Zerath sat frozen in place, lost in a daze as he watched the dark clouds drift apart that let the sunlight pour onto the forest. The golden rays shimmered breathtakingly on the frozen surface akin to a sky full of stars. Snow slid off the frosted leaves, revealing its true green luster.
Impossible…
Zerath's gaze turned to Vivia, his lips too trembling to form any words. The mere conjecture was incredulous.
Was that…the Harbinger of the Season's dance?
The miracle, to him, couldn't be explained in any other way. The seemingly unyielding eternal winter had gracefully stepped back for the sun to come out of its long hiding. Only the blessed Harbinger was able to achieve this feat.
And then there was his sword. His gaze fell on it, which laid by his side on the frosty floor. During the entire time Vivia danced, Zerath had felt soft vibrations coming from his sword as if it had just sprang to life too. It was oddly shining with an inexplicable, mystical hue, which had now gone silent.
Why did my sword do that…?
He glanced at Eurus. While he was keeping an eye on the ice demon child, he had caught how something had stirred within him upon witnessing Vivia's dance.
Was it a coincidence that the clouds broke at the same moment as his tears fell? Was it Vivia's dance that brought forth this miracle?
"Zerath!!"
His trance shattered with Vivia's zealous voice.
"Do you see this too or are my eyes playing tricks on me?" Disbelief etched her face. "You see the sun up in the sky, right? Right? Tell me I'm not dreaming."
Zerath exhaled deeply, still awestruck. He picked up Eurus in his arms and walked to the lake's center where Vivia stood. She stretched her hand toward the light, letting the warm sun kiss her fingertips.
"First, wear your coat. It's still cold," he said, wrapping it around her shoulders.
"But the sun came out…Zerath, are we dreaming?"
"I feel the same as you, but now that I feel the sun's warmth, yes, I believe that a miracle has happened."
Vivia's eyes sparkled brighter than the sun in the sky. "Doesn't this mean that Nethermoor's curse is finally lifted?"
He looked pensive. "It's still too soon to conclude. We'll need to strictly monitor the situation. But the real question is…"
His gaze met hers. "Was it the Harbinger's dance that you performed?"
Vivia tilted her head, puzzled. "Harbinger's dance?"
"The sacred dance of the blessed Harbinger of Seasons."
Her eyes widened. "Huh? No. Not at all! How can I perform that dance? The dance is only possible for the chosen one," she sweated.
"But how will you explain the sun in the sky? Didn't you practically change the season from winter to spring?"
"It's a coincidence. But it has nothing to do with me," she frantically waved her hand in dismissal. "I've a strong feeling that the miracle was because of this child."
She turned to look into ice-silver eyes, who were staring back at her with a mistiness in them. His small, frail hand reached out to her again which she gently wrapped it in hers.
"Why are you crying, dear? Didn't you like my dance?"
His lips parted to speak, but he couldn't.
"It's okay, it's okay. You don't have to push yourself," she patted his hand.
"My lord!"
Lucian's voice called out in the distance, and they soon saw his silhouette rushing toward them. His chest heaved breathlessly, his expression filled with disbelief.
"My lord…The sun…The sun is out…"
"Yes, Lucian. It's a miracle."
"But how? No matter how much His Majesty or young lord Astaroth tried, nobody could end this winter. Then how did today…"
His eyes flicked to Vivia in suspicion and then toward the child in Zerath's arms.
"Who is he?"
"We found him in an underground cave. His situation is very unfortunate. He hasn't eaten or slept well."
"In a cave? For how long? We never found any cave during our search."
"He hasn't spoken anything yet."
Vivia stepped in gently. "We should take him to the town and feed him first."
"Princess is right. He needs to eat first."
"Shall I carry him, my lord?"
Lucian raised his arms to lift the child, but the moment he approached closer, Eurus jolted back and hissed. A sharp gust of icy air burst around them, and a thin layer of frost formed on Lucian's knuckles.
He stared, wide-eyed. "My lord…is he an ice demon?"
"Yes."
Lucian's expression held the next obvious and logical question. "It cannot be that…"
Zerath stopped his train of thought right there. "It's still too soon to conclude, Lucian. For now, this child needs food and clothes."
Lucian released a breath. "Yes, my lord."
Vivia clapped her hands in delight. "Are you happy? You'll get to eat lots of delicious food!"
But Eurus only looked at her, confused. It only deepened when they began to walk away from the lake forest. He thrashed in Zerath's arms, shaking his head fiercely.
"What happened?" Vivia asked, concerned.
He flailed his little arms toward the cave, his brows frowning with resistance.
Zerath knitted his brows. "You want to go back?"
He nodded hard.
Vivia asked gently, "Why do you want to go back? It's so dark there. You don't get to eat proper food or wear warm clothes. You must also feel lonely. But there will be lots of good people where we're taking you. You can play with them all you want," she beamed.
He gasped through shallow breaths, tears pooling in his eyes.
"Mo…ther…Mother…" he choked in a feeble voice.
It was their first time hearing him speak.
"Mother? Do you mean you want to wait for your mother in the cave?" she asked.
He nodded again.
Would his mother leave him in that cave for such a long time?
Considering his weakened state, both strongly felt that she wasn't going to return. Whether it was intentional and she abandoned him, or that a tragedy truly struck her that prevented her from returning - they had no way of knowing. But they did know that the child's patience and wait would only prove fruitless.
But how were they supposed to convince him to come with them?
Zerath smiled. "I promise that you won't miss your mother's return. I'll post some of my elite knights near the cave, and as soon as she returns, they'll bring her back to you."
Eurus continued to protest.
Vivia touched her chin and tried another tactic. "Hmm, we could leave you back in the cave but then…your mother would be very sad."
He stiffened and blinked at her.
"You've been suffering in the cave all alone. How would she feel to see her son in such a miserable state? She'll be heartbroken and blame herself for your condition because of the promise she made with you. Yes, a promise is important, but I know for sure that she'd never want you to keep holding on to it at your health's expense."
The child trembled and felt deeply perplexed. His small fists clenched Zerath's coat.
She bent her head to his level, meeting his eyes with warmth. "We promise that once she returns to this lake forest, you'll surely meet her again. She'll be the happiest to find you healthy and safe."
Eurus stared at her, her warm gaze striking the chord of his mother's melodious laughter and memories in his heart. After a long contemplation, he slowly bobbed his head once.
Vivia's eyes lit up. "Perfect! Let's head back to the town then!"