(Our Realm)
Her journey home, usually a mere forty-five minutes, had stretched out to nearly an hour and a half this time. Every inch of her body ached, and she berated herself for falling into his trap. The fact that her powers had failed her only added to her confusion. When she had sparred with Chris, her reflexes had been unmatched, but today, against Slade, she had been rendered powerless.
As she neared her driveway, her heart sank at the sight of Russell's truck parked there. She didn't want anyone to witness her in such a state. She took a deep, shuddering breath, wincing at the pain as she tried to stand straighter, shuffling down the driveway.
Russell was out of his truck in an instant, rushing over to her, his hand hesitating before gently cradling her chin as he examined her battered face. "What the hell happened to you?" he growled, his voice laced with anger.
Pushing back the urge to cry, she shook her head. "Don't...don't worry about it, I fell."
His voice rose with fury. "This is not from a fall. Who did this?"
Slowly pushing past him, she made her way to the door, wincing as she retrieved her keys from her pocket, only to drop them. "God dammit," she cursed.
Russell quickly picked up the keys, unlocking the door and helping her into the house and onto the couch. He fetched a facecloth, running it under warm water before returning to her side. With gentle strokes, he began to clean the blood off her face, his voice softening as he struggled to control his anger. "Please, Alethia, tell me who did this."
Taking a shuddering breath, she winced as he wiped her lip. "Slade... it's a message for Chris."
Russell growled, his eyes flashing with anger as he took a deep, shaking breath. "Why... why didn't you fight back?"
Quickly pushing his hand away, tears welled up in her eyes. "You think I just let him beat me? I tried calling on my powers, I tried to fight him. But I was powerless, there was nothing I could do to stop him." Tears streaked her cheeks. "Just leave me alone. I'm obviously not who you think I am. You and Chris both have me mistaken for someone else."
Russell stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "No... we don't. You are the Daughter of the Stars. You are the Daughter of the God of War."
Alethia shook her head slowly, pushing herself up off the couch despite the pain in her chest. "You are wrong, both of you. There is no way I am the Daughter of a God, let alone the God of War, when I can't even protect myself from getting beaten."
Russell sighed softly. "We are not wrong, I am not wrong." He stood, taking her hands in his. "I have followed you through ten lives, I have seen you fight against countless warriors and emerge unscathed. You wield magic and weapons as if they are second nature to you. Your fights are breathtaking." He met her gaze as he spoke.
Shaking her head, Alethia's heart sank with each word. "If I am so special, then why couldn't I do anything to protect myself?" There was no way she could be who they believed she was. She should have been able to face him and come away unharmed.
Russell sighed. "Why you couldn't defend yourself... I have a theory. In each of your ten lives, you faced your own challenges. I can't go into detail, as it may disrupt your returning memories. But in each life, your powers became available when you truly needed them, in life-or-death situations. My theory is that your powers knew you were not in immediate danger, and if they had worked, it would have revealed that you are the Chosen One. So instead, they remained dormant, so Slade wouldn't suspect your true identity. If he had intended to kill you, I believe your powers would have activated. But that is just my opinion. I think you should ask Chris."
Shaking her head, Alethia refused. "No, I can't tell him anything about this. And if I ask him about it, he will become suspicious."
Huffing, Russell replied, "Well, he may be the only one who can provide answers as to why your powers failed. Besides, he needs to know that this guy is becoming bolder." His voice grew deeper, filled with anger, as he took a seat. "Now, let me see your injuries."
Alethia hesitated before slowly taking a seat. "I can't tell him. This was meant to be a warning for Chris, but if he finds out what happened..." She shook her head. "I don't know what he would do. But my instincts tell me not to tell him."
Russell closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Fine, I won't argue with you about this. Now, where else are you hurt?" "I... I think he might have broken a few of my ribs," Alethia said softly.
Growling deep in his throat, Russell clenched his fists before pushing himself off the couch. "I'm going to kill him!"
Flinching, Alethia quickly pulled her shirt back down. "No, you're not," she said softly, avoiding his gaze.
After pacing back and forth, his eyes fixed on the marks etched upon her face and neck, he finally sank into a chair. "If I lay eyes on him, I'll make him suffer, far worse than he made you suffer," he growled, his voice laced with a simmering rage.
Shaking her head, she replied, "No, you mustn't. There's no need for you to risk imprisonment because of him. I will find a way to deal with him."
A knock echoed through the door, and Russell rose to answer it. "Allow me," he offered.
Alethia sighed, easing herself back onto the couch and wincing as pain coursed through her body. She closed her eyes, seeking solace, as Russell greeted the visitor.
"Where is she?" came Chris's voice, piercing through the air.
"Crap," she whispered, sitting up abruptly as Chris entered the living room, Russell trailing behind him. With one glance at her, Chris's complexion drained of color. "Alethia, I am so sorry," he murmured softly, his voice filled with remorse.
"Chris, I assure you, I am fine," she reassured him, her words gentle. "Just a little tender. Please, don't concern yourself."
Chris shook his head, determination etched upon his face. "No... this must come to an end, and it must do so now." Without uttering another word, he turned on his heel and departed, the sound of the slamming door echoing in the room.
"So much for concealing it from him," Russell remarked, finding a seat.
Alethia let out a weary sigh, leaning back and closing her eyes. "Yes, indeed. I can only hope he doesn't act foolishly."
