Chapter 16 The Forgotten Truth

They left the Elders' chambers in silence.

Adrian and Adriel walked close on either side of Rene, their cold presence oddly comforting. Nyra was watching their surroundings like a hawk, tense and ready.

Lucien, as usual, looked far too entertained.

Rene was lost in thought.

The words echoed in her mind.

She was never meant to return.

Return from where?

Lucien's voice broke through her thoughts. "So. What's next?"

Rene shot him a look. "You tell me. You seem to know everything."

Lucien laughed. "Oh, not everything. But I do know this—" He gestured toward Rena. "That child has walked a path none of us remember. And that," he grinned, "makes this very fun."

Nyra scoffed. "Nothing about this is fun."

Lucien only smirked. "Not for you, maybe."

Adrian suddenly spoke. "We should leave."

Adriel nodded. "They will come back."

Rene sighed. "We need answers first."

She turned to Lucien. "You seem to know more than you let on."

Lucien tilted his head. "I do."

Rene crossed her arms. "Then start talking."

His golden eyes flickered. "What do you want to know?"

Rene hesitated. Then—

"What is Rena?"

Lucien's smirk faded slightly.

For the first time, he looked almost… serious.

He glanced at the baby in Rene's arms, his golden gaze unreadable.

Then he sighed.

"There are old stories," he said. "Ones even the Elders don't speak of. Whispers of a being that existed outside of time. A child who was never born, but created."

Rene's breath caught.

Lucien continued.

"She was called many things. A lost one. A key. A mistake." He glanced at Rena again. "But the one name that remains in every version of the story is this—"

His voice lowered.

"The Child of the Forgotten."

A shiver ran down Rene's spine.

Adrian and Adriel exchanged a glance, their silver eyes darkening.

Nyra's hand went back to her weapon. "You're saying she's—"

"I'm saying," Lucien interrupted, "that she should not exist."

Rene's hands clenched. "But she does."

Lucien smiled faintly. "Yes. And that is why they're afraid."

Silence.

Then, softly—

"Rene."

Her breath hitched.

Rena had spoken.

Not a babble. Not an innocent giggle.

Her name.

Clear. Steady.

And when Rene looked down, she saw something terrifying.

Rena was looking at her.

Not like a child. Not like a sister.

But like someone who knew.

And in that moment—

Rene realized something.

Lucien was right.

Rena remembered something.

Something she wasn't supposed to.

Something that had been forgotten.

And the worst part?

Rene wasn't sure she wanted to know what it was.

To Be Continued…...