Antonina Alfaro Zaragoza

"Beth, it's okay you can open your eyes now", I heard a very familiar voice, I looked up and I was at Ciel's arms. I was still in the middle of the party, in period clothing and so was Ciel, across us was Antonina and Domingo in the middle of the bolero. They looked so happy, I stared at them, fixated, her footwork was sloppy, compared to him who was very graceful and precise. "It's okay, this is just another I'm here", said Ciel, as his eyesight was drawn towards Antonina,

Ciel watched her, enamoured by her, she was really beautiful, and even with her sloppy bolero she looked like an angel, I felt a slight tug on my heart, I just sighed. Then for a brief moment, our eyes met, and her sight followed me, I looked at Ciel but he didn't seem to notice, by the time the music stopped Antonina was soon walking towards us. I braced myself preparing myself to be passed through by Antonina, since I have experienced this before. But to my surprise she stopped infront of us, she smiled at me and took hold of Ciel's hand.

"Cielo", she said softly.

"Nina", Ciel responded in surprise, but he held back her hand.

I stared at them dumbfounded, she was talking to him and held his hand, this is impossible, what could this mean. But before anything she faced me, "what's your name dear girl?"

"Bethany", I replied.

"American name!" she looked surprised

"A long time has passed Nina, over a hundred years", Ciel interjected.

Antonina looked me in the eye and hugged me, "you are beautiful, young one."

I was silent as I could not understand what they were saying, she held my hands,she looked down at my hands and saw a red mark around my wrist. Her face contorted into horror as she saw it. WIthout a word she led us towards one of the balconies near the banquet Hall, Ciel followed behind us, the whole place was vivid, it almost made me believe that all of this is real.

She offered us a chair that I gladly took, but Ciel remained standing, a look of concern and doubt was beginning to show on his face. Was this really Antonina Zarragoza or is it just the devil toying with us. He crossed his arms and stared at her, he looked uncomfortable as he eyed her with suspicion, it was obvious how difficult it was for him to suspect her of anything.

"Cielo, it's going to be a long conversation and you might get tired with standing", said she

"I can sit, when I deem that it is imperative that I take a seat," his response was less than convincing, his voice was shaky and his confidence forced.

"Well then, suit yourself I suppose".

Antonina turned to me and smiled, she looked kind, all her features was soft, I have always thought that she was pretty but looking at her up close - she was beautiful, but her eyes were veiled with sadness, it made me realize that her smile was filled with such melancholy that it was painful to even look at her, just how long has she been crying herself to exhaustion. "You are truly a beautiful one", she repeated, "but almost nothing of your physique is of the Zarragoza, except those eyes of yours, you have my dear brother's eyes."

"Thank you", I murmured, I felt Ciel's hand on my shoulder, he was hinting something. I saw Antonina's eyes looked at the reaper's hand.

"Always overprotective aren't we Cielo," she teased, then she sighed, "but then, who can blame you."

"Who are you?" asked Ciel, his grip on my shoulder tightened a bit.

"I'm Antonina Zarragoza y Alfaro, it is me, Cielo," she spoke with conviction, but with the tightened grip on my shoulder I doubt if Ciel believed a word, or maybe he did but was forcing himself to not trust her.

"How would I know that? What is your proof!"

"I have none." I looked at her, she looked dejected, her voice dropped, "but, I am who I am."

"Antonina", I interjected, and she looked up at me hopeful, "did you bring me here?" I found myself asking her, despite the risk.

"No", she responded, "the demon brought you here, to drive you to insanity, but none can dive into a memory without awakening the soul that owns that memory."

I looked at Ciel, he nodded in agreement, Antonina continued, "this is my memory, and you have plunged here longer than you should have, if you have finished that dance you would have been trapped here for good."

I swallowed hard, my inside began to turn, what the hell is happening, then Ciel spoke, "The ones that forced you into these memories are filled with malice, they have found a way into your mind and push your consciousness into the recesses of Limbo. They showed you her memories and injected images that will torture you, since most are unaware of it they are driven to a point of no return and end up in Limbo as well, that is why no one should ever go into memories alone, and that is why I never left you when you do so. Seeing the life of those who has passed takes a toll both on your body and your soul. The fact that this is limbo celestials or demons both can seek memories of those who are here and use them but as the memory is used, the soul wakes and can decide to stop it "

"I have dreamed of you, many times, walked in your shoes and felt all of your feelings, was that parts of your memories as well?" I asked, my mind was exploding with questions

"Yes, but those were brought about by your blood, we are connected by blood, and those dreams are manifestations of the memories of the blood of the Zarragoza's that flows into you. Memories like that will not bring you harm, it will tire you but it will not kill you, but when you entered my memory I was awakened, I tried to wake you but your trance was far too strong, to be broken by a soul. When I saw you I knew you were my blood and I wanted to save you but I do not have the strength to do so. That is why when Ciel came in I was relieved, he was your protector."

I went livid with her explanation, now i understand why Ciel has only showed me a memory once, and was with me the whole time it was to make sure that I do not fall into insanity. She held my hand, and looked at my wrists, this is the first time that I have noticed how red it was and what seems to be marks that looked like the infinity signs are beginning to appear on them. She frowned, "it seems that you are near your limit young one, these are the marks of the Limbo of Fathers, once your wrists are covered by them you will be trapped here forever."

"You love him that much to let yourself lay waste in this place", I said as I held back her hands.

"Yes young one, I love him enough to endure even this", she gestured at the never ending party around us, "now, it's time for you to go back, do not do as I did, do what you must, goodbye young one, take good care of yourself."

She let go of my hand, she looked at Ciel, she nodded and at the blink of an eye I was sitting on the sofa of my father's condo, Ciel was sitting on the armchair across me with his chin on his palm. "Welcome back", he said to me, I nodded. He stood up and made his was to the fridge and got me a glass of water. I never felt so thirsty ever before as I gulped the cold liquid, Ciel sat back into the armchair and let out a sigh. He didn't look happy, in fact he looked devastated, meeting Antonina was such a blow towards him that he was saddened by the encounter, not only did he see her, she even declared her love for Domingo De Leon before him that I can only imagine the pain he felt as he listened to her. At that moment I knew and confirmed, Ciel is truly, madly, and deeply in love with Antonina Zarragoza and that I have idiotically fallen for him, but will never take her place, for I am but a mere promise to be fulfilled.