Athènia's POV
We walk into the third cave, the journey unusually silent.
{Kora: Listen, we're about to meet Macerson HOODS.}
Athènia: And who is that?
{Kora: A seer… one our enemy imprisoned here.}
Athènia: Then we must still be cautious.
{Kora: Always remain vigilant.}
We stop before a wall. This time, to enter, I have to press on the raised marks carved into it. I press, and the wall shifts. We step inside, the thick fog almost blinding. In the middle of the cavern, a man waits.
Athènia: Mac…
Mac: Welcome to the Cave of Truth.
Athènia: You're Macerson HOODS, aren't you?
Mac: And you are the Princess of Harmony.
I nod.
Naynah: But who are you, really?
Mac: I am the past, the present, and the future.
Athènia: Mr. Macerson, we want to know about the past—the one that led to the supernaturals becoming enemies.
Mac: Young witch, you already know why that happened centuries ago.
He speaks into my mind, a telepathic link.
Athènia: Yes, I know… they became enemies because of our ancestor. But I want to know the reason behind the declaration of war seventeen years ago.
I answer him with the same mental link.
Mac: Then see for yourself.
The fog thickens. Suddenly, we're pulled into the past. Four people sit around a fire. I recognize them instantly. My father. Nancia, the Alpha sister of Silver Moon. Karmil, brother of the Vampire Lord. And his partner, Ilsa.
Nevine: Karmil, are you serious?
Karmil: I've learned to create weapons.
Nancia: That's good. They'll be useful.
Ilsa: What are we going to do?
Nevine: Our parents will never accept our alliance. But one day, we will rule our realms. When that time comes, no one will be able to stop us. This peace treaty will stand once we hold power, because we will be the ones in control.
The King extends his hand, and Nancia places hers on top. Then Karmil. Then Ilsa. I don't fully understand, but before I can process, the scene skips. Suddenly, Ilsa recoils in fear as my father steps forward, sword in hand, anger blazing in his eyes.
Ilsa: Please, Nevine… we're friends. Don't kill me.
But the King drives his sword straight into Ilsa's heart. Karmil barely has time to rise before he sees his partner collapse lifelessly to the ground, my father standing above her with a bloodied blade.
Karmil: Noooo!
He doesn't even manage a step before another sword pierces his chest. He falls. At his side stands Nancia, her sword drawn, making it look as though she had struck him. My father turns toward her—only for a blade to drive into his chest before he can react. He freezes, as if hypnotized.
Ursilia: NANCIAAAAA!
The scene cuts. I shake my head. No… it can't be true. My father wouldn't kill without a reason.
{Kora: Something is missing.}
Athènia: I know. Something doesn't add up.
Naynah: You're blind! Your father killed my aunt!
She screams, her voice raw with anger. I turn toward her.
Athènia: No. I know what I saw. My father is a man of his word. Even if he became strict and cold, he never breaks his word.
I look back at Mac.
Athènia: You're a seer. There's a mistake here. My father wouldn't kill without cause.
Mac: My dear, he might have, if he saw an enemy.
Athènia: No. I know him. He kills only if the reason is extreme. He doesn't even know why our three races are enemies.
Even when he ignored me and Jiji in our childhood, it was because my stepmother told him we were wicked. My father would never kill without reason.
Mac: In truth, there is something else… I only wished to see if your heart was pure. You have passed.
What? This was a test? To make me doubt my father? Rage boils in me.
Mac: You defend him, Athènia, even though he ignored you.
His voice echoes in my mind.
Athènia: Then show us what really happened after his speech. I'm sure Ilsa wasn't to be trusted.
Mac shifts the vision. This time, we see the others dancing. Ilsa sneaks away, dropping a device that releases thick fog. She flees into the woods. There, a tall man waits.
Ilsa: Supreme.
He turns—and my heart almost stops. It's him. The one who killed Tevi. The one who killed Dracos.
Im: Did you do as I commanded?
Ilsa: Yes, Supreme. They will fall asleep, and then we can execute the plan.
Im: Good. Their families are on their way. By the time they arrive, they'll find nothing but corpses.
He laughs like a maniac.
Nevine: ILSA!
She spins, terrified. She looks back—but the Supreme has vanished. My father storms forward, anger radiating, while she pleads desperately. He kills her.
At the same time, Karmil stirs, waking, and rises to see his partner's corpse. He rushes forward—only to be stabbed in the back by a shadowy figure. The blade is then placed into Nancia's hand, making it appear as if she were the killer.
Nevine: KARMIL!
He rushes, but before he can save her, the shadow strikes again this time plunging a blade into Nancia. My father is only steps away.
Nevine: Nancia!!
Ursilia: NANCIAAAAA!
Then—boom. Families arrive: TALOR, DELMAL, GRONDS. They witness the scene and believe the illusion. To them, it looks like Nancia killed Karmil, my father killed Nancia, and she tried to strike him in return. They never saw the shadow.
And so, war was declared. A brutal war born of lies.
The truth? The fog didn't make them sleep. It created hallucinations. They thought they killed one another, but it was only the Supreme—Im. All except Ilsa, who my father truly killed.
{Kora: Our enemy… the Supreme, Im.}
I clench my fists.
Athènia: That shadow… it was the Supreme, wasn't it?
Mac: Yes.
Athènia: He's a hybrid of wolf and vampire blood.
Mac: Yes. And he is your enemy. Only united will you be strong enough to defeat him. The future lies in your hands.
I step aside. Mac follows, raising a barrier so the others can't join us.
Athènia: Mac…
Mac: White witch. It is an honor to meet you… Supreme.
He bows slightly. I motion for him to rise.
Mac: Supreme, I know you wish to discover the identity of your mother.
I freeze, stunned.
Mac: I see all, Supreme.
Athènia: Then… I can discover who she is?
Mac: Yes. I can even show her to you, if you wish.
He extends his hand. Determined, I place mine in his.
Mac: Supreme… close your eyes.
I obey. After a moment, I feel my soul leave my body. We find ourselves outside—in the very forest of our earlier journey. A small house stands ahead. My father touches the protective shield around it.
Athènia: Why are we here?
Mac: This is where you were born. The shield was not made to protect you, but to imprison. It was the Supreme, Im, who cast it.
I see my father pick up baby clothes—mine and Jiji's, surely. He steps into the house. I follow. And then—my knees almost buckle. On the bed lies Nancia… with two babies.
No. It can't be.
The King sits beside her.
Nevine: My love… are you alright?
Nancia: I'm fine. They are truly angels.
Nevine: Thank you for giving me such a precious gift. You are my treasures.
Nancia: Without you, they wouldn't exist. Don't thank me.
She kisses him. Ugh. Watching your parents kiss is disgusting.
My father then goes into the kitchen. He cooks. If I hadn't seen it myself, I would never have believed it—the great King of Harmony cooking. I can't help but laugh softly.
Days pass. Weeks. Months. Happiness.
Until one night, my father returns, defeated, my grandmother following.
Mac: The night Nancia and Karmil died.
Baby me and Jiji cry, as if we sense our mother's death.
Lily: Nevine…
My father collapses into a chair, despair etched across his face.
Nevine: Yes… they are my children. Nancia's children.
Grandmother gasps.
Lily: But—Nevine…
Nevine: I know, mother. Our love was forbidden. But I loved her. At least, I thought I did.
He packs his things. For once, pity grips me. He is about to leave us.
Lily: Nevine, the childrens..
Nevine: Leave them.
Lily: What?! They'll die!
Nevine: That's what I want.
Shock. Horror.
Lily: What?! Nevine! They're your children!
Nevine: I have no children.
He walks away. Doesn't look back. Deep down, I wish he would. But he doesn't.
Baby me and Jiji cry harder. Grandmother takes us in her arms.
Lily: Hush, my darlings. I am your grandmother. I'm sorry… your mother is gone. But I am here. Even if your father won't be, I will. Don't cry. Let's leave this place and return to Harmony.
We quiet, smiling faintly at her. She smiles back, lifting us into her arms.
Then, Mac and I return to the cave. Tears sting my eyes.
My father hates us… because of what happened. How can someone hate their own children so quickly?
I once believed he loved us. That one day I could call him "Father." But now I know… that day will never come.
Goddess, give me strength. Let this pain become my resolve. If the King hates me, then his hatred will only make me stronger. I will rise. I will fight.
And when that day comes, even Hell itself will only be another trial in my path.