Winter of Destiny (Celestia Chronicles Book 4/Seasons Arc: Book 4)

Chapter 2: The Prophecy's Plan

The next morning everyone was preparing for the trip North after Arda and Jade discussed that they would not accompany them. Jade said her goodbyes to Serenity and Talon then noticed the long embrace her parents were in.

"Never forget how much I love you" Arda said- tears swelling in her eyes.

"We both knew this day would come" Gremdar said, "I wish there was more time."

"There will be" Arda said hopeful. "On the otherside when your job here is done. I'll be waiting for you but don't rush the remainder of what you have left in this life."

After a long kiss Gremdar grabbed his bags and headed towards the woods. Kendra approached Arda and gave her a Salute.

"We will carry the torch for you" Kendra said.

Arda hugged Kendra tightly. "After Lucifer, Saje and Gremdar were the only two I ever managed to trust but now I can say that you have my every confidence. I trust you will help build a better world when this is all over."

They separated as Kendra started to walk to the rest of the group as they all proceeded forward. Arda smiled as a few tears fell from her eyes. She wiped the tears and turned to Jade with a determined look.

"We have work to do" Arda said.

They both walked to the coast and looked out to the horizon awaiting the arrival of Koral. After a while she popped up from the water and pulled herself onto the rocky outcropping.

"Did you find what I asked for" Arda asked.

A block of ice washed up on the beach and Jade saw Saje frozen inside it.

"His wounds are fatal" Koral said, "He's to far gone for healing- If I hadn't frozen him... well you know."

Jade walked up to the block of Ice as Arda and Koral looked on. She placed her hand on the ice and reached out with her mind in an attempt to read his.

"Saje, Can you hear me" she asked with her mind.

"Jade? Am I still Alive- everything is so cold..."

"You're frozen in ice but you can't be healed" Jade conveyed to him.

"I have important information" Saje's voice in her head said, a heavy tone of excitement carried with it. "Xaug's Staff is his weakness!" 

All of a sudden it clicked in her mind exactly why Talon was able to hit Xaug- without the scepter anyone could kill him!

"We actually have a solid tactic" Jade called out to her mother. Arda looked confused as Jade felt an incredible weight being lifted off her. "If we break Xaug's Staff then anyone can deal the killing blow!"

Jade never saw her mother look like this- It was like she just learned something she should have figured out years ago.

"Only the chosen one has the power to kill Xaug but will die in the attempt" Arda declared. "If you fight with the intent to break his staff and not kill him-"

"Then I wouldn't be able to die in an attempt to kill him" Jade exclaimed, realizing the answer was so simple this whole time. Then the look of happiness faded from her face. "I have to die" Jade said.

"What do you mean" Arda asked.

"I know the perfect opportunity to destroy his staff" Jade said, "He described my death perfectly and in that moment his guard will be the absolute lowest."

Arda thought for a moment before remembering what the version of Jade from the future said about surviving the Day of Destiny "I did not." 

"I learned recently that you do not survive" Arda said. "I wished it wasn't true but it has to be."

"So now we need to figure out who will be the one to finish off Xaug" Jade thought aloud.

"Your Father or Kendra" Arda said.

"But that means that they have to survive the day unscathed to even have a chance of fighting Xaug" Jade said thinking aloud. "I wish there was someone who could hide out on the side until the right moment."

Jade's eyes open wide. She reached into her coat and pulled out a leatherbound journal.

"My journal" Arda asked.

Jade held the book open to a specific page, "The Reaper Contract."

"There's no source of energy powerful enough to make it work" Arda said in frustration.

"Yes there is" Jade said. "Krystal."