As the sun was setting, she walked through the village behind her cloak, not even going to bother getting stares from the people, mostly because they were mentally asking themselves why was she approaching the outline of the country, where danger lived most at night.

“E-excuse me, m-miss. Sir Marcellus is about to set the Sun down and I don't think now is the time to wander around.” A man told, looking at her confusingly from the entrance of his house but his words were useless as she continued going on her own way. “Um, if you think it's safe to go around, you're wrong. If that witch of Valiana finds you, she won't hesitate to kill you!”

The young woman clenched her teeth and groaned, maintaining herself and trying to not get those words to get into her. She kept walking as the man scoffed and slammed his door closed then locked it like he does every night.

“Stupid human being.” She murmured. “You don't even know what the true Valiana can do!”

~~~

“This place sure does look without life.” The violet-haired girl stopped at the opening of a forest, that looked and had very old trees and lack of green foliage. The environment wasn't attractive either when you get in there, the sky was somehow red and the trees are all raven as if they been scorched. “Forgive me, Marcellus. I'm doing this for me.”

Valiana sighed under her cloaked hood, as she was about to overstep the line that divided the light side to the dark side of the forest, a voice was heard.

“Please, don't go, Valiana. That place is scary.”

The violet-haired girl jumped at the sudden familiar voice and turned around. “Alena! W-what are you doing here?!”

There the little girl was standing, in her pyjamas that were plain white, her feet were bleeding from walking without shoes on the ground and her platinum hair fell from behind her shoulders. “I wanted to see where were you going... It's late.”

“You know I work at nighttime...” Valiana lowered her hood to see Alena much more clearer and also with the help of moon shining over them from the realm. “And look at you, you shouldn't have followed me.”

“But... no one is outside for you to protect. They're too scared of you to ask for you, sister.” Alena mumbled, making Valiana realize that her job as the Moon helper and Savior of the Night still does not make the humans' opinion on her change and she was still being unappreciated for her work.

“I-... You know what, I have to bring you back in the castle before Mother finds out you're here instead than being in your room. C'mon.” Valiana tried to push her to walk back but she refused.

Alena declined to walk as she pointed at the forest instead. “But weren't you going there? It seemed really important to you.”

“Not with you alongside, you could get seriously hurt.”

“Same for you.”

“Ugh, this is why I always hated your stubborn self... Could you wait for me here, alright? Here, don't move.” Valiana stepped back from her younger sister as she concentrated to create a protective bubble around the little girl.

“Hey!”

“I'll be back, I swear.”

“You sister swear?” Alena raised her pinky finger, looking up to her.

Valiana smiled, also rising her pinky finger as she kneeled. “Yeah, obviously. Sister swear.” They both kissed their pinky fingers as they always do when they promise each other something.

“I'll wait for you then.” Alena snickered, which made Valiana gulp in guilt. In reality, she wasn't really sure she'll be back.

“Okay, see you. I love you, even though I'm mad at you for following me.”

“I'm seven, I can do whatever I want!” Alena put her hands on her hips, acting more grown and Valiana crossed her arms in surprise then laughed.

“Whatever makes you happy.” Valiana giggled, then turned her back around, as she looked deep in the forest, she was already debating with herself to go back and forget it all. “I have to go see what's in there at least.” She murmured.

As the older sister had ventured into the wilderness, a growl was heard not too far away, making Alena gasp in fear. In her head, she was regretting of telling Valiana she'll wait for her, out there in the dark.

“I can do this. I'm not scared, I'm not scared. My big sister will come back to me... Valiana?” Yet, from inside the protective bubble, another growl was followed by an another and Alena fell on her knees, clutching herself to feel safer. “Sister...”

A tear escaped from her ruby eyes as she was being surrounded by a group of supernatural wolves.

...

Valiana quickly held her head. “A-Alena! I can sense her feeling scared-- maybe she must be in danger!”

She was ready to turn on her heels and run to rescue her younger sister because if anything happened to her, she would have never forgiven herself.

As Valiana started to move, the way for the exit of the forest from where she came from seemed different and the lifeless environment around her started changing.

“What the-- what is going on?!”

“I have been waiting for this moment for many years. You finally arrived, Valiana.”

“Uh-- h-how do you know my name? Who are you?!” Valiana stopped running as she activated her powers and stayed alerted of her surroundings.

“I'm not here to fight. I know you're here to find something about your purpose in life. I know you're looking for something,” Somehow the voice shut down Valiana's powers. “Even though the rumors about the Shady Mortem, you still came.”

“What did you do to my powers? I need to get back to my sister!” Valiana shouted back at the voice willingly of questioning. The deceased leaves got off the branches as they all got together in a tornado and commenced materializing themselves into a human figure. “For the love of the Gods--”

“It's finally a pleasure you came to meet me instead of listening to those foolish and imbeciles of ‘Gods’. Don't you worry, I'm the perfect solution.” Valiana could sense the smirk in the last words.

“Wait, you look like...” Valiana couldn't recall so the woman did it for her.

“Iron. I'm the Demon Queen.” She looked deep into Valiana's shocked eyes, although the violet-haired woman couldn't see her eyes at all since it was too dark to notice. “The Gods have imprisoned me in this freezing cold, dark, quiet place for too long. If you help me, I'll help you.”

“How would you ever--”

“Don't you want to powerful? Have your own signature of power?”

“I-- Yes, I mean...”

“I can help you then.” In an instant, Iron was standing next to Valiana, which made her jump at the Demon Queen. Iron lifted her hand towards the sky. “But you'll have to bring the Divine Moon over here.”

“Why? I-I can not do that or I'll be punished, or even tortured, for moving the Moon to another place instead of staying over the kingdom!”

“Dare to tell me why do you care about that kingdom?”

“...”

“Ah, I see, you want them to worship you every night as they do with the Sun.” Iron sighed. “Listen to me carefully, deep down the forest, there'll be a cave in between the mountains on the outline of this region.”

“How do I know it's true? I don't want to listen to you.”

“Oh, trust me, it'll be worth it. There lies a legend flower that has been hidden by the Gods. In each different unique petals contains powerful spells and powers no one has ever heard or seen before. It can even overpower the Gods themselves. I bet it can also help you find out meanings of your life.”

Valiana's eyes widen in shock. This was an opportunity she couldn't definitely miss; she can finally let her dream happen. “Wait... then instead of telling me, why haven't you gone to go collect it yourself? Actually, how come no one has ever come to collect this flower you're talking about?”

“I already have my own signature power that I believe it's much more powerful than a stupid ‘flower’.” Iron made a purplish-black whip appear from her hand which at the end it had the face of a snake. “A cutie, right? By the way, since you asked, not many humans know about this legend and very little believe about it. The men, women and children who walked past here had to meet me first.”

“Wait, you're the legendary Shady Mortem?”

“I have been a prisoner here for too long, this place has become my property so I decide who gets past here and who doesn't. Obviously, no one ever made it out alive, oops.”

“... Aren't you going to kill me too?” Valiana put her hand on her chest.

Iron held her chin. “Aw, are you heartbroken? Here let me help you.” Iron used her whip to grab her arm to pull Valiana over to her and when she did, she infiltrated her fingers in the back of her neck, sending her to deep sleep.

~❈❈❈~

Valiana found herself laying on a cold ground when she opened her eyes. She instantly coughed as she got on her knees then touched the back of her neck. “That freaking hurt.”

She got up her feet, distracted about her location at the moment. When she turned around, she glimpsed a woman that instantly reminded of her mother because of her height and figure.

“Valiana?” The woman smirked at the name.

“Y-yes Mother?”

“I am so disappointed to have raised an incompetent child as a failure.” The woman sighed, minding at something, her back on Valiana.

“W-what?”

“Ma'am, I do not retain any sentiments towards her either but hate. Each time I lay my eyes on her, all I witness is a disgusting creature.” Marcellus kneeled behind the woman as he looked down when he spit those words out.

Valiana felt she couldn't move anymore as uncontrolled tears escaped. “Marcellus! Mother! How can you say such things?!”

“I don't believe that piece of rubbish is my daughter, Alena is my only child. I should've gotten rid of her when I had the opportunity.” The woman coldly said with no emotion.

Valiana fell on her knees as her eyes darkened and the tears kept falling down non-stop.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Marcellus, son, how are you and Valiana?”

“We...”

“I wish that stupid relationship of yours ended ages ago but unfortunately that cannot happen. Although, it's a good thing she can't bear children of her own. I would have to worry about getting rid of her children too.”

Valiana's eyes widened as she lay her hands on her stomach and clenched her teeth in anger.

“May I ask the reason behind that, ma'am?” Marcellus questioned.

She sighed, desperately. “She'll have more time for herself and when she'll realize what she really is capable of, it could be the verge for us. Try not to leave her alone or she might start wondering around by herself.”

“Does that mean--”

“I don't care what you do with her in the gardens or in your room. Keep her mind engaged to something!” The woman stormed the words out, so loudly it felt like she froze Marcellus from moving. “But somehow do make sure she suffers from breathing the same air as you.”

“Yes ma'am.” Marcellus simply replied as both their bodies faded away. Valiana didn't want to listen to the conversation anymore, she got up and started running the opposite direction.

Valiana tripped and dropped herself down. Footsteps approached the young woman as she was too busy whimpering to notice.

“Valiana.”

“Leave me alone, I heard enough!” The violet-haired woman shouted at who just came across to be simply her younger sister. “Alena? I'm sorry--”

The little girl abruptly leaned next to her, shaking her head as a drop of blood came out of her mouth. “I know you didn't mean it.”

“A...Alena?!” Valiana was confused at her state when she realized she had a dagger stabbed through her stomach and her hands full of her blood. “Where did this came from--”

“I know you didn't mean it.” Alena sobbed as she fell on the ground and Valiana quickly came to her rescue.

“Wake up! Lena wake up, please!” She cried next to the now dead body, continuing to sob all by herself again.

She knew her mother never liked her.

Valiana was lonely.

She knew deep down Marcellus must have never meant the word 'love' to her.

Valiana was lonely.

But she always had her little sister by her side.

Valiana didn't feel lonely.       

“You see, emotions always get the best of you when they shouldn't be involved.” Iron walked behind her as Alena's body faded away. Valiana was too busy crying with herself to pay attention to the demon.

“My sister's the only one who never judged me for who I am.”

“Oh Valiana, Valiana. Let me tell you something. If you really wish to become stronger, forget about the people you love. The reason is, sometimes little by little, people just stop caring.”

“I can't.”

“You can.”

“...”

“You see, I became Demon Queen when I killed my father, who was the King Demon and took his place. I don't admit guilt for everything I committed. Until those idiots who call themselves ‘Gods’ hunted me down and imprisoned me within that forest.”

“Why have they done that?”

Iron sighed. She hid her smirk.“I opened a portal to release my demons across the Lightworld to destroy every single human they saw. Us from the Underworld are being treated way too unfairly, it's time to stand up for ourselves. Help us, Valiana. I know you can sense it, this is your destiny.”

“...” Valiana commenced thinking on her own.

“I'm giving you until the next full moon to make up with your head. If you accept my help, I'll help release the flower for you to become stronger. For now, it's time to wake up.” Iron snapped her fingers, teleporting back to reality.

~❈❈❈~

Valiana stood up and shortly coughed yet again as she used the time to breathe since she felt like she didn't do. She looked around and found herself back at the entrance of the forest she entered earlier.

The purple-haired young woman sensed a pain on her neck then she remembered who caused and soon the memories came back. “Alena! Alena, where are--”

There was a group of wolves around where Alena was previously, although they were all dead. Valiana was perplexed about who could have done that.

“She's right here, with me.” Sanania, the kingdom's highest maid, said holding Alena's hand.

“S-Sanania, who sent you here?”

“I went to check on her and she seemed to be missing from her room so I tracked her down here,” Sanania explained, not in a very happy tone. She smirked as she continued, “I.. wonder how your mother is going to feel you entering the prohibited forest. Does Marcellus even know you dragged Alena here?”

Valiana gulped, as she felt irritated by the maid. “They don't know and it's not your business to go say around! If I'm out there it's also because I have the right to.”

Sanania clenched her teeth as Alena smiled, proud of her sister. “That doesn't explain why she's here with you!”

“Because--!” Valiana couldn't tell the maid about Alena running away or she'll get in trouble too and she didn't want that.

“Please, Miss Sanania! It's not her fault... I was the one who left the castle on my own!” Alena intervened as Valiana sighed.

Sanania gave a fraud smile to the little as she leaned to her, resting her hands on her thighs. “But Valiana dragged you here, sweetie. This place is very dangerous and she could have got you killed.”

“No, you're wrong. She made sure I was safe this whole time.” Alena mumbled as she let go of the maid's hand to walk next to Valiana. “She did nothing wrong.”

The maid wanted to roll her eyes as she gave a glare at Valiana then fooled another smile for Alena. “I didn't say she did anything, but I am going to inform your mother about your fugitive from the castle without consent or warning anyone.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Alright, I'm bringing you back in the kingdom.” Sanania reached her hand to her but Alena refused so.

“I don't want to go. Who will stay with Valiana if I leave?”

Valiana felt a warm feeling in her chest then kneeled to her sister. “No, you should go and get some sleep. I'll be fine here.”

The little girl gave her a look that meant if the violet-haired was sure and Valiana nodded, following with a wink.

“Be careful.”

“Okay, Lena.”

They raised their pinky finger at each other then kissed it as their gesture of promising each other something that only the two of them know what it meant as Sanania raised her eyebrow in question.

Alena walked next to Sanania, who closed her eyes and enchanted a spell under her breath which made her and the girl teleport away. Now Valiana's alone.

The violet-haired girl turned towards the forest. She sighed, knowing what was her goal now.

Her eyes glowed as she declared, “I am going to get that flower. And I will do it now.”

“Good to know.” A laugh was heard from the inside of the forest and Valiana knew it related to the Demon Queen. The trees came to be scampering and parted apart, leaving space for Valiana to walk straight into.

°°°°°°°°°

END OF CHAPTER 23! (PART 2/3)

I know, I know, a late update. I just had to take a break, but now I'm back! 💞

Next chapter is the last chapter of Valiana's past. Something is about to go down... 🤫

Thank you so much for being patient for this chapter! I made it very long too because I owe this to you <333 

These three-part chapters contain characters that are not in the show itself because they're from my imagination so if you're confused about who are these people, they are from my imagination :)

If you want to read more, please don't forget to VOTE and leave a COMMENT.

Until then, see you next time fairies.