Chapter 138 Side story 6 (red oak tree)

Emily and Slyvia's lives took a drastic turn after the supernatural war at Ivory High. Strangely, Emily didn't seem as affected by the chaos as one might expect. The fact that she had killed her best friend—someone she had once called the only person who stood by her through thick and thin—didn't appear to shake her. Instead, she carried on with a strange calmness, even when it became clear that they'd have to start their school year all over in a new place.

Slyvia, however, had not recovered. Ever since Hadrain had compelled her to leave the battlefield, she had felt hollow and disconnected. She kept this to herself, hiding her turmoil even from Emily, who she knew had her own struggles to bear. But despite her best efforts, it was becoming increasingly difficult. Emily had insisted on staying with her during the short summer break, desperate to escape her toxic home.

Slyvia had tried to refuse, fearing her own fragile state might do more harm than good. But Emily's pleading eyes broke her resolve. Though she didn't share the full extent of her family's abuse, Slyvia had seen enough to know her friend needed a safe haven. And so, Emily moved into the Emersons' house in Rose lake for the summer.

Mr. and Mrs. Emerson welcomed Emily warmly, treating her as one of their own. But Slyvia remained distant, her mind plagued by whispers and visions she couldn't explain. It started as faint murmurs at night, voices calling her name with an otherworldly echo. She dismissed them as remnants of her nightmares, yet they persisted.

One night, while heading to her room, the whispers grew louder.

"Slyvia… Slyvia… Slyvia… we are your ancestors, the Order of Witches. You are chosen to be our queen. You must find the Red Oak Tree. It is the salvation of mankind."

A sudden silver glow erupted, lighting up the dark hallway. Slyvia stumbled back, clutching her head as the whispers became deafening. Then, as quickly as it had started, the glow and voices vanished, leaving her trembling.

Slyvia tried to convince herself it was all a hallucination. Maybe the stress of everything had finally broken her. But the doubt lingered. Was she losing her mind, or was there truth in the strange phenomena?

Emily, unaware of her friend's turmoil, tried to help around the house. After assisting Mrs. Emerson in the kitchen, she went to call Slyvia for dinner. But when she entered her room, she was horrified to find her smashing her mirror with furious intensity.

"Slyvia! What are you doing? Stop it!" Emily rushed forward, grabbing her friend's arms.

"Leave me alone!" Slyvia screamed, her voice echoing unnaturally. The entire room trembled as if caught in an earthquake.

Emily's eyes widened in shock. She had never seen Slyvia like this before. "Slyvia, please! What's happening to you?"

But Slyvia didn't respond. She clawed at her hair, muttering incoherently. Desperate, Emily shouted for help. "Mrs. Emerson! Please come quickly!"

Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Emerson hurried in, followed closely by her husband. They froze at the sight of their daughter, her hands bleeding from the shattered glass and her eyes wild with fear.

"What's happening to her?" Emily cried. "She's not herself!"

Mr. Emerson's face darkened with sorrow. "Emily, can you give us some privacy? We need to speak to Slyvia alone."

Reluctantly, Emily nodded and left the room, casting one last worried glance at her friend.

Once Emily was gone, Mr. Emerson approached his trembling daughter and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Slyvia, I'm so sorry," he said softly. "We should have told you the truth a long time ago."

Slyvia looked up at him, her face pale and tear-streaked. "What truth? What's happening to me?"

Mrs. Emerson sat beside her, gently stroking her hair. "Darling, listen to your father. He'll explain everything."

Mr. Emerson took a deep breath. "Slyvia, you're from a powerful bloodline of witches. Our kind has always been protectors of balance, ensuring harmony between the natural and supernatural worlds. But centuries ago, a faction of our people—known as the Dead Witches—turned to dark magic and began destroying everything we stood for."

Slyvia stared at him in disbelief. "Witches? Dead Witches? You're joking, right? This can't be real."

Her father shook his head. "I wish it weren't, but it's the truth. I'm a witch, Slyvia. Your mother is human. Our family belongs to a royal lineage, and that responsibility now falls to you."

To prove his words, he removed what appeared to be a wig, revealing long, shimmering silver hair. "This is the mark of our bloodline. And now, your powers are awakening. The whispers you've been hearing—they're from our ancestors. They've chosen you to lead."

Slyvia stumbled back, shaking her head. "No… this can't be happening. Why me? I don't want any of this!"

Her mother took her hands. "I know it's overwhelming, sweetheart. But your destiny is greater than you can imagine. The Red Oak Tree is a source of immense power, hidden from all but the worthy. If you can find it, you can save us all."

Mr. Emerson continued, his tone grave. "There are three threats on the horizon: the Dead Witches, the Armies of the Dead, and something even darker—something we can't yet identify. The Red Oak Tree is our only hope. It will guide you to the allies you need to stop this apocalypse."

Slyvia sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. "Why me? I didn't ask for this! I just want to live a normal life."

Her father knelt beside her. "I understand, but you don't have a choice. The world is counting on you, Slyvia. You must embrace who you are."

Before she could respond, a soft, melodic voice echoed through the room.

"Slyvia, do not fear. You are destined for greatness. At your new school, you will find seven others who will join you on this journey. Together, you will face the darkness and restore balance."

A brilliant glow enveloped Slyvia, and when it faded, her brown eyes had turned a luminous silver. Her hair, already a lighter shade, now shone like liquid moonlight, cascading down her back.

Her father's expression turned serious. "But there's one thing you must remember. Avoid the creatures of darkness—vampires and demons. They will try to corrupt you."

Slyvia looked up, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if… what if my friend is one of them?"

Mr. Emerson's face hardened. "Then you must do what is necessary. The ancestors will not forgive weakness."

The weight of his words hit Slyvia like a blow. Vampires? Demons? The supernatural war she thought was behind her had only just begun.

As the night wore on, Slyvia sat by her window, staring out at the stars. Her mind raced with questions. How could she possibly save the world when she couldn't even fully explain what's going with her, how exactly will she find the oak tree, where how?

How about Emily won't she know of her powers or would she keep it secret, the reality of the situation was driving her insane, she was doomed.