Chapter 9

INFERNA ROXANNE GWEN

''It was a good idea, we cant keep Zoe here when she is pregnant'' Achilleas's right-hand man said.

''She is in a den, I need to be by her side'' Achilleas shrieked

''Remember what the holy one said, you need to distance yourself until the child is born''

''You are right'' Achilleas sighed

''FIRE! THERE IS FIRE IN THE DEN!'' Rita rushed to Achilleas side

''What do you mean there is a fire in the den?'' Achilleas asked

''The den queen Zoe is in, there is a fire in it and she is trapped inside, the worse part is she is due'' Rita confessed

''OH! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING, I HAVE TO SAVE THEM'' Achilleas raced out to the den

''What are you still standing there for, go get the guards ''Achilleas's right man ordered Rita

Zoe was alone in the den trapped by the ever-growing inferno. Constant fear engrossed her after her water broke and the inferno got closer to her. Rita had gone to get help but was never coming back. She touched the necklace her mum gave her and silently asked for help. She was unable to take it anymore as she moved to the head of the bed. The child within her was ready and curious to see the outside world but she was not ready. ''Please hung in there for a while dear, Rita is going to get help'' She said panting as she rubbed her belly. When push got to shove, Zoe found herself automatically putting effort to push out the child. The fire caught up to her foot but she was surprised when she couldn't feel any pain. The fire was not able to have its way with her. With a mixture of different emotions, she continued to push, the inferno was now consuming the bed she was on, she pushed harder with all the strength she had. The inferno consumed Zoe as she continued to push for the only pain she felt was from the child inside her. ''The fire is not burning us little one. The ancestors are with us''She murmured she felt the child's coming out of her, she held its head and pulled harder, soon she had her child in her arms. The moment the child cried out, the inferno ceased to exist. Achilleas got to the den and realized Rita lied to him. He breathed out of sight of relief and went in to look for Zoe. As he entered, he heard the cry of a child which got him racing to Zoe's side in no time

''You came'' Zoe murmured out.

''Yes, but, the child... Rita said there...'' Achilleas spoke in confusion but was cut short by Zoe.

''Yes, it is our child, I managed to bring her out. She was in a hurry you know.''

''Are you okay, should I got you water''

''No, she needs water, she needs cleaning''

''Rita will be here with the midwives''

''Can I hold her?''

''Yes, she is yours too'' Zoe handed the child to Achilleas

''She is so beautiful, those hazel eyes, I have never seen anything like this Zoe'' Achilleas admitted in surprise. The child opened its eyes wide and smiled at Achilleas

''She just smiled Zoe''

''Really, let me have her'' Achilleas gave the child back to Zoe. Rita arrived with the midwives but was numb.

''Rita, why are you standing so still?'' Zoe asked

''I'm sorry my queen, but the fire, the men came to get it off but this place looks like nothing ever happened'' Rita shrieked in surprise.

''Rita, why did you misinform me about this, there is no fire'' Achilleas said

''Rita is not lying, the place was on fire, even I was trapped in it. It completely consumed me but I couldn't feel the inferno but when the baby came out everything came back to normal'' Zoe addressed Achilleas as she gave the baby to a midwife

''She is the master of fire, fire stoops to her'' A voice spoke from behind everyone. They all turned to find the priest present.

''Did she come alone?'' The priest asked.

''Yes, she is the only one'' Zoe answered him.

''The ancestors are giving her back to us'' The priest continued.

''Who is the ancestor giving us?'' Achilleas

''Inferna'' the priest answered.

''WHAT!'' Zoe exclaimed.

''That can't be possible priest, she can't be the reincarnation of Inferna'' Achilleas said.

''Inferna was a prostitute. She sold herself to the lion king, she betrayed us'' Zoe reminded them.

''She is also the reason why we have all these colonies'' the priest said.

''We could have fought for the colonies, she shouldn't have committed the worse treason ever by sleeping with the enemy!'' Zoe exclaimed

''Calm down Zoe'' Achilleas muttered.

''I would love to but I can't Achilleas. We all know the history of Inferna'' Zoe said

''Enough queen, we are not here alone. We have non-royals with us. You can't talk about Inferna that way. Whether you like it or not, she is the one behind our success. We would have been colonized by the lions without her. It isn't that difficult to appreciate her for that'' the priest asserted.

''Our chosen one can not end up like her. She is not her, Achilleas, try to convince the priest'' Zoe cried.

''She is not Inferna queen, she is better than the Inferna history has made known to us. She will never be compared to Inferna because, with this child here, Inferna had a mediocre beauty. She has nothing on our chosen one. Inferna was the kind of beauty never to be seen again but this chosen one will prove history wrong but she does have something in common with Inferna'' The priest explained.

''And what is that suppose to mean?'' Achilleas asked.

''The name'' the priest said.

''Name, I don't get it'' Zoe said.

''The chosen one will be called Inferna. That is what the ancestors want. They did not need your acquiescence when giving the kingdom a chosen one neither do they need your acquiescence for a name'' The priest asserted. The midwife presented the newborn to the priest in a wrapped cloth.

'' The king and queen will have to follow me. The rest can spread the good news'' the priest said.

The priest led both the queen and king into his private chamber for the news the ancestors had for them.

''You have to distance her from everyone. The only people she can know in the early stages of her life should be both of you and her guardian. She does not need servants. You will have to figure out how to take care of her alongside your royal duties. Also, her guardian will be a woman'' the priest said.

''And why is that? Just tell us she is the reincarnation of Inferna and you want us to do our possible best so she doesn't end up like her.'' Zoe spoke angrily.

''Calm down Zoe. This will do us no good'' Achilleas said

''You should side with the king. Destiny is destiny and we will all have to wait and see what is in store for her'' the priest said to Zoe.

''Okay, we will name her Inferna but Achilleas and I will do our possible best to make sure she does not end up like the harlot who betrayed us'' Zoe said. The priest looked at the beautiful creature who looked so docile in his arms and looked back at the king and queen.

''She is asleep. We need to talk about her special abilities'' The priest said.

''That will be fine by us'' Achilleas responded.

''She came with the power of fire, camouflage, the power to read and manipulate the mind, the power to duplicate and the power to resist venom.'' The priest listed.

''Is that all?'' Zoe asked

''No. She can kill an immortal, she can hypnotize, manipulate people's movement. But she has bad eyesight and she doesn't meet eye to eye with water''

''This is ridiculous, how will she take her bath?'' Zoe asked

''Make the water feel like fire. Make any water she uses as hot as water can ever get then, she can use it'' The priest said

''If she has bad eyesight, how can she fight'' Achilleas asked.

''Luk will take care of that right now we have to prepare. The lions had their chosen one already. That puts them two years ahead of us. Remember to isolate her from everyone until it is time for her to go to Luk''

''Luk, what will she do on a different planet?'' Zoe asked

''You can't question the ancestors therefore, you will have to do as they say. You can give her a name she can use in Luk but you have to keep her far from everyone. The only faces she needs to know will be of four people. I will be coming around when she starts accessing her powers. She must hear of the sun and the rain, the difference in weather conditions but she must not see them for herself. she has to be indoors until she leaves for Luk. When it is time for her to leave, you will be told. She will start with her training when she is four. Good luck''

* * *

''What are you here for?'' Megan asked.

''I'm here for just one purpose and that is to destroy the lion kingdom and I won't I rest until I bring the dead meat of their chosen one to our table for feasting'' Inferna spoke bitterly.

''You don't sound convincing enough, fairest''

''MY PURPOSE IN ZUK IS TO DESTROY THE LION KINGDOM AND I WON'T REST UNTIL I BRING THE DEAD MEAT OF THEIR CHOSEN ONE TO OUR TABLE FOR FEASTING'' Inferna spoke viciously.

''You still do not sound convincing enough to me''

''Miss Meghan. I have been reciting this since I was a child. In all these years, I have never sounded convincing or intimidating enough''

''Come here my girl, you still do not get what I want to tell you''

''No, I do not get you''

''Thinking everything is enough doesn't make it enough. You need to keep pushing''

''Fine, I get it''

''Prepare for your final test Inferna''

''What will that be?''

''You will find out when you get to the dungeon but until then, see you''

Megan was about to leave when Inferna followed her.

''What are you trying to do young lady''

''I just want to have a feel of the wind outside''

''You know you can't do that''

'' I know but I will be able to soon. Please tell me how the world is, I want to know everything about Zuk''

''My dear, I wish I were you so I could stay in this big room and not have to move outside. The moment you walk through that door, it is cruelty and wickedness, my dear, there is nothing special about being outside, I can feel it, I feel butterflies in my stomach when I think of leaving this boring big room forever. I can also defend myself. No one can harm me.''

''You are as optimistic as always. That is what I like about you. Just pass the dungeon test and you will be out of here.''

''Being outside is my muse therefore I will win''

''Has my princess missed me'' Achilleas said from the doorway

''Father!'' Inferna said waiting for him to come to her.

''I will take my leave King'' Meghan said and left.

''I have a surprise for you, my princess.''

''What is it, father. You know I can't be left waiting'' Achilleas pulled out a vermillion ring and handed it to her.

''What is this father?''

''I know you will pass the test and you will be going to the planet everyone here dreams of going to so I had to give you this ring. The people of Luk are ordinary people. They have no powers but they have the brains to build a paradise for themselves. My dad once went there, he said everything was perfect. They have things that you can see yourself apart from water. They have things that can move from one place to another without using a carriage or a horse. They have brains but are very weak. If you pass your test, put this ring on. You will have the same physical strength as them. We won't want you killing a Lukard. ''

''No father, I'm just against the lions, no one else. So this is going to tame me as long as I have it on''

''Yes, my princess'' As he looked at his daughter, he wondered what people were going to say about his grown-up daughter if he himself could not take his eyes off her. She was too perfect in every sense, her unexplainable beauty, her mesmerizing hazel eyes, her extremely long copper wavy hair, her perfectly shaped face, her soft skin... she was just too much and above it all, she had proved history wrong when it said the late Inferna was the beauty to never be seen again.

''Okay, I will put it on''

''There is another surprise''

''Father''

''Okay, I will give it to you'' Achilleas brought out an object and gave it to Inferna.

''What is this?''

''That is called glasses. It is fragile. It can break''

''What does it do?''

''Let me have it. I will show you what it can do'' Achilleas took the glasses from Inferna and helped her put them on''

''Perfect, now how do you see thing dear'' Achilleas said as he stood back to admire his daughter.

''Wow! I can see so well. Why is it called glasses it should go by the name second eyes.''

''You are funny. It is from Luk. This should tell you how intelligent they are''

''I am definitely going to Luk. Do I have to put it on all the time?''

'' Only if you want to '' Inferna moved around her room to take a closer look at it'

''I never saw things this way. Everything was so blurry. You look more handsome than I first saw you dad. This thing does the trick''

''Are you ready Roxanne?" Zoe asked as she entered Inferna's room.

''Yes mum, I'm ready''

''You have to go to the dungeon'' Zoe stated

''I will get myself ready''

''I thought you said you were ready'' Zoe spoke

''Sorry queen Zoe, I will be specific next time''

''You shouldn't think there will always be a next time Roxanne''

''Stop vexing your little girl and wish her good luck'' Achilleas said.

''If you have realized Achilleas, she is not a little girl anymore but anyway, good luck Roxanne'' Zoe said and left.

''Why is mum always like this. And why doesn't she call me by my Zuk name.''

''What you need to know is that she really loves you. Everything is just a phase, it will come to pass''

''I have been going through that phase my entire life. She did not even compliment me on my glasses. How do I look father?''

''I can't tell you how you look, princess''

''Mmm, Miss Meghan tells me the same thing all the time. Is something wrong with me''

''No my princess. On the contrary, you are perfect, flawless. It is just that using words to define you is an understatement. There is nothing and I mean absolutely nothing that can describe you.''

''Oh dad, now my head is all swollen up''

''Meghan is here for you. Good luck my princess'' Achilleas said when Meghan came through the door

* * *

The dungeon was dark and scary with no ventilation. The dungeon door was opened and Megan pushed Inferna inside.

''In there are thousands of animals who have had nothing to eat for a very long time. Kill all of them before I come down here with the king and queen, then you win''

''Okay'' Inferna adjusted her glasses so she could see in the dark but her attempt was futile. The place was in total darkness when she turned to complain to Meghan, she realized she had locked her and left.

''Great, they want to test me with my weakness, this eyesight of mine won't be my downfall'' she was brought back to her senses when she heard growling and groaning. She made her hand into a fist and released it so the fire sparkling in her hand would light her way. She was surprised to see herself surrounded by wild animals. With her left hand, she untied her heavy copper hair. She threw the hairpin which was a multi-purpose pin towards the animals closer to her. When she threw the pin, it turned into a ten razor blade which separated midway to its target. The razors passed through at least ten at a time giving a one hundred kill. The animals were getting closer to her and she had to act fast. She took out all the pins in her hair and threw them towards the animals. When one animal almost pounced on her, she disappeared before their eyes using her camouflage. She moved through the numerous animals and found a stick that was going to make her work easier and took form when she got hold of the stick. The pack of animals headed in her direction. She closed her eyes and tried to manipulate the movement of the animals with her mind and soon, the animals were at her mercy. Using her hands, she signaled them to move away from her until they were all gathered at one spot. Levitating, she used the stick to draw a line between her and the animals after that, she got herself rooted to the ground and passed her hand through the line. As she moved away from the line, it caught fire and soon an inferno separated her from the wild animals. She stood at the other end of the inferno and watch them burn. She clung her fist to stifle the fire in her palm and undid it.

''So easy. The fire will do. I wonder where they had all these animals from. Don't they have families?'' She watched as the animals groaned in pain.

''Can't you all shut up and burn!''

* * *

''I wonder if she is doing fine down there'' Zoe said in a worrisome tone as she made her way to the dungeon with Achilleas.

''You know she is going to be alright'' Achilleas assured her.

''I won't lose her too''

''You should act this way in front of her: all caring and loving. She will appreciate that. Why do you always distance yourself from her''

''I do not want her to get used to me or else if I die, she is going to suffer the way I did when Nepheli died. The fewer memories I make with her, the less pain she will have to endure if I die. You should do the same. Roxanne is my life and if it is going to take me distancing myself from her to make her happy, I will do it without a second thought.''

''You shouldn't be negative minded Zoe. You are not dying any time soon''

''Well, who knew the great queen Nepheli would die soon. After my mum's death, I have been living every day as if it was the last. The past I perfectly remember but the future I will never know so, I use the past as a guide for my future''

''It is not just your mum's death Zoe. Please, just tell me. Who hurt you so bad?''

''Are you going to bring that topic up every chance you get''

'' I am sorry''

''Meghan must be waiting for us. It is time already'' Zoe said

Inferna woke up from her sleep when she heard the noise of the dungeon gate being opened. She rushed to the gate to find the only people she had seen her entire life waiting for her

''I did it, mum, I did it!'' She exclaimed and hugged her mum and dad together.

'' Not so sure. Let me check it out for myself'' Meghan said and entered the dungeon to inspect.

''Roxanne, I need to speak to you after this'' Zoe said and released herself from the hug.

''Yes, queen Zoe'' Inferna grinned at her mum.

''Yes, she is right. She did it. Like always'' Meghan confirmed.

''You did it my princess'' Achilleas praised.

''Yes, can I leave the castle to view the outside?'' Inferna asked.

''Not so fast Roxanne, come with me. I have to tell you something'' Zoe announced.

''We are alone mum'' Inferna murmured.

''Nice glasses you have there. I couldn't compliment you in your room''

''What do you have for me?''

''It is good you have been keeping our little meetings from your father and guardian.''

''I had no other option''

'' What is the second definition for hate Roxanne?''

''Hate is a strong feeling of dislike for someone. When the atmosphere around you changes when you meet this one person, it is hate. When you have butterflies in your stomach and you can not get this one person out of your head, it is hate. When you feel like being so close to this one person, it is hate. When you feel you can not breathe without this one person, it is hate. And most importantly, it only applies to the opposite sex. When you feel all these things towards a man it means your soul hates him'' Roxanne recited.

''Good. You have really learned well. But there is this one thing I have to warn you about. The heart. You have learned all these years to control your abilities and manipulate people but there is this one part of you that you can not control and that is the heart. If your heart ever yearns for a man, remember it is your weakness. It is pure hate. Hate is when your heart skips a beat for a man ...''

''Mum! I know. You have told me millions of times. I remember. You do know my brain can do extraordinary things''

''Don't forget this Roxanne and you will live a happy life. Know where to draw the line. I won't be in Luk to remind you''

''Okay''

''This conversation must end here. Once again do not tell anyone about this, not even your father''

''I promise mum''

''I'm going to miss you, Roxanne''

''Me too mum'' Roxanne was about to hug her mum but Zoe stepped back

''I'm sorry. Meghan will be waiting for you. You must not waste time hugging me. Go discover Luk'' Zoe said and vanished.

''You sent for me queen'' Meghan said as she bowed to Zoe.

''Take good care of my daughter. We all know her appearance is a form of threat. No one in Luk must set eyes or touch my daughter. She is priceless. Untouchable. If it ever happens, eat the Lukard alive.'' Zoe said.

After she kept on her vermillion ring and glasses, She kept on her hood and raced out of the castle for the first time. No one was holding her back, she would be able to step outside to get bathed in the sunlight. When her feet almost touched the bare floor, someone stopped her.

''No one can stop me now. I can go out when I want to''

''It's your father Inferna. Don't look back, I just wanted to say goodbye. Meghan and the guru are waiting outside.''

''Goodbye father''

''Goodbye my princess''

Inferna moved her first step outside but hesitated to do the same with the other. She remembered nothing was holding her back so she moved the other. she took in a deep breath and ran out of the castle. She could feel the shock waves from people but did not understand why everyone was awestruck by her. She thought it was probably because the people had never seen the chosen one but what she did not know was that she had proven history wrong when it said the late Inferna was the beauty that was never to be seen again.

''I can see you are very excited'' the guru said

''I'm very ecstatic, I can't wait to see Luk. The air outside is much nicer than the one inside. The sun is indeed hot just the way I like it and the castle is very huge''

''Go fulfill your destiny Inferna'' The guru said.

''Are you ready Inferna?'' Meghan asked

''I'm ready Miss Meghan. I just can't wait to encounter the life outside the castle and the four corners of my room''

''You are in for a surprise ''

''I know I am, I know I am.'' Inferna turned to smirk at the castle

''Inferna Roxanne Gwen has never been this ready''