Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
But past them, there is a glint. A spark of silver drifts from the beach and floats toward us. When the person lands, their cloak shines, the hem dragging over the grass. Behind them are more rows of silver.
I meet with Hassha and Korah as they face Callista. Up close, she looks completely different. She has an eyepatch, and her hair is cut short. Her face is hollow like she hasn’t eaten in days.
“Are those Luxorians?” I ask Korah as the last of them approach.
Korah studies the army behind her. “Indeed, they are. And she made the wiser choice.”
“What were her other choices?” I ask.
“Fight in the war or be anchored to the bottom of the ocean and left to drown to death, only to wake and drown again. A vicious cycle and a terrible suffering.”
“Fuck.”
“I’m doing this for my brothers.” Callista frowns as she nears us.
Hmm. Suppose she heard us.
“I thought you killed her,” I say, eyeing Korah.
“Believe me, I wanted to.” Korah scans Callista from head to toe as she reads her. “But she’s not completely useless. Figured it was best to use her talents than dispose of them right now.”
“I’m standing right here,” Callista grumbles.
“But she knows that if she betrays us,” Korah goes on, still directing her words to me, “I will break off every limb from her silver body, gouge her eyes out, then rip her head off last so she sees and feels everything.”
Callista’s nostrils flare as Rowan shouts, “Oh, shit! Now that’s a jab.”
“Don’t count us out,” a voice shouts from a distance.
We all look to find it, and another cluster of people appears. All are dressed differently. Some float while others walk, but I know exactly who they are.
The Mythics.
And leading them is none other than Beatrix.
“Monarch Harlow, what a delight,” Beatrix says in greeting. “If I’d known this is what you would become, I’d have been much kinder to you.”
I laugh. “No need. I prefer your honest side. How did you get better? The last time Willow and I saw you, you were dying.”
“Ah, that.” She grins as she swoops her eyes to Korah, who smiles back. “Korah was kind enough to heal me. Yes, she told me about this fight and the return of Selah. She wanted me to rally the Mythics, get us to join so we can assist and heal where needed.”
“You were busy the last couple of days, I see.” I glance at Korah.
“I told you to trust me,” she returns coolly.
“Right. Well, now that everyone is here, we all know what we’re facing.” I take a look at the different fleets and armies around me.
Hassha and Korah rise to the air, and I join them. The sea of soldiers, warriors, and fighters seem infinite. All of them are here to save their world. All of them are ready to fight for what they love.
“Never in my life did I think I’d see all the territories coming together in this way,” I say, “but this is our world, and I’ll be damned if we give up all we’ve built—all we love—to a madwoman who wants nothing more than power, blood, and control!”
Cheers erupt as swords and spears rise in the air.
“We know you did not ask for this fight.” Hassha takes over. “We know many of you could have refused to join us and waited to see what would happen, but you should know something. Though you are not my creations, there is nothing I want more than to see you flourish. Not just for your sakes, but for the future of Vakeeli. There are people who need you, children you will guide who want to see what the future holds for them. So long as we go into this war together, we will prevail. Korah and I will do everything in our power to make sure you live to see another day!”
More cheers break through the air. It’s loud, but it’s the perfect sound to lead us into this war.
The sound of hope.
Power.
Freedom.
A creaky groan overlaps it though, and the cheers die as everyone cranes their neck to search for the sound.
In the distance, rocks crumble and a set of stairs descend from the hovering land. Hassha sighs and glances at Korah. Their eyes flash as the barrier dissolves, exposing us to the dangers beyond.
The stairs appear on either side, and I float to the ground, instructing which army to go where. When they’re marching away, I stand in the center of the field, observing them all with a heavy heart.
Because though I have power, though I have hope, there are people here I will never see again after today.
“You can do this.” Hassha’s voice is a whisper as it passes. She stands at my side, watching the people as I do. “Trust in yourself. Trust in Yuri. But most of all…trust in us. We’re here to see you through this.”