It's the day that I will be discharged in the hospital. Celestia and Rizzy are the only ones here, the other girls have other schedules and things to do. That's okay with me. After all, they don't have any responsibilities to me.
"Tara na? Ihahatid ka namin sa inyo," Rizzy insisted, bringing my things.
She doesn't want me to carry those because according to her I still need to rest my body, and lifting heavy things is definitely not an option. Though, those things aren't that heavy, just a few clothes and necessities.
I petitioned that I can carry those as I already felt okay but she would scold me. She would not let me win against her. So, I let her do what she wants. I would make it up to them, maybe a food would do?
I groped my necklace which I retrieved from the Deceptor. I told them I saw it under the pillow. They believed it so the conversation didn't last too long.
I remembered my encounter with Deceptor. The deal. He never mentioned my aquatic healing. I will still continue it.
"Are you totally okay, Sera? If you cannot attend the class tomorrow, we can cover for you," Celestia asked, worried about my status right now.
I gently smiled at her. "No need, Celestia. I can attend the class." I smiled at her.
"Sure ka ba? Sunduin ka na lang namin bukas."
I politely nodded. Rizzy would still push that idea even if I declined.
On the way home, my mind cannot disregard the thoughts of Fire Bearer being here in this mortal world. If that is so, then Valen is not the one. A two chosen bearer? How come?
Alpha should know about this. I'll contact her later. Thankfully, there's sacred water in the sacred chamber of Alpha.
I came back from reality from those deep thoughts when I heard Celestia declare something. "We're here, Sera!"
I didn't notice the time.
"Tara sa loob?" I invited them in. For a coffee or a snack, a gratitude gift for their sweetness and care.
"No need, Sera. You should rest," assured Celestia.
Rizzy handed my things. "Magpahinga ka na lang muna, Sera."
"Thank you for looking and taking care of me." I hugged and gave them cheek-to-cheek kisses.
"Always, Sera. Anything for you."
"Ano ka ba? Wala lang yun. Isa ka na sa'min, lagi mo tatandaan 'yon."
"I am thankful na kayo ang naging unang friends ko dito sa Pilipinas. Libre ko kayo bukas." They both giggled and bid their goodbyes as they let me rest.
After they left, I went straight to the basement.
I need to contact Alpha.
Too bad that Arcane Lens cannot be used here because it needs a natural energy coming for the Aetheria. My report would be much easier, and contact would be much quicker.
Luckily, I have another way to contact Alpha.
I look at the water web I created.
The Deceptor stated that the Fire Bearer is nearby. Maybe a student in the PU? That's possible.
"From the depths, I call and shape, a watery form, I summon." I recited the enchantment for my water construct to create another element for my water web- a blank face for fire bearer, deceptor, and obsidius.
I put it in the middle of the water web, they formed a triangle wherein the fire bearer is on top.
I am really at a disadvantage here. The Deceptor knew who the fire bearer and the Obsidius were, while I am in the darkness about their identity.
I need to follow the deal for the sake of the Fire Bearer. Prove or not, I still need to make sure.
As per the deal, I would not move against the Abyssal Order. However, I still need to inform Alpha about this, that Fire Bearer might be in this world.
I sat in one of the chairs to prepare for contacting Alpha using my watermancy. It will take a little while since Aetheria World is a totally different world, hence it is too far.
I started my enchantment,"The waters whisper, secrets they hold, I listen, may truth unfolds."
It's been almost one hour since I started this ritual. I'm already at the Elysium, I just need to find the sacred chamber.
After a few more minutes, I found it, and started to merge with water in the sacred chamber.
At last! There! I found Alpha sitting in the pavilion, looking at the huge tree. She always looked so elegant and majestic, the autumn color really fits her well. Though, her saddened eyes never escaped my sight.
"Alpha, it's me Aella," I gently called her in the waters.
She's surprised and looked at me, and didn't expect that I would visit her this early.
"How are you, Aella?" She walks toward the water.
I appeared in my water form. I bowed, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am alive after encountering the Deceptor. How was Your Majesty?"
Her eyes hinted with a little bit of shock and confusion but her face remained calm and composed. "I am good. You have an encounter with the Deceptor?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Allow me to apologize but he knew about me and my mission. He was in the mortal world."
She elegantly looked at the tree. "A traitor. The incident of not knowing the wild dark energy spreading in the country is not just an irresponsibility and neglect but a traitor working behind."
I agree with what she said. "I already asked Ms. Gale to investigate it." I paused for a while, gathering the courage to ask for permission. "Your Majesty, allow me to do the mission on my own."
It is not that I don't trust Ms. Gale. I was taught that mission and Elysium's welfare is the most important priority.
"That's good. I would allow you. What happened with your encounter?"
This is it. I hesitated to tell her that Deceptor did nothing to me. They always tell us that any Erebosian is bad and evil, that they will just hurt us.
"Aella?"
"Nothing. He did nothing to me," I whispered as if my voice was just a breeze passing by.
I observed how she would react. Would she be shocked?
However... she looked blank, I cannot read her emotions.
She didn't show any emotions. "He did nothing? Did he say something?"
The Fire Bearer.
"Yes... he did say something." I paused, still hesitant if I should say it already even though I am not sure. "He told me that the fire bearer is in the mortal world."
Then, there... I saw a glint of confusion in her eyes.
"What does he mean?"
I am still confused about it.
"He gave me a deal. I will not continue my mission regarding the Obsidius in exchange for the life of the fire bearer."
"What did you say?"
I can sense a hint of restriction in her voice.
"I said I need to make sure if he is telling the truth. On the time of the next full moon, the fire bearer will manifest its power again. That is when I will know who is the fire bearer."
The eyes of Alpha hinted at a glitch of anger and madness. That... shocked me. I never saw any hint of madness in her. But, that didn't last too long, it vanished.
She sighed. She looked at me with worried eyes. "He is a deceptor, Aella. He specializes in illusion and deception. Don't trust him too much. He is still an enemy," she emphasized the last sentence as if engraving that thought in my mind.
I understand why Alpha reacted like this. It is really the master of deception. But... there's a side of me that wanted to check if it is true.
"I am sorry, Your Majesty. I agreed to the deal... but do not worry, I also take precautions. If everything he said about the fire bearer is not true, the sacred water I planted on him will consume all of his body water that makes him suffer."
She sighed again, reaching my hand. "Aella, please be careful. I know you can manage yourself but don't push yourself too much. Don't let your guard down."
"I can manage, Your Majesty," I assured her. I sensed that she's worried about my well being, knowing that I do not have anyone who can support me if a fight happens. After all, she's one of the people who raised us. We treat her as a mother.
"I know. Do whatever you think is right. Just be careful."
Without any warning, my unsaid worry suddenly burst out in my mouth. It was a whisper but enough to be heard by the Alpha. "What if I failed in finding Obsidius? And, I failed to rescue the Fire Bearer?"
This time, I wasn't the Beta who always needed to act brave and a strong woman. This time, I looked at the Alpha with the same eyes when I stumbled while playing, with the same eyes when I complained that Tellus is teasing me or Aerona is being rude.
She caressed my hair, soft and slowly. "I am proud of you when you accepted the mission. It was hard, it was scary, it was lonely as you need to live in a world unknown to you. Whatever the result of the mission, I will always be proud of you."
This time she isn't the Alpha, not the highest authority, but the woman who deeply cares and loves her children. A woman who would do everything for her children.
She gently held my cheek, trying to look me softly in the eyes. "Trust yourself. You will bring Obsidius or the Fire Bearer."