every soul upon this world has a higher purpose, and your growth will direct you to where your purpose lies in this map of destiny. Finding that path will be the hardest struggle to achieve, but it will invite you to a new world of possibilities that don't just fall into the categories of magic and power. The role of the Shadow Kingdom across the universes is one thing: to stop those who have a grand purpose to serve in this world that won't favor them. Just like we have seers, they also have their own who can predict the future."
It made sense, and yet it felt like a tangled mesh of wisdom far greater than my years. I wondered if this woman had lived before, like Brianne and Jax. It could be a part of the prophecy that connected her with Brianne, but who knew.
I noticed that her body was beginning to glow, and she frowned as the circling magic circles in each direction were beginning to crack.
"Time is up," she announced as she snapped her free fingers. My friends’ bodies lowered to the ground. They were lying upon their backs, but I watched as Brianne's body began to glow a soft orange with hints of gold.
I checked on Finnick. He was beginning to glow a soft teal with hints of gold and purple, like the northern lights. Jax was a burning red with hints of orange and gold, and finally, Kaito was a soothing purple with hues of blue and gold.
Their magic oozed outward, like pools of blood, but it was a magical liquid that reminded me of melted silver. It spread around them until it formed a magic circle that burned with growing intensity.
As the golden magic circles began to spin, Silver's attention landed on me for what felt like it would be the last time.
Fuwa and Elsa moved from Star's shoulders that were beginning to grow more and more transparent to sit upon Sebastian's shoulders.
"I'll give you one more slice of advice," she declared as her body began to fade further. "You will be tested again. I don't say this to scare you, but to give you a warning I'm sure you wish you'd gotten before all of this. There won't be any second chances. You'll have to face not only your fears but also the final obstacle you need to confront within yourself. Do this, and you'll find the sense of empowerment you've been searching for."
I bowed my head as I whispered, "Thank you."
"You now understand why some situations don't need the interference of another," she whispered with a relieved grin. "Stern teaching always comes with valuable lessons."
She winked, then acknowledged Sebastian with a slight nod.
"Until our paths cross again. Farewell."
With her final words, she was gone with Star. The golden magic circles began to spin rapidly as they grew with magical force that surged in energy.
"Decide, Connor." Sebastian got straight to the point, and I rose up on my feet to prepare myself.
"Promise me one thing," I whispered. His questioning gaze prompted me to continue. "Whatever payment we must return when the time is right...can you promise it won't tear us apart?"
I allowed my vulnerable emotions to seep into my onyx eyes as I stared into those spheres that began to soften just slightly.
"I promise that your payment will not tear you from your loved ones," he vowed without hesitation.
It made the decision easier as I smiled and nodded my head.
"Then my decision is to accept your aid in reversing time to what the Universe wishes for me. Whatever happens...I'm grateful for the chance to retry."
He gave a solid nod. His hands blazed with power as he lifted them like he held a gun to my head.
"Let the hourglass reverse and deliver what Connor Giovani desires with the promised payment that will be made upon the end of Semester Eight."
Light flooded my vision. The sound of the pulled trigger led to a pushing force sending me off my feet and spiraling into the past.
12
Hopelessness To The Key Of Protection: Part Three
~BRIANNE~
* * *
"Red?"
I stared speechlessly at the sight before me, unsure as to whether it was an illusion or distant memory. The flood of pastel colors that made the mountains mesmerizing continued to spread along the vast land, just as tiny snowflakes began to fall upon us in anticipation.
My body was calm and yet my mind ran on overdrive as scenes and sensations began to trickle through me, leaving me trembling seconds later.
What...happened?
I struggled