Cursed Queen: Battle Against Gods

The Forest's Heart

I laid down on the bed to figure out what to do tomorrow. For some reason, I feel like we're doing something wrong. My intuition is never wrong, but Drake told us to go on with the plan. If that's what he wants us to do, then we'll go with it. He's the one who knows what's going on in the castle anyway.

"I don't think we should train tomorrow," Karis said while sharpening his blade.

The fated day is the day after tomorrow, so I think it's better to just keep our bodies in condition before entering the battlefield. I mean, I can still go, but that might be inconvenient for the others. Just because I can, it doesn't mean that I should make them continue.

"Okay, but I doubt they'd be able to stay still. We can't drink since we'd suffer from hangovers," I replied while playing with my hair.

My brows furrowed when I noticed that there are white strands. I'm not stressing myself, so I don't think it's the reason as to why my hair's suddenly turning white. I stood up and looked at my reflection in a mirror. It seems like they're not yet that visible unless you look closely, but I bet it'll be pure white soon. Perhaps it's because of light magic. Bythos's hair was white, so that should be the only reason.

I can see Karis from our reflection in the mirror, but he didn't notice me because he's busy thinking. This kid is probably thinking about games to play. Hmm, we're too many. I don't think it's wise to play games altogether. We'd probably playing in groups in our tents.

"Maybe we should play games? I bet the atmosphere would be gloomy tomorrow, so let's do that to lighten up the mood."

I knew it. Pfft. If I know, he just wants to have fun with the others. Well, I can't blame him. To be honest, I also want to do that, but they'll probably be awkward when I'm around. I never played when I was a child, so I kinda want to experience it at least once.

"Karis..." I called and sat on the bed once again.

"Hm?"

I swallowed the lump on my throat before proceeding to ask him. "Did you play when you were a child? I mean, with other kids?"

He nodded. "Bythos and The Zodiacs grew up with each other, so we played a lot back then. Why?"

Oh, I thought they were already adults when they met. Well, I'm glad they got to experience being kids despite all of the responsibilities that were handed to them at an early age. I smiled as I imagined how cute they were when they were kids. I wonder what they looked like back then.

"Hmm, nothing. Do you miss those times?" I asked as I rested my chin on my palms, staring at him with a smile.

He c****d his head to the side, bewildered by how I was acting. I can't blame him since I don't often smile like this, but I really wanted to know about their childhood stories. I hoped to experience it like them, but that might be asking too much. I'll be satisfied with just hearing the stories.

"Not really. We still played when we were together, just different from how we used to do it. Flare, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

He even stood up to check if there were any complications in my head. I chuckled and lightly shoved his hands away from me. Am I not allowed to act this way? I feel like they're always weirded out whenever I do it!

I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. He gladly lends it to me as he draped his arm over my shoulder, allowing me to lean on him more. It seems like he's waiting for me to elaborate about what's on my mind, but I just want to enjoy the moment.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked, his voice was soft like he's talking to some cute pet. "Come on, tell me. I'm getting worried."

I chuckled and looked up at him. He kissed my forehead, so I closed my eyes. I'm tall, but I feel so small whenever I'm close to him. Damn, my heart's about to burst from happiness.

Fuck...

I love him so much it hurts...

"I want to be a child again," I said honestly. "You see, I never got to play as a child. So, I thought I should ask you about it."

"Then, imagine that we're children right now. I'll play with you," he said.

I could see in his eyes that he's sincere. He's willing to do something as dumb as that for me. I chuckled and sat on his lap so I can bury my embarrassed face on his neck. He laughed because of what I did, aware that I can't do that!

"Stop teasing me!" I whined.

He chuckled once more as he drew small circles on my waist with his index finger. I pursed my lips as my grip on his shoulder tightened. It's annoying how he can make me feel this way with his little gestures!

"I am not. So, how about it? It's not like anyone would know."

I shook my head. "That's not something I can do."

"You can look into my memories if you want. I'll show you," he said.

I pouted and did that. It seems like he already knows what I want to do, but he waited for me to say it. Since he noticed that I won't tell him that unless he points it out, he initiated. We've only been with each other for a few months, but he already knows how my mind works!

Anyway, he started to recall his childhood memories to make it easier for me. I tried to stifle a smile when I saw his child version following Bythos around. He's so tiny!

Whoa...

It seems like most of the twelve likes playing tag while Bythos is more invested in puzzles. But since the twelve doesn't like to leave Bythos out, they would wait for him to finish whatever he was doing before going outside to play. I chuckled whenever they start arguing because some of them would suddenly start using magic to cheat. Karis and Drake are always the ones who would start fighting. The rest of the twelve would hype them up while Bythos sneakily leaves the scene, probably to go back to his puzzles.

Despite all the fighting, they seem to be genuinely happy. I'm glad that they were able to have fun while they had the chance. Of course, I was a little envious since I also wanted to experience something like that. But I quickly shove those thoughts away. They didn't suffer the same fate as me, which made me heave a sigh of relief.

"You were cute as a kid," I said when we finished looking at his memories.

He raised a brow. "Oh, yeah? What about now?"

"Hmm, no," I said to tease him.

"Should I go back to being a child, then?" he joked.

"I have no patience with kids. You'll probably end up crying all day long," I replied honestly.

Someone like me wouldn't be able to handle children. I would bet that they wouldn't like me as well. The last thing I'd want is to have some kid wiping snot on me.

He chuckled. "You don't know that."

He slowly stroked my hair because I didn't answer. I've never experienced babysitting so I haven't confirmed if children don't like me yet. Adults may find themselves liking me, but I don't think kids would be the same.

"Wanna try babysitting one? Drake knows plenty of kids in the city, so he can help you talk to one."

I shook my head. "No way."

"Why not?"

"I just don't want to."

"Okay, if you say so."

We stayed that way for some time before we decided to finally sleep. Tomorrow would likely be a long day since we won't have anything to do, so it's better to go to sleep early. The lights from the other tents seem to have been turned off now, so the others have probably dozed off to sleep now. The next day, we were the last to come outside. All of them appear to be tensed, so I got worried. Aiyana and Alwina are chill, though. I pursed my lips as I sat on my usual seat.

"What's going on?" I asked.

The two looked around, surprised to find the others being so gloomy. I sighed and looked at Karis who seems to still be daydreaming. He woke up when I was about to leave, so I told him to go back to sleep if he wants. He refused and came with me, still half-asleep.

"Karis, snap out of it," I told him.

He nodded, but I know that he didn't hear what I said. I pursed my lips stifle a smile because of how cute he was. Aiyana noticed and raised a brow at me, so I looked away.

"They're probably tensed because they know that tomorrow would be our only shot at this," Alwina said.

I nodded. "That's why Karis and I decided that we won't train today."

"I see. I thought that would be for the best. Your Majesty, please announce it right now while the food isn't served yet."

"Okay," I said and went to the platform.

Nobody noticed, which made me feel a little anxious. Are they going to be okay? It seems like it'll be hard to make them feel better even if I tell them to relax. The pressure might be a little too much to handle for them.

Geez, what should I do?

I clapped my hands, so some of them were surprised to the point that they even flinched. Oh, no. I never talk to my subordinates before unless I'm giving an order, so this kind of situation is giving me a hard time. To be honest, I don't know what to do to get them to calm their nerves. Going into the battlefield like this is normal, but I want my subordinates to be as calm as possible, not tensed.

"Everyone, we will not train today. Let's try to relax and make sure that our bodies are in perfect condition," I said as I tried to see how all of them would react. "Are there any objections?"

It looked like they didn't even understand what I said, so I felt embarrassed. Karis gave me two thumbs up to encourage me, so Aiyana and Alwina did the same. They looked kinda stupid, so I had to fight the urge to laugh while on the platform.

I cleared my throat. "Everyone!" I shouted as loud as I can.

They finally snapped out of it, so I had to repeat what I said earlier. They finally understood and started to chatter while I remained on the platform, trying to hear what they're saying.

"But I'm not confident yet!"

"I can still go!"

"Your Majesty, please allow us to continue training!"

Karis stood up and finally joined me on the platform to help me explain what my point is. I sighed and clapped my hands to get their attention again. They did not pay me any mind, so Karis draped his arm around my shoulder. They finally went silent when he did that, bewildered by how he was able to touch me without any hesitations.

"All of you are given a free day to whatever you want as long as you don't overwork your bodies. Try to relax or play games. That way, nobody would feel any difficulties tomorrow. Also, please stop being so gloomy! The atmosphere feels somewhat sickening, so try to liven up! How are we going to defeat them at this rate? Relax..."

Karis chuckled. "Now, that's my queen."

I elbowed him because he didn't even do anything! All he did was stand beside me and show everyone who clingy he is. Anyway, everyone seems to have understood what I want to happen, so they finally agreed with me. Ah, finally. I thought they would still object.

They started to leave to do what they want after we finished eating. Some went back to their tent while others chose to go to the hot springs or go sightseeing around the forest. They'll be fine as long as they don't leave the forest, so I didn't worry about them anymore. Alwina and Aiyana stayed to hang out with the two of us.

"Don't you want to go and relax somewhere?" I asked them.

Aiyana shook her head. "Nothing was interesting, so I did not want to go outside."

"Really? There was a pretty place near the dungeon. Karis took me there once."

"We have been there a few times already. Now, now. Perhaps we should start thinking of what to do?"

Alwina raised her hand. "I overheard Sir Karis saying something earlier. Her Majesty seems to want to play games, so let's do that," she said.

My face flushed because of what she said. Karis raised a brow, smirking at me. Ah, this guy! Now I feel more embarrassed! I pursed my lips and looked down to cover my face.

"I don't..." I mumbled.

Aiyana suddenly held my hand. "If you want that, then we shall play games."

I shook my head. "No, please..."

They stopped talking about it because of my pleading, so I was finally able to relax. Playing like how normal children do would just make me feel pathetic for not experiencing it back then. I'm already satisfied after seeing Karis's memory as a child, so I don't really care anymore.

"Then, what are we going to do?" Aiyana asked while tapping the table.

"There seems to be a strange place just ahead of the kitchen. It seems like you can only enter if you are with a divine being, so we should be able to enter. Do you want to go there?" Alwina asked.

All of us agreed, so we headed for the place she mentioned. Hmm, what did she mean when she said that the place was strange? I felt a little excited to see what it is. I hope it's pretty like the one Karis showed me. Well, that may be asking for too much. As long as it's not dangerous, then I guess it'll be fine.

"Watch out. There might be a beast residing there," Karis said and walked ahead of me to make sure that it's safe.

I also watched out since this is still a forest. Who knows? There might even be monsters out there that are waiting to devour us. That would be weird, though. We're always safe, so there shouldn't be any of them around here.

"If there was something strange, that might be the heart of the forest," Aiyana said as she walked calmly.

Oh? It seems like she knows what's with this forest. She's calm, not even trying to watch out. The other two noticed and started to relax as well. As we got closer to the place, my heart started pounding. I feel someone's presence!

"There might be someone here," I said.

Aiyana smiled at me. "Do not fret. She is not scary at all."

She? So, there is indeed a person here. I wonder who it is. Aiyana knows her, so she's probably a god from a few centuries ago. I swallowed the lump on my throat as we approached the place. Ah, who could it be? And why is she at the heart of the forest?

"Dianne!" Aiyana exclaimed as soon as we reached the place.

My mouth went agape when I saw the petrified body of a woman laid down on a bed of flowers. I approached her to see if she looks familiar, but I don't think I've met her. Whoa, so pretty. Who is she...?

"That woman is Dianne, the deity of forests. She was slowly petrified after giving birth to the child of a member of The Zodiacs. Why, you ask? Dianne attempted to break the curse that kills the Zodiac member who had the child, which was extremely prohibited, "Aiyana said as she looked at her with so much admiration on her face.

She tried to break the curse even if her life was at stake. She is indeed courageous. Of course, I'm not trying to say that I'm a coward for accepting my fate. It's just that doing so would make it easier for everyone else. This world seems to be a lot more messed up than I thought. Maybe I can do something about it.

I wish I can talk to her, but I bet she has passed now. She would have been a good mother if it wasn't for the curse. My heart constricted in pain as I felt sympathy for her. I have never experienced that, but I know that she went through a lot. She's an amazing person, I would bet my life on that.

"This forest is Dianne..." Aiyana trailed off.

We looked at her, confused. The forest is what? My eyes widened when I realized what she was talking about. I looked at Dianne's physical body once again as a smile slowly crept onto my lips. She never gave her life up, I see. She fought until the end. Her tenacity is something even curses could not beat!

"What do you mean?" Karis asked, still unable to understand what Aiyana meant.

"Sir Karis, you're surprisingly slow," Alwina pointed out.

I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing. Karis looked at me, hoping to get an answer. I smiled and pointed at Aiyana who was still busy admiring her friend. By the looks of it, I can see that these two were close back then. Aiyana has lived for a long time, so she probably met a lot of people throughout the time since she was brought to life.

"You see, Dianne did not want to sacrifice her life for nothing. As she slowly turned to stone, she shared her life with this whole land to create a forest that could serve as protection for her child," Aiyana continued.

Karis finally understood, so he looked around. Pfft. How cute. He noticed that I was laughing at him, so he stopped and pretended to listen to Aiyana once again. I chuckled and I turned to Aiyana as well.

"Dianne is the forest. She is alive, watching over us. That is why the forest does not let enemies in and anyone who harms it is struck down with karma."

That might be the reason why I felt at ease at most times. We are in the heart of the forest, which is where her original body lies, so I could feel her presence more. It feels like that of a mother. I may not have known mine, but I know what this feeling is.

Dianne, huh...

She's protecting us, so we can prepare to take the city back. Which sign could be her son? I noticed something just below the bed of roses. Oh, there was a stone with a familiar sign carved there. I bent down to pick it up and felt something from the back, so I flipped it to see what was written. There was moss, so I removed it first.

"What's that?" Karis asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe a letter? Should we read it?"

"Yes, please do. It might have something important written there."

"Please protect my mother no matter what. Take good care of her even when I am gone. As long as you are on the right, we will lend you our power. If that is enough, then keep this forest safe from any harm."

"Oh, wait! There's something else!"

That was written on the stone that was left with the Pisces sign carved on the back. Oh. This is from her child! There was something else written there, so I squinted a little to read it.

"Coral, Pisces."

I looked at Karis who was bewildered. So, it was the former Pisces sign who had a child with Dianna. And their daughter inherited the position, who seems to have taken good care of the forest, which is her mother.

"Oh, that's why..." Karis murmured.

I stared at him. "What?"

"The presence felt a little strangely familiar."

"Was that the reason why you were quiet earlier?" I asked.

He nodded like a child, and I could see that he was confused. Perhaps he also felt that Dianne's presence was like that of a parent. I turned to Dianne's petrified body once again. I want to do something to commemorate her braveness...

I closed my eyes and knelt on one knee. The three panicked, but they went quiet when they understood what I was doing.

"I am grateful for your help, so I promise that we will win this war..."