Five
1449 Words
"Your mother, Sahara, died at the hands of her sister, Rhema, the luna queen."
"How?" Thaddeus asked curiously.
"Your Aunt, Rhema, lives in the big city and she is married to the Alpha King of Prussia."
"But why would she kill my mother? Was it also for power?" Thaddeus inquired.
"Not just power? Rhema wanted a child but she couldn't give birth to one thanks to the curse." Magnus took a long pause and took a sip of water. "You were the child she could never have and you possess the power she's always wanted, So when Rhema attacked....."
"Mother couldn't fight Aunt Rhema because the elder already took her heart. That served as an advantage to Aunt's army and that was why they were able to kill her." Thaddeus completed the story.
It's all clear to him now.
"Right." Magnus sat upright. "Your mother was willing to do anything to save you. She knew she couldn't fight Rhema alone without her heart, so she sent for me but she lived so far away and it took a long time for me to travel."
Magnus still hadn't forgiven himself for arriving so late. He wanted to kill Rhema but she lived far away and he couldn't leave Thaddeus to anyone and risk his life just because he wanted revenge. Hence, he let it all go and decided to take care of Thaddeus. After all, they only had each other.
"Oh, so that is it, huh? Thaddeus scoffed. His eyes dimmed. His rage was building up.
Magnus noticed that he was crestfallen. He thought he was disappointed in his mother, so he explained further.
"Thaddeus, you know, my Sahara was very brave. She stayed alive and fought against the army and she managed to keep Rhema away from you till I arrived."
"I know," Thaddeus replied. He could vividly remember all that happened. He was only seven years old and he had to witness the bloodshed.
He watched his mother tear them all to pieces despite being outnumbered. Her Lioness fought very well. Her paws dug into death spots, rendering her targets dead with one hit.
She was just too good. He had always wanted to be like her.
"And Aunt Thelma? Mother's other sister. What happened to her?"
"She also lives in the big city. She got married and was said to have children already."
"Wow," Thaddeus nodded. That means she has had no evil in her heart since she could give birth, right?"
"I guess so." Magnus concurred. "Or maybe she also found a way to avert the curse line on your mother."
Thaddeus nodded. He was satisfied with the information. He took a vow to make them all pay for what they did to his mother.
"What are you thinking?" Magnus asked. His eyes stared at Thaddeus with suspicion. He could tell that something was going on in his mind.
"Nothing, I...." Thaddeus knew that his father suspected him so he decided to change the topic. "I was wondering why you didn't give birth to another child. Why only me?"
"There was no time to do that." Magnus laughed. "Your mother was busy protecting you, remember?" He squeezed Thaddeus's shoulder.
"Besides, your mother wanted to put an end to this war and power thirst. So she vowed to only have one child to help you live well and stay protected."
"All her life was for me, wasn't it? Thaddeus raised his head to meet his father's gaze.
"She lived for you, Thad, that was how much she loved you."
"I will also live to make everyone involved in her death pay. They will all suffer tremendously as she did." Thaddeus took a silent vow.
"So Aunt Thelma...
"That's enough questions for one day. Let's get on with your training." Magnus cut Thaddeus's question.
He knew that was the only way he could stop Thaddeus. Otherwise, he would keep asking more questions.
"Okay, Father. I already learned what I wanted to do." Thaddeus smirked.
"And what did you learn from all that?
"No more questions, remember?" Thaddeus used his father's words against him. "It's training time, right?"
"Right," Magnus laughed.
"Good, then let's get on with it." Thaddeus moved forward to proceed.
"Alright." Magnus began Thaddeus's training.
Several hours after the training commenced, Thaddeus heard a soft sound that seemed like someone was writhing in pain. "Can you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Listen." Thaddeus touched his ear.
"Yes, I hear it." Magnus pointed forward. "That sounds like it's miles away from here."
"It is." Magnus smiled at his son's skills. He could already tell the distance by the sound.
"Impressive!" He muttered under his breath.
"Let's go. Our help might be needed."
The duo shifted into their Lion and ran in the direction of the sound.
As soon as they got there, they found a woman sitting on the ground. Hiding behind a tree. She sat with her back resting on the tree. She was heavily pregnant and a strange liquid was dripping off of her, but she didn't seem to mind and she went on as if it was normal. She winced as she tried to remove a thorn from her foot.
The woman shuddered at the sight of two lions standing before her. She raised her hand and was chanting some words, making Magnus slump.
He roared painfully and Thaddeus immediately shifted back into a human.
"We're here to help you."
The woman looked from Thaddeus to the Lion before her. Her hands were outstretched, ready to attack them, but she saw the sincerity in Thaddeus's eyes and, for some reason, she chose to trust him.
"Him?" She asked as she took down the hand, pointing at Thaddeus.
"He is my father."
"Oh," The woman brought down her hand, and Magnus was released. "It's You." The woman smiled as she took a closer look. She seemed to have finally recognized Thaddeus.
"What are you? A witch?" Thaddeus ignored her comment and rushed to go hold his father.
"Yes." The woman nodded and she winced again. "My name is Dahlia."
"What are you doing here, Dahlia?"
"I am being chased by Aslaug's army." She whispered.
"Who?" Magnus and Thaddeus exchanged gazes.
"The witch Queen." She whispered again.
"Aslaug is after you?" Magnus asked, bewildered.
"Not me. She is after her." Dahlia pointed at her belly.
"She wants your child? Why?" Magnus was alarmed.
"She wants her powers. She wants to use her to wreak havoc on the world."
"Oh," Thaddeus nodded. Though he didn't know who this Aslaug is or how powerful she might but judging from how frightened the woman was and his look of alarm as soon as the name was mentioned, he knew that this Aslaug must be very powerful.
"Help me get her out." Dahlia pleaded. She had beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
"What? Why?" Magnus exclaimed.
"It's time." Dahlia managed a smile.
"Oh," Magnus muttered as he went closer to check her.
"Okay, Push," Magnus ordered.
Dahlia tried to push the baby out but every attempt she made was futile. Magnus bent to take a peek into her v****a and he noticed that the baby was in an abnormal position.
"Cut me," Dahlia said through gritted teeth. "Please."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Do it," Dahlia commanded. "Do it now or she'll die." She pleaded.
Within a twinkle of an eye, Magnus was standing close to her. His paws elongated and he tore open a part of her belly and slowly brought the baby out.
"She is adorable" Thaddeus exclaimed as he set his eyes on the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
"Hold her." Magnus passed the baby to Thaddeus as he cut the cord with his paw.
"She's yours now," Dahlia said through a ragged breath.
"What do you mean?" Magnus turned to look at her.
She smiled and nodded. "She belongs to him now." Dahlia pointed at Thaddeus.
"Huh?" Thaddeus was dumbfounded. How could she belong to him?
"What is your name?" Dahlia asked while Magnus tried to seal her up.
"Tha... Thaddeus."
"Thaddeus, I want you to raise her and keep her as your woman," Dahlia proclaimed. She smiled and took Thaddeus' hand. "Your destiny... She will help you fulfill it."
"What are you saying?" Magnus scolded Dahlia. He didn't like how she sounded like she was saying her last words.
He was trying to stop the bleeding with some herbs. He applied them to her belly but the bleeding wouldn't stop.
"Don't talk." Magnus sprinkled dried leaves on her cut to help her heal.
Dahlia smiled at Magnus but instantly directed her gaze at Thaddeus.
"Keep her safe, Thaddeus. I leave my life with you."
- Writer
