𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 || 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

Chapter XLIL: The Pawn of Dawn

Defy the Fates Pt. 5

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“THIS CANNOT BE…” Solene took a step back, her eyes wide in terror. “Are you telling me that I am the one in that ceiling…that this prophecy you all keep saying—is me destroying the Clover Kingdom?”

“Indeed it is you, my child,” Eos said.

“Don't!” Solene snapped, pointing an agitated finger at her. “Don't ever call me your child ever again! I will never consider you as my mother. You hid yourself from me, you erased me and my father's memories, you ally with my enemies—people who tried to take the life of your own daughter, who tried to destroy the kingdom I'm protecting! You… you wouldn't show yourself to me if you don't need me as a pawn for your revenge!”

“Do not dare raise your voice on me, half-blood!” Eos’s voice rumbled around the great hall, and for a moment Solene could see her true form. “Do not mistake me as the villain. I was betrayed!”

“You abducted my father and coerced him to live with you when he was happily in love with his wife! Thalia is dead, my father doesn't remember anything in his past—why do you seek the downfall of my kingdom?”

“Because it is not only I who was wronged by the people of your kingdom,” she said, her eyes blazing like the sun. “Solene, you do not know how your people have sinned against me. And as a goddess, I cannot let it pass without bringing punishment.”

“So you have to resort to your daughter doing it for you?” Solene scoffed, meeting her eyes with a determined gaze. “I will not let you have me obliterate the entire kingdom just for the sake of revenging your woeful love story! So whatever plans you have with Jinn, I will do everything to stop it—even if it costs my life!”

“What a pity you are, Solene,” Eos uttered, walking towards her with slow, graceful steps as she circled her daughter. “Trying to protect the kingdom that condemned and ostracized you. Have you already forgotten what they are doing to you? Or shall I remind you? You are facing scorn because you are from the Forsaken Realm. You have no status, that is why they accuse you of manipulating your way through the Magic Knights—and the best squad at that.”

Eos put her lips close to Solene’s ear, whispering, “The Clover Kingdom will never accept someone like you even if you reveal your true self to them. They will always paint you as a monster—a scoundrel. You will never belong, Solene, trust me.”

“You don't have the certainty,” Solene said. “I believe that there is still good in this kingdom, some that will believe in me!”

“If they find out how powerful you are, what do you think they'll do to you? Would the royals and the nobles acknowledge you now? Would the commoners and the peasants treat you as their queen? No. They will be filled with such jealousy that they will try to take your magic and your life. That's an inevitable fact, Solene.”

“Then perhaps it is much better than to submit myself to you.”

Eos caressed her daughter’s hair, showing her a faint smile. “My dear daughter. Try to understand me at least. I could take your suffering away from you if you accept my offer—and that is to be a full goddess like me. I could grant you immortality and immense power that no one in your kingdom could come equal to.”

Solene pulled away, her eyes wide. “What do you mean? Y-You… you’ll make me a goddess too?”

Eos nodded. “If you accept my offer. You will have access over the heavens like me. You will have your own dominion. Your own temple. Your own worshippers. Those who have looked down upon you will now bow down to you. You will no longer hide yourself inside a chamber, Solene. You can be free for all eternity. You will have everything you ever wanted.”