Before I lost myself, a familiar presence formed, dragging my gaze onto it.
Ah… You…
"Alijah... My grumpy wolf... don't cry." Rem suddenly grabbed onto my cheeks, making me rise onto my knees.
"I'm so sorry." I whimpered as my hands hung on the sides.
"Don't cry." She simpered as I fought off the desire to yank her into my arms.
"This isn't you, is it?" I breathed as tears ran down my cheeks.
No, this little luma was the one that lived in my heart—time again had stopped around us.
"You didn't know a thing, Alijah, and I still loved you either way. I didn't know if it was real, too. You read as much in my journals." She kissed my forehead slightly.
"I—" I went to speak, only for her to stop me by touching my lips.
"Hush, it's okay, Alijah. I loved you even when you hated me. If you want to save me from me, you must remember everything. Then, you can make me realize our love was never an illusion I made up. That I was… and am loved by you." She declared as I slowly nodded, allowing the memories to flow into me with little resistance.
It was useless to try to fight it. After all, I couldn't bring back the time wasted by my ignorance. No, all I could do was look into the future, and I had to make sure she was there with me. All I needed to know was that those memories existed, especially the first time I held her under the cherry blossoms.
Along with every single time I held you after that. Remember, I need to remember them all so that the next time I have you, I'll do so with the love you deserve. Next time I see you… I'll tell you everything you want to hear and much more.
I love you, Rem. I'll love you for all eternity to come, please… just let me love you.
When the memories stopped, my body shimmered red, and I slammed my fists on the floor in frustration. The flames slowly dissipated while Midna continued to hover in the distance.
"Now that you know everything you need, go back, Alijah, and find the family. It'll take everyone to bring her back if that's what you want. After all, right now, she's happy." The bird announced while I stood up from where I was, feeling battered and exhausted.
This is nothing to how you felt.
"Hah… Happy in a facade? I would never allow that. Not when she has the real thing waiting for her. She's mine." I growled loudly at the goddess.
Even if it was to save her from oblivion, I could never forgive Midnight for taking precious time away from me.
"Good of you to answer that since... I lied. It isn't all pretty petals in there." She informed, flying towards where Rem was.
Much to my surprise, she was standing alone as all the trees were gone while the white space we found ourselves in remained. Her hands were covered with blood, and her eyes appeared lifeless. Unable to help it, I crashed again into the barrier that separated us.
"Rem!" I called as she shifted her gaze around before stopping again on her stained hands.
"Huh? Am I... supposed to be here? Why am I here again?" She mumbled, wincing before grabbing onto her head.
Midna landed on my shoulder again as the fake me reappeared behind the little Luma before engulfing her in his arms.
Unforgivable! You're mine! Don't let him touch you!
"Don't think... just stay with me. I'll never leave you." The phony said.
"Huh?" Rem breathed, grabbing onto his arms before glancing down at her shirt covered in the red substance.
In that instance, I could see the dagger sticking out of her for a moment before it disappeared soon after.
"Was I stabbed? I think something happened. No, did I hurt you?" Rem turned to the fake me as tears streaked down her cheeks.
Standing on the other side of the wall, I could only hope the fake me would help her as her gaze was suddenly devoid of warmth.
Rem... You stupid girl, why are you worried about me? You…
"Impossible, there isn't anything you could do to hurt me." The façade comforted her.
Unable to hold it any longer, I placed my hands back on the barrier that separated us.
How I wish I could break it.
Rem grabbed fake's cheeks, slightly shaking her head before she caressed her thumbs on his skin.
"I think... I died in your arms. Didn't I? I guess... one of my wishes got fulfilled." Rem simpered, tears still trailing down her cheeks.
You know this is fake. You fucking know!
"Rem! Why?!" I screamed as Midna sighed.
My chest felt like there were knots in there as it became heavier with each second that passed.
"Her truth with her fiction mixt at times. Sometimes, she even relives the moments in that forest where she ravished you. She may not fully remember it but tortures herself about it." She paused.
What?
"That was just a slip. Sometimes she falls endlessly before the spell brings her back into the bliss." Midna added as I turned to her.
"Why don't you take her out then?! You created this! Undo it!" I snapped at her, only for her to remain unfazed by my hostility.
Instead, she glanced over to Rem before closing her eyes.
"I helped her create it but can't undo it, Alijah. She also locked me out. The only thing I could do was bring you here, outside of the dreamscape, in hopes you'll reach her with some help." Midnight started, staring back at me as she moved down my arm.
Even though I didn't know how to react to her or what to believe, this was my only lead. She wasn't entirely done with me yet, though.
"There's more you should know. Rem was supposed to die when she siphoned Edna's curse that would've bonded Lilith's unborn children to her. Even though she…" A soft sigh left her as she shifted her gaze to the little Luma. "Rem's body couldn't handle it, and it killed her until I revived her using her family's power by linking myself to her."
"What?" I mumbled, barely able to understand what she was saying.
"Rem saved the other silver bloods from being bound to the eternal witch that day. I guess the curse was attracted to her, too, in a way. You see, she has an affinity for death. It is also very different from witchcraft. She doesn't need to sacrifice anything for her." She informed.
I couldn't help but wonder if there was an ulterior motive for this bird's talkative nature.
What are you gaining from this?
"The entire event that revived her cut some ties with the witch that cast it by turning the hex into something more bothersome. The blood lust is part of it, but there is… that warlock made it worse when he…" She trailed off, shaking her head and turning back to me.
Perhaps there were no motives, yet I couldn't read this goddess or her intentions for Rem.
"With this... Will Rem be pushed more towards death? Or..." Midna stopped again, snickering a bit before she suddenly retook flight.
"Ah… None of that matters. Mortal, do your job and save Rem, so I might take over her body one day, as you say." She giggled, flying over the horizon..
I couldn't help but laugh as this god was a fickle little thing.
Hard to read, too. I don't know what your intentions are, but you… You are the reason why this… Why I met her.
However, it was too bad for her. I wouldn't let her, or anyone, take Rem away from me again. That would never happen.
"You wish," I chastised the bird, who cackled.
"I never wanted to," Midna announced, flapping her wings and creating a gust more potent than the one from that day. "And… You're wrong. You two are destined for one another. Even if the world would've kept you away, you… would've found each other." Her voice cracked as I flinched because of the winds.
My eyes fluttered open when I returned to Rem's room beside her.
Was that all… a dream? No… That was…
Shaking my head, instinctively, I kissed her on her lips lightly as a new hope filled my being before I ran out of the room to find Lilith. From what I could tell, it seemed to be morning again, not that it mattered.
I almost crashed into some maids working around the manor in my hurry. Luckily, I found everyone gathered in Fenris's study when I suddenly barged in. They seemed to speak about what Caden and Aiden had seen in their latest travels to Allora.
The twins had spent the day there yesterday. Their expressions quickly alerted me of their mood to my unwarranted interruption, but I couldn't wait.
"Alijah, did something happen?" Lilith asked, standing up from the chair she was sitting in.
The remaining silver bloods narrowed their eyes as they didn't seem to want me there, yet I had to push forward.
"I found a way to wake Rem up." I suddenly declared as the atmosphere turned heavier than ever.
The silver blood Lycan named Ben stood forward as, unlike everyone else, he seemed less hostile and a bit more cunning than the rest of the younger ones in the room.
"And how would you know that? If I may ask." Ben asked straightforwardly.
"You can't be serious!" Vera huffed, crossing her arms.
"There is no harm in asking, little one. We're still stuck in place with no idea how to proceed, right?" He assured the hostile witch who was ready to fight back at every turn.
Even though the older silver wolf had given me a way in, it also placed me on the spot. I momentarily shifted my gaze to the floor, finding it a bit hard to explain.
Damn it, this is all a waste of time! I can't figure out how to even start without sounding crazy. Will they believe me? What to say and hold back…
"Uh… I was dragged into where she is by—" I began, but was intercepted by Vera standing up from her chair.
Oh, by the gods, this girl hates me with an unyielding passion.
"If you aren't going to say anything useful, then leave! We're discussing important family matters, and they don't concern you!" Vera snarled at me, eyes filled with a fire that would no doubt smite me right where I stood if I pushed further.
I rolled my eyes at the little witch. By the gods, was she an annoying harpy?
"You know, what screw you. I don't need you, but your mother." I said, turning to Lilith.
"What?!" She growled as I ignored her.
"Lily, I came to tell you because I need your help. Please, I can't do it alone," I pleaded, prompting her eyes to widen before they narrowed.
Begging for help was never my thing, but this wasn't for my pride or me.
No, this is for you; I'd do anything for that.
"If it weren't for you, Rem would never have been in this in the first place! So, leave us alone already!" Vera scowled as Lilith gazed towards Fenris, triggering him to stand up.
"Enough, you aren't a child anymore, so stop behaving like one." He sighed, glancing at me with his crimson gaze.
Unlike Lilith, he appeared unsure about me, yet his love for the witch kept him centered.
"What did you find? " he asked as I told them what had happened, omitting a few details.
They were personal and didn't need to understand what was happening. However, as soon as I was done, Vera, who had had enough of me, snapped again. I didn't know what her issue was; I only desired Rem back as much as she did.
This would be a hill I would gladly die on.