"I can't do it anymore, Liana!"

They'd been walking for hours now in the seemingly endless forest. They weren't sure how far they were from the Seven Stones and therefore the Diamond Castle, all they knew was to walk in the direction the sun had set. It was cold and dark now that night had set in.

Liana sat down beside her, taking the opportunity to also rest her legs. She gave her a quick squeeze around her shoulders. "Are you okay?"

Alexa wasn't. She was exhausted, not to mention starving and thirsty. They were used to going hungry and working til they were sore but they'd never been without water this long, not to mention the long journey that hadn't had much time for sleep. "…Do we have a little water?"

"We ran out…." Liana mumbled. "…about an hour after we ran out of food."

"Oh."

"I'm so sorry, you two." Liana took out the mirror to see Melody looking beyond guilty. "It was selfish of me to ask you to take this journey..."

"We wanted to, Melody." Liana smiled weakly. Alexa had no clue how she could stay so strong and positive despite being just as hungry and tired as she was because of this quest. She gave a laugh to make light of the situation. "We didn't really have much of a choice!"

Yes, we did. Alexa caught herself thinking bitterly. We could've just stayed and rebuilt our home where we were safe!

Liana suddenly rose, squinting before a smile bloomed on her lips. "Alexa, look, I see something… and it's not that far!"

Alexa now saw the rising smoke, likely from a chimney and felt her spirits lifted. She quickly took Liana's help up and they walked hand in hand in the direction of the smoke.

"This mansion, it's beautiful!" Alexa gasped as they walked past the front gate. She could barely remember life before she met Liana on the streets but did know she'd once lived in a mansion like this one before it was mysteriously burned to the ground. "Do you think someone royal lives here?"

"Hopefully someone generous and royal who can spare a bed and some food…" Liana sighed, suppressing the urge to marvel at the place with her in favor of finding a safe place for them to sleep.

When they arrived at the door, Liana brushed off her dress and helped Alexa pick out a few leaves from her hair.

"This isn't how I imagined I'd look meeting the upper class after saving up enough to join them…" Alexa joked, fiddling with her hair to get it just right.

"That's enough, you look perfect just the way you are." Liana smiled, taking her hands away from her hair so she could hold one before knocking on the door.

It opened at once, surprising the girls. There waited a maid and butler, already smiling pleasantly.

"You've come at last…"

"Welcome. Welcome, miladies."

Liana and Alexa exchanged glances in confusion before Sparkles suddenly leapt from Liana's basket, already smelling the meal set on the table.

"Sparkles, no!" Liana called, running after her.

"We're so sorry!" Alexa apologized for them before following Liana.

They slid to a halt in surprise seeing a feast fit for queens waiting. It had everything they could possibly hope to have for dinner and more.

Liana quickly picked up Sparkles after practically lifting her jaw off the floor.

"How may we serve you?"

"Serve us?" Liana asked in surprise, turning to the couple. "Er, could you spare some bread and water?"

The two exchanged a glance before laughing.

Alexa wrapped her arm around Liana's for support. Were they amused by them begging?

"We apologize but you must know you need not ask for anything." The butler began with a slight bow. "This is all yours… The house, the grounds, everything!"

"Ours?" Alexa asked incredulously.

"The legend…" The maid began wistfully. "It's been foretold that a couple with hearts full of love for one another will come to live in the hall after going through many trials and tribulations as a reward for their bravery."

"I can't believe it…!" Alexa whispered in awe.

"I don't believe it." Liana grunted, narrowing her eyes. It seemed too good to be true. "Would you excuse us for a moment?"

"But of course."

Liana pulled Alexa into the dinning room, the smell was already intoxicating.

"Liana, what's wrong?" Alexa's smile faded at once seeing Liana look so worried.

"It's just…" Liana gestured over to the table full of food. "Don't you think this is a little too convenient?"

"… I guess it is, but that's why it's so great!" Alexa whispered. "It's everything we've always wanted!"

Liana gave a sad smile. She hated having to bring her down like this. "I know, I really want it to be real too but…"

Her lover couldn't help but frown seeing her take out the mirror. Did Liana really trust Melody's opinion over hers now?

"What do you think, Melody?"

"I know it seems a bit crazy but I do think this place could be yours!" Melody said brightly. "The muses often sang songs about legends and prophecy. And this is a journey to save the muses and the world, maybe one you were destined to take! This place could be your reward! I always knew you two deserved better!

This place? A reward? The real reward would be having our home back… Liana thought to herself before looking at Alexa.

The woman was practically begging her and she did deserve the world in Liana's eyes. She couldn't say no.

"Well if this place is ours, we should be able to eat something, right?"

After eating to their hearts' content, Alexa rushed up to the bedroom with Liana right behind her. She flung open the closet doors and gasped in delight seeing dozens of dresses waiting for them. "Oh, they're beautiful!"

"Try one on!" Melody begged.

Alexa pulled out a pink dancing gown adorned with gold trim, holding it up to herself in the mirror. She gave her friend and love a quick twirl, earning applause. "I feel like a princess… Oh, Liana! It's a perfect home for us!"

Liana gave a weak smile. Alexa knew that look, she wasn't convinced.

"I know it isn't the cottage… but just think about it! More food than we could ever eat, a beautiful dress everyday, and a gorgeous garden! Liana, we'll never have to worry about anything ever again…"

"But we can't stay!" Liana insisted before she could even think about it.

Alexa's smile fell. "Why not? We're finally having some good luck, why can't we enjoy it?"

"… Maybe we can come back after we take Melody to the Diamond Castle…"

The woman crossed her arms, looking at her in the mirror. "If we come back…"

"What do you mean?"

"Trolls, serpents, evil magic, we might not live to come back!" Alexa cried, turning to her with tears in her eyes.

Liana felt her heart ache seeing Alexa look so desperate to stay. "Alexa-"

"I'm tired, Liana! I'm tired of us working ourselves to the bone day in, day out and with nothing to show for it!" Alexa sobbed, holding herself tightly. "I'm tired of barely getting by, I'm tired of seeing the love of my life going to bed hungry when I know she deserves so, so much better than that! I want us to feel safe and supported for once in our lives! Why is that so much to ask?!"

Liana embraced her at once, allowing her to cry on her shoulder. "I know… I know…"

Melody could do nothing but watch from the mirror, wishing she could comfort her too.

Once she could breathe again, Alexa looked up to Liana. "I-I sorry, I should be strong for you…"

"You don't ever have to be strong for me, Alexa. Never." Liana assured her softly. "… I… I know how hard this life has been on you, on us…"

Alexa physically cringed hearing her "but".

"We promised Melody we'd help her..."

"And we did!" Alexa insisted. "We took her this far… I-I can't go any farther! …Ian and Jeremy can do it, I'm staying here."

"You don't mean that…"

"Yes, I do."

"Please, don't argue." Melody suddenly begged, reminding them she was even there. "You've done enough!"

"See, even Melody thinks so!" Alexa grabbed Liana's hand, placing it to her cheek. "Please, stay with me…"

"I-I want to, I want to so badly, but if we don't stop Lydia we'll all be living under a-a dark cloud!" Liana reminded her, pulling away. "No laughter, no music, just sadness everywhere!"

"Why us? Why can't somebody else do it?!"

"Because Melody's our friend!" Liana growled.

"You're choosing Melody over me!" Alexa yelled, finally expressing what she'd been feeling for quite some time.

Liana stared at her, tears coming to her eyes. Did she really think that? "No! It's not like that!"

A tense silence filled the room before Alexa turned away, slumping down on the couch nearby. It was clear they weren't going to come to an agreement any time soon.

"…" Liana wanted to say she would stay with Alexa forever, like she always had, but she had to fulfill her promise first. "You can stay here if you want, Alexa… I'm going."

Alexa turned back in utter shock. This couldn't be happening. They'd been together nearly their entire lives, how could she leave her so easily?

Liana couldn't bear to see her heartbroken face, shoving Melody into her basket before she could get a word in. She motioned to her puppy as she walked past her. "C-Come on, Sparkles…"

Sparkles followed excitedly until she realized Alexa and Lily weren't coming with them. She whimpered sadly back at them before running after her owner.

The moment the door slammed, Alexa could feel the tears running silently down her face as she curled up on the couch. Lily hopped up beside her for comfort but it didn't do much.

How could Liana do this? They deserved to feel safe for once in their lives and take a break from the hardships they'd faced.

But at the same time, she couldn't be too angry at her. She loved Liana more than anything in the entire world. More than delicious food, more than fancy dresses, more than this mansion that now felt so cold and empty… How could she let Liana slip away for such frivolous things? None of them were worth it if she didn't have Liana to share them with.

The chord of her necklace snapped when she tore it off. She stared at it for a long moment, remembering their promise. "Today, tomorrow, and always…"

There was a sudden knock at the door, startling her up from the couch.

Alexa ran to the door, practically tripping over dress as she did. She flung the door open, already about to apologize. "Liana?!"

But it wasn't Liana waiting to greet her. Slyder gave a chuckle as she backed away, grabbing her basket as if to defend herself with. "Aw, what's the matter? Expecting someone else?"

When Alexa came to, she found herself in a cold cave only lit by the green glow of the acid pit below. She looked around worriedly for any kind of escape but found none.

"Did you like the manor? So terribly tempting, wasn't it?"

Alexa spun around to see Lydia and her eyes narrowed. "Liana was right, it was a trap set by you!"

"Bravo, you catch on so quick." The past muse rolled her eyes as she circled the girl. She pouted mockingly then, grabbing her chin. "Is that why she left you all on your lonesome?"

"No…" Alexa whispered, too ashamed to even pull away. "W-We got into a fight…"

"Oh, how horrible." The witch whispered, seemingly sympathetic. "I know what it's like, having a relationship torn apart by that little apprentice. But worry not, I'll take her off your hands."

At that, she snapped to Slyder who immediately searched Alexa's basket. The only thing in there was Lilly. The brave puppy bit his tongue in retaliation for kidnapping her and her owner, causing Slyder to gave a scream in pain and fling the puppy off.

"Lily!" Alexa immediately ran to her pet, cuddling her up. She glared deeply at Slyder. "You hurt her!"

"No mirror, mistress." Slyder said, ignoring the girl.

"So the other girl has it." Lydia hissed before setting her sights on Alexa. "Where is your partner? Or should I say ex?"

"Why would I ever tell you?" Alexa growled, hating the way she even suggested Liana had broken up with her.

"If you do, I'll have Slyder go and fetch her for you. Then, you can apologize to your heart's content and win back the heart of your beloved, free from that meddling girl's influence."

"Why do you hate Melody so much?" Alexa asked angrily, standing up to face her. Melody was one of the sweetest people she knew and the girl didn't deserve hatred from anyone, not her and certainly not Lydia. "What did she ever do to you?"

"You misunderstand, child." Lydia sighed. "I never hated her. In fact, I always found her to be a lovely girl. My precious apprentice and dear niece…"

Alexa didn't want to believe her but could tell it was the truth seeing the way her eyes softened talking about Melody. She still had a soft spot for the girl despite everything that had happened between them and the dark magic that had corrupted her soul.

"But that doesn't matter anymore… I need her to get the key to the castle." She snapped, turning back into her usual cold self. "And so, it's time you tell me where your Liana has run off to."

"Never." Alexa spat. She'd never been so brave then in that moment as she glared into the eyes of the witch.

Lydia merely laughed down at her, taking her flute from her belt.

The girl narrowed her eyes. "That doesn't work on me…"

"Bold words for a girl who no longer wears her necklace."

Our necklaces… They were what protected us? Alexa's body went cold as she placed her hand to her neck, realizing hers was gone. She'd taken it off for only a moment before she must've dropped it at the manor. "No… Oh no…"

Lydia delighted in Alexa's face morphing from shock to terror at what was about to happen to her. "As long as you both wore your guardian stones you were protected. But now…"

"No!" Alexa tried covering her ears, screwing her eyes shut as she willed every part of herself not to listen as the green magic snaked around her body but it only got stronger the longer Lydia played, slipping into her head despite every effort to prevent it.

The music seemed to increase every dark thought until she couldn't hear anything else:

This is all your fault.

You're a horrible friend to Melody, she just wanted to get home…

You deserved to be left alone…

You should've listened to Liana…

You don't deserve her love.

You're the one who made her life miserable, you're the one who's going to turn her over to this witch.

She's better off without you.

She gave a scream in agony, it hurt every part of her to resist.

Then, finally, Alexa's body slowly began to relax, her face going blank before opening her eyes to reveal an unsettling green that engulfed any light they once had.

"There we are. Let's try this again, shall we?" Lydia smirked, walking up to her. She leaned over, whispering in her ear. "Where is she?"

"… Going to the Seven Stones…"

The witch turned to her minion. "Slyder! Get me the girl and the mirror, and this time do it right!"

"Yes, mistress!"

Lydia turned back to see Alexa still standing there like a puppet with no strings. "Off with you, child. You want to be looking your best when your precious Liana arrives."

The girl nodded before slowly beginning to walk up the cold steps, wondering why her heart ached so badly.