I wake up after what seems like a few moments, but the logical part of me tells me that it's been much longer.

What I assume is a bed beneath me is possibly the softest material I've ever felt, and there are gentle fingers brushing hair away from my forehead. A soft, feminine voice hums a familiar tune to me, and it feels relaxing.

My eyes seem to open of their own accord, and I feel oddly rested. The light that fills the room I'm in is bright but not overwhelmingly so. It's a beautiful golden color as well, like sunlight when it's filtered through tree branches.

A beautiful woman sits next to me, her fingers gently carding through my hair. It feels like I know her.

"Finally awake," she says, and her voice is like music pouring into my ears, soft and melodic. "How do you feel?"

"Sore," I manage, running a hand over my aching abdomen. There should be a gaping hole somewhere there. "Where am I? And who are you?"

"You're in the Light Kingdom," she murmurs. She exhales softly. "My name is Alice," she murmurs. "I'm your mother."

I pause, swallowing thickly. "My mother is dead," I state thickly. "She died giving birth to me."

She smiles. "I almost died," she corrects. Suddenly, she stands. "Come. I have much that I need to explain to you."

I rise from the bed rather steadily, surprisingly. The castle we are in seems warm and comforting but empty.

"Where is everyone?" I ask, looking around for any sign of people, but I can't find any.

"They all died a very long time ago," she murmurs sadly, leading me towards the front doors of the castle. Her long beautiful blonde hair drags across the ground. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that the strands are made of real gold.

"I'm sorry," I add, feeling guilty for asking.

"No need," she says simply. As she opens the door, I take a minute to take in the landscape. The land is covered with golden and brown colors, the leaves on trees turning to beautiful different shades. I've never seen anything like it.

"Beautiful," I breathe, eyes taking in the landscape eagerly.

"Arthur," my mother begins. "You and I come from an ancient race called angels." She gets my attention, and she starts to walk again. I follow, wanting to hear more. "We are creatures of magic, beauty and life, a force for good." She glances back at me, trying to make sure that I'm paying attention. "There was a war, between us and the demons. Needless to say they won, their endless numbers doing them a favor. We are the only two left." She sighs somberly. "I managed to escape to the Blue Kingdom, where I met your father. He already had a wife, but we fell in love anyway." She stops near a tree stump, sitting down upon it and folding the sleeves of her long gold dress around her gently. "You were born from our affair," she tells me as I sit upon a log across from her.

"So, I'm half angel?" I ask, feeling a little smug about the fact as she nods.

"Yes. And when I needed to give birth to you, your father made sure I had everything I needed. However, you weren't easy to deliver." She manages an easy smile, laughing to herself. "See, Arthur, angels are tied to this place." She gestures to the forest around her. "Whenever one of our kind is harmed and near death, we are transported here and healed by the angel that is destined to encounter us."

"So, you disappeared when I was born? Why didn't you come back for me?"

"I wanted to, Son, but I couldn't. Once an angel is near death and transported here, they aren't allowed to leave."

My heart sinks. "What does that mean for me?" I ask, swallowing thickly.

She smiles. "Don't worry," she says, patting my hand gently. "You can leave here. You're only half angel."

I breathe a sigh of relief. "That means I can still go stop Ivan."

My mother gives me a wary look. "You must be careful. I've watched Ivan through magic, and he thinks that you escaped to the Red Kingdom. He's planning to attack to get you back."

"Then, I need to hurry." I rise, feeling very urgent all of a sudden.

"You will need reinforcements," she tells me. "And new armor."

She steps back and waves her hand over me, causing gold armor to appear over my body, perfectly fit to my figure.

"As for reinforcements," she says. "Are you familiar with dragons?"

I nod. "I've read about them in books."

"Well, there is a legend about the Red Kingdom that there is a dragon slumbering somewhere underneath the city. Do you think you can find it?"

I nod. "I think I know exactly where it is, too."

"Good. Oh, and before I forget, you need a sword." She rushes off into the woods, and I hastily follow after her.

We arrive upon the strangest sight. There is a beautiful golden sword wedged into a stone, and it doesn't look like it is going to budge anytime soon.

"I want you to try pulling it from the stone," she tells me. Her eyes seem analytical, and I nod uneasily.

"Alright," I say, walking over to the weapon.

I wrap my hand around the weapon, firmly grasping the handle before giving it a tug. To my surprise it comes out easily, sliding out like it were submerged in water instead of rock.

"That was much easier then I thought it would be," I murmur.

My mother wears a wide smile. "You are going to be a great king, Arthur," she tells me. Then she turns and faces west. "Now, you must hurry. Ivan is already on his way to the Red Kingdom. You'll have to fly."

"Fly?" I ask.

"You've practiced magic your entire life, and you've never discovered your wings?"

"My wings?"

She sighs, stepping behind me and placing her hands on my back. When she pulls her hand away, a pair of white, feathery wings appear on my back along with the sensation of warmth flowing through my back.

"Try to flap them."

I move them, and they feel just like any other limb, an arm or a leg. They lift me off the ground with a few flaps, liking the weightless feeling it gives me.

"How have I never discovered those?" I ask, completely astonished.

My mother smiles. "Simple, those magic users in your kingdom are lacking greatly."

Suddenly, my mother stops and looks at me. "What?" I ask.

"Please visit when you can," she says. "I want to see you more now that you know where I am." Her eyes seem nostalgic and sad. She doesn't want me to go, but at the same time, she knows I need to. I don't want to leave her either, but I will not let Alfred die, especially not by the hands of someone like Ivan.

"Don't worry, Mom." I wrap my arms around the older woman, giving her a tight hug. "I will come back to see you."

"Good." She gives me a gentle kiss on the top of my head. "Now go save the people you love."

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Heylo, my lovely little nuggets! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to leave any comments or suggestions if you have them. They always make my day :) Anyway, I'll see y'all nuggety readers in the next update! Until then, have an absolutely fantastic and fabulous day! Bai!!! >:3

-IggyScones