XX

Athaliah POV

"Powerful?" I looked at some of his companions. If the color of their masks represented their abilities, what would their abilities be?

If the symbols he showed me earlier are the ones I belong to, why only now?

Why does this person in front of me know about my abilities or maybe my whole life?

Who really is this man in front of me? And why does he act like as if he knows everything about me?

"Are you done?" I asked him sarcastically because it looked like I had nothing to do here.

I was about to take a step when he suddenly spoke that made me stop on my tracks.

"Have you been to the palace before you went here?" He asked in a serious voice.

I turned to him and looked sharply. In that tone he seemed like his threatening me. I quickly stepped closer to him and grabbed his collar.

"What do you really need, Las?!" I tightened the grip on his collar even more.

Instead of answering me, he grips my hand tightly. His eyes seemed to indicate something else. He pulled out my hand that had just been holding his collar.

"Athaliah, are you flying without wings?" he asked in apprise tone.

I frowned at his question which I did not understand.

When I restrained my anger I bit my lower lip, stopping my self to not kill him in no time. With the pressure I bit on my lower lip I was able to hurt myself. I can taste my own blood, it tastes ferrous.

"What do you mean by that question?" I asked him calmly.

I heard his other colleagues sarcastically laugh and so did he.

"If others go to war without ammunition, you went here flying without wings."

"What do you think of me a butterfly that did nothing but fly?" I asked him angrily.

"No, but a bat without wings and always hiding in the dark," He took the telepathy and put it on my ear. "Sha, you can talk now." He said to the telepathy.

What do these people really want? Sha? Who is this creature?

"Neriah, Neriah, Neriah," she repeatedly mentioned my name. I heard someone crying on the other line.

The telepathy is right in front of my ear I can hear the annoying cries on the other line.

I did not speak and I just waited for her to speak again.

"I thought you were smart, Princess Athaliah," I heard her sighed. "You are too drowning in false love."

The crying on the other side was louder which is why I asked her...

"Who's crying there?"

She laughed sarcastically. "You don't recognize that voice?" She wondered.

"Why?"

"Do you know where your parents are?" She asked in a crazy voice.

Suddenly my heart pounded because of nervousness. I immediately realized what she meant by that question.

"Sha! If I can hear another sob, you will not like what I will do to you." I threatened her but she just laughed on the other line.

I was about to speak when she suddenly dropped the call.

I gave Las an furious look when I looked back at him.

"Where are my parents?!"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Las! Swear you'll face your death too sooner if you're not going to tell me where are they!"

I closed my eyes and when I opened it it turned purple. Some of them were surprised to see the light in my eyes. But some of them seemed to like what they are seeing.

I fixed my eyes on his companion. I smiled before I could have taken his breath when Las spoke.

"All right, I'll tell you. I'll tell you." He said stopping what I was planning to do.

The color of my eyes returned to normal. I waited for him to tell me the place where they were.

"River of Life," he informed. He put his mask back on then suddenly grabbed me by the arm. Prince Sergei, on the other hand, was suddenly dragged by his companion.

"You're kidnapping us!" I yelled.

"Is it called kidnapping, Princess?" He asked sarcastically then pulled us into their carriage.

He still held my hands tightly. Prince Sergei is in the other carriage. Only the two of us are here in the carriage except the coachman.

"Can you let me go now?" I had to ask him a question so that he will let me go.

He just looked at me for a moment before looking out the window again.

A few minutes before we reached the River of life. The place was very dark, the only light coming is from the moon.

Las directed us near the River. A woman emerged from the darkness. She was holding a rope from the top of the rooftop. I followed the strap with my eyes and realized I could not see what was at the end of it.

I looked at her again. She was wearing pure Maroon in a red cape dress. Her hair is a bit curly. Her eyes are red and it is shining.

"Finally Athaliah! We've both met." She stepped closer to me, not letting go of the rope.

She stroked my cheek with her vacant hand. She also stroked my hair to the ends of it.

"Do you know where your parents are?" She asked me. "Do you also know where your crown is?" I was surprised by her next question.

Las had lost his grip on my hand so I was able to touch the hem of Sha's dress.

"Where are they?" I asked her emphatically.

She showed me the rope she was holding.

"Do you see this rope? She asked and even stroked the end of the ropes.

And there I realized that three ropes were there. I know it is impossible for her to handle three ropes if there is something heavy tied there .

"Do you know why three?" I did not answer and I just waited for her. "One for your mother. One for your father and one ..."

"I don't know who you are but don't pretend to be brave!" I shouted at her. "One for whom Sha?!"

She laughed for a moment before she answered me.

"Not for whom, Athaliah. What?" I glared at her.

"I know it's dawn and you have Variety show to attend tomorrow." She smiled at me and handed the Ropes. "Who will you save this midnight? Your mother? Your father? Or the crown you have been looking for?"

I immediately took the ropes. My eyes warmed when I heard her question.

"Sha, I don't have to choose because I've already made my choice." I told her. I grabbed my amulet then it took me to the rooftop.

I cried even more when I saw who was at the end of the ropes. My mom and dad are on the brink of death. My crown is about to fall and disappear.

"Mom," I called to her in tears and then looked in my father's direction. "Dad." It was as if my chest was being repeatedly pierced.

I no longer care about the crown. Because of me and my blindness, this happened to my parents.

"Athaliah," my mother faintly called me. How can I save them both when I am alone?

"Are you all right?" My tears are already dripping.

Even though they were on the brink of death, they were able to smile at me.

"I'll save you, okay?" I will convince them even though I know it is difficult.

When I was about to pull the ropes, someone suddenly kicked me in the back.

I sooth my back because of the force of the kick.

"Ahhh," I forced myself to stand up even though it hurt.

Because of the kick earlier I almost let go of the rope.

When I looked back at who had kicked I saw Las and Sha. I have not seen Prince Sergei since we arrived here.

"Only one Athaliah," Sha boredly said.

I looked again at the end of the three ropes. I do not want to choose one. Even though I was angry with my father I could not afford to lose him.

"It's time for you to choose which of them Athaliah!" They shouted at me at the same time.

My parents are still smiling at me. I tried to smile but I couldn't.

"Athaliah," my mom weakly called me. "Save the one who will give you a better future."

I don't know but he seems to want me to let them go.

"No. I will save you." I convinced them, then try to pull the two ropes but I couldn't.

"Can't you count Athaliah?" Sha asked insultingly.

I tried again to pull the two ropes but suddenly it caused fire!

"Sha stop!" I chased the rope but the fire was still burning there.

"Sha, my parents will fall!"

I could no longer catch up with the rope and I heard my mother scream.

I just got on my knees as my parents' screams gradually subsided.

"Sha," I angrily called to her. "One step, and you'll die."

I just bowed when I heard the shock of her laughter until it slowly fades.

"L-lucas," she stammered, causing me to look up.

I saw Prince Marius holding my parent's hand with his ability from the air element.

"Sverre, take the crown." He ordered, which is why I turned around and saw Sverre.

How?

He walked closer to the crown that had almost disappeared earlier. He hung it in his hand then he came in my direction and helped me stand up.

"You alright?" He asked me a gentle question. Concern can be read in his eyes.

I just nooded and looked at Marius who's walking towards our direction.

"You know how dangerous this is, Athaliah." He scolded me."It's like a soldier that goes to war without a gun, is nothing but a dead body. You came here alone with your pride; you just dig your own grave."

I was shocked by what he said. Why is he angry? I did nothing to make him angry!