CHAPTER 11

I really don't know why I get the feeling that she has changed, that she was different from before. I mean I only met her a few weeks ago, but today, our conversation was different. It wasn't the ignorant, innocent Autumn I thought she was. She was fearless, ready to forget herself in battle and some how knew things I didn't. I could see it in her confident strides, how she enters the room with her head raised up like she was daring someone to cross her path, how she trained like her life depended on it.

And I start wondering, why are you thinking about her? Do you like her?

I pushed the thought away. I only just met her some weeks ago.

I sat on my bed. The incident at the door kept replaying itself in my head. It was a mistake, I know. But those sparks, the electricity that was there, that I felt, was not an accident. I wonder if she felt it cause I did. It traveled up my hands, through my bones, into my joints and down my spine. It was like her powers were messing with me.

I tried pushing it out of my mind but it wouldn't just let me go. It was just like me and Eleanor. First you can't just stop thinking of her, then you start to have the feelings. I wasn't ready to go through that all over again. Not after being crushed.

*Flashback*

"How could you do this? Eleanor, why did you do this? And with my best friend? All I want to know is why. Why did you do this?"

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I just... I'm sorry. I messed up, I know. I didn't want to do it, I swear. It just happened. I'm sorry."

I shook my head, running my happened ds through my hair. I walked out into the rain, Eleanor following me.

"Ryan, I'm sorry."

I turned to look at her.

"It's over." I walked away. I heard her sobbing there but I didn't turn back, I didn't run back to her and gather her in my hands and run my hands through her hair telling her that I forgive her. Because I know that as much as I loved her, I wouldn't be able to let go. As much as I cared, I wouldn't be able to let us work. So I left, a tear escaping my eyes, betraying my composure.

*End Of  flashback*

I remembered all the pain I had to go through just to forget her and all the memories rushed back. I choked as I got out of bed to the opened window. It was dawn already. I breathed deeply, closing my eyes, discarding all the thoughts of the night and making my mind empty. I opened my eyes, feeling more at peace with myself.

I was about to turn around when I saw Autumn, training with a sword. She was pretty good. Too good, considering the fact that she was fighting with no one in particular. She kept focusing on one point, like she was fighting with someone for real. She kicked the air and pointed her sword down, like she would to the neck of a real person.

After a space of time, she stood up straight, leaving the spot and giving a hand to someone.

She started walking towards the forest, looking sideways occasionally like she was talking to someone. She wasn't just moving her lips.

She stopped looking to her side and started jogging. I stood there, watching her till I couldn't see her again.

There was something up with her. First, you do not stand still for such a long time without doing anything, you do not practice lifting a friend up with the air and you do not look to your side except someone is walking with you.

Two things came in mind; she has an imaginary friend which seems possible but the fact that she helped someone up crosses that suggestion.

I sat on my bed. There was the possibility that she had a spirit guide. It seemed the only possible explanation for all her weirdness. But you can't just have a spirit guide. Not if you are on a mission or you are special.

But what if she was the... No. It's not possible. I mean what mission is there except to save Wester land and she's only been introduced to the world of magic.

What if she was royalty? There was a saying that the goddess and the king did have a child but no one knows where she is. What if she was the child? And, if she is the princess and child from the goddess, then she is the fragment of the goddess. Then we can say she is a goddess. Then we can say she is the last fragment that has been missing. Then we can say she is Arterisa. Then we can say she is the... chosen one?

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"I'm going to go get ready, Fofo."

I hopped into the shower taking a short bath, brushed my teeth and wore my training suit before leaving the bathroom. I stood in front of the mirror, running the brush through my hair and pulling it to a ponytail. I was ready to leave when Fofo held me back.

"I have something to give you."

"Really? What is it?"

He stretched his hands and I saw a leather scabbard revealing it self slowly. I could make out the pointed tips and knew that it was a sword. It had a blue crystal hilt with a single red ruby embedded in the middle. It had inscriptions on the hilt like the ones on my arms.

"It's beautiful." I whispered reaching out for it.

"It's one of a kind." I pulled out the sword."It's made from the purest iron and the best diamond that possesses magical qualities that has not been discovered yet."

I ran my fingers on the blades and the gem glowed to my touch. I turned the blade over and saw my name; Arterisa.

"The sword has been made many years ago for the Autumn goddess, the chosen one. You're the only one that can hold it."

"But you held it."

"I'm practically you."

"Oh, right."

I returned the sword to its scabbard and made the sword disappear.

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I was with my friends and roommate after training when I saw Autumn walking towards me.

I had told them what I saw and what I suspected and we connected the dots after asking Lena about it. We discovered that my theory was right. She was the goddess destined to save Wester land. The news had gone round pretty fast.

As soon as she got to us, we all went on one knee, bowing. I could tell from her response that she wasn't surprised, just confused.

"What's this guys? Do you do this to all the girls or am I just the special one?"

She came to my side as we rose up. They all left leaving I and her alone. Once they had left, she spoke up.

"What's all the ceremony about? Everyone's been staring at me all morning like I'm some alien that dropped from the moon and then everyone is bowing and curtseying and everyone is acting weird. And you're acting even weirder than everyone else. Tell me what's going on?"

"You've been discovered." I said not knowing how to tell her.

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone knows you're a goddess." I blurted out.

Her face dropped.

"And no one wants to associate with me?"

"No. It's not that. It's just... now everyone feels the need to respect you."

"Funny. I'm not a goddess, Ryan."

"You don't have to lie. It's obvious. Your behaviors and your expressions lately showed me how different you are."

"Those things sound normal to me."

"Not if you have a spirit guide."

She turned quiet and I knew I had hit the spot.

"Come with me."

She started towards the forest. I followed reluctantly. As soon as we were far away from the camp, she turned her back against me.

It took a while of silence before I saw a form beside her. He spoke up.

"I'm Fofo and I'm Autumn's friend, not a threat. I'm also her..."

"Spirit guide." Ryan interrupted. "I know. I've figured that out already. I want to know more."

She sighed. "Diana possessed me."

"You mean Diana, the goddess Diana, possessed you?"

"We fused souls. Do you understand?"

"Of course I understand. I just don't believe you. It sounds like a joke to me."

"Would I be joking about such a trivial issue?"

"Prove to me then."

She sighed. I saw her breath deeply, closing her eyes, stretching her hands out. I saw the red writings on her arm. She was rising up from the ground. She opened her eyes and I saw the red mist in it.