Aurelia wasn't sure what had happened, but when she opened her eyes, she stood in a white room. A stark white area where only remained. Feeling as if someone was watching her, she couldn't help but check her surroundings.
Finding nothing, she tried to calm herself. The gaze didn't seem malicious. More like it was accessing her.For what reason, she wasn't sure.
Little one, I am glad you are here.
Don't ask and do not speak.
I am happy to see you again. When he asked for my help, I was unsure of what to do. For my own selfishness, I chose to "help".
You are the only person in more than five millennia who has been able to accept my gift. Too many people want things they aren't worthy of.
Instead of what I gave previously, I have decided to give you something different. While you inherit my skills, I will also allow you to inherit my blood.
That should stop that boy from nagging my ears off when you both come back.
There are tests you need to go through. But don't worry, I'm sure you and that boy will come out better and stronger for it.
Lia, I'm waiting for you to come home. We all are.
Aurelia listened to the voice. Listened to how the person called her Lia. As if it were a name he called many times. A sense of familiarity crept up on her. Unsure of where it came from, she kept her thoughts to herself.
She was sure whoever this person was wouldn't give her an answer.
She was unable to dwell on what he said because she felt a white hot pain shoot through her body. It threatened to burn everything she is, was and would be.
In that space where no one exists, she couldn't help but scream. Her bones shattered and repaired, her skin blistered, tore apart and reformed itself. Her organs and veins burned and shrivelled only to be made anew.
When the ordeal was over, she found herself outside the white space, kneeling, her upper body hanging limp.
For a moment, she couldn't move. Her once dull senses became bright. The air was different. She could see the swirls of colour in the air. Everything was vibrant and full of life.
Slowly, she stretched her body. Strength coursing through her veins.
For just a moment, everything in the world was at her fingertips. Then the power she felt restrained itself. Locking away inside her, waiting for her to access it when she was strong enough.
She walked back to the room with Ephelia still sprawled on the sofa. She plopped down beside her.
"Did you get it?" The fairy asked.
Aurelia could see the curiosity on her face. It seems she wasn't aware of what "it" was.
"Ready to start the contract?"
Aurelia didn't answer the question; instead, she asked about the contract. She wouldn't share anything with Ephelia until the contract was signed. With the information given, she knew just which contract to sign.
As soon as the contract was signed, the primordial energy in the space changed. If it had been 70% saturated before, now it was 90%. So much so that it started to condense into mist outside.
She knew that as she became stronger, the space would expand, and the primordial energy would spread from the island, bleeding into the ever-expanding world.
"So you found out? Did that old geezer tell you?"
Ephelia didn't change much with the contract signing. If anything, she became more seductive. She seemed to have lost some of her innocence. Not that it mattered to Aurelia. What mattered was her loyalty.
And right now, Ephelia was possibly the only person in this world who was completely loyal to her.
It did come with an exchange.
As this world grows, she gets to watch over it. She becomes the dao in some sense.
Her unique nature makes her ideal for the job. When she said she lost a bet, knowing what she knows now, she knew Ephelia didn't actually care.
If she won, she would return to the place where she came. While not the best, she had a great deal of freedom.
Here, she gave up that freedom to some extent; however, she gained control. Control over the powers that restrained her, control over the lives of others.
Ephelia became the spirit of this space.
"Glad you lost the bet?" Aurelia couldn't help laughing as she watched her wield light and darkness magic.
"Definitely. Freedom is such a waste of time, right, Master?"
Aurelia rolled her eyes.
"Don't call me Master, that's weird. Also, I'm going to bed. All this body shaping has taken a lot out of me. I want to lie down for a while. Plus, I have school tomorrow."
"Later, kid, I'll be watching."
Aurelia listened to Ephelia's laughing as she walked out. She gazed at the place she had just left. It was no longer a shed. It had become a bungalow.
Too bad Aurelia didn't have time to check.
She left the space and went straight to bed.
The next day came without much fanfare.
Eve and Aurelia had breakfast. The family was a whirlwind of excitement. The twins were talking about when it would be their turn. Her mother was running around picking out clothes she might not even wear and making food. In case she ever got hungry, her mother winked at her.
Aurelia wasn't sure what she knew, but she knew something. She wouldn't ask; she was sure there would be a day when her mother would tell her.
Everyone stood at the door, watching as they left.
Outsiders wouldn't be allowed on school grounds. Even the car they were going to school in could only go to the gate. They had to walk the rest of the way.
On the way, Aurelia noticed Eve secretly glancing at her. Her sneer was evident now that she thought no one was watching. It wasn't long before she couldn't hold herself back.
"Mom hates you, you know. I saw her leaving your room last night. She looked really angry."
Although her face was indifferent, inside, she was confused.
Angry?
She didn't remember talking to her mother about anything that would upset her. Was it because of the crush comment?
She shook her head internally, deciding that Eve was looking for something to make her upset.
"If you saw her angry, why didn't you console her? You're already a thief, are you trying to be a stalker too?"
"Who's a stalker? You made her angry! It's because you don't belong in our family. You've never been there for 18 years. I don't know why you even came back."
Eve crossed her arms as she spoke to her.
"You should know. You were the one who told them where I was. Why did you want me back?"
Eve didn't answer and instead glared at Aurelia.
Aurelia smiled, knowing she wouldn't answer. The rest of the car ride was spent in silence.