Sacrifice

The sun was about to set, and the sky turned to shades of red, yellow, and orange as I sat near the window. I had a notebook and a pencil in hand.

“What color? Which cut? Do I want subtle elegance or all of the drama?” I thought aloud.

Comet woke up and rubbed her eyes.

She scowled and said, “No drama, please!”

“Plenty of drama. Got it,” I said, sketching away.

She got up and flew in front of me, carrying her dress away into the bathroom. It was the dress that Hazel sewed for her.

“Hmm, it is quite cold. Ah, yes, there we go!” I said, drawing the final strokes.

It had a floor-length, purple skirt, with a grey bodice, and an off-shoulder neckline. The bodice and sleeves had pearl beads in several sizes. The cape sleeves were lined with soft, faux fur.

“It’s time to make it!”

I stood up from my chair, cleared my throat, and touched my pendant. A beam of green light shone through, and I entered the dressmaking room.

This time, I cut the silk myself, and a sewing machine automatically stitched it in place. I hopped into my dress, and it wrapped around me.

The room vanished, and I found myself on a stage with the spotlight on me. I began walking, and a ramp formed as I did, and my slippers turned into high heels. I catwalked, and my hair shaped itself into a half-up style. Touching my head, a pearl headband formed around it. I brushed my fingers against my neck, and a pearl choker with a pink ruby in the center gathered and manifested.

Striking a pose with one hand on my hip, that dimension vanished, leaving me back in my room. Working on my base and eyeliner, I dreamed of dancing with Cassius.

“Janessa, we will be late! Let us rush into the ballroom,” cried Comet.

I checked the clock app on my phone.

“Argh, you’re right! It’s 7 PM already!”

I quickly put on my lipstick and the two of us left the room at once. I locked the door, put the key into my purse, and raised the hem of my skirt while descending the staircase.

“Wait for me,” said Comet.

“I can’t. Besides, you can fly, right?”

“Yes…”

I trotted down the steps and took my invitation out of my purse, showing it to the guard.

“Please, right this way,” he said.

“Thank you.”

As soon as I entered, everyone’s eyes were on me.

“Janessa,” said a female voice.

“Y-yes?”

It was Edith in a strapless red dress.

“You look lovely today,” she said.

“Oh? Umm, thank you.”

Her blonde curls framed her tiny face. She waved in my direction and placed her hand on her chin, revealing a diamond ring. Beside her, there was a purple haired man with droopy, blue eyes.

He yawned and said, “Now that she has arrived, we can start the music.”

Edith smiled at the man and took his hand.

“Janessa? Hmm, you haven’t looked my way at all,” said Cass.

I looked in the direction of Cassius’s voice. I saw him in a black silk shirt, a purple waistcoat, and black pin-striped trousers. His blazer was of the same material as his trousers. His pocket square, shoes, and cravat were a similar shade of burgundy. His hair was styled back with a bit of volume.

I kept staring at his silvery eyes and then, at his lips.

“Ha, I knew I would render you speechless,” he smirked.

My face flushed, and he told me, “You look gorgeous as always.”

“Thank you.”

Not a very special compliment. Or maybe I’m just shocked because of Edith.

“Start the music again!” said Cassius.

The musicians started with their flutes, violins, and double basses.

“May I have this dance?” he asked.

“Of course, Cass.”

They all started dancing, and I took Cassius’s hand, and he put his hand on my waist. I had been practicing all week, but still fumbled whenever my heels were too tall.

We took a step, and let the music guide me. I giggled in mirth while I could feel his breath on my shoulder.

A few minutes later, the music stopped, and I curtseyed while Cassius bowed. Cassius parted ways with me, leaving me alone.

Why can’t I just dance with Cassius and no one else?

“Could I have this dance?” asked Kelly.

He still had his glasses on and wore a white suit with black lapels.

I looked at Cassius, who was dancing with some stranger in a green dress.

“Yes, of course.”

We began the stance once again.

“Are you my cousin’s bride to be?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.”

“That is wonderful. Pardon me, but have you heard of Phil’s whereabouts?” he asked.

“No, Prince Evan said he’s taking care of it.”

“My Lord. Be very careful. I have reports that he might crash this party at any moment. I wish to trust in your security, but it is difficult, you see,” he said.

“My goodness, really?! We should inform everyone.”

“No need to stir panic. I have some special forces at play.”

“Right.”

The music ended, and he bowed and left.

Cassius returned to me and asked, “What was that cousin of mine going on and on about?”

“It was about our security.”

“Hmm. I see. Well, that is a relief. My dance partner was too chatty, and it gave me a headache already. She asked all sorts of strange questions, like how much I was spending on the engagement ring. I shall sit for a while. Care to join me?”

I nodded and sat next to him. He pulled me close and put his arm around me. I froze as I got goosebumps, gulped, and looked at Kelly, who was talking to an elderly man.

“Look at me,” he said.

“I am,” I said, turning in his direction.

“I did not know you like bespectacled men so much. Perhaps I should don a pair. Although my vision is perfect.”

“It’s not what you think it is, Your Highness,” I said.

I whispered in his ear what Kelly had told me. His eyes bulged as they locked with mine, and he embraced me.

“You must tread carefully. I will see what I can do.”

He left me there as I stood up. Heels clacked in my direction, and I saw Edith.

“Janessa, I can assure you there are no more hard feelings between us. You see, I am engaged to Lord Noah.”

“Oh, congratulations.”

She waved her hand in my direction, and I smiled and nodded.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” she said.

“I’ll try.”

All of a sudden, the guard fell to the ground, and a man stepped over him and drew his sword. He had a long beard, fierce eyes, and very short hair. His armor was the same as that of the guards, and his hand was burned.

“Phil? What are you doing here?” exclaimed Prince Evan.

“Who killed Orpheus? Who was it?”

The music stopped, and people screamed as they backstepped.

“Whoever it was, it was justified…” said Catherine.

Evan covered Catherine’s mouth. Phil dragged her away from Evan’s grasp. He drew his sword next to her throat.

“Tell me, or the girl dies,” said Phil.

“I did it, it was me!” said Evan.

“Very well,” he said.

He tossed Catherine aside, and she landed on the ground as she cried.

“Cassius, hand me my sword! Cassius?” he said, backing away.

The younger prince came forward with his own sword.

I’d better do something quick!

The two of them clashed a few times before Phil tore his sword away, and it fell to the ground.

I quickly touched my locket. Sparks flew, and I found myself in front of the wardrobe.

I can’t use the goddess costume properly. But I have no time to hesitate!

I put it on at once, with the purple dress, boots, golden staff, and tiara.

“Let’s go!”

Kelly lunged forward with a staff and blocked Phil’s attack.

“Using magic, are we?” said Phil.

Phil’s sword lit up and turned scarlet red. The two of them clashed against each other several times.

Someone tapped me on my shoulder, and I gasped. It was Edith.

“You scared me!” I said.

“Janessa, you should help them!”

“They don’t need me.”

“Nonsense,” she said, pointing at Kelly.

His staff soon stopped glowing and became a simple steel rod. Phil sliced it into two!

“Okay, okay! I must save everyone, and the prince.”

“Janessa…” whispered Cassius.

He gestured for me to leave with his hand.

“I bring forth the power of the Elemental Goddess!”

“Hmm? Oh! It is you!” he said, leaping forward.

I aimed, concentrated my energy, and screamed, “Fire, come to me!”

“Not so fast. I have an anti-fire buff now!” said Phil.

My fire died down into ashes. I clicked my tongue and turned away.

“The power of air, come to me, I command you. Bring a small tornado!”

“Heh.”

Nothing happened as Phil lunged forward. I was about to dodge, but right in front of me, the statue of Cassius blocked my attack. Then it fell and crumbled into pieces and white dust. Phil picked up the sword that was stuck in the statue.

I heard Cassius scream from afar, loudly enough for the whole building to shake.

Just then, a twister appeared from my staff, carried his sword away, and Phil chased after it. By the time he caught up with it, the sword itself stabbed Phil.

He fell to the ground, and everyone cheered.

“Janessa! Janessa,” they said.

“Cassius?! Cassius, where are you? Are you okay?” I yelled.

“You’re a hero,” said Edith.

People surrounded me.

“Janessa, Cassius is in grave danger!” shouted Evan.

I pushed past the crowd and saw Cassius fall to the ground.

“His soul has left this world,” he said.

“No! This can’t be.”

My voice was heavy with the knot in his throat. I checked his pulse with his wrist at once.

“He’s still breathing!” I said, gasping for air.

“Not for long. We must hurry, Janessa.”

At that moment, my vision blurred and I could scarcely move.