Hey guys! Sorry for delaying this chapter! I was still adapting to my life in college... So far its quite fun but the sad thing is that I have to take busses and trains to my college even though its a 10 minutes drive using a car of course... I need to think about getting a driving license here... Anyway, I might be posting chapter 13 really late because currently I entered a drawing contest in instagram. Wish me luck! XD Enjoy chapter 12!

-Paddra Daia-Ruise

Chapter 12: The Truth From Within

[Morgiana's POV]

All I could see was a void in front of me. Where am I? Am I dead, alive or somewhere in the middle? Suddenly as if to illuminate my path, a small glimmer of light appeared. As it was pulling me towards it, I had my doubts but I reached out.

As soon as I thought my fingers touched it, the light expanded, the darkness was dispelled, replaced by beautiful, white feathers. I stood in awe, the beautiful scene that unfolded in front of me. There was vast space. What looked like the sky was clouded with grey clouds. The ground was covered with a layer of water that reflected the sky. The place gave off the feeling of a sanctuary, where one can feel at ease. I felt a warmth and also a nostalgic feeling, as if I have been here before but I don't remember it.

"I see you are still okay, Morgiana," a gentle voice that I recognize as Cynoria said. She was standing in front of seven statues, girls that looked like they were 16.

"Where am I?" I asked, curious of this feeling.

"This is a world where I reside and it is also your inner world. Your thoughts and dreams are reflected in this world," she replied while pointing at me.

"If this is my inner world, then why are you here?" I asked again, doubtfully.

Cynoria chuckled.

"Seriously? Have you not noticed?!" a familiar voice said. This voice, Anya?

"Where were you when Gyokuen attacked, Anya?" I asked her.

"She's our guardian. It was no coincidence that you found her back then," Cynoria said.

"Why? You still haven't answered my question," I asked once again, still not satisfied with their answer.

"You are my vessel, in order to ensure that the person the witch calls 'Father' remains sealed, although currently the seal has been broken," she answered.

"Okay, then who are they?" I asked, pointing towards the seven statues behind her.

"Look closer, you'll figure out," Anya said.

Still skeptical of her words, I walked towards the statues. Looking closely, I recognize them. It was the girls, Jennifer, Noielle, Naomi, Adrianna, Leana, Rosette and lastly Adna. I was shocked! They were all here in stone but why?

"Why...?" I blurted out. Anya just kept quiet and looked down.

"They were here, my past vessels. Gyokuen tried to summon Father using them as sacrifices but failed. As a result, they died," Cynoria said.

"But... I just saw them! If these are real then who were those that were with us!?" I asked, nearly shouting.

"Those were Gyokuen's goons… They knew that you were the key, so they disguised themselves as the girls, to trick you into setting them free from the mirror. Karujiko was there to keep them in, she probably thought that you were a threat," Cynoria said, slowly and calmly. She gestured her hands as if weaving a magical thread and a white glowing orb formed, floating and barely touching her hand. I couldn't stop staring at it. Cynoria then started walking towards me, the orb in her hand.

"Take this, it will help you save him," she said, holding out the glowing orb. I reached out my hand and the orb just dispersed, somehow it looked like it was absorbed into my fingers.

At that very moment, I felt the presence of the seven girls and I immediately knew what was going on. "They became…" I mumbled, looking towards Cynoria.

She nodded, "They will help you but not as themselves, not as humans, but as summons."

The grey clouds that covered the sky started to part, revealing a bright and beautiful sunlight. The three of us looked towards that beautiful ray of light.

"Its time," Cynoria turned towards me, "Anya will be with you, but only as a conscious, not physically."

Suddenly, a wind blew so strong that I was nearly blown away. "Wait! What do you mean! Cynoria!" I screamed against the loud wind, hoping to get an answer from didn't answer me and I was swept away by the wind. Everything went blank like a television screen being turned off.