CHAPTER 21

Ashley saw many things in Joel's memories, it was a new experience and although she didn't discover the origin of this man called Drake. She found a way to save her world. Her existence was the pillar of her world. If she dies, the world will fall to pieces. That is the reason why Drake didn't kill Older Ashley at the beginning.

Many thoughts passed by Ashley's mind and suddenly she asked Older Ashley— Do you really want to help me? You know that we probably will die. But unlike me. Your existence... I'm the only one that knows about you. If you die...— Ashley didn't continue talking but Older Ashley could understand her question.

Older Ashley laughed with fun and said —It doesn't matter. It was a miracle that I was able to stay alive to this day. I already lost against that man. My existence is only the result of my anger and hate. If I would be able to do a little damage to this man I could rest in peace and meet my friends calmly —Ashley had many emotions that arise in her heart but she can only say one word.

—Thank you... — Ashley returned to reality and left Joel's body. Ashley used Older Ashley power on Joel so he couldn't react and because they got into his mind by force Joel fell unconscious to the ground.

Drake felt something was wrong since he saw Ashley move towards Joel but now the feeling is worse. He saw Ashley's eyes shining with life. Her eyes were as a brilliant gem. Drake felt uncomfortable and threw an attack against her. Ashley didn't move and saw the dark sky.

—This time I am going to protect my friends, my world and although I die, the memories that I did with all of them will live in this world —Ashley opened her arms and her body started to shine.

She didn't feel pain although she felt her life disappearing slowly. Alan, Dustin, Leila, Bennet and the others looked at the small but brilliant light in the middle of the dark and the hope returned to themselves.

—Ash... —Alan whispered with worry.

Drake's attack was destroyed by her light, he felt a chill in his neck and his body started to tremble.

—Ha..haha! That woman is crazy... — Drake laughed with incredulity. Ashley is offering her own life and existence with the intention to control for a moment this world and expel him from it.

—You won't make it Ashley! —Drake screamed while he used all her power to destroy her. She must die now. The energy of the world doesn't matter. She must disappear. Drake felt emotions that he hadn't felt in many times. Fear and anxiety.

—Ashley! —Alan shouted when he saw Ashley's light attenuate. He can't understand what happens but he can feel that Ashley is dying. He wants to run to her but he can't move one muscle. An invisible pressure keeps him motionless.

When Ashley's body started to disappear. She gave a last gaze to her friends and Alan and smiled before she disappeared. Alan stayed petrified with this view and the world returned to the dark until suddenly Drake starts to puff blood.

His body started to bleed and He saw his body was pulled outside the world without the possibility of doing something. He really wants to laugh with anger. In the end that woman could hurt him. At the moment he was expelled of the world his body went off and although he didn't die. His soul is damaged. He needs to travel to another world for a while, to recover. It was a pity that she is already dead, thought Drake. If she was alive he definitely would make her pay the price to provoke him.

***

The peace returned to the world. It was like that battle was a bad dream. There was only two proof that it happened. Joel and the absence of Ashley. It wasn't until it was all over that Alan realized that Ashley didn't return. Alan didn't want to accept that she left and he couldn't protect her. He wasn't the only one. The memory of Ashley become in powder in the middle of the darkness torture the thoughts of Leila, Dustin, Bennet and other players that met her.

Joel was captured by them. They interrogated him about the true identity of the cape's man. He didn't want to talk at the beginning but after he noticed that no one would come to save him. He said everything to them. Alan didn't want to believe in him when Joel told them that ridiculous story. But if there would be a speck of probability that they could find Ashley, it was with Joel's story. Because although they saw Ashley disappear they didn't believe that she was dead. Now, their goal is to find a way to overcome the limit of this world. As crazy as it may sound.

—Wait for me...Wait for us, Ashley... —Alan begged while she saw the sky.

IT WILL CONTINUE...