Keeper of the Lost Cities: Elysian

Chapter 45

No.

A maelstrom of feelings churned within her.

Blinding and tormenting her.

She was stunned. Furious. Horrified.

So similar to how Merida was all of those when her parents forced her to meet with the Councillors.

"Are you just going to keep studying like this for rest of eternity?" exclaimed a voice behind Sophie.

She looked around. 

Somehow... she had gotten herself thrown into the endless dark room. Again.

Her visions did have a way of coming to her.

But why?

Why now?

"I don't know," a different voice answered. A tired voice. Merida's voice.

Sophie's heartbeat quickened.

So she turned and walked- or moved in whatever embodiment she was in- to the projection.

Sophie didn't know why it was happening. But something about it had its significance- and it was tugging at her.

Merida was seated at a table with a boy who looked like he was about her age.

A rather cute boy with brown hair and big turquoise eyes that looked like pools of water.

Around Merida was an enormous stack of books, and she looked pale and stressed as she flipped through them rapidly.

"I've rarely seen a person with such devotion to her studies," a new voice spoke. A woman came over, flipped open a watch, and turned to them. "Unfortunately, I'll need to close the library in a few minutes. So..."

"I'm so sorry, Lady Juna," Merida apologized. "I'll clean up at once."

She tried picking up a book, but due to its weight, carrying it proved to be strenuous.

"Here, I'll help," the boy offered and brought the book to the proper location with ease. "You don't look too well. You shouldn't work too hard, you know."

Merida shook her head, but she did look extremely beat up mentally.

As the boy finished shelving the last book, Merida smiled weakly at him in gratitude. But her face immediately fell.

"What's the matter?" the boy asked as they walked outside together. "You can tell me whatever is on your mind."

Merida shook her head again as she sat down on a bench. "Justin... it's honestly... not a big deal."

"Why are you working so hard?" the boy Justin demanded. "The finals have passed and we've got our results. You aced all of them, too! So why aren't you enjoying the summer?"

"It's my parents," Merida confessed. "They think I'm not being pushed enough. So they've-"

"What?" Justin asked.

"They've spoken with the headmaster and moved me up a few levels for next year..." Merida said nervously, searching Justin's face. Almost like she was afraid of how he was going to react.

"A few levels..." Justin said carefully. "So... you're going to be in Level 4 next year? Level 5?"

Merida winced. "Level 6. Please don't freak out."

Level 6? 

Were they talking about Foxfire?

Justin didn't look like he would freak out... but his jaw dropped. In his stunned state, he only uttered one word. "H-how?"