Waking up again

The sisters were floating in their subconscious state. 

A strong, female voice spoke to them. It sounded almost like a command.

"You are not dreaming. Not in the truest sense. Everything you see, feel and hear are echoes of your past lives. Moments and memories of your trials and tribulations, which you have long since forgotten. Remember the clues I have given you, my chosen Saintess and my chosen Guardian. Work together to find the answers and save the continent from the grasp of the Demon Lord. The two of you are the final hope for humanity."

Dixie's eyes snapped open and once again she was greeted by an unfamiliar environment. This time she was sprawled out on a bed as opposed to running. The air smelled very stale, almost stuffy. And the room she was in was derelict. To the extreme.

Never once in her life had she been in a room this hideous!

Glancing at her hands, she realized she was still Felicia. What had happened in the cathedral? They had disappeared into the infinity again. So where was she now? Had she travelled back in time again? And who was that voice speaking to her?

Was that the Goddess?

Defeat a Demon lord. The Saintess and the Guardian. So me and Bonnie, then. Which would make me the Saintess since I'm in Felicia and she was the true Saintess in the story. And B's in Alex...most likely.

Dixie sat up.

But this is no longer just a story. Maybe it never was. That old woman insisted I take that book. Everything she said was so strange. Was the story we read a possible historical account of what had actually happened in the Elysium Empire in the past? Centered around a pivotal figure, perhaps? She was in the body of a woman who went on to make history as an Empress of immense conquest.

But in the book Felicia was executed by fire.

Am I here to change Felicia's fate? Must be. Felicia couldn't have achieved everything she did if she died so soon.

Dixie glanced around.

This must be the annex. Felica was locked up in here shortly after Tyren and Helena showed up. The book only begins after the death of the first wife, Duchess Moniqua. There is a brief mention of the funeral and then it immediately goes into the neglect, blame and abuses.

How long has Felicia been trapped here?

Standing up, she walked over to the vanity table which was missing most of it drawers and sporting a mirror with a large crack in it. Looking at her reflection, Dixie knew Felicia had been trapped here for a while. Possibly a few years. The signs of starvation were prominent. Even her hair was dull and very thin. She was probably losing clumps of it due to vitamin deficiency. Poor girl. Reading about it was one thing, but seeing it first hand was something else entirely. 

This is all Tyren's fault. She lied and forced Felicia to live here claiming it was the Duke's orders. That evil woman wanted all of the attention on her own daughter. She wanted Helena to take Felicia's spot and claim her birthright. She stripped Felicia of her monthly allowance to ensure she would not be able to properly maintain herself. Now she was gaunt and shabby. In other words, ugly.

You best prepare yourself, Tyren. Now that I am here I am so gonna deal with you for doing this to Felicia.

The room was more like an abandoned attic than a functional bedchamber. There was a thick layer of dust everywhere; the rat tracks were clear to see.

I need to get out of here. I'm certain Bonnie has woken up in the body of Alex by now, so she'll come free me soon. Haha. Even in this life, we are siblings.

Her stomach gave an angry growl.

I need to eat. I need to get up to a healthier weight so I can immediately start weapons training. Felicia has so many enemies. I have to build muscle and learn how to fight. I also need proper clothes because this one is falling apart at the seams. And I'm not going to battle through the dust and grime to see if there is a better one.

Why? Why such a pushover? Look at where life can land you when you don't stand up for yourself, Felicia.

Alexander may be cold towards Felicia, but Bonnie and I are joined at the hip. We'll bring the estranged pair together and work to change her circumstances.

Glancing out of the high placed windows, Dixie saw the light of dawn growing. A new day in another life. Hopefully, a better one than what happened the first time around.