Key To A Goblin's Heart

Mike's POV

Now what? I never imagined my feelings to be reciprocated like this, not to mention she will confess at such a moment, intensifying an already intense situation. An hour ago we were supposably strangers, but now… now we're what? Does this mean… we are together. "Mike" She called me out. I opened my mouth to say something, but my voice got stuck in my throat. 

"Wait, if you remember, do you as well" Maland prompted looking at Jake. Thank goodness for him breaking the silence because I know I wouldn't have been able to.

"Nope" Jake sighed. "Unlike Mike, I don't have any Goblin genes. So that memory wiping worked on me" Jake admitted honestly. 

Maland seemed somewhat disappointed at that, "So, why are you here?" 

"Mike told me everything," Jake declared. 

"Is that so"? Maland commented with cynicism. Rolling my eyes I looked back at Cassie, who seemed to be in some sort of trance.

"That still doesn't explain how you knew who I was," Maland looked at Jake. "Or you didn't and everything you said was genuine" he paled.

"Actually I did. You have been to my house"? Jake asked, earning a nod from Maland. "Well, when my butler asked for my cosplayer friend, I knew something was off. Checking the footage, I found you" he declared. I was waiting for him to add the dreams part but he didn't. 

"Wait, is that why your behavior was so odd? Because you knew who I was"? Maland asked.

"Odd"? Jake scoffed. "Ask anyone, that's how I behave. It's not like I was rude to you or anything, I dunno what you're so upset about" Jake scowled. Maland however paled at the comment. I can understand his confusion. Being with Linda, witnessing her death had changed Jake a lot, and without those memories he was back to his original self.

"Mike, Can you please talk to me?" Cassie pleaded amidst their chat.

"What do you want from me?" I asked. "I doubt you want us to be together, we're still two different people. Then what do you want from me".

"I want to be with you. Despite our differences, despite thr stigma regarding interracial differences, I want to be with you". She confessed. I had an urge to pinch myself, to wake me up from this cruel dream. And yet, I couldn't… because this, all of this was real.

"Are you sure"? I couldn't help but ask. "What about your kingdom? What about your mother? There is no way she'll ever accept me". I reminded her.

"I am aware, but still. I would like for us to work out." Cassie admitted. "I don't have all the answers yet, But I'd like to figure it out".

"Cassie I… " I fumbled with words. Was I happy? No. What I felt was beyond the word happy. I was elated, maybe euphoric even. So much so that I doubt I stopped functioning. She took a few steps towards me and like a magnet of opposite pole I felt myself getting gravitated towards her.

Were we headed for a hug? A kiss perhaps? I dunno, but before I could figure it out I felt gush of wind brush past. On turning to my left, I noticed a portal from which Sofosys walked out. "Cassendrei" he called out to her. At that instance he noticed me and Jake surrounding her and he seemed to wonder whether or not it was safe to speak. 

"I remember everything," I declared, resolving his dilemma. I mean, I just saw him walk through a portal. There was no non-paranormal explanation for that. 

"You undid your mother's magic" Sofosys appeared baffled.

Before she could deter the accusation, I interupted, "I have enough magic in my to counter her memory charm. The Queen's magic never worked on me".

"It didn't?" he blinked. "Is it because you're…" he trailed off. I assumed he knew I was half Goblin. I remember claiming my status back at the palace. Somehow the fact that I could be an half Goblin frightened him. But why though? Yes I possessed the powers of fire, and yes it was considered one of the dangerous powers to posses. 

But that doesn't necessarily mean I'd walk down the path of evil. Not to mention I have human blood in me too. My original aim, which is still held by my firmly is to become a doctor and help people. Why would I let the powers of fire, the power to destruction take over me. I know I wouldn't.

"Sofosys" his intense state at me was broken when Cassie called out to him the second time.

"My apologies Cassadrei, I was just enthralled by an half-Goblin. It's been a long time since one was spotted, not to mention the other half being a human is extremely unheard of." Sofosys explained. 

"So you believe me, that I am a half-Goblin" I asked.

"I suppose I do" Sofosys mumbled. "No ordinary fairy, let alone a half one can counteract the memory charm card by the Queen" Sofosys declared. "Which makes me wonder, who was your father".

"I dunno" I shrugged. "Never met the guy" I declared flatly. My feelings for my biological father was a bit complicated. Never having met him, I didn't hold any affection for him. As for the fact he abandoned us, all I had for him was resentment. So much so that I didn't even want an explanation. 

"I see" Sofosys mumbled. 

"Wait, why are you here"? Cassie prompted. "Don't tell me mother noticed my absence already". She pursed her lips in anticipation. 

"Thankfully that's not the case. However…" Sofosys trailed off. "I do have some bad news, two to be precise". He informed us.

"Then what…" Cassie trailed off.

"Your mother, she collapsed. It's been over twenty four hours but we're unable to wake her up. In fact, according to our physicians her condition is only worsening". Sofosys explained. Concern washed over all of our faces. Despite my general dislike towards the queen, this is something I would never want for her. I know how much her mother means to Cassie, I remember how much my mother meant to me. And I don't want Cassie to go through the same pain I once did.

"Don't tell me… that she won't make it" With increased breaths, Cassie asked. Her fear was evident in her voice. 

"I am afraid… that its a possibility." Sofosys lowered his head. 

Cassie's eyes brimmed with tears as the news shook her to her core. "Victoria has taken a leave, in order to find a cure for her. But if she fails, if she is too late… your mother might not make it" explained Sofosys.

Her face conveyed a lot of emotions. I stood there helpless unable to anything for her, and it pained me. "What's the other news"? Asked Maland.

"We are under attack, probably from Arphoelus" Sofosys declared. "The timing, it couldn't be worse. With the queen down the lack of leadership is taking a toll on us. If we don't find a way out, there will be no Maefhaelore anymore".

Suddenly it seemed as if all the bad omens rained upom Cassie. She wad frozen, in shock at the turn of events. "I know its a lot to ask, but… you are needed, my princess. For now, you are their queen" Sofosys sighed.

Cassie looked at me, and then looked at all of us. "I gotta go" she declared. "My country needs me, and I have to do something".

"I'm coming with you" I declared immediately. The least I could do is to be by her side in these difficult times. 

"No, you must stay here" Cassie affirmed.

"But I-" I was about to protest, but she cut me off.

"You possess the power of fire, which means you can destroy entire Arphoelus in one go". She sighed. I wad confused. Isn't that a good thing? wasn't that the fastest way to win. "Something tells me that the timing wasn't coincidental. There os more to it that we are let on. I need to fight the old way, and we need to make sure they believe that we will lose. We need to figure out what and how they are planning everything. We have to be smart about it" she explained.

"What do you mean"? I asked. I had no idea where she wad headed. What her plan had to do anything with me. 

"It's no secret that we are outnumbered and overpowered. Which means, when the time comes I want you to be our wild card. The one who will wipe them out along with their smug faces" she scoffed.

We all staret at her as she explained her intentions. That was a brilliant idea, and to think that she thought of that in a moment of crisis, I can't believe anyone ever questioned that she is not worthy of the throne. "Take me back to our world Sofosys. We have a job to do. Oh and…" she took a quick glance at us. "Don't trust anyone. And don't die" she looked at me one last time before opening back a portal to her world. She and Sofosys walked through it, leaving Me, Jake and Maland behind.