Crossroads (4)

Setting Cas down had passed out in my arms, I observed the town that the demons had taken over, and it took nearly all my willpower to keep myself from rushing in to rescue Liz.

Something about this town was unsettling, and I couldn't tell what it was, but I didn't dwell too deeply as I had a more pressing matter.

Turning toward Oliva, I was about to say something before she interrupted me.

"I don't care what it takes, save Lizzie." She paused as she looked me in the eyes. "Even if you have to become… him again." She added.

My eyes widened with shock and disbelief for a moment when she said that before I gave her a cruel smile.

"Keke. You truly are too smart princess." I said as I looked at her.

While I was surprised, I knew she had already figured out who I was. I just wanted to deny it, but with all the clues she was dropping these past few days, it was hard to ignore.

Turning around to face the village before me, it felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and without looking around, I gave her one final warning.

"If my Cas dies, so will you." I promised as I jumped off the ledge overlooking the village.

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(Cas's POV)

Cas struggled to open her eyes, as the last thing she remembered was being in Ciaran's arms as they ran through the forest.

Looking around, she noticed that it was morning, and though blurry, she saw a silhouette standing a few meters away, looking over the ledge.

"Ci?" She struggled to say as she sat up, hoping to get a better look at it.

"Not exactly." Came the feminine voice.

Instantly becoming alert, Cas prepared a spell and struggled to stand up.

"Relax." The woman said.

Cas felt as the air around her started to colder, and she realized whom she was talking to. Letting the spell drop, she began making her way over to the princess.

"Isn't it marvelous?" Olivia said as she stared over the ledge.

Cas was unsure of what the princess was talking about until she finally walked up to her and looked down at what was once a village.

What she thought was morning was the village burning, and she could hear many screams coming from down below. She had never heard a demon scream before, and now she knew she would never be able to get those screams out of her head for as long as she lived.

"This is what happens to those who cross him." Olivia said.

Cas stared at the burning village below her, and she could help but silently agree.

"Tell me something." Olivia said as she looked over at Cas for a moment. "How long have you known he was from a different world?" She asked with a hint of curiosity.

The world came to a screeching halt when Olivia asked that question, and she didn't know how to respond. Ci had always told her that he had lived a different life, which was how he learned things. Now here was the princess saying he was from a different world.

She didn't want to believe it, and as she looked over at Olivia, she wondered if what she was saying was telling the truth or not.

"He never told you?" Olivia asked as her eyes widened in surprise for a moment. "I apologize. Forget what I just told you." She politely bowed before turning to watch the destruction below her.

What if Olivia was telling the truth? Cas had known Ciaran the longest, and certain things were making sense. The fact that he had taught her a whole new writing language or that he would say something that made no sense to her.

Looking at Oliva, she felt her heart shatter. She was supposed to be his heart, and he couldn't tell her the truth. She would have understood, and she was supposed to be beside him forever.

What made him want to tell Olivia over her? She thought and couldn't help but to feel her heart shatter.

"Don't worry, Cas." Olivia said, "I'm sure there were reasons why he couldn't tell you." She paused as she turned toward her. "But, if you do anything to disrupt the path he has chosen to walk, I won't hesitate to destroy you." She promised.

Cas took a step back as she observed Olivia, and a moment later, she realized what it was.

"You're obsessed with him." Cas said as she looked at her coldly.

Olivia returned the cold look for a moment before she smiled.

"He is the only one worthy to be beside me." She said casually.

"I won't let you have him." Cas said, not willing to back down.

"My dear Cas. The fact he didn't tell you means I have nothing to worry about with you." Olivia said as she scoffed before adding. "But I will let you see him occasionally if you behave."

Cas was speechless, and as she looked down at the village again, she couldn't help but feel defeated. Suddenly the memory of her other self and the fact she had betrayed her Ciaran in the past. Was this the path she was on?

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Two relationships had a significant development on this day. One for the better and one for the worse, while a third was undetermined. What will happen in the future? Only time could tell.