The moment Auriella got to him, he was as good as dead.

“Riel?” Anansi approached her as Auriella glared intensely at the clock. It was a minute till the end-of-school bell. “Hey, is everything good?”

“I’m fine,” Auriella bit back. Forty-five seconds. She felt the note in her hand crumple.

Anansi placed her hand on Auriella’s shoulder. “You seem tense. Is this about Martin again?”

Martin, Martin, Martin. Who cares about that damn boy?

Thirty seconds.

He no longer existed anyways. All she could think about was–

“What do you say to a girls’ night out, hm?” Anansi linked her arm around her friend’s. “Forget about that creep and let’s go on a date.”

Fifteen seconds.

“You still have to make up for leaving me at your party,” she continued before pausing. Anansi glanced at the clock, smirking. “Eager to leave, aren’t you?”

The school bell buzzed. Auriella slipped her arm from Anansi, a little bit more forceful than she intended to be, and darted towards the door. She couldn’t manage to give Anansi an explanation nor did she allow herself to look at the painful expression her friend displayed. Auriella didn’t have the time to worry about that. Her body, her mind, her anger were all directed towards the note.

You killed Aisling Corentin

This was low, and this was cruel. Grandmama’s death was as fresh of a memory as her last day in Ihimya was. So to use her, to play with Auriella’s delicate wounds like this, after she had just recently stitched herself back together with time, all for the sake of her destiny– well, least to say, it was evil, more so than the Archfiend could ever be.

Sure, the Gemini was sharp with his words, but she never thought he was heartless.

Yes.

No one but Kian could know about her Grandmama and her past. He probably got the information from Asclepius, seeing that her boss knew everything about her, so they were most likely in it together. They wanted nothing but to send Auriella to Ihimya and have Norman nurture her powers. She didn’t listen to Kian’s words, so they had no other choice but to take drastic measures.

Yes, that was it.

The note was their last attempt in getting Auriella to submit to her fate.

That was why, when she spotted Kian alone in the academy’s garden, Auriella threw a right hook punch and sent the boy tumbling to the ground. Kian gasped in surprise as Auriella winced, shaking the hand that smacked the boy senseless. Punching someone hurt more than she thought.

Kian stirred below her, and when he tried to call out her name, Auriella didn’t hesitate to get on top of him and throw another punch. One to his right cheek, another to his left one– her hands started to ache, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. It was either her rage expressed itself in the form of violence or in weak tears.

Crying was definitely not an option.

And as Auriella raised her hand to land one last punch on Kian’s nose, his hands shot up to grab her wrists, stopping her. To her surprise, and maybe even annoyance, Kian offered her a small smile.

“Please don’t ruin my face,” he said. “I really enjoy living a handsome life, so please…”

Auriella paused, looking at him incredulously, as if to say ‘you got to be kidding me.’ Despite his pleas, with all the strength she could muster– for Kian had a shockingly strong grip– Auriella released a hand and smacked the poor boy on the nose.

Kian’s hand shot to his brusied feature, groaning. Lucky for him, no blood was drawn.

“Dammit,” Kian muttered.

As soon as her fist met the Gemini’s face, Auriella felt the tension in her hands, the rage in her body, relax, as if someone had turned the stove off and the boiling emotions inside her had still.

Once recovered, Kian slowly propped himself up. “What’s wrong, Auriella? I doubt you punched me simply because you think I’m annoying.” Then in a mumble he added, “But it’s not like I haven’t encountered someone that did before.”

Auriella glared at him. She took the note from her pocket and shoved it onto Kian, the force pushing him back to the ground.

“What is this?” He asked.

Now that her rage was gone, it took extra effort for Auriella to hold back her tears. “I should be asking you the same thing. What kind of sick game are you playing? This is cruel, even for a Gemini.”

Kian’s expression hardened, but he said nothing. He took the note in his hands and unraveled it. Genuine confusion crossed his face.

“Who’s Aisling?” He asked.

“Don’t play innocent.” She scowled, though something seemed off. Kian genuinely looked as if he’d never seen the name before. But Auriella couldn’t be wrong either… could she? Kian must have been the one to send her this, since he was at the garden, just as the person from earlier told her. Yet, this whole thing still didn’t feel right. As she looked at Kian, a painful feeling suddenly crossed her, telling her it wasn’t him who wrote and sent the letter.

But Auriella didn’t want to admit it. Instead, she wanted to verify it. So, in lieu of an apology, she said, “You were the one who wrote this and told that person to tell me to meet you here.”

“I honestly haven’t a clue as to who this name belongs to,” he said. Then realization flashed in his eyes. “A classmate told me you were the one who wanted to meet me here.”

“No, I never…” Auriella paused. That was her answer. She quickly got off of him, holding a hand out to pull Kian to his feet. “Who told you to come to the garden?”

“I didn’t catch their face,” Kian replied. He lifted the note to his nose. “But the person appeared to be a tall male, around my height or an inch taller.” His eyes lit up.

Auriella sighed. Someone was messing with her, but now she was certain it wasn’t Kian. She didn’t know whether or not she should be relieved.

“The note has the same scent as the time from the demon attack,” Kian said. “It smells like a Talonis creature.”

Auriella pursed her lips. “And apple blossoms?”

Kian nodded.

“Aisling Corentin, the name on the note, is my grandmother,” Auriella began as she picked up her bag that she’d discarded during her fit of rage. “She was murdered when I was eight by two men who knew about the ruby. That was how I met Norman. I called him for help, and he saved me. I stayed in Ihimya after that.”

As much as she despised Norman for keeping her locked in his palace, she was indebted to him. If not for him, she would’ve died that night, and the hope for Stalera’s salvation would’ve gone alongside her.

“During gym period, there was a person who gave me that note,” Auriella continued. “And they told me that its sender was waiting for me in the garden. I assumed the sender was you only because of our last encounter and how persistent you were in bringing me back to Ihimya. When I saw you here, it just confirmed my suspicions, and I lashed out.” She gulped down her pride and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Kian, for hitting you. You didn’t deserve it.”

Auriella felt his hand touch her head, giving it a small pat.

“Don’t worry about it,” Kian replied softly. “I’m sorry about your grandmother. It’s difficult to lose someone you love and it’s much harder to move on from it. But whether or not I knew her as Kye, I could never know. I hardly remember anything in my life as Kye Martin, to be honest, but I assure you as Kian, I did not know her or your past enough to write such a letter.”

Kian’s eyes then darkened. “But whoever did it came from Talonis. I’m certain of it.” He took Auriella’s hands into his. “Auriella, please realize that this is your reality now. This scent, the threats, and the demons; they will continue to follow you wherever you go.”

“I know.”

“Then why do you refuse our protection?” He asked. “Why do you push us away and your duty as Successor? Why are you scared to return to Ihimya?”

Auriella cast her gaze to her hands. They were smaller in comparison to Kian’s and were completely covered by his long and calloused fingers. The vines that entangled her to this mess seemed to grow. The more she moved, the more the vines wrapped tightly around her. No matter how hard she tried to escape this fate of hers, it would follow her. In Ihimya, she longed for the spark that would lead her to live her own story as Auriella Corentin, the woman who slays the Archfiend and restores Stalera. But that spark had long passed, and the story she longed for started way before she knew it. Her story had begun the moment she received the ruby, and there was no stopping it.

Just as she started this tale, she must end it. She was her own maker, her own prologue and epilogue, her own beginning and end. That was what she wanted, wasn’t it? To claim her story as her own?

“I'm scared I won’t be able to protect the ones I love,” Auriella answered. “I’m scared that I’ll become weak and worthless without the Goddess’ blood. And I’m terrified to be nothing without Asteria.”

There it was again, the empathetic look that glimmered in Kian’s eyes. It was a look of shared understanding, as if he knew how she felt. But how could he? It wasn’t as if he had to endure the feelings of being nothing without being someone’s.

Could he?

“Let’s grow stronger together,” Kian said. “Let’s become braver, better, so that we can become our own person without the burdens of titles and labels. No more Gemini Warrior and Asteria’s Successor. We shall simply be Kian and Auriella. What do you say?”

There was no way out of this, Auriella knew. But maybe, for once, she should try to stop running away. Maybe she should try to face the inevitable without cowering in fear. After all, how could she expect herself to confront the Archfiend if she couldn’t even confront her own weaknesses and fears?

Believe.

How long had it been since she believed and fought for something?

How long will she continue to run?

“Fine,” Auriella declared, fixing her eyes on Kian’s as the sun created specks of gold in his amber irises. “I’ll become stronger, and I’ll go to Ihimya. I will finish what was started.”

Kian’s lips widened into a brilliant smile as his fingers tucked a stray strand of hair behind Auriella’s ear. “And I’ll stay beside you every step of the way.”

. . .

“Well, well, well.” Asclepius rested his elbows on the counter, his hands cupping the sides of his cheeks. “You’re a bit early for your shift, Riel.”

“I’m not working today,” Auriella said as she closed the entrance of Astro Cafe. Luckily, the shop was empty. “I’ve decided I want to go to Ihimya. I’ll train under Norman, and I’ll learn how to wield my powers.”

Asclepius smiled. He took his apron off and set it on the counter.

“Are you certain you want this?” He asked.

“It’s not like I have a choice,” Auriella answered.

“No, no.” He shook his finger. “That’s not true. Our future is always determined by our decisions. Though there are a few events here and there that are bound to happen, ultimately, how we react to them is a decision we have to make. Are you absolutely certain you want to return to Norman? Don’t you have doubts?”

Of course Auriella had doubts, but she would complicate things if she told him. So, she kept her mouth shut and shook her head.

“So, if I were to call Norman, and he showed up before you with a legion of mages, ready to restrain you if you show even the slightest bit of resistance, would you still go with him?” Asclepius continued.

Just the thought of seeing Norman again in his jade and gold robes, backed by his scarlet-hooded mages, made Auriella’s shoulders tense. She took a step back instinctually, as if preparing to bolt for the door if ever Norman appeared from inside the employee lounge. Asclepius’ smile only grew as he noticed the small detail.

“You’re not ready, Riel,” Asclepius said. “You can’t face Norman when you still fear him.”

Auriella scoffed. “I don’t fear him–”

“Even he said you weren’t ready to return to Ihimya,” Asclepius interrupted.

She tensed. “You spoke to him?”

“Yes, and I told him about Kian and your powers,” he replied. “And he says he won’t teach you until you’ve learned to cure that illness of yours. That illness being cowardice.”

Auriella could have rolled her eyes, but she didn’t. That sounded like Norman, alright.

“I’ve been given permission to train you,” Asclepius said. “Under my guidance, you will learn how to wield the Gemini, and you will remain here on Earth.”

“What?” Auriella pursed her lips. “Are you serious?”

“Remember what I said?” Asclepius began. “Employers must always treat their employees well. I’m responsible for you now, Riel, and so is the Gemini. We’ll have to make arrangements accordingly, including a new schedule.”

Auriella’s brows pinched together. “Wait, hold on–”

“But that’ll have to wait,” Asclepius continued, holding his hand out. A portal spiraled into existence, radiating with blue and white energy. He gestured for Kian to follow him. “We have some business to attend to, Gemini.”

“What business?” Kian asked.

“Just come with me.”

Kian narrowed his eyes. “Asclepius, I can’t simply leave Auriella. It’s unsafe.”

“Yes, you can.” The man nodded. “Astro Cafe is perfectly anti-deity, anti-Talonis, and anti-Norman. Auriella will be fine. Right now, she needs you with me.” Asclepius then turned to Auriella. “Please give us a few moments, hun.”

Kian hesitated, his eyes darting between the portal and Auriella. But eventually he decided to follow Asclepius into it. As soon as both of them entered, the blue and white energy spiraled away and vanished, leaving Auriella alone in the cafe in a state of relief and confusion. And maybe in a bit of awe as well.