Revolution: Genesis

The Outlooks: Azura

“Rigel, why is Max… Why him? Why my brother?” I sobbed as my façade shattered and tears poured down. I wanted to run to him and cradle him and take care of him even when it wasn’t real, and knowing, in the future, it could be true… I felt completely broken.

“It’s bound to happen to one of you.” In a dejected voice, Rigel whispered just enough for me to hear. I let out a defeated whimper upon hearing that. It was either him or I. And I knew I was never going to choose him.

The outlook started to swirl once more, and soon we were back at the crossroads, and this time, right in the middle. I fell on my knees, overwhelmed at the scene that just passed, and bawled helplessly. Why? Why us? Wasn’t there any other way?

After a good few minutes, I felt warm hands on my shoulder as large hollowed sleeves swatted my arms gently.

“Why did it happen? Why are we bound to suffer like this?” I sniffled, taking a few deep breaths hoping to find some sort of middle ground or a loophole. There had to be a way.

“I know how you feel, and I’m sorry to impose this on you, but you are the hope we believe in that can fight what’s coming your way.” His voice seemed hesitant, as though he didn’t know what kind of reaction I would give. And honestly, neither did I. Was I supposed to thrash out or throw a tantrum? Or was I supposed to just accept it? What was I supposed to do?

“What do you mean by ‘we’?” I rubbed my nose with my sleeve and looked up at him with teary eyes. He took an urgent breath and moved away as though I struck a nerve.

“It isn’t just a place created by my superconscious, is it?” I exhaustedly said, not really having the energy to argue over it, just in search of simple truth.

“It is, but right now it is only I who can reach you. I have other companions as well and we all require your help.”

“But why do they need my help?”

“It is because you are the firstborn from a very powerful family of your ancestors.”

“How do I know it’s true?”

“You’re here, aren’t you?” I huffed out a breath beyond irritated, knowing he was, somewhat, right. I stood up a few seconds later and silently started walking in the direction of the last outlook. My pace was slow as Rigel walked alongside me and spoke again.

“So, it’s either me or Max?” I didn’t want it to be Max. I was his elder sister. I had to protect him, even if it meant sacrificing my own self.

“It depends on the choice you make here.” I shot him a confused look at this. What did that mean?

“You can either choose to ignore the book, which will result in what you just saw, but then again, you will seek help from the book. The difference would be that the battle would be of your brother’s, not yours.” He said with conviction. He knew what my answer would be, and I had to make sure it stayed that way. I knew Max would be able to fight the book, but I never wanted to burden him with such a complex matter if I had a say in it.

“You know my choice then.” I simply said and kept looking ahead.

“Then I must warn you, the battle would be far more dangerous than it sounds. It will create illusions in your head and manipulate you into giving in to it.” I knew I had to be determined if I had a chance in beating this, but I had always doubted myself. How could I possibly be so sure now?

“But what if I do give in to it?” I asked hesitantly as, once again, a hard look passed his face. It reminded me of before when I asked a similar question. I concluded that whatever happened if I failed wasn’t going to be good then.

“Then I daresay, a wide cosmic evil will spread, and our future will be in God’s hands.”

A great silence followed after that, and I knew I had to do everything in my power to stop whatever evil I was going to face. I reached the shine once more, but this time Rigel stood a few steps back, which made me frown.

“Aren’t you coming?” I asked, scared of facing it alone.

“I apologize to send you through this alone, but I must bid farewell from here.” He said with a kind smile settled on his face and his arms crossed in the same posture as I first saw him.

“Why? What happens in there?” I asked as terror filled me once again. I guess I wasn’t ready to find it out alone.

“You find out the answer to the question you dread of.” My face must’ve been etched in worry because he continued.

“It is just an outlook Azura. I have faith that you will do the opposite of what you see.” He stretched an arm out, gesturing me to go in.

“But, what happens when I see it? It’s the last outlook.” I knew the answer to my question. Or maybe I had an idea, but I had to listen to it from him to be sure.

“You wake up.” He nodded before I was swallowed by the shine.

Here, I saw myself standing in my living room once more, whereas my head hung in shame while Rose yelled at me.

"I told you! I warned you to be careful! I knew it wasn't normal! I asked you to stop, and you didn’t listen! Now all of us have to pay for it, and it’s all your fault!" She screamed at Azura’s face. I flinched at her harsh tone but knowing the scenario of this, I knew her words were the truth. It will be my fault if I give in.

My eyes got caught by a golden diary on the coffee table as it shimmered unusually bright, forcing me to squint my eyes.

“You got carried away, and only you should deal with the consequences because it was you! None of us, but you!” Rose screamed once more as Azura turned her back towards her, unable to stop her tears from falling.

“Stop it, please! I was tricked!” She pleaded as she placed her hands on her ears, covering them so that she wouldn’t hear Rose, but she only scoffed at her. My heart was crushed at the cruelty of Rose’s voice, and I could imagine how this Azura must’ve been feeling.

Strange silence was followed after that, but something behind Azura – which I couldn’t see – started to glow even brighter than the lights in the room. I saw Rose stunned and unable to utter a word. The quiet must’ve started creeping up on Azura because, after a while, she slowly removed her hands from her ears but stayed put in the same position, dejected and ashamed. After a beat, she took a step to turn back to Rose when I heard Rose yell.

"Azura, look out!” Azura turned around fully and gasped as I saw a bright golden, shimmering ball of light going straight towards her chest just as bright white light flooded the whole room creating loud sounds of "beep" all around. It was the same kind of light I saw when I landed on the crossroads, although only now I could feel myself waking up. But just before I did, I saw something.

Red glowing eyes.