Forbidden Lake 3

"Quiet!" King Lyon yelled.

"I tore the last paragraph and hid it under my robe. I was about to leave when I felt his presence. I turned around, and he had a smirk plastered on his face, I knew he was up to no good. He blackmailed me, by taking my pregnant wife. He was not aware that she was pregnant, and that I noticed when he took the royal amulet. I communicated telepathically with my wife— a special ancestral gift. She took the amulet, and escaped, but unfortunately, she died while giving birth to my son, Jayden. He accused me of stealing it, which I admitted being true, for my wife's sake. That is why the lake was forbidden for anyone to go. I waited for the day the prophecy will come to pass, where the two of them will meet, and break the barrier."

He paused, and looked at everyone, who had their eyes widened in surprise.

"I sent my spy— gecko, to spy on the father-son duo, after Gideon had seen the two at the lake." Gecko appeared and crawled down, he can make himself invisible. Gecko repeated the exact words of the duo, and he earned gasps from the people who heard. "He wanted his son to marry the princess so that he could take over— after she had summoned a new amulet. Then they'd take her hostage, and kill the royal family— the pure blood. For the record, the greatest secret of all, Lord Kyle was never and is not related to the royal family, not even you, king Lyon." As expected, they were surprised.

He continued, "yes, he abducted your younger brother and killed him. With the little power he wielded, he took his face. He plans to grow stronger through his son, when he ascends the throne."

"What do you have as proof to what you have said?" King Lyon asked.

King Azul brought out the amulet and the piece of paper, which he tore. "I know you think it is a fake amulet. Let us not be confused, let the princess touch the amulet, and if it glows, then I'm telling the truth."

King Lyon hesitated a bit, but allowed her. She walked steadily, and touched the dangling necklace, and immediately, it glowed.

Gideon planned to escape, knowing his plans were crushed to ashes, but the fire king had already strategized every means, and so, he was outwitted. He was captured and brought before the king. Lord Kyle was not provided any opportunity to speak, the guards seized them, and they were taken to the dungeon. The two kingdoms made peace, and at the same time, sealed an alliance, as crown Prince Jayden and crown Princess Iryz got married.

The dungeon was suited at the East wing of the kingdom, as they got close, Lord Kyle took out a knife, and stabbed the soldier. "Run, and revenge my death." He yelled, as he fought the hefty men. Gideon kicked the soldier who held him captive, and ran away. He stared from afar, and watched as his father was beaten to death beyond recognition. He swore to take his revenge for the death of his father and for his lover, Iryz.

"My love, I feel someone is watching us. I feel his presence at times." Queen Iryz said. "Do not worry. They are gone, okay? Rest now, please." King Jayden assured.

"I will get back at all of you. I. Will. Return!" He stressed the last line.

*Flashback ends*

"Oh, my goodness!" Stephanie exclaimed. She was sweating profusely. She stared at Queen Iryz, with her eyes bulging out.

"Gideon!" She muttered. "What happened? Are you alright?" Iryz asked. "I need to get back to Manchester, he's back. He'll come after us." She said.

"Calm down, Stephanie. Now that you know, there are things you have to do before you go back. You can't go back as a weak girl."

"That amulet… This is it, right? I need to unlock my powers and the Crescent Season begins tonight!"

"Yes, you have limited time. Tell all these to your husband, I never abandoned him. I was locked up for his safety." She became emotional. A flash of determination was on Stephanie. She felt a wave of courage and excitement.

"Don't mind me, please. Let's get started already, we do not have time."

She touched the dragon-like pendant, and uttered some unknown words, and Inez appeared. "Now, focus!" She instructed. In less than a minute, Inez began to fade— as though merging her soul with Stephanie. Stephanie opened her eyes, her hair turned crimson red, her porcelain skin, and her eyes shone bright like the blue sky. She felt powerful— not the usual frail creature.

"Wow, that worked faster than I thought."

*Chester Ville*

Michael looked like a ghost had been haunting him at night, he looked restless. "Your Highness, the Crescent Season will start in a few hours from now. We need to get you a wife." Duke Wayne said, as a matter of urgency.

"I do not need another wife. I can fight this war alone, or have you forgotten how I conquered the twelve cities?" He stated.

"It's not about you coming out victorious, but the prophecy coming to pass."

"What prophecy?" He asked.

"You need to marry one with the ice power to conquer the war that is to come."

"How come I have not heard about this prophecy?"

"I just found out last night, your highness." The sorceress spoke.

"The people require a queen to lead them too, this war will be similar to the last war that destroyed the kingdom. This war will lead to the annihilation of your race, our race— the Fire and Ice." Duke Lennon added. He was secretly hoping that his daughter will come back.

"Any news about her?" Michael asked, instead.

"Prince Michael, you need to get married. We can't wait anymore for your decision any—" he was interrupted by the noise from outside. "What is happening?" Duke Lennon asked.

As they rose to leave, they were shocked to see the figure that stood by the door.

"Stephanie?" Michael called out to confirm.

"My name is Inez!"