Monsters & Demons
Rated M
Genre: Drama & Adventure
Summary:
When Tori arrived at Hollywood Arts, she knew things wouldn't be the same. Little did she know that she and her friends would find themselves wound into more than teenage drama. Jade thought all she had to worry about was her status being threatened. Does Trina finally have a true friend? A trio of newcomers shows up, bringing along more than the gang bargained for. Homework and plays don't sound so bad anymore.
A/N:
Chapter 27: Finally Falling
Fighting was something that Liam dreaded.
That much was true as he showered, praying desperately that the cold water would wash away the sins committed against his opponents. While the blood would be no issue, the same could not be said for his ailing soul. A downcast gaze locked onto the tiled wall, the sound of rushing water distracting him from his thoughts. To be more accurate, his victims' cries of pain and agony were finally silenced, affording him a moment to breathe.
You wouldn't be vexed if you just accepted this part of yourself.
"Shut up..." he hissed, slamming a fist into the wall. The pain mattered little to the aching within his heart.
Admit it, you enjoyed yourself. Cold and deadly in your approach. Patient in your strategy. Why are you denying yourself the opportunity to relish in your victory?
"I just want to enjoy my shower in peace!"
Stop trying to hide it! We both know what you visualized during that sham of a battle!
Silence filled the room as Liam clutched at the slippery wall.
He couldn't lie to himself or his mind.
You felt at peace when you defended yourself, didn't you? Was it when you crushed the hands of the pair that dared strike you? Or maybe it was when the entire group rushed at you? At least Esu's spawn was honest with his delight in causing destruction.
"I... I don't like hurting people."
Which is why you must admit the reason you felt what you did, child! If it wasn't pain that drove you to this point, what was it?
"Liam?" he suddenly froze as the door to his room unlocked, signaling the arrival of his friends. "Are you in here?"
Still, he said nothing, as a child caught in their scheme. Shutting the water off, only the sound of feet shuffling persisted.
"Tiger?"
His heart felt like it would explode and his body seized up with every call of his name. A bitter feeling scorched his throat when he dared to speak. If that wasn't enough, that burning forced him to retch nothing but air. Visions of those he harmed during the battle royale, their agony and cries drowned out the worry of his girlfriend who draped a towel over his form.
Why am I doing this?! Why did I agree to this?
"Liam! Please say something..."
This time he heard Jade, her trembling tone somehow ripping through the darkness that shrouded his soul. Though hazy, seeing her was enough to start drawing his senses back to the present. Blackened tears streaked her cheek while she rubbed his back tenderly. He choked back a few more heaves but, thankfully, the suffering would subside for now as he collected his breath.
"Jade?" he groaned through his recovery.
"Shush..." she cooed, checking his forehead for any signs of a fever. When she found none, her next step was to inspect Liam's body for any injuries. Nothing more than a minor bruise. "Just relax, Tiger. I got you."
"Jade... I..." his cracked tone matched her torn heart. "I'm sorry."
"What? Why are you apologizing?"
Once more that unbearable pang ravaged his chest, leaving him unable to speak. Only tears could tell his story now as he simply clenched his eyes shut. The pain overwhelmed him as his throat hitched with every attempt. His eyes no longer held the darkness he previously possessed during the battle. Jade could only pull him close, rubbing his back.
"You don't need to apologize for defending yourself, Liam!"
"..."
"I know you're worried about the ones you had to fight back there, but don't forget that they were trying to hurt you as well. Nobody there is completely innocent and nobody is truly evil. You came here to clear your family's name and establish a fresh start for yourself."
"I..." he paused for a moment, gently breathing as best he could before trying once again. "That's... It's not why I'm here, Jade."
"What?"
"I didn't come here to clear anything... I'm here for revenge against the other tribes."
"Revenge?"
He sat up, once more fighting the cold-hearted thoughts that began lurking.
"When you found me during your trip, I was in the middle of training for this stupid tournament. My mom and our family have resented the other tribes for exiling our ancestors. I don't care about any of that, but ma was adamant about this, so much so that she struck a deal for me to return early."
"And... What would that be?"
"I have to win this tournament..."
"Okay, that doesn't sound so bad-"
"...and become the new leader of the Orisha tribes."
Just uttering those words left a bitter taste in Liam's mouth, but nothing compared to the soul-crushing silence that filled the room. He knew what was coming next. After staring at her horrified gaze, how could he pretend that she wasn't going to snap? The anguish behind her eyes spelled it out for him.
"I was afraid of this."
Liam froze, unable to read the expression of his girlfriend.
"What?"
"Your sister and I talked about these things dingus!" she simpered at his 'lost' look. "I ended up running into her while you were sleeping and she let some things 'slip' before explaining this event. I was sworn to secrecy, but it's clear that the cat's out of the bag now."
"But, why didn't you-?"
"I may not know everything about you, Liam, but I know you enough. You've never been the type to fight without a purpose. You've been that way since we were children so why change now, right?"
Liam said nothing, shame weighed his head down.
Thankfully, Jade was there to carry some of the weight, cupping his face in either hand with a gentle smile and a sparkle in her eye. There was no mystery behind them nor hidden agendas. Her fingers traced down his neck and danced along the rigged flesh, a reminder of a not-too-distant past. Where there was once a reminder of her sin now wrought a relaxing calm to Liam.
Only love and understanding.
"I know that you don't want to leave, and neither do I. We've fought too long to be together and I'll be damned if I let some petty beef separate us. Plus, there are ways around this whole 'leading the tribes' nonsense."
"And what would that be exactly?"
"Aside from the possibility of you losing? You've called me Ayaba before haven't you?" Jade kissed his brow before stepping away, swaying her hips to capture his attention. "I'll leave you to mull that over while I get cleaned up."
Liam watched silently as his beloved disappeared into the bathroom before lying down on the plush bed. For once he couldn't feel the otherworldly presence or at least the evil aura of it. His fears and worries were free to dissipate for now, until the next day at least. He'd have two matches to contend with before the final day and he was eager to be done with his mother's vendetta.
He had his issues without the supernatural but, there was a situation that crossed his mind:
Where is she?
As the second day of festivities commenced, the elders were assembled to discuss the match-ups among other important details. Their concern for the potential outcome of the contest was at the top of their list. By now, the first rounds were concluding and none of the old-timers were pleased with things. Murmurs and whispers about the dreaded ending mattered little to Jibola and Ahrya.
"If you're all done stressing over trivial things, shall we proceed with the meeting?"
"Master Jibola!" Moniade tensed, bowing his head to avoid enraging the patriarch. "What is the endgame here? Allowing those curs to participate in such a sacred event is simply madness! Members of the tribes are nervous when they should be..."
"The people are nothing more than toothless worms pretending to be dragons!" Ahrya sharply retorted, her simper annoying the older man. "If anything, what you consider to be a great society is merely a people dedicated to stagnation. Correct me if I'm wrong, Elder Moniade, but even your tribe of Ogun the Master of Iron have shown their willingness to falter and bend at the mere sight of them."
Insolent cur...!
"Only one of your fighters has managed to make it to the semi-finals and it appears that my champion will be their opponent."
"What?"
"Is your hearing fade along with your composure, Moniade?" The annoyed patriarch answered. "Your tribe's future hangs in the balance as does Oya's champion."
This time a hooded woman snickered, surprising the kin.
Robbie twitched when she approached but found himself silently waved off by the king. A hobbled old soul that was clearly past her prime was of little threat to a king in his prime and his daughter. Each wrinkle on her face carried a life lesson; wisdom, hope, love, loss, and more were all etched on her skin. Pale grey eyes blended with snow white hair was typical amongst her kin, the traits of the mighty fowl that reigned within the sky.
"You seem rather happy Abiola."
"Well, my king, it's been decades since these old bones have been able to experience the thrill of a challenge. While my people would rather flow with the wind, sometimes a storm is needed to shake things up. Between the arrival of these newcomers, their lineage as well as their parentage's mysterious absence, it is quite enough to bring a smile to this old woman's heart..."
Jibola wasn't keen on seeing such optimism but thought nothing of this as he leaned forward.
"You sound as if your warrior is enough to take down the ànjọ̀nú (demon). Is it wise to claim such a thing before the matches begin?"
"Oh no...!" the woman shook her head frantically. "I would never be as simple as to proclaim victory before the match even begins! I'm merely anticipating the outcome of such a contest. Between the shadows and the wind, one would be smart to anticipate any unforeseen variables, your grace."
The tone of the room grew solemn as she honed her eye upon the now concerned ruler.
Jibola and Ahrya could feel a knowing aura encompassing Abiola but just as quickly as it showed, it disappeared with the woman's giddy giggles. As a bead of sweat ran down his face, he waved his hand to dismiss the elders as the first match was announced.
The roars of the crowd did little to distract the pair though.
"Daughter..."
"Yes, father?" she cut her gaze to the man.
"Ensure that this champion of yours is indeed on our side."
"I assure you, the heir of Esu will uphold the deal. I've spared no resource in securing his victory through rigorous training and strategies."
Jibola was not convinced.
"If that is true, then why was he not here with you?"
"To avoid rousing any suspicions of our plan."
"And was his arrival with the ànjọ̀nú part of your scheme as well?"
This time Ahrya froze, her response lodged firmly in her throat. The man made a good point as she recalled the phone call with Travis that forced her to meet with the chieftain without him. She secretly blamed Tori for this, that girl was nothing more than a distraction as was her sister before her. Anger began to flow through her veins as her amethyst orbs blaze furiously.
I should've removed her after that trip...!
Only a gentle hand atop her head brought her back to the present moment.
A simple smirk from her father was all it took to alleviate the wrath burning through her. This wasn't a plotting grin but one of understanding and, dare she admits, humor.
"Relax, child. Not all plots will go without incident," he ruffled her hair, much to her dismay. "However, it is crucial that one ALWAYS has a contingency to ensure their goals are met. This is the hallmark of OUR people, The Web of Anansi. He was known for trickery and schemes that fancy his amusement, and as his descendants, we are to do the same."
"I... I understand, father."
"Good. Do not dwell too much on this moment of weakness. Focus on what you can do to correct the detour that's been taken. Surely, the boys have a weakness."
While Ahrya continued to compose herself, it was Robbie who raised his hand, garnering the attention of the man.
"Permission to speak, sir."
"Go on..." Jibola raised a brow.
"Your daughter has had a grudge against Liam, the descendant of Aganju ever since he arrived at the school. During that time, her plots have been foiled time and time again due to both his physical prowess and seemingly unshakeable determination."
"Are you going somewhere with this, boy?" Jibola's low tone carried a warning veil. "Or are you just here to recite Ahrya's failings to me like a glorified secretary?"
"Apologies, sir. While this has been the case for many of the plots, there was one time when she came the closest to defeating him. If she were to modify this plan, it could potentially kill two birds with one stone while maintaining the balance that you've worked so hard to build."
The glower pointed at the curly-haired boy soon morphed into a sneer, one filled with malice bubbling with joy.
"Go on..."
Tori and Travis watched from the waiting room as Liam battled with the champion of Oya's tribe, a young man known as Dayo. With Cat and Andre choosing to enjoy the livelier parts of the festival and Jade watching from the crowd, the two were free to enjoy each other's presence before his match.
"They look evenly matched..." Tori chirped as she struggled to keep up with the lightning-fast moves of her friend and his opponent.
"Liam's got the edge," he scoffed smugly.
"What do you mean?"
"That Dayo guy is quick and his attacks pack a punch," Travis bit his lip lightly for a moment just as the aforementioned Dayo threw a spinning kick that narrowly missed Liam. "But, Liam's merely toying with him."
You're trying to hide his best for me, huh Aganju?"
"But why wouldn't he just finish things and be done as soon as possible?"
"That? I wish I knew, querida."
Travis was only telling half of the truth as he noticed that, despite the speed, the pair looked to be sharing a conversation. His honesty came in the form of not knowing exactly what they were discussing though it must not be pleasant given the amount of rage that Dayo held when he was tossed backward. The sand mixed with the trails of blood that coated the left side of his face, making his appearance more feral.
The rumblings of a storm could be heard for miles after this.
Rain began to fall all about the battlefield. Lightning flashed above as Dayo rushed at Liam, expertly zig-zagging through the flashes. Travis was shocked when Liam didn't budge, gripping the punch that was thrown at him. Suddenly, another flash began to course through Liam's body, forcing a cry of anguish to erupt throughout the building.
Tori couldn't shake off the fear that slithered around her spine. That chilling cry of agony was enough to send a wave of terror that hovered around her, licking and clawing at her skin with its paralytic touch.
"Tori!"
Weary and drained, Tori tilted over, crashing into the waiting arms of an anxious Travis. As if it were a contagious disease, the fear began to spread throughout the boy as he gingerly laid her down on the couch. Her olive skin grew pale from the pressure of the fight, not that he cared right now. With shaky hands, he turned to call for someone... anyone...
"Someone, help!" he cried out, keeping a close eye on the ailing girl. "HELP! PLEASE!"
There was nobody to answer Travis' plea.
Left with little choice, he leaned in and kissed Tori's forehead. As she groaned softly, he rushed out of the room in hopes of finding someone. Oddly enough, there were no guards around. Such a notion was enough to raise several red flags but Travis didn't have time as he passed several corridors. He wouldn't be deterred from his mission; not Liam, not this stupid tournament, and certainly not...
"Travis?!"
That voice was the only thing that rooted the boy in his tracks. Like a hex cast on him, Travis felt his movements restricted before he huffed, spinning on his heels with a deep scowl.
"Not now, Ahrya! Tori's passed out and needs medical attention!"
"But, your match is up next! That's why I've been looking for you!" she crossed her arms, ignoring his emergency. "Liam's managed to win his match despite sustaining heavy injuries. If you win, then we'll be one step away from our ultimate goal!"
A low growl reverberated through his gut, the monster within threatening to take over.
"Did you NOT hear me?! Tori is sick!" he pinched the bridge of his nose in hopes of keeping his rage under control.
This did nothing to rouse even the tiniest of emotions from Ahrya. She'd rather focus on her manicure as if that was far more important than the life of a fellow mortal. His eye twitched when she finally turned her attention back to him.
"I'm sorry. Were you saying something about finishing what we started, or were you just rambling on again?"
"Excuse me?"
"I couldn't care less about her," Ahrya yawned dramatically. "She's been a liability to our plans. It's not my fault that she's too weak to handle the presence of malicious spirits, Travis. You're better off without her."
Expecting him to snap, the young woman would find herself taken aback when he started laughing wildly. His sinister humor bounced off the empty halls. An amber glow burned from his eyes as the beast announced its presence. They both knew what this meant. Such a display was not without purpose and Ahrya was going to be the sacrifice.
Such was the fate of the overzealous.
And yet...
"Should I be afraid of you, Esu? Will you attack the daughter and heir apparent of the tribes?"
"Nothing stopping me from ripping your head off. The faster I end you, the quicker I get what I want."
"We... We have a deal!" she barked, no longer feigning amusement.
"I already know the truth, Ahrya. Your father is nothing more than a usurper of the throne. I also know about our 'relationship' too! I couldn't care any less about your petty lust for dominion and I'll gladly forfeit if it means I get Tori to a doctor! NOW MOVE!"
Brushing past her roughly, Travis made his way back to the break room.
"If you really cared about her, you'd do what I'm demanding."
"Your tricks don't work on me anymore!"
"The only trick I'm playing will be when you get back to the room to find your beloved distraction gone."
He paused, allowing her words to sink in. It didn't take long for Travis to figure out what she meant either. Once more, his rage began to rise, flaring up as a shroud of flaming energy.
"What did you do, Witch?!"
"I suggest that you save that energy for your match," her lips stretching into a demonic grin. "In case I have to spell it out for you, I was planning on snagging your beloved Tori while you were preoccupied with your fight, but this proved to be an opportune time. I ordered security to take a break while my father's guards were stationed to 'rush her to the infirmary' upon your absence."
Travis was at a loss for words.
Without realizing it, he'd fallen into the spider's web and Tori was the one who would pay the price for his blunder. The rage inside flickered with guilt leaving him no choice but to bow his head in defeat.
"Bishi..."
"Sticks and stones, 'brother'..." she stepped to him, patting his cheek and dismissing his grunt of dissatisfaction. "Fret not. It's not like you're the only one I've done this to."
What the hell is wrong with this girl?!
Sensing his distress, the intercom rang before the announcer broke the thick tension.
"Travis Garland vs Kayin is about to commence! Both participants, please report to arena three within 10 minutes!"
"Looks like you're up!" Ahrya teasingly chimed in as she turned to leave. "Don't worry, Travis. As long as you win this competition, you have nothing to worry about. I'll make sure she has a good seat to watch your progress."
Travis found himself alone and helpless to do anything as another call for the combatants. He was forced to head toward his destination with shame bearing down on him. His mind recalled the story of the titan, Atlas, who was punished by carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. The stress placed on him felt impossible for him to bear and yet, he had to after what she did.
Each step taken to the arena grew heavier.
His heart grew colder.
The aura around him burned brighter than ever while passing the exiting Liam. Like him, the offspring of Aganju had a darkness that lingered behind his gaze, confirming Ahrya's earlier threat. He'd hoped that it was merely a ploy to keep him in check, but Travis would be afforded no such luck.
"Maṣe padanu."
I have no choice.
There is no room for lamentations, child! The voice of his ancestor begrudgingly materialized. We do what we must to achieve what we desire. This girl's life was not a part of the deal, just like my brother's fate.
Brother's fate?
There's no time for that now, but upon our victory, I may reveal the truth of the Lion that consorted with Spiders. For now..."
Travis stepped onto the arena floor, the dirt and sand made for unstable terrain. Burning hot beneath his toes, he inhaled the seeing scent of the earthen texture before laying eyes on his opponent.
Kayin was a bulky man who wielded an iron club. Such a massive weapon would be pointless to have unless one was strong and accurate enough to handle it. Many cuts adorned his frame, mere symbolism for his tribe's way of life and designed for nothing more than to intimidate.
Unfortunately, the exiled youth was in a nasty mood as that twisted grin began to surface.
"I apologize in advance..."
"For what, pipsqueak?"
For the entertainment of your agony, elede (swine)!
"For the pain of defeat I'm about to give you," he winked, earning a roar of wrath from his adversary.
As he anticipated, the burly higher swung his club rather quickly, though clumsily as he was focused on crushing the smaller boy beneath the arm. Gathering all of his strength, managed to block the attack while leaving a crack in the metal weapon. Kayin was stunned at the sight of metallic chunks shedding themselves from the object like rain from a cloud.
"But... But how?!"
"Shut up and fight me!" he roared, launching his fist into Kayin's gut.
The blow connected but his opponent didn't budge, merely grunting from the attack. Travis decided to go for another, attaining more groans for his trouble. Whatever this guy was made of, it was sturdy.
Go for the head!
He threw a knee that was blocked with both hands but this was what Travis wanted. Using the male's massive hands as a platform, he pushed himself high enough to land a roundhouse kick that spun Kayin around like a top. A flurry of punches and kicks followed suit as Travis... no, Esu had taken over now as he mauled the poor excuse of a warrior.
Blow after blow, the crowd watched as Kayin fruitlessly tried to fight back. His attempts only served to infuriate Esu more as he pummeled the teen every time he dared to strike back.
Liam watched from a distance, but it was evident to him why this was happening.
Like Travis, he too received word of Jade's sudden 'disappearance' sometime after leaving his hotel room. During his bout with the Oya tribesman, he knew things were true when he felt a presence, unlike anything he'd experienced take complete control over his body. Now, he was forced to watch his fellow exiled brother endure the same fate.
"Ki Olorun fun yin ni alaafia..."
Eventually, the ref had enough, calling the match after several unanswered blows. The result was Kayin's face being rearranged beyond recognition. Swollen flesh covered his features adding to the broken left arm and ribs.
"W-Winner by Technical Knockout! Travis... Garland!"
The crowd exploded into a sea of boos and jeers. Travis didn't care though, tossing a middle finger to anyone willing to pay attention as he walked off. His focus was on one thing and one thing only.
"Ladies and gentlemen, due to the request of our generous host, the finals will be held at a special location on the final day of the festival. The finals between the Ashen Lion Clan's Travis Garland vs The Shadow Tiger Clan's Liam Marshall will take place in two days, affording you all an extra day of enjoyment at no extra cost. Thank you!"
What is going on?
As he crossed paths with Liam, their eyes ablaze with fury, they each exchanged a nod before stepping through the tunnel.
"So, what's the plan?"
"Ahrya has Tori and, judging by your face, she's taken Jade as well," Travis huffed. "There's no telling where she's keeping them or the others for that matter!"
"Aṣiwere."
"Come again?" Travis tossed his signature cautionary tone.
"Let me guess, Tori nearly fainted at some point before your match, right?" Travis huffed in confirmation. "Then there's no doubt that they're going to be in the same place and luckily, I made a phone call that may help up out."
"Wait! You KNEW this was going to happen?!"
Liam shook his head, releasing a somber breath.
"I wish... No, I made a call to my sister, Lucille. Unfortunately, she ended up telling my mom who told your mom about all of this and..."
"...they're on their way, aren't they?"
"Gaah! What the hell?" she groaned through a scratchy throat.
The pain coursing through Jade's head was excruciating, to say the least as consciousness returned to the gothic girl. She could feel parts of her raven hair clinging to her drenched forehead as she attempted to open her eyes. She found this to be a bad idea though when she was greeted by the sharp pain drumming her skull.
She had no idea where she was nor what was going on for that matter, but, she realized something grave when she couldn't lift her arms to shield herself from the intense rays.
Competing with her limbs, she'd come to the conclusion that she was restrained by something coiled around her wrists, torso, and legs. She wasn't going anywhere anytime soon and, whether she wanted to admit that truth or not, there wasn't much she could do to change that.
Exhausted and still feeling the effects of disorientation weighing heavy, the girl ceased her struggle and lay back on the cold floor. With the little bit of energy left in her, Jade allowed her eyes to scan the entirety of the room.
From what she could make out, the room was completely devoid of light which left her stewing in her ever-growing frustration and, dare she say it, anxiety. Her heart rate steadily increased as the severity of her plight rained down on her with relentless fury.
"What's going on?!" she called out, not caring about the desperation in her voice. "Let me out of here!"
On cue, sounds of clicking and creaking filled her ears. She figured it to be a set of keys unlocking the door that kept her trapped and fixed her body into a seated position once the creaking door began to open, allowing a bit of light to enter the room.
While grateful for some escape from the mind-numbing abyss that shrouded her, Jade still turned her head to block out the brightness of her sensitive optics.
"I see you're finally awake," a young woman stepped inside, her identity masked by the light behind her. "I figured the spell had done you in, but, it seems you're even more durable than expected." Soon, Jade could manage to peer at her captor, though it only lit a fire in her to resume her earlier attempts at getting free. "I'm sorry for the trouble, Ms. West." the insulting voice spat. "I know you're probably used to more comfortable accommodations, but, we had to make do with what's available. I trust you understand?"
With as much sarcasm as she could muster, Jade's glared at the figure.
"Of course. I just hope you understand what I'm going to do to you when I get free."
"Bold words from someone in your predicament, child." another voice, this time, more mature filled the makeshift prison. "Considering you're a hostage, I'd think you'd be smart enough to refrain from antagonizing those who control your fate, girl."
Jade stared in disbelief, her eyes now as wide as they could be. She stared at the second woman, her body much taller than the first girl's but that was only the beginning. Her voice was what gave who she was away but, Jade couldn't begin to fathom why she would be here.
"Cecilia...?" she whispered so softly, you'd think she was hesitantly reciting a curse into existence. "You can't be here..."
A simple chuckle passed her lips. "Yet, here I am."
She relished the terrified sight of the girl partly responsible for her plans being thwarted in New Orleans; It was like a child locked in a room filled with candy. Of course, as with most good things, she knew she couldn't dwell on the moment for too long.
"I think it's time I properly thank you for what you've done to me!"
"So what's the plan now?"
Travis spared a glance at his rival while sitting in the festival parking lot.
"We just got Andre to take Cat home so they're clear of danger. Once our... our parents get here, you fill them in on the situation on our way to the location."
"Excuse me, young man..."
The boys circled on their heels, prepared to defend against any conceivable attacker. What they found was an elderly woman with white hair and grey eyes hobbling toward them with a warm smile.
"What do you want, old lady? We're busy!"
"Travis!" Liam scolded. "Sorry, ma'am. Can we help you?"
"Indeed you can! I wanted to say that your match against my ward was exceptional, to say the least. You had this old bag feeling young again with your strategic ability and prowess!"
"Ugh... Enjoy your fangirl, Liam! I'm going to get a bite to eat..."
"But wouldn't you like to know what Jibola is plotting, Esu?"
"Jibola?"
"The leader of the Orisha tribes; the usurper of the throne."
Travis stayed put, leaning against the car with skepticism oozing from his stare. He didn't want to trust this woman, but there was something about her that revealed nothing but the truth. With a nod, the woman continued.
"My name is Abiola and I knew your mothers quite well before they disappeared. In fact, I was the one who suggested they guide your life paths as they have. While Celeste was skeptical, Cecilia was eager to participate."
"But why...?"
"Because you two were the only ones capable of restoring our bloodlines."
All eyes turned to find three women, each with unique eyes standing across from the boys. Abiola appeared pleased to see them though the same couldn't be said for the trio.
"Hello, Celeste! Cecilia and... Is that Kateleya?"
"Pẹlẹ o, Master Abiola."
