Resolution Forged in Fire

<Vera>

Upon waking up after a night of sleep, I felt exhausted and dejected. I'm not certain what caused me to fall asleep—the medications or Mazzi's presence. I don't know anything anymore, and I don't even feel like getting out of bed. However, I have to confront the reality that Banami is no longer here; he has left me, similar to my mother. When he said his final words, I was prepared to follow them, but then I had an epiphany. How many more? How many more times shall I flee and hide? How many people must perish as a result of me? How many more families must be destroyed in an attempt to save me? I'm sick of hiding and running, hence I can't do this any longer. The power I believed had vanished and the gift I assumed were always present had been recaptured; they were buried within me and hid from me just as I had. The queen mother is correct; father nurtured me as his heir, while also concealing my real self. If doing that is the only way I can find relief from this agony, I will do so. I wish to bring peace to everyone, to this nation, and to myself. If I can achieve everything by ending Logan's life and seizing the crown, I must do it. I will be the king of Loistava, for not to see blood or death anymore.

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The next morning, Vera had a personal audience with the queen-mother before departing for Banami's funeral in Frook.

"I understand how difficult it is for you to continue in this manner. Although I am aware of your struggles, Vera, your father believed that you are the future of this nation. He introduced you as the cursed string's tearer. Thus I came for you, seek for you and believe in you. As a result, you must take this action and become Willard Fermi Leighann's son," Catherine said. Vera sat quietly listening to her every word. Her mind was blank but her heart was beating, anxious, like a drum.

"Queen Mother, might I ask you a question?" She enquired

"What is it?"

"How can I bring forth the power that lurks inside me? Why can't I control it? How can I manage it? How can I get stronger?" Her passion flashed in her eyes. Catherine identified those eyes, it's indeed a Leighann's, and believed they were capable of great things, miracles or even a disaster.

"Vera, I'm sure you've heard of the legend of La and Morrier Leighann," She responded.

"Yes, Father did tell me when I was young, but I don't truly recall,"

"Morrier Leighann was the first monarch and the first Leighann to ever obtain the blessing of La. He founded Loistava. The ability he gained was known as the eternal flame. In a blink of an eye, he could annihilate a whole village. According to legend, he burned the tribes of barbarians to embers in a single night. His prophecy refers to the final words he spoke before passing away, which were documented. That was in reference to another Leighann who had the eternal flame, an ability comparable to his own. "The era my power manifests a child of my lineage starts the descent of this land, A great war will occur, evil will rise again, and everything will burn to ashes, Void is coming!" those were his words. Leighanns have dreaded the birth of the child endowed with the eternal flame for millennia. And while it finally faded with time, certain priest and mage houses are still holding out hope for the arrival of the child who would herald a new era. The new world we live in is dependent on that child's faith. Vera, we think the prophecy refers to you, and Willard was also aware of this." Catherine clarified.

"How is that possible? I am a girl, not a boy," Vera was wary.

"I know it's difficult to believe, but we must discover more about this. Jugo Krik, a knight serving under Ceasar Arkellis and descended from the ancient priest house of Utshani, acted in a highly troubled demeanour after learning of your benediction. I've tasked him with learning more about this myth." Catherine responded.

"Yes, Queen Mother. What ought I do? Will I become strong enough to save a person if I heed your orders?" questioned Vera.

"Vera, have you ever heard of the Nui-Penta?" Catherine said as she smiled at her.

"Yes, I heard Father mention it once before he departed for Ostrova. What exactly is it?"

"Nui-Penta, also known as the Great Five, is an alliance of the rulers of five nations, headed by Loistava. Since Loistava has been regarded as the greatest of all for aeons, its monarch serves as the chief of the Nui-Penta. However, since Logan succeeded to the throne, there has only ever been one gathering, which took place eight years ago and ended in great dread. Thus Vagmur withdrew out of fear of Logan when Ostrova kingdom joined him. Only Utshani and Egur continue to be steadfast in their beliefs. The Nui-Penta will resume if you claim to be the rightful successor to the throne. Three nations will defend you against Logan. More like, Vera, you will be granted the ability to save not only one person, rather five great nations and countless people," Catherine smiled as horripilate Vera rose from her seat.

"I will do it. I shall vanquish Logan and ascend to the throne of Loistava, but, if they knew I am...." She spoke fearlessly, her eyes glistened with anticipation about the day ahead however they vanished as she touched her chest, worriedly. Catherine gaily embraced Vera; "My child, have you ever heard of the story of the white rose? Once there was a white rose who wished to be the symbol of love but she lost to the red rose. Then one day the princess in the kingdom decided to marry, and she urged her suiters to impress her with flowers. Everyone rushed to get beautiful red roses as a symbol of their love towards the princess but the poor knight was clueless. He sat by a tree and saw a lonely white rose, he took it for the princess. The white rose was scared and embarrassed in front of the red roses and all the other expensive flowers. However, the princess who was exhausted by seeing the same red colour was highly impressed by the white rose and she accepts it. The knight answered, the white rose reminded him of the princess, flawless, brave and lonely. While the princess said the white rose reminded her of a new, fresh change. It is hard for people to choose a white rose instead of red as the symbol of love but, white or red, rose is a rose, flower. Vera, you are not becoming king to impress others but to save the world, your loved ones, your family and the people who look up to you. Sometimes it is a change what the world needs, it may be you this tedious world wants." Catherine's world was delicate and caressing. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Vera wept as she remembered her mother's loving embrace and radiant smile. I'm not alone, and I'm not feeble. I can do this, I must do this, thought Vera.

"Tomorrow, you'll meet someone who can help you unleash and harness your gift; for now, mourn for Banami. Let's depart to Frook to send him off. He and your parents must be proud of you now, Vera," Catherine whispered tenderly. Vera was at a loss for words and remained silent.

At the same time, Marcus and his men were being interrogated in the basement of the royal guesthouse by Ceasar, Jugo, and Erwin Urey, a royal knight of the Egur kingdom. Iron shackles held Marcus to the wall. Three of his men were already deceased and the rest were locked up in another cell.

"Marcus Trova, answer our questions right now or prepare to perish with your comrades," Erwin warned.

"Hahaha... I see what you're stating, Erwin. My life is something I value greatly in this world, and I will never gamble with it. Therefore, ask me anything," he chuckled.

"What was Logan's command?"

"To examine the purpose of Lady Catherine's unexpected journey," he responded.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, when we realised it was a woodcutter and his son, we made the decision to learn more about these special lowly born. I never imagined that woodcutter was the prince's keeper."

"Now that you know, offer us a legit reason not to kill you," Jugo urged.

"Well, release me or not, kill me or not, the word about the prince will reach his ears. He doesn't care about me since Shadow's objective was more than just the queen and prince," he smiled.

"Marcus, what is your objective?" Caesar intervened.

"Are you deaf? I've told you everything like a disloyal fox, aren't I?" Again, he laughed.

"Not Logan's, but rather yours, is the question I'm posing."

"Huh! As would be expected from the grand cross knight. Well, I do have my reasons to stand with his majesty and I don't desire to express those," he replied with a sneer.

"I understand, because you fought the knights of Egur, the king has sentenced you to twenty years of life imprisonment, however, he has provided you with a loop for your escape. You value your life as the most priceless thing in the world, so use it wisely," Erwin spoke as Marcus's visage darkened. He was unable to understand what wicked notion had been implanted by the evil monarch of Egur. He questioned sceptically, "What is it?"

"You can beg the prince of Loistava, Vera Willard Leighann, for your life, and whatever he decides will be your fate. Marcus, I suppose you can comprehend the anguish of losing your father right in front of your eyes greater than anyone else in this chamber. Negotiate for your life, then," with pride, Caesar responded. Marcus sank to the ground in a corner and puzzled, "Father?" then laughed worriedly.

(TBC)