Chapter 2: Name

Dealla’s eyes locks on like magnets. Under heavy lids, she is able to open her eyes. She blinks as her eyes adjust.

She is in the hospital. The room is home-like. There is a single bed, with white bedsheets and pillows. Her gaze surveys every detail inside the room. Everything is new to her—it is primitive.

"What's this place?" her hoarse voice echoes.

She is alone in the room but she hears noises, even it is far away from her.

She wanted to get up but she was tied to the bed. She frowned. She felt energy trying to wake her whole system.

Why this place looks unfamiliar? Why do I feel odd? Am I under simulation?

Her body is weak but there is something inside it that tries to make her strong. She raises her left arm and then, she sees how the wound heals on its own.

She screams. She sees a flair relating to healing or generating, but she is fully aware that she doesn’t possess any kind of those flairs!

A nurse comes in, startled by her scream. Dealla looks at the nurse, when the nurse tries to comfort her, she pushes her using her telekinesis flair. The nurse bumps on the wall.

Dealla gets up from the bed immediately and destroys everything that ties her. The rope wounded her arms but after few seconds, it heals on its own. The nurse steps back, frightened of her.

"What's this place?" she asks the nurse but the nurse shakes her head.

"No? That's the name of this place?" Dealla is starting to become pissed.

The nurse gulps.

"I'm sorry. I don't have any intention to hurt you but please, please tell me what's this place."

Damn, I used flair at her a while ago.

"Bu-Bulwark."

Dealla pauses for a moment, remembering every place she knows but it comes out that she doesn't remember anything, even her name! It shocks her.

She looked at the nurse. This time, Dealla is the one who gulp.

"What's my name?" She feel her cheeks burning.

The nurse blinks several times before answering. "I don't know. No one knows."

What? Maybe my assumption is right, I’m under simulation. Damn this Zenith and simulation!

Dealla doesn’t know what to think anymore. Her head is empty, but there is something inside her body that wanted to explore and it is making her insane. She walks back and forth, thinking of something but she couldn't think properly.

She went on simulation before but this time, she feels very different. The patterns are distinctive.

Is this a simulation?

"You should calm down."

Dealla stops. She turns her gaze to the nurse who's worried about her. They are staring at each other until someone comes in.

"Good morning, Amnisty," the nurse greets the woman who just comes in.

The woman is Amnisty Soledad. She's a warrior and the personal guard of the Bulwark's Queen, Queen Sheele Tourbillon. She's around 5 feet and 5 inches. Her body Is toned because of the training she went through.

"How are you?" Amnisty has a soprano voice with a breathy monotone. Her presence is screaming so much authority.

"Not well. I don't...remember.. my name."

The room becomes silent.

"Don't worry, you'll remember it soon. Take a rest and we will talk again when I come back." Amnisty did not wait for Dealla's reply, she comes out from the room together with the nurse.

"Don't let your guard down. I'll send Piolo's troupe here to guard that girl and they will bring her to the Underground." Amnisty continues walking as she speaks.

The nurse only nod at Amnisty's words. Everyone they pass by bow to Amnisty. She needs to be respected after all.

When she leaves the hospital, she sighs. Dealla's presence is bothering her. It reminds her of someone's presence, someone she valued.

"It's impossible but I need to try," she tells herself.

When she arrives at the palace, Queen Sheele is already waiting for her. The queen is playing piano, it reminds Amnisty during gold-old days. Like her, the queen is also hoping that Dealla is the same person as someone they used to have before.

Amnisty walks in the old brown carpet. Every corner of the palace has a candle. The queen wants to keep light as many as they could. There are little furniture and paintings. Unnecessary materials are removed a long time ago. The queen likes to keep the palace spacious. She doesn’t want to make a hideout for someone.

Amnisty stops five feet away from the queen. When the queen turns to her, she bows. Like her, the queen is wearing a beaver-colored suit. The queen wants to have an identical uniform with her, after all, Amnisty is like a queen to Queen Sheele.

"Her majesty, the girl doesn't remember her name."

The Queen blinks and plays her fingers, it's her habit. She does it when she's nervous or she's analyzing.

"Did you saw any similarities?"

"I did, her majesty. Her aura is the same as Clandes. It could be lame but that's the reason why I saved her. She reminded me of our beloved friend."

The queen chuckles. Queen Sheele is unlike those other queens. She is emotionally intense and energetic.

"I'll meet her," she declares cheerfully.

**

The Bulwarkians are curious about the Queen's actions. It unusual of her to go to the Underground, the jail of Bulwark. Most of the Bulwarkians don’t like her being a queen because of her personality. They don't know, the queen, herself, doesn’t like the position.

No one dares to come closer to the queen because of Amnisty. The Bulwarkians would choose her more to become a queen than Queen Sheele because of her capabilities, but unfortunately, she doesn’t belong to the Tourbillon bloodline.

"Oh gosh, it's not easy to be famous," the queen jokes while fanning herself. Sweats can be spotted on her forehead.

Amnisty smirks while handing a handkerchief to the queen.

"Oh come on, Amnisty. It's true. It's not easy, especially if you are in my position," she says while wiping her sweats.

Amnisty nods. She understands. Nothing is easy in this life.

"Okay, I'm done. Can't wait to meet her."

"This way, her majesty."

They walk in a dark hallway. They smell  the rusty and dusty environment. The Underground is quiet. Dealla is the only prisoner in there. Bulwarkians are afraid to sin, it's just one of their nice traits.

"Do you think it is a good idea that we put her in here?" the queen asks while they are still walking. They hear the tapping sounds of their heels.

"It's your decision, her majesty. I think it's a good idea. Don't doubt your decisions. Also, it is dangerous if she’ll stay longer in the hospital."

"What if she'll be mad? You know, she's from Seacrest. We are nothing to her."

"That's true, we're nothing to her but her majesty, as what I've said, she's like Clandes. She's kind."

Queen Sheele nods while smiling.

She’s like Clandes? Maybe she’s innocent too. Everyone can manipulate her easily.

They stop in Dealla's prison cell. Both of them are excited and nervous. Their feelings are just products of the desperation of wanting to see Clandes once again, and they both know that. Still, they continue their plan even if it is dangerous.

"I'll open the cell, her majesty."

Queen Sheele nods.

Amnisty opens the cell. There is a small square hole in the wall, making a small light enters. They spot Dealla staring blankly on the floor. Queen Sheele and Amnisty look at each other, communicating through gazes.

"I'll go," the queen says.

Queen Sheele walks slowly towards Dealla. She is fully aware that she needs to keep her distance from her. Amnisty follows silently.

"Hi, I'm Sheele. What's your name, darling?" she asks softly but Dealla doesn’t answer.

"Her Majesty," Amnisty warns Queen Sheele when she sits in front of Dealla.

"Her majesty, she doesn't remember her name," Amnisty speaks again.

The queen looks at her with 'I know. Just play a long' look. Amnisty sighs and nods.

"Her majesty, I saw her in the passage near the Falling River. She was seriously injured and there was a flower with her."

"What flower?"

Amnisty doesn't answer right away. She and the queen already talked about this situation but they need to do it again to inform Dealla. She sighs before answering.

I hate repeating.

"It's Peony."

"Oh, what a nice flower and it's the favorite of our friend, Amnisty. Right?"

"You're right, her majesty."

"Since you don't remember your name, darling. How about I'll name you Peony? Is it fine with you?" The queen strokes some strands of Dealla's hair. She puts it behind her ear. The queen stares at Dealla’s face.

Amnisty is alarmed by the queen's action but she knows her so well. The queen is clever and aware of her actions. Amnisty remains in her place while observing the queen's drama.

"Peony is fine," Dealla finally speaks.

"Oh, I'm glad, Peony,” Queen Sheele says cheerfully.

Queen Sheele stands up and makes some distance from Peony. She is smiling widely, proud of what she did. Amnisty shakes her head.

"And oh, Peony. Amnisty is fine if you'll stay in the same house with her. She's alone, after all."

"Aren't you afraid of me, her majesty?"

The queen is dumbfounded by Peony's question. Why did she ask that?

"Why would I, Peony? I'm the queen of this place, Bulwark. I'm fearless." She's sounds so confident, but she is aware of how weak she is. She just needs to lie, if that's necessary.

"And I'm an intruder of your place, her majesty. You don't know what I'm capable of," Peony responds.

The room becomes silent for a moment. Peony stated the fact but Queene Sheele and Amnisty are willing to ignore it. Why? Just because the aura of Peony is similar to Clandes?

"Don't do anything that can make me mad, Peony. Bulwarkians may don't have flairs but we are capable of something."

Peony doesn’t respond. Amnisty remains silent. She's confused why Peony said such a thing. Is she pretending?

"Her majesty, you have another appointment."

Queen Sheele frowns.

"Her majesty, you forgot your appointments. I apologize, but we need to go."

The two ladies leave while Peony is still there, trying to remember the last words she heard from Arnav. Yes, she remembers his name and face but she doesn’t remember the last words he said to her and it makes her mad because those words seem very important. She is even confused why she cares so much about that guy.

"I hate you, Arnav. Whoever you are in my life," she mumbles.