CHAPTER 23: WAKING UP

Anieal’s Mind plane-

A huge golden egg with ever-changing, flickering patterns of various shapes and sizes could be seen within the expanse of the dark sea that is Anna’s mind plane. Connected to the egg was a cocoon made of the same material as the huge egg. However, it wasn’t flowing like the egg. Instead, it was still like a rock waiting for the being inside to wake up and step into the realm of the dark sea.

*Crack* *Crack*

Small, spider-web-like cracks began to form on the surface of the cocoon. The cracks began to widen, and a blinding light began to pour out from them. Soon, the cocoon broke apart, and Anna, in her soul body form, was floating within the debris of the cocoon. The debris moved toward Anna, merging with her very soul.

Her soul body, seemingly strengthened by the huge golden egg before her, now appeared more solid than before.

Anna opened her eyes and looked at her hands. She could feel that something had changed within her. She followed her instincts and then---

[Eyes of Divination]

Her eyes turned golden, and she could see threads of different colours ---gold, black, red, and green--- floating around her. When she looked at the thread, information began to appear in her eyes, but with the information came pain.

"Augh!" A sharp headache struck Anna as she looked at the nearby threads.

She instinctively knew what these threads were, and she knew why she got a headache by looking at them...

’I am still too weak to gaze at one’s fate,’ She thought.

Anna closed her eyes and opened them again... her eyes had returned to deep black as they were before.

Anna walked towards the egg and touched its surface. Her eyes had resolved beneath them.

"One day... I will take you for myself," Anna said with a slight smile and closed her eyes.

The Kinten Mansion, Xyontra, Xyonthar Empire-

Within the healing room, Anna’s treatment had taken place. Anna could be seen lying on the bed like a log. Suddenly, her eyes trembled as she tried to wake up.

Helena, who had been watching Anna all this time, stood up and shouted.

"She moved!!"

Damien, who was nearby her, also stood up from his chair and walked towards Anna and held her hand.

"Anna?" He spoke with a shaky voice.

White stood in the corner, leaning against the window, though expectation could be seen in his eyes.

Anna’s eyelids trembled once more, and they began to open.

Anna opened her eyes and began to look all around her. First, her eyes fell on a woman looking at her with a small smile. She had flame-like hair, eyes, and she even wore a red flame-like gown. When she saw her, a name escaped her lips.

"Ember?"

"What?" Helena, who knew that Anna was mentioning her, furrowed her brows in confusion.

Anna, who finally got hold of her mind, shook her head in embarrassment while her cheeks had turned slightly red.

"N-Nothing"

Anna turned around and looked at Damien and called out.

"Brother," her voice was heavy with longing.

Damien moved forward and caught Anna in a tight embrace.

"Anna..!" He called out his a tone lighter than before. Tears began to roll down his face.

"You are awake," Anna looked at her brother and began to pat his back.

"Yes, I am awake, brother." She replied with a smile.

"Yes... Yes," Damien continued to hug her and asked with a worried tone.

"How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling fine... better even," Anna spoke as she looked at her hands and clenched and unclenched them a few times.

"I see..."

Damien finally broke the hug and looked at Anna with a calm and serene smile.

"I am happy that you are fine..."

"I know..."

Helena, who was standing behind Damien and cleared her throat.

"Khum!"

Anna looked at her with confusion as she was seeing her for the first time.

Helena gave her hand to Anna for a handshake.

"Name’s Helena Zaryen, however others like to call me the healing ember," Helena said with a small smile.

Anna shook her hand and replied.

"I am A-"

"Wait!" Damien suddenly said, stopping her.

Anna looked at his brother with confusion while Helena spoke with a confused tone.

"What’s wrong... no way do you still not trust me, Mars. I mean, you are The Mars Kinten, why do you even have to be scared of someone like me?"

Damien, however, just shook his head and spoke.

"It’s not that."

Anna, however, was lost in her thoughts.

’Mars Kinten? But isn’t brother’s name Dami-’ suddenly it clicked within her mind.

’I see...’

Anna looked at Damien and spoke.

"It’s fine, brother."

Damien turned towards Anna with complicated eyes.

"But"

"It’s okay... believe me"

Anna looked at Helena as she spoke.

"I am Aeliana Kinten. It’s a pleasure to meet the esteemed Healing Ember," Anna spoke in a soft and respectful tone.

"No way, no way. The pleasure’s all mine. After all, I don’t get to see a monster like you every day." Helena spoke with a soft chuckle.

"What do you mean?" Anna spoke in a confused tone.

"Hmm? It seems like you haven’t found out yet," Helena said while nodding.

"Found out what?" Anna asked in confusion.

"Oh, that you are already a Refined-Seek-"

"We will talk about that later," Damien spoke in a cold and commanding tone as he looked at Helena.

"Y-yes," Helena meekly nodded at his words.

"Brother"

Anna, however, didn’t step back and looked at Damien as she spoke.

"I have to know about it... I have the right to know about it."

Damien looked at her and spoke.

"We will talk about it later."

"No... I want to talk about it right now..."

Damien stared into her eyes for a few moments and spoke.

"Very well... everyone leave," Damien commanded. Helena and White left the room.

"You both, too," Damien commanded again.

Soon, two hooded figures materialised before him and spoke in unison.

"As you command, My lord"

After saying so, they disappeared.