As the queen looked at her newborn twins, tears welled in her eyes—knowing this might be the last time she would ever see them. Gently, she kissed their tiny foreheads and handed them over to the king, who was trying his best not to break down.
Outside, chaos raged across the kingdom. Lives were being lost, and the palace trembled under the weight of war. The queen, weakened from childbirth, tried to buy the king some time as the enemy approached—but her body gave out, and she was gently but urgently pushed aside.
With his heart heavy, the king rushed out of the labor room, flanked by his two most trusted and loyal servants. Every step felt like a dagger as he prepared to let go of the children he had long awaited.
He handed one twin to Mary, the queen's personal assistant, and the other to Mark, his chief advisor. Then, removing the gem he always wore around his neck, the king split it in two. Pouring his remaining magic into a powerful spell, he whispered an enchantment to bind the twins' powers—ensuring it would only break when they found each other.
"Keep my children apart," he said solemnly. "Raise them well, raise them in love. And if destiny wills it… they shall meet again."
Mark and Mary gave their word to King Augustus, swearing to protect the twins no matter what. Without hesitation, they stepped into the glowing portal, preparing to be transported to a distant, foreign planet.
Behind them, the sound of screams and weeping echoed through the palace halls. They felt a pang of guilt for leaving the battle behind—but protecting the heirs to the Patriarch throne came first.
The babies cried in their arms, their wails drowned by the chaos around them.
Then it happened—the lightning was sudden. A sharp crack tore through the air. The king felt the hot shock surge through his body and collapsed to the ground, unable to pull himself up.
Mary screamed. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she turned, her heart breaking at the sight. Her thoughts raced to Queen Iris, still unconscious and unaware of what was unfolding.
With what strength he had left, King Augustus reached for the portal crystal. His fingers trembled as he shattered it, casting a sealing spell that destroyed the gateway. There would be no way for anyone to follow his children now.
As life faded from his eyes, his memories rushed back. He longed for just one last look at his wife.
Why did it have to end like this?
What kind of life could we have had—together, as a family?
And with that final thought, he gave up the ghost.
The kingdom had lost its king. The queen's fate remained uncertain. And the whereabouts of the heirs—unknown.
In the aftermath, the kingdom fell. A small faction managed to escape in the chaos. Some took their own lives. Others were captured, or forced to swear loyalty to the new ruler.