Valley of Remembrance...

Initially, when King offered to take her through the Valley of Remembrance, she had thought it would be a bit similar to the experience she had when she and Edith viewed the memories stored in her mother's necklace. She'd even thought it would prepare her for what she'd see. She was in for a big surprise.

Nothing about the Valley of Remembrance was similar to the memories her mother's necklace had shown her. The Valley of Remembrance was stranger, colder and more piercing.

Selene could smell, taste, and see better within the Valley. It felt like all her senses heightened after she crossed over. The strangest thing about the Valley of Remembrance was that she couldn't see her physical body just like we're never capable of seeing ourselves when we dream. It was almost like Selene was a supreme omniscient being watching over mortals without them noticing her presence.

At first, she thought King had ripped her off because she was still standing in the same spot she'd been in before she touched her. The only way she was able to tell she'd left her reality was when she discovered Edith was nowhere to be found.

Though she was in the Easter Tower, everything felt so different. The cold burst of air caused her to shiver. She was still trying to figure out what felt different when she began to hear the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps.

Suddenly, the door flew open and a peculiar girl wearing a blazer which had a huge 'S' embroidered on it entered.

It was difficult for Selene to describe what exactly made the girl look odd. It could have been her strange makeup that looked like it had been applied by a toddler. It could have been her tight skirt that revealed her enormous knees and ankles. It could have been the tight shirt she wore that revealed her hairy cleavage.

As someone who'd been judged harshly about her appearance, Selene hated doing the same to others. Yet for some reason, the girl's face still made Selene's skin crawl.

After a while, Selene realized why that was so. It wasn't her physical appearance that terrified her. It was the girl's black eyes.

One look into those eyes was enough to convince Selene that the girl was off her rockers. She was the kind of person you'd see on the street and immediately cross over to the other side.

Selene noticed the girl's chubby hands were filled with several packages. They were all neatly wrapped with red and white ribbons adorning them prettily.

"Isaac? Oh, Isaac! Where are you? Are we playing hide and seek?" The girl said as she looked around the room.

Her creepy, childlike voice sent shivers of fear down Selene's spine.

"Your friend told me to come to this Tower to find you so I know you're here. Why won't you come out? Are you mad at me for being late?" Her voice became whiny. She sounded a bit displeased.

"This must be Debbie," Selene said because she could stop herself. She half expected the girl to hear but she didn't.

"Look, I'm sorry I was late. Eric told me you were in the Tower but he didn't tell me which tower. I had to go back to ask. Don't be mad! I brought your gifts." Debbie said.

It was at that time that the ghost of the Tower decided to grace her with his company.

"Who dares come into my Tower?!" King shouted when he appeared.

The ghost of the Tower was every bit as formidable as a wolf. He looked like one to Selene with his angry eyes.

Selene had to hand it to Debbie. The girl didn't look scared. She didn't run off in fear when she saw the fierce look on King's face. She eyed him critically.

"Oh, it's just you." Debbie rolled her eyes

"What on earth is that supposed to mean? Do you know who I am?" King demanded.

"I do. You're what is left of the teenage boy who died in this room. I'm guessing you were either pushed to your death or you fell and broke your neck. You never acquired your one true desire before you died, hence your spirit lingers between the physical world and the spirit world, belonging to neither. You exist and at the same time, you don't. A fate worse than death." Debbie tapped her chin.

King glared at Debbie. His lips thinned and his figure seemed to become dimmer.

"So what if I am? Personal remarks are rude." He snapped.

"I'm sorry. I was born without a zip on my mouth." Debbie said.

King eyed her warily. Selene noticed that the ghost still had the sad aura she'd noticed while she was speaking to him earlier.

"Deborah, daughter of Judith and Ken. Child of death. A Necromancer." King announced after scrutinizing her face.

Debbie didn't look startled by how he'd known her name even though she hadn't introduced herself.

"I'm not just a Necromancer. I'm the most powerful Necromancer that has ever lived. Judging by how you were able to figure out my name easily, I'm guessing you were a Diviner in your lifetime." She said.

"You aren't scared? Why aren't you scared? You should be terrified! I'm dangerous." King snapped.

"Why would I be scared? I've come in contact with demons and evil spirits in my lifetime. I have carried out spells most Necromancers shy away from. As for you being dangerous? I like danger. It excites me. I live for danger." Debbie said.

King disappeared and suddenly reappeared behind Debbie's ear.

"I could end your life the way I ended that girl's. Didn't you hear about the girl who died here?" King asked.

Debbie yawned looking bored.
"There is nothing you'd say that would make me fear you. I fear nothing and no one. I've met far more dangerous beings than you." She said.

King reappeared in front of her. He looked into her eyes.

"You're insane! Your eyes...." He said when he finally saw the look in her eyes.

Debbie smiled happily.
"They said I lost most of my humanity when I cast a spell from the Forbidden Books of magic. I've never felt more alive and powerful." She said.

"You cast a spell from the Forbidden Books? Why? What spell did you cast?" King looked intrigued.

"Rumors say that I performed the Spell of Immorality," Debbie said.

"Rumors?" King asked.

"That's what they wanted everyone to believe. After all, I'm supposed to be a prodigy." Debbie said.

King eyed her critically. He seemed confused about something but didn't know if he could ask outrightly.

"I don't understand. Given the circumstances...shouldn't you have been expelled? Those spells are outlawed." King asked.

Deborah threw her head back and cackled. She looked even more insane when she did that.

"I can't get into trouble no matter what I do. They'll find a way to cover it up. Let's just say something happened that put me in the old man's favor. Don't ask. I haven't been able to break the spell that would prevent me from telling it all. Even if I could, I don't want any pity. Pity is for victims. I want revenge and I won't stop until I draw blood" Deborah said viciously.

"They cast a spell on you?" King asked.

"That wasn't all they did. Who cares anyway? It's all water under the bridge. That's what she said when I told her what he did. As far as I continue to excel, they'll explain my quirks. Even I don't, they'd still explain it." Deborah said.

"What spell did you cast?" King asked.

"I can't tell you that! I didn't even tell them. No one can know. The walls have ears, you know. I didn't even tell Isaac!" Deborah said.

"Isaac? Who's Isaac?" King was starting to look more comfortable. Like most lonely people, he was eager for company. He didn't want her to leave just yet.

"The most handsome and most perfect boy in the entire world. He's so dreamy. I've loved him since forever! We practically grew up together." Debbie sighed. Her eyes became soft and sweet.

"So he's poor?" King asked.

"No, he isn't! Why would you think that? Because of what I'm wearing? He's from a wealthy family. Aristocrats. My mother's their maid-of-all-work. That's how we met. He's so kind and perfect. Everyone loves him but he's mine." Deborah sighed.

King rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"He's your anchor?" He asked.

"Yes! I made him my anchor. He's the most perfect boy in the world and I love him so much." Deborah said.

"But isn't that risky? What if you stop liking him?" King asked.

"Impossible! I will always love him!" Deborah said at once.

"I'm guessing those are for him," King said, nodding at the gifts in her hand.

"Of course! Who else would it be for? I'm going to ask him out today. I think he likes me." Deborah said.

"He doesn't," King said.

"What?" Debbie demanded.

"Your destiny and his do not collide. If you try to force it, then it'd end in disaster. Divination might not be so powerful but I'm sure of that." King said bluntly.

"That's impossible! He likes me!" Debbie's eyes flashed.

"You're only signing up for heartbreak. You can still change your anchor. There's someone else who loves you dearly." King said.

"Someone else? They can never be like Isaac." Debbie said.

"Perhaps not. But I can tell your future and his are intertwined. Although not in a way that you might expect. He is very manipulative. You should be wary." King said but Debbie wasn't listening.

The room was silent for a while.

"Why are you still here? What is your desire?" Debbie asked suddenly.

"My...desire?" King frowned.

"You should have gone to the afterlife by now. I have the powers to help you cross over if you'd like." Debbie said nicely.

"Why would you want to help me? What would you possibly gain?" King asked.

"Necromancers don't like seeing spirits suffer. We help spirits cross over. It's our ultimate goal." Debbie sounded like she'd rehearsed those words many times.

Selene didn't trust the look in Debbie's eyes. She didn't like the way the girl was smiling at King.

King looked drawn and mesmerized like a moth drawn to the flame.

"I'm guessing you don't remember how you died. But I'm sure you can remember your secret desire. I understand spirits, King. Your desire to love and be loved shines brightly in your eyes." Debbie said.

"Hmph. Perhaps. I wouldn't necessarily say love. Perhaps lust would be better. I desire a kiss. I guess it must have been because everyone else I knew had kissed someone by the time I died." King said slowly.

"A kiss? That's all you desire? Would I do? Will my kiss be sufficient enough to send you to the afterlife?" Debbie asked flashing him some hairy cleavage.

Selene choked. Her eyes began to water in shock. She had to take off her glasses to dry them. She couldn't believe anyone could be that bold after they'd been told their crushes didn't like them.

Selene didn't trust the weird look in Debbie's eyes. She didn't like it one bit.

King still didn't notice as expected. Like most boys who'd been shunned by the fairer sex, the mere thought of kissing a girl was enough to excite him.

"I guess it won't hurt to try," King said appearing in front of Debbie.

Debbie smiled at him. Her smile was razor-sharp and a bit conceited. King's eyes were closed so he didn't even notice. His fluid-like hands were on Deborah's cheek.

Selene opened her mouth to warn King even though she knew she couldn't change the outcome of the story. She noticed Debbie slipped her hands into her pocket to retrieve a small bottle.

Better she couldn't open it, King opened his eyes and saw her. Selene couldn't tell why he opened his eyes later on. Perhaps his mind had alerted him of the danger approaching or perhaps he was simply nervous about getting his first kiss.

Either way, he opened his eyes and moved away from Debbie and her bottle. The bottle fell and broke.

"How dare you?! Trying to take advantage of me? Do you think that I can't feel your thirst and crazy desire for power? Did you really think I wouldn't know you'd try to trap my spirit? I am a Diviner before I am anything else!" King shouted.

The room began to vibrate. Debbie shook in anger, fear, and disgust.

"You're smarter than an average spirit. How did you know what I was trying to do?" She said coldly.

"I am not a fool! You tried to trick me! You lied to me! I can see through your malicious intent! How can a Necromancer have worldly desires like you?" King asked.

"Why should I fulfill the stereotype of Necromancers? Why can't I desire power and wealth?" Debbie demanded.

"There is nothing wrong with desiring those things. But there's something wrong with being willing to harm others in your quest for power. You want power, don't you? I shall give you power!" King's eyes turned blood red.

"No! Stop! Don't read my future! I only wanted to use you to make Isaac like me and to get revenge! I didn't mean any harm!" Debbie shouted but King was too furious to listen.

"If it's love you want, then it's cursed love you shall get. If it's revenge you want, you shall have it in abundance. For attempting to harm me with your powers, I shall harm you with mine." King said.

"No! Please! I'm sorry!" Debbie begged but King was no longer listening.

"When love turns to hate,
Adoration to resentment;
A moment shall forever be frozen in time,
Tainted by the poison of envy and deceit.

Cursed and abandoned shall she be,
Drunk on the wine of life to ease the burden
Yet it shall never be enough
The only antidote shall be the one that eludes her

Only the Child of Black Day shall suffice,
A savior and a foe.
Blood and soul shall be the key...." King recited.

Debbie ran out at that point, leaving King and Selene alone in the room.

"The truth shall be the light at the end of the tunnel," King said before his glowing eyes returned to normal.

Selene shook in fear and shock. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed.

King turned his eyes to her almost like he could see her.

"Well? What are you still doing here, girl? This is only half of the show." King said.

He waved his hands as if to chase her away and at that moment, the scenery changed once again.

#M.M💀🖤