Chapter 6

Talia's POV

“You're a witch!" Serah yelled.

"W…What?” I stuttered in disbelief.

"So much power! Brilliant!” Xander exclaimed, laughing hysterically as he palmed his face.

“What is your origin?" Serah demanded.

I couldn't understand what was going on.

“Who cares about her origin? Her power is all I need to defeat Logan’s damned empire!” Xander said, excited as he rose from the floor.

He took steps towards me, his eyes glistened with malice as he closed the gap between us. My heart sank as I took steps backward, my pulse racing at my fingertips. The cold wall embraced my back, leaving me utterly helpless as the walls closed in.

“Dear Talia," Xander said, his voice low, “Why not join us?" He asked, arching his brow.

“I don't want to," I said, timid as I tried controlling my breathing.

“Don't you want it?" He asked.

“Want what?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

“The thrill darling."

“What thrill?"

“The thrill of revenge!" He exclaimed, raising his hands in the air as he twirled. “Think of it, you on top of Logan's dead body. All the suffering, pain, humiliation you had to endure because of that damned Logan, all paid back in cold blood. This time, not me, it's you. You, queen of the world. With your powers, we'd be unstoppable.”

“What powers?" I asked, curious.

“That little expression of power you displayed there, it's untamed powers, darling. I know it anywhere. It's from the originals themselves."

“Originals?" Serah and I echoed.

“You know the tale of witches and werewolves now, don't you?" He asked, staring into my eyes.

I shook my head slowly as I swallowed a lump which had been in my throat.

"Well my dear, thousands of years ago, we lived in harmony. Werewolves, shape shifters, witches, mortals, demigods and gods. Everything changed when a demigod decided a young witch was beautiful as she bathed in the river. Oh did he make a mistake that changed the fate of the world. The witches in a bid to seek revenge on the demigod, combined their powers, awakening a dark cursed power. The forbidden power of Asmodeus, demon of wrath and destruction. Did they get what they want? Of course they did, but, it came with a price. Now tell me, sweetheart, what price do you think they paid?”

Shivers ran down my spine as I dampened my brows. Why was he telling me this? What power? How am I linked to all this?

“Extinction." Serah gasped.

“Bravo!" Xander applauded, “Now, one particular witch did not want to go down the drain. So, what did she do? She made a deal with gods, selling her soul in return for rebirth after six thousand years. The gods granted her wish, but little did they know she was a trickster. The gods, upon giving her the power of rebirth were destroyed by Asmodeus, causing the extinction of demigods and gods. Werewolves and vampires fled in fear as she hunted everyone down. Only one, stood up to her, bravely killing her and banishing Asmodeus back to hell. Everyone thought it was over, until now. Today makes it six thousand years since the fall of the witch, Circe. For months I've been searching for the foetus of Circe and she has brought you right to my doorstep.”

“Y… You can't be serious,” I muttered, panting.

"Where do you think you got such forbidden power from?” Xander asked, intrigued as he scanned me.

"I'm not who you think I am.”

"Yet, you mean. Yet…," Xander said chuckling darkly.

I felt the walls close in as my heart throbbed against my ribcage. This can't be real. I can't be the one they search for. I need to leave. I need to find a way out of here. This shouldn't be happening.

Shifting my gaze through the room, I caught sight of an unguarded exit. Taking a deep breath, I ran towards the exit.

“Get her!" Serah yelled.

Running through the unfamiliar halls, I ran as fast as my feet could carry me. My breath ragged as I scanned my surroundings. Narrowing my eyes, I caught sight of the starlit sky. Relief washed over me as I hastened my steps towards the path ahead.

After running for what felt like an eternity, I let out a deep exhale as I came to a halt by a small stream. Crouching down, I leaned towards the stream, taking a huge drink from it.

Wetting my hands, I washed my face as I hit my cheeks repeatedly. “It can't be me. Maybe they're mistaken. I can't be the foetus of some crazy witch. Who knows, maybe Xander is just mad with power he made it all up. But that power…”

My mind drifted back to the moment Xander tried stabbing me. The sudden surge of energy which flowed, that voice, the feeling… I couldn't explain it all. Instinctively, I pulled my hands in front of me, staring at them blankly. “I did that?"

“Place your hands above your head rogue!"