Chapter 21: The Forest of Illusione(3)

LUANA'S POV

In books, unicorns were described as beautiful and divine, but the one standing in front of me was beyond everything I had read.

Its white body was decorated with golden markings running from its head to its hooves.

“Greetings.” I bowed.

I gestured to the others to do the same, and they did.

“We meet again, Golden Witch.”

“Again?” I asked, confused.

“Yes… I’ve met with the previous Golden Witch. That was a hundred years ago.” The unicorn spoke with grace, and her voice was soft like a mother’s lullaby.

“Whoa! A real unicorn!” Stefano squealed.

“Can I touch your horn?” he asked.

“Stefano!” Harry shouted.

The unicorn chuckled. “Well, if you’re willing to go blind and enjoy the rest of your life being powerless, you are welcome to touch.”

Stefano laughed nervously.

“It’s okay, I’m good.”

The unicorn then looked at Ric, her eyes scanning him as if she were searching for something.

“I know why you all are here,” she said, dragging her gaze away from Ric to look at me.

“Follow me.” She said, entering the tree.

We looked at each other and nodded before entering the tree.

The view that met us was breathtaking and heavenly, for we were up in the clouds—but we didn’t fall.

Our feet stood as though we were on solid ground. Sweet choirly music filled the air.

As I looked around, I saw that the armor we had been wearing was gone, and our clothes were different.

I was wearing a purple dress decked with silver studs.

Stefano wore a green shirt that glowed with black pants to match.

Harry had on a yellow shirt with black pants. His messy blonde hair was styled back.

And Ric—well, Ric had a silver shirt on with black pants. He looked nothing less than royalty.

Why had our clothes changed?

The unicorn appeared again, this time with little fairies following her. I was happy. Fairies were like distant cousins we never got to meet.

So seeing them flying around and staying close to the unicorn brought me so much joy.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Divinità, the place of divinity" She said.

“This is amazing!” Stefano said as the fairies sprinkled dust on us, making us glitter.

“Extraordinary,” Harry muttered, feeling the dust with his hands.

“You can now enter the Diamond Palace. Let’s go,” the unicorn said, galloping ahead and leading the way.

As she moved, a road formed for us to follow, and at its end stood a tall diamond castle.

As we reached the castle, the fairies opened the doors for us, sprinkling fairy dust as we entered. The interior was made of pure diamond—different shapes, different sizes, some sculpted into unicorn statues.

It was beautiful. Heavenly beautiful.

“So, you wish to remove your split-personality demon king?” the unicorn asked as she walked toward where we stood.

“Yes,” Ric replied.

“Do you believe that with him gone, the prophecy won’t be fulfilled? Do you believe in yourself—that you won’t start a war or cause more calamity than Raziel would?” she asked.

“I do not believe in myself, but I do believe in the people by my side to help and stop me when it seems like I’m about to go astray,” Ric said, smiling. His eyes darted to us as he spoke.

“Very well. I wish you all the best.” Her gentle smile warmed my heart.

She gestured for the fairies to come, and they approached, holding a glass bowl.

As they placed it beneath her eyes, tears began to fall into it.

Afterward, she dipped her horn into the silver bowl, letting the tears settle within it.

She walked close to Ric, but he backed away gently.

“Are you okay?” I asked, worried.

“He’s scared Raziel will come out and attack.

But don’t worry—the fairy dust you were sprinkled with earlier has further sealed him.

He won’t be able to resurface,” she said.

He nodded, a smile of relief forming on his face. “Okay.”

She used her horn to draw an upside-down crescent shape on his forehead.

The action caused him to drop to the ground, clutching his chest.

He looked like he was in pain.

“Ric!”

“Sire!”

“You can do it, Ric!” we all cheered him on.

As he crouched on the ground, a voice spoke through him—deep, dark, and cold.

“This isn’t over yet! I will return! I will!” The voice echoed, followed by a dark laugh.

The voice vanished into thin air, ending Ric’s misery.

I rushed to him, hugging him tightly.

“You’re okay now. He’s gone.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done for me, Luana,” he said as his hands gently caressed my face.

I smiled.

I turned to the unicorn, my heart full of gratitude.

“Thank you for helping us,” I said, bowing slowly.

“Oh, it was my pleasure,” she replied with a smile.

Then her expression turned serious.

“Your life, my dear, is a complex roller coaster of adventures.

Be careful, and be mindful of the relationships you form. Your power is sought, and you must guard it. The former Golden Witch failed to heed my advice—do not do the same,” she said.

Where had I heard something like this before?

Ah… Dahlia. What did they mean?

“Thank you for your kind advice. I will indeed heed it.”

She nodded, pleased.

“All right, let’s get you all back home.”

“We’re leaving already?” Stefano asked.

“Do you plan on sleeping here?” Harry asked.

“I wouldn’t mind at all,” Stefano grinned.

Harry facepalmed.

“Unfortunately, you cannot stay here for long, so you have to go,” the unicorn said.

“But do you have a name?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

She paused for a moment, her hooves clacking softly against the floor as she moved to the window of the castle.

“Hazel. My name is Hazel,” she replied.

“Such a beautiful name for a beautiful unicorn,” I said with a smile. She smiled back.

“All right, everyone. It’s time to go home.” She gathered us together and with her mouth, blew a strong, fierce wind that sent us flying.

The wind had a soothing effect, making all of us fall asleep.

When we woke, we were back in Vacuità. In unknown room. Probably a guest room.

And I was on top of Ric!!!