Chapter 217 - Twilight Zone

[Music Recommendation: "Spirit Break Out" by Kim Walker Smith (Instrumental only) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this scene ~

Everyone was astounded and at a loss of words from what just happened. They couldn't believe their eyes.

"Did Elliot just… turn the curse into a crystal ball?" Lunaflora asked, with awe so apparent in her voice.

"I think he did," Ducis mumbled. He, too, was dumbfounded. But then again it was Elliot. Was there even anything they should still be surprised about? The Supreme didn't choose him for nothing. But still, it was really marvelous—and unprecedented!

"Wooooow! Elliot! You're so amazing!" Lunaflora jumped in delight and ran over to him to rummage his hair.

The other Guardians were overjoyed themselves, and Rania, Selena, Clavis and Illuminaire. They all went to the two royals, hugging and patting their backs or shoulders. Some even cried tears of joy. The nervousness and fear they had a few moments ago was gone in an instant.

Most of all, Calum's heart, mind, body, and soul… felt so light again. He started to feel so alive again! For the longest time, the curse only gave him pain and misery which he got used to as years went by to the point that suddenly feeling anew right at that moment was strange for him. But he was happy… so very much happy. And there was no more hatred and evil that kept itself lurking in his thoughts, weighing down his heart.

It was as if… he was reborn into a new body.

"Thank you, Elliot," Calum said. Exasperation was no longer in his voice. Instead, he smiled from the bottom of his heart towards his cousin.

Elliot smiled back at him the same and replied, "It was worth it."

"Awwwww… sniff… sniff," Lunaflora sobbed. "This is so touching. You both did so great." She then patted Calum and Elliot's shoulders and began to wail not long after. Luna was still the same, easily overcome by emotions. "I'm so proud of you."

Calum turned to face everyone. With a solemn look, he told them…

"Everyone… I—I deeply apologize for everything. Especially to the both of you," he turned to Clavis and Illuminaire, "and most of all, to you," he turned to Rania. For the very first time, he bowed his head, signifying his great regret. "I have done terrible things. Even the word itself wouldn't suffice to describe the depth of my actions. I have no excuse so all I can do now is apologize and atone for them. I'm not asking for forgiveness, but at very least, I owe you all a lot of apologies. I—"

"It's… alright," Rania said. "I forgive you."

How much those words meant—how much weight they carried into her heart, and how much painful it was, especially with the most recent and heart-breaking one, Zeid's lost memories—they could only imagine how "merciful" her heart was. Even to the point of forgiving the king who ordered the destruction of her planet and her people for their own needs, and to the point of forgiving something extremely hateful. No words could begin to describe how much it weighed in her heart.

Yes, it was all too painful and no one would be able to blame her if she decided not to forgive him but instead of hating him or getting her revenge, she chose to forgive.

Deep inside her heart, she thought that Elliot was right. Everything happened for a reason—including her planet's suffering and Zeid's memories. Everything was for the greater good. Not that the Supreme made the bad things happen but… He worked it out for everyone's good. So everything would turn around and so that salvation would come. There was a silver lining, an end goal wherein everything would be all okay and their planets saved. Those facts helped her gain deep understanding and grace and mercy.

Everything that happened had to happen for it to reach "that" moment in the future. And so, she understood. It was definitely not easy but still, she chose to forgive. She trusted in the Will of the Supreme.

Calum couldn't believe what he just heard her say. To forgive him that easily? No—it wasn't easy for sure but shouldn't she at least show any form of anger towards him? How? And why? How could someone have such a great heart? It was the same with Elliot and the twins. Yes, the Sortis twins forgave him, too. But why? He couldn't understand. For him, he deserved to be punished at least. He deserved to receive their hate.

Clavis and Illuminaire noticed Calum's perturbed expression. They chuckled and flicked his forehead, much to his surprise.

"W-what the—Why did you—"

"For a moment there, it looked like someone couldn't accept our mercy," Clavis jested. "Surely, what a dumb person he was. What did he expect? For us to throw tantrums like children and beat him up? Tsk tsk tsk."

Calum's eyes widened. "Did you just click your tongue?" 

Indeed, it was his first time hearing the Wise Judge click his own tongue! He had always been reserved, serious, and mysterious like a prim and proper Ice Prince but now, he just clicked his tongue and flicked his forehead. Even his twin, the Oracle herself did the same! For a moment, he felt that they went back to their childhood. And that… made him chuckle. Soon, everyone else began to laugh.

What a joyous moment it was. At last, everything had become clear to everyone and they even managed to save a friend from death. 

Like the enchanting twilight, all their questions finally met their answers. All the darkness finally met the light.

And now that everything was clear for them… it was also clear what they needed to do next.

Yes… finally, it was time to head towards the dawn!

But before that, they had to defeat the rest of the darkness…

Starting with the one who caused it all…

Avarus!