"Aria... Breathe. Breathe and keep calm. The day is almost done"

I say this to myself as I am keeping watch of the local pub I'm working in.

"You cheated!" a drunk man shouted.

"I did not. You're just a sore loser!", says the man across him.

"It's not possible for you to win! There were already two aces thrown out earlier in the game and now there are three on your hand?", the first man continue to rant while tapping hard on the table.

"You have got to be imagining things. You clearly had too much to drink. It's my win so pay up!" the second man stood up glaring and face close to the first man.

"Men, you both have to calm down. Though, Bridge did have a point about the sudden appearance of the third ace. And Rou, you just have to contain yourself.", the third guy in between them joined in on the heated discussion.

"SHUT UP!", the former two bolted.

The yelling and cursing continues. And the arguments between the three men are getting worse by the minute.

Sheesh. It's just a petty game and they are already creating a big commotion out of it.

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT...

And this crowd is just making it worse while cheering a fight on. Ugh! This all had to happen at THAT TIME of the month too.

I approached the three arguing men to try to control the situation.

"Gentlemen, PLEASE! You are not alone in this pub and you are starting to disrupt all the other customers. If you do not settle this little ruckus of yours in a civilized manner, I will have to ask you to leave."

I say this in a calm but commanding tone.

"Shut up, lady. Step aside or–"

I cut the man's words with a loud BANG! from the destroyed wooden table I punched from snapping.

And as if following the script from a skit, the owner came and witnessed it.

"(Sigh*) There goes another one. I'm calling Pete... again."

My boss, Harold, leaves as quickly as he came.

All in that little while everyone gasped and turned silent.

I looked towards the previously arguing men that are now staring at me in shock.

"Listen and listen to me good. As much as I hate to be rough with you gentlemen, I will beat you all up if you start another fracas. Play nice inside or bring your riots outside this place. Understood?" I glared sharp like daggers at the three men.

They all scram. I must have looked terrifying or something.

"That chick is crazy!" heard one of them say.

Got that right though. What with all the pain I am enduring, I would've turned bat-shit crazy too.

And with that scene, a few customers started to get out too. The other workers got back to their places.

Great. Juuust great!

"Aria... Why in the world did you have to do another display of your cursed talent?" I scold myself in thoughts.

I sighed by the counter then muttered ill words to myself.

"Don't think too much of it missy."

My boss said this to my ear.

I was shook and taken aback when I realize my boss was actually beside me. I got silent blushing a bit.

"Sorry for startling you. I called you a couple of times and you were out of it." Harold said this with a smile plastered to his face.

"Oh I'm so sorry, Harold. I have no idea how I'm gonna pay you in full the soonest time."

I said this full of worries at the thought.

"You've given me a place to stay, loaned me some money and gave me a job. And I've repaid you nothing but trouble."

I look down in sadness; not able to meet Harold's eyes.

"You know how grateful I am to you and your father. Both of you saved my life twice. Without you and Franz, I would've been a goner. It is the least I could do for you really."

Harold says this as he gently pats my head.

I thought back to the time my father brought him home badly wounded; pale and cold to the touch. It was quite a miracle that the next day, he got out of the worst and started healing. Now, his hands are warm as he placed them on top of mine.

"But if you feel obliged, there IS something you can do for me." Harold's voice suddenly turned serious.

I looked at him with wonder.

"What is it?"

He looked away and thought for a few seconds before looking back at me. His facial expression turned to something I haven't seen before. There was a smile but something about it is quite dark. I struggled to react.

He must have sensed my discomfort when he suddenly faked a chuckle.

"Your mind is too pre-occupied." Better get some rest. It's almost the end of your shift and I know this day has been quite eventful. You should go home now." He said as he walked off.

"See you tomorrow."

He waved without looking back.

And that's how he dismissed our talk without answering my question.

Strange.

I reached for all my things and went home wondering if Harold is hiding something from me. These train of thoughts ceased the moment I stood in front of the door to my house.

As soon as I opened the door, I noticed something shiny in the dark just a little bit further from the door step.

I turned on the lights and found that the shiny thing was a golden necklace with a garnet-colored rose design on the gem of the pendant.

Wait! This WAS my necklace. And I thought this was destroyed that night of the fire and my father– my father... gone.

The sadness crept up on me once again. I remember. Today is exactly a year since he'd been gone. I held the necklace close to my chest, looking up the ceiling to control my tears.

Then something hit me. I was so sure this necklace was not one of the things I brought with me. And in a few seconds, my pulse raise up.

Someone came to my house.

Carefully, I inspected the main room and the kitchen area both with entrance to the house. None of the usual detectors by the door I placed have been touched.

Hmm... could I have been careless for once that I left one window open by the other rooms?

I checked the bathroom and no sign of an entry. No point in checking the storage since it has no windows. Which leaves... the bedroom.

In a hushed manner I turned the knob to open my bedroom. As soon as I opened the door, I caught a whiff of a rosy smell.

I immediately turn on the lights but there was no one in sight. Everything inside the room is in the right place. None other than the smell seemed peculiar.

What in the world?

This does not make sense. Everything is in order but I can't shrug off the feeling that someone was in my house.

And just when I was about to finish contemplating, pain pierced through my lower belly.

Argh! Darn it. Does this day get any more unpleasant?

I scrambled to get my self to bed before the dizziness I felt get worse. Then laying upon that bed, the whole house turned upside down. As I break into cold sweats and weak by seconds, my vision blurs. All in that while, I saw a glimpse of a man looking worriedly at me. He seemed to be yelling at me but I couldn't make out the words. And then everything went black.

"Aria... If a time comes when I am no longer at your side, you must trust not only your knowledge but also your heart to choose the company you would want to keep by your side", my father speaks in a gentle voice uncharacteristically.

I remember. These were his last words of wisdom before he had gone missing.

"That will happen in an aweful long time from now, father. I don't need anyone else to be with me. I can manage alone by that time."

I say this to him while pouring him a cup of tea while his face is buried in a thick, old book.

"Why are you asking this now? And in a serious tone at that too." said this as I looked at him in a straight face.

He ignored my question as he reached for his cup of tea.

"Is there something I should know?"

I asked him with one eyebrow raised.

A minute of silence went by while I wait for him to respond.

He eyed me quick and replied.

"Goodness child. You are stressing an old man with your questions. However, I am pleased to see that I've taught you well."

He said this with a sigh and eyes still completely locked to the book.

"I am telling you this as part of your lesson. What with me not getting younger and you in a sad situation of being stuck in this house with no real adventure could have me more worried about your future."

I sat beside him looking at his face quizzically.

"Well that was a mouthful of explanation." I took his empty cup of tea and pour him another one.

"Is my company boring you so?"

I asked in a bit shaky tone.

In just a few, I heard him laugh a bit. Soon he placed a hand on top of mine and he replied.

"Aria, child... you have no idea how wonderful the things are out there. You have all these bits of knowledge of the world but not seeing beyond what my guidance and the book covers. While the world is not solely composed of all butterflies and flowers– "

He paused a bit... looking at me now before continuing to speak.

"Matter of fact, wars are brewing all around making this almost impossible to be true but... There are wonders out there and things you would want to be witness to."

He held my hand tighter and began to speak again.

"No one can survive this world alone. Many times in your life, you would have to rely on people. What I am asking you is to simply pick them carefully but with no prejudice."

He looked more sincere by the minute and I nodded with a smile.

"I understand father. And I will do good in remembering them by heart"

My father smiled slightly.

"That is a promise then."

These are the words that brought me towards Harold. Sadly though, I don't think I am as good of a company to him as he is to me.

In the midst of my thinking the vivid scene began to warp.

Music starts to play. It grew louder and louder ringing inside my head.

This music. It's the music that night. The night I saw my father for the first time.

The Queen of the Night aria.

Suddenly I feel my vision flooded with red.

Blood. Blood all over.

No... why does my body feel sudden pain.

It's excruciating. My head ringing with pain and my heart beating crazy that its about to burst.

Aaaaaaaaaaagh!

Aaaaaaagh! Ow!

With eyes still closed, I tried to get up fast and bumped my forehead on something. The pain and impact forced me to lie back. I'm still palpitating and I began to struggle in breathing. Something is on top of my body.

Nnnnghh...

"Geez. What a way to wake up and knock someone off."

I heard a man's voice.

Wait. WHAT?!

I realized late that a man is lying down on top of me. His left hand is on my chest. I heard my heart beat like crazy. He is breathing on my ear and it immediately sent shivers all over my body.

NYAaaaaaaaaaggghh!

My sudden shrieking caused the man to scramble off of me. I got up panicky and had my back against the wall shooting a glare at the man.

WHO ARE YOU? HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE?WHAT DO WANT? MORE LIKE– WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?! ANSWER!!!

I swear. That must have been the first time I rapped so many words that fast.

"Goodness lady. You have got to stop yelling!"

The man shook his head a bit.

"I'm still dizzy from the bump and your screaming is making it worse." he said this in a low, irked tone.

My mouth went agape.

The audacity of this guy acting as if I am the one who committed an offense.

"Excuse me?"

I was struggling to calm myself down. If this man had any intention of killing me, I would've been long dead.

"So is he a sex offender?" I asked this in my head.

I did a quick scan on him. He does not give off that vibe. He actually looked kinda devil-may-care. I caught a glimpse of his dark gray eyes and they were fascinating.

"Do I amuse you?" He said this to me as he caught my stare.

I snapped back to reality and felt vexed. This guy is unbelievable. He may have a charming appearance but his character seems far off.

"Well... Explain yourself.​"

I said this in a slight demanding tone.

He continued to stare at me with blank expression as if I said something nonsensical.

I gave him a puzzled look.

"Well?" I said it for the second time.

"I don't know where to start." He said this as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Okay. So how about answering all those questions I had then?"

"You were talking too fast. I hardly had time to comprehend what you said."

About right though. I was so flustered.

"Then, who are you?"

"Coal. Coal Farrant." He answered briefly.

"How were you able to get into my house, Coal?"

"I created a portal leading to your closet." He replied with still expressions.

"What?" My mind went blank for a few seconds.

Is this guy messing with me?

"You have got to be kidding me, right?"

The stillness on his face tells me nothing.

To think about it... What he said does explain the state of the house. But it all sound so crazy! I tried to dismiss my confusion with another question.

"Suppose I believe what you said, why are you here?"

He sighed and began to speak again.

"I was ordered by the elders of our clan to track and bring you back to Lux. Apparently, someone wants you dead.

I felt a chip of my sanity fell off.

I tried to find a sense on anything but I am failing miserably.

My confusion must be apparent that Coal had to interfere my thoughts.

"The elder's will explain everything. I will have to ask you to trust me... no other questions for now."

I sense the urgency in his tone. Somehow, I don't feel a trace of ill-intention from this man. If I really am a target, I will have to go with it and trust him.

"Just one more question."

"Tch. Fine. What?"

I was gonna ask this in rage but in all the confusion, the feeling died. Instead, it was replaced with reluctance. My cheeks were burning red as I got reminded of what happened.

Coal waited for the question with fingers tapping on my table.

"W-why were you on top of me– I mean... your hand was on my– no wait. Y-you..."

I was fumbling with my words. I felt my ears heat up with embarassment. And to make things worse, he cut me off with a chuckle.

"Do I amuse you?" I said this with loath.

He looked back at me and explained.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to do... THAT. Especially when you are in that time of the month."

"WHAT?! How did you know that?" My eyes darted toward him with contempt.

"Okay... Don't jump into conclusions. First, you had a nightmare so I tried to wake you up then we bumped heads. It made me dizzy– even almost unconscious. You have no idea how hard that bump was. Second, I knew you had it when I saw the blood stains on your white sheets."

As soon as I heard that, I checked the sheets. I hardly noticed them at all.

"I've already answered your questions so pack up and fix... whatever." He says this shakily. He seemed a bit distracted."

I quickly got up and rushed to the loo to take a bath and change.

Shortly after that, I heard a loud explosive sound.

BOOOOOMMM!

Instantaneously, Coal was beside me.

"Shoot! They had to come so soon. We should go now but I've used too much of my power. I don't have enough energy to create a portal... I–"

I stood there not knowing how to react or what to do then I saw Coal look at me.

"I'll have to borrow from you."

Suddenly, he pulled me close and the forced a kiss on me. (Eeek!)

The next thing I knew, we were both enveloped by a white light.