Beyond the Stars

Chapter 17: The River (Part 2)

"You've been asking for a child since then. That's what you both desire and with that I give it to you." The goddess was talking. The couple were still in shock but managed to listen to what the goddess is saying. "Because of your act of kindness, this child I give to you. Take good care of it. Continue to be kind to others. I might reward you again if you do so." The goddess said before she disappeared. 

"What did she mean by 'reward us again for being kind'?" Hiwaga was confused "With reward or not, I'm happy whenever we do something good for others. I know you feel the same way." Sinag was smiling at Hiwaga. "The goddess told us we're going to have a child! That's the greatest reward I could ever receive! I don't care about anything else! We'll have a child, Hiwaga!" The prince was so happy he spun the princess and kissed her. 

Their love didn't fade even after Hiwaga's belly got big. Sinag was patient and takes care of Hiwaga even if she had mood swings because of her pregnancy. Hiwaga sings and reads to a child in her belly. The day of birth came and almost all villagers came to help her give birth. After all, they were grateful for the things this couple had done. 

"It's a girl." The midwife said as she hands the baby to Hiwaga. "What will we name her 'Ga?" "We used to ask a child in the stars." The princess was crying for joy. "That's why we'll name her Tala." The prince loved the name Hiwaga gave their daughter. They carried on with their lives after that. Sinag works for his family's food and Hiwaga stays to do household chores and take care of Tala. Hiwaga always has her eye on Tala until one day, someone knocked on their door to ask for help.

Hiwaga left Tala in the room for a while to give someone what they asked for. As if on cue, Sinag came home the moment Hiwaga handed over something to the villager. After the villager thanked her and left. Sinag went inside the house and the couple heard Tala's giggle from the room. The couple immediately went to the room. Tala was their source of energy and happiness. Whenever they see her happy and healthy is enough to make their days.

Usually, they were so happy and eager to play with Tala but now they were shocked and scared because Tala was playing with something familiar to the couple. "I-is t-that?" the princess was stuttering. "C-Cassi-op-peia's r-ring of Im-mo-r-t-tality" the prince stuttered as well. They both stared at their daughter that seems to have no idea what she possesses. Hiwaga was scared to the point that she cried. 

"That ring is the reason why our sides are against each other! They will surely know about this and surely they'll rush here and I know they'll play dirty for this ring. Tala will get involved! I don't want her to get hurt! She shouldn't be involved in this kind of mess! She's just a child!" The princess exclaimed. She was in pain.

"Don't worry, I won't neglect the both of you. I won't let anyone hurt you, especially, Tala. Don't cry, my love." The prince hugged the princess and calmed her. Even though he acted strong, he was scared and worried about what might happen to his daughter. They were right about what they predicted. After a few weeks, people banged on their door. It was odd because the village was empty and they're the only ones left inside but they're sure that the ones who were knocking are not their neighbors.

"I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE RING! GIVE US THE RING!" I took a peek at who's banging the door. The guy looks familiar. I've seen him before. The couple knows that they shouldn't give the ring to the ones who will just abuse its power so they remained stagnant and quiet. The moment when the banging went louder, the prince had no choice but to defend their house. The prince is strong but they were too many. Inside the house was Hiwaga, holding Tala tight in her arms.

"I have to help my husband but I can't leave Tala alone, they might hurt my daughter." The princess was confused on what she should do. She put Tala in a basket, she covered her with blanket and put the ring somewhere hidden in the basket. She kneeled after that and stared at the sky. "Goddess of Cassiopeia, I need to protect my husband. I hope and I pray that even if me and my husband won't survive, please protect Tala. I want her to live. Please don't let anything or anyone harm her." she prayed before she hugged and kissed her daughter. "Mama and papa loves you my dear, always remember that." she told Tala before she left her to help her husband.

The basket with the baby disappeared. I transferred my gaze to the couple. They were starting to fail until they lost consciousness and eventually died. The guys who were banging the door started searching the house but they didn't find the ring. They failed their mission. After I few seconds, the scenery disappeared and I couldn't breathe again. That's why I went up the river, caught my breath, and dried up.

"How are you, Angeline?" Blessica asked. I was stuttering when I told her I'm fine. "Who's at fault? Therondia or Caspian?" Carmen asked. "N-no one, King Caspian and King Therondia drowned for competing for the ring and Princess Hiwaga and Prince Sinag loved each other dearly until their last breath. They even had a daughter." I explained. "I need to find their daughter. Maybe she still has the ring. She needs to face your queens and kings." I told them. "Can we please rest first? We were here the whole day. It's already nighttime." Danilo complained. I let them do what they want since I know that what we did is tiring. We went to the lady's house to spend the night. 

I took a gaze from my friends who slept the moment they lied down. It seems like I'm the only one who can't sleep. All the information I learned is too much to sink in and none of those are about myself. Goddess, if you're here with me. Please guide me.

After I asked Cassiopeia for guidance, my necklace glowed. This is the necklace my mother made me wear before I came into this world. I played with the charm and there I found out that the necklace was a key. I remembered the box my mother handed me before I went in this world. I looked at my backpack and I saw that I brought it on my journey. I unlocked the box with my key and there I saw tons of papers. I grabbed one.

To: Angeline

From: Eden

This is my mother's name. I read the letter because something important must be written there.

Dear Angeline,

If you're reading this that means you're ready to find out the truth...