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End of The Beginning

Every morning felt surreal like I was living in a different dimension. The house was quiet and lonely, each sound I made echoing through the silence. It even seemed darker, as if reflecting the gloom that had settled over it since Annabella locked herself away in her room three weeks ago. I tried talking to her, even opening the door, but it felt like it had been glued shut. I knew she was still there, still alive, because I heard her whimpers every night.

Each day, I made my two boiled eggs, waiting for Annabella to come down and make her usual snarky comments before whipping up a proper breakfast for us. Every day, I waited until I heard the eggs pop, which jolted me back to reality. She wasn't coming down. It was time to change and head to the hospital to see Kyriah.

Kyriah came and went, but mostly she just rested, her body needing time to recover. Her abilities, unlike others with Clemons Cells, seemed to erase everything abnormal from her body, making her as normal as they come. No super strength, no super healing. Just like I am now, as my ice powers and strength haven't come back at all since I was also hit with her erasure energy.

I had reached out to Yelena's and Fabian's families, informing them of their deaths. Ivory, in a rare moment of decency, had told them before she disappeared. Yelena's family mourned her deeply, but Fabian's family seemed indifferent, continuing their lives as if nothing had changed. Because I never really knew the real them, I couldn't understand their relationships with their families or how having Clemons Cells might have affected them. I wondered if that was why Fabian's family didn't mourn him. I wished I could have given him the chance to discover who he really was. Maybe then I could have gone to his family and shared good memories of him, but I never truly knew the real him.

Everyone else from The Sunspears had returned to whatever lives they had before Ivory stripped them away. For most, it wouldn't be easy, but they were the strongest people I knew. They wouldn't give up.

Ryan had called me frequently in the first days, but he confessed that he befriended me because Ivory told him to. Even my best friend was a lie. That was when I asked for some space. I needed to figure out what I was going to do with my life, to differentiate the reality of my life from my given purpose. Was I going to be Annabella's protector forever, or could I choose my own destiny? If Annabella died, would I die too? But right now, Annie was lost, and Kyriah was recovering. Did I have to wait for one of them to recover to know my destiny? These thoughts cycled through my mind daily, as if it was trying to force me to choose a path.

After changing my clothes and freshening up, I passed by Annabella's room one more time and knocked on her door to let her know I was going out. This time, I wanted to ask her to come with me. "Annie... I would really like for you to come with me to the hospital. Kyriah would appreciate it too, to know you're alive and safe..." Seconds passed with no answer.

I tried to force the door open. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" she yelled as the house shook violently for a moment, then stopped abruptly. Fear gripped me, I didn't dare push further, remembering how she had killed our, well... her parents. I let go of the knob and left the cluttered house behind me.

Life had become so monotonous lately that I wasn't even aware of the drive to the hospital. One moment, I was lost in my thoughts, and the next, I found myself standing in front of Kyriah's room. The sound of rumbling voices inside snapped me back to reality.

When I entered, I found Cristofer and the remnants of his group, Owen, Daniella, and Liam, who now had a stump where his left arm used to be. There was also a small, pale girl between them, very close to Cristofer. She looked very shy and didn't meet my eyes once.

More surprisingly, Alexander was there too. He was the last person I expected to see, especially since he lost his Clemons Cells due to Kyriah's erasure in the battle.

Kyriah was still asleep, her face serene despite the sounds of conversation filling the room. I greeted them all softly from afar, with a surprised but unconcerned expression. "Hey guys, what are you all doing here?" I was jokingly going to say that the room was overcrowded, but the memories of everyone we'd lost quickly flooded my mind, shutting me up.

Cristofer, in the corner with his hoodie on, spoke up, "They didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to Kyriah and you," he said, sadness in his voice.

"Oh... Well, I'm glad you guys did that. I thought everybody had left already and I was never going to see anybody else again." I replied.

Daniella looked at me with concern. "Have you seen Ivory?" Her eyes held a flicker of hope, clearly desperate to ask about Ivory.

I shook my head. "No, I haven't seen her since she recovered and teleported elsewhere."

Daniella's face fell with disappointment. "Okay... I will certainly miss all of this, even you, Ellion. Thank you for helping and giving us a chance." She said, hugging me softly.

"I'll miss you too, especially that gleeful smile. Don't lose it." I replied as she forced a smile and stepped back.

Owen and Liam stepped forward, both of them hugging me simultaneously. "Things might've gone horribly, but I did enjoy the time we spent together, all of us," Owen said, looking at the ground, forcing himself to express his feelings.

"You softy," Liam teased, nudging Owen as he blushed and turned around. "Thanks for everything, Ellion. You were indeed a great leader. Nothing that happened was your fault. We know that, and I hope you know that as well." Liam said.

Everything bad that had happened since I joined the revolution, I'd always blamed myself, always thinking of ways I could've prevented it. But this time, I was well aware that all of this wasn't my fault. The only person to blame for the horrific events was Ivory, no one else. The chain started with her messing with other people's lives and giving them random powers.

I walked toward Cristofer and offered my hand, "Cristofer... I—" but he quickly cut me off.

"There is nothing to say, Ellion. Everybody was fooled, and now we're facing the consequences of it." Cristofer replied as he stepped forward, looking at my hand in the air, waiting for his. "You have a good heart, don't let it blind you on this path you're walking on." He gripped my hand firmly.

"I am done with this life. I am not coming back, whatever the cause. Everything that happened was too much. My life right now should be making sure Annabella is okay." I replied automatically, without even thinking about what I meant. My inner instinct to be wherever Annabella was always sprung up. Cristofer smirked at my comment, hinting that I did not mean it.

"What are you going to do now?" I asked, curious to know where they were going, as the small girl who was next to Cristofer slowly put her arms around his waist, now staring at me with blank, soulless eyes, as if judging me. Was this another one of his group that he never mentioned before?

Cristofer then spoke about the girl embracing him, "There are other places we used to stay before we settled on the one that was destroyed. This is Paige. She was staying at one of them. We've never mentioned her before because she is younger than the others, and her powers are a bit... unstable and very lethal," he replied, looking over her like an overprotective father. "Now, I want to look for my family, something I've been holding off doing for quite some time. And everyone agreed to come help me." He softly smiled, still with hope in his eyes as he looked over his remaining team. "This is goodbye."

"...Goodbye," I replied as Cristofer's shadows transported them away, their figures dissolving into darkness until only Alexander and I remained.

Alexander lingered, his eyes on Kyriah. "I wanted to say goodbye to her," he said softly, "and thank her for liberating me from my powers. Contrary to the others, my family never knew about them. It was enough for them when I came out, and when I joined the revolution, they nearly had a heart attack. They're not bad; they just... don't understand changes."

It was clear he had a complicated relationship with his family, but he loved them and worried about them deeply. "I understand," I said with a smile. "What about the others?" I asked, hoping that they were okay.

Alexander's expression suddenly turned bitter. "You mean the ones that are not incapacitated or dead?"

My gut twisted as I thought of our dwindling numbers, how many of us had started this journey, and how few were left. "I'm sorry," I replied softly.

"No need to apologize. I know you want to know if they're okay. It just agitates me to think about the supposed 'team,' how that... witch played with our lives as if we were merely pawns!" Alexander's rage burst out, causing my face to be saddened. He noticed and quickly toned down his voice.

"I know it must be harder for you. Is Annabella better?" Alexander asked, but he already knew the answer from my expression. "I'm sorry. The others are back to doing what they were doing before they got tangled up in Ivory's strings. Braden went back to his band, Charles is auditioning for acting roles, and Ryan told me he spoke with you before. I asked him to come, but he wanted to give you space. I know he told you what Ivory asked of him, but you can't deny your friendship is real. It's clear that Ryan loves you."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Yeah, I just don't know what to believe anymore. I know you guys weren't in on it, but now everything feels like a lie. I don't know if what I want is truly what I feel, or if it's been implanted in me somehow. I am losing my mind..." I said to Alexander, feeling the pain swelling up in my throat, wanting to scream out. But then I felt Alexander's hand on my chin, lifting it.

"It was horrible what we went through, but we need to keep going for those who died with their strings on because we are free from them. You are free."

My eyes watered upon hearing his words.

"Everything you do from now on will be because you want to do it. And I know you'll do great things, Ellion. I'll know I'll be hearing of you, even in the East," Alexander said, his tone changing to one of goodbyes.

"You'll be leaving, too?" I asked him. I knew he wasn't going to continue with the team, but I didn't expect him to leave Vanity Island.

He scratched the back of his head as he answered, "Yeah, I contacted my old volleyball team to see if they could take me back, and surprisingly, they are moving to one of the countries in the Commonwealth of Britannia. I know it's out of nowhere, and I never thought about leaving here, but change is just what I need." He said this with a smile that came from dwelling on the thoughts of living in the Far East. Maybe he should leave. Maybe leaving was one of my options too.

"I can see the thought of leaving does bring you a little bit of joy. Maybe I should leave too; I think it would be best," I replied.

"Maybe. But I do want to say that I know we were lied to join the revolution, but you did enjoy it. And you were really good at it, too. You did motivate us; we believed in the cause because of you. Most of us joined to show off our powers, but I know that wasn't the case for you. You loved helping people, and they loved you back. I think before you leave, you should try to see how it feels helping people the way you want to do it, not by using our powers." Alexander said, before giving me a faint smile. I knew it was time for him to go.

I nodded, understanding the need to return to something one loved doing. "Take care of yourself, Alexander. I hope you find peace." We hugged for a few seconds, then he said his goodbyes to Kyriah and left.

I stood there for a moment, lost in thought in this quiet room. Ivory's absence weighed heavily on me, along with all the things left unsaid and unanswered. With a sigh, I took out a piece of paper and scribbled a note, leaving it next to Kyriah's bed. It was intended for Ivory; I was sure she visited Kyriah when no one else was around.

The note read simply: 'Meet me at the old base'

I headed back to the old house in Barrio Mezcla, our initial base. The house was eerily silent as if it had been abandoned for years instead of just weeks. The atmosphere felt heavy, weighed down by the memories of what had transpired. I noticed the sliding door to the backyard was open, a clear sign that Ivory was already there. I walked through the house and out to the backyard, where I saw her standing, gazing up at the sky just like she had done countless times before.

The sun cast a shimmering light on her green hair, giving it a turquoise glimmer. She turned around to face me, her expression serious. The bruises and cuts she had borne from the battle were completely healed, leaving no scars. She must recuperate very fast.

"You wanted to meet?" Ivory asked, her tone devoid of emotion.

A whirlwind of emotions swirled inside me. I was glad to see she was okay, yet anger bubbled up at her manipulation and lies. I hated her for what she had done to Annabella, but at the same time, I felt a strange sense of relief and familiarity in her presence. "What you did was horrible, Ivory. Unforgivable. Using us? Was it really all for your dream?"

"Is that why you wanted to meet? To call me out on what I did? The others already said plenty when they found out. My plan has been exposed. There is no team anymore, so there's no reason to keep dwelling on it or talking about it. It's done." Ivory's voice carried a note of finality.

"No, it's not done. You don't get to say when it's done, or even if it's ever done. You ruined all of our lives! How many more? How many others didn't meet your quota? Did you kill them to gain their powers? Is that why you say you have many more hidden?" I was furious, my rage spilling over. I wanted my words to hurt her as much as she had hurt us.

"If that's what you truly believe of me, so be it. There's no reason to continue arguing." Ivory's voice was flat, resigned.

I knew she was about to teleport away, but I needed answers. "A martyr? That's what you wanted me to be?"

Ivory paused, her posture stiffening. She stood silent for a few moments before responding. "Kyriah told you, huh. She must be really in love with you for her to tell you that."

"So it's true then." I knew what the answer was going to be, but I still wanted it to be a lie. I had been trained, coached, and groomed to make the people love me enough so that my death would inspire them to avenge me.

"It's true. That was always the plan," Ivory said, her tone unwavering. "The revolution needs a push. There is no other way for real change on this island until we force it. We help the people, but they always end up siding with the government, and now the USC. We're being treated as foreigners on our island, while real foreigners come and claim our land as theirs. We are the ones who groomed the ground, the forests, the animals, and our rivers. We can't let the people forget that. We need them on our side, united in one cause. And what better way to unite them than by avenging someone loved by all?" Her conviction was palpable; she truly believed in her plan.

"But why me, out of everyone? Wasn't Nicholas the leader before? Did...?" I hesitated, the question hanging in the air. Did Nicholas know about the plan? The truth would probably hurt more than I could bear.

"Who better than someone who isn't supposed to exist? Someone had to do it, and Nicholas wouldn't budge on sacrificing any of the group. He wanted to do it himself, but he thought of his family and leaving Alba behind. I knew it would be a hard decision for him, and that's when I recommended you."

"You... you really don't care for anything, just your dream. Why don't you do it then? If you know that's the way it needs to be done, instead of choosing everyone else, why aren't you the martyr?!"

"Because I can't die yet. Not until I achieve my dream. I have to be here to make sure it gets done."

Her words echoed my thoughts when I learned about my existence. Being here, I made sure to make changes and help the people. I think I understood what she was saying. "What exactly is your plan, Ivory?" I asked, my voice serious and demanding.

She looked me dead in the eye before responding, "If you live long enough, you'll see it for yourself." It was her way of telling me she wouldn't divulge her plan.

"Fine," I replied. "I won't be what you want me to be."

"No one can be what I want them to be."

There was a deeper meaning in her words, but I knew she wasn't going to explain. "Thanks for coming. I think I know what I want to do now. You can go ahead and teleport away once again."

Ivory gave the same smirk she always did. "I came here to also tell you to keep an eye on Annabella. I've watched her ever since she was little, and I've seen her do extraordinary and terrifying things. Her childhood wasn't good; your—well, her—parents were abusive and drug addicts. They barely paid attention to her. She survived because I left her food and supplies. So I don't think she's only remembering the night her parents died. I think she's reliving all her trauma at once. I'm afraid of how she'll come out of this."

I was left speechless. I had no idea about any of this. She must be going through hell right now, but how can I help her if she literally won't let me in?

"... I'm sorry, Ellion. I hope she gets better. Take care of yourself," Ivory said softly, and then she disappeared.

I left the old base with Annabella on my mind. I needed to do something; I couldn't just hope for her to suddenly feel better and come out. I couldn't wait for Kyriah to wake up and ask her opinion on what I should do. I was tired of idling by. That's when I took out my cell phone and called someone who I knew could help me.

"Hey, I am sorry for calling like this. I was wondering if we could talk. I've been thinking about the future lately, and I think you can help me guide my thoughts," I said.

"Of course! Right now, I am at a storage near Cantamar Town. Come on by," she replied.

In a storage in Cantamar? That's odd, but she is always doing odd stuff like that. But I am glad she answered. I think she can help me with my indecision.

As I headed to Cantamar, there were dozens of cars blocking the traffic on the thin dirt road in the town, leading to some storage that looked worn out and abandoned on grassy fields. I left my car with the dozens of others and went through the crowd of people who were all rounding up some supplies and loading them into pickup trucks. In front of the storage, I saw Lucía helping out with supplies, commanding others on what to grab and where to put them. I approached her and greeted her, and she greeted me back.

"Hey, Ellion! I am glad you're here. Grab those packs of bottled water and follow me," she said as she started walking. I grabbed the bottled water and followed. "I am glad you called me the other day to tell me about Davos, or whatever his name was. I thought we had taken care of him, so thank you for that."

"It's no problem. By the way, what's going on here?" I asked, very curious as everyone around seemed so focused on their work.

"We found a few secret storages with thousands of supplies to distribute to the people, but the government was hiding them. We found some on Jayuba and kept searching for others around the island. We've found dozens more," Lucía said, a sting of anger in her eyes.

"So they were hoarding the supplies for their own use?" I replied.

"Maybe, but what's strange is that all the supplies here are from Britannia and the other islands. I think they want us to believe that only the USC helped us in this crisis, and no one else."

"By letting people die of starvation, dehydration, and sickness?! What government does that?" I asked, incredulous.

"The corrupted one we have on Vanity Island," Lucía then groaned at the mention of the island's name. "That stupid name of Vanity. If we ever manage to get rid of the government, the first thing we'll do is change it back to the original name."

"Original name? I've completely forgotten it." I replied.

"Borikén," Lucia replied with a smile. "It means, 'Land of the Great Lord.'"

"It is indeed better than Vanity, referring to our profound pride as Vanitans."

Lucía, then, continued talking, "We have so much to do now that we've helped most of the towns after the storm. Things are getting back to normal, and it's time to continue our fight against the government and the USC. We have a lot of time to make up. The elections are coming up, and Roses is running again. We have to stop him from getting elected. And we just found out the police have been arresting protesters without any cause. They're not even making files on them in the system, but they're in jail cells for who knows how long. We have to free them. We have the people, but we can always use some more." She said, her eyes inviting me to join them.

We reached the truck and loaded the supplies, as others next to us did the same. Lucía then asked me, "I'm sorry, I babbled all this time while you called me because you needed to talk. How can I help?"

All Lucía was doing was for honorable causes. She's been doing it since she was a little girl. It's not because her way is slow or ineffective; it's because she always puts the people first. This is it, this is what I want to do. I smiled at her and said, "You already did."

Lucía smiled back as she hopped into the back of the pickup truck and offered her hand. "Will you join my revolution?"

I gave her a smirk and grabbed her hand as I hopped into the back of the truck to help the new revolution, doing it my way.

END OF: APEX REBELLION ACT & IVORY CHRONICLES BOOK I