The Return of Memory Days

A Promise Made...

The sun completely disappeared and was replaced by full darkness. Everything looked rather gloomy.

"But now, she's gone..." she continued to whisper. "And she took all the magic along with her..." she added.

The silence hanged in the air for minutes. Lucy didn't sob anymore, but her tears were still there. Loki, on the other hand, just continued to stare at the ground, his eyes hidden underneath his ginger hair. After a few more moments in the darkness, Loki raised his head to stare back at Lucy. He locked eyes with her for a moment then smiled.

"Lucy..." he began. "I'm here because I want to make you happy again... but I can't bring your mother back" Loki whispered softly as he wiped the little girl's cheek. Little Lucy just stared back at my spirit -not crying anymore- because she already knew this part. No one could ever bring her mom back... my mom back.

"Because she's still with you"

"Huh?" Lucy -including my own present self- was taken aback with what Loki said.

"As you said, your mother is magical. But in my opinion, I think Madame Layla... is magic herself" Loki explained. I felt tears slide down my cheeks. The younger me stared wide-eyed at Loki, a little bit confused with his realization.

My lion spirit continued, "Lucy, don't you see? The sun still rises and sets. The moon still shines along with the stars. The world is still colorful... And you're still as lovely as the day you were born. Still gorgeous. The magic is still here, which means..?" he trailed off.

"My mom... is still here..?" she whispered the words, unsure. Her listener nodded to confirm her words. A smile appeared on my younger self's face, similar to my own.

And just like that, my theory has proven itself true. Our smiles lit up everyone's -me and my spirits'- faces, including my castle in the past. The darkness slowly disappeared as the lamps and shimmering lights brightened up the once gloomy garden. Fireflies woke up one by one, as if they were floating embers, seemed to burn faintly in the forest. While the moon shone proudly in the dark-blue sky, along with millions of scattered stars twinkling like the priceless jewels they are.

From the side of the mansion, you could still hear the murmurs of the people. Their voices didn't seem so strained anymore. There was a tinge of peace in them. What was the proper word for it..? Clarity? Relief..? no. It was acceptance. My mom was in a better place. But at the same time, she's still here with me. Loki was right. Everything was just right.

Damn it! How does he do that?! I felt my cheeks flush red because of the thought. Aquarius raised an eyebrow at me questioningly. I just shook my head and redirected my attention back to Loki and the ten-year old me. The younger me was still crying. But this time she cried tears of joy. Wow, I'm such a crybaby... I rolled my eyes as my spirits just chuckled, Loki included.

Little Lucy peeked up to smile at Loki again, who just couldn't help but smile back. He nodded towards the sky, Lucy followed his gaze and marveled at the starry heavens. She gasped and relaxed back into Loki's arms. It annoyed me that the way Loki was holding me will be a part of my memory. I bet he won't let such a moment go... and I kind of looked forward to it. I really am going insane...

"Hey... Mr. Prince..?" Loki tried his hardest to hold back his laughter. I tried my hardest not to faint. Seriously? Mr. Prince?! What the hell was wrong with me when I was ten?!

Loki succeeded and so did I. Little Lucy looked over her shoulder to check if the Leo spirit was still listening. "Hey... Are you still there, Mr. Prince?" she asked again.