The Royal Mark-Chapter 61: Special Gift

Elsa’s 13th Birthday...

"Where are we going, mom?" Elsa asked, still groggy from being awakened by her mother before the sun had even risen. She held her mother’s hand as they made their way to the car.

Hera stopped in her tracks and knelt down to meet Elsa’s eye level. "Have you forgotten, my dear? Happy Birthday!" She planted a loving kiss on Elsa’s cheek before embracing her. "You’ve grown up so quickly."

Hera’s warm greeting snapped Elsa fully awake. "I almost forgot! You woke me up so early that I lost track of time."

"And you’re still overlooking something important. It’s your 13th birthday, and you know what that means, right?"

"Yes! Let’s go, Mom! I can’t wait to receive my powers!" Elsa excitedly dashed to the car, prompting Hera to chuckle before joining her inside.

They set out for the towering mountain just beyond Santa Fe’s border. Hera had purchased a piece of land, complete with a quaint cabin by a river. Whenever an opportunity presented itself, they would retreat to this serene spot.

Hera never concealed anything from Elsa regarding Vectus, their family lineage, or their true identities. Little did she know that one day, all this precious knowledge would be wiped from her daughter’s memory. She ensured that Elsa would acquire all the wisdom she possessed, nurturing the hope of their eventual return to their original world.

Upon reaching the property, Elsa promptly dashed to the river to engage in some playtime, while Hera transferred their belongings from the car to the cabin. With her tasks completed, Hera retrieved a key from her pocket and stepped outside.

"Elsa, my dear, come with me. The sunrise is approaching," Hera called out, and Elsa eagerly approached her, holding her hand.

"Where are we headed, Mom?" Elsa asked, brimming with curiosity.

"To receive your special gift."

Hand in hand, the mother and daughter strolled together through the dense forest until they reached a massive boulder at the mountain’s base. Hera raised her hand, revealing the key she had retrieved earlier.

Elsa observed her mother with rapt attention, a blend of curiosity and fascination in her eyes. Despite Hera sharing much about their true heritage, she had never displayed any hint of magic—until today.

With both hands, Hera clutched the key and chanted, "Osten de ostium. Osten de ostium. Osten de ostium."

Her hands emitted a radiant yellow glow, causing Elsa’s jaw to drop in sheer astonishment. She watched as the key transformed into a rounded, bolt-like metal piece with wing-like patterns etched into its center. Her mother then affixed this bolt-like metal piece to a circular carving on the colossal rock before them.

The metal piece fit seamlessly, and Elsa heard her mother say, "Aperire firma mentum, dele mea semita, nos celera majka."

Elsa jumped in surprise as a circular door materialized on the rock’s surface, extending an invitation for them to enter.

Hera reached out her hand to her astonished daughter and offered a warm smile. "Shall we go inside?" she asked.

Elsa beamed with excitement and nodded. Hera then switched on the portable lamp she had brought, and they entered. As they passed through the door, Elsa glanced back to see it slowly closing behind them. She surveyed the surroundings and noticed that although the place resembled a cave, it exuded a cozy atmosphere.

"I’ve fortified this place over the years. Here, no one can detect our powers. So, once the sun rises and you receive your magic, no one will know. Do you still remember what I’ve told you about what you must do once you become a divine mage?" Hera inquired.

Elsa recited from memory, "I must never use my magic under any circumstances unless you expressly permit it. Even if someone is in grave danger or facing death, I must refrain from using my magic to avoid placing myself in jeopardy."

Hera affectionately tousled her daughter’s hair and said, "Well done. Now, we need to prepare."

Hera lighted a candle and positioned it at the center of the room’s table. She scooped up a handful of earth from the ground and set it beside the candle. Following that, she poured water into a bowl from a water bottle.

She then checked her watch and remarked, "The news mentioned that today’s sunrise is at 5:45 a.m., which is less than five minutes away. You remember what you’re supposed to do, right?"

Elsa nodded, sporting a broad smile. She felt a touch of nervousness, but her excitement about finally becoming a mage like her mother overshadowed it.

As the sun began to rise, Elsa sensed a warm and comforting sensation spreading through her body, causing her entire form to emit a soft, radiant glow. She looked into her mother’s eyes and saw pride and immense joy reflected in them.

"Now, my dear, it’s time to put into practice what we’ve trained for. Let’s start your coming of age ritual," Hera declared.

Elsa placed her hands over the candle’s flame, taking in a deep breath. Her hands grew warm, but it was a comfortable warmth that didn’t cause any pain. Soon, the fire transferred to her hands, leaving her wide-eyed with a mix of wonder and anticipation.

"Next, my dear," Hera instructed, noticing her daughter’s absorption in the moment.

Elsa then held both her fiery hands over the mound of soil. The flames on her hands slowly subsided, and the soil began to shift, shaping itself into a mountain-like barrier that solidified into rock.

"Great job so far, sweetie. Let’s move on to the next one," Hera encouraged.

Elsa moved her hands over the bowl of water, and she marveled as the water began to move, forming tiny floating spheres in the air. Elsa was thrilled with her successful manipulation of three elements and eagerly anticipated the next challenge.

However, as she prepared to progress to the next element, the floating water spheres gradually elongated, transforming into double-sided spikes before solidifying into ice. Elsa felt a surge of panic and considered seeking her mother’s assistance, but to her alarm, the ice spikes abruptly shifted toward Hera.

Terrified and unable to control the threatening icicles, Elsa gathered more energy. "Mom! H-Help me!" she cried out.

Before Hera could respond, the icicles moved with such swiftness that Elsa could barely follow their trajectory. "AHH!!!" Her only reaction was to scream and cover her ears, as the sound of the icicles hitting something and then falling to the ground filled the air.