Disgusted faces greeted me, us, as we got to Alicante. Faeries, Warlocks, Vampires, Shadowhunters and Weres are gathered in every part of the City. My head and my heart continued to pound as we continued walking our way to the Hall.
Every step I take reminisces memories I've tried to bury in those months I've spent with my fellow Weres. As if I conjured a spell, eyes are directing through us. I can feel, see people looking, probably because they recognized me and couldn't believe I dare tread upon their sacred soil. I can feel, hear Shadowhunters chitchat about things such as what a disgusting creature I've become, how damned and God-forbidden creatures Warlocks/ Werewolves/ Vampires are and every little shit they can point out. I don't think their status now lives up to what I call 'Glorious' before.
I can feel my blood boil to everything I hear. I can't contain myself.
"Calm yourself," Ark said, "Reserve your energy for the real fight.," he continued with an assuring smile. He has always been like this since the Night. I don't know why. Oh right, I know. But I don't want to confirm it. I guess I assured myself long ago that love will always be just a misplaced thing in my world.
Just then, I saw Iza who looked awkwardly at me. Strangely, I couldn't feel anything towards her. Not a sign of care. Not a sign of compassion. Not a sign of friendliness. It's like I'm in the middle of not caring at all and not giving a single fuck. Really, it's difficult to be in that place so all I did was nod and turn my head away. I can feel her gaze slightly weaken, and does the same thing. Turn away. I guess that's what everyone does when they couldn't care less.
I eventually get the feeling I should just be myself. Who cares if I became a Downworlder? Who cares if I violate the Clave? Who cares? Not them. Not a single one of them. I believe they should be the one to thank us.
"Slow down, dear," Ark said. I think I may have wondered the last sentences aloud, "But it's true. They should truly be thankful."
I flashed a small smile at him and continued walking. Not long after that, our pack reached the Hall. And slowly, I saw every controversial thing I've been hearing for weeks now. Clary, the girl with red hair, have made some rune and now, everyone is scrambling about something. At first, I am also bewildered for I believe nobody can do a new one but hey, even the existence of Valentine is proven. What else is it not to believe?
Everyone is screaming. Looking. Amazed. Bedazzled. I don't know why but I couldn't see anything different. Just Ark. Normal Ark. His eyes looking at me. Just. . .that.
"I know what you all just saw," Clary said, "And I know that you know that that kind of magic is beyond any glamour or illusion. And I did that with one rune, a single rune, a rune that I created. There are reasons why I have this ability, and I know you might not like them or even believe them, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that I can help you win this battle against Valentine, if you'll let me."
"There will be no battle against Valentine," Malachi, another Shadowhunter, said. He didn't meet her eyes as he spoke. "Liar," I breathed.
"The Clave has decided. We will agree to Valentine's terms and lay down our arms tomorrow morning." Malachi continued.
The debate continued for quite a while and I just held Ark's hand. He looked at me for a second, not sure what I was doing. I replied with a shrug. I don't know too. I guess everyone doesn't even know what's happening.
"Elena!" someone shouted in the blur of the crowd. Somehow, I passed out. I turned to see Ark staring at me, then pointing at a distant. Iza.
"I believe something really important happened while I was sleeping. What is it?" I asked him, as Iza just stood there, looking at us.
"Well, apparently, the girl here will be the one to do that," he replied, slowly unclasping his hand with a smile.
"Hi," I said uncomfortably.
"Hi to you too," she responded, "So, uh, Clary made this rune to, uh, bind Shadowhunters and. . . you. . ."
"Downworlders," I finished, "So?"
"So, I- I wondered if I could, maybe, uh, . . I mean, by the Angel, Elena!" she shouted and reached for me. She held me tightly, like she's never done before, like she'd never see for an eternity, "I'm so sorry. I am so, so sorry. I am so stupid. I am so dumb. I shouldn't have let you go through this alo-" she cried, her tears flowing and making my shirt damp.
From a distance, I could see Ark, his face with a faint smile. I reached up and hugged her back. "All this time, I thought I was alone," I whispered.
"You aren't supposed to be. We still could've been friends if I did not just run away like an idiot that night!" she answered between sobs, "I am sorry, Elena."
We both slowly regained our composure and smiled at each other. The atmosphere lightening up, everything lightening up. I don't know where all my anger and hate and distrust and disgust and everything I have gained when I was gone went after this. It's like I'm in a dream and in this dream, I shall not be given anything but peace. Too ironic for a war.
"Give me your hand," she reached for it and held her stele. I obeyed. Slowly, she marked me with a rune and gave her stele to me. It felt strange to hold one again. I marked her exactly what she's done to me.
"Never fails. You making runes, I mean. I guess it doesn't wear off?" she asked, her eyes still red and puffy. It's like nothing happened before this. It's like we just shared a really, really dramatic story that made her cry while we were waiting in this, City. Though I'm not sure if I want to go back to that last part again.
"I guess I'm too artsy for that to happen," I replied with a smile, "So, enough with the drama, what does this thing do?"
"We'll share abilities. I, gaining your strength and speed and you, well, Shadowhunter skills," she answered, "See you at the fight?"
I just nod. This time, I care.
"A reunion, huh?" Ark said, suddenly appearing from my back. "I guess," I replied quietly, afraid of what he might say.
"It's near. They're near," he just suddenly whispered, sounding sure of himself.
My heart began to pound. In any moment now, we would face the man who changed the history of our kind. Valentine Morgenstern. He and his army. His intentions. His goals. His plans. All to eliminate every 'impurity' he thinks of.
Ark's hand is like made of motion. It doesn't stop ticking at the wall. Nervous. For what will happen? For what isn't happening yet? For what hasn't happened?
"Can I just do this for once?" Ark suddenly said at my side, holding my hand.
"What?" I looked at him. He held me tight, and planted a kiss on my temple. I hugged him back. The thing was inevitable at the moment.
"I knew this would happen," Kito's voice interrupted from behind us.
"I don't fucking care, brother," Ark said, I can feel his chest heave a sigh. Then, slowly, like he didn't want to, he let me go.
"Time to fight, I guess," he smiled at me. Never before have I seen him, or anybody, look this joyful with the thought of fighting the archnemisis of our kind. I smiled at the thought.
"Probably," I answered.
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