Hearts of Magic

Bailey’s POV

People often make the mistake of assuming that ours is the only world that exists. They couldn’t be more wrong. There are countless other realms coexisting with our own — many parallel universes that are yet to reveal themselves to us.

I had the luck, if you can call it that, to discover such a world. Quite fitting, actually, because I was never the “normal” type. My mind was always somewhere else, far away from the real world — on a quest to save lives and kingdoms from evil sorcerers, monsters, enchantresses, and so on.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d actually be doing such things one day. And yet, here I am, on a quest — finally — to save the innocent.

However, my quest turned out to be nothing like I imagined. It was the complete opposite.

But before I begin, a little background check.

One thing you should know about me: I was the nerd of the family. I had a younger brother, the baby of the family, and I always had to take care of him. My older brother was already happily married with a baby on the way, so he dodged that bullet.

Unlike me. Being the sister meant everything fell on my shoulders.

Mama and Papa were mostly concerned with my grandfather’s health and spent most of their time in the countryside. So, as you guessed, the household duties fell on me — along with my younger, nuisance of a brother who couldn’t do anything by himself

You can imagine the joy I felt when I left for college. Finally, I could have time for myself.

I wanted to be different at college — to fit in. But, of course, my weirdness beat me to it. I was, once again, a nerd. Despite that, I managed to make a few friends.

One night, we ended up going to a Halloween party at a student dormitory. Urgh. I hated it. I had never felt more bored in my life. But my girlfriends seemed to like it, so I endured it.

“Oh, come on, Bee! Cheer up! Have some fun!”

Chloe was the encouraging type. She always saw the good side of things.

“Well, if we can’t make her, then let her be. She’ll make up her mind one way or another.”

Ingrid was the confident type — the popular girl. Makes me wonder how I ended up being their friend.

I decided to call it a night. I wasn’t in the mood for partying.

“I’m heading back to my room. You guys have fun. I’m kind of tired,” I said, yawning.

“Well, now you’re just making excuses to leave!” Chloe snapped.

“No, seriously, I don’t feel like it.” Honestly, I couldn’t wait to get back to my room and sleep.

“Well, if that’s how you feel, then go,” Chloe finally gave up. She figured there was no use trying to make me stay.

Now I could finally sleep.

The streets of London can be really creepy at two a.m. There was hardly anyone around. I decided to take a shortcut to the apartment — a creepy, dark, and narrow street where any killer could be waiting to grab you.

My mom always told me never to go through such streets at night because “a lot of weird things happen there.” Of course, I didn’t believe her. From my experience, there were only drunks and cats.

And somehow, I always loved the possibility of danger. It excited me.

So there I was — walking home in the middle of the night through a dark alley. So cliché.

And, as you might expect… something happened.

Just as I was about to exit the alley, I heard two voices arguing.

“Why did you bring me here, Tristan? There is nothing in this realm worth my time.”

I could barely see them because it was dark, but they didn’t look much older than me — maybe twenty-five or twenty-six. Two men were arguing, saying really weird things. I should’ve just left.

“I brought you here to help you! The power is consuming you. Soon, you won’t be able to go back!”

Yep. Probably another CEO gone insane. Start walking away, Bailey.

“The power won’t consume me because I control it! And soon, I’ll have enough to kill the First Born!”

The First Born? What the bloody hell? Now they had my full attention.

The man speaking was taller and carried himself with authority.

“The First Born thought so too — and look what he is now! Utterly and completely mad!” Tristan’s voice shook with fear.

“Well, he didn’t have the strength for it, obviously. I’m much stronger and more powerful than he ever was. He may have created the power, but he never succeeded in controlling it.”

This guy was arrogant. Just his voice started to piss me off.

“And neither will you! The power can’t be controlled! It has a mind of its own — it twists and corrupts! Sooner or later, it’ll drive you mad! Please, Nathaniel! Let me help you get rid of it!” Tristan pleaded.

“Get rid of it? Why would I want to do that when it’s worked so well for me?”

The tall man smirked.

“Worked for you? You killed a whole battalion by yourself! You destroyed a village because they didn’t know the location of a thief who only wanted to eat! AND YOU BRUTALLY KILLED HIM IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE KINGDOM!”

Tristan’s anger exploded. And, man — was his boss a dick.

I really wanted a better look, so I sneaked closer, just enough that they wouldn’t see me.

“Is that what bothers you? Because I killed a few peasants? Ha! You really should stop concerning yourself with such trivial things… little brother.”

Interesting. So they were related. I definitely didn’t regret leaving the party now.

“Those were innocent lives, Nathaniel! That was evil!”

I tried to hear more, but their voices dropped. Damn it — I needed to get closer.

“I don’t care! If it helps me kill that bastard, then so be it! The kingdom will suffer, yes — but afterward, it will rise as the most powerful in all the realms!”

What are these guys doing? Rehearsing for a fantasy convention? Is there a new book I don’t know about? I’d have to ask Archie tomorrow

Their clothes were strange — like something from the medieval period. Definitely heading for a convention… though why rehearse in a dark alley at night?

Yep. Just as Mom said — only drunks and cats.

“Then you give me no other choice, big brother.”

Suddenly, Tristan charged and punched Nathaniel square in the chest.

Holy crap. He ripped his chest open!

What the hell?! He was killing him! I tried not to make a sound — otherwise, I’d be next.

“Tr… Tristan!… What are you doing?!”

Nathaniel could barely speak. His chest glowed with a strange blue light.

“I’m sorry, brother, but this is the only way to help you — and save the kingdom. Forgive me!”

He yanked his hand out, holding something glowing black.

I took a step back, heart pounding. When my foot hit a can, it clattered loudly.

Tristan’s head snapped toward me.

“Who’s there?! Show yourself!”

I ran.

I stopped briefly to see if he was following. Nothing. Relief flooded me — until I turned around.

He was standing right in front of me.

Tristan.

He looked furious.

“Who are you?”

Aaaand here comes trouble.

“Who? Me? Nobody! I was just passing by! I didn’t see anything! Definitely not you killing your brother!”

Bravo, Bailey. You just screwed yourself.

“How much did you overhear?”

Stay calm and shut up, girl!

“I… nothing! I mean, not everything — I clearly heard some things but not everything! I mean, you’re not stupid to believe that I didn’t— Not that I think you’re stupid or anything! I heard some stuff, like your brother killing people and that he wants some great power to kill someone, and I saw you ripping his chest open and it was really scary… okay, I saw everything!”

Great job, Bailey. You’re dead.

“You talk a lot, don’t you?”

“Ha-ha, just when I’m very nervous and scared out of my mind… like now.”

I grinned nervously. Maybe he’d spare me.

“Don’t worry. I’m not my brother. You’ll forget this and continue with your life. Just let me erase your memories.”

Do what now?

He placed a hand on my head and closed his eyes — then suddenly gasped.

“What? You have…”

Before he could finish, he went flying into a wall. Nathaniel stood opposite, clutching his chest.

“Tristan! Why?! Give it back! You had no right to do this to me!”

He was alive?! How?! This night just kept getting crazier.

“I have every right — especially after what you were about to do!”

I looked at Tristan’s hand. He was still holding that black, glowing thing. As I focused, I realized—it was a heart.

I clapped a hand over my mouth in horror.

“You ripped his heart out! How are you still alive?!”

“Move, human! I’ll deal with you later — after I discipline my little brother!” Nathaniel roared.

He stormed toward Tristan. I bolted again — straight into a dead end.

“Well, crap.”

“It’s no use to run,” a voice said.

I turned. Tristan again.

“Oh man, really? What the hell do you want? Even if I told the police, they’d think I’m crazy!” I panted.

“Quiet, girl! There’s no time for arguments. Now… stand still.”

Great. This lunatic was going to kill me. I squeezed my eyes shut.

But instead of striking me, he shoved his own hand into his chest.

“What the hell are you doing? You’ll die! You people are insane! Why would you rip your heart out?!” I screamed, because what else was I supposed to do?

“I said quiet! It’s not really a heart — it’s its power.”

Say what now?

He whispered something that sounded like Latin.

“Exolvo!”

The glowing heart in his hand scattered into tiny lights and merged with the black one. His face went pale. He didn’t look good.

Then he spoke again. “Manifesto!”

My chest started to glow. I could see my own heart beating like a drum inside glass. The pounding was deafening.

“What are you doing?!”

“I’m preparing my brother’s heart for a new host.”

New host? Oh no. No, no, no—

“Earlier, when I tried to erase your memories, I saw that your heart has the potential to develop power. This realm was denied such a gift eons ago. But you… you have it. And it’s pure. Pureenough for me to do this.”

Time to run again — but I couldn’t move. My body was frozen.

“I’m sorry for this. I froze your body so you wouldn’t move. You have to stay still for the next step.”

He raised the black heart.

“No! Wait! You don’t have to do this! Please!”

Tears streamed down my face. This was a nightmare. I should’ve stayed home.

“Tristaaaan! Stop! What the hell are you doing?!”

Nathaniel’s voice. He was running toward us.

“This is the only way, brother!”

Tristan shoved Nathaniel’s heart into my chest.

It was like being stabbed with fire and ice all at once. The pain was unbearable. My vision blurred, my head spun, and all I could hear was Nathaniel’s furious scream as Tristan collapsed to the ground.