Chapter 5 Lord Xandros's visit

Mazikeen's Pov

The castle kitchen was filled with the soft sounds of chopping as Mazikeen worked her way through a pile of fresh vegetables. She enjoyed the simple, rhythmic act of preparing food; it was a brief respite from the weight of her recent journey 

But as she sliced through a ripe tomato, an odd sensation crept over her. It was a prickling, almost electrifying feeling, as if the very air around her had shifted. She paused, looking around, but the kitchen was still.

Then, as if guided by some unseen force, the knife slipped from her hand, and she watched in stunned silence as it hovered, suspended in the air before her. The tomatoes and greens she had been chopping floated beside it, caught in an invisible current. Her heart began to race 

"What…what is this?" she whispered, reaching a tentative hand toward the hovering vegetables.

Suddenly, a new sensation washed over her—a presence. It was strong, ancient, and filled with a quiet power. Her senses sharpened, every instinct within her alert to the mysterious force lingering nearby. She turned her gaze toward the door that led to the sitting room, where Vesper, her loyal companion, was resting.

Her breath caught in her throat as she saw them. Two figures stood just inside the room. The first man wore a flowing blue robe, the color a striking contrast to his dark hair, which fell in neat waves to his shoulders. His hand rested gently on Vesper, who lay asleep, unbothered by the man's touch. Beside him stood another man, his expression impassive but watchful, dressed in more practical, worn attire.

Mazikeen's initial surprise quickly faded, replaced by a sense of calm curiosity. Though she had never seen these men before, she sensed no malice from them.

Stepping forward, she met their eyes, her voice steady. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

The man in the blue robe inclined his head slightly, his gaze respectful yet intent. "My name is Lord Xandros, ruler of the werewolf realms. I've come to speak with you, Mazikeen. I hope you will grant me a listening ear."

"How do you know my name?" Maze asked staring at him 

"It doesn't matter, I need to ask you a few questions" 

His tone was gentle yet carried an unmistakable authority, as if he were used to being obeyed without question. Mazikeen felt a strange pull toward him, as though he were a link to something ancient and vital. She glanced down at Vesper, who continued to sleep peacefully, and knew she was safe, for now.

"Very well," she replied, crossing her arms. "You have my attention, Lord Xandros. But know this—I am no stranger to power or intention. If you've come to deceive me, you'll find I am not as easily swayed as you might think, considering you are from the moon's tribe" she said and shrugged 

A slight smile played at the corner of Xandros's lips. "You have strength, Mazikeen. That much is clear. But I am not here to deceive you. I am here because of a promise that I made and which of course concerns you, and the fate of all our realms."

Mazikeen's eyes narrowed, curiosity flaring in her "what are you talking about?" she asked, her voice quiet but filled with intensity "I have no strength of my own except the power to heal, I'm just an ordinary star goddess whose star is dim and nothing else" Xandros glanced at his companion, who in turn glanced at him with questions 

"Yes I can tell that your powers are weak but the question is why?" Xandros asked 

"I don't know, I've been like this since I was born, I have no special powers or strength except the power to heal" 

"There is a prophecy, Mazikeen, that speaks of a being who embodies both celestial light and infernal shadow. A soul capable of uniting the realms...or casting them into chaos. This being, the prophecy says, will have the power to reshape our realms" 

Mazikeen felt a chill run down her spine. The words echoed in her mind "What do you mean?" 

Xandros continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I believe you are that soul, Mazikeen. You are the one foretold to either bring peace or destruction to our realms. And I have come to help you understand the magnitude of your destiny." 

"I still don't understand, what destiny? I have lived in the heavenly realms for thirteen hundred years and no one has told me anything about my destiny, all I ever do is meditate and not ask questions regarding myself or my parents" she sighed 

"You don't know your parents?" Xandros asked looking at her 

"Yes I don't" Maze replied "I am here to cultivate my powers, if you don't mind you should leave, I'm not the one you seek" 

"This is the mountain of truth and if you are here to cultivate then you should seek answers as well, I will guide you" Xandros said 

"I don't need help Xandros, what…what happens if I discover who I am?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain calm.

"It would be your choice to decide" Xandros said placing Vesper into her arm, as soon as his hand touched her skin, he froze for some minutes and quickly withdrew his hand "I must return to my kingdom now and if you need me just call my name and I will be here" he said and quickly left with Cassius.

~~~~

The celestial garden was a place of serene beauty. Ancient trees with silver leaves cast dappled light across the soft, moss-covered ground, and rare blossoms filled the air with a sweet, calming fragrance. A gentle breeze whispered through the branches, carrying with it the quiet music of a distant stream. In this hallowed sanctuary, Lord Maximus sat alone on an ivory bench, playing the Aerthy's Fury flute.

The instrument was a work of legend—a flute crafted by Aerthys, the dragon lord known for his unmatched mastery of fire magic. Its notes could inspire strength, courage, and ferocity, stirring the heart of any who heard it. But in Maximus's hands, the melody was calm and contemplative, drifting softly over the garden, merging with the sounds of nature.

From a distance, Mother Lina approached, her expression a mixture of concern and frustration. Her robe flowed behind her like a queen's gown, her footsteps silent on the lush grass. She watched Maximus with a quiet intensity, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence. When he finally did, he did not turn to look at her but simply paused his playing, letting the final note linger in the air.

"What do you want?" he asked, his tone calm yet distant.

Mother Lina looked at him with a frown. "You appear so calm, Maximus," she said, folding her arms. "You sent Mazikeen into the Mountains of Truth to meditate on her powers, and yet here you are, seated calmly, as if you have no worries at all."

Lord Maximus finally turned to face her, his gaze unreadable. "You bother yourself over little things, sister."

Mother Lina's eyes flashed. "This is no little thing, Maximus. If she finds out that you, her master—the one she has always looked up to—are the one who froze her spiritual core, there will be consequences."

Maximus stood up, towering over her, his expression unchanging. "If there's one thing I know about Mazikeen," he said with quiet confidence, "it's that she has always followed my instructions to the letter. I sent her to cultivate and strengthen herself. She will do just that, and nothing more."

Mother Lina's hands clenched at her sides, her frustration mounting. "You're underestimating her, Maximus. A lot can change within two hundred years. She's no longer a child who accepts things without question."