Chapter 3

When I finally began to regain consciousness I could slightly hear a conversation happening nearby. One of the voices sounded oddly familiar. "What have you done….wasn't….happen yet….idiot...so much trouble…." No wonder that voice sounded so familiar! It's Ashley! I didn't hear much else considering the fact that I'm trying to keep consciousness. My hearing is wavering in and out as I hear what sounds to me like footsteps coming closer to me.

As I finally open my eyes gaining full control over my body I see Ashley sitting next to a girl I don't know. It's intriguing honestly. One second I'm meeting someone I was arranged to marry and the next I'm being carried into what I could only assume to be a portal. How did she even open a portal? Is that even scientifically possible? Can anyone open a portal or are there specific requirements needed? Just as I opened my mouth to voice my thoughts Ashley interrupted me.

"Look Thalia," She started, looking me in the eyes. Her eyes were swirling with emotions that I couldn't understand. Although I guess I wouldn't be able to figure it out seeing as I don't know her. " I know that you have a lot of questions to ask and they will all be answered soon, but for now just wait." She finished telling me.

What is that even supposed to mean? Obviously my questions will be answered one way or another. I wasn't going to take no for an answer anyways. As I sit here lost in my thoughts I suddenly realize that I have no idea where I am. Well of course I wouldn't I mentally facepalm

myself. I was taken through a portal. Why would I know where I am? I stop and take this time to look around.

My gaze surveyed the room I was in, taking in everything I could. From the light scent of lemon and anesthetic to the sight of first aid kits and IV bags. It was easy to see that I was an in infirmary of some sort. This room was gigantic though. Was I in a hospital? And what exactly happened. And are my parents okay? Oh my gosh my parents! "Ashley what happened to my parents!" I screamed wondering if the explosion had hurt my parents, or worse killed them. I was becoming paranoid and lost in thought as my mind took me through a whirlwind of emotions. From worried and scared to horrified and sad thinking about what could've happened to them.

Ashley only replied with a short "Like I said everything will be explained in time." Why was she so calm? And she must've had something to do with it considering she carried me away with her right after the bomb went off. I'm beginning to get suspicious. Why did she take me with her after the bomb went off? And how is she uninjured? I have so many questions and she hasn't answered not one of them. Why is it that I can never seem to get in control of my life? There is always someone or something else controlling me and what I can or can't do. Why do others know more about my life story than I do? I hate it and it's not fair.

Am I that weak? Am I so obedient that I will take whatever people give me lying down. I feel worthless and helpless. Why am I such a people pleaser? Why can I never do anything for myself? Why am I like this? Why? Why? Why?

I hate myself.

It's such a simple sentence and yet it means so much. I'll never be proud of myself. I'm useless. I haven't accomplished anything in my life. I wish that I could be better. I wish that I could be different. But as much as I want to change I know that I won't. I have nothing to live for. Nothing but myself and even then that's not enough. I stop and take a deep breath to calm down before I try asking Ashley another question.

"Ashley?" I asked her timidley since my emotions had quickly drained the energy I had just gained. "Where are we?" I asked her considering she hadn't at least told me where she had taken me. "We are in the realm of Eatithra." She replied to me with a sarcastic smile on her face. I don't know why she's looking at me like that. Did she just forget about the fact that she kidnapped me and brought me here or what? The worst part is, she's just looking at me like I'm stupid.

"And where exactly is Eatithra?" I ask, smiling just as sarcastically back at her.

"I suppose there are some things you need to know about this realm before we continue." She replies thoughtfully. Or at least I think that's what that expression was. Honestly who knows. I couldn't care less as long as I get the information I need.

"Unknown to common man or as we like to call you, humans, there are multiple realms. Humans are not the only life forms to exist. Although, you only think that because other beings like us try to avoid contact with human kind. You see, the realm we are in now is called Eatithra like I

previously stated. The realm you've been living in is the earth realm. And to be quite honest with you it is the least favored of the realms. You humans are all too selfish. You have no system. The only thing you humans crave is wealth and power and you would break down anyone in your path to get what you want." I begin to process the information she just told me.

"If your people hate us so much then why were you in the earth realm?" I asked although I already had a hunch.

"I'm sure you think you've got this figured out but trust me you don't." She told me as if sensing my thoughts. "And how would you know that?" I quickly responded, my body tensing up.

"It's simple. Body language. I've been trained to notice these things since I was a child, and you will learn about that in due time. For now let me tell you more about Eatithra and why I was in the Earth Realm."

I nodded my head giving her the go ahead to continue giving me information.

" I wasn't the only one in the earth realm. And I certainly wasn't the only one who was stuck watching over you. No offense or anything cause you're not that bad but most of the other humans were terrible. You see, you're a very important person and you have some very important people looking for you."

I shook my head interrupting her. "Why in the world would anyone important from here be looking for me? And how would they even know who I was in the first place?"

"I can't tell you that. And don't give me that look. It's simply not my place to tell you. But beware for they aren't the only people searching for you. The people who sent me have only good intentions, of this I can assure you. The others not so much, that's why we had to find you when we did."

"Who was the other person who came to look for me then?" I questioned her.

"Again this is just something I can't tell you. They will come to you in their own time and tell you when you're ready. There are many pieces in the puzzle of your life that you are missing, but soon they will come together and you will be whole again. For now though, you must wait. There are many things you need to learn and many people you should be wary of. Those who seem to be the most trustworthy are always the ones who will bring you down onto your knees." She finished, nodding her head to let me know that I could speak.

"How do you know all of this?" I asked her, steeling myself for an answer that would most likely be bad. " I am a seer. I have been alive for longer than you can imagine. And although I appear to be around your age looks can be deceiving."

Did she just say that she's a seer? Y'know what I can't even process any more information right now. I just nodded my head at her, letting her know that I had heard everything that she said. " I'd like to lay back down and get a little more rest if that's alright with you Ashley?" I asked knowing that I couldn't handle any more surprises for right now.

"I wish that I could give you that extra rest but I'm afraid that we don't have the time. There is much more that you need to know and you must join your omada. Your training must begin immediately." I hate this. I absolutely hate this so much. "What the heck is an omada anyways?" I ask her, already irritated by everything I've learned.

At this point she just stopped answering me. I was getting annoyed so I just stopped asking questions as well. I guess it's true that I really do have no control over my life.

Ashley abruptly stood up making my body jolt in surprise. She walked towards the door and then turned back around nudging her head telling me to get up and follow her. So that's what I did. And when she opened the door I got the biggest shock of my life. The door led straight into a large open corridor filled with people bustling around and talking amongst themselves.

Mind you I'm used to being in mansions and large places of the sort but I could tell just from this one hallway that this place is gigantic. I looked at Ashley with my mouth wide open showing my shock at the maybe hundreds of people walking through the hall. "You might wanna close your mouth Thalia, you haven't seen anything yet." She said giving me the promise of bigger and more magnificent things to come.

As we walked down the corridor I tried to take in all of my surroundings. Everyone looks just like humans so how could they be anything else. Although I guess the term don't judge a book

by the cover would definitely come into play here. Now that I think about it, do they look like humans or do humans look like them? What? It's a serious question.

The hallway seemed to go on forever before we came upon a large door. I thought that maybe considering the size of the door it might lead to an important place but I was surprised when Ashley opened the door and I saw a large cafeteria. Ashley grabbed my elbow and pulled me over to the side of the door as people started flooding into the area.

"We're in a school, aren't we?" I asked knowing the answer but wanting it to be confirmed.

"We sure are. And the only one of its kind. You could call us the protectors of this realm. The headmaster should be coming in soon to explain everything. I told you that you'd get your answers and now you're going to. Well for the most part anyways. There are other things concerning - things that we must discuss in private." She replied. I noticed that she had stuttered in the middle of the sentence. I just nodded to acknowledge that I heard what she said storing the fact that she stuttered away in the back of my head. I'm happy to know that I'll be getting my answers but I'm also anxious. I'm nervous. Not knowing what's going to happen or what's going to be said is a situation I don't want to be put in anymore.

Ashley grabbed my arm and walked me towards a table towards the middle of the room. "Everyone must be seated at a table before the headmaster comes in. You'll be given all the information you'll need and then be split into groups and taken on a tour of the school grounds."

Oh, that's just great. I'll be put into a group with people I know nothing about. I'm so excited. Can you feel my sarcasm?

Just as she finished saying that the headmaster walked into the room. I swear to goodness I wasn't expecting what I saw. Not only is the headmaster actually a headmistress but she's also an older carbon copy of my mystery girl. Okay now that I'm thinking about it doesn't headmistress sound kind of derogatory towards women. I mean you calling me your first mistress isn't really flattering. No wonder she goes by headmaster. The real problem is that she has an uncanny resemblance to my mystery girl and I'm not gonna lie it's kinda scary.

I'm stupid but not that stupid. I know exactly what this means. One of those other people that were sent after me was my mystery girl. No wonder she came to the shop everyday. Is that why Ashley brought me here early? Because I was fired and my mystery girl couldn't keep her eye on me anymore?

Okay this is getting ridiculous. I shouldn't be so stuck on her. And I still don't know her name! The urge to know about her is so powerful. At that moment I felt a tingling sensation in my body. I looked around the cafeteria to see what was causing it but I couldn't find it anymore. It was gone.

Ashley just turned her head to look at me and gave me a small smile and a knowing look.

Yeah there's definitely something strange going on here. That strange feeling mixed with the headmaster and the knowing look that Ashley sent me. But what is it? And has my mystery girl come back here after seeing me get fired. I really need to know.

"Welcome students, to the start of the rest of your lives."