Jhony was walking down the halls
His shoulders tensed
The maids goes past him after greeting him
Jhony nods to their greeting before he resumed his walk
His pace was fast
Finally he reached the end of the hall, standing before a specific room
It was Dahlia's room
He let out a long sigh before he grabbed the door hand and turned it
He opened the door
Inside were both Duchess Guillebeaux and Jasmine
Jhony entered the room as he closed the door behind him
"Ah! Young master...!" Jasmine noticed Jhony
Jhony nods at her before he goes closer to the bed, the Duchess is sitting at while holding a small hand in hers
The Duchess's eyes were puffy, clearly from crying
While she mumbled prayers silently
Jhony soon turns towards the person the Duchess is holding onto, his eyes softened more at seeing the person. He sat on bed, besides the Duchess
The person was none other than Dahlia
No traces of injuries in her body was found
Just her being in coma
There was only silence except for the soft mumbling of prayers heard from the Duchess
Suddenly the door opened
Jhony and Jasmine looked over, except the Duchess
The person who entered the room was Duke Guillebeaux
His expression was solemn as he stepped inside fully after closing the door behind him
He walked towards the bed, "She hasn't woken up?" he asked softly
"No father..." Jhony replied
The Duke let out a shaky sigh
He soon looks at the Duchess, her back facing him
The Duke placed his hand on her shoulder, "Dear... you haven't eaten anything since Dahlia disappeared... and even after we found her... you should eat something..."
The Duchess just stayed silent for a while before opening her eyes and looking over her shoulder, at the Duke. "How can I eat when my daughter is like this...?" her voice was hoarse and slightly cracked
"I know your worried... but... if you go on like this any longer... you would faint..." The Duke stated as he lowered himself slightly
"... Especially since it's been... 2 weeks..." he pointed out
The Duchess shook her head, "I can't... no food will ever enter my mouth... until my daughter wakes up..." she stated firmly
"And that is final" She soon turns back to Dahlia before she started coughing
Both Jhony's and Jasmine's eyes widened in seeing this
"Mother!!!" Jhony gripped his mother's other hand tightly
The Duke patted the Duchess's back softly, "Jasmine! Bring a glass of water, quickly!!" he ordered
Jasmine quickly takes a glass that is placed besides the bed and poured water in it from the jug
"No... I don't need it!!!" The Duchess said in between the coughs
"Just a little sip... please..." The Duke pleaded as Jasmine handed it to the Duke
"I said- I don't need it!!!" The Duchess coughed more
Jhony's lower lip trembled slightly from his mother's refusal in drinking the water. "She... will puke up blood again... if her coughs doesn't stop..." he thought internally
"Your coughing... so... please..." The Duke insisted
"Mother... please..." Jhony also pleaded as his eyes were glossy
The Duchess looked at both the Duke and her son
She kept coughing for a while without saying anything
Before she hesitantly takes the glass and takes a sip from it, trying to stop her cough
Both the Duke, Jasmine and Jhony relaxed in seeing this
Meanwhile, the Duchess was done drinking the water before handing it back to the Duke
The Duke takes it and places the glass on the table beside him
The Duchess places Dahlia's hand back in hers, "... Is the mage... tower's master... come here... again?" she asked, but her tone turned colder
The Duke shifted slightly as he looks out the window, "... Not just him... even different tower masters from different regions came here..." he replied
"But don't worry... I told them straightly that Dahlia hasn't yet regained her consciousness... so they left for now and I even heighten the security to never let them inside this estate..." He assured her
"That won't do... I don't want my daughter to meet nor come in any contact with them... she is my child... not a thing they can experiment on cause of a mere curiosity... am I clear?" The Duchess narrowed her eyes
"Your clear... and... It's not only you... I also plan to keep them away as much possible... but even his majesty has put his nose in between this..." The Duke ruffled his hair out of frustration
Jhony narrowed his eyes as he felt anger boiling up inside him, "That snarky king..." he thought
"Outrageous... just outrageous..." The Duchess's shoulder trembled slightly, from the intense anger she is feeling
"... I know... but we can't do anything... since his majesty stepped in..." The Duke let out another sigh, but out of tiredness
"I just came back from the palace after receiving the order..." The Duke began
"When Dahlia wakes up... he wants her in his presence, instantly" He looked down as his hands clenched to fists
The Duchess was in rage but couldn't say anything
The Duke looked at Jhony then at Jasmine, "Jasmine... escort my son away... from here... I-... we need a moment alone..." he said lowly
Jasmine nods solemnly
Jhony perked up, "What- but father-"
"Jhony... please... just leave... this is not a right time to be here... your mother and I need sometime alone..." The Duke said firmly yet held softness to it
Jhony's hands trembled as he gritted his teeth
He looks back at his mother
She was tearing up... slowly and quickly turned her head away. Not letting her son see this
The Duke pats Jhony on his head, "Jasmine..." he called out
Jasmine moved closer to Jhony, "Young master... this way..." she tried guiding Jhony
"No... I can't just leave, I have to try to-" he looked up at his parents, but froze from seeing their reaction
His parents were at the point to break down completely, but held themselves back cause of Jhony
He stayed still for a moment before he stood up
Jasmine soon pats his back as she leads him away
Jhony only kept his gaze on ground, but he can hear how his father was comforting his mother as she cried
Jhony's hands clenched into fists
Soon, Jasmine and Jhony were now outside of the room
Jasmine closed the door from behind, she let out a soft sigh
"... I hope the young lady wakes up soon... it's been chaos in here ever since the young lady disappeared..." Jasmine thought internally
"Miss Jasmine... I will be in the garden... and inform the cook... that I'll be skipping lunch..." Jhony said firmly as he walks away
Jasmine perked, "What- but young master... you didn't had any breakfast this morning!-" but her hands dropped
Jhony had left her in the hallways
She bite her lower lip before looking down on ground
"... Is the young master not eating again?" Someone asked her
Jasmine perked up, she looked over and saw the head maid
She shook her head
The head maid let out a sigh, "This the 12th time..."
"Yes... but I can't blame him... he loves his sister dearly... it's obvious enough he would lose the appetite when the young lady hasn't awakened..." Jasmine commented
"True... but we have to make sure they have something unless we don't want them to faint and drag their bodies to bed" The head maid huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest
Jasmine only chuckled at that, slightly
"Mhm, we can't let them get sick, can we?" Jasmine commented
"Yes, I guess you should also eat something. You have been going around here to there nonstop" The head maid said firmly before grabbing Jasmine's hand and dragged her away
"Oh my- I am not hungry-" "Nonsense, when we were your age. We ate like 10 plates of food to regain strength to work properly. And now since you have four children to take care off, I am not letting you off the hook" The head maid cut Jasmine in the middle of her sentence
Jasmine let out a defeated sigh and let herself be dragged away
.
- { With Jhony } -
.
Jhony was currently sitting besides the lake
His shoulders slumped
"... It's been about an week when Dahlia disappeared... and another week had passed on after we found her..." Jhony thought internally
.
- { Flashback } -
.
Jhony was riding a horse when he succeeded in escaping
He looked around everywhere for Dahlia
But found no traces of hers
He had been riding the horse for exactly three days now
He had made sure to remain hidden from the Duke
Jhony also took breaks to make his body function well, along with his horse
But on the forth day, he was finally found by the Duke
It was nighttime at that time
Jhony had been venturing on an abandoned forest
But unfortunately for him
The Duke was also searching in the forest, for both Dahlia and Jhony
Jhony had noticed his father before he took notice
He was about to retreat but Keoni had noticed him. And immediately blocked Jhony's path
"Young master... so you were here..." Keoni mumbled as his eyes narrowed at him
Jhony stumbled slightly, he clenched the reins of his horse
"What should I do?..." Jhony pondered as he narrowed his eyes as well
{ { { Crunch } } }
"So... you found him..." A voice spoke from behind Jhony
Jhony's body stilled completely as he slowly turned his head
And there he was...
His father... Duke Guillebeaux
"Yes sir... I found him roaming around... and I guess he seemed... to almost flee from seeing you..." Keoni replied
The Duke hummed only as he looks at Jhony with narrowed eyes, coldly
Jhony tensed up more as sweat formed on his forehead
He took a dry gulp
"Jhony Guillebeaux... do you know what you have done?" The Duke asked him as he drew his horse closer to where his son is at
"... I just wanted to find Dahlia... father... so-"
{ { { Smack } } }
"So, you would interfere with the adult's business? Do you not know how dangerous it is outside?" The Duke cut him off as he had slapped his son
Jhony's face was turned, his eyes were wide
He trembled as tears formed in his eyes
A red mark formed on his cheek
The Duke ignored it all, "Escort him back and make sure he stays at the estate. Heighten the security if needed" he ordered firmly
"Yes sir" Keoni said as he couldn't help but look at Jhony
Jhony stayed frozen in place
He was breathing heavily, a clear indication to keep himself calm
Keoni didn't say anything, but his eyes soften slightly
"And Jhony... your grounded for 2 months" The Duke turned his horse, going ahead to resume the search
Some soldiers who were watching, couldn't help but steal glances at Jhony
Keoni moved closer to him, "Let's go young master" he said, his tone soft
Jhony didn't said anything
As he knew he would break down if he ever speaks
He only nods in response
When Keoni was gonna leave with Jhony
{ { { FWOOSH } } }
A bright blue light appeared in the sky
As if the sky was torn slightly
When the light came, strong gust of wind also came with it, that barely anyone can stand from the force
Many soldiers gasped as they tried to stay still in one place
The Duke too was taken back as he steadied himself and his horse as he used his powers to form a shield around him, his soldiers, Keoni and his son
"WHAT IS HAPPENNING?!" The Duke groaned
"I DON'T KNOW SIR, BUT FROM CLOSER LOOK OF IT... IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING TRIGGERED WITH THE ELEMENTS OF THIS WORLD!!!!" Keoni replied as his voice was raised in tone cause of the wind, so that the Duke can hear him
Keoni also protected Jhony with his body
"WE HAVE TO GO THERE AND CHECK, BEFORE INFORMING HIS MAJESTY!!!! FOLLOW ME!!! AND KEONI, TAKE MY SON AWAY NOW!!!!" The Duke ordered as he soon rushed forward with many of his soldiers while maintaining the shield to block out the wind
Keoni only nods before he takes Jhony away
Jhony couldn't help but cast a last glance at his father, before he soon let himself be taken away
.
- { End of Flashback } -
.
Jhony only let's out a long sigh, "When I arrived... I was scolded by many... including my mother..."
He soon looks up at the peaceful sky, "... But... after an hour when I arrived... father brought back Dahlia..."
"And the next day... the mage tower master arrived... saying he wants to check on Dahlia to see her powers... since he..." He narrowed his eyes
"Sensed something "ancient" residing in her..."
"Stupid old man... who knows how much time you have, yet you come here to cause trouble" He huffed as he mumbled it in his breath
Before he groaned and flopping down on ground with his hands behind his head
"... But forget it... I just hope you wake up... Dahlia... cause..."
"I wanna know what happened to you... and make sure your alright..." Jhony thought internally as he closed his eyes
.
- { Before a week ago } -
.
- { Yang Realm } -
.
"Find the mirror" The voice suddenly said inside Dahlia's head
Her eyes snapped open from hearing the voice
"The... mirror..." She mumbled as her eyes flickered with something
She let out a long exhale before she turned and quickly sprinted towards the forest
{ { "What- SHE LEAVING!!! CATCH HER!!!" } } It yelled out
The Skeleton staggered slightly
Before it charged towards the forest with great speed
Dahlia yelped in surprise from seeing the skeleton, she quickened her pace
"The mirror... where was it again..." Dahlia thought quickly
"Straight... left... again left... Straight... turn right... then left... If it's the opposite then... left!..." She quickly turned left as the skeleton who was about to grab her, it slipped as it slides the opposite direction
{ { "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!! SHE GOING TO THE MIRROR!!! STOP HER NOW!!!" } } It ordered as it tone was raised
The skeleton fixed it's head as it was turned to the other side
It cracked it's neck before running again
Meanwhile, Dahlia kept on running
"Turn right... straight... left... again left..." She mumbled as she quickly took turns
Not stopping for even a second
When the skeleton was close, she quickly looked around and a leaf that had nails in them
She grabbed it as it stung her hand
Pain shot in her hand but she barely flinched, as she kept throwing it towards the skeleton
The leaf got inside one of it's eye sockets as it let out a loud ear piercing screech
Dahlia covered her ears with her already bleeding hands, that was trembling from the pain
With the slight momentum she created, she kept her run
Before the mirror finally come into view
She quickly heading towards it, but as she was close...
The skeleton was in front of her
It was gonna grab her
But Dahlia quickly slides down, getting past it on between it's legs
The skeleton while trying to grab her, crashed it's hands on it's own legs
It toppled off completely as every pieces of it's skeleton were scattered around
It tried to move
But couldn't
{ { "Fool..." } } It growled out
Dahlia soon reaches the mirror, she touched it gently
Lights engulf her entirely
{ { "We will meet again, this is not entirely a goodbye" } } The whisperer said to her before she returns back to where her physical body is
Dahlia groaned in pain
She fell on ground again, the cracks grew on her body and the exit was closing off slowly from the portal
"No no no no... I can't-" She forcefully stands up as she started to run towards the exit
She stumbled a lot from running
But behind her, something trembled
She looked over and saw that darkness was slowly engulfing the whole portal
An indication that the portal is closing off
Dahlia's sapphire eyes glowed more
Using every ounce of power, Dahlia lifted the sleeping children and forced them forward along with lifting herself up
She shaped hands from her energy to hold the portal open, each movement straining her to the limit
"I... am... close... just... a... little... longer..." She thought as she coughed out blood
She was at the state of where her body will break completely from how much power she is using
The darkness closed in on her more
It's speed increasing
Dahlia felt dizzy again
Her vision getting more blurred
She kept squinting her eyes as she forced through her limit
.
.
.
{ { { SWOOSH } } }
Dahlia and everyone had gotten out of the portal when it was too close to getting sealed off
She fell on ground with everyone
"Urgh... ow... It... hurts..." She breathed heavily as she laid on her back on ground
Her eyes finally see the dark night sky
It's nighttime as there were many stars shimmering
Green grasses
Trees everywhere
They were at a forest
Everything was... normal...
Nothing out of the ordinary
Confirmation that they all had returned back home
Tears welled up in Dahlia's eyes as she hiccupped
"Finally... back..." Dahlia mumbled as her voice crack
She was relieved
Soon, tiredness took over her
Her eyelids grew heavy
"Welcome back, my sapphire..."
The usual familiar voice she hears in her head, finally comes
But she can't fully register it
Before her eyes fully closed as she fainted