Chapter 3 Do nightmares end

I'm jerked awake, my heart beating faster than I think a human heart should. My sheets are drenched in cold sweat. I sigh as I make my way to the bathroom, maybe to take a shower and get ready for the day. Ever since that day four years ago, I've been plagued by the same nightmare over and over again.

"Honestly, please, if there's some higher power listening, can you stop allowing my last image of them to be their bloodied and pale faces? Don't you think that's a bit traumatic?" I say to absolutely no one in particular.

I reach the bathroom and look at my reflection. My long silver hair, which usually cascades down my back, is now in knots, and I can already feel the migraine brewing from the untangling process. But somehow, that serves as a small comfort remembering that Alira is going to have it way worse.

I hear the door slightly open, and I watch as a girl with curly red hair, fairly dark skin, and the biggest eye bags walks in.

"Speak of the devil and it shall appear," I say as she walks toward me and punches my shoulder, still half-asleep. She stands beside me in front of the mirror and finally opens her eyes. We both look at each other's reflections, then turn to face one another and burst out in mock laughter.

We laugh so hard we nearly double over. After we finally catch our breath, Alira asks, "If only those boys could see us like this... would they leave us alone forever?"

I snicker. "I doubt it. They might use it as a new line to profess their love: 'Even when you look like a bird's abandoned habitat, I will always love you, Alira.'"

We erupt into another round of laughter, this one taking a bit longer to subside because of how true it is.

Alira is my best friend actually, more of a sister. After the incident four years ago, she became something of a rock for me, as I did for her. Our relationship wasn't always like this. At first, we hated each other. Couldn't stand each other. But now, we're inseparable.

After the incident that took both of our families, we were sent to a group home with ten other girls who were all deemed "safe." When we arrived, I was moody, snapping at everyone and being difficult. Alira, on the other hand, always smiled. Acted well-behaved and tried to comfort the others. But she stayed away from me, which I preferred.

Then one day, we found ourselves alone in a secluded alleyway. Something about her smile reminded me of something my mom used to say: "The saddest people smile the brightest." And I couldn't help but ask:

"Why do you always put on a mask? Smile when your eyes show you're dying inside? Act kind when I see the killing intent in your eyes? What do you gain from pretending you're some perfect little princess who didn't become an unwanted orphan just like me just like the rest of us?!"

Before I knew it, she lunged at me. And while dodging her attacks, I noticed something: she had experience. Real experience. Not martial arts, street fighting. As if she learned it not by choice, but by habit.

She grabbed a random object off the ground and went at me with great speed and precision, always aiming for vital organs and weak spots. I dodged, fought back hard, and by the end of it, we were both bruised and injured, lying exhausted on the ground side by side, staring up at the sky.

And then she spoke.

"I wanted them to die. I had prayed several times for that day. And I was so happy when I saw their lifeless bodies. They were never good people, much less good parents. Putting on a mask is the only way I could survive in this unfair world. I even taught myself how to fight."

I offered her no sympathy. Instead, I said, "Teach me how to street fight, and I'll teach you martial arts. With me, no masks. The real you is more my style anyway."

Then I winked. Since then, we've been inseparable.

Alira's voice pulls me out of my reminiscing.

"Hey girl, are you even listening to me? I said "help me with my hair and I'll help you do yours."

"Deal!" I yell almost instantly as she gets to work.

I glance once more at our reflections. Objectively speaking, we're extremely good-looking girls. Me with long silver hair that shines in the sun, fair skin, long legs, and just the right amount of curves. Alira with her fiery red curls, tan skin that complements her hair beautifully, and a strong, striking presence.

I'm about 6 '1, and Alira's 5' 9 just the perfect balance of attractive and intimidating, drawing in admirers from both genders.

Luckily, humans attend their own school, while the other empires share a joint academy. At school, I play the meek, shy introvert, and Alira plays the athletic extrovert the perfect, protective best friend. Our masks allow us to live relatively peaceful lives.

"Miri, I do not care what you're thinking about, but I am a living being who feels pain, so can you try to be gentle?"

I laugh loudly in response before giving a reassuring nod. We both finish getting ready and then head out for school. We greet a few younger kids who are already awake before making our final exit for the morning.

Our residential school is quite close to the group home, so we walk together laughing and discussing any and every random topic.

By the time we reach the school gate, we can already sense that something is happening. Something big. Everyone's talking excitedly. The whole school is buzzing.

Alira, always the extrovert, asks a nearby boy what's going on.

"What? Alira, didn't you hear? The Shadow Empire is holding a coliseum event in two days! All the royalty from all three empires will attend and this time, we humans are allowed to come too! They even said that day will mark the 19-year wait... because the lost princess will finally be revealed! Everyone's excited, planning what to wear and everything!"

He practically bounces as he runs off, leaving Alira turning to me.

"Do you think everything will be okay?"

I answer truthfully. "I have no idea... but I do have a bad feeling about this."

Alira stares at me and whispers, "You can control yourself well, right?"

I know where her concern stems from. After all, she's the only one who knows I can use Myrridan. Of course she's worried.

I reassure her, "Yeah. But if it makes you feel better, I'll keep practicing."

I give her a slight smile. She nods and taps my back reassuringly just as the bell rings, and we head off to our first class.