2nd August 2019

RENEE

"Renee? Can you hear me?"

I was back in my Portal Bubble, travelling to Clover's Realm when I heard this voice in my head.

"Noah?" I asked immediately.

"It's Shay," She snapped, sounding annoyed. "Isaac told me that you're done with the White Realm, and you're on your way to Clover."

"Wait, Isaac told you? But isn't he a part of the Enlightened?" I asked her, confused.

"Didn't Noah tell you? You don't know about the Astrascends?" She asked me in a mocking voice.

"I know about the Astrascends but-"

"Yeah, well I don't have time to explain myself," She cut me off. "Just tell me once you're done with Clover, I'll send you the coordinates of the Before Realm..."

"Okay," I replied unenthusiastically.

"No 'thank you'? No 'you're the best, Shay'? I know that you hate me Renee, but a little gratitude wouldn't hurt," Shay complained.

"You have the time to point out my mistakes, but you don't bother answering my question about Isaac?" I asked, irritated.

"You're finally catching onto my vibe," Shay chuckled after a while.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," She sounded amused. "Best of luck, Renee. I really hope that you and Clover return here safely."

Did she really?

"Thanks, Shay," I answered. "Where's Noah?"

"Noah is... He's doing something I told him to do," Shay stuttered. "Don't worry, he's fine."

"If you say so," I replied with uncertainty.

"I know so," She insisted. "Okay, bye!"

"Bye!" I said, still doubtful, wondering what the heck was up with Shay.

But Shay could wait. She was a mystery for another day.

*****
3rd August 2019

Clover's Realm was truly a sight to see.

It was like stepping into a black and white world, with dark rocks and a white beach, the water grey and lifeless. Occasional palm trees were visible, but they didn't look particularly saturated with colours, rather muted in their vibrancy.

I changed back into my lower form as a Spirit, relieved that I looked like a human again, and not an electromagnetic wave.

I could already hear Clover yelling my name, running across the beach with Mike closely behind her.

"Oh my god, Ren! I knew you'd find us!"

"Did you reach the White Realm? Is that why you're a beam of light?"

"A beam of light? Cloves, please tell me it's a prank..."

"Wait... So wait... Does that mean you reached the White Realm? Are you among the highest Spirits?" Clover walked closer, examining me as if I was a specimen in the science lab. "Congrats Ren! That's so amazing!!"

"Clovie, what are you saying? Ren, is this true?" Mike looked half awed, half terrified.

"Yeah, I did reach the White Realm, and I was the beam of light..."

"You were the beam of light? We saw it from the beach house." It was Simon, staring at me in surprise his mouth hanging open.

Behind him, Daisy walked in curiously, while Violet looked sceptical.

I could notice that they didn't look as perfect as they did on LOLtube. Mike looked like before, with his light brown hair and dorky looks. Daisy's nose wasn't so straight. Violet's hair was black instead of purple and the same length on both sides. Simon's nose was flat, and he looked more heavily built than before.

"They're not evil," Clover pointed to the LOLtube gang. "They did crash the car into you, and they did push the bookshelf but they were possessed at the time..."

"Possessed?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Just like we suspected," Clover affirmed. "They had no idea of their actions."

I nodded.

"That's how I ended up stabbing Clover-"

"You stabbed Clover?!" I rounded in on Mike. "It looked like a car accident!"

"I was possessed!" Mike argued, raising his hands in defence. "He made me do it!"

"He... Who?"

"He: Johannes," Clover supplied, her expression darkening at the mention of his name. "That evil douchebag."

"So it's really him?" I asked in disbelief. Had I really been right? "How do you know?"

"He told me his name," Clover shuddered at the memory before Mike threw a comforting arm around her.

"Ren, we need to leave this place soon. We can't get back into our bodies, and I'm pretty sure that he's unhappy with not being able to possess Clover," He told me seriously. "Do you know a way out?"

"Yeah, I have my Portal Bubble..."

"That would be highly unnecessary, Highest Spirit Renee. I do not think leaving would prove to be beneficial, especially for you."

Sure enough, a Spirit rose from the sea, the waves weaving into his flowing white robes, giving him the look of a powerful ghost. His goatee was silver, and so was his hair, whereas his dark eyes were sharp, watching me carefully.

It was Sir Johannes alright, I could easily recognize him from the picture Noah had shown me long ago.

"Highest Spirit Renee, congratulations on reaching the White Realm," He spoke aloud, as he bowed his head. "It is a privilege not many receive."

He subtly pointed to himself, and I suddenly remembered what Lord Augustus had done. Not only had he used Johannes's method to reach the White Realm, but he'd also wrongly framed him as a criminal for the rest of his life.

In reality, Johannes was just a victim of injustice.

Then I saw Clover's stab wound and thought otherwise.

"Thank you, Sir Johannes," I replied coldly. "But I cannot sympathise with your past, seeing all these crimes you have committed after."

I glanced at the LOLtube gang, who looked frozen with fear, except Mike who was grimacing.

"Crimes?" Johannes sounded amused. "Forgive me, Renee, but you are sadly misinformed. My deeds cannot be viewed as crimes. They are acts necessary for the greater good..."

"Don't try to brainwash my sister," Mike yelled. "It's bad enough that you ruined my life, don't ruin hers too!"

"Close your mouth, you fool," Johannes snapped. "Mortals like you know nothing of the greater good..."

"Please enlighten me then, Sir Johannes," I nodded reassuringly to Mike, before watching Johannes with a frown.

"Very good Renee. You are clearly much wiser than your useless brother..."

"Insult Mike once more, and I'll knock out your teeth," Clover clenched her fist, boldly glaring at Johannes, who rolled his eyes.

"This girl and many more fools like her is why I must take action," Johannes sighed tiredly, and Mike had to restrain Clover from screaming at Johannes.

"I don't understand," I said, my frown deepening.

"Psychics like her are the reason why Spirituality is viewed so poorly by the people on the Earthly Realms. They dabble in crystals and cards, not knowing that it isn't the real way towards the light. Towards Enlightenment."

"That's why you stabbed her?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Partly. She was also a flea in my ear," He added nonchalantly. "An unnecessary hindrance in my busy life."

I was really getting annoyed with Johannes, it seemed as though he couldn't complete a sentence without insulting anyone.

"I want to spread awareness among the people of the Earthly Realms. They know nothing of the importance of this gift of life, and it is my duty to make them understand that." He spoke with measured temperance.

"How?" I asked, unimpressed.

"Take your brother, willing to throw his wonderful life away by committing suicide. I stepped in and saved him from doing something that he would regret... And look at him now, he's a successful Youtuber!"

"You also possessed him," I pointed out.

"It was necessary. I am a mere Spirit, I cannot reverse his death without possessing him..."

"That doesn't explain my car accident," I answered.

"Ahhh, Renee. I planned that so you would be acquainted with the Spirit Realm. I had no intention to kill you."

He had to be lying.

"You... you wanted me to be acquainted with the Spirit Realm?" I asked, stunned.

"Exactly. I knew that you would resort to hiding from the ISA, and that rebellious Spirit Guide helped you with that." He smiled. "You played right into my master plan."

This was all his plan???

"I even planted my book with the psychic here, so that you would be guided properly to the White Realm."

"I didn't use your book that much," I frowned, not wanting to see that satisfied look on his face.

"That isn't an issue. You have reached the White Realm purely due to my efforts. I am responsible for your achievement." He answered. "I know that you will disagree, but I simply do not care."

I reached the White Realm due to my efforts and Noah's. We built the Realm, the Portal maker, and endured so much...

"I protected you two from the ISA," He said as if he had been reading my mind. "I convinced Augustus to search in the wrong direction, I convinced him that Noah wasn't a threat..."

"Why?" I spat out. "Why are you so keen on helping me reaching the White Realm?"

"Not just you, Renee. I have helped countless other people in my way. I saw hope in you, I knew that you would pave the way for a better future."

"Cut the trash talk, and tell her exactly why!" Mike snarled.

Johannes frowned at Mike. "You lack patience, Mike. I was getting to the point..."

"And that is?" Clover threw him another glare.

"I think Renee would be a powerful ally to me," He finally admitted, staring at me, looking so desperate.

His arguments, when phrased a certain way, did sound reasonable.

"People who don't understand my ways frame me as the villain. Trust me, Renee, I just want to enlighten humans. Help them understand what existence truly is about."

He paused, his dark eyes boring into mine like he was looking into my mind.

"I heard that you wanted to build an army with people in the Earthly Realm, against Lord Augustus. Overthrow him as the leader of the ISA and become the supreme ruler-"

"That is utter nonsense," He blurted out. "I am not doing this for power-"

"You just wanted me, since I would be a powerful ally!" I argued.

"Powerful in spreading knowledge! Not to throw Augustus off his throne..."

"So you think Augustus is doing the right thing? Don't you want to overthrow him, for all the wrong he has done against you?" I found myself finding all the plot holes in his supposed ideal quicker than ever.

"I am a good man, Renee," He placed a hand on his chest. "My heart knows better than to hold emotions such as hate and vengeance."

"But is it right? To turn a blind eye to all the injustice Augustus is doing?" I questioned, turning it back onto him.

"I will stand up against Augustus when the time is right. But that isn't now," He paused.

"So you do want to use me against Augustus," I nodded. "I knew it."

"You don't gain anything by twisting my words, Renee," He scoffed. "I know that you still view me as a villain. But one day, you will regret your mistake more than ever..."

"Trust me, Johannes, I know what I will regret, and what I won't," I answered smoothly.

Clover applauded to my words, and the rest of LOLtube soon followed suit, with Mike even wolf-whistling.

Johannes narrowed his eyes. "Somebody as wise as you shouldn't be taking such an irrational decision. It is a crime against wisdom!"

"I'd rather do this crime than carry out your 'deeds' for the greater good," I replied sarcastically.

"I see," He nodded unhappily. "I am not going to waste any more time in convincing you, I am quite a busy man."

"Busy ruining people's lives," Mike answered, earning a laugh from the rest of us, while Johannes stared sourly.

"Silence! Silence you fools!" Johannes yelled angrily. "I will not tolerate this jester any longer!"

He pointed to Mike, who stared back defiantly.

"My comrades and I still control your life," He answered, his tone borderline dangerous. "Beware of your words."

Just as he said that three more figures rose out of the sea, with smirks just as cruel as Johannes.

I could see the smiles slipping off the faces of the LOLtube members as they saw the Spirits who used to possess them.

"Today, we have deemed you to be useless to our goals," Johannes announced. "One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel, and hence we cannot let the risk prevail."

"So what?" Mike asked with uncertainty.

Johannes and his friends laughed at him as if Mike had said something stupid.

"So what?" Johannes repeated, mocking Mike. His eyes glinted evilly as he threw us a look, watching us with suppressed happiness.

"So, we have planned to destroy your souls forever."

*****

(A/N: This chapter was hard to write, idk why... But I hope you guys liked it!)