Chapter 13- The Curse

"What are you saying?" Emperor Van asked in surprise. The old man is blubbering nonsense. What curse is he talking about?

"I received an Oracle today through a vision. The last recorded Oracle happened a long time ago. I immediately came to the Palace as fast as I can, hoping that I am not too late to stop the curse to Her Majesty." The High Priest explained as he told to sit down in the living room of the Empress Yuna's chamber. He was still slightly trembling.

"What is in the Oracle?" Emperor Van inquired, trying to grasp the situation unable to believe that his wife, the Empress was being cursed.

"The Empress of the Empire will be cursed and befall into a deep slumber. She will be surrounded by the darkness, but the light of life will protect her from death. On her awakening, everything will change, but the throne is hers, the Heiress of the Empire. She must be protected as her life is the life of the all. If she dies, everything will die. Everything will be lost. As the Phoenix, she rises above, turned to ashes, and be risen again."

Just as the High Priest finished speaking the Oracle, a blinding light emerged on the bed of the Empress. They all closed their eyes as it gets stronger. To them, it seemed like an eternity until the light fades away, but in reality, it only took a second as the light burst. Once they opened their eyes, they immediately run to the bed of the Empress and they were all shocked to see her whole body glow.

She looked ethereal at the same time frightening. Her brown hair turned golden, shining brightly like the rays of the sun. Her smooth skin looks smoother and her whiteness is frighteningly glowing.

Sarah, who was nearer tried to touch her glowing skin, and yet there was the feeling of subtle electricity that can be seen surrounding the Empress body said protecting itself from impending danger.

They all gasped with the transformation happening before them.

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I stared at the Emperor unbelievingly. What he was saying right now is impossible to believe in. It was like a story from a fairy tale. We were just living in an ordinary world with no magic. It must be a dream, the likes that I usually had.

Even though I am convinced that I am just dreaming, I still can't believe that I am seeing my husband's old version whereas I was still my 23 years old self. I smiled at myself as I felt ridiculous. I was cursed, he said, but why did not my body grow old even 50 years has already passed? So, everything has changed except me? If I die, the Empire will die too? It sounded ridiculous even to me.

"My Empress, it will take time for you to believe as to what happened, but you will soon realize the truth in my words."

I looked at the Emperor with uncertainty. If this is reality, I want to know what happened while I was asleep. I want to know what changes then.

"Empress, a lot has changed while you were asleep. You will learn it all slowly in due time. For now, I am thankful that you've finally awakened and come back to us. I waited for this long and I can finally return everything to you and take a rest." He held my hand as he said those words to me with tears in his eyes. I was surprised by the emotions he was baring with me.

"What are you saying, Van?" I asked. His words pierced to my heart as if he was bidding goodbye.

"I am already old, My Empress. I cannot hold the Empire for that long anymore. You are the rightful Heir of this Empire." he smiled sadly at me. "It seemed that our meeting was only short-lived always. When you choose me to become your Emperor, I immediately left your side for the war. When I came back, you fell into a deep slumber. Now, you are back, I was the one who needs to go. It was like the destiny was playing to both of us."

A tear fell from my eyes as I realized what he was saying. Even though I am convinced that everything is just a dream, but this feeling of sadness feels real as it pierced the depths of my heart.

"I loved you, My Empress Yuna. Thank you for coming back," he said before he let go of my hands and walked away to the door without looking back. I did not know that it was the last time I will see him ever again.

I clenched my chest feeling an intense pain I never felt before. I feel sad. I feel like everything that was important to me was gone. For the first time, I feel alone and the tears fell down my eyes like an overflowing river. I wanted this dream to end already. I don't want this to be the reality of my life right. Silently, I was praying that someone will come and save me from this loneliness that's eating me.

Is this the curse the Oracle talks about?