Capítulo 64: World Tree's Sanctuary
Looking past the terrified expression of the girl hanging between life and death, Cassius retracted a few more steps, returning to the first questions she asked upon arriving. "My name is… not something you need to know at this point in time. But I can tell you how I know about that necklace dangling on your neck."
Stella's eyes widened in genuine shock, as she had already surmised this entire sequence of events to be one big ploy laid out by this man and maybe an organization behind him. She assumed they had somehow figured out the importance she held for the necklace adorning her neck, as it was something given to her by her mother. But with the mysterious man's most recent words, all of her solid speculations were thrown out the window.
With the same mildly amused smirk showing through his dark veil, Cassius went on to briefly explain the extent of his relationship with the necklace and, more specifically, the symbol.
Half a minute later.
"...Your mother as well… How can this be…?"
"As well?" Cassius questioned. "Are you saying that your mother had a similar necklace?"
Stella shook her head. "Not just that, but this very necklace was the one she passed on to me before vanishing! She also left me with a series of warning words, but I don't really think she was lucid at the time…"
"You must tell me what she said, Stella!" Cassius urged as he took his finger away from her throat. "You have to tell me exactly what she said!"
Stella, surprised by the mysterious man's sudden change in demeanor, was too muddle-minded to realize that she now had a decent chance to counterattack.
Yet, she didn't attack.
Instead, her eyes clouded with emotions developed because of memories from long ago, and she mumbled, "...M-My mother said, 'Beware of the creatures of nightmare; beware of the imposters, and beware of the one that descends clad in purple.'"
"To this day, I still have no idea what she meant by anything she was talking about… Surely she must've just been speaking nonsense because she was feeling pre-guilt over deciding to leave her family the next day—"
"No!" Cassius blurted out, his expression a mixture of several complicated emotions. "There is definitely more to your mother's words than meets the eye, and it is very likely that she left you for a reason as well."
"As well?" Stella was feeling reverse déjà vu. "Are you saying—"
"Yes," answered Cassius. "My mother left as well, but it happened when I was a few years younger than you. However, with our difference in age thrown into the pit, they should've left at around the same time. And though I have no idea what the other two things your mother said mean, I know that 'creatures of nightmare' are the monsters in the Gates."
"The monsters in the Gates!? But why would she…" Stella found herself at a loss for words, unable to understand a multitude of different things at the moment.
Suddenly turning her head up, she asked, "Then are you also aware of the World Tree's Sanctuary? My grandma rambles about it often, and ever since my mom vanished, she seemed to lose her mind, with the World Tree being really the only thing she talks about…"
"I used to think that what she spoke about was just her one way of grieving, with it having little to no chance of actually meaning anything… But if what you say is true, then there might just be something more to her crazed ravings…"
"The World Tree's Sanctuary…" Cassius wordlessly moved his lips, feeling something pull him toward that name and the intent behind it. "...I have never heard of that term, but I feel as if it is vastly important to the mysteries surrounding our mothers… Maybe, just maybe, they left for reasons beyond mere human selfishness…"
Even though she had just met this man and didn't even know what he looked like, Stella felt a slight sense of hope bubble up within her because of his words. However, when she remembered where she needed to be, dread washed over her pretty face.
"I want to continue this subject, but I really have to go somewhere! I forgive you for trying to kill me, and here, take my number," she hurriedly said while writing down a string of digits on a slip of paper that appeared from somewhere down below. "Make sure not to contact me! I will contact you!"
"Ahh…"
Without even receiving the opportunity to say anything of substance, Cassis saw Stella giddy up on out of there, with her final farewell words being, "Talk to you later tonight!"
Cassius felt like he had done a terrible job at keeping her still, but what he gained from this encounter made all that inconsequential.
He had originally assumed that nothing much would come from luring Stella out to a secluded alleyway, but trying never harmed anyone, so he tossed out the bait, hoping to snag something.
Yet, what he caught was something far beyond what even he bargained for!
Though, only the following period would fully articulate what exactly all of this meant for him…
Three minutes later.
Upon leaving the dark alleyway, Cassius was surprised to find a familiar face staring him down in a barely concealed accusatory manner.
Her long black hair cascaded down her slender shoulders and plump bottom, whereas her sparkling star-like eyes bore through his soul as if they could discern everything with just a single glance. Yet, it was impossible to understand exactly what she was thinking; whether she was mad, sad, disappointed, or annoyed was a complete mystery.
However, Cassius could still tell that she was feeling something on the negative side of the spectrum—that much was certain by the sassy way she was standing in the middle of the sidewalk.
Who else could it be but Bella?
"You look as lovely today as always—"
"Ha! Stop with the flowery words and tell me who that woman was!" Bella, not even giving him a chance to play coy, raised her voice and demanded.
...
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
Astral_Pandemonium
Astral_Pandemonium Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder