I found myself in Zolona's throne room like before, except, there was no challenge. I hadn't entered the first door yet. Like before, the woman sat on Zolona's throne, her crimson lips forming a devious grin.

"I see you're back," the woman said.

"Who are you?" I questioned, my suspicions rising.

The woman pointed to herself, her hands elegant and precise. "Me? You might remember in due time."

"Whose memories are you from?" I asked.

"Wouldn't you rather ask what I'm doing here?" the woman asked.

"I want to know everything," I demanded.

The woman laughed. "And where's the pleasure in that, child? Eh?"

"If you won't give me answers, I'll find them myself," I threatened.

The woman leaned to get a closer look at me. "You won't find all of your answers. You barely know where to start."

I placed my hand on the doorknob and opened it. "When I want something, I do everything in my power to get it."

"For now," the woman said.

I entered the next room; the door slammed behind me.

I was surrounded by a thick fog, sharpened tree branches around me reaching out towards the red colored sky. The cawing of a crow close by made my entire being shiver. A chill ran up my spine and I gulped. I knew exactly where I was.

'What am I doing in the Forest of Unknown Darkness?' I took a step forward, my foot crunching a pile of leaves.

"Lost?" a familiar voice asked.

I turned around. "Sage! I'm glad to see you here. What's our challenge?"

"You mean what's your challenge. I'm not here," Sage said.

"Then whose memories are you from?" I asked.

"Zolona's," Sage said.

"I was about to say: You seem less arrogant. Maybe I can actually respect you, brat." I joked.

Sage's face darkened. "Hey!"

"What'ss my challenge here?" I asked.

"Your challenge?" Sage let out a chuckle, "You've got to persuade me to leave."

'Of course...' I sighed.

Zolona was a master of manipulation. Words just poured out of her, and everyone could be swayed to what she thought. She said there was once a time no one listened to her, because they accused her of using magic to force people to accept her opinions. It wasn't magic at all. Zolona only studied rhetoric techniques used in famous speeches through decades, learning the elements of persuasion and logic through literature. She had a way to turn this 'power' on and off, which made it even deadlier-- one moment she'd act casual, the next she'd convince you to her side.

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you here? You need to go back."

"No way. I'm sticking by you till the end. Sage laughed.

I sighed. "It's too dangerous here! I couldn't stand to see you get hurt."

"You don't sound like you mean that." Sage raised her eyebrow.

"Please Sage!" I said.

"No," Sage said.

"Please," I pleaded, looking into her eyes.

Sage sighed. "You know what? You pass. Barely. Just for the record, Echo did better than you."

A green door appeared in front of me.

"What?" My face steamed from its red color, although I shouldn't have been so surprised. Echo did have more of a personality that'd do that talent better.

Sage waved me goodbye as I went into the next room. I was confronted by a gentle breeze and a city surrounded by water. I was on a boat, a red one with a gray border and rail around it. I was confronted by Sage.

'What the...'

She was in different clothes sequined in red, and she smiled at me. Paint splatters laced her hands and clothes in a chaotic array. Her hair was also down, which never happened. Sage had worn her hair in pigtails since I could remember. They were like a ritual, a signature trait, other than her crooked smile.

My eyes widened. "Sage! Is it the real you this time?"

"Who are you? Why are you calling me Sage?" the girl's voice sounded serious, nothing like Sage's playful nature.

"I'm 635202. Come on, Sage! Stop joking around," I spoke coldly.

The girl raised a laser gun. "Don't call me by my great-aunt's name, especially if you value your life," she gave me a stare.

I was confused at first until I remembered something. Echo's memories of Laila mentioned Arvin had a sister. This must have been her. The resemblance to Sage was scary... really scary.

"You're Arvin's sister aren't you?" I asked.

The girl raised her gun higher. "How do you know my brother?"

"Are you from Echo's memories or what?" I asked.

The girl cocked one of her eyebrows. "Yes, but I can't trust you-- it shows vulnerability. I don't like it when people play me for a fool."

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Why tell you?" the girl clenched her teeth.

"I know your brother," I argued.

"You also know my great aunt," the girl said.

"Can't you trust me since I know Echo?" I asked.

She got a good look at me and sighed. "Don't try to pull anything on me."

"Your name?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Ruby," she answered.

I looked at her clothing and the red that covered it. "I'm assuming your favorite color is red."

Ruby nodded. "Any questions for me?"

"Why would you assume I have questions? I'm not gullible." I asked.

"Well, I'm Arvin's sister and Sage's Great Niece," Ruby offered.

"Did you know a girl named Laila?" I asked.

Ruby smiled. "Yes, I knew her just like I know Echo."

"How were you able to deal with him?" I asked.

"Well, I just had to get used to him. It was hard at first, but he has some good qualities," Ruby said.

"Like what?" I asked.

"He's loyal to his beliefs and his friends," Ruby smiled.

I raised an eyebrow. "He is?"

Ruby's smile faded. "When Laila was killed, he wanted to save her, but I stopped him. There was no way I'd let him reveal himself! It really hit him hard. He gave her a proper burial near a rose field-- even marked her grave. If he knew how to fight, it would've been different, but I wasn't letting him go rescue Laila if it wouldn't benefit anyone."

I nodded. "I agree. He wouldn't be prepared for something like that. He's not prepared for anything!"

Ruby turned to me with a cold glare. "That's where you're wrong."

"How am I wrong? It's true!" My eyes widened.

"He's prepared for something. He's just having trouble finding out what it is. His destiny has been hiding from him since he was born. He doesn't even know where to start," Ruby said.

I rolled my eyes. "With his positive attitude, I don't think so."

"He wasn't always that way," Ruby said grimly.

My jaw dropped. "He wasn't always positive? Then why is he like this now? How was he like before?"

Ruby lowered her head. "It's not my place to say. You should ask him some time."

"Like that will ever happen! What's my challenge in here anyways?" I asked.

'Shit, this is killing me. Zolona would drool over this information!'

Ruby laughed. "You found a way to get me to not shoot you. You've already passed the challenge."

"Where's the door?" I asked.

"There." Ruby pointed at a white door leading to the captain's cabin of the ship.

"Thank." I went to turn the handle.

"Good luck," Ruby said.

I went through the door.

The next room that I entered was somewhere I couldn't recognize, but yet it seemed familiar. A little house stood in front of me, which was near a garden of flowers in all different shades and colors. I was on the outskirts of a big city, the countryside even. A train whistle blew behind me.

'Why does this seem so familiar?'

A little boy and girl played together in the front yard. The boy tagged the little girl's shoulder.

The little girl crossed her arms. "You're late. I've been waiting for you."

"Can we play fantasy?" the boy asked.

"Father can be the dragon again," the girl said.

The children laughed.

"What about Mamá?" the girl asked.

The boy laughed. "She can be a fairy!"

"What if the dragon eats her?" the girl asked.

"I'll protect you. We're friends," the boy reassured her.

The little girl smiled. "Let's go get them! This will be fun!"

"What will be fun?" a gentle voice asked.

"Mamá." the little girl's smile widened.

"I'll play that game with you again," the mother said.

She was beautiful, in her own unique way. Her skin was tan and her brown eyes complimented it. Despite her young age, her silver hair stood out like a sore thumb. It sparkled in the sunlight, like little, unique crystals. It seemed so natural. It had to be, considering her eyebrows and roots were the same shade.

Two boys walked to the little house on their hoverboards. They looked older than the two children. One blew a piece of bubble gum and popped it.

"Look! It's the freaks of the neighborhood," one of the boys said.

"Yeah, Silver Eyes, Silver Hair, and Silver Arm. Where's your real family, Silver Arm?" the other boy asked.

The mother pulled the boy closer. "We're taking care of him until they're ready. Run along, chicos."

"Please! They won't come and get him, and when they don't we'll be here to laugh!" one of the boys said.

"How dare you insult him! Leave him alone!" the girl said.

"Says another freak! Just look at your silver eyes," the other boy pointed.

I had enough of them. No one makes fun of silver eyes!

"Leave them alone, you wenches! What would your parents say about this?" I asked.

"They agree with us." one of the boys smiled.

"Oh really?" I asked.

"Really." the other boy laughed.

"You shouldn't make fun of silver things. You're jealous because you don't have them!" I said.

"How would you know?" one of the boys asked.

I pointed to my eyes. "My eyes are silver too, right? I was taught silver eyes mean something special. You're leeches, that's what. I can't stand your crap. Leave this family alone."

"Or else what?" the other boy asked.

I made light form around my left hand. It was easy if I concentrated hard enough. "I'll hunt you down and make sure you don't hurt them ever again."

The two boys looked at me, scared.

"Y-Yes ma'm. Come on, let's go somewhere else," the other boy suggested.

The boys ran away.

"Thanks, señorita... ?" the mother asked.

I turned to face her. "635202."

"You have to have a real name," the little boy said.

I sighed. "Someone nicknamed me Raven."

"Well, Señorita Raven, you did a splendid job. Although, you could've done better if you taught them a lesson of love," the mother said.

"Mamá, she has silver eyes like me," the girl said.

"Silver eyes are a symbol," the mother said.

"A symbol?" I asked.

The little girl laughed. "Anything silver means something. Mamá's silver hair, my silver eyes..."

"What does the silver mean?" I asked.

"It's a connection to the light magic in this world-- the good," the boy said.

"Heck no. That isn't me... impossible." I turned away.

"Nothing is impossible." the woman smiled.

"As long as there's good, we can make things better," the boy smiled.

"Well, shut up. Those ideas are just found in fairytales. It's about time you faced the music," I said.

The boy ran off crying.

The woman widened her eyes. "Look what you did. Who knows what damage you've done."

"I'll help him, Mamá," the girl offered before leaving.

"What's my challenge?" I asked.

"I'm challenging you to push who you can and cannot be." the mother smiled.

"I know who I am," I said.

"Do you, niña?" the woman's brown eyes stared through me.

I paused.

"The door's over there," the mother pointed to a silver door, "Be careful out there. Don't forget who you really are."

I took a couple steps forward. My stance was firm, and I stood tall. "I know who I am."

"Just be sure of yourself," the mother said.

"That boy... he reminds me of someone I know," I said.

"He's had a rougher life than most. He's... different," the woman smiled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

She vanished like magic. How the hell was she able to do that?

I faced the door and turned the doorknob, knees wobbling and hands sweating. I took deep breaths before I opened it.

A huge gust of wind blew past my body, like arms sweeping me up. It pulled me into the archway before slamming the door, the chilling cold activating goosebumps all over my body.

Inside of the doorway, there was little light besides a couple candles and a torch on the wall. I picked up the torch slowly before glancing down the hallway. There was nothing but in front of me--blank and white walls tainting my vision. As I walked, the air was chilly. A dark presence lingered in the bloodstained walls, fresh blood coating the brick. The corners of the hallway were covered with cobwebs which stuck to my fingers like cotton candy.

A chill ran up my spine. The darkness made the tunnel endless, and every sound was empathized.

'Shit... if this weren't a game, I'd be screwed. This place is so quiet I can hear my own heart thumping.'

The hooded figure spooked me with the table of weapons.

"Still searching for answers?" she asked.

"I'm not searching for anything," I answered.

"That doesn't explain why you're here," she said.

I sighed. "I wanted to play The Game."

"Choose your weapon, not like it'll do you any good," she pointed to the table.

I picked the knives and spoke with confidence, "You're going to be no problem this time."

"Really? As long as your fear grows, I get stronger," she said.

"You're just a figment of my imagination," I said.

My worst fear laughed. "Am I? I know all of your worst fears, your most terrifying fabrications and nightmares, your insecurities. I assure you, I'm real, Daughter of Magic."

I threw a knife at her. "No, you're not."

"Hard to hit something in the dark, isn't it?" she chuckled.

'You can't be afraid of her. Fear is an emotion. You're stone hard. Remember, you're stone hard.' I threw a knife towards a sound.

"Missed," the hooded figure said.

I threw another knife at the figure who cried in pain. I headed towards the sound to find nothing there. The laugh of my enemy loomed behind me.

I was knocked off my balance and onto the ground. The hooded figure hit my face, stinging pain embracing my cheek. I took one of my knives and stabbed her.

"This... this isn't over," she choked.

I shoved the knife harder into the fresh wound, blood pouring on my clothing. "You're the one who lost."

"I'm getting stronger. One day, you won't be able to beat me by yourself," she smiled.

She faded into black dust. The shiny substance covered my vision, swarming like locusts plaguing on a crop of plants. I coughed twice, hearing a cackle echo in the space around me.

"You won't be able to beat me on your own..." the voice echoed.

I jolted awake, taking in a sharp breath of air. The Game was over.