Chapter 3

She knew that it sounded eerie, nobody would believe such a tale. Clinton believed her but, it was too heavy for him to take in. Something crossed his mind, he looked up to ask her another question, but she was gone. " So fast." He said in frustration. Everything went back to normal, he went inside and tried explaining to his mother what happened but,she shut him up saying it was a result of reading many science fiction novels. " Of course! Why would she believe him? " he thought aloud. " I think I need to see a neurologist, perhaps a psychologist for my mental health, my brain could probably be playing tricks on me. Too much science fiction." he muttered and shrugged his shoulders.

******

She got back and head straight to the research centre with determination, she knew it won't be easy trying to find a way out of the situation. Yet, she wanted to try it out her own way. She was determined to make it work.

" My lady, you need to bathe and put on some nice cloth." Alicia said.

" Don't bother me. This is a cumbersome situation and I'm trying to figure a way out. You should be supportive, after all, who cares about nice clothes in a case like this." She said

She spent days and nights, solving theories and equations, reading history books and decoding ancient symbols. Weeks passed, months went by still, her efforts proved abortive. Time wasn't on her side, she needed to make something happen out of nothing, " I need to put my act together and come up with something reasonable" She thought.

" Your parents won't spare me if they find you like this, please, consider your humble servant" Her maid pleaded with her, trying to distract her from those bothering works.

" Hold on!" She yelped. An idea had struck, and she smiled. Victory stood up quietly from where she was and tip toed outside, she found nobody around except the two guards that were on roaming the gate. She paused and thought for a second where they all went to when she remembered what she peeped out for Victory waved the thought as it was not worth her time at the moment. She sat down and planned her next move.

The guards are always alert, so she was worried that she could not go to anywhere, not like she was been grounded but, for the fact that it was late and even if... a guard would have volunteered, it was of no use to her, she wanted to keep her little secret a secret at least for a limited time. Maybe when she dares to speak out. Right now, the issue is to find an escape route. After giving it much thought, she came up with a tangible plan for a start and moved with it.

" Who's there? " she inquired.

Dozen of torches flashed everywhere, at the instant it was like her voice had risen the dead. The guards vigilant spirit took off to another breathtaking level, she nearly halted for fear of being caught but after thinking it over again, she took to her heels in the other direction like a cheetah. " Phew! That was a near-death experience," she said under her breath and ran off to the river, luckily, she found an empty boat and got on it, then paddled gently.

Victory is known for her bull-headedness, and it is not something that people close to her find surprising, whatever she desires she gets. Now she needs to find a solution no matter what. She unlocked the gate and walked in majestically. The guards did not suspect anything as she walked defiantly. They had no cause to assume. " I need to see the deity," she mumbled.

She sauntered into a room, she never knew about. " I think the deity should be here." The room was dark and scary, so she took a glimpse of what was in the room. Passing through a dull passage, Victory arrived at a mysterious room that caught her attention. She was left in wonder of what element could have made up the room. A room that even scientists could not decipher.

" Why are you here?" A voice asked.

She turned around to see who dared talk to her in such a ruthless manner. " My lord." she bowed humbled by his presence. " Apologies for intruding. I'm here to find a solution to a difficult situation."

" I don't have the solution to your problem." The Deity said and looked at to avoid pity.

" Please help me. You are a deity that came to be from the beginning of the world." she knelt. " I believe in you. You are kind and pure, help the helpless me for the sake of my love."

The deity felt touched by her words. " What do you want?" He asked.

" I want you to help me stop the time freeze that happens in the other world whenever someone from this other world visits." She requested

" Of what use?" The deity asked.

"I have someone I cherish so much and want to be with." She replied

" What you have asked for is very difficult to fulfil, which means you have to sacrifice something that will be worth it."

" I'm willing to do anything you ask me to do as long as I get what I want." She replied fearlessly.

" Fine. Follow me." He told her, and led the way.

Victory had made up her mind already, she would sacrifice anything she had for love. The truth of the sacrifice was not clear and she didn't think of it.

" Have you thought of the outcome of your actions? Are you sure you are capable to withstand the weight of it? I hope the person you are doing this for likes you?" The deity asked her.

Those questions struck her so hard that her heart tore apart, realizing her mistakes she fought back those tears. She had come a long way to stop.

"I want you to reminisce on those questions and make the right decision for yourself" The Deity said and left her there for a while.

"Okay," she answered weakly trying to swallow a lump.

She wasn't sure of how Clinton would repay her for such great sacrifice, he didn't ask her for it in the first place, neither is he responsible for her actions. It was something she wanted to do voluntarily, though it would hurt her more if he didn't reciprocate the love. Victory gave him a sign to continue, as she was too weak for words. He said " Take this broken staff. Follow me."

She walked silently behind the Deity like the sacrificial lamb she was. They went into the mystery room.

" This is my final instruction, I advice you to take it as a warning and heed it." He said to her as she nodded obediently.

" As you walk into the mirror-like wall, hold up the broken staff and the energy will unite it with force, don't touch anything just close your eyes and remain calm to let the energy pass through you. " he concluded and left the room.

She walked to the spot, gave one last look at the deity and stepped in. Her fate will be determined by the force of the energy trying to unite the ancient staff that was broken during negotiations between the deities of both worlds.