As they made their way back from the Food District, their stomachs finally satisfied and spirits high from Krad's enthusiastic pre-recruitment of Ragnar, the group was laughing about Krad's creative terminology when Queen Hania suddenly stopped walking.
"Your Majesty?" Mist turned back, concern immediately replacing his amusement. "Are you alright?"
Queen Hania's emerald eyes had gone wide, her face pale as marble. Her hands trembled as she reached up to touch her temples.
"I... I'm remembering something," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the bustling sounds of the tournament district. "Something that was... locked away."
Krad's cheerful expression vanished instantly. The system's interface flickered to life with an urgent alert.
DING!
System Alert!
Memory Seal Breaking - Cursed Memories Surfacing
Warning: Emotional Content Incoming
Recommended Action: Find Privacy Immediately
"We need to get somewhere private," Krad said urgently, looking around at the curious tournament spectators. "Now."
Ragnar, still adjusting to the group's dynamics, stepped forward protectively. "There's a quiet courtyard behind the meditation pavilion. I used to go there before matches."
"Lead the way," Mist commanded, his captain's instincts kicking in as he moved to support Queen Hania, who was beginning to sway on her feet.
As they hurried through the crowd, Queen Hania's breathing became more labored. Fragments of suppressed memories were beginning to surface like bubbles rising from the depths of a dark lake.
Fire... screaming... a man's voice calling her name...
"Almost there," Ragnar called back, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.
"Hania, my love, it's time." A hand reaching for hers, so familiar, so dear...
"I can't... I can't breathe," Queen Hania gasped, clutching at Krad's arm.
"Just a little further," Krad said, his voice steady despite the panic he felt building in his chest. He didn't know exactly what was happening, but his instincts told him it was connected to the curse that had been broken.
They reached the secluded courtyard just as Queen Hania's legs gave out completely. Mist caught her, helping her to a stone bench beneath an ancient tree.
"The memories," she whispered, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks. "They're coming back. All of them. The curse... it didn't just change me. It took away what happened before."
Krad knelt beside her, his heart pounding. "What do you remember?"
Queen Hania looked up at him with eyes full of dawning horror and recognition.
"I remember dying."
Queen Hania stood frozen, her emerald eyes wide with disbelief as the memories she had lost during her corruption slowly returned. The silver-haired woman who had once been the cursed Barbara began to tremble, her hands covering her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"No... no, no, no..." she whispered, sinking to her knees. "I... I watched them burn. I watched Niro... I watched myself..."
"Your Majesty," Mist said softly, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "The memories the curse suppressed... they're returning, aren't they?"
Queen Hania nodded weakly, her entire body shaking. "I remember now. The flames... Niro's final words... Hanan's tears..." She looked up at Krad with desperate eyes. "But how? How am I alive? I felt the fire consume me. I felt myself die."
DING!
System Alert!
Hidden Lore Unlocked: The Divine Intervention
Truth of Queen Hania's Survival Revealed
Krad's system interface flickered with new information. The cheerful voice of his system, unusually subdued, began to explain.
"The gods weren't entirely heartless," the system said, its childlike tone softer than usual. "When Queen Hania and King Niro performed their sacrifice, their love and devotion to their people created a Divine Resonance. The gods... they were moved."
"Moved enough to save her?" Krad asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"They took her at the moment of death," the system continued. "King Niro's soul was allowed to pass on peacefully, but Queen Hania... they save her, thinking it was mercy. But the trauma of watching her husband die, of being separated from her daughters... it corrupted her divine essence."
Queen Hania's sobs grew louder. "So I became the very monster that would terrorize innocent people. The gods' mercy... was a curse."
Mist clenched his fists. "Those bastards. They thought they were being kind?"
"The corruption wasn't their intention," the system explained. "But trauma that deep... it twisted her divine magic into something dark. She became Barbara, the Cursed Elf Fairy, with no memory of her true identity. For fifteen years, she wandered the world, causing chaos and pain, never knowing she was searching for her lost daughters."
Krad felt his heart breaking. He looked at Queen Hania, this woman who had suffered so much, who had been forced to become something she never wanted to be.
"Hanan doesn't know," he said quietly. "She still believes you're dead."
Queen Hania's tears fell like rain. "Maybe... maybe it's better that way. Look at what I became. Look at the people I hurt. How can I face her? How can I tell her that her mother became a monster?"
"Because you're not a monster," Krad said firmly, stepping forward. "You were broken. You were hurt. But you're still her mother."
Queen Hania shook her head. "I tried to corrupt you. I tried to steal your power. I-"
"You were fighting the curse," Krad interrupted. "Even as Barbara, some part of you recognized me. Some part of you knew I was connected to Hanan and Bruwa. That's why you hesitated. That's why I was able to break through."
Mist struggled to his feet, still weak from his injuries. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, you're being an idiot."
Queen Hania looked up at him, startled.
"Hanan has been waiting for fifteen years," Mist continued. "Fifteen years of wondering if her mother's spirit is at peace. Fifteen years of carrying the weight of revenge. Do you really think she'd care about what you became? Do you think she'd love you any less?"
"But the people I hurt---"
"Can be helped," Krad said. "You have your divine powers back. You can heal. You can protect. You can be the queen your people need again."
Queen Hania's hands trembled as she wiped her tears. "I don't know if I'm strong enough."
"You are," a new voice said softly.
Everyone turned to see a translucent figure materializing in the ruins. It was a tall, regal elf man with silver hair and kind eyes. His ethereal form glowed with a gentle blue light.
"Niro?" Queen Hania gasped.
King Niro's spirit smiled warmly at his wife. "Hello, my love. I've been waiting for you to remember."
"How? Why are you here?"
"The heavenly gods allowed me to watch over you," Niro said, his voice filled with infinite tenderness. "I've been with you through every moment of your suffering. I've been trying to guide you back to yourself."
Queen Hania sobbed, reaching out to touch her husband's face. Her hand passed through him, but she could feel his warmth.
"I'm so sorry, Niro. I failed. I became a monster. I---"
"You survived," Niro said firmly. "You endured fifteen years of torment and still found your way back to love. That's not failure, my dear. That's strength."
He turned to Krad, his expression grateful. "Thank you, young warrior. You've given me the greatest gift - the chance to see my wife smile again."
Krad felt tears prick his eyes. "Will you... will you be able to stay with her?"
Niro shook his head sadly. "My time is limited. But I wanted to tell her... to tell both of you... that our daughters are extraordinary. Hanan has grown into a leader who puts others before herself. And Bruwa..." He chuckled softly. "Even with Liyab's influence, she still has her mother's fierce heart."
"Bruwa," Queen Hania whispered. "My baby girl. What has that monster done to her?"
"She's not lost," Niro assured her. "Love like ours... it doesn't disappear. It waits. And when the time comes, she'll remember."
DING!
System Alert!
New Quest Available: Family Reunion
Objective: Bring Queen Hania to Princess Hanan
Reward: Massive EXP, Skill Evolution, Emotional Damage to Players
Krad's eye twitched. "Emotional damage to players?"
"Sorry! I meant emotional fulfillment! Definitely not going to make anyone cry," the system said unconvincingly.
"You're terrible at this," Krad muttered.
"I'm learning! Give me a break!"
Ragnar chuckled despite the gravity of the situation. "Your system really is something else."
Queen Hania looked at Krad with eyes full of hope and fear. "Do you... do you really think she'll want to see me?"
"I think she needs to see you," Krad said. "But... we should probably prepare her first. This is going to be a lot to process."
King Niro nodded. "The boy speaks wisdom. Perhaps... perhaps it would be best if you approached slowly. Let her adjust to the idea."
Queen Hania stood up, her legs still shaky. "I'm terrified. What if she hates me? What if---"
"Then we'll deal with it together," Krad said firmly. "But you can't make that choice for her. She deserves to know the truth."
Mist grinned weakly. "Besides, if there's one thing I've learned about Hanan, it's that she's got more forgiveness in her heart than most people have sense. She'll surprise you."
DING!
Warning: Emotional content ahead. Please have tissues ready.
"Now you warn us?" Krad said incredulously.
"I'm trying to be helpful!"
As King Niro's spirit began to fade, he looked at his wife one last time. "I'll be waiting for you, my love. But not for a long time, I hope. You have too much living left to do."
Queen Hania nodded, her tears now mixed with determination. "I won't waste this second chance."
"Good," Niro said, his form becoming more translucent. "And Krad... take care of our family. All of them."
"I will," Krad promised solemnly.