Chapter 88 - Revelation (1/2)

"Please wait for us in the Emperor's chamber, your Majesty, I shall introduce someone to Celestia before anything else" Astrid requested.

A few hours from now, all that Celestia knew will be the cause of her greatest downfall. However, for that to happen, she must first meet her.. .

Logan gave a small nod and passed a quick look at Celestia. He remembers her clearly, the way she speaks, smiles and even laughs on their small banters yet the once colorful memories they shared are now in black and white. It's liveliness faded away, like an old memory, he cannot even remember why did he love her.

Love...

Amor Gevaar...

He passed through her, he will meet her again soon, but that will be the last meeting.

'We are the two paths that should never have crossed'

---

"Hello daughter" a mellow voice greeted Celestia. It was a woman in her mid-forties. Her blue eyes glinted recognition upon seeing Celestia.

D-daughter?

She looks at the empress, is this Astrid's mother? Then why is she looking at Celestia and calling her daughter in the process?

Celestia's eyes went back and forth to the woman and Astrid and that's where realization hits her.

Although a distant and vague memory, she remembers slightly, the first queen of Thusha Kingdom, her mother--Esmeralda Wresea.

"I-it can't be" she replied as the information sinks her.

Her eyes began to fog up, can this day get any more shocking? She just wants to wake up from this dream, this nightmare rather.

The woman in an elegant black gown walks towards her slowly.

"My poor daughter, as much as I want to save you from this pain, there is no such way" her words were warm but the way she delivers it is full of coldness as if she has been practicing for this day to come.

Covering her in a hug, Celestia can't help but weep louder, an antagonizing cry that filled the room.

"Shush, everything will soon be over" Esmeralda comforted Celestia using her monotone voice.

'The prophecy will never come true...if you are dead'

'I'm sorry'

"W-why did you leave me?" Celestia sniffs. She thought she was stronger than before, but it seems like she returned to becoming a child after seeing her mother.

"Some things are better left, unsaid, dear" her mother calmly responded as her hands went through her golden hair. The same color of hair the three of them shared together.

"Will you save a dying tiger, knowing that if restored to full health, it will kill a lot more innocent lives? Or will you sacrifice it in exchange for thousands of lives?" Esmeralda uttered as she lifts Celestia's face.

According to the prophecy, this child of hers will be the reason why the four empires who lived in harmony for thousands of years will wage into a war.

Esmeralda can't fathom how, and why would the four great emperors be thrown into chaos. They're like brothers.

She saw how they grew up together, such strong bonds and the cause of breakage will be her firstborn daughter, Celestia.