Ounces of snow swept from my hair, which flew loosely in the wind. My boots, dug into the floor searching.

I wondered how I got here. There were trees covered in snow. With a gust of wind whistling softly.

"Huh?"

I let out, reflexly at what was ahead me.

It was Mum.

Her face was brighter than usual. Lady Archer was dressed richly, in a burnt orange fine robe. In her head was her usual crown, which sat gorgeously on her crimson hair.

"C-caspian!"

She cried out, rushing to hug me.

I connected them to her silver-grey ones, rubbing the back of my head as to where I was.

"Mum."

I seethed. I was about to make my way to her, when someone stepped out of her back.

"W-who are you?" My voice broke, knowing this could be my greatest fear.

"Big brother."

She let out.

My beast rumbled at her words that minute. Tell her we're sorry. We didn't mean to hurt her.

I will. I will let her know.

I carried on, making my way to the both of them, when mum's eyes widened suddenly.

"Stop, Caspian!"

My brows cringed instantly.

"Why?" I asked.

"You are not supposed to be here. You're not pale like us, meaning you're very much alive. Please go back," she breathed out forcefully.

"Yes, big bro." Veronica let out. I sighed in wonder at how big she had grown. She inherited dad's blonde hair, yet, she was nothing like him.

"I-I can't leave you both?" I swallowed, in hurt, saying. "I just got here. I haven't even touched or hugged you. I haven't told you any of my greatest feelings. Not—"

"Stop, son!"

Mum yelled, when I tried to make my way to her, once more.

"W-we need to go, right now. We can't interfere or there would be cold consequences."

She added.

"Stay."

"We can't. You can't, if we stay, you will be affected. Your ma—"

"Please stay...don't leave."

I looked down muttering, with tears surrounding my eyes.

I howled at them in hurt. I could see them, not feel them, why? Why...

"You have to go back for us, big brother." Veronica breathed out.

"Back there? They all want power." I truthfully stated. "They all want it,"

I added, knowing our enemies were too surplus... None of them were even dead yet.

"But they don't have any idea of how much torture it is to have a beast in me..."

"I want love... I want to recover... To improve, if I'm given a chance to." I continued. "Would you leave like the others? Will you hate me too? I'm a King, yes... but does it mean I shouldn't bear emotions?"

"Or feelings?" I added, narrowing my eyes in hurt.

"Caspian dear..."

She attempted to say, but I cut her off.

"I'm trying to control my monster. And, so far, its yielding to me, mum. I didn't mean harm, Veronica. I didn't mean to hurt her that day, I swear..." I trailed out huskily.

"Please stay."

"Stay..." I added, but they were already far in distance. My beast pounced his way towards them, stubbornly. They both gasped, looking back. A gust of wind blew, and the snow began to fall sideways.

I would cross lengths to voice what I felt.

"Son..." Lady Archer trailed out, whilst my chest heaved softly.

"We know you didn't mean harm in any way. It wasn't your fault, child. You didn't ask for a beast in you."

"Yes, big bro. You didn't."

Huh?

Their words were strangely comforting. Like it was the entire thing I have been waiting for my whole life.

Yet...I was still at fault.

I ended her beautiful life, because of a biscuit. And I hated myself for it, dammit.

"I didn't mean to kill you, sister. I didn't mean to. Please forgive me."

My hands jammed together, saying. More tears came out of my eyes in pain. My beast hummed in support, falling on his knees, to the cold snow.

"You set me free, brother." Veronica suddenly muttered. "You did... It was torture living as a weak human child. One with no powers." she continued. "But here, I found peace. I did, so whatever you did that day, was for the greater good."

At her words, Lady Archer smiled, with tears springing out of her eyes.

"M-mum?"

She smiled at me warmly, once more.

"What is it?" I asked her, in so much hurt.

"Everything is drawing to an end."

"What do you mean, by that?"

We were far from ending this. With so many enemies at lose, I doubted it.

"Look over there." she said, pointing out to a misty end. It was Lydia and Francesca, being forcefully pulled to a deserted part, by demon like creatures. Mum's eyes connected with Lydia's eyes in a victorious look.

It seemed like they were on their way to Hades.

How?

"Your mate's a Khalayan woman, in disguise, son."

"She is?"

I was such a fool for doubting she could handle this. My mate was indeed gifted... even with the Moon Goddess ripping off her wolf.

"I felt it from the start, and now, she didn't prove me wrong." Lady Archer added. "All that's left now is your dad and the Moon Goddess..."

"Mum...Is there something I should know?"

She smiled again, taking Veronica's hand.

"Lydia has been defeated. The rest is through the key."

They walked, sealing the distance between us, both raising to kiss the sides of my chin. I could see them fading into pieces, like an incomplete painting being drawn.

"Goodbye, big brother."

"Goodbye, son."

"No! Not yet, not yet." I spat out immediately. "You can't leave now! I need the clues. The clues! Please..."

"The clues!"

I yelled, opening my eyes, only for them to connect to a dark brown one. Mate.

"Caspian! Oh my, finally! You're awake!"

I rubbed my head, at her words. Just how long have I been out? Warm hands wrapped around my neck that minute.

"Thank goodness." she muttered. "I thought I lost you! I thought I did!" My mate cried out, holding me firmly.

"My own Khalayan woman."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" she asked me, with a confused look. I patted her head, standing up hurriedly, remembering mum's words.

"Lydia has been defeated. The rest is through the key."

"You're still recovering," Ava protested, the minute I stood up. "You shouldn't be up, Cas—"

I sighed. "Look..."

I began narrating everything that happened. Of how I saw mum, and how Lydia and Francesca were being dragged to Hades. And her last words, before I woke up.

"The key?" Ava let out alarmingly.

"Yes, do you know of it?"

"It's a she. She is Piper." she replied. "We need to get to Piper!"

At Ava's words, one of the guards broke into our room.

"The audacity?!" I exclaimed in an authoritative tone.

The guard hurried towards us, bowing down with a horrid expression on his face.

"My King, pardon my behavior. But this is an urgency, that can lead to the falling apart of our dynasty! A plague has been outbroken, and our people are dying!"

A plague?

The chest was still intact...

"W-what, how?"

"Queen Ava's adopted daughter, Piper, got rid of King Teta's heart."

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