Chapter 3: Mission Revealed

The night deepened, and with it came the bitter cold seeping through the old barn’s walls. Mauve stirred awake beneath a heavy pile of comforters, her body wrapped snugly though her head throbbed faintly. Through the cracked glass windows she noticed darkness had already settled outside—she must have been asleep for hours.

Her eyes scanned the room: bare walls, a chair set beside the bed, and a door leading out. No sign of Nicholas or Sephie. With a sharp inhale, she swung her legs over the edge and rushed to the window. Her fingers worked desperately at the latch, rattling it with growing frustration. The loud clangs echoed in the still barn.

The sound was enough to summon Sephie’s voice from beyond the door.

“Miss, are you alright?”

Mauve froze, weighing her options—should she yell, demand freedom, or feign politeness? Sephie had been kind so far, unlike Nicholas, which made the decision sting even more. Finally, she let her sarcasm slip in as a shield.

“I’m fine. Just trying to escape.”

A small pause. Then, Sephie’s calm reply:

“I see. Dinner will be ready soon. Please don’t hurt yourself.”

Mauve let out a heavy sigh, sinking onto the bed. That was that. Her eyes dropped to her clothes and widened immediately—she was no longer in the damp school uniform but in her oversized crewneck and sweatpants. Alarm shot through her as she tugged at the fabric. Her undergarments had been changed too.

Her heart hammered. Oh my god. Someone… someone saw me.

“Wh–who changed my clothes?” Mauve shouted, her voice cracking as she fought to hide her embarrassment.

“Nicholas did,” Sephie answered from the other side. “He gathered most of your necessities.”

Necessities? Mauve’s cheeks burned as her mind raced. Pads? Toiletries? Don’t tell me… Nicholas actually took them off me.

Her throat tightened as she blurted, “D-did he… take my clothes off?”

The door opened slightly, revealing Sephie’s composed expression. “No. Nicholas isn’t like that. I handled it. Quickly. You’ve nothing to worry about.”

Even with Sephie’s reassurance, the embarrassment gnawed at her—like a hot coal pressed inside her chest. Mauve shoved the thought aside when Sephie announced dinner was ready.

At the table, a simple bowl of rice porridge awaited her. The watery mixture shimmered faintly, topped with boiled egg slices, toasted garlic, and scallions. Mauve stared at it, stirring without eating, fully aware of Nicholas’s quiet gaze and Sephie’s careful watch.

“Would you like soy sauce? A bit of lime makes it better,” Sephie offered gently.

“…I don’t mind,” Mauve mumbled, still avoiding eye contact.

Sephie leaned over, pouring soy sauce into her bowl and squeezing half a lime across it. The aroma rose like a warm embrace, and Mauve couldn’t resist anymore. She lifted the spoon, tasted—and to her own surprise—kept going until the bowl was nearly empty.

Nicholas smiled faintly as he watched.

Once Sephie cleared the dishes, Nicholas insisted they secure Mauve again—“for precaution.” Mauve’s protests were quickly softened by Sephie’s coaxing, until she sat tied once more to the chair.

Nicholas folded his hands, voice sharp and commanding.

“Listen carefully. Save your questions for the end. Understood?”

Mauve, sulking, gave a small nod.

“Elite is a parallel dimension of Earth,” Nicholas began. “It exists a thousand years ahead of your time. Here, it is 2021. There, it is 3021. The geography mirrors Earth’s, but its population is smaller, tightly controlled. Resources are abundant. Our technology far surpasses anything here.”

Mauve rolled her eyes. “And what does that have to do with me?”

“I said, questions later.” His tone snapped like a whip.

He continued, “It began with the First One—Arnold Dein. Descendant of Earth. No one knows why he was chosen, but when his gifts manifested, he opened the portal to Elite. From him, the monarchy began. Each ruler is a descendant of Earth, marked by abilities. There have been seventeen so far, Mauve. You are to be the eighteenth.”

Mauve couldn’t help it—her lips curled into a mocking laugh. “That’s the best kidnapping story you could come up with?”

Nicholas stiffened but held his composure.

“Can I ask questions now?”

“Yes,” he allowed.

“Where’s your proof?”

The question caught him off guard. He faltered, searching for words.

“Elitian technology cannot cross over,” Sephie stepped in. “Only an Eliot and an Astral can pass the portal.”

“So in other words… nothing?” Mauve smirked.

“I’m afraid none,” Nicholas admitted.

Mauve’s suspicion only sharpened. Human trafficking. Organ harvesting. That’s what this is. Her voice trembled as she asked, “What are you going to do? Rip me apart and sell my organs?”

Nicholas slammed the accusation down with sudden anger.

“No, Mauve! We’re not here to harm you. Enough!”

The outburst startled her—his patience had cracked. She fell silent, realizing pressing him further might only put her in danger.

“The chosen have four abilities,” Nicholas continued, voice lower but still strained. “We’ve already seen your first—telekinesis. The rest will come. When they do, you’ll believe us.”

Sephie interjected, her tone soothing. “Let’s wait, Mauve. Time will tell.”

“…Fine,” Mauve muttered.

Satisfied, Sephie said, “That settles it. Eliot, take her back to her room.”

Nicholas untied her, lifted her into his arms without a word, and tucked her beneath the covers. Mauve lay stiffly, saying nothing, afraid to provoke him further. Soon exhaustion dragged her into sleep.

–––

At dawn, a pale winter light spilled into the barn. Sephie stirred awake, curled beside Nicholas in their heavy sleeping bags. She rubbed her eyes—then froze.

The coals from last night’s fire were floating. So were tools, pans, and anything light enough to lift. All drifting weightlessly around the barn.

“Eliot—wake up!” she hissed, shaking Nicholas. He jolted upright, wide-eyed at the sight. They scrambled to swat the burning coals out of the air before they could catch on wood.

And then—

A scream tore through the barn.

Mauve.

Nicholas’s heart seized. He fumbled for the key and burst into her room.

“Mauve!”