The Union

It was cold outside but inside the room it was steaming. The lights from the lamps were floundering, giving a flickering illumination inside the room. There were a total of five people inside, Flame, Book, Dream, Stone and him- Shadow was what he was called.

He traced his cane from one end to the other with the tip of his finger. He then put the thing on the table carefully.

"So Hammer is dead" he said and wetted his lips "I was annoyed at first when you recalled me but if it"s because of Hammer"s death, then the matter is grave afterall. Did he die true to our cause?"

"He did. I saw his end. He did not even flinch" Book replied. She was sitting cross-legged in front of him. She changed the position of her legs and continued "Hammer"s brother ratted him to the Council. What a wicked man. And the Council... well you know how fast they move. They caught and executed Hammer that same day and labelled him as a cowardly traitor"

Hearing the word "coward" gripped his heart with anger. The Council had been calling them as such for a long time. They are not cowards. If they were then they wouldn"t be resisting the Council"s rule.

"May Hammer"s memory live forever" Dream said with a bow. Flame, Book and Stone joined Dream to honor Hammer"s courage. He also bowed.

"It is a sad day for us but we must continue" Flame said and then looked at him "So Shadow, what"s the situation with the humans? Are they still bickering? Petty creatures aren"t they? I told you. We shouldn"t expect much from them. We are on our own. The humans can"t help us. They will destroy each other like what happened last time."

"I disagree Flame" Stone interrupted before he could rebut Flame himself "Humans are powerful. Back when they were in their prime, they could have destroyed the Council in a blink of an eye"

Flame mocked with a snort "And yet they destroyed themselves. They exterminated each other back then. And now they are doing it again. Sometimes I wonder if they really are sentient beings. They are..."

"I confirmed that it"s them" He interrupted Flame "It"s really them. I"m sure of it. And now they are together. The Humans could again become united under their rule"

The others looked at him with their jaws dropped.

"You mean... that Prince Timothy and Princess Lucia?" Flame asked, shaken.

"It"s King Timothy and Queen Lucia now. In less than a year they have become possibly the most powerful humans. I"m sure it"s them. Those two are good"

Flame frowned "Does Gold also think the same?"

Shadow nodded as an answer.

"And where is Gold now? Have you met him?"

"I"ve met him in Solon. He was perfectly hidden among the merchant cla.s.s. He has the same opinion. He also thinks that the Humans could help us. That"s why he was helping those two. In fact Gold has been watching Timothy and Lucia since the beginning. But I suggest we refrain from bugging Gold. He has a family now and he said that he will do his part as long as we don"t include him in our games"

n.o.body uttered a word. All eyes were fixed on the table and everyone was thinking. Shadow knew that the Resistance had somewhat given up on the Humans. The Resistance only sent him after Gold, who had left the Resistance a long time ago, reported that there might be more to Timothy and Lucia than being just competent humans. After spectating their movements for months, Shadow had confirmed Timothy and Lucia"s ident.i.ties. He felt shivers after the realization hit him. He even shook their hand just a week ago.

It was convenient too as the Resistance had been watching Timothy and Lucia for a long time. Now that their ident.i.ties had been revealed, Shadow knew that the Resistance had again taken interest in making the Humans their ally.

"The culling for the Humans will soon come. Next year is my guess" Book said

"So it"s too late?" Dream asked

"I don"t think so" said Book "If those two really were who Shadow thinks they are, then we should help them. The Council is winning against us. We need the Humans"

"I agree" A voice said. Shadow was surprised when he saw that it was Flame.

**********

The first snow had fallen. Nirvana was now blanketed in white. But the people"s cheers from outside were as warm as a hearth.

Lucia was wearing a golden gown with sleeves decorated with sapphires. On her neck hangs a necklace with a huge pearl in it. Her braided hair, which was groomed by Mylene for hours, was tied in a bun. It was her special day with the special person in her heart.

She was walking beside Timothy with her hand hooked on Timothy"s arm. As they walked towards the platform at the front, Lucia was looking around the Grand Cathedral of Nirvana. There were hundreds of people inside, witnessing not just the wedding of two monarchs but also the union of two Kingdoms.

"Nervous?" Timothy asked

"Yeah" Lucia nodded.

"Having second thoughts?" Timothy again asked, this time with a hint of a jest. His lips showed a small grin.

"What if I am? What are you going to do King Timothy?" Lucia said with a smirk.

"I will court you again. And again. And again. Until you become mine"

Lucia"s heart again fluttered. She was left staring at Timothy and was reminded of the potency of his eloquence. Her next words were reduced to a stutter "I... I don"t think that"s necessary. I"m not having second thoughts. No" She looked down, embarra.s.sed and flushed.

She then realized that Timothy planned the flow of their conversation. She glared at him.

Timothy chuckled a little. "I"m sorry. I just wanted to see you redden. You"re so cute when you blush" He pulled her a little closer "But you"re not too nervous now are you?"

She giggled "But now I"m flushed! You have to take responsibility King Timothy. Doing that to a lady in front of many people wasn"t nice."

"I will"

"And how are you going to do that?" Lucia asked with raised eyebrows

"By giving you my heart for the rest of my life" Timothy gestured forward and Lucia saw that they have reached the platform. It was time to say their oaths.

As planned, both of them went to the opposing sides of the platform where tables were prepared. Lucia went to the left while Timothy to the right.

After reaching the table on her side, Lucia poured wine in a chalice. The sweet aroma of Hadean enticed her nostrils. She then stepped into the platform, meeting Timothy halfway.

With Timothy in front of her, looking good and splendid, her heart again raced. She had been dreaming of this moment for months. This day was the fruit of their hardwork. As she fell into a daze, only Timothy filled her vision. He was the one she chose. He was the only one. In that moment, she was not the Queen of Vanadis and Timothy was not the King of Castonia. The two of them were simply Lucia and Timothy, two souls who decided to become one.

She held the chalice near her chest.

"I, Lucia Vanadis, with the Omniscient as witness, offer this wine to you, Timothy Castonia, as a symbol of my undying devotion and love. The only thing I want for it is that you return my love and treat me well. Shield me against my storms as I protect you against yours. What is mine will be yours. What I am will be you for we are one. From this day to our last, we are united."

She offered Timothy the chalice. Timothy smiled and took the chalice from her hand. He then drank the wine.

"I accept" he said as he gave the chalice back to her.

Timothy also held his chalice near his chest. "I, Timothy Castonia, with the Omniscient as witness, offer this wine to you, Lucia Vanadis, as symbol of my eternal love. I promise to protect and give you happiness. What is mine will be yours. What I am will be you for we are one. From this day to our last, we are united"

Timothy reached the chalice towards her. Lucia took it and drank the wine. She handed the chalice back to Timothy.

"I accept" Lucia said, smiling as she was too happy to describe what she felt. At last she and Timothy are one. She promised herself that she will do everything to make Timothy happy.

Applause from the audience boomed as the ritual ended with both of them clinking the two chalices.

And then Lucia"s vision suddenly blurred. The scene of Timothy smiling from ear to ear was replaced with darkness.

"Mat? Will you promise me?" A woman"s voice said, coming from Lucia"s side. It was as if she was the speaker.

"Promise me that we will be together no matter what happens" the woman added

"You know that we will Stella" A man"s voice replied

"But I want to hear it from you"

The man laughed "Alright. But I can only promise to do my part. You must also promise yours"

"Fine. I promise. I promise that I will be yours. Now it"s your turn Mathew"

But before the man could again talk, Lucia"s vision was returned. Timothy was again standing in front of her.

"I promise that I will be yours." Timothy said to Lucia with a smile.

"No matter what happens" Lucia instinctively mumbled, still shocked by what she saw.