Page 89 of The Tale of Tears
“The new King of Shaston?” I ask.
“Thylas. I couldn’t save him, but hope is not lost.” She smiles sadly, before she looks behind her. “Go now. Find her. Prepare for this world to become anew. War is coming.”
“From where? We are beneath the waves?” I ask quickly. “What is going to happen?”
“Find her.” She disappears from view and my mind eddies at what she has said.
With haste, I propel myself to the surface, my mind filled with thoughts of Carnaxa. Breaching the water, I run my hand throughmy wet locks. And seeing nothing but the sea before me, I touch the shell still embedded in my chest, calling on whatever magic it holds within. I must find her. Did she survive? What happened after I succumbed to the darkness? A gold ripple shoots across the waves. A prayer and answer combined in the glittering water. I take a deep breath, adjusting to my tail, and dive again. To my new home. To her.
Epilogue
Thylas
Two moon cycles have passed since Atlas met his demise and I’ve been called King. I fought it at first, the warring inside of my soul. The darkness and flames that wanted to take over. I thought of cerulean hair and bright smiles and flames that burned in sacrifice. I remembered Siphonie and her constant teasing. I considered Rhenor and how he would be ashamed. I even thought of Ereon, who was strong enough to fight against his father. Antalis fell beneath the sea the same day I had the crown placed on my head. Reports state that everyone from Antalis vanishedand no one from the kingdom has survived. But I know Carnaxa’s out there. I can feel her sometimes, her gentle magic twisting inside the confines of my heart, barely there. I think of her in the darkest of nights, when I know I shouldn’t enjoy what I have become, but I’m losing the battle waging inside me.
I’m learning to relish in this power, the stronger magic inside of me. I let the flames swirl around my arms, licking against the tattoos there. This power isn’t like what I had before. It’s stronger.SacheAtaiun stands outside, guarding the door to the throne room, waiting for my next command. The entirety ofPreldoes as well. The power of being king, something I never believed I deserved, now stretches out before me like a grand carpet. My thoughts are messy, the old me warring still with this new version of myself that threatens to consume my being. Words filter in, words of hate and sorrow, words of remorse, and yet words acknowledging I finally have everything I deserve.
I look down, next to the dais, where Anara lies in a golden casket crafted to keep her forever preserved in her beautiful state. I try not to forget her. When the moments of Khaysus' corruption on my soul don’t have full control, I think of her sacrifice. She tethers me, reminding me of who I once was.
SacheAtaiun enters and bows at the waist. “King Thylas.”
I look down at Anara, her brown hair laid around her like a halo. Home was always on her mind, a constant longing that tugged at her heart.
“Prepare the men to go to the Southern Continent.” I stand up, grabbing the crown from the side table and placing it on my head.As I gaze out over the horizon, I can see the vast expanse of my kingdom, with thekukheandkhindon the outskirts. The distant roars and distinctive odors wafting through the air can be sensed for miles. I called thekhind,who fought against their wall, back from Midaeliea, not because I am done with their kingdom — but because, unlike Atlas — I aspire for more.
Khaysus has helped me learn much these past few moons, everything I need to know to conquer the lands stretched before me and to bring about his reign, because I am not the same as the ones who came before me. Atlas’ soul simply drifted from one body to the next, but here and now, I am something more than he ever was. The memories of Atlas remain, but I am the one who leads. A new being, a being that Khaysus is titillated to teach.
“The Southern Continent, King? Why?”SacheAtaiun asks, confused. Anger bursts through me, fury I was once told to keep controlled now floods my veins and I let it.
They don’t fully understand who you are.
Words slither into my brain. Words from the one the Shastonians callRa Syam, but I now know him as Khaysus.
Show them and prepare for me.
“She always wanted to go home.” I look down at Anara. “I think it’s time we took her there, and we can remind the Southern Continent that they aren’t untouchable.”
“You want to conquer the Southern Continent?”SacheAtaiun words filter with shock. “Is that what I am to tell the men? They won’t like it, having already lost so many to Antalis’fall.”
“I don’t care.” As I walk up to him, the heat from the flames I release engulfs his neck, serving as a powerful reminder that I am the one in control as the King. “Tell them to prepare for war.”
To Be Continued …