Divinity: Chapter fifty five
Gaia opened her eyes and noticed it was night time, she found Aurea still asleep on the small couch next to her bed. She felt tired and dizzy and for a brief moment she didn't know what was going on, she didn't remember what happened hours ago, when it suddenly hit her.
She quietly got up from the bed and tiptoed to the door, once she was out of her chambers she walked to the study where she imagined her husband would be with his parents, by this time she thought the guests were gone and broke their alliances with them.
Her bare feet tried to avoid the broken glass that was on the floor, and the more she got closer the more voices she heard in the living room, changing her path to the room with light and not the study she heard it was King Isra speaking.
"This is still surreal to me…it's hard for me to believe there is an actual immortal being living here, with you" the southern king said.
"I'm no longer immortal, Your Majesty" Gaia entered the room, making everybody stand up at the same time.
Gaia was taken aback for the action "Please, sit down" she said softly. Eros walked to her and placed a hand on her belly and the other on her face.
"How are you feeling love?"
"Tired…worried…scared…I don't know" she answered.
"Dea…forgive my question but, why do you say you are no longer immortal?" Queen Camila asked.
"Because it was the Higher Gods decision" she lowered her gaze "When they found out I was in love with Eros…they took away my immortality, so there is no need for you to treat me like a Goddess, for I am no longer one…"
"You are a celestial being…you will always be a Goddess" King Odell said softly.
Gaia smiled at him "There's no need to hide my true identity to you anymore, the court will probably know already with the mess I caused outside, the people living in this kingdom, I went through the god's judgment and now I have to go through my people's judgments and opinions, some of you will think I'm a witch others will believe my past. Ab uno disce omnes" (from one person, learn all people).
"I was born on a golden crib, my father Geb was once the protector of this planet, my mother is the Goddess of the Skies, Nut. When my older brother was sent far away I became the rightful owner of this" she showed them her golden pendant.
"Beautiful…" King Urmanus said amazed.
"The Golden Crystal, the stone that holds the life of this planet. Since I was young I was trained by Obelix my priest and my father to learn how to use this crystal and master all concentration and be able to be my father's successor. My mother's wish just like any other mother, wanted me to marry a prince and continue protecting this planet, but I turned all my suitors down since they only wanted my power and have me like a trophy wife and I couldn't stand that. When I met Eros, everything changed, my life changed. I met a man that saw me for what I was to him, a woman. When he found out I was a Goddess he kept the secret, but it didn't last for too long, Metallia soon found out…" Gaia said.
"Metallia…the black witch" King Bernard said.
Gaia nodded "She went to tell my parents of my affair with Eros and soon after the Higher Gods found out, they took away my immortality and my crown. My parents denied me as their daughter and I am no longer welcome in Olympus. But…I didn't care, for what I always wanted was here and I chose to stay here…that is why, Your Majesties I wanted to create alliances with you, so we could protect this planet together as one. But now…I don't know if that is going to be possible"
"Why do you say that?" King Urmanus asked her.
"Because I don't think people will believe who I am…" she said softly.
King Isra came to stand next to her and motioned her to follow him, when they reached the balcony he moved the pale curtain aside and smiled.
"I don't think they think you are a dangerous queen, in fact…I think is the complete opposite" he said.
Gaia walked to the rail of the balcony and watched in awe the incredible amounts of flowers and candles lit at the entrance of the destroyed palace's entrance.
Her eyes started to fill with tears; she turned to see Eros and extended her hand out to him so he could join her at the balcony. Eros came by her side and kissed the top of her head.
They both watched the flowers, the candles and the people who were still coming towards the palace to leave their offerings.
"Seems that the news spread fast…" King Isra said softly.
Gaia turned to see the southern king with amusement "I…" she trailed off.
"We have been witness of a miracle; you have been protecting us for so long…" King Urmanus said, his wife nodded.
"What are you saying? Gaia asked softly.
"We cannot act like we are superior when our superior is standing right in front of us…" King Bernard said.
Gaia's eyes widened "I do not understand…"
"Dear" Eros turned to look at her "We talked while you were asleep and…we all came to a conclusion"
"And what is that?" she asked.
"You once said, how good it would be for this planet to work as one…We believe this is the perfect time to do it, to join the four kingdoms together in one and protect this planet you have been taking care of for so long" King Isra said.
Gaia smiled "Let's protect our planet together, then, we will bring a new era a new future…a new kingdom. The Golden Kingdom"
"You're getting married?" Serenity asked surprised.
"Not exactly…but I am planning to live with the woman I love" his deep voice echoed in the study.
"I never imagined in my life you could…I'm sorry" Serenity blushed and looked down at her cup of tea.
Chornos chuckled "I know it's surprising for you. Don't worry, I understand"
"I never knew you were in love with somebody" Serenity said.
Chronos sighed "We have been together for a very long time and well…she's expecting a child"
Serenity's lavender eyes widened "Chronos!"
"We are not living together because of that, I…I really love Ananké" Chronos said sheepishly.
Serenity smiled "Congratulations Chronos, I'm very glad. Love is inevitable, like her"
Chronos nodded.
"Besides, it was about time dear friend, you are always taking care of us…" Serenity said kindly.
"Enough about me… how are you" the God of Time asked.
"I suppose I'm fine, the alliance is working perfectly…everybody is getting what they want, some of them power, others wealth, others feel stronger or beautiful…" she answered nonchalantly.
"And you? What are you obtaining from it?"
Serenity looked at him "Peace…"
"I don't believe you are completely at peace, come on Serenity…I know you better than that" Chronos said.
Serenity chuckled "You sounded like Gaia…she always used to tell me that"
Chronos smiled "Maybe she learned it from me"
Serenity's smile faded "I think Athan is having an affair…"
"An affair? Are you sure?"
"No…" the lunar goddess got up from her chair and walked to the window that led to one of the gardens of the lunar palace.
The god of time followed her with his dark gaze "But?"
Serenity turned to look at him "But, he comes home very late and leaves very early in the morning…as soon as Helios wakes up and illuminates this realm, he leaves. I tried thinking of what you told me once, that he might be under a spell but I highly doubt Metallia has that kind of power…"
Chronos lowered his gaze "Metallia is no longer going to be a nuisance…"
"Why do you say that?" Serenity frowned.
"Metallia's energy is nowhere to be found. Our suspicions were true; Gaia used the crystal and fought her"
"How do you know this?"
Chronos turned his face away from Serenity's "Because I felt that energy before…"
"Before?" Serenity frowned.
"Yes, when she became the successor in carrying the Golden Crystal" Chronos said.
"So…this means, Metallia…?"
"Gaia sealed her…"
The next morning Gaia went outside and saw all the flowers on the floor, she felt like she was back in her shrine, the smell of the fresh cut flowers filled her nostrils and for the very first time she felt completely free.
There were people working on the wall that protected the palace, others were replacing some of the windows and fixing the entrance, others were still bringing more flowers to the palace.
Picking a yellow rose she went back inside.
"Have we agreed this settlement?" King Eros asked the royals inside the study.
"Yes" they all responded in unison.
Gaia entered the room seconds later; she was wearing a light golden dress with golden slippers. Her hair was in a lose braid that fell graciously on her back, she was wearing her golden crown, she held her golden rod with her right hand.
"We're ready then" Eros said and turned to look at his beautiful wife. Gaia nodded.
The court from the four kingdoms were now gathered in the same place, after the royals talked and decided to come to an agreement they called for their court to assist to the announcement.
Aurea wore her most formal dress, a chocolate brown that reached her ankles; her dark hair was tied up in a low bun, her eyes shone with excitement. Leonidas was wearing his formal attire and Obelix his white tunic and pants.
Four long golden trumpets were playing fanfare as the royals walked out to the main balcony. Eros appeared first, wearing his formal dark blue attire, white gloves and his long dark blue and red cape. His red sache showed his golden medals.
People were making a lot of noise, others were amazed by the events and others were excited to see their queen. Eros saluted the mass of people and motioned to the other royals to join him; standing on his left with their respective wives, King Odell and Queen Narella walked out next and stood to their son's right. Gaia walked out next followed by Obelix who stood behind her once she joined her husband.
Eros raised his hands slowly letting know the people he was going to speak.
"I am not going to make up an excuse for what we all witnessed, for the ones who still doubt if it was true or not, magic, a trick or a miracle I'll just say it's divinity, we all heard rumors but we weren't sure if they were true or not. We all have a belief that is a fact. We have believed in superior beings, Gods and Goddesses looking upon us, watching us, taking care of us. That was what happened"
Eros turned to look at Gaia and extended his hand out to her, she took it after she came closer and next to him.
Eros turned to look at the crowd in front of him in silence "We have been listening to lies for this woman next to me is not a witch, but a Divine Goddess, our Dea della Terra. You'll all ask why, if this is true, if it's not. This has been a secret we all have been hiding in order to protect her and to protect you but the era of silence is now gone, it's time for us to move forward, to succeed and make this planet a better place for all of us"
The crowd was perplexed and surprised; excitedly they started to applause when Gaia walked forward near the rail of the balcony.
"I have been there when you went to my shrine to bring me flowers everyday and every night. I listened to your prayers for better soil to harvest, for protection to your family and loved ones; I have been there, protecting this planet since I was given the mission. Now that you know the truth I want you to know, that just the way I was before I am now to protect you"
The crowd started to cheer and yell excitedly, Gaia smiled "Let's create a world with no boundaries, a union of all the kingdoms, a land of dreams…"
Gaia raised her hands, the Golden Crystal started to glow, soon involving the palace "Elysion…" she said softly.
The golden light involved them next and the crowd in a warm golden light, the flowers that once were burned were now blooming again, so the threes, grass was spreading all over the ground releasing a refreshing aroma, like magic everything began to reforest.
The Crystal's warm and golden light disappeared after a while revealing a wonderful and new sight to everyone.
The place where she was now standing was covered in vines and flowers, tall pillars were now behind her and the rest of the court, the balcony was still there but it had several stairs on its side. They were no longer in their palace but their new shrine.
Water fountains were all over the enormous shrine, light and glossy marble floors, big open spaces, the pillars along the hallways had golden leaves intertwined that looked surreal.
The court was amazed by the sight; Eros looked down at his sache and had another medal, a medal with a circle and a cross in its middle signifying the union of the four kingdoms into one.
The crowd kneeled once again before them, as if the golden energy proved them Gaia was indeed a divine being they closed their eyes and felt in peace, and for the very first time the court did as well. King Isra looked at the couple with amazement and smiled in knowledge.
He remembered her fighting for a better world, she never fought for her own kingdom but the whole planet, everything start to fall in pieces; he remembered Eros joining her in her ideals, supporting her and fighting for the same cause, they stopped being king and queen of the northern kingdom a long time ago. They became the king and queen of earth.
After realizing this, he stood up and walked towards the couple and the big crowd in front of them. Raising his right fist he smiled.
"Long live our King and Queen of Earth!" he said out loud.
The court behind them stood up and followed King Isra repeating his words "Long live our King and Queen of Earth!"
The crowd seconds after started to say out loud the same words repeatedly "Long live our King and Queen of Earth!"
Gaia turned to look at Obelix who was repeating the same words with joy, her eyes filled with tears. Turning to look at Eros she kissed him softly on the lips and smiled.
Eros placed his arm around her shoulders and smiled at her.
"Where are we going to live now and raise our baby little Dea?" he asked softly in her ear.
Gaia looked up at him and smiled "In the land of dreams… Elysion"
A/N: Again is Monday. Oh well...but the good thing it is Divinity's monday :) thank you so much for your support, I loved your reviews and I would love to read new ones for this chapter. Enjoy!
I do not own SM just the plot and some of the characters. Thank you.