Chapter 158
“There were two before you, and before them, there were two,” Clarisse began. Her voice carried a solemn tone, casting an even more eerie atmosphere in the room where Arabella sat.
“This has been the way for centuries. Every hundred years, two are born,” Clarisse explained.
“I’m not quite following,” Arabella furrowed her brows.
“It’s your history, Arabella. I believe you should have been told earlier, but circumstances arose,” Clarisse continued. “It’s important for future generations to know about this in case you end up carrying multiple children.”
Arabella’s hand instinctively rested on her stomach as Clarisse acknowledged it. She supposed it was now painfully obvious that she was pregnant. There was no need to conceal it any longer.
“What do you know about me?” Arabella inquired. She had longed to uncover more about herself and her mother. Despite her father’s evasiveness and silence on the matter, her curiosity still gnawed at her.
“You discovered you have a twin after meeting her for the first time,” Clarisse stated. “But the revelation isn’t simply that you were separated at birth for the sake of it. You and your twin are the missing pieces of a puzzle that could bring great harm to the world.”
“My sister, Alessia?” Arabella mumbled, and Clarisse nodded.
Arabella shook her head. “I don’t think you’re right about this. Alessia despises me, and I feel the same way about her. As for destroying the world, I only want to destroy her when I see her.”
“That’s the reaction they were hoping for, to trigger the great destruction. They orchestrated a conflict between you two that would inflict suffering on every creature, including humans.”
Arabella was bewildered. She wondered what more revelations awaited her. She was labeled a potent tool, pursued relentlessly, and now she was linked to world-altering consequences with Alessia. Despite her yearning for self-discovery, it was all becoming overwhelming, causing her head to spin.
“Have you heard the tale of the twins who chose to erase their own history and undo the evil they wrought with their own hands?” Clarisse raised a brow, and Arabella shook her head.
“Now, this is where we’re headed, and I hope you’re paying close attention, as this will be quite enlightening,” Clarisse remarked. “Come.”
She motioned for Arabella and Thalia, both of whom had been listening intently. They entered another room, noticeably brighter and more spacious than the first. Arabella took a deep breath, relishing the clean air and the sweet scent that filled the room.
She settled onto a sofa indicated by Clarisse, and Thalia did the same.
“Well, it seems like this might be quite an extensive tale,” Arabella quipped.
“I won’t tire you out. You’ll learn more about it as you spend time here. For now, I’ll share what you need to know,” Clarisse assured.
Arabella nodded, exhaling and trying to calm her pounding heart in anticipation of what was to come.
A brief silence filled the room until Clarisse cleared her throat and began. “The first set of twins emerged a thousand years ago. Initially, it was seen as a cause for celebration. Two individuals born into the Phoenix bloodline simultaneously, possessing unique abilities, was perceived as a boon for the Phoenix people.”
“This continued for a while, and multiple births were well-received until those twins arrived, disrupting the established balance. It didn’t happen right away,” Clarisse paused, scrutinizing Arabella to ensure her attention before proceeding.
“When did it begin?” Arabella inquired, her voice barely above a whisper, a lump forming suddenly in her throat.
“It started when they were in their twenties. Terrible things began to occur,” she explained. “Both possessed unique abilities, but they were distinct despite being identical.”
“What transpired?” Arabella pressed.
“There’s something known as the Pyroclasm and Ignivore convergence, and it has always been a force. In their wake, lands were scorched, oceans turned to steam, and skies painted in shades of crimson and black. When the twins joined forces, they birthed a new power, forged from elemental fury and ancient prophecy, advancing and leaving behind a trail of smoldering destruction and echoing embers,” Clarisse detailed.
Even without Clarisse explicitly stating it, Arabella could sense the malevolence that accompanied their name. It sent a shiver down her spine as she contemplated the possibility of being akin to Alessia in this regard.
“It’s unavoidable,” Clarisse sighed. “Your destinies are intertwined, just like with the other sets of Phoenix twins born before you. That’s why you were always kept apart.”
“What can we do?” Arabella asked. “There must be a solution to all of this. I don’t want the world to be destroyed.”
Clarisse nodded in understanding. “There are a few options. Trying to reason with your twin, though it’s had little effect in the past, or, if that’s not possible, considering… a more drastic measure. If the merge occurs and can’t be stopped, you both will perish.”
“It seems senseless. Just when I thought I was getting close to understanding things, now there are conditions attached,” Arabella grumbled.
“Only if you wish to lead a peaceful life. Keep in mind, the threat is drawing nearer, and you need to think swiftly,” Clarisse advised.
“I know,” Arabella gritted her teeth. Sandro. Even though he should be the last person on her mind, he still managed to occupy her thoughts.Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
Clarisse rose from her seat, her gaze shifting towards Thalia. “There’s much more to discuss, but you girls need rest after the journey you’ve been through.”
“Dinner will be ready soon,” she added, heading towards the door.
“I doubt I’ll have much of an appetite with the way I’m feeling,” Arabella confessed.
“You need to keep up your strength,” Thalia insisted. “No matter what lies ahead, you’ll need every ounce of it.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Arabella sighed, briefly closing her eyes before reopening them.
She knew she would require all the strength she could muster to face Sandro.