The King's Beloved

SWOOOSH …

The sound of the soft wind blowing gently could be heard in the very silent Temple of Guardians, where Clavis and Illuminaire teleported to. Upon arriving, they walked towards the inner section of the temple dedicated for the Oracle and her Chosen Interpreter.

The inner section was a large circular room surrounded by walls of water and pots of flowers alternating each other. At the center of the room was a circular pool filled with turquoise colored water and different flowers floating on its surface. Lastly, above the pool was a gigantic translucent mirror floating in mid air.

The twins removed their shoes before entering the Oracle's room. Illuminaire walked straight towards the center of the room. When she reached the pool, she gently stepped on the water and walked through it up to the center of the pool where the giant mirror was. Yes, Illuminaire walked on water as if walking on the ground. Every step of her feet made the water ripple slightly. Her steps were as light as a feather.

Now, at the center of the pool, and the center of everything, she closed her eyes, held her hands on her chest, and started praying. Clavis approached her but only up until the side of the pool, in front of the giant mirror where his gaze remained fixed.

A few moments passed by and Illuminaire finally opened her eyes. When she opened them, they were now glowing so bright and her body began to emit a faint yellow glow as well. Then, the giant mirror started reacting towards her. It glowed bright as well and inside it, a series of images could be seen. Clavis kept his eyes wide open for the images it showed him.

First, he saw the "moon". It was big and bright, gleaming in white light. The night of the universe surrounded it. Then, bright red blood splattered on it and the moon was cut into two.

The first half fell to a brown soil that was loamy and looked very healthy, while the other fell on a dry, sandy soil. After falling down the soil, time passed by and the moon fragments were buried underground.

Second, after the moon was broken in half, a cloud of darkness emerged from the former place of the moon and shrouded a certain planet. Time passed by but the darkness didn't stop. It kept surrounding the planet, embracing it tightly.

Lastly, was an image of the sun, rising from its deep slumber.

"Ughhh …," Illuminaire grunted after the vision had ended. Showing her visions to others takes a great amount of her holy energy. Clavis used his magic to catch his sister from falling on the water and brought her in front of him, making her sit on the ground.

"Are you alright?" Clavis asked her with a worried face.

"Hahh … hahh …," Illuminaire breathed heavily and gulped before she was able to answer him, "Yes, hahh … I'm fine".

"Your vision … it was the same as before. Only this time, there was an image of the sun rising".

"Yes - and I want to know what that means!" Illuminaire exclaimed. With eyes tearing up, brows furrowed too much they almost connected, and hands trembling, her face showed great desperation. "The sun, is it hope? Does our planet finally have hope?!" She couldn't contain her emotions. Finally, rivers of tears fell from her worried face.

Clavis clenched his sister's hands. "The sun has always been a symbol of hope. But for this one, I need the guidance of the Supreme to be certain".

"But … you never got answers from Him. You asked about the moon, but He didn't answer as well. What makes you think He will give us the answer about the sun?"

"Sister, don't waver!" Clavis reprimanded his sister. "I know that all we've been seeing for the past years have been visions of 'Omens' about our planet, but this is not the time to doubt the Most High!"

Illuminaire trembled and kneeled down. "I - … sniff … I know … but … our planet, it's dying every second and there's nothing we can do about it! What do you expect me to feel? Happy?"

"Sister, NEVER think that the Supreme's delays are His denials!" Clavis shouted with conviction. "Remember the prophecies of old, the Prophecies of Hope! He will never abandon us nor forsake us!"

At these words, Illuminaire wiped her tears and nodded. "Yes, brother".

"Do not be discouraged. We will not be given trials we cannot conquer. And whatever darkness it is that comes our way, the Most High will do everything to deliver us from the darkness. But for now, as we wait - "

" - yes, as we wait, we pray, take heart, and be strong in faith".

Clavis nodded. "And one more thing -".

" - Yes, I am the Oracle, I cannot show emotions. I cannot show my fear, my worries, my doubt, and weakness. I will remain calm like a serene water. If I don't, our people will worry. And the same goes for you".

Clavis nodded again. "I will meditate regarding the sun and come back to you once I have news. But for now, let us remain strong and faithful".

Meanwhile, as all of these were happening in the Floating Kingdom, Zeid could be seen getting out of the hospital where he was admitted. His injuries had been healed and his mother accompanied him as he walked towards a black car. A driver waited for them inside. After getting a hand gesture to 'go' from Zeid's mother, he started the engine of the car and drove.

Zeid laid his back on the seat of the car and stared blankly on the window. Nothing about the ruins outside - the broken houses, the dirty surroundings, destroyed buildings from afar, fallen trees scattered around, people begging here and there, some injured - none of this caught his attention.

His mind was fixed on one thing …

The kingdom floating in the skies …

How could he infiltrate that place?