"Someone?" Sarah asked. "Do you not know who? I thought you saw that part as well."

Sebastian's hand on my shoulder tightened its grip. "I did see," I answered, "however, the future has been different from my visions in the past. I saw them kill Sebastian, but it could just as easily turn into it being me or anyone else in the kingdom."

"Chrys, you can't just put off your destiny in fear of the unknown." Jasmine commented. "If the future is so easily changed, then one of the outcomes you're not seeing is the one where you win. Maybe you won't be captured and everything will be okay."

I couldn't help but give her a sad smile. "I really do wish I could share your optimism, but this vision was important. It pulled me back in until I was able to see it through. We won't win so easily."

Sebastian released my shoulder with a sigh. "You are correct. Whoever this man is wants nothing more than to dispose of the monarchy. He isn't going to go down without a fight."

"Then Sarah and I aren't going to stop training our new skills until we're able to help!" Jasmine declared. "I will not let my best friend fight without me again."

I felt my eyes water and quickly blinked away the tears as Sarah agreed with Jasmine's statement. "Thank you. Both of you. I honestly don't know what I'd do if you hadn't come here with me."

"Well, no need to dwell on that," Sarah said as she released my hand. "We're here, and have no intention of ever leaving your side."

I smiled at her, then hugged them both before they decided to excuse themselves to start training. Once they were gone, I let out a sigh.

"I know I've said this before, but you really do have some very loyal friends." Sebastian stated, wrapping his arms around me.

I leaned into his touch. "Yeah. I know."

Several moments passed before Sebastian spoke up again. "Are you really doubting your visions?"

I slowly nodded. "I mean, the one I had during the ball was off. And I keep seeing really bad things happen but they haven't. I don't know what to believe anymore."

"I do not know what happened at the ball for things to change, but the reason nothing terrible has happened is because you see it and we are able to prevent it. The future is not set in stone."

"But destiny is."

There was a beat before he spoke. "Correct, My Love."

We stood there silently for a long time, both thinking of the future, what could and could not be changed, until I felt the familiar magical pull on my mind. I tightened my grip on Sebastian's shirt, wanting to tell him but suddenly losing the strength to speak.

He held me tighter as my consciousness started shifting. "I've got you, Chrystal."

I managed a weak nod before darkness surrounded me.

"Jasmine! Sarah!" I called, running through the corridors of the castle, knuckles white as I held tightly to my swords. They were right behind me a second ago.

Knowing they wouldn't just leave me alone, I'd turned back and ran in search of my friends. I knew I should've tried to find Sebastian first, but there was no time. They had to be close.

I kept running, shouting the names of my friends, rushing past the demonic staff, desperate to find out what happened to them. But the maids all seemed confused, like they either didn't know who I was, or they hadn't seen anything suspicious this way. But they should've all known who I am by this point. I was mere hours away from officially becoming their queen. Maybe they were all simply confused as to why I was running away from my room when I should've been preparing for a coronation.

I shook the thoughts away. What they thought didn't matter. The coronation didn't matter. I had to find my friends. They'd been right there. Why had they just vanished?

As I reached the end of the hallway, I blindly turned the corner. As I did, I felt myself collide with something that felt like another person. I fell backward and landed on the floor, only to try to stand again quickly.

"Let me through!" I demanded as I glanced up to see who was in my path. My blood ran cold as my gaze landed on the red haired demon who had been tormenting my every waking moment since coming to this demon world. I glared at him, immediately understanding why my friends had suddenly disappeared.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Your Highness. You'll be coming with me." With those words, he leapt forward, tackling me back to the ground and being sure I wasn't able to use my swords.

"Sebastian!" I screamed before the demon covered my eyes. The vision went dark, then brightened up again to an all too familiar scene.

I was in a pitch black space, shackled at the wrists and ankles. I was just waking up, my mind groggy, but I instantly knew I wasn't alone.

"Where are they?" I slurred weakly. "Where are my friends?"

My captor answered through a smirk. "They're still alive for the time being, if that's what you mean. We've been trying to recruit them, but they won't talk. A pity, really. They are rather cute..."

"Don't touch them!" I screamed at him, pulling hard at my restraints. The chains clanged together in my fruitless attempt as my body gave out, as if I'd used up all the energy I had in that one pull.

He laughed, taking a few steps closer. "Tug on those shackles all you want. Please, struggle. You will not be breaking those chains. They were made specifically to hold strong demons. And because you are not at your full strength yet, they should do nicely."

He chuckled again, then his footsteps began to become distant, and I slumped over defeatedly as the vision faded to black.

(I genuinely did not mean for this to take over a month to write and upload, but I was having difficulties figuring out how I wanted to word everything and where I wanted the chapters to separate. I hope you enjoyed it, despite the wait.)