Inevitable

16 - N E W S

Dragging their tired legs across the never-ending hills, Michael and Iris were determined not to give up. Sure, they've been walking for hours, but with their daughter in mind, they continued. They could see the gates of the Kingdom's castle, and the civilians going about their day, oblivious to what is about to happen. All were way too busy to even notice that there was a human roaming around them.

Finally they reached the guarded castle. The guards standing at the front, all dressed from head to toe in black, with their arms crossed and faces tensed. Iris took a deep breathe in. 

"What are you doing back here?", one asked with an angered tone. They were able to recognise the two from anywhere. 

"We need to talk to Queen Cecelia", Iris spoke with confidence, not allowing them to tear her down. 

"What gives you that right, peasant?", another asked sarcastically.

"May you ask her, tell her it's extremely important", Iris asked in a pleading tone. One guard sighed in frustration, and brought this device that was wrapped around his ear near his mouth, whispering a couple words. 

After a few minutes of awkwardly waiting, his eyes finally met theirs. 

"You're lucky she's feeling very generous today, go in", he muttered irritably, unlocking the gates for them. They both sighed in relief, and followed the marble trail which led them inside the vast, beautiful castle. Inside, a butler awaited them, leading them to the throne room, where the queen and her family were seated. 

Iris was shocked at how different she looked. Her hair, white and short. Frail, pale and wrinkly skin. But that scowl never faded, it's like she always carried it with her. She sees three young adults, who Michael and Iris assumed were her children. One boy and two girls, good looking young men and women. 

"I would say it's a pleasure, but I'm not happy about this at all", The queen spoke with such authority, it would scare a regular person, but the couple have known this woman for years, she doesn't scare them. 

"We aren't here for a fun time, Cecelia-", 

"It's Queen Cecelia to you", she interrupted Michael as he spoke, earning glares from the two of them. 

"I need my powers back", Iris revealed their reason for coming. 

"Why should I give it back to you? You betrayed us by wedding this human, you betrayed the witches, you betrayed Araceli, you betrayed your own family! How dare you ask for your powers back after everything you've done?", the queen spat out in anger. 

"It's not my fault your conceited self refused to give him a chance! If the residents in this Kingdom actually got to know Michael, things would be very different now", Iris argued, causing Cecelia to scoff. 

"A chance? Pathetic. Humans are the arch enemy, how could you forget that?"

"If they're the enemy why am I still here today? Surely he would've murdered me if they were the enemy. You say I betrayed you all, when it was this Kingdom who betrayed me first! I'm here to take back what is rightfully mine", Iris spoke with her head held high, like a true queen. 

The children of the queen sat in silence, witnessing the commotion in confusion and surprise. 

 "Why do you want them back? After all this time, why now?", she quarrelled. 

"Our daughter, she went missing 20 years ago. We've been searching for years but luck has never been on our side. We need Iris's powers to find her, she has the ability to find lost people", Michael explained. 

"The abomination. How do you know she isn't dead?"

"Don't call her that! I may not have my powers but I won't hesitate to kill you in front of your own children", Iris threatened loudly. Cecelia raised an eyebrow at her words, wondering why she's so fearless, even though she has nothing to protect herself with.