CHAPTER 18 : A MOTHER TO ALL, A MOTHER TO MANY
The elderly gentleman's eyes widened with astonishment, prompting him to inquire about the identity of Bridget's mother. With a gentle smile, Bridget revealed that her mother's name was Mellisah. "Ah, Mellisah," the old man whispered, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "She was a beacon of strength and compassion, a true heroine who approached life with unwavering passion and boundless love. She was a mother not only to her own, but to countless others, a guiding light in the darkest of times. Her influence reached far and wide, even beyond the reaches of this earthly realm."
As the evening unfolded, they delved deeper into the tapestry of their intertwined lives, sharing stories and memories. Eventually, they found themselves at the doorstep of the old man's humble abode. Recognizing Bridget's need for shelter, he graciously offered her a room for the night, knowing well that she had nowhere else to turn. However, sleep eluded Bridget that night, her mind consumed by thoughts of her missing brother. She longed for the sun to rise, eager to embark on their quest to find him.
At the crack of dawn, the elderly gentleman roused Bridget from her slumber, ensuring ample time for her to prepare for their otherworldly expedition to Pluto in search of his long-lost brother. The entrance to this enigmatic realm was heavily guarded by a multitude of peculiar creatures, but Bridget had devised a cunning scheme to outsmart them. Her plan entailed the old man assuming the role of a deaf and disoriented wanderer, drawing the attention and assistance of the creatures, while she stealthily slipped past and infiltrated the planet unnoticed.
Remarkably, the plan unfolded flawlessly, granting Bridget seamless access to the mysterious depths of Pluto. As for the old man, fortune smiled upon him, granting him permission to enter the planet and seek aid from within. Prior to her descent into Pluto, Bridget donned a mask, rendering her unrecognizable to the enigmatic creatures and allowing her to blend in seamlessly with the planet's inhabitants. Once inside, she pressed her back against the cold, alien wall, patiently awaiting the old man's arrival. When he finally approached the designated meeting spot, Bridget wasted no time, and together they embarked on their quest to locate Clint, Bridget's long-lost brother, traversing the planet's uncharted terrain with unwavering determination.
As they rounded the bend of the celestial sphere's foremost opulent palace, a resounding clamor erupted from the depths, catching their attention from the rear. Intrigued, they forged ahead, determined to uncover the source of this mysterious commotion. Upon reaching the designated location, a breathtaking sight unfolded before their eyes - a throng of Pluto's inhabitants encircled a figure bound to a sacrificial altar. As Bridget drew nearer, a shocking revelation struck her like a bolt of lightning - the captive was none other than her own brother. Urgently, she conveyed this revelation to the wise elder accompanying her, who, in response, confirmed that the very man he had described back in Uranus was now ensnared in this perilous predicament.
In the midst of the bustling throngs, there stood a gathering of noble lineage, led by the royal prince and his entourage, who held the reins of power in the distant realm of Pluto. With a commanding presence, the prince addressed the multitude, shedding light on the reason behind the gentleman's presence at the sacrificial altar. "Behold, this man was discovered in the far reaches of Uranus, and upon further investigation, it was revealed that he possessed the sacred trinity of stars, once bestowed upon our revered ancient king. Thus, I commanded my loyal servant to retrieve these celestial gems for our possession. Alas, my dear subjects, my heart was deeply wounded when this gentleman adamantly refused to relinquish the stars. Thankfully, my loyal guardians were at hand to employ force and extract the stars from him, for he showed no inclination to cooperate. Upon closer examination, we discovered that these stars held no power, and our sources revealed the existence of twenty more stars, still at large, which are intricately linked to this trinity, originally belonging to our esteemed ancient king."
In my utmost efforts, I endeavored to sway him into divulging the whereabouts of the celestial jewels or their possessor, but alas, not a syllable escaped his lips. Consumed by fury and disheartenment, I commanded my loyal protectors to escort him to the hallowed grounds of sacrifice, where his mortal remains would be reduced to ashes!" The prince concluded. The denizens of Pluto rejoiced at their leader's resolute decision and showered him with adulation.
Amidst the peculiar beings, Bridget and the elderly man hung on to every word, their senses acutely attuned to the unfolding events. Upon hearing the prince's proclamation, they desperately wracked their brains for a plan to rescue Clint, yet no solution materialized. The prince then ordered one of his men to ignite the pyre, but Bridget, fueled by determination, intervened and halted the proceedings. "Wait...please wait. That man is my kin," she pleaded.
Startled, the prince pivoted to identify the source of the unexpected plea. He approached Bridget, his curiosity piqued, and inquired, "What did you just say?" Bridget reiterated her words, to which the prince nonchalantly responded that their familial connection was of no concern to him. With that, the prince, known as Kingsley, retreated to his previous position, casting a penetrating gaze upon Bridget. He scrutinized her with suspicion, his eyes lingering on her form, as if attempting to unravel her true intentions.
After a considerable amount of time had passed, a sudden realization dawned upon him, causing him to exclaim, "Ah, it seems that fate has smiled upon me on this very day! If this gentleman happens to be your kin, dear Bridget, then it means that you possess the very 20 celestial orbs that I have been fervently seeking. Oh, but I can discern that you hold great concern for your brother's well-being, do you not?" Prince Kingsley inquired, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Bridget nodded in agreement. With a determined tone, the prince continued, "In that case, I propose a mutually beneficial arrangement, one that shall ensure the safety and preservation of both you and I. Are you willing to comply?" Bridget nodded once more, her trust in the prince growing. "If you wish for your brother to return unscathed and breathing, it is imperative that you surrender the 20 stars to me, or lead me to the one who possesses them," the prince declared, his voice filled with a mix of authority and persuasion.
Bridget silently retreated, tears streaming down her face, while the prince advanced towards her. "Bring me the stars, you fool!" Prince Kingsley bellowed with rage. Defiantly, Bridget replied, "No! They are ours, not yours! You have no claim over them!" The Pluto residents who had gathered around Bridget and the king gasped in astonishment, their murmurs expressing both concern for the girl's audacity and surprise at the foreigner's boldness in addressing their ruler.
With a thunderous roar, the prince bellowed, his voice slicing through the air like a sharpened blade, commanding his subjects to heed his call. "Listen, my loyal subjects! Behold the audacity of this wretched, worthless maiden who dares to defy me!" A surge of astonishment rippled through the crowd, their eyes wide with disbelief. Yet, the prince, with unwavering conviction, promised to quell this rebellion before their very eyes, a spectacle that would satiate their thirst for justice and appease their restless souls.
Summoning his loyal protectors, the prince ordered his bodyguards to seize the defiant Bridget, to bring her to justice. But little did he know, Bridget possessed a hidden power, a celestial gift bestowed upon her by the twenty mighty stars. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a torrent of energy, repelling the bodyguards like mere insects, unable to lay a finger on her. Yet, Bridget was not alone in her struggle. An aged sage, wise beyond his years, lent his wisdom and strength to her cause. Together, they formed an impenetrable shield, warding off the menacing creatures that sought to harm her.