The humming had now become a drone. At this point, I was in so much pain that it was hard to stifle my cries.
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“Damian…my head…” I cried out to my brother. I could feel it, the pressure was building behind my eyes, sharp and unbearable.
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Goddamnit! Open!
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Damian’s door was jammed.
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Was it jammed… or was someone holding it shut?
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What if—
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Suddenly, the door handle jangled violently.
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“Damian…” I whispered, tears forming in my eyes as the pain became excruciating.
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Talia, on my mark, break the door open.
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“What?!”
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Trust me! Focus on the door, and break it open when I say so!
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All I wanted was the humming to go away.
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Focus.
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I stretched out my hand. Energy prickled beneath my skin, gathering at my fingertips, unstable and ready to burst.
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As I waited for Damian’s command, my breathing broke into short, uneven gasps. My head couldn’t take it anymore, and I was about to collapse.
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“DAMIAN!”
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NOW!
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I screamed as my power erupted across the room—and the door exploded.
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*
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“She’s coming around now…”83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvSFrahQNf
Who is this? Am I dead?
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“Give her some space, asshole…”83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgEXL2OL9F
Damian…so I’m alive.
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“BOTH OF YOU, STOP IT!”
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My eyes snapped open, and the first person I saw was…not Damian.
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“Wh-who are you? Damian?” I looked around for my brother; the memories of what had happened kept coming back to me, and they were not pleasant.
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“I’m right here.” Damian shoved the stranger aside and looked at me from my head to my toes, eyes filled with worry. “Are you okay? Are you hurt? Say something!”
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“I’m fine, Damian. My head’s spinning, though.”
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“Here, peanut. Eat this, it’ll make you feel better.” Aunt Holly handed a slice of lemon to me, frowning, while Damian helped me sit up. “Peanut, I know you really wanted to see what was in the bathroom, but don’t you think blowing up your bedroom door is a little too much?”
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“I wouldn't have to if it wasn’t for—” I trailed off and slowly turned to the stranger behind Damian—him.
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I didn’t take a good look at him when I woke up. Now that I have, goddamn. He looked like he fell from heaven. He looked young, probably twenty. His skin was flawless. Is that the definition of ‘Korean-glass skin’? His eyes are like, cute and round and big—
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“Talia!” Damian snapped his fingers in front of me. “What the hell are you looking at?”
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I blinked twice in confusion. “What just happened?”
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“Nothing happened,” Aunt Holly sighed and said, “You just got starstruck by Korean visuals at its highest. Talia, Damian, this boy is the secret in the bathroom. Meet Yujin.”
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“Hi.” Yujin smiled and waved at us.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrzUTiVNYG
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Damian and I exchanged a look.
We were somehow even more confused than before.
“Oh my god… Aunt Holly, are you into some kind of fetish…” Damian whispered, his face looking twisted.
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“What?! No! Oh, for god’s sake, come here.” Aunt Holly dragged us by the hand and led us to the bathroom.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jF12Xzmmn
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The moment she kicked the door open, my jaw fell to the floor.
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It was a portal.
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“Why is this…” I was at a loss for words.
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Portals were incredibly rare. Only certain people with the ability to cross dimensions can open one, and the portal usually fades after a day of use.
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But looking at the portal inside the bathroom, I could sense the immense amount of magic holding it together. It must’ve been here longer than I thought.
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“How long has it been here?” Damian observed the portal intently.
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“A couple of years. Yujin’s grandfather made it for your grandfather after the florist opened.”
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I looked back and forth from Yujin and the portal.
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The same strange energy I had sensed earlier was still clinging to him.
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Then it clicked.
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“The portal is tied to you.”
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His smile faded slightly.
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Aunt Holly gestured to him. “Yujin, would you please?”
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Yujin nodded and rolled up the sleeve of his right arm, revealing a tattoo mark. In a circle, two stars aligned with each other inside an incomplete triangle.
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“Impossible,” I whispered. It was the magic mark of blood sovereignty. I’ve only heard stories of it; to see one in person was almost impossible, until now.
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“Blood sovereignty. I don’t believe it.” Damian grabbed his head in disbelief. “But that would mean that if he dies, the portal dies with him, no offence.”
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Yujin merely shrugged and said, “I don’t die easily anyway.”
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I raised my eyebrows at his statement. Just how powerful is he to keep this running up till now? A portal like this probably needs to be recharged with mana every few days. Even I would struggle.
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“You know, I thought both of you would be more curious about where it goes. Maybe I was wrong?” Aunt Holly crossed her arms and smiled.
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“We are!” I exclaimed. “Well, me mostly.”
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“So where does it go to?” Damian reached out his hand to test the portal, only to be stopped by Yujin.
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“Wait. The portal only allows access to you if you have received my permission.”
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“Go on then.” Damian spread his arms apart, as if getting ready to receive some kind of blessing.
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Yujin chuckled and held out his hands to Damian and me.
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“Hold my hand. By transferring mana to you, the portal will recognise you and grant you access.”
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While Damian took his hand wholeheartedly, I hesitated for a moment. 83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUR5Z0RAaf
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Am I ready for the journey of uncovering the truth behind everything? What if I can’t handle the truth?
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“Hey.”
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I looked up and stared at Yujin.
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“All it takes is a little courage, right?” He gave me a reassuring smile.
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Suddenly, I felt a little calmer and focused.
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He’s right. I can do this.
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I took his hand, and immediately I felt a surge of warmth enter me.
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The mana was so immense, it overwhelmed me. However, it didn’t feel suffocating as before; rather, it was warm and welcoming. It felt good.
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When Yujin let go of his hand, I could hear it. The humming sound coming from the portal.
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“You guys ready?” Aunt Holly took out a backpack from the cupboard under the sink and slung it over her shoulder.
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“I don’t think I’m dressed appropriately.” Damian grinned, clearly excited.
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“No one’s gonna care anyway.” Aunt Holly pushed Damian through the portal without warning, sending him yelling in shock while she calmly walked through it.
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“Coming?” Yujin nudged my shoulder.
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“Where does it go?” I knew it was a little late to ask again, but I should be prepared for anything, right?
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“To Stellarion.”
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And with that, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the portal.
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