The Colors And The Deal With Death - Chapter XIV: Back To Life

Going back to the dead air and the indescribable pain in my stomach, I can safely say that I am back to consciousness. Opening my eyes, I see that I am still looking up at the black sky from the bottom step before the final room of the castle. How long was I out? Are the others okay? With no time to further delve for an answer, I pull myself to my feet, finally armed with the knowledge on how to end this little game, though I still can’t get over what I have just been shown. The monster was born thanks to one man’s greed and insecurities, but Mandy is still not beyond hope. If I can somehow convince her to lay down her arms, maybe I won’t have to do anything reckless. I bring my legs up the last flight of stairs, each leg feeling like a bag half filled with jelly with each step.

As I arrive at the top of the stairs, I open the door and come to the small waiting room just outside the chapel room from my vision. The balloons that once filled the room festively, stay deflated on the floor, and the banners that once read Congratulations, they just look torn and dirtied now, though I can see that Mandy hadn’t the stomach to take them down yet. As I approach the door, it starts to open, creaking from the huge build up of rust. I prepare myself for the worst, knowing that whoever comes out must be an enemy... and I was right.

My father comes walking out, closing the door behind him as he dusts the place free of cobwebs. He looks a lot older than he did before, and just like the others, he doesn’t seem to be part of the living anymore, with skin hanging off his face, leaving his skull exposed in places. I honestly don’t know how to react to seeing him for the first time in many years, the first time since... the incidents. Just seeing him brings back those feelings once again, as I unintentionally clench my fists as hard as I can. Before long, he turns around to face me. He immediately falls to his knees.

“Oh Mistress, please. I wasn’t doing anything out of sorts, I swear.” My father says, as he grovels on the floor for me, but since he more than likely thinks I’m Mandy, the image I’ve been waiting for most of my life, just pisses me off even further.

He pokes his head up to me, confused as he gets back up.

“Everything alright, Mistress? You seem different somehow.” My father says, coming to touch my shoulder.

Not even thinking about it, I sweep his hand off and slap him around the face. He staggers for a little moment, with an imprint of my hand on his right cheek.

“I’m not Amanda. It’s Eliza.” I say to him angrily, though I regret calling myself by my actual name, it’s just a force of habit when next to him.

“Eliza? I thought something was amiss. After all these years, it is so good to see you. How have you been?” My father asks me... ME?

“How have I been, you ask? Well, let me tell you. After I left your vice-like grip of control and corporal punishment, I was never able to get over the fact that Daddy didn’t love me like his other girls. I convinced myself I was a demon with no real reason to live in a world that hated my very existence, but I stayed alive to spite it. I push away any potential friends because I was afraid they would hurt me too. I know many words, yet solve my problems with my fists because that’s what I was taught. I am constantly haunted by your voice and your scars still burn me. Because of you, I hate this world, I hate myself, I hate the idea of friendship and love, and most importantly, I HATE YOU AND YOUR SO-CALLED GOD!” I shout at him, as I watch him cower in fear like the feeble old man he has become.

He starts to cry to himself on the floor, this time, for me. While I should feel bad, I really don’t. I actually feel a little better already.

“I’m... sorry. I’m so sorry.” My father says, breaking down in tears.

“To think I was actually afraid of you. I have actually been slowly healing though. I finally have friends who respect me for me, and a place I can finally call my own. I am starting to get the concept of love, and as for your god, he and I have a small deal going.” I say to him, finally starting to smile as I tower over him.

“You and Arc? Huh. You truly are your mother’s child. She was always the favourite one. The one who was picked first in gym, the one who always received help and made friends in high places. She was also one of Arc’s many Ringbearers.” My father says, feeling for the ring under his glove, thinking that I don’t notice.

“But you have her ring? The ring she promised me.” I ask, finally feeling confident to get the truth from him.

“How do you know? Urgh, yes. She was always proud of it, and wanted to give it to you. Mandy was first in line for it, but she left. Then it went to you. I was the one who craved it most, and I would never claim it as long as I lived. I wanted to be the chosen one, even if it meant taking some... harsh measures.” My father says, curling into the foetal position.

“Harsh measures? What were they?” I ask, already hating the fact I asked the question, but I deserve to know.

“...Your mother accidentally set fire to a house in the square using her powers. The fathers of the clergy were looking for a witch who threatened their way of life. I hid the truth for so long, but I had an idea. If I just told them the truth, then take the ring away before they take her away, I can run with it. But they got hasty and burned her anyway, ring or none. She made me promise to give it to you on your 18th birthday.” My father says, telling me a story that honestly makes me go pale in the face... more so.

“So my mother is dead and you treated me horribly in an excuse to coerce me into leaving, all just so you can play chosen one? You are truly unforgivable.” I say to him, finally piecing together everything I’ve been missing.

He just falls silent, as he takes off his glove and ring, putting it on the floor next to him. I grab it and put it on, finally taking what is rightfully mine. The ring shines an ominous black glow as soon as I put it on.

“Amanda should still be in the next room. Though I don’t actually know to get the ring to work.” My father says, finally defeated, left speechless and ashamed.

I walk towards the door, before noticing a huge frame on the other side of the wall, with a picture of all of the family together. We all look pretty happy.

“If I somehow do win against Mandy, you will probably go free. Consider it a second chance to turn over a new leaf. Or whatever the hell you want, I don’t care anymore.” I say to him before walking through the door and closing it behind me, leaving him alone on the floor.

And with that, some burdens on my shoulders have been lifted. Thank you for the birthday present, Mum. I will put it to good use... I really do miss you though.

As a giant bird and a giant man look down at all of us, overwhelming us with the gust of wind from their breath alone. How are we going to win this? In desperation, I look longingly towards Blue... well, the cat is out of the bag, so I can call her Roxy. If anyone is going to know anything about this, it has to be her.

“Are we screwed? We might just be a little screwed right now.” Brooklyn says, preparing her gauntlet regardless.

“Damn, I’ve been free for 10 minutes and I’m already going to die again.” Lyle says, losing hope, contrary to what I thought of him.

Suddenly, the giant bird starts to scream for no discernible reason, until Bonnie somehow climbs up from its back, with cuts and bruises all over her, and dripping in blood, though I’m sure not all of it is hers. The bird shakes Bonnie off next to us, as she rolls on the floor before getting up.

“Bon!” Brooklyn says, looking happy to see her as she helps her to her feet.

“Oh hey, it’s you. Good work out there.” Blanche says, looking as if she really wants to spit out Bonnie’s little secret, but acting against it, thankfully.

“Hey guys, where did Roxy go?” Nuko asks, looking around for her.

We all look and she is nowhere to be found, both doors are closed, and I didn’t hear any doors being opened or closed.

“Roxy!” Andy shouts, before Garcia starts to pull back his fist.

Andy rolls just in time to avoid the punch, going down to the last few milliseconds, just barely clipping his shoes. It leaves a crater in the floor where he was just standing, so I would have hated to see what would happen if it landed.

“We’ll take care of the bird. We’ve had a score to settle with it for some time now.” Brooklyn says, smiling at the bird, as she leaps towards it.

“I’m going to help out. Those feathers will look amazing as a costume piece.” Blanche says, finally in her element, showing us the confidence I have come to know her for.

As Brooklyn, Bonnie keep the bird busy using their strange gauntlets, Blanche joins the fray as she grapples up to it and climbs to its back. Meanwhile, the rest of us are given Garcia to deal with. We all take shots at Garcia’s hands as he slams the ground for us, but the floor doesn’t look like it can take much more abuse. The cracks start to form in the centre of the room, as Garcia goes for one final slam.

“Hey guys, I’m in here. Come in, quick.” Roxy says from the next room... I guess she did leave through the door after all, like a ninja.

We all run through the door, as the fist comes into the ground one more time, and the floorboards underneath break apart, sending the entire floor careening down to the floor below, which is still quite far down. My feet were still mostly on the floor, so if it wasn’t for my friends grabbing my arms before it collapsed, I would likely be dead... or at least very hurt. We watch as Garcia fall down with the floor, and that the others are flying out further than anticipated.

“Thank you guys. Didn’t make it in time.” I say, embarrassed at myself for not making it in time, but happy that they cared enough to save me.

We all run through the next corridor, as Roxy is on the stairs by the other side of the room, breaking the glass of the walls that keep people from falling over the sides. She seems to be using some sort of glue to stick the glass together, making a big cone on the middle of the stairs.

“Roxy, what are you doing?” Nuko asks, as we all walk towards her.

As we get half way, Garcia breaks through the doors and starts to run towards us all. We all run towards the stairs.

“No time to explain, get over here and I’ll tell you what to do next.” Roxy says, with urgency and panic in her voice, though it sounds like she has a concrete plan in mind.

Though we cut it pretty close, we all stand by Roxy, as Garcia continues his run towards us.

“Alright. Now get on the other side and grapple his legs.” Roxy says, as she slides between his legs and wraps her grappling equipment around his right leg.

We all copy her movements, as Garcia tries to stomp on us. Before too long, his legs are covered from knee to toe in our grappling hooks.

“Alright... Pull!” Roxy says, as she puts all of her strength into pulling backwards.

As we all walk backwards, Garcia turns around to face us, further wrapping our ropes around his legs. With one final pull, Garcia trips backwards, but as he falls, his head lands on the newly formed glass cone, going through the back of his head before coming back out through his nose, exploding in blood. He starts to struggle, trying to pull his head out, but as his body starts to fail him, his futile struggle comes to an unfortunate end... I’m sorry, Garcia, but this is likely what you would have wanted us to do, right?

Before we can even move our mouths to talk, the stairs collapses under him, falling to the ground below, which is a great distance away. He lands on the patrolling ghouls below, crushing a big group of them.

“Yes! Another plan successfully pulled off.” Roxy says, celebrating to herself.

“Oh yeah! Suck it, loser.” Lyle says, celebrating a little too hard.

“Yeah, but this is as far as we go. The stairs are out.” Nuko says, pointing them out to her, as the stairs still crumble around the chasm.

This is likely as far as we go for now. Please be safe, Lizzie. Please come back to us.

As I walk through the final door, my heart in my throat and my breath heavier than a two ton weight, I come to a strange chapel. There seems to be a strings band playing just by the door, as the guards from my vision... and in the courtyard now, take all of the pews leading to the aisle, no chair left available, like a sold out show. Mandy, in her wedding gown is at the alter, as a coffin stands at the back of the room. She seems to be doing some magic with her staff, as it glows green. Suddenly, a hand comes out of the open lid, as someone starts to sit up.

It’s Zachary, looking as preserved as if he never even died in the first place, minus the stitches in his chest, and the dry blood caked into his suit. He notices Mandy and smiles.

“Mandy? But how? I thought we... you know, died or something.” Zachary says, thinking that he has either gone crazy or in some meta heaven.

“It’s a long story. But the good news is we are king and queen now. This kingdom is ours.” Mandy says, excitedly as she couldn’t smile any brighter.

“Wait, what? How?” Zachary asks, understandably shocked.

“Well, after we died. I was given powers, and I used them to exact our revenge and kill the king and his men. Some innocents got caught in the crossfire, but that couldn’t be helped. I unfortunately couldn’t find your father, but I’m still looking. The point is that we won. The king is gone, just like we wanted.” Mandy says, taking Zachary’s hands, looking at him like she wants to cry with happiness.

“You killed the king? But that’s not what we wanted.” Zachary says, sounding quite annoyed at her.

“What? You didn’t?” Mandy asks, surprised as she averts her gaze to look around the room nervously.

“To stop him from killing more, you killed thousands more? I’m sorry, Mandy, but what makes you any different from him?” Zachary asks, upset as he lets go of Mandy’s hands.

“I thought... this was what you wanted. They took you away from me. They killed us in cold blood. I was only doing what I thought was right.” Mandy says, trying not to cry for completely different reasons from before.

“Your heart was in the right place. But-“ Zachary says, before being cut off by Mandy’s gloved finger pressed to his lips.

“No buts. Please.” Mandy says, not wanting anything to ruin her first moment of peace in a long time, as she starts to cry.

“I’m sorry. Killing guards and innocents alike, controlling lives like puppets, abusing your power, that is not the Mandy I knew, the Mandy I fell in love with. I still love you, more than words can express, but this doesn’t feel right. We are living on borrowed lives. I would rather die a hero than live an undeserved eternity. I hope you can understand.” Zachary says, putting her hands to his empty chest.

“All these years I have lived without you, all I have done is try to bring you back. But if being here is so terrible, then I have no choice, do I? Mandy asks, wiping her eyes with her gloves as she takes them off, which are stained with black smears from her make-up.

“Heaven isn’t so bad, you know? Having you there would be perfect. Please, when you eventually join me up there, there we can share our eternity. I believe you will do the right thing. I love you.” Zachary says, as he hugs her.

Mandy’s hands shake as she puts them around Zachary, who once again flops lifelessly in Mandy’s arms. She puts him back in the coffin and closes the lid before breaking down on it. The crowd all seem completely still, not a brain between them to comprehend the situation. Though my heart is heavy for her, I walk towards her, eager to end all of this, and hopefully, she will be a bit more willing to cooperate now. Walking down the aisle towards her, she turns to me with the look of a defeated woman.

“You again?” Mandy asks, sounding angry at me as she tries to stop crying, but is unable to.

“Listen, I just want-“ I try to explain, as she picks herself off from the ground.

“You and your pesky friends have been thorns at my side since the day we met again. Just leave me alone. Just leave me alone!” Mandy screams at me as loud as she can, a strong gust of wind coming out of her staff, blowing me and everyone else to the back wall.

She begins torching her guests one by one in frustration, a psychotic smile on her face as she laughs to herself.

“He didn’t want me. This has all been for nothing. I’ve done so much, I can’t stop now. And now, you come to pick on me too. What have I ever done to you?” Mandy asks, throwing fire everywhere in a temper tantrum as the place catches fire, filling the room with smoke.

I walk over to her and grab her by the neck, before calming her down with a soothing deck to the face.

“What have you done to me? How about trying to kill me multiple times, poisoning me, my friends and god knows how many others? I remember who you are now. I don’t want to have to hurt the only family I have left.” I say to her, repeatedly punching her, though it doesn’t seem to be scratching the surface as she comes out without bruises.

“Oh, so now you remember me? And you brought our mother’s ring with you? There might be some use for you yet. So it’s the cure to what ails you that brings you here, huh? Then let’s make a little trade. Though it is still in its experimental phase, I have concocted a medicine in case my loved ones drank from it. I no longer have any need for it, so it is yours... in exchange for the ring.” Mandy says, pushing me off her, noticing the ring.

I think to myself about what the hell to do. I suddenly find myself with the choice between losing my birthright and one of the many rings that could save this world, or dying in shame and hoping that the other five work it out. There are so many pros and cons to consider, that I don’t have any real time to think about them all... I just really hope my plan works.

“Come on, it’s a no-brainer. Our mother left it for me after all. That fool outside told me that it burned with our mother... little did I know that the coward kept it for himself when he died.” Mandy says, towering over me as I remain on the floor, too afraid to really stand up, though I really should.

“When you killed him, more like.” I say, as I start to pull myself up weakly, but Mandy just kicks the arms from beneath me, knocking me back to the floor defencelessly.

“Regretfully not. He was already dead when I found him, and since I didn’t kill him, he kept his free will. The guy remembered the hiding spot and put the ring back on before he came back here, the stupid sneak.” Mandy says, circling me, as she throws her gloves to the floor.

“Mother left it for me for a reason, and I’m going to prove it. Yaargh!” I say as I triumphantly use the ring, to no avail.

I continue trying to use the ring, getting more and more embarrassed with each attempt, as Mandy starts to laugh at me.

“Such a silly girl. Holding so tightly onto something she can’t even use.” Mandy says, before kicking me in the stomach, like the buck of a horse.

For a split second, my vision goes black and white with red blinking spots, as the pain becomes unbearable to deal with. Mandy walks back towards me, as the guards all crowd around me, pulling me back to my feet, as Mandy wipes her eyes one more time.

“Sorry that it had to end this way, Sis. But look on the bright side, not everyone is entitled to this death, and when I bring you back, I will make you my second in command, my chief slave.” Mandy says, already visualises it all in her head.

“That’s all that matters to you now, isn’t it? Treating living beings like your toys and tools, throwing them away when they stop being useful. Do you think this is what Zachary wanted?” I ask, as I try to break free.

“Who are you to talk to me about Zachary? I don’t know how you found out about all of that, but in a few seconds, it won’t matter anyway. Goodbye Eliza, you’ve been most helpful.” Mandy says, as her finger comes closer and closer to my head.

And then... she pokes my head...

...And true to my deductions, even though I have seen her touch kill even a giant, I am still alive. As my eyes are still closed and my body is still limp to make them believe I am dead, I try to think to the times I have seen this ring in action, and how my mother was able to get it to work. The solution is on the tip of my tongue, and yet it still eludes me.

“Alright, that made me feel a little better. Thank you, men. I guess she won’t be needing this anymore.” Mandy says, as I feel her slowly peel the ring from my finger.

With no other way around it, I sharply open my eyes and break free of the guards’ grips while they are none the wiser. I slap Mandy’s fingers off me and put the ring back where it belongs. Mandy looks shocked, as she just stares at me.

“What? How? No one has ever survived that.” Mandy says, sounding a little terrified for once.

“I thought I was going to die by your touch too. You are the governor of death after all. However, I had an epiphany about that little trick. How can you touch your own skin without dying the same? The crown goes into your head to react to your blood, so you are always safe from your own touch... but what about those who share your blood? People you donated blood to? Those who share your fortunate ones? Even family members?” I ask, finally stumping her and leaving her speechless.

“Alright then. I don’t know how you know all of this. But who cares if my touch doesn’t work? I’ll just have to rip you apart, piece by piece instead.” Mandy says, getting angry again, losing her already waning patience with me.

Come on, come on. It’s so close. Mandy is right there. What did my mother say in the vision again? That has to be the key. La Glace? As in ice? That’s it. It responds to the family’s native tongue... now I just have to think back to when they taught me basic French.

“Hehehe. You know, all of my pathetic life, I had always looked outside, because I would have given anything to be out there. I was foolish, and knew nothing about the world until I stepped into it, and realised how scary it was. No one understood me, until my friends... no, my family came along and helped me. The demon may always exist inside me, but if there is anything they have taught me... it’s how to embrace it.” I explain, smiling at her, knowing that the true battle has only just begun.

Mandy and her guards lunge for me. It’s now or never, so my stomach better behave. “Feu!”

The ring finally starts to react as I feel a burning sensation building up within the ring, as the band turns red. A tornado of fire develops around me, spawning from the ring. The guards are all reduced to ashes by the time they actually touch me, before falling to the floor. When the tornado falls, Mandy appears just in front of me, slowly clapping for me.

“So you finally found it out, huh? Things just got a whole lot more interesting.” Mandy says, as her staff glows again.

I shoot fireballs from the ring at her direction, but she avoids and deflects them with ease before she fires her own.

“La Glace!” I say, as I notice the band has turned light blue, before I start lifting barriers of ice from the floor, but they are quickly melted by the still spreading fire around the room.

The smoke and ash start to become unbearable, as I start choking on them. Before I focus on Mandy, I should make sure that this room survives first.

“Eau!” I shout as the band turns dark blue, shooting water spurts around the room, putting out the fires as the room becomes overpowered by the smoke.

My eyes start to hurt, as I start to choke, covering my mouth with my hands until it dies... or I can be cocky and do this.

“Vent!” I shout, as the band turns green, and I start spinning around, creating another tornado of air that blows the smoke through the open windows.

“Getting used to your powers, eh? Have you already forgot that I’m still here?” Mandy asks, getting more and more annoyed as she walks towards me.

“Feu!” I shout, holding my guns, as I fire bullets that create little explosions on impact, and though they all hit Mandy, save for some missing pieces of flesh in her torso and her wedding gown in tatters, she is still unharmed... is she truly impossible to defeat, even with these unbelievable powers?

When she comes to me, I pocket my guns and continue shuffling through the powers, sending a constant cavalcade of elemental pain her way. However, no matter how much I throw at her, she doesn’t seem to be fazed by anything. I start to grow a lot more fatigued, as my vision goes blurry again, like it did before I passed out. It... can’t end like this.

As Brooklyn, the weird girl, Blanche and I find ourselves dangling perilously over what looks to be a 100 foot drop on a big bird, we are doing good to keep our calm, as we try to pull it back to the castle, tugging at the wires on its back.

“If I had a coin for every time I was this high up and could drop off at any given moment, I would have my first coin.” Brooklyn says, working through her panic with laughter, as she always has done.

“Hey, would you mind not joking around while we’re about to die?” Blanche asks, tugging with all her might, though I doubt it’s not contributing that much, as mean as it sounds.

“Alright, alright. Remember the drill, when we’re near the castle, pull the wires out and jump as far as you can.” Brooklyn says, recapping the plan as if we haven’t heard it a couple of times already.

“Got it. Honestly, I would kill to be able to cope and make jokes under such pressure. I always get too hysterical.” Blanche says, denying the elephant in the room that she has fear farts, a secret only I seem to be aware of... though Brooklyn is here so I can’t say anything.

“The trick is to live life so extreme that your eulogy sounds an exaggerated anecdote. Here lies Brooklyn Wang, fell a billion feet from the back of a zombie bird. It has a nice ring to it.” Brooklyn says, having that look in her eye that tells me that she’s actually considering it.

“Please stop. That makes this so much worse.” Blanche says, on the cusp of tears.

I put my full strength into pulling this damn bird back, before it starts to scream. We all look and see that the others are all helping us pull it back with their impressive grappling hook compartments. As the bird comes back closer and closer, we begin yanking out the wires, as the resistance grows weaker and weaker. As we catch up with the others, we all jump onto the stairs, trying to not to cut ourselves on the broken glass. Looking at it, there seems to be a lot of smoke flying from the next room.

As we climb off, the last one to jump is Brooklyn, who doesn’t make it.

“No!” Everyone screams, as we look down to find her, but are unable to already.

As the bird falls on top of King Garcia’s body, we have taken care of every obstacle in the way. As for Brooklyn, I’m going to give her a few minutes before I start panicking. Everyone else is looking pretty upset right now, like we didn’t just appear in their lives only recently. Do we really have that effect on people? Or are these people the most trusting beings on the planet?

True to my word, Brooklyn appears through the front door, as everyone can’t believe their eyes. Everyone rushes to gather around her, with big smiles on their faces.

“But how did you get out of that?” The girl in yellow asks, in her sweetest and highest voice yet.

“With this, baby. Look, but don’t touch.” Brooklyn says, flaunting her gauntlet around for the people... she really hasn’t changed since I met her.

As we all sit around chatting, Lizzie is talking to the main girl herself. I hope she isn’t in too much trouble. Your friends are all waiting for you here.

“I’m... actually too impressed to be angry right now. Zachary is probably looking down at me and laughing right now.” Mandy says, with a different tone of voice, as if she was actually proud of me, as she stands a couple of feet away from me.

The room looks entirely destroyed, and not a single pew is where it should be. All the stained glass windows are broken and smashed, and yet the coffin remains intact, as if Mandy has been hold back from attacking that area.

“Look, why don’t we just agree that this is a stalemate? This constant back and forth, it’s got us nowhere, and though I thought you were this god-like terror, I can dare say we were equals in the end.” I say, trying to get her to lay down her arms... literally.

“Equals? With you? Please, I’m not that defenceless. Let’s not forget which of us is letting the sickness I created, eat their insides away slowly and painfully. Face it. I have no equal, only those who are yet to fall to my knees.” Mandy says, pulling my head up to look at her.

As my vision still goes a little blurry, I feel like my time is nearly up before she finishes me off. With no other option, I decide to go for broke, putting the last of my eggs into one basket. I get back onto my feet before slowly walking towards her.

“Equals or not, it’s time we end this.” I say, not breaking stride in my walk.

Mandy moves to the far end of the room, as her staff glows green once again. I try to make it there as fast as I can, before she can fire anything at me, but I am too late to stop it. Like a crippling case of heartburn, the fireball launches into my chest, knocking me down a little, before I bring myself back to my feet. With the biggest smile on her face, Mandy fires several more after me, though I just walk through the pain, absorbing most of the damage through my already torn battle suit. She starts to send as many as she can at me, but the ring thankfully starts to absorb most of the blasts.

In a last ditch effort to finish me off, she taps her staff on the ground twice to summon an ice wall, similar to my own.

“Feu!” I say, as the ring once again shines red, allowing me melt the ice... the breeze from the ice water is pretty amazing right now.

As I grow closer to Mandy, my memories all come flooding back to me, the good, the bad, especially the ugly, everything that brought me to where I am today. Preparing my sock knife, I prepare myself for either death or victory... or both.

“You plan on killing me with just a silly little pocket knife? I’ll give you this one last little moment.” Mandy says, sitting down on the stairs leading to the altar, calming laughing at me.

I finally make it to her, before grabbing her head with both hands as tight as I can. Her hair is so matted and greasy to feel in my fingers... I guess the dead don’t shower as often. I bring the knife up to her neck, as I hold her by the crown. In one last ditch effort, I pull the crown until it is just connected by hair. Once the binding hair is stretched enough, I bring the knife upwards and slice the hair that holds it in place. And just like that, I have the crown.

“Wait. What are you doing with that? Give it back!” Mandy shouts, grabbing for it.

I quickly put the crown on my own head, before an immense amount of pain stems from my head. And from the look of it, Mandy is also feeling the sting, as we both collapse onto our knees.

“Eliza, please. This isn’t funny anymore. Give it to me.” Mandy says, clawing at me, more scared than I have ever seen her.

I watch her skin start to melt away, giving way to bone slowly, as she crawls on the floor like some sick puppy.

“No. This can’t be happening. I’m sorry Zachary. Looks like I won’t be joining you up there.” Mandy says, finally feeling regret, as she holds the coffin in her last moments.

As I watch her embrace the coffin, I start to think about the vision, her memories. She had a second chance for a life of happiness, which was wrongly taken from her by a greedy king who feared opposition. If I keep this crown, I will likely take Mandy’s place. I know I’m going to regret what I’m about to do, but it seems like the right choice.

I walk over to Mandy’s skeletal body, as I wrestle the crown from my own head, putting back on hers. As soon as the crown touches her head, the pain stops, but everything starts to go dark, until pitch black, as the last torch in the room, the last flame dies out.

I wake up in a bright room, resting in an amazingly comfortable bed. Though my stomach is still hurting, it actually doesn’t feel as bad at the moment. Where am I? I sit up from the bed and see Mandy, sitting on a chair just next to the giant bed. I put my guard back up, as I immediately squirm to the other side of the bed.

“Morning sunshine. You can relax now. It’s over. Though I honestly had plans to finish you off when I woke up before you, I... wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for you. So, I can admit that you win, you beat me fair and square. As a prize, I already gave your friends the cure you’ll be needing. There is only one finished sample though, so the doctors will need to mass manufacture it before you take it.” Mandy says, swallowing her pride as she tells me the amazing news.

“Really? That’s incredible. Where are the others? Did they all get out alright?” I ask, realising that in my bout of rage, I left them all to deal with just as impossible odds.

“Funny. You just woke up from ten million possible ways you could have died, and the first question you ask is about your teammates? They must mean a lot to you. Don’t worry, they’re all in the next room. They wouldn’t shut up, as usual.” Mandy says, giggling a little, as if she was an entire different person from the person I fought upstairs.

Looking around the room, I can see that I am in the room with the balcony, the giant guest bedroom not too far up the castle. The guards that were once hounded for our flesh, are now just wandering around the castle freely. Even though my knees still feel like little sacks of jelly, I slowly make my way out of bed and back on my feet.

“Wait, does this mean we can be equals now?” I ask, wondering if I really have managed to change her tone with that fight.

“Hell no. I’m only being nice and giving you what you wanted to get you out of here. Understand?” Mandy asks, pulling me closer by the collar of my tattered suit, in a voice similar to how she was before, the Mandy I have come to know.

“I understand. Trust me, I know the feeling. Now, where are the others?” I ask, trying to bring the mood back.

“Through that door there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.” Mandy says, pointing to the window that leads to the balcony before walking off to the door that leads to the elevator up... that I’m still a little salty that I wasn’t told about sooner.

I rush towards the balcony as fast as my legs can take me, and pull the window open to jump in. On the other side, I see my friends, all talking to each other amongst themselves. Poppy is the first to notice me, as she pokes the others. Everyone turns to me and waits for someone, anyone to make the first move.

“Sorry it took so long.” I say confidently, for lack of a better one-liner that doesn’t sound corny or cliche.

Everyone runs towards me, as they all talk to me at once, culminating into a garbled up flurry of words.

“Glad to see you made it out in one piece.” Brooklyn says, patting me on the shoulder.

“Yeah, that was awesome!” Blanche says, jumping for joy as she takes my hand, with the brightest smile on her face.

“Nice to see you, baby.” Lyle says, excitedly flying around my head.

“So the plan worked perfectly, eh?” Roxy asks, feeling pride, though I’m not sure if it is for me or for herself.

“It would seem so. So, what happened here?” I ask, wondering why the castle is slightly more broken than I remember it being before.

“Oh, long story short, we fought Garcia, which destroyed a fraction of the castle, and the bird wasn’t any easier, but it all made for a decent challenge.” Andy says, pretending like it didn’t take all of his might, as I can tell by the sweat still matted to his forehead.

“It was super scary, but we made it, but then... but then.” Poppy says, not wanting to relive the moments, still a little shaken.

“Then we saw Mandy come out, dragging you across the floor. We were coming to avenge you, guns blazing like “you killed our friend, now you must die”, something along that line, but she explained everything and put you in that bed, and the rest you know.” Nuko explains in complete detail, gesturing with his hands and doing the voices.

“I see. So, what did we do now?” I ask, not sure on what we do from here.

“What else? We go home and get this cure to the hospital, lickedy split.” Poppy says, playing with the test tube quite dangerously in her hands.

“Of course. But can I ask a little query? How exactly do we get home?” Roxy asks, already thinking of ways to get out.

“Oh yeah, you guys got on that ghost train and survived? I’ve heard only horror stories about it. No way you’re making a round trip.” Lyle says, shuddering at the thought.

“Then we’re kind of stuck here, aren’t we?” Blanche asks, starting to freak out again.

“My precious Aera will be able to escort you back home for my sake. While I prepare her, I must ask for your patience. Eliza, if I could ask for your assistance for a little moment.” Mandy says, coming back down the staircase, carrying Zachary’s coffin in her hands.

I help her carry the coffin through the elevator, and out of the castle, through the surprisingly clear courtyard and into the main forest. I quickly look behind me and still see Garcia on the floor by the side of the castle, completely lifeless. We walk in awkward silence until we get to the forbidden area from before. Mandy puts down the coffin and pulls the staff from her back, using her fire to burn the piece of wood that kept it close, before we continue on our way.

To my surprise, it is the portion of the woods from the vision, Mandy’s past. I can see the house and the grand oak tree that she spent most of her time sitting under in the sunshine. This part of the woods look as if it has been completely untouched by time, like Mandy was keeping it sacred all this time. It’s weird too, even though it is the first time I have been here, I feel like its home to me too. We set the coffin by the oak tree and we both begin to dig, using shovels that Mandy brought out from the house.

“Hey Eliza. I must ask. Why did you save me earlier?” Mandy asks me, just out of the blue.

“Huh?” I ask, admittedly only half listening.

“You understood the intensity of my power. When you took the crown, which only you... and likely our father are capable of doing, you were mere seconds away from being chosen as the new vessel, and with your own powers, you could have easily become a god. Why did you give it all up?” Mandy asks, though I’m not really sure how to answer.

“Well, I guess I wasn’t up to the responsibility. Also, is killing the killer really justified?” I ask, trying not to admit I just felt bad.

“I guess. Well, you have my thanks for that anyway. I have another chance to make it up. To those I wronged, to those I wrongly let die... to Zachary.” Mandy says, finally feeling regret over what she has done.

After we finish digging a huge hole in the ground, we gently place the coffin inside and start shovelling the dirt back on top of it.

“If that is so, care to make a deal?” I ask, having quite a good idea in my head.

“Hehehe, I thought I was the one who made the deals around here.” Mandy says, giggling to herself a little.

“When you do finish making up, and you tire of this immortality thing, I can grant you the way to your happily ever after, and take over in your stead.” I say, knowing that when the time comes, I’ll either be ready to accept it... if I can survive first.

“If you manage to keep yourself alive, then I’ll have to take your word for it. Thank you.” Mandy says, walking back towards the house.

An hour later, back at the courtyard, everyone is gathered as the newly revived giant bird, Aera gets ready to fly. Mandy gives her one last embrace.

“Take these people home to Watcher Central for me, would you? I promise no more harm will ever come to you.” Mandy says, comforting a clearly weary bird, who tries to struggle away before calming down.

Everyone starts to climb on, except for Brooklyn, Bonnie and Mandy.

“Hey, why don’t you guys come with us? We could always use more hands on deck.” I ask, not wanting them to go.

“Wish we could, kiddo. If only we weren’t stuck with our own problems. We have to stay behind and talk to Mandy about this whole hit business.” Brooklyn says, ruffling my hair before noticing that I am slightly upset to hear it. “Hey, cheer up. You don’t think we’d let it be the end, right? Trust me, this won’t be the last time you’ll hear from this great and terrible twosome.”

Bonnie nods her head in agreement, as we all share a small hug, in what could very well be my first group hug ever.

“Hey guys, is it cool if I take a ride with you?” Lyle asks, looking around us all.

“Sure. We can take you back to your home when we touch ground.” I say, trying to be nice to him for once.

“Well, this is likely farewell for a long time. Best of luck out there. But one more piece of advice from me, watch your back. I heard you mention you were working for Arc. He has built quite the reputation, and there are people who want him destroyed. They will come at you with all they have to get to him. Just a heads up.” Mandy says, giving one hell of a goodbye speech.

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” I reply to her, unsure on how to respond to it, even though I did have an idea we’d have more enemies to deal with eventually.

“Here, a little parting gift. Give it to the media and please, don’t come back.” Mandy says, handing me a strange unmarked video tape before walking away.

We all climb on Aera, as she starts to take off into the sky. Weirdly, we soar through a small hole in the sky and end up in daylight with the actual sky. What the hell has Mandy been hiding? Was we really under a huge dark dome this whole time? Regardless, a small wormhole tears in the sky as we fly inside, ending up back in the actual world. The amazing breeze from the wind overwhelms our senses, as we take it all in, feeling it in our flowing hair.

“Wooo! I can’t believe we made it out of there in one piece.” Blanche says, screaming in excitement.

“Hey Poppy, you still have the serum, right?” Roxy asks, sounding worried.

Poppy feels her pockets, before frantically checking them all in vain. Oh god!

“Are you freaking kidding me right now?” Roxy asks, sounding mortified and annoyed.

“Yeah. Sorry, won’t do that again.” Poppy says, pulling the test tube out of her pocket, before quickly putting it back in, in case she actually drops it.

“Crazy girl, you’re going to give me a heart attack.” Roxy says, clutching her chest as she pulls out her inhaler from her suit pocket.

“Looking cool, Roxy.” Nuko comments, nudging her a little in the arm.

“Shut the hell up.” Roxy says, quite calmly despite her words.

We all giggle, as I actually find myself joining in, though I am still troubled that the other two couldn’t be here with us. They could have at least left me a number or something. Suddenly, my head starts to itch something serious. I scratch it and grab something that lodged itself in there. I pull it out and find a black business card with a printed lipstick mark on it. The text reads “Brooklyn Wang, Manager and Founder of The Robin’s Nest. Call me anytime.” Under the text, there is a number, likely Brooklyn’s number. Everything now feels a lot better. After a few minutes, we come past a familiar car, as Andy looks down at it, longingly.

“The car. Hey bird, can we stop down there? Hey, are you listening?” Andy asks, forgetting that she will only answer to Mandy’s command.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take a trip up here soon and get it back.” Blanche says, patting him on the back.

“So Lyle, do you know what you’re going to do with yourself now that you’re a free man... bird?” Roxy asks, as he perches himself on her shoulder.

“You know, I never gave much thought to it. In honesty, I really don’t have a place to call home anymore. Unless one of you guys want me for a little while, I’d better start looking for somewhere.” Lyle says, seemingly conflicted between feeling excited and nervous for his plans.

“Hey Lizzie, you have that swanky new pad with an extra room, right?” Nuko asks me of all people, unaware that my arm of generosity can only stretch so far... I resist the urge to smack him right now.

“Really? You would do that? For me? I’ll be good, I promise.” Lyle says, flying onto my shoulder.

“Fine, just be aware that when we get back, I’m setting some ground rules.” I say to him, sighing under my breath.

“Fair enough. Yesterday, I was rotting away in a dungeon and tonight, I’ll be sleeping at a woman’s place.” Lyle says, excitedly thinking of all the things he can do, and I’ll likely have to dash down in flames.

After a couple of short hours of conversations, we arrive back at Watcher Central, jumping off Aera to the main square, just in time before she takes off back where she flew in from, flying towards the sun as it starts to set in the sky.

“Hey Roxy, how long did the doctors give these patients?” Poppy asks, knowing that Roxy is the only one that keeps track of the calendar to a borderline obsessive degree.

“We have just two days remaining.” Roxy says, checking the calendar on her phone.

“Good, just enough time. I’m not one for giving commands, but here we go. We can make this if we split up for now. Lizzie and I will go to deliver the cure to the hospital, Roxy and Nuko will sneak the video that Mandy gave us, to the higher authorities. Andy, Blanche and Lyle... I honestly can’t think of any jobs for you, so why don’t you take a taxi somehow and get that car back?” Poppy asks, talking more seriously than usual, even though we are outside... I suppose she has got a bit more confident on this journey.

“Sounds good, but might I suggest something? Before you all do anything, please change into regular clothes, that would lower a lot of suspicions in future. With that, I think our mission is a rousing success.” Roxy finishes, walking to Poppy’s side.

Without another word, we all split up and do our own things. All we can do is wait and see what happens in the next two days. I just hope we made it with enough time. After getting changed into some of my regular clothes, at long last, I have to spend the next few nights in the hospital. The doctors work overnight, not only quantifying the medicine to an unbelievable scale, but making sure that every surviving patient here can get some. Now, all I need to do is stay here until I’m either cured or dead.

The next night, after a pretty uneventful, boring and suspenseful day to myself... and a few others around me, who have been keeping to themselves all day, the door has been opening and closing all day, now that the visiting hours have been temporarily extended. Just as I start to feel alone, the door starts to open one last time, as the familiar six walk in, bringing in a get well soon balloon, with a cute little bunny at the side. Poppy also brings in a small cute plush toy in the shape of a bat, with beady white eyes and two fangs pointing downwards at either side of a little line that appears to be its mouth. In the centre of its mouth, a little purple tongue is sticking out.

“Hey, sorry we’re late. How are you feeling?” Poppy says, checking me over in her nurse’s outfit, like an erotic fantasy setting.

“About the same really, but after everything that has happened, I’m just glad we can rest for now.” I say, wanting to get out of bed, if only I wasn’t bound to the bed with wires sticking out of multiple places.

“Well, we’re all here for you. And I bought this for you at our little store downstairs.” Poppy says, as she sweetly hands me the bat.

“Yeah, it was on clearance sale for quarter the cost. What a steal, right?” Nuko asks, feeling proud with himself, as if he was the one who found it.

“You idiot. You’re never meant to tell someone the value of their gift.” Roxy says, flicking Nuko’s ear.

“That’s fine. I love it, thank you.” I say, overwhelmed with emotion, as this is the first time that I have ever been visited in hospital, let alone given a get well present.

“The doctors are doing all they can to save you and the others as we speak, but just in case, we just wanted to come up and say one more goodnight, just in case... the worst case scenario happens.” Andy says, rubbing his arm uncomfortably.

“I understand. Fingers crossed that it takes fast enough. I should be okay. I hope.” I say, crossing my fingers for luck.

“Hey guys, am I alright to talk to the patient alone for a moment? Doctor-patient confidentiality and all that legal jargon.” Poppy asks, ushering the others out of the door for the time being, and closes the door behind her, leaving me confused as to what she is going to tell me that I don’t already know, and that others shouldn’t.

She turns back to me, looking nervous as her legs and lips tremble as she walks back to my bedside, trying to force words out that just isn’t coming, no matter how hard she tries.

“Poppy, are you alright? If it’s something I did-“ I say, not wanting her to be mad at me.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad about you. It’s just me. I’m going to be frank right now. What Blanche said back in that throne room... was that true?” Poppy asks, trying to be confident in her lucky nurse’s uniform, but still getting flustered, as her face turns red.

“Oh, that. I really didn’t mean for it to come up like that.” I say, going red with embarrassed myself, as Poppy and I try not to look at each other.

“I don’t mind. I just wanted to know something. Why me? There’s nothing all that special about me. I mean Roxy is smart and Blanche is a babe, meanwhile I’m just me.” Poppy says, rubbing her arm nervously, finally looking at me. “I’m probably looking into it too much. Forget I said anything.”

She starts to walk towards the door, as I try to fight the words from my tongue. With no other way to make her stay, I instinctively grab her hand.

“You’re the kind of person I’ve always wanted to be.” I say, almost shouting unintentionally to her in a panic, as I look around to see everyone looking at us, as well as the others that peer through the door.

“Huh?” Poppy asks, stopping in her tracks, and turning back to face me.

“I might look like the walking definition of angst, but in all honesty, I would much rather be happy. All my life, I have always felt like something was missing, that I didn’t really belong anywhere. But you... you let nothing break your stride, and you fit in anywhere, no matter how bleak things get, you always have a smile. You’re the first person who treated me like I was normal, all the way back at the square when we first met, and the one who cared about my wellbeing above anything else. I may not know what love is quite yet, but I know what my heart beats for. I’m sorry. That’s just how I feel.” I say, letting go of her hand as I look at her.

“Lizzie. I... I... I don’t know what to say.” Poppy says, truly lost for words, though she is smiling brightly at me.

“I apologise.” I say, feeling as if I scared her with how forward that all sounded.

“You don’t have to be sorry, silly. I am truly flattered. No one has ever said such nice things about me, but I’m afraid that the sad truth is that I’m... you know.” Poppy says, the most disappointed I’ve ever seen anyone get having to admit they’re straight.

“I understand. For what it’s worth, you will never be ordinary to me.” I say, wanting to bring that trademark smile back.

“Likewise. For what it’s worth, if I was, you’d be my first choice, hands down. But hey, no reason we can’t still be best friends, right?” Poppy asks, with the biggest smile on her face.

I suddenly go speechless myself. My heart can’t stop beating a million beats per second, and I feel like I want to throw up, if not only because of this still lingering illness.

“Best- best friends? I’ve never had one of those before.” I say, truly not remembering a time in my life when I can truly say I did.

“Aww, look at that, you’re blushing.” Poppy says, laughing a little.

“Am not.” I say, trying to hide my embarrassment, as I feel eyes all around me.

“Listen to me, you’re going to beat this, and so is everyone else, and then we can hang out anytime. I have to go to my other patients now, but I will be back. Will you be okay?” Poppy asks me, petting me on the head.

Not feeling like myself, I follow my first impulsive instinct and pull her closer to me by her arm. I wrap my arms around her, as she looks confused for a second.

“Yes. Thank you... for everything.” I say to her, holding her tighter.

Silently, she wraps hers around me too, as some of the other patients who are watching us start to applaud us, as the other five are doing the same from the window.

Saying my goodbye to everyone for what could very well be the last time, I am left by myself, hoping that the constant flow of this supposed antidote is enough to do the trick this late into the process. I spend my final day here trying to sleep in bed, holding my little bat, which I named Franky, making me think of the others, and how much I actually need them around, as needy as that sounds. As my brain falls in and out of consciousness, I start seeing ghosts on the walls, and my stomach can’t stop coughing up some strange stuff, which doesn’t bode well for me. I can feel my eyes start to flicker, finally feeling the contents of the sandman’s sack on my face... look it up, it’s not as crude as it sounds. Anyway, if I ever do get out of here, I promise to do all the things I always wanted to do, become a better person, and make new friends. Though the memories still scar me to this day, the future has never seemed brighter. Everything starts to go dark as my eyes fully close. Good night.

“...In other news, it has been confirmed that the fugitive responsible for the series of mass poisonings and several cases of murder, Eliza Carlyle has passed away. A video arrived at our station with her apology and a detailed view of her suicide, unable to take the guilt. Her sister, Amanda, has released a statement on the suicide after being discharged by the local hospital.”

“Lizzie was always a loose cannon, doing whatever she wanted and to heck with the consequences, and she had hurt a lot of innocent people in the process. However, I do believe that there was a reasoning behind these attacks, a clear goal that she might have deemed complete. Of course, this is only my thesis on the matter.”

After watching my interview with the news station, I can still feel the heat of those stage lights on me... no wonder news reporters are always so volatile on the set. All of us are sitting at the Locksley house, including Reeve and Lyle, watching the huge television of the aftermath of this whole ordeal from the comfort of the big sofas. I’m finally feeling like my old self again, and the pain is almost completely gone. Although the sun is quite bright today, and despite the fan that oscillates between us, most of our sweaty backs are sticking to the leather of the sofas.

“Well, we did it guys. I can feel confident in saying that the first mission was a complete success.” Roxy says, feeling pleased with herself.

“I’d say. But in the end, didn’t the real Mandy get away? And doesn’t everyone think that Lizzie is dead?” Blanche asks, looking over in my direction before opening another can of cola... the third one, to be precise.

“That is a bit of bother. But Mandy likely won’t come back now. She only came here for the guards, and now, they’re all gone. And even you guys couldn’t tell us apart, so I can just tell people I’m Mandy and they won’t think twice.” I say to her, putting my arm around her as I sit just to her right.

“Hey, I think they’re getting to your part, Blanche.” Andy says, sighing under his breath.

Blanche gasps and jumps off the sofa, sitting on the floor next to the television, bouncing excitedly.

“Oh my god, this could be it. Our big debut, our firework display.” Blanche says, mumbling to herself quietly.

“What’s with her?” Nuko asks, looking at the rest of us.

“Don’t ask.” I say, taking another sip of my cola.

“Blanche was most insistent over the phone. We were planning on posting the cure anonymously, but she sent us a picture of a note she had doodled on a piece of paper. Lizzie and I printed the note and sent it along with the cure. Though I’m still not sure it was a good idea.” Poppy says, sounding sheepish about what happened.

“Stupid idea, the key word is stupid. We’re bringing Arc back for the sake of the world, not for some 15 seconds of glory.” Roxy says, crushing her can in her hand.

“Oh hush. Where’s the harm in giving the people a little name to boost their morale. Trust me on this, I know what I’m doing when it comes to pleasing crowds.” Blanche says, keeping her little smile through and through, despite the criticism.

“Fine. But I have a really bad feeling about this.” Roxy says, wiping her glasses clean.

“What is this all about? What have you kids been up to while you were away?” Reeve asks, still oblivious to everything that happened over the past few days.

“Wait, here it is, here it is.” Blanche says, shushing us all, and pointing to the television screen, where a news reporter and a doctor are talking, whilst reading a little piece of paper.

“This note was found with the cure that eventually saved us all. It seems that this was the work of some freedom fighters who go around calling themselves The Colors.” The doctor says, handing the note to the news reporter.

“The Colors? Really?” I ask Blanche, trying not to laugh.

“What? You’re Black, I’m White, all of us are colours. Also Colors has 6 letters in it for the 6 of us. Not just a pretty face, you know.” Blanche says, putting her finger to her head to insinuate she is smart.

“Dear people of Watcher Central, here is the cure you have been searching for all this time. Please research this and produce it ASAP. Next time you find yourself in another crisis, you can expect even better things from us. Until then, rest easy. Signed, The Colors.” The news reporter reads aloud, showing the note to the camera, as the text is done in a vast assortment of colours, and the lettering is quite nice to say that it was done completely by hand.

At the bottom of the note, a small insignia of a multi-coloured phoenix, spreading its wings, can be seen as it rains feathers from its wings.

“Hmm, is that a phoenix?” Lyle asks, looking at Blanche with a prideful stare.

“Oh yeah. Your design is what mostly inspired it. Besides, we can’t be a team without a mascot, right?” Blanche says, thinking of all the possibilities in her head.

“Just remember Blanche, we’re here for a reason. And that reason doesn’t include making this a brand. One slip up, and everyone will know who we are, and we’re as good as dead.” Roxy says, getting more and more worried about this.

“Fine. I’ll lay low... for now.” Blanche says, looking disappointedly at Roxy.

“Wait, I’m so lost. Could someone fill this old man in, please?” Reeve asks, still confused about the whole thing.

A few hours later, we all decide to head to our homes, as Lyle hangs on my shoulder.

“Hey Lizzie, what’s your place like?” Lyle asks, already getting ideas in his head, most likely.

“Well, I’ve spent more days outside of it since I bought it, but it’s pretty nice. Thinking about it, it’ll be nice to have a little pet around the house.” I say, poking his little beak.

“Of course it will be, bab- hey, who are you calling pet?” Lyle asks, getting defensive about it.

As we walk back through the main square, heading back to the house, I can’t help but think back to the first night when I arrived here. The breeze that once felt like tiny daggers in my back, are now refreshing to my soul. The park benches that were once my home, bed and bathroom, are now just brief respites at most. Walking down the familiar path, though I would be scared of another robot spider jumping through, with my mother’s ring in my hand, I say let it come. A lot has changed in the past week, that it honestly doesn’t feel real.

“Hey girl, you done soul searching yet? I’m freezing my tail feathers off.” Lyle says, getting impatient with me, even though it has only been like 10 minutes.

“Fine. Man, you’re a bigger girl than I thought, for such a badass.” I say, trying to ruffle said tail feathers.

“Alright then, let’s stay then, all night if we have to. I’ll prove to you that I’m a man.” Lyle says, still shaking in his little talons.

“Of course you will.” I say, giggling a little as we leave the park, ready to go back home after so long.

It’s strange. I should be happy that I’ve been given a second chance at life, to get that happy ending, but still, I’ve been sitting at this oak tree for hours now, though I really don’t want to leave it right now. One of my many men bursts through between the trees and approaches me.

“Mistress. Come back?” He says, in his limited speech that his feeble half brain is just enough to comprehend.

“Yes. So what if I’ve been beaten? I am still your queen, understand?” I ask, pushing him back where he came from, as he trundles back through the trees like nothing happened.

I stand up, feeling that it is time to bring myself away from the hurt of the past. Though it wouldn’t hurt to say my goodbyes.

“Zachary. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m going to talk anyway. If there is anything that this experience here has taught me, is that I’m not always going to be proud of the things I have done... I hurt a lot of people in your honour, but I’m going to right all my wrongs somehow, and then we can be together with no regrets or chains. Just wait for me, okay? I really am going to miss you. Farewell, my love.” I say, as a tear comes to my eye.

Finally finding it in my heart to walk away, having said my last peace for now, I walk back through the trees, eager to put my newfound meaning to life into action. And as for Lizzie, if I see her again, she owes me big time.

As I get my pyjamas on, ready for a comfortable bed for once, instead of some cold sleeping bag, I take my phone off charge and turn it on, only to get a bunch of messages, though luckily most of them are quite recent. The first is from Poppy.

Poppy: “Hey. If you’re not busy tomorrow, do you want to hang out or something?”

Me: “Sure thing. Meet me at mine at about half 10.”

Opening the last message that isn’t spam, I see that it is from Salvador.

Salvador: “Just wanted to congratulate you on your first win. It must not have been easy, especially for you. I will be sure to reward you for your efforts. Sorry to hear about your suit getting ruined again. It shall be fixed before the next mission can rear its head. For now, make sure to keep a low head. P.S. Please tell your friend to stop promoting this as some flashy public stunt? If it comes back to me, I could be in big trouble!”

Just as I put my phone away, it rumbles one last time. I open it and find another message from that strange number.

???: “I must give you my thanks. I don’t know how you did it, but it was nothing short of a miracle. I look forward to hearing more about you. Toodles for now.”

Who the hell is that? I try looking up the number, but no results come up. It’s almost like a ghost is trying to contact me or something. Either way, it’s time I head off to bed, as I can feel my eyes droop even before my head hits the pillow.

When I open my eyes again, I see that I am back in that room with the huge door that we all stumbled upon when we first met. Only this time, I am the only one here. With nowhere else to go, I approach the door, as my feet feel so light, like I’m floating in mid-air.

“So you have acquired the Mark of The Magician, a truly marvellous ring, given to one of my favourite pupils. You and your team are making decent progress towards our mutual goal.” Arc says, sounding as excited as his deadpan expression will allow, shining a light on me, showing an insignia of a wand on the gem.

“Thanks, I guess.” I say to him, still not able to really talk to him eye to eye, considering everything his influence unintentionally has put me through.

“I sense that gaining your trust will take some time. Young Bernard was an odd case. He claimed to love me above all else, but his actions lead to the death of Florence’s daughter, the heiress of the ring. His actions were akin to... the evil one’s.” Arc says, deep in thought.

“Is this evil one really that powerful?” I ask, wondering what to watch out for.

“Unfortunately so. Chances are is that you will soon encounter her, and she may even hunt you, but you must not challenge her, her power is still leaps and bounds beyond human comprehension. You have been warned in advance.” Arc says, not filling with the determination I really needed to give it a try, though just in case, I’m not going to mention this to the others, for obvious reasons. “That is all. With Poppy’s Star, your Magician, and the four crowns, 16 of these rings still wait for you. Find them all and we win.” Arc says, before all the lights die out again.

I once again wake in my bed, feeling as if I fell back into my body. Unable to get back to sleep for now, I go to the bathroom and turn on the lights to wash my face by the sink. I rub the water on my face, before looking back at my reflection, and thankfully, the demon that has haunted me from behind my back, is disappearing into smoke, as I start to smile at myself. I finally feel free to do what I’ve ever wanted to do with my life, with people who understand me. And though the hard times may seem over, until we find all of those rings, I feel like this is only the beginning of our worries... bring it on!