By sunrise, the soft golden light filtered through the silken curtains of the royal chamber. The sweet scent of breakfast—freshly baked bread, honeyed tea, and chicken salad—filled the air.
"Josephine, darling, wake up now… it's breakfast time," Xavi whispered tenderly, his voice low and loving. He brushed his fingers gently across her cheek and kissed her softly. Her eyelids fluttered open as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, gazing at her with warmth and exhaustion both.
Josephine smiled weakly at him.
Without a word, Xavi scooped her into his arms, carrying her toward the bath. He bathed her with care, the steam swirling around them like misty light. Afterward, he dressed her gently—slipping her into one of his own casual shirts and trousers, soft and oversized on her delicate frame. She rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her downstairs to the dining hall.
He placed her gently on her seat, sitting close beside her.
When he lifted a spoonful of chicken salad to her lips, she took it obediently. He smiled faintly and wiped the corner of her mouth after every bite, his eyes tender, patient, and full of love.
Just then, Queen Kendra entered, radiant and full of energy.
"Jojo, love!" she exclaimed, sweeping toward Josephine with open arms. "I'm having a huge party—be there, sweetie, okay?"
She hugged Josephine tightly before striding off with her attendants. Xavi only smiled faintly, then took Josephine's hand and led her outside to the royal garden. The morning sun shimmered over the flowers, their scent soft and sweet.
Josephine sat quietly beside him, her thoughts heavy.
"X is still mad at me… for not telling him anything. But he was so happy before. Now he's worried… and sad,"
she thought silently, staring at the roses.
But Xavi heard her thoughts. He turned, his gaze warm yet serious.
"I'm not mad at you, baby," he said quietly. "I'm just… worried."
Her lips curved into a soft smile, and he leaned down to kiss her gently.
Across the garden, little Adris was waddling between the flowers, his tiny hands full of petals while Anesthesia watched over him with amusement.
King Varyn approached Xavi and handed him a sealed scroll. Xavi opened it and read every line, his face tightening as he took in the details. Princess Morana stood not far away, watching him, inching closer as though waiting for him to speak—but he only turned away and walked toward his twin sister, Xoni.
Without a word, he rested his head on her shoulder, just as he did when they were children.
Xoni smiled sadly and placed a hand over his.
She knew her twin brother—his silence meant sorrow.
He was heartbroken… because of the love arrangements being forced for Queen Kendra's upcoming party.
Preparations for the royal celebration filled the castle.
Musicians rehearsed, the kitchen steamed with feasts, and golden drapes adorned the halls.
Josephine walked slowly, holding little Adris's hand. The boy led his mother carefully through the hallways, guiding her like a tiny guardian.
"Easy now, Mama," he said, his small voice filled with concern.
She smiled despite the pain in her body, enduring it just to show her son that his mother was strong.
From the garden balcony, Xavi watched them with Xoni beside him.
"You're the strongest man I know, dear brother," Xoni murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
"But your wife… she's the strongest woman."
Xavi exhaled softly and lay his head on Xoni's lap. She began to hum their favorite childhood song, a gentle lullaby from their youth. Within moments, both twins drifted into sleep, tangled in shared peace.
Josephine smiled faintly watching them. Anesthesia too—her expression tender.
"Awww, look at them," Darius said from the archway.
"Yeah, adorable," Melantha agreed with a small grin.
An unfamiliar woman leaned down to kiss Xoni's cheek.
"Wait—who are you?" Severin asked in surprise.
"I'm her wife," Anesthesia replied calmly, still holding Xoni's hand. "We're married."
"Xoni is… gay?!" Kael blurted out.
"Yeah, she is," Anesthesia said proudly.
Everyone fell silent for a beat, then simply accepted it, sitting together in quiet ease. Josephine sat with a now-sleeping Adris in her arms, gently stroking his hair.
By 4:50 PM, the sky began to shift. The light dimmed strangely, and Josephine's gaze turned upward, her eyes unfocused.
"What's happening?" Xoni asked, yawning. Xavi stood beside her, confused.
Then—suddenly—Josephine rose into the air.
Her hair flowed wildly, eyes glowing, power crackling around her.
Kara appeared in the sky beside her, and both raised their arms high, eyes closed as red energy rippled across the heavens.
Everyone below watched in terror and awe.
Their bodies began to glow—Josephine and Kara—their veins lighting up crimson, their forms pulsing with blood-like energy.
In a burst of wind, Oliver appeared in his true form.
"Ollie? What's wrong?" Theron shouted.
"I don't know! Kara just disappeared all of a sudden—so I picked up her scent and followed," Oliver said, looking up.
Then Kara's voice echoed through the sky:
"The Queen of Destruction. Pain. War. Blood will be spilled!
Everyone—Josephine is the Queen of Death!"
The crowd gasped.
"WHAT?!" Xavi shouted as souls and whispering voices filled the air, chanting in unison:
"THE QUEEN OF DEATH.
JOSEPHINE IS THE WEAPON OF DESTRUCTION.
QUEEN JOSEPHINE IS THE QUEEN OF DEATH!"
Josephine's body contorted, her eyes now dark crimson, her aura violent. Even Kara beside her looked possessed—both moving as if controlled by something ancient and dark.
"It's like they're under control," Kael muttered, gripping his sword.
Suddenly, Adris stirred. He yawned, toddled out from Josephine's chair, and hit his forehead on the wall. The impact made him burst into tears, his cry echoing sharply through the garden.
"Oh, shit!" Xavi said, rushing to scoop him up.
Josephine's eyes twitched—then flickered. Her body trembled.
"I have an idea," Kael said quickly. He pinched Adris's arm sharply.
Adris let out a louder, deeper wail.
In that instant—Josephine's glowing eyes snapped back to normal, her power dissolving into light. Kara too gasped, her control breaking. Both women fell from the sky but slowed midair before landing softly on the ground.
"Mama!" Adris cried as Josephine knelt, clutching him tightly in her arms. She rocked him gently until his sobs softened.
"It's okay, baby… Mama's here." Josephine said in her mind and with her hands too.
She gave him a candy from her pocket. He sniffled and began to nibble it quietly.
Queen Oliyda suddenly smacked Kael on the head.
"Ow—Mom!" Kael groaned.
"That's for making the boy cry!"
"I'm sorry, Adris," he said sheepishly.
Kara stood beside Oliver, both pale and shaken. She took a sip of water before speaking.
"The Red Moon is coming," she said grimly.
"Red moon?" Oliver asked.
"Yes… it's when Josephine will lose control. When she will kill thousands… when destruction will follow her."
The air went silent.
"We need to chain and lock her inside an enchanted cage before it happens," Kara said firmly.
Xavi rubbed his face, his voice trembling.
"Kara… what is Josephine?"
Everyone turned toward her.
Kara looked at Josephine sadly.
"She's not like us. Josephine is an Eclipsera—a rare celestial being born from both light and shadow. She's the bridge between creation and destruction."
Gasps filled the air.
Kara continued, her tone heavy.
"If she can control her power until next month, she'll live. But if the power overwhelms her… she'll either die, or—"
"Or what?" Xoni asked, holding Anesthesia's hand tightly.
"Or she'll fall into a coma… one that could last four to six years."
Oliver wrapped an arm around Kara, trying to steady her.
"But there's one way to save her," Kara whispered.
"The Bloodveil Obsidian." We will used it to make a cage and chains to hold her till the red moon is over
"Where is it?" Xavi asked.
"In Eryndor—the Shadow Realm," Kara replied. "Guarded by Lord Maelkor Varyn, that cursed demon."
She clenched her fists. "I hope he's dead by now."
"I'll go get it," Xavi said immediately.
"No, Xavi," Kara interrupted. "I have a score to settle with him."
"We'll go together," Oliver added, standing beside her.
"I'm coming too!" Kael said eagerly, his grin returning.
"Us too," the rest of Xavi's siblings chorused.
Josephine turned to Xavi, eyes soft yet full of worry.
"What?" he asked, touching her face. She smiled faintly, her fingers brushing his hand.
Queen Kendra took Josephine's other hand and squeezed gently.
"Don't worry, love. Everything will be ready for the party. And we'll protect you… all of us."
The preparations continued—music rising, banners waving—but in the air lingered a deep unease, for the Queen of Zephyria was no longer just a woman…
She was The Queen of Death.