A bright light, that's all Amber saw when the portal awakened around her and her family. The trees of the forest disappeared and all she could see was white. She knew her parents were still beside her; she could feel them. Her mother was holding her right hand, her father held her left and James stood behind her - as if guarding her back.

When the bright whiteness began to dim, she first noticed the dark, grey slate flooring under her trainers.

"Luchinda, is that really you?" Amber heard James say, his voice cracked with emotion. She looked around to find out who he had spotted.

There, standing amongst the shadows surrounding the strange well-thing that they stood around, was a robed figure. Amber narrowed her eyes to try and fight against the gloom, but she couldn't make out any features.

She closed her eyes and tried to remember the face that she had imagined when the infamous Luchinda was spoken about, back in her mother's flat. A place she felt warm and safe. Suddenly, like a spark of lightning, she realised, she will never step foot in that little flat again.

Interrupting Amber's thoughts, Luchinda stepped forward into the light and began to talk to James. Amber saw her face, her light brown, braided hair, her tiny frame against James' tall lanky one. She was nothing like what Amber imagined.

"Mum," Amber spoke quietly, hoping only Astrid would hear her. "Mum, is that Aunty Luchinda?"

Amber started when she saw the small woman's head snap her way. Then a melodious voice of velvet responded to her query.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Amber, you won't remember me but I'm your Great Aunt. Welcome back to Natanstrelle. You are finally home!"

Hearing those words made Amber's heart soar.

"I - I'm back? We're really in Natanstrelle?" she stammered with excitement.

"You are in Petra Marbh to be exact, in Night Forest," Luchinda corrected her with a smile.

"Night Forest? James... I mean... Grandfather told me about this place!" Amber beamed up at James and smiled up at her parents. "I want to see it. Please can I go and see?"

Astrid smiled a weak smile and looked towards her aunt. "We have a lot to discuss, Luchinda. " Her tone was stern.

"All in good time, Niece. You've only just arrived. Let the girl explore."

"Is it safe?" Astrid questioned, instinctively tightening her grip on her daughter's hand.

"Of course, the whole of Night Forest is protected from Noir-Astra, no harm will come to any of us here," Luchinda replied.

"What? The whole forest?" Astrid could not hide her cynicism and the harshness in her voice sent shivers through her mouse-like aunt.

"Astrid, please," True whispered gently by her side. "We can trust Luchinda, remember."

"I know! I know." Astrid's gaze fell to her hand, which was still clasping Amber's. "It's not Luchinda that I do not trust. The darkness, it is still out there and I know how sly it can be."

"I promise you, Astrid dear," Luchinda began to explain as softly as she could. "The first thing I did in preparation for your return was to walk the circumference of these trees to cast protection over this vast area. I had Illuminare-Trabem by my side every step of the way. I did this not only for your safety, but for others who may join us very soon."

"Others?" True cut in.

"Yes, it is time for us to gather all that are willing to fight for the light."

"Have you got a plan, Luchinda?" True asked puffing his chest out, ready to receive instructions.

"I say, all in good time," Luchinda repeated with her hands outstretched before her. "Let the girl explore her home land. She has been far away for far too long."

"Okay, but only if True puts the Slànacus symbol on her," Astrid compromised.

"That would be wise." Luchinda nodded, looking to appease her niece.

True then drew out his light orb from his pouch that he tied to his belt ready for departure. He walked a couple of steps, turned to face his daughter, bent down and drew the Slànacus family symbol on her chest. The warmth it sent through her was like nothing she felt in the other realm. One touch from the, now brightly shining, orb filled her entire body with a feeling that she could only describe as comforting love.

"Ooh, magic. I love magic!" Amber whispered in awe.

"There you are. You are protected," True chuckled, his daughter's excitement touched his heart. He straightened up and as he stored his light orb away, a thought came to his mind. "You know, I think it would be good if James took you into Night Forest."

"Me?" James shook out of his reverie, he still couldn't believe how long it had been since he was inside Petra Marbh. He certainly didn't think he'd ever be happy to see the darkly lit place, but knowing he was finally home brought only warmth to his heart.

"Well I assume you remember how to get around," True added.

"Well, yes, I think so."

"Good." True then looked at Astrid whose eyes were filled with relief. "That way Amber won't get lost and Astrid and I can catch up quickly with Aunt Luchinda."

James nodded in understanding. It made sense for them three to plan future action with Amber out of earshot. She was young, new to Natanstrelle and he had no doubt that if she heard what most likely had to be done next, it would overwhelm her.

"Right, Amber my girl, let's go."

In the hustle and bustle of sending James and Amber into Night Forest, Luchinda managed to sneak away. She made her way down the steps into the catacombs with the metallic bowl tight in her grasp. She wanted to gaze into the small cloud of smoke that she had in private, to gain counsel from Illuminare-Trabem. She knew that she'd have to face up to Astrid and tell her the whole truth eventually, but it all seemed too soon.

They only just got back.

"Master, what should I do? What should I say?" she whispered into the swirling white wisps that danced upon the dark water in the bowl that sat on the chipped, wooden table.

"The truth. She must know everything," a low authoritative voice answered her.

"But, master, I..."

"Don't hesitate. She has the right to know. She needs to know," Illuminare-Trabem's voice echoed around the dimly lit catacombs.

"What do I need to know?" Astrid's voice crashed from the stone staircase, making Luchinda jump. She hurriedly put the lid back on top of the smoke before she turned to face her.

"Oh, my dears, I didn't know you were in here!"

"I know that voice. That was Illuminare-Trabem," Astrid announced, she took slow steps towards her aunt, leaving True at the staircase.

"You were speaking to Illuminare-Trabem?" True asked, impressed. Luchinda nodded and her mouse-like features began to twitch, betraying her nerves.

"Luchinda, what is it?"

"Right, indeed, there is a lot to talk about," Luchinda answered quietly, fiddling with her shaking hands.

"By the stars! Luchinda! You're never like this!" Astrid ran up to her aunt and grabbed her shoulders in a panic. "What's going on? What's wrong?"

"No, everything is alright. I'm just being silly." Luchinda then made her way to a corner where she kept spare chairs and set them out beside the table. The catacombs glowed with a dim orange light, that threw shadows in every nook and cranny the eye could find.

"Sit down, please," she instructed the couple. With a wave of her hand, she indicated the two chairs that stood beside her own, and sat down when Astrid and True moved towards them. She took a deep breath, then another, closed her eyes, and shook her head.

"Sorry!" she said in a rush.

Astrid and True said nothing. They sat and waited, worried that they may say the wrong thing.

"I'm sorry. I should've got myself ready. Erm..." Luchinda took another deep breath. "Astrid, dear, I haven't been completely honest with you."

"Well, I kind of know that already, Aunt," Astrid said with a raised brow. "Yet, I'm here."

"Yes, yes, erm... well... there's a few things to erm... I don't know where to begin."

"How about you start by telling me why you told me eight years ago that I would never see you again?" Astrid questioned, not able to hide the stern tone in her voice.

"Oh! Right! Yes, of course. I'm so sorry Astrid. Being a seer, especially one chosen by Illuminare-Trabem himself, is... tricky..." Luchinda responded with a tremor.

"That doesn't answer my question, Aunt!"

"Astrid, let her finish," True reprimanded his wife gently, putting a warm hand on her knee. "She'll tell you everything. She said so."

Astrid nodded her head. "Okay, sorry. Carry on, Luchinda, I won't interrupt."

"I have been shown many paths that we could take. Many results of choices we make. The path that proved the most successful for the light, involved many secure steps that had to be taken." Luchinda looked up and made eye contact with her niece, who scowled with confusion; this spurred her on to continue her explanation. "For the light to overcome the darkness with the least casualties, you had to leave this realm believing you were leaving forever. I'm sorry. But I had to lie."

"So everything I thought, everything I did, was under your control?" Astrid fidgeted with unease as this information sank in. "I was your puppet?"

"Astrid..." True warned.

"No, True, it's alright. She's right. In a way, she has been my puppet," Luchinda said calmly and rushed in to add, "But not only Astrid. Many have been used to set forth the path to success. Before me, Grandfather orchestrated what must be done. I have also been a puppet."

"What do you mean?" True asked, his gaze upon Luchinda's intense face.

"Okay, here goes," Luchinda said under her breath. "My grandfather, the Royal Advisor before my father, saw a vision within the smoke. One that informed us all of the rise of darkness."

"The prophecy?" True interjected.

Without acknowledging True's contribution, Luchinda continued.

"He saw growing shadows, light being snubbed out within Central City streets, death, destruction. Fear grabbed him and he cried to Illuminare-Trabem for an answer. For a way to stop this vision from coming true. Illuminare-Trabem gave him that answer. But nobody could know what he was told. Not until certain things were put into place. Certain individuals had to be born. Noir-Astra had to believe that he was on the winning streak."

Luchinda stopped and glanced at the metallic bowl. She hoped that just getting a glimpse of the smoke would give her some comfort while she parted with the information that she had to keep silent for so long.

"Wait, I'm confused. Wasn't it Great Grandfather that told the Royals about the prophecy?" Astrid asked, breaking the silence that fell within Luchinda's pause. "A prophecy about a child born under a red moon, with violet eyes, who will bring the end of light."

"He did indeed. He had to tell the Royals that to set us all on course. To make the darkness believe that he'd win," Luchinda answered.

"So, what are you saying? Are you saying that the prophecy was a lie?" True leaned forward, curiosity lighting up his face.

"My grandfather was given a prophecy, but Illuminare-Trabem held him to secrecy. He had to come up with something to tell the Royals, to everyone, to keep Noir-Astra off the scent. He also saw how Noir-Astra could help Illuminare-Trabem's prophecy come to pass."

"Noir-Astra helped? How could he help? Why would he help?" Astrid's voice shook with anticipation.

Luchinda looked deep into her eyes. All nervousness she felt about what she must say seemed to have melted away. "He helped by making you. My grandfather saw you in the smoke. A girl with violet eyes born in disgrace, shunned by many, proven strong in the face of adversity."

"I'm not strong..." Astrid whispered.

"Yes you are, my Astrid. You are the strongest person I know," True assured her, squeezing her trembling hand. Astrid shook her head.

"Illuminare-Trabem needed Astrid?" True asked Luchinda, encouraging her to tell them more.

"He did, to fulfil his true prophecy."

"What is the true prophecy? Can you tell us?"

"Yes, I can. It is time for you two to know. But only you two, do you understand?" Luchinda waited for True and Astrid to nod, before she imparted what she must.

"A child, born with the Royal seal when the sky scorches with a crimson glow. Blessed by the moon. Her eyes of violet will overcome the darkness and push it back into the shadow."

"That's the real prophecy?" True asked, his eyes wide with wonder. "It is about Astrid. But she is not to snub out the light she was born to overcome the darkness," he added, to confirm that he understood it correctly.

"It's just like the other prophecy. But it's been turned on its head," Astrid added. "Well almost..."

Luchinda smiled up at her niece, impressed with her Observational skills. "Almost, is right, my dear." She said, then pressed further by adding, "and what is different?"

"Well I have not been blessed by the moon have I?" Astrid answered. "Whatever that means..."

"No, you haven't."

"Then the prophecy can't be about me, not fully, or that wouldn't have been included."

"Who could it be about then? Luchinda do you know?" True asked, Luchinda then stood up and turned her back on them, she didn't want them to look at her face, she was worried that she couldn't hide her feelings of dread.

"Luchinda?"

"I do. I do know..."