It's suffocating, being unable to breathe. No matter how hard she tried to scream, her voice wouldn't come out. Memories she doesn't know came flashing back to her as she slowly drifts into a nightmare...
"Why did you leave me? Why won't you save me? I hate you. I loathe you. I despise you so much that it hurts. Don't leave me, please. Save me. I don't want to die. I want to live. Help me, please."
It's like being strangled to death but the only difference is, she is aware of what was happening in front of her.
Her own hands, killing herself.
She doesn't understand. Why would she do this to herself? Why can't she sto--
"WAKE UP"
Tia jolted her eyes open as she coughs some water. That was an experience she never wanted to go through ever again. Tia looked around to find everyone next to her, some were coughing since all of them just came out from the water. The Ale Mermaid really did mean what they said by suffocating and all but also, they didn't end up dying.
That's a good thing.
"We're here."
Aiden announced as everyone stare at the scenery in front of them. There was a huge castle resting on top of the hill, it was huge. And so pretty. Tia couldn't believe her eyes when she witnesses this, it was like a dream.
So beautiful, yet so mysterious.
Xian reach out to Tia as he locks their fingers together. Tia was confused why he did that but when she saw people approaching them, she couldn't help but hide behind him.
It was a new place; she was scared of what comes next.
"Welcome! You guys made it!"
The people cheered as Tia and the others exchange confused looks. What does he mean by that? Are they waiting for them to arrive?
"Why can't we enter using the usual route? What happened?"
Aiden glared at the people in front of him, his people. A man smiles at Aiden as he opens up his arms for Aiden to take but he didn't.
"There seem to be some issues, we can't let the monsters get here. That's why we sealed every door that leads to here. But of course, some of you will find your way back."
The man exclaimed as he stared at everyone expression one by one. As his eyes reached Tia, his expression sour.
"Who are you?"
The man spoke. And Xian tighten the grip to Tia's finger as he senses that something is weird. The man was glaring at Tia as she tries to avoid any eye contacts. How did he know she's not ONE of them?
"She's with me. Don't touch her."
Aiden spoke and Tia tilt her head in surprise. Xian too, was annoyed when he did that but stayed silent.
"Please forgive me for my rudeness."
The man gaze softens as he bowed down to Tia which made her surprise even more.
Just what is wrong with this people?
"The lady is waiting for all of you. Please allow me to assist you."
The man said as everyone decided to follow them since Aiden assure them that nobody will hurt them here as long as they stay close to him. Since Aiden is a royal blood, he's one of the special people here.
"Don't worry, they won't do anything here."
Aiden whispered as the others nodded. Tammy and Red looks exhausted as they seem to know where they're going. For some reason, it was weird seeing the people there. Most of them are adults and grownups. Not a single child could be seen here.
"It's such a shame that Chester won't be here to witness this."
Kyran sighs as Enzo just stares at him in silence. Perhaps thinking the same thing. Xian didn't say anything about it.
"Nah, he's at a better place now. You should be jealous."
Red joked as he tried to lightened the mood, but no one seem to find it funny. He just sighed and decided to leave them there and walk next to Aiden in front.
"What about Gally? Will she be alright?"
Tia spoke as she glances toward Gally who's being taken to a different place. Although, she did needs to be taken care of, Tia feels weird to leave her all alone.
"She will be fine; they won't do anything to her."
Xian replied as he squeezes both their fingers. It was weird when he acts like this. Tia still feels confused why he decided to intertwined their fingers together but at least she feels safe around him.
"Although this place does seem a little suspicious... Once we got a clue on how to reach NīRVANA. We're going out of here."
He added and Tia smiled at his remark. It was nice having someone to be with when the world seems to be crushing you down.
They reached the enormous castle door and with a single knock, it opened revealing a beautiful place Tia was amazed that this kind of place even existed. She stood there gaping at the sight she sees. "Behold, the great Luna Palace." The man said as the place filled with music and people clapping. What the heck. "That's extravaganza." Kyran added as he too was amused with what he sees. The man told them that the supposedly queen of the palace wanted to meet them. Although, it does sound tempting, what if the queen decided to punish them for coming here without warning? It's scary just to think what they might be able to do to them in this place. Tia was confused with the people; they were staring at her with weird looks. It was uncomfortable. Why would they do that? Tia thought as she tried hard to avoid their gazes. "Oh my god." Tammy exclaimed and surprised everyone when she run off to a person. Tia was confused when she noticed but she was surprised to see the person standing in front of them smiling widely. "Serina." Tia breathed out as she saw her and Tammy hugging each other excitedly. When she noticed Tia, she waves and smile at her excitedly. "She's alive. Wow." Xian whispered as Tia stared at Serina. It was overwhelming. It's unbelievable but still a miracle. How did she get here so soon? It's surprising but also, great. Tia was grateful to see her alive and well. Aiden and Red also exchange their hello with Serina as they seem to be glad that she's alright. "What happened to you? We seriously thought you have died or something?" Red joked as he pat Serina on her head. She was shining as she smiles, she was so pretty. "It's a long story but here I am now, I miss you all so much." Serina replied as she hugs her friends. Xian and his friends just stand there awkwardly as they don’t really know who she was. "It was nice meeting you again, Tia. I miss you." Serina said as she hugged Tia. It was warm. "It was nice seeing you too." Tia replied as they both smile to each other. "Oh! She's also here! She's the reason we're both ended up here." Serina added and everyone was confused what she meant by that. "Tetiana." Serina added and called out to the person behind her. Everyone was shocked to hear that, especially Tia. Since Tetiana tried to kill her before.
Just thinking about it send shivers down her spine. Xian noticed that too and pull Tia away from Serina. Aiden was surprised to see his girlfriend standing there looking fine, he was asking her a lot of questions, but she doesn't say anything but stare at him. They both hugged each other and Tetiana doesn't seem to care about Tia being there. It was somehow a relief. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts as the man from before announced that the queen has arrived. Tia removes her gaze away from Tetiana as she stared at where the queen is. Standing there, looking like a goddess. She was dumfounded. What is this? The supposedly queen walk down from the aisle as she went straight to Tia's direction. Staring at her lovingly, Tia was too shocked to even move. She can't believe what she's seeing now. "I finally meet you, my daughter." She spoke and everyone was staring at Tia with wide eyes. Xian too was surprised to hear that word coming out from the queen mouth. "What the heck?" Red and Kyran said at the same time. It can't be. It's impossible. Tia stood there staring at the person in front of her. It can't be real. "Mother." Tia breathed out as the queen embrace her in a hug. Tia didn't move an inch; she just had a blank expression on her face when the queen did that. "You had grown so well." The queen said as she pulled away from the hug. Tia was still too dumfounded to even move. Seeing the person in front of her resemble the woman she loved the most, the woman who died long before. How is this possible? "Why? How are you... Alive." Tia eyes began to water as she finally has the courage to look at the woman face. It's really her. Just like in the photo she used to see. The woman began telling everyone about who she really is. About Tia. Tetiana. "I belong to this place. I died, yes. Back in that place... I died after giving birth to you. And then, I got back to here. My original world. That's when I realized, I was having a twins. I gave birth to you on the other place and Tetiana. Here." She said as everyone was shocked to hear that. "No. You're lying." Tia replied as her eyes went dark. The girl who was supposedly to be her sister tried to kill her before. She can't believe this nonsense.
"I'm not lying. Although, I did suspect that you both won't get along when you meet each other." The woman smiled as she glances at Tetiana who's standing there with no expression on her face. "It's the truth. I would never lie to you. I love you so much." The woman tears started to fall when she said that. It can't be. Tia wanted to cry hearing that. It just doesn't make any sense. "It's okay, you must be tired from your journey. We'll talk later after you get some rest." The woman added as she pat Tia's on her head and telling the man from earlier to show everyone their rooms. It was shocking. To be related to Tetiana. It doesn't make sense at all. Everything doesn't seem to be real. "Hey, are you alright?" Xian cupped Tia cheeks with his hands as he stared at her, worried. This situation doesn't make sense all but what would they get if they lied to them? Tia thoughts as she stares at Xian back with confusion. "I don't know what to say." She replied as Xian sighs. Pulling her into a hug. Not leaving her alone. Since everyone has their own room, it was hard seeing each other. For some reason, it seems like they're being locked in leisurely. It was strange and scary. And the fact that Tia's mother is alive and well confused her even more. The thing with Tetiana too. Tia feels like she was lost, trapped in an infinite loop of lies. She doesn't know what is real and what is wrong. It's terrifying