Last Chapter: A roller coaster of emotions flooded in the encounter of Rein and Bright. Now the two sides will meet...
In the center of that made-up reality, a huge tree would be seen. It's fissured chocolate brown bark greatly contrasts its white heart-shaped leaves. It was blooming with alternating blue and red flowers and the sight of it was amazing to behold. The majestic tree was located on top of a small hill and underneath it, a swing could be seen. The age-long swing was attached to a sturdy branch and was already covered with vines.
Sitting on that swing was a woman in a pure white gown. Her hands were neatly folded on her lap as she eyed the starry sky. From there, she could feel two presence coming on the east and west. She faintly smiled. Flameheart and Oceanheart must have directed the Wing Tamers to come here. It was all according to the plan. Now, she must wait.
The guests arrived in a heartbeat. From the east, Shade was with Fine and in the west, Bright was holding Rein. Shade raised an eyebrow when he saw Bright flying downwards - his attire has changed and most of all, his white wings were exposed.
"Fine!" Rein exclaimed.
"Rein!" Fine said.
They quickly hugged each other for reassurance.
"I'm glad you're alright!" Fine stated as she examined her sister.
"I was helped by a friend," Rein replied as she indicated her head towards Bright's general direction.
"Who's that?"
"Like I said, a friend," Rein said, offering no explanations or whatsoever. Fine didn't second-guessed who was the person with white wings but instead told him this: "Thanks for protecting my sister!"
The boy only nodded in return. The mysterious vibe that he gives off made Fine a bit curious and she tried to see his face but it was covered in a white mask just as Eclipse has a black mask on.
"Eclipse," Rein said as she blushed, "Thanks for keeping my sister alive."
"Anything for you," Shade replied, dropping the sincerity in his words. He then turned towards where the woman with pale pink hair and light blue eyes watched, "Princess Grace," he said with a princely bow.
She returned the acknowledgement, "Flameheart," she addressed to Fine and "Oceanheart," she said to Rein.
Instantly, they fell to the ground. Bright quickly grabbed hold of Rein while Shade carried Fine.
"Shade, master of the Black Wings," she continued, "And Bright, master of the White Wings... welcome."
"Why have you brought us here?" Shade immediately asked, not wasting any second, "Is it because I needed to steal your crown?"
"No, i wasn't angry or offended by your act of taking my crown. I brought you here to teach you an important lesson."
Bright answered, "The value of fear."
"Correct."
"Fear?" Shade inquired.
Princess Grace nodded, "You saw how Flameheart reacted in this situation. She became hysterical and quick to run and if it hadn't been for you, she might have ended up in her own trap caused by her fear."
Shade watched the girl who was sleeping in his arms. This feisty cheery girl who always have a big smile is scared of the most common thing in the world, the dark. But more than that, he saw how fear crippled her and made her vulnerable. He was unaware that he gripped her tightly as he thought of those things.
"Meanwhile," Princess Grace continued, "Bright was able to overcome his fear on his wings because of Oceanheart."
"I wouldn't say 'overcome'," he said as he glanced at Rein who was in his own arms. This calm and encouraging girl who became his light when he was on the verge of total darkness, moved him in ways he could not imagine. He gave her a grateful smile even though she cannot see him, "But because of her, I'm learning to accept this fate."
The legendary heroine once again nodded, "Fear can make you unwise," the flowers on the tree all flashed in blood colored red, "Or it can give you something valuable if you overcome it," the flowers bursted in ocean blue, "Fear can make the strong to become weak but it is also fear that can make the weak become strong," a phantom wind blew the white leaves away.
"Masters of the Wings, I am giving you an advice and a warning. Heed to my words as I have seen a glimpse of your fate."
The boys waited in apprehension.
"There will come a time when one of you will make a mistake of surrendering to your fear and when you do, you shall fall and you shall never find the solution for your curse forever."
The two of them eyed each other, weighing her ominous premonition.
"Oh and another thing," she said as a playful smile formed on her thin lips, "About my crown..."
Shade flinched at the same time it showed. The crown floated above her pale hands. In the Phantom thief's horror, it was divided into two. Each of the piece was sealed on the twin's chest.
"To steal my crown, you need to steal their hearts first," she said as she winked.
Shade was speechless. After all he went through to get in the Sun Mansion and to intercept Bright, this would be the outcome?! it was totally unfair!
He was about to voice his protest when the blinding white light surrounded them. It was the same light that transported them here and now, it was bringing them back to the real world.
Yay! We have (partially) finished Steal Princess Grace's Crown Arc! By the next chapter, it will start the Steal the Heart Arc where Shade will not only take one or two hearts but three in total! (Try to wonder whose heart is the third one!). Also, if you're noticing it, I haven't begun their school trip and I'm desperately trying to figure out some activities for them. If you have one, please do comment them because it would be a huge help! Thanks a bunch, guys~!