Chapter 221 - Curse of Morgatha ( Part 2 )

"Jennie."

Lilia's voice was just a soft murmur – that kind of whisper which could blow with the wind or break in an instant.

Jennie turned her way.

Their hands were connected. Fingers were entwined. Palms touched each other. Warmth of Lilia's skin seeped into Jennie's and chased away the cold that had settled in her body during the battle.

For several moments, nobody spoke a word.

There was some odd silence in the underground chamber. The battle had ended. Morgatha had melted in the shadows, leaving the curses hanging in the air like the morning fog. The ancient runes were slowly fading, leaving the weak golden traces behind.

Some dust motes flew around in the air, shining from the light of the broken pillars. Some light beams of the sun shone through the cracks in the ceiling of the chamber.

Jennie looked at Lilia. Her heart was beating fast, not because of the fight, but because of something else, something deeper.

"Lilia?"

Lilia's eyes were trembling. They were shining from tears which were gathering in them and which caught the golden light, splitting it into some diamonds. Her lips opened, but closed again, and opened once again as if she wanted to say something but wasn't able to find any words.

Then she smiled.

Not the polite smile of a queen. Not the cold smile she showed to her people sometimes. Not that controlled and cold smile of the royalty.

It was the smile of someone who had found something she was looking for for many years, something dear to her, something she had lost.

"Jennie..."

Her fingers tightened the connection with Jennie's hand. The warm and desperate grip of someone who was afraid that if she lets go, the magic moment will be broken.

"I remember."

Jennie's eyes widened. Her breath was frozen in her throat.

"What?"

Lilia moved closer to her. Her silvery-golden hair touched Jennie's shoulder, and her aroma – the fragrance of jasmine and rain, something unique to her person – filled the senses of Jennie.

"I remember you."

Jennie froze.

The five Divine Swords suddenly stopped. The light was dimming in them as if they had stopped breathing. Even Gram became silent and its red light was slowly transforming to the calm pulses.

Lilia's eyes started shining with tears. They were overflowing from her eyes, rolling in silver streaks down her cheeks.

"I remember the girl who used to sit beside me."

Jennie's breathing stopped. It seemed that her heart had frozen in her chest.

"The girl who used to drink tea with me."

A single tear was falling from Lilia's face, shining like the falling star.

"The girl who used to bring me white flowers."

Jennie opened her lips, but no words came out of them.

"The girl who always watched the sunset with me."

Another tear rolled down her cheek. Then another.

"And the girl who used to tell me..."

Lilia's smile was shining even through her tears. It was the beautiful smile – radiant and warm and full of everything she was missing so much for so many years.

"...that I didn't have to be alone."

Jennie's golden eyes were starting to tremble. Something hot and painful and wonderful was rising in her chest, threatening to explode.

"Lilia..."

"I remember everything."

Lilia took a step forward and hugged Jennie.

Tight and desperate, as if she was afraid that Jennie will vanish right before her eyes.

Jennie froze. Her arms remained still for a second – the automatic gesture to protect herself, to keep some distance, to hide behind the walls built by her during centuries.

Then she slowly hugged Lilia back.

The Queen put her face on Jennie's shoulder. Her body was shaking with the silent sobs, and her tears were soaking the fabric of Jennie's maid uniform.

"I'm sorry."

Jennie shook her head. Her voice was heavy with emotions.

"You don't have to apologize."

"I forgot you."

"You didn't choose to."

"I forgot your voice."

Jennie closed her eyes. Some tears appeared in them and ran down her cheeks.

"I know."

"I forgot your smile."

"I know."

"I forgot..."

Lilia's voice was breaking. It was torn in pieces by the feelings of grief, guilt and love.

"...how important you were to me."

Jennie hugged her tight. She pulled Lilia even closer to her, as if she was the most precious thing in the world.

"But you remembered."

Lilia moved away a little bit. Just enough to look into Jennie's eyes. Her face was shining with tears, her eyes – red, and her nose – running.

She had never looked more beautiful.

"Not only remembered."

Her smile became warmer and brighter. Like the sun, which appears after the end of the rain.

"I know who you are."

Jennie's heart started skipping. It stammered, then raced, then started beating in rhythm with Lilia's.

Lilia carefully touched her face. Her fingers touched the curves of Jennie's cheek, the line of her jaw and the softness of her lips.

"Raven."

Jennie's eyes widened.

"Jennie."

The two names existed together. No contradictions, no disguises, no forgotten memories.

Lilia smiled. "You were Raven."

She touched Jennie's silvery hair and caressed it carefully with her fingers.

"And you were Jennie."

Her fingers were playing some patterns on Jennie's head gently.

"You were never two different people to me."

Jennie's eyes became wet. Tears were streaming down her face, and she didn't even try to wipe them.

For the first time in a very long time she didn't have to hide.

"I'm glad."

Her voice was almost inaudible – the whisper on the breath.

"I'm really glad."

Lilia hugged her tighter. Jennie hugged her back immediately. Without any hesitation, without any walls and fear.

Above them, the palace became silent finally. The illusion network was collapsing, its last traces dissolving. The walls started looking as they usually looked, becoming the solid stone and marble. The false corridors were disappearing. The impossible staircases vanished.

The sky above Seraiya cleared up. The rays of the sun were shining through the palace windows, warm and golden.

The Royal Knights secured the rest of demons. Their voices were echoing through the corridors – shouts of triumph, relief, and the noises of lowering of the weapons.

But in the underground chamber... there was only silence. And two people embracing each other.

Roxy found herself at the perimeter of the room.

She stared at Jennie and Lilia. Her ears drooped slightly, and her eyes seemed to soften.

She smiled. However, her eyes were moist.

She turned away from the others in a hurry.

"Idiot."

Rudy took a glance at her. Her golden eyes twinkled with amusement.

"You're crying."

"I am not."

"You are definitely crying."

"It's because I have dust in my eyes."

"There is no dust around."

Roxy shot her a glare. Her ears laid flat on her head.

"Shut up."

Rudy laughed. It sounded pleasant—light and genuine.

Snow sat next to them, watching Jennie and Lilia. Nine tails wagged softly behind him, and divine eyes sparkled with understanding.

Then he wagged his tail.

Roxy glanced at him. "You know what is going on, right?"

Snow nodded.

Roxy sighed. "Of course."

She turned back towards Jennie. There was something complicated about her expression—a mix of happiness and sorrow, of joy and longing.

She had watched Jennie carry everything all alone. The secret. The memories. The identity of Leonis. Fear of losing everyone.

Now, however... Jennie finally got someone who knew her.

Roxy smiled. "I am happy for you, Jennie."

Jennie heard her. She turned, her eyes moist, her smile shaky.

Roxy quickly dried her tears. "And..."

Jennie smiled. "Thank you."

Roxy averted her gaze. Her cheeks flushed.

"Don't make it weird."

Rudy laughed. "You two are adorable."

Roxy instantly pointed her staff at her.

"Don't start."

Rudy raised both her hands. "Alright."

Then she looked towards Jennie. Her expression became more subdued—gentle.

"Jennie."

Jennie turned.

Rudy's golden eyes locked with hers. "We need to talk."

Jennie nodded. "Yeah."

They moved away a bit from the rest. Footsteps echoed from the cracked stone and air became colder.

Rudy leaned against one of the fallen pillars. Her purple hair hung on her face and her golden eyes looked somewhere far.

After a second of silence, she sighed.

"So..."

Jennie listened to her.

"Leonis."

Jennie watched her.

Rudy smiled sadly. "My brother."

Jennie's eyes softened. "Lisa."

Rudy's smile grew even wider. "My little brother."

Jennie raised an eyebrow. "Little?"

Rudy chuckled. This chuckle was bright and playful.

"Don't be fooled by the current body."

She pointed at herself. "When we met last time, I was your annoying little sister."

Jennie smiled. "Very annoying."

Rudy gasped. "Excuse me?"

"You stole my sword."

"I was borrowing it."

"You sold my horse."

"That was just a business."

"You told Mother I broke the vase."

"You broke it."

"You pushed me into it."

Rudy stopped for a second. Thoughtful look came onto her face.

"...Maybe."

Jennie started to laugh. It was warm and bright sound, which echoed through the chamber, dispelling the shadows.

Rudy watched her for a second. Then she smiled.

"That's better."

Jennie looked at her. "What?"

"You laughed."

Rudy's expression softened. "Leonis didn't laugh much."

Jennie dropped her eyes. "I know."

"You carried the world on your shoulders."

Rudy looked towards the fallen ceiling. Golden rays of the sun shone through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating floating dust motes.

"And now?"

Jennie thought for a while. Then looked towards Lilia—the Queen, who was standing with a warm and patient smile.

"Now..."

She smiled. "I think I can put some of it down."

Rudy nodded. "Good."

She moved closer. "Because you are my brother."

Jennie raised an eyebrow. "And you are my sister."

Rudy grinned. "Exactly."

She suddenly threw her arms wide open.

Jennie looked at her. "No."

"Come on."

"No."

"Only one."

"No."

"Leo."

Expression of Jennie changed. She lost her resistances.

"...Ok."

Rudy hugged her. Her hands wrapped around Jennie's shoulders and her chin rested on her head.

Jennie sighed. "You are still annoying."

Rudy chuckled. "And you are still my little brother."

Jennie smiled.

For a minute there was no Demon Emperor. No Divine Swords. No prophecy. No Great Demon War.

Only two siblings, who finally met again.

But air changed.

A soft golden light appeared. It was warm and gentle—like sunlight filtered through clouds, like the first breath of spring.

Jennie immediately looked up. Lilia turned around. Roxy raised her staff. Rudy's smile vanished.

The golden light collected above the chamber. It swirled and pulsed, taking form that was both familiar and divine.

A woman slowly appeared from the light.

White hair falling like liquid starlight. Eyes full of ancient sorrow. Presence, which made every Divine Sword shiver.

Jennie's expression changed. Her voice was calm.

"Miasa."

Goddess of Creation looked at her. Then at Lilia. Then at disappearing curse marks.

Her expression became serious.

"Morgatha's curse has done something I did not expect."

Lilia stepped forward. Her voice was steady.

"What has it done?"

Miasa looked straight at her. Her golden eyes held the eternity.

"It reacted with the seal I placed on your memories."

Silence.

Jennie stared at her. Her heartbeats quickened.

"You mean..."

Miasa nodded. "The memory loss was never natural."

Lilia's eyes widened. "You?"

Miasa closed her eyes. Her expression was pained.

"I have altered the timeline."

Her voice was low—little more than a whisper.

"And when I did that, your memories of Jennie were damaged."

Jennie said nothing. She clenched her hands at her sides.

Miasa continued. "I could not simply restore them."

"Why?"

"Because the memories were connected to two different timelines."

Lilia was confused. "Then how..."

Miasa glanced at the fragments of Morgatha's curse. Black pieces still shone with dark energy.

"The curse."

She pointed at the fragments.

"Morgatha's Ancient Curse is designed to attack sovereignty, identity, memory and soul."

Her eyes were sorrowful.

"When it touched the remnants of my memory seal..."

Miasa stopped. Long silence followed.

"The two powers have clashed."

Jennie's eyes widened. "And the curse has destroyed it."

Miasa nodded. "Exactly."

Lilia slowly touched her head. Her fingers traced her temple, where the memories were hidden.

"That's why..."

Those memories returned. The tea, the flowers, the sunsets, the childhood and the love. Jennie and Raven.

Miasa gave a smile. "That curse meant to break you."

She glanced at Lilia. "But instead of that, it broke my own bonds of your memories."

Jennie stared at Miasa. Her voice sounded angry and accusing.

"You knew this may happen?"

"No."

Miasa shook her head. Her look was unsure—the look of the Goddess who finally had to encounter something unpredictable.

"I didn't."

For once... that Goddess looked unsure.

"I thought those memories were too damaged to come back."

Lilia moved closer to her. Her voice sounded calm and confident.

"Then why didn't you warn me?"

Miasa looked at her. Her golden eyes seemed to shine from some sort of shame.

"Because I was afraid."

Lilia's eyes became soft. "Of what?"

Miasa looked at Jennie. Her voice was painful.

"That if you will remember everything..."

She made a pause. As if the words got stuck in her throat.

"...then you will feel the pain."

Jennie did not say anything. Her heart hurt.

Miasa's eyes became wet. The tears—divine tears—formed in the corners.

"That if you will remember..."

She made another pause. "...that you are targeted by the demons that Leonis should fight."

Then she glanced at Lilia. "That you will remember how she lost Jennie."

Lilia touched Jennie's hand. Her fingers touched her hand and grasped it.

Jennie let her do that. She squeezed her hand too.

Miasa looked at them. Her expression softened.

"But maybe..."

She gave the sad smile. It was a beautiful smile—kind and sorrowful and full of ancient wisdom.

"...some memories are worth the pain."

Lilia squeezed Jennie's hand. "I agree."

Miasa glanced at Rudy. Then her expression changed. Her golden eyes opened a little.

"Lisa."

Rudy tensed. Her golden eyes met with Miasa's.

Miasa's look became difficult to read.

Rudy nodded. "Yes."

"And you've told her."

"Yes."

Miasa looked at both of them—Jennie and Rudy, brother and sister, separated by death and gathered together by the fate.

"Then the past is coming back faster than I've expected."

Jennie's expression became serious. "What does it mean?"

Miasa's golden eyes turned to the deepest darkness under the palace. The darkness seemed to grow, to beat with ancient appetite.

"The Demon Emperor."

The chamber became cold. The temperature decreased, and the air became heavy.

"He is waking up."

Roxy's face paled. "Because of the ritual?"

Miasa nodded. "Five Legendary Divine Mark carriers are already captured."

Lilia clutched her fist. "And two others."

Miasa looked at her. "And Rudy."

Rudy's expression became hard. "Because I'm Lisa."

Miasa nodded. "Because your soul carries the KingHeart bloodline."

Jennie looked at Rudy. Then at Lilia. Then at five Divine Swords surrounding her.

Miasa's expression became sorrowful. "The demons do not search for the weapon anymore."

She looked at Jennie. Her voice was loaded with implications.

"They are searching for the person who carries the past in itself."

Silence.

Then Excalibur started shining. Its golden light flickered.

Leviathan responded, emitting blue energy waves.

Tempest crackled, with lightning running across its surface.

Eclipse quivered, its shadows deepening.

Gram glowed with crimson color, its fury awakening.

Aurelia shone next to Lilia, its light filling the chamber.

Six Divine Swords. Six ancient lights.

Miasa looked at them. Her expression became uncomprehensible.

"The war that you've thought to begin..."

She made a pause.

"...was only the beginning."

Jennie tightened her grip on Lilia's hand. Lilia tightened her own.

Rudy appeared next to them. Her daggers glistened in the light.

Roxy lifted her staff. The magical energy crackled around her fingers.

Snow's nine tails spread behind him. His divine aura lit up.

Jennie looked at all of them—her friends, her sister, her beloved.

Then she gave the beautiful smile. Warm and determined and full of hope.

"Then we will face it together."

Lilia smiled. "Together."

Rudy grinned. "Just like old times."

Roxy lifted her staff. "Do not forget about me."

Snow barked proudly.

Miasa looked at them. For a moment... she looked almost peaceful.

Then her body started dissolving in the golden light. Her figure flickered, becoming transparent.

Jennie looked at her. "Goddess Miasa."

The Goddess stopped. Her golden eyes met with Jennie's.

Jennie spoke quietly. "Why did you bring me back? Because of Leonis?"

Miasa looked at her. The question hung in the air between them.

Then she smiled. It was a soft smile—warm and sad and full of love.

"No."

Her voice was gentle.

"I have brought back Leonis..."

She looked at Jennie's face—with its silver hair, golden eyes, determined expression which was somehow familiar and completely new.

"...because I have wanted to create Jennie."

The golden light disappeared. The chamber 2went silent.

Lilia looked at Jennie. Jennie looked at her.

Then Lilia smiled. "Welcome back, Jennie."

Jennie smiled. "Welcome back, Queen."

And for the first time in a thousand years... the memories were no longer the chains.

They were home.