Chapter 5: Chosen

Knights slowly opened the large gate. Once fully open, students and royalty streamed through, and I followed.

Ms. Salvaria's voice boomed, "Remember, you have only thirty days for this mission. If you don't return on time, the passage will close and won't reopen for a month. No matter what happens, strive to survive, because with each passing day, as long as a Caelumian remains in this forest, this place will become more dangerous, and your lives will be the price."

"Begin the mission!" Ms. Salvaria shouted from the other side of the gate before it closed.

"Let's go this way!" another group yelled.

The royals and I walked together in the direction Havoc was heading; he led the way.

The ground was muddy, probably from the rain. I regretted wearing a dress. I should have listened to them!

"Ahhh!" I screamed, losing my balance. I was about to fall when strong arms wrapped around my waist. Thank goodness, Havoc reacted quickly.

"Thank you," I said with a cute smile, but he seemed unconcerned, coldly releasing me before continuing his walk.

I heard Yvy's whisper, but ignored her. "Whatever," I thought.

"Are you okay?" Trevor asked, his concern evident in his voice. I smiled and nodded.

"Let's be careful; the path is very steep," Kreo said, supporting Venus at her waist.

"The sun is setting, Your Highness," Trevor warned Havoc.

"What are we going to do? It's more dangerous to continue now," Celestina said.

"Continue walking," Havoc said seriously, leaving us no choice but to obey.

We stopped at a large cave as the sun set. The surroundings felt more menacing.

"Let's go inside," Venus suggested.

Kreo and Venus entered first, followed by the others. Havoc, Trevor, and I were last; they let me go first.

"Are we safe here?" Angel asked.

"We're safe here," Havoc said seriously. Angel blushed slightly and nodded with a smile, but Havoc didn't acknowledge her.

It was extremely dark, so Kreo used his power to illuminate the cave. Trevor used his power to create an ice door as a barrier.

Celestina, using her nature magic, transformed the cave into a comfortable living room, complete with a table and chairs.

I sat down and silently waited for their plans. I didn't have the energy to pretend to be sociable.

"We need to split up tomorrow to speed up our search," Havoc said, laying out a scroll containing his plans.

"Venus and Kreo, you're in charge of the wind and light gem. Trevor and Celestina, find the flower and ice gem. Klev, Yvy, and Angel, get the earth and water gems," Havoc instructed.

He looked at me coldly.

"We'll get the darkness and crystal gems," he said.

My heart pounded as he stared at me. His red eyes were like ruby jewels. How could he be so dangerously handsome? He avoided my gaze and returned his attention to the plan.

"It's dangerous for you, Prince Haze! The power of darkness is too much for you," Angel said worriedly.

Havoc ignored her.

"Crown Prince, you're still not the Emperor. Even though you're the strongest among us, the gem of darkness is so powerful, and it's much stronger than us royals. Also, the crystal gem—there's no way you could control it! No one in this empire has the power of crystal! It's a legendary gem; its power equals that of darkness," Celestina said.

I paused. She was right. The crystal gem was the only power comparable to darkness. But darkness controls everything, even the crystal. Though darkness can manipulate the crystal, it's untamable. You can't manipulate and rule over the power of crystal until you've tamed it.

But, what?

"No one in the empire possesses the power of crystal?" I asked.

"Yes, Astra. No one, except we're waiting for Angel," Klev said.

I frowned.

"We're not sure if I'm the chosen one..." Angel said softly.

"Chosen?"

"We royals, upon reaching our eighth birthday, receive our powers from the fairies. According to the book of prophecy, only one princess will possess the power of the crystal. Angel is the only remaining princess under eighteen, so we're sure she'll possess that power," Celestina explained.

"And when that happens, Angel will be betrothed to Prince Haze and become Empress," Yvy said happily.

I was speechless.

"Only seven months left until your birthday, Angel," Klev confirmed.

"Oh, yes. I hope... I am the princess in the prophecy because there's no one else who should be..." Angel said, smiling. She looked at me and gave me a sweet smile.

She's the princess in the prophecy...

But why do I possess the power of the crystal?

"Let's rest; we need our strength for tomorrow," Havoc said, but I remained in my place.

Why is this happening? How can we both possess the power of the crystal when it's supposed to be only one of us? It should be only her... But why do I also possess the power meant only for the princess in the prophecy? And I got it before her...

"Astra, rest," I heard Celestina say. I stood up and moved to a corner as she rearranged the area to create sleeping spaces. I sat on a wooden platform; Celestina had replaced the dirt floor with wood.

Everyone else lay down, leaving me alone.

From the ice door, I could see the dark night. The stars shone brightly. Even though I knew our situation was dangerous, I couldn't fathom the outcome.

Why did Mother say something different from what I'm discovering here?

Why does everything seem wrong?

I leaned against the cave wall and watched the glittering stars. In the dark night, I still couldn't find myself.