Chapter 2 The Solution

Arthur stood up from his throne, knowing his next words would strike Zara like lightning. As gods, they were only allowed to bear one child for each woman they had intimate relations with. He knew that doing what he wished to do would set the kingdom free and keep Lucy locked in the night realm forever. He remained silent, sadly gazing at Zara's face. Whom was unaware of his thoughts, Zara decided to read his mind to understand his innermost desires. However, Arthur had shielded his thoughts from her, using his blood to prevent her from accessing them all these years.

Zara froze in shock, realizing she couldn't hear his thoughts anymore, remembering that the day she started asking questions about Lucy's curse on Lara was the day his thoughts became inaccessible. She rose from her seat, approached Arthur, and placed her hands on his shoulders, longing to understand his thoughts.

"What is it? Talk to me, for you know you have shut me out from knowing your words without the movement of your lips," Zara pleaded.

"The only way to keep Lucy locked in the night realm is to kill our daughter, Lara," Arthur confessed.

"No, you mustn't do that. As a goddess, I can no longer bear any children for you, for the universal order has decreed that we gods can only have one offspring each," Zara argued.

"If I don't do this before her twentieth birthday, her beauty may break the laws of nature, and the curse will spread everywhere, affecting everyone who would want to have intimate relations with her. Lara cannot be killed by mortals, and it is not her purpose to kill them either. If she intentionally does so, she will join Lucy, and together they will rule the world and all realms. I cannot let that happen. My father, Sylas, will be forever displeased with me, and I will be unable to join him in the universal realm of gods," Arthur explained, his voice filled with anguish.

"There must be another way," Zara pleaded desperately.

One of the new maidens, born from the womb of a defeated witch, happened to overhear their conversation. She entered the room with boldness, as if she were a goddess herself.

"There is a way, my queen," Hellas declared.

King Arthur's gaze shifted towards Hellas, who possessed the same dark magic as her defeated mother, as well as the light magic of a demi-god with whom her mother had laid.

"What manner of solution do you propose?" Arthur questioned. "I have tirelessly sought answers, only to come up empty-handed."

"Silence, my husband," interjected Zara, addressing Arthur. "Allow the maiden to speak, for she is a chosen goddess who has found favor in my eyes."

"Thank you, my queen," Hellas began apologetically. "My king, I do not wish any harm to befall this kingdom. I offer my assistance as a token of gratitude for sparing my life months ago and appointing me as the queen's personal mini goddess."

Arthur nodded, granting permission for Hellas to continue. "You may speak," he said.

"Send the Princess to an alternate universe, far beyond the reach of your people, where she can live as the goddess she truly is," Hellas proposed.

"But I know of an alternate universe," Arthur countered. "My father, Sylas, visited the god of that realm. What guarantee do we have that its inhabitants will not desire her?"

"My king, the curse was directed at your people and not the inhabitants of another universe," explained Hellas. "The curse will lose its power there, and when she finds true love, only a genuine kiss will break the curse. She cannot obtain this here. Send her away to find her true love's kiss."

"How will she know if the curse has been broken?" inquired Zara.

Hellas closed her eyes, suspending herself in the air for a few moments, creating a sense of anticipation. Suddenly, a golden bracelet materialized on her wrist. Descending from the air, she presented it to the king and queen.

"My king and queen, this bracelet in my hand is enchanted," Hellas proclaimed. "I have placed a curse upon it so that when Princess Lara finds her true love's kiss, the bracelet will break free from my wrist."

Arthur hesitated before expressing his doubts. "Hellas, I do not wish to doubt your abilities, but how can we be certain that it will work?"

"Summon the princess," Hellas suggested. "Instruct her to kiss one of the guards. If she kisses someone who is not her true love, the golden bracelet will turn silver for an hour."

Acting upon Arthur's command, Princess Lara was summoned and entered the room, visibly surprised to find Hellas and her parents engaged in conversation.

"Father, you sent for me?" Lara questioned.

"Yes, my dear," replied Arthur. "Kiss one of the guards, so we may ascertain whether Hellas's bracelet indeed works."

Lara, without questioning her father's command, glanced at her mother, finding reassurance in her eyes. She then shifted her gaze towards Hellas's eyes, fixating on the bracelet adorning her wrist. Slowly, she approached the guard who had always shown her kindness, often singing to uplift her spirits. She hoped that he truly loved her. She pressed a gentle kiss upon his lips. Arthur and Zara turned their attention to the bracelet, which immediately transformed into silver at the conclusion of Lara's tender kiss.

"Without a doubt, I believe it works," Arthur declared. "Lara, my daughter, tomorrow morning, I shall send you to an alternate universe. There, you shall live as a mortal until you find a man who truly loves you."

"Dad, an alternate universe? I'll be so far away from you and our people," Lara expressed with concern.

"My daughter, it's only temporary. We will stay in touch with you. You know how the people in our realm desire you. Staying here would make it difficult for you to find love and happiness, especially when you turn twenty," Zara explained.

"Lara, let me tell you the truth behind your beauty," Arthur intervened. He proceeded to reveal everything he had shared with Zara, including the potential consequence of her refusal to go-her own father taking her life. Gods alone possess the power to end the lives of their offspring. Arthur emphasized that it was better for Lara to dwell in another universe than to become a fallen princess. Listening intently, Lara acknowledged the weight of his words and agreed to journey to the universe of her father's choosing. However, she requested that the people there be no different from her own, as she had yet to fully master her powers and needed to ensure her safety.

"I will comply with your command, but promise me you will speak to me as you speak to your people, as their lord," Lara requested.

"I promise, and I will do even more," Arthur assured her.

Arthur turned his gaze towards Hellas, offering her a grateful smile. A smile from a god or goddess was a sign of approval. Lara embraced her family for a few moments before returning to her room and where she would spend her last night in the dungeon. As the morning's bright, glorious light began to shine, Lara exited the dungeon and proceeded to freshen up in her room. Arriving in the throne room, she found her mother and father waiting for her. Once again, they embraced her tightly, and a single tear escaped Zara's eye, causing rain to pour from the sky.

"Mother, look what you've caused. A single tear from your eyes makes the clouds weep upon our people," Lara observed.

"Forgive me, daughter. I will now watch you through the goddess mirror and in your dreams. I won't be able to physically touch you anymore," Zara lamented.

Lara bid farewell to her mortal maidens and the warrior guards who had been like older brothers to her. She then turned to Hellas, her eyes fixated on the bracelet.

"How long do you think I'll be gone?" Lara inquired.

"Go and live your life until you find true love, my princess. You are immortal, and time should not hinder you," Hellas responded.

"I'm glad you're a demi-god. When I return, I won't see many of my maidens anymore, as old age will have taken them to the universal realm," Lara remarked.

"Enough with the lengthy talk. My father, Sylas, has secured the approval of the god on Earth to permit your presence among humans there. The portal to that world will be opening any moment now," Arthur informed her.