Odion moved to sit completely on the bed, crossing his legs to face me.
Esme made her way over to stand to the right end of the bed, giving me a remorseful expression.
"Let's do this in order because there is far too much information to give you at once. Let's start with the Dark World. Then that will lead to the past and the High Council's purpose. Then we'll take a break," she suggested.
"Alright," I replied with a nod.
Odion also nodded in acknowledgment. "Sounds good."
"I'm sure Odion has explained what the Dark World is, but to elaborate more, this is like a reflection of the world above. We refer to it as the Light World since that is the world that receives the sun's adoration and grace, versus this world that has never seen sunlight."
"Night 24/7? Do you see the moon… or stars?" I inquired.
She gave me a sympathetic smile and shook her head.
"We do not. We are the reflection of your world, but out of pure darkness. We use magic to help lighten the outdoors if we need to travel through our own realm to get somewhere, but we only have a few living areas and travel to the Light World if we need specific food we can't make with our own magic."
She moved to the window and opened the curtains for me to see.
I expected to see stars of some kind or any type of light, but it was completely black like parts of the walls in the room, making me wonder if there was a plank of wood on top of the window, blocking the sight of the outside I envisioned in my mind.
They seriously live in complete darkness...
"Don't look so sad, my Queen," Odion whispered and got out from his crossed position to crawl towards me.
I blinked my eyes a few times, trying to fight the tears that were attempting to fall.
How could I not be emotional when I find out Odion, Esme, and Momo have been living in pure darkness? In fact, who else could be living in these conditions for so many years?
Odion sat in front of the tray, just opposite of me, and reached out to brush away the tear that began to roll down my cheek.
"It's just how it is." Odion shrugged with a sad smile. "It's a little scary at first, but you get used to it."
"That's not fair though. The Dark World wasn't meant for you." I was theorizing now, trying to put the pieces together.
Esme walked over to the bed once more and sat down on the edge, turning to face Odion, Momo, and me.
"The Dark World is almost like a safe haven for those individuals who are discarded to die." When she dropped that bomb, I couldn't even reply, rendered speechless at her words. She continued.
"Long, long ago, this reflected realm never existed. Every shifter that was born had their own element, whether it was a Fae shifter who belonged to nature, or a unicorn shifter who belonged to light. Everyone lived in harmony, including those who possessed dark magic. Due to the shift of times and the change in shifters mindsets, everyone began to believe those who used dark magic were bad or evil. Mother Nature always tests each hierarchy that comes into power, sending sludge like creatures across the lands for us to fight together and tighten our strength as one in unity. However, during a specific time of ruling, the people began categorizing those of dark magic with those sludge like beings."
"You mean Forsaken?" I clarified. "How can they mix the two up? I mean… Odion uses dark magic. Doesn't mean he's bad."
I noticed Odion's calm gaze, his eyes showing a bit of shock at my words. I smiled at him and we returned our gazes to Esme who nodded in understanding.
"You are correct. Due to many shifters feeling uneasy with the users who had strong dark magic and different appearances than the usual human appearance most of us carry, they began to label users of Darkness as Forsaken. Even if it was rather obvious, people began to hunt them and that led to a rebellion to vanquish those who use dark magic."
"Didn't the person in power at the time do something? That was before the High Council’s reign, correct?" I questioned.
Esme nodded. "Yes. The person did everything they could until a battle broke out unexpectedly when they tried to visit the users of dark magic to get their side of the story. Though the Queen was heavily guarded, she was hit with a strong enough attack that it left her in an unstable condition. Everyone assumed the dark users had attacked her and she'd been tainted. They didn't know the woman was attacked by those she worked endlessly to please."
"Did she..." I trailed off, the image of a woman coming from my mind.
Didn't I have a dream about a Queen? Don't tell me...
"Surrounded by six of her lovers, she passed away," Esme confirmed.
I lowered my head as my shoulders sank at the news. I felt horrible and I couldn't stop thinking of the woman from my dreams.
Did she really experience such a tragic end?
"She had six lovers?" I questioned. The thought felt off to me. Weren’t there more? Wait… how would I even know that?
"Seven," Odion muttered, and I noticed his eyes were looking down at his fingers, making me wonder if he was staring at his fidget spinner again.
"There were seven men in her life, but one wasn't present at the time of her death," Esme explained. I nodded, wanting to know more, but also needing to figure out how the Dark World came to be.
"So, when the Queen died, the Dark World was created?" I asked.
"Before the Queen's death, she requested for a moment alone. It is believed she used the last bits of her magic to request Mother Nature to make a safe haven for the beings of dark magic if a time came where they were hunted or exiled. That was when the Dark World was created, or so the tales explain it. However, Mother Nature was angry. She was upset that after many years of trials and successful unity, the people she gave everything to turned on their own. Mother Nature always appointed an individual that would act like a parent; a Queen being a mother or a King acting like a father of these lands."
Esme took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"She cursed the world with Forsaken, their existence never leaving since the day of the Queen's passing, compared to before when they would fade away and allow the world to continue in their peaceful ways. Evil souls who attempted to enter the Dark World out of spite or revenge would be turned into Forsaken. For those shifters who were hunted, exiled, or murdered out of injustice, they would go through the trial of entering the Dark World as a way at a second chance at life. If they didn't survive, they would pass on and be judged like any other soul, but if they lived, they would remain in the Dark World, anticipating the day they could return to the surface."
"What if a Forsaken taints an individual and they die?" I asked.
"It's dependent on whether the Forsaken is one of Mother Nature's or of one created by an evil soul that previously lived. If tainted by Mother Nature's Forsaken, they would pass on. If it was by an Evil Soul Forsaken, the individual would be shifted into a Forsaken and be influenced by the dark things that occurred when they were living. For example, if the individual was bullied or fed to a Forsaken on purpose when they morphed into Forsaken, they would exact revenge to all those who try to do similar actions to others. It's a bit like revenge and justice mixed together, but very few have the capability to differentiate. "
"In terms of when Odion brought me to the Dark World… to uh… we were avoiding something. I went through that trial. That's why I was unconscious for so long?"
"Yes. See, when you entered the Dark World, your body was extremely weak. Being a unicorn shifter, you wouldn't have had much trouble coming through to the Dark World, even as a being of light. However, due to this Awakening Ceremony you underwent, your body had only a hint of magic left and that made you completely vulnerable. Due to your circumstances at the time and the chances of Lucian stalking your every movement after discovering what you are, it made sense for Odion to bring you to the Dark World for your own safety."
"Lucian… who's that?"
"Old Darkness," Odion replied.
"Ah," I replied, trying not to ignor
e the familiarity to the name.
Where did I hear that name from?
"Because of my weakened state, I struggled to adapt to this world?"
"Yes. Odion explained to me that you'd gotten severely injured during your fight, but somehow healed yourself. The after effect of the high demand for energy made your body go into sudden shock and you fought a high fever for a full week. When it finally broke, you then had to deal with the trial of the Darkness. You most likely don't remember any of it, but you did at one-point call for Odion to help you."
I blinked and slowly turned to Odion who avoided my gaze.
"You like helping me a lot," I mumbled.
"When I feel like it," he muttered.
Momo raised her hands up. "BIBO!"
Odion's face flushed red and he glared at Momo. "Don't say that."
I looked at Esme for a translation, but Odion turned to look at her. "Don't translate that either."
She giggled. "I've never seen so many shifts in your personality before."
Odion groaned and returned to staring at his lap, ignoring all of us. I smiled, knowing I'd most likely find out later.
"Thanks, Odion. I really appreciate you always helping me." I meant every word.
He needed to know that I saw everything he did, and he wasn't a bad person like others wanted to portray him as.
"You’re welcome, my Queen."
"Bi...Bo." Momo turned around to face me, lifting her hands toward me for me to pick her. I noticed she looked tired, her eyes slowly coming to a close before they would pop open again. Picking her up, I nestled her against my chest and she wrapped her arms around my neck as she rested her head on my shoulder.
"Why don't we take a little break? Would you like something more to eat, Celestia?" Esme suggested. "We'll discuss the history of the Queen I spoke about more. You'll get an understanding of who I am," she added.
More about who she is? Right… she did introduce herself, but it slipped my mind.
"Another glass of coffee would be amazing," I admitted.
"I'll make another batch. Odion, would you like some as well?" Esme asked.
"Sure."
Esme walked over to remove the tray with the remaining food and headed to the door.
"What was the Queen's name anyways? They never talked about her in history books or anything. I guess if the High Council has something to do with this, I can understand them hiding it, but maybe I'd recognize it from one of the books I read in Alpha Pure," I explained.
Esme glanced back and gave me a small smile.
"The Queen from the tale was my daughter. Her name was Sia. Sia Rainbow."
Huh?!
"I'd like to be alone for a few minutes. Before the other Princes arrive."
The maids nodded in understanding and left the room, giving me a moment's peace.
With a sigh, I fought to sit up, hoping I wouldn't throw up a third time today.
It wasn't like I had anything left inside me to vomit out.
The poison running through my blood was destroying me from the inside out, and at this point, I realized it wouldn't be long before I moved on.
Removing the rainbow crown from my damp hair, I lowered it to my lap, staring at the beautiful colored gems, each color representing the elements I loved.
The men who had loved and cherished me.
I knew I'd see the other Princes before my passing. The Prince of Light, Nature, Earth, Star, Sun, and Moon.
They would mourn my loss and I was still unsure how the world would go on once I passed, the connection between them all. What concerned me the most was the Prince of Darkness, Lucian.
It had happened so fast. One minute I was approaching his people, and the next we were ambushed by familiar men that I'd spoken to for weeks about maintaining peace.
Their intention was to harm me, and for that, they succeeded, but it wasn't before they hurt Lucian who was the closest to me.
He protected me.
Now he was in his kingdom, suffering from the wounds inflicted by the attack; his left arm and leg had been cut away from his body, and his eyesight was inflicted by the intense light attack that rained upon us when he fought to bring me to safety with everything he had.
Because of me, he had lost half of his body function, and I knew that would impact him severely.
Especially with me gone.
Lucian was kind. He was a loving person, and even when pushed and shoved, he still did his best to ignore it. To just focus on me and the others.
Focus on loving me.
What will he do when I'm gone? What will occur when he finds out about my death and his inability to see me one last time? His heart will ache for me.
No… maybe he'd despise me.
I was at fault for his ongoing suffering, and yet, I was escaping due to death. I was leaving the burden on my poor Princes who would have to stand strong while mourning my loss.
Would they hate me as well?
I continued to ponder about my predicament and the fate of my loyal, loving Princes, and I knew I was wasting precious time.
I must leave him something. A note? Some type of message. A magical message? Where I can say goodbye to him.
With that intention in mind, I closed my eyes and concentrated, my hands still cradling the rainbow crown in my hands.
"Please, Mother Nature. Listen to my plea. I do not have long before I will be judged and maybe have the grace to thank you for your divine guidance and mercy. This crown is a part of me and will be passed down to the next Princess that is chosen. I, Sia Rainbow, beg for you to harbor a message to all my Princes. Every single one."
My body grew weaker by the second, but I fought the wave of nausea and dizziness and focused as much magic as I could fathom into the crown.
"Let the next Queen chosen inform her fellow candidates about what has happened and fight against the evil that has risen within our own people. Fight to bring peace and may those who have lost their way be forgiven for their traitorous acts. Let them inform my men, all of them, that they are not to blame for this. They did everything they could to maintain the peace, but our people's selfishness and greed are what has led to this painful future, and I am sorry that I could not stop it. I don't know if I can one day come and assist you, future Queen, but if I could, I'd make you stronger. I'd urge you to love wholeheartedly and not let people influence your mind with their own malicious thoughts. I'd encourage you to become stronger, for when it is time for your generation to be tested, you will not lose like I have."
Tears began to form in my eyes as I tried to catch my breath. Even with how draining this spell was, I wouldn't stop until everything was said and sealed into this crown for my future heir. "Tell my men I love them. Tell them they made every day a blessing, even in times of trouble and stress. And please… let Lucian know, I am sorry. He suffered because I wasn't firm in my fight. I should have stood my ground and fought harder. I was weakened by my own conflictions and worries, instead of standing tall and doing what a Queen… no, what a leader should have done. I have failed him, and if this message does not get to him in time and he succumbs to the dark side he fights off every day… I would still love him. For he is a kind soul, but the world has tainted him with self-hate and provoked him into thinking his existence is no longer valid. Lucian… you are loved. Whether I die tonight on this very bed or live long enough to see you one last time, know that I had loved you like all the others. No one, not even death, can take such love away."
My hands trembled and sweat dripped down my face as I tried to stay conscious. To finish the plea I had begun.
My Princes of Light, Dark, Nature, Earth, Star, Sun, and Moon. What happens now is up to you, and I pray… that one day we shall meet again. I beg Mother Nature to somehow let us have a second chance. Not giving us our old memories back, but to let us have a newer perspective on life and to bring us together with the intentions of delivering peace to the vast worlds. May we forgive those who wronged us and may we
one day love again. That… is my ultimate wish." I broke into a sob, letting the tears fall as I breathed heavily.
"Oh, Mother… Nature. I am sorry for letting you down… but please. As selfish as this may sound, allow those men to learn their lesson. All those who think one race is better than another, let them be sought out and judged for the very hate they spread. I do not see how this will be done but let them receive punishment for ruining the peace they have broken. I may forgive what they have done to me… but I will never forget. If I ever return, let the truth come to light… and let my heir carry this crown with honor, for she will be stronger and wiser."
I lifted my head toward the ceiling.
"She… will be the bringer of peace and enchant this world into something beyond what I could ever accomplish. I bless her with all the power I can bestow and more."
Raising the crown into the air with my trembling hands, I closed my eyes and allowed all the magic I had left in me to transfer into the crown and whispered into the empty room.
"Return to the land you were born from and wait for my heir to retrieve you. I pray that it will be but a short wait, and may you grow in strength as you prepare for my successor. Thank… you… for everything… farewell."
I opened my weak eyes in time to see the crown begin to disappear, leaving rainbow glitter to rain down in its fading absence.
My hands dropped to my sides and I fell back against the sheets, catching my breath as my chest moved up and down.
My lips trembled, but I did my best to stay awake, knowing my men would be here shortly.
Just a little longer...
"Sia… Rainbow?" I asked, blinking a few times. "Rainbow… like my last name?"
The woman from my dream.
By the time Esme had come back with another cup of coffee for the both of us, I’d dozed off.
It could have been because I was still recovering, but I'd had a strange dream.
CELESTIA (Unicorn Blessed Chronicles Book 4) Page 5
