I heard Mr. Valdez's loud scream, and I could hardly breathe due to the thick smoke. My chest was in pain, and I felt like vomiting. I felt as if I were being poisoned by the smoke I inhaled. I couldn't see anything anymore, and I couldn't stand. I wanted to stop.
My whole body was weak, and I felt paralyzed. I couldn't move a single finger.
My eyes were closing, but I could still hear noises around me. I had no strength left, and I wanted to cry for help, but I couldn't... I couldn't... plea... help...
"Lipartum Elegrum!"
I heard a voice in my ear. What was that word? A magic spell? Wait, who's there?
"Charlotte! I'm here now, don't worry, I'll save you! Charlotte! Please, don't give up! I love you, Charlotte!"
I heard those words echoing in my mind, but my brain couldn't respond. My body refused to move. I wanted to sleep... ugh...
I woke up lying on a white bed, feeling dizzy and looking around in confusion. I realized I wasn't in the hospital where I was supposed to be. What happened? The only thing I remember is falling down the stairs while trying to escape the spreading smoke in the building.
Wait? Did I hear Ervine's voice before I lost consciousness? Did I return to my original body? How is my sister's leg? I still feel the pain even though I'm not in her body.
Those events were chilling. I wonder how the people we saved are doing, Kuya Erning and Sir Henry? What about Mr. Valdez?
Where am I anyway? Everything around me is white, even the bed. Except for that, everything else is blank, as if I'm in an endless dimension, endlessly seeing nothing but white. Is there no one here? Ate? Mr. Valdez? Ervine?
Switch?
As I mentioned Switch's name, he suddenly appeared in front of me. "Switch! It's you!" I blurted out as he appeared out of nowhere.
"Where am I? What is this place?"
You are in your consciousness, in a dimension where your soul faces a trial. At the moment, your body is asleep, and your soul is here, communicating with you in your mind. The appearance you see of me is an illusion created by my magic. In other words, it's mental telepathy! Now listen carefully, Charlotte. Your sister's soul has returned to its original body. Congratulations!
"Really?! S-so that means we won't be switching souls every alternate night anymore? B-but how did it happen? Why only my sister?" I asked Switch, feeling confused.
"Act of true love, that's what set your sister free from the curse! Watch, I'll show you what happened when you fell down the stairs while trying to escape death."
Switch waved his hand, and the white surroundings were replaced by memories. "T-That's me? Whose memories are those? I lost consciousness after hearing a voice, Ervine's voice?" I asked with uncertainty.
"Yes, those are Ervine's memories that you're seeing. Watch closely the act of true love that broke the curse on your sister," Switch solemnly narrated. I watched it from the beginning.
When I fell down the stairs, I couldn't stand or move due to the broken leg I had suffered. My body was weak from the smoke I had inhaled, poisoning me. When I heard a magical word, a magic spell.
Ervine, he arrived to save me. He used his magic to dispel the smoke around us. He also helped extinguish the fire from inside! While the people we rescued, along with Mr. Valdez, had already made it to the rooftop and were safe.
Mr. Valdez came back for me when he saw that Ervine was carrying me. Despite being weakened by the smoke he inhaled, he tried to act tough and courageous as a man. He even managed to carry me. Ervine assisted Mr. Valdez, giving him strength by providing him with an "Elixir of Strength."
This elixir was stronger than the normal magic potions they usually make. It's rarely used and only released when necessary. It gives a unique physical strength to the person who drinks it. Mr. Valdez carried me until we reached the rooftop, and we were all safe thanks to Ervine.
We were taken to the hospital, and when we arrived there, it was already midnight, and my sister and I didn't switch souls. She was extremely panicked and worried. She didn't know what to do. Switch said it was a negative reaction from the magic. We didn't revert back to normal because there was an obstacle preventing the switch of our souls.
This obstacle was due to the negative emotions my sister was feeling. She was angry at herself for what happened to me.
"This is my fault! I should be blamed, Charlotte, I'm sorry! If I hadn't been a bad sister, we wouldn't be cursed, and you wouldn't have to go through all of this! Charlotte, wake up! I love you so much, my sister!" Carmen whispered, full of remorse.
"Carmen," Mr. Valdez whispered, "Alejandro, I'm sorry too! I'm sorry for everything I've done to you from then until now. All the rudeness and bad behavior, I regret it all! I can't live without my sister! Alejandro!"
"Carmen, look closely at your sister!" Mr. Valdez urged.
"The crystal of truth that Charlotte holds, it's glowing red?"
"Even yours, look at it!"
"That means deep within you is the sincere plea for forgiveness, the love for your sister has broken the curse that was placed upon you, Carmen."
"Switch? So, does that mean you also forgive me for what I did to you before? It all started because of the evil I did to you in Baclaran. I'm asking for forgiveness!"
"I forgave you a long time ago, Carmen..."
"There's no need for you to ask for forgiveness from me. I loved you then and I still do... I still love you, Carmen."
"Alejandro, thank you so much for your love! I promise, I will make it up to you!"