Cedric packed his belongings and loaded them into a wagon along with the moon-sword and dagger.

The day seemed so beautiful, the morning sun illuminating the castle. The courtyard was paved with stone and adorned with stables, imposing columns, and the grand entrance leading to the royal castle.

He looked up at the queen's window but saw no one. Cedric sighed tensely.

"Perhaps last night was the final time I saw her. Poor Mum," he thought, twirling the moon-sword. "If I am destined to die as the prophecy foretells, allowing my 19th descendant to be born, so be it. But before that, I will try to stop the Cosmic Eclipse. Alone if I have to."

A pleasant tightness filled his chest as he sensed someone approaching. Elowen carried a couple of books, looking just as she did during their journey--in a green cloak and a light, cutout fabric outfit.

"Almost forgot to give you this. Whew," she handed him some books. "These are about Soliarion and Alaric, Dynasty founder. Something to read on the road."

He tossed the books into the wagon without much interest.

"How is it that you're the only one who cares about me now? I always thought it was the other way around," Cedric with a tired smile looked at his older sister.

"I warned you, dummy. I told you what Dad would do if he caught you two, didn't I?"

"Yeah. You did."

They stood in awkward silence for a moment.

"Do you feel it inside?" Elowen suddenly asked. "I mean, the spirit. Right? This thing... Can you feel it?"

"Yes, all the time. You?"

"I do. I feel..." She hesitated, shifting from foot to foot. "I feel it especially strongly when you're near, Cedric."

"Yes. Same. Our spirits connected. Faithwinder said they're spirits of love or something."

"Yeah, right. Spirits of love," she said, punching him on the shoulder, but somewhat hesitantly. Her tone shifted as she lowered her head, murmuring, "I don't want you to leave, Cedric."

"I don't want to leave either. I'm so scared, Elowen."

As he finished talking she embraced Cedric tightly, causing him to drop several bags as he returned the hug. They both felt a comforting tightness in their chests, a moment of warmth and deep connection in their hearts.

"Everything will be fine, Cedric. I promise. Our dumb spirits can connect even when we're far apart. I'll always be near."

He buried his face in her shoulder and dark hair. At that moment, she seemed to him the dearest and most beloved sister in the whole world.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"It's time to leave," one of the approaching guards said.

He expected Elowen to push him away like she always did when someone saw them close, but she didn't. She kept hugging him, enjoying their last moments together.

"I won't forget how you cared for me in the Valley, little brother. I'll take care of Mum, I promise," Elowen whispered. She kissed his cheek and let go.

He tenderly touched Elowen's face. One last time. "Goodbye, sissy."

Elowen smiled. It pleased him, so he climbed into the wagon with more confidence. He looked at her standing outside the carriage. She waved, and suddenly the door closed.

"Goodbye, Mama's boy."

2 months before the Cosmic Eclipse.

He shuffled forward, his feet dragging tiredly. Chains clanked on his arms and legs. The cold was harsher than anything he'd felt before. Solarion's northern chill felt unreal.

The Cult members led him through a frozen, empty forest. Cloaked in dark robes, they hauled Cedric along the path. The one on his left carried Cedric's moon-sword, while the one on his right held Riley's dagger.

At the front walked a man with a golden mask -- Gargantua. Cedric recognized him.

A cultist kicked Cedric in the back, speaking in a hissing way. Cedric thought, "Solarion language," remembering the old woman from the settlement.

It hurt to walk. He was still in pain after Arik's beating and his leg throbbed.

"You know, guys, there was a book in my wagon," Cedric said. "I read that Solarionians feel no fear. Sounds like nonsense. It also mentioned that King Malachin's army is actually as cowardly as chickens. Is that true?"

A few cultists laughed.

"I know you," Cedric said, still staring at Gargantua's back. "Let me guess. You chickened out and let the monster escape, getting your men killed? You know, the monster with hooves and claws from the Library. Is that what happened?"

Gargantua stopped, and cultists followed suit. The next second he drew his sword.

"How do you know about the monster?"

Prince was silent. Another cultist spoke in a hissing language and gestured at Cedric's hair.

"No, the mud from Eclipse cannot serve as a vessel," Gargantua said. Cedric was forced to his knees, his feet painfully touching the cold ground.

"Are you scared of my sword, pup? Your labeled us as cowards. Aren't you a coward?" The cold blade pressed close to Cedric's neck. "Aren't you a cowardly chicken?"

"I'm not afraid to die," Cedric thought, remembering the prophecy. He must die so that the 19th descendant, his and Seraphina's child, could live.

If he died now, then it was destined. And yet, his lower lip was twitching.

Cedric swallowed, feeling a surge of energy within him, the power of Corvus' spirit flowing through his blood.

Gargantua pulled back the blade. "There's a difference between hiding fear and not feeling it, Prince. Pick him up."

Two cultists grabbed Cedric.

"Keep your mouth shut, or I'll cut your long tongue. The journey to the Red Castle is long. Let's go," Gargantua said as he sheathed his sword.

At that moment, a white speck descended to the ground in front of Cedric, followed by another. The next one landed on his shoulders. White ash, Cedric thought, began to fall everywhere, growing more intense with each passing second.

Cedric looked up. "Is that snow?"

Cultists watched silently as prince experienced his first snowfall.

But the joy from the snow quickly turned into hatred. The weather changed to a strong blizzard, but they kept moving. The cultists ignored the snow, but Cedric stumbled with nearly every step. His muscles refused to move in such cold.

"Do you still like the snow, Prince?" Gargantua shouted through the howling wind, a smile seemingly playing on his lips as Cedric fell once more, his face covered in cold snowflakes. Every nerve ached from the biting cold.

Soon, the barren, frigid landscape gave way to ruins. The serene, snowy plains and hills were replaced by scorched earth, and the stench of death filled the air. On either side lay the shattered camps of the Empire. Dogs ran ahead of the cultists, fighting over scraps of bodies. They halted in a wasteland, with smoke from the camp visible on the horizon.

They were very close to the front line.

"Over there are Tilidus' troops," Gargantua pointed far off towards the hills. One of the cultists unlocked the shackles on Cedric's legs. "But don't expect a warm welcome. The soldiers who escorted your convoy told us you were being taken to your death before we dealt with them. They planned to execute you."

Gargantua turned and headed in the other direction, deeper into the north. Several other cultists followed him, leaving Cedric alone, shivering from the cold.

Cedric looked at the hill, then turned and followed the cultists. Walking without chains was much easier.

He walked over debris, garbage, and possibly even bodies. He stepped through ash and places that had once been scenes of slaughter. Snow covered everything, leaving the horrors beneath to his imagination. Cedric cautiously climbed over a fallen, century-old tree, oblivious to the Solarion army passing nearby.

His thoughts were consumed by one person--the reason he kept going: his mother.

"I hope you are doing better then me now, Mum. I hope you are okay."

He dragged his feet until evening, the chill and exhaustion pricking his skin like needles.

"Time to rest," Gargantua said, appearing beside him and guiding to a spot on the ground. Cedric sank onto the chilly earth as nearby cultists lit a fire and pitched tents.

Gargantua removed his black hood, revealing a mane of silver hair. His golden mask clung firmly to his face, and his warm brown eyes fixed intensely on Cedric as he honed his blade.

"Why? Why am I still alive?" Cedric's voice was strained. "Why not just end it here? Why drag me all the way to the Red Castle?"

"Why?" Gargantua sighed. "Why didn't we just kill you back there at the Valley camp then? Why? Because King Arik can always have another coward son with his gorgeous brown-haired bitch- wife. You are needed as a hostage, Prince. King Malachin will decide your fate. He needs you, but I am not permitted to tell you why."

"So, I'm just a hostage. Right." Cedric couldn't take his eyes off the fire, shivering from the intense cold.

"I wonder where is Mum now? Is she angry for what I did? Angry that I wanted to impregnate her? Will Mum ever forgive me? It was the best night of my life, but what if she's back with Dad now?"

Gargantua interrupted Cedric's thoughts.

"Eternal life awaits only the fearless," he said.

"What?" Cedric whispered, warmed by the campfire.

"That's how we live. You asked if we are fearless? We live to die in battle, to confront and defeat the soldiers of the Eclipsian Empire. Some label us as psychos for our beliefs, but we see it as the ultimate expression of freedom. We exist to engage in combat. To live and die in a fight to then live forever."

Gargantua put his sword aside and looked intently into Cedric's eyes.

"And what do you live for, Cedric, Savior of the Eclipsian Dynasty?" he said mockingly.

Cedric imagined a woman, her hands cradling her swollen belly, fingers tracing patterns across the skin. Her cascading brown locks framed her face as they spilled over her shoulders. He tenderly kisses her plump lips, and before that, she smiles, welcoming him as her husband and king.

"For her," Cedric murmured almost inaudibly, avoiding Gargantua's direct gaze. However, the masked man let out a chuckle, catching Cedric's response.

"So someone awaits you at home, right?" Gargantua's eyes gleamed beneath the mask. "Love is a splendid thing in youth. Love... Every woman here bears at least five children, ensuring that when a father passes, his legacy continues through his offspring. When a father passes, his children follow his path. Basically for us, lovemaking is like dying. What could be better than experiencing a few 'deaths' in the grip of a right woman?"

"Five children?" Cedric wearily glanced into the fire. "Another five wonderful children for my Mum. Me and her. What could be better..."

Elowen opened the huge door to the queen's chambers. The two armor-clad oaken-heads standing at the entrance didn't even offer their assistance.

She slammed the door shut, finding herself in a dark room. Not a sliver of light penetrated the tightly shut window, leaving the room shrouded in obscurity.

"Mum?" Elowen, her eyes adjusting to the dimness, lit a candle and raised it. The bed was in disarray, its blankets strewn across the floor. The princess turned towards the sound.

Seraphina sat in a worn chair, dressed in tattered rags that barely passed for clothing. Her brown hair was unkempt, strands falling loosely around her face. Despite the dim candlelight, her once-beautiful features appeared weary. With one hand resting gently on her stomach, she stroked it.

"What's going on with you, Mum?" Elowen walked over to the window and opened it sharply, removing all the barriers Seraphina had put up. Sunlight illuminated the room and Seraphina's eyes glazed over from the sudden influx of sunlight.

"Cedric?" barely escaped Seraphina's lips.

"Cedric has left, Mum. They took him away to war. Did you forget? It's been almost a week!" Elowen placed the candle aside and sat down beside her, noticing the dark circles under Seraphina's eyes. "When was the last time you slept, Mum? I'm worried about you. You need to talk to Dad about what happened. He is still your king and husband. You can't just hide here all the time."

"My poor, my poor Cedric," she sniffed and touched her belly again.

"Gosh, Mum! If you loved your mama's boy so much, you should have thought about his safety earlier and not let him between your legs. He is your son! I warned you!" Elowen nervously stood up and walked to the window.

"My blood... my belly is," Seraphina looked at her bed.

"No, no, no. Mum. I don't want to hear this," Elowen exclaimed. "I don't want to hear that you're pregnant by... by Cedr... Curse it. I can't even say it. Listen to me." Elowen grasped Seraphina's shoulders. "Just don't tell Dad about this, okay? Deny everything. Don't you dare tell him! Please! I don't want to..." Elowen nervously swallowed. "I don't want to lose you too. He might forgive you for being with Cedric, but not for having his child. Do you understand? Promise me you won't tell him!"

Seraphina focused her lost gaze and looked into Elowen's eyes. She did a light nod. It was enough.

"You are Arik's wife, Mum. Not Cedric's. Say it."

"I'm... I'm Arik's wife," Seraphina mumbled.

"Good." Elowen gently stroked her mother's head, wiping away her tears.

Something tugged at her heart. Seraphina had never been like this before. This broken. "Oh Gosh, Cedric. What have you done to our Mum?"

Stepping back, Elowen wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Tomorrow, they'll appoint me as the heir instead of Cedric. I want you to be there, Mum," Elowen said.

But Seraphina was distracted again, her hand gently resting on her stomach. "Death and suffering follows me. First Blunder, and now Cedric. My beloved Cedric. It's all my fault."

Elowen stared out the window at the city for a very long time, adjusting her bust on her dress before she spoke. "Blunder died because of me, Mum. I did it."

Seraphina kept stroking her belly.

"I convinced Dad to raid the valley. I hated every moment there. I still have a scar under my eye, Mum. I just, well, I wrote to Dad that you were having an affair with Blunder, and he sent Tilidus. I didn't expect him to react like that. I just wanted to get out of that cursed valley as soon as possible. I won't be sorry for what I di.. Mum?"

Elowen sensed a looming presence behind her and turned around, only to find Seraphina's hands gripping her throat, forcing her down to the floor.

"Mum!" Elowen gasped, struggling against Seraphina's hold. She tried to break free, but her mother's weight bore down on her, making it difficult to breathe.

"What. Have. You. Done, Elowen?!" Seraphina's grip tightened. She was choking her own daughter. It was only when Elowen jabbed her in the eye that she released her grip, collapsing to the floor.

Elowen coughed and gasped, scrambling to the door. "You're insane, Mum! You and Cedric! You are both crazy! You can't love each other. Do you want to spend your life rotting in here?! Alone? As you wish! You know what? This is your fault! Cedric might be dead because of you! You're a murderer! Screw you!" With that, Elowen slammed the door shut, leaving Seraphina weary and collapsing onto the bed.

To Cedric's surprise, he slept well through the night. They gave him a warm, dark robe that helped him feel cozy, and the cold snow didn't bother him as much anymore.

Even though he still had chains on his hands, Cedric didn't see it as a big problem. "I can break these chains just like I did in the library's dungeon. Having a spirit inside gives an advantage."

The cultists laughed, chatting among themselves, although Cedric didn't understand a word. He glanced at Gargantua's silvery hair and then at the white hair of the other cultists. Were they also vessels for spirits?

"May I ask why your hair is that color?"

"Just because I gave you a robe doesn't mean we've become friends, Prince." Gargantua answered. "The question that interests us all is why YOUR hair is turning white? King Malachin will resolve this issue. Be ready to meet our King. We're almost there."

They continued their journey as the sky darkened with black clouds. Eventually, the city emerged before them--the capital of Solarion.

"Behold, Prince Cedric, the Red Castle," said Gargantua.

The area around the Red Castle was desolate. This place was nothing like the peaceful Red Castle from Cedric's vision shown by Faithwinder. The heat from the war's forges melted any hint of snow, the surrounding forest was cut down, and tents with tens of thousands of fighters surrounded the capital, with dark smoke rising. Ash covered the castle, making its towers look dark.

The capital, bustling with people, greeted him as expected. As it should greet the prince of the empire that murdered their sons, fathers, grandfathers, and grandfathers of their grandfathers.

Cultists surrounded him with a shield, preventing the peaceful townspeople from tearing the prince apart. However, Cedric seemed oblivious to their reactions. A stone flew at his head. Blood gushed from his skull, but he didn't stop.

"I won't stop, Mum."

Finally, they led him inside the castle. Gargantua wiped the blood from Cedric's face as soon as they crossed the threshold.

"You held up surprisingly well, prince," said Gargantua coldly, pulling him along further. "Now, ready to meet Him. Our King. Welcome to the Hall of the Fearless."

Cedric found himself in a huge throne room filled with soldiers. Each one had gray or silver hair, some with specks of black, brown, or even yellow. Only a few had completely dark hair or no hair at all. Cedric noticed right away that instead of a ceiling, there was a large window in the throne room overlooking the sun.

The sunlight through the ceiling illuminated the room almost entirely, leaving only the throne in shadow. A tall stone throne without extravagance stood with a person seated on it. Cedric couldn't see the person's face clearly due to the dim light, but a crown made of sharp fangs and gold metal was clearly visible on their head.

Gargantua abruptly stopped Cedric and made him kneel.

"Kneel before King Malachin!" Gargantua declared. The entire room, following Cedric, bowed to their king. Cedric, breathing heavily, looked at the figure on the throne. It was the infamous King Malachin he had heard so much about. Cedric rubbed his eyes again.

Sitting upon the throne was an elderly man, with long hair and a beard cascading down to his shoulders, both grayed with age. His skin was wrinkled and yellowed. He was chewing something, his jaw barely moving.

"Is that Malachin?" Cedric asked in surprise. Gargantua struck him in the back.

"Show respect to our King," Gargantua fell to the knees. "We have fulfilled your task, Lord! The King of the Eclipsian Empire is finally on his knees before you. Just as you wanted."

"But I... am not a king," the pain subsided in Cedric's head. He looked around. "It doesn't make any damn sense."

"Execute him for his audacity!" someone from the crowd shouted.

"The descendant of Alaric must be crucified alive!" followed a second cry.

The crowd yelled insults.

He was surrounded by enemies, the worst enemies possible, all ready to kill him in the most brutal ways.

"I must not let fear consume me. Remember why you're here, Cedric," he whispered to himself, closing his eyes.

There was no one to save him now.

"You are the first king of Solarian before whom a descendant of Alaric has bowed," declared Gargantua. At that moment Cedric noticed his moon-sword on Gargantua's waist.

"No, I bow to no one," Cedric broke free from the shackles and grabbed the sword, rising to his feet.

The moon-sword gleamed in the sun as Cedric jumped back. Malachin didn't even flinch. Everyone in the hall drew their weapons.

"Don't be foolish, Cedric. You'll die! Think about who's waiting for you at home," Gargantua said.

"I think about her every second." His hand didn't tremble. He turned his weary gaze to the old man sitting on the throne.

The roar of the enraged crowd subsided as Malachin raised his left hand. It immediately fell back onto the armrest.

The Solarion King spoke. His voice was hoarse but full of life nonetheless. "Do you think I'm scared, child? Huh! Only the most fearless warrior among the living becomes the King. I am the Red King of Solarion!"

Cedric gripped his sword tighter. "It's easy for you to claim fearlessness when the entire throne room is filled with your goons. I'm ready to fight you one-on-one, a child against an old man. I consider it fair. Or are you scared?"

"How dare you?" A wave of anger swept through the hall, but everything quieted down again when the old man, bracing himself on the armrests, stood up. He was taller than he appeared, but still thin.

Cedric took a cautious step forward, his leg throbbing with pain at the worst possible moment. His body wasn't primed for a fight.

"I won't even need a sword," Malachin took a step forward. He walked slowly, barely lifting his feet. "I want to kill one of the Alaric's descendants with my bare hands."

Gargantua shifted aside, a tinge of sadness in his eyes as he glanced at Cedric.

"No one is ever ready," Cedric sighed, when a shadow fell on him. Though the sky outside remained clear, something obstructed the sun's rays that streamed into the throne room through its glass ceiling.

A sharp sound of breaking glass filled the air, followed by debris cascading down. Cedric instinctively leaped back.

Something huge landed in front of him. As the dust settled, the hall echoed with noise and cries of horror. Some were injured by the flying shards.

Cedric opened his eyes, beholding the towering form of a monstrous creature on hooves. A pungent black mist emanated from it with a smell unlike anything Cedric had ever encountered before.

"Altaeri..."

The creature surveyed the hall, revealing its long, massive claws and teeth. 'The Hall of the Fearless' lost any meaning. Altaeri turned to Malachin. The king lay on the ground, waving his hands in terror.

"No, please!!!"

Gargantua exclaimed, "My King!" as he lunged forward with his sword, but the creature's massive hand sent him tumbling into the crowd. Malachin, on hands and knees, inched toward the throne like a frightened child. A couple of warriors hesitantly rushed forward to protect the king, only to face immediate retribution. Altaeri mercilessly tore them apart with its razor- sharp claws, splattering the hall with a grisly mix of red and brown.

Cedric didn't want to get up; he felt sick from what he saw. But he had to, he had to do something.

"I am not afraid of death. Do it, for her. Do it for Mum. Help me with this one, Corvus."

And for the first time since escaping Library, Cedric suddenly heard a clear voice inside. It came from deep within, from the very depths of his soul.

"Always."

Prince stood up, gripping the hilt as tightly as he could. He felt power flowing into his blade. It was not just Corvus' power but something more.

He passed several fallen bodies, getting very close to the creature. As Cedric raised his sword, it lit up with a bright white light, dazzling everyone in the throne room.

He swung the sword, inflicting a wound on the Altaeri arm. The light faded, and the creature recoiled. Everyone in the hall focused only on them.

"You wanted to meet the Eclipsian filth? You wanted to see me? Here I am! I'm not afraid of you, monster."

Black liquid flowed from the wound on the creature's arm. Altaeri turned to face him. Its intimidating gaze of red eyes focused solely on him, its mouth twisted in a half-smile. "You call me 'monster'? I've been wondering where you've been hiding, spirit-bender."

The creature attacked, swinging its arm, but Cedric countered with a glowing sword. Blood gushed from the creature's stumps when Cedric cut a few of its fingers.

"I've come to demolish you and this old Red king!" Altaeri lunged again, waving their hands with incredible speed. "I'll murder you all for what your kind did to my kind. The Gods will wintess how I destroy their creation."

Altaeri relentlessly attacked, landing a painful blow on Cedric's chest. Cedric overestimated his strength. The creature was stronger and more confident in its actions. Each strike could be fatal, and he barely avoided death a few times.

The sword blade plunged into the monster's right forearm. Black blood gushed onto the floor. Altaeri prepared to attack with his left arm when something pierced his leg.

Altaeri turned around. It was Gargantua, with a sword in hand. The monster grabbed him by the throat.

"I gave you a chance to run and save yourself once. I see you didn't appreciate my mercy," the monster rasped.

Cedric seized the moment and plunged his sword straight into the beast's chest. Altaeri released Gargantua, clutching his wound with his fingerless hand.

Cedric retreated, pulling out his moon-sword and falling to the floor.

"The upcoming Eclipse makes you too... strong," the monster hissed through its teeth. He took a step towards Cedric, slowly moving his hooves.

"I will find you when the Cosmic Eclipse is over... I will remember you. I'll make sure your loved ones suffer. Your sister. Your mother. They'll all fade," his eyes locked directly onto Cedric.

Cedric felt like he should be scared. Just a few months earlier, he would have definitely been frightened by the intense gaze from the creature's deep red eyes standing right in front of him. However, now he wasn't afraid.

The dark mist engulfed the creature and then the entire room. Cedric coughed, using the glowing sword as a source of light, but the mist quickly settled, leaving only hoofprints of Altaeri behind. The monster was gone.

No one spoke; only the wounded groaned.

"What was that?" someone in the crowd asked in horror.

"Dark God." Terrified Malachin sat on his throne, trembling. His face bore traces of blood from the soldiers torn apart before him.

"No. He is not a God." Cedric headed straight for the throne. "I am but a child, yet I've learned my first lesson, King. You know what it was? Always carry a sword with you. No matter where you are."

"NO!" Malachin tried to shield himself with bare hands, when Cedric swung the moon-sword. Malachin's head rolled off his old shoulders. The crown landed sideways on the floor, ringing loudly, signaling the ruler's death.

Cedric caught it, dripping with blood, and placed it right on his head.

"I am the most fearless one."

The crowd, barely recovered from their encounter with an ancient evil, now stared in horror at the severed head of their ruler. But no one uttered a word.

"Kneel!"

The moon-sword glowed, and the irises of Cedric's eyes turned bright white, just like Riley's. He surveyed the entire hall.

Gargantua was the first to kneel, and then everyone followed. One by one, the assembled soldiers alike followed suit, the grand hall bending.

The Hall of the Fearless bowed to the Most Fearless One.

All knelt before the new king of Solarion.

Seraphina lay in a hot bath, staring at the ceiling. Her wet brown hair gently fell on her chest, covering her nipples. She ran her hand between her legs, touching her sensitive female parts.

Every gentle touch reminded her of an unforgettable night. Not just one, but several nights spent with her own son.

"I'm a terrible mother..."

Seraphina glanced towards the door, slightly covering her wet tender breasts with hands. "Cedric?" she whispered.

But no, there was no one.

She imagined how he hides in the shadows and peeks at her, at her old unattractive body that he inexplicably likes. She looked into the corner where he could be hiding.

She sadly lowered her head, letting brown braids dip into the water.

Cedric is not here; he is far away.

"I must use the time while Cedric is away wisely. I am Arik's wife, I love Arik. I should be with my husband, not with my son. My poor Cedric. You should let these weird emotions and feelings go, Seraphina. He is your child."

Seraphina rose to her feet and, without bothering to cover herself, strode out of the chambers, leaving a damp trail.

She opened Cedric's chambers and entered an empty room. The morning sunlight streamed through the open window, momentarily blinding her. Cedric wasn't there, but his gentle scent lingered.

"Why do I feel so bad without you?" She picked up his trousers from among the clothes, trying to capture his scent. "Why did we allow ourselves this forbidden love? How can you love me with this wrong love? How can a man love his mother so deeply?"

As she handled the clothing, her fingers detected something inside the pocket. Delving in, she extracted a sheet of paper-- Dynasty family tree, the one she was looking for.

She approached the window, not afraid of being seen naked. She couldn't take her eyes off the dark spot on one of the names.

"Names etched in sun ink," she mused, "its opacity defying the light."

As she raised the parchment, allowing the sun's rays to penetrate, the shadows of names materialized on the ground. She looked at the shadow where the black spot was, revealing not one but two names.

"Cedric... Is that... Could it be that you're not the 18th descendant?" Seraphina whispered.

There was a knock on the door, and a servant entered. "Milady, are you here?" He peeked inside and quickly turned away, noticing the queen was naked. Seraphina put down the sheet as soon as she heard the knock.

"Yes? What is it?"

"The king... He..." The servant was visibly nervous, likely recalling the fate of the previous servant who had intruded on the queen. "The king summons you to a meeting. It concerns Prince Cedric."

"Cedric? What happened to my son?"

"The convoy was attacked, milady. I'm sorry."

Seraphina felt her legs give way beneath her; she could barely stand. "Cedric..."

Seraphina rushed into the meeting room, her white dress hastily thrown on and her hair still wet from her bath. Only a few people were around the table: Arik at the head, with some Empire leaders and Tilidus.

"What happened to Cedric?"

"Our convoy was attacked, my lady. I am truly sorry," said Tilidus.

"Sorry?" Seraphina walked up to him and punched the young general in the face with all her might. "YOU ARE SORRY?"

"Seraphina," Arik's voice came. "Sit down."

"You were supposed to protect him! You were supposed to protect my son! You and your men. How did you... How dare you sit here, you bastard...You..."

Several guards, at the king's order, dragged her away and sat down near Arik. The king grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"Calm down, dear. Please, pull yourself together," the king said through gritted teeth.

Seraphina looked around. Tilidus was rubbing his reddened cheek.

"It's not like he's d..." It was like the word was stuck in her throat. "He's not dea... He could still be alive!"

"We don't know that. If the cultists got him then I'm not sure they'll let Cedric live." Arik replied.

"I've met Gargantua many times, Your Majesty. This is probably his work," said Tilidus. "If Cedric is in his hands, this freak in a golden mask will kill the prince and present his head to Malachin."

Arik and the others gathered looked at the young general with an expression that said, 'You're only making things worse.'

Seraphina threw a nearby wine glass at him. Tilidus, using all his war skills, barely dodged. The red liquid splashed on the floor.

"Bastard! You should be executed for what you did to Blunder's army! Why is he even here?"

"Leave us. Everyone!" Arik ordered loudly.

Everyone got up from the table. Some of those present even wanted to offer their sympathy to the queen, but Arik made it clear with a look that it was not appropriate to do so.

"Crazy witch," muttered Tilidus and walked out.

Seraphina just noticed Elowen standing by a window, her eyes red and full of tears.

"It's your fault," Seraphina uttered, clenching her fists and shifting her gaze to Arik. "You!"

"No, Seraphina. It was the prophecy." He took her hand gently. "The 20th descendant is dusk or dawn, but it's the 18th descendant's death that paves the way for their birth. I'm sorry, love."

"No, no, I don't believe it. I don't believe it. He's not dead!" She finally said it. "He can't be dead. Cedric can't..." Her screams turned into whispers. "He can't, Arik."

"I'm sorry, Serfy. We lost him."

With no other choice, Seraphina started crying and hugged her husband, sobbing into his shoulder.

"I forgive you for what you've done. I mourn his death as well." He gently stroked her back.

Elowen saw the triumph in his eyes. It was a look that said Seraphina was his again. Arik wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged tightly.

"It's going to be okay, sweetheart. We'll get through this together. Our boy is gone," said Arik sadly, kissing Seraphina on the cheek.

Cedric carefully walked through the corridors of Red Castle, his leg sore. A dagger and sword hung from his belt, complemented by a fur cape draping over his shoulders. A crown on his head.

He struggled to grasp the source of the overwhelming sadness consuming him, coming from the depths of his heart. And also... disgust. "Could it be Elowen? What is she sad and disgusted about?"

"Was that your first kill?" Gargantua guided him through the halls.

"No, it wasn't." Cedric stopped, reliving emotions from what seemed like forgotten days. "The one time you attacked the Valley, I used a girl's body to defend myself from an arrow. She died in my arms, because of me, and I...um... I don't even remember her name."

Gargantua halted by a door. "We each carry burdens of regret. A swift end by an arrow through the heart is merciful," he said, indicating a door. "This leads to your royal chambers."

"And this?" Cedric pointed to a door on the opposite side of the hallway. Inside, the room was large, with beds.

"This is Breeding Room, for your women and their children."

"Breeding Room?"

"A king needs to have at least five children. Malachin hasn't had any in recent years because he was getting older."

"I think one wife is plenty for me. Yeah. This room looks weird."

"She has the strength for that?" asked Gargantua in surprise.

"You mean, have five children with me? Well, she's tougher than she seems. She's beautiful, brave, and, um, yes, I think she can do it."

Gargantua looked at him with his terrifying brown eyes, not moving or breathing at all. He looked like Faithwinder's white vulture.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"I-" Gargantua faltered. "I just still can't believe it." He glanced at the crown adorning Cedric's head. "We've been told tales that Arik's son is a coward and a fool. Yet, you-- You are different. "

"Thanks? I guess."

"You were right back there. Back then, when you were talking about cowards," Gargantua shamefully lowered his head. Now he was the one recalling the ugly past. "I was frightened and fled when we captured the monster. It caught a glimpse of someone in the shadows and became completely uncontrollable. It was the first time fear gripped me, and my men... perished. Eternal life awaits only the fearless. So no eternal life awaits for me now?"

"There's no such thing as eternal life," Cedric patted Gargantua on the shoulder. He looked around one more time.

"I hardly need such a big Breeding Room. Like I said, there's only one woman I love. However, I doubt she would be comfortable living..." Cedric picked up a chain from the floor, its other end adorned with a collar. "...in a place like this."

"As you say." Gargantua nodded.

"Listen, Gargantua, I came here with a purpose, and as you may guess, it wasn't to become your king. I've come to seek answers on how to stop the Cosmic Eclipse. I was told I could find answers here, in the Red Castle."

Gargantua turned, took a torch from the wall, and started down the corridor. Cedric chose to follow, finding it hard to stay steady on the steep path. They kept walking until they reached massive doors.

"I think what you're looking for is in here," he said, pointing at the doors.

"Is it really that simple?" Cedric asked, stepping forward, but Gargantua stopped him.

"Do you think anything comes easy, Cedric? You might not be ready for what's ahead."

Cedric gave him an odd look. "What do you think will happen to me? I didn't come all this way just to give up now."

"Sometimes we think we're ready, but when the moment comes, it's not what it seems."

"No one is ever ready. Now, move." Cedric entered the room and Gargantua followed his new king.

The light brightened the new day.

The news of Malachin's death spread quickly across the Solarion.

There was still blood in the throne room, the hall was once again filled with people, dozens of Solarion's most respected soldiers and leaders. Many had been present the day Malachin's head flew off his shoulders and the walls were sprinkled with blood during the attack of Altaeri.

"Where's our King?" said one of the leaders with short silver hair. "Where's this boy?"

The door opened, and the King entered, ignoring the pain in his leg. He had dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. His retracted bright white gaze wandered lost in the crowd.

Many people shifted their gazes in surprise. "Is this the most fearless warrior of Solarion? Is this the new king? What happened to that fearless warrior who fought the monster?"

Cedric slowly walked to the throne, exhausted, and unaware of his surroundings. He sat on the throne. The crown almost fell off his head. He stared into space for a long time until someone finally spoke up.

"We're here to find out what now? What does the new lord command us?" a soldier asked, stepping forward. "Surrender to the Empire?"

Laughter echoed through the hall.

"No," the king answered. "We will continue to fight."

Gargantua watched silently from the side, his hands folded behind his back.

"We have to destroy the Eclipsian Empire," Cedric declared.

One might think the Solarion soldiers would feel inspired by that attitude, but everyone stayed quiet instead.

"We are not fighting to destroy the Empire, King," said another leader. "This war is our life. Our ancestors started it. Without it, we have no reason to exist."

"War," thought Cedric. He tiredly closed his eyes, still recovering from the night, from all the things he found out. "War turned into a tradition, war turned into the culture of an entire nation. What could be worse? How did you let this happen, Alaric?"

He stood up and raised his sword.

"The era of endless war is over. I am your king, leading us toward change. The time of Solarion has come. Eclipsian Dynasty and all its descendants must be slaughtered!"

The hall shouted enthusiastically, this time cheering their king's words.

"I can't imagine how hard this is for you, love," Arik gently massaged Seraphina's hand, holding it.

Seraphina looked in the mirror, seeing a tired, confused queen staring back at her. There were tear streaks under the eyes, and red stains near the mouth. Right by the mirror were a few empty wine bottles and only one glass.

"I want to forget about the night you and Cedric... You know. You are the love of my life, Serfy. I forgive you for that, and I want you to..."

"You hit me," she said. "And called me a slut."

"And I'm sorry. Yes, I was angry and I let my emotions take over, as I have many times before. I'm a fool, and you have every right to be angry with me. I saw you together and lost control. I'm sorry, Serfy. Wouldn't you be angry if you saw me with Elowen?"

Seraphina exhaled in disgust.

"You can't even imagine it, can you? We've been together for over 20 years, raising our children and ruling the kingdom. I won't let one mistake ruin our marriage, darling. I love you." He gently tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her cheek. " I still hope we can have another child."

Seraphina frowned and stood up. She reached into her pocket where Dynasty tree sheet was. She wanted to ask him about the two names hidden behind a stain. But what could she say? What did it matter now without Cedric? So she left the sheet in her pocket.

"I'm willing to wait while you mourn Cedric. Tell me when you are ready."

"I'm not... I think I'm already pregnant." She hiccuped, covering her mouth.

"What did you say?" Arik stepped closer.

"I drank too much wine. I want to be... left alone. Please, Arik."

But Arik, instead, gently slipped the straps off her shoulders, exposing her back and breasts. His hands moved down her back, over her scars and marks.

He wanted her love, but Seraphina couldn't give it. She couldn't feel the same love she once had for her husband.

Not now. Not after everything that happened.

"You are so gorgeous. I could never be angry at you, Serfy. I can't lose you. I loved you since the first day we met. I so was jealous of Cedric when he was a baby because he had access to your divine nipples. "He kissed her back. "Tell me, why did you let Cedric do it? Did you like the thought of your own son lusting after you? You know it's wrong, don't you?" he kissed her shoulder.

She actually never thought about it. Why? It just happened. Every time she tried to resist, Cedric never gave her a chance. He loved her more than Arik ever could.

She was suddenly hit by a wave. The wine's effect wore off. "My Cedric is gone..." Tears streamed from her eyes.

A servant entered the room accompanied by several soldiers. Seraphina covered herself.

"Your majesty!"

"I'm busy! Who dares? I will execute you for-"

"This is important, Your Majesty. It's Solarion."

All my life, I've made it my life's purpose to see the Empire flourish. The continuation of my bloodline and the birth of 19th descendant. I've always wanted to see pride in my parents' eyes. I lived with thoughts of my great future, of me and Elowen as descendants of Alaric.

However, my entire life has turned out to be a lie.

Everything was a lie.

And my purpose was the opposite.

1 month before the Cosmic Eclipse

A white vulture flapped its wings as it flew over the edge of the forest, and the tranquility of the peaceful landscapes was in a second replaced by the rumble and roar of war. The vulture barely passed the flight of hundreds of arrows. Soldiers, through smoke and fire, hurled themselves at warriors in dark armor engraved with the symbol of Eclipse.

"Eternal life awaits only the fearless!" Solarion soldiers charged into battle, destroying everything in their path. "For the King!"

The Vulture flew over the entire thousand-strong army, reaching the very center where a man sat on a throne-like chair near a battlefront tent. His face was hidden behind a red mask, short white hair covering his head. He adjusted his massive armor, a moon-sword in his right hand. White eyes surveyed the battlefield.

He raised his head, noticing the passing vulture.

"Gshaan is liberated, my lord. The defense has fallen," said a soldier approaching him with armor and sword covered in blood. "We destroyed Arik's statue. Just as you commanded."

Cedric nodded.

"We have sent a messenger."

"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?" Arik slammed his fist against the table, knocking maps and figures off of it. "We were winning the damn war! We almost made it all the way to the Red Castle! Now they've retaken Gshaan! At this rate, they'll be at our doorstep by the end of the month! I was going to meet the Cosmic Eclipse at their capital, not ours. How did we let this happen?"

Elowen stood silently beside him, hands folded behind her back. Her hair was much darker, almost an artificial dark color, and white light flickered in her green pupils.

"They are being led by a new king, my Lord," said Tilidus. He kept nervously glancing at Elowen, blushing. Elowen just furrowed her brows every time she caught the young general looking at her.

"Who is he? Where did he come from? No king has ever behaved so aggressively before."

"No one knows, my lord," said Tilidus, and looked at the princess again. "We still have forces to fight against them."

"They've sent a messenger. Their king wants to speak, father," said Elowen.

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

"We have nothing to discuss with these lunatics, Princess," said one the captains.

"I know you want to prove yourself as a brave heir, my dear," said Arik, stroking daughter's head. "But with them, we have nothing to talk about."

"I think we should listen to the princess, Your Majesty," said Tilidus.

"Their king said he knows something about Cedric," Elowen replied. The smiles vanished from everyone's faces, including Arik's. "He wants to speak to you, Dad. And he wants to see the queen."

"Your mother is still deeply grieving the loss of her son and hardly leaves the room. I'm not going to use my Serfy in negotiations so this maniac might show off my son's dead body to her. No, I have better idea."

Cedric sat in his big tent, sharpening his sword and Riley's blade, wearing a red mask. The sun was setting behind the horizon, signaling the end of another hard war day.

"Arik sent his daughter. Coward!" said Gargantua.

"Of course he did. I bet she volunteered." Cedric smiled. "Bring Elowen in the Breeding tent."

"Bring your sister to the... Breeding tent?" Gargantua was hesitant. "But it's for..."

"Just do it!"

Gargantua bowed. "As you say."

Cedric changed his location. The Breeding Tent had one bed, unlike the room, but it had a large comfortable bed. It smelled nice, and the tent was successfully shielded from anyone seeing what was going on inside.

After a couple minutes, he heard a noise outside the tent.

"It's not safe to go in alone, Princess!"

"I don't care, idiot! I can fend for myself! Stop following me around, Tilidus. I don't understand what you're trying to achieve, but enough already."

Cedric smiled under his mask. A moment later, Elowen entered. She moved slowly, examining the strange tent and the red-masked man sitting on the bed.

"I have come on behalf of King Arik to speak with the King of Solarion. You are the Red King?" She frowned her eyebrows sweetly, holding a dagger. She looked around, noticing bed. "That's a pretty weird place for negotiations."

Cedric stayed silent, watching his sister.

"Where is my brother?" Elowen stepped forward, breathing heavily, her chest beating frantically, but Cedric knew for sure it was not from fear. The spirit was speaking within her. "Where is Cedric?"

The Red King carefully removed his mask, laying it on the table beside him.

The dagger fell out of Elowen's hand. "C-Cedric?"

"Hi." He smiled with a tired look. She rushed over to him, hugging her little brother. "I knew you were alive. Cedric... Mama's boy."

"I missed you too, sissy."

They both felt so good, feelings of sweetness and love swept over them. Love for each other. An invisible shroud surrounded them, brother and sister.

Cedric gave in to the urge and kissed her. She wanted to pull away, but didn't. He ran his hand over her face, over her small breasts hidden by an armor plate and thin black fabric.

"What are you... doing?" she whispered. "That's not how a brother supposed to meet his older sister, dummy."

"Are you dyeing your hair?" He ran his hand through her hair. "Do you not want Father to know about the power inside you?"

She stepped back, gently pushing him away. "It's none of your business. White hair doesn't suit me anyway. Nor you."

He approached again, stroking her hair. "You feel it too, don't you?"

"No, stop it, Cedric. I can't."

"You did give in to its desires back then at the cabin, didn't you? You just didn't realize then that a spirit had taken control of your instincts. And then you ran away next morning in shame."

"I ran away...not because of that." She didn't resist as he grabbed her hair and kissed her. His tongue entered deep into her sweet mouth, the same mouth his sister used to say nasty things. Their lips gently collided in a kiss, saliva stirring.

"You're a great kisser. I can understand Mum," said Elowen as he pulled his lips away.

"I want to show you how much I missed you." Cedric ripped off her outer garment, exposing her breasts. Her nipples were so pink and her breasts were firm. Cedric placed his sister on bed.

He pulled her dress off, revealing a view of her vagina. Her rosy cheeks smelled nice. She suddenly put her hand on his chest.

"I don't approve that. We haven't seen each other for a month, I thought you were dead. Are you sure you want to do this now? We don't have to, we're family after all."

"That time at the cabin you spoke differently," he licked his finger and slipped it between her legs. "You don't have to aprove it. Just don't resist, sissy."

"At the cabin I was controlled by...AHHHHH...spirit...No, Cedric!" Elowen's whole body trembled.

"Just pretend they're controlling us this time," he ran his fingers over her tight insides, pushing it deeper and deeper. "Did you tell anyone about what happened between us?"

"Akgghhhh... God, what, is this an interrogation? Now? While your fingers are inside me? Seriously?" Elowen looked at him with one eye, biting her lip.

"Answer the question."

"No! No one knows what we did, Cedric. Akgghhhh." She threw her head back so she didn't notice him taking off his pants.

"You can't hide it this time. Since you are Dad's messenger, I want to leave a message for him."

"What? Akgghhhh!" Elowen jerked as Cedric entered her with all his might. He dragged her all the way across the bed, entering balls deep.

"Ohhhh, so tight." He tipped his head back. Her hot insides greedily embraced his cock, he drove it from side to side, savoring the moment, feeling his cock and balls quiver inside his sister.

"I forgot...how big you are...AKHHHHHHH... Be more gentle, please."

He finally moved back and with a sharp thrust entered again. Her feets still in boots jerked in the air with every movement of his pelvis. Her lovely pubic hair gently rubbed his groin.

"Am I your first one, Elowen? Huh?" asked Cedric with a smile, trying to catch a breath.

"Oh, shut up." She clawed at his back. "This is so fucking painful and satisfying." He continued to fuck her, more and more active moans coming off her lips with each thrust. "I'm sorry Mum, for judging you...I was...wrong. AKGGHHHH."

His hips burried her down into the bed. Cedric grabbed her throat, breathing heavily with each thrust.

"I think Tilidus is in love with you," he whispered.

"So... what? You are... an asshole. How am I supposed to find a husband after such a good fuck. You are stretching my lips."

"You are not as cheeky now, right?" He reached up, wrapping his arms around the mop of her hair and savoring the scent of it. "You're very beautiful, I don't want you to have a husband, Elowen."

His hands traveled over her firm breasts, her neck, her stomach, the small dark pubic hair between her legs. Her vagina gently encircled his cock with each thrust of her hips, each collision of his tip with her cervix.

"I'm almost...akgghhhh!!!" she moaned and twitched, clawing at his back. He let her enjoy it.

"Now it's my turn. AKGGHHHHHH, Elowen..."

"You lurch like..." She took a breath. "Like an old man... What were you saying about the message."

Cedric ran his hand across her sweaty forehead. He froze in one position, deep inside her. He always liked the feeling of being inside a woman.

"Yes, the message. Do you know...ughh... what this tent is called?"

Elowen, breathing heavily, shook her head.

"Breeding tent." He smiled.

"Breeding tent? No, Cedric. AKGGHHHHHH."

"Yes, I'll do it."

"No, Idiot, don't you even think about it! Ughhhh!" she squaked when he sharply thrusted again, enjoying these last moments. "I'll fucking destroy you...ughhhhh." She was leaking with a mix of his pre-cum and her own fluids.

"King of Solarion must have...AKGHHH...at least five children. I'm sure Mum is already pregnant. Now your turn."

"No, Cedric! AKGGH... I'm not ready to be a mother," said Elowen with tears in her eyes. "I'm too young."

"UGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" He went in as deep as he could and unleashed his seed into his own sister. Her feet in boots twitched with each of his shots.

"Aghhhhhh, sissy. It's so good." The air stopped flowing into his lungs, and all the muscles froze from the rush of energy and pleasure in his brain. His face turned red, and the veins in his neck bulged.

His hips moved automatically as he released inside Elowen. Finally, he collapsed weakly onto her, right into her boobs. He felt relieved. Corvus was definitely pleased.

"I'll be a terrible mother," Elowen said, breathing heavily and as red as Cedric.

"Learn from Mum," Cedric gently withdrew.

"Shut up! That's a worst advice you could give. Ugh." Elowen ran her hand between her legs, assessing all the damage.

"How's Mum?" He tried to act casual, as if he hadn't wanted to ask her since he first saw her.

"So you want to talk about her now? After you filled me up? Gosh!" She sighed, covering boobs with her dress. She cleaned the warm cum from fingers using her dark robe. "She's starting to love Dad again."

"WHAT?"

"He figured out how to make her love him again. I believe she never stopped loving him. He's her husband, Cedric. I told you so."

"That's impossible. He hurt her! He insulted her! He attacked me while she watched!"

"Cedric, he's her husband. They are our parents! They loved each other even before you were born! Literally! She cares about him. She's his wife not yours."

"No! She loves me, and I love her. She is mine."

Elowen sighed, feeling a white fluid leaking from her. "She's your mother. You're not supposed to love her that way."

"I'm tired of hearing that all the time. From you, Dad, everyone. I love her, I want us to be together, start a family, and have kids."

"You are just delusional, little brother. First, you should end the war. You're the Solarian king, stop this!"

"No," Cedric replied coldly.

"What? Why?"

"I can't say. I learned something. Something that opened my eyes. I found answers in the Red Castle."

"And what did you learn?"

"That the war has to go on."

Elowen slapped him.

"Go on? People are dying! Is it all because of Dad? You can find other ways to deal with him, Cedric. You don't have to destroy our home with this war!"

He looked at her closely. His hand touched Elowen's hair gently.

"I want to meet Mum. Help me arrange it, convince Arik and Mum to come and meet the Red King. Then I'll stop the war."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise, sissy."

Arik, sitting at the head of the table and sipping wine, asked, "What did the Red King say, Elowen? Did you learn anything?" He held Seraphina's hand.

"He's willing to end the war and surrender if you meet him, Father."

"There must be a catch," Tilidus interjected. "With all respect, princess, it can't be that easy."

"This new king is just a coward. I knew it, "Arik said. "I'm open to meeting this chicken."

"But he wants to see someone else along with you," Elowen said.

"Who?"

Elowen glanced at Seraphina.

"No way! He might use Cedric's body to intimidate us! I won't risk your mother seeing our son's dea..."

"It's okay. Stop talking like I'm not here. I want to see him," Seraphina looked at Elowen. "I want to see my boy's... body. I must, Arik."

"Are you sure, dear?" Arik took her hand, and she pushed him away.

"Stop treating me like I'm about to fall apart, Arik. I have to be there! I have to know for sure that my son is gone. And I want to see the faces of those who did it."

Arik nodded. "Then we will meet their Red King."

It was evening, and a chill settled over Gshaan, though it wasn't as cold as the northern Red Castle. Cedric pulled his warm cloak tighter and looked down at the petrified face at his feet. It was a stone replica of Arik's face. Cedric carefully pushed the piece of cold dead stone away.

King of Solarion stood beside the broken statue, which had recently been an exact likeness of his father. The evening light cast long shadows.

Cedric chuckled, "He was trying to scare fearless folk with a statue."

Gargantua with a slight rattle of the warm armor shifted his gaze to the king, standing nearby.

"That is what Arik is all about. He tries to overcome unchangeable truths."

"Are you any different?" asked the man in the golden mask. "You are trying to stop a war that can't be stopped."

"I guess... I am still his son."

The soft murmur of the river echoed through Gshaan, blending with the whispers of the soldiers. They spoke in their native tongue, but Cedric could catch fragments: "Eclipsian King...wagon... almost here... many guards...".

"It's hard to imagine Solarion without war. A place where people dream of peace, not bloodshed. I hope I live long enough to see it for myself." Gargantua nodded to his king.

"You will."

"OUR SAVIOR!" An old woman rushed to Cedric's feet. He recognized her. This was the very old woman he had helped fetch water the day he first penetrated Seraphina.

The very old woman that cursed him.

"We always knew you would return. We believed you would liberate our city and destroy the Eclipsian Dynasty!" She crawled over and kissed his muddy, wet shoe. Cedric wanted to smile at the bitter irony, but couldn't. He looked over the bodies of the dead Imperial soldiers.

Young and old.

A guard dragged the old woman away, and Gargantua put a hand on Cedric's shoulder.

"We should get inside. Arik might put archers around. Are you sure you're ready to meet your family?"

"Ready as I've ever been."

They went into a tiny cabin with a smell of dry wood and blood. Logs in the fireplace crackled. He sat in a big red chair and waited. It was the cabin he stayed with Seraphina a few months ago.

It brought back memories, but Cedric tried to concetrate on the meeting.

The carriage got closer to the cabin. Soldiers and Tilidus went in first. Gargantua and Tilidus' eyes met, and a grin appeared on the young general's face. Gargantua gripped the hilt of his steel sword tighter around the leather waist.

Then the King himself entered next. Arik's large body wore armor with the Eclipse symbol on it and a sword at his belt. He looked over the figure in the red mask.

Cedric didn't move, meeting his eyes with his father. After a moment, he exhaled and secured the moon-sword in its sheath. He shifted his focus to the entrance, waiting with anticipation to see who would arrive next. The soldiers filed in one after another until the cabin seemed full.

Confusion crossed Cedric's face. No one else was entering.

Then, finally, his attention was caught by Seraphina.

She leaned against the frame, her eyes watching the surroundings. She looked at the spot where she and Cedric had their bed, and a fleeting smile touched Seraphina's plump pink lips. She was looking around the place, not the people inside of it.

Tilidus guided queen to a chair.

"So!" Arik exclaimed as he took a seat. "When was the last time the rulers of our two mighty realms had a meeting? You, boy, must have quite the nerve to be here."

Cedric was focused on Seraphina, ignoring Arik's words.

"Show respect for our king," Gargantua intervened.

Tilidus drew a sword with a loud whistle, pointing it at the golden-masked man. "Don't forget because of who you wear the mask, dog. Think before dare to talk to our Eclipsian Lord!"

Everyone in the hut bared their swords.

"Enough!" shouted Arik. "Where is Cedric? Where is my son's body?"

Cedric let out a laugh.

"You think this is funny? All of you are crazy dogs that need to be slaughtered!" Arik swung his sword. "I'm ready to talk about your surrender. Is that why you're here? You know you can't win against us during the Cosmic Eclipse. Surrender now or die painfully later."

Seraphina leaned back in her chair, staring silently at the Red King. Cedric met mother's gaze, taking in her beautiful green eyes. Through the angry glare, full of motherly fury and grief, he saw the woman who believed he murdered her son.

His heart pounded harder.

Arik's voice cut through the tension. "Have you come to speak or to gawk at my wife?"

Seraphina kept staring into Cedric's eyes and her look of hatred slowly changed to one of incomprehension and confusion.

"Something is wrong," she said, standing up with a deep frown.

"Serfy," Arik called, reaching for Seraphina's arm, but she was already out of reach.

Cedric did the same, making a move toward the queen. Everyone in the cabin watched in silence, swords ready. Only the crackling of the fireplace broke the stillness.

"What are you doing, Seraphina?" Arik stood up as well. "That man killed our son!"

"No, he didn't," she said, standing right in front of Cedric with only a few soldiers between them. Their eyes met, Seraphina just a bit shorter than him. She reached out and touched red iron mask.

"Take it off. I want to see my son's face."

Cedric slowly raised his hands and removed the iron-red mask. White curls fell free, and Arik slumped back in the chair as the face of the 18th descendant was revealed. Seraphina's face lit up with a loving and relieved smile.

"Cedric," she whispered.

She wanted to touch Cedric's pale face, needing to be sure it was really her son and not a ghost. "What happened to you, sweetheart?"

"I've had a rough month," he said with a faint smile.

"I shouldn't have let them take you away from me. Forgive me, dear."

"No, don't be. It was meant to happen, Mum."

Their foreheads gently touched for a moment, their eyes closing. It was a moment of true love between mother and son.

But it was interrupted.

"That's enough." Arik gripped Seraphina's arm, pulling her back. "He's not our son anymore. Look at him! He's the Red King!"

"Let me go!" Seraphina held back tears, feeling her husband's cold touch. The queen glanced around at the men in black Solarion armor surrounding Cedric, trying to comprehend everything that was happening with this new sureal context. "Cedric, how can you be..."

"He's our enemy, love! He's wearing Solarion armor! He wears the mask of their king and these dogs are on his side. Bastard." Arik shielded Seraphina with his body. "I wish you were dead!"

"I've been your enemy since I was born, Father. You always hated me with a hidden dislike, but I could feel it. I didn't know why, but I do now. You were afraid of the prophecy, weren't you? You were afraid I'd take Mum away from you. And rightly so. That's why you tried to kill me, sending me off to war in that wagon, hoping it would be my grave."

Gargantua adjusted the warm cloak and sword, not quite understanding the meaning of the conflict. Take his mother away?

Tilidus pulled Seraphina back, grabbing her by the shoulders, and the soldiers got in line with King Arik. He didn't back down when Cedric stepped closer.

"I accepted my fate as the 18th descendant. Knowing my death was certain granted me a freedom I never dreamed of. It has made me what you see me now: King of the Fearless."

Arik's lips curled into a cheeky grin.

"Give me Seraphina." Cedric stepped even closer. Arik hovered over him.

"You've grown up, Cedric. I can't deny that. In the end, you've turned into what I always thought you'd be--a traitor. Is this what the prophecy predicted? Is this why the 18th descendant must die? Because he's become the Empire's greatest enemy? Everything is happening exactly as the Gods intended!"

"Cedric!" Seraphina wanted to break free, but Tilidus grabbed her tighter, grabbing queen by the neck.

"Hush, queen. The king is speaking."

Arik turned to her. "You want to take my love from me? My wife?" The king gripped the hilt of the large black royal sword tighter. "Only over my dead body. Imagine how many more children I can have? I don't care if you're my blood, Cedric, my own son. I will kill you, fulfilling your destiny, and I will relieve you of your burden of being a martyr destined for death. You, the 18th descendant, will die!"

"No." Seraphina struck Tilidus, using one of the techniques she always used on Cedric, and broke free of his grip. "Cedric is not the 18th descendant. He's 19th!"

The king froze. The cabin fell silent.

Gargantua and all the gathered Solarionians didn't understand Dynasty family's feud. They waited Cedric's command.

Seraphina pulled out the sheet of the Dynasty's family tree. "You knew about this, right, Arik? About the fact that there are two names hidden here, behind the black spot. Two ancestors."

"You don't know what you're talking about!"

"You've been lying to us all this time! You were lying to our own children, to our Kingdom! Were you ever even honest with me?"

"It's too complicated, Seraphina..."

"I want you to tell me the truth for once. If you truly love me. "

"Now?" Arik looked around the room.

"Now." Seraphina gazed gently into her husband's eyes. "It's time to hear it now."

Arik sighed, lowering the sword. "Fine!"

He glanced nervously at the sheet. "The year we met I came to the Library for an important purpose. I was young prince, and as one I accompanied my father. I was young, and he told me of a prophecy, of the 18th descendant who should perish. My great-grandfather was the first to take action. He wanted the 18th to have a choice, so he hid his two ancestors by making a pact with the Exarchy. Then everyone believed that some ancestors didn't exist. According to tree I was the 18th descendant. My father let me decide for myself - reveal the truth to the Empire and accept the prophecy, or leave things as they were. I decided I didn't want to follow a stupid prophecy."

Arik glanced at Cedric.

"So you made me the 18th descendant instead." Cedric took a step back toward his chair. "All these years raising me like a pig for slaughter. To be 18th instead of you? To carry your burden?"

"I didn't want to die for nothing! And to further confuse the prophecies, my father led me to the last descendant of Leronse... That's how I met you, Seraphina."

Seraphina gasped, staggering back with wide eyes, nearly dropping the sheet. "No, Arik. Are you saying... our meeting was not an accident?"

"No, I'm sorry, love. It wasn't. It was a cold calculation, but I... you have to believe me, I truly fell in love with you. All these years we spent together were perfect. From the moment I first saw you, it was real."

He took a step toward his wife, but she backed away.

"Please, Seraphina. I love you."

"You disgust me, Arik."

"You have no right to judge my decision! I want to be remembered as the king who defeated Solarion, not the one who died because some stupid book says so! You don't know what it's like when everyone expects you to die. Why? What's the point of the 18th descendant dying? Why should I be dead?"

"You're right, she can't judge you," Cedric said. "But I can."

"When I saw your white hair, I knew fate was smiling to me. You have become my enemy. You have become one of them!" Arik pointed his sword at the white-haired and silver-haired Solarion soldiers, who were staring incomprehensibly at what was happening. They stared in confusion, awaiting commands from Cedric or Gargantua.

"I'm sorry for being a bad father, son, but some things are above family. It's about Eclipsian Legacy! About Alaric's Legacy!"

In the heat of his speech, Arik didn't notice that Seraphina moved closer to Cedric, she was right next to him.

"Serfy, my love, please."

Cedric extended his hand towards his mother, and Seraphina accepted it, stepping closer.

"I'm sorry, Arik." She hid behind Cedric's back.

He quickly put on his iron mask and grabbed the moon-sword. Now, the bloodshed was inevitable.

"NO, NO, NO! You will not take her from me! I won't let it happen!"

Arik swung the sword and struck. But its blade clashed with Gargantua's sword with a loud clang. Empire soldiers charged at the Solarion soldiers, filling the small hut with the noise of steel striking steel.

It was like Cedric was back in the Valley, the day of the Cult's attack when Matt and Pale died. But this time, he was on the opposite side.

"This way." Gargantua stepped back, allowing another soldier to take his place.

"I want to fight!" Cedric said.

"No, let others handle the battle. Your place is at the Red Castle to lead and secure victory. Protect your mother."

Guiding Seraphina and Cedric through a hidden exit, Gargantua led them to a waiting boat full of soldiers by the riverbank. Cedric helped Seraphina aboard and the boat moved off.

"Good luck, my King." For a few seconds, Gargantua watched them as the boat drifted away with the current until they were too far to see.

"Eternal life awaits only the fearless," whispered Cedric.

Arik's shouts lingered for a long time. Like a wounded animal caught in a trap, he screamed, desperately repeating only one name.

"SERAPHINA!"

She couldn't bear his voice and covered her ears, flinching as Cedric, wearing the red mask, leaned closer to her.

"Mum? It's going to be okay."

"No, it's not." Seraphina hugged him so hard, nearly breaking his bones and squeezing the air out of him. "But at least I'm with you again. I've always been yours, Cedric, since the moment you were born."

He ran his hand through her hair, still in disbelief that she was here, hugging him. She left Dad. "Finally, she's with me."

They sailed for hours, surrounded by soldiers.

Neither of them two, filled with excitement, wanted to discuss the obvious issue.

So the prophecy about the two of them was wrong?

The 18th descendant and the last descendant of Leronse.

It was never about them. Everything that happened between mother and son wasn't supposed to happen?

Their love was a mistake. Horrible ugly mistake.

"It's chilly where we're going, Mum." Cedric draped a cozy blanket over her shoulders as the temperature dropped.

"Why should that scare me? I'll always be warm where you are, sweetheart." She smiled and examined the curves of his red iron mask. She stared into Cedric's mesmerizing white eyes.

"You've changed so much, Cedric. Who knew how far from home we'd end up when I rode you out of the castle on horseback back then."

He smiled even though she couldn't see it. They were finally free. The wind whipped through their hair, and the excitement of freedom made them forget everything else. The world around them faded away.

Out of the corner of his eye, Cedric noticed something in the forest following them. Something big, white, and with horns. He was distracted as the forest ended and the river was now running through open ground.

"Archers!" shouted one of the soldiers.

Cedric saw a dozen eclipsian archers with bows. Fire arrows like a swarm of locusts swept through the soldiers standing on the boat edges. The bodies fell into the water.

In rush he threw his weighty cloak over Seraphina, which protected her from arrows.

"Take care of the queen!" he said in Solarion. The soldiers raised their shields, covering themselves from the new stream of arrows. But one of them did hit Cedric's shoulder, throwing him back into the water.

"Cedric!"

He saw Seraphina's frightened face through the water. The flood slammed his head against a rock. The mask shattered, and a shard cut his face. He was carried forward, water pouring into his eyes, nose, mouth. He saw nothing, heard nothing, and lost focus.

Burning arrows flew over the water. He was sinking, the armor pulling him down. He was on the verge of death and pulled off his heavy red uniform with his last strength. He clung tightly to the moon-sword, tearing off the armor and ripping off soaked clothes.

Finally, he was light enough to swim out and get a breath of air. The current carried him forward until he hit dry land, caught on a tree root, and pulled himself up, finding himself on a grass, soaking wet and without a single piece of armor. He tossed the moon-sword, spitting water from the lungs.

The point of an arrow rested against the back of his head.

"Is that him?" said a hoarse voice.

"Yes, it is a moon-sword. Only the king's son carries it," uttered someone else.

"I suggest we cut off his head while he is breathing. King gave clear instructions."

Cedric tried to reach for the sword, but was punched in the gut.

"Hold still, pup."

A sharp blinding light illuminated the place around them. The gathered soldiers of the empire fell to the ground with a shriek, discarding their bows and swords.

Cedric rubbed his eyes. Something huge was looming over. He heard heavy breathing and the sound of hooves. A huge moose rose up in front of him, its fur glowing with a white light, as did its eyes.

"Forest Spirit," Cedric whispered in awe. The moose lowered itself, inviting him.

Cedric struggled to his feet and, with some effort, climbed onto the animal's back.

The journey to the Red Castle took one day. He moved quickly, and even though he wasn't wearing king's armor, no one would dare to stop him. Who would dare to disturb the Spirit?

Only on the outskirts of Red Castle did the spirit stop, allowing the prince to dismount.

Cedric leaned on his sword like a walking stick as he made his way to the castle. The guards, ready to stop him, quickly stepped back as they saw king's moon-sword.

At last, Cedric opened the large door to the Hall of the Fearless.

Inside he was greeted by several soldiers, some were with him at the Gshaan.

"Where is Gargantua?"

One of them leisurely approached the king, pulling some object out of a black bag and holding it out to Cedric.

It was a golden mask stained with blood.

The soldier with white and silver hair thumped his chest.

"Eternal life awaits only the fearless."

Cedric lowered the bloody mask, feeling numbness cover his heart.

"Where is my mother?"

Seraphina stared out the window, watching life in the enemy capital. She abandoned her husband and her entire former life for a son who might already be dead.

"What have I done?"

All these people who didn't even know her language were savages. Seraphina looked around once again at the room she found herself in.

"Why are there so many beds here?"

The door creaked open. Seraphina glanced toward the exit, expecting to see another soldier with news about Cedric.

The thought of hearing about her son's death again was unbearable.

But it wasn't a Solarion soldier standing at the entrance. It was Cedric. Tired, pale, with glowing white pupils and tattered clothing.

But it was him, her Cedric.

"Mum." Cedric took a step forward, leaving his moon-sword at the door. Seraphina was there in one motion, next to him wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Cedric, my baby. I thought you were..." Her voice trembled, unable to finish the sentence. She couldn't bring herself to say "dead".

Cedric's hands slid gently down her back and rested on her ass. Seraphina allowed it.

She marveled at herself.

Six months ago, there was no way she would have let him touch her the way he was doing now. But here they are, standing together, embracing and his hands rested on his mother's buttocks.

"Thank you for staying with me, Mum."

"Please, Cedric. Don't touch...AHHHHH...me down there."

"Then stop me." Cedric smiled, savoring her scent, sweat, and the sight of Mum's neckline.

"This is all madness. You and I are right in the lair of our enemy. What would Elowen think? I just... I gave up being a queen. I gave up being Eclipsian for you. And Arik..."

Cedric kissed her passionately, wrapping his arms around her neck. He had imagined this moment countless times since their separation. They had been apart for so long, and now, every second of this moment felt like a dream come true.

Now, finally, he could savor her. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with the taste of sweat and strawberries lingering on her maternal lips.

He wrapped his arms around Seraphina's waist, feeling the touch of her breasts and hard nipples.

"Cedric, please. Not now." She pushed Cedric, sitting down on the bed closest to them. "I still need time to recover."

He sat down next to her, stroking her back. Cedric looked at her breasts, at her soft neck. Her dress was a little loose at her legs, and he could see the dark sweat stains at her armpits.

"Can I ask if you're pregnant, Mum?"

She turned her eyes slowly to meet his, exhaling air through the nose. "I don't know, but probably not. I'm thankful to fate that I'm not pregnant."

Cedric kissed her neck. "Thankful? Why?"

"What do you mean why? Because I'm not supposed to have your children, Cedric!"

"But I want you to be the mother of my kids. I want you to bear my children."

"No, you don't, darling. You don't know what you're talking about."

He grabbed her arm. "No, I know what I'm talking about. There's only one woman for me -- you, Mum. I want to be with you always, and I love you. Everything I've done - I've only done it for you, Mum."

He kissed her, shoving Seraphina onto her back. Their tongues entwined gently again. Seraphina tried to resist, but Cedric was too insistent and too strong.

"Cedric..." Seraphina broke off the kiss, feeling his hard cock pressed against her leg. "Didn't you learn that the prophecy wasn't about us? I was supposed to marry your father, the 18th descendant, and it happened. The prophecy came true, and you're just my son. Everything we did was a mistake. Please, sweetheart." She gently caressed his pale face. "I hate to break your heart, but we need to stop. Let's not do something we'll regret. It's time to end this. I want you to see me as your mother again. It's over, Cedric."

"Over?" Cedric, his heart thumping violently, looked into Seraphina's eyes. She really wanted to stop, to return to being just mother and son.

He ran his hand down her neck, feeling her tendons and veins thump, the movement of blood in the arteries. His hand slid over the collarbones, traveling lower and feeling the beating of her heart. He ran his palm through her full, incredible breasts that nurtured him.

He pressed his fingers to the belly through the dress, fumbling for the belly button. He'd spent nine months in this tummy and this was where his next child would come from.

He ripped her dress open, exposing the breasts. "Cedric!"

"Do you want me to be just your son again?" He nipped her nipple, kissing the other breast. Seraphina rubbed the back of his head with the fingers.

"Cedric, please..." S he bit her lip.

"Do you think that all this time I have seen you as my wife? The wife I'm supposed to marry according to the prophecy? No, I have always loved you as my mother, even when we were making love. I made love to my mother, and I enjoyed every single moment."

Seraphina swallowed nervously. His fingers still squeezing her breasts.

"What was happening in your mind when we were making love, Mum? Or did you care so little about who you made love to? The lust for sex intoxicated you. I remember you were begging me to fuck you through your dream, you were begging me to fill you."

He picked up a chain lying on the ground and hooked Seraphina's arms with it, lifting them and fastening them to the bed's headboard.

Seraphina gasped. "What are you doing?"

"There is no prophecy now, Mum. It is time to accept that we are doing a horrible thing, but it's okay. You should accept that your new lover is your own beloved son."

Seraphina tried to pull her hands out of the chains while Cedric continued to tear her black queen dress.

"I don't want that, Cedric. Please, I don't want to think about you. Let me go."

He gently cupped her breasts with both hands, finally tearing the dress around her waist.

"This room is called the Breeding Room. As king, I must ensure I have at least five children. And now I have the perfect occasion to do so."

He instantly pulled down his pants and Seraphina saw how his cock slowly moving its way inside her.

"Akgghhhhhhhhhhhh, no, Cedric... Please!" She threw her head back, jerking her whole body with a sharp rush of pain and pleasure. Her arms were tightly chained to the bedpost, unable to move.

Cedric kept moving stoping only when he was balls deep. His cock trembled inside, rubbing tender ridges of her pussy.

"Oh, yes, Mother." Cedric shuddered, looking into Seraphina's eyes. It wasn't following the prophecy now, but a blind lust that was intoxicating. He should never have entered her, ever. Their whole relationship was just a stupid mistake, a consequence of Arik's cowardness.

But that mistake was now Cedric's biggest blessing. His balls twitched and he fell into her chest.

"Unhook...me." She felt his shaft inside her. In that instant, a wave of realization crashed over her -- this was all so terribly wrong. Their relationship was never meant to be a thing. Her heart stopped for a moment in pain and horror.

"My perfect...son...was never meant to be like this," she whispered as he kissed her again, scooting her legs even further back. "You never meant to love me like this."

Each thrust of Cedric's hips sent electryfing sensations down her spine; it was both pain and joy. The rags that used to be her royal dress lay beneath her. Cedric straddled her left breast with all his strength then withdrew and entered again.

He was focusing on each long, strong stroke, pushing Seraphina deeper down. The bed shook so hard and creaked so much that it seemed it might break at any moment.

"AKGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" They both mewled through the tight kiss, their tongues in each other's mouths. "Akggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh."

He entered her sloppily, brazenly, ignoring the painful cries. Her legs spread wider, toes twitching uncontrollably..

"My finger still hurts...AKGGGHHHH...from the time you broke it, Mommy...MMm..." He dug his lips into hers again. He was tasting and licking her mouth like a madman. "Oh my gosh, you're so good."

Seraphina found a right moment and tried to push him with her leg, with her hips. She tried to push him out of her, just as she did years ago. She squeezed his body with her knees, to stop and slow down the movements of Cedric's lustful, libidinous body, but he was unstoppable in his love and his desire to come inside her every time, to fuck her. And he didn't care how wrong it was.

The first trickles of pre-cum flowed out of her, oozing from his hot pink tip.

"Ughhhhhh, ughhhhhh..." Her teeth and breasts quivered with each deep entry. "This can't... so...good. Why is it so good..."

"I want to fill your belly with my baby; I want to fill your breasts with milk." Cedric circling her nipple with his lips, kissing and gently suckling it. "Ughhhhhhh, Muuuuum."

"Akgghhhhhh, Cedric, don't bite....akgghhhhhhhh.... don't bite it."

He paid no attention and did as he pleased. The thrill of knowing that now no one could stop them was intoxicating as much as each deep penetration all the way to his balls and even further. Each deep and painful stroke was like a pure bliss, each thrust full of love.

Seraphina was visibly out of breath, struggling to keep up with his urges and cravings. Cedric felt her heart pounding furiously as he wrapped his arms around her left breast.

"Please, slow down. I'm not as young as I used to be. You can't be so rough."

But of course he wasn't listening. He continued to buck his hips wildly, hitting his balls against her ass. Her vagina was so tight and sweet. What could be better?

"I'll kill my father... For everything... AKGGHHHHH... But most importantly for being your first man. For trying to take you... ughhh... away from me."

"Don't say it," she pleaded, tugging at the chain in a desperate attempt to free her hands, but it held fast against her struggles. "I have to... stop you. Before it's too late."

"Stop me?" He smiled, looping another chain around her neck. "There's nothing you can do but accept it."

The chain around Seraphina's neck tightened on her throat. He thrust his hips against her once more, thrust after thrust. His cock and her insides were insanely wet, and hot. Seraphina jerked from the onslaught of joy.

"OHHHHHGGGG, CEDRIC!"

"Yes, that's right. Think about me. Think about your son, akgghhhh... I'm the one fucking you." He entered as deep as he could and just froze, holding her beneath in a pose like he was trying to strangle her.

Despite being chained like a slave, her mind just exploded with ectasy. "WHYYYYYYY...AHHHHHHHHHHH." Her body arched upward, the feeling of bliss mingled with the pain she felt from his cock stretching the walls of her vagina. "Akgghhhhhhhhhhhhhh," she moaned loudly, their foreheads locked together and they looked into each other's eyes.

White and Green.

"No, no, Cedric...my baby... akgghhhhhh." She couldn't stop staring into his insanely handsome white eyes, lost in her insane orgasm. Her arms and legs trembled, causing the chains to jingle loudly throughout the room. She couldn't control her body, and for some horrid reason, understanding what Cedric was about to do only heightened the intense pleasure.

"You did good, Mum." Cedric's lips met Seraphina's as the drug seizure stopped. She exhaled directly into his mouth and her tongue just dangled there. She was too drained to move it. Traces of salty sweat coated her cheek, and he licked it. "Now it's my turn."

He took a deep breath, stocking up on air, and entered again, without rhythm, just with the desire to fill her. The blood raged in his veins, his muscles aching from the overwhelming excitement and fatigue. He gently took her nipple into his mouth. "I'm doing this...with my Mum."

He looked at her, into her eyes. Seraphina was breathing heavily, looking into his eyes and barely coming to her senses.

After another blow, his thighs and groin felt like they were numb and his balls ached. The numbness worsened with every blow, spreading through his body.

"I'm... almost... almost," he said in between sucking on her breasts. "I'm going to.... I'm going to cum...Ohhh gosh, it hurts."

Seraphina once again jerked her arms, trying to free herself, but it was all to no avail.

"Akggghhhhhhhhhh, Mum.... Akggghhhhhhhhhh, yes, yes, yes, yes..." His hips thrust up on their own. His body contorted into a tight, circular form, resembling a coil ready to spring. "AKGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

The numbness intensified to the extreme, and with it the pain in his balls. "We're supposed to have...five kids," he barely mumbled through the seizure. "This one will be the first...akgghhhhhh, Mum. The first..."

His chest stabbed for lack of air. Each breath was a struggle, as if tiny daggers were piercing his lungs with every gasp.

"Mum, AKGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

Seraphina looked down into his overflowing eyes of pain and lust. She wanted his pain to pass, just like any mother who wants to protect her child from suffering.

Сedric's body twisted like from a powerful hit, he stared at her, barely catching the image of her face through the pleasure.

"Do it, baby," whispered her lips silently.

"Yes, Mum. I love y... AKGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

He entered and numbness mixed with pain into a blob of euphoria. A wave of hot water poured over him from head to toe, his heels twitched, his neck tensed and his lungs were completely rid of any hint of air. He tasted blood, Seraphina's scent on his lips, and explosions started to burst in front of his eyes.

"MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM!" He entered as deep as he could and deeper, deeper, deeper. His balls full of cum squeezed a few times and shot out. "UGHHHHHHH! Mum... Cumming..."

Semen began to flow inside her, torrent by torrent. He shot their first child and her own first grandchild right into her womb.

"Let the pain go, dear...Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Seraphina could feel every powerful shot into the walls of her womb. It was a magnificent feeling like no other. She was a fertile woman, and this cum filling her womb to the brim was absolutely perfect.

Cedric was half-twisted and his muscles tightened as if in a shudder.

He blasted and blasted, touching his forehead to Seraphina's. She stared into his eyes, taking in each new torrent.

She loved hot liquid; she loved taking a hot bath. And now she was bathing in his warm hot thick fertile cum. The liquid flowed outward from her, spurting out because the space inside her was running out. Cedric jerked again, penetrating again and again through the torrents of cum.

"I love you, Mum," Cedric finally said fully, barely catching his breath. He gently pressed his lips against hers, feeling her respond in kind.

He made one final shuddering explosion to end this night.

He didn't want this moment to end. A moment of true love that can only be between a mother and son.

"You're the only woman I feel alive with. Thank you...for accepting my seed, Mum." He gently pulled his cock full of their juices.

Seraphina glanced down at the mess on a sheet.

"So much... I can feel everything inside me. Gosh, Cedric."

He bashfully removed the chains from her. Seraphina lifted herself up and suddenly beckoned him to her with a finger.

"Yes?" Cedric moved closer, preparing for a hot kiss.

Unexpectedly, Seraphina swung and landed a powerful punch to his face. The impact made him fall to the floor.

"Never chain me up again, Cedric. Never!"

She lowered her feet to the floor, the seed dripping onto the floor, and helped him up. She kissed his cheek gently and lay on the bed with him, covering them both with a light blanket. She gently pulled him against her breasts, it was getting dusk outside the window.

"I deserved that punch. I'm sorry."

She stroked his head, looking up at the ceiling. She thought she could feel the sperm inside her slowly finding its way to eventually forming a new life. The miracle of conception was a mystery to her, as it was to many.

"You said we should have five children?" asked Seraphina suddenly.

"Yes."

"Not likely to happen, dear." She stroked his white hair, not noticing his mute smile. "Why won't you stop the war? You're the king."

He pulled his head away and lay tensely beside her. The aftermath of a perfect orgasm flowed through his veins like sweet honey.

"I can't. I've learned something here at the Red Castle. I've gotten the answers I've been looking for and I must end this war."

"What have you learned, Cedric?" she raised herself on her arm, gazing into his face.

"I can't tell you. Not now." He lay on her chest, feeling the warmth of his mother's body and letting her hold him with motherly love. She gently stroked his head, his body, his muscles and his back. The bed creaked loudly with each of their movement.

"I think we've broken this bed," Seraphina said.