"You are good enough, Celestia." Momo smiled.
"You loved me when the world saw the exterior of my appearance. You cared for me, just like you would your own child. A Queen needs to be able to love with an open mind before she can lead. You will deal with various shifters, and some who do not have the best intentions, but a kind Queen is what will help the light that was once lost within this world, be found again."
Momo wrapped her arms around me, and even though her magic was as dark as those threads that pierced every part of me when I'd been conscious, the element filled me with love. And hope...
"Don't give up, Celestia. Odion and the rest need you. They're helping the best way they can. All you have to do is trust in that love you share, and everything will work out."
A hint of a smile formed on my lips, and though my arms felt heavy, I was able to hug Momo back.
"Thank you, Momo."
"You’re welcome, Mom." She whispered before she pulled back to give me a wide smile. "It'll be a while till I can actually say that in real life. Thank you for loving me and helping Odion. You two are like parents to me, just like Arielle."
She blinked her swirling eyes and glanced down at my stomach. She let me go and placed her hands on my stomach."Close your eyes, Celestia. When you wake up, let your magic out. Not just light, but everything. Let your power guide you to victory."
I closed my eyes and felt a change. My body felt lighter but grew with strength. It felt like I was floating, and as my consciousness wavered, I heard Momo's last words.
"This is my token of appreciation."
"Don't interfere,Lucian. Your Queen is dead and that pathetic reincarnation will be too."
"You know I've dreamed of slicing my scythe through that mouth of yours. I should make it into a reality!"
I was trembling and felt cold, but inside me began to grow warmer and warmer.
"My Queen, wake up." I heard a soft whisper.
"Bibibibibibibi."
Odion? Momo?
I fought to open my weak eyes and, looking up, I saw Odion's now pure white ones while his hair levitated around him in a glowing silver.
"BIBO!"
"Welcome back, my Queen."
"Odion… Momo… what happened?" I asked, barely able to get the words out. I tried to move but Odion shook his head.
"Don't move yet, we're not done."
"Not done?"
"I'm not a good healer, remember? It's taking longer to heal your wounds. Just stay still for a moment."
Heal? He's healing me?
I had to build up enough courage to look down at myself, expecting to see the multiple holes those threads had made, but instead, I noticed my body was glowing in rainbow light. The blessed marks on my arms, wrist, and chest were luminous.
I could see a bit of the blessed mark on my thigh that was mostly covered by Momo whose little hands were still on my stomach.
Her body was glowing bright white while her hair was levitating like Odion’s but shifted between different colors.
I stayed still, and zoned everything out, letting the warmth consume me. Little by little I was getting my strength back, and with it, I could envision the locket and the key within the deepest part of my soul, but it was different. The keyhole was in the center of the golden lock and around it was different colored jewels.
The colors of the rainbow.
A black key with a pink jeweled heart entered the keyhole and fit perfectly, and it paused, waiting for my command to let the power hidden in the depth of me to be freed to do its bidding.