/// pov: Freya September 15, 1087 Village of Mangeal

  Freya curled up into a ball that night underneath all the blankets. The country air was freezing; however, it would not stop her consciousness from dreaming about past lives. All the spells of ice magic that Charlotte would show her, and how she even created an ice sword one time to show off her sword skills. She dreamed of the fall dance at the witches' banquet, where the two twirled under the autumn moonlight that pierced through the windows. Everyone watched in awe, only to scream in horror shortly after; every step taken by the two would leave a bloody trail following them. The orchestral music got more ominous until Freya pulled Charlotte close.

  Charlotte closed her eyes and softly spoke, “I love you, so why?”

  “Why, what, my Dove?” Freya responded, looking down; her smile faded to a look of horror. Charlotte stared back with lifeless eyes.

  The weight of Charlotte's lifeless body made both of them slowly fall to their knees.

  Freya pleaded for a response, “Why, what, Dove? DOVE?!”

  A faint whisper echoed through the once beautiful ballroom that was now turning into a red ocean of blood: “We can’t really help who we are.”

  Freya held her closer, trying not to let go, but it was too late. She felt her dove's body transform into the same red liquid slipping through her arms as a metallic smell blinded her senses. She disappeared. Without a second thought, Freya jumped into the bloody waters, only to jolt awake in an instant.

  Freya stared into thin air, grabbing onto her clothes, sweating bullets. The sun was about to rise on her second day of being in this new world. When she could finally catch her breath and get out of bed, she walked to the desk where her journal was still sitting. Its open pages were freezing to touch, and the cold plastic on the pen made her shiver, but she didn’t care, for this was important. Flipping to a new page, she wrote a brand new entry about yesterday.

  Journal entry number 80;

  This time, the Orb of Revelation has taken me to a parallel universe, where I believe everything is the opposite. Instead of being the head knight of Kazfel, I am now a potion seller with my family. Father is still alive, so I believe we were never in the capital to begin with. Nicholas is also strange; he is much nicer, but I still don't trust him, not after the many times I tried to forgive him in the past. Everyone seems happier in this timeline. This universe's version of me seems to know how to brew S-tier potions, on a whim. Strange right? Well, here's something stranger: Dove Charlotte is now the head knight of Kazfel. Once again, she does not remember her previous lives, and I hope it stays that way.

  This whole interaction with her feels familiar, as if I have done this before, but I have no recollection of it. I must be making things up from all the nightmares I have been having lately. I will keep future me updated.

  (Ex) Head Knight, Freya Guistiza.

  Freya closed her journal and set the pen to the side, pondering her next advancement towards the prophecy; “How can I get to the altar by myself? Usually, I would set out on the Journey, and Charlotte would appear as the second hero, but now. What if I simply asked? No, that will never work!”

  Freya leaned back into her chair and stared at the hay ceiling. “I might as well go look around this version of Mangeal; after all, I am in a race.” She gained her composure and got up. “Now, where is my sword?”

  She first looked around the bed. Usually, it would fall somewhere on the floor beside her when entering a new world, but it was nowhere to be seen. She even checked under the covers and the makeshift mattress in a panic, throwing things around and making a ruckus.

  “Freya, are you alright?” she heard Nicholas ask from the other side of the wall.

  “Uh yeah, I'm just looking for something!” she responded with a shaking voice.

  Nicholas rushed out of his room and knocked on her door before entering. He looked in shock that this once organized room was in shambles; it was the perfect opportunity to make fun of her.

  “Wow, so I have lived to the day to see you finally lose something.” He laughed, “What are we looking for?”

  “My sword, Akrelus.” The panic in her voice got even worse.

  Nicolas stood there confused, “You mean your staff? Freya, you are a sorceress. Are you feeling ill? Do you want me to get you a potion downstairs?” He asked, concerned.

  He walked towards her wardrobe and opened it to reveal a golden staff with yellow vines wrapping around its body, and what looked like a sun sphere resting at the bottom of the arched head. Beside it was a knight's cape.

  “See.”, he showed her, looking back.

  Freya's jaw dropped in confusion; it looked like her sword, Akrelus, even the stone was the same, but as Charlotte's staff. “(How? This can’t be possible.) Thank you, Nicholas. I must have had a horrid dream.”, she smiled.

  “Uh, yeah, I will let you clean up.” he left awkwardly, stumbling over clothes.

  Freya walked cautiously towards her wardrobe, reaching out for the staff,

  “Akrelus?”

  The staff responded with a golden glow; even if she wasn’t holding it, she could feel its warmth and power resonating inside both of them.

  She sighed and picked it up. “No doubt you are my trusted companion.”

  Examining the cape, Freya realized it was indeed an apprentice-level cape. “I should probably stop wearing my old knight's cloak, huh? I’m gonna miss my badge.”

  She took a regular cloak hanging on the wardrobe door instead and tried to tidy up her room as best she could. Glancing back at her masterpiece, she created by throwing everything underneath her bed. With her staff in hand, she walked down the stairs in front of the counter, where Nicholas and her father had a surprised look.

  “And where do you think you are going, little lady?” her father said with a fake smile.

  “In town.”, she replied as she walked to the door.

  Nicholas glanced at their father. “With your staff? The one you hid in the closet?” he asked.

  Nicolas got a heavy nudge from their father and walked away. “Have fun, okay, my dear,” he cooed.

  Freya walked out the door with a smile and saw a familiar village before her. The shops down the street all had a certain thing in common for adventuring: swords, armor, and even pets to adventure with. The Mangeal she remembered was the same, except Charlotte wasn’t in her potion shop with her mother. Freya kept shuffling by everyone on their busy days, then stopping as she saw a familiar cape through the crowd. Everyone walked around her, their faces blurring as she approached the knight.

  A carnival man was shouting at the crowd, “Step up and win a prize! Plushes, books, hell, even food! All you have to do is knock down the milk jugs with this ball! Only five coins!”

  She watched the familiar figure give five coins to the man and wind up for a pitch. A huge clang could be heard, but she didn’t hit the targets; instead, a wagon that was holding different prizes.

  “Sorry, ma’am, but you lost. And broke some of my stuff, so that will be thirty coins extra.”

  The knight sighed and just gave the man her coin purse, turning away, revealing that it was Charlotte.

  “Same as always.” Freya began speeding up towards the booth. “Wait, Do- Charlotte, let me try.”

  Charlotte stopped in place and calmly walked back towards the booth, watching Freya put her staff up against a box, giving her well-earned five coins to the man. Freya took a step back and did a stance, calculating her throw, then making the perfect pitch.

  After the ball made its impact, the jugs flew off the shelves, revealing that they were being held down by a contraption. The two girls glanced at the Carney, who quickly shut the curtains. “These lovely girls won a prize! What will you choose, red one?” He said, trying to divert the pressure.

  Freya glanced at Charlotte, who was peeking at the pink sheep with a crown in the corner, and immediately pointed it out.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “That one you need to win three times, my dear!” he laughed.

  “How is anyone supposed to win? You just revealed you were conning people in front of a royal knight.” Freya responded.

  Charlotte gave a menacing glance and coughed. “The head knight of the royal arms, too.”

  The con man quickly leaned over to the pink sheep with a crown and handed it to Freya.

  “Looks like I'm closed, folks, until next time!” The carnival man packed up behind the tent, hiding.

  “Here for you,” Freya said, giving the pink sheep to her and picking up her staff.

  Charlotte looked down at it and blushed. “Thank you. Oh, that's right, I never got your name. Can you please tell me now?”

  “Freya! My name is Freya, I am a roy- I mean a potion maker.”

  Charlotte laughed, “Nice to meet you again, my dear, and a potion maker isn’t all you are. Looking at the staff, I can feel their energy. Are you a sorceress?”

  “Uh, yeah? I’m not great at it. I was looking for the oak forest to practice,” she responded, hugging the staff close to her heart, feeling her chest beat faster.

  “Oh, mind if I go with you, then? I can help you by making ice soldiers for you to beat up. Not to mention, I’m still looking for someone; I just can’t remember where they are.” Charlotte chattered, walking towards the forest.

  Before Freya could answer, she lost sight of her in the crowd. She spun around in circles, looking only to feel someone grab her arm, tugging her, and speeding past the crowd. Her hand was cold like usual, it even burned a little, but Freya didn’t mind the pain; instead, she embraced it. The two finally left the crowd, and she finally got to see her Dove's silver hair flow elegantly. They made it to the entrance of the forest, but Charlotte still didn’t let go of her arm as they ran farther inside, away from the bustle of the town. The surrounding nature welcomed them as the earth blossoms bloomed, and as they ran past the fauna, they stood still and watched them fly by. Finally reaching a river bed, Charlotte stopped and turned around, holding the sheep plush tightly in one arm.

  She looked at Freya, who was gasping for air, then down at her arm, noticing it was steaming; “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. Even with these silver gloves, I guess I can still freeze people.” She let go, noticing there was no burn mark left behind. “How are you?”

  Freya quickly pulled her arm away, “Oh, I always had a warm body temperature, so it's okay. (I’m usually so cool. Why am I flustered easily?) ”

  Charlotte walked towards a log and set the sheep down so he could watch their training, and turned back to Freya, who was still flushed.

  “Alright, Freya, I will summon some ice soldiers for you to practice on. Don’t worry, I’ve trained newbies all the time with them.” Charlotte said with enthusiasm, drawing out her sword.

  She pointed skyward and slashed downward as the air molecules froze into three soldiers holding axes as their weapons.

  Freya, in response, threw her cloak on the ground and held her staff towards them. “What am I doing? I don’t know how to cast spells. Akrelus, I’m going to put my faith in you to guide me.”

  “Ready?!” Charlotte yelled.

  Freya responded with a whisper, “Not really.”

  “Too bad, let's fight!” Charlotte smiled, slashing horizontally, and the soldiers advanced on command.

  “Ugh, this is something I would do.”, Freya muttered.

  Freya ran back and focused on the soldiers as one sprinted up and swung. In that moment, she felt her passion to win deep inside resonate through the staff, and a lava spiral appeared under all three soldiers' feet. Charlotte looked horrified and snickered.

  Freya looked at Akrelus, confused, “I’ve always known we could use fire in our attacks, but never like that! Were you holding out on me?”

  “Too easy, huh? Well, how about this?” Charlotte summoned twenty more soldiers and smiled.

  In response, Freya jumped up on a tree branch, making Charlotte even more impressed, smiling. Pointing her staff outward, she started charging a summoning circle, remembering how other Charlottes would cast a raining spell. In that instant, fiery hot rocks fell from the sky.

  The soldiers began to melt and vaporize as if they never existed. Charlotte's expression went from cool and collected to a bit pissed. “Just who the hell are you, Freya?”

  Charlotte twirled in place as icy particles swirled around, her cape flew up into the air, landing on the log. As an ice hurricane formed surrounding her, frost also appeared on the surrounding surfaces, and the sheep looked cold. Suddenly, she stabbed her sword into the ground, creating a summoning circle. Freya realized what she was doing. Two yellow glaring eyes stared at her along with a long blue body. She summoned a great ice python using the water from the lake.

  “Let's see you handle this!” Charlotte screamed out, pointing her sword at Freya.

  Freya used two hands and held her staff like a sword. Charlotte laughed at her mockingly. “That's a staff, dear, not a sword.”

  Freya closed her eyes, “I know it is, but you are the same as always, summoning lifeless creatures to fight for you, yet you are like me, trying to get an edge. That monster, regardless of what it's made of, reflects ranged attacks, which is why I have to get physical.” Freya emanated flames from her staff, “Akrelus, give me your strength!”

  With that phrase, her staff turned into a makeshift flaming sword as the Python moved forward.

  “Akrelus”, Charlotte whispered.

  She watched as Freya jumped back into the air, with the python getting ready to attack, only to get split down the middle as Freya was falling, melting it on impact. Freya stood there as Akrelus slowly extinguished back into a staff. Exhausted, Charlotte retrieved the warm, defrosted sheep plush while walking backward, sitting on the log.

  “Who, no what are you?” She asked, reaching into her cloak.

  “I am Freya. Chosen by Akrelus with the little power he had remaining.”

  Charlotte went into her cloak pocket and took out the bottle of Everbreeze, sipping it. “So did you try out for the royal knights because I remember someone with fire skills?”

  “I did, but I never-” Before Freya could finish her sentence, her hair turned black, and she collapsed on the ground, holding Akrelus tightly still.

  Charlotte ran over and knelt to check her pulse. “She’s still breathing, good. Looks like I found you after all.”

  /// pov: Charlotte September 15, 1087 Village of Mangeals Oak Forest

  A smile formed on Charlotte's face, relieved as she put the potion beside Freya. She then quickly got up and brought her cape over, covering her to keep her warm. Charlotte sat beside her, lifting Freya's head so she could rest it on her lap. She was boiling, but looked peaceful.

  “Why do I have a feeling that I know you? Do I know you? After leaving your shop, I felt like I had heard your voice before, and now. Gods why? Why do I also feel some resentment towards you?” Charlotte stared down at Freya's unconscious face before taking off her gloves and pressing her index finger lightly on her cheek.

  Charlotte bent over and whispered, “Let’s change that prophecy, my fiery phoenix.” She got closer before hearing some rustling in a bush.

  A familiar voice pierced the silence, “Ah, you found your other half, I see, and you already want to kiss.”

  Charlotte stood up straight. “What do you want, Lich?” she growled.

  The Lich's shadow slithered over to the log, and she sat beside the sheep. “Oh, did I ruin the mood? I’m so sorry, but you are running out of time, my knight. I would also like to give you a warning.”

  Charlotte watched as she picked up the sheep and dangled it by its leg, “A warning?”

  “If your phoenix does not wake up, she will burn out, so I would make it quick, but that's not my warning. My warning is that you both are sitting in a mitshroom ring, so that I would get up now.” The Lich stood up and walked towards them.

  “What did you say?” Charlotte muttered, losing consciousness, and her vision blurring. The last thing she could see was the Lich placing the plush toy on Freya's chest. The knight closed her eyes and fell into slumber.

  At first, all Charlotte saw was snow falling from the sky of Mangeal. She had a basket of different ingredients for potion making. She was wearing commoner clothing and ran into the potion shop, where she saw her mother. A flush of emotion fell over her as her mom smiled. She walked up to the counter, but every time her mother spoke, nothing but gargling would come out. Before Charlotte walked away, she felt a familiar warmth grab onto her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Freya smiling at her.

  “Are you ready to go, Dove? Our adventure awaits.” She asked with a hint of urgency.

  She was wearing a knight's uniform, and instead of a staff, she had a sword sitting on her hip inside a sheath. Charlotte stared at her for a bit before nodding and putting the basket on the counter in front of her mother, waving goodbye as she followed the red knight out onto a new journey.

  As they walked out the door, Magneal changed from a small town to the royal court, where she now stood in front of the king of Kazfel, who was also speaking in gargling noises. As she turned around, the royal court turned into a ballroom where Freya was standing in the middle, extending her hand for a dance. Without a second thought, Charlotte accepted, with Freya pulling her in, and they shuffled across the ballroom, everyone staring in awe.

  “You dance just as free as a bird in the sky,” Freya whispered; “I wish our journey together never ends.”

  Charlotte pressed up closer, “Why should it?”

  That response made the percussion instruments roar with anticipation. Charlotte closed her eyes as Freya twirled her outwards away from her, but then the music stopped, and when Charlotte opened her eyes again shocked. They stood in a dark place where an orb glowed brightly. She soon felt pain resonate inside her; holding her body, she screamed in pain, closing her eyes once more.

  When the pain finally stopped, she opened her eyes one last time to see Freya pointing her sword directly at her with a look of betrayal that pierced through Charlotte's soul. Freya lunged towards her with the sword ablaze. In response, Charlotte pushed her back with ice magic. She wasn’t in control.

  “(What is this? What am I doing?) Freya, please let's talk!” There was no response from Freya; in fact, Charlotte never said a word to her.

  Charlotte, still not in control, flew up into the air, casting a spell she had never seen or heard, and whispered it softly, “Rondevouez of the world's end.”

  The earth underneath them shook as a rift opened, piercing through the sky, and a starry cosmos appeared, peaking through it. Freya stood her ground as other objects began flying into the rift, growing bigger. Without other options, she pointed her sword skyward as a single fiery tear ran down her cheek.

  “I’m sorry, Charlotte,”? she said before throwing her golden sword directly at her, losing her stance and falling unconscious.

  The sword pierced through the air and transformed into a flaming arrow. Charlotte, trying to stop the arrow, tried using spells, but they were melting the second they formed. Before she knew it, she felt a pain again in her chest; the arrow lodged into her heart, and she fell to the ground. Freya slowly got up, holding her head, and stared down at her before coughing up blood. She then turned her head towards the silver staff Charlotte was holding with the orb attached to the top of it. Walking towards the cold weapon, she cracked off the orb. Turning around to face a figure who was clapping towards the two and cheering.

  Charlotte woke up, startled by being shaken awake by a man who looked fierce.

  “I’m Nicholas, and my sister is in your lap. I would like her to come home now.” He snarled.

  Charlotte looked down to see a sleeping Freya. A hint of fear rushed up her body. Flustered, she stood up straight. “I'm sorry! She fainted after training. I guess I fell asleep waiting for her to wake up. I will help you bring her home.”

  Charlotte waved her hand and summoned an ice wagon for them to push Freya in. Nicolas picked up Freya from Charlotte's lap and placed her gently down with the sheep plush still resting on top of her in the wagon. Realizing how warm she was, he glanced at Charlotte, who was still on the ground sipping out of the bottle of stale Everbreeze.

  “So, are you here to take her away? She was the best candidate, right? For the knights?” he questioned.

  Charlotte slowly got up and walked in front of the wagon; “You could say that, yes. I just didn’t put the two together. When they said there was a pickup at a potion store, I thought they meant an order, not your sister.”

  “I see,” he responded, walking behind the wagon.

  The two began moving the kart onto the dirt trail that led back to town. The night lilies began to bloom and blow in the breeze, and the town's street lamps were all lit in the distance. Charlotte couldn’t shake off that strange dream she had; it felt more like a nightmare than anything. The dirt road slowly turned into a stone and smooth pavement, which allowed the two to speed up without damaging the wagon. A chilling awkwardness loomed over the two as they approached the closed shops, and eventually the potion shop, which was the only store with its open sign still hanging at the door. Once they stopped, Nicholas rushed over to his sister and picked her up. Charlotte followed swiftly behind him, even opening the door for him. Entering the store, she felt a glare from the sitting room where an older man slowly approached, watching Freya being carried up the stairs; then his gaze cast upon Charlotte, who started to sweat slowly.

  “So? Is she up to your standards?” he asked.

  Charlotte responded with a smile, “Far beyond it. Please, sir, let her come to Kazfel. I promise she will be by my side at all times. Today was an accident, Mr. Guistiza.”

  The man sighed, “I believe you, Nicolas, on the other hand, might be harder to persuade. You are the Captain, and if you believe my daughter will help with that prophecy, then I agree, she must aid.”

  “How do you know?” she stuttered.

  Mr.Guistiza laughed, “Being an ex-knight, you get told things by your friends who still fight on the battlefield. I stopped aiding after Freya was born, but her mother would be so proud of her.” He looked down and then turned towards the sitting room. “You look exhausted; you can rest here for the night, plus if Freya sees you again, she probably will go with you in the morning.”

  Charlotte slowly followed him and continued to talk throughout the night about the prophecy, and Mr.Guistiza talked about his time on the battlefield, and even how he fought beside Charlotte's mother.

  /// pov: Nicholas September 15, 1087 Village of Mangeal

  Nicolas kicked Freya's door open and laid her down on the bed. She was still holding on to her staff tightly, not letting go. He tried wiggling it out of her grasp until it grazed his hand. Jolting back, he bumped into her desk with a book open. Intrigued, he pulled out the chair and sat down slowly, reading all the pages for hours.

  Moments after, he closed what seemed to be a journal and walked out of the room, his head hanging low. His shadow swirled through the corridor, and antlers grew out of his head. The lights turned off as he walked down the stairs to the sitting room. His father had already turned in for the night, and Charlotte was asleep on the sofa. He slowly shuffled towards her as he was manifesting something in his hand. He leaned over and raised what appeared to be a shadowed scythe that formed from the air; before he swung down, someone cast a spell to stop his attack. Turning around, he witnessed Freya standing in front of the entrance to the sitting room, pointing Akrelus directly at him. Before she could cast another spell, he ran past her, heading towards the store's exit, running off into the night. Freya, still being asleep, walked over to the couch and lay on the floor beside Charlotte for the rest of the night.