CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE

The room felt like a glass box — silent, still, and ready to shatter.

Alva sat beside her daughter's small form, gently stroking her silver hair. Seven days had passed. Seven long, breathless days since Alice opened her mouth. Since her laughter echoed through the halls. Since Alva heard her say Mama.

The bed creaked slightly as Alva leaned forward and whispered,

"When will she wake up, Cody?"

Cody didn't answer. He stood by the doorway, arms crossed tightly over his chest, as if holding his emotions in a cage.

Alva turned to him, her voice trembling now.

"I'm asking you… please. Tell me something. Anything."

He still said nothing.

Tears rolled slowly down her cheek. "I'm afraid," she whispered. "I'm scared she's never coming back. That we've lost her to whatever curse lives inside us."

That broke him.

Cody stepped forward slowly, his face softer now, his voice low.

"You haven't lost her." He paused, then added quietly, "But waking her up could mean... losing something else."

Alva's eyes widened. "Like what?"

"Like me," he said, finally looking into her eyes. "To wake Alice… I'll have to give a part of myself. The magic that protects her isn't just sleeping — it's bound by ancient blood."

She stepped forward without hesitation.

"Then do it. I'll give anything. I'll lose everything — just not her. Please, Cody."

He hesitated. Then he pulled out his phone and dialed a number etched into his memory like a scar.

---

✨ Hours Later…

A wind howled through the house despite the windows being shut. The walls buzzed faintly with a magic Alva had never felt before. The living room floor had been cleared, and at its center glowed a wide circle of ancient runes — flickering between violet and silver.

Alva held Alice in her arms and laid her gently in the center of the runes. The glow embraced her like soft fire.

Then — she appeared.

Serena.

Cody's sister stepped through the shadows like a vision from a forgotten world. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, her skin glowed with a soft shimmer, and her eyes — goddess-like — scanned the room until they landed on Alva.

"She's beautiful," Serena said, looking at Alice.

Alva held her breath. "Can you wake her?"

Serena gave a small nod. "Yes. But nothing will ever be the same after this. The Tree is watching now."

Cody knelt beside her, pale but determined.

"Do it."

Serena lifted her arms above Alice. Silver light poured from her palms. The floor pulsed.

"Child of twilight and root, child born of flame and balance—by the power of the bloodline and the voice of the stars… awaken."

The room darkened. The rune circle burned brighter.

Alice stirred.

Then slowly, her eyes opened — glowing silver like two moons in a child's face.

Alva gasped. Her heart skipped. "Alice…"

Alice sat up slowly. Her voice was soft — layered, celestial.

"Mama…"

Alva broke. She wrapped her arms around her daughter, tears soaking into her tiny shirt.

But behind her — Cody staggered. His eyes rolled. His knees hit the floor—

And then, his body collapsed.

"CODY!"

Alva screamed, rushing to him. Serena caught him before his head hit the floor.

"He gave too much," Serena whispered, breathing hard. "His energy… it was the gate. He's not dead. But he's gone for now."

Before Alva could even respond, the front door opened.

"Hello?" a familiar voice called.

They all froze.

Vicky stepped inside — only this wasn't the cold, composed version of her. This Vicky looked… normal. Soft. Her hair was in a messy bun, she wore simple jeans and sneakers, her hoodie a bit wrinkled. A normal girl — in an abnormal place.

She took one step in and immediately froze when she saw Serena.

"Okay… what the actual hell is going on?"

Her gaze moved from Serena… to Alice… to Cody's unconscious body.

Then, her eyes locked on the glowing rune circle.

"Who is she?" Vicky demanded, pointing to Serena.

Serena stood calmly, her silver robes flowing lightly in the air.

"You don't recognize me."

Vicky narrowed her eyes. "Should I?"

Serena stepped closer.

"You've forgotten who you are… Vicarra."

Silence dropped like thunder.

Alva turned sharply. "Wait. What did you say?"

Serena's eyes didn't leave Vicky's. "Her name isn't Vicky. It never was. Her true soul is Vicarra — the ancient Blood-Witch. One of the cursed three."

Vicky laughed, but it was a weak, panicked laugh.

"You've got the wrong girl. I don't know you. And I'm not some... blood-witch."

But her voice was shaky.

Serena moved slowly, placing a glowing hand over Vicky's forehead. For a split second, runes burst across her skin — and then vanished.

Vicky stepped back fast, gasping.

"What… what did you do?"

"I opened a crack," Serena said. "Your real memories will come, Vicarra. One way or another."

Alva grabbed Alice tightly and pulled her close.

"Why are all these things happening now?" she whispered.

Serena answered softly. "Because your daughter... awoke the Tree. And the Tree is remembering its children."

Alice looked up and smiled faintly.

"Mommy… she's not bad. Just... sad."

Vicky looked at her hands, then at Serena, and without another word — ran from the house.

---

Alva knelt beside Cody, brushing his hair from his face.

"You gave everything to bring her back… now I'll protect her. Even from whatever is coming next."

Alice laid her head against Alva's chest.

In the quiet, Serena whispered:

"The silver-eyed child has awakened. Vicarra stirs. The balance is breaking. And war is coming."