Hi everyone. Sorry that I couldn't update any of my chapters on Christmas, but I can still update during this Winter Break. That's all I have to say so enjoy.

The Winter Child with the Sight

We made our way to the forest, but just as we did, the Golden Spindle started to glow.

"What is happening?" I questioned.

"The spindle is reacting to Lumina. Unroll the thread, Detective." Lumi suggested.

I did as the thread started to unroll like the strings of a kite. The golden threads left a trail that went further into the forest.

"We have to follow it!" I exclaimed as the girl nods in agreement. Before I even knew it, I started to run. We ran until we saw a figure in the distance.

Immediately, I saw the Evil Stepmother, Renee, at the Road of Forgotten Memories. She was trying to leave the area by going through a clearing, but three Frost Sprites won't allow her.

"Out of my way, you little pests!" Renee shouted as she swat one of the sprites. In retaliation, they cursed her to a life is misery and pain.

"For your rudeness, let you life be condemned to eternal suffering!" one of the sprites exclaimed.

"And for your isolate..." the Evil Stepmother began.

She used her magic to trapped the three Frost Sprites in an enchanted net. She then summoned a dark creature that took shape of a bird with sharp claws. The cruel woman laughed at the sprites' cries out of fear of being eaten. With no one in her way, Renee continued laughing as she step through the clearing. And to prevent us from catching up to her, she blocked the entrance with dark magic, specifically dark thorny bushes.

"Help! Help!" the sprites cried out.

I impulsively ran over, but Lumi stopped me.

"Wait, you can't just go in like that, Detective!" she warned as she pulled me back.

"But if I don't, than that vicious bird will get to them!" I countered back.

"If he sees you, you'll be his first victim!" Lumi retaliated back.

"Then what should we do?" I asked.

"We should get rid of him by another spell." the girl answered. "Detective, go into the cave and find a light gem. This will help you." she gave me a fire stone.

I left the girl to turn my attention to the cave on the right side of a hillside. It was obviously covered in layers of snow, but all I had to do was throw the fire stone and boom, all the ice and snow melted. It created an opening for me to enter.

In the Cave of Shattered Dreams, there were many orbs of light floating around the place. In the center, there was a table with a box. I'm betting that the light gem is inside. However, when I took a step, something strange happened.

I saw a vision of Lumina. I doubt it was her soul, despite she looked transparent and was looking at me. It turns out that she wasn't looking at me, but the person behind me. I turned to see a familiar boy wearing dark clothing. It was Paul. The image of Paul was walking towards Lumina, passing through my body. However, when the image of the Princess reached out to him, he disappeared. The vision of the girl looked completely sad and lonely.

Then, the vision changed again. Standing at that exact spot, replacing Lumina was Lumi... Or the image of her. She looked very somber and seemed to have given up on hoping. Now that I think about it even more, I don't recall her ever smiling. Not even when I met her. Sure, she would giggle sometimes, but it barely last than one minute. And even if she have smiled before, she doesn't do it much often now. Again, I feel like she is resenting the Princess and possibly questioning if she has a purpose other than being a clone in a way.

Then something hit me, once Lumina's soul return to her body, what will happen to Lumi? The only reason why she's alive is because Lumina is in her comatose state. The image of Lumi then disappeared.

Moving forward, I slowly made my way to the box. However, when I touched it...

"Sophia."

"Who's there?" I turned to see the source of the voice.

There was nobody there, strange. Ignoring the box for a moment, I walk a few steps away from the table.

"Sophia."

I turned back to find the image of a woman. She has my auburn hair and grey eyes. She was dressed in a green gown that reached to the floor. Next to the woman was a man with darkest red hair, dressed in a grey suit. He has brown eyes. I felt my heart stopping. It was like I was a little girl again and I'm just reliving a dream that was lost long time ago.

"Mother? Father?" I called out.

They smiled at me until their image was replaced. In their place was a different woman and man. This woman also has auburn hair, but she has period eyes. She was dressed in a very floral red dress. The man beside her has light brown hair, also wearing a suit, except it's brown. He has grey eyes also that appeared to be a silver color. These two looked similar to my parents, but the woman looked much more like me than my mother.

"Who are-" before I could even asked my question, the woman and man called out to me.

"Sophia."

"Huh? Do I know you?" I asked.

My question went unanswered as they both disappeared. Sighing to myself, I went back to the box on the table. It was another puzzle. I had to rotate the pieces to create a picture. However, when the puzzle was finished, I could only stare in shock.

"What in the world-" I stared at the picture. It showed of the same man and woman I just saw... With a baby in the woman's arm. A girl with auburn hair... And grey eyes...

Shaking my head from the image, I opened the box to get the light gem and exited the cave as quickly as I can.

I met up with Lumi as I give her the light gem.

"This gem will help, but we need something to aim it at the dark creature." the girl explained.

I nodded as I searched the area, being very careful to not catch the bird's attention. I found the last parable piece under a patch of snow and took it with me. This time, the book appeared in front of me as I slowly hold it in my hands. The pages flipped to the last tale.

The Princess who Forgotten to Smile, 3/3

Mother Holle, 3/3

The Sisters of the Seasons, 3/3

The Faerie Sight, 3/3

The Story of the Twin Snow Fairies, 3/3

The Story of the Twin Snow Fairies

Unlike the other parables, this one was very shorter than the rest.

Once, long ago, there were a twin of Snow Fays. Both very special in their own way. The kind hearted Snegurochka and the bitter Yuki-Onna. Needing for someone to rule Winter, the Moon Goddess watched over these twins to decide who should be the ruler. Although she was the oldest, Yuki-Onna was ruthless and cold. Her emotions caused harsh and serve snowstorms while Snegurochka's tranquil demeanor caused the weather to be more kind and fun.

I saw Mother Holle, or Snegurochka singing songs as she work her magic. I recognized her because of her short blue hair. Nearby is another beautiful woman. She has long white hair and the same blue eyes as her sister. However, those eyes seemed more menacing. She was also dressed in a white dress that looked more traditional. That must be Yuki-Onna.

One day, when a lost traveler and his son were staying in a lonely cabin in the mountains of Japan, Yuki-Onna paid them a visit. Bringing only suffering and misery, she freezes the old man to death and threatens the young boy that if he dare tells anyone, she'll come back to take his life.

"F-Father?" the young boy questioned.

The woman turned so he saw her face, "Never speak of this night to anyone... Or you shall share the same fate as your father."

I saw the boy looking very scared for his own life as he saw his father's death in front of his eyes. And Yuki-Onna disappeared after giving her warning, which sounded more like a threat.

Because of this act, the Moon Goddess decided to make Snegurochka as the Ruler of Winter while Father Frost banished his eldest daughter to the mountains of that foreign country. There, he hoped that she'll learn from her mistake and can find something that Snegurochka cannot, love. Thus, ends the tales of the twin of the Snow Fairies.

Closing the book, a little hint of light shined and before I knew it, a mirror landed on the soft snow. I never had a good run with mirrors, especially most of them seemed to mostly done harm. But perhaps, just this once, I may put it to good use. Returning to Lumi, I gave her the mirror. She put the light gem in a slot at the top of the mirror that I didn't notice before. She then gave the mirror back to me.

"Detective, see those crystals up ahead?" she asked.

"Yes." I answered.

"Make a path by aiming the mirror so the light makes contact with the bird." Lumi advised.

I nodded as I aimed the mirror in various ways to hit the dark creature. He had to be hit three times before becoming completely destroyed. When the scene was clear, we approached the three Frost Sprites and freed them.

"Thank you, kind human." one of the sprites thanked me.

"If you didn't come and help us, we would've been made into bird food!" the other exclaimed.

"As the helpers of Mother Holle, we have to give you rewards for your help." the third insisted.

"First, take this charm I found." one of them gave me a Bellflower Charm.

I place the fifth charm in the locket as it glowed very faintly.

"And, allow us to open the way for you to enter." the third replied.

The three used their magic to incinerate the dark thorns that blocks the path.

"Thank you." I told the sprites before leaving with Lumi.

"Good luck in defeating that woman!" the second replied.

While we walked to our next destination, following the golden trail, I turned to Lumi.

"Lumi, do you know more about the Cave of Shattered Dreams?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. It's a place where dreams go, but not any kind. They're dreams that have been shattered, the kind that we lost and wished to have forgotten. Where broken dreams are discarded along with our hope of achieving it." she explained.

"I see..." I trailed off.

"I'm guessing you saw me there, didn't you?" she questioned.

"Yes, but it was more like an image of you." I answered.

"I'm not surprised. I think you already suspected it, but I can't help... But feel jealous of Lumina." the girl admits.

"Why?"

"She is the real one and I'm not. Although, I appreciate your kind words, Detective, I feel... Incomplete. So long as I harbor those feelings, I can never stop thinking that I'm just a piece of someone and not my own."

"Lumi, what will happen once Lumina is awaken?" I questioned, remembering that one thought I had back in the cave.

"I don't think you'd want to know. As I said before, I'm just a piece of someone. Her thoughts, her feelings... They're being expressed through me- a copy of her." she answered sadly.

Feeling that I need to change the topic so she doesn't feel melancholy, I spoke about what I saw, "Back there, I saw my parents."

"Pardon?"

"When I was about four years old, my parents... My adopted parents disappeared." I began.

"How come?"

"I don't know, but I think my broken dreams was that I wanted to see them. But, I can't because I don't know where they are." I continued.

"What else did you see?"

"I saw two people replace my parents. They looked at me and called my name with such recognition, but I have no idea who they are. And... When I solve I puzzle, I saw them holding a child who shared my features." I explained.

"Detective, I think... I think after Lumina awakens, you should tell her about your broken dreams." Lumi suggested.

"Why?" it was my turn to asked questions.

"Because each Ruler of the Seasons have their own gifts. Winter, despite being the youngest of the seasons, the ruler gains vast wisdom. And Summer's ruler can see into the past, the future, and any alternatives." she replied.

"What about Spring and Fall?"

"I don't know. That knowledge is only given to Lumina, not me." Lumi replied. She then stopped as she looked ahead. "We're here. Welcome to the Memory Glade, Detective. A place known to be filled with happier memories and renewed hope."

I turned to looked at a clearing of the forest.

Well, that's all for now. Remember to leave a review. See you soon.