The 8th Tetrad: Breaking Bond

Meeting Gaia!

That night, Hera was unable to sleep. She kept tossing and turning around her bed.

"Argh! Hera, please stop! My head is already in pain because of you. What is it?" Marin sat and turned to her.

She immediately felt sorry for waking her sister up.

"My apology, Marin! It's just sleep and is not yet ready to visit me!... Marin, can I ask you something?" She sheepishly asked.

Hera left her bed and hopped onto Marin's. They were staying in the same room, her bed was placed right next to her sister's bed.

"Go on, what is it?" She had already lost her sense of sleepiness and was more interested in hearing Hera's questions instead.

Hera lowered her head before she began asking.

"You see, I kept wondering about our powers. Aarush was gifted by Gaia his power, which makes him use light to his advantage, while you, on the other hand, received the power to order all types of water. And there's me, I was given the gift of fire which until now I cannot will!" She paused and took a deep breath before she continued. "I think Gaia hates me!" She sniffled.

Marin fretted, she immediately held Hera's hands.

"No, don't you dare say that! Gaia loves us all. She will never give this power to us if we don't deserve it. Maybe you just need more time, more practice. We can go to Aleem and ask for his help tomorrow!" She pulled her to an embrace and rubbed her back. "I will help you, Aarush will certainly do it too! We're here for you Hera!" assured Marin.

#

Her sister's words helped her to feel a bit better and it boosted her confidence back.

"Thank you, Marin!" She thanked her sister.

It was nearly dawn but Hera was still widely awake, so she decided to go out of her room. Quietly, she tip-toed to ensure not to disturb Marin, who was currently quietly asleep. Once out, she strolled through the night without noticing that her feet took her in front of the library. Standing outside its door, she noticed that it was slightly ajar.

She cautiously walked near it to see if there was someone inside. It seemed like someone had entered it and forgotten to lock it. She held the knob to pull it close when suddenly she heard a noise coming from the inside. It forced her to step in to see where it was from. She tried to use her power to give her some lighting.

"Parvus Fructus” (translation: produce small fire), and just like before nothing happened. “Argh! Seriously!” Hera groaned in frustration.

With no other option, she then braved the darkness inside, widened her eyes, and moved slowly. When she finally adjusted herself to the dimness of the place, it became easier for her to navigate.

"Hello! Is there anyone here?" She was welcomed by total silence.

At first, she was skeptical about continuing her search, and yet she chose to proceed to check more. As she walked further, her feet bumped into something. They were books, they fell on the floor.

"Ouch! Who in the world left these here? I don't think these will fall without anyone touching them!" She commented as she rubbed her toe.

One by one, she picked them up and placed them back on the shelf. While returning the books she was taken aback, for she saw a peculiar object that glowed from afar. After she ensured that those books were in place, she moved forward to investigate what that glowing thing was, but before she could get closer to it, she tripped.

"Argh!!! Again?" Hera exclaimed as she rubbed her feet.

She was only wearing slippers. That's why it was easier for her to feel the pain. She bent to check what it was. She bumped for the second time, just to be surprised to know that it was...

"Aarush?" She confirmed.

Startled, Aarush immediately grabbed his sword from its leather scabbard, grabbed her by the collar, and pointed his sharp weapon directly at Hera's neck.

"Grrr!" He groaned.

She froze for a while and when she recovered she placed her hand on his.

"Hey! Calm down! It's only me, Hera!" She told him.

"Illumina!" He said.

In just a second, the place lit up. He blinked his eyes.

"Hera? What are you doing in here?" He was baffled, slowly loosening his grip on her.

Hera coughed upon release, "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk, but my feet brought me here. I saw the library door's ajar, so I tried to pull it closed, but when I was about to do it, I heard some noise, so, I got in to check. However, I tripped on your sword and found you ...sleeping! What are you doing here in the dark, by the way?" She asked him back.

Hera helped her brother stand to dust off his clothes.

"I was reading some books when I suddenly felt sleepy and the rest is what you just witness," he explained.

"You're reading with lights off?" She confusedly asked.

"I brought a light, maybe it's already finished." He then turned to her, “Anyway, tomorrow is going to be a big day in the kingdom, let’s go back to our rooms and rest!” He said while he guided her out of the library.

She followed him behind, forgetting about the object she wanted to check before she saw her brother.

#

Morning came, people in the palace were busy preparing for their youngest sister’s baptism ceremony. It was going to be Hera's first time to experience it, that was why she was fussed about the preparation and the celebration that followed. She smiled as she bumped into different people in the hallway. Her smile grew wider when she saw two familiar faces.

"Reed, Risco! You're both here!" She ran to meet them.

They're brothers and Aarush's friends. They're also sons of Aleem, the Royal Trainer/Teacher. Reed's the eldest and Risco's the youngest among the two.

"Hera, it's good to see you," Risco cheerfully greeted her. "Ouch! Hey!" He then rubbed his head as his brother Reed hit him with a book.

"What do you mean, Hera? You have to address her princess or call her, Your Highness!" Reed scolded his brother. He humbly turned to her and was about to kneel. "I apologize for my brother's rudeness, Your Highness!" Reed apologetically said.

Hera rushed to stop him from kneeling. "Stop! You don't have to do that. You're Aarush's friends, so, there's no need for pleasantries and such." She told them.

They looked at each other. Perplexed at what she just said.

"Friends? With Your Highness, Aarush? Oh no! That's impossible, we're just his training and sparring partners, a mere servant Your Highness Hera!" Reed explained.

"Aherrmmm!" Someone cleared a throat behind her.

The boys quickly stood in command when they figured the person was seriously glaring at them.

The man spoke. "What is happening here?... You two, didn't I ask you to bring those books to the library... Why are they still not there? Go on, move!" Aleem upbraided his sons and they both rushed to follow their father's order.

Aleem then focused on Hera, "Your Highness, your presence is needed inside!"

#

She couldn't help but giggle before she tailed him as he marched to the Great Hall. Her family was all present inside where King Horus and Queen Montana were both sitting on their thrones. Her brother Aarush was sitting next to their father, while Marin's seat was next to her mother. Hera's seat was still empty waiting for her to take it. She moved to sit beside her sister. They all looked honorable and grand in their royal clothes.

"Where have you been, Hera?" whispered Marin. She was still smiling for the crowd to see.

"My apology, sister. I lost track of time, but I am here now!" Hera gleefully responded.

Everyone turned into silence when the horn started to blow. It was an indication that the ceremony of baptism was about to begin.

"Dear Fairies, let us all welcome our Majesties, King Horus and Queen Montana of the Kingdom of Meraxes!” The citizens all clapped.

“Let us also welcome our Royal Highnesses, Crown Prince Aarush, Princess Marin, and Princess Hera", Royal Advisor Cato continued.

He stood on the side of the podium to give the rulers of the kingdom a warm welcome. After a deafening cheer and applause from the crowd, the king held up his hand, which made everyone stop and return to their respective seats.

"To the fairies of Meraxes, I am beyond delighted to have you all here. Joining us as we all witness this very special celebration. Today, we are all gathered here for the ritual of the baptism of my youngest child." King Horus said warmly.

While everyone was busy listening to the King, Hera notices someone in the crowd.

"That boy looks out of place, he does not seem from this kingdom. Who could that be?" She asked herself.

The boy she was looking at was as tall as Aarush, he had blond wavy hair and a prominent scar on his right brow. He was very much focused on glaring at his mother. He intently glared as to where Queen Montana was sitting. Hera placed her hand on Marin to get her attention.

"Marin, do you know him?" She whispered without taking her eyes on the strange boy.

Marin then scanned the crowd to see who she was referring to. That was when she noticed the boy Hera was pointing at.

"No! I don't know him. Why? Are you interested in him?" Teased her sister.

"What? Are you serious? No! How could you even possibly think that...Take a look at him, he's not taking away his sight on mother or safe to say to our little sister!" She elucidated her reason for pointing him out of the crowd.

Marin checked him out again and realized that what Hera was saying was true.

"You're right! I don't think he's from here, but what's wrong? Why is he so consumed in glaring at mother?" She also asked in confusion.

"I don't know, however, I feel something bad about this," Hera voiced out.

#

Before Marin could even give her next response, the wind inside the Great Hall started to change and it blew harshly. It swirled like a small hurricane in the middle of the hall. The wind made everyone gasp. It was harsh that they needed the people to cover their eyes. It started to move towards the king, then to Aarush, to Marin, to Hera, and then it stopped right in front of the queen who was carrying her newborn child. When it stopped, it finally revealed itself.

"Gaia!" Everybody said in unison!

Since it was Hera's first time meeting Gaia, her response was quite different compared to others. She even slowly walked closer to approach her.

"Are you, Gaia?... The one who gave us our gift?" She asked innocently.

The crowd, including her family, were in awe, speechless with her courage to talk to Gaia just like that. Most of them were tongue-tied. She then turned her attention to Hera, giving her the sweetest and most genuine smile she had ever seen. Gaia moved closer and leaned forward to meet Hera in the eyes.

"I am, Your Highness! And I am delighted and honored by your bravery and courage to speak to me!" She then bowed her head and placed her hand on her chest to honor her presence.

The fairies witnessing this were touched and pleased. However, Hera, on the other hand, was unable to move. Gaia's voice was so calming and powerful which made all her anxiety fly away.

Gaia then returned her attention to the queen. Queen Montana stepped forward and handed the little princess to her. She scooped the tiny fairy gently and then she moved to the center of the podium. Marin quickly pulled Hera to give way. Everyone was excited to witness the beginning of the ritual of the newborn princess's baptism.

"Quae non datur nisi a magna potentia, quae est in me: Ego sum postulantes ut benedicat natura eius in anima mea in sempiternum erit foveam ut donum, arce, atque defendat." Gaia chanted.

Translation: "From the great power that is bestowed on me, I am asking nature to bless her soul with the gift that she will forever cherish, keep, and protect".

The princess slowly levitated and steadily moved in a circling motion up in the air. It was then a light glowed out of nowhere. It began etching a symbolic sign on the princess's forehead.

"What's going on, Marin?" Hera pulled Marin's sleeve.

Marin moved a little closer to her to explain what was occurring,

"Gaia is unleashing our sister's power. The marking that is etched on her forehead is the symbol that will only reveal when needed," she explained in a modulated tone of voice.

"So, you mean I also have that kind of symbol?" Hera asked again.

"Yes! We all have! You, me, and Aarush, too! But they are all different depending on our power." She confirmed.

#

When the ritual ends, the princess slowly descends into Gaia's arms.

She then said "Aria! She will be named Aria, the Air Fairy"

After saying this, she turned to hand the new addition to the royal family back to Queen Montana's arms.

"Aria!" The Queen said emotionally, "That's a wonderful name, Gaia! Thank you! It is always a pleasure to have you!" Queen Montana said in her teary eyes.

Gaia smiled at the queen before she kissed her on her temple. The crowd rejoiced and, together with Marin and Aarush, they all gathered around to officially welcome Aria, the 4th member of the royal heir.

After the ceremony, Royal Advisor Cato called everyone’s attention and commanded the royal guards to guide the citizens to the banquet to let them attend and enjoy the sumptuous food and overflowing drinks prepared for attendees. While everyone was having fun, Gaia was quietly observing on the sideline. She then gestured to King Horus to follow her and they both walked towards the attached balcony.

“Cura ut ex ruber luna. Hoc primum erit, ut suscitaret verbum” said Gaia before she disappeared into thin air.

Translation: “Take care of the red luna. As it will soon fulfill the prophecy.”

Gaia's last words frightened King Horus. It was the kind of news he never wished to hear.