ELEMENT

Chapter Forty-Eight: Make Believe

The story of the prophecy has since been twisted.

The king never knew Meadow's name. So, she became The Mage, a beacon of the beginning.

Cole's presence was lost in hearsay. Eventually, the story never spoke of a brother who would have protected his sister to the very end.

The king painted a picture of his valiance, but everyone saw through the lies. King Amaranth Stonewing was publicly executed a week later, and his son took the throne.

The prophecy was marked as truth, the Light Emblem being placed in a secret location for only the royals to see. This secret location was the attic of a cottage, in a blue mahogany box, belonging to the royal family. Though it would not be opened for many years, the box never gathered dust.

One disappeared, and one died.

Rose Terry disappeared, never to be seen again. Though word is that she settled down to start a large family which lasted for many years, the most recent lineage being a kid named Quincy.

16-year-old Meadow Keynote died, and not a single person was told of her whereabouts. Meadow never knew where her name came from, and once she did, she didn't have time to have any revelation. In that moment, the Mage, Experiment 193, and Meadow Keynote became three different people and one at once, all a significant person, moment, phenomenon in the point of time they belonged to.

Eventually, Meadow did come to. She and Cole woke up holding hands. Cole looked normal, if not better. But Meadow was different. She wore a dress that looked like a sunset, dressed in black butterflies. Her hair was adorned in gold.

Harry almost looked apologetic, but proud. Maybe someone was finally able to talk some sense into him.

Royals of the past congregated here. Including Sage's parents, who had met Meadow and Cole before, only this was in a better circumstance.

Meridian and Amber seemed calm in the corner. They were reading and sharing books. Both gave a simple wave to Meadow, while stepping forward.

And throughout the whole group, simple words rung out:

"Thank you."

The people who had died in the palace stayed. That seemed to be the answer, why so many people were here.

But Peter was nowhere to be found.

"And rightfully so, if I may add."

Meadow looked up at the girl- no, the woman- who looked just like her. And she smiled. "So it really was me."

"It was you." Mage smiled, tears in her eyes.

Paladin had his arm linked to Mage's. "Meadow. Cole. You've both done so well."

Cole blinked. "Oh. Sup, good-looking."

Paladin snorted in response. "Sup, good-looking."

Mage looked at Meadow again, nodding. "Do you understand now?"

She exhaled. "...Yes. I understand."

And Mage smiled. "Good. I've tried so hard to make it so."

"So fucking hard." Meridian nudged her.