Crescent Season

Michael stood rooted to the spot. She showed up when he lost all hope. He ran towards her, and engulfed her in his arms, hugging her, never wanting to let go. The dukes gave the couple some minutes to reunite. Duke Lennon was glad that she had finally merged with her soul, and will unlock her powers.

"Stephanie, I missed you so much. I apologize for everything," he blabbered like a little child. The way her name rolled out of his mouth made her heart skip. "My name is Inez." She corrected. He looked at her confused, and she could only chuckle, seeing his childish behavior.

"I'll explain to you." She stood there, looking regal and mighty, not the usual timid lady. Her poise screamed greatness.

"The mysterious man who came here some time ago is no other person than Gideon Kyle." She said with confidence.

"How sure are you? You weren't even here when he attacked us." Duke Wayne spoke.

"Excuse me for some minutes. I need to speak with the prince."

"What is it?" He asked, worried.

"Whatever will happen, promise me you'd forgive her. She didn't abandon you, Mich."

"Who are you talking about?"

She brought out the necklace, and hit it on the floor. It shattered into many pieces, and a faint glow that grew larger, seemingly blinding the eyes of those that beheld it. Michael covered his eyes, and slowly opened it, as the light diminished. He stared at the woman in front of them, she looked like a queen, her blue eyes like that of the sky, her long silver hair…

"Michael. My son." She called out in a whisper, but Michael heard it. "M…mother?"

The trio went back to the throne room, with Michael looked disturbed. Queen Iryz day beside the sorceress, as Inez began to speak about the history, which she saw in the Queen's memory. "The mysterious man is Gideon Kyle, the son of Lord Kyle— the imposter. I'm sure the dukes knows who I am referring to. Apparently, Lord Kyle sacrificed himself for his son to escape, and he is back to take revenge."

Michael wasn't paying attention, as his mind was in chaos, by mere thinking of his mother. He kept stealing glances, patiently waiting to get an explanation. He was happy and angry, at the same time.

"Gideon possesses a dark power, and has successfully taken over Amadeo. The poison that killed King Amos came from him, and he has Crown Prince Eris on his side. War is coming. A war of annihilation." The room was quiet, goosebumps pricked their skin, they dread to think of yet, another war that will annihilate their race.

"What do we do?" Duke Wayne asked.

"I did not abandon you, my son."

"Don't call me that. You left me in the woods, I almost died. I never had a great start, I grew up with a rough childhood, crying every night when I see them in their mother's embrace. You made me who I am, I turned cold and numb, I got used to pains, that it no longer hurts," he said.

He made to leave when he heard her sobs. He was angry at her for leaving, but he never wanted to see her cry. "Mich, please. Let go of the past and forgive her. You asked me to forgive my father, so, why don't you do the same?"

He turned and looked at the two women, they had some similarities, they looked regal, with their blue eyes.

"Why did you leave?"

"I'm sorry, please, forgive me. I know I was never a good mother to you. I fought to stay with you— your father and me. Unfortunately, he died. I couldn't keep up the fight, and I wanted to avoid dying too, that is why I asked Duke Lennon and the sorceress to trap me in the necklace, and watch over you. I never left you, Michael. I'm sorry." She cried the more, as she explained.

He moved towards her, and hugged her. They stayed there for a while, until Inez cleared her throat. "Am I a ghost now?" They laughed, and she joined in the warm embrace.

"Your Majesty, the Crescent moon is out, and the season has begun." He heard Bruce say.

"What happens on this day?"

"You'll see, my love."

Queen Iryz left to meet the Dukes, leaving the couple behind.

He took her to the garden, that had flower petals scattered around in circles, the moon shone its light on them, and added to the breathtaking picturesque of a perfect couple.

"Inez." She heard his baritone voice, it was like music to her heart. His melodious voice reverberated in her mind, his warm hands encompassed around her small waist. Those eyes, that she felt, could bore into her inner soul, trapping anyone who stared at it. "I missed you… So much. Don't ever leave me, please." He said, making her heart beat skip in a nanosecond. She wrapped her hands on his neck, eyes locked together, "I will never leave you, Mich." She said.

"Inez. When you were gone, I realized that I did not only care about you, I almost ran mad when I couldn't find you. I love you, Inez." He confessed, his voice was so calm like the sea. Her heart fluttered. "We didn't have a great start as a couple, but now, I want to do it properly, with all my heart. Princess Inez, will you be mine?" He held her hand, with one knee slightly bent.

She wanted to scream, she too, had realized how much she loves him, that a day without him, felt like a year. "Yes, yes. I'll be yours, Crown Prince Michael."

He held her tiny waist, and twirled her around, his soft lips landed on hers, and she felt the shock running down her spine. The kiss was gentle, as she was about to deepen it, she heard voices, she turned around to see everyone, including the villagers of Manchester. She felt a bit embarrassed.

"Congratulations, son." His mother hugged him. "Congratulations, Inez. I know I was never a better—"

"It's past now. Let's focus on the present." She hugged her father, and he muttered a thank you to her.

"I thought you'd never admit. You learned from the best." Bruce said.

"Get lost."

In a split of seconds, something unimaginable happened, which left everyone in awe.