I opened my eyes slowly. 

I’m back home... I could tell I was once again in the medical unit.  

The doctors and nurses must love me here. 

I heard a sniffle from beside me, making me turn my head slightly to see Reika in a chair. Her nose was red and her eyes puffy. She hadn’t noticed I was awake as she stared at the wall angrily. 

Was what the lady saying... true?

 Do I truly know her? Her short brown hair was in a ponytail, her bangs covering her curse mark. 

Why did that lady look like Reika? 

The door jerked open to reveal Timmity. 

“Ari, you're awake!” He yelled out loud with a bright smile on his face, which hurt my sensitive eyes. Reika looked at me with surprise, then smiled at me. I flinched, but no one noticed. I took a deep breath and got into a sitting position. I pulled out the drip from my hand. 

“What are you doing? You need to stay in bed,” Reika scolded me, but ignored it. I grabbed my shoes from under the bed and slid them on. Before I could open the door, Reika grabbed my hand, stopping me. 

At that moment, I noticed her hand was bandaged, but I didn’t stop to ask if she was alright. I turned towards her to see her place my chain in my palm, then let go of my hand. Without hesitating, I opened the door and left the room. 

I marched toward Caleb’s room to find answers I was hoping to get and to tell him about the lady. I went inside the room without knowing, then locked the door behind me. Caleb got up from his seat with a shocked look on his face.

“Ari... you're awake.” 

“We need to talk,” Caleb gestured to the coach, and I sat down beside him. 

“When I am training... I was in a place with doors that were filled with my fear. But there was this one door that was different from the others. There was a lady  there who looked just like Rei, but she was... god-like.” Caleb listened to me patiently, and I continued. 

“She said I didn’t know myself! At first, I thought she was crazy, then she said Enigmas didn't kill my parents because they weren’t there in the first place. Then she asked me if I really knew Rei. I can’t even look her in the eye now. The only way I can sync is if I know who I truly am.” Caleb suddenly froze as if remembering something, then looked at me. 

“Wait, did you just call demon, Enigmas?” I arched an eyebrow at him. Was that the only thing he paid attention to?

“Yeah, but I don’t see your point.”

“Enigmas is the original term for demons that no one uses anymore. That lady looked like Reika, but god-like. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. We’ll look for another way to get you stronger. But the only thing that worries me is that lady you mentioned.” 

Caleb’s eyes were full of worry with a mix of fear that I didn’t get. 

______________________

A.G.Preet here!!!!

Thank you once again for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.

Here is a question for you: Do you think things will still be the same between Ari and Reika?

Anyway, see ya next time!