First things first, even though it seemed the most inappropriate thing to do on the first morning after her boyfriend’s funeral, which was to introduce a new male species to the household and let him stay for as long as he wanted to boot. And the mere fact that he came in neither through the front nor back door but through a portal in her bed just added to its absurdity. Of course, she would never mention the portal to Meona. But seeing the visitor come out of the Favia heiress’ very own bedroom would probably be the most inexcusable phenomenon of all.
Because that’s exactly what happened this morning.
The loud clatter of breakfast utensils on the marble floor echoed through the hallway upstairs upon seeing a watchful Aipreal emerge from her bedroom followed by a stranger clad only in a pair of baggy trousers. The commotion caught the couple’s attention right away.
“Nana, are you alright?!” Aipreal exclaimed, realizing Ruhien’s state of half-undress at the same time, “You idiot! Why did you take off your shirt?”
“I’ll put it back on. I’m just fixing it, see?” he explained, showing off the rip on the shabby garment in his hand. But even before Aipreal could take a closer look at it, her old nanny had arrived right in front of them, all set to scold the hell out of the oblivious ex-sentinel.
“Put it on right away!” Meona commanded in a yell, slapping the back of Ruhien’s hand that held the garment, as if he were a stubborn little brat who had just touched something he shouldn’t have.
Ruhien practically hid himself behind Aipreal upon experiencing the old lady’s wrath and had somehow managed to don his shirt in the process.
“Just behave. I’ll handle this,” Aipreal beckoned at him and turned to face Meona, who greeted her with a scowl.
Nathan’s untimely death had shattered the hearts of many, including the old nanny’s. But Aipreal never thought it would come to a point where it could already cause a noticeable change in one’s disposition. Should that happen to anyone, it would surely be her. Definitely. And if she was to throw in her own honest opinion, she’d say Meona was rather overreacting with her quick temper and petulance, which the heiress never expected her nanny to possess. It wasn’t like she didn’t like it. She simply missed her sweet old Nana who had looked after her from the day she was born.
Aipreal watched Meona’s scowl grow uglier by the minute as she began to put into explicable words the outlandish situation she had walked herself into without sounding the least bit crazy or she’d be the one accused of overreaction. But Nana beat her to the last second with a question from nowhere, which was supported by sharp cerulean eyes lingering just below her neck area.
“Where did you get that?”
Aipreal followed Meona’s gaze and stopped at the dangling scarlet pendant in her bosom. “Oh, this?”
With a shaky hand, Meona reached for it and let it rest on her palm. The gem glimmered beautifully against the dimly lit chandelier above them, exposing the graceful etchings within. After poring over it for a moment, her scrutinizing eyes looked back at Aipreal.
“It’s yours?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at the now fidgety heiress.
“Er…actually,” Aipreal began but was cut off when her nanny rolled her watchful eyes once again, this time towards Ruhien, who remained standing in the background not daring to keep his guard down.
Ruhien returned the stare with equal resilience, only his had a hint of confusion. If he didn’t know better, he’d say this old woman seemed to be mentally putting two and two together to arrive at a conclusion, which was simply impossible for her to realize. Then again, how could he know better as he was the newcomer here?
But had the most stocked knowledge, he bet.
Aipreal decided to break the staring contest by bringing up her appeal finally. “Nana, this is my friend, Rui. He lost his home in the fire two days ago,” she fibbed, recalling the headline in the local newspaper yesterday at the funeral.
I did? Ruhien glanced at Aipreal disbelievingly, which earned a suspicious look from Meona. He decided it’d be better to let her do the talking entirely. Why does this Nana seem so irritated with me?
“And he lives alone, like me,” Aipreal fiddled nervously as lying wasn’t her thing, “So I told him that he could stay here for the mean time.”
“How dare you involve her in this mess?” Meona snapped at Ruhien all of a sudden.
Ruhien frowned. Now, she’s blaming me even though I never said a thing.
“Nana, it’s okay. He can live here,” Aipreal tried to calm her down but her nanny’s next accusation left her frozen in her spot.
“How could you fall in love so fast with another man?”
Aipreal’s eyes shot open, “It isn’t like that!”
“Hell, no!” Ruhien agreed defensively.
But Meona was just as stubborn as the couple, “You probably won’t understand it but this boy can’t live here. I can’t allow it. Absolutely not!” she reprimanded. “Just imagine what Nathan would say if he were al—”
“Please, leave him out of this!” Aipreal screamed at Meona but was taken aback at once. After all, it was the first time she had raised her voice at the old nanny. “He had nothing to do with this so please…” Her voice faded into a faint sob but it did not escape Ruhien’s earshot.
She’s crying?
After a short while of painful silence, Aipreal finished sternly, “Please, prepare a room for him. He’s my guest so be kind. Besides, if there’s one person you want to blame, it should be that sightless bundle of misery awaiting that soiled breakfast you’ve awakened so early for to prepare.” And with that, she turned around in retreat, back to seclusion in the comforts of her bedroom.
Meona heaved a sigh, allowing a couple of words escape her mouth, “Poor child.” So she does hold a grudge against her cousin.
But Ruhien could no longer endure this guessing game. “Why, did something happen?”
The old nanny simply eyed him in indifference, knowing she was right all along. “You really don’t know anything, do you?”
He swallowed guiltily. Damn! This old hag’s suspicions are too accurate for her own good.
She simply smirked, “I thought so.”
Aipreal lay down on her bed, arms stretched out in front of her with palms facing the lofty ceiling above. She knew though it was dangerous to hang around the bed like that for the portal might open anytime. Her pretty but currently exhausted face wore a frown, not a sad but a thoughtful one.
Now that her so-called guest was not around to pester her with his bossy demeanor, she could—for the first time in what seemed like a month already—finally be alone to ponder on these changes that were swiftly taking place in her life. And she still wasn’t quite sure whether she liked them or not.
She stared at her hands hovering above her, focusing on the silver band around her ring finger. An innocent gift to finally mark her as his—who would have thought it would also be the last? But she had accepted it so even though it was only for a short while, she had belonged to him.
And then vowed that she would always be.
“I shall put away everything except for you,” she spoke to the metal band as if it were a person. She decided she’d probably be better off with every single piece that would remind her of Nathan packed away. Except for the ring, that is.
No, she wasn’t going to forget him. She couldn’t and would never. She knew it was plainly impossible so it’s just a waste of energy to even try. She was simply going to move on and remember him all the way. Sure, she was going to miss him. But what were all the happy memories of them together for? Wouldn’t it be more terrible if they didn’t have any?
How far she could get with this moving on thing, she still wasn’t sure. All she knew it was going to be a really long journey. Perhaps, she would go as far as Iverem, she thought for a laugh and felt her lips curving into a slight smile. That for sure was far. No one could argue with that. It would take one crazy portal to get to the place. She was kidding, of course, but it did sound fun. Taking her longing too literally was surprisingly consoling.
“This should do,” Meona pulled the green drapes open to let the morning sunshine grace the monotony of the room through one squad of those tall arched windows of the mansion. “This room shares the bathroom with the next guestroom but it’s empty right now so it’s all yours.” She pointed at a narrow door to their right. Beside it was a four-storey wooden shelf, wide enough to fit a thirty-volume set of encyclopedia. The last book was numbered thirty so that’s how he knew.
Ruhien studied the rest of the room. Though it seemed unused for ages because of the bare walls and unornamented furniture, there was not a single pinch of dust on them. Even the glass of the windows looked sparklingly clean. “It’s quite um…spotless for a guestroom. When she said prepare, I was expecting some kind of a grimy place with cobwebs all over.”
“Actually, just two days ago this room was like that,” Meona explained as she brought out additional bed linen from the closet. “I’ve just finished my monthly cleanup of all the bedrooms yesterday, the last of which was Aipreal’s since I also had to change her sheets.”
His ears perked up at the mention of sheets. “Well, did you find anything unusual about the bed?”
The old nanny squinted at him, somewhat mystified by his question, “I beg your pardon.”
“I-I mean, was the bed like that ever since?” he stammered, rephrasing his inquiry.
“How am I supposed to know? The package just got here yesterday,” Meona shrugged in reply.
“Package?”
“That bed was a birthday present from her parents, who are in Europe right now. So I’m guessing it was bought there.” she deduced, this time replacing the bulb of the lamp on the side table.
“So it’s brand new?” he went on with his askance, trying his luck in getting to the bottom of this whole portal-on-Earth thing.
“I wouldn’t exactly say that,” she paused for a while, recalling the piece of junk that arrived at their doorstep yesterday. “I just applied some wood polish on the bed frame so it looks new now. But if you look closely, you’ll see the scratches all over. As for the mattress, it was really dusty so I had to vacuum it. The material was a bit tattered around the corners and there was a huge stitch in the middle.”
Ruhien was aghast, “But why would her parents give her such crap for a present?”
“Believe me, they would.” It was a very straightforward answer that it actually freaked him out. “Besides, I heard that crap cost a million since it was supposedly designed by some famous artist.”
He knew he was getting somewhere. “So, who’s this famous artist? He’s well-known so you should know his name, right?”
“On the contrary, I do not. But I think I saw a nameplate at the bottom of the frame.”
“All right, I’ll go and take a look later,” Ruhien mumbled to himself in resolution but loud enough for Meona to hear. This time, it was her turn to interrogate.
“Anyway, why do you ask so many questions, particularly about that bed?”
“N-No reason,” he shook his head a bit too much and had to make an excuse fast, “I-I guess I w-was just envious. I also want one for myself.”
Meona narrowed her eyes even more until she arrived at a conclusion. And when she did, she pointed an accusing finger at him. “Don’t you dare sneak into her room and try to sleep with her in that bed at night! Don’t even think about it!”
“I-I’m not thinking about it!” he exclaimed in defense, his face reddening a bit. Just then, a realization dawned on him. Wait a minute…come to think of it, I really do need to sleep with her! Or at least stay in the same room as she does.
Without warning, he dashed out of the room, leaving a heated Meona, and headed back to Aipreal’s room, only to find it empty.
Oh, no! Don’t tell me it opened again while I was gone. And she got sucked in.
He looked about, examining the room carefully. It seemed fine but felt kind of awkward, as if a few things were missing. Not that he could particularly tell which items were gone. It’s just that a strategically cleared out spot amid a messy desk was making it obvious. And there were about twenty of those around the room in various locations. Damn it! It even took some souvenirs in.
He climbed up the bed immediately, crouched on all fours, and began to feel the surface of the bed with his hands, as if looking for the switch that would activate the portal. At the same time, he was keeping his guard, knowing he might fall anytime.
All his efforts were in vain, of course, for the portal would never open just like that. Heck, he didn’t even have the slightest idea how. And so to his utter embarrassment, somebody barged into the room, catching him off guard in this rather strange position. He lay sprawled on the bed like some maniac on the loose.
“What are you doing?” It was Aipreal’s voice and he straightened up immediately that he almost fell off the bed in surprise.
His eyes bulged at the sight of her irked self, which had now moved towards the dresser, where she picked up a claret box with a miniature crystalline pagoda on top. She turned the small protrusion on the side, which turned out to be a key that initiated the glockenspielic melody of the musical box. And while she listened to the delicate tune, he realized he was completely being ignored at the moment.
She didn’t turn the key all the way so the melody ended immediately. And the silence that followed was broken at once by Ruhien’s unrivaled egotism.
“Where were you?”
“In the next room,” she replied with equal arrogance.
“What were you doing?”
“None of your business,” she snubbed, “And besides, that was my line.”
“I thought you fell into the portal,” he defended.
“So you were worried about me?” she raised an eyebrow at him.
“Whatever gave you that stupid idea,” he rolled his eyes in denial.
“Fine, no need to argue.”
And she was about to walk out of the room again, this time with the music box, when Ruhien called out to her.
“I have to keep an eye on the portal,” he explained, “So I need to stay in this room.”
“I thought you’d say that,” she sneered at him, “You can have my room then. That’s less troublesome than moving the bed to another room.”
“And you?”
“We’ve got half a dozen rooms in this floor alone. So even if you bring your entire clan in this house, you’ll never have to worry about space,” She said in assurance.
“But you can’t stay in another room,” he protested.
“Why not?”
“Because you have to be here when the portal opens.”
“Oh, gee. Here we go again,” she muttered akimbo, getting sick and tired of his all-time favorite excuse, “Let me guess, you’re taking me with you.”
“Precisely.”
“Fine, we’ll set up a makeshift bed in here,” she resolved and walked out finally, “Because it’s all part of the deal!”
“I saved your life!” he shouted out since that, too, was part of the deal.
“No, you did not!” she yelled back from the hallway.
“Annoying girl,” he mumbled, scratching his head.
“I heard that!”
Gigantic mushrooms swarmed the murky hollow underneath a hemispherical trellis of soaring creepers. The thickset stalks clung onto each other so tightly that any form of seepage was impossible. The uneven ground felt damp and cool with a bit of sporadic grass here and there. It was dark but the trail was visible due to the luminous threadlike structures outlining the paved path that connected each and every one of these organic umbrellas.
The place was called Chanterelle, the country responsible for the formulation of the present Earth. One would think the place was eerie because of the obvious gloom painted everywhere. Adding to the spine-chilling air were the dark crowns of these giant mushrooms that seemed to haunt anyone who dared to look up. But seeing it from bird’s eye view would reveal the lighted path twinkling like a chain of stars entangled in a brilliant manner. If it was cosmic dust that caused the twinkling of stars, this time it was the silhouettes of people walking down the path.
Among the crowd was Zaide Erfath, emperor of Ophira, and Mayrs Dukker, his most trusted minion who accompanied him to the recently adjourned assembly held at the stadium on top of the stubbiest mushroom in the hollow. So now, the two of them were on their way back to their homeland as they headed for the dock found at the bottom grounds, which was built especially for the management of the portal leading to Chanterelle.
Today’s gathering was meant to discuss, yet again, the enduring controversial issue regarding Chanterelle’s unique Earth formula. The scholars of Chanterelle had admitted that it was entirely experimental and should it fail, precautionary measures had already been laid out in conjunction with the Creation carried out ages ago, which tantamount to a billion Earth years.
“I’d say they’ve been too lenient in granting wisdom to the current Earth,” Dukker concluded, “Take dreams for example. It was ridiculous enough to allow Earthlings to open the Gate to Dreambelt, let alone enter Trance, without bothering to disclose even just a fair amount of information about the dimension. That’s why up until now, their so-called psychologists still haven’t been able to present hard evidences on the existence of dreams.”
“But that’s what makes it fun,” the emperor laughed, “Their theories were half as bad as the petty comedy they show on television. But I must say those devices they’ve invented and improved over the years were simply pure genius.”
“That’s why I’m saying Chanterelle has been too lenient.”
“But that lenience is likened to a double-edged sword,” Zaide mumbled, his aging face turning serious. “Remember, the souls that now dwell in those human bodies have once belonged to those who have resided in the Zilch Tower and have been sentenced to death. That’s why Earthlings are, by nature, evil.”
It’s true. Death was the quickest way to Earth, as discussed in every Earth-related book. And it was actually a form of exile in disguise. It was freedom, bounded only by insufficient wisdom.
“The preventive measures the scholars have presented actually seem effective as far as human nature is concerned,” Zaide went on, “So unless Earthlings learn how to put this wisdom to good use, they’re going to be marching themselves off towards their own doom in no time.”
“Evil has been widespread in that planet. The amount is unimaginable. Even worse than what those souls have done here in Rivka,” Dukker commented.
“It all boils down to Chanterelle’s unique formula,” the emperor began another lecture, “An extra knowledge means allowing them to come up with ways on how to prolong the existence of the current Earth. That’s why the number of spirits that have been reincarnated on the planet now is relatively greater than those of the previous Earths.” Dukker nodded in understanding, “So it’s like the present Earth is capable of accommodating more reincarnations because of the extended lifespan of the planet.”
“Even so, the growing amount of evil brought about by these reincarnations will shorten it,” Zaide muttered warningly, “That was the precautionary measure the scholars were talking about.”
“Really, a double-edged sword,” his subordinate said thoughtfully.
“Brilliant, wasn’t it?”
“Come to think of it, the sun’s flare is getting weaker everyday,” Dukker noted.
“And it will be gone in no time,” Zaide finished for him.
Suddenly, Dukker had thought of diverting from the topic, “You’re highness, pardon my rudeness but I can’t quite discern whether you’re satisfied with Earth’s current endangered state or not. Because if I remember right, you’ve given away some hints of concern for the Earthlings during the conference. But I’m also well aware of your ambition. After all, the appointed next creator of the new Earth is Ophira.”
Zaide Erfath had to laugh first before presenting an overview of his plans. “With the power I possess now, I can practically do anything I want. My ultimate goal is to formulate my very own Earth. And now, I’m closer than ever to achieving that dream. It took me two generations to get to this eon. And two lives to acquire this power.”
Dukker listened intently as the emperor explained further.
“First, I can patiently wait for the scheduled destruction of the present Earth. Judging from the current level of evil in the planet, it won’t be long. Second, I can speed up the upsurge of evil so that doomsday will be much sooner than you have expected. That way, I can assure that Ophira will be granted the power of Creation during my current lifetime. Or third, I may do the exact opposite. I will encourage all the inhabitants of the Earth now to stop all their evil doings so that their doom can be withheld for another million years or so. And I shall start my regime with this new Earth that is void of any form of evil.”
Dukker thought that if he himself was an Earthling, he would want the emperor to decide on the third option.
However, it seemed that there was still a fourth one. “Should the Earthlings realize their own mistake before it’s too late and the lifespan of the planet goes back to normal, which is beyond my own, I will have to resort to my old way of doing things.”
Which is? Dukker wanted to ask but held back. He knew, though, that the emperor was talking about his lifespan for there’s just no way he’d let go of this goal of creating his own Earth.
“Any news about Lady Dian?” Zaide inquired out of the blue.
Dukker was briefly taken aback for he hadn’t seen that coming. But the lackey guessed he had the slightest idea why the emperor asked about his runaway niece all of a sudden.
“Rumor has it that her majesty is about to become one of Rivka’s Elite,” Dukker informed his superior.
“A candidate, eh?” Zaide sneered, “Diantha Evzenie. Indeed, such a brilliant girl she is. I knew she’d make a fine queen.”
Dirty old man. Dukker thought disgustingly. And she’s your cousin’s daughter!
Zaide went on, shaking his head, “Too bad, she wasn’t as pragmatic as I thought she was when I offered her my nupcharm. She should’ve just accepted it like an apple.”
A poisoned apple. Dukker wanted to choke out in addition.
So this was how it went. Despite Meona’s protests, Aipreal was able to convince the old nanny to help them assemble two sofa beds in her bedroom positioned on either side of the real bed. She had never imagined herself sleeping like some refugee in her own bedroom. Aside from having to share it with someone, a man to boot, she was simply being deprived of the comforts of her own bed.
On their first night, Ruhien let her borrow some of his books and scrolls, which she marveled wholeheartedly, like some child watching a circus performance, until she dozed off to sleep. When he realized the sound caused by the careful flipping of pages of his precious books had ceased, he got up and went over to the other side of the king-sized bed to gather his things. As he did so, he took this chance to take a closer look of her more peaceful self. And judging from the way she slumbered now, it seemed that she’d been through a lot of real hell these past few days.
The second night felt a little less awkward than the previous night. It was Ruhien’s turn to be entertained this time courtesy of Aipreal’s computer. She was rather surprised that he knew how to operate it, at least good enough for a first timer. But as he had explained a number of times already, he probably knew more about Earth than any living creature on the planet did.
He was so absorbed in the puzzle game he was playing at the moment that he didn’t realize he’d been staring at the computer monitor for several minutes already without moving anything. To his surprise, the screen suddenly went black as a series of pictures started to flash one by one in the form of a slideshow.
He watched the little show in curiosity, forgetting about the game. They were all photos—of Aipreal and a young man with jet-black hair. And in them, she looked happy, especially on one photo where the man was planting an adoring kiss on her cheek.
The tenth picture was about to appear in a fade-in effect when his hand holding the mouse was shoved away, disturbing the cursor’s stillness and ending the slideshow in the process. Aipreal’s hand had taken over the navigating device, immediately clicking on the “Quit” button on the game he was playing, plus three more swift clicks and the next thing he knew, the computer was shutting down.
“You’re not allowed to turn this thing on again,” Aipreal warned him, “Not until I tell you so.”
“Okay, sorry,” he apologized. He knew there was something about those pictures she didn’t want to bring up. “It just went on by itself. I didn’t do anything, just so you know.”
“I’m not accusing you,” she said coldly and proceeded to her bed, “I’m going to sleep.”
In the end, second night was even more uncomfortable.
The third night was lecture night. Ruhien decided to entertain Aipreal’s questions after letting her read the materials he had brought with him from Iverem. He had to admit, Aipreal was one curious girl. And he was still trying to figure out how he would be able to put up with this rather troublesome character of hers.
“How come there are two universes?” she began asking away, “Doesn’t that contradict the word itself?”
All right, it’s started. Ruhien sighed. But better than silence, I guess.
“Rivka, also known as the Greater Universe, is where Iverem and all the other worlds no Earthling has ever heard of belong. All these places—countries, empires, kingdoms, and such—are linked together through portals and are classified into one dimension.” He paused for a while, mentally debating whether to elaborate on his last statement or just leave it as it was. But when Aipreal’s forehead creased in interest, he decided that he might as well do so. “There are other dimensions in Rivka, each having an entry called Gate. So you could say a portal is just one type of these Gates, which is the most accessible for us Rivkans. Though technically, they don’t consider it as one since it’s always open. That’s why they have simply labeled it as the Zeroth Gate.”
“So meaning all the portals in Rivka are grouped together under one big name called Zeroth Gate?”
“Something like that,” he shrugged, “And one more reason why they aren’t truly considered as Gate is because there’s just too many of them. There should only be one Gate to a dimension.”
“Then, what about the other Gates?”
“There may be one or two requirements before you can open them. They say there are seven Gates all in all,” he indicated with his fingers and started enumerating them, “The First Gate opens to a highway called Dreambelt, which branches out to different places in Trance.”
“Wait, I think I’ve read a couple of chapters about that a while ago,” Aipreal mused, “I thought it was all bluff, just like the book we have in our library downstairs.”
“It’s true!” he mumbled behind gritted teeth, “You think my books would lie?!”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she frowned, “Anyway, Trance is a dream land, right?”
“Yeah, I guess so,” he nodded, “But not like the ones you see in your fairy tales.”
“So I’ve been there?”
“We all have,” he answered as a matter of fact, “So what do you think is the requirement to be able to open the First Gate?”
“The person must be asleep,” she replied attentively.
“Hey, you’re not as bad as I thought you were,” he smirked.
Aipreal gave him a scowl, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Never mind,” he shrugged off the impending argument immediately. “Anyway, next is the Second Gate, which opens to a huge basin called Memory Pool. It contains all the bits and pieces of our memory in the form of globules.”
“So you open this gate when you want to recall an event,” she concluded.
“Or when you want others to recall that event,” he added, “We all have our very own Second Gate since some memories are solely ours. And those globules can only be touched by you and you alone. But there’s only one Pool for everyone so the shared globules can be touched by anyone who have witnessed the events contained in them.” “Amazing,” Aipreal marveled, “I can’t believe it actually makes sense.”
“However,” Ruhien broke into her state of wonder, “Right now, there’s a leak in the Pool.”
Aipreal’s forehead wrinkled once again in curiosity, “What about it?”
“You’ve heard of déjà vu, right?”
She nodded.
“Once in a while, a random globule would escape the pool by accident and return to its owner. Then, with the help of the Fourth Gate, déjà vu happens.”
“Why, what’s behind the Fourth Gate?” she asked, “And don’t forget about the Third Gate.”
“All right, Third Gate first since it’s less complicated,” he decided, “Each one of us also has his own Third Gate since it deals with our emotions. The Gate can’t be accessed by anyone other than the person concerned—you. Basically, it keeps all the feelings we haven’t realized yet for ourselves. So if you think you know yourself, then think again.”
“It does sound quite simple,” Aipreal commented.
“Unlike the next one,” Ruhien agreed, “The Fourth Gate opens to the various alternate outcomes of a certain event. Unfortunately, only a few people can unlock it willfully and make the most of it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Normally, events occur in a person’s life because he simply goes with the flow. Meaning, whatever the Fourth Gate offers him, he subconsciously accepts. For instance, when you asked the very first question a while ago, the Fourth Gate must have presented to me the outcome where I would simply answer it. And since I didn’t have the ability to control it, I just went along with it.”
“But what if you refused to answer my question?”
“That means that was the outcome given to me—not to answer your question.”
Aipreal stilled, her face scrunching up in contemplation. Something’s not quite right.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Ruhien muttered, cocking his head to the side. “Even though it’s the Gate that provides the outcome, everything’s still up to the person’s decision. Is that what you want to say?”
She didn’t answer but the glint in her eyes was affirmative.
Ruhien smiled for he just had the right counter for that, “But the decision-making phase itself could also be an outcome offered by the Gate. Meaning, it’s also possible that the Gate has given you an outcome where you will have to think over your decision first. Of course, it’s still you who will decide whether to think it over or not. Again, that could also be an outcome and the list goes on.”
“I’m having a headache,” Aipreal gawked, “But yeah, I think I get it.”
“Trust me. Events where you need to make a decision are the best examples.”
“And that’s just for someone who can’t control the Gate, right?”
“It’s almost the same, actually. The only difference is that the person who is able to control the Gate can see, not just all the possible immediate outcomes, but also the ones thereafter, flashing before him like the reels of a slot machine spinning. Then, he can choose the best combination of events and live with it.”
“So it’s like seeing the future?” she asked, realizing that one topic could really lead to another.
Ruhien nodded, “That’s why there are those who have premonitions. I mean those who aren’t faking it. And as I’ve said, very few are truly gifted. You can even count them just by using your fingers and toes.”
“But how would I know if he’s faking it or not?”
“If he tells you that he can see your future.”
Aipreal had her face scrunched up once again.
“Because he can never open the Fourth Gate for you,” Ruhien stressed out, “Your future is for your eyes alone to see.”
Again, it all made sense. Earthlings must really be a big bunch of idiots! She screamed in mind in annoyance.
“If you say that on national TV, you’re going to give all those fortune-tellers a run for their money,” she sighed.
“That is, if people would believe me,” he pointed out.
“Anyway, what does this have to do with déjà vu?” she asked, going back to the previous topic.
“It’s because the Second and Fourth Gate can be used together to fix something in the past and alter the reality you are currently in. So it’s not simply seeing and choosing a future. You actually go back to a point in time and start living differently from there. Unfortunately, this can only be achieved by those who are capable of manipulating the Fourth Gate so I’m not so sure about the process.”
“So where does déjà vu come in?”
“When a memory globule accidentally leaks out, it returns to its owner. Then, the Fourth Gate opens and the person goes back to the time when the event inside the globule took place. That’s why he thinks he has already experienced the current situation before.”
“Then what happens when that state of déjà vu ends? I mean it only lasts for a few seconds, right?”
“The person will have no other choice but to relive his life starting from that point, without him realizing that he has actually come all the way from the future. Of course, you, Earthlings, don’t know the truth behind all this so the process is concealed by a really smooth transition. The moment déjà vu happens, the person forgets everything past that point.”
“So what happens to that future?”
“Nobody knows. It was his future after all. Should he come across with situations that have taken place in that future, then it’s another déjà vu.”
“But can’t déjà vu happen to anyone?” she asked again, “How come the Fourth Gate opens?”
“That is the thing they couldn’t resolve up until now,” Ruhien replied snappily, “Plus, the leak is beyond our control.”
Suddenly, Aipreal was in deep thought. “I’ve experienced déjà vu before,” she said wistfully, “Does that mean I’ve left some future behind?” That sounded weird.
“Yes,” he nodded, as he watched her gradually saddening face. “Now you know what’s behind all of it. A word of advice, don’t regret any of it, even if that future you’ve left behind is far better than what is now. The most important thing is that you’re alive.”
The word alive just had to hit a nerve on her.
“We, Rivkans, also experience déjà vu, you know?” he went on, knowing he hadn’t fully convinced her yet judging from the glum expression on her face. “And it’s more chaotic for us, believe me, since we know what’s causing it.”
No response came. Instead, she simply went on with her brooding.
“I still haven’t told you about the other universe yet,” he exclaimed, changing the topic.
“Go on, I’m listening,” she nodded at him, though she didn’t look the least bit interested.
“Isola, the Lesser Universe, is where Earth and everything that exists in the universe you’ve come to know belong. And the entirety of it is one dimension by itself.” He continued anyway, even though the one and only member of his audience seemed mentally absent at the moment.
“You forgot about the Fifth to Seventh Gates,” she nagged.
Or not. He frowned. But really, what was she thinking just now? She looked so serious as if it was a matter of life and death.
Actually, it was.
“They say the Fifth Gate is the one that leads to Isola,” he went on, “And I haven’t read or heard anything about the Sixth and Seventh. Though there’s this book I’ve always wanted to lay my hands on. The title’s Our Final Destination.”
“Then why don’t you buy it?”
“I couldn’t. It was limited edition. And my luck wasn’t that good.”
She must have heard him but her eyes were telling otherwise with that faraway look on them.
“Okay, enough bedtime stories!” Ruhien exclaimed suddenly, getting to his feet, and went back to his own bed on the other side. “Just go to sleep. You seem tired.” This has been a really long night! I’m beat.
But even before he could throw himself into the mattress, he heard her speak.
“Rui,” her soft voice startled him.
“Yes?”
“I’ve decided,” she began carefully, “I’m going with you.”
He looked dazed for a moment, as his eyes darted from her towards his own bed, “You mean go to bed with me?”
Her aura seemed to flare up as she threw a pillow at him. “I mean to wherever hell that portal may lead you, you idiot!”
“You mean you haven’t decided yet until now?” he asked in disbelief, throwing back the pillow at her. “In any case, it’s still part of the deal.”
“I know, so you can shut up now.”
“So annoying,” he muttered irritably as he finally went to bed.
Aipreal, however, remained wakeful for another two hours. She lied down on her bed in the darkness, eyes glued to the ceiling, with only one thought in mind—
If only I could open the Fourth Gate…
The soft gentle breeze blew her raven hair away, causing it to dance back and forth as it whipped against her hips in a graceful rhythm. The night would always appear at its best on the rooftop of the farthest tower of the citadel, for it had the best view of Belva, capital city of the northern dominion Fa Riha. Here was the place she considered her second home, where young maidens from the four dominions of Rivka were being honed to become the future guardians and maintainers of the Greater Universe.
Unfortunately, hers was a different goal. She only wanted to gain knowledge and expertise so she could move on her own and commence her own personal mission. Helplessness would never defeat her. She simply wouldn’t allow it, especially if time was not on her side. Every single day was fruitful. Her outstanding attitude towards learning could be one factor. Or maybe she simply had the talent. Truly exceptional.
But to belong to the cream of the crop was never a part of the plan. To be able to qualify as a Whiz was more than enough—just as long as she had learned as much skills as she could and those abilities that she thought would be useful to her. Perhaps, now that she was about to be rewarded for her hard work, she might just regard it as a bonus. She chuckled at the thought. So I’m that good?
“Cil?” a voice awakened her from her musings.
She turned around and found Zay Fa Yien, her best friend and another aspiring maiden from the eastern dominion just like her, standing by the archway leading to the rooftop. She wore the same style of Whiz garb as Cil, only hers was less revealing for she had a cloak over, bearing the sacred insignia of Belva.
“There you are!” Zay exclaimed as she walked up to her, “What are you still doing here? Your name is about to be called.”
Cil Fa Yien smiled at her, studying her friend’s outfit. “Is that it?”
“Is that what?”
“The cloak,” she nodded in indication, “You’re now a certified Whiz. I’m happy for you.”
“What are you saying? We all are.”
“I’m not,” Cil muttered sadly but not regretfully.
“What do you mean you’re not?” Zay was kind of baffled at her cryptic statements. “Your cloak is waiting for you in the great hall. I just saw it.”
“I’m going to refuse the title,” she muttered simply.
“What?”
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to fulfill my duty as a Whiz.”
“What are you talking about?” Zay asked in disbelief, raising her voice due to her friend’s ludicrousness. “You are more than capable of fulfilling this duty. Being the top candidate for Rivka’s Elite is enough proof.”
“Zay, you know my cause. More than anyone, you know why I’m here. Please, I’m trying my best not to feel sad about this.”
“Oh, Cil,” Zay sniffed, giving her friend a comforting hug. “The others would surely hate you for this. You just have no idea how many of us are dying to be at least a candidate for Rivka’s Elite. And you’re simply throwing this opportunity away.”
Cil smiled at this, “I’d like to know. Sun would be very happy, though.”
Zay frowned, “That woman doesn’t know how to give up.”
“But that’s what I like about her.”
Zay sighed, “So when are you leaving?”
“Tonight.”
“At least get your cloak,” she suggested.
“No way!” Cil declined, “Or else men would stay away from me.”
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