Chapter 20 Morning Prayer Ritual

The scent of the fireplace wafted into Junior's nose as he woke up. He smiled, both because of the smell and because he felt an amazing type of warmth overcome him. It was kinda like he was still in the Koopa Kingdom. It was like he and Kamella had taken a tiny segment of their homeland with them when they teleported to World 3.

These factors made Junior wake up in high spirits. He looked around the little log cabin, smiling as he looked at the stone hearth that no doubt took a considerably long time to build. Sure, the fire was close to nonexistent, as it had been lit the night before and was running out of logs to eat, but that was okay. Junior pushed his blanket back and rose out of bed. That was when he heard snoring. Giggling, Junior looked over at the bed parallel to his. There was Kamella, sounding like a thunderstorm as she snored. It was kinda funny; it kinda made Junior think of Roy. The only differences were one, there was no drool, and two, Kamella managed to sleep in a more dignified position than the shades-wearing Koopaling.

With a smile growing wider and wider, Junior shook Kamella. "Mom. Mom wake up!" The interruption to Kamella's snoring caused the magikoopa woman to take in an abrupt breath and rise into a sitting position. She blinked her eyes out and reached for the glasses on her nightstand, all while Junior had to use every last ounce of self-control to try and not burst into laughter.

"Junior?" Kamella blinked her eyes out before looking towards Junior by her side. Eventually, she managed to reflect the smile on his face. "Good morning, honey."

A warmth that had nothing to do with the fire welled up in Junior's heart. "Good morning, Mom." Junior let out a breath. "Today's gonna be a good day. I can feel it!"

Kamella, chuckling, reached out and ruffled his hair. "With you, sweetie pie, I don't think there's any such thing as a bad day." Junior grinned from ear to ear as his face grew warm. Kamella beamed at him with… wow. That pride, that joy at seeing him in this state and the love she had for him… one would think that they had known each other all their lives. One could think that Kamella really was Junior's mother.

Letting out a breath, Kamella rose out of bed. "Well. I think we should get the day started." She reached out and grabbed her hat, concealing her forest-green hair.

"Yep!" Junior licked his lips. "Do you have anything for breakfast?"

"There's some cereals in that cabinet over there," Kamella said, pointing toward the cabinet resting right next to what looked like a stove and refrigerator. "You can fix yourself some breakfast if you want. None of the cereals are off limits to you."

"Sweet!" Junior rushed over to the cabinet, which to his relief was within his reach. He picked out a box of Fire Flower Flakes, got a bowl and spoon, and dug the milk out of the fridge. He giggled as he poured the milk, his excitement knowing no bounds. He went over to the table, which just so happened to be located right next to a window. The sparkly white expanse of World 3 was at the forefront of his vision as he took his first bite of breakfast.

"Oh man," he said once he swallowed. He took another bite. "This really is a good day. Everyone knows that the best days always have the best starts." He turned toward Kamella. "Right, Mom?"

Kamella didn't answer, which was because she was kneeling on a mat near the fireplace, had her head down, and her hands folded. Blinking, Junior got up from the table and went over to her. When he got close enough, he could see her lips moving. The sounds coming out of her mouth were quiet, sure, but that didn't make them any less significant. At least, that's what Junior guessed.

"Mom?" He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. Blinking, she came back down to reality and looked around the room. When her eyes fell on Junior, he giggled. "What are you up to?"

Kamella adjusted her hat. "Sorry Junior, I was just in the middle of my morning prayer ritual."

"Oh? You mean like you did back at your house?"

"Yes," Kamella said. "I take my morning prayers very seriously, even when far away from my usual shrine." She let out a breath. "I'm sorry that I ignored you."

"Oh no, it's okay! You do what you gotta do; I totally get it!" Junior thought about this a little bit before he got an idea. "In fact…" he smiled at Kamella. "Is it okay if I join you?"

"Join me?" Kamella asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah! I would love to pray with you!"

Kamella stared at him with wide eyes for a solid five minutes before she sniffled. A tear fell from her eyes, and the most gracious smile ever graced her lips. "No one has ever wanted to join me in my morning prayer ritual before." She procured a tissue with her wand and dried her eyes. "Yes, Junior. If you want to join me… well, I would be honored if you would."

Junior beamed. Without any words, he got in a kneeling position right next to his new mother. Once he was comfortable enough, he folded his hands. Before he could bow his head, however, he looked over at Kamella.

"So… what do you usually say during morning prayer ritual?"

"Just follow my lead," Kamella said with a wink. She turned back around and closed her eyes. "Oh great and mighty Queen Aurora." Junior smiled as he closed his eyes right alongside her. "Thank you for the many blessings that you have given us, even while locked away in your prison. Your ways are good, your heart is kind. You are the true ruler of the Mushroom World, you and your son." She paused. "My only hope is that the world may one day be restored to you." She shifted, causing Junior to open his right eye. He saw her leaning even closer to the ground. "I will be eager and willing to serve you when that amazing day comes."

At this point, Junior was in awe at the emotion in her voice. He couldn't recall ever hearing someone speak so passionately, especially in regard to a deity that they worshipped. It sent goosebumps tingling down his arms and made him wonder about the Shadow Qu… oh, sorry, Queen Aurora. Was she really as powerful as Kamella said she was? Was she as kind as Kamella said she was? She had to be, otherwise why would Kamella be so dedicated to her? Maybe… maybe the world was wrong about Queen Aurora.

Right as Junior was thinking this, Kamella sighed, smiled, and looked at Junior through her open left eye. "Your turn."

"My turn? As in, to pray?" Kamella nodded, and all at once, Junior was overcome with what could only be described as stage fright. "Uh… um… what do I say? Is there any procedures I have to follow? What are the rules here?"

Kamella chuckled. "No. There's no bells and whistles. There's just you, your thoughts, and Queen Aurora. Tell her what you are thankful for. Tell her what's happening in the corners of your heart."

"Hmm…" Junior thought about that suggestion before nodding. "Okay. I can do that." He lowered his head and got right to praying. "Oh great and mighty Queen Aurora. I don't know much about you, but I will say thank you for everything that I'm sure you played a part in." He smiled. "Thank you for leading me to Kamella. She is the most amazing mother that one could possibly have. Thank you for allowing me to have a fresh start, thank you for allowing me to have fun with my new Mom. And… thank you for looking out for me." His smile grew bigger. "If you are as great as Kamella says you are, and can look out for the people who follow you while stuck in a prison like Kamella says… well, I am impressed. Very impressed."

He paused. A silence hung in the air as Junior kept his eyes closed. Neither he nor Kamella said anything, which was both daunting while also being peaceful at the exact same time. Junior eventually opened his eyes, his heart feeling different. Lighter, he supposed. "That was cool."

"Indeed it was." Kamella closed her eyes again. "May your will for this world be carried out… Amen."

"Amen." Junior let out a breath and stood up. "Well! I don't think I did too bad for my first prayer ritual!"

"No. No, you haven't." Kamella rose to a standing position. "Now, what do you say you and I have breakfast?"

Junior didn't even need to say anything; his growling stomach did the talking for him. With both of them giggling, Kamella walked over to the table. Junior resumed eating his bowl of Fire Flower Flakes as she poured some for herself. She took a seat across from him on the table, slowly and carefully taking bites of the cereal.

"I'm glad you enjoyed that," Kamella eventually said. "It… it genuinely means the world to me."

"Well, I am happy to do it!" Junior took a big bite as something popped up in his head. "Although…" he swallowed. "It's kinda too bad. I mean, we can talk to the Shadow Qu… I mean, Queen Aurora, but she doesn't really have any way to talk to us back."

Kamella laughed. "Oh, I beg to differ." She stirred her cereal. "Sometimes you can hear her voice. Sometimes, when I'm praying, I hear her whispering in my ear."

"Woah, really?" Kamella nodded, causing Junior to lean forward. "What does she say?"

"Mostly how happy she is that I am such a faithful servant to her," Kamella responded. "Sometimes she tells me that blessings are on the way, sometimes she gives me orders that she wants me to follow." She took another bite. "She is a Goddess, after all, and Goddesses like it when you obey them." She chuckled. "And I especially would love to follow Queen Aurora's orders, as I have no doubt in my mind that she is looking out for me and only wants what's best for me."

Junior nodded. "That's pretty cool." He took another bite of cereal, feeling a little disappointed that the bowl seemed to have emptied itself so quickly. "Maybe she can talk to me some time."

"Oh, I have no doubt that she will," Kamella said. "If you dedicate your life to her, she will look out for you. She will keep you safe and well, and she will lead you down a path better than the ones you envision for yourself."

Junior paused. Better than the paths he envisioned for himself? Wow, she really cared that much? She cared about him and his own little life that deeply? She… wow, she must be amazing. That King Borealis guy seriously made a giant misstep when he threw her out. Just based on what happened to Junior on this little journey, from him finding Kamella to Kamella saving his life from the thieves in the donut shop… did Queen Aurora have a hand in that? Did she carefully plan out the situation in order to give him the brightest future possible?

"Junior, you okay?"

Junior hesitated before nodding. "I've never been better, Mom." He lifted the bowl to his face and drank the remaining milk. He let out a breath once he finished, wiped his mouth, and gave Kamella a look that… well, to say it was grateful would be an understatement. Junior felt… he felt amazing. He felt as though he had truly found where he was supposed to be. He felt as though he had found the person who he truly should be with.

"That's good." Kamella stood up, took his bowl and hers, and took them toward the door to place them on a side table situated there (Junior imagined she would find a way to wash them later). "Now…" Kamella smiled at him. "Would you like to go play in the snow?"

Junior gasped. "I've never played in the snow before!" He bounced out of his seat. "Yes, yes, a million times yes!"

Kamella laughed and opened the door. As Junior ran out into the snow, he laughed and chuckled like never before. This was great. This was perfect. This was all he needed. He didn't need to think about you-know-what anymore. No longer was he in the cage that was constructed from his birth, destiny, and family. Now… he was free.