A Crack

She's insane.

My mother is so different from her. I can't believe they're related. Amanda walked back to her chambers, and I'm just stunned in the chair. A maid asked me if I was okay and why is the table wet. I just told them Amanda spilled some of the tea, and that I wanted to be alone.

I walked to the pond quietly.

She's- she's right.

She's a cunning evil woman that could create fake scenarios to get me and my brothers in trouble. I can't do anything impulsive for the sake of my brothers. But I can't stand still and let Amanda abusing us.

What should I do?

I'm just a powerless toddler.

I kneeled down on the ground, staring into my reflection.

"You looked conflicted,"

"..."

It's Io's voice. I don't even have the strength to be surprised or look over to him.

Io floated in front of me, then turn his body upside down with his arms crossed.

"Heh, you looked pathetic, little master," Io mocked, chuckling.

"Go away," I sighed.

"Why should I listen to some pathetic little human?"

I looked over to him tiredly, then frowned. "Go,"

Io only smiled innocently.

I let out an exaggerated sigh and gave up. I continued staring into the water.

"Your resentment is remarkable. Quite unfortunate that it's sealed,"

"?" I glanced up at him. "Sealed? what is?"

"This," Io pointed to my chest. "The willpower,"

"Willpower?" I asked.

"Your real power, little master," Io chuckled. "Balam's Willpower,"

"..."

I'm so confused. Io must have seen my puzzled face, he let out a sigh and pressed his index finger to my chest.

"The willpower of Balam, King of hell that conquered millions upon millions of demons. This is why I chose you, little master. But you haven't break the seal, so I can't submit yet,"

"..."

Father didn't tell me anything about this. Balam, or willpower. First, the thing about my aunt. And then this willpower. How come father never mention this?

"Break the seal, little master. And I'll be there when it's broken,"

And like that, he disappeared.

Breaking the seal?

Father, I need to ask father. But he's away right now. I'm not sure if my brothers know about my power in detail. And that useless demon didn't even tell me how to break the seal!

Is he lying?

Father warned me about demons. If I'm weak, they'll make fun of me.

For now, I just keep that thought in mind and walked back to the mansion.

⊱

⊱

⊱

It's only been two days since father left. But it felt so long. A day felt like a week. This house isn't lively like usual. We need to just wait for another day until father returns, and Amanda wouldn't dare do anything to harm us.

Hopefully.

When I walked up the stairs by myself to the third floor, I heard a loud bang and someone's voice.

I wide my eyes when I see Sehan and Leorys' bedroom's doors are wide open.

I ran up to it.

"!"

It's Amanda.

Why are the twins standing there with their heads hung down? their body is trembling. My eyes tried to comprehend what is happening in front of me.

The room is a mess. My brothers' toys, and their swords are on the ground. Amanda's fingers, they're bleeding. Slices. She cut herself, and she's going to blame the twins for it.

My eyes started to shake.

(𝘈/𝘕: 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯)