Page 98 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

Hydrenia nodded. “Precisely. Many kingdoms held pieces of the puzzle, but as realms fell, vital information was lost to time. Foreseeing this, the Sun Realm God ensured my bloodline would carry a failsafe—a missing key to unlock the restoration of magic.”

Her piercing gaze fell upon Renya, who felt the weight of destiny settling upon her shoulders. “I must confess, I did not anticipate one who embodies both shadow and sun. But perhaps it is fitting, for how can one truly appreciate the light without knowing darkness?”

“The Light Bringer,” Selenia breathed, the pieces finally falling into place.

Renya's mind reeled. She was the missing piece, the lynchpin in a plan centuries in the making. Fear clawed at her throat. “Am I...am I even real? Or just some construct created for this purpose?”

Hydrenia's expression softened, and she reached out to touch Renya's cheek. Her fingers were warm, solid—real. “Oh, child. You are as real as the ground beneath your feet, as true as the stars in the sky. Your destiny may have been foretold, but every choice, every breath, every beat of your heart is wholly your own. You are not diminished by prophecy—you are exalted by it.”

Renya exhaled slowly, willing her racing heart to calm. She placed a protective hand over her abdomen, silently vowing to give her unborn child a world restored.

“Now,” Hydrenia said, her voice taking on a ceremonial tone, “there is but one task remaining. Renya Solaris, step forward.”

Renya approached, her legs trembling slightly. Hydrenia rose from her stone throne with fluid grace, the gossamer fabric of her gown shimmering like sunlight on water. She dipped her fingers into the reflecting pool, then turned to Renya.

“Kneel,” she instructed gently.

Renya lowered herself to the ground, acutely aware of Phillippe and Selenia's eyes upon her. Hydrenia's fingers hovered above Renya's face, droplets of water clinging to them like liquid diamonds.

“With this blessing,” Hydrenia intoned, “may the power of the sun and the secrets of shadow unite within you.”

The droplets fell, sizzling as they touched Renya's skin. Heat bloomed beneath her flesh, racing through her veins like liquid fire. She gasped, her vision blurring.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them roared to life. The mountain shuddered, and rocks tumbled from the peaks. Selenia cried out in alarm as she and Phillippe scrambled closer to the pool, seeking shelter from the falling debris.

As abruptly as it began, the quaking ceased. An odd stillness fell over them, broken only by their ragged breathing. Then, with a sound like a thousand voices crying out in unison, the water in the reflecting pool shot skyward. It twisted and coiled like a living thing before dissolving into mist.

The heavens split open, revealing a sun that pulsed with copious amounts of energy. Great tendrils of flame—orange, yellow, crimson, and gold—lashed out, striking their world again and again. Renya watched in terrified awe as the conflagration seemed to devour the world.

Just when she thought all would be consumed, the fire receded. The ground beneath her feet thrummed with energy, and every nerve in her body sang with newfound power. Dark clouds rolled in, weeping rain that defied gravity, flowing upward to collect in the empty reflecting pool.

Renya turned to Hydrenia, a question forming on her lips, but the words died in her throat. The first fae was changing before her eyes. The golden hue drained from her skin, the vibrant colors of her gown fading to translucence. She seemed to be unraveling, becoming one with the air around her.

Hydrenia drifted towards the pool, her feet no longer touching the ground. “I have been deemed worthy,” she said, her voice echoing as if from a great distance. Her eyes, filled with joy and sorrow in equal measure, locked with Renya's. “I have been granted my heart's deepest desire. You alone will understand.”

“Wait!” Renya cried, reaching out, but her fingers passed through Hydrenia like mist.

With a final, radiant smile, Hydrenia stepped into the pool. The water embraced her, pulling her under in a whirlpool of light and shadow. A blinding flash erupted from the pool, forcing Renya, Phillippe, and Selenia to shield their eyes.

When the light faded and they could see again, Hydrenia was gone. The reflecting pool rippled gently, as if stirred by a breeze. But the air was still, and the mountaintop was silent save for the pounding of their hearts.

Renya stared at the spot where Hydrenia had vanished, a mixture of awe and trepidation coursing through her. The weight of responsibility settled upon her shoulders, heavier than before. Whatever came next, she was ready.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Selenia's eyes fluttered open, her mind swimming in a fog of disorientation. The sensation reminded her of a childhood mishap—when she was eight and had pilfered her father's fireale, drinking an entire dram. She'd emptied her stomach on the rug in his study and pinned the blame on Phillippe. That same confusion and uncertainty enveloped her now, but this time, a spark of recognition told her that what had transpired was no dream.

She pushed herself up, her palms sinking into soft, luminescent moss. The familiar glow of the fluorescent jungle they'd encountered before their separation bathed everything in an beautiful light. Selenia's heart thundered in her chest as her gaze darted around, searching for—there! Relief flooded through her as she spotted Renya and Phillippe stirring nearby.

“Did it work?” Renya's voice was thick with sleep and wonder. “Is magic back?”

Before Selenia could form a response, Phillippe bolted upright. His eyes, wide and wild, locked onto something beyond their immediate surroundings. Without a word, he sprang to his feet and launched himself towards a nearby tree, using it to propel himself towards the archway they'd first entered through.

“Phillippe, wait!” Selenia called, scrambling to follow. Her mind raced. Was he worried about Esmeralda? Had something gone wrong?

She heard Renya's footsteps behind her, slower and more measured. A glance back revealed her friend's hand resting protectively on her rounded belly. The sight sent a pang of worry through Selenia—they'd been through so much, but she hoped they had restored their world for future generations.

Ahead, Phillippe was charging full-tilt towards the barrier that had once separated the beach from the rest of the forest. Selenia's breath caught in her throat. Surely he wouldn't—

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