From there, Effie went to get tested, while word spread throughout the palace of her predicament. Aleister, Charlie and Sophia all watched while Carmen checked on her condition.

The myriad tests concluded. Somewhat predictably, Effie’s story turned out to be true, and no manner of test could find anything ‘wrong’ with her physically or mystically. The conclusion that the Bloodstones collectively reached was that her soul had been swapped from that of an alternate dimension or timeline, something theoretically possible for a being of higher precedence like ADAM.

The Bloodstones and Kari all gathered in the kitchen for a cosy group breakfast, taking a large wooden table that usually served the chefs. Sophia spread a large white tablecloth over it, and all eight of them seated themselves around it. A somewhat rare occurrence these days, as each of them would most often work on their own lives and projects, but the issue posed by Effie’s predicament had united them.

Her ‘siblings’, the Bloodstones, were all very curious about Effie’s world, asking her many questions both banal and becoming.

Kari was surprisingly kind and gentle. Though Effie had never seen this side of him, it somehow didn’t strike her as much of a surprise to see him this way. It was evident from his actions such as lingering gazes and touches that he cared deeply for her but was restraining himself, aware that this ‘version’ of his wife was someone else.

It was through the conversation over breakfast that Effie learned about how this world differed from her own. It seemed that all the changes stemmed from one central detail: That Catherine still lived. Phee had died in her place.

Learning that little tidbit had nearly made Effie choke on the slice of buttered and pesto-covered bread that Rolynd had thoughtfully put together for her with his Aegis.

“Phee? Dead?”

“I saw her body with my own eyes,” Rolynd answered. “Her Bloodstones had yet to even develop a hive.”

The other Bloodstones were equally surprised when they heard from Effie that Catherine was dead in her timeline.

“How is that possible?” They asked.

“She sacrificed herself,” Effie explained.

“A conscious decision, no doubt.” Rolynd agreed.

“Sacrificed herself, but for what?” Sophia wondered.

All eyes were on Effie once more. “…I don’t know.” She answered.

“Maybe she sacrificed herself for you all to make a wish?” Kari suggested, turning his gentle gaze on Effie.

“But you all could make a wish now, could you not? Why would her death have anything to do with that?” Effie asked in return.

“We could make a wish in theory, but we would have little reason to. We are happy. There’s no point risking that.” Aleister said, speaking up in a rare moment of clarity.

Effie simply did not know how to react to that. She was utterly confused.

…Happy? She wondered.

It was like a foreign concept to Effie, who had borne so much suffering since birth. From struggling to survive in the lab, being poked and prodded and cut open. Her own body mutating unpredictably. From being created a monster, to killing the heir of the Empire, leading to a war that claimed countless lives.

They continued eating their meal, sharing stories as many of them had not spoken to each other properly in days. Effie listened to it all, unable to properly appreciate the scene in front of her. The last three weeks had been particularly hard on her, with Lucina’s arrival and Al Dherjza coming under siege. Her life had been under constant threat for so long that the woman didn’t remember what normal even felt like to her.

Meanwhile, Kari had fallen into an unusual silence. Although he had taken notice of Effie’s rather muted feelings, he was strangely struggling to voice his concerns. Naturally, Kari wanted to help his wife, but the woman beside him in his wife’s body was not the same person he had come to know over the past few years. Her voice, appearance and even scent were the same, but her nervous demeanour, turns of phrase and the ever-present aura of anxiety about her were all different. It was like she was a stranger to him… because, in many ways, she was.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Well, there is still the matter of this occurrence somehow being the ultimate test for Effie. If anyone has any ideas, please do speak up. That includes you too, Effie.”

“Thanks,” Effie said meekly.

Having had the situation cleared up, most of the Bloodstones parted ways after finishing their meal. Without a clear goal to work towards, they found little reason to focus their attention on Effie herself. Aleister set about researching ADAM and his Labyrinth, Charlie declared that he would go on a quick excursion to the underwater city of Laplacidan in search of someone that may be able to help. Carmen went back to her job healing the sick in the main hospital, Rolynd disappeared somewhere, probably on official King business, or to do his own research on ADAM.

That left Effie with Sophia and Kari. Sophia studied Effie with open curiosity, like trying to see the girl’s soul just from sight alone. Kari was much more timid, unsure of how to treat this variant of his wife.

Effie rhythmically drummed the wooden planks beneath the tablecloth with her fingertips. She was unsure of ADAM’s intention. How was this her greatest test? Perhaps the test proper had yet to begin, and this was some sort of scenario to lure her into a false sense of security? Perhaps the other Bloodstones were in fact plotting to kill her, only to strike all at once at a later time? Or, maybe there was some other conspiracy. Perhaps Catherine herself would arrive on Apolaphia to wreak havoc much like her aunt Lucina?

There was no way to know.

“ADAM, give me a sign,” Effie pleaded to the empty air in a serious tone. Kari raised his lowered gaze for a moment, dropping it after nothing happened within a few seconds. Sophia merely continued to watch Effie’s every move, now resting her chin on the palm of her hand, the knight’s muscular forearm propped up on the table by her elbow.

Effie sighed. Was this the foretold fate worse than death? Would she be trapped here forever? Forced to live out a life that wasn’t hers, surrounded by people who did not know her?

“Did anyone else marry?” Effie asked them.

“No one got as lucky as you did, sis,” Sophia replied.

“Rolynd never proposed?” Effie asked, now with greater surprise.

“No, we… decided not to commit to anything serious, and then well, I don’t know. It’s complicated I guess.” Sophia paused, sitting up straight in her chair. “Did-did he and I get married in the timeline you come from?”

“No. I just asked because the Rolynd I know would do anything for you. Even risk everything, the city, ADAM’s Labyrinth. Everyone’s lives. It just surprises me that I would get married first out of all of us.”

Sophia seemed quite shocked at the information that Effie shared, only for a moment, before her gaze became more distant. Inscrutable.

Effie turned her attention to her silent husband, who had nervously adjusted his gaze away from Effie, and now sat staring at the tablecloth. At this distance, Kari seemed taller than she remembered him, though she supposed that he had been sitting at that time.

“How did we meet?” she asked him.

A deep intake of breath. “We met three years ago,” Kari answered tentatively. Seeing Effie waiting with expectant eyes for more details, he continued, “I was beset by giant crabs at Liar’s Rock, near Cartlan. You were travelling with a caravan of scholars and happened to stop by. Apparently, the sight of flying ice is something of an enchanting sight. You slew all three of the beasts in the blink of an eye. That had me interested, but I was only smitten when I heard you speaking that evening with a leg of roasted crab in your hand. The way you remembered your sister, Phee. It spoke to me. The guilt. The inability to bring her justice. That was when I realised we were two of the same.”

Effie dropped her gaze to her hands, now curled up atop the table. Why were her ears suddenly burning hot? She cleared her throat, bringing her composure back under control. “I see.” That was all she had to say.

“What about in your world?” Kari asked, emboldened by Effie’s demure reaction. “Did you meet me? Did you know me?” he was curious, eager. A stark change in comparison to how reserved he had been all day.

Effie cringed behind a hand raised to her mouth, then pursed her lips. “We met… but I don’t know if you want to know much more.”

“I didn’t hurt you or anything, did I? I’m sorry if I did.” Kari apologised, not bothering to stop and think about if it was appropriate for him to apologise for the actions of his other self.

Effie frowned and cleared her mind of such trivial philosophising. “No, it's not that.”

“What is it then?”

“The first time I met you was three weeks ago. You were just another adventurer, shaken and nearly dead from the Empress’ attempt on my life. Three weeks later, moments before I began ADAM’s ultimate test… you died.”

“Oh. I… how?”

“You transmuted your soul in a summoning spell. Al Dherjza was overrun by Tenebria Coronum’s forces. You saved all of us. Everyone. Maybe even the whole world, depending on how this wishing business goes.”

“Tenebria Coronum’s forces?? What were the Coronum doing in Al Dherjza?” Kari exclaimed. Even Sophia showed an expression of utter disbelief.

Effie failed to resist the urge to roll her eyes, letting out a light sigh. “Perhaps my storytelling hasn’t been very good. Rolynd summoned the Coronum to keep Sophia safe. And in exchange, he gave the Three Lords the entire city.” Effie said, gesturing to her ‘sister’ as she spoke. “In case it isn’t clear, the Three Lords entered the Labyrinth just as I. If they succeed… who knows what they will wish for.”

Silence reigned.

Sophia and Kari still bore expressions of disbelief.

“Well, that’s my problem to deal with. I would be surprised if wishes made in my Universe affected your lives here.” Effie said.

“That would be nice, but who knows? You are here from a different universe.” Sophia replied stoutly.

“Not for too long, I hope. No offence.” Effie said in return.

Sophia shrugged. “There’s a time and a place for everything… and everyone. You would agree, wouldn’t you, Kari?”

“Yes. In fact, that’s what Effie would tell me quite often when I questioned her about disappearing all the time at inopportune moments.”

This, at least, brought Effie a chuckle. “That does sound like something I would say. And do. Perhaps I’ll disappear without warning once again, and you’ll have your Effie back, safe and sound, right where she belongs.”