GUARDIANS OF MAGIC: THE INVISIBLE CODED BOOK
CHAPTER EIGHT

MYSTERIES AND GAMES

How did Serene Berry die in her sleep? Did she take a dangerous substance? Or….. Was a spell casted on her?

Did she fight with someone and was strangled on the bed?

Is it her roommate who did it?

What about her boyfriend?

They did take a break. Did they fight?

Fina twirled her black noodles with her chopstick as she became so deep in thought about Serene’s death.

Serene didn’t die in her sleep. It wasn’t her roommate neither was it her boyfriend. It was her.

She killed Serene.

Two deaths.

The Gemini student and Serene.

Who’s the third?

Sacrifice are made for the book.

What if the book isn’t found with the third victim?

Should there even be a third victim?

Who’s the third victim? Or person?

Fina swallowed hard.

“The same way we killed her!”

Who is she?

Fina looked around the Cafeteria. Everyone was whispering. Serene’s death had being a shock.

To all. Except one person.

One murderer.

Which brought her to her question again.

Who’s the third?

A cold shiver ran through her and her gaze landed on Bryce.

As if by touch, his gaze fell on her.

Fina quickly looked away with a blush.

Bryce was really handsome. Smart. Intelligent. And a natural.

He’s a bit reserved except with his friends.

And…

Fina shook her head.

She should focus on Serene not Bryce.

Serene last words to her was to not give up.

If Serene knew about them searching for the book, then, someone else knows.

The female voice?

Her gaze switched to Xavier.

He was reading his book but Fina had a feeling he is in deep thought too.

Xavier have always been calm. He talks whenever he wanted. He’s nice, not playful and very, very quiet.

Xavier slowly lifted his head like he knew someone was watching him but Fina quickly looked away before he could catch her looking.

Darkness descended over her suddenly and her mind flashed to her dreams. Everyone of them flashed through her eyes.

Someone was covering her eyes. Fina sat very still, unmoving.

She slowly touched the hand covering her eyes and removed it, turning to see Tyrell who was beaming at her.

She didn’t returned the smile which made Tyrell frown.

“Is everything okay?” Tyrell asked

Fina came crashing down to reality at once and gave Tyrell a small smile.

“Yes. Just wondering” She replied

She turned to see Shelly and Zo staring at their food. Shelly had been strangely quiet since after the news of Serene Berry’s death as if she is just figuring out that death was real.

Tyrell took a seat beside Fina opposite Shelly and Zo.

“About?” He asked, looking at Fina.

“Girls stuffs” Shelly said

Tyrell looked at her.

“Really? I had say you are worried about Serene Berry’s death”

“I’m not a friend of Berry. Her death is her problem” Shelly said shakily.

“Really?” Tyrell asked with a smirk. “I had say that’s a lie”

“I’d say it’s not your business” Shelly retorted, suddenly feeling angry.

Tyrell smirk turned into a smile.

“Isn’t it? What if it’s my business? Everyone’s mourning” Tyrell said

Shelly snorted.

“More like in mystery.” Shelly said

“What’s it to you? You are getting all riled up” Tyrell said

“I am definitely not. Besides, what’s it to you?”

Fina watched them with confusion.

Shelly looked angry yet calm. Tyrell looked playful, teasingly.

“It’s something because she’s a good student.” Tyrell replied

Shelly cocked a brow at him.

“Really? I didn’t know you were close with Serene Berry”

“What’s going on here?”

They all turned to see Jessica Young walking towards them.

Tyrell raised a questioning eyebrow at her.

Fina observed every movements and she couldn’t help but feel that something was definitely wrong here.

“I came to talk to Fin.” Tyrell said

“Don’t call her that. Clark, tell him not to call you that” Shelly said

Tyrell chuckled.

“Seriously, Jefferson. You are not even friends with Berry, what’s your problem?” Tyrell asked, voice high, turning heads towards them.

Lots of head.

“What’s my problem?” Shelly asked, voice louder. “What’s my problem? Oh, I’ll tell you my problem. You. Just. Wait”

Zo kept swallowing, trying to calm herself.

Tyrell and Jessica turned to Shelly.

“You are rude.” Jessica said

“Ex-what the - scuse me?” Shelly said “It’s just like looking at the mirror, isn’t it?”

Gasps were heard everywhere.

“The way you are behaving… You killed Serene. It’s just so obvious. Why didn’t I see this before?”

Silence everywhere.

“I’d appreciate if you do not speak harshly to Shelly Jefferson like that.” Fina said, ice dripping in every words.

She looked up at Jessica Young.

“For all I know, you can be the murderer too. Anyone can. Someone who’s watching us right now. Who’s sitting with us. Who knew us. If you don’t have evidence about a victims death, and are accusing, you are dangerous yourself.” Fina said “And who said Serene was killed? I thought she died in her sleep.”

Jessica looked dangerously calm.

“You are right. Anyone can. I thought someone killed Serene. I do not think she died in her sleep. Who could it be?” Jessica asked, looking straight at Fina.

“That’s what I wanted to ask you. Who. Could. It. Be?” Fina asked, pointing out the words.

The girls stared at each other with unflinching gaze.

The air was extremely tense.

“How do I know who did it? Why are we even arguing about this? Serene is gone. I don’t think she’s going to be happy about this. Arguing over her” Jessica said

“You know what? You are right. She won’t be happy if we argue about her” Fina said “And that’s why ghosts exist doesn’t it? Life is so fill of its own mystery”

“Yep. You never know when it’s coming to bite you on the neck” Shelly said

Tyrell and Shelly stared each other down.

Tyrell turned to Fina.

“Come with me” He mouthed

“She is so not coming with you” Shelly said “Not at all”

Tyrell glared at her.

“What’s your problem?” Tyrell asked

“You don’t talk to your seniors like that, Jefferson. You don’t have enough points yet” Jessica said

“Go on. Remove all my points. What’s the point anyway? Just a bunch of weird teachers and students placed in a stony school.” Shelly said as she stood up and looked at Jessica. “Besides, no one called you. Why. Are. You. Here?”

Jessica looked flustered.

Before Tyrell could retort, Ozias wrapped his hands around Jessica’s shoulder.

Shelly looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. A look of hurt flashed in her pretty face.

“Calm it down” Ozias told her.

Fina swallowed and stood up, holding her hand out to Zo who shakily accepted it and without a word, they walked out of the Cafeteria.

Fina walked in and gestured for Shelly to drop it.

Shelly glared at Jessica before walking away from them.

“I hate her. I hate them all!” She shouted when they were out of hear shot.

“Why are you acting like that to Tyrell? I think he’s just teasing you” Fina said

“Well, you don’t tease when a person just died. You don’t make jokes when a person just died”

“I’ve never seen him like that. He looked angry.” Fina said

Shelly rolled her eyes as they walked past the tree of fog.

“Fizoshe!”

They turned to see Talon running towards them.

He looked worn and sad with dark circles rimming his eyes. His designer clothes looked a bit rough too.

Fina didn’t know when her feet moved and she was suddenly hugging Talon.

“You okay?” She asked

“Define okay” Talon said with a sniff.

“Okay is when you are not okay” Fina said

“Then I’m okay” Talon said

“Well, at least you broke up quickly.” Shelly said

Zo slapped Shelly on the arm.

“Stop being crass” Zo said with a glare at Shelly.

Fina let go of Talon.

“Thanks. I really needed that” Talon said

Fina wanted so bad to tell him everything. To tell him all about their discoveries but rescinded her decision again.

“You’ll be okay. Tay?”

Talon looked at her with sad blue eyes.

“Hmm?”

“Be careful” Fina warned

They left Talon alone and walked away.

“Sooo… there’s a person out there who definitely knows about what we are doing and who won’t even hesitate to wipe us out in a jiffy” Shelly said

“Did you really think Serene Berry died in her sleep?” Zo asked

“No. I think Serene Berry was murdered” Fina said “How about we go to her room and investigate?”

“Her room is on lock down. For now” Shelly said

“We replace a way in” Fina said

“What about the body? We can sneak in before they take away the body” Zo said

“Yes, we can” Fina replied

“But wait, don’t we have class?” Shelly asked

“Oh. We have flying class” Zo said

*******

Miss Slayer tossed her gold hair aside and smiled at them.

“We meet again” She said, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. “Today, we are going to play a game. A game worth two hundred points!”

Their eyes widened in excitement.

Fina, Shelly and Zo glanced at each other, their mind still reeling about Serene.

“Flying is an art on its own. I know I haven’t taught you much but The Queen insists we start games with the juniors too. It’s important. The Queen orders is a law in itself. We must never disobey her”

Slayer waved her wand and the flying cheetahs appeared.

“All house must compete with one another. You are going to search for the ruby necklace hung on the edge of a cloud. The said cloud won’t be disclosed. You get the ruby and put it on the bird of ascergill’s neck. You will replace him yourself. Be warned. This is not just a bird. It’s a magical bird. The fastest and most skilled team will get more points”

They all moved to their cheetahs and climbed on it.

“Can we push and fight?” Nancy Miller asked

“Of course. This is just like war” Miss Slayer replied.

Nancy smirked at Fina.

“It starts… NOW!”

Their cheetahs all surged forward and they all began to fly.

Fina looked down and saw the intermediates watching them.

Her cheetah grunted and she rubbed it’s head.

“You know I haven’t given you a name. We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Fina and from now on you’ll be called “Breeze””

Breeze mouth tilted up in a smile.

“Come on. Let’s fly” Fina said

Breeze surged up into the clouds.

Other students fought for space on the clouds.

They pushed and pushed until they fall.

Fina steered clear of them all and looked out for the ruby.

Her cheetah spread it’s mighty wings and flew faster.

Fina suddenly felt a presence beside and no one even have to tell her for her to know that it was Nancy Miller and her gangs.

Breeze bared it’s teeth and surged more faster. So fast Fina’s hair loose completely from her worn pony tail holder.

But Nancy didn’t give up.

Fina saw a flash of red on the edge of an higher cloud and without a signal, her cheetah raised forward and catch it with her teeth.

Fina took the ruby necklace from its mouth and raced forward.

Breeze moved so fast in the cloud it was extremely hard for other cheetahs to caught up with her. The distance was exhilarating.

Fina saw the Ascergill from afar and raced to it.

They were moving so fast it was hard to tell her surroundings anymore.

It was like she was in her own world.

She saw the Ascergill looking at her, sitting majestically on a golden cloud with a golden crown on its head. It’s wings were beautiful colored.

Fina was just at a little distance to it when she heard a very familiar scream.

A very, very, very, familiar scream.

Her eyes widened in shock.

The Ascergill watched her, curious about what she would do.

Just a little distance to put the ruby on its neck. Just a little…

Fina shut her eyes and with a torn mind, turned back.

She raced down, her hair in every direction. Breeze didn’t stop nor took a little break nor showed any sign of tiredness.

She surged downward so fast it felt like a ball of fire falling from the sky.

Zo was already close to the ground before Fina caught her hand, gripping it hard. Not letting go.

Breeze wrapped it’s tail round Zo’s and placed her at Fina’s back.

But Fina shifted Zo to the front and wrapped her hands around her.

“You okay?” Fina asked

Zo nodded.

“Let’s go, Breeze” Fina said

Breeze didn’t need to be told twice, she surged forward so fast, Zo closed her eyes in fear. So many students attacked them at once but Breeze swerved away.

Nancy raced at them.

“She pushed me” Zo said

Breeze groaned and twirled around so fast, Fina and Zo tilted to the side.

They heard Nancy scream before her cheetah finally caught her.

Breeze ran towards the Ascergill again but it was no longer there.

“It’s gone” Fina said, holding the necklace in her hand.

The clouds where the Ascergill was resting before began to write itself in words.

“Your choice will define your destiny. Choose wisely”

Breeze began to fly down, more carefully this time.

Fina and Zo got down carefully and Breeze flew away.

Miss Slayer clapped her hands together and they all moved forward.

“There’s no winner but judging by the way the Capricorn flew with skills, I’d give them a hundred points.”

Some Capricorn students whistled.

Miss Slayer gaze fell on Fina and she sighed.

“You are all dismissed. The game will continue until further notice. Dismissed”

Shelly jogged over to Fina and Zo.

“What was that?” She asked

“What?” Fina asked

“I saw you. And you do look like you have swallowed the wrong potion. So, what happened up there?”

“Yes, Clark. What happened up there? If it’s not for you, your team would have won. You brought your team down. Loser. When one is weak, the others will fall. It’s inevitable” Nancy Miller said

“I’m quite certain you do not care if my team won or not, Miller. Do your hatred have any limit? I’m afraid you are frightened about something” Fina said

Nancy looked shocked for a while.

“Afraid? Rubbish. Nonsense. Gibberish.”

Shelly Jefferson stepped forward and Nancy took an unintended step back.

“Shut up” Shelly said.

“Next, Mr Walker’s class” Zo said with fake enthusiasm.

Fina mulled over what was written on the cloud through their walk to Spell class.

A decision.

A choice.

A choice that can change her destiny.

A choice that can destroy her or a choice that can make her succeed.

They raised their rings and was allowed entrance into the class.

Mr Walker was already waiting for them.

His cold calculating eyes on them all as they walked into the class.

He was leaning on the desk as usual.

Mr Walker was the type that never missed anything and Fina wondered what an excellent Guardian he would have made.

A cold Guardian.

Which made her wondered about the Queen’s seven Guardian. Valérie, Maximus, Bree, Kwan, Gertrude, Arnold and Malin.

They are highly respected in Amenix.

Mr Walker brought out his wand from the air and Fina head clicked right to the invisible book.

If wands can be kept in air, then the book can be invisible too. The book can be somewhere. Anywhere. Even in front of them and they wouldn’t know unless it revealed itself.

How do you search for something invisible?

You feel. You sense.

The invisible book can be in the simplest of places yet it can be the hardest to replace.

Fina rubbed her forehead in frustration.

“Any thing you want to share with us, Clark?” Mr Walker said

All attention was turned to her.

“No. Not at all”

“Then, I expect you participate in my class. If anyone of you is sick, you are free to walk out of the door now.”

No one got up.

“Durus. Protection spells. These are one of the most important spells in the world. Probably the greatest. When you use protection spells, you can’t be harmed. Never can be harmed.” Mr Walker said

They all jotted furiously on their note, trying to put everything into words.

“Protection spells differs in its uses. Protection spells must be strong in order not to be broken. A weak protection spell can easily be broken. Just like that”

Mr Walker rose to his full height and walked to the window.

“Some protection spells can be used against you even if you are the one that casted it. You might cast one which will end up turning against you. And you might never be free of it. The potency depends solely on how strong it is.”

Mr Walker walked back to the desk and leaned on it.

“Give me one disadvantage of protection spells”

Lia Mason raised a hand.

“A protection spell must always be remembered and must be correct because if it’s not, it can backfire.”

Mr Walker didn’t even blink an eye.

Nancy snickered quitely.

“I want a disadvantage from Clark. Fina Clark” Mr Walker said

Fina could feel the jealousy emanating from the students because Mr Walker remembered her name.

“A protection spell when gone wrong gives the enemies the advantage to fight easily. A protection spell when gone wrong can mess with a person mentality. A protection spell when gone wrong can hurt a person physically”

“Durus can help you the same way it can hurt you

You can mutter all the protection spells in the world and still feel unprotected. It depends on so many things. Especially fear. You mustn’t panic when you want to cast protection spells. It will never work. This is a subject that must be broached with care. If you feel you are not capable, don’t try to attempt it cause you may get ruined in the process.” Mr Walker said “It goes like this - Durus Durus snakus Durus. Who can explain that?”

“It’s a snake protection spell” Lia Mason said

“Durus Durus catus durus”

“A cat protection spell” Jane Caldwell from Leo house said with pride.

“I want you all to study more about protection spells. Don’t use it at all unless you feel you are in danger which you won’t be if you aren’t messing around. It’s more easier when you turn a blind eye at things. It helps a lot” Mr Walker said “Dismissed”

Every one couldn’t wait to get out anyway.

“What’s your problem?” Carrie, Nancy’s friend said to Fina.

“Oh, you mean by the way even the cold Walker could remember her name? I guess brilliant people gets more recognition” Shelly Jefferson said

Carrie turned pale and stormed away.

Fina just shook her head.

“Last class. Zedler’s” Zo said with a very thick emotion.

*******

Zedler wasted a complete ten good minutes stroking her scary gray cat before attending to them, looking at them with her strange eyes.

“Why don’t we play a game? The person who wins will be happy. Very, very happy” Zedler said it so scarily that they all shivered in fear.

“Your opponent will use his imagination to create a creature and you must definitely get the name of the creature to send it back to the monster’s world. We clear?”

The whole class remained silent.

Zedler stroked her gray cat very gently.

“I want Aries against Capricorn. Virgo, Leo and Gemini against each other. Start.”

They all created weird creatures in their head. Weird creatures with no names making a fool of themselves.

Zedler watched silently in amusement.

She definitely knows what she was doing. She was playing them all.

Her cat snickered.

“Well, I’m surprised no one can even guess the creatures correctly”

“Probably because we do not know what each other has in mind. This is so unbelievable” Shelly said

“Is it? How many creature do you know exactly? How many rare creature do you know? Do you know any more creatures other than snakes, medusas, spiders, scorpions et cetera ? You know nothing. Why don’t you learn more creatures before the next class and we’ll move on with your lessons? Dismissed”

“Well, that was fun” Shelly said when they got out. “She’s so evil”

“Not even close.” Fina said

Fina turned to them.

“Potion class. Now.”

They turned a corner which leads to potion class and halted at once when they saw Bryce and Bridget laughing at some jokes they were telling each other.

Fina’s heart skipped in jealousy but she kept it down.

Bryce was sooo off limits.

“You like him”

Fina turned to see a imp beside her.

She glared at the imp who just smirked at her.

“Love in the air” The imp sang.

“CMANTUSIMPUSDUVIUS” Fina said

The imp eyes widened and he disappeared into thin air.

“Good one, Clark” Shelly said

Bridget whispered something in Bryce ear and he shook his head.

“Come on” Fina said

They sneaked past corridors until they were standing in front of potion class doors.

They all made the security tests and walked into the class only to replace Mrs Knight mixing potions.

They all froze like a deer in headlights.

“Oh. What are you doing here? You don’t have class.”

“About that. We… um” Shelly stuttered.

A bogle suddenly appeared in front of Mrs Knight and she screamed, running past them, out of the door.

Fina and Shelly both turned to Zo who just shrugged.

“I didn’t know you had it in you, Alvarez” Shelly said with a smirk.

“Shut up, Jefferson” Zo said

Fina moved to the cauldron and tossed the blue vial into it.

A flash of red appeared.

“Have you done this before?” Shelly asked

“No.”

An unknown smell drifted from the pot into the room.

The smell made them nauseous and light headed and they all stepped away from the pot.

“What is that?” Fina slurred

Shelly Jefferson coughed and coughed while Zo struggled to breathe.

The room tilted in their eyes as they tried to grasp on reality. Their eyes watered.

Fina moved to the edge of the cauldron and casted a spell on it for it to stop.

Everything stopped moving and they all fell to the floor.

“That is one poisonous vial.” Shelly said breathlessly.

“Was it used on Xiana?” Zo asked wheezy.

“Whatever it is, it must have been made by someone” Fina said and cleared her throat.

“Someone who?” Shelly asked

Fina walked to the cauldron and leaned on it, trying to get a closer look of what lays inside.

“Hey”

Shelly and Zo rushed to her side.

“What’s that?” Shelly asked

In the pot was an extremely pink flower, from tip to bottom. A flower which looked like an Ivy.

“I think I’ve seen one of those before” Zo said

“Looks like a Milda” Fina said

“Aha! A milda. I used to hear my mother talk about how effective their poisons are. It mustn’t be inhaled for a minute. What does Milda means?” Zo asked

“Milda in another language means death” Shelly said

“Or destruction. It’s air borne” Fina said

“Milda can wake anything. It kills and cure at the same time but it’s known for its poison more” Zo said

“How about we use it on Berry?” Fina asked

They all froze when the door creaked.

Fina pushed the girls under the laboratory table to hide.

“Do you know what that means? It means someone else is going to die. That Gemini bitch. I feel like killing her all over again and spitting on her ugly face. To think she’s worthy. To think she’s worthy of knowing the truth. If they replace out that we were sloppy, they will kill us. We might be the second third victim” A female voice said

“Relax. They will never know.” A male voice said

“Don’t you get it? We’ve been working for them for a while and we do not even know who they are. These are not just humans. They are evil beasts. They do not hesitate to kill. They are death themselves. You do see how Xiana was killed by her boyfriend? Became a ghost at such an age only because she doesn’t want to do whatever they are doing anymore. He murdered her. I wouldn’t evoke their wrath. I’m smart”

Zo sneezed suddenly and Fina’s eyes widened in horror.

“Did you hear that?” The male

“Of course. I’m not deaf. Who’s there?”

Their footsteps were heard drawing closer and closer.

“Except lab rats have started to sneeze, that must certainly be a human.” The female

They drew more and more closer to them.

“Protection spells” Fina whispered. “Durus Durus humanus durus” She said in a panicked mode.

Nothing happened.

“Telepathy” Fina said again.

Shelly nodded furiously.

The door opened suddenly and Mrs Knight laughter echoed through the hall.

“Oh, thank you, David”

The girls eyes went wide like saucers.

The strangers were hundred times more better than DAVID WALKER!!!

Where were they anyway? - Fina thought.

“No worries, Mrs Knight. Bogles can be scary for someone like you” Walker said in a very chilled voice that the girls shivered.

“What is that smell?” Walker asked walking towards the girls.

He walked to the cauldron and frowned so deep it was frightening.

“What are you talking about?” Mrs Knight asked

“It’s nothing” Walker said as he inspected the pink flower that has began to fade. “Although I do wonder who is in the lab right now”

Mrs Knight laughed it off.

“Of course not. Students obeys rules here. My students are too scared to move near potions. No one was here before. Wait…”

Fina’s eyes widened for the fourth time.

“Oh! I believe the girls were here.”

“I don’t suppose they were Clark, Jefferson and Alvarez?”

“Yes. Of course” Mrs Knight said “How do you know?”

Fina shut her eyes.

“What do you suppose they want? Do you think they used the cauldron?” Mrs Knight asked

“Why don’t we ask them?” Walker asked

“Wh-? Oh. Girls? Come out now! We won’t hurt you” Mrs Knight called as if in doubt.

“I have an idea” Fina whispered.

She wrote on the lab table glass plank with her wand.

“TELEPORTASBERRYFELISTUS”

Fina touched the glass and disappeared at once.

Walker was about to look under the lab table when Zo and Shelly escaped.

“Guess the bogle scared them too” Mrs Knight said

Walker waved his wand.

“If you say so” David said, not believing that for a nanosecond.

*******

The girls landed in Serene Berry’s room.

“Oh my God. Her roommate” Shelly whispered

“I don’t think anyone’s here” Fina said

The whole room reeked of death and protection spells.

Serene’s room looked dark as if the room could even recognize death itself.

“Aries territory. Again. Are all Aries that bad?” Shelly asked

“You are just saying that because Tyrell Swift is in Aries” Zo said

“Yes. Tyrell Swift is in Aries” Shelly said

Fina glanced around the room instead, ignoring their incessant bickering again.

She moved to the bedroom to investigate while Shelly and Zo continued their useless bickering.

The curtains were drawn close to avoid even the tiniest bit of light. No light filtered into the room.

The room was just exactly like theirs but darker.

Fina walked to the bed and looked at the bedside drawers.

She opened each one of them but it was all empty.

She searched under the bed but came with nothing.

Fina swiped open the bed curtains and froze.

On the other side of the bed stood a dark and cold grim reaper.

The grim reaper ran his scythe towards Serene Berry’s body and it disappeared.

Serene Berry was left to the reaper?

Why?

It was all confusing.

“You live a world full of lies and deceptions.” The reaper spoke in a hoarse tone.

Fina’s heart accelerated wildly.

“You will soon join her but you will have a choice. Choose wisely. Death might just be the answer for you. Choose wisely. You are worthy”

Fina have so many questions to ask but was afraid to ask the reaper.

“Why are… you here?”

“She mustn’t be buried again. She’s been buried once. Her soul is forever trapped. Dark souls have nowhere to go. Wronged deaths either wander or lucky to leave peacefully. There’s a world for the dead too”

Fina could sense Shelly and Zo presence behind and how Zo was struggling to breathe.

“Your superior knows this. When a body is found unworthy, they leave it for the reaper to bury. And she’s found unworthy. You can never understand.”

“Was she killed?” Fina asked shakily.

She couldn’t even see its face because of the hood and Fina knew there was no turning back now for she couldn’t ever believe herself ever talking to a reaper.

“Yes but I cannot disclose who. The fact you can see me means you aren’t normal anymore. Normal people do not see ghosts or talk to reapers. Be careful, you never experience normality again once you have gotten a taste of madness.”

“What do you mean choose wisely? Am I going to die?”

“Death is better for you so the other evil will never wake. Choose wisely” The reaper said again.

Then, it extended a floating paper to her and disappeared.

Fina grabbed the paper.

“I can can see hi…mmmmm… That’s….aaa…. Reapperr” Zo said shakily.

“What does it say?” Shelly asked, rubbing Zo on the back in a soothing manner.

“It says…. In dream does it all lay” Fina said and looked up at Shelly.

“I don’t understand. What can you get by dreaming?” Shelly asked

Fina eyes wandered to a shadow behind the door. The shadow turned and began to walk away.

She ran out of the room but it was too late. Thr shadow was gone. The room was eerily quiet.

Except… for a message carved on the wall.

“It has already begun.”

“The same person?” Shelly asked

“I believe so” Fina answered.

She rubbed her temple absentmindedly.

Everything seems like a huge weight on her. Everything seems out of hand now and she was suddenly scared of where all this would lead at the end.

But in her heart, she definitely knew it wouldn’t be good.