THE GREAT FIRE
"Oh my Gods," Lucy mumbled worriedly.
"Oho! Look at this abomination. Trying to escape?" Seraphina commented derisively.
King Gunther could only grunt in response after seeing the convicted golem. Seraphina got him good this time, again.
"I understand your contempt Seraphina, but I think it best if we settle this matter peacefully. After all, we are in the presence of the true heir, are we not?" Kygo calmly suggested, yet his tone says otherwise, for it leaves no opening for opposition.
The fae queen could only harumph in disappointment and went back to her seat defeatedly. Kygo was right. Even without her kingdom, they still acknowledge her as the true heir. Even the Beast Queen could do nothing about it... unless... 'unless this child dies...' She thought grimly.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I would prefer it if anyone could tell us what happened and save everyone's time." Hurricane bit out sarcastically.
Anyone could tell that the kids were getting agitated because of the situation. Even Kamilos kept on fidgeting in his seat from nervousness.
The ever calm Zarino took that as his queue and said, "I can do the explaining." with a charming smile...
---
"How's the situation in Zephyria?" Kygo asked at the worn-looking Zarino.
They were both still in their battle armor, all grimy and tired. The beast attacks were getting frequent in the past days since the Beast Queen announced her intent to make them surrender to her.
"This is not looking good. The fire has spread at an alarming speed. We are losing a good number of our people. Even the water nymphs and the fae kind are exhausting themselves to death just trying to extinguish these fires; there seems to be no end to this!" Zarino told Kygo in anguish.
"What about Affira and Aquilica?" Kygo grimly asked again.
"Surprisingly, the fires have not yet reached Aquilica, but I deployed a lot of my men to scout the land for any anomaly. I have also sent many of my warriors to help Zephyra. However, there's still no contact from Affira. There's some dark magic blocking the entrance portal to Affira. I could only hope that King Gunther and his people are in better condition than we are." Zarino worriedly replied.
Kygo was about to voice out his sentiment but was interrupted by a voice.
"That is assuming he still hasn't chosen to abandon us and join the Beast Queen's side," said Queen Seraphina, hurt dripping from her voice.
All three of them turned silent at the possibility. Since the children mentioned in the prophecy have been safely hidden in a place the enemies do not know of, the beast queen has taken the absence of the true heir as an opportunity and had been forcing the vassal countries to plead their allegiance to her. And none of them conceded, perhaps, until now.
"Let's not assume the worst till we confirm that it's true. Gunther could be fighting his demons right now, and we don't even know it!" Kygo bit out in frustration.
"For everyone's sake, let's hope that's true." Zarino comments.
"Do you have an update on what caused the fire Seraphina?" Kygo asked the Fae queen.
"We got an aerial view, and it is said to be a golem too big for its size, leaving molten hot lava at its wake, everywhere it goes. Water doesn't work. We already tried every possible means to extinguish the fire, but none of it is working. It seems to be the work of an ignis." Seraphina answered worry and helplessness etched on her ethereal face.
"Eternal fire? What's going on? Only a few talented citizens of Affira know how to wield Eternal Fire. How come a golem of its origin could wreak havoc with it in our lands? What could have caused this?" Zarino commented worriedly.
"I told you Gunther-that traitor! May have already joined hands the beast queen!!!" Seraphina aggressively countered. The foul-mouthed dwarf king has always annoyed her to no end to the point that they always end up fighting every time they meet up.
"Again, let's not assume anything until we have evidence that he indeed joined hands with that wretched queen." Kygo harshly replied.
Seraphina visibly flinched at the final statement.
"If it's eternal fire, we need our water mages and nymphs now more than ever. I'll have more of them deployed onsite from Aquilica." Zarino quipped with fake enthusiasm in an attempt to lighten up the mood.
Kygo threw him a grateful look while Seraphina gave him a tearful one. It wasn't an easy ordeal for her. The once most beautiful and ethereal country Zephyra is now almost burned down to the ground because of the Beast queen's greed.
"I will personally go there and inspect the situation," said Kygo.
"But what about the infinite forest? You can't possibly leave now! this could be a plot to release the dangerous beasts we imprisoned there." Zarino argued, albeit soundly.
What he said made sense. Burning Zephyra and blocking out Affira from the outside world could bring chaos, mistrust, and antagonism between the vassal countries. Not to mention, it is also a great way to divert their attention from the infinite forest where the most significant dangers were locked ... What a clever plan indeed...
"Leave this to me. I'll do anything to save Zephyra even if it kills me." Seraphina gravely said, almost whispering the last part as a promise...
It was a sight to see. Even with a tear-stained face, the fae queen still managed to look ethereal, a sense of renewed purpose etched on her face.
Both Kygo and Zarino nodded before they all went their separate ways. Seraphina made her way back to Zephyra, Zarino for Aquilica, while Kygo stayed in Terriona to protect the infinite forest from the wicked plans of the evil beast Queen.
---
Zephyra
Since travel between countries in minutes became possible with portals, the fae queen soon arrived at her homeland, Zephyra.
As soon as she walked inside the council hall, chaos erupted among the fae folk. Reports regarding the situation were handed in left and right; a few ladies were sniffling in the back, grieving the loss of either their families or their homes. 'This is going to be a long day,' she thought miserably.
After hearing the soldier's reports and confirming that they have evacuated most citizens to a safer refuge, Seraphina prepared to fly onsite to inspect the damage caused by the raging golem and help them defeat the monster that was killing her precious homeland.
---
Upon arriving at the camp where her husband, the king of Zephyra, and some high-ranking warriors stayed to convene their strategies, Seraphina was greeted by a bunch worse-for-wear, tired and agitated fae warriors.
"Why are you here, Seraphina? Where are the children?" her husband greeted worriedly.
King Arius, unlike most kings, was more of a great warrior than a king. He thrived in the middle of a battle more than he does in a middle of a meeting with the fae folk or the council. Hence, the very reason why Seraphina handles the governing part of the ruling.
"I'm here to help. Don't worry about the changelings, and they are both in a safe place with people I trust," she reassured.
Even with her words of reassurance, the Fae king still looked worried about his wife joining the battle.
"I'd prefer it if you won't, but with the current situation, I'll need all the help I can get." He replied in a grave tone.
The situation's not in their favor.
She stared at the king with compassionate eyes. Worry lines marred his handsome face. This battle sure had shaken the poor fae king.
"What's the current situation?"
"We've tried flooding the place with water; it worked with the surrounding fire but not at that monster! That golem must have been enchanted to withstand even our strongest enchantments! So long as we let it roam free, the safety of our citizens is at risk!!!" He thundered.
She could see real raw fear reflected in his eyes. The one hailed as a mighty strong and unrivaled fae king- and still is- stand before her, afraid for the lives of his people. An intense rush of love seemed to overflow from her being for the man before her. Even at death's door, she would never regret choosing this man as her beloved.
Seraphina crossed the distance between her and Arius. Then ever so slowly, she lifted her hands to touch the brimming tears which threatened to fall from his eyes. He was obviously at wit's end with worry and stress.
"I can't believe my strong king is shedding tears for this foolish foe! Where is the man who fearlessly conquered nations and united the faerie folk under one rule? Where is the man who bravely promised to spend a hundred millennia with me? We still have a lot to go, you know?" She said with a small smile.
True enough, the beautiful fae king smiled lovingly at his beloved. She just placed him back to the ground and calmed him.
"I promised you that, didn't I" He shyly replied.
"Worry no more, my love. I also promised to share your burdens, didn't I?" she smiled at that. "That is why I went to convene with the other tribe leaders with the exception of Gunther about this matter. They are willing to help us hunt this monstrosity and finally put an end to it."
"What of King Gunther?"
"No news from them. I suspect he's aiding the beast queen to have this happen, but Zarino and Kygo think otherwise. They think something amiss and that this is some mad plot of the Evil Queen to get all of the vassals to fight and ruin each other." She explained.
Arius pondered for a minute before speaking out.
"It makes perfect sense why they'd think that. Gunther, however rough-spoken he may have been, has always been loyal to the alliance treaty the first true heir has made with us till this day," he responded.
Seraphina wanted to argue and deny his claims, but it was true. Gunther was the type to only follow whom he respects and that holds till present.
"If it is what you say so, then I shall let him speak for himself after we overcome this ordeal." she finally conceded.
"Great. So what's the plan, my Queen?" Arius remarked with a smile.
"So here's what we agreed upon..."
---
Author's note:
Hello everyone!
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