The Princess Quest

Chapter 21: Things Come To An End

"It's beautiful," Roya whispered. They had arrived at the Temple of the Moon. The four walked out from the woods into a clearing. There were smooth, half-circle shaped stones in the ground making a spiral shape. Moss grew out of the cracks. In front of them were marble steps leading to a huge temple supported by columns. There was a small pond with a trickle of a waterfall flowing down from some rocks, and a family of centaurs were grazing nearby. Unfortunately, beyond the forest, Roya could see black tendrils of disease quickly spreading their way. 

Damien was in pursuit. 

"Let's hurry," said Calypso. They entered the Temple, and gasped. Sunlight shone down through the leaves of the tree hanging over it, as the Temple had no roof. Vines grew around the columns, and sapphires glistened from where they were embedded into the rock. In the center of the room was a pedestal with a huge green jewel inside. 

"That's the rare gem," Calypso said. "There's only one of it's kind, and it's right there. Roya, draw the summoning circle around it, and hopefully Cordelia will come to us."

"Um, hopefully?" Arawn asked. "What happens if she doesn't?"

"Then we die, as we failed to complete the task the Gods set upon us, and Damien destroys the world with dark zombies," Calypso said.

"Well, if that's all we have to worry about," Arawn said, sarcastically.

"I'm almost done here," Roya said. They all looked down to find her speed drawing on the ground.

"Don't sacrifice quality for time," Andrel warned. "The better the drawings, the more likely it is Cordelia will come to us."

"Done!" Roya said, standing up to admire her work. Let's place the things we have inside."

"But wait, we don't have a blazing star!" Calypso pointed out.

"Maybe Cordelia will tell us how to get one," Roya said. "Now come on. We all have to sit around this circle, and I'll say the chant."

They got into a circle, and Roya said, "Dear goddess Cordelia, manipulator of water and giver of life, we call upon you in an hour of need. Please come to us."

For a second, nothing happened. 

"No, no, no, no!" Arawn said. "It didn't work, she didn't-

At that moment, the gem lit up, and a blinding light filled the room. When they all opened their eyes, Cordelia was sitting there. She smiled at the shocked looks around her.

"Roya Moonthorn, Calypso Rivera, Arawn Ravensky, and Andrel Birdsong. You have called me here. Why?"

"The prophecy said we needed a dewdrop from fire," Roya said. "We figured that was you. Unless you have no idea what we're talking about, then we're in big trouble."

Cordelia smiled. "I know about the prophecy. It was I who turned your underwater breathing potion into a vessel for my powers," she said to Calypso. "I knew this day would come. I hoped it would help you. I hoped you wouldn't abuse your power, and you didn't disappoint me."

Calypso smiled.

"And as for you," Cordelia turned to Roya. "Aithne and I knew that one day, it would come to an end for us. My best friends, the Gods of Mischief knew too. That was why you needed to get the fox hair, and the horse tooth. They reminded me of my friends. Aithne and I both agreed to gift our powers to someone who was strong enough. I gave mine to Calypso, as she was a rarity. Aithne gifted you his, as you are a princess. Even though we're separate, we've watched over you since you were born. Our blazing star.

In perfect unison, all heads whipped toward Roya.

Roya sat stock still, in shock. 

"I'm the blazing star?" she asked.