A/ N: It was about time! Heavily centered around Life and Death though.
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« Alas, daughter, we cannot mourn for your brother more than we already did. »
Life's voice was stern but soft. She looked at her daughter who was trying her best to contain her tears During the attack sustained by the Realm of all beginnings, Life lost three children and only could bring back her only daughter. It caused her great grieves since she woke from her coma, to have to bury her sons knowing full well they would never come back and were destined to Death's realm. She knew he would take good care of their souls -which he did- and knew they would have a happy life in the End Realm. That didn't sting less. That still hurt her just like it did hurt her daughter who was crying ever since she learned the truth. Life's ebony face looked at Death who was on her right. He put his hand on his heart and slightly bowed before her.
« I suspect we are not done yet, Death. I thought the Horsemen were our only enemies. »
« They were the armed hand of our enemy, beloved. You are still not safe. Allow me to ensure your safety for the time being. »
His onyx orbs stared at the goddess who was sitting on her throne. She had not changed since the first time he laid his eyes on her. Like all the eternal, she was huge, only slightly smaller than he was. Her skin was flawlessly ebony like his own was purely white. Her hair, which she had jet black, was hidden under a golden veil. Her body was draped with gold trimmed toga that fully covered the goddess from head to toe. She didn't wear a crown, but a white diamond crowned her forehead.
« What does it entail, Death? Does that mean you are to stay here until we've unmasked the enemy? »
« I need the evidence that Time is the mastermind behind your attack. Besides, you are still not safe. Another attack could happen, hence the presence of our children by your side. »
« Are you already leaving me? » -She asked, tilting her head to the side.-
The trip was surprisingly fast. Lux, Death and his son rode their ways to Life's realm. The princess was nervous about the reunion. She spent centuries on Earth, with her memories of her family, her subjects and the court of the queen blocked from her mind. It was intimidating to say the very least. Everywhere she looked at, people would bow before her, torn between crying for her return and the very fact she was indeed, brought back from the dead and happy about her victory over the Horsemen of Apocalypse. It was a triumphant return Home, with familiar faces embracing her return regardless of how much they feared Death and his son. The Realm of All Beginnings was still recovering from the destruction caused by the Horsemen of Apocalypse. Despite the damages it sustained, its beauty never faded. Unlike the End realm, everything inhabiting it was alive, from the plants to the fauna, to the queen's court.
« Do not fret, beloved. I am going to stay until we are sure that Time is our enemy. I already found the one who summoned my brothers from the Vanishing Point. Princess Despair. »
The palace was made of Gold and rubies, with hints of emeralds to remind her of the End Realm. It was an explosion of senses, the perfect harmony between fauna, flora and timeless architecture. Tenebrae had never been to the Golden Palace, never did he spend time with so much life surrounding him. The bright light of the Realm of all Beginnings was still overwhelming the prince whose face became somber by the minute. There was a lot to unpack here, from the discovery of the bond their parents shared, to the fact the Elder Time was responsible for the attacks. The Palace was breathtaking and under any other circumstances, Tenebrae would have appreciated the decorations. The ceilings were a collection of the classic arts and the most recent ones, adding to the infinite history of Mankind and reflecting off all the existing cultures. The ensemble was harmonious, with each hallway or room decorated according to a specific style. The colors remained harmonious, to go well with the golden tone of the place.
It was quite strange to watch these two eternal interact with each other for their children. Death was softer than usual, a smile never left his face as soon as he saw Life. He was adoring the goddess and his adoration transpired from the longing looks he was giving her to the fact he almost had colors on his pale face. Tenebrae felt as if his father was reborn and he realized that the affection he might have for Life, the prince had for Lux. Could they bond over their mutual love for these women ? Eventually... the situation was too tense for the prince to dwell on his father's love affairs. Instead, he pinched the bridge of his nose when his father mentioned princess Despair's name. She had escaped the mind of the prince! Ashamed, Tenebrae ran his hand into his white mane.
« Tenebrae... it's alright. It's alright. » Lux' voice tore him off of his thoughts. He groaned painfully and looked at her hands on his chest.
« What if I was the one who created this mess? » -He whispered to her. Lux furrowed her brows and shook her head.
« You are not responsible for someone else action. You do not have to take responsibility for her mistakes. » He shook his head, quickly losing his calm until she cupped his cheek, effectively calming the prince who looked at her. « Look at me Tenebrae. She loved you but you loved me and /I/ love you. »
His onyx gaze shifted from left to right before it focused on her. With just her voice she succeeded in calming the prince who finally smiled at her and wrapped his hand around her wrist. He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, his breath returning to normal. Lux closed her eyes and focused her attention on the eternal. Since Death answered her question, they have been silent. Her mother was thinking of their next move and that slight crease on her forehead was very revealing. She knew they had to locate the princess and take her from her prison before Time used her to open the Vanishing Point again and their only chance would be that the princess was unable to open it because her hatred towards the prince and her daughter would not be as strong as it used to be. Death, however, was still caught in contemplating the woman before him. It was very strange for Lux to see the embodiment of the End of everything be smitten over someone like he was over her mother. But it was the irrefutable proof that they were in love. Life was a stern woman, most of the time, but she could let go of her rough exterior to show a warmer side of her. Despite the importance and dreadfulness of the situation, her gaze was warm, her hand was held between Death's larger hands and she was looking at him. Their hands were creating sparkles just like Lux and Tenebrae when they touched but it seemed to draw short-lived arabesques in the air and seemed like they were dancing in harmony.
« You haven't changed. » Life finally said, tearing herself off of her thoughts.
« Why would I? I am like the last day we've seen each other, except far happier than on that day because I am with you again. »
« The prophecy was a lie, a way to punish us for falling in love. Isn't it too late? I married someone else and we both have children. We made a choice thousands of year ago. » She sounded sad, defeated. « We have lost so much of our lives being apart from one another. »
« I will love you for all eternity. My vows remain. Our children are the manifestation of that love we couldn't live. » He leaned his forehead against the back of her hand. « Beloved, today isn't the day we live in regrets. We cannot afford to. »
« I...I can't help but wonder how our existence would have been if we were not...if Time had not convinced us fraternizing would cause the doom of the world. But you are right, our children fell in love with each other as we once did. » A faint smile crept on her lips before she put her other hand on top of Death. « I am glad your son found my daughter and protected her until she recovered her powers and memory. The palace is well guarded and I have recovered my full strength. Please make yourself home. My daughter is back and we shall celebrate her return properly. » She then turned her head and looked at her handmaid. A large brunette with a gold strapless dress. «Agathe? Please, inform the palace we're having a feast tonight. Our princess had returned, our palace is almost restored to its glory, I am awake and our enemies have been vanquished so far. Ensure that every subject of the realm has food on their table, let the music play, go on Agathe, go on. » She said nodding as her handmaid left the throne room in a hurry.
« A feast? Right now? Isn't it celebrating too early? » Tenebrae asked, worried about being surrounded with people. He disliked crowds, even in his own realm so how was he supposed to handle a crowd in the brightest realm of them all? He gulped down, his eyes slowly turning fully black but Lux held onto his hand tighter.
« We do need our victories. A couple of days before, I took a sword for you, I think you can take a feast for me. » She playfully said before she pressed her lips to his. « Now, now that also means we will have to bathe and get ready for the feast. » She turned to her mother. « Can I take King Death and Prince Tenebrae to their chambers? »
« Yes you can, my child. I have to talk to the king and prepare him for seeing our daughter again. I shall... » She knew how much it hurt her old flame to hear her mention her husband. Deep down, it reminded him of what it could have been. Life felt it and quietly bent forward to kiss Death's forehead slowly. It was the most she could do given the circumstances, but her touch soothed the King who cupped her cheek with his large pale hand. « I shall bid you farewell for now... »
« Farewell, my queen. »
He straightened up and let Lux lead both his son and him to their chambers.
-TBC-
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