Painted: 1.0.5

Chapter 5

Kassi's footsteps echoed through the endless halls and she fingered her ruby necklace nervously. The big house was so quiet when Kassi arrived back home that she knew Sila was still away. For some reason, she'd thought Sila would be here to greet her with hugs and a platter of cookies. But she wasn't, and so Kassi remained alone.

Kassi arrived at her room and collapsed on her bed, suddenly emptied of all thoughts and feelings but simple lassitude. Slowly, the heavy air settled around her, and she gave in to exhausted bliss.

* * * * *

Kassi was in the same hall again, the one from her previous dream. She turned around, but found herself entirely alone in this muted palace.

“Hello?” she called hopefully, but there was no answer except her echo. "Luk? Erko?"

There was a shuffle from her left, and Kassi spun to see its source. At first she saw nothing, then there was another shuffling sound, and her eyes caught the movement.

A cloaked figure was emerging, it appeared, from the cold marble wall. He had the shape of a man, but his head was bent so that she could not see inside the hood. Instinctively, Kassi stepped back. The man stepped forward—twice.

He made almost no sound as he moved towards her, and it appeared his strides were effortless.

“Hello?” Kassi said again. The man did not reply. “Who—who are you?”

The figure was only a couple feet away, and she could hear his breathing.

“Please, speak! I am Kassi Fortis--I have met Erko and Luk—”

His breath was on her neck. It was neither rank nor sweet; it smelled just like a normal person’s breath would, with a hint of toothpaste. He paused for a moment in front of her, then reached out with a large hand, took hold of her shoulder, and moved her to the side. His touch was gentle.

He was making his way to the other side of the hall, so Kassi scurried to follow him.

Apparently he noticed her presence, and he stopped in his tracks for a moment. He looked over his shoulder at her for a moment, then turned back away. He reached out to touch the wall in front of him, and a small silver knob appeared. He reached out a hand—it was a normal looking hand; large and strong—and turned the knob. He stepped through the wall, leaving Kassi breathing hard and wondering who he had been.

She didn’t have long to wonder, though, because soon she could hear more footsteps coming towards her, and a familiar voice yelling her name.

"Kassi! You're back!" Kassi turned and smiled at the sight of Luk, who was practically running towards her. "You collapsed on the ground, and then you just disappeared... I was—we were—so worried."

"Well, I'm here now," she said.

"Yes, you are." He grinned and reached out to take her arm. "Come on, we've got to get you to Kiki and Trissea before you faint again."

Kassi laughed, having completely forgotten about her encounter with the strange man. "Alright. Who are Kiki and Trissea?"

"They're the leaders of the rebellion."

"What rebellion?"

Luk paused a moment before answering. "You'll find out. I'm sorry, but that's not for me to explain."

Kassi nodded. "Okay."

At last, they arrived at the end of the corridor, and stood in front of a silver door.

"That's Trissea and Kiki's office," Luk said and gestured.

Kassi reached out for the doorknob, but her fingers hesitated.

"Go on," Luk said. He seemed to realize that his hand still held her arm, and he let her go.

Kassi took a deep breath and latched her fingers onto the cold metal of the doorknob. It turned smoothly under her palm, and the door swung open without a sound.

Two figures sat at either side of a long, marble table, their hands moving in unison over stacks of creamy paper. The figure on the right was slim, and a thin curtain of white-blond hair concealed her face. The figure on the left looked to be more muscular and tense as her hand scribbled across the paper. Kassi took a step forward, her sneakers making a distinct squeak that echoed through the room. The girl on the left reacted first. She dropped her writing utensil and stood quickly. She had a defined face and jawline, and her green eyes flashed when she saw Kassi's face.

"Who is this?" she asked Luk, her voice brusque.

Luk raised his eyebrows. "Who do you think she is, Kiki?"

"I don't know. But she'd better be important. I asked you not to disturb us!"

The girl on the right (who Kassi assumed to be Trissea) turned slowly and stood. Her fragile figure was clothed in a simple, flowing gown of only one color--lilac--with practically no ribbons or trim. All the same, she looked exquisite.

Ever so gradually, she lifted her face to Kassi. The light moved up from her breast to her light pink lips to her small, thin nose, and then at last, her crystal blue eyes. They looked over Kassi quietly, as if examining her, and then moved to Luk.

"It's her, isn't it, Luk?" Trissea's soft voice cut through the silence.

Luk nodded.

The air stood still for a moment, as a small, wicked smile cracked on Kiki's face. She latched eyes with Kassi and spoke in a hiss of a whisper. “Welcome to Exspecto,” she said. “We’ve been waiting.”

Kassi blinked once, and the room began to waver.

Kiki bent down to the table and picked up an old, curling piece of parchment. She took a step towards Kassi. Her lips moved silently as she held out the parchment.

Kassi found her legs weakening, and the room went black.