was curious.

"The Serpent King." Jayden's grim tone made me realise it was not a friendly meeting.