Alicia's Point of View
Alicia hears the voice coming from inside and sees the same man she had seen in Hanada Tower—the same man who had shifted her entire life and turned everything upside down. Even though she had never truly known him, Alicia felt an overwhelming hatred toward him.
This was the man who had made her mother cry—the mother who had always been strong, who carried the world in her hands… because Alicia was her world, just as her mother was Alicia's.
Without thinking twice, Alicia strikes toward him with overwhelming force.
Suddenly, she hears the sound of glass shattering, and a blinding light floods the area. Instinctively, she shuts her eyes—but she feels her fist being held back.
Then she hears a voice.
The voice she had heard since birth.
The voice that had guided her through her entire life.
Alicia steadies herself, opens her eyes—
And there is her mother. Rebecca.
She cannot hold back her emotions. She throws herself into her mother's arms.
Rebecca – My daughter… I found you. I'm so sorry… I should never have left you.
Alicia – Mom… I have so many questions…
Rebecca – And I'll be happy to answer them. But first—tell me, did anyone hurt you? Are you okay, my love?
They hold each other for a long moment.
Alicia – I'm okay, Mom. I met incredible people who helped me get here. One of them is her.
She points to Jheysi with a smile and gestures for her to come closer.
Jheysi approaches slowly, extending her hand for a handshake. Rebecca instead pulls her into a hug.
Rebecca – Anyone who protected my Alicia has my full respect.
Jheysi – Oh, ma'am, I… well… to be honest—
Alicia – It's okay, Jheysi.
Rebecca – The others… Amanda, Gregor, Violet, Khawlah, Albert, Estela… and Maya?
Alicia looks at her mother in shock.
Rebecca – I met them all today. Except Maya—I've known her a little longer.
Rebecca glances toward the doorway and sees Elliot… and the other man.
She gasps, runs toward the man in the white cap, jumps into his arms, and kisses him passionately.
Alicia – What?! What is this?!
Rebecca regains herself.
Rebecca – Alicia… come here. There's someone I need to introduce to you.
Alicia steps forward.
Rebecca – Alicia, this is Kalai. Your father.
A storm of emotions crashes inside her. Anger. Relief. Confusion. Curiosity. Hurt.
A father she never had.
A father who had left her mother to raise her alone.
Why was her mother crying before?
What had he done?
Her thoughts spiral.
Rebecca touches her shoulder gently.
Rebecca – Come inside. We'll explain everything.
Professor Louis approaches Jheysi.
Prof. Louis – Come with me. Let's give them some privacy. We'll gather some medicinal herbs.
Jheysi – That sounds right. Actually, Professor, I need to ask you something…
---
Maya's Point of View
Maya stands inside a vast hall made of white marble and quartz, adorned in gold. At one end is a door of pure silver with golden details. At the other, a massive onyx door trimmed in silver.
Annora – Hello, Amaya. And here we are once again.
Maya – I haven't fulfilled my promise yet. But I said it before and I'll say it again—I will end you.
Annora – Your determination for vengeance is admirable… but it doesn't matter what you want, dear. Do you know how long I've prepared you? Of all the vessels, you were the most refined. One after another. And I don't even need to mention the disappointment Fionna was as a vessel. The mere thought that one of my subordinates placed part of my blood in her is repulsive.
Maya – You talk too much. And I don't recall asking for your opinion.
Annora – Don't speak to me like that… or I might feel bad when I kill you.
Maya – Kill me?
Annora – Maya… I truly like you. But I have no choice.
Maya – I don't care about your feelings. You ruined my life and expect sympathy?
Annora – That was part of your training. You're far stronger now.
Maya – I just wanted to be normal. To have a normal life.
Annora – You were born for more than that. Greater than this world, Amaya!
Maya – MAYA!! MY NAME IS MAYA! ONLY MY MOTHER HAS THE RIGHT TO CALL ME THAT!
Cracks begin forming across the walls.
Annora's eyes widen.
Annora – Ohhh… easy now…
Maya – STOP TRYING TO CONTROL ME!
The cracks widen.
Annora – Lysander. Now.
A familiar voice responds.
Lysander – Yes, my lady?
Maya freezes as if restrained.
Maya – Stop controlling me!!
Her head lifts involuntarily.
Annora – Perfect.
Maya – My lady… you fed her too much. I can't hold her much longer…
Annora – Stop being useless, Lysander. You had one job.
The cracks intensify.
Annora grabs Maya with her own power.
Annora – NO, BRAT! You will not repeat what Farahlin did. I cannot make that mistake again!
Lysander's presence dissolves from Maya like a departing soul.
Lysander – My lady… I'm outside.
Annora – That means—
The ceiling and walls tear open like a temporal rupture.
Maya stands within a massive blood-drawn circle. Six hooded figures surround her, arms raised, chanting incomprehensible words.
Behind them are large containers filled with thick red liquid.
Further back—a table.
And a girl lying on it.
Maya rises.
Man – No! It's too soon! That means Annora failed!
Man 2 – Don't be foolish. She is incapable of failure.
The girl stands.
She has blue hair, a white dress, a blue overcoat, and a brooch shaped like a diamond flower with a ruby center.
Girl – I tried to honor my family's name. But my own matriarch deemed me unworthy as a vessel. And yet… this war orphan is considered heir to Fusco?
Maya – I don't care about any of this.
Girl – Shut up, idiot. I wasn't talking to you.
Maya – I DON'T CARE!
A shockwave explodes from her body, shattering every container and slamming the hooded figures against the walls.
The girl watches, first disappointed… then smiling wickedly.
Girl – So Annora failed again. Allow me to introduce myself.
I am Seraphine II of the Anbuza family. Princess of Fusco. Future Empress of the realm.
Maya – The Fusco Empire? It ended decades ago.
Seraphine II – Foolish girl. I owe you no explanations.
She raises her hand.
Black lightning bursts from her palm.
---
Alicia's Point of View
Alicia – Mom… do you understand how confusing this is? I need the whole truth.
Rebecca – I promised myself I'd tell you when you turned eighteen… but things spiraled out of control. I'll summarize.
It began on an extremely hot summer day at the KeySands Institute. My group was me, Valeria, Fionna, Rodolfo… and your father. We flirted endlessly. Our chemistry was perfect.
Alicia – How does that explain why you left me at KeySands?
Rebecca – Oh—sorry. Let's skip ahead.
Your father is leader of the Dawnblades clan—that's why the white cap.
One night, after putting you to sleep in your crib, we heard noises upstairs. Your father nearly broke the ceiling jumping up there. But when he arrived… your crib was empty.
He chased one of the kidnappers and fought him—that scar on his eyebrow came from that fight.
We searched for weeks. I blamed myself endlessly. Your father never stopped looking. Eventually, the Dawnblades found you in a Blood Crows hideout.
But they had completed a ritual…
Alicia – What did they do to me?
Rebecca – I've told you about the Five Kingdoms. But not about Annora.
Alicia – The merciless Empress of Fusco.
Rebecca – Yes. She was alive until recently.
Alicia – That's impossible.
Rebecca – She uses forbidden magic. Every century, she reincarnates into one of five chosen children. That ritual was for you.
Alicia – She wants to reincarnate in me? Why me?!
Rebecca – Annora has always watched KeySands. Your father was the strongest student. The Anbuza clan kept their eyes on him.
We were hunted constantly. But we stayed together. Four years later, we had you.
Alicia – That's… a lot.
Kalai – Daughter… I must apologize. I wanted to be part of your life. Circumstances tore me away.
Alicia – I… think I understand. But Mom was crying. What did you do?
Kalai – I brought danger into her life.
Rebecca – Let me explain.
Rebecca – I was crying because… my greatest dream was that your father and I would one day walk you to the gates of KeySands together. But instead, I lied to you for years to protect you.
I was terrified. I remember the day I left you at the gates. You were as scared as I was. I should have taken you with me.
Alicia – I think I understand… It wasn't all bad. I met amazing people.
Rebecca – I wish everything had happened differently.
Kalai – I've waited so long to finally speak with you.
A tear rolls down his face.
Alicia – Hey… you'll have time to make up for it.
Kalai – I hope so.
Rebecca – From now on, we don't separate again. Okay?
Kalai – I hope that never happens.
Rebecca smiles at him.
Alicia watches the happiness in her mother's eyes.
The door opens.
Prof. Louis – Sorry to interrupt… I heard the last part.
Kalai – It's fine, Elliot.
Prof. Louis – I brought visitors.
Estela rushes in and hugs Alicia tightly.
Estela – Alicia! Are you okay? I was so worried!
Mandy, Jheysi, Khawlah, Gregor, and Albert follow.
Estela – The whole world is falling apart out there!
She hugs Rebecca.
Estela – It's good to see you again, Mom.
Rebecca – What is this, child?
Estela – If Alicia is my little sister, you're my second mom.
Rebecca laughs.
Estela whispers – Who's the handsome guy beside you?
Rebecca whispers – My husband.
Estela hugs Kalai.
Estela – Nice to meet you, Dad.
Kalai turns red.
Gregor – As nice as this is, we have urgent matters.
Mandy – Professor Louis, Aunt Valeria said you have Maya's location.
Prof. Louis – Yes. Did you bring the equipment?
Gregor – We did.
Prof. Louis – Good. Kalai will guide you to the hideout.
He hands Mandy a glowing blue pendant.
Prof. Louis – Place this on Maya and break the stone. She'll be transported to Valeria's house for sealing.
Gregor – And Alicia?
Prof. Louis – Not yet. We're preparing.
Alicia – Preparing what?
Rebecca – The ritual to break what was done to you.
Alicia – And Maya?
Khawlah – She's further along. Breaking it could kill her. She must be sealed.
Prof. Louis – Understood?
Estela – Wait—who's going where?
Prof. Louis – Jheysi, Rebecca, Alicia, and I return to Valeria's.
Kalai, Gregor, Albert, Mandy, Khawlah, and Estela rescue Maya.
Clear?
Gregor – Crystal clear.
Prof. Louis – Good. I'm counting on you.