Lara Point of View

  "I don't have any bruises to be healed," I said, attempting to lighten the mood. His gaze fixed on me, skepticism etched on his youthful face. "Just who are you?" he asked, his tone sharper than I remembered.

  And he is quite rude.

  I hesitated, glancing at the doorplate. It confirmed that this was indeed my room.

  "I'm Amelia," I introduced myself, my voice steady, but he seems to flinch

  "You're lying," he replied bluntly, his voice laced with a challenge. The rudeness in his tone felt out of place, especially coming from someone who resembled the kind and gentle Caelum I once knew.

  He really looked like Caelum from hair to eyes and everything. The resemblance is uncanny.

  "How could I possibly lie about my identity?" I countered, annoyance creeping into my tone.

  "You're really not lying," he conceded, rising to his feet, the way he carried himself radiating a mix of confidence and uncertainty.

  Similar to how Caelum carried himself, the child in front of me seems to have black feathers surrounding him, in contrast to Caelum, who radiates light behind his back.

  I noticed he wore the very robe I had gifted to him, its fabric flowing around him like a whisper from the past. A wave of nostalgia washed over me.

  "Wow, this takes me back," I murmured, memories flooding my mind. But just as I began to feel a sense of familiarity, he abruptly grasped my wrist, his grip firm.

  "This child..." I started to say, but before I could finish, a green light began to emanate from him, illuminating the room. It was his power, a reminder of who he was meant to be.

  A healer.

  Suddenly, the system flickered to life, bright alerts surrounding us.

  Caelum Hennesy is back to the Party

  Huh? Who is back? I stammered, confusion overwhelming me. No, this is Caelum—Caelum is dead. Thailon already said so.

  Caelum is dead

  "I am done healing you," he said matter-of-factly, the glow between us pulsing with energy.

  "Are you Caelum?" I asked, searching his eyes for the truth.

  "I am," he replied, his tone steady, yet something felt off.

  "No, I mean, are you really Caelum?" I pressed, needing to hear the familiar truth from him.

  "I am Caelum the Fifth," he affirmed, his voice firm but still tinged with doubt.

  "Healing you is just my payment for this robe."

  "Like I said, white does suit you, child," I remarked, trying to keep the moment light. I touch his hair even though he is taller than me.

  "Oh—I apologize!" I exclaimed, instinctively pulling my hand away, flustered. "That's just my hobby," I added, trying to brush off the sudden intimacy.

  Yet his grip tightened, a shadow of doubt flickering across his face.

  "Who are you really?" he demanded, suspicion evident in his tone.

  This child was not the Caelum I remembered; he was far too rude, too guarded. Perhaps the system had truly made an error.

  This is not Caelum I know

  Before I could respond, a voice cut through the tension like a blade.

  "What are you doing, you little pest?"

  It was Thailon, stepping into the room with an air of authority. Relief washed over me at his presence, though I couldn't help but notice the trinket I had given him hanging around his neck, while the others were absent.

  Thailon pulled me and face to face to the child.

  "Oh, you're here!" I said, forcing a smile, hoping to ease the charged atmosphere.

  "Are you okay? I finally found you- " Thailon asked, concern etched into his features as he assessed the situation. Then he checked my body if I am injured or something.

  "Yeah, he actually healed me," I replied.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked Thailon, eager for some clarity.

  "I am—no," he hesitated, casting a wary glance at Caelum.

  "How dare you come near her after what you've done!" Thailon's voice was fierce, protective, as he stepped between us, shielding me from the child.

  "Her? What you mean after what I've done ?! Wait, don't—tell me," Caelum the Fifth said pointing to me he stopped.

  "Can you not recognize him?" Thailon shot back, incredulous.

  "I do! He is Caelum, descendant of Caelum , he is the Fifth, he really looks like Caelum that child isn't so?" I said but immediately Thailon disagree to me. I am confused.

  "No! He is Caelum that damn priest-" Thailon insisted, frustration bleeding into his words.

  "Yeah, Caelum, descendant of Caelum, you said Cailum is far gone to us" I said to Thailon but then Caelum stepped forward and came near to which Thailon stopped with his arm.

  "Are you Lara?" Caelum the fifth asked suddenly, taking a step forward, his voice shifting to something softer, almost hopeful.

  As if he is begging for this moment.

  "If you are Lara, it's me, Caelum," he said, determination filling his gaze as he locked eyes with me.

  "Yes, you are Caelum!" I exclaimed, my heart pounding as the realization hit me, unraveling the confusion that clouded my mind.

  "No! It's me, Caelum!" he insisted pointing to himself, and I looked back at the system, the alerts blinking rapidly before me.

  "Yo—are you the Caelum I know?!" I gasped, my breath catching in my throat as everything fell into place.

  The moment I felt his aura—a familiar, radiant energy—it sent goosebumps racing across my skin. How had I not noticed this light surrounding him before? I had barely opened my synthesis when it struck me like a lightning bolt.

  Before I could fully process my thoughts, he suddenly grabbed my hand and kissed it with a flourish.

  "Oh, how I've wished for this! You are truly the Lara I know," he exclaimed, his eyes shining with a mixture of joy and nostalgia. He was shaking, almost as if he were on the verge of tears.

  Then, to my utter disbelief, he knelt before me as though I were some royal figure. "W-Wait, what are you doing, child? Stand up!" I urged, quickly placing my hands on his shoulders to pull him back to his feet. I wasn't ready for such theatrics.

  "Don't help or bother him, Lara! He sinned too much!" Thailon chimed in, crossing his arms and glaring at Caelum as if he were judging a misbehaved child.

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  "What are you saying? Who sinned against whom?" I asked, bewildered, glancing between the two of them. The whole scenario felt like an absurd comedy sketch unfolding right in front of me.

  "Stand up, child," I insisted again, my voice firm yet laced with amusement as I nudged Thailon.

  Thailon is now obviously annoyed.

  A Few Moments Later

  Lara Point of View

  "So you two blamed each other and fought?" I asked, my voice echoing in the tense silence.

  Before me, Caelum and Thailon knelt on the floor, their hands raised as part of their punishment.

  "What is the rule of our party?" I demanded, adopting a stern tone to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

  "DON'T FIGHT!" they both shouted in unison, their voices resonating with a newfound clarity.

  "Then why are you two fighting? You even smacked each other in the face right in front of me!" I exclaimed, frustration boiling beneath the surface as I helped Caelum to his feet. The two resumed their argument, blaming one another for their reckless behavior, and I noticed the bruises forming on their cheeks—a physical reminder of their quarrel earlier.

  "What do I hate the most?" I asked, my voice firm as I tried to reign in the situation.

  "Fighting inside the circle!" they responded, their voices shout like as if in military.

  "Then why did you fight?" I pressed, watching as silence enveloped them once more, their stubbornness evident.

  "Are you- no this is my assume but-... are you two blaming each other because of my death?" I probed, my heart aching at the thought. Their silence spoke volumes, and I felt frustration creeping in once again.

  They went silent.

  These two were really pushing my patience. I sat up straight, trying to maintain my composure. "Stand up," I ordered. They complied slowly, still looking like scolded children. "As I said before, it's my fault. So why are you arguing even in my death all I whispered to all of you that this is my choice?" I challenged them, but they fell into another silence, their stubbornness returning with a vengeance.

  "I said, ANSWER!" I commanded, my tone sharpening.

  "It's the role of the priest to heal you, yet he failed," Thailon finally spoke, his voice heavy with regret.

  "And it's his role to check on you, and he failed," Caelum added, his gaze fixed on the ground, shame radiating from him.

  "This is none of your fault. I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you two because of my death but I didn't expect to go this far, I didn't expect that my fault would go this far, you are like my children to me but if my death lead to this mean I failed miserably" I said, my heart aching for them. I hadn't realized the burden they had placed upon themselves, believing they had failed me.

  "No—you did not pressure us," Caelum insisted, shaking his head vehemently.

  "It is truly my fault for being unable to heal you, for not stopping you from dying." His self-blame cut deep, and I could see the turmoil in his eyes. A regret is all I can see.

  Is my death this deep?

  "Child-...sigh* Like I said, it's none of your faults. It's mine," I reiterated, feeling the weight of their guilt pressing against my heart. I stood up, brushing some stray hair from his face, my fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary.

  "You're being too nice again," I said softly, a hint of a smile breaking through the tension. "My death is my own fault."

  Caelum looked up at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "But we should have done more. I should have done more," he insisted, the pain in his voice clear. I hug him.

  This is my fault he felt this way.

  "Sometimes, things happen that are beyond our control," I replied gently, hoping to ease his burdensome thoughts.

  "You both did your best, and that's all anyone can ask for." I

  This is my fault

  Their expressions softened slightly, but I knew the struggle within them wasn't over. It would take time for them to let go of the guilt.

  Caelum Point of View

  The moment I saw her on the stage, everything inside me twisted into knots. Every movement she made—so precise, so familiar—it was impossible not to notice. The way she waved her wand, the precise magic she conjured, the rhythm in her gestures... it all echoed Lara.

  My Lara. It was as though she had stolen Lara's very essence, mimicked her down to the smallest detail. But that's impossible. Lara would have recognized me. Lara should have recognized me.

  When they announced her victory, the crowd cheered, but my heart pounded in disbelief. All I wanted to do was confront her, demand answers. How dare she copy someone so intimately? How dare she mirror every piece of the woman I once knew?

  How dare she?

  I waited outside her chamber, my body thrumming with a mixture of anger, confusion, and something I couldn't quite name. My chest was tight, each breath shaky as her footsteps echoed in the corridor, soft but purposeful, growing louder as she neared the door. I clenched my fists, bracing myself for the confrontation, for whatever truth lay ahead.

  The door creaked open. As soon as she entered, I didn't waste a second.

  "Who are you?" The words flew from my mouth, sharp and accusatory, before I could stop myself.

  "I don't have bruises to be healed," she replied coolly, her eyes glancing over me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience. She didn't even spare me a proper look, dismissing my presence as if it were beneath her concern. Her voice was steady, with a sharpness that dared me to push further.

  My patience snapped. I took a step closer, my voice hardening. "Who are you?" I demanded again, more forceful this time. I wasn't letting this go. She turned her gaze toward the door, as if contemplating an escape, her aloofness infuriating me further.

  "I'm Amelia," she finally said, her tone calm, her expression unreadable. But that wasn't the answer I needed. I could feel my pulse thundering in my ears, frustration boiling in my veins. Amelia? No. That couldn't be the truth.

  "You're lying," I said, my eyes narrowing as I studied her face, her every movement. "You're not Amelia."

  "How could I possibly lie about my identity?" she countered smoothly, her voice not betraying a hint of unease. But even as she spoke, I could hear it—her heartbeat. It hammered beneath her calm exterior, a faint tremor betraying her composed fa?ade.

  I paused, my mind racing. Maybe she wasn't lying about her name. But something about her—her presence, her essence—was all too familiar. Before I could respond, my gaze drifted to her left hand, where a faint bruise marred her skin. An old instinct kicked in—the healer in me. Heal everyone as long as you can, a voice whispered in the back of my mind.

  Without thinking, I reached for her hand. She flinched at my touch, muttering under her breath, "This child..." Her words were barely audible, but they stung.

  I worked silently, letting the magic flow through me, mending the bruise as her eyes drifted upward, distant. Was she thinking of something—or someone—else?

  "I'm done healing you," I said softly as I released her hand, stepping back. But I wasn't done with her—not by a long shot. I needed answers. I needed to know who had taught her this magic, Lara's magic. I needed to know why everything about her felt so painfully familiar.

  She broke the silence first. "Are you Caelum?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of hesitation that caught me off guard.

  "I am," I replied, my voice cautious. Where was she going with this?

  "No, are you really Caelum?" she pressed, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. It was as if she were peeling back the layers of my soul, searching for something hidden.

  I frowned, thrown off balance by the question. "I am Caelum the Fifth," I answered firmly, trying to regain control of the situation.

  "Healing you was just payment for this robe," I added, clearing my throat, grasping at anything to steady myself. But she only smiled, and it was that smile that made my heart stutter.

  "Like I said before, white does suit you," she teased lightly, her voice softening, playful.

  And just like that, my composure crumbled. Her words—those words. My heart skipped a beat, and for a fleeting moment, it was as if Lara herself stood before me. I could feel it, the weight of her memory pressing against my chest, her laughter echoing in my ears. Her smile. Her touch. The way she used to brush her fingers through my hair.

  Then, she did it. She reached out and brushed her fingers through my hair.

  Exactly like Lara.

  I froze. The world around me blurred as the memory of Lara washed over me in a flood of emotion. It felt the same. Exactly the same.

  She immediately pulled her hand back, her expression shifting to one of mild embarrassment. "Oh, I apologize. That's just... my hobby," she laughed, trying to shrug it off like it was nothing.

  But it wasn't nothing. Not to me.

  I clenched my jaw, every nerve in my body screaming that something wasn't right. There was something deeper here, something she wasn't telling me. My frustration bubbled over, and before I knew it, I grabbed her wrist, my voice trembling with a raw, unrestrained emotion. "Who are you really?" I demanded.

  Before she could answer, the door slammed open, and an all-too-familiar elf barged in.

  "What are you doing, you little pest?" the elf snarled, shoving my hand away from her. His protectiveness grated on my nerves, but what gnawed at me even more was why he was so protective. Why was he so close to her?

  "Oh, you're here!" Her voice shifted, warming as she greeted him, her demeanor softening too easily, too comfortably.

  "Are you okay? I finally found you-" the elf asked, his voice tender, as if she were someone precious to him.

  "Yeah, he actually healed me," she replied, as if I were nothing more than a footnote, as though I had just faded into the background of their story.

  "What are you doing here?" the elf hissed at me, his eyes full of disdain. "How dare you come near her after what you've done?"

  What I've done? He spoke as if I had wronged her before, as if we had a history. No. No, it couldn't be.

  The question that had been clawing at my mind finally broke free, tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop it.

  "Are you Lara?"

  Silence.

  The word hung in the air, thick and suffocating. My chest tightened as I searched her face for any hint of the truth, my heart pounding harder than ever. Lara... could it be?

  "If you are Lara, it's me— Caelum," I whispered, my voice barely a breath. Desperate for the truth. Desperate for her.

  "Yes, you are Caelum," she replied, her voice unnervingly calm, but her eyes—her eyes flickered, a shadow of recognition passing through them. She knew. She always had.

  "No—it's me. I'm Caelum," I said again, stepping closer, my voice trembling now. Her eyes widened, and the truth, the truth I had been aching for, broke through the surface.

  "You... are Caelum, I know," she whispered, her voice faltering as if she were fighting to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to spill over.