His

“Elara, please, I need your help. You’re the only one who knows how to get to the dark dimensions. David’s life is in danger. I can't lose him. ”

Aria grabbed her hands and pleaded, her feet almost tapping with impatience.

Elara shrugged her off, crossing her arms, she glared at Aria’s distressed face,

“ You saw something, didn't you? Let's not play anymore games. Did you meet the darkness inside you? Is that the reason? ”

Aria was shocked,

“ How did you… how did you know about it? ”

Elara scoffed.

“ Girl, I told you I have lived more years than you. Your trickeries won't work on me. Tell me, what is your true purpose! ”

Aria fell on her knees.

“ I don't know. I am being honest. There is this deal with the darkness but I don't care. I swear I don't care about any of it. But it's slowly consuming me. I want to save David before it takes over. He is not safe. He has been tricked.

Please trust me. I am not lying. I need your help. ”

“Why should I help you? After everything, you think I’ll just jump in to save the day for you? You’re carrying his child, Aria. You’re the reason he’s in this mess!”

Elara turned around but Aria grabbed the hem of her dress.

Tears streaming down her face Aria mumbled,

“Elara, I’m begging you. This ain’t about us. It’s about David. If you care about him, if you ever did, you’ll help me save him. Please.

I understand why you can't trust me.

You can take any mortgage, any leverage… I don't care about anything anymore. All I want is to get David out of that hell! ”

She could barely carry on, “ I saw him… He is dying. ”

She fell into prostration, choking on her words.

Elara gulped. Aria's words had too much emotions to be untrue but the next second she glared,

“ Don’t you dare try to guilt-trip me. I know your games. How do I know this isn’t just another one of your tricks? If you have awakened your true self, it makes more sense. ”

Aria started sobbing uncontrollably,

“I swear on everything, this ain’t no trick. David’s life is on the line. I love him, Elara. I know you do too. Help me save him. Please. I’m on my knees here, begging you.

She is trying to take control. ”

She pointed at her reflection on the mirror.

“ But I won't let her until David is safe. But I am running out of time. ”

There was already a crack in Elara’s voice and she was slightly shaking,

“You expect me to believe you? After you stole him from me?

Do you know how happy we were before you were born?

Your birth was a lie. Your bond was a lie.

It was your lies that snatched David away from me.

I should just let you suffer the consequences of your actions.We can save David ourselves. You stay out of it. ”

Aria crawled forward,grasping Elara’s hands,

“Elara, I know I hurt you. But you must know I didn't have any say in it, besides this is about David.

I agree with whatever you are saying.

Trust me, I hope more than you, that I was never born.

I hate my existence.

He’s in danger because of me. Please, Elara, help me save him. You can’t do this alone.

You will need me.

There is no time for trial and error.

I know what needs to be done. I just need a vessel to carry me to the dark dimensions. ”

Elara pulled her hands away and shoved Aria back,

“Get off me. You’ve done nothing but ruin my life.And David's life and the lives of everyone that you have touched.

And now you want my help? How do I know you won’t just stab me in the back the first chance you get?”

Aria’s voice was breaking,

“Because I don’t have a choice. I need you, Elara. David needs you. If you won’t do it for me, do it for him. Please. I’m begging you.”

Elara paused, conflicted, looking down at Aria,

”You really are something, you know that? Fine. I’ll help. But don’t think for a second that I trust you. One wrong move and you’re dead meat! ”

Aria smiled enthusiastically,looking up with a tear-streaked face,

“Thank you, Elara. I promise,you won't regret this. ”

Elara ignored her acknowledgement,

“Let’s get this over with. Follow me. And don’t you dare try anything funny.”

Aria nodded.

“Stand still.

When I enter your mind, I will know everything that you are thinking. I am asking one last time.Are you certain about this? Because I don't have time for your tricks.”

Aria stared Elara in her eyes, “ Just do it. We already lost a lot of time talking… ”

Elara stood still, her eyes fixed on Aria's tear-streaked face. The gravity of the situation pressed down on her. With a deep breath, she spoke in an ancient language,placing her hand over Aria’s chest. That allowed her to merge with Aria.

An intense light enveloped them both, and Elara felt her essence being pulled into Aria's body.The transition was disorienting. Elara found herself in a dark, swirling void inside Aria's mind. Shadows loomed around her, whispering constantly. She pushed through the darkness, seeking clarity. Then she saw it…a glowing thread connecting Aria's consciousness to a distant point, pulsating with a dark energy. It was the path to her old self.

Elara kept moving.

As she delved deeper, Elara became acutely aware of Aria's secrets. Memories and emotions flooded her mind, revealing the truth behind Aria's desperation. Elara saw David, bound and tortured in the dark dimensions, his life force slowly being drained.

But she saw something even more shocking…Aria was not merely a troubled girl.She truly was the reincarnation of Selene, the dark sorceress .

Instant shock clouded Elara with ravaging rage.

She felt the fury boiling inside her. Selene was Aria? Was that even possible?

Selene and Elara shared a common ancestry but they were no friends.

She was about to withdraw, to leave Aria to her fate, when she saw a flicker of resistance within Aria.

Aria was fighting Selene’s influence, desperately clinging to her own identity to save David… to save her consciousness.

At that moment, Elara understood. Aria was not Selene…she wasn't darkness…neither a part of it…she was a new soul battling an ancient darkness.

If Elara left now, Aria would be lost, and Selene might fully take over her body.

Elara guided Aria through the void, following the glowing thread to the portal leading to the dark dimensions. The closer they got, the more intense the pressure became. Shadows formed into twisted creatures, trying to block their path, but Elara summoned her power, forming a shield around them.

It was a great struggle but they finally breached the portal and a swirling vortex of dark energy appeared.

Elara concentrated, channeling her power through Aria’s body, stabilizing the portal. “Now, Aria. Step through.”Aria nodded, her eyes glowing with unwavering determination.

She stepped into the vortex, and the world around them shifted. They were now in the heart of the dark dimensions, a desolate wasteland with varied tiers and layers of darkness.

In the distance, they saw David, chained to a massive stone, his life force being siphoned by a dark entity.

Aria’s fury exploded like a supernova. Perhaps it was the witch in her.

Her raw energy blasted the dark entity away with a single, furious scream. The creature dissipated into shadowy fragments, leaving David exposed but still bound to the massive stone with fire chains.

Without hesitation, Aria rushed to his side. She grabbed the searing hot chains with her bare hands, wincing in pain as they burned her skin. But her determination did not waver.

"David! Hold on, I'm here!" she cried, her voice on the verge of breaking with emotion.

David's eyes fluttered open, weak and pained, but the sight of Aria filled them with hope and fright at the same time.

"Aria… you came…Why? You shouldn't be here," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Aria's tears fell onto his chest as she continued to pull at the chains. "I won't let them have you. Not now, not ever."

Elara witnessed the scene unfold, her own emotions a tumultuous storm. She could feel David’s touch through Aria’s body, as he lifted his hands urging her to stop pulling at the chains and come to himself.

She complied as he held her. Touching her, taking in her essence.

His caress sent shivers down her spine. The connection was intense, almost overwhelming.

David's hand reached up, gently touching Aria's face. "I always knew you were mine. I never doubted it."

Aria sobbed, her tears mingling with the soot and grime of the dark dimension. "David, I love you so much. ”

David’s fingers brushed against her cheek, wiping away her tears. "And I love you, Aria. More than you’ll ever know."

Elara's heart ached with longing and jealousy. She had once known David's touch, and had once been the one he whispered sweet words to. She felt a pang of envy but she wanted to see more of that.

David's lips found Aria's, kissing her with a fervor that spoke of his love and relief.

Elara felt every moment of their kiss, every heartbeat. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation through Aria's body.

For a moment, Elara let herself drown in the sensation, closing her eyes and allowing herself to be transported back to a time when she had been the center of David's world. She could almost feel his fingers trace the familiar lines of her face, his breath mingling with hers. The connection was electric,dangerously rekindling the love she had once felt so deeply. It was a bittersweet reminder of what she had lost and what Aria had gained.

She whispered to herself, "Just this once, let me feel what it’s like to be loved by him again.”