If you’re reading this, I’m so terribly sorry. It means that I failed to stop Forest. I can only hope he’ll treat you with the dignity, respect, and love that you deserve. Even though you were created from a malicious place, I’ve loved you since the moment you were brought into existence.
My only regret is that I brought you into a world wrought with turmoil. There is so much you won’t understand until the timing is precise. I wish I had the time and space on this paper to explain it all. But do not fear, because what lurks in the dark is always brought to the light. It can’t remain veiled in secrecy forever, regardless of the extensive efforts.
But what I can tell you is that you are a queen, my daughter. Not just any queen, but a uniter. A healing one. You will one day bring together both Kinetics and Elementals and restore them to their origins. You will rule with kindness, strength, compassion, and a ferocity that no one will ever dare to test. Because, unfortunately, we can’t achieve greatness without having gone through the growing pains first.
There will be many points in your journey that’ll make you want to surrender. Do not. You are powerful. So much more powerful than you can fathom, my dear. And when you discover the extent of your strength, you’ll never look back.
I can’t disclose more insight without tampering with the fabric of reality, but I can bestow a single hint. And when the time comes, you’ll know what it means.
There’s a sword, only one of its kind. A majestic one with a pearly white blade and blue symbols. It’s the secret to breaking the ties that sustain. It’s called The Eternal Sword. You’ll know it when you see it. With a power not of this world, it possesses the ability to sever all bonds. Dark or light. But you must pierce the heart of the bond bearer, as thatis where all bonds are sealed. Your own heart will shatter, but you will heal.
Take what I’ve written in this letter and hold it close to your heart.
I love you, my darling. I’ll be there with you in magic and spirit. You’re never alone, even in your darkest hour. Hold true to yourself and remain strong, no matter how hard others try to break you. Because they won’t succeed.
With my eternal love,
Your mother and queen,
Lilliana Silas.
I gently folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope before turning my attention to meet Slate’s anxious gaze. I rasped through the mixture of emotions suffocating me.
Lilliana sounded as regal as I had always imagined her to be, and even in just her written words, it was clear she’d been as kind and empathetic as Orion had described her. My heart squeezed with pain, knowing I’d never hear from her again. The loss snowballed, and I realized I’d never have a child of my own someday to forge that bond with. I’d been robbed of a chance of love in every direction: family, friends, and partners. Maybe I was destined to be alone.
I sat hunched on the floor, the letter slipping from my fingers and fluttering onto the stone. Slate didn’t push me to speak. He simply sat in the heaviness with me.
After several minutes grieving a mother that I never met, I picked up the letter again, sniffling as I wiped my cheeks with my free hand. My mom had mentioned a sword that severed bonds. My eyes shifted back and forth as I reread the hint she left me, trying to make sense of it. I could only hope that it didn’t mean what my brain led me to believe.
But with each pass, my hopes sank further into the recesses of my darkness. I just hoped that I wouldn’t come across such a sword toconfirm her words. And then my mind spiraled, wondering how she could’ve possibly known any of this so many years ago?
Worst of all, if what she said was true, that meant that Chrome had known all along.
“What’d it say?” Slate sat up, leaning forward to move toward me.
“I—” The door burst open once again. On instinct, I shoved the letter behind my back as if I could actually hide it.
I anticipated finding Chrome in the doorway, but what I saw left me in more surprise than if my mother were to suddenly make an appearance.
“Cotton?” Standing beside him, I did another double-take. “Onyx? What the?—”
“Gray, Slate. Oh, thank the gods,” Onyx said in relief, rushing over to me and lowering himself into a crouch. “Let’s get you both out of here. We don’t have much time.” He fumbled with the chains and observed the cuffs.
“How are you two here? And why?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“No time, Princess. Do you know what these cuffs are made of by chance?” Onyx’s amber eyes searched my body, anger brightening them as he took in the state of me.
I shook my head, not having a clue.
Sounds of a struggle came from the distance, like a fight was breaking out somewhere outside the prison. Onyx snapped his attention to Cotton and Slate, apparently coming to a decision.
I angled my head, confused, partially wondering if I happened to be in a dream state.
Onyx slid a Kinetic sword from his back, its blue sigils glowing in the darkness. In one swift swing, he brought the blade down onto the chains connected to Slate's ankles and then moved to do the same with the ones attached to his wrists.
I wondered if Cotton were here, if Scarlett would be, too. The last I saw of them, Chrome and I basically forced the pair into a portal. Seeing Onyx gave me hope, too, that the Perry Hollowsurvived after Chrome and Royal’s ambush the night he took Slate and me.
“The cuffs need to go, too. They’re restricting our powers and ability to replenish them,” Slate explained.
