《Sierra》

"Will you go to the ball?" Angelus asked.

We were walking towards the academy for we attended Garry's funeral outisde. The king and queen from Aireo were present. They insisted too, that Garry should be buried in Sieberriah since he grew up here and just lived in Aireo to get away from his psychotic daughter who is now in the prison, in Sieberriah, away from the academy. Too bad he didn't have time to talk to his daughter for the last time.

"Sierra, are you okay?" Sachiel said as he stopped infront of me and held my shoulders.

I was spacing out.

"What?" I asked and looked at them with a questioning look.

"I said, will you go to the ball?" Asked Angelus.

"Ball? When's the ball?" I asked.

"Next Week. It's a celebration of the founder of the Perytonia."

"Precious Perytonia?" I asked. Sachiel nodded and went by Angelus' side then we continued walking again.

"So, will you go to the ball?" He asked again,

"Yeah, I think I will." I answered.

"With me?"

I stopped. "What?" They stopped as well.

"Will you go to the ball with me?" Angelus asked.

I was astounded. I have never been asked by someone to go to the ball with them.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

"What should I do? What should I wear?" I said to myself while looking at the mirror in the girls' bathroom.

I cupped my face with my hands, "If Nathalia was here or Eryn hasn't gone... bad, I would have known what to do!" I covered my face and faked a cry, "Why did I said 'yes' in the first place?" Then I placed my hands on the sink as I looked at myself , "Sierra, calm down! You have danced with him back in Aireo!" I sighed, "But this time, it's different! HE asked ME! No one has asked me before. This is like Prom! Except, no one has ever asked me to go to the prom-" I cupped my face again, "I'm okay, I'll be okay. It's just a dance, for cat's sake!"

Then the door opened, I looked at the door and saw her. Her eyes were in pain. She stopped for a second as she looked at me and ran towards the first cubicle.

I crinkled my nose.

I looked back at the mirror and combed my hair with my hand then picked up my bag on the side of the sink and was about to go out when Eryn went out the cubicle and spoke, "Sierra..."

I stopped and turned to look at her.

I held my bag tightly.

I could see emotions in her eyes but I remained emotionless. Everytime I remember what she did, I'd just loathe her more. I could not forget what she did. I will never forget what she does.

She killed Garry.

I immediately looked away at that thought. I don't think I could hold a stare at her for long. Because of what she did.

Though she didn't admit anything yet, I already know her. I already know what she did.

I took a step but she stopped me, "Sierra, there's something you need to know--"

"Cut it out, Eryn." This time, I looked at her, wrath-faced, "I know everything about what you did. Garry told me. I'm pretty sure you heard what he told me."

"Sierra--"

"I don't think there's still something I needed to know. I knew enough." Then I left her. I sighed as I walked away from the bathroom. "I wanna give you another chance. But I'm sorry. For now, I can't even look at you."

I went back to the Opinicum's Place. It was almost bedtime so I climbed up the upper bunk bed and but stopped as I noticed the box placed on top of it.

It was flat and was a sparkly turquoise-colored box and was tied together with a white elegant ribbon on top. I looked at the other bunk bed where Angelus and Sachiel were supposed to be sleeping but it seemed like they weren't planning on sleeping yet.

I sat on the bunk bed and took the box then placed it on my lap. I searched for a message or something to make sure it was really meant to be given to me but didn't see nothing.

I untied the ribbon and opened the box. I smelled a sweet scent. Something like... "Cotton candy..." Then I saw a folded paper on it. I picked it up, unfolded it, and read it.

Princess Sierra of Sieberriah, I hope you like this little gift from me. And I hope you'd come and visit Aireo again. Wear this on the ball.

~Thalia

I didn't know what to feel as I placed down the letter and smelled the fabric in the box, "This smells so good."

Excitedly, I took it out. As I lift the fabric up, it glowed as magic surrounded it, spinning around it, then slowly, it turned into a beautiful blue dress. I could still smeel the fragrant smell on it.

"Wow, " I gaped at amazement. "This is beautiful!"

It was a blue dress with a sheer net yoke boat front neck design, light blue small puffed sleeves, and the layered skirt that what I think goes down to my knee-level.

I hugged it, "I love this."

"Wow, Sierra, that dress... Is beautiful." someone spoke down the bunk bed. I looked to see who it was and saw Jana Miriella. "Hi! Jana here again." She then smiled.

I smiled back at her, "Thanks, Nathalia gave it to me."

"Well, I think that it will surely suit you."

I chuckled as I was flattered, "Thanks..."

"Will you wear that in the ball?" She asked.

"Well, uhm, yeah..."

"Really? Oh, that's perfect for you."

"Thanks... again. By the way, who will you go with?"

She slightly chuckled as she blushed as she started twirling her slightly curly hair, "Uhm, you know, the guy I thought was cute? The owner of the piglet who snorted infront of the class when Professor was talking about the rules? He's the one."

I nodded, "Lance Bayon."

She chuckled. So cute. Seemed like she really liked him,

To avoid the topic, I changed it, "So, how's your day?"

"Oh," She walked towards her bed, three bunk beds away from me, "My day has been awesome." I layed down her bed,"G'Night, Sierra."

I smiled, "Goodnight."

I looked back at the box and was surprised of what I saw in it.

There were blue mixed with silver glittered flat shoes inside.

"Wow, Thalia, wow."

The door opened and I heard Sachiel and Angelus talking.

I immediately put it back and hid it behind the headboard where there was a compartment where you put your important things.

Then they got in and Sachiel saw me first, "Hey, Sierra." He smiled.

I smiled back, "Hey,"

"I thought you were going to go to professor Hadiya's class?"

Oh no, "Uhm, Yeah, I was in her class." I lied. Flawlessly.

He nodded as they walked towards their bunk bed. Angelus didn't climbed up their upper bunk bed though they were both wearing their pajamas.

"Sierra, come down here, quick. We're gonna listen to something!" Sachiel whispered loudly.

"What is it?" I said as I climbed down the bunk bed and went to Sachiel's lower bunk bed.

"Earlier, I was with Custodis outside Penelope's room while Eryn and her mother talked inside, right?" Sachiel said.

I nodded, "Yeah, you were. What's wrong? What happened?"

Sachiel immediately took his wand out and said, "Defeaner."

It prevents nearby people from listening to our conversation.

He showed us his closed left hand and opened it, it was the blueberry.

"I recorded their conversation. There was something wrong about Eryn. We know that."

"Sachiel, I don't think we need to listen to that. That's their convo. It's not ours to listen." Angelus said.

"But this could contain additional clues. About... Eryn."

"Why do we need clues? It's already solved. Because clearly, Eryn is in the army." I said.

"Yeah? But after the conversation she had with her mom, she left, uneasy, running as if she'd done something wrong. And Penelope was crying. I followed her and tried to talk to her and she just ran away from me. But she left something. I think she left it on purpose." He said.

"What did she leave behind? Something that could tell she's good and innocent? I'm not believing her. She's a demon."

He took an envelope, "Sierra, I understand your anger towards her. But we should give this a try--"

"A witch from Damianos' army killed Saireah. And my mother. And now, Garry. But we couldn't do anything. Because of the lack of proof. Sachiel, we can't do anything to someone who might die right now because of a dark wizard because we don't have proof--"

"Sierra, this could be a proof." Sachiel said, pertaining to the envelope.

I breathed deeply.

"Sierra, we should open it." Angelus said.

"Fine," I said, "But if something happens--"

"This is meant to be given... to the three of us." Sachiel said, looking at the opened envelope.

He took out the paper and read it, with his wand still on his right hand, "Sachiel, Angelus, and..." He looked at me and back at the paper, "Sierra. I'm sorry. I didn't want to do this to her. Nor did she wanted to be used by me. But I hope it's not too late. Please believe me on this. During the ball, meet me at the back of the Academy; near the Phoenix statue. Please trust me on this. I'll tell you everything. Just please go and believe me on this. Go and see me with no one else but the three of you."

There was a defeaning silence so I spoke, "What did she mean? Isn't one person being killed enough?"

"Sierra, I don't think that's her point. I think she'll admit everything she has done." Angelus said.

"I don't think I could listen to her. I couldn't stand her." I said, frowning and shaking my head slightly. I stood as I walked towards my bunk bed.

"Sierra," Angelus spoke but I didn't stop, "I hope you'd still go to the ball with me."

I stopped, and turned to look at him, he was sad but he managed to smile,

My frown turned into a warm smile, "Don't worry, I will." I looked at Sachiel then back at Angelus, "Goodnight."

I wore off my cape as doves flew and took it then I pointed my wand towards myself then my uniform turned into pajamas.

Then I went to the upper bunk bed and lied down,

The door opened again, "It's bed time already!" The footsteps stopped, "Hmm, Ms. Vesta isn't here. Again." Professor Louise heaved a sigh as Sachiel spoke, "Professor, I think she's in the Serpento's Territory again."

"Shannon," She called on me.

I arose, "Yes, professor?"

"I know what's happening with her. Are you okay?" She asked as she held my hand on the upper bunk bed and smiled, I nodded and smiled back, "Professor... I'll do fine."

"Good, now, have a good sleep, okay?"

I nodded, "Thank you professor,"

She nodded once as she left me and clapped her hands once as the lights turned off and the students slept. Including me.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

"Later's the ball!" Jana said as she held my hand and screached excitedly, "I'm gonna dance with Lance! I can't believe he asked me!" There was this sparkle twinkling in her eyes as she excitedly hugged the gown which she will wear.

"Oh, I should change! You should too, Sierra, get your dress!" Jana said as she ran, supposedly, to change into the purple shade of gown she's going to wear.

I qent up my bed as I took the box out the compartment, I should get dressed.

•°•°•°•°•°•°

But just as I finished getting dressed, something unexpected happened. Magic came out again, as my dress turned into a gown and glitters were added into it, it sparkled flawlessly with the dress. Oh my, this is breathtaking.

"You look beautiful." Jana said from behind me.

I turned and smiled at her who was wearing the gown and was holding a hair brush, "Thank you, you look beautiful as well."

"Really? Thank you! It was my sister's but it fits on me perfectly! And I like it. Glad you liked it too! I just hope he'd like it as well.. I'm really nervous right now, what if he doesn't like this gown? What will I do? Is my hair okay?"

I chuckled, "Jana, you look stunning."

She sighed in relief, "Now that's a relief, coming from the princess! Oh, and speaking of hair, we should do something to your hair." She lend me her brush but I backed off, "What? no, this is fine," I said, contented.

"Noooo, lemme fix it, I know how to do it!"

"But-"
"Sierra,"

I nodded and smiled, "Fine, okay, but I'll do it myself--"

"But I want to style your hair.." She looked so sad.

I sighed, "Fine, go ahead."

"Good!" She exclaimed as she spinned me, and combed my hair.

"Voila! It's done!" Jana said as she lend me the brush which turned into a mirror.

She made me a bun with braids around it, "Thank you, Jana." I turned around and hugged her.

"No problem," Her happy eyes turned into sad ones, "I know how much Eryn means to you. And it's hard to lose a friend." she shrugged, "I know you never wanted it to happen..."

"Thank you." I said.

•°•°•°•°•°•°

I went at the back of the stage where Angelus was already waiting, his back facing me. He was wearing a white tuxedo with a combination oz

"You look beautiful."

Oh my God,
he said it!

"Th-thank you." I tried to sound as calm as passible. But ended up stuttering.

"Everyone's gonna look at you," He said.

"I don't think so." I chuckled softly, "I think they're going to be looking at you,"

He chuckled, "Nice dress,"

"Thanks, Thalia gave it to me."

He nodded slightly, "Ready?" He asked.

I smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I think."

His hands held mine,

I'm not blushing!

"... let us all give an applause to the princess of Sieberriah and the prince of Aireo.. Sierra Saga Shannon and Angelus Enrique Hagani..."

Students made noises as we walked on the stage, towards the Opinicum's table.

"The daughter of the royalties, Eryn Vesta together with Mikel Ryan Tragura," She continued. And there, we saw the stunning Eryn Vesta, with her black high collar halter neck design and an asymmetrical skirt, with a black gloves that reached below her elbow with matching platform heels with an ankle strap that shined together in the light, walking across the stage. But she showed no emotions. It was hard to read her move. She was looking through the crowds, not us. Obviously aboiding us.

I could see Sachiel, looking at her in my peripheral vision. Who wouldn't be looking at her? She's stunning and all but she's with a guy from Serpento. And I'm pretty sure he's Medea's man! She really hates Medea for having the man go with her.

She walked towards the Serpento's table with Mikel but she ran outside, with no one noticing.

"And the professors, Professor Louise, Professor Berthold, Professor Maleagant, and me, Felcia!" She exclaimed. The students clapped. "And of course, Penelope Vesta, and her husband, Custodis Ranger Vesta."

Angelus looked at me, "Sierra, Eryn went out,"

I nodded, "I know..."

"Goodevening, ladies, gentlemen," Professor Felcia said, "Tonight, we are all here to celebrate the foundation of Perytonia. Let us all hear, the statement of the king!"

Students clapped as father stood, "Tonight, as a king, I open the celebration--" father stopped as a pixie flew towards him and whispered on his right ear. Father nodded.

Students started whispering.

"Uhm, listen students," Father said as soon as the pixie flew away, "Perytonia has an intermission dance to show us all, in respect and appreciation to our Perytonia founder, Precious Perytonia."

The Perytonias stood and walked infront, we started clapping,

"Sierra!" Sachiel whispered behind me, I turned my head and saw him, "We should go at the back,"

"What? Why?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes as he grabbed Angelus' arm and said, "Eryn!"

"Oh," I immediately stood up and we ran outside,

But as soon as we've reached the door, Perytonias started dancing. It started so gracefully but I was not gonna be there to watch and finish the show.

"Sierra! C'mon!" Sachiel whispered as he grabbed my hand as well.

We closed the doors and continued running outside.

Until we reached the Phoenix statue.

"Where's she?" I asked.

"I don't know, she should be here any second now." Sachiel said.

"She should," I said.

"Ready your wands." Angelus said, "She might do something."

"If she asks for forgiveness, I will not give it to her--" I stopped when Sachiel nor Angelus paid attention to what i was saying and was rather stunned by what they were seeing behind me, I looked at them with a questioning look. I was about to speak when someone already did behind me, "Sierra..."

It was a familliar voice. I turned around. And met the same reaction as Sachiel and Angelus.

"Medea?"

She was wearing the same dress as Eryn.

She shed a tear as she smiled, "It's me,"

I was puzzled, "What?"

She was crestfallen, "It was me all along..."

"Medea, where have you been?" I asked worriedly.

"I've been... using green rocks. To pretend as Eryn."

I was astounded as I back off and looked down, not knowing what to say nor do.

"What are you talking about?" asked Angelus, his wand on his back.

"I know you're not gonna forgive me but I'm sorry." She said as her tears started flowing.

Why is she crying?

"Believe me, I regret everything I did. To everyone. To Eryn. To Garry."

"You were the one taking all the green rocks?" Sachiel asked, "When did you started lying to us all?"

"I didn't mean to--"

"Eryn-- Medea, when? You've hurt many people. What makes you think that you have the right to hurt Custodis? And Penelope? You--"

"That is why I avoided them, Sachiel. I thought, in-in that way--"

"You'll hurt them either way, Medea. Why did you do this, anyway?"

"I was forced to." She looked down and wiped her tears then looked at Sachiel, "But I know I was wrong. I made this wrong choice and I couldn't take it back." Her tears started flowing again, "They'll kill me, if I depart from the army. Once I do the tradition, I can never quit."

"So you weren't forced. You chose this. You agreed to this." Angelus spoke.

"No, no, of course not--"

She was cut off by Angelus, "And I assume you already killed someone." Eryn didn't answer, "Who is it?"

She sobbed as a reply.

"Who was it?" Angelus asked again.

"Charaine... Wong."

"Charaine?" I asked, "Nurse Joseph's daughter?" I looked at her with disgust, "How dare you!"

Angelus spoke, "No, it's impossible. Charaine Wong was killed by Damianos--"

"Obviously, it wasn't true! She was killed," I pointed at Medea while looking at Angelus, "By this monster!"

"Don't shout at me..."

"Sierra, stop it." Sachiel said.

"Stop?" I looked at him but turned to Medea, "You! You killed Joseph's only daughter, you killed Garry! You're a monster!" She was about to speak when I stopped her, "The worse thing is, you made us despise Eryn when the truth is, she's innocent all along!" I said as I walked towards her, "How can you do all of this? How can you sleep peacefully every night, leaving us, confused everyday?" A tear streamed down but but harshl wiped it, "You made us hate Eryn!" I pushed her, "She didn't deserve everything you did, Medea, no one deserved all of this!"

"Sierra, please," She said between her sobs.

"And where's Eryn? Don't tell me she's..." My tears started flowing down, "Do not tell me she's gone, Medea!" I angrily pushed her, "I will never forgive you!"

"Sierra, she's not dead! Please,"

"Where is Eryn? Where have you been hiding her? Tell me, Medea."

"Sierra, I-I can't..."

I formed a watergun on my left hand, "Tell me,"

She looked at me in horror, "Sierra, please you don't understand. She can hear everything I say. And if I tell you where Eryn is--"

"Stop this, Medea! Just tell me!" I said as I pointed the gun at her, "Tell."

She shook her head as she took her wand from her belt, "What are you doing?" I asked, Then she pointed her wand at the glove she was wearing on her right hand, the glove got opened up, then Medea removed it, revealing a wound.

From the palm up to the wrist.

"Medea," Sachiel said, "Who did that to you?"

"Isabel Bhear." She answered, "She knows I'll admit it know. She's okay with it. She's okay if I tell you that I'm not Eryn. But she's not okay of the idea that you three, will know where Eryn is--"

"It's okay." A voice spoke behind Medea. "Tell her."

"Isabel..." Medea said.

Isabel walked towards Medea, wearing a fit red trumphet dress and handled her a flask that contained her blood. "Take it."

Medea took it as the blood glowed and became blue. Then the flask disappeared together with the wind as her wound started healing fastly, "Th-thank you."

Isabel nodded and said, "Tell her," as she looked and me.

Medea looked at me, "She's in the underground room, down the trapdoor, located in the Kitsunopus laboratory--"

"Take us there." I said.

"How can we make sure you're not tricking us?" Sachiel asked, looking at Isabel and Medea.

Isabel took a small flask and a knife as she slit a wound from her palm up to her wrist, making us astounded.

Her breathing became fast,

"Isabel, what are you doing?" Medea worriedly asked.

Isabel looked at Sachiel, "They don't trust us." few blood dropped in the flask, and she gave it to Sachiel, "If I do something vicious, kill me."

Sachiel stared at her, "I can't do that." He pushed the flask away from him carefully, to avoid dropping it.

"Why not?" She asked, "Well, if you won't, then I suppose Angelus will."

Emotionless, Angelus grabbed the flask, "Angelus," Sachiel said in a low voice. Angelus looked at him, and shook his head slightly.

"Now, take us." I demanded.

"Follow me." said Medea.