Twins Of The Eclipse 315j36

Copyright 2021

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 978-1-09837-487-7 (print) ISBN: 978-1-09837-488-4 (eBook)

To my family—you are the reason I fight for my dreams

Twins of the Eclipse

“Where’s your ion, your reason to fight?”

“C yrus! There you are!” Octavia’s voice bellowed across the courtyard commons. “Must you be so insensitive with your training?” She stomped as she walked through the grass to meet him. “Why are you out here when you should be in the training field practicing your magic techniques or studying for your exams? You’re never going to improve by being lazy.”

Cyrus sat under the shade of the tallest oak tree in the courtyard. It was his favorite spot on the palace grounds. He even carved his name into its trunk with one of the small daggers he kept attached to his ankle in a leather harness. Today, the sun graced the earth with its golden light. A gentle summer breeze wafted across the garden and whispered its warmth over his shaggy brown hair.

“Calm down, Tavi. I already know everything the commander is teaching us in the class.” He smoothed a single blade of grass between his fingers.

Octavia tapped her rawhide boot on the ground in front of him. “Oh, really?” She pulled out her sword from its sheath strapped on her back. “Prove it. Fight me.”

Cyrus made eye with her. Beads of sweat from his brow rolled down the collar of his white and ruby-colored tunic. He fumbled to find a reason to procrastinate the duel. “Well, I mean…participants are forbidden to spar outside the training commons.”

“Another excuse. Figures.” Octavia pointed the tip of her sword at his throat and noticed his choice of clothing. “Where’s your uniform?”

Cyrus remained silent, once again unable to find the words to defend his actions. He despised wearing his formal apparel. He preferred simple garb and tros, trading tradition for comfort. Even his sword he swapped for the pair of daggers he received on his sixteenth birthday when he ed the rank of the knighthood.

“You’re a knight and the son of the emperor. Why must you neglect every responsibility given to you? You’re wasting your potential.”

“I am not!” Cyrus raised his voice, standing to move closer to his sister. The tip of her sword poked his throat and drew a droplet of blood. He winced in pain from the direct with the blade.

Octavia huffed. “Nothing changes. You are still unable to see past the end of your nose otherwise you’d have ed that my sword was in front of you.” After sheathing her weapon, she knelt next to him and placed her left hand in front of his neck, her palm facing the sun in the sky. A deep garnet-colored aura encircled her hands and healed his wound. She rose to her feet and her long, brown hair, secured in a ponytail, rustled in the wind. Her armless leather breastplate could not conceal her robust figure and powerful muscle tone. “You state you know everything, and that you’re a master at your craft. Let’s test your knowledge. Part one. Show me the results of your training. Use your fire magic.”

Cyrus rolled his eyes and leaned his lanky torso against the tree trunk. He outstretched his left hand, holding the blade of grass with his palm facing the ground, and focused his mind. In a quick flash, the strand of grass burst into a

small ember, turned to cinders, and scattered across the lawn.

Proud of his accomplishment, he smiled at his sister. “See? I am adept with my magic.”

Octavia crossed her arms. “You call that tiny ember a flame? Pathetic is the correct word, not adept. Your fire is unlike anything from those within your class. What it needs is dedication and refined skill.”

“Get off my back, Tavi! I never asked for this stupid fire magic in the first place.”

“No, but it’s the role you must accept. If you attended your training, you’d the history of magic and its purpose in this world. The elements are divided between the two lands. Fire and wind belong to the Chaos, and earth and water belong to the Order. Speaking of history, let’s move on to part two. A lesson in history.” She smirked. “Do you why magic was divided?”

Cyrus may not have paid attention in his studies, but everyone knew the history of the last Great War that separated the lands into two—the Chaos and the Order. Emperor Julius of the Chaos and Lady Mae of the Order, once sworn enemies, had to work together to defeat the Oracle, Mara. After the enemy was vanquished, a barrier of magic forever separated the two lands.

He sighed. “Yes. To end the Great War.”

Octavia put her hands on her hips. “Wrong, as usual. It was more than that. History taught us that magic was divided to balance the power of the Oracle. As a divine vessel to the twin gods, the Oracle is the master of all magic. Their mission is to maintain balance in the world, but during the last Great War, the Oracle, Mara, became corrupt with power, wanting to overthrow the twin gods, consume all magic, and become a deity herself. She used the strife and hatred between the Order and the Chaos against each other to aid her powers of deception. The war lasted for many years, and countless lives were lost, including our mother’s.”

Cyrus remained silent, staring at a leaf that fell from the tree and landed by his feet.

Octavia continued, oblivious to his lack of interest. “After Mara’s defeat, pieces of her darkness lingered in the hearts of humanity. When Lady Mae, a noblewoman from the Order, rose to assume the role as the new Oracle, she forfeited her authority, choosing to divide her magic as a way to preserve the balance and prevent the seed of corruption to blossom from the shadows once again. She’s renowned as a gentle leader who won the heart of Father and adopted a peace treaty between the lands. Her friendship with Emperor Julius is the reason we have peace to this day—but this peace came at a cost. Lady Mae raised a barrier, separating the realms as a way to protect the people from enduring another war.”

Cyrus ran his finger through the grass, watching it blow in the wind. “If you say so. But why does this concern me?”

Octavia sighed. “Part three. Do you know who is taught this magic and why it’s important?”

Cyrus stared off into the distance. “No.” His voice was soft, almost inaudible against the wind.

“Again, I didn’t think so.” She took a breath. “Although the barrier prevents physical , magic serves as an aid in communication between the kingdoms. Here in the Chaos, magic is only taught to the royal family and the warriors who the tests for elite knighthood. In the Order, magic is reserved for the lineage of the monarch and the privileged soldiers selected to enter the Magic Academy. If they show great potential with wind or water abilities, healing spells are added to their training.” She cleared her throat, gaining his attention. “As you can see, it’s your birthright—and your responsibility as a leader of the Chaos—to learn this magic.”

He laughed in her face. “What about you? Your magic is far from perfect. You have the power of wind, but you can’t even summon a small gust of air. The same goes for your healing. It’s useless unless you’re tending to a minor ailment. So, why the constant pressure from you?”

Octavia shifted her weight onto her other foot. Her shoulders drooped and her eyes shifted to the tree behind Cyrus, and she uttered another sigh before speaking. “I know. I’m considered a failure, an outcast to the rest of my training regime. I’m one of the few who cannot master magic, but at least I have respect for history and my heritage. I didn’t let my shortcomings stop me. I forged a new path and picked the sword as a way to protect those I love. I paved my own way for success. I chose to follow my duties. I want the same for you. Training is not only how you become stronger in battle, but also how you become stronger as a person. Where’s your ion, your reason to fight? Surely, you must have something you wish to protect.”

He grew quiet with his response. “No.”

“I’m disappointed in you, Cyrus. As always, your naivety blinds you, and you cannot see past the end of your nose to realize the sacrifices people have made on your behalf. Don’t you get it? Ever since Mother died, I’ve been the one fighting for you. You’re my reason. It’s a pity you cannot show your own sister the same courtesy.” She motioned with her hands. “Come. None of this larking about. Your presence is requested by the emperor in the Grand Hall.”

Cyrus grabbed another blade of grass and twirled it in his fingers. The sun trickled through the leaves on the trees, creating spots of light on his face. The air was soft with the fragrance of summer. He listened to the redbirds filling the sky with their songs of freedom, wishing one of those songs were for him. His heart felt heavy, earthbound, trapped in a cage. “Father can wait.”

“You are mistaken, Cyrus.”

Octavia gasped, turning to kneel in his direction when she realized Emperor Julius was behind her. “Sire!”

Cyrus remained motionless, ignoring the arrival of Emperor Julius. His fist, clenched in anger, was the only thing that showed his growing frustration with his father.

Julius’s escort, covered in full golden armor that glistened in the sun, lifted Cyrus up with one hand and forced him to kneel.

“Show His Majesty respect. Stop being such a child and, for once, be a real man.”

Cyrus bit his tongue so hard it almost drew blood. Augustus was just as bad as his father: disrespectful, rude, condescending.

“Augustus, leave Cyrus in one piece. He must be intact for his new mission.” Julius moved closer to Cyrus and noticed the piece of grass still in his hand. “Well, how nice. As usual, I can see you are working hard.” A brief smile snuck across his lips.

Cyrus expressed no emotion with his response. “What’s the mission?”

Julius clasped his hands behind his cape, embroidered with golden hues of an intricate sun design. Its royal purple color matched his suit and breastplate. “You will attend to our newest guest in the dungeon.” Julius stared into his son’s brown eyes. “We have restrained a young woman with no proper identification who states she is from the Order.”

Octavia raised her eyebrow. “From the Order? What about the barrier at our borderland? How did she get through?”

Julius shook his head. “That is unclear, but I have sent a small troop of scouts to assess the area. We have not received word yet of their discoveries.” He turned to look at Cyrus. “In the meantime, uncover her motive and find out why our visitor has tresed into our domain. She will remain under your care until further notice. Octavia shall accompany you and keep you in line.”

Cyrus refused to move, unfazed by Julius’s request.

“This is a task I am sure even you cannot mess up.”

“In other words, I’m the young woman’s new babysitter.” Cyrus crossed his arms at his trivial assignment. Figures. What a waste of time. Yet another meaningless task to remind me I’m never going to live up to his expectations. He glanced at Augustus. And that I’ll never be like him. He stood there, shaking his head and eyeing his father. “And if I refuse this mission?”

Julius raised his voice. “I could assign you to clean the stable. Again.”

Cyrus grunted under his breath. “Fine.”

“Do not let me down. You are dismissed.”

Thanks for the lack of faith in me, Dad. Cyrus signaled for Octavia to follow. “Come on, Tavi. Let’s get this over with.”

Octavia waved her hands in the air behind Cyrus. “Hold your tongue. You aren’t the boss of me! The last time I checked, I still hold a higher rank than you!”

When the siblings were out of earshot, Augustus spoke to the emperor. “Are you sure he’s qualified for the job? We don’t even know what we’re up against.”

“Let it be known that you speak the truth, but I am giving Cyrus one last chance to prove himself worthy of being an elite knight. I believe he has great potential, but he lacks determination.” Julius paused to study the direction of the wind. “There is only one thing that concerns me.”

“What, Your Majesty?”

“Her.” Julius scratched the stubble on his chin and shivered from a chill slithering down his spine. “The sun grows cold. Its light is fading, and the balance of the world is shifting. I feel history will soon repeat itself if we do not move with haste. The moon has a strange way of controlling the tides of both war and humanity. I sense dark clouds following this mysterious girl, shadows she herself may not even see. We must maintain vigilance to protect our prisoner and our people until we know more. Keep an eye on them.”

Augustus bowed. “As you wish, sire.”

Cyrus dawdled down the ageway under the palace to the dungeon. Torches along the wall served as his only source of light and the sound of dripping water from the stones above tingled his ears. He grabbed one to illuminate his path.

Octavia reprimanded him the entire way to the prisoner’s cells. “Yes, his tactics are unorthodox, but Augustus is only trying to help. He’s right, you know. You need to respect Father. He’s the emperor and your commanding officer. As a knight, it’s your duty to—”

“Enough with this respect garbage! It’s bad enough Augustus ridicules me. I don’t need you doing the same thing.” His voice echoed in the corridor. The torch he held burst into flames and turned to cinders. He wiped his hands on his tros. “I don’t care about duty or what is required of me. I do as I please. I’m not meant for this role of being the emperor’s son or an elite knight.” There was a time when his greatest fear was that he would be found out for who he really was: worthless, a burden to everyone. He had tried for years to earn the respect and love of his father. And for what? He had realized little by little that he would never amount to anything based on his father’s standards. No longer would he focus on pleasing everyone.

“You should at least listen to your sister. I know what’s best for you.”

Cyrus waved his arms in the air. “What exactly am I supposed to do?”

Octavia pointed to the heap of ash on the ground. “For starters, you need to learn to control your fire magic before you hurt someone.”

“It must get lonely from atop your high horse. Whose side are you on, anyway?”

Octavia bit her bottom lip. “Again, the answer is right there past the end of your nose. Give me some credit. I’m on your side, but you must understand something. You’re seventeen. You’re at an age now when I can no longer look after you. Whether you are up for the challenge or not, this is the role you must play. You need to take responsibility for your life.”

Cyrus turned his head in shame. The reason he never showed commitment for his training was he knew Octavia would always be there to save him. He shuddered. Duty. How he hated that word. No. This was never my dream. It was his. I refuse to play this role anymore. Duty means sacrifice, and sacrifice means losing the ones you love. Why should I care if I follow duty?

Octavia opened the iron door to the prison cells. “She’s in chamber three. I’ll wait here. Try not to mess this up.”

He groaned as he walked by her. “Gee, thanks for having faith in me, too.”

Cyrus didn’t know what to expect when he approached the prisoner but was surprised when he turned the corner to view cell three. A young woman, his own age, dressed in a long, sapphire robe with a silver cloak, sat huddled in the corner. A wooden staff adorned with a periwinkle jewel at its tip rested on the ground in front of the girl. Her blonde hair hid her facial features. He banged on the iron bars to gain her attention. The girl’s hair parted as she raised her face, and when she made eye , his heart skipped a beat. Her ocean eyes mesmerized him.

“You must be here about my punishment.”

“Punishment? No. I’m just here to talk to you. What’s your name?”

She ed Cyrus at the bars to her cell. “Celine.”

“You’re from the Order, aren’t you? Tell me. What were you doing in the city?”

Her body remained poised as she spoke. “I’m here to find the person responsible for murdering my mother, Lady Mae, and my older sister, April.”

Cyrus paid no mind to her and snickered at her attempt to be demanding. “Aren’t you brazen?” It took him a second to comprehend her comments. “Wait.” Leaning forward, he put his hands on the bars. “Did you say Lady Mae is dead? How is this possible?” He had heard no reports of attacks against the Order, especially toward the monarch. How could there be any incidents with the barrier intact? Besides, if there was, it would only jeopardize the peace treaty. He

noticed the girl staring right into his eyes. He released the iron bars, shaking his head, realizing what she was insinuating. “Are you suggesting someone from the Chaos killed her?”

“Those are your words, not mine.” Her eyes remained focused on Cyrus.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Your logic doesn’t make sense. How could someone from the Chaos do any harm? The barrier at the border prevents any physical interaction and shields against future conflict.”

“Darkness can linger in anyone’s heart. There are other ways to kill than by the hand of a stranger—fear, hatred, deception. All of which are perfect motivators for committing a crime, motivators that cannot be blocked by magic.”

Cyrus broke eye and paced back and forth. “So, you’re saying that someone from the Chaos has been scheming with someone from the Order to assassinate Lady Mae? Why? She promoted peace between the two realms.”

She huffed. “Either you’re very sheltered from the evils of the world or you’re a master at deception.”

He gasped when he heard this accusation. She has a lot of nerve.

Celine continued. “I’m unfamiliar with your forms of sorcery. You people are malicious and only desire war to satisfy your sadistic appetites. It’s the reason why we’ve never maintained harmony. I’m sure you have plenty of reasons to

wish her dead. How else can you gain the power for yourself in an attempt to control the Order and rule the world?”

“You people? What do you mean by you people?” He stepped back, his boots scuffing on the stones below his feet. “The Chaos never started a war for pleasure. We go to war to protect our people, not to spill innocent blood.” He mocked her previous choice of words. “It was you people who are responsible for not withholding the peace. The Order is the one who is corrupt, not the Chaos.”

Celine turned her back to him, sticking her nose in the air and wrapping herself in her cloak. “What an absurd accusation. The Order is not corrupt. We, like you, only desire a sense of goodwill, but we cannot achieve this dream until we know who murdered the one who made peace a reality.”

Cyrus crossed his arms and rubbed them to take away the slight chill from the air. “It’s clear we’re at equal odds, but at least we agree on one thing. Lady Mae’s death is troubling and needs to be addressed in future conversations.”

“Agreed.” She stared at him over her shoulder, watching his every move. “So, stranger. You know my name, but I do not know yours.”

“My name is Cyrus. I’m an elite knight to Julius, Emperor of the Chaos.”

Celine’s eyes widened at his identity. “You are Julius’s son. What a coincidence. Though not my original intent, perhaps this trip is not in vain.”

He squinted. “What do you mean?”

“After Mother died, I found an old book locked away in her room. I recognized it as the same book she used to read stories from when I was a child. Its contents spoke of the heroes of lore who rescued those who believed in their power.” She shrugged. “What harm could it do? I once believed these fairytales were real, and since I could use a hero, I thought the book might help.” Celine placed the satchel she carried on the ground and withdrew a tattered tome, its pages falling to pieces. She handed it to him through the bars.

Cyrus wiped away some lingering dust. A faded crescent moon emblem decorated the cover. He skimmed through the pages, all of which were blank. “What am I looking at?”

Celine raised her eyebrow and released an audible sigh. “You can’t read anything either, can you? I was hoping it wasn’t just me.”

He flipped the through the timeworn pages, barren of any language. Raising an eyebrow, he looked at Celine and handed the book back to her. “What is this? Some kind of weird joke?”

Celine lowered her head and placed the delicate item into her bag. She slid her arms through the shoulder strap to carry it on her back. “It’s not a joke. I don’t understand why the stories are invisible. The only thing I can is Mother telling me this is only the first half of the completed manuscript. She held one part, and she gave the other to her dear friend, Julius.”

Cyrus raised his eyebrow. “Father has the other half?”

Celine rubbed her temples. “My memory is fuzzy, but I think so. All I know is when I found the book, I vowed that if I ever met Julius, I would ask about the portion in his alleged possession. He might know how to repair it. Perhaps if the two combined into one, somehow it would lead me to a champion who could help me return peace and…” She paused, listening to the silence of the dungeon. “Maybe their magic might be great enough to bring Mother, and April, back to me.”

“And I suppose you need my help.” He gazed into her cerulean eyes. “Why should I help a stranger like you?”

Celine signed. “I cannot say. It’s a decision only you can make for yourself.” Her eyes searched his. “I only pray you will trust me on this matter.”

He studied her behavior. “How did you enter the land of the Chaos anyway? What about the barrier at the border?”

Celine sank to the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling her cloak tighter around her. “Magic is intertwined with the life force of those who cast the spell. When Mother died, so did the barrier.”

Cyrus pondered her words. This doesn’t make sense. Who would want Lady Mae dead? However, I suppose there’s an ounce of truth to her story. With radical politics involving peace armistices, someone is bound to disagree despite whose side they favor. The real question is, who? He knelt to her level. “I need to report this to the emperor. Be prepared to tell me the real truth when we continue this conversation later.”

Rising to his feet, Cyrus turned to walk away, but Celine’s voice prevented his departure.

“Wait! You do believe me, don’t you?”

He gazed once more into her ocean eyes and selected the same words she used against him. “Why should I believe you people? According to you, all we are interested in is war.”

As Cyrus walked down the corridor in silence, his footsteps bouncing off the stone cobbled walls, a voice called out to him in his mind.

Cyrus.

He stopped in his tracks. “Who’s there?”

The voice spoke again. For the words to shine bright and true, the sun and moon must combine anew.

“What did you say?” He glanced around. “Octavia, if you are playing a prank on me, it is not funny.”

No one was in sight.

Paying no attention to his surroundings, Cyrus turned a corner, and a hand grabbed his shoulder.

“Cyrus.”

He jumped with fright to find Octavia standing behind him. She locked the gate to the prison chambers.

“Are you all right? You look like you saw a ghost.”

Cyrus placed his hand on his chest to calm his heart rate. “Did you say something to me a moment ago?”

Octavia shook her head. “No. Why?”

Cyrus let the topic of conversation dwindle and continued walking.

“Hey, you’re not getting off the hook.” She caught up with her brother. “How did it go with the prisoner?”

He remained silent in speech and his face reflected little emotion. He focused his eyes ahead of him.

“Something happened, didn’t it? Tell me.”

Cyrus watched his feet splash through the leftover puddles of water on the ground. “Fine, since you’ll keep pestering me until I tell you.” He exhaled. The light from the torch sconces danced across his face. “Her name is Celine. She’s from the Order, and she’s here to investigate the murder of Lady Mae and her sister.”

Octavia gasped. “Lady Mae is dead? How?”

“She has reason to believe someone from the Chaos conspired with someone in the Order to plot their demise. She also thinks it was a way to break the treaty so we can gain control of the Order.”

“Impossible! We would never lay a finger on her. Lady Mae and Father are allies, friends even. Their alliance is why a ceasefire existed after the Great War because they were able to set aside their differences for the sake of their people. Why would we risk losing everything they strived so hard to accomplish?” Octavia tapped her chin with her finger, squinting. “If her confession is true, however, then that explains how she entered our land. The barrier vanished with Lady Mae’s ing. This could mean big trouble for us if word spreads about its disappearance. Perhaps that really is their end goal. To start another war between the lands.”

Cyrus paused before continuing, slowing his pace. “There was something else that was weird. As soon as she discovered my identity, Celine showed me a book with no words. She claimed it was part of an old storybook, broken into two pieces. Lady Mae had the first half, and Father has the second. She was hoping its contents would lead her to a hero who could save her family.”

Octavia chuckled. “It never fails. All the lunatics come from the Order. It doesn’t surprise me, especially since they’re ruled by the moon.” She observed him not sharing in her joke. “What’s the matter? Oh, come on, Cy. Don’t tell me you believe her.”

Cyrus rubbed the side of his head as he walked, blurring his vision with his thoughts. “I can’t explain it, but for some reason, I do.”

Octavia shook her head as they climbed the stone steps to the palace. “She lies. It would serve you well to learn the difference between the truth and deceit.”

He glanced at his sister. She was right. Why should he believe someone he just met? A part of him wanted to accept her advice, but another part couldn’t shake the conversation with Celine. What book of Father’s did she mean? A storybook? The only storybook I know of belonged to Mom. She used to recite stories to us, but I haven’t seen that book in years. Wait. Unless it’s the one Father keeps in his study. If so, I could—

“Listen to me.” Octavia grabbed him by the shoulders, looking right into his eyes. It took a moment for his gaze to adjust on her. “I don’t know who this girl thinks she is but be careful. I just don’t want to see you or anyone else get hurt. Okay?”

Cyrus nodded as they followed the red carpet in the palace hallways and turned the corner to the Grand Hall. Pillars of marble bejeweled with rubies and garnets stood watch over the doors.

“I have to make my report and show at least some level of responsibility. Otherwise, I’ll be cleaning the stables for the rest of my life.”

“For your sake, I wouldn’t mention the book. The news of Lady Mae is traumatic enough. Father doesn’t need to be regaled by childish fables.”

Octavia left Cyrus alone and returned to her normal post in the training

commons.

He watched her disappear from sight. You worry too much, Tavi. I know what is best for me. Not you. The only way for me to learn the truth is to take matters into my own hands.

Julius accepted the tragedy of Lady Mae and April with a brave face, but Cyrus knew that behind those hazel eyes, his father was hurting on a deeper, emotional level. The scouting troop confirmed the alleged story of Celine. The barrier at the border dissipated. With the surge of recent unsettling information, Julius ordered complete surveillance of the palace and its capital, the iridescent city of Solaria, where the border had been located. There was no guarantee what the Order would be capable of without a governing force, especially if they learned one of their own was a prisoner in the Chaos. It was a chance Julius refused to take. Though his heart was heavy with mourning over his dear friend, his first priority was the safety of his kingdom.

After the meeting with Julius, curiosity overtook Cyrus. His desire to investigate his father’s half of the book was strong, but he had to wait until twilight to give in to this unyielding temptation. Under the cover of the moon, Cyrus weaseled through the gold and marble hallways of the palace. He knew the specific paths the guards wandered, so avoiding detection was simple. He snuck into his father’s study located next to the Grand Hall. The room was familiar, as he had entered it when he was younger, only to be reprimanded for tresing.

Julius’s right-hand advisor Augustus had warned Cyrus that the room was off limits, since it stored private information about the land of the Chaos. It served as another reason for why he despised his brother-in-arms. Though Augustus had Cyrus’s best interest at heart, his manner left Cyrus feeling belittled, inferior, and unworthy to protect his people. Of all the apprentices from his training class, Augustus was the favored one by the emperor, the one Octavia swooned over, and the one who received all the glory and praise of his irers for adhering to his duties. This trip to his father’s study, however, proved different. Cyrus was older now, and he didn’t care about Augustus or any consequences that followed his actions. This time, he created his own rules.

Banners embroidered with the emblem of the sun, representing the crest of the Chaos, lined the wall of the study. Lanterns, lit with a single flame, hung by

metal chains, providing soft but ample light. A long, wooden desk sat in the corner. He gravitated toward it only to find letters, written in female penmanship, scattered on top. His eyes read over one of the letters.

The moon grows dim, and shadows rise again, like a poison plaguing the land. Please, my friend, take care. You may be next. Truth deluded my eyes, and I could not counter its plan for vengeance. Do not make the same mistake.

Life traveled down an unfortunate road. I would have enjoyed seeing your face one more time, but the last war constrained my freedom. To heal our people from the darkness, a barrier of light was the only cure to seal its blight. It is a choice I both revere and regret because it meant you were lost to me forever, all for the sake of obligation. I made my choice. You must make yours.

I fear this may be my last letter, as my powers are dwindling. Stay safe. Until we meet again. Mae.

Cyrus sifted through the rest of the letters, each one signed by Lady Mae. Before he could read any of the others, he felt a large object under the pile. Moving the papers out of his way, he discovered the purpose of his visit. Cyrus uncovered a rustic book with an insignia of a sun, the same as the banners on the wall, stitched on its back cover. This must be it. The book Mom used to read. The book was open, but before he closed the remnants of the dilapidated manuscript, he glanced at it. As with the portion Celine possessed, there were no words written on its pages.

He reached out to grab the item, but hesitation stopped him. Conflicted thoughts teetered in his head. This is wrong. I’m stealing from my own father, but I’m also helping a new friend. He would want me to do this. Cyrus’s hands shook under his mental pressure. It’s too late. I’ve come this far to turn back now. He

smirked. He doesn’t even notice his own children, so why should he notice this is gone? In a swift motion, he grabbed the book, hid it under the dark overcoat he wore to cover his tunic, and slithered out of the study into the shadows of the palace.

Later that night, Cyrus snuck into the dungeon in between the changing of the guards. He stood in front of Celine’s chamber, and whispered her name to wake her. “Celine.”

When she awoke, she ed him at the bars and noticed he slid the book into her cell. With haste, she grabbed her half from her bag and placed both parts side by side on the ground. Celine jumped with excitement. She grabbed her staff, but a brilliant flash of periwinkle light blinded her. She shielded her eyes.

When the light dissipated and her vision became clear, she looked down to see the two pieces had merged in perfect harmony. She looked up to find Cyrus, but he had vanished without saying goodbye.

Returning her focus to the completed manuscript, Celine opened the leatherbound book to study its contents, but to her dismay, she found the pages remained blank, void of any stories, void of any hope.

The following morning Cyrus revisited Celine with Octavia following his every move. As he made his way to the familiar chamber, his eyes bloodshot and his body heavy from exhaustion, he anticipated seeing Augustus standing guard for first watch. Yet as they approached, he detected nothing but a dark shadow hovering over a large lump on the floor. He grabbed an unlit torch from the wall and the moment his hands touched it, the torch relit, illuminating his path. As the first flicker from the flame reached the shadow, it writhed in discomfort and disappeared.

“Gus!” Cyrus ran over and bent down to touch Augustus. He was cold as ice and his face frozen in shock. “He’s not breathing. Tavi, do something!”

Octavia placed her hand on Augustus’ chest and closed her eyes, her palms facing the ground. A deep garnet aura encircled her before dissipating. She opened her eyes and checked for a pulse. Nothing. She repeated the same motions.

The light intensified, illuminating the dungeon and waking Celine. She stood back, watching Octavia in silence.

“Damn it! What’s the point of having healing powers if they don’t work?” Octavia attempted a third time, but it was no use. Out of breath and with her magic drained, she looked into Cyrus’s eyes. “I can’t save him. He’s…gone.”

Celine let out a distinct sob and covered her mouth.

Cyrus rose to greet Celine at her cell. His lips quivered, and a frown rested on his brow.

Octavia lashed out at Celine. “You! What did you do to him?”

“Me?” Celine backed away as Octavia thrusted her hand through the bars to grab her. “I didn’t do anything!”

“Liar!”

Cyrus swallowed the lump of anguish he felt in his throat before he spoke. “The truth, Celine. How did this happen? You must have witnessed something.”

Celine shook her head. “He woke me up when he arrived to stand watch last night, but I fell back to sleep. The next thing I heard was you just now trying to save him.”

“And the shadow figure we saw hovering above him?”

“I never saw a shadow.”

“Coward! A likely story. No one from your land can be trusted. You were distraught over your family’s death, so you waited for the first opportunity to seek retaliation. Don’t you people have comion? He was…he was special to me.” Octavia wiped tears from her eyes. “Mark my words—you’ll pay for your

crimes. With your life.” To Cyrus she said, “Watch her like a hawk. I’m going to get Father.” Octavia raced down the corridor and into the winding ageways beyond the prison chambers.

Celine stared at Cyrus. “I know this looks bad, but it isn’t what you think. I didn’t kill him.”

He once more used the same words she said to him against her. “I’m unfamiliar with your forms of sorcery. How can I tell the difference between the truth and deceit? The evidence speaks for itself. No one was here besides you and Gus. If what you say is true, then answer me this. Why was your life spared and not his?”

“I…I don’t know. I’m not a warrior, I’m a healer. There is no way I could have harmed him.”

Cyrus’s eyes widened as he ed a lesson from one of the few days that he attended training. “Yes, there is. Healing magic is different between the two lands. If someone tries to heal a person from the other, it will only hurt them.”

Celine grew quiet.

“Why? Why did you do this when I brought you the other half of the storybook? I thought I could trust you.”

“You can. I didn’t hurt anyone. Please believe me.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” He exhaled, knelt beside Augustus, and closed his eyes, striving to comprehend the events unfolding before him. As his emotions overtook his consciousness, he felt a surge of power igniting within his veins. His soul felt aflame. Every inch of his nerves tingled until he lost feeling and control over his body. It was a feeling he never experienced until now, and with each ing moment it grew until it erupted with the ferocity of a fiery inferno. What is this power? Where is it coming from? When he opened his eyes and reached out, his palms facing the ground, he noticed the body of Augustus glowing ruby red, burning from within, becoming ash and scattering with the draft of the corridor.

Before he had the chance to decipher his actions, an intense aching raced through his head.

Shadows lurk around corners of the light, waiting to devour their next delight.

“Who’s there?” He watched the dancing shadows on the wall created from the light of the torches.

“Who’s where?” Celine asked.

Cyrus opened his mouth to answer, yet another headache prevented any form of cognition, this one more agonizing than the last. He covered his ears to stop the voice, but that only made it louder.

From this place, you must depart, before the darkness consumes your heart.

He sank to the ground. “Make it stop.”

“Make what stop?”

“The voices.”

“Hey. Are you okay? Look at me.”

He gazed into Celine’s eyes. For some reason, those eyes captivated and calmed him, silencing the voices screaming in his head. No matter how hard he tried, he could not turn to look away. Why? Why do I feel better looking at her?

“What are they saying?”

“To escape.”

He heard footsteps echoing from down the corridor, and he realized Octavia had returned with reinforcements.

Celine clenched the iron bars. Her eyes glossed over with tears she held at bay. “What’s going to happen to me?”

Cyrus stood up but remained silent, staring into her ocean eyes, her tears acting as waves crashing on the shores of her cheek. He was already aware of what his father would say. “You’re branded a criminal. Octavia was correct. A life for a life is the law of our land, a lesson for your people, unless evidence can be provided to show your innocence.”

Celine bowed her head and sighed, wiping her tears away.

Cyrus found himself compelled by her. His heart skipped a beat at the very sight of her in pain and instinct overtook his body. He held his hand over the lock on the door. The metal smoldered, turning a bright red and orange, and melted away, only to solidify again with its impact on the stone floor. He opened the gate and extended his hand in front of him, his palm facing the ground.

Celine hesitated. “What are you doing?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I’m taking responsibility for my duty, which was to look after you. Do you trust me to get you to safety?”

She picked up her staff, adjusted her satchel, and clutched his hand. “I do.”

The uproar in the distance grew louder. “Quick. Follow me. There’s a age up ahead I used to sneak out of training.”

He led Celine down a winding hallway to the other side of the dungeon. It was a dead end. He drew a pattern of a sun on a group of five stones with his finger

and the stones parted to expose a small, hidden tunnel.

The tunnel was damp from moisture seeping through the ceiling. Cyrus led the way through the darkness, hearing Celine stumbling over the uneven stones as she walked. He created a small flame within his palm, illuminating their path.

“Your magic is quite unique. Holding fire in your hand. Turning solid matter into ash. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Cyrus remained focused on escaping. “Whatever. It’s nothing special.” For a brief moment, he regretted his quick response. He felt awful for dismissing her, and his cheeks were flushed and hot from her compliment. “But…thanks, blue eyes.” He winked, and saw her face redden.

When they reached the end of the tunnel, Cyrus drew the same sun pattern on the wall, causing it to open. He extinguished the flame from his hand by making a fist, and escorted Celine into the courtyard.

As the wall sealed behind them, he surveyed his surroundings to make sure the coast was clear. On the other side of the courtyard, he saw his favorite tree beyond the garden of sunflowers. As he guided Celine around a corner of the palace near the front gate, he found himself welcomed with a blade of steel in his face.

“Greetings, traitor.”

“Octavia!” Cyrus pushed Celine behind him out of harm’s way. “How did you find us?”

“You forget I know how you think.” Octavia’s long ponytail waved in the wind as it changed direction, yet her sword remained steady. “You never were one to follow the rules. Now, step aside from her.”

Cyrus shook his head. “No.”

Octavia scowled. “It is my duty to obey orders. Do not make me turn you in to Father. I cannot protect you from treason.”

Cyrus regretted being unprepared for a fight. He only carried the pair of small daggers by his boots, yet his choice of weapon didn’t matter because his sister’s skills with a sword were superior to his. “Listen, Octavia. Celine needs my help. She was placed under my care, and I want to fulfill my duty.”

“You choose now to focus on duty? Your duty is to be dedicated to your family, but I see where your loyalties lie.” She was unrelenting, her blade focused on Cyrus’s throat. “I won’t ask you again. Step aside from the prisoner.”

He cringed at the word duty. “So, my duty is to watch innocent people die?”

Octavia’s eyes widened from Cyrus’s accusations.

“Or have you already forgotten?” he went on. “Mother. Lady Mae. April. Gus. They paid the ultimate price in the name of duty. You told me to find a reason to fight. Well, this is my reason, to stop the people I care about from being killed in cold blood. What about you?” He bent down to grab the dual daggers harnessed around his ankles.

Octavia sheathed her sword, and smirked. “As always, you are unprepared for battle. Put those toys away.” Her grin disappeared as she replayed his words in her head. “You speak the truth. I focus only on my duty and not on any personal affairs.”

He stashed away his daggers. “So? Are you with me, or are you against me?”

A stern expression appeared on her brow. Her composure remained stoic. For a moment, Cyrus wasn’t sure what she’d say.

“We both know I cannot stop you once your mind is made up,” Octavia began, “but I can at least come with you. Ever since Mom died, you’ve been the only one I’ve cared for. You’re my brother, and that’s the thing that matters most, no matter what.”

Cyrus breathed in relief, feeling the tension melt from his muscles. His sister would come with him. She was making a big sacrifice, he knew—everything she had worked for to gain respect of the emperor, thrown away in a moment to her brother. A wave of gratitude washed over him, so powerful he felt a lump in his throat.

“You are reckless, Cy,” she went on. “I don’t want to lose you, too, and this girl

has yet to earn my trust.” She nodded toward Celine.

Celine stepped around Cyrus to look Octavia in the eye and put her hands on her hips. “Wonderful. If something were to happen to Cyrus, you can heal him with your reliable magic.”

Octavia glared at Celine, but footsteps echoed from nearby. “None of this larking about. We must make haste.”

As they raced around the final corner, there were no soldiers standing guard at the palace gates. The posts are deserted. They can’t all be searching for me. Cyrus looked around. How bizarre. Something’s not right.

The gate was open, and when they made a run for it, it slammed shut before they reached its safety. When Cyrus turned around, he saw Julius standing in the courtyard next to a group of the elite knights from his training class.

Julius stared at Cyrus. “I should have known you would try to escape.” He then glanced at Octavia. “I never thought, however, you would be the one to turn your back on your duty. I am disappointed in you. Augustus would be, too.”

Octavia lowered her head.

He returned his attention to Cyrus. “Bring the girl to me. You do not understand what you are doing. We need to end this right here, right now before it escalates to something worse.”

“Your order was for her to remain under my care.”

“What she needs is to remain under my surveillance.”

Cyrus motioned at Celine. “What for? To kill her for the death of Gus? I won’t allow it!”

Julius crossed his arms. “This matter is beyond your control. Or does your lack of training make you forget that I am the one who gives the orders?”

“I’m done taking orders from you.” Cyrus pointed behind his father. “Open the gate.”

Julius laughed at Cyrus. “Or what? Do you really think causing a scene is the best way to prove you can handle responsibility?”

“No, but at least I’m doing what I think is right and not wasting time by staying here to clean the stables or do any other trivial task. I know what you’re doing. I know you think I can’t do anything right, that I’m just a disappointment to you.”

Julius raised his voice to overpower Cyrus. “If you would adhere to your duties as a knight, then I would have no choice but to see you as anything but incompetent. Until then, I provide you with the only duties I know you can handle, and even those are rare.”

Cyrus stood taller to feign confidence. “Well, no more. I’m following my own orders, Father. Celine needs help. We must her. I believe she is innocent.”

Julius squinted, focusing on Celine. “I see the tides have changed.”

“It’s not the only thing that has changed. I’ve changed, too. You’re just never around long enough to notice it.”

“Be careful of what you choose, Cyrus. There are consequences to any action.”

“I don’t care about consequences. I care about helping Celine.”

Julius crossed his arms. “Chivalry does not create your right of age. To become a real man, you need to take responsibility for your life.”

No matter what Cyrus said, his father didn’t hear him. He stomped his foot into the gravel beneath his boots. “I would if you stop treating me like a child.”

“Then stop acting like one.” Julius reached his arm out to Cyrus. “When are you going to learn? I am your father. I am emperor to this kingdom. Your duty, as my son and an elite knight, is to obey me and learn your place in this world. I know what is best for you. It is the reason I am in control.”

Cyrus’ heart sank is his chest as he felt the blood in the veins begin to boil. His father spoke his two least favorite words: duty and control. Two things that had been thrust upon him since birth. He would never amount to anything in his father’s eyes. He had known it for years. What was the point anymore? If words won’t change his father, then maybe it was time for actions to speak louder than words.

Something within him snapped and he could no longer contain his anger. “You controlled this family to the point of pushing everyone away. Your obsession with control and duty killed Mother. You made her fight in the war!”

Julius grunted. “I forced no such thing. She chose to fight, to protect you, just as you have a choice to do the right thing for once in your life.”

“I don’t care. You killed her, and I’ll never forgive you!” As Cyrus’ heart rate rose, his breath became shorter. “You. Control me. No longer!” With a swift movement of his hand, Cyrus made a fireball and tossed it at Julius.

Unflinching, Julius caught the embers in his hand. He clenched his fist, extinguishing it. “A measly fireball? So, this is the extent of your training.” He released a hearty laugh. “I expected more from you. Let me show you what proper training can do.” He unclenched his hand to create a ball of flames much larger than Cyrus and launched it at him.

Cyrus dove out of the way as the flames smashed into the wall of the palace, leaving behind a giant singe mark.

“If this is the path you choose, so be it. You leave me no choice.” Julius pointed

at Cyrus. “Seize them.”

The soldiers rushed toward them, swords waving in the air and surrounded by the flames of their magic.

Out of reflex, Octavia grabbed her sword and spun around, causing a gust of wind powerful enough to blow the group of soldiers back behind Julius, knocking them unconscious.

Surprised by this action, Cyrus looked at her. “Where did that come from?”

She shrugged and put her sword back in its sheath. “I don’t know. It just happened.”

Julius braced himself from the impact and shielded his face from the wind with his arm. “I am impressed, Octavia. It appears you can master your wind power after all, but it won’t be enough to stop me. I will not allow you to leave here with her.”

“Quick, Tavi. Open the gate!” Cyrus moved closer to Julius.

Octavia ran to the lever next to the door and twisted it. With each turn, the gate started to open.

“Enough with this insubordination! I will teach you a lesson in respect.”

Celine grabbed one of the daggers from around Cyrus’s legs. She held it in her hand and blew on its tip, encoming it in a layer of ice. Raising it over her shoulder, she flung the weapon at Julius.

Julius’s eyes widened when he saw the frosty weapon heading straight for him. He countered it by throwing a blast of fire, but his efforts only melted the ice. The dagger carved its path through the flames, piercing his shoulder. He yelled in pain as the dagger entered his flesh.

“Father!” Cyrus called out to Julius, but Celine yanked his arm as he began to run to him.

Several feet away, Octavia opened the gate. “There’s no time. We need to get out of here.”

A barrel full of water sat next to the entrance. Celine extended her arm over it, raising the water from its resting place. Still grasping Cyrus by the arm, she moved her other hand to the opposite direction. The water froze across the courtyard, producing a sheet of sparkling ice separating them from Julius. Celine dragged Cyrus to Octavia, and they ran through the gate for the safety of the forest beyond the palace.

Julius pulled the dagger from his shoulder and threw it to the ground, covering his wound with his hand.

The soldiers regained their consciousness and rushed to his side. Observing his injury, one of the soldiers tended to him. “Sire! Are you okay? Shall I fetch one of the healers?”

Blood trickled down between his fingers as he answered him. “No. That will not be necessary.”

“What is your command, Your Majesty? We can still catch them if we break this ice with our flames.”

“Let them go.”

“But with all due respect, sir, we can—”

“It is pointless. We cannot pursue them any longer. Our hands remain tied. Cyrus made his choice and confirmed my worst fear. The moon now controls the tide of humanity.” Julius turned to his troops. “We need to make haste. Rally the soldiers. If history repeats itself, then I know where they are heading. Lunar Vista, the capital of the Order. Should my hunch be true, then we must prepare for the worst. We must prepare for war. Again.”

The palace sat at the edge of a dense forest located on the outskirts of Solaria. To reach the border between the land of the Chaos and the Order, they needed to travel through the overgrown woodland on the other side of Solaria. Once safe in the dark wilderness, Cyrus followed a narrow, winding dirt path with his companions. With its lush vegetation, the trail seemed impenetrable. Silence lingered among them, each refusing to discuss the events from the palace.

Cyrus was the first to break the awkward tension. “Thank you for helping us, Octavia.”

Octavia yanked some vines away from her face before pointing at him. “Your words lack sincerity, since you misunderstand the gravity of your actions.”

Cyrus raised his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

“Allow me to educate you. Fear of another Great War looms in the shadows. It always has, even after all these years. The barrier served as a reminder of peace, a beacon of hope, between the Order and the Chaos, but people still felt anxious about how long this peace would last. They felt safe. Now, with the protective magic gone, who knows what could happen.” Octavia sighed as she trudged through the thicket. “Peace cannot heal the hatred and bloodshed that seeped into the fabric of history. When there is so much underlying animosity between the lands because of a balance for power, all it takes is one incident to start the fire of war. Any chance for maintaining this balance died with Lady Mae, and everything that she and Father established for the good of the world is gone.”

Cyrus raised his eyebrow. “It’s that bad?”

“What do you mean is it that bad? What do I keep saying? Why are you so naïve? You would realize the current situation of the world if you didn’t neglect your training and your studies.” Her nerves caused her voice to tremble. “I cannot believe I participated in this. I went against my duty, the code of the knights, and…” She gasped. “The knights! I’ll lose my rank. I’ll be discharged, publicly humiliated, and branded a traitor!” She tore another vine away and snapped a glare at Cyrus. “You so owe me.”

Cyrus brushed some loose hairs away from his eyes. “Can you be more arrogant? Get off my back. I didn’t plan for any of this to happen. I didn’t even ask for your help.”

Shocked by his impetuous behavior, Octavia matched his attitude. “Well, excuse me for trying to protect you! What has gotten into you?” She sneered when she looked at Celine. “Oh, that’s right. Silly me. I can see she has already been a great influence on you.”

“Leave her alone! She’s done nothing wrong.” Cyrus felt rage stirring within him. He turned to look at Celine, who stood quietly. “I’m sorry, blue eyes.”

Octavia scoffed. “Blue eyes?” She looked between him and Celine, incredulous. “She’s been nothing but trouble since you met her. Have you forgotten? She stabbed Father, and we abandoned him!”

Celine felt guilty for her actions. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to harm him. I panicked and I was trying to help us escape.”

Octavia rolled her eyes. “Like I should believe you right now. My advice? Stop helping. Period.”

“Hey! I get it. You don’t trust her, but you don’t have to be cruel to her, either. Why do you insist on controlling everything I do? You sound just like Father. , Tavi. You chose to come with us. I can handle things myself. Without you.”

Octavia clenched her fists. “Fine. I can take a hint.” As she looked up between the trees, she saw stars appearing in the sky. The sun had set, and the forest grew darker. “Let me offer a final suggestion before I butt out of your life. We should clear a spot and make camp for the night.”

Cyrus kicked some gravel under his feet and watched a pebble bounce across the path. “I was going to suggest that.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Yeah, sure you were.” A small clearing emerged up ahead. She used her sword to create a space to make a proper campsite.

Celine gathered a handful of broken branches, and Cyrus lit them with his fire to keep warm as the night air turned colder.

Gathering around the fire, Celine analyzed the book from her bag.

“So, blue eyes,” Octavia said. “What’s the plan?”

“Oh…well. A plan?” Celine pulled her cloak tighter around her. “I suppose we’ll return to my hometown of Lunar Vista and seek counsel at the Magic Academy. Perhaps there the scholars can help to reveal these invisible stories. I still believe the answers I’m seeking are found within its pages.”

“What’s so special about this ridiculous book I keep hearing so much about?” Octavia snatched the book from Celine’s hands. “Let me take a look.”

The fire illuminated Cyrus’ face. “You could have asked, you know. Or are manners beneath you while sitting on that high horse of yours?”

“Enough with the attitude, Cyrus.” Octavia skimmed through its contents, reading the words aloud. “Truth is written in the book of paradise when the sun and moon are combined as one—”

“You can read it?” Celine interrupted. Her eyes widened as she heard Octavia recite its message.

Octavia looked up, obviously annoyed. “Yes. May I continue?”

Celine quieted, and Octavia continued reading from the tome.

“Foretold in these pages are the stories of the Oracles of old, vessels who serve the twin gods of creation and destruction and maintain the balance of the world since the beginning of time. Born free from mortal influence on the night of the dual eclipse, two saviors will rise from the fields of redemption to restore

humanity. The champion with the mark of death shall cleanse the sins of the world and seal the darkness with a sacred ash. The champion with the mark of life shall restore the balance of the world and heal the departed with a hallowed zephyr. Thus, the shadow with the mark of depravity shall return to its slumber in the desolate void, when the rain of restoration sings its soothing lullaby. So, let it be known, they shall be called the twins of the eclipse.”

Celine shuffled closer to Octavia. “Tell me. Are any of the pages blank to you?”

Octavia flipped through the book. “No.” She gave the tome back to Celine.

With a quick reflex, Celine opened the book to view what Octavia saw, but the pages lacked any words. “So, the story of the Oracle’s prophecy is revealed, but I don’t understand. Why can’t I read it? The sun and moon combined. What else do I need to do? Even after the two parts of the book came together, its stories remain a mystery to my sight.”

Octavia’s face turned as red as the flames, and her blood pressure skyrocketed after hearing Celine speak. She turned her attention to her brother. “The two parts? Wait a second. Cyrus! You stole his book and gave it to this little witch. How could you? That book was our mother’s.”

“I thought it would help her.”

Octavia threw her hands up in the air, leaning back onto the soft earth. “Wonderful! Treason, theft, and attempted murder. Any more crimes I should know we are committing?”

Cyrus sighed. He hated upsetting his sister, but he had no control over her temper. “What were you hoping to find?” Earlier, Celine had begged him to trust her without understanding why or what she was after. Now, the truth had to come out.

Celine closed the book and held it tight against her chest. Her eyes shifted to the side. “The story about the lost arcane art of resurrection.”

“Resurrection magic? Scholars argue that its only mentioned in fables, that it doesn’t exist in the real world. Why are you searching for such an elusive spell?”

“To return what was lost to me. Mother and April.” She paused. “If only I had been stronger, I could have prevented their deaths. I know it’s a long shot, but I feel as though this storybook holds answers to unleashing its power. I need a hero and since I can’t find one, then I will become one myself.”

Octavia listened to Celine’s confession. She understood the pain of losing a parent and the regret that follows grief. “I ire your determination, Celine. Improving oneself is a noble task to undertake but trust me—no amount of magic can bring someone we love back from the dead. Believe me.” She let out a sigh. “I share the same wish as you. Be careful of what you search for in life. Don’t waste your time looking for a fairytale. It may only hurt you more in the end.”

Celine slouched, staring at the fire, its flames dancing in her eyes. “What about you, Cyrus?” She used the same words as when she met him in the prison cell. “You know my backstory, but I do not know yours. I have heard mention of your mother, but you remain quiet about the details.”

Color faded from his cheeks. It was a sore subject for him. He looked at Octavia before answering Celine’s request. “Our mother perished in the last Great War. She died trying to save us when Solaria was under attack.” He picked a long piece of grass and smoothed it between his fingers. “It’s why I despise being a knight. Her duty was to protect us, and her duty got her killed. To me, duty means sacrificing something close to your heart.”

Octavia looked at him, her own eyes mirrored the same pain she noticed in his. She sat up and listened to the song of the crickets. “Well, this is a depressing conversation.” Stretching her arms, she curled into a ball closer to the warm fire. “Why don’t we call it a night and get some sleep? We can head to Lunar Vista in the morning.”

Celine put her manuscript into her bag and used her cape as a pillow. “I agree. I could use some shut eye.”

Before closing her eyes, Octavia peered over her shoulder at Cyrus. “That means you, too. Try to get some sleep.”

Cyrus put a few more branches on the fire to rekindle it. “I will.” Lying on his back with his hands behind his head, he watched the smoke rise toward the stars beyond the trees. He listened to a night owl singing its lullaby in the distance. It did not take long for slumber to beckon his name, causing him to fall under its spell.

“Cyrus. Wake up.”

Cyrus opened his eyes and sat up. He looked around and found himself alone in the courtyard of the palace next to his favorite tree. Under the cover of night, he rose to his feet and walked past the garden of sunflowers. Who woke me? How did I get back home? He searched for someone—anyone—familiar to him, but no one was in sight.

“Cyrus.”

He followed the alluring sound of the voice inside the palace. As he examined the hallways, he strained his ears to hear the direction of the mysterious siren.

“This way.”

The words echoed from the corridor leading to the dungeon. With caution, he tiptoed down the damp stairwell and through the ageway to the prisoners’ cells.

“Quick. Over here. Hurry.”

Cyrus picked up his pace as he turned the corner. He could not believe his eyes. There, inside cell three, Celine stood behind the iron bars. He ran up to her.

“Celine? How did you get here? I thought we were on our way to Lunar Vista.”

She grabbed his hands through the bars. Her hands trembled and were ice cold. “Cyrus! I’m so glad to see you.”

He put his hands over hers to warm them up, seeing fear in her eyes. “You’re freezing. What’s going on? Who did this to you?”

A tear slid down her cheek. “Please. You must help me before it is too late.”

“Help you? How?”

“You need to save me. You said your duty was to protect me. I need you, Cyrus. Do you promise? Do you promise to be my hero?”

The pressure of the moment mounted on his shoulders. He swallowed a lump in his throat and looked into her innocent eyes. How could he refuse? For once, he wanted to live up to his responsibility, to show everyone, his father, his sister, that he could amount to something great. With a smile, he replied to her wish. “I promise, Celine.”

She wiped the tear from her cheek. “Thank you. You make me happy, and I’m glad I met you.” She hugged him through the cell bars.

“Don’t worry, blue eyes. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ve got you.”

“Cyrus!”

He felt a hand on his shoulder shaking him.

“Did you hear me? Get up. It’s morning.”

Opening his eyes, he saw Octavia leaning over him. “Tavi?” He sat up in a flash, almost knocking her in the head with his.

“Watch it!” She fell backward but caught her balance. “Are you okay? Your face is pale and you’re sweating.”

Beads of perspiration slid down his brow. “Huh?”

“Did you have a nightmare?”

Cyrus wiped his face. “I suppose I did.”

Octavia helped him to his feet. “Pull yourself together. It was only a dream.”

He glanced around. “Where is Celine?”

“She’s just up ahead. Celine wanted to check her bearings and make sure we were heading in the right direction.” Octavia motioned him to follow. “Come. None of this larking about.”

Ugh. My head is killing me. He watched Octavia dash in front of him, but he lingered for a moment, rubbing his head. A dream, huh? Then why did it feel so real?

Cyrus ed Octavia and Celine down the dirt path. He heard Octavia swinging her sword to slice through the overgrown vegetation.

Celine greeted him with a smile. “Good morning, Cyrus. I have good news. Once Octavia creates a suitable path for us, we should be out of the forest. We’re close to Lunar Vista.” She clapped her hands.

Octavia mumbled under her breath. “Me?! When did I volunteer? How did I get roped into doing all the manual labor?”

Celine patted her on the back. “But you’re so good at it, especially with those masculine arms of yours.”

Octavia fumed and struck the plant life with more force. “In a minute, I’m going to pretend one of these vines is your face.”

Cyrus attempted to help clear some vines, but his vision became impaired. The

dim morning light proved to be his enemy because he could not see very far in front of him. He called attention to this lack of sufficient light. “For being morning, it sure is dark out. I wonder why.”

Octavia laughed at his naïve nature. “You tell me. Start by looking past the end of your nose.”

Cyrus listened to the undergrowth crinkle beneath his boots. Birds flew above his head as their songs of daily adoration filled the skies.

With one last swing of her sword, Octavia carved her way through the foliage. Wiping her forehead with her arm, she exhaled. “There! We made it. How’s that for my masculine arms?”

Cyrus exited the forest and stepped foot in a large meadow. In the blink of an eye, the land of the Chaos melted into the land of the Order, an eccentric environment captivating to his imagination. His head swiveled back and forth as his eyes grew greedy to appreciate his surroundings. “This is the Order? It’s so different here.”

Celine gasped. “Have you never traveled beyond the land of the Chaos?”

Octavia teased her brother. “He’s never traveled beyond the land of the palace.”

Celine laughed, covering her mouth.

“How could we? When the barrier was created after the Great War, we were only five years old.”

“You two are twins, aren’t you?”

Octavia nodded. “Why do you ask?”

Celine shrugged. “No reason. Just curious.”

Cyrus continued to move his gaze around the landscape, oblivious to the conversation. “There is a lavender hue to the sky instead of a blue one.” The dirt path they traversed merged into a cobblestone road, running parallel to fields of bluebells, lilacs, and forget-me-nots. The air smelled sweet and fresh with a comforting perfume. He reached out to touch the flower petals as he walked. “The plants are less vivid. Even the sun isn’t as bright.”

Celine addressed his acute observations. “What you see is not the sun but rather the moon. Don’t forget that the moon rules the Order. You’re used to the sun, the ruler of the Chaos. We may not have bright blue skies, but it doesn’t mean our land is any less beautiful.”

Octavia elbowed him in his chest. “Good job, Cy. You’ve upset your new girlfriend.”

Cyrus rubbed his chest, ignoring his sister’s remark.

Celine’s face lit up as she looked down the road. “Behold. Lunar Vista.” She pointed to a massive town with a large tower not far on the horizon.

Octavia stopped in her tracks and snatched Cyrus and Celine by the sleeves.

He wriggled his arm free from her grasp. “Hey! Why are we stopping?”

Octavia’s focus remained concentrated on the city.

Celine studied the air. Birds sailed over her head, fleeing the opposite direction, filling the sky with their mournful cries. A cold gust of wind wafted across her face, and a pungent aroma replaced the soothing scent of lilacs. “Do you smell something?” She glanced above her hometown. Strange clouds hovered above the buildings.

Octavia nodded. “Aye. It’s smoke. The city is on fire.”

Fear settled on Celine’s face. Her hands shook with dread as she whispered under her breath. “No.” She dashed ahead of the group.

“Wait!” Octavia attempted to stop Celine, but she was too far gone. “Oh, that girl. She follows orders as well as you do.” She turned to Cyrus and grumbled, “Come on. We need to catch up with her but be on your guard. Whoever did this hasn’t left yet.”

As Cyrus approached the city gates, the red and orange glow from the fire grew brighter, dancing across his face.

Screams of agony pierced the air. The townsfolk staggered to rescue loved ones from burning buildings, trying to find some source of solace from the mayhem. As the city was engulfed in flames, there was limited hope for escape. Those who managed to taste freedom never looked back after fleeing the city. Others were not so lucky. They met a worse fate by the taste of cold steel from their enemy’s blade.

As terror roamed throughout the city like a lion on the prowl, Cyrus, Octavia, and Celine sought refuge behind an abandoned building. He watched as the soldiers collided. Two titan brigades of knights, one in silver armor and the other cloaked in a golden hue, clashed amid the city streets, wreaking havoc in their wake.

“Tavi, do you see the insignias on the armor?”

“Aye. It’s the crest of the Chaos. Father sent the battalion. He must have anticipated our move and is searching for us.”

He crouched lower to watch the soldiers. “We need to be careful.”

Octavia studied the battle motions of the soldiers. “Interesting. I don’t recognize all of their tactics. It’s not something we teach in training.”

Cyrus didn’t hear her because of the chaos unfolding before his eyes. “What did you say?”

She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it.”

Celine covered her eyes as tears ran down her cheek between her fingers. She grabbed Cyrus, buried her face in his chest, and stained his shirt with her grief. “These poor people! We have to help!”

Cyrus tried to comfort her, but his words brought little consolation to her aching heart. “They have us outnumbered, and we’d be killed if we barged out there unprepared.”

Octavia located a deserted road down a back street where they could escape. “We must make haste. It’s too dangerous to stay here any longer. Celine, how do you reach the Magic Academy you mentioned earlier?”

The wind was strong. The familiar lavender sky turned black from the smoke. She gazed at her once-beautiful village turned to rubble. Wiping her tears, she brushed a loose strand of her long hair out of her face. “It’s on the outskirts of town. If we make it there, we’ll be safe.”

The only option for Cyrus to sneak out of town was down a twisting cobblestone road in the back of the city. It led to a colossal library, magnificent in stature, with a grandiose fountain in a garden by its front entrance. Forged from polished stone, large pillars ornamented with lapis lazuli and rose quartz ed the archway of the Academy leading to its main door. A periwinkle aura encircled the tower, serving as a force field to prevent entry.

He surveyed the building for an entrance. “Okay. So, now what? How do we get it in?”

Celine squinted her eyes, perplexed by the force field’s existence. “I don’t know.”

Cyrus raised his hand to touch the barrier. Sparks flew into the air when he made . He pulled his hand back and winced with pain. “What do you mean you don’t know? Don’t you have a spell or something? It’s the same color as your staff. There has to be some kind of connection.”

Octavia swiveled her head, keeping an eye on her surroundings. “Well, hurry up. We need to get inside before we’re spotted by someone.”

“I’m trying. Give me a second to think.” Celine waved her staff in front of the aura. Nothing changed.

Cyrus scratched his head. “What’s so special about this Magic Academy?”

Octavia groaned. “Don’t you , Cy? This is where magic is taught in the Order.”

He crossed his arms. “In other words, it’s the source of all magic for the Order.”

Celine glanced at Cyrus. “Precisely. It’s the reason why I need to get inside.”

Octavia gazed up at the mammoth structure. “It’s odd how quiet it is. Too quiet. In fact, it…” She got as close to the barrier as she could. “It almost seems like no one’s here at all.”

Cyrus glanced at Celine and saw her face turning red from frustration. “Any ideas?” he asked.

Celine slouched. “None whatsoever.” She stomped her foot and lowered her voice. “Blasted girl. I didn’t anticipate this setback. Why do you hinder me now? I’m so close to obtaining my goal,” she grumbled. “April must have put up a barrier to protect anyone from getting in. Fine. Two can play at this game.” She took out the book from her bag, flipped through the pages, and searched for an incantation to lower the shield, but all the pages remained blank. “This book is useless. Why won’t it tell me what to do?” She looked at Octavia. “Here.”

Octavia pointed to herself. “Me?”

“You read it before, so try reading it again.” She forced the priceless possession

into Octavia’s hands.

Cyrus watched Octavia browse the pages of the book. Not once did she read aloud any of its contents.

A sharp stabbing pain shot through his head. He grimaced and covered his ear to ease the stinging sensation. As the pain subsided, words echoed in his mind. Trust not with the eyes, for they are filled with deceit. Trust with the heart, for they will show reality complete. Courageous of soul, and pure of heart, will break the spell, which once tore apart.

He kept his eyes on Octavia, and she lifted her head and made eye with him. In that instant, he knew they shared a telepathic moment. He heard the same words Octavia read in the book. Before he could analyze its meaning, Celine broke his concentration.

“Well?” Celine pressed. “Do you see anything in the book?”

Octavia shook her head and closed the tome.

Cyrus’s vision bounced between Celine and Octavia. He listened to the distant screams of agony from the townspeople. Their cries lingered, piercing his soul, and filling his heart with sadness. The pain he felt returned and intensified. Nothing he did served as a remedy. He managed to silence all the shouting except for one voice whose speech sounded like a song among the turmoil. Words will resurface when consumed by flame. From the cinders will rise the truth by name.

It was the same voice he heard a second ago. These words caused a single thought to stick out in his mind. He recalled something Celine mentioned in a previous conversation. “Celine, you said magic is linked to a life force. When we first met, you told me your sister was dead. If she is, how could this barrier still exist?”

Impressed by his intellect, Octavia held the storybook at her side. “Aye. You make a valid point.”

Cyrus studied Celine’s movement. “Why did you lie to us?” he asked.

Celine shuffled her footsteps and drew closer to Cyrus. “I didn’t lie. April is dead. There must be another explanation for the aura. Perhaps someone is using her magic.” She locked her gaze onto him. “You do believe me, don’t you? You promised me.”

As Cyrus stared into her glistening ocean eyes, a tiny smile crossed his lips. Promise. That word struck a chord with him. He ed his dream and the promise he made to Celine. Those eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes. Something about her captivated him. There was no reason why Celine would speak falsehoods about April. “Yes, I do believe you. Don’t worry, Celine. I’ve got you.” He stood beside her, holding her hand.

“And I’ve got you.” Celine squeezed his fingers and smiled.

“Cyrus! What are you doing?” Octavia tried to grab his arm with her free hand, but she missed. “What’s going on? What have you done to him?”

Celine held Cyrus’s hand. “I’ve done nothing to him. He made his choice about whom he believes. Who can blame him? Look at his options. A stunning new friend who gave him his freedom or an ill-tempered sister who dictates his every action. I’ve got news for you, Octavia. He’s not a toy.”

“I don’t affect his decisions. I only ensure he is following the right path.”

“What, pray tell, is the difference? To Cyrus, there is none. It’s no wonder he refused to abide by his…what was the word? Duty? It’s the reason why I took someone weak and made him strong. I gave him a reason to fight. For himself. For me.”

As the women argued, neither saw Cyrus’s expression go blank.

Impatience wore Octavia’s nerves thin. She raised her voice to Celine. “I knew something was amiss with you, but I tolerated your behavior because Cyrus trusted you. It’s a mistake I won’t make again.” She pointed at Celine. “Tell me. Who are you?”

Celine’s posture remained poised. “My identity is none of your concern.” Her gaze returned to the item in Octavia’s hand. “You offer no value to me since you can no longer read the book.” She extended her arm and offered the same backhanded insult Octavia gave her on the way to Lunar Vista. “So, green eyes.

Return the book to me.”

Octavia held the book tighter. “Why? You can’t read it, either. There must be something in here of value besides mere fairytales. Otherwise, you wouldn’t want it this bad.”

Celine waved her staff over Cyrus’s head and released his hand. The periwinkle jewel glistened with light. She then tapped the staff on the ground, its sound ringing in the air. His eyes gleamed, their color fading from their normal brown to black like a shadow.

“You have one more chance to give me what I want.”

“I’m not giving anything to you.”

“Then I suppose I shall not be returning your brother. Do you have what it takes to fight him? Let’s find out.” Celine whispered into his ear, “Retrieve the book.”

Cyrus spoke no words, but in one lightning-fast motion, he rushed toward Octavia. His speed was unlike anything she had ever seen. She fumbled to grab her sword, but she was knocked to the ground before getting a firm grasp on its hilt.

Octavia ricocheted across the cobblestone road. The book slid out of her arms and came to rest beside her. Bruised, and with scrapes down her limbs, she looked into her brother’s face. “Cyrus, it’s me. None of this larking about. Snap

out if it.”

Celine laughed with pleasure as Cyrus returned to her side. “He can’t hear you. I have full control over his mind.”

Octavia rose to her feet. “He isn’t yours to control.”

Celine scoffed. “He’s not yours to control either.” An icy wind encircled her. The clouds darkened as a storm intensified in the sky. “He’s been enchanted by my spell for a while now, ever since he first laid eyes on me, but now I have full control over him.”

Octavia grabbed the book and gripped it closer to her body. Her hair waved in the chilling air. Shivers tumbled down her spine, tingling her senses. “What do you mean?”

A demented expression appeared on Celine’s face, contorting to reveal a malicious grin. “I came from the land of the Order with one task in mind: to uncover the stories, and secrets, of the Oracles within that book. The stories reveal the true power of all magic, of absolute influence over humanity. With that much control, I could overthrow the twin gods and become a deity myself, ruling the world with my magnificent darkness.”

Octavia watched her brother, his body frozen, void of all emotion, standing beside Celine. “You speak blasphemy. Why do you wish to overthrow the twin gods of light? They are the ones who created this world, who gave us life and magic.”

“They were fools. Rulers of creation and destruction.” Celine shook her head. “No. They are the ones corrupt with power, and they need stopped. A new world will be reborn from the shadows, one free of control, and I will be its rightful ruler. The divine power of the Oracle is the key to consuming all magic and making my plan a reality.”

“Wait a minute. It can’t be. You’re…” Octavia stood tall. Her muscles tightened. “You’ll never win. Your plan belongs in the shadows.”

“I almost did.” Celine’s fist held a firm grip to her staff. “There was, however, only one tiny flaw. I lacked the words from the book, the words containing the story of the resurrection spell. I needed it to reclaim my true body, the one destroyed in the last Great War, and to raise my army of shadows from the dead. Little did I know Mae divided the power of the Oracle into two, sealing its fables away into two books. One piece was with Mae, and the other was with her trusted companion, Julius. When Mae discovered my plan, I had no choice but to remove her from the picture. After Mae’s death, traveling to the land of the Chaos and planting the seed of deception was mere child’s play. Your brother gave me exactly what I needed.”

Octavia gasped. “You’re the one who killed Lady Mae! How could you?”

Celine touched the staff. “Easy. I drained her life and used her magic to sustain my power, just as I did with the idiotic soldier guarding my cell.”

“Gus?” Octavia’s blood surged in her veins. “So, the shadow figure we saw was you all along.”

“How else could I put my plan into action? Why destroy the two lands when I can let them do it themselves? It helped to create a perfect illusion.”

“What illusion?”

“Let me put it in simpler . Did you really believe the soldiers from the Order were fighting the army from the Chaos? It’s but a mind trick I played. All the soldiers reside in the Order, but none of them realizes they fight each other. Fear of another war is a powerful motivator, and I channeled that fear for my own gain.”

“I knew something looked different about the soldiers. Father would never send his trusted warriors to battle without a just cause.” Octavia’s heart rate increased as her anger grew. “How cruel! You turned your own people against each other.”

“You’re mistaken. They aren’t my people, but rather pawns in my game of deceit, just like Cyrus.” Celine placed her hand on her chin. “I must it. Your intuition is quite impressive. Annoying, but impressive. It reminds me of someone I also removed from the picture many years ago.” She smirked at her attempt to rouse Octavia. “What was her name? Esther?”

Octavia’s face turned red. “Mom? You, heartless little witch! This is unforgiveable!”

Celine laughed. “Unforgiveable? Ha. I don’t need your forgiveness. This is just the icing on the cake. How unfortunate you won’t be around to taste it. Goodbye,

Octavia. It’s now time to remove you. Say hello to Mae and your mother on the opposite side of the grave!” She called to Cyrus, who was still standing by her side, ready to pounce at her beckoning call. “Kill her.”

Cyrus charged Octavia, his speed again catching her off guard. He grabbed her by the throat and lifted her body. As his grip tightened, her feet dangled, and she felt her breath begin to run short in her lungs. With a mighty heave, he tossed her aside. She rolled herself onto the grass, gasping, coughing for precious air. Cyrus approached with vengeance, clenching his fist to create a ball of fire surrounding his hand.

Octavia did not have the stamina to counter him, nor did she have the voice to plead for her life. All she could mutter in broken speech was his name. “Cy… rus.”

He raised his arm above him. With a roar of his voice, he released the inferno in a blistering blast. The burst of effort drained his energy, and Cyrus stumbled and fell.

The only defense Octavia had was the storybook she clutched in her hands. Out of instinct, she used it as a shield to cover her head. When the burning explosion made impact, the book burst into flames. To her surprise, it acted as a perfect shield, protecting her from a fiery demise, leaving her unscathed.

Devastated at the sight she witnessed Celine shouted at the top of her lungs. “No! My stories!”

Octavia dropped the smoldering book to the ground and watched it burn to

cinders. From the ash, a dazzling flash of light emerged, like a phoenix rising from the flames of rebirth. As the light grew in brilliance, a figure of a young woman with curly red hair, dressed in an ivy green gown with embroidered white roses, appeared in its place. Octavia’s eyes widened at the sight of the young woman standing before her.

“At last, I’m free! I thought for sure I was going to get a paper cut from being in there this long!” She glanced around her, oblivious to the world, before settling her eyes on Octavia. She stretched her arms and smiled. “Yes! It worked! I still got it! I’m on fire. Well, pardon the pun. I cast that shield spell in the nick of time.” Stardust sparkled in her eyes when she heard herself talk. “Wait! Do you hear me? I don’t speak in rhyme anymore.” She danced around Octavia, clapping her hands.

Celine tapped her foot on the ground. “I should’ve known you were behind my inability to read the book! How are you still alive? I thought you were dead!” She stood with her fists clenched at her sides, one holding her staff.

April stopped pirouetting and smirked at Celine. “Surprise! You cannot get rid of me. At least, not so easily.” She let out a sigh and mumbled, “Oh, dear. There goes my rhyming again. That didn’t last long.” Lifting her hands into the air, April conjured a long vine of white roses, whipping it at Celine, striking her on the face.

Celine gasped and clutched her face with one hand. A trickle of blood rolled down her cheek.

The vine gripped the staff Celine carried and, in one swift movement, yanked it from her and back into the hands of April. With a quick tap of the staff on the earth, the periwinkle jewel emitted a lustrous light. Its beacon rippled across the

grass, causing flowers to blossom in its wake, even amid the cracked cobblestone road, reversing the effects of Celine’s dark magic. The barrier surrounding the Academy shattered into dust, glittering as it fell like a soft rain.

“This staff belongs to the Oracle, not you.”

Cyrus sat up, rubbing his eyes, as he returned to his senses. He blinked and saw Octavia lying on the ground. “Tavi!” He rushed to her side.

Octavia patted his shoulder, and he knew she was okay.

April bent down to greet him. “Hello, Cyrus.”

He recognized her. “I know that voice. You’re the one I heard in my head.”

April spoke with a smile. “I am. Thanks to you both, I’ve been released from my confinement.” Her smile faded. “Listen to me. Appearances are deceiving.”

“What do you mean?”

“Celine isn’t who you think she is. Her real name is Mara. She’s an Oracle from years past, corrupted by the darkness from the realm of the Shadows, a domain only accessible during the night of a twin eclipse, when the world is at its darkest hour, with no light from the sun or the moon. I tried to warn you about her, but my powers were weak, and it took everything I had to speak with you, at least in rhyming form.”

Octavia grabbed Cyrus’s arm after regaining the ability to talk. “She killed Lady Mae, Augustus, and…Mom.”

A sinister sound resonated from Mara, a noise deeper, more distorted than her normal voice. “You’re such a nuisance, just like Mae,” she said, speaking to April. “You created the barrier around the Magic Academy to prevent me from entering, from getting my hands on the source of all magic from the Order.”

April smirked. “How does it feel to get deceived at your own game?”

Mara growled, her voice reverberating. “Your childish tricks cannot stop the darkness. How quickly you forget. The title of Oracle beckoned my name.” She clamped her fists. “This role was meant for me alone, but she stole everything. She always did. Fame. Glory. Happiness. What she lacked, however, was power, which is what I possessed. This was the reason I fought, and the reason I won against her.”

April stood tall, staring at Mara. “Your reign of terror ended with the Great War. Mother wanted peace for her people, peace for the entire world, and I intend to fulfill her wish.”

“You think just because she’s dead, the title is given to you? Wielding her staff does not make you the new Oracle. I’m the only one in line for that honor. It is my role in life, my destiny.”

“The purpose of the Oracle is to use your power to maintain harmony, not to covet all power for yourself.”

Mara sneered. “Power brings strength.”

“No!” April yelled. “Power brings corruption. It is why Mother divided the magic of the Oracle among the lands, to balance the heavy burden placed on the Oracle’s shoulders. The power you seek does not exist anymore with the Oracle but rather within the hands of the people. You made your choice. Any chance of becoming the Oracle once again faded when you turned your back on your family.”

Mara glared at April. “You know nothing about this family.”

April scowled at Mara. “I know enough from the stories Mom used to tell me. I can put the pieces together myself.”

As the tension rose, Cyrus noticed a layer of frost appear beneath Mara’s feet. He glanced at April, questioning her response. “April, what do you mean by family?”

“Mara…” April hesitated to answer. “Mara is Mae’s twin sister, my aunt.”

He inhaled a breath. “You’re related?”

“My lineage is of no importance. Only yours is of value.” Mara wiped the blood from her face. “Seeing you, standing here, confirms my suspicions.” She pointed to Octavia. “This one read enough from the storybook for me to know these two are the new twins of the eclipse foretold by the Oracle’s prophecy, just like Mae and I were years ago. I may not have the Oracle’s staff or their power, but I still have enough strength to end this vicious cycle of holy redemption. Victory is within my reach.”

Cyrus observed Mara. With Mae’s magic depleted, she had no means to maintain her human form. Skin peeled from her bones. Her hair turned black like the shadows. Before his eyes, he watched the beautiful young woman he grew accustomed to transform into a hideous beast. Claws sprouted from her hands, fangs from her mouth. Her body mimicked the undead. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, he turned away to look at April.

“Twins of the eclipse? Who is she talking about?”

“You and Octavia. Twin champions born on the night of the solar and lunar eclipse, when the planets aligned, free of influence from both the Chaos and the Order. I wanted to tell you, but I wasn’t strong enough. Only you can defeat her by—”

A blast of icy air blew April away, knocking her into a ditch on the side of the road.

“Silence! You will speak no more!” Mara lifted her arm, causing April’s body to imitate the same motions. April squirmed but could not break free from Mara’s invisible clutch. “I thought I disposed of you. How did you elude me? How did you seal yourself in that book?”

“I didn’t. You did. When you killed my mother.”

Mara opened her mouth to speak. Her snake-like tongue flicked in the air before retracting back into her mouth. “Foolish girl. I didn’t send you there.”

April closed one eye, contorting her body to find release. “If it wasn’t you, then it had to be—”

“Enough! The only thing you will speak are the words to the spell of resurrection. You hid its power from me, but I know you saw the incantation while imprisoned in the book.”

The grip around April intensified. She muttered through the pain. “You are… wrong.” She grunted, trying to maneuver herself free. “I read the book from cover to cover. There was…no spell inside.”

Mara squeezed harder with her telepathic force. “Fallacy! Why would the spell not exist?” She paused. “Unless it was all a diversion.” She screamed into the darkness she created. Her voice echoed around her. “To hell with Mae! No matter. Her attempts to stop me are in vain.” Her vision rested on April. A crooked smile twisted its presence onto her lips. “At least I get a consolation prize. If I cannot be the Oracle, then the Oracle line shall end with you. Prepare to die!”

A black wind slithered like a snake across Mara’s arm and through the air to ensnare April. “No!” Cyrus cried, lunging forward, but he was too late. The darkness consumed April’s body, and she shrieked with agony.

Mara gazed at April as she syphoned her life energy. “Look at those eyes. Mae gave me the same look of fear before she relinquished herself to my will.” She stood up straighter with a sudden surge of strength. “What is this great swell of magic you possess? You are much stronger than I anticipated.” She inhaled as she consumed April’s magic. “Yes! What a welcomed addition. I can feel myself

brimming with power. The power of the Oracle flows through my veins once again. How I have waited for this day! Soon, no one will stop me. I shall bring forth the realm of Shadows to snuff the light from this world, and I will be revered as the new god! Victory tastes so sweet!”

“Taste this piece of cake, blue eyes!”

Mara caught sight of a flash of steel racing toward her. Octavia threw her sword at her from the back. She dodged the blade at the last second, controlling its movement with her eyes until it ricocheted back to Octavia’s feet.

“Still got some fight left in your bones, I see. No matter. Bones can easily be broken.” Mara dropped April to the ground and turned her attention to Octavia.

“Cyrus! Make haste! Attend to April. I’ll keep this monster at bay!”

“Tavi! You can’t! You’re injured!”

“Do as I say!” Octavia picked up her sword, gathered all her might, and rushed at Mara. Swinging her sword, she made direct with Mara’s arm—and sliced it off.

The rotting flesh fell to the ground and disintegrated when it encountered the flowers beneath her, leaving behind a pool of gelatinous slime, poisoning the earth it touched like acid. Thinking she had turned the flow of battle, Octavia stood tall with pride, but instead, she heard Mara laughing.

“Insolent girl! Do you honestly think your manmade weapon has an effect on me?” The same arctic wind as before swooped past Octavia, knocking her to her knees, and swirled around Mara, creating a new arm in its empty place. “Think again. Steel cannot pierce the shadows!”

Cyrus ran to assist April. He cradled her body against his chest. “April?” He saw her staff glisten as she gasped for a breath of fresh air.

She looked at him and smiled, still recovering from the attack. “You smell like firewood. It makes me wish I had some marshmallows to toast.” Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned pink when she realized how awkward she sounded.

Cyrus hugged her. “Much to my own dismay, I’m just glad that you’re okay.”

April used his arm to help her stand. “I’m so proud of you. You spoke in rhyme.”

He grabbed her shoulders. “Tell me. How do we defeat this creature?”

“Did you listen to her words? A blade of steel cannot pierce a shadow, but what is the one thing that can?”

“Light.” He searched his pockets for something to aid him. “But…I don’t have anything that emits a strong enough light.”

April leaned on her staff for with one hand and placed her other hand on his heart. “Yes, you do.”

“My fire?”

“You must seal the darkness with the only true source of light you possess.” April watched Mara launch Octavia into the air. She landed on the side of the cobblestone road, unconscious. “Hurry, or your sister might be her next victim.” She struggled to walk. “My magic is weak, but I’ll hold her off as long as I can.”

She raised her staff high into the air with both hands and slammed its base down into the ground. The crystal atop the staff shattered, causing April to fall, her magic reserves spent. A wave of energy erupted from the impact, rippling across the earth and causing an overgrowth of green vegetation to flourish in its wake.

As the wave reached Mara, the magic crawled up her body, like vines on a tree, entangling her just as she was about to freeze Octavia with her wintry darkness. Flowers blossomed, covering her from head to toe, their roots connecting with the dirt, digging deep into the earth to prevent her movement.

“Flowers? How quaint! This cheap trick won’t hold me forever!” Covered in a dense layer of foliage, the undergrowth thickened to the consistency of a tree trunk.

Cyrus ran toward Mara. Beads of perspiration glistened off his brow. He was ready to end the fight. He reached out his hand and held it in front of Mara’s

face. Their eyes locked, and he concentrated his magic into his palm. He felt the heat from his inner fire rise, like every previous time he called on his power. To his surprise, no flame manifested, only an insignificant amount of heat. He focused his energy once again, but the results were the same.

Mara mocked his lack of ability to make a fire. “Go ahead, Cyrus. Use your magic.” The heat he created intensified, withering the flowers that bound her. “Come on. Try harder. Stop being such a child and, for once, be a real man. Isn’t that what Julius used to say to you? What everyone used to say to you?”

Cyrus stared into Mara’s ocean eyes. “I…I can’t. Why won’t it work?”

“You cannot call upon your sacred flame because your heart is tainted with twilight.” Mara cackled. “It always has been. You were just never around long enough to notice it.”

Cyrus’ brow furrowed. He recognized those words. They were the exact words he said to Julius. “What do you mean? What have you done to me?”

“On the contrary, you should ask what you have done to yourself.”

Cyrus scowled as he thought about his actions, the same actions Mara brought to light. His fists continued to generate heat, further wilting the plants surrounding her.

“Stealing from your father. Committing treason. Helping a fugitive escape.

Running away from home. Betraying your family. Hurting your sister. Oh, and there’s one more thing.” Mara sneered. “Did I mention murder?”

Cyrus dropped his jaw. “Liar! I never killed anyone! Are you talking about Father? You’re the one who injured him, but he didn’t die.”

“No. I wasn’t referring to him.” She squinted, gaining more movement with her body as the vegetation binding her fell one flower at a time. “ Augustus?”

“I wasn’t the one responsible for his death. You even itted to that crime.”

“I may have left out one teensy detail. I only froze his dead body to feed off his magic. Why should I let that delicious power go to waste?”

Cyrus growled. “You what?”

“He was very much alive, however, until you struck him down in cold blood. It was the night you brought me your half of the book. After you made your delivery, you encountered Augustus when he came to inspect my cell. Furious at your disrespect to duty, he questioned your motive. In the heat of the moment, you used your powers to kill him, burning his soul from within, leaving his body for you and your sister to find in the morning. It was a perfect alibi.” Once more, Mara used his words against him. “I was the only witness, but why would anyone believe a complete stranger from the Order, especially when we are people who are corrupt and unable to keep peace?”

Cyrus could not recall the evening. “I don’t anything about that night.”

Mara widened her eyes, driving the invisible dagger of guilt deeper into his soul. “I’m not surprised. I controlled your mind the whole time.” She snickered in his ear. “I was hoping for more of a challenge, but it was easy, seeing as you already hated him.”

Cyrus struggled to deny her accusations. “I…I didn’t hate him.”

“You despised the way he treated you. It was the same way your father treated you. I channeled the malice in your heart, and I heard your true inner thoughts. He viewed you as incompetent, a waste of time, and he tossed you aside like an old ragdoll. it it. He preferred Octavia. Do you know why? He saw her potential, a trait he could never find in you. I utilized that hatred to fuel the fire inside you, to burn him, to consume him. At one point, however, I had to stop and wonder if I was the one controlling you or if you performed the deed without any of my help.”

Mara’s words carved him open, dissecting his soul, and leaving Cyrus to question his own morality. “You used me? The storybook. The escape. And… Augustus?” He clenched his fists tighter and attempted one last time to call on his inner fire, but nothing happened. His heart sank from despair. How could I have been so naïve, so blinded by my rage? It all made sense. The voice inside his mind, the source of his headaches, was April trying to warn him, but he dismissed her efforts. He let his selfish desires get the best of him. When Mara helped ease his pain, it was her way of silencing April’s advice.

“Don’t take it personally, Cyrus. You were an easy target. You fell for the first kindhearted girl who offered you a chance for adventure. Do you ?

The one you swore you would always protect?”

Cyrus gasped. “The dream. That was you?”

“Won’t you be my hero?” Mara sneered. Her tongue rolled out of her mouth, coming an inch away from his face. “It was a nice final touch, don’t you think? You promising to be there for me solidified the hold I had over you.”

“No! No one controls me. Stop trying to deceive me, you viper!”

“Deceive you? I have never deceived you. I only told you the truth. Darkness already lingered in your heart. I just unleashed its potential. As I said before, fear is a beautiful motivator.” She laughed in his face. “Oh, yes. It’s now time for my favorite part—the bad news. You’re no longer able to defeat me because you’ve become what you feared most, what your father believed you to be. Worthless. A burden to everyone.” A smirk slithered across her face. “The good news is right in front of your nose. Look around. You don’t have to feel useless anymore. I gave you strength, a reason to fight. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? The ability to do whatever you wish, free from duty? Free from sacrifice? Free from control?”

Cyrus lowered his hand. His eyes studied her decrepit face and listened to the kernels of truth she whispered in his ear. The blackness in his heart hung on each word she spoke. No. We aren’t alike. Are we? He questioned his virtue, and his loyalty swayed like waves from the tide.

“I obtained everything I desired in life. I created a new role just for me. I did the same for you. You and me? We are just alike.”

A muffled sound echoed in the distance, but Cyrus’s ears could not distinguish the voice. April tried calling out his name, but he was oblivious to her plea, enchanted by Mara’s seductive eyes.

The eyes. Past the end of her nose. The source of her influence over Cyrus. April stumbled to stand, searching for a way to free Cyrus. She shifted her feet, kicked the broken staff away from her, and felt a petal brush against her leg. Flowers. The only magic she preserved. She knelt down and picked two white rose stems growing at her feet. With her finger, she touched the stems, and their tips grew sharp like daggers.

“Pierce this darkness, like arrows of hope through the night. Strike this foe, with love so blind and ever so bright.”

April flung the roses at Mara. Their sharp stems punctured her eyes, rendering her sightless. April sank down to her knees, exhausted by her dwindling magic.

With a rush of strength, Mara broke free from her flowery prison and pulled out the roses. Her eyes were attached to the thorns on the stem, and the once-oceancolored eyes vanished along with their illusion. The same slime as before oozed down her body, sizzling and steaming as it dripped onto the ground, decaying anything it touched, turning the earth a barren gray. Crying out in distress, the roses evaporated into the bleakness in her hands. She covered her face with her palms, but she could not mend her sight as she once did with her arm. “What have you done to my eyes?”

Cyrus jumped out of the way from Mara’s writhing body, her voice screeching, piercing his ears.

“Now, Cyrus! While you have the chance, call upon your sacred fire and seal her away.” This time, April’s speech was loud and clear as a bell.

Cyrus lost control of his physical senses. No matter how much he wanted to, he couldn’t get his body to move. He remained stunned by shame and guilt. “I…I can’t. She’s right. I’m just like her.”

“No!” April threw another white rose at his feet, and its pointed blossom stuck in the ground.

Cyrus watched a petal fall from the rose and blow in the wind, circling around him. He glanced toward April.

“She may have your mind, but your family has your heart. Your mistakes do not define you. Seek within, and you will discover you’re not forged from the darkness. You and Octavia were born without influence, free of both light and dark. You choose your own path, the path that shows the world the real you. Do not let anyone choose it for you. What do you say? How do you see your own reflection? In the light of hope or in the shadow of fear?”

Cyrus closed his eyes. April spoke the truth. He ed how much suffering Mara had caused to innocent lives. Images flashed before him. Julius mourning Lady Mae. Augustus frozen on the ground. Esther giving up her life to

shelter him. Octavia protecting him from his biggest source of fear—himself. From deep within, he felt an ember rise to a flame, its power growing in intensity, with every breath acting as fuel to the fire. The time was now. Time to put aside his selfishness and take hold of his true responsibility, his true duty to his family and the world. This was the reason to fight, the reason that was past the end of his nose.

With full conviction, he opened his eyes to find his arms engulfed in a wild inferno, consumed not just by fire but also by light.

“Let’s end this.”

Mara turned her head in the direction of his voice, her teeth covered in repugnant saliva. “You’ll never beat me. I may be blind, but I still sense your every move.”

With a swish of her hand, she fashioned a spear of ice out of the freezing darkness encircling her. The wind whirled around the Magic Academy and became a raging tempest. The sky grew darker than night, and the air matched the fury of a winter snowstorm.

“Fire versus ice. Good versus evil. Which shall prevail?”

With her auditory senses enhanced, she heard his every movement. When he dropped his guard to brush some snow stuck on his face, she lunged at Cyrus.

At the last moment, he dove to the side, but his tunic caught the tip of the spear

and tore. The skin underneath froze from the close with the frigid cold. Cyrus rolled to his feet and lifted his head to find her plunging at him a second time. He resisted her attack by sending a fireball from the flames on his arm, but by feeling the incoming heat, she reflected the attack, the embers dissipating as they touched the glacial weapon.

“Give it up, Cyrus. This is your last chance. me. I’ve got you, and you’ve got me. With me reigning by your side, no one would ever question your potential again. No one would control you. We can fill this wretched world with the silence of shadows, but I must warn you: If you resist, you will lose everything you cherish. Is this fulfillment of duty worth the sacrifice?”

“To protect the ones I love, it’s worth every breath, and I’ll keep fighting you until I take my last!”

“Then so be it! You’re no match for the blackness of the void. I shall rid this world of any chance for hope. Beginning with you!”

He charged at her, focusing his fire on her body.

Mara plunged her spear at his flames. As the two elements collided, the warm and cold air twisted into a snowy tornado of energy. Its gale of twilight zephyrs blasted everything around it with enough force to blow April and Octavia a few yards in the opposite direction, causing a thin blanket of snow to cover the area of the explosion.

When the debris and snow cleared, the two titans stood in the middle of the fray. Cyrus’s hand gripped Mara’s throat, his palms facing the ground. Her decaying

body smoldered from within. Smoke escaped from any orifice on her body, even from her mouth and her empty eye sockets. She laughed and the sound resembled a banshee rising from the grave. When released from his grip, she stammered backward, her feet unstable from the snow-covered flora. The squall encircling her became her bitter enemy, and she felt her carcass filter to the breeze. Its ash spread like wildfire to the darkened sky. The fire inside grew stronger until all that was left was light.

“You won this battle, but I win the war.” She gasped for air. “The cycle of the moon…can never be broken. For where light shines…shadow lingers nearby. I shall return from the void…on the next night of the twin eclipse.”

Mara breathed her last as her ashes drifted with the wind, scattering in the air like burning fireflies.

Octavia woke from her unconscious slumber, her body covered with snow. She lifted her head, and as the slush fell to the side, she noticed her brother kneeling on the earth, doubled over in pain.

“Cyrus!”

April grabbed him in her arms as he fell to the ground.

Octavia staggered to her feet and rushed over to offer her aid, sliding on the icy ground.

Cyrus tried to catch his breath, but the task proved impossible. He moved his arms to reveal a chunk from Mara’s icy spear protruding from his abdomen. The skin around his wound froze, and his blood turned thick from the cold.

“I’m sorry…she was too fast for me.”

“It’s okay, Cy. Don’t move. Everything is going to be all right.” Octavia analyzed the situation. Her mind raced with a million thoughts at once, seeking a viable solution to save him. “The ice is freezing him from the inside. We need to remove it somehow.” She grabbed the fragments of the broken spear, but her fingers turned blue from frostbite the moment she touched the ice. Octavia winced in pain and rubbed her hands together to warm them.

“I don’t think it’s possible. This must have been part of Mara’s plan. He burns

her with fire. She freezes him with ice.”

“There has to be a way! Aren’t you the next Oracle? Can’t you do something?”

April shook her head and sighed. “You forget. Magic was divided to maintain a balance in power. Even the Oracle has limitations.”

Cyrus grabbed Octavia’s hand, his skin as cold as snow, his voice soft and airy. “I’m sorry…Tavi. I couldn’t see…past the end of my nose, but now I know. This was my role in life. It was my turn…to save you.”

Octavia felt his hand slide down her arm. She saw one final exhale of breath leave his icy body.

“No, no, no! Stay with me, Cy!”

She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. The familiar garnet hue surrounded him. A warm, gentle breeze lifted her hair. The ice from the spear melted like spring awakening from a long winter’s rest. She extended her hands above his body, her palms facing down, and the light from the aura grew brighter with each ing second.

“Please work.”

A moment later, Octavia opened her eyes and touched his hand. Though the ice

was gone, he was still frigid, his blood frozen across his corpse.

“Octavia—” April started, but Octavia cut her off.

“I am not giving up!” She repeated the same motions, time after time, hoping it was enough to heal him from beyond the grave. “Damn it! These bloody powers are useless!”

Concerned for her safety, April attempted to talk some sense into her. “You need to stop.” She pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “If you keep this up, it will only kill you, too. There is a price to pay for using so much magic.”

Octavia became hysterical as tears fell like rain down her cheek. “I don’t care! He’s my brother! I need to save him!” She inhaled one last breath of air and extended her arms as far as they would go over Cyrus. Her power shone brighter than the sun, and the warm gale blustered around her before her world turned black and her body went limp.

When Octavia awoke, she found herself kneeling in an open field of white daisies, dressed in a garnet gown with golden trim, her hair in waves down her back. Blue skies were above her, and the air was crisp and clean. As she rose to her full height, she noticed her wounds were healed and her pain relieved. Her eyes surveyed the field, searching for any form of life. The wind blew strands of hair in her face, blurring her vision for a brief moment. When she wiped her hair away, she saw a woman standing before her in a lavender robe, similar to hers, bathed in brilliant ethereal light.

“Hello, Octavia.”

Octavia shielded her eyes. “Do I know you?”

“No. The last time I saw you was when you were just a wee babe. My name is Mae.”

“Lady Mae? How is this possible? Where are we?”

“The Field of Redemption, the gateway between life and death, creation and destruction.”

Octavia observed the open meadow around her. “What are we doing here?”

“The previous Oracle guards this sanctuary until the next one arrives, allowing only those with a pure heart to enter Paradise.” Mae remained motionless. “You

are here to await your judgment.”

Octavia whipped her head around to stare at Mae. “My judgment? Did I do something wrong?”

“No. On the contrary, you did something right. You sacrificed yourself to save your brother. There is no greater love than to lay your life down for another.” Mae patted her chest, clearing her throat. “Pardon me dearie, I slipped into rhyme again.”

“Is he okay?”

Mae paused before speaking. “That depends on you, on your choice. His judgment has yet to be determined. Corruption stains the heart, turning its white light into a darkened void. But you, you have the power to cleanse the poison of depravity.”

“I don’t understand.”

Mae glided over to Octavia. “Forgive me, dearie. My love for my sister blinded me, and because of my mistakes from long ago, you were the one who had to bear my burden.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me.”

Mae disagreed. “Yes, I do. I chose not to seal Mara when I had the chance after the last Great War. The price I paid for my selfishness proved too heavy for my heart to bear.”

“What happened at the end of the Great War?”

Mae shook her head. “Leave the past to the memories of yesterday. These are stories best kept for another time.” She exhaled. Her breath became one with the wind. “Though her body was destroyed, I let her spirit go free. I banished her to the realm of the Shadows, hoping one day to break her free from her wickedness. I never anticipated her to possess the body of my daughter.”

“I don’t think I follow.”

“Even I was deceived by my own sister. I should have seen right through her plan. All the signs were there, but I could not see what was right in front of me.” Mae took a deep breath. “As you know, the Great War took countless lives. One of them was my daughter, my real daughter, Celine. Near the end of the war, a terrible battle ensued between Mara and the soldiers from the Order. Julius sent his armies to aid me and with our combined forces, we were able to stop Mara’s reign of terrible nightmares, but not before she caused one of my own. Mara took the life of Celine. She was so young, only a baby. Realizing the potential in Celine, the potential to one day become a great Oracle, Mara saw Celine as a threat, a larger threat than April ever could be. She kidnapped Celine with the intent to kill her if I didn’t surrender my powers.”

Octavia put her hand over her mouth in shock. “That’s awful.”

Mae sighed. “I couldn’t stop her, and before I knew it, my baby was gone. Or so I thought. Once Mara was defeated, I learned that Celine survived. I was overjoyed. As the years ed, life carried on as normal. Little did I know that baby girl was not who I thought she was.” She turned her head to the side and closed her eyes, again breathing in the crisp air. “Celine, the real Celine, had perished at the hands of Mara, and Mara used the body of Celine to store a piece of her darkness. As Celine grew, so did Mara. When I finally discovered the truth and learned Celine—Mara—was syphoning my magic, it was already too late. I was too weak to stop her. Before my demise, and with the last of my powers, I prevented my eldest daughter, April, from meeting the same fate as Celine. I trapped her in my half of the storybook. I knew Mara would go after the stories of the Oracles in order to gain control over all magic, and I also knew there was no safer place for April than in the protection of the book.”

“The protection of the book?”

Mae nodded. “Yes. Upon my death, April became the new Oracle, and the book kept a record of both the stories of old and the wisdom of magic. When the two pieces became united, April would have access to learn everything I would have taught her myself about being an Oracle.”

Octavia smiled. “I get it. The book served as a training ground for April. She was the reason why Celine—well, Mara—couldn’t read the stories, which explains why she allowed me to see them. She also warned me not to tell what I read to Mara.”

“Actually, Octavia, you are wrong.”

Octavia gasped. “I’m…wrong? I’ve never been wrong before in my life!”

Mae laughed. “I have no doubt April advised you not to share the stories with Mara, but you were able to read the book because you were the one who was meant to read it. The stories only reveal themselves to someone who has a courageous soul and a pure heart.”

“Me?” Octavia placed her hand on her chest. “But what about Cyrus?”

A frown appeared on Mae’s face. “Although he was a champion like you, born on the day of a solar and lunar eclipse, free from the influence of the sun and the moon, his heart was still stained by depravity.”

Octavia rubbed her chin. “So, we really are what the story mentioned. Twins of the eclipse.”

Mae nodded. “Yes, and if Mara had realized you were the chosen ones, she would have killed both of you sooner.”

Mae turned her attention to the golden sun and the lavender moon shining in the sky. She inhaled the sweet floral aroma. “What an interesting concept. Fate. Who would have guessed that two twins from the Chaos would balance the faults of two twins from the Order? Perhaps this was the will of the twin gods to maintain the harmony of the world.”

Octavia smiled. “I’m just happy we could help defeat Mara.”

“You have my deepest gratitude.” The gentle breeze twirled around her, ruffling her gown. “If Mara had succeeded where I failed, I do not know what would have happened to this world.” She glanced at Octavia. “When alive, I did everything in my power to protect my people. It was my duty as the monarch, but also my responsibility as the Oracle. It is why I chose to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed in the future. I sacrificed my power and divided it into two. A part for the Chaos, and a part for the Order, each containing the magic for the land’s respective elements. This way, no one would covet absolute power. Power is what caused the Great War in the first place.” Mae looked into the sky. “Even with a balance, however, the hearts of humanity still yearn for control.”

“Control is exactly what Mara wanted, too, didn’t she?” asked Octavia.

Mae watched the flowers choreograph their dance with the wind. “It is curious how deception tricks the mind into believing what is not real. What we want to see is often different than what we need to see. Truth deluded my eyes, and I could not see that my little girl was gone. In fact, I also failed to see the control Mara desired, the abandonment she endured from our parents. We never had an easy childhood. Our parents deserted us at a young age. With no family to care for us, I was the one who raised her, who taught her everything she knew, and who understood what was best for her.”

Octavia lowered her head, thinking about Cyrus. “I know that feeling all too well.”

“My intentions were noble, but my actions spoke louder than my words. I soon became the favored one in Lunar Vista, praised for my exceptional magic abilities, ignoring her needs for attention, leaving my sister to follow in my shadow. Like you and Cyrus, we were born free of influence, but Mara soon became consumed with jealousy. One day, the darkness that lingers in this world from the realm of the Shadows planted a seed of corruption within her, feeding off the growing bitterness in her heart. Bitterness turned to sorrow. Sorrow

turned to hate. This hate fueled her desire to destroy the light that she believed had forsaken her.”

“I feel sorry for her. If the shadows were all she knew, it’s only natural to turn to them.” Octavia bent down, touching one of the daisies growing by her leg, which stood taller than the rest. Its petals felt like satin lace on her fingers.

“Empathy is a useless emotion. It muddles the mind and clouds the heart from the truth. No. Everything happens for a reason. Mara made her choice, as did you. She chose the dark path. You chose the light.”

“There’s one thing I don’t understand.” Again, Octavia wiped a strand of hair from her face. “You and Mara were the twins from the last eclipse. You stated you had the power to seal, which means Mara had the power to heal. I saw her regenerate herself when I injured her, but why was she searching for the resurrection spell? According to the story of the Oracles, her healing should have been sufficient. Couldn’t she have used this power to raise the dead and call forth her armies from the shadows?”

“The resurrection spell is a healing spell. Healing spells are gifts from the twin gods, the sources of light in our world, the sun and the moon. What you saw was a deception, an imitation of something good. Any connection to the light was revoked when she chose the twilight.” Mae sighed. “If I had been stronger, I might have saved her, but now she is lost forever, only to repeat this cycle of darkness, like the moon.”

Octavia encouraged Mae. “Chin up. None of this blaming yourself. You can’t control someone’s actions. Believe me. I know.”

“I suppose you are right.” Mae tilted her head to the side. “Now it is my turn to ask you a question. How is Julius?”

“Father’s handling life as best as he can, given his circumstances. He’s trying to keep your dream for peace alive, but I know him. The recent news of your death had a profound impact on him.”

Mae turned her head away from Octavia. “The sun only meets the moon in ing at the beginning and end of each day. Both are denied companionship in their ongoing journey through time immemorial.” She cleared her throat before continuing. “He is a good man, and a just ruler. I regret keeping our lands apart, but it was the only way to contain the darkness and keep our people safe. After all this time, I hope he understands. I was only trying to protect him.” She fluffed the wrinkles from her robe and fixated her attention on Octavia.

Octavia grew nervous when she saw Mae staring at her. She fidgeted. “Is something wrong?”

“Will you do me a favor? Will you give April something for me?”

Octavia nodded. “Of course, I will.”

Mae bent down and plucked one of the white daisies at her feet and handed it to Octavia.

She stared at the strange gift. “A flower?”

Mae smiled. “April will know what to do with it.”

Octavia placed the daisy in a pocket on the side of her gown.

Mae clasped her hands together. “Right. We must focus on the task at hand and prepare you for what you must do next.”

“Me? What am I supposed to do from here?”

“Perhaps I may be of assistance.”

Octavia turned around to find a tall, elegant woman dressed in a gown in similar fashion to hers. “I don’t believe it.” Her eyes widened. “Mom?”

Esther reached out her arms, an open invitation for a warm embrace, and Octavia wrapped herself around her mother, squeezing her tight.

She released Octavia from her grasp. “None of this larking about. We have work to do, if you are to save your brother.”

Octavia wiped the start of a tear in her eye. “Can we still save him? How?”

“With the power of the resurrection spell.”

“I thought the spell only existed in fables.”

“Aye, but even a fable is based on a small kernel of truth.” Esther looked at Octavia. “Don’t you me reading these stories to you as a little girl?”

Octavia grinned. “Every night. At bedtime.”

Esther put her hand on Octavia’s shoulder. “You used to love these stories about heroes and magic. When you asked if a hero would ever come to help you if you were in trouble, I said all you’d have to do is believe. Well, guess what? You are the hero now. You just have to believe in yourself.”

Octavia felt a tear roll down her cheek.

Esther wiped it away. “All the spell needs are two gifted healers.”

Octavia looked around. “Who?”

“You, and me.”

Octavia backed away from her mother. “Oh, no. Me? A healer? No. Cyrus was

right. I’m a failure. I can’t heal. I’ve already let people down because I don’t have what it takes.”

“No daughter of mine is a failure. The only thing wrong is you lost your focus. I will show you what it means to forget your duty and concentrate on what is most important in life.” Esther smiled. “Love.”

Octavia raised her eyebrows. “Love?”

“Yes, love. Be sure to tell him how much you care when you see him. Don’t let your pride for duty cloud your true feelings. It was your selfless love for your brother that brought you here. You have the power inside you to heal him. Find it. Believe it. Embrace it.” With the gentle touch only a mother can provide, Esther ran her finger down Octavia’s cheek. “My dear girl, I am sorry I left you so soon. There was much I wanted to teach you, to add to your training, but I never got the chance.”

Swallowing a lump in her throat, Octavia looked at her mother, her eyes clouded with tears. “I miss you, Mom.”

“I know. I miss you, too.” She ran her fingers through Octavia’s hair. “Here. Allow me to start your training, right here, right now, with lesson one.”

Octavia nodded, sniffling as she regained her composure. “Okay. I’m ready.”

“To heal, you must first lift up your praises before receiving any blessings back

down upon you.” Esther outstretched her hands, her palms facing the sky.

Octavia mimicked her mother’s motions.

“According to the story of the resurrection spell, two must intertwine as one to quench the drought of many.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Let me show you. Take my hands, close your eyes, and open your heart. Feel the magic rise up inside you like a tempest.”

Octavia held her mother’s hands and followed her lead. As the warm breeze in the meadow circled their bodies, petals from the daisies twirled around them like tiny ballerinas. A strange power stirred within in her, filling her lungs with every breath she took. What is this feeling? Is this the resurrection spell? She heard the voice of her mother speak to her in the silence of her mind.

“A drop of hope can be found anywhere, even in the darkest of clouds.”

Pain returned to Octavia’s body when she opened her eyes and found herself lying on the cold, dark ground.

“Octavia! Thank goodness! You’re alive!” April helped her sit up. “You collapsed after you expended all your magic.”

“My magic.” Octavia crawled to Cyrus. His body lay covered in a fresh coat of frost from the aftermath of the battle. Triggered by those words, she looked at April, and her mind recalled the near-death experience. “I saw Lady Mae and my mother.”

“What? How did you see the departed?”

“I died, and they sent me back.” She moved some hair away from her face, triggering another memory. “My mother taught me the resurrection spell, but…” She paused to look at Cyrus’s lifeless body. “I don’t understand how to use it on him.” She shook her fists in the air and groaned. “How is teaching me the spell going to help anyone? I told you I’m not good at magic.” She shook her head. “This isn’t fair! It was my duty to protect him, and I failed.”

April sighed. “Octavia.”

She bent down and put her head in her hands, repeating herself. “This isn’t fair.” A moment later, she lifted her head, and her eyes widened. Wait. That’s it. It’s not about duty. It’s about love. She took a deep breath. Come on, Octavia. You can do this. Find the magic. Believe in yourself. Embrace it. I need this to work.

For this town. For this world. For Cyrus.

Cyrus meant more to her than her duty. Knighthood was just a title. Family, on the other hand, held true value. This was her real purpose, her reason to fight. The familiar tempest she experienced with Esther emerged from the depths of her spirit. It began with a gentle breeze and grew in ferocity. A mighty gale unfurled around her, blowing her hair across her face, warming her body and melting the lingering snow around her on the ground. The words of her mother graced her lips from her memory.

“A drop of hope can be found anywhere, even in the darkest of clouds.”

April rubbed the bruises on her leg. “What does it mean?”

Octavia glanced at the sky. In an instant, her eyes brightened as she figured out the answer. “Rain. Two must intertwine as one to quench the drought of many. I now. In the resurrection spell story, it needs two healers to summon. One with the power of water and one with the power of wind.” She glanced at April. “Before Mom married Dad, she was originally from the Order. Mom had the power of water, and that’s why she could teach the spell to me. I have the power of wind.” She looked up at the sky and then back down to Cyrus. “If I can create rain, it will not only fall onto Cyrus, but on everyone and wash away the poison left behind by Mara.”

April tilted her head, leaning closer to Octavia. “Rain?”

Octavia realized the error in her spell casting. She saw how she held her hands over Cyrus. Esther showed her the proper way to use her magic when she taught

her the spell. To seal requires the palms bowed down in reflection. To heal, however, requires the palms offered up to the sky in the form of a prayer. Octavia outstretched her hands, palms together facing the clouds, and lifted her head. I understand now what you were teaching me, Mom. I want to save him, to save everyone, but I can’t do this alone. Watch over me, as I know you do. Please, help me.

A bright garnet aura encircled her, like before, creating a single beam that pierced the atmosphere. The black clouds above her turned a lighter hue, swelling in size.

For a brief second, a pale silhouette of a woman knelt beside her, mirroring the same motion. The mysterious apparition disappeared when a raindrop fell from the sky, ing right through her, splashing on the ground. One raindrop turned to two, followed by another and another.

Soon, the clouds released their mercy onto the frozen earth, quenching its thirst for peace, and melting away its venom of deception. The glow of orange and red from Lunar Vista dissipated as the fires subsided in the downpour. The townspeople ceased their screams of agony, to be replaced with cries of joy. The terror came to an end as the rain sang its lullaby of love. The adults danced with glee in the streets. The children splashed in the puddles on the cobblestone payment. The soldiers retracted their weapons. Blind hatred transformed into clear vision, and they saw each other not as enemies but as brethren and friends. Mara’s blight of trickery was finally broken.

Soaked from head to toe, April watched the warm rain saturate and soothe the land. The viscous poison from Mara washed away to reveal blossoming flowers with each droplet of water. She wiped the rainwater from her eyes like tears, consumed by the feeling of joy she felt. She saw Octavia still knelt beside Cyrus, motionless, her body in a trance. A flash of light rising above Lunar Vista caught April’s attention. Orbs of pure light rose from the ground like a field of white fireflies and ascended to the sky to become stars, disappearing beyond the clouds.

“It is finished. Sacred ash sealed the darkness, its light illuminating a new hope for the future. Hallowed zephyr restored the balance, healing the departed by lifting the souls of those who perished, escorting them to their eternal rest.” She bowed her head to pray. “Guide their footsteps the rest of the way home… Mom.”

The rain continued to pour, but the aura around Octavia faded as the last of the stars dwindled into the heavens. As she opened her eyes, she noticed her hands were full of water. She sprinkled the water from her palms on Cyrus, each drop radiating light like the sun.

“Come on, Cy. Wake up. Please, don’t leave me.”

The wounds on Cyrus vanished without a trace. The blue hue dissipated as his body thawed and his blood returned the flush to his skin. A small gust of wind swirled around him and entered through his mouth. With a quick inhale of air, he opened his eyes, trying to catch his breath.

“Tavi?” His voice was soft like a whisper.

She wrapped her arms around her brother, squeezing him tight, refusing to let go. “You’re okay! The spell worked!”

April tapped her on the shoulder, trying to pry Cyrus away from her. “Octavia, the poor boy just got his breath back. There’s no need to strangle it out of him again.”

She released him. “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy to see you alive.”

Cyrus rubbed his aching head. “What’s going on?”

Octavia smiled, giddy with delight. “We did it, Cy. We defeated Mara.”

He wiped the raindrops from his face and noticed an enormous field of wildflowers growing around him. “We won?”

April sighed. “For now. Mara was right about one thing. Darkness always lingers in the shadows behind the light.”

“What happened? My memory is fuzzy. The last thing I is seeing her turn to ash. Afterward, everything went black.”

Octavia preferred not to explain his demise, choosing to change the subject rather than focus on the events of the past. “I saw Mom.”

“What? How?”

The rain slowed to a drizzle. Octavia’s long, soaking wet hair stuck to the side of her face. She wiped it away. “It doesn’t matter. She taught me the resurrection spell so I could heal everyone.”

“The spell exists?” He rubbed his head again, and stumbled to sit up, his body still weak from exhaustion. “Tavi, you’re not making any sense. I can’t believe you saw her. I have so many questions. Is she okay? Where is she?”

“She’s in a place where she can watch over us both.” Octavia placed her hands in her lap. She felt something in the pocket of her uniform tros. Reaching in, she pulled out a flower, but instead of being a white daisy, it was an emerald crystalline gemstone in the shape of a daisy. “I almost forgot.” She reached out to April. “Here. This is for you.”

April took the crystal. “For me? What’s this?”

“It’s from Lady Mae.”

April gasped. “From Mom?”

Octavia nodded. “She wanted me to give this to you. She said you’d know what to do with it.” She looked at the gemstone again. “It looks like it’s for—”

April interrupted her. “The staff of the Oracle.” She picked up the broken staff and placed the jewel near the top. In a brilliant emerald light, the crystal fused with the staff. It transformed into a sturdy, twisted tree branch with patterns of leaves and roses carved around it. Green moss grew around its base, and the new crystal flower rested at its tip.

Cyrus gazed at the gem. “April, the color is different. It’s no longer periwinkle. It’s emerald. What does it mean?”

April ired the staff. “It means my mother gave me her blessing, and I have assumed the role as the Oracle. With the staff restored, so have my powers.”

“That’s awesome, April! Congratulations!” Cyrus clapped his hands.

April smiled. “Thank you. I just hope I can follow my duty and make her proud.”

Octavia put her hand on April’s shoulder. “You will. She knows you will.” She pointed at her. “A little advice? Follow love. Not duty.” Octavia glanced at Cyrus. “The same goes for you, mister. You once said to me you didn’t have a reason to fight, and that the only reason I fought was to uphold duty. I was reminded today that none of that matters if love isn’t on your side. That should be your reason because it’s what’s most important in life. Without it, we have nothing.” She paused to breathe. “I love you, Cy, and I’m sorry for not showing it more to you. You can’t grow up if all I do is smother you.”

Cyrus hugged his sister. “I love you too, Tavi, and I’m sorry for not taking responsibility for my actions. I don’t always appreciate you being there to bail me out of trouble, but I need to learn to do things myself.” He pointed at his nose. “Look past here, right?” He laughed at his own joke.

Octavia ed his laughter. She messed up his wet hair with one hand and touched her nose with the other. “Yes, look past here.”

As he fixed his tangles, Cyrus peered at his other companion and wobbled to his feet. “I appreciate you too, April. It’s not every day I see a beautiful young girl emerging from a book and kicking the tail of a monster from the shadows.”

Octavia’s blood boiled. “Beautiful? Hello! I just saved your rear end! What am I? Nonexistent?” She flexed her biceps and groaned. “Let me guess. It’s because of these masculine arms.”

April’s cheeks turned pink, and she leaned on her staff for , twirling her curly red hair. “Oh…uh, it’s nothing.” She found herself inhaling his smoky scent, enjoying the fragrant aroma. “You still smell like firewood.” Her eyes widened when she realized she said her thought aloud. Her cheeks turned pink once again and she began to speak in rhyme. “I mean, I only did the best I could, as any Oracle rightly should.”

“Oh, no you don’t. You already fell for one girl. You’ve had enough adventure for today. Save something for tomorrow,” Octavia teased the new lovebirds. She brushed the water and dirt off her armor and made sure she carried her sword on her back. She cleared her throat, and her voice became stern as she towered over him. “Fun and games are over, Cyrus. We must put these pleasantries behind us. Siblings or not, I am still your commanding officer. We have a duty to perform, and I must evaluate your training. It’s time for another test. Part one: task completion. What is the first thing any respectable knight must do upon fulfilling the request assigned to them?”

Cyrus felt his sweat merge with the droplets of rain on his forehead. “We must return home and report our findings to the emperor and commanding officer, if applicable.” He took a small step, arms at his side, chest sticking out, standing tall and attentive to Octavia.

She looked at him, her face lacking emotion. “Interesting. You’ve grown. I commend you for a job well done, but you’re still not looking past the end of your nose.”

He slumped over, staring at the ground. “Really? What do you mean?” He took a second before returning to an upright position to make eye .

Octavia stared into his eyes. After a moment, her face softened, her eyes lit up, and she squeezed his arm. “ this advice from Mother. Focus not on duty but on family. Love creates the most important role in life, and love should have control over the heart. Duty will always remain after the storm. Family, however, may not.” She paused. “The first thing is simply to go home and celebrate.” She took April by the arm as she released her brother. “Besides, I’m sure Father would love to see the daughter of Lady Mae.”

April hugged Octavia on her side. “I’d like that. I can tell him thank you, from Mom, for being a friend.”

Octavia and April sauntered down the cobblestone road, arms linked together, laughing and splashing in the puddles on their way back to Lunar Vista.

Cyrus lingered a moment to look at the sky. The moon shined bright as the clouds began to clear, its light casting a shadow behind him on the ground. He watched the last raindrop fall into a puddle in front of him. The ripples in the water jumbled his reflection.

In between the miniature waves, his reflection flashed to an image of Mara but faded back to his own as the water became still. Cyrus lifted his head. His eyes grew as dark as shadows, and a smirk lingered on his face as he bit his lower lip. He heard Octavia call his name when she noticed he had not followed, and his eyes returned to their normal shade of brown.

“Cyrus, come on. None of this larking about.”

Don’t worry. I’ll be there before you know it, green eyes. He hustled, picking up the pace, running to the others. “Wait for me!”

Unbeknownst to Octavia and April, his shadow reached them before Cyrus did, causing a small amount of frost to glisten in the moonlight on the tips of the flowers in its wake. Their petals withered from the cold, frozen in time, with their only hope for revival after the next twin eclipse.