The Lord ✔️

Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Saeva

"If you're Saeva," Andromeda said, the words growing cold on the tip of her tongue, "where is my real mother?" She took an imposing step towards Saeva, her teeth baring into a ferocious snarl.
"Cora?" Saeva chuckled, her smile completely fake, even to the naked eye. "Why, she's either dead, or locked up in a territory under the moon. She wouldn't have been able to escape, as only my son stayed there, knowing every inch of the land. He is young, just your age, princess, and knows his place."
"What is Ina doing here, then?" Andromeda asked. She tried to sound brave.
This time, Saeva didn't answer, allowing Ina to, instead. "I named you when you were young," she spoke. "You, Andromeda, a celestial name, but meaning "saviour" in our language; Hunter, who would protect you; and Crescent was half a moon, waiting to fulfil herself. I see that she has."
"Then why are you here?" Andromeda asked again. "In this cave."
Ina held a paw up, telling Andromeda she would come to that. "Your mother and I were very good friends," she said. "Then, Cora was kidnapped by her—" she pointed to Saeva—"and she—" she pointed to Saeva again—"took up the role as your mother. She renamed Crescent to Carol, and locked me up."
"But why did she do that?" asked Andromeda.
Ina's sigh was resigned, as if she had been avoiding that question. But, she spoke softly, gently. "When you were born, I recited a prophecy, Andromeda. The prophecy was about two wolves: The Lord, and The Fake-One. It said how if the Fake-One did remain hidden, The Lord would win the war.
"Saeva here took it the wrong way. What that bit meant, was you would win if she stayed as Queen Cora until today. But she thought it meant if she didn't strike, you would win the whole war. So she kidnapped your mother and locked me up."
Andromeda's mouth formed an "o." It was hard for her to take in, that she was The Lord and her mother-but-not-her-mother was The Fake-One. Yet, nothing stopped her for looking at Ina in the eyes and asking a question that was important to her, and to Findrut. "Ina, would you please recite the prophecy?"
Silence filled the rocky cave. Saeva's eyebrows shot up, but Ina simply nodded.
"A battle is on its way.
It is coming closer, closer,
As the stars will slay the wind,
And the sky will fight the roots.

She stays, locked up,
She stays, hidden away,
She stays, unknowing,
Of the dangerous world outside.

She leaves, she runs,
With an army right behind,
Wind determination in her heart,
A leader, a fighter.

The Lord will win the war,
If the Fake-One remains hidden,
Remains hidden,
The Lord will slay them all.

I predict it all,
I know that he will bring her back.
I know it all,
I predict she will save her, save her.

Vicious claws and savage fangs,
Guilt and growling.
Whatever the Fake-One says,
The Lord will return one day."