Chapter 210 - Five Swords ( Part 2)

"SIX?!"

The cry boomed in the throne room, echoing off marble pillars and bouncing around the golden hall. The royal officials flinched. The guards shifted uneasily. Even the ancient tapestries shook under the sheer incredulity of that one-word question.

Jennie gazed at Aurelia.

Aurelia glowed with warm light beside Lilia, bathed in the radiant glow of the Divine Sword of Light. Like sunshine filtering through clouds and the warm glow of dawn after a long night, the Sword pulsed with radiant power.

Nobody moved for a couple of seconds.

The five already existing Divine Swords hovered around Jennie like dedicated guardians. The golden power of Excalibur shone around her waist. Leviathan sparkled with its deep blue light behind her. Tempest crackled with restrained lightning and wrapped in cloth bindings. Eclipse was hidden in the darkness of Jennie’s cloak. And Gram, the Blade of Wrath, was held on her shoulder, pulsating with faint and sinister red and black glow.

Jennie slowly pointed at herself.

"Me?"

Lilia nodded. Her golden eyes sparkled with warmth and maybe even with hope.

"You."

Jennie pointed at Aurelia.

"That?"

"Aurelia."

Jennie glanced at the five Divine Swords floating around her. Then she turned back to Lilia.

"Why?"

Lilia smiled. That was the beautiful smile of a queen who has come to her conclusion, of a woman who cares about the one standing in front of her.

"Because you need protection."

Jennie blinked. Several emotions played across her face—bewilderment, incomprehension, and then weary exasperation characteristic only of one who has seen too much.

"I already have five Divine Swords."

"I know."

"Five."

"I counted."

"Then why do I need a sixth?"

Lilia tilted her head slightly. It was a playful gesture characteristic of a ruler who was forced to make decisions and bear the weight of her kingdom on her shoulders.

"Because five might not be enough."

Everybody fell silent.

Lucas slowly turned toward Lilia. He had an expression of a man who saw too many days how Jennie attracts legendary swords.

"Your Majesty..."

"Yes?"

"Please don’t encourage her."

Jennie crossed her arms. "See? Even Lucas agrees."

Lucas sighed. His voice had the tone of brotherly weariness. "I agree that you already have enough swords."

Snow lifted his paw. The nine tails of the white wolf gently waved behind him, and his divine eyes sparkled with humor.

"I don’t."

Everybody looked at him.

Snow continued, absolutely unperturbed. "She should have seven."

"Why seven?" asked Jennie.

"It sounds better."

"That is not a reason."

"For me, it is."

Roxy nodded thoughtfully. The hair gleamed in the light, and her ears moved in agreement.

"Seven does sound more legendary."

Jennie looked at Roxy. Her face had an expression of betrayal.

"You are supposed to help me!"

Roxy smiled warmly, the smile of a friend who has long ago accepted that there will never be normality in Jennie’s life.

"I am helping."

"How?"

"By supporting your sword collection."

"I’m not collecting swords!"

Five Divine Swords instantly hovered around Jennie, forming a slow circle around her—golden Excalibur, blue Leviathan, silver Tempest, dark Eclipse, and crimson Gram.

Roxy pointed at them. "Evidence."

Jennie looked at the swords. Her expression became stern.

"...Traitors."

Gram let out a faint red glow. It pulsed in almost amused manner.

Snow laughed. "Even Gram agrees."

Jennie sighed.

Lilia clamped her hand over her mouth to hide the smile. Her eyes crinkled with amusement, and for a second, she looked like just a girl enjoying herself.

And her expression softened.

She approached Jennie. She walked in quiet steps on the marble floor, with her eyes fixed ahead.

"Jennie."

The playful mood started to fade. Warmth stayed, but there was also something else – seriousness.

Jennie looked at her.

Lilia’s tone became gentle. "You’ve been through enough."

Jennie was silent.

"You fought at the Forbidden Battlefield."

She continued in the same soft but firm tone. "You faced the spirits of a thousand-year old death. You fought the corrupted Divine Sword. You survived a magical storm, which even the most ancient warriors couldn’t control."

Jennie looked down. The memories were still fresh - screaming spirits, collapsing chamber, Gram’s hate-filled pressure on her soul.

"And now you own five Divine Swords."

Lilia put her hand on her shoulder. Her hand was warm and her fingers trembling – trembling of someone who deeply cares and deeply fears.

"I don’t want you to go into the next battle alone."

Jennie looked at her.

In that moment, everything in the throne room seemed to disappear again.

There was only Lilia.

Queen who once didn’t remember her.

Girl who slowly started to remember her.

Someone that Jennie was afraid to lose.

Someone that she loved.

Jennie smiled faintly. "You worry too much."

Lilia smiled. "Maybe."

Jennie shook her head. "But..."

She looked at Aurelia. The golden sword hummed softly, with its warm and inviting light.

"...thank you."

Lilia smiled brightly. Hope was lit up in her eyes, like candle light.

"Then take her."

Jennie froze. Her heart beat faster, and her palms slightly dampened.

"Aurelia?"

"Yes."

Lilia stretched her hand towards the sword. Aurelia moved towards her, humming softly like distant bells, like whispered prayers, like memory of sunlight during summer days.

"I trust Aurelia."

Jennie looked at the sword. "Will she trust me?"

Lilia laughed softly, warmly and genuinely. "There’s only one way to know."

Jennie became nervous immediately. "Wait."

"Why?"

"What if she rejects me?"

"Then she will reject you."

Jennie looked at her. "That’s not reassuring."

Lilia smiled. "Don’t worry."

She gently held Aurelia by the hilt. Aurelia’s light was brighter than ever before, filling the whole room with its warmth.

"She’s usually quite calm."

Lucas raised his eyebrow. "Usually?"

Lilia ignored him.

She offered the sword to Jennie. The golden blade was shining with the light of the throne room, reflecting faces of everyone present there.

"Go ahead."

Jennie slowly stretched her hand towards the sword. Her fingers moved towards the hilt, trembling.

All the other five Divine Swords reacted instantly.

Excalibur was shining with the increased golden light.

Leviathan sent wave of blue energy.

Tempest crackled with lightning dancing along its wrapped blade.

Eclipse awakened within Jennie’s shadow.

Gram’s red aura was flickering and its power was contained within the Blade of Wrath.

Everything in the room became tense. The royal officials were holding their breaths. The guards tightened their grips on their swords. Lucas took few steps forward, ready to act.

Jennie swallowed. "Okay."

She stretched her hand.

Her fingers touched Aurelia.

For one second...

Everything stayed the same.

The world was still. The air was calm. The golden sword was motionlessly hanging in the air.

Jennie blinked. Small smile appeared on her lips.

Lilia smiled. "See?"

Jennie smiled. "I guess..."

Then the sword started trembling.

Jennie’s smile disappeared.

"... That’s probably not good."

Aurelia suddenly released huge explosion of golden light.

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

Throne room burst in bright light. Everywhere the golden light was appearing - in each corner, in each shadow and in each space. It was blinding, overbearing tidal wave of divine power, crashing into walls and shaking the very foundations of the palace.

Jennie’s eyes widened. "What?!"

The Divine Sword strongly rejected her hand.

Shockwave exploded from Aurelia’s blade. It tore through the air, blowing away all the papers and stumbling the officials.

Jennie was thrown away like a cannonball.

"JENNIE!"

CRAAAAASH!

She collided with a marble pillar. The ancient stone was cracking, and its cracks were spreading in all directions like a spiderweb. Dust was falling from the ceiling.

Jennie fell to the floor.

Silence.

Golden light was fading away, giving place to dusty and eerie stillness.

Nobody moved.

Roxy’s mouth was wide open. Her ears were pressed to her head, and her eyes were wide with shock.

Lucas was standing frozen with his hand extended towards where Jennie was standing before.

Snow’s ears were erected fully. His nine tails bristled, and his divine eyes were watching cracked pillar.

Lilia was looking at Aurelia, completely surprised. Queen’s face was pale, and her hands were trembling.

Then Jennie’s voice came from the dust. It was weak, pained, and thoroughly annoyed.

"... Ow."

Lucas immediately rushed to her. "Jennie!"

"I’m fine."

"You just flew across the throne room!"

"I noticed."

Roxy hurried to her. Her staff was shining with healing light. "Are you hurt?"

Jennie slowly rose. Dust was covering her clothes, and her silver-white hair was disheveled. She winced when she touched her back.

"My pride is."

Snow went and examined the cracked pillar. He looked at the damage with scientific interest, tilting his head.

"Pillar is hurt too."

Jennie looked at him with anger. "Thank you for your concern."

Snow nodded. "You’re welcome."

Lucas turned towards Lilia. He was looking confused and worried.

"Your Majesty."

Lilia was still looking at Aurelia. The golden sword was floating in the air, flashing unequally.

"I..."

She really looked confused. Her voice was soft and lost.

"Aurelia has never done that."

Jennie was brushing off her clothes. "Never?"

Lilia shook her head. "Not once."

Lucas looked at the golden sword. "Maybe it doesn’t recognize Jennie as its wielder."

Roxy shook her head. Her magical senses were working actively, her eyes were glowing faintly while she examined Aurelia.

"No."

Everybody looked at her.

Roxy looked at Aurelia with her usual serious face – the face of an archmage who studies something extraordinary.

"It wasn’t just rejection."

Jennie frowned. "What do you mean?"

Roxy felt the magic senses kick in. She reached for Aurelia telepathically, trying to feel the emotions of the sword.

"She reacted emotionally."

Lilia looked surprised. "Emotionally?"

Roxy nodded. "It didn’t want to hurt Jennie."

She glanced at the cracked pillar. Her tone sounded bitter.

"...Well, probably."

Jennie looked at Aurelia. The Divine Sword hung in the air, emitting erratic golden light.

It emitted a different light. No longer was it warm. It was cold. Nearly hostile.

Jennie slowly raised a hand and pointed at it. "Why?"

Aurelia remained silent.

Jennie took a step closer.

Instantly, the sword lit up even brighter. The light seemed hostile and almost aggressive.

Jennie halted.

The sword grew even brighter.

Jennie took a step backwards.

The light faded slightly.

She moved forward again.

FLASH!

Jennie instantly stepped back. "Okay!"

She raised her hands. "I get it!"

Everyone was staring at her.

Jennie pointed at Aurelia. "Your sword hates me."

Lilia blinked and then turned to look at the sword. "Aurelia?"

No response came.

Jennie nodded. "See?"

Snow sat down. "I think it really hates you."

Jennie glanced at him. "That’s a little harsh."

Snow shrugged. "Your choice."

"Why would you say that?!"

Roxy burst out laughing. Despite trying to cover her mouth, her giggles were bright and happy.

"I’m sorry."

She brushed away tears.

"But it’s the funniest thing I’ve seen all week."

Jennie looked offended. "You too?"

Roxy nodded. "You have five Divine Swords that chose you willingly."

She pointed at Aurelia. "And the sword Lilia gives you..."

Aurelia flared brightly. Its light was nearly hostile.

"...wants to throw you through the wall."

Jennie sighed. "Exactly."

Lilia finally approached Aurelia. Her expression looked confused, even hurt.

"Aurelia."

The sword drifted toward her. Instantly, its golden light grew soft and warm, like a baby looking for comfort in its mother’s embrace.

Lilia touched the hilt of the sword.

There was no reaction.

Jennie stared. "See?"

Lilia looked at her, her expression mixed. "Perhaps..."

She paused.

"Perhaps Aurelia only reacted because you touched it."

Jennie frowned. "This is rejection."

"No."

Lilia shook her head. She looked at Aurelia and then at Jennie.

"I mean..."

Her voice sounded softer.

"...Aurelia has never reacted to anyone like that."

Jennie fell silent.

There was something about what Lilia said that disturbed her. Not because Aurelia rejected her. Because the sword’s reaction felt familiar.

For an instant, Jennie remembered something.

The battlefield under golden sky. The sword, dripping with blood. A voice...somebody calling her name.

And then it vanished.

Jennie pressed her forehead. "Ah..."

Lilia noticed immediately. "Jennie?"

"I’m fine."

"Are you sure?"

Jennie nodded. "Yeah."

She looked at Aurelia again. The sword still was glowing. But now...Jennie was almost certain that it was looking at her.

Not with hostility, not like a stranger.

As if remembering something. Something that Jennie herself didn’t remember.

Lilia stepped next to her. "Maybe you should give her some time."

Jennie nodded. "Yeah."

She looked at Aurelia. "I won’t force you."

The golden sword was silent.

Jennie smiled awkwardly. "But just to say..."

She pointed at the cracked pillar. "...you owe me a wall."

Snow immediately burst out laughing. His laugh was bright and warm, filling the throne room.

Roxy followed suit, her laughter ringing like bells.

Even Lucas could not help but smile.

Lilia tried to hide her smile behind her hand, but her eyes crinkled.

And then Aurelia suddenly let out a small flare.

Jennie shouted. "STOP!"

The whole room erupted in laughter.

Underneath all the laughter...

Aurelia still was glowing. Its golden light pulsed softly, like a heartbeat.

And inside the ancient Divine Sword of Light...

The memory was waking up.

The memory of the man standing beneath the burning sky. Silver-haired man with golden eyes. The man holding Excalibur.

The man called Leonis.

But Aurelia did not see Leonis looking at Jennie.

It saw somebody else. Someobody whom it had never seen before.

Somebody it did not understand.

Somebody it could not accept.

Not yet.

Because Aurelia remembered something that Jennie did not.

Aurelia remembered the truth.

The truth about the Divine Swords. The truth about Astraeus. The truth about the World Tree.

And the truth about who Jennie really was.

But more than that...

Aurelia remembered the promise.

The promise that had been made thousands of years ago.

The promise that had been broken.

The promise that Aurelia had waited an eternity to see fulfilled.

And when Aurelia looked at Jennie, it did not see the woman who had made that promise.

It saw the one who would break it again.

The Blade of Light continued glowing angrily.

And Jennie had absolutely no idea why.

Later that night, Jennie found herself sitting alone in her chambers.

All five Divine Swords surrounded her in a slow dance of light, their colors mixing into each other—golden and blue, silver and black, crimson and dark.

Except for Aurelia.

The Divine Sword of Light stayed with Lilia.

Jennie looked up at the ceiling. Her back was still hurting from when she slammed into the pillar.

"Why does she not like me?"

A soft pulsing from Excalibur. Her sword’s voice echoed in her mind.

She does not trust you.

"Why?"

Because she remembers.

"Remembers what?"

Excalibur remained quiet for a while. Then it spoke.

Everything.

Jennie closed her eyes.

"Everything?"

She remembers Leonis. She remembers the war. She remembers the promise.

Jennie’s heart hurt.

"What promise?"

Aurelia’s voice sounded softer now.

The promise that you would return.

Jennie opened her eyes. "I have returned."

But you are not him.

Jennie leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "I never tried to pretend to be."

She knows.

Silence from Excalibur.

But there is difference between remembering and accepting.

Jennie looked out of the window. The full moon was shining bright in the sky.

"I need her."

The phrase remained hanging in the air.

"I need all of them."

She looked at all five Divine Swords surrounding her.

"Somebody is coming. Some threat that is bigger than the Demon Generals. That is bigger than the Demon Emperor."

All five swords glowed in harmony.

"I feel it."

Jennie stood.

"And I cannot fight it alone."

She walked toward the window. The image of her silver-haired and golden-eyed reflection stared back at her—the image of the girl who had lived for many lives already.

"I need Aurelia."

She touched the glass with her hand.

"But she will not accept me."

Her eyes closed.

"Not yet."

Somewhere in the palace, Aurelia glowed beside Lilia’s sleeping body.

The Queen slept calmly with her golden hair lying across her pillow.

Aurelia was protecting her.

But there were other things on her mind.

She was thinking about the girl who carried five Divine Swords.

About the girl who was not Leonis.

About the girl who was someone else.

Aurelia’s light flickered.

I will not accept you.

The sword’s voice was cold.

Not until you prove to be worthy.

Not until you show that you are different.

Not until you show that you are not going to break her heart again.

Aurelia’s light faded.

But I will always watch.

Always.

The Blade of Light pulsed once more.

And I will be the judge.