The Power Four

Chapter 2

VENUS'S POV

"Was your day at school went that bad that you wanted to be here, in this illusion every time you sleep?" Asked the creature who claimed herself as Ivory Constantine. I probably read that history book too much. 

"It's the only place I find solace," I said while looking out to the lake. 

"I have a question." Ivory nodded. 

"According to historians, your whole family is dead. Slaughtered to be exact. Is that true?"

"I don't see why I have to deny it." Ivory answered me. 

"But, who are those?" I pointed at the creatures who called her as a mother." Ivory turned to the direction of being pointed.

 "My family." I showed her my confusion looks. 

"This is all an illusion. A memory to be exact. My memory from the past. These things happen many years ago. You're currently in my past." I understand a little bit. 

"But, why? Why am I here? Who are you? And why do you said welcome back the first time we met?" Ivory suddenly laughed beside me.

 "Well, how should I greeted someone when they come home?" She asked. Well, I have no idea.

 "Perfect, do you know who that is?" She pointed to a woman dressed in all white. She looks familiar to me.

I shake my head. 

"Come on. Look carefully." I squinted my eyes.

 "No way, that's my grandmother!" Ivory laughed. 

"Wow, she's so young. Too young." She seems a bit confused.

 "What do you mean? She will always look like that. She's a witch. A great white witch." I shake my head. 

"No, she's old now. Old and withered. My father always worried about her health whenever he went to gather the herbs for her potion." Ivory didn't say anything except laughing.

"She's deceiving you. Aretha will never age a day. She's probably taken some potion so she would look old. How about this, tell your grandmother this message from me. Okay?" I nodded my head. 

"Tell her that the prophecy is happening. Tell her Ivory will revive the magnificent beast from its slumber to destroy, to spread chaos throughout the Gunia Empire. Tell her I need help."

What? I should tell my grandmother that? 

"You should wake up now. You have a school to go to school now." She stood up and before she walked away, she turned to me. 

"Later on in school, there's a girl given name as Eve Ingram, will come and talk to you." She smiled.

 "Just let your heart tell you what you should do. Do not let your brain do all the decision because your heart is your most important organ."

I shot up from my bed while breathing profusely. I wiped the sweat that formed on my forehead and got up. I went to the bathroom and wash my face before brushing my teeth. After I'm done doing my morning routine, I went outside and wondering where my father is. 

"Where is my dad? I asked. My grandmother looked up me with a smile. 

"He's gone to work sweetheart. Do you need anything?" She asked while placed food on my plate. It's not much but we live.

"Grandmother, I had a dream last night and this woman told me to tell you that the prophecy is happening. Also, a creature named Ivory will revive the magnificent beast from its slumber to destroy and to spread chaos throughout the Gunia Empire. She needs help." I looked up to my grandmother who's in shock. 

"You had a dream? About queen Ivory?" I nodded.

 "Do you know her? Oh and also she said that to drop the act." She froze.

I was worried she might have a heart attack. But again she's a witch and has a lot of healing potion in one those cupboards of hers.

 "Tell me, Venus, where do you saw her? In your dream?" I think for a minute.

 "Well, the first time we met was in a war room in a palace. She introduces herself to me as Ivory Constantine. The second time, throughout the castle and last night, was at a lake."

She slumped on the chair and looked at her hands. I noticed her hands trembling.

 "Grandmother, are you okay?" She nodded before looking up to me. 

"Did she smile?" I nodded. "She even laughed when I told her about you being old." She smiled. 

"That's her alright, always making fun of my age." I tilted my head. 

"Who is that? She knows my name even before I introduce myself."

"We'll wait for your father to know the truth. For now, you have to go to school. When you're home, I'll be going to the hill to gather some more herbs. I'll leave the key at the usual place, okay?" I nodded and kissed my grandmother.

 "Be safe." Now I know how father felt whenever he has to leave this poor old woman alone.

I walked the usual road to school and meeting up halfway with Julius.

 "Amelia didn't pick you up today?" He shakes his head.

 "She has something to do. She'll be in school after lunchtime." Should I ask him about that girl yesterday? I have her handkerchief in my pocket. I didn't even use it, afraid her scent might be gone if I do. There's a reason why the school call her blonde beauty because she is beautiful.

Too beautiful. But why such beauty even talk to a mere scum like me? I don't even have the status to be near any of them. The only reason I could even be close to Amelia was that she invited me to. That's a vampire custom I have to obey. 

"Tell me V. How did you feel when Eve approach you yesterday?" Julius suddenly asked. 

"I feel weird and tingling inside. It's confusing but gone after she walked away. But I have this feeling I need to see her."

I explained truthfully. "Did your father told you about mates?" He asked. I nodded. "He told me about the basic. That's all." He chuckled. "Do you think she's your mate, Venus?" Upon hearing Julius's question, my heart stops for a second. No way... there's no way she's my mate.

Is it?

***

I can't focus since Julius said that M word to me this morning. Now that it's lunch, I still can't think properly. What if it's true? What if, whatever the reason, she's my mate? How is that even possible?! She's a goddess, I'm a pawn, she's way up there, I'm way down here. We are incompatible! There's something weird going on as well. Since this morning, there's not even a soul of creatures talking bad to me or even pushing me around like they should be doing.

Some of them even being polite to me. I'm in the cafeteria and walking towards the counter as usual. As I was queuing up, the creature in front of me gave me his spot to stand at. I told him it's fine but he insisted. I don't know what to do except obligated to do so. Is this world going to end? Why are they all so nice to me? I shaking my head and order my usual food.

I was about to pay when the lady behind the counter said it's already been paid for. Once again I am speechless. Who paid it for me? She smiled at me before I went to search for an empty table to sit on. I placed my tray down and sit down. Looking around the weird atmosphere surrounding me, I eat my food and drink my drinks as usual.

I nearly choke my food when the girl from yesterday suddenly appeared in front of me and sit down on the table. She was smiling widely while looking at me. I don't know what to do, I froze right there and didn't even blink. The blonde beauty is in front of me, smiling widely.

 "It's rude to stare, you know." Her melodious voice melted my heart. 

"I'm .... sorry.." I apologised and looked down on my tray.

"It's rude to ignore the person in front of you as well." She said while chuckling.

 "I'm sorry, I didn't... I... just... I'm sorry." She suddenly laughed. The whole cafeteria turned their attention to us. 

"I'm sorry. You are just too funny. Anyway, my name is Eve. Eve Ingram." She offered her hand. 

"Venus. Venus Constantine." I noticed Eve's eyes turned from a cool and calm ocean blue to a blazing red orb. But it goes as quickly as it comes.

 "My my... that's quite an amazing experience." She said before we pulling our hands away.

"Excuse me." Amelia and Julius made themselves known. Eve turned to them while moved her long blonde hair that's blocking her view. 

"Yes, Amelia?" Both Amelia and Julius bow their head a little.

 "If it's alright for us to joining you?" Eve turned to me.

 "These are your friends?" She asked.

 "Yes," I said while nodding. "Alright Amelia, you may join us." Is it just me or Julius seems nervous like crazy.

"No need to be nervous Julius. I am just a mere witch." Eve smiled, those mesmerising smile. Look so... dreamy.... wait! Why do I feel so helpless around this witch? Amelia suddenly leaned into me. 

"Did you know what happens to Emil?" She whispered. I shake my head no.

 "He's in a trial. I came back from the nobility court and the court just decided to have his head. He's going to be beheaded in front of the whole nobility community, V."

My eyes widen. Part of me laughed at his faith but the other part felt guilty for him.

 "The real question now, how did Emil get caught. He never gets caught before. We both turned to Eve who's eating her lunch in front of us. She looked up and smiled at us.

 "Something wrong? Something on my face?" She was caressing her cheek while looking at me with her orbs.

"Is it you who accused Emil in the nobility court?" Amelia was being bold today! She smiled. "I did." She calmly replied. 

"How is that possible? I've been trying to help Venus since the first day we enrolled here. How did you easily accuse him of all those charges?" Amelia was determined to know.

 "I am a witch. A little potion of truth made him spilt all the beans." She suddenly turned to me.

"Looking into his memory, I saw you being beaten. You have a very strong will to live Venus and that's such an admiring act of you." Eve smiled at me while putting my hand. Once again those tingling feeling bothers me. It's like electricity went through my body whenever we touched.

 "Why are you doing this? Why now?" Amelia asked. Julius was worried because of her boldness, they might get into trouble.

"Well, let's just say it has to do with a dream that occurs every night in my sleep. A woman told me to do so, a queen to be said." A queen? Wait a minute.... there's no way. Is it? 

"Excuse me but, is it possible this woman you're talking about, she's wearing a reddish Ruby crown on her head, a smile that brings death to every soul who sees them and she always wears a black dress with a red cape?"

Eve's reaction told me everything. It is her! 

"How did you know? This woman suddenly came to my dreams on the night before our first day of school. She said someone will bath in blood and I will have to help her. The first day of school, I saw your bath in your blood and I decided to help you. Coming from a suspicious family as I do, every dream meant something and I was right. What Emil did to you was beyond imagination."

What is going on here!

"This woman also told me about a prophecy that I have to fulfil and the only answer for that is when I met this creature bath in blood." She smiled at me. 

"So here I am sitting in front of you." She goes this far just for a dream?!

 "Also, I know it sounds silly, but my heart and desire tell me that you're my mate." Everyone in the cafeteria gasped upon hearing this.

Great, more attention.

***

"Hello, Mr Constantine. I am Eve Ingram." I watched as Eve introduced herself to my father and grandmother. My grandmother was just staring at her for no good reason. 

"Hello there Eve. Are you friends with Venus?" Dad asked while sitting on a chair. He just got home from work.

 "Oh, I never knew her before the first day of school." My father looked up to me. 

"Are you saying ... that... " Eve smiled at him. He's grinning creepily. 

"Dad, don't embarrass me," I said before he could say anything.

"Ingram? Are you by any chance the daughter of Olen Ingram, the most powerful warlock in Enchanted World?" Eve nodded.

 "I am the first daughter of Olen and Ziya Ingram." My grandmother was speechless and that's rare for her. She always has something to say. She suddenly chuckling.

 "Ivory, what are you planning to do?" She said lowly but I heard her.

I placed a hand on my grandmother's shoulder and explained to her why Eve is here.

"So you two had the same dream occurring every night?" I nodded. She looked up to my dad and they both sighed. 

"As much as you want to avoid this Kaek, it's happening even when we're being careful. Being friends with the goddess helps a lot huh Ivory?" What in the world are they talking about?

"Venus, it's time for you to know the truth about yourself and your father." The truth? What does she mean by that? 

"Long ago, when your father was just a newborn, the kingdom of Constantine was attacked by Gunia Empire. That attacked cost the whole royal family to be slaughtered." I learned that in history.

 "The truth is, there's a survivor but from the looks of things, the queen, Ivory Constantine is still alive, somewhere."

"That survivor was the newborn prince and he standing right in front of you." Wait, what? 

"Your father is the prince of Constantine Kingdom. And you, being his daughter, the princess." Hold the phone! What?! There's no way! 

"Wait a minute, so Venus is the rightful heir to the throne of Constantine?" Eve asked.

"Yes. And that makes you the crown princess." Eve turned to me.

 "I don't believe this. I want to know the evidence." I second that. I want some evidence as well.

"I know you might say that." Grandma Aretha went to a cupboard and reached for an amulet. I always wonder why she never wore them before. 

"This is an amulet given to me by queen Ivory herself before she used every bit of her strength sending both your father and me away from the castle when we're under attack. If I remember correctly, this amulet will tell you the truth."

She handed the amulet to me. 

"Only female born of the Constantine lineage can wear this amulet. If someone not from the lineage, that creature will be a curse. Here, this is your amulet." I looked at my father who nodded her head to me.

 "Place your hand on her shoulder if you want to seek the truth." I was having a second thought but having Eve holding my shoulder like this... 

"Venus.." I took the amulet and put it around my neck.

"CLIO..." She yelled before darkness surrounded us both. 

"What just happened?" I asked Eve. She seems to be unaffected with the matter at hands.

 "This is another realm. Your grandmother shouted the name Clio before this happens. If that's true, this realm belongs to one of the most powerful beings in the world." Suddenly a gushed of wind hit my body and it made me fall. 

"What are you doing in my realm?" Voice echoes around us.

Eve helped me up and looked around. 

"GO AWAY!" That voice shouted and a being suddenly appeared from the black mist.

 "Clio..." Eve whispered. Clio turned her head to the witch.

 "In a flash. Seems you know my name. Do I know yours?" Eve shakes her head.

 "I know you from the stories my parents told me." Clio glared at me. 

"You look familiar. The face, the scent, you must be a Constantine. Well, different from your ancestor, you look ... a little... fat."

Even spirits hate me, great. "Excuse me? Fat? This creature is your new caretaker!" Eve defended me.

 "My caretaker? Do you mean to say this is the body I'll be inhabiting? How low can Ivory be? Anyway, are you the mate?" Eve nodded.

 "This means the prophecy must be fulfilled." Again with the prophecy! What the hell is this prophecy!

 "When the royal family of Constantine were murdered, Ivory entrusted me with this wishes to passed on."

Clio looked at me from head to bottom. 

"What wishes?" I asked.

 "That you should search for another 3 more mates." Eve's eyes widen. 

"What?! She has me! There's no need ..." she didn't get to finish her words when Clio shut her up. 

"Yes, the most creature will only have 1 or two mates. But for Venus, she needs another 3 more. You'll find them.. soon enough. Now that Ivory's consciousness is awakened from her deep sleep, she will guide another 3 of those mate to you. Don't ask me how she knows who's your mate. The only thing I can say is she's connected to the God and goddess."

"Why would I need 3 more mates?" I asked.

 "Because the future will need them all to work together with you, to prevent something sinister from happening. I know what you've been through all your life that's another reason why you need all four together, as soon as possible. You need the power four." I don't know what to say or do anymore. What the hell is going on?!

"The power four? No way. That's just a myth passing down from legends. The only reason why power four need to be together because they need to defeat a beast." Clio smirked. 

"Exactly. A beast shall be awakened and you have to destroy it before it destroys you. Beside..." Clio turned to me. 

"Venus will rebuild the old Constantine power in the kingdom. Defeat the emperor and the prophecy shall be completed."

I... need to .... kill the emperor?! This is absurd! Bullshits!

 "It's your destiny, Venus. Your father can't fulfil it because he can't inherit me, but you can with my power, you'll be invincible. Ivory chooses you to fulfil this for a reason, Venus. After all, she is your great grandmother. She's alive... I know it... somewhere cold... somewhere.... dark.."

Clio suddenly placed her hands on my shoulder and turned to mist.

 "I am one with your soul," Clio whispered inside my head. What should I do now? Why me? Of all people, why me!