0. Prologue

Kingdom of Luciferina: The Queen's Death

The full moon was at its peak and the queen was about to give birth. Everything was chaos at the castle and even the people down in the village were distraught and perturbed.

After a fit of pique, a vow was made: that the kingdom would be defied by a dark force during this specific night, to take the newborn child's life as part of vengeance. Not only that, but innocent people would pay as well, and just as promised, screams could be heard in the distance, screams of those who forgot the evil words of that evil woman. The people who had been hiding in their homes prayed to their goddess that she would keep them safe and sound from the evil creatures.

After the war that happened a century ago between the two mighty sisters, the kingdom had been at peace. The war betided because of animosity from Lady Branwen towards her sister, Lady Qadira, who had been chosen next in line to become queen of Luciferina. Branwen desired nothing more than the power that the crown holds. A kingdom under her feet, sovereignty, and control over two worlds.

Her heart had been stygian since childhood. She concealed it well enough until she had had enough. Each and every person in the Kingdom loved her sister more, praised her more, gave her more. Branwen thought that they were being unjust toward her and just when she thought things would change, that since she was the oldest, she would get the crown first, things turned out for the worst.

Branwen had been preparing herself for that day since she could remember. Both sisters had the same training, the same teacher, the same principles, the same education, and yet, Qadira felt unreachable. She always outdid herself and overshadowed Branwen. The day came when their mother and father had to choose the next person in line for the crown, everyone from the village was invited to the celebration. With no doubt, Branwen had to be next, but to her surprise, Qadira was the chosen one. Branwen entered a state of mental shock and confusion. She didn't understand why her parents didn't follow the law and made her queen.

She felt embarrassed by her parents in front of everyone that day and things just got worse. The rage she felt made her blood boil inside, and that lead her to boost her magic. She once encountered a woman in the forest, Adrienne, an evil soul roaming the dark side of the forest near the castle. She enticed Branwen to go deeper into dark magic and told her to smile, for one day, she would have her own kingdom.

The coronation day came and Branwen seemed more mature in front of the king and queen. She acted her age then and there, at 20 years old, she learned to have a bit more patience. They were content with her "acceptance" of her sister's coronation, not knowing the plans she had made for each of them. She would not rest until they all paid for their betrayal.

Years passed by until the day came when the king passed away mysteriously. He had been killed in a battle with the orcs from Adrienne. She possessed him that day, no one except Branwen and her knew it. Her plan succeeded. No more king in the lands of Luciferina.

Branwen had planned her mother's death as well, but discovering that her sister had a secret relationship with a prince she met at her coronation was an absolute bombshell. That wasn't the worst though, the mediocre couple was expecting a baby soon. It ruined her plans up to a certain point. Yet, she decided it would be best to take care of her mother before anything else happened.

She felt no remorse. She was cold-hearted and she loved it. She embraced her heinousness, her best quality yet. She poisoned her mother through her tea for years. The former queen became weaker and it became difficult for her to speak. She vomited blood more often than not and lady Branwen was "grieving" her mother's death soon after. The two sisters got closer than ever before. Branwen knew she needed to keep her enemy closer than before. Her next target was the prince.

Queen Qadira couldn't have a wedding soon because of her mother's death, it would seem wrong but she could also not hide her pregnancy any longer either. She opted for having the wedding after a month of her mother's passing. On her 20th birthday, she would get married to the prince of Bellatrix. Bellatrix is a far land to the west that is governed by elves, really handsome elves.

On the day of the wedding, the queen's pregnancy was more obvious, as she was three months pregnant. Lady Branwen pretended to be happy for her "dear" sister whom she loved with all her heart. There was no way people would suspect her of all the tragedies surrounding the castle. She demonstrated to be a caring sister and the people working inside the castle had no doubts about her, her kindness went overboard with everyone regardless of her cold exterior.

Adrienne had taken care of him. Branwen did not know how he had died, only that he would suffer. She was joyful knowing just that, the rest did not matter. The queen mourned his death until it was time to give birth to her first daughter. Everything went well from there for her child and for her. Although Branwen had other plans for her child.

Princess Orenda was next on her list and she planned on making the queen know it. That is when her plans faced a dead end. The child was being protected by the queen with some magic she had never heard of before. The queen learned that something was going on inside the castle and that she had to protect her daughter from the same fate as everyone else.

Branwen was starting to go into a state of hysteria. Everything she had planned was in ruins by one child. Her crazy obsession with power blinded her completely and went on a rampage to confront her sister and caused a war up to the point that hundreds of innocent people died the next day.

Qadira expelled her from Luciferina forever, so Lady Branwen named herself queen and promised to create her own kingdom in the opposite land of Luciferina.

The queen created a shield around the lands which caused her to use much of her magic. That would take her decades to recover but thanks to that, nothing had ever entered their lands until this day.

The queen was in her chambers with her personal midwife. Her screams could be heard throughout the castle. Everyone feared for what would come and happen that night. The queen had been prepared though. She had created a special portal for her second child along with a protection spell that would cover its traces until it was time for it to come back. She had it all planned out and her first daughter, Qadira was going to carry it all out just like they had prepared.

"Push harder your majesty!" The midwife spoke to the queen who was already drained from the force she had been doing. Beads of sweat covered her forehead and it just kept dripping down to a puddle between her clavicle. Her hands were shaking and her skin had lost color. There was also a doctor present who was checking her vital signs more and more often.

The queen kept pushing and pushing just as she was told until they all heard a baby cry. The queen laid all the way down relieved to hear her child cry. This baby had cost her almost all of her energy but it had been worth it.

"It's a girl, your majesty." The midwife announced with a huge smile on her face. Everyone was full of sweat and blood from the cleaning.

"Thank you. Everyone did great today. Please bring me the child."

The queen's voice was hoarse and strained. Her arms were weak from holding her maids' hands hard through all the pushing. The pull the queen felt towards her child was immense. At that moment, time stopped for Qadira, and felt the warmth of her child's hands in hers, but her warmth was not bothering or uncomfortable, it was soothing and loving.

The baby stayed quiet in her mother's arms; it was as if her mere touch brought the baby to sleep. The queen had no time to waste and she knew it. She immediately brought her child closer to her mouth and started chanting the spell she had prepared just for her. She kissed her daughter's forehead as a small tear rolled down her cheek into her daughter's temple.

The baby started crying again then and it all happened super-fast. The queen gave her firstborn a note that she must attach to the baby and said her goodbyes. Orenda comprehended what was going to happen but she was not prepared for this as much as she had tried, it tore her apart inside. She had to say goodbye to her mother forever and she had to separate from her baby sister at the same time.

Orenda took a last glance at her mother, it would be her last time seeing her alive and she knew it would be worse if she didn't leave now. She didn't notice the tears running down her cheeks until her eyes got blurry. The queen gave her last breath and it was as if chaos broke immediately.

Lightning and thunder began outside so loud that it made everyone cover their ears, except for the young princess as she made her way down the corridor with her sister in her arms. The baby was oddly quiet as if she knew they would be discovered if she cried out. Orenda made sure her baby sister was well covered and that she had the note with her.

As soon as she opened the secret gate to the north part of the forest, the pouring rain made her stop. She covered her head and glanced down at the baby whose eyes were already on her. Her indigo eyes looked right into her soul as if telling her it would be alright. The princess took courage and sprinted with all her night down to the end of the forest that lead to a small lusthus at the edge of the lake. It only had six pillars that looked rundown and a high, round ceiling with an intricate design.

The queen had promised her daughter that after death she would protect her to make sure everything succeeded. So far, the queen made sure they got to their destination without being detected. The queen's soul was in a battle with the foul spirit that was trying to kill her newborn child and she would not let it win.

Princess Oranda started reciting the spell and was immediately transported into a whole different world. There was no rain there rather snow covered the land where she was standing. She looked around and saw a row of houses behind her. She was inside a property, she was standing on the path to the front door of a big house. She looked down at her sister and kissed her forehead. This was goodbye and she hated knowing that she had to part this way but there was no choice, it was this or having her killed.

Princess Orenda placed her sister softly on the front step of the house and placed the note on her chest. She hit the ring button twice with her shaking finger and ran away to hide. The baby immediately started crying and the door opened. Orenda had to make sure the baby went inside to safety, and once she saw her being picked up, she relaxed and went back to face her new life as a queen.