Salvatore Boarding School...
Headmaster's Office...
The air in the room was already heavy with tension when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway—
Fast, frantic, and unmistakably emotional.
Then came the voice.
"Lizzie, please wait! Stop!"
It was Josie, her voice cracking and filled with desperation.
Everyone in the room froze.
"____"
"____"
"____"
Alaric's eyes widened, realisation crashing down on him like a wave.
'They heard everything.'
Without a word, he rushed to the door and flung it open.
Just outside stood Josie, tears streaking down her face, her chest rising and falling with ragged breaths.
Her eyes were locked with her father's—
Betrayal and confusion were swirling in them like a storm.
"Dad…"
She whispered, voice trembling.
"You were going to let us—merge?"
Alaric opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"____"
Klaus muttered,
"Well, now it's a bloody family drama."
Jojo shot him a silencing look.
Inside, Caroline had already stood up, her face pale.
"Josie, sweetie—"
But Josie took a shaky step back.
"All this time… You were hiding it. You knew what was going to happen to us, and you never told us."
"Where's Lizzie?"
Jojo asked quietly, stepping beside Alaric.
Josie looked down the hallway.
"She ran off. She didn't say a word after she heard... all of this."
Alaric finally spoke, his voice raw.
"Josie, listen to me—I was trying to protect you both. I didn't want you living in fear of something that might not even happen. I thought—"
"You thought lying was better?"
Josie snapped, tears freely falling now.
Caroline moved beside her, placing a gentle hand on Josie's shoulder.
"We were waiting for the right time. But we were wrong. You deserved to know the truth."
Jojo gently stepped forward, looking Josie in the eyes.
"You deserve more than fear, Josie. And I swear to you—I'm here to help. I can stop the Merge."
Josie wiped her face, searching his eyes for any hint of deception.
"You can break the curse?"
"I'll try everything I have."
Jojo said softly.
"But first… we need to find Lizzie."
Bonnie stood.
"She's not hard to trace. I can scry for her."
Klaus leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
"I say let the angry blonde get her tantrum out."
"No,"
Alaric said firmly.
"She's scared. She needs to know we're not giving up on her."
Jojo nodded.
Nod~
"Josie, can you take me somewhere you think Lizzie might have gone?"
Josie hesitated… then slowly nodded.
"____"
Nod~
"There's an old greenhouse near the edge of the property. She goes there when she wants to be alone."
"Then let's go,"
Jojo said, stepping back into the hallway.
As Jojo and Josie walked off together, the others stood in silence.
Klaus looked over at Alaric and muttered,
"You Saltzmans have a real talent for emotional chaos."
Alaric just shook his head and closed the office door behind them.
At the edge of the School Grounds – Near the Greenhouse
A soft breeze whispered through the trees, but none of it reached Lizzie Saltzman—
Not in the haze of pain and betrayal she felt.
Tears streamed down her face as she ran aimlessly, past benches, past students who gave her curious looks, and finally down the gravel path near the old greenhouse.
Her breathing was shallow, lips were trembling.
She wasn't sure if she was angry or heartbroken—or both.
As she rounded a corner, she slammed into someone.
"____"
"Whoa—hey!"
Said Hope, steadying herself.
But before Hope could ask what happened, Lizzie shoved past her, not even sparing her a glance.
"Lizzie—? Lizzie, wait!"
Hope called after her.
No response.
"____"
Hope stood stunned, watching her retreating figure disappear into the trees.
Confused, she called again—
But Lizzie was already gone, lost in her emotions.
A few minutes later, Jojo, Josie, Bonnie, and Caroline arrived from the other side.
Hope noticed them approaching and walked over quickly.
"Jojo, something's wrong with Lizzie."
She said, worry lacing her voice.
"She ran past me a few minutes ago, crying. She didn't even stop when I called her."
Jojo's face darkened with concern.
"Did she say anything?"
Hope shook her head.
"Nothing. She just… stormed off."
Josie bit her lip.
"She heard everything. She was outside the office along with me. I tried to stop her."
"We could find her."
Jojo said, scanning the path ahead.
"Hope—can you describe which direction she ran?"
Hope pointed.
"That way. Toward the forest behind the greenhouse."
Caroline turned to Bonnie.
"Can you use a locator spell?"
"I already brought the herbs."
Bonnie said, pulling them from her bag.
As Bonnie began chanting softly, Caroline gently placed a hand on Josie's shoulder.
"She'll be okay,"
He said calmly.
"But it's important we talk to her before the anger turns into something worse."
The leaves rustled overhead as Bonnie's magic pulsed through the area.
Her eyes glowed faintly for a moment.
"I've got her,"
She said.
"She's by the lake, just behind the greenhouse trail."
Jojo nodded and turned to Josie.
"Come with me?"
Josie took a deep breath and nodded.
Nod~
Hope stepped forward.
"Should I come too?"
Jojo paused.
"Maybe give us a moment first. She's overwhelmed. I'll let you know when it's okay."
Hope nodded, stepping back, her eyes lingering with concern.
And with that, Jojo and Josie headed toward the lake, where a broken and confused Lizzie waited.
Birds chirped faintly in the distance—
But the tension in the air near the lakeside was heavier than the clouds.
Lizzie sat on the grassy slope, her knees pulled to her chest, red-rimmed eyes fixed on the water as tears continued to silently fall.
Her shoulders trembled.
When Jojo, Josie, Caroline, Bonnie, Alaric, and even Klaus finally reached her, she noticed their shadows before she heard them.
She stood abruptly and shouted before anyone could speak:
"Don't come near me!"
Everyone froze.
"____"
"____"
"____"
"Just—just stay back!"
Her voice cracked.
"I don't want to hear another explanation! I know what I heard!"
Josie's eyes welled up, but she didn't speak.
"____"
Lizzie took a shaky breath, looking directly at her father.
"You said… one of us has to devour the other."
She said, her voice trembling.
"You said we're cursed to merge—and only one of us lives. How do you expect me to just go on, pretending that's okay?!"
"Lizzie—"
Alaric started, taking a slow step forward.
"No!"
She screamed.
"You always say you love us both… but what if, when the time comes, you choose her?! What if I'm the one you sacrifice? Am I just supposed to smile and accept it?!"
Her hands balled into fists.
"I don't want to hurt Josie. She's my sister! But I don't want to die either!"
The raw pain in her voice made Caroline cover her mouth in distress.
Even Bonnie's heart clenched.
Josie couldn't hold her tears anymore, sobbing silently beside Jojo.
Then Jojo took a single step forward and spoke—
Not as a stranger, but as someone who understood pain.
"Lizzie,"
He said softly,
"I know you're scared. You have every right to be. You heard something terrifying—something no one should ever have to hear. But you didn't hear the full story."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Why should I listen to you?"
"Because I'm the reason your father called this meeting,"
Jojo replied, calm and gentle.
"Because I can help."
Lizzie looked between Jojo and Alaric, trembling.
"Help how? There's no cure. I heard what Dad said."
Alaric stepped forward now, no longer able to stay silent.
"Lizzie, you misunderstood… I never once considered choosing one of you over the other. Not ever. I've spent your whole life trying to find another way. And now—for the first time—we might actually have one."
He gestured toward Jojo.
"He's not just anyone. He's dealt with curses no one else could break. And he's willing to try for you. For both of you."
Klaus scoffed from behind.
"Bloody dramatic, all of this,"
He muttered, arms crossed—
But even he couldn't deny the weight of the moment.
Jojo stepped closer now, slowly, eyes never leaving Lizzie's.
"I'm not here to take sides. I'm here to stop this curse. But I can't do anything without your consent. Without your trust."
Lizzie's lower lip quivered.
Her gaze fell on Josie—
Her twin, who stood behind Jojo, looked equally broken.
"I don't want to lose her,"
Lizzie whispered.
"You won't,"
Josie said, voice cracking.
"Not to the merge. Not to anything."
For a moment, the only sound was the wind brushing through the trees.
Lizzie looked back at Jojo.
"If you lie to me…"
"I won't,"
He promised.
She hesitated… then slowly stepped forward, collapsing into Caroline's arms as her mother caught her in a tight embrace.
Jojo exchanged a nod with Alaric and Bonnie.
Nod~
"____"
"____"
The first and hardest step had been taken.
Now… the real work could begin.
Late Afternoon...
Headmaster's Office...
The door shut quietly behind them.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was thick with silence.
Jojo, Josie, Bonnie, and Caroline stood in a small circle.
Jojo turned and gave Bonnie a nod.
Nod~
"Noise cancellation spell, please. No one hears this but us."
Bonnie raised her hands and whispered an incantation, her eyes glowing faintly as a shimmering veil of magic coated the room.
Outside, any sound was now completely sealed.
Caroline stood with arms folded, her expression protective and anxious.
Jojo looked at Josie and smiled reassuringly.
"Stay calm. I'm here to help."
He said softly.
Josie nodded nervously, sitting on the edge of the couch.
Then, Jojo exhaled slowly… and in a flash of black smoke and hellfire, his body was engulfed.
Flames burst around him, his clothes seared away into a spectral form.
When the smoke cleared, Ghost Rider sat where Jojo once was—
A burning skeletal figure cloaked in chains and black leather, fire radiating from his skull, his eye sockets burning like the pits of a dark star.
"____"
"____"
"____"
Bonnie stepped back instinctively.
Her lips parted in shock.
Caroline gasped, instinctively shielding Josie.
Josie stared wide-eyed, unable to process what she was seeing.
"W-What… what is that?"
She whispered.
Ghost Rider's voice reverberated through the room like the roar of an ancient furnace:
"I AM STILL JOJO. BUT THIS IS THE FORM THAT SEES BEYOND THE VEIL. DO NOT BE AFRAID, JOSIE SALTZMAN."
The Rider's skull tilted down toward her.
The flames didn't burn the air—
But the intensity of his stare was suffocating.
"Wh-what are you going to do?"
Josie whispered.
"LOOK INTO MY EYES."
Despite the fear, something deep within Josie obeyed.
She stared into his eyes—
And in that moment, the world around her vanished.
She wasn't in the office anymore.
She was falling through an abyss of black fire, through memories, fragments, curses, and pain.
And at the centre of her being, Ghost Rider saw it—
—a glowing, thorny root, embedded in her soul.
The Gemini Curse.
A fragment of dark magic, bound to her since birth.
Waiting.
Watching. Growing.
"I SEE IT,"
Ghost Rider growled, fire crackling louder.
"THE SEED OF MERGE. IT IS NOT YET READY. IT CANNOT BE PURGED WHILE IT IS INCOMPLETE."
He tilted his flaming skull slightly.
"TO ATTEMPT REMOVAL NOW WOULD RIP YOUR SOUL APART."
The fire flickered briefly with sorrow.
Josie's voice trembled.
"Then… does that mean I'm doomed?"
"NO,"
The rider said firmly.
"IT MEANS YOU HAVE TIME. TIME TO BREAK IT AT ITS ROOT. TIME TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME. THIS CURSE… IS NOT FINAL."
Bonnie, still awestruck, finally found her voice.
"You can… see the curse. You know what it is?"
"I DO. AND I KNOW THIS: THE CURSE THRIVES ON FEAR, DIVISION, AND PAIN. IT FEEDS ON THE RIFT BETWEEN THEM."
Caroline's eyes filled with tears.
"Then… what do we do?"
"HOPE,"
The rider replied simply.
"STRENGTHEN THEIR BOND. DO NOT LET IT BREAK. IF THEY STAND TOGETHER, THE CURSE WILL MATURE AND I WILL REMOVE IT."
Josie pulled her gaze away, panting, tears falling down her cheeks.
"I saw it… I saw it too. It's… inside me."
The Rider's flames softened, becoming less violent.
"BUT IT DOES NOT OWN YOU."
Then with another hiss of smoke, the Ghost Rider vanished—
Leaving Jojo sitting once more, sweat glistening on his forehead as he looked at Josie gently.
"I'll help you,"
He said softly.
"Both of you. I promise."
Josie broke down into Caroline's arms, and Bonnie sat back in silent awe.
The tension in the room had settled into something quieter—
Calmer, but still heavy.
Jojo handed Josie a glass of water and waited until her breathing returned to normal.
Then, his tone softened.
"Josie,"
He said gently,
"Before I see your sister… tell me. What do you know about Lizzie? Not just what she says, but what you feel. Do you understand her?"
Josie blinked, caught off guard.
"____"
"I—I think so,"
She said slowly.
"She acts out a lot… but it's not because she's cruel. It's because she's scared. She hides it. Always has."
Jojo leaned forward slightly, listening with full focus.
"She's afraid I'll be the one chosen. Afraid Dad loves me more. Afraid she'll lose everything. But I know… deep down, she loves me too. She doesn't want to hurt me."
Jojo gave her a small, approving nod.
"Good,"
He said.
"That's enough for now. You're honest. That's important."
He stood up and gently opened the office door.
"Can you call Lizzie in? I'll talk to her next. Wait outside, alright?"
Josie nodded and left.
Nod~
A minute later, the door opened again.
Lizzie Saltzman stepped in.
Her eyes were still red from crying, but she stood tall—defiant, nervous, yet brave in her own way.
Jojo gestured to the seat.
"Have a seat, Lizzie."
She sat down, clearly tense.
Her eyes flicked to Bonnie and Caroline, both of whom gave her encouraging looks.
Jojo kept his voice calm.
"I'm not here to scold you. I'm here to help. But I need you to be honest. Just like your sister was."
Lizzie shifted in her seat but nodded.
"Tell me about Josie,"
Jojo said, watching her reactions closely.
"Not what you see on the outside. What do you feel? Do you understand her?"
Lizzie paused.
Her voice cracked a little when she finally spoke.
"She's… perfect. She's smart, quiet, everyone likes her. I always feel like I have to try harder just to get noticed. I get angry. I lash out."
Jojo said nothing, letting her speak.
Nod~
"But… she's my sister. I love her. Even when I hate myself… even when I'm scared… I never wanted to hurt her. Never."
Jojo leaned forward again, eyes soft.
"That's all I needed to hear. Thank you."
He rose and walked to the door again.
"Now… please call your father in. Wait outside with your sister."
Lizzie blinked in surprise.
"You're not mad?"
Jojo smiled faintly.
"No. I'm just getting started. Why should I?"
Lizzie nodded slowly and left the room.
Nod~
Caroline looked at Jojo, both impressed and cautious.
"You're handling them well."
Jojo didn't look away from the door.
"They've been forced to carry something they never asked for. The least I can do is listen—before I fix it."
As the door opened again, Alaric Saltzman stepped into the office… and the air grew heavier once more.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review and power stone!!!