Maiden of the Twilight 6 CHAPTER FIVE

"Open the gates!"

Upon hearing that the warriors sent to search for the Princess have returned, I was alarmed that I immediately went to the throne room as that was the place for the soldiers to state their report regarding the search. The next morning had already arrived, I'm sure that the soldiers might have an update.

"Belerick!" On my way there, I saw Belerick walking by a window in the hallways so I called out to him. It seemed like he was also on his way to the throne room.

"I know, hurry!" He waited for me and then we went to the throne room together. When we got there, the soldiers just have arrived. Gladly we were on time. But I noticed that the soldiers were not the only ones who entered the room. There were also small creatures, cat-like creatures who I think were elves. Where did they come from?

"Those are Leonins, an ancient race of elves in the Enchanted Forest." Belerick told me as he noticed the curiosity on my face about the small creatures.

"Oh, okay."

"Your Majesties." The soldiers, together with the Leonins, bowed in courtesy of the King and Queen. Afterwards, the King ordered the captain of the troop to deliver their reports with a sign of his hand. "Your Highnesses, we're sorry to have failed you. We haven't found the Swan Princess. But we have an update to give you, my King. I present to you these little Leonins, whom we met along the way. And they have the lead that points to the whereabouts of your daughter."
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The two Leonins stepped forward and bowed. "Your majesties, we have accompanied your soldiers on their way back to deliver to you this news. We know where your daughter is."

Upon hearing this, the Queen stood up and approached the two Leonins. "Where? Where is Odette? Please tell us."

The two Leonins looked at each other and the female Leonin said, "We think she's held captive in Necrokeep. The other night, we had a small group of Leonins trekking the forest not far from the Fortress of Despair, and they saw a dark knight pass through and went there. We think that knight had your daughter."

"How can you be so sure? You said you just saw a dark knight? Are you sure you're not wastin our time?" The King revolted. But the male Leonin disagreed and answered, "No, my King. We are sure. As proof, we brought this." Then he brought out a white swan feather, just like the feathers that made up Odette's dress on the night of the assault.

"W-where did you find this?" The King took the feather and looked at it. "This is from the dress my daughter was wearing."

"I told you, your Majesty. Our small group saw the dark knight, holding a woman. And on their way, feathers were falling, and one of the Leonins caught one." The King walked back and forth still holding the feather. It looked like he was devising a plan. Thank goodness, now we have a lead on the Princess. The search for her will be over soon, and we will see her again.

After a few minutes, the Kind decreed an order, "We shall seek help from elite warriors of the Moniyan Empire. Thank you Leonins for bringing this news, I'll let you stay here as long as you need. Men, send notice to General Tigreal in the Moniyan Capital and prepare for a rescue mission at first light tomorrow." The soldiers bowed and then dispersed afterwards. The Leonins were assisted by the castle's servants and were taken into their respective whereabouts. Belerick and I approached the King and Queen.

"Oh, Lunox. Thank goodness you're hear. Belerick, you too." The Queen exclaimed when she saw us. Belerick and I bowed in courtesy before the King spoke.

"How are things holding up with you, prophesied one?"

"I'm fine, your Majesty. The Twilight Orb is safe, but I'm afraid I can't hold on much longer as your destined savior." When I said that, I heard a gasp from the queen. Belerick looked at me with confusion, as I have never told him anything about the prophecy since the attack.

"But you saved us, Lunox. You saved us with your immense power. Your power defeated each of the monsters, and damaged the warriors of the darkness." The King said.

"I'm not sure, your Highness. I feel like all I've brought upon the castle ever since I took refuge here is danger. I don't even recall how I casted such great spell. Maybe it wasn't me, maybe it was the Twilight Orb's doing. Maybe I'm just a depot for the relic. I'm nothing special."

"Lunox, don't do this to yourself. You are the prophesied one." Belerick interrupted my dramatic explanation. Why does everybody believe that I am the prophesied one? Why do they believe that I am the savior of Land of Dawn?

"No, Belerick. I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"Why do you keep insisting?"

"Because I saw it for myself!" I was flustered when Belerick raised his voice for the first time. Woah, this was the first time I saw Belerick so serious and determined. He took hold of the words he said to me, and strongly believed that I am the prophesied one.

"Whwhat do you mean by that? Belerick?"

"I saw it. I saw you, the Twilight Orb appeared in the Oasis just as soon as I woke up from deep slumber. The orb was surrounded by two energy forces, light and dark. A voice told me to control a stream for each force and gather it into the Twilight Orb. And I did, then the Twilight Orb slowly opened, and from it a girl stepped out with wings on her back. That was you. I knew that you were the prophesied one because you were surrounded by the power of Chaos and Order, and that you were the same girl who stopped the ancient war, but you seemed to have lost your memories as you stepped out. And I confirmed it, by the time we first talked to each other."

Belerick told me everything. I did not know how to react. For the King and Queen, it looked like they knew it all along. That's why they have treated me the way they did. They looked up to me. And it seemed that they knew, that I lived in a different time. But I, I did not even know a thing about that. I did not remember my past, not even a memory of it.

"Why did you tell me just now? You know how much I wanted to know about myself."

"Because I wanted you to experience a normal life, which apparently you won't go through. You're my friend, and I don't want you to face this alone. So I'm telling you know, when it is most needed. The Land of Dawn needs you. Odette needs you more than ever."

"I agree." A man's voice filled the room, which turned out to be Lancelot who just entered the throne room and overheard what we have been talking about. He walked towards us and then Guinevere came running in with Gusion as well and she cried, "I'm sorry! I spilled what happened to Odette! I'm so sorry!"

When she said that, I recalled that Lancelot might have the possibility lose his temper and be violent. I was nervous that Lancelot would burst it out on me, for I am the root cause of the incident. Lancelot was almost near us, and his face was so serious. I couldn't tell if he was mad or anything. Then, when he approached us, "Lunox…" I gulped "…please, save my Odette. Please, prophesied one."

I was shocked when he knelt down before me, and his eyes watered. "I beg you, Lunox. Help us save my love." I pitied Lancelot, he would do anything for Odette. I even set aside his pride as a man, as he knelt and begged for my aid. I held his hands, "Oh Lancelot, please don't do that. Please, stand." I helped him stand. There isn't any other choice I had, but I couldn't help him at the time being. I must first find myself before I could do that. On the other hand, Guinevere, who had just arrived in our spot, couldn't believe what his brother just did.

"Brother… I thought --"

"You thought I'd lost my temper? I've changed, little sis. You must know that by now."

"Then I was wrong, to anticipate that the old you would come out. That was shallow of me, sorry brother." Then Guinevere faced down, which Lancelot reversed through patting her little sister's head. "It's okay little sis." Then, Lance returned his attention to me, with his pleading eyes.

"As much as I want to, I'm afraid I can't do that, Lancelot." I sadly replied to him. It's normal for him to be disappointed by what I have answered, but I had a reason why I can't help him.

Belerick reacted, "What? Lunox?"

"But why? You are the prophesied one, it has been testified by Belerick. You have the Twilight Orb, and you refuse to help us? Why?" His voice began to rise, I see that I have greatly disappointed him. Even the King and Queen, including Belerick, could not believe what I had said.

"Bro, calm down. Please, you're at it again, Lunox must have a reason." Gusion stood up for me, which I was glad he did.

"Okay then, let's hear it." Said Lancelot.

Before I spoke, I took a heavy deep breath, hoping that I have arranged my thoughts on this one properly. I hope I that this decision I have made will change everything. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you… FOR NOW. There are things I wish to find out about myself, about the prophecy in which I am involved in. I don't even know what my powers are. You keep saying I'm of both dark and light but I don't even understand that. Please give me some time to find out who I am, my past. Through that, maybe, I can fulfill the prophecy. I can save Odette, and I can bring back balance to the Land of Dawn."

All the people in the room became quiet. They looked at each other, and said that I have shown the sign that I am the true prophesied one. Not because I have both colors of dark and light, not because I have the Twilight Orb, but because I was determined in saving not only the Princess, but also the whole Land of Dawn, from despair caused by the imbalance of good and evil. Afterwards, Lancelot and I had a long talk, Guinevere and Gusion spent time together by Swan Lake, Belerick returned to his quarters after making things up for me and the King and Queen prepared for the arrival of General Tigreal. Lancelot, we talked about Odette. I found out how much he loves her, every detail of his stories made me want to help them save Odette even more.

I, Lunox, beholder of the Twilight Orb, am about to find out who I truly am. A warrior of light or a slave of the abyss.

Chapter end